by Mary Winter
The only reason why Caid would be awake and on his phone at this hour would be if he had gotten a phone call. The front door closed. A few moments later, she heard the pounding of hoof beats as Caid rode off on horseback.
He took one of her horses. Not that she minded. She told him they were all well-trained, and he’d told her about his past as a high school rodeo champion, so she knew he could ride. But if someone was in her pasture, they might have a gun. They might shoot at Caid—
She muttered under her breath, threw on jeans, stuffing the hem of her night shirt into the waistband, then tugged on boot socks and boots. She tucked her cell into its holster, grabbed her Colt and strapped on her shoulder holster, and hurried out to the barn.
Sooty’s stall door hung open. The grulla gelding would serve Caid well. Well-trained, turned on a dime, yet level-headed enough not to do something stupid at some ungodly hour of the night. She ran a brush over Daisy, her palomino mare’s back, then tacked her up and was riding out of the barn in record time. At least he had taken Sooty, as she’d suggested earlier in the day if he needed to ride out. The other two horses, Bubba and LeRoy, were two obstinate bay geldings with wide blazes that had been rescues from the sale barn. She still was getting used to them and didn’t know much about how they’d work on the ranch. So far, they preferred to do their own thing and liked to buck and snort when asked to work.
She scanned the horizon, hoping she’d see Sooty and Caid. She didn’t, but she knew the pastures where her cattle grazed and headed in that direction. The steady beat of Daisy’s gallop lulled her into the sensation that she was out for a ride. The cloudless sky dotted with a slight crescent moon and what seemed like a million stars stretched overhead. An owl hooted and the sound of frogs provided an accompaniment to Daisy’s four-beat cadence. There, a flash of light caught her attention and she slowed Daisy, uncertain if that was Caid or one of the intruders. For a moment she debated about dismounting and walking on foot, but if she needed to make a hasty getaway…
Caid knelt by the fence. He looked up, his hand raised. The scant moonlight glinted off the barrel of a gun. “Halt!” He yelled.
“Caid. It’s me!” She halted Daisy.
“Damn it, Jenny!” He shone his flashlight at her, lingering on the holster and gave a nod of approval. “You could have been hurt,” he growled.
“I heard you leave.” She dismounted and led Daisy forward, securing her to the fence post next to Sooty. “You found something?”
Caid nodded. “Someone was spotted trying to cut the new lock I put on the fences where I put cameras. When they couldn’t cut the armored cable locks, they left. For now.”
“I hope you were planning on getting me keys to those. And we should probably check this pasture, too.” Jenny filed away the fear and worry, going into rancher mode to get through. Later, when she was in her home, warm and snug with a blanket around her shoulders and a cup of cocoa in her hands, she’d probably lose it. For now, she needed to ensure the safety of her livestock.
“I was just about to do that. How many cattle should I find?”
“Roughly 250 head. But I want to go with you. I’ll know if any are missing.” She watched him unlock the gate.
“Go back to the house, Jenny. I’ll take care of this.” Caid straightened and unhooked the lead rope from the gate. At least he’d had the good sense to put the combination halter/bridle on the horse so he wouldn’t tie him by the reins.
“No. They’re my cattle.” She unfastened Daisy and slipped one booted foot into a stirrup.
“It’s not safe.” A growl underscored his words.
“Nothing’s safe, Caid.” She swung into the saddle. “Let’s go. I don’t know about you, but I’d like to get some sleep before morning.”
Caid muttered something under his breath, and she smiled as she passed him, riding into the pasture.
They rode silently along the fence line. Of course the cattle were at the far end of the pasture. Though it was hard to count them in the dark, she did the best she could, finding a newly born calf in the process.
By the time they reached the barn, streaks of light had appeared across the eastern horizon. She unsaddled Daisy, thankful when she turned around and Caid took the saddle from her and set it on the stand just outside the stall door. She closed and latched the door, then sagged against the wooden boards, exhausted.
