Page 1 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

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Hudson Keagan

Hudson didn’t even know what he was doing at the country club. He’d made it a point to avoid it at all costs. He couldn’t say the same for his brothers. There was something about the place that drew people in like a moth to a flame.

The events that led to him ending up here were muddled. He would have been content to stay at home and avoid these people. If he could leave right now, he would. Unfortunately, he didn’t have a ride. That was what he got for letting his little brother drag him here.

It was his own fault, really. Hudson had done so well at keeping everyone in this crazy town at arm’s length. That was how he preferred it. Liam was the opposite through and through. He could make friends with someone without even knowing their name—not just friends, best friends.

Henry and Athena wanted to celebrate their engagement, and this ridiculous place was where they wanted it to be—surrounded by people who were no better than strangers. Hudson couldn’t see a familiar face in the lot besides his own brothers.

The seconds on his watch ticked by at an excruciatingly slow pace. The party was supposed to be done by now. Liam had insisted they would only stay for an hour. It had already been nearly two. At this point, Hudson figured he could leave and no one would notice. After all, Carter had disappeared, and no one seemed to be concerned about him.

That was how it was with his family, though. His older siblings got married and didn’t bother spending time with everyone else. His parents had disappeared when they were all kids. And now Carter was gone. So much for family. Wade had promised that they would always be there for each other, but he’d lied.

Hudson crossed his arms and leaned against the wall on one side of the room. His gaze swept through the area, taking in even the smallest details. The people who lived in Copper Creek weren’t all that special. And with the influx of people from the city, it barely felt like a small town anymore.

He hated it.

Why couldn’t everyone go back to the way things used to be? He would give anything just to turn back time a few years.

His eyes landed on a familiar woman. He’d never actually gotten to know her. They’d maybe said two words to each other, and that was only because Hudson could actually tolerate her sister. Athena was okay. That was more than he could say about any of his siblings’ love interests. Just because they all wanted to stick around didn’t mean that wouldn’t change.

Rachel Walton was no different. She might be beautiful, and she might be smart. He could even admit that she seemed genuine. But she was still a stranger, and she wasn’t beholden to anyone here.

She had a family elsewhere—a family she’d grown up with. Sure, she’d decided to rent a place here in Copper Creek, but her long-lost big sister was getting married. Didn’t she know what that meant? Athena would be starting her own family with her own kids. She loved Henry, and they would inevitably push out everyone who was in their lives as they got used to their new situation.

Rachel’s blue eyes locked with his, and he stiffened. No one ever looked in his direction. He’d perfected not being noticed. He was like a lone wolf that stuck to the shadows until he was sure everything was safe. And yet Rachel wasn’t pulling any punches. Her sharp gaze pinned him to his place, making him wonder if she was looking at something behind him.

That was impossible, though. He was pressed up against the wall so that he didn’t have to worry about anyone who might get behind him.

A small smile flitted across her lips just before she turned back to the group she was with. That was one thing he’d never understood about her. He’d overheard enough to know that she was one of those city girls who ran in high society. He wasn’t sure how wealthy she was, but based on the modest living arrangements she’d lived in over the last several months, he assumed she was just above what would be considered middle class.

Currently, she worked remotely—running a few charities—or at least that’s what Athena had mentioned once. Hudson wasn’t going to go out of his way to find out more about this woman, who seemed to think she was now part of their family.

She was barely considered part of the town.

Hudson huffed and turned his focus elsewhere. As far as he was concerned, Rachel should probably just leave. She didn’t belong here, and she never would.

Liam emerged from the crowd and leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. His blue eyes shone bright