Page 48 of Curvy Nanny for the Cowboy

“What is it, Travis? What will you do to me that’s worse than kidnapping me and forcing yourself on me? Please tell me!” My heart pounded as I glared at him, angry and scared all at once.

He froze, a look of shock written on his face.

“That’s just what I thought. Either come or don’t come; honestly, I would prefer it if you just went the hell away!” I marched in what I was pretty sure was the right direction, hoping he would get upset and realize I wasn’t worth the effort. But too soon, his footsteps sounded on the hard ground.

“Where did my sweet Molly go?”

“You killed her,” I growled. “First when you made me doubt myself, and then when you criticized my appearance. And finally now, kidnapping me and threatening that sweet little boy. Whatever you do to me, just know that I will never, ever feel anything but contempt for you.” That felt good, but his hand gripped my waist, and I knew that he would see his plan through no matter what.

It was thatwhatthat made my stomach flip with dread.

Chapter28

Colton

“Now that your body is sufficiently tired, I hope your mind is as clear as a bell?” Wyatt flashed a knowing smile my way as we made our way back towards the barn. We’d spent most of the morning fixing up the last of the destroyed fencing at the edge of the property and the rest prepping the bison headed to auction.

I planned to check out the surveillance footage before heading to the main house for dinner and a long-awaited talk with Molly. “I know what I have to do,” I admitted reluctantly. “It is her choice to make, no matter my fear.”

“Exactly. Trust me when I tell you that mindset will get you far with a woman.” Wyatt smiled again and shook his head. “It’ll be nice to have a woman around again, especially one who brings the sunshine like Molly.”

“Agreed.” How in the hell I got so lucky that she was the one who landed on my doorstep, I’ll never know, but I’ll thank the gods, the heavens, and the stars above for all of my days that it was her. “If it’s not too late.” That was my biggest fear: that maybe I’d left it too late, that I waited too long to tell her how I really and truly felt about her.

“It’s never too late,” Wyatt assured me.

I laughed. “You’re just looking forward to more big family breakfasts.”

He barked out a laugh. “Well, I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t hoping for more breakfasts like that, but it’s also nice to see you happy again. Maybe you’ll stop scaring all the ranch hands.”

My lips curled into a reluctant grin. “Gotta make sure they’re tough enough to handle ranch life.” It wasn’t for the weak of heart, that much was for sure.

“Whoa, look.” Wyatt squinted into the distance where Billy approached on his horse.

Hunter sat in front of him, his small hands gripping the horn, and when they were close enough that the lights lit up their faces, I could see that my son’s was tear-streaked. “Stop the truck!” I jumped out and rushed to the horse. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

Billy sighed and ruffled Hunter’s hair. “I was in the barn when this little guy came in with quite a story. Hunter, tell your daddy what you told me.”

Hunter nodded and wiped his tears, determined to be strong for whatever he had to say. “Daddy,” he whimpered.

I picked him from the saddle and held him close, kissing the top of his head. “It’s okay, son. You can tell me anything.” Had Molly decided she hated me and ranch life? That she no longer wanted to be part of our family? My heart clutched at the thought.

“A man came up to us and said he was here for Molly, but she didn’t like that.”

My mind reeled at my son’s words. Without asking, I knew that her ex had tracked her down. “And then what happened?”

“He picked me up real quick, and Molly was mad about it, but he threatened to cut me if she didn’t go with him. I didn’t want her to, Daddy, but she told me to run.” Tears returned to Hunter’s eyes, and I knew that if given the chance, I would rip that asshole’s head clean off.

“Anything else?”

He nodded. “She told me to tell Peanut Butter she loved him too, so I ran straight to the barn and told Billy everything.”

“He was very brave,” Billy said with a sad smile.

Hunter nodded. “Daddy, Molly looked real scared. We gotta find her.”

“He’s right,” Wyatt agreed. “We need to find them. Quickly.”

“Daddy?” Hunter’s voice sounded so small that my heart ached.

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