Renegade (Tin Star K9 Series Book 1)

  RENEGADE

  Tin Star K9 Series - Book 1

  Jodi Burnett

  Copyright © 2021 by Jodi Burnett

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Dedication

  For my Family

  To Trevor, Emily, Skyler, and Sarah who taught me what crazy, fierce, overwhelming, and unconditional love feels like. That’s how I love the four of you. You’re my very best.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Also by Jodi Burnett

  1

  The inky blackness of the cool spring night soothed Caitlyn’s frustration. Relief at having somewhere else to go reaffirmed her decision to move out. The fact that her brother, Dylan, would probably never forgive her was his problem. She absently stroked the furry head resting in her lap as she drove down the forest highway toward Moose Creek. Renegade, her German Shepherd-Malinois mix, slept stretched over the bench seat of her truck, using her leg as a pillow. Caitlyn and Renegade had been together for almost two years now, and she couldn’t imagine her life without his company.

  Wispy fog rose from the river fifty-feet below to her right, drifting across the highway, permeating the night with a spooky atmosphere. The winding mountain road worked against her like a hypnotist’s watch, mesmerizing her toward sleep. She fisted her fingers and ground them into her dry and gritty eyes. Caitlyn cracked open her window to get some fresh air, then reached over Renegade to change the radio station to something more upbeat.

  She’d barely glanced away from the road, but when she looked up again, high-beam headlights glared into the cab, careening toward her from the black abyss on her left. Caitlyn’s brain scrambled to make sense of the direction from which the impending collision came as she instinctively slammed on her brakes. The rear end of her truck fish-tailed and skidded toward the edge of the steep embankment that plunged to the river fifty feet below. One of her back wheels dropped off the soft shoulder, causing a sudden jerk that threw Renegade into the dashboard. He yelped and fell onto the floorboard.

  One second before impact, tires screeched and the car racing toward her swerved, barely missing a direct broadside crash, though still clipping her front end. The sick sound of crumpling metal echoed through the cab, and her truck lurched perilously toward the cliff’s edge. Caitlyn stood on her brakes, praying her backend wouldn’t slide off, tumbling hood over tailgate to the bottom of the ravine. Never slowing, the smaller vehicle sped away into the night, leaving them to their fate.

  Caitlyn flipped her pickup into four-wheel drive and sucking in a deep breath, braved shifting her foot from brake to gas. In that heartbeat, the truck bed dropped as the second tire skidded over the edge. She floored the gas, the engine roared, and rocky gravel riddled the underside of her rig.

  With a growling surge, the truck fought the battle against gravity until Caitlyn barreled onto solid ground. Once safely on the pavement, she jammed the pickup into park. “Ren? Are you okay?”

  Her dog climbed onto the seat and licked her face. Caitlyn hugged him tight and held on, trembling as her pulse steadied and the adrenaline flooding her system receded. She turned the cab light on to check on Renegade. Her hands ran over his bones and belly, searching for lumps and bruises until she was confident he wasn’t injured. “Where the hell did that car come from?” Ren answered with another long swipe of his tongue. “That idiot could have killed us!”

  Caitlyn rummaged in the glove box for her flashlight. She clicked on her hazard lights and opened her door. It was too dark to see skid marks on the pavement, but the lingering smell of burning rubber assured her they were there. She and Renegade crossed the barren highway. Caitlyn flashed her beam into the foliage on the mountainside of the street. Her light panned across a rugged, forest-service entry road. “It was probably just some kids who were up on the mountain drinking and hooking up.” She shivered at the knowledge of how close they’d come to slipping off the highway and tumbling down the rocky cliff to the rushing waters below.

  Having made sense of where the car came from, Caitlyn and her dog returned to the truck. She shined the light on the dented front bumper. The car smashed her signal light too, but it could have been a lot worse. She opened the door and told Renegade to load up. Once inside, she locked the doors and sat back against her seat, still shaking from the experience. Caitlyn considered calling the sheriff, but there was nothing to tell. Yes, it was a hit and run, but she had only seen headlights and taillights. She couldn’t describe the vehicle at all. And besides, this late at night she’d end up having to talk to Colt, and that was something she wanted to avoid at all costs.

  2

  On Sunday morning, Caitlyn bumped along the gravel road that wound through a thick pine forest and led to her family’s ranch. Renegade sat next to her on the front seat, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. The Reed Ranch had been in her family since the 1800s and was as familiar to her as her most comfortable pair of boots. Caitlyn had always loved this drive. It meant she was coming home. However, she reminded herself, her recent decision meant that was no longer the case. She wanted to move toward her future, even if she had no idea what that future was.

  Caitlyn shrugged off the uncomfortable edginess that poked the underside of her ribs. Ignoring the constant pall from her lack of personal direction, she rolled down the window of her silver truck. Her parents had given her the used vehicle when she went off to college—the second time. Brisk pine-infused air freshened the warm, muggy cab, bringing with it a resolve to find her path. But first, she wanted to fix things with her brother. Caitlyn took a deep breath and let it bolster the confidence she needed to face him.

