Beautifully Broken Spirit

by Catherine Cowles

  “Just grabbing some coffee, sir.” I lifted my cup.

  David crossed to the counter and picked through the assortment of pastries, getting his grubby fingers on all of them. “Well, I need to talk to you.”

  David’s brother appeared in the doorway after him, giving me a sympathetic smile and a shake of his head. Bill was a local rancher, and nothing like his prickly sibling. I had no clue how the two had been raised in the same home. Bill was always helping other ranchers who were struggling and had a kind word for just about everyone.

  I gave him a chin jerk and turned back to David. “What did you want to talk about?”

  David picked up a donut, sniffed it, and then put it back on the platter. “That friend of yours has been nosing around our case.”

  My brow furrowed. “What friend, and what case?”

  “You know, that girl. And the wild horse case, what other case would I be talking about?”

  David could’ve been talking about one of a dozen, but I resisted the urge to say as much. However, there was only one girl he could mean. My jaw flexed.

  Bill sighed and poured himself a cup of coffee. “David, she wasn’t nosing around. I shouldn’t have said anything. Jensen is just concerned.”

  David began spluttering. “Of course, you should have said something. We can’t have civilians nosing around in Forest Service business.”

  I focused in on Bill. “What was Jensen doing?”

  He ripped open a sugar packet, dumped it into the black coffee, and stirred. “She just stopped by the feed store, asking what we knew about the wild horse that had been killed. I wouldn’t have said anything, but I was worried she might get herself into trouble. Most of the ranchers around here don’t take too kindly to wild horse supporters getting in their business.”

  Bill cringed. “But looking at your face right now, maybe I should’ve worried about getting her into trouble with you.” He set his mug down on the counter. “Don’t be too hard on Jensen. Like I said, her heart’s in the right place. Maybe just encourage her to leave the investigating up to you all.”

  I began to rub my temples. “I’ll talk to her.”

  David huffed. “You better. Because if you don’t, I’m arresting her for interfering with an investigation.”

  I gave a quick nod, dumped my mug in the sink, and headed for my truck. An arrest was the least of Jensen’s worries.

  I pushed open the door to the Kettle a little more forcefully than necessary, sending the bell over the door into a disjointed jangle. I strode towards the counter, not giving one shit that Jensen seemed to be teaching some willowy girl how to use the cash register. “We need to talk.”

  Jensen straightened. “Well, now, who’s the grouchy one?”

  “Kitchen. Now,” I gritted out.

  Jensen’s hands went to her hips. “I don’t take orders from you, mister.”

  I let out a growl of frustration.

  Willowy girl’s eyes jumped between Jensen and me like our exchange was a ping-pong match.

  I didn’t have time for this. I rounded the counter, bent, and threw Jensen over my shoulder.

  She slapped at my back. “What the hell, Tuck?”

  “Uh, Jensen, should I call the police?”

  I shot a narrow-eyed stare at the woman who was now holding a cell phone in her hand. “Lady, I am the police.” Or at least close enough.

  I walked through the kitchen and out the back door into the parking lot and alley, Jensen hissing and spitting the whole way. I set her down with a thud, but she was lucky I didn’t toss her into the snow bank. “What the hell were you thinking?”

  “What the hell was I thinking? What about you? Have you lost your mind? This is my place of business.” She shoved at my chest.

  I didn’t move an inch. “What the fuck were you thinking talking to those ranchers?”

  Jensen blanched but recovered quickly. “I don’t see what business that is of yours. It’s not like we share what we’ve found out about the mustangs with each other.”

  I ground my back teeth together. “I didn’t want to ruin a perfectly nice day together.”

  “You wanted to shield me.”

  I ran a hand through my hair, tugging on the ends of the strands. “And so what if I did? Is it so awful that I want to protect you from horrible things?”

  Jensen threw her arms wide. “Life is full of horrible things, Tuck. Are you going to protect me from all of them? Then I’ll barely be living. Newsflash, bucko, you have to experience the bad so you appreciate the good. I don’t want you to shield me. I want you to stand next to me.”

