Cowboy Protector

by Margaret Daley

  “Daddy!”

  “Hi, munchkin. I’m sorry I haven’t had much time to be with you.” He closed the space to the bed, leaned down and kissed his daughter on the cheek. “Are you okay?”

  Misty nodded, her smile in place.

  “Good. I need to see Hannah for a minute. I’m still seeing to all the animals, but we’ll talk later. She’ll be right back in.” Austin took Hannah’s hand and drew her toward the hallway.

  A few feet from Misty’s door, he turned toward Hannah and stepped close. “They found Barney.”

  “Dead?” she asked, remembering his earlier grim expression.

  The same one descended. “He’s barely alive. I think he was poisoned. There was a half-eaten steak nearby. They found him under a thick set of bushes behind the bunkhouse. I wanted you to know before I leave. I’m taking him to the vet. I don’t want Misty to know until we know if he’s gonna make it or not.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m so sorry. They have to find the person who did this.”

  “I’ll be posting a couple of guards around this area until he’s caught. I won’t have a repeat of the fire this morning.” The hard line of his jaw and the glint in his eyes attested to his fierce determination to make sure that didn’t happen.

  “Go. I’ll take care of Misty. We’ll have so much fun she won’t have time to think about what happened today or about Barney.”

  “Thanks.” He sent her a half grin as he pivoted and strode away.

  Hannah heaved a deep sigh, the day suddenly swamping her as though her body finally realized all it had exactly been through. But at the moment it didn’t make any difference how tired she was. She needed to take care of Misty. Make her feel safe and loved.

  Exhausted, Hannah settled more comfortably onto the couch in the living room where she could see when Austin came into the house from the vet’s. She didn’t want to go to sleep until she knew what happened to Barney. An hour ago Caroline had finally gone to bed, no longer able to keep herself awake. Misty went to sleep much earlier, still tired even after the long nap.

  The quiet of the house, the room only lit by one lamp in the corner, lured Hannah into a semi-awake state. The silence like a balm surrounded her in solace, and she couldn’t resist surrendering to it…

  The next thing she knew Austin hovered over her, shaking her shoulder gently. “Hannah, are you all right?”

  Seeing the worry in his eyes, she gave him a smile. “I’m fine.” She unfolded her legs and placed her feet on the floor, straightening. “How’s Barney?”

  “He’s gonna make it. At least that’s what the doc thinks. He finally sent me home and told me he’ll know for sure tomorrow morning and call me.”

  Relief trembled through her. “I’m so glad. I won’t say anything to Misty but let you talk with her about what happened to Barney. She’s going to want to see all the animals tomorrow the second she wakes up.”

  “Ask her to wait. Candy and the mare you rode are going to be kept in a pasture close to the house. That way they’ll be more accessible for you two.” He eased down next to her on the couch. “Most of my horses aren’t stabled. I sometimes keep a few in the barn for pleasure riding. Usually only the sick ones or a mare about to give birth. I hate keeping them confined too long. Even Candy is usually in a field except lately because of Misty’s injuries.”

  “I’ll keep Misty here until you’ve talked with her.”

  “Did you get any rest?”

  “Not much.”

  In one fluid motion he rose and offered her his hand. “C’mon. I’ll walk you to your door.”

  Wrapping her fingers around his, she let him tug her up flat against him. She clasped one upper arm while for a few seconds her body pressed against his. The feel of the semi-embrace felt so right she wanted to explore the sensations his nearness stirred in her. She peered up into his dark coffee-colored eyes, held captive by their swirling depths. She swallowed several times to ease the tightness in her throat but nothing helped.

  In the dimness, he reached up and smoothed her hair back from her face, then framed it. “I don’t know what I would have done without you today. There aren’t words to express my thanks.”

  “I did what anyone would have done.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short. But if there is ever a next time, and I pray to God there isn’t, don’t put your life on the line for my animals. You came close to dying today, Hannah, and I wouldn’t have been able to live with that. Promise me you won’t.”

