by Mary Winter
“Thank god,” she whispered.
Bright lights suddenly flared at the far end of the pasture and she saw three men, and what could be a woman all dressed in black. One raised a gun, and belatedly she realized it was a tranquilizer gun and aimed it at the lead steer.
“No!” Jenny screamed. “Get away from my cattle!” Daisy needed no urging, for she bolted into a gallop like the barrel racer she once had been and rushed forward.
The sound of sirens came from behind her.
“Jenny!” Caid’s voice carried forward.
“Stay there. Hold the fence,” she yelled. “Don’t let the cattle out!” It was foolish to keep him back, but she was already halfway there and the last thing she wanted was to have the herd scattered.
A moment later the sound of a racing motor followed her. She glanced to see Caid on an ATV. Damn it. Except there, beyond him, was someone else—Logan maybe?—standing at the fence. She hoped they had cow sense, because if this herd panicked…
The steer went down hard and the herd split around it and the men standing there. She cursed under her breath, having to ride around them, rather than through, but in doing so, she steered the cattle back toward the men. The herd raced through whatever setup they had; distantly, she recognized what looked like photography equipment toppling over. Good. Maybe her cows broke their fancy cameras.
Armed with only the riding crop she’d grabbed and a flashlight, she bore down on the men. One raised the gun, not quick enough because a swing of her arm, slapped the crop across his face. He yelled and bent his head. A moment later, a shot fired.
Daisy kept galloping and she felt no pain, so it must not have hit her. She faced down the other man, missing with her swipe of the crop, and she circled, using Daisy’s ability to get underneath herself to spin on a dime and make another run for it.
Another shot filled the air with a loud crack.
One moment Daisy galloped forward, the next, her leg buckled, her shoulder dropping. For one horrifying moment, Jenny thought she’d be crushed beneath the horse’s weight and maybe that’s what the assailant had wanted.
The shot had a secondary effect. It stampeded the cattle. Already startled from the wire being cut and their excursion down the lane, the cattle bolted.
Jenny shifted her weight, trying to lurch to the right as Daisy fell to the left. Kicking her foot free of the stirrup, she rolled, feeling a hoof hit her in the shoulder as she landed on the hard ground. She bounced, the wind knocked from her. But she couldn’t lay there and try to catch her breath. She rolled, finding Daisy laying still—too still.
“Daisy! Come on girl. Daisy!”
The flashlight shone from its place beneath the mare’s neck, and she grabbed it, wrenching it free to look for wounds. A tranquilizer dart. She saw it in the mare’s shoulder, and she had no way of knowing if the mare got the full dose or only part. Those damn tranq guns were so tricky. She had one she used in case of an emergency. She checked Daisy’s respiration. The breaths were even and deep. Saying a silent prayer the mare wasn’t harmed, she glanced around to try and figure out what the hell had just happened.
She saw Caid and another man grappling. Looked like Bull had a second man down, and the bright lights of a police truck hit the opening in the fence about the time the cattle did. They stopped and turned. She watched their forms move in front of the lights, trying to find her brother. Thankfully when the cattle were gone, she saw him standing there talking to the police officer.
The woman? Where was the woman? She turned just in time to see her stand over her. “I should shoot you.” She pointed the tranquilizer gun at Jenny. “One of these doses will kill you.”
Talk about stating the obvious. “And my boyfriend will kill you,” Jenny quipped back. She eyed the distance between them, wondered if she would be fast enough to attack and if a second dose of tranquilizer went into Daisy, who still seemed to be out of it, what would happen. She struggled to do anything that would harm her horse’s wellbeing. Right now her own didn’t matter. Not when the sound of fighting still sounded from around her, punctuated by the cattle’s cries. “You’re Ashley, right?” She took a guess. “So Ashley, why my cattle? Why this?”
Ashley laughed.
