Page 24 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

“Because you have a home to come back to should you want it,” she said, then turned the tables. “Why did you leave Saddle Junction, and why did you come back?”

“That’s easy. I left because I couldn’t stand living anywhere near Beaumont. I came back after being summoned when he died.”

“Did you want to come back?” She placed her fisted hand on her hip.

“No,” came out with a chuckle. “Thought I’d never set foot on ranch property ever again.” His siblings had felt the same. Chloe had been the only one who’d come back to live on the outskirts of town after leaving her music-industry boyfriend. She’d come back pregnant and alone and had built a life for herself with a roommate. All the brothers had left town, vowing never to step into Beaumont’s shoes. “Living here was torture, save for a couple of good years.” He didn’t point out those years had everything to do with her or that she’d shredded his fool-heart when she’d rejected him and then disappeared. “Gypsy” sounded about right to describe her life.

“Will you stay?”

She surprised him with the question. “Now that we’ve turned part of the horse operation into a rescue, I’m considering taking my place in the new vision,” he said.

Annalee cocked her head to one side. “Won’t you miss the freedom of moving around? Going anywhere you want when you want?”

“Nah. Being able to take off when I want is one of the benefits of having so many siblings to share the load. A lot of work has to be done, but we split it up. Each person more or less takes the job they’re interested in doing, and then we draw straws for what’s left over.” They made a good team. Being back at the ranch under new terms—and without Beaumont—was something he could see himself doing for the long haul.

“I wouldn’t know what that’s like since it’s been the two of us for most of my life.” The words came out in barely a whisper.

“Have you ever considered sticking around in one place? Making a life somewhere?”

“Me? No. Why would I do that?”

Archer couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or serious. He might not have the opposite sex down, but he knew wild horses. Domestic life could kill the truly wild spirits.

Wishing that kind of life on Annalee would be a sentence akin to prison. She would hate being confined. Living in a cell.

A shame, really, because it would give her the stability she deserved. For a few seconds when they’d kissed in the woods, he could see more developing between the two of them. An image of the two of them in love, with a little one running around, had stamped his thoughts.

Wild horses can’t be tamed.It would be worse than death.

Reminding himself of the fact might make it hurt less when this ordeal ended, and they went their separate ways again.

You’re too far gone for that, dude.

Annalee openedher mouth to speak, to tell Archer there might be one person she could see herself being with for the long haul, when the front door burst open, and the chair went flying.

He stepped between her and the commotion, tucking her behind his back.

A light flipped on as Chloe walked inside.

“We ran off whoever was creeping up on you guys,” she said, setting the shotgun next to the door and turning the chair upright.

Relief flooded Annalee.Temporary relief.

Chloe’s gaze shifted to Annalee. “It’s been a long time. Good to see you again.” The two exchanged a greeting as Archer dragged a table and a few more chairs over.

“You’re sure the threat is gone?” Archer asked once they sat.

Chloe nodded. “For now, at least.” She shifted her gaze to Annalee, studying her face. “When’s the last time you got any rest?”

“I dozed off a little while ago.”

Kade came in through the front door, locking it behind him. Archer went around closing the blinds before rejoining them at the table he’d set up.

Kade wiped tired eyes. “The sonofabitch flipped the breaker.”

“Wouldn’t he have to do that from inside?” Choe asked. “Aren’t most junction boxes inside?”

“Not in this building,” Kade said with a frown.

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