  She covered his hands on her face. “I can’t do that. Besides, why are we talking about next time? How often do barns burn down around here?” She tried to inject humor into the last question, but the expression on his face remained serious.

  “I’m hoping never again. Promise me you won’t take unnecessary risks.”

  Urgency and care sounded in his voice. She couldn’t ignore it. “I promise I won’t.” She would only be here another five or six weeks anyway. He didn’t need to know her whole life was a risk—that she had a death warrant hanging over her head.

  The tension beneath her palms and in his body melted, and he exhaled a deep breath. “Thanks. Now let me see you to your room before you fall asleep on your feet. I don’t think you’re gonna need warm milk tonight.” He settled his arm over her shoulder and cradled her in the crook of his arm.

  “I don’t think so, either.” She cushioned her head against him, his male scent enveloping her.

  “I’ll check on Misty and take her monitor so if something happens in the middle of the night I can take care of it.”

  “But that’s my job.”

  “No, I’m her father. It’s my job and you need to get a good night’s sleep.”

  At her door she tilted her head up to argue with him, but the words died in her throat. The simmering look in his eyes robbed her of all coherent thought. She should draw back. But she wanted him to kiss her, had for days.

  Slowly he leaned down until his mouth was only inches from hers.

  SEVEN

  Austin settled his mouth on hers, wrapping his arms around her and dragging her to him. Pressed against him, she surrendered to the kiss, and for a moment she reveled in the feel of being in his embrace.

  When his lips left hers, he rested his forehead against hers, cupping her face. “I’ve wanted to do that since that first night we had warm milk together.”

  The feel of his palms against her cheeks, the tingle of her mouth where his had been, the minty taste of him on her lips, the thundering of her heartbeat in her ears overwhelmed her senses. She slid her eyes closed to block his appealing features from her view, but his image imprinted itself in her mind. The connection between them was strong. He made her believe in tomorrows. He gave her hope.

  And she knew there was no hope for them.

  Hannah finally stepped away, his arms falling to his sides. “I’d better get that monitor for you.” Quickly she escaped into her bedroom, retrieved the piece of equipment and returned to the hall.

  Austin stood where she’d left him, no emotion on his face. She thrust the monitor toward him, keeping herself at arm’s length. After he took it, she spun on her heel and covered the few feet to her door.

  Pausing, she glanced back, hating the sudden wall between them, put there by her. “For the record, I’ve wanted you to kiss me, too.” Then she disappeared into her room and closed the door before she threw herself into his arms.

  A scream pierced through the dark wall of Hannah’s dreamless sleep, pulling her toward wakefulness. Still exhausted, she snuggled deeper into her covers, resisting. Quiet lured her back to the floating blackness. When she was close to surrendering totally again, the sound of sobbing intruded.

  Misty!

  Hannah popped up in bed and scanned the darkened room, listening. A shaft of light from the hallway drew her attention. She placed her feet on the floor and grabbed her robe, belting it as she moved toward the hall. Although Austin had the monitor to listen if Misty had problems,
she’d decided to leave her door ajar anyway. Just in case the child needed her.

  In the corridor a flood of light came from Misty’s room. She hurried inside and found Austin sitting on his daughter’s bed, hugging the child to him while she cried, loud heart-wrenching sobs that tore at Hannah’s fragile composure. She moved forward, needing to help the girl.

  She placed a hand on Austin’s shoulder. He was still dressed in his jeans and long-sleeved blue shirt from earlier. “What can I do?”

  “She had a nightmare about the fire.” Austin stroked his daughter’s back. “Honey, you’re safe. You’re here with me—and Hannah. Nothing is gonna happen to you.”

  “It was—” the child hiccupped “—scary.”

  “I know, baby. But you’re all right now. Safe. In your bed.” His soothing, calm words murmured over and over finally eased the tears.

  Misty leaned back. “I almost lost Snowball. He wouldn’t stay still.”

