Page 48 of Cowboy Heat
I’m going to have to call my brothers, I realize.
It was okay to leave them in the dark when I thought Alice Dean might be an isolated incident.
But now?
I look at Kissy as we head toward the ranch. She’s staring out into the dark with a set jaw.
I haven’t told her about Micah yet—I’m going to; we’re heading there now as point of fact—but I’m getting stuck.
I want to know what her relationship to Guidry is.
I want to know everything.
I want—
I want to protect her.
The feeling wallops me as I point us toward the road that’ll lead us to the animal shelter and back up to the main house.
So hard, in fact, that I nearly say it out loud.
It’s only been a week since I met Kissy Lawson, and I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t do everything in my power to keep her safe.
CHAPTERSIXTEEN
Kissy
Big House is right there.Through the windshield with a light on inside, warming the porch up. So close I could throw a rock at it if I felt so inclined.
But I don’t feel inclined to do anything at the moment. Even talking to Beau feels like a weight in my stomach.
I should apologize to him for the trouble he’s been through.
I should thank him for saving me. Again.
I should tell him some things.
I should maybe ask him some questions.
I don’t know.
Instead, I look at Big House and hurt. Whatever reason Beau wanted me here, I’m ready for, I guess.
Though maybe not.
I let out a small, sagging breath. It hurts my face. I feel lost.
I turn to Beau, and he’s got that smile on. I should start rating them. This one’s nice with some concern. Maybe a touch of sympathy too.
“Adrenaline surges are great in the moment but surely bite the big one on the downslope,” he says. “You get all drained and depressed-feeling. Like you’re sludging through mud. At least, that’s what always happened to me. I couldn’t shake it for a while. But food helped me fight it some. How do you feel about grilled cheeses?”
He’s trying to cheer me up.
Somehow that makes me feel worse.
I drop my gaze to my hands. I should cry a bit, right? Doesn’t that help in situations like these?
I don’t know what to say.
