by Elle James
Molly glanced up at the trail they’d left. Two men on ATVs drove parallel to them from above, tracking them as they moved through the valley.
Franco emerged into a wide-open pasture, and Parker gave his piebald gelding his head.
The horse flew across the field, heading for the barn.
Another horseback rider appeared from the north and ran beside them.
Parker jerked his head toward their rear and shouted to the other rider. “Trouble!”
As the other rider turned, the setting sun illuminated his face, and Molly finally recognized the man as her oldest brother.
Angus slowed his horse and drew his rifle out of the scabbard beside his knee. He aimed it in the direction of the hills and the sound of the ATVs.
Molly looked over Parker’s shoulder, wanting to tell her brother to be careful.
The four-wheelers burst from a trail, heading toward her brother.
Shots rang out.
The ATVs spun and headed back into the trees.
Angus remained where he was for a few moments longer, his weapon raised and ready.
When the ATVs didn’t reappear, he turned his horse and raced after Parker and Molly.
Molly sighed and leaned into Parker.
He smelled of aftershave and leather.
She liked that. No fancy cologne, just Parker, the Montana range and a setting sun. What more could a girl want?
She closed her eyes, the rocking, pounding motion of the horse making it harder and harder for her to stay awake.
Finally, they arrived at the gate to the barnyard.
Her mother rushed forward and opened the gate, her horse beside her. “What happened?” she cried out. “When Rusty came back without Molly, I was worried. I was about to come out looking for her.”
“I’m not sure what’s wrong with her,” Parker said. “She can barely hold her head up.”
“Sleepy,” Molly murmured.
Angus rode through the gate behind them, leaped down from his horse and reached up to catch Molly as she slipped out of Parker’s arms. He let her feet touch the ground, then slung one of her arms around his shoulder and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Hey, bro,” she slurred. “Just put me down here. I need a nap.”
“Drugged,” he said, his lips forming a thin line.
Parker dropped to the ground beside Angus. “I’ll take her up to the house.”
Molly’s legs gave out. “Don’t know why nothing’s working. Probably because I’m sleepy.”
Parker scooped her up into his arms. “I’ll get her to her room, if you can take care of the horses.”
Angus frowned. “The horses can wait. I want to know what they did to her.”
“I’ll call the doctor,” Molly’s mom said and raced ahead of them toward the house.
Molly closed her eyes for a second. When she opened them again, Parker was laying her on the couch and pulling off her boots.
“Need to take care of Rusty,” she said, though her words came out as no more than a whisper. When she tried to sit up, her body didn’t respond. She lay like a limp rag doll, unable to move even a finger.
“Your brothers will take care of your horse. Just lie still. The doctor’s on his way.”
“Don’t need a doctor,” she said. “Just need a nap.” Again, she closed her eyes. “Anyone ever tell you that you smell good?”
Parker’s chuckle warmed what was cold inside her and made her relax. “Why do you hate me?” she whispered.
“I don’t hate you,” he said quietly.
“Sure act like it,” she groused.
“Shhh. You’re going to be all right,” he said, as if soothing a child.
“Because of you.” Her eyelids were so heavy now she couldn’t open them. Molly embraced the darkness and let her mind and body slip away. Later, she’d worry about those men who’d shot her and why Parker was all of a sudden being nice to her.
Chapter 2
Parker stayed by Molly’s side, holding one hand while her mother held the other. She was out cold but breathing regularly. Still, the fact she was out cold worried him. What drug had they shot into her? The only way to tell would be to take a blood sample and have it analyzed.
When the doctor arrived, he and Molly’s mother shooed Parker away. He found her brothers in Mr. McKinnon’s study.
“What the hell happened out there?” Angus asked, as soon as Parker walked through the door. “One minute, I’m riding the fences, the next I hear multiple gunshots.”
“Seriously, what the hell?” Bastian, the youngest brother, and closest to Molly, stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
“When we discovered your sister’s horse missing, Angus and I went out looking for her,” Parker said.
“I went north. Parker headed south.” Angus nodded for Parker to continue.
“I was almost to the southeast corner of the farthest pasture when I heard engines. That’s when Molly’s horse raced past me…without Molly.”
The brothers’ eyebrows dipped.
Parker continued. “When I broke through a line of trees, two ATVs were circling Molly. She seemed drunk, staggering and falling down. I fired a round at the men on the ATVs. Winged one of them, and he veered off. Molly made a dash for it. I fired again, and the other rider followed the injured one into the trees—I guess to regroup. It gave me time to pick up Molly and ride out. Then they followed us. We took a narrow game trail down a ravine and out into the pasture.” He tipped his head toward Angus. “Thankfully, Angus was there to provide cover while I got Molly back to the house.”
Silence followed as all four brothers stood frowning and shaking their heads.
“So, it begins,” Duncan said, breaking the silence.
Colin heaved a sigh. “Since they can’t get Dad to tell them what he knows, they’re going to target us.”
Bastian nodded. “Looks like they’re wanting to take one of us captive.”
“What the hell was Molly doing out there alone, anyway?” Colin demanded. “We talked about this.”