Not that Jenny expected a big villain monologue. Those only happened in movies. “Where’s Jon? You find out he’s mediocre in the sack?” She tossed the last one out, and saw her barb hit its mark. Ashley flinched. Well, she didn’t exactly introduce herself as Ashley, but since she figured her guess about Jon’s new bed buddy to be right, the name must be too. Jenny inched her hand back into Daisy’s rigging where a small pouch was tied to the horn of the saddle. She tried to mask her movements as checking on her horse, and maybe a bit of getting away.
Someone groaned from behind her, then a thud.
“I’ve got it,” an unfamiliar male voice said, and a moment later the Miranda rights filled the air.
Ashley glanced toward the men behind them.
This was her chance. She pulled out the slim pocket knife, knowing it wasn’t any sort of throwing knife and it wasn’t like she’d taken that as one of her electives in school. Still, it was her only opportunity. Saying a silent prayer that Daisy would stay down, and that Ashely wouldn’t fire in their direction, she tossed the knife.
It glanced off Ashley’s thigh. She shrieked and turned. A moment later, she fired.
Jenny couldn’t see over Daisy’s body and she inched closer to Ashley.
Caid burst from the darkness.
Relief filled her veins. She ducked behind Daisy, keeping one hand on the mare who seemed to be coming around. Maybe she hadn’t gotten a full dose. Those guns could be fickle.
Caid held a gun on her. “Don’t move. It’s over.”
“No. It can’t be. I have too much invested. Jon promised me-” Whatever she was going to say was cut off because Caid rushed forward and put her in a choke hold.
More officers filed into the field then, a pair of them taking the two men.
Caid hit Ashley again, knocking her out. He quickly incapacitated her with zip ties, handing her off to the officer who arrived.
“Everyone okay here,” he asked.
“Jenny?” Worry filled Caid’s voice.
“I’m fine. I think Daisy will be too. She was hit with a tranq dart.” Caid rushed to her side, kneeling beside her, and pulling her into his arms. “I told you to stay with the vehicle.”
“I couldn’t wait around while you fought the bad guys. Besides, we still don’t know why she did this, or why Jon did. She said something about money. She had too much invested.”
Distantly she registered the officer taking Ashley away, then Bull appeared followed by her brother.
“You okay, Jen?” Logan asked.
“I’m fine.” She laid a hand on Daisy. “She’s coming around, let’s back up if we can.” She stood, Caid still keeping her tucked in his arms, and she waited, her heart in her throat as Daisy struggled to her feet. She made it, standing there looking like she’d just awakened after a hell of a hangover, but on her feet. “We’ll be fine. Can you have someone bring the utility vehicle? There’s a halter in it, and I’d like to remove Daisy’s tack.”
“I can do that. We can park it in the fence line until I can get back with some equipment.”
“There should be a temporary set of fence posts and hot wire in the back. I keep it there just in case. It’ll last the night anyway.”
“Sounds good. Smart thinking.” He disappeared to get the vehicle.
“I’m going to check on my gear,” Bull said.
“Thanks,” she said. “I’m glad you and my brother were here.”
And then she was alone with Caid. She cupped his cheek, clinging to him in the pasture. What had just happened? Why? It seemed so senseless. Daisy nuzzled her shoulder, and she rubbed the mare’s neck.
“I thought I lost you,” he said at last. “When you and Daisy went down, I didn’t think I could breathe. Then I saw you
moving and realized you hadn’t been crushed.” He released a shuddering breath. “God, Jenny. I thought I lost you.” He held her tighter.
“I did too.”
A moment later the sound of the utility vehicle’s motor broke the silence. “Hey, could you two love birds come help me with the fence,” Logan yelled.
“Yeah. We’re coming.” Caid kissed the top of Jenny’s head and together, they walked back to help her brother mend the fence.
Chapter Seven
Jenny sat next to him, clenching his hand so tight he thought she might break bones. Through the one-way mirror, they watched Ashley talk to the detective, her words vindictive. He might not feel much sympathy for the guy, but Jon was getting his ass thrown under the bus and there was nothing anyone would be doing to stop it.