  Austin took his daughter’s face between his hands while his thumbs wiped away the wet tracks on her cheeks. “He’s fine. And see Hannah is, too.”

  Hannah came forward and sat next to Austin, touching the child’s arm. “We’ll visit Candy as soon as your father says we can.”

  “Tomorrow, honey. I’ve got her in a nearby pasture. I’ll bring her to you. First thing so you don’t have to fret. She’s okay, though.”

  “Barney?”

  Austin shot Hannah a look, full of worry. A silent question entered his gaze. Should he say anything about the dog now? Misty was a tough little girl. She nodded once.

  “Barney’s at the vet. He ate something that didn’t agree with him, but the vet thinks he’ll be fine.”

  Misty’s eyes widened. “He was hurt.”

  “Not in the fire, honey. He got hold of a bad piece of meat. Hopefully I’ll be able to pick him up tomorrow.”

  “We didn’t get to feed him. I forgot when the fire…” Tears returned to pool in Misty’s eyes.

  Austin clasped Misty’s arms and waited until he had her full attention before saying, “You are not to blame for him eating the meat because you didn’t get to feed him. It happened at the time of the fire, maybe before.”

  “Sweetie, that was why he wasn’t there with Snowball.”

  Misty yawned.

  “Honey, why don’t you lie down and try to sleep?” Austin helped his daughter get back under the covers.

  However, doubt clouded the little girl’s eyes.

  “Tell you what, Misty. Why don’t I stay with you until you get to sleep?” Hannah tucked her in, not meeting Austin’s gaze. Being with the little girl was more for herself than the child. She needed to feel she was helping Misty. Her wellness, physically and emotionally, had become important to Hannah.

  Misty’s eyelids drooped. “That would be great.” Another yawn escaped her as she cuddled under the warmth of the coverlet.

  Hannah stood to move around to the other side of the bed, still not wanting to look at Austin. She knew she should be resting, that tomorrow would be a long day, but Misty came first, not only for Austin, but for her as well.

  Austin rose, too, bending close to her ear and whispering, “I can stay. You don’t need to do that. You should get your sleep.”

  She turned, his face so near she could lean forward a few inches and kiss his mouth. And she wanted to. That thought sent her heartbeat spinning out of control and for a few seconds throwing her off kilter. Finally blinking to break his visual hold, she averted her gaze. “I wouldn’t sleep much for worrying about Misty. This way I’ll be able to rest,” she replied in a low voice.

  “Fine. But go back to bed when she falls to sleep. I still have the monitor so I can be back if I need to.” Angling away from her, Austin leaned over Misty and kissed her cheek. “Good night, honey.”

  “Night, Daddy,” she mumbled, her eyes opening then immediately closing.

  Hannah waited until Austin left before slipping onto the bed next to Misty, curling on her side to face the child.

  Misty turned her head toward her. “Night, Hannah. I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me, too.”

  The child grinned, but it almost instantly faded as her eyes fell closed.

  But the smile stayed with Hannah, warming a cold place in her heart that had been there since she’d left California and been thrust into a life she’d never wanted. She closed her own eyes and for a while she could visualize Misty as her daughter—and Austin as her husband.

  Austin rode across the meadow to check on the horses in the old barn before bringing Candy to the house. The sun sneaked above the tree line to the east, the ribbons of pink and orange beginning to vanish. A stillness hung in the cool air, no longer laced with the scent of burning wood.

  On his way out of the house this morning, he’d stopped by his daughter’s room to check on her. To his surprise he’d found not only Misty but Hannah, sleeping soundly. His child had been huddled up against Hannah with the woman’s arm cushioning his little girl. The sight had stolen his breath. His wife had never done that, and the fact that Hannah had awed him. She had gone above and beyond the boundaries of her job description. Every barrier he had tried to erect against caring for Hannah was quickly coming down.

  This certainly wasn’t the best time to pursue a romantic relationship. His track record didn’t give him a lot of confidence. But that kiss last night had rocked him. He couldn’t deny her effect on him any longer. He cared about her deeply, and he wanted to explore where this would take them.

