Page 52 of Rancher's Heart

“We took care of her,” I growled. Billy’s eyes went wide as he realized who was in his house.

“Look, we didn’t mean anything by it. We didn’t lay a hand on him.” Billy crawled across the couch trying to get away from me. “I just needed bait for Elle to come to my turf.”

My closed fist met the fucker’s jaw, and the hit reverberated up my arm. “You have no right to even think of her.” Another right hook caught his eye. “When you took Parker you signed your death warrant,” my voice was low, without emotion and I hit him again with my left hand. This time pain shot through my arm, and I faltered backwards. Billy lay on the couch, unconscious.

Grabbing the fuel can, I took the lid off and walked around the room dumping it as I went. Moving to the door I poured the rest out and lit a match as I walked out of the house.

Watching the flame, I let it burn almost to my fingers. I needed to feel the heat, the burning to make sure I still felt something. Dropping the match, I ran toward my truck and jumped in while Ryder was pulling away from the curb.

As we drove down the street the large fireball and noise caught up with us. None of us said anything as we drove out of town. In the mirrors I saw the town starting to light up as the power came back on.

It would take Hal a few minutes to be alerted and get out of bed. The volunteer fire department would respond, but they wouldn’t try to put out the structure at this point. If I did everything right, there would be nothing that would point to anything other than an accident.

Troy had thirty minutes on us, and he’d be almost back to the ranch by now. What I wouldn’t do to be the one taking Parker back to Elle. Would this push her and Troy back together? How could I even be thinking of myself at a time like this? I was a selfish bastard.

Pulling into the yard, trucks were haphazardly parked and Ryder steered through them and finally coming to a stop. “You good?” He asked as we all climbed out of the truck.

“Fine,” I said as I headed for the house.

The kitchen was empty, and the level of noise coming from the living room made us head in that direction. Elle was siting with Parker, and Troy was sitting on the other side of him. Troy’s hand was resting gently on Elle’s shoulder. They looked like a happy little family.

Elle saw me, jumped off the couch, and ran into my open arms. “You found him,” she cried into my ear. I wrapped my arms around her, and held her tightly. “I’ll never be able to thank you.”

“Just doing my job.” I let her go and she looked up at me and frowned. Without a word she grabbed my bad arm and pulled me out of the room.

We were quiet until we walked into the office at the end of the hall. “What the fuck was that? I’m just doing my job.” She mimicked my voice, rather poorly if you asked me.

“It’s true Elle. I had a job to do and I did it.”

“That’s all he is to you a job?”

“No he’s become my life, the reason I keep going at the end of the day. You both have.” My voice cracked as I finally admitted what they both meant to me.

“Then what was with that out there?” Elle pointed out the door to the living room.

“You and Troy looked happy together.” Without warning she pulled back her arm and punched my shoulder. I just about collapsed but just stumbled backwards.

“Our son was kidnapped, we’re happy he’s home safe. I’m sure he’ll need years of therapy to deal with the events of tonight, but because of you, he can take all the time he’s going to need.” I watched tears roll down her face. “I don’t want Troy. I only want you.” Her shoulders slumped and I pulled her to me.

“I’m sorry, the way you looked at him made me jealous.” I admitted and Elle shook her head, before she pulled me to her. My arms wrapped around her like they had a mind of their own.

Elle leaned away from me slightly, frowning with her nose scrunched up. “You smell like gasoline.”

“It’s diesel. Don’t ask,” I said as I cupped her cheek and lowered my head. Kissing her made me feel like a new man. This was the first job I’d done where I had a reason to come home.

Walking back out to the living room Elle didn’t let my hand go. “Seen the news?” Nora asked as she lifted her phone. “Two people blew themselves up cooking meth. Or that’s the rumorgoing through town.” Nora arched her brow. Elle looked up at me and I smirked.

“Well, it’s too late to go to bed, and too early to start the day, why don’t we make one huge breakfast,” Julie said as she got up off the couch. The ladies followed her and I took a seat on the couch letting my eyes fall closed.

Warm arms wrapped around me and without hesitation I hugged my boy back. When he let me go he raised his hands.Thank you, Griff. I knew you’d save me.”His grin spread across his face.

I will come after you no matter where you are.He hugged me again and I looked up at Elle, who was crying again.

The breakfast Julie made broke the tension, and brought us all around the table laughing and talking as if we all hadn’t had the scare of our lives. I looked around the table at the men I’d entrusted with my life more times than I could count, the woman I’d finally let in and her son who was the light in my life I didn’t know was missing. Shifting I put my arm around Elle, and I caught the warm smile and a tears in my mother’s eyes. This was perfect.

As platters of food emptied we all talked less, and exhaustion was setting in. “Let’s go home.” I whispered to Elle, and she nodded.

“Good idea, I’m about to fall asleep on the table.” Elle said as she smiled up at me. A round of goodbye’s and hugs Elle, Troy, Parker and I head to the house together. Climbing into my truck silence hung awkwardly between us.

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