  Friday night, Dylan had been furious—as usual—and forgiveness looked as far away as ever. Caitlyn understood his anger, but wished that he would consider her point of view, too. She hoped he’d let her explain herself today. She reached for the thermal mug nestled in the cup-holder and pulled in a long sip of her strong black coffee. The stout brew buoyed her determination as she maneuvered around the twists and turns through the woods on the way to her family’s log-cabin home.

  The sun was up enough to warm the eastern logs of the house by the time she drove past the driveway and continued down to the barnyard beyond. Dylan was already out and hard at work, his breath puffing like a cigar in the cool morning air. Caitlyn parked beside Dylan’s mount, hitched to a rail next to the arena gate. She raised her hand in greeting to her brother, who was bent over, holding up one of his horse’s feet. He pounded a nail through the iron shoe and out the side wall of the hoof, then deftly clipped the sharp point off. He barely gave Ca
itlyn a quick nod in response.

  “Good morning.” Caitlyn schooled her features to disguise the apprehension she felt. She was tired of his scowl and perpetual surly attitude, when all she wanted was to smooth things out. She pressed on, “Did Sampson throw a shoe?”

  “Nope.” Dylan’s simmering anger percolated under the tone of his one-word answer.

  Caitlyn turned off her engine and unclipped her seatbelt. She rested her chin on her arms in the open window. “Just tightening things up?” Dylan responded with a glower at her rhetorical question. The beard he’d grown for winter did nothing to hide his expression, and his dark eyes, the same shade of mahogany as hers, sparked with irritation.

  Caitlyn sighed and opened her door. She hopped down to the ground from her seat. Renegade followed her out, his red-tawny fur glowing in the sunrise. “What can I help you with this morning?” She grabbed her straw cowboy hat from the truck and settled it on her head. Her long, dark-brown hair hung in a single thick braid down her back.

  “What are you doing here? This isn’t your ranch anymore, remember?” Dylan placed the hoof-nail hammer in a slot on his shoeing stand before moving it out of his way. He smoothed a rough hand down his horse’s neck and reached to check the saddle cinch. He kept his broad back to Caitlyn as he tightened it.

  “Come on, Dylan. Aren’t you tired of this same old argument? This will always be our family’s ranch, and I’m a part of that.” Caitlyn patted Sampson’s haunches. “I’m more than happy to do my share of the work. I just don’t want to live here anymore.”

  “You’ve made that crystal clear. Don’t you have chores you should be doing at your own place?” Dylan exchanged Sampson’s halter with a bridle, sliding the bit carefully into his horse’s mouth.

  Caitlyn clamped down on a defensive retort. She swallowed. “Where are you riding to?”

  “Checking on the cows.”

  “Want me to saddle up and come out with you? Or is there something else you need done?” Caitlyn crossed her arms over her chest.

  Dylan yanked his leather work gloves on and gathered his reins to the horn. He climbed into the saddle and turned his horse to face her. “I’m sure you can find something to do while I’m gone.” With that, he spun Sampson around and urged him into a lope down the path towards the distant cattle pastures.

  Caitlyn sighed. “Well, Ren, there are always stalls to clean. Let’s get to work.” She stepped off toward the big red barn. Her boots crunched the gravel, and Renegade kept pace beside her. Pausing inside the door for her eyes to adjust to the dimness, Caitlyn inhaled the familiar and comforting blend of wood shavings, horse sweat, leather, and manure. Whiskey, her bay gelding, knickered at her as she entered, and his welcome made her smile. Caitlyn was saving to build a shelter and corral at her new property so she could bring her horse home. Until then, Whiskey would have to bunk here.

  Caitlyn approached his stall, and her horse poked his head out of the opening to greet her. She ran her fingers over his broad cheek and scratched behind his black ear. He stretched his neck farther over the stall door and sniffed at Renegade. Their noses touched, and Whiskey twitched his velvet lips. Caitlyn noted Dylan had already fed the horses, so she went to find a rake and wheelbarrow. Eight stalls later, and as many trips to the manure pile, Caitlyn finished mucking. She was guzzling a cold drink from the hose when Dylan returned.

  “You’re still here?” Dylan swung his leg over the saddle and jumped down. He tethered Sampson to the hitching post, and with his hands on his hips, he turned to glare at Caitlyn. His favorite black cowboy hat lent shade to his already dark expression.

  “I just finished cleaning out the stalls for you.” Caitlyn pressed the red lever of the water spigot down to shut it off.

  “For me? I thought you said this was still the family ranch. Make up your mind, Caitlyn. You can’t have it both ways.”

  “You know what I mean, Dylan. When are you gonna let this go? I’m getting really sick of this pettiness.”

  “You’re welcome to leave anytime.” Dylan’s expression matched his harsh tone, and he took a step toward her. Renegade moved between them and growled at him. “You better get control of your dog if you know what’s good for him.”

