Cowboy's Vow to Protect

by Carla Cassidy

  She stared at him skeptically. “And all I have to do is clean up around here and cook you meals?” Was this the beginning of Flint showing another side of himself to her?

  “I swear that’s it, nothing else. Although I wouldn’t mind if you’d open up a little with me and tell me who the baby’s father is and why you aren’t with him.”

  “Flint, I really don’t want to talk about that, but if you’re serious about that deal then I’ll take it as long as you agree not to tell anyone I’m here.” For the first time since the phone call from the car shop a small nugget of hope rose up in her chest. Despite not knowing him for very long, she realized she’d trusted him.

  She knew he had offered her the deal out of the kindness of his heart. The cabin certainly didn’t need daily cleaning and he could take his meals on the ranch with the other men. This was a way for her to earn her keep and hold on to her dignity. But she knew he didn’t need this service.

  Still, if he wanted to pretend that he did need her and pay her for her efforts, then she would be the best darned cleaner and cook he’d ever known. And she would forever be grateful to him.

  “Then, it’s a deal,” he said and held out his hand for her to shake. “I’ll bring some more groceries in tomorrow and I’ll start eating dinner here with you.”

  She grabbed his hand and shook it solemnly. “Thank you, Flint.” Tears burned at her eyes once again.

  He cleared his throat. “Okay, I’m heading outside to get some work done. I’ll see you in a little while.”

  The minute he walked out the door she broke down again, this time with gratefulness to whatever powers that had brought her Flint McCay. She didn’t even want to think about what would have happened to her if somebody else had found her hiding out in the Holiday barn.

  She had no idea what he was going to pay her, but she knew he would be generous. It might take her months to get enough money for the car repairs, but as long as nobody knew she was here at least she would be safe. And that sense of safety was so important to her.

  Someday when she was away from Bitterroot and settled with a new life and a new job, she would send monthly checks to Flint until she paid off her debt to him. Of course, she could never repay him for his kindness and support at this, the lowest point in her entire life.

  Hopefully, when it came time to give birth to her baby she would be someplace safe and she could build a healthy and loving home for them. She loved the baby growing inside her and she was determined to be the best mother she could be.

  She moved to the window and looked outside where Flint was unloading bundles of shingles from the back of his truck. He didn’t have his hat on and the waning sunshine sparkled in his slightly shaggy, but beautiful blond hair.

  She saw the grimace that crossed his features after he placed one of the bundles on the ground. He leaned against the truck for several long moments. This wasn’t the first time she’d thought she’d seen pain twisting his features.

  Had he pulled some muscles? Was he pushing himself too hard working on the ranch all day long and then coming out here to do more physical work? Should he be the one to see a doctor?

  She turned away from the window. This was none of her business. Even though she was living in his cabin and would be cooking his meals, that didn’t mean he was inviting her into his personal life.

  Still, she couldn’t help the way her heart lifted when he knocked off work and came in to have a cup of coffee with her. “I should be able to finish up with the front porch tomorrow evening,” he said as he took his seat at the table.

  “That’s good.” She set the coffee before him and then sat across from him. “Maybe now you can relax a bit in the evenings rather than working so hard.”

  He smiled. “Not quite yet. I still need to finish up the garage.”

  “You’re a hard worker, Flint,” she observed.

  “I like being productive. So tell me, Madison Taylor, can you cook?”

  “Absolutely. I started cooking for my father when I was about eight, right after my mother passed away. He wanted full meat and potato meals, not boxed mac and cheese and a hot dog.”

  “So what’s your specialty?”

  She frowned thoughtfully. “I’d probably have to say my smothered steak with cheesy mashed potatoes.”

  “Hmm, sounds good.” His green eyes shone with a warmth that enveloped her. That warmth, the caring she felt emanating from him, was becoming something she craved. At this moment with the last gasp of daylight filtering in through the nearby window, she felt completely at ease and protected. It felt so good after the last couple months of hell.

  “Are you a picky eater?” she asked. If she was really going to do this deal with him, then she wanted to make sure she cooked him the absolute best meals he could ever eat. “Do you have things you absolutely won’t eat?”

  “I’m definitely not a picky eater, but there are two things I don’t want to see on my plate...sushi and tofu. I like my seafood cooked and that tofu stuff is just not right.”

  She laughed. “Actually, I’m in agreement about those two foods. I think they’re both gross.” She sobered. “Flint, eventually I will repay you for everything, but I’ll never be able to repay you for your kindness to me. We both know you don’t need me here cooking and cleaning, that you just made up this job to help me out. You’re my own special kind of angel and I can’t ever thank you enough.”

  His gaze held hers for a long moment and then he looked down into his coffee cup. He cleared his throat and gazed at her once again.

  “Madison, trust me. I’m no angel. I need to start spending more time here. Sooner rather than later I’m going to be living here full-time. So you’re actually helping me out here and I don’t want to talk about this arrangement again. It’s a done deal.” He smiled, that beautiful smile of his that once again shot a rivulet of heat through her.