“…came up with the idea to use Jenny’s cows. She had so many, he’d said, if they staged a few cattle mutilations she could turn it into her insurance and we’d get big promo for our event,” Ashley told the detective, who had a “been there and saw everything” expression on his face. He took notes, once again asking if she wanted an attorney there. No, without the event she couldn’t afford one. The county public defender stood in one corner, his arms crossed over his chest. Apparently he’d presented quite the plea deal to Ashley and she took it. Guilty and financial restitution along with some public service, and she wouldn’t see the inside of a jail cell. Jon, on the other hand, was wanted in Yellowstone county on fraud and bad check charges, and these would just be icing on that crap cake.
“You doing okay,” he whispered to her.
“I need to hear this.”
Damn she was strong, and this was why he loved her. When she’d heard that Jon had been arrested outside of town and witnesses placed him on her property that night, she’d pressed trespassing and criminal mischief charges. The crazy theory they’d been crafting about how Ashley wanted the publicity for money had been spot on, sickeningly so. Turns out Jon and Ashley both had been running scam rings, partially through her UFOP - UFO Productions - where she fleeced those who believed in UFOs out of money, and partially through various cons they had going on. The longer he listened, the more he was convinced that both of them deserved years behind bars. Too bad Ashley wouldn’t see any, though it appeared getting caught like this rattled her. Or at least that’s the facade she had.
“I want to go,” Jenny whispered in his ear, after more of the story became clear.
He nodded, not wanting to say anything since they were warned conversation could leech through the one-way mirror to be heard by those on the other side. Anything he said wouldn’t be fit for lady’s ears anyway. He stood, and she went with him, nearly glued to his side as they walked through the precinct.
“Leaving? We haven’t finished,” one of the officers said.
“We’ve heard enough,” Jenny replied.
“We’ll call you if we need anything,” he said, seeming to understand.
“I’m sure you will.” With that, they left, meeting Bull on the way out. He was giving his statement on the events of that night and had requested that assault charges be pressed against the hired men. They hadn’t fared as well as the woman who’d hired them, also having rap sheets and definitely ending up with some jail time. Isn’t that the way it usually worked out. Those lower down on the food chain took the fall for those higher up.
“Give you a ride back to the ranch?” Caid asked Bull.
“Yeah. Then Hank asked me to check into something, so I’ll be packing up and heading out. I appreciate the hospitality of your pasture.” He tipped his head to her.
“Maybe next time, the hospitality can be well, more hospitable. I’ll have to make a big barbecue or something to thank you guys.” She patted him on the arm.
They rode back to Jenny’s ranch with her snuggled next to him. He wrapped his arm around her, fingers just barely beneath her breast. Each breath moved them closer, and it was only because he’d never hear the end of it from his buddy that he was groping his girlfriend in the truck.
Girlfriend. He hoped for more. In fact, he planned on asking her tonight. The rest of the drive passed in a blur, and as soon as they parked, Bull jumped out of the cab and headed for the utility vehicle to pick up his gear. That left them alone. He exited the truck and held open the door for her, noticing how tired she looked. Maybe tonight wouldn’t be a good time to ask.
She touched his chest as she passed, giving him a soft smile, and then walked to the house. He followed, watching her unlock the door and open it. Once inside, she kicked off her shoes, went to the kitchen for a bottle of water, and sat down on the couch—hard.
~* * *~
Jenny looked up at Caid who sat on the couch next to her, his arm casually draped across the back of the couch. How she wanted to lean into his broad chest, let his arms enfold her and keep her safe from all the crazies out there. And listening to Ashley at the police station showed there were some pretty crazy crazies. Not to mention her horrid taste in men as the full extent of Jon’s actions, and his past actions, came to light.
