Page 16 of Rancher's Heart

“Unless you want to be set on this counter again, I suggest you drop your smirk and finish your coffee.” I reached for a cinnamon roll and put it on my plate. “What time were you up today?” I asked as I took a bite.

“Oh, I’ve been up for a few hours. Night shift always messes with me, so it’ll take me a bit to get back on a regular sleep schedule. Thankfully, I’m off for a few more days, so I can get turned around.” She lifted her mug to her lips and blew on the steaming liquid. “So, what’s the plan for today?”

“I need to get my chores done, then we can head to your place and get all your stuff. I won’t let you be there alone.”

“Thank you,” her voice was quiet.

“It’s okay, you won’t have to deal with him anymore. I promise Elle.” I wanted to hold her, to make her know it was all going to be okay.

CHAPTER 10

ELLE

There was still a little bit of a chill blowing off the mountain. Even though it was early May, the weather couldn’t decide if it was ready to give into a true spring. A chill ran down my spine and I looked out into the pasture. Something had caught my eye, and wish I’d looked up sooner, but it was already gone. All my boxes wouldn’t get packed if I kept staring off into the mountains, so I grabbed another box, and took it into the trailer.

I heard the rumble of a truck pulling up beside me, and I was surprised Griff had gotten to his place and back in that short of time. Stepping out of the trailer I ran straight into my worst nightmare, or rather my nightmare of last night.

“Well, there you are.” Billy Hays said as he grabbed me around the waist. “Took a little offense to you running from me last night.” He sneered, and a shiver ran down my spine. “But not to worry, I can pick up where I left off.” I struggled against him and stomped on his foot.

“Stupid bitch, you probably broke my foot, mother fucker.” I wasn’t overly concerned about his foot, but he’d loosened his grip enough that I was able to push him away from me.

“Leave me alone,” I said firmly, but he lunged toward me, and I moved backwards.

“I’ve been watching you since you and that richy rich Harp followed you back here. Been waiting for him to leave so I could get you alone.” Backing up, I needed to get to the open side of the driveway, and I could run at least. Surely I was faster than he was.

“Don’t think about running. My brother’s at the end of the road, so if I don’t get you he will.” Billy laughed and I wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth, and did I want to risk it if he was? “So why don’t we get better acquainted before he thinks it’s his turn with you.” He took a few more steps toward me, and I stepped backward, tripping over a box that had been behind me.

Falling, I managed to brace myself so I didn’t hit the ground too hard, and I looked into the face of a man who looked like the last time he’d showered was months ago. His hair was matted to his head, and single greasy strands were falling around his face. The amount of dirt he had on his hands was alarming, and I needed to get away.

“You think you’re better than me, don’t you? I’m here to show you there’s no way in hell that’s true. Because if you were, you wouldn’t be lying on the ground waiting for me.” Bile rose in my throat as he reached for his belt. God why hadn’t I gone with Griff instead of being stubborn, wanting to get the rest of this done on my own?

“I would suggest you stop what you’re planning or it will be the last thought you have in that thick head of yours.” Griff’s low, menacing voice floated through the air, and he had a gun pointed at the back of Billy’s head. I closed my eyes as I relaxed onto the ground.

“How’d you get back here?” The man wasn’t worried that he’d just been caught ready to assault me, just how could Griff get back?

“You think your brother was any match for me? Good luck finding him, by the way.” Griff’s chuckle at the end of his statement made me shiver. In this moment he was truly a force to be reckoned with.

“What’d you do with him?” Billy sneered, finally moving from above me.

“That’s for me to know and you to never find out.” Griff looked over at me. “You, getting up or taking a nap down there?” The corners of his mouth turned up, and he clenched his jaw, fighting the smile.

“Ass,” I grumbled as I stood and brushed the dirt from my pants.

“Get off this property and don’t come back if you know what’s good for you,” Griff growled as he shoved the man but kept his gun pointed at him. Billy hopped into his truck and leaned out the window.

“This isn’t over nursey I’ll have you yet,” Billy yelled.

Griff raised the rifle to his shoulder, closed one eye, looked through the scope, and let out a long breath before pulling the trigger, shooting out the side mirror that was only inches from the maniac’s head. The glass shattered, and Billy pulled out of the yard. His tires would have been screeching if they were on pavement, but the rocks and the dust flying everywhere provided enough noise.

“Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” Griff set his weapon aside and looked me over, his hands running over almost all my body.

“I’m fine,” I said, as I grinned as I grabbed his arms. “I’m fine.” Nodding, I sounded a lot more confident than I was. I wasn’t fine, and he knew it. He reached over and pulled the big door of the stock trailer closed and latched it.

“Get in the truck.” Griff grabbed my hand and we walked down the road to where he’d parked.

“Griff, I’m…”

“You’re not fine. This stuff can wait until tomorrow, or I can even come back in a few days. We’re going home.” He pulled the truck door open and basically lifted me onto the seat. Birds chirped in the trees above us, and I glanced up to see if I could find where they were. When Billy was around they’d been silent, but now that I was with Griff, they chirped and sang like they were serenading us.

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