  All the wind went right out of my sails. For as long as I could remember, I’d always wanted to protect Jensen. And now that she was grown, standing on her own two feet, this wild warrior, I didn’t know how to let her own that power and keep her safe at the same time.

  She sucked in a breath. “God. I need to listen to my own advice.”

  My brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Jensen looked out at the fields and forest behind the shop. “I’ve been living this half-life. Too afraid to act for fear of screwing up again. I’m not doing it anymore.” Her gaze met mine, the fire in her eyes burning bright. “I need you to help me live life to the fullest, not keep me from it.”

  I edged closer to Jensen. “I’m sorry.”

  A small smile pulled at her lips. “What was that?”

  I grimaced. “I’m sorry. It’s instinct. I want to stop anything that might cause you pain from ever reaching you.”

  She stepped forward, hands dipping into my coat pockets. “That’s a sweet thought, but totally and completely unrealistic.”

  I grinned down at her. “Are you doubting my manly skills in protecting you against all things that go bump in the night?”

  A shadow flickered across her face, but it was gone so fast, I wondered if I’d really seen it. “If anyone can do that, it’d be you.” Her gaze met mine. “But I don’t want you to.”

  I sighed, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her to me. “I can’t promise I’ll stop trying to protect you, that’s just an impossibility. But I promise not to hide things from you that you deserve to know.”

  A bit of the rigidness went out of Jensen’s muscles, and she burrowed into me. “That seems like a fair compromise for now.” She tipped her head back so her chin rested on my chest. “Now, can we go back inside so you can apologize to my new employee for being so rude?”

  I grinned. “Want to make out first?”

  Jensen shoved at my chest. “Men! Always a one-track mind.”

  But I didn’t think she minded too much because her lips met mine in a kiss that stayed with me for days.

  22

  Jensen

  As I pulled up to the pasture, I saw that the horses were pacing, their movements almost agitated. When Phoenix spotted me as I slipped from my SUV, she let out a whinny and ran for the fence line.

  I hurried over. “What’s got everyone so upset?” I rubbed her neck as I scanned the fields and surrounding forests for any signs of predators. Wolves were rare but not unheard of now that their numbers were rising again. I didn’t see a thing out of place.

  Phoenix whinnied again. “It’s all right, girl.” I turned to scan where my property met up with the Harris ranch and froze. Scrawled on my storage barn was hideous graffiti. You can’t save them all.

  My stomach roiled. Some asshole had dirtied the safe place I had created for these mustangs, and myself. My gaze darted back to the herd, and I counted quickly. They were all there and unharmed. I jogged back to my SUV, unlocked my vehicle’s gun safe, and pulled out my rifle. I walked through the snow towards the barn. As I got closer, I saw that the paint was dry. The person responsible was likely long gone.

  I blew out a breath and pulled out my phone, tapping Tuck’s name.

  “What’s up, Wilder?”

  I clenched my phone a little tighter. “Someone vandalized my barn. I’m pretty sure it’s the same
person who’s been killing the mustangs.”

  All levity left Tuck’s voice. “I’m on my way. Get in your vehicle and lock the doors.”

  I scanned the area, still nothing. “Whoever did this is long gone. And I’ve got my rifle.”

  An engine turning over sounded across the line. “For once in your life, will you just do as I ask without being stubborn?”

  I rolled my eyes heavenward. “Fine. But don’t get used to it.” I hit end and stomped back over to my SUV, climbing inside. I rested the rifle across my lap and waited. I kept scanning the area, hoping to catch a glimpse of something, but there was nothing to see.

  It wasn’t long before Tuck showed, his tires spitting gravel everywhere as he sped up the road. I rested the rifle back in the gun safe and slid out of my vehicle just as he pulled in. He jumped from his truck, fury barely contained on his face and came towards me in strides that ate up the distance.