“I suppose you’ll be leaving now,” she said, trying to stay strong. The last time he’d been here on leave and she’d known when he and her brother was deploying. Now, she wasn’t sure her heart could handle it, but her case was solved. She figured Hank would send him trotting off to somewhere else to protect someone else. She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
“What? Why do you say that?” Shock filled his voice.
“You saved me. My cattle are safe. Ashley and Jon are in the hands of the law.” She shrugged. “I don’t know where Hank works or how, but I suspect he has another case for you.”
“You know if he does it’ll be right here.” He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, his touch so soft she thought she might cry.
“What? Really?” For the first time since the case had come to a head last night, she felt hope. Real hope. Not just hope that her livestock would be safe. Worst case scenario a few nights in the pasture with her rifle would protect them from any predators. But hope that perhaps, he’d stay and they could build a life together. “I thought…”
“I know what you thought, and I don’t care if Hank sends me to the ends of the earth. I’ll always come back home to you.”
Her lips parted in shock.
Caid swooped in and kissed her, bringing heat to her body as soon as his lips touched hers. Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her to his chest, his other hand skimming her sides. He tasted her, a quick caress of his tongue along her lower lip, then deeper, until his tongue entered her mouth and he groaned. When he pulled back, they both were breathing hard.
“Did that feel like a man who wanted to go anywhere except to your bed?”
She shivered at the image his words conjured, of both of them ascending the stairs to her bedroom, him laying her down on the bed, then stripping before making passionate love to her. She shook her head no.
“Honey, I’m not going anywhere that you’re not. I love you. I know I loved you the last time I was here, but I was deployed and I jumped into war zones to rescue men. It wasn’t exactly a desk job and you made it clear you worried enough over your brother. I didn’t want you worrying over me.”
“I did,” she admitted. “Worry over you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry for every moment of hell I put you through. I’ve served my country. I’m done with that life. Now, I want to settle down with you and the cattle, and even Bubba. I know a bit about roping and working cattle, or at least those trophies I got in high school said I did. I’d like to rope myself to you and this ranch and have you all to myself. Will you marry me, Jenny Ryder? Will you make it official and become my wife?”
Her eyes filled with tears of the happy variety and she blinked them away. “Yes, Caid. Or would you rather I call you Domino in bed?” This time, she closed the space between them and initiated the kiss. Of all the outcomes, she’d never imagined this. In all the ways she’d thought that s
he might see Caid again, might even get to make love to him again, never had marriage entered into the equation. But now that he’d asked, she knew it had been all she’d wanted from the beginning. “I love you, Caid Janda, and you can rope me any time you want.”
He chuckled low in his chest and tugged at the hem of her shirt. “How about we start right now?”
She tried to think of a witty comeback, something that had to do with being roped, and then decided the heck with it. She wanted him now and every day in their future. Taking off her shirt, she stood and hurried to the stairs. “Anywhere, anytime, Domino.”
He moved off the couch like a shot, catching her when she was halfway up the stairs. With one strong arm around her waist, he pulled her against his chest and nibbled along her neck. Somehow, they made it to her bedroom and when she turned to face him, the heat and love in his gaze took her breath away. Wiggling out of the rest of her clothes, she lay back on the bed and watched the man she loved come to her. He might have roped her, but as she watched his gaze sweep over her naked body, she wondered if somehow, perhaps they hadn’t rescued each other.
About The Author
Mary lives in the Ozarks on a homestead with her spoiled horses, a flock of highly entertaining chickens, a not-so-itty-bitty-kitty-committee, and her husband. Her first published novel, Ghost Touch, was released in December 2002–back when you had to explain to people what an eBook was. Since then she’s written more than the fifty novels/novellas in multiple genres of romance under a few pen names, as well as nonfiction books under yet another pen name.
Website: http://marywinter.com
Stay tuned for an excerpt from Wild Horse Rescue, featuring Jenny’s brother Logan.