  “So when you move in here full-time are you still going to work on the Holiday Ranch?”

  “No.” A frown raced quickly across his forehead.

  “Then what are you going to do?” she asked curiously.

  His eyes darkened and shuttered and once again he looked down into his coffee. She realized she’d probably overstepped. “I’m sorry. It’s really none of my business,” she said hurriedly.

  “No, you’re fine. The problem is I’m not sure what I’m going to do. All I know is that I’m tired of what I’m doing right now and it’s time for a change.”

  There was something in his eyes, something in his voice, that made her not quite believe him. She had a feeling she wasn’t the only one who had secrets.

  He left the cabin soon after with the promise to return around noon the next day with a list of groceries she’d written out for him. She’d always loved cooking and she was actually looking forward to cooking for him.

  The morning had started so badly with the call from Larry about her car, but as she got ready for bed that night she was almost glad it was going to take a while to get the car fixed.

  * * *

  Flint pulled up in front of the cabin and instantly his appetite came to life. For the past four days Madison had cooked dinner for him and she was definitely one hell of a cook.

  As important as the meal they shared was the conversation between them. In a million years Flint wouldn’t have imagined that he’d spend time with a woman who was so easy to talk to, so easy to share laughter with. In a million years he never would have guessed that there would be a woman he felt so at ease with.

  However, he had to admit that there were moments when she stirred more than an edge of desire in him that was distinctly not comfortable. The last thing he wanted to do was take advantage of her.

  They had talked about food and politics, about favorite television shows and music. But what she had not discussed was her fear and the baby’s father.

  He n
ow got out of his truck and tried not to notice the sweet anticipation that swept through him as he thought of seeing Madison again.

  Before he got to the door it opened and she stood in the threshold with that beautiful smile of hers that warmed him from head to toe. “Hi,” she said.

  “Hi, yourself,” he replied.

  “I hope you brought your appetite.” She smiled.

  “Always.”

  She stepped aside to let him in. As he swept past her he caught the familiar scent of her wildflower fragrance. It whirled around in his head, half dizzying him with a not altogether unpleasant tension.

  “How was your day?” she asked as she gestured him to a chair at the table.

  “Not too bad,” he replied, although that wasn’t exactly the truth. The day had been cloudy and gray with thunderstorms in the forecast for later in the evening.

  On days like these his pain level was particularly high and he really had to push to get through the chores. At least now he could get off his feet for a spell and relax for the rest of the evening.

  “Something smells good,” he observed.

  “Chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy.” She pulled two plates from the cabinet and filled them, adding a side of corn and warm biscuits.

  “You’re spoiling me,” he said once she joined him at the table.

  “Nonsense. I enjoy cooking for you. There’s nothing more depressing than cooking for one and eating all alone. I’ve spent most of my adult life eating all alone so I’m enjoying this.”

  Once again he found himself curious about her story. Had she had a relationship with the father of her baby? Had they been dating? Or was the pregnancy a result of a one-night stand and she was simply too embarrassed to admit such a thing?

  Flint considered himself one of the most nonjudgmental men he knew. Growing up as one of Cass Holiday’s “lost boys,” he’d received plenty of “judgment” from the other boys and even some of the adults in town.

  Homeless trash. Runaway rats. Cass’s creeps. Those were just a few of the things the boys in town would yell at the boys from the Holiday Ranch. Nobody said those kinds of things to them anymore. They had proven themselves over the years to be good, upstanding citizens in town.

  “So how was your day?” he now asked her.

  “It was okay,” she said after a moment of hesitation.

  “But...”

  “But what?” She looked at him curiously.

  “I don’t know. You said your day was okay but I sensed a but at the end of your sentence.”

  She grinned at him. “You’re very astute.” Her grin fell away and she glanced toward the nearby window. “I really hate thunderstorms.”

  “I’m not particularly fond of them myself,” he replied. “But it’s been so hot and dry lately and we all could really use the rain.”

  She gazed toward the window once again and shadows darkened her eyes...shadows that whispered of fear. “Maybe I’ll just stick around here until the storm passes,” he said.

  She looked at him once again and smiled softly. “You don’t have to do that, Flint. I’m a big girl and I’ll survive a thunderstorm.”

  “We’ll see.” He knew she already lived with some kind of fear. If a storm made her even more afraid and he could alleviate some of that fear, then why wouldn’t he stick around until the storm passed? Any man would make the same choice.

  His decision had nothing to do with the fact that when she gazed at him a certain way he felt like a better man than what he was. It had nothing to do with the way her smile warmed him from head to toe and that there were moments when he fantasized about kissing her enticing lips.

  As usual the meal was delicious and the conversation remained light and easy. He helped her clean up the dishes and then they moved to the sofa for more conversation.

  He couldn’t help but notice that in the long summer dress she wore, her pregnancy was beginning to show. Although it did nothing to detract from her attractiveness, it was a reminder to him that his physical feelings toward her were way out of line.

  “You haven’t gotten sick the past couple of nights,” he said.