  “Now you’re threatening my dog? How do you think Logan would feel about that?” She knew that would push a button. Her brothers were close, and Dylan had nothing but love and respect for his younger brother. She wished Dylan felt the same way toward her.

  “Don’t drag Logan into this. He doesn’t live here either.”

  “That’s true, but you don’t seem to hold that against him.”

  “Logan didn’t sell out.” Dylan struck off toward the barn.

  “Please, don’t walk away. Are you refusing to talk to me about why you’re so angry because you’re afraid?” Caitlyn jogged after him.

  “I’m not afraid of anything.”

  “I think maybe you’re scared to fail on your own, and you’re pissed that I put you in that position.”

  Dylan spun around to face her. “Caitlyn, it’s time for you to leave my ranch. I’m not afraid, I just don’t have time to deal with this crap. You don’t want to live here, so go home.” Her brother clenched his fists and his jaw twitched.

  His rage didn’t frighten her, though. “I can’t believe you.” Caitlyn’s voice rose with matching anger. The burnt-orange fur on Renegade’s top-line and shoulders bristled and his menacing growl rolled into a snarl.

  Chickens clucked and scurried in Caitlyn’s peripheral view, and their mother rushed out of the chicken pen, hurrying toward them. The woven gardening hat she wore flew off her thick silver-streaked hair on her way. “Will you two please stop fighting like children?”

  “I came here this morning to patch things up, Mom, but Dylan is too pig-headed and stubborn to let me.”

  “He just needs some time, Catie.” She handed Caitlyn a full basket of eggs and resettled her hat. “Why don’t you come inside for a cup of coffee?”

  “Time?” Caitlyn accepted the load. “He’s been mad at me since last fall.” Her frustration reached a boiling point, and she kicked the dirt. “I have just as much right to be here as Dylan does.”

  “What right do you have?” Dylan bellowed. “You sold your right, try to remember that. And now, I have to break my back every day because of it.”

  Caitlyn stuck her tongue out at her brother and instantly felt like an immature idiot. If their argument had seemed childish to her mother before, Caitlyn confirmed it. Dylan was the one person who could frustrate her into behaving like a kid.

  Their mom regarded Dylan with a level blue-gray gaze until he relaxed his fists, then she turned her disapproving expression to Caitlyn. “I think you need to let your brother be for a little while. Let him cool off.” She hooked her arm through Caitlyn’s and pulled her toward the house. “I heard something interesting on the news this morning. Do you remember Wendy Gessler? You went to school with her, didn’t you?”

  Caitlyn knew Wendy. They had been good friends in junior high, though they hadn’t hung around with each other much in high school. Wendy had gone boy-crazy, while Caitlyn was still in love with her horses. “Yeah, why? What did she do to get on the news?”

  Metal clanged behind them, and Caitlyn glanced back to see Dylan hauling several fencing tools out to his horse. “Hey Dylan, you remember Wendy Gessler, don’t you?” He flashed her a glare. “You two dated, didn’t you?”

  “What of it?”

  Their mom cocked her head at him. “I don’t remember that.”

  “It was just a couple of times, Ma. No reason you’d know.”

  “Either way, I heard on the news this morning that she’s gone missing.” Dylan’s hands stilled, then both he and Caitlyn looked at their mother. “Apparently, she never came home on Friday night, and no one has seen her since then. Her family is terribly worried.”

  “That’s weird. Doesn’t she teach at the middle school?” Caitlyn glanced at Dylan to see if he k
new.

  He nodded. “Last I heard, she taught eighth-grade history.”

  “That’s what they said on the news.” Their mother walked back towards Dylan, and Caitlyn followed. “Have you kept in touch with her?”

  “Not really. Not more than to say hello if I see her in town or at the Mercantile.” Dylan attached the fencing tools to his saddle with Concho straps. “I’m sure she’ll turn up.” He pulled himself onto Sampson’s back.

  Caitlyn agreed. “I bet she shows up for work at the school tomorrow morning.”

  “I’ve got stuff to do.” Dylan acknowledged his mother with the tip of his hat but ignored Caitlyn.

  “Wait, Dylan.” Caitlyn reached out as though she could stop him. “Where are you going to be? I’ll saddle up, meet you out there, and give you a hand.” Caitlyn passed the basket of eggs back to her mother.

  “What about that cup of coffee?” Caitlyn’s mom touched her shoulder.

  “That’s right, Caitlyn. You’re a guest on this ranch, and Mom treats guests to coffee and muffins.” Dylan nudged his horse and trotted away toward the northern pasture.

  “Thanks, Mom, but I’m gonna help Dylan with that fence whether he likes it or not. I want to work this thing out between us. I hate that he’s still so mad at me, and I’m tired of him treating me like crap. I know he’s angry, but I don’t deserve that.”

  “Well, you must admit your decision put a big financial strain on him, and on this ranch. At least try to understand why he’s so upset.”