  Tuck pulled me into his arms with a ferocity that pushed all the air from my lungs. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. The only thing that isn’t fine is my barn.” I attempted to look over my shoulder to scowl at the offending scrawl, but Tuck held me firmly in place.

  “Just give me a minute.”

  I’d give him eternity. Standing there safe in his arms, there was nowhere else I’d rather be.

  Finally, Tuck released his hold. “Show me.”

  I led Tuck over to the barn and showed him the graffiti.

  That little muscle in his cheek ticked, the one that told me he was really freaking pissed. “I have to call Walker. This is technically his jurisdiction. Which means, we’ll probably end up working the case together.” Tuck pulled out his phone, tapped a few keys, and was filling my brother in within seconds.

  On one level, I was glad that the case would be getting some additional attention. On the other, my brother was going to freak. If there was one thing Tuck and Walker brought out in each other, it was their overprotectiveness for the women in their lives. I sighed.

  Tuck slipped his phone into his back pocket. “You know why this happened, don’t you?”

  My brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  Tuck’s jaw flexed. “It happened because you’ve been nosing around. Obviously, whoever’s doing this heard you were talking to ranchers, and that did not make them happy.”

  “That’s a good thing, isn’t it? It gives us more clues as to who it could be. It would have to be someone who works on one of those ranches or who’s friends with someone who does…” My voice trailed off.

  “Which is basically every person in Sutter Lake. Anyone could’ve heard about you asking questions.”

  My shoulders slumped. Dammit. I’d thought we had our first break.

  Tuck must have seen the defeat in my expression because he pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me and resting his chin on my head.

  “Well, what is my son doing behind the barn with pretty little Miss Jensen?”

  We startled apart, and I regained my composure a little quicker than Tuck. “Hi, Mr. Harris. I was just upset, and Tuck was comforting me.”

  Tuck’s dad gave me a grin that looked like he’d meant for it to be charming, but it came across smarmy. “Comforting you, huh? Is that what they’re calling it these days?”

  Anger came off Tuck in waves, I could almost feel the heat of it. “Don’t be a jackass. Look at her fucking barn.”

  Craig turned to check out the building, and his eyes widened. “Shit. When did this happen?”

  Tuck cracked his knuckles. “Sometime last night. What are you doing out here?”

  Craig gestured to his truck. “Riding the fence line. That’s not breaking the law, is it?”

  Tuck ignored his father’s barb. “You see or hear anything suspicious last night?”

  “No, officer, I did not.”

  Craig had always belittled Tuck’s choice to go into law enforcement, and at this very moment, I wanted to sock him in the face for it. I stepped closer to Tuck, placing my hand on his back, trying to give him a show of silent support. Craig’s gaze caught the movement, and he shot Tuck a shit-eating grin. He opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of tires squealing had him looking in another direction.

  Walker’s truck tore up the hill, gravel flying everywhere. I held up a hand for him to slow the hell down, and he did. The last thing I needed was my horses being freaked out more than they already were.

  Walker jumped out of his truck and strode towards us. “Show me.” The order was directed at Tuck, but I led the way around the barn. “Fucking hell.” Walker turned to Craig. “You see or hear anything last night?”

  Craig shook his head. “Not a thing.”

  Walker turned to me, pinning me with his best big-brother stare. “Why did you call Tuck and not me?”

  I groaned and let my head tip back. “Maybe because this was his case?”

  Walker scowled. “It might be his case, it might not, but I’m your damn brother and the deputy chief of police.”

  Tuck stepped between us. “Now, children, can’t we all just get along?”

  Craig chuckled. “Yeah, I’m sure Jensen had a real good reason for calling Tuck and not you.”

  I was going to murder Tuck’s father right here and now. I wondered how that would impact the future of whatever it was that Tuck and I had going on. I also wondered if my brother would arrest me or help me try to cover up the crime. Either way, Craig Harris was getting my boot up his ass at the very least.

  23

  Tuck

  I was going to murder my father. Or at least, deck him. Why it had become his mission to try and ruin every good thing that came my way, I’d never know. But by now, the why didn’t even matter.