  “I know. I guess the morning sickness has finally passed.”

  “So overall how are you feeling?”

  “Actually, really good.”

  “Isn’t it time you see a doctor?”

  The sparkle in her eyes dimmed. “I can’t. There’s no way I’m seeing a doctor here in Bitterroot. Besides, the only thing he’d probably tell me at this point is that I need some prenatal vitamins.”

  “Is that something I could get for you?”

  “I’m not sure, but I imagine the drugstore might have them, but I wouldn’t want anyone to see you buying them and figuring out somehow that you’re buying them for me.” Her eyes once again took on a dark haunting that reminded him that she had secrets...secrets so bad she didn’t want anyone to know her location.

  He frowned thoughtfully. “I can’t imagine how anyone would be able to connect the two of us. I’ll see about getting them from the drugstore for you tomorrow. I’ll put on my glasses with the fake nose and bushy black eyebrows and nobody will recognize me.”

  She laughed, the musical sound warming his heart. “Please tell me you don’t really have glasses with a fake nose attached.”

  He grinned. “Okay, I don’t really have glasses with a fake nose, but if the pharmacy has prenatal vitamins, I’ll pick you up some tomorrow.” He was grateful to see her eyes clear and bright once again.

  “Thank you. I’d appreciate it. Then I know the baby is getting what he or she needs.” A crash of distant thunder punctuated her sentence and she released a small cry.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” he said. “It’s just a couple of clouds banging together. Thunder can’t hurt you.”

  “Logically, I know that.” She offered him a tentative smile.

  “Have you always been afraid of storms?” he asked.

  “Not always.” Her gaze skittered away from his. “It’s just been in the past couple of months. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  It was an obvious attempt to change the subject. “No, thanks, I’m good. So what else did you do today besides cook me a great meal?”

  “I watched a little television and then read for a while.”

  “And from the cover of the book I’ve seen you reading you must like those romance novels?” Another boom of thunder sounded and she nodded. “What do you like about those books?” Maybe if he kept her engaged in conversation she wouldn’t notice that the storm was moving closer.

  “One of the reasons I like them is because I love happy endings and that’s what you always get with a romance novel. I also like that in them you see people struggle and overcome all kinds of problems. When I close the book at the end, I always have hope that there’s going to be a happy ending for me.” She blushed and he found it all utterly charming.

  “And what would look like a happy ending for you?”

  She offered him a wistful smile as her eyes took on a soft glow. “Someday I’d like to be married to a cowboy who loves me and my child to distraction. I’d want maybe one or two more babies to build the big, loving family I never really had.”

  Well, that certainly let him out. Not that he planned on being in her future, but if she wanted a cowboy, in a month or two he would no longer be that. He wasn’t sure what he’d be.

  Lightning illuminated the room, followed by a boom of thunder that shook the rafters. Madison jumped up off the sofa, her eyes holding the same wild look she’d had on the first day when he’d awakened her from her nap and she’d had the knife in her hand.

  “Is the door locked?” She rushed to the front door and locked it, then slammed her back against it. As thunder sounded again she cried out and looked frantically at Flint.

  “Don’t...don’
t let him in. Please, help me to keep him out.” She began to sob.

  “Madison...” Flint got up and went to her. He took one of her trembling hands in his and pulled her away from the door. “Nobody is getting in. Honey, you’re safe here.”

  He guided her to the sofa and they sat. He put his arm around her and pulled her against his side. He had so many questions, but at the moment all he wanted to do was ease her fear. She burrowed into him, her body trembling uncontrollably.

  “You’re okay, Madison. I’m right here beside you and I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Rain pelted the window, and thunder sounded once again.

  She buried her head against his chest and squeezed her eyes tightly closed. He rubbed her shoulder in an effort to calm her. “Thunder is nothing but the angels bowling,” he said. “Once in a while they just need a little downtime and so they get out of their white robes and half of them dress in blue bowling shirts and the other half dress in red bowling shirts. They check their wings and their harps at the door and then start the bowling. It makes a lot of noise down here, but you have to admit they deserve to have a little fun now and then in their lives.”

  He was relieved to hear a small giggle escape her. She raised her head and gazed at him. Her lush lips were mere inches from his and for just a brief moment he forgot how to breathe. All he wanted was to taste her lips.

  Thunder sounded once again and the moment was broken as she shot a glance at the door. It was then that Flint realized she wasn’t afraid of the thunder. She was afraid of something that had happened to her while it was thundering. Somebody had hurt her. Somebody had hurt her badly and he definitely wanted to know what had happened.

  “Madison, what happened to you when it was storming? Please tell me.”

  She reared away from him and her eyes once again held a wildness that easily rivaled the storm overhead. “I c...c...can’t tell. I...can’t.”

  “Yes, you can. All your secrets are safe with me, Madison. Please, tell me what happened to you.”

  She stared at him for a long moment. “It was lightning and...and thundering and...and I...he...he beat me...and then...and then he...he raped me.” Her voice was a mere whisper, but they screamed inside Flint’s head. Beaten? Raped?