“Looking for someone?” Bear took the seat opposite him.
“Nope,” he replied.
Bear was silent.
“You need something?” Clint asked.
“I’m waiting to walk Charlie back to her cabin. Unless you want to do it. But then, you’d actually have to talk to her and we all know you’re avoiding her.”
He narrowed his gaze at the other man. “I’m not avoiding her.”
“Really? Seems that way to me. You’re supposed to be her guardian but haven’t noticed you spending much time with her. Instead, you got everyone else reporting in about her.”
“I don’t have to spend time with her to know whether she’s doing all right. I have a ranch to run as well.”
Bear snorted. “That’s your excuse, is it?”
“You got something to say, Bear. Just say it.”
“Wasn’t that long ago that you wanted a chat with me about Ellie. Remember that?”
“That was a different situation.”
“Was it?”
“Clearly Ellie was meant to be with you. You were stomping around in a bad temper, too stubborn to go to her. I was helping.”
“Helping…interfering…sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference with you.”
“Is this some sort of revenge?”
“Nope. Just a concerned friend checking in to make sure you’re okay.”
“Jesus, you’re not getting all touchy-feely, are you?” he said with disgust.
“All seriousness though, Clint. Check in with her. She looks worn out. Been acting a little jumpy.”
Worry filled him at Bear’s words. Shit. Why hadn’t he checked in with her in person before now? “I’ll walk her home.”
“Thought you might.”
Clint stood and strode into the kitchen. She was standing across the room at the kitchen counter, scrubbing at a pot. He frowned. Where were Eduardo, Graciela and Allan?
He moved closer. “Charlotte?”
Nothing. That was odd.
“Charlotte?” He reached out a hand and touched her shoulder, unprepared for the way she screamed. She turned, swiping out at him with a soapy hand, her body trembling, her breath coming in sharp pants.
“Stay back! Stay away!”
“Charlotte, it’s me. It’s Clint.”
What the fuck?” What was going on?
She stood there for a moment, staring up at him. Then she seemed to wilt before his eyes, slumping back against the kitchen counter.
“Clint, I didn’t hear you. You gave me a fright.” She placed her hand on her chest.
That was obvious. “I called out to you twice.”
“Sorry, I guess I was deep in thought.”
He took a moment to study her and didn’t like what he saw. She looked pale and exhausted. Had she lost weight? Wasn’t she eating?
“I…umm…I was just getting a start on this pot for Graciela.” She slid away from him. “I’m about to head home.” She walked over to where her backpack and jacket were beside the door.
“I’ll walk you home.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Necessary or not, I’m walking you home,” he said firmly. What the hell was going on with her? She was jumpy as a rabbit.
They headed out, her flashlight lighting the way.
“Are you settling in all right?” he finally broke the silence.
“Fine.”
“Is there anything you need?”
“No.” She stopped and turned to him. “Actually, yes. Can I have my car back?”
He frowned. Why did she need her car? He didn’t like the idea of her driving around in that hunk of junk. “Have you asked Zeke about it?”
“He said he hasn’t had a chance to fix it. I don’t want to take up his time. I thought I would take it into town on my day off and get a mechanic to check it over.”
She was lying. But why? He reached out to grab her arm as she turned away and she let out a low noise of pain. He snatched his hand back.
“Did I hurt you?” He was horrified. He’d barely touched her.
“It’s nothing. I’m fine. I just want my car. All right?” She walked swiftly away.
“Charlotte, is something wrong? You know you can come to me about anything.”
“Because you’re my guardian?” There was a funny note to her voice.
“Yes.”
“And my boss.”
Where was she leading with this? “Yes.”
“This is all just temporary,” she muttered, more to herself than to him.
“Little girl, if there is something going on, I want you to tell me immediately.” He made his voice stern. He was worried about her. He was also starting to see what a mistake he’d made in avoiding her and instead having other people watch over her for him.
“And if I don’t tell you?”
He frowned. “Then you’re going to find yourself over my knee.”
“Good thing there’s nothing going on then,” she said with a fake cheerfulness. By now they had reached her cabin and she walked up the steps.
“Charlotte.” He stepped after her again.
She turned. “I’m fine, Clint. Thank you for your worry. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m tired. I need to go to sleep. Good night.”
He stood there for a moment in amazement, realizing for the first time in a long while he’d been dismissed.
* * *
“What do you mean you’ve hardly seen her?” Kent bit out. “You’re supposed to be watching out for her.”
Kent stared through the computer screen at him with frustration and no small amount of anger. His younger brother’s temper was slow to ignite but when it fired up, it could burn for a long time.
Clint couldn’t really blame him for his temper. He’d be on the warpath if the situation were reversed.
“What if she needs something?” Kent asked. He’d been called out two days after Charlotte arrived to deal with an emergency with one of their international clients. Whatever had gone wrong had kept him out of service and this was the first time he’d been in contact.
“I walked her to her cabin last night,” he defended himself. And he’d lain awake long into the night certain something was wrong and he just wasn’t seeing it. “She has my phone number.” Which she hadn’t used other than to send him that ridiculous text telling him that she couldn’t accept the phone, jacket and nightlight.