She shook, all the fear and worry she’d pushed aside to ride and count cattle coming to the fore. Before she could sink to the floor, Caid pulled her against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, drawing her against him. His big hands comforted her, caressing her shoulders and back. She leaned against him, breathing deeply so she wouldn’t break down in tears.
Caid murmured to her, not really words, but comforting sounds, and she wished he’d hold her like this forever, tucked against his hard, warm body, shielding her from all the crap out there in the world.
“It’s going to be okay,” he whispered. “Hank’s man is running what we saw through facial recognition. I expect a text at any moment with an id. Let’s go inside. I’ll fix you breakfast.”
Her stomach rumbled and she smiled. “I guess that’s a yes.” She couldn’t quite release him, not yet, not when every inch of her wanted to get closer to him, maybe even push him down onto the hay bale and…
Caid’s phone buzzed.
“There it is,” he said, grabbing it from the holster at his waist. “They got him. Let’s go inside and get some breakfast started.”
“Who is it?”
“I believe you know him. Jon Perry.”
“Shit,” she muttered. “He’s my ex-boyfriend.”
Chapter Three
Jenny sat on the dining chair, her hands wrapped around a steaming mug of coffee. Not even the scent of her chocolate mocha creamer pulled her out of the shock of finding out her ex had been identified as the man breaking into her pasture. But why? He couldn’t be the one mutilating her cattle. Just no. Their break up wasn’t pretty and she certainly wouldn’t win any awards for being the most congenial of ex-girlfriend’s, but he lived about an hour away and the commute, along with the fact that she still harbored feelings for Caid, had done them in.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Caid worked at the stove, his back to her, frying up bacon and eggs, maybe even some hash browns. She really wasn’t paying attention. His phone buzzed, and he glanced at it.
“The Sherriff’s Department has all the information. I’m sure we’ll hear something shortly.” Caid didn’t miss a beat, flipping the bacon while he spoke.
She nodded, having given his phone numbers—damn her for still having them memorized—and work and home addresses to pass along.
He slipped the food on the plate and put it in front of her. “Eat. It will help the shock wear off.”
He spoke like a man with experience, and she really didn’t want to think what sort of things would shock a man like Caid. He set his own plate down and took the chair opposite of her.
“I can’t believe Jon would do anything like that,” she said after he’d stared at her long enough to force her to eat a slice of bacon. She washed it down with some coffee. “He works at the local radio station. He wouldn’t even go into the barn, and I couldn’t convince him to get on Sooty, who is the most laid back horse I’ve ever ridden.” Her stomach rumbled again and she realized she was hungry. She grabbed another slice of bacon.
“Sometimes you don’t know what people are capable of,” he replied. “I’m not sorry I’m here. Just wish it was under other circumstances.” His phone buzzed again and he glanced at it, then stood and went into the living room to answer it.
The few muttered curses she heard told her whatever it was, the news wasn’t good.
He strode into the kitchen and sat back down again with a frustrated growl. “Your ex wasn’t at his work or home. In fact, his boss said he hasn’t been in all week and that the next time he sees him he’s fired. The sheriff says he’ll keep an eye out, b
ut with no warrant…” He shrugged.
Jenny set down her bacon, struggling not to gape at Caid’s words. “That doesn’t sound like him at all. He won like attendance awards when we were dating or got a bonus or something because he’d never missed a day of work. What now?” She fought the panic bubbling in her throat. No lead on Jon, who was breaking into her pasture, or the people mutilating her cattle. She squeezed her eyes closed, vowing not to cry. Not in front of Caid. Instead, she opened them and focused on shoveling the breakfast into her mouth quickly so she could start her day. She wanted to check fence in the pasture next to where they were this morning, and also wanted to see about getting a ride in on hopefully both Bubba and LeRoy.
Her cell rang. Shelby. She smiled. At least her vivacious friend would have some story or juicy gossip from the cafe and be able to take her mind off of her current problems.
“Hey girl, you will never guess who came into the cafe this morning for breakfast.”
All of her hopefulness faded away. “Jon?”