  As he neared Big Red’s pasture, he searched for the stallion. But all that greeted him was an empty field. When he saw the gate standing wide open, he grew cold. The latch didn’t open easily. The only way would be by a person’s hand. The cold chill spread throughout him the closer he came to the meadow.

  Someone had let him out on purpose.

  Probably the same person who had set his barn on fire.

  At the gate he closed it, then climbed the fence to survey the area one more time before sounding the alarm. No Big Red. When he jumped back to the ground, he investigated the earth around him to see if the person had used a vehicle, but there weren’t any tire tracks visible in the dirt.

  Not only was Big Red an expensive stallion and valuable stud, but a loose Big Red could cause damage and trouble. And whoever let him out knew that.

  “This is delicious, Caroline.” Hannah took another bite of the Southwestern omelet Austin’s grandmother had fixed.

  Misty gulped down the rest of her milk. “Can I have more toast?”

  “You sure can.” Caroline popped two pieces of bread into the toaster. “With butter and strawberry jam, no doubt.”

  “Yep.”

  Hannah reached over and wiped the milk moustache from the child’s upper lip. “Why don’t you sit down and let me finish up for you, Caroline?”

  “No, this is my treat. I don’t cook like I used to since Rene came to work for us, but she’s helping down at the bunkhouse with the men who are here to start the cleanup. Besides, my omelet is still cooking.” When the older woman took the toast and buttered each slice, she sighed. “I used to eat several pieces at breakfast but those days are over since I began counting my carbs.”

  “Carbs? What’s that?” Misty snatched one slice of toast as Caroline put the plate on the table.

  “Something this old lady can’t have too much of.”

  “It’s things like breads.” The sound of the back door opening pulled Hannah’s gaze toward it.

  The severe expression on Austin’s face didn’t bode well. Was it Barney? Had he heard from the vet? He peered at his daughter, his features transforming into a neutral countenance.

  Misty brightened, a grin spreading from ear to ear. “You have Candy?”

  “Yes. Let me check on something then eat before I take you to her.” Austin crossed the kitchen and left.

  Hannah scooted back her chair. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

  She hurried after him, cat
ching up with him right before going into his office. “What’s happened? Is it Barney?”

  He shook his head, the tension returning to his expression. “The vet called, and I’ll be able to pick him up later today. It’s Big Red. He’s missing.”

  “Missing? What do you—Oh, no. The arsonist took him?”

  “That’s what I’m thinking, or he’s loose somewhere on the ranch. I sent a couple of search parties out to cover the property. I’ll join them after the sheriff comes.”

  “Can I help by picking up Barney for you? I figure you’ll be busy.”

  “You don’t know the area.”

  “Maybe Caroline and Misty can go with me. We’ll make it an outing. Misty will think it’s a treat.”

  “Fine. Getting her away from the ranch while we hunt for Big Red might be for the best.” He raked his hand through his hair. “Frankly I’m worried about what I’ll find when we do locate him.”

  “You think the guy killed the stallion?”

  “He didn’t think twice about burning down a barn with horses in it. I do know one thing. I won’t rest until I discover who this man is.” His fierce tone emphasized his determination to bring the perpetrator to justice.

  She wanted to erase the dark shadows from beneath his eyes, to wipe the exhaustion that gripped Austin. The past twenty-four hours had been a nightmare for him. Having someone after him was something she could relate to.

  She reached out and touched his arm. “I’ll help you any way I can. Don’t worry about Barney. We’ll take care of the dog.”

  “Is Misty finally asleep?” Caroline asked, folding the newspaper and putting it on the coffee table in front of her.

  “Yeah. I stayed with her until she nodded off.” Hannah eased down on the couch next to Caroline, setting the monitor next to the newspaper.

  The headline of a story in the Missoula Daily News caught Hannah’s attention about a woman murdered. The byline was the same reporter that Saul had talked about a couple of weeks ago. Violet Kramer.