  I glanced in Walker’s direction. He didn’t seem to have picked up on the insinuation. He was still railing on Jensen about not calling him.

  I moved my gaze back to my father. I hated that his blood flowed through my veins. That his DNA and guidance had a role in who I was as a man. My stare hardened. “I think it’s time for you to get back to the ranch. This is a crime scene, and the techs will be here soon.”

  A muscle in his cheek ticked. The same one that flickered in mine when I was pissed. “Remember who your elders are, boy.”

  “I’m well aware. But on this playing field, I’m the one in charge. Why don’t you go spend some time with Mom.” It was a dig designed to piss him off, and it was successful.

  My dad’s face reddened, and he stormed off back to the pickup on the other side of the fence. Good riddance.

  “Where’s he going?” Walker asked.

  I turned back to the siblings. “Said he had some work to do.”

  Walker nodded, but little worry lines appeared in Jensen’s brow. “You okay?” she mouthed.

  I gave a small nod. I wasn’t, but there was nothing to do about that. “Walk, your guys on their way?”

  He crouched by the barn, studying the footprints in the snow. “Yup. They should be here any minute.”

  I wrapped an arm around Jensen. She stiffened at first, but then relaxed against me, realizing this was something we’d always done. I gave her shoulder a few reassuring squeezes.

  She sighed. “Nothing says ‘Merry Christmas’ like a spray-painted barn.”

  With Christmas and more snow only a few days away, it was unlikely that this would get remedied before the spring snowmelt. “I’m sorry, Wilder.”

  Walker pushed to his feet. “We’ll get it fixed as soon as we can. But for now, I don’t want you coming up here alone. Grab one of the hands to come with you.”

  Jensen stiffened. “I’m not going to let this creep change the way I do things.”

  Walker cursed under his breath. “Either you agree to bring someone, or I’ll tell Dad to just assign someone to be up here waiting for you.”

  She glared at her brother. “You always were a little tattletale. You know snitches get stitches, right?”

  Walker chuckled. “I could alw
ays throw you in lockup, that’d keep you safe.”

  I couldn’t hold in my laugh.

  Jensen turned her glare on me, as well as the end of her elbow. “You two deserve each other.” She threw up her hands. “I’m going to work. Do me a favor and feed my horses while you’re up here, would you?”

  I nodded through my laughter but sobered when I caught sight of the angry letters on the side of the barn. “This guy could be fixated on her now, you know that?”

  Walker ran a hand through his hair. “I know. I’m hoping it’s just some pissed-off rancher and not the same person shooting the horses.” He met my gaze, and his look said we both knew that was unlikely. “I don’t want to freak her out, but I want her to be careful.”

  My hands fisted. “We’ll just have to keep a closer eye. I’m gonna start doing a drive through the property at night. Maybe I’ll catch sight of someone. Or, if they’re watching, they’ll see that someone’s keeping an eye out.”

  Walker nodded. “I’ll do the same. Between the two of us, we’ll keep J safe.”

  I rolled to a stop outside Jensen’s guest house. I knew Walker had told everyone that we’d both be doing drive-bys, so I wasn’t going to get my ass accidentally shot. But he didn’t know that I might be lingering.

  Guilt filled my gut. Walker would lose it if he knew. My truck continued idling as I stared up at the bedroom windows. Noah’s room was dark, but there was still a light on in Jensen’s. I pulled my phone out of the cupholder.

  Me: Can I come in?

  Two minutes passed with no response. I put my truck in reverse when my phone buzzed.

  Wilder: You’re here?

  Me: Should I throw some pebbles at your window?

  Wilder: Only if you’re okay with me throwing some at your truck.

  I grinned down at my phone, starting to type out a reply when the front door opened. Light spilled out around Jensen, silhouetting her form in the doorway. A body clad in only a short robe. I jumped out of my truck and strode for the door. “What are you doing? You’ll catch your death,” I whispered.