Page 48 of Rancher's Pride

Over the years, we’d become adaptable. We were able to blend in with the surroundings and go about our business with quiet abandon. It has served us well, in reputation and payment. It also gave us the life we now had. But now the problems were knocking on the front door and I wasn’t going to let them in.

I had to get out of my head. I needed to focus. There was no rust on us because we kept up with our skills and always remained on high alert.

We waited. They should be here and we’d be standing together like the army we’d become.

Linc’s phone rang, and he pulled it out of his pocket. “He’s going to Julie’s,” she yelled. We all heard it and ran for the barn.

Thankfully, when we’d gotten the first call, nobody had taken the time to unsaddle the horses. There was no way we’d get to Julie’s in time going around the highway. We rode through the snow, the light powder from the last few days billowed up around us like dust. Thundering hooves pounded the harder packed snow as we rode across the hills, guns at the ready, aiming for one man. We’d taken lives before. None of us were bound for the pearly gates, but I wouldn’t bat an eye if I had to take this one.

The roofline of Julie’s home came into view, and we spurred the horses on faster. Smarter men may have moved stealthily, but we rode in like we belonged in an old west movie. As we crested the hill, my worst nightmare played out in front of me. My girls were being held hostage by a madman. Julie and Nora were wrapped around Cooper, standing on the porch.

Nudging my horse to go faster, I flew out ahead of the group. Everyone turned to where we were flying down the hill. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Dad’s truck creep up the lane and stop. He opened his door and got out, dashing around the back of the house. Kristin’s truck was back far enough she wasn’t in the way, but positioned across the road blocking the onlyexit. Linc has to get his head out of his ass with that one. She’s good for him.

“Stop where you are or I’ll pull the trigger.” The small man shouted. I barely heard him over the pounding of the horses’ hooves. We all knew what to do and raised our own weapons as we rode closer. The horses were breathing heavily and so was I. Anger boiled over in my veins and I set my sights on the one man that stood between me and a happy life. The happy life he could have, but was too small of a man to let Fallon be the woman I knew her to be.

“Julie, get everyone in the house and away from the windows.” I yelled, and she nodded. Nothing more was said as the onlookers went into the house, but Julie turned back and walked down the stairs with her own gun in her hands.

“Mom, get in the house.” Kipp yelled.

“Not a flying fuck of a chance. I already lost my daughter to this nightmare of a man for five years. I won’t allow any more.” She raised her rifle to her shoulder and set the sight on him. “So mother fucker, you decide what it’s going to be. You can surrender yourself to The Five and pray they don’t tear you limb from limb and toss you in the mountains, or take your chances with me, and the man in the window who had his gun trained on you and if you even so much as flinch will take you out.” She raised her gun and waited. Glancing up to the window, I saw Phil waiting for his chance. Just as I saw my father round the corner of thehouse. He wasn’t even trying to keep hidden, as he went to stand next to Julie.

They looked at one another and nodded. Whatever hard feelings there were between them, it was over and they were ready to fight together for the love of my life.

“Sorry for taking over your house and interrupting your weekend, Mama,” Fallon said, smirking, before letting her eyes turn to me. Her eyes were full of fear, but she looked relieved that we were there. For the first time in five years, someone had her back.

Not just someone, her family and me.

“You don’t know who I am. People will miss me if I don’t come home.” He spat, and I watched his hand shake.

“Actually, we do.” Shifting, I threw my leg over the saddle horn and got off my horse, never once letting my sight off the target. “I know all about you. I’ve even spoken to a number of investors and the majority owner of your horse farm, and he’s extremely mad about the missing money, but even more irate about how you’ve been treating Fallon. Your father might be dangerous, but abusing a woman is something your investors take very seriously.” I watched the man pale and his hand shook more.

“She’s my wife, and she has my child,” He growled, getting closer to her.

“Actually, she’s your ex-wife. I believe she’s been waiting for divorce papers. Josie’s my child, which I think you already know, and I put my name on Lottie’sbirth certificate.” Fallon whipped her head to look at me, and she frowned. I may have forgotten to mention I’d put my name on the paperwork, and when the form showed up I filed it away, so I gave her a guilty smile. “So you’re pretty much shit out of luck here, pal.”

Police sirens grew louder as they approached Julie’s place, which made Andrew more anxious. Kristin knew this was taking too long and did what she was supposed to do. There better be an ambulance too, because I was getting tired of this situation. I hated dragging things out. It made people lazy, and they got too comfortable sitting in fear.

Griffin caught my eye, as he moved stealthily behind the man holding a gun to the woman I loved. Quickly with the butt of his rifle, he slammed it into the back of Andrew’s head and he crumpled like a metal can under the pressure of a crusher.

Fallon turned and ran into my open arms just as her legs gave way. Guiding her to the ground, we sat together as she sobbed into my chest. “Shh, baby, you’re safe now. I’ve got you and I’m never letting you go again.” I whispered into her ear.

Kipp patted my shoulder on his way to the house. He needed to make sure the kids stayed in until the cops took that fucker away.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

FALLON

Iclung to Nash and sobbed. It was over. I had someone who cared for me and wanted to keep me safe. It wasn’t new. I’d always had him, but this was different. He didn’t care who knew, and he’d put himself out there like nobody else before.

“Fallon, we’re going to need your statement.” I looked up into the face of Hal Carter. I’d gone to school with him, and I couldn’t believe that he was the one who was in charge of law enforcement in the county.

“Sure, what do you need to know?” Nash pulled me up and clasped my hand.

“Alone Fallon.” He muttered.

“No, I won’t say a word without Nash being here.”

“The man says you kidnapped his daughters. He was just there to bring you home.”

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