Page 95 of Soldier Cowboy
Why hold back now?
“Get out of here!” Beau said, holding the long-barreled rifle over his shoulder now. He almost resembled a young Paul Bunyan with his thick beard and big grin. “You two made it seem so real.”
Colton scowled as if he was unhappy she had chosen this moment to tell everyone. But she assumed she’d be leaving here soon and better to leave without people blaming her for breaking off an engagement and leaving one more man of Stone Ridge heartbroken. As if.
“We should call your father now,” Colton said, taking her hand. “Let’s get back to the house and regroup.”
Regroup. Figure out a plan of action and how to get her the hell out of Dodge with the least amount of damage to Colton’s reputation as a liar.
They walked out together, passing Beau, who said he would remain to clean up and secure the scene. The Scene. The scene of her kidnapping. Herkidnapping! She felt Colton’s strong hand on her lower back, guiding her to the group of men gathered outside. Surely, he could feel her spine shaking with the fear that only now seemed to grip her.
Levi, it turned out, had been deputized last month when they’d arrested an out of towner for driving drunk. He had handcuffs and the authority to haul somebody in. Dan would be carted to the jail in Kerrville after first being checked out for any injuries at the clinic in town run by Dr. Grant.
“I’m not pressing charges,” Jennifer said.
“He kidnapped you,” Colton said. “And this might not be entirely up to you.”
“But he wasn’t going to hurt me.” It sounded crazy to her own ears, but it was also the truth. “I’ll…testify on his behalf if that’s what it takes.”
“He was going to hurt himself in front of you. You’re telling me that wouldn’t have changed who you are?” Colton took her by the shoulders. “If you don’t press charges, he won’t get the help he needs.”
Maybe that was true. She’d have to look into it because she wasn’t going to give up on Dan. She’d heard his cry for help. Hell, the entire town had heard him. He would get help now because even though she’d failed before, she couldn’t give up. Not after hearing his story.
It was Joe’s influence. Joe, who for a while, didn’t look like hecouldor would change. But he had because she hadn’t given up on her own brother. Maybe it wasn’t her place, but someone had to believe in Dan. Either she’d find someone who would, or it would be left up to her.
“I’ll think about it.”
Colton considered swingingby the clinic with Jennifer to get her checked, but with Dan there he didn’t want any more run-ins. And she claimed to be fine. Except “fine” was said in a tone of voice that probably meant “not really but I’d rather die than tell you more.” She’d skinned her elbows while attempting to get away from Dan, but that appeared to be her only physical injury. Colton was at least glad to hear that she’d tried to get away.
Her hands were still shaking as he drove them back to the Grange and she clasped them together, holding them on her lap as if to disguise the movement. She wasn’t fooling him. She was a wreck, and he didn’t blame her.
Either way, she was ready to go back home to LA now that she was safe from Dan. She’d rushed to tell everyone the truth the second she could. It would all be in the open now and Colton didn’t know what he’d say to Delores. She’d be heartbroken to get her ring back, hurt to see Jennifer leave Stone Ridge.
So would he, by the way.
More than anyone else. But he’d done what he set out to do. Keep her safe. If in the process he’d grown used to her always being home to greet him at the end of the day that was his own damn fault. No one told him to expect anything in return. He’d had a great two weeks, better than he could have imagined, and eased back into life on the ranch. The past few nights had been particularly amazing, life changing, and he’d miss her in bed most of all. He’d miss the way her body curled into his, the see-through T-shirt she kept wearing to bed, the smell of her hair. The way she’d moved over him, sure in her own body, shattering in pleasure and calling his name.
While he’d had a great deal of loss in his life, something told him this was the one he’d remember.
Inside the cabin, he called Horace Walker on the landline and explained everything.
“He’s in custody.”
“Thank you. Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this favor.”
If Colton didn’t know any better, he’d say Horace sounded close to tears.
“You won’t have to.” He gave Jennifer the handset. “Want to talk to your father?”
“Sure,” she said, taking the phone.
Colton busied himself in the kitchen to give her privacy, but he managed to hear every word.
“Yes. I’m okay, thanks to Colton. He saved my life.” She paused. “Daddy, I know you love me but try to show me with more than your actions. Sometimes your children need the words, too. I know Joe did.”
Another pause, and she kept going. “No, I’ll make the reservations. Don’t you worry. Sure, I’ll be home soon. I’ll call you with the information.”
He would make a warm chocolate cake tonight. That would probably solve this ache in his chest. It worked for nightmares, why not for heartache? He rubbed at the spot and pulled out all the ingredients he would need.