“It’s obvious she hasn’t had an easy time of it. She might not be used to asking for help, Clint.”
Damn it. Why hadn’t he thought of that? “She’s keeping out of trouble.” He’d have heard otherwise.
“I’m not that worried about her getting into trouble,” Kent said tiredly. “I’m worried we might have frightened her the other night. I’ve been feeling bad about that and having to leave so soon afterwards. She’s probably scared to put a foot wrong for fear we’ll jump on her.”
Okay, now he felt even worse. Was that the problem? Was she concerned about messing up? “We just want her to be safe.”
“She isn’t used to this way of life. I thought you’d be keeping a closer eye on her.” The reprimand in his brother’s voice was clear.
“I’ve had people watching over her. They all say she’s fine,” he said defensively. “Ellie adores her.” She’d talked his ear off about how wonderful Charlotte was.
“We’re her guardians, Clint.” Kent was saying nothing that he didn’t know. “It isn’t like you to shirk your duties. What’s going on?”
“I kissed her. All right? That first night when I took her back to her cabin, I kissed her.” He still felt guilty.
Silence. Kent stared at him. Then a slow smile crossed his face. “I knew you liked her.”
“It was a mistake.” How could his brother not see that? “She works for us.”
“So?” Kent asked.
“So. I can’t get involved with her. I’m her boss. I have authority over her.”
“You would never forc
e her,” Kent’s voice was filled with certainty.
“Of course not. But I just don’t think it would be right.”
Kent let out a deep breath. “Clint, man, when was the last time you kissed a woman? Really kissed one?”
“What? As opposed to not really kissing one?” he asked sarcastically. But he gave it some thought. When was the last time? He couldn’t remember.
“You’re not the type to just jump on someone because they’re available. You like this girl. And we both know part of the reason why.”
He nodded. “I don’t think she knows what she is.”
Kent ran his hand over his face, his exhaustion evident. “Then explain it. Give her time to think, to adjust, to come to you. But for God’s sake, go and make certain she’s doing all right.”
He nodded and ended the call. Kent was right. He’d been keeping his distance because of that kiss. Because he had feelings for her that he didn’t believe he should act on. But that wasn’t fair to her. He’d assigned himself as her guardian and he’d been failing her, sending other people to take care of her, like Bear and Ellie. It was time he did his job.
* * *
She chopped some potatoes into cubes, playing the conversation with Clint from last night over in her head. She’d wanted to confess everything to him. Her problems with Allan. The fact that she couldn’t stop thinking about their kiss the other night. Her secret.
If he knew the truth, he’d fire you.
“You gonna cut that potato or stare it to death?” Allan snapped at her.
She turned to glare at him. “Oh, I thought I’d wait until you actually picked up a knife and did something.” She regretted the words as soon as she said them. But before she could say anything, the older man turned and walked away.
Good riddance. She turned back and grabbed a glass, filling it with water. Her head was thumping and she felt lightheaded. She set the glass on the counter.
“I knew it! I just knew it! You been stealing from us!”
What? Her hand flung out, catching the glass and sending it crashing to the floor where it smashed. Her heart raced; vomit soured her mouth before she swallowed it back. She didn’t even have time to think about how gross that was as Allan strode towards her, holding her backpack in one hand, a can of peaches in the other.
“Give me my bag!” she demanded, stepping forward. The glass crunched under her feet. Allan shoved her away from him and she fell on her ass, the palm of her right hand landing in the glass. But the sharp sting of glass lacerating her skin didn’t even penetrate as she stared up in horror at the man looming over her.
“I knew it! You little thief! I found this in your bag!” He waved the can around. “Just wait until I tell the boss man, you’re gonna be out on your ass.”
The world around her faded. All she could see was the angry man yelling at her. His face morphed into Brian’s face. Her mind insisted it was Brian yelling at her. About to hurt her. She slid back, her hand scraping painfully across the glass.
“Uh-uh, you ain’t going nowhere, girlie!” He reached for her. “I’m taking you to the boss man! See if he doesn’t kick you out on your ass. He don’t appreciate people stealing from him.”
She hadn’t. She hadn’t meant to. Please. But the words never left her mouth, she was too caught up in her personal nightmare. Brian screaming at her that she was messed up. Her aunt yelling. Her face twisted with bitterness and hate.
A noise that sounded like a wounded animal filled the room. Her heart pounded. She couldn’t catch her breath. Everything around her disappeared as she drew her legs up against her chest, and buried her face in her knees.
* * *
As soon as he heard the noise he started running. That wasn’t a sound he could ignore. Or one he ever wanted to hear again. It was filled with pain. And terror.
The sight that hit him when he entered the kitchen caught him by surprise. Allan was standing over Charlotte, who was curled up on the floor, a can of peaches in his hand. There was broken glass on the floor around Charlotte.
What the hell was Allan doing? Was he threatening to throw the can at her?
“What the fuck is going on in here?” he asked in a low rumble.