“You know your sister,” Parker said. “She’s stubborn. Probably thought she was well armed and capable of taking care of herself.”
“As far as this entire family is concerned, none of us are capable of taking care of ourselves alone,” Angus said. “Do you know what I mean?”
His brothers nodded.
Angus stared hard at his brothers. “No one leaves this house without backup.”
“Armed backup,” Parker added.
“Even just going to town?” Colin asked.
“Even then,” Angus confirmed.
“That should include going out to the barn, as well,” Parker said.
“And no one should be left alone in the house,” Angus said. “Mom might think she’s safe here, but I’m not so sure.”
“I know where I’ll be,” Duncan said.
Angus nodded. “With Fiona and Caity. That’s a given. Your daughter will be a target as much as the rest of us. At least, they’re living here now.”
“I wouldn’t put it past whoever’s responsible for Dad’s kidnapping to target our women to get to us,” Colin said.
“It’s a good thing most of the ladies live on the ranch now,” Bastian noted.
Angus frowned. “I’d move Bree here, but she has her own place to run.” Angus paused. “As much as I want her here, I’ll have to go to her ranch to protect her.”
Bastian’s lips twisted. “If I know Jenna, she won’t quit showing properties. I’ll be escorting her around during the day. The good thing about looking at properties is we get around the area. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for any signs of Dad.”
“With Duncan at the house, Angus with Bree, and Bastian out with Jenna, that leaves Colin, Molly and Parker to deal with the ranch.” Angus frowned. “Do we need to hire some of Hank Patterson’s Brotherhood Protectors to provide another layer of security?”
“It wouldn’t hurt,” Duncan said. “If we hire t
hem to secure the house, we can be backup for each other out on the ranch.”
“I’m not even sure the buddy system will be enough.” Parker’s eyes narrowed. “They only sent out two people to secure Molly. And it would have worked if I hadn’t come along.”
“They drugged her. Likely darted her.” Angus’s brow dipped low.
“They must have known she’d fight back,” Bastian said. “Hard. Like only our little sister would.”
Parker shook his head. “By the time I got to her, she was as effective as a limp noodle.” His hands clenched into fists. “They would’ve taken her and tortured her to persuade your father to give them the location of that money.”
“I hope this incident convinces Molly never to leave the house without backup,” Duncan said.
Bastian snorted. “Since when has Molly ever listened to one of us?”
“Good point.” Angus turned to Parker. “Since the rest of us are going to be worrying about our women, and Duncan will be here with Mother, that leaves you to look out for Molly. She won’t listen to us, because we’re only her pesky older brothers. She might listen to you.”
Parker scowled. “Your sister doesn’t listen to anyone.”
“Then it’ll be up to you to keep up with her,” Angus said.
“Stick to her like a fly on flypaper,” Colin said.
“Like gum on your shoe,” offered Bastian.
“Like stink on—” Duncan started.
Parker held up a hand. “I get the idea. The trouble is, Molly has a mind of her own. I never know when she’s going to up and ride out to fix fences or chase down a horse with a lame foot or drive into town for supplies.”
Angus rubbed a hand through his hair. “As evidenced by her disappearance today.”
“Well, after this afternoon’s attack, maybe she’ll be more open to the buddy system.” Bastian clapped a hand on Parker’s shoulder. “Since you saved her ass today, she owes you.”
“The problem is that the men holding Dad are getting desperate.” Angus paced across the floor. “We have to keep a closer eye on Mom and Molly.”
Duncan nodded. “Dad’s captors have to know that those are the two family members to go after. If our father sees either one of them in trouble, he’ll tell them anything they want to hear or die trying to save his girls.”
Parker had been around long enough to know James McKinnon loved his family. The Marine in him made him seem taciturn, but he fiercely loved his wife, sons and daughter.
“Parker,” Angus said with a frown, “living out in the foreman’s house isn’t going to work. You’ll have to move into the big house. It’s the only way you’ll know when Molly is coming or going.”
Parker held up his hands. “I don’t see a need to move into the house. With everyone else sleeping here at night, there should be no problem keeping up with Molly’s comings and goings. You just have to let me know when she exits the house.”
Bastian frowned. “It’s too easy to lose track of her. It’s better knowing one person is solely responsible for Molly’s whereabouts.”
“I’ll also talk to Hank Patterson,” Angus said. “Maybe they have some tracking devices we can put on all of the ladies. That way, if one of them is misplaced, we can find them.”
“Good idea,” Colin said. “And the sooner the better.”
“Parker, you can have my room, since I’ll be staying with Bree at her ranch,” Angus said. “It works out well because my room is next to Molly’s. You’ll know when she’s moving about and can head her off at the pass before she leaves the house.”
“I was paid to work with horses and cattle, not to babysit the boss’s daughter,” Parker muttered.
“You know, we all think of you as family,” Duncan said. “But if it bothers you, think of it as preserving your job. If something happened to Molly or our mother, my father would be devastated. He’d sell this place.”
Bastian shook his head. “No, he’d burn it to the ground and walk away. He loves our mother and sister that much.”