“How’d you guess? Anyway, he orders and says nothing to me, then I hear him on the phone. It sounds serious. He hangs up quickly when I bring his breakfast. Well one of the regulars must have recognized him, because he says, he’s missed listening to him this week. He barks at him, says he’s not going back to that shithole and didn’t even tip.” Shelby finally paused for a breath.
Jenny sensed Caid standing over her shoulder and she put a hand over her phone. “Shelby saw Jon at the cafe.” She removed her hand, just in time for Shelby to say, “I didn’t tell you that your brother came in the other day with the sexiest man I’ve ever seen. I want introductions, if you know what I mean.”
Jenny rolled her eyes and saw Caid grinning from ear-to-ear. She decided to dampen his enthusiasm. “Ask my brother. I have cattle calving.”
At least Caid had the grace to look upset.
“Or maybe you’re going to keep him for yourself.” Someone yelled in the background. “I’ve got to go. I’ll swing by tonight on my way home from work. I want you to get all the details from that brother of yours, or maybe his wife by then. Okay?”
“Sure, whatever, Shelby. Thanks for letting me know.” As soon as the call ended, she put her phone down. “Jon was at the cafe this morning. Where the hell were your guys?” She stared slack-jawed at him. Sure, have the law look for him in the next county over, but not even in Eagle Rock. Not that she should have to tell these guys how to do their jobs, but did they not even consider that he could be in town if he was in her pasture last night?
“I don’t know,” he said. “I thought they’d be on it. How long ago was he there?” He grabbed his phone and dialed in a number without waiting for an answer.
She caught his words as she typed a text to Shelby. Her friend couldn’t take calls at work. Gossip that juicy had to come by phone, but it could have been on her break.
“Hank there?” His scowl deepened. “Have him call me as soon as he gets back in.”
“Ten minutes.” Jenny relayed the answer as soon as it came in, still wondering why the hell she had to do the leg work for these guys.
A moment later Caid’s phone rang. He answered. “I’m putting you on speaker,” he said to the person on the phone, then turned to her, “it’s Hank.”
“I’m sorry, Caid. Local law enforcement said they stopped him and he had an iron-clad alibi. They couldn’t hold him. We showed the video to them and it wasn’t enough.”
“We have solid ID. What the fuck was his alibi?”
“He was with his girlfriend all night. The complex has cameras and he’s seen going in about eight last night and leaving around four thirty this morning.”
“To go to the cafe for breakfast? Without his girlfriend?” None of this sounded like the Jon she knew. None of it. And it still didn’t make any sense.
“I’m sorry, Jenny. I don’t like this anymore than you do.”
Truth radiated from Hank’s voice, and she nodded. “All right. So what’s our next move?”
Hank chuckled. “We’ll continue monitoring. Caid, I’m sending someone so we can keep a man out there at all times and you don’t have to divide your time between protecting Jenny or her cattle.”
He opened his mouth to object, then he shut it. “Yes, sir. Thank you.” The call ended after a few more moments.
“Protect me? I’m not in danger. My cattle are.” An image of the young calf born during the night filled her mind. To have it harmed would be like a knife in the gut.
“We don’t know if they’re going to expand. Nothing is adding up about this.”
“Which is why I don’t really want Logan to know.” She frowned. “Except it’s probably too late.” She stood and grabbed her plate, taking it to the sink. She looked out the window, seeing cattle dotting the landscape, and sagged against the counter. Her fingers curled into the granite hard enough to turn her knuckles white and she gave a heavy sigh that turned into a sob.
As before, Caid was there, his arms around her and pulling her back against him. She went, willingly, needing something concrete to hold onto right now. Her ex-boyfriend, a jealous somewhat narcissistic asshole, was—she didn’t know what he was doing and they better find out quick. Caid’s large hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face toward his.
“I swear to you, we won’t let you down. We’ll find him and we’ll stop him.”
The intensity in Caid’s voice shook her to her core. She believed him. No hesitation, no fear. The anger she’d felt earlier, driven by frustration and exhaustion, ebbed into a need to be held, to be protected.
