Page 26 of Cowboy

“Terrified,” said Lucy. “But I can’t tie her down. She’s smart, cautious, and follows all the rules set forth for her. This work in Turkey will really help to prepare her for working here. I know she’ll be fine.”

“You’re all very tight-knit,” said Autumn. “It was always just me and Grandma.”

“When you were little, didn’t you spend time with your mom?” asked Ally.

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “My mother didn’t want to be a mother. She made that very clear. She and my father enjoyed their time together and took off whenever they could, leaving me with Grandma. Even when I needed new clothes or shoes, she didn’t want to take me because, of course, as a kid, I just wanted to find my stuff and leave. She thought we should spend all day shopping.”

“I’m sorry, honey,” said Ally, reaching for her hand.

“The only thing I’m sorry for is that I didn’t have more women around me. Grandma was a lot,” she smirked, “but I needed women my own age, and I didn’t have that. When I saw all of you that first day, I was intimidated. But I’m truly blown away by how supportive and kind you all are. It’s not what I expected.”

“We get that a lot,” smiled Lissa. “There’s something magical about this place, Autumn. I can’t explain it, and I’m not sure I want to. The women are so special, so loving and kind, but so are the men.”

“I’ve figured that out,” she laughed. “I honestly never thought I’d find someone to love. When I was lying next to that fire, my head swimming from the wound, I looked up at Cowboy and knew I was dreaming. I’ve never met anyone so thoughtful and kind. And…”

“And?” grinned Tori.

“He’s an amazing lover,” she blushed. “I can share that with all of you, can’t I?”

“Yes,” laughed Zoe. “We tend to share those things. But maybe we need to share something else. It’s some advice that our leadership wives give to the young women who come here.” Lissa nodded.

“They tell us that love is so very hard to find, that when you do, recognize it as the gift it is. You should hold it gently. Don’t squeeze too hard, but don’t let it go. These men are different in every way. Their lives have been entirely about protecting others, with no thought as to who would protect them. Expect that they’ll be overbearing, alpha in every way. But recognize how unbelievably special that is and that they’ve chosen us to be by their sides. He will protect you, but you will protect him as well. He will drive you mad with his overprotection, but he will soothe you with his love and adoration of you. And there is nothing like the love of one of these men.”

“That’s beautiful,” she nodded. “I feel so fortunate that my grandmother happened upon Cowboy in that truck stop and that he agreed to find me.” The women all laughed, shaking their heads.

“Honey, we don’t think that anything happens by chance. We’re not sure what it is, but it’s definitely more than pure chance,” grinned Lucy.

“Well, whatever it is, I’m glad I’m here. It took me a while to understand that my being here wasn’t putting anyone in danger, but Cowboy explained it all. I think I understand now.”

“I tell you what,” said Ally. “You’re looking beautiful, and the rain has finally stopped. Why don’t we take a walk around the back of the property so you can see just how safe you really are. By that time, we’ll be ready for dinner.”

Autumn stared at more than a dozen women surrounding her and felt the warmth in her chest. She wished her grandmother had lived to see this and be a part of it. She wanted nothing more than for Autumn to find a family beyond her. Well, she had. She was finally home.

“I think it sounds perfect.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

“She’s quite a woman, son,” grinned Blade, gripping his son’s shoulder. “She reminds me of your mother.”

“Please don’t put that in my head,” he smirked. The men all laughed, nodding their heads. “She is an amazing woman. Surviving her parents deserting her, living in that little nothing town, getting her degree and pilot’s license, then surviving the crash. It’s beyond what most would be able to do.

“My concern is who took Liconitis out of the plane, leaving her for the wildlife or worse. So far, all we know is that Dimitri Stepanapolos was most likely our man on the ridge. I want to find him.”

“We’re looking for him,” said Luke. “The news is reporting that the estate of Liconitis and his wife was to be divided amongst several charities. The casinos were to be sold by their estate, and the money given to the Liconitis Foundation that helps single mothers.”

“Maybe we had him all wrong,” frowned Hex. “Maybe Autumn was right. After the death of their child, he seems to have changed.”

“I think he did,” said Cowboy, nodding his head. “The question is, who wanted to kill him enough to shoot that plane out of the sky?”

“And what the hell are those old flight plans doing in those magazines?” asked Eric. “None of it makes any sense.” The men all looked at one another, silently asking for ideas. When they turned to the front row of their pilot team, the four were whispering in secret as if they had the world’s problems solved.

“Chipper? Doug? All of you, did you have something?” asked Luke.

“It’s a long shot,” said Savannah, “but what if those are routine flight plans for those planes. And, what if they carry the same passengers or cargo on every flight. And, what if that cargo is human.”

There was silence for a moment as they all looked at one another. Then Chipper stepped up to the dais.

“All of the planes listed on those flight paths are capable of carrying five to twelve passengers, no more. That means that they can avoid certain types of security and scrutiny at private airports. It looks on the up-and-up. Maybe, Stepanapolos was trying to get Liconitis to carry his cargo, and the man refused.”

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