Kade: Armed and Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray Page A

smuggler.
    “Gordo,” Juan said. He continued rattling in Spanglish, the border version of Spanish
     and English. The coyotes had left the UDAs to die, and Juan was angry. Gordo was the
     name the coyotes had called the smuggler. Juan gave Kade a description that matched
     what Kade knew of the man.
    “Gordo,” Kade muttered as he pushed his Stetson back and scratched his head. The name
     kept coming up, and in his gut he knew he was closer to tracking the bastard down.
    Sal Valenzuela strode toward Don, looking like he was sweltering in his rough-duty
     uniform. “The kid on the end says an old guy couldn’t keep up and they had to leave
     him behind. I’ll call it in.”
    Don Mitchell radioed for a transport van after he and Sal determined that all the
     members of the group were indeed UDAs. They advised the men and women of their administrative
     rights and took down their personal information.
    While they processed the UDAs a helicopter was utilized to help search for the missing
     man. Agents located him where he’d crossed Sweetwater, the ranch of the former county
     sheriff John “Bull” Stevens. The UDA was to be evacuated to Douglas Hospital, but
     he died from dehydration before the copter took to the air.
    Kade tossed his hat into his truck as they got ready to leave the ranch. “Damn polleros.”
    “To hell and back.” Don scowled. “Those coyotes deserve to die in the desert, instead
     of the people they leave stranded.”
    Sal gave a short nod as he looked over his shoulder at the UDAs. Kade rubbed his hands
     over his face, trying to wipe away some of the exhaustion and frustration. “Only getting
     worse.”
    With a shrug, Don walked back toward the group of UDAs. “The coyotes run people and
     drugs. Both are profitable enough to be worth the risk.”
    “Need any help here before I take off?” Kade asked.
    Sal shook his head. “We’ve got it handled.”
    “Then I’ve got to head on home.” Kade climbed into his truck, lowered the window,
     and slammed the door.
    “How long is that pretty reporter staying with you?” Sal’s dark eyes gleamed.
    The possessive feeling that grabbed Kade surprised him. “Not long enough.” He buzzed
     up the window, his friend’s low whistle fading as the glass rose.
    ***
    Kelsey settled with her laptop computer at the dining room table for her interview
     with Kade’s mother.
    Sadie stretched a block of fabric across a hoop. “I hope you don’t mind if I quilt
     while we talk.”
    “Not at all.” Kelsey pulled her cell phone out of her bag and set it on the table
     after she’d prepared it to record.
    She admired the furnishings, including an oak china cabinet filled with crystal glasses,
     goblets, and decanters. It surprised her to see crystal on a ranch, one of her many
     preconceived notions of life in the country to be shattered since meeting Kade’s family.
    Margarita glasses caught her attention. Heat rushed through her at the memory of what
     her last margarita had led to. Kelsey shoved thoughts of Kade from her mind, praying
     his mother wouldn’t notice the flush in her cheeks. She ran her hand over a quilt
     block, admiring Sadie’s work.
    “Incredible.” Kelsey traced one of the circles designed with small blocks of cloth.
     “I love the materials you’ve chosen and the way the rings loop together.”
    “You’re sweet.” Sadie slipped on a pair of half-glasses, adjusted the hoop, slid a
     thimble on one finger, and started stitching. “It’s a wedding ring quilt, and the
     materials are hand-dyed.”
    Kelsey picked up a corner. “The circles do look like wedding rings intertwined.”
    “I’ve been working on it for years, off and on. I keep hoping Kade will find a young
     lady he wants to settle down with, so that I can give the quilt to him and his bride
     as a wedding gift.” She glanced up and smiled. “There’s been no shortage of women
     who’ve been interested in Kade. He’s just never fallen in love with