“So,” Colin concluded, “if you want to keep working at Iron Horse Ranch, you need to stay on top of Molly.” He frowned. “Figuratively speaking.”
Duncan’s eyebrows sank. “And remember, she is our sister. Don’t break her heart or anything like that. We love her, even if she is a pain in the ass.”
Parker snorted. “If you love her so much, why doesn’t one of you take on the responsibility of keeping track of her?”
“Remember the part about her being a pain in our ass?” Bastian chuckled. “And that she doesn’t listen to a word we say?”
Parker smirked. “And you think she’ll listen to me?”
“Probably not, but you have more patience with her than we do,” Angus said. “And you’ve both been working the ranch. It makes sense you’d continue doing that together.”
Parker’s jaw tightened. “You realize the ranch is a big place. We didn’t exactly work together.” Hell, he’d spent the past five years avoiding her, choosing to work wherever she was not. The woman was difficult, opinionated…and too damned sexy for his peace of mind.
“So, now you just do your things…together,” Bastian said. “What could be so hard about that?”
You have no idea.
Parker might as well have been talking to a brick wall. The McKinnon brothers had voted him off the island. He was the one stuck babysitting their little sister.
If he was honest with himself, he’d rather it be him, anyway. The image of those men on ATVs circling Molly had scared at least a year off his life. He couldn’t imagine doing that again. At the same time, he couldn’t imagine anyone else looking after her. No one had noticed she’d been gone all day.
Molly was like that. If she saw something that needed doing, she did it. She didn’t wait around for someone to help or offer to do it for her. No. She got out her gloves, hammer and come-along and went to work.
He admired that about her. At the same time, he found her aggravating and impetuous. Somehow, he had to get it through her thick head that she had to have someone as backup. For just such an incident as what had happened that night. Before, attacks on the family had been speculation. After the ATV riders had shot her with a sedative and corralled her on the prairie, Parker and everyone else on Iron Horse Ranch were convinced they were being targeted in order to force their father to tell his captors where the money was hidden.
Why did James McKinnon have to be the last man to see the convict who’d escaped prison and come back to Eagle Rock and the Crazy Mountains of Montana to find the loot he’d stolen from an armored truck robbery?
The manhunt to find the convict hadn’t gone well at all. The convict had been shot, James McKinnon had been abducted and the money the convict had stolen remained hidden.
Now, Parker was responsible for the life of the patriarch’s daughter.
He drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Better him than someone else. At the very least, he’d keep a tight rein on her until they recovered Mr. McKinnon and brought to justice the men who’d captured him.
Molly woke the next morning with a headache, a bruise on the back of her neck and feeling like she hadn’t had a bath in a week. She felt awful but refused to remain in bed. Mostly, she was mad. Mad that she’d been caught unprepared. Mad that her father’s captors had almost caught their prize, and would have, if Parker Bailey hadn’t shown up when he had. Finally, she was mad that it had been Parker who’d come to her rescue.
The man drove her insane. When her father had hired him to be foreman of the ranch, Molly had been disappointed that her father hadn’t thought she was fully capable of the job. She’d been ranching since the day she was born.
During high school, Parker had worked summers on a ranch in Wyoming but had joined the Air Force as soon as he’d graduated.
Molly had years more experience than Parker and had resented the fact he’d been put in charge over her.
Plus, from the day he’d come to work at Iron
Horse Ranch, he’d teased her relentlessly, whenever they were in the same workspace, or avoided her altogether.
What made her even madder was that Parker had proven he was good at ranching. Over the past five years, he’d worked hard, made suggestions for improving everything from fencing to cattle breeding and horse training. When he wasn’t out working, he was reading, researching best practices and learning.
Again, she couldn’t find fault in that, though she wanted to.
The funny thing about Parker was he never dated. Molly had begun to wonder about his past. Had some woman hurt him so badly he wasn’t willing to jump back into the dating scene? Five years was a long time for a man to go without a woman in his life. Unless he was seeing someone on his time off. Once a month, he took a weekend off and left the ranch, to where, Molly didn’t know. Was he seeing someone?
The thought of Parker seeing someone didn’t sit right in Molly’s gut. After five years on the ranch, he was a fixture. A swarthy, sexy-when-he-removed-his-shirt fixture. Imagining another woman running her hands over his muscular physique made Molly’s insides churn.
Gathering clean clothes, she wrapped a bathrobe around her body and hurried across the hallway to the bathroom. A hot shower was what she needed to clean away the dirt from working and being run into the ground by the men on ATVs yesterday.
She wasn’t sure who’d carried her to her room the night before. Someone had to have brought her up because she couldn’t remember climbing the stairs to get there. Her mother must have stripped her clothes off. At least, she hoped that was how her clothing had been changed. Her body heated at the thought of Parker doing the job.
Molly shook her head. No, her mother would have done that.
After a hot shower, where she scrubbed every inch of her body, she dried and stood naked in front of the mirror and thanked her lucky stars she only had a few cuts and bruises. If those assholes had gotten hold of her, she’d have been in a lot worse shape.
On the other hand, they might have taken her to her father. If that had happened, she might have come up with a plan to free him.