Page 42 of A Cowboy's Trust
How had something so valuable ended up under their couch?
However it had happened, now wasn’t the time to ask those questions. With a small sigh, Tansy dropped the bracelet into her bathroom drawer to deal with later.
Jake stoodbeside the bed watching Sydney work. Every time she motioned, he eased forward, using a warm washcloth to help clean the dirt and blood from the young man.
Bullshit on that—the body sprawled in the bed belonged to someone barely more than a kid. If the stranger had reached twenty years old yet, Jake would eat his hat.
In spite of Sydney’s poking and prodding and Jake’s manhandling, their guest lay quiet. Shallow breaths, the faintest pulse at his neck. He looked as if he’d been worked over from top to bottom, and once again Jake was slammed with one of those delicate balancing acts.
This was what the ranch was all about, wasn’t it? Helping those who needed it. Offering shelter to anyone lost or desperate for safety. It felt right to be helping the kid, yet Jake couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling at the back of his mind. It wasn’t only the battered body lying unconscious before him?—
The fact people out there were willing to inflict pain on a fellow human made Jake sick to his soul. He would never understand how that was possible, and his instinct to protect grew stronger.
She would smack him upside the head if she knew, but worry rushed in for Tansy, and Jinx, and Sasha.
Hell, Sydney was right here. Her petite frame would be no match for an agitated patient who had clearly been in some sort of fight.
“Jake?”
Sydney’s summons pulled him from his thoughts. She’d moved the blankets away to access the young man’s legs, and Jake hurried to clean away the grime that clung to their patient’s bruised skin.
“See these marks?” Sydney spoke quietly as she gestured toward crisscrossing bruises and scars. “These aren’t from a single fall or accident. These are old. He’s been hurt before—lots of times.”
Jake’s concern shot skyward again. “You think he’s been in constant trouble? Like street fights?”
“I’d say they’re more likely beatings,” Sydney offered reluctantly. “Look at the patterns. Those are defensive wounds. He’s been trying to protect himself.”
Jake swore under his breath. The kid hadn’t only been hurt—he’d been running from something. Or someone. “What the hell did he get himself into?”
“We’ll figure that out once he wakes up,” Sydney said her tone soft but firm. “For now, he needs rest.”
Jake stood, running a hand through his hair as he paced the room. Tansy had promised to get the word out to his brothers, but until he had a chance to talk to them, he planned to stay on guard duty. “That’s fine. He can?—”
The young man groaned, stirring slightly. His head shifted uncomfortably from side to side.
Sydney rested a hand on his chest, soothing him. “Stay still. You shouldn’t be moving a lot right now.”
The kid’s eyes fluttered open, unfocused at first then narrowing as he took in his unfamiliar surroundings. He tensed, arms flailing instinctively.
“Shit.” Jake ducked forward, getting a fist in the face for his troubles. He cursed softly even as he held the kid down to keep him from hitting Sydney. “Stop. You’re safe. We won’t hurt you.”
“I’m a doctor,” Sydney said quickly. “And your doctor says you need to lie still.”
The young man blinked a few times, his gaze shifting between Jake and Sydney. Confusion etched his face, followed quickly by a wave of panic. “Who… Where…”
“It’s okay,” Jake said, ignoring the urge to press a hand to his throbbing eye. He kept his words as calm and steady as possible. “You’re at High Water ranch. My niece Jinx found you then got help. You’re safe now.”
The young man relaxed slightly, though tension lingered in his face. He met Jake’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
“It’s okay, we understand,” Sydney assured him, patting his shoulder gently. “You didn’t know that this is a safe place, but we’ll take care of you.”
“I can’t stay. I need to go.”
Sydney raised a brow. “Nope.” She eased away, placed her hands on her hips, and gave the kid a doctor glare that didn’t invite argument. “You’re not going anywhere. You’ve got injuries that need tending to. If you push yourself too hard, you’ll make them worse. You’ll be taking it easy for at least a week.”
The kid’s jaw tightened, but this time he didn’t argue, exhaustion weighing him down. The kid was too tired to fight—physically and mentally.
Still, it’d be good to get some information before the kid crashed. “I’m Jake, and this is Sydney. You’ll meet my two brothers soon enough, and the rest of us who live here on the ranch.” The young man met his gaze straight on. Jake nodded his approval. “You got a name?”