Charlotte whimpered, drawing in on herself and he froze. Fuck. She was terrified. He could see her trembling, noted the way she’d curled herself up into a defensive ball. He turned to Allan, who had a smug look on his face.
“Allan, you want to explain what’s going on here?” He kept his voice low. Tried to remain calm. And still, Charlotte let out a sound that was akin to the noise an abused animal might make.
Fuck. Fuck.
He longed to walk over to her, to wrap her up in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay. That he was here now.
He also knew that right now she wasn’t seeing him as someone safe. Before he tried to fix whatever the hell was going on with her, he needed to know what had been happening.
He heard a noise behind him and glanced up to see Zeke racing inside. He held up his hand to the other man as Charlotte let out a whimper. Her breath was coming in fast pants. If she wasn’t having a panic attack then she was close.
Zeke nodded, staring down at Charlotte with worried eyes.
“She’s been stealing from us. I knew it. Just had to find the proof.” Allan waved around the can of peaches in his hand and Clint noticed Charlotte’s backpack was by his feet. She’d stolen a can of peaches? That was what this was about? What the fuck did he care if she wanted to take some damn peaches back to her cabin to eat later. Far as he was concerned, the more she ate the better. She was so thin; he was worried for her health.
“That’s what this is about? A can of damn peaches?”
Allan blinked at him in surprise. What did he expect? For Clint to turn on Charlotte? For him to congratulate Allan on a job well done? If he’d been the one to terrify her so much that she’d retreated into herself, well, Allan might have lived here a long time but Clint didn’t allow anyone to abuse the women on his ranch. Under his care.
“You terrified her over a stupid can of peaches? She’s welcome to that and anything else she wants. Hell, have you looked at her? She’s so tiny a strong wind could push her over. She’s hardly going to eat us out of food.”
Allan took a step back from him, likely reading the fury on his face even though Clint was trying very hard not to let it bleed into his voice. Charlotte didn’t glance up. Didn’t make a noise. He wasn’t even certain she could hear them.
“It’s not just the peaches. Lots of food has gone missing.”
“She’s been here a week. How much food can possibly have disappeared? Not that I really care. As far as I’m concerned if she needs food, she can take it.”
“Stealing’s stealing,” Allan grumbled.
“It’s my food,” he countered, giving the man a firm look. “So, what happened? You snooped in her bag and found that can of food then what?”
“Then I confronted her. I was within my rights to search her bag,” Allan defended.
He heard a noise come from Zeke but turned and glared at him. He didn’t need anyone else entering this and scaring Charlotte any more than she was.
“Then what happened?”
“I told her I was going to get you. She charged at me, and I pushed her away then she fell.” Allan scowled down at her. “She’s not hurt. She’s just putting this on to get sympathy.”
“Jesus,” Zeke muttered.
“You pushed her? You put her hands on her?” He tried to keep his voice calm but it took all of his control. Fuck! How could he have let this happen?
He’d failed her.
“Charlotte is under my care and protection. If you thought there was something going on, you should have come to me as her guardian. Not berated and terrified her. And definitely not have touched her.”
Allan opened his mouth to say something but Clint held up a hand. “Enough. I don’t want to hear anymore; I’ve got to take care of Charlotte.”
“She’s a damn thief.”
“Just leave.”
“I can’t leave, who will cook dinner? You need me.”
Clint ground his teeth together. He couldn’t reply. He was too furious.
“Do you want me to call Ellie?” Zeke offered in a low voice.
“We’ll all die of food poisoning,” Allan sneered.
Since when had he become so bitter? And how had Clint not seen it? He had told Charlotte she would be safe here. That no one would bother her.
Allan turned, slamming the can of peaches on the table as he left. Charlotte let out a startled cry that made him want to snarl at the older man but he held his tongue. Right now, he had to do what was best for Charlotte. And that meant holding onto his temper.
Zeke returned to the kitchen, slipping his phone back in his pocket. “Ellie said she’s happy to help. She’s worried about Charlie, though.”
So was he.
He stepped closer. She let out a cry and shied back. Then moaned in obvious pain and distress. What the hell was going on? His hands clenched into fists and he had to breathe through his fury. Instead of trying to move closer, he knelt down several feet away from her.
“Charlotte, it me. Clint.”
Nothing.
“Charlotte, I want you to listen to me, okay? I want to come closer to you and check that you’re all right. Can you stay still and let me do that?”
“No, no, no,” she said, rocking herself slowly. “Don’t yell. Don’t hurt me.”
Fuck. What the hell had happened to her? This couldn’t just be from Allan scaring her. There had to be something more.
“Jesus, what is going on?” Zeke asked.
Another cry escaped her as she scooted back further.
“If you can’t stay quiet then go outside,” he told the other man. But his gaze never left Charlotte. Poor baby.
“Charlotte, I don’t care about the food. You can take as much as you need.”
Still nothing.
Maybe he needed to try a different tack. “Charlotte, I’m going to come closer to you now. You need me to look after you. I’m not going to hurt you, but I want you to stay just where you are.” He used a firmer tone. Not harsh or mean. Just letting her know he meant business.
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