“Yes,” she whispered.
His lips met hers, no longer a hesitant, tentative kiss testing the attraction between them. No, this was a primal need to claim, to protect, to make sure she knew that he would cover her and keep her safe—no matter what. She met his passion with her own, opening her mouth and raking her fingers through his short hair. A step backward had her against the counter, the edge biting into her ass. Outside full daylight had broken. Distantly she registered she should be out doing chores, but then his hand slid along her ribs, fingers grazing the edge of her breast and she forgot about them, forgot about everything except Caid.
She arched her back and opened her mouth, inviting him to explore deeper. Jenny clutched at his shoulders, then slid her hands between them to work on the buttons of his shirt.
A low moan rumbled through his chest.
The masculine sound sent a rush of moisture to her pussy and suddenly she couldn’t get enough. She pulled open his shirt, certain more than one button went pinging across her kitchen floor, and flattened her hands on his chest. Warm skin over hard muscles met her palms, and she gently curled her fingers into him. The slight flick of her nails along his collar bone forced a groan from him, and when they parted for air, both of them were breathing heavily.
A knock on the door interrupted them.
“Damn,” she muttered and checked to make sure her clothing was in place. Mostly it was, and she squeezed out from between him and the counter. “I’ll get it.” Not that she was sure her legs would work, but the distance would help.
“Let me.” Heedless of his open shirt, Caid strode to the door.
~* * *~
That had been close. His cock still throbbed, though iron will brought it back within submission. He glanced out the door, nodding when he recognized his buddy.
“Bull,” he said as he opened the door. “How the hell are you?”
“Doing better, man.” A tall man with a dark complexion man stepped into the room. His black hair was growing out, making it stand up all over his head, and his thick eyebrows hung over chocolate brown eyes that had seen way too much. He had more bulk on Caid, though both men were of the same height. He wrapped Caid in a bear hug, pounding him hard enough on the back to make him cough. “Hank sent me.”
Caid turned at Jenny’s entrance into the room. “This is Jenny Ryder. We can fill you in. Jenny, this is Greer Gorsch, but we all c
all him Bull.”
“Pleased to meet you,” she said, stepping forward with her hand outstretched. “You’re the one Hank sent to watch the back pasture.”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” He glanced at Caid with a knowing look.
Caid gestured to the couch. “Why don’t you sit down? We’ll fill you in and get you on your way.”
“Will you be out there all the time? Or should I make up the couch for you?” He sensed Jenny’s nervousness around the new arrival.
“I’ll be fine in the pasture, ma’am. I have a tent I can pitch somewhere where the cows won’t trample it. My goal is to watch the gates and the livestock. I have my own tablet so I can see the cameras, just like you can.”
Jenny stood. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go to the barn. I’ll leave you two to talk.”
“Check in if you decide to go beyond the arena,” Caid replied. She chafed at the words, then opened the curtains in the living room, making sure that he could see the arena from there. “Thanks.”
She hurried from the living room, and as soon as the door was closed, he turned to Bull. “How are you doing?” he asked for real this time. “I heard Wings has been moved to rehab?”
Bull remained silent for a moment, the horror of what he’d seen unfold directly in front of him visible in his eyes. “I’m hanging in there. I saw Wings before flying out here. Logan convinced me to come work for Hank. Said you guys are still living the mission only with less danger.”
“We’re not parachuting into war zones anymore, that’s for sure. Glad you’re here. There’s no one else I’d want to watch my six.” He sensed Bull didn’t want to talk about what had happened. Maybe someday he would. “We rode the pasture last night. I can show you where you can pitch your tent.” He rose to his feet.
“Everything is in my truck.”
The two men stepped outside and Bull tossed a large bag into the back of Caid’s truck. He checked with Jenny; she was saddling the horse she called Bubba and promised not to go any farther than the arena. He hated to leave her, but he needed to show Bull where he could set up, plus he wanted to point out the sites of the mutilations. A moment later, he was driving down the lane that lead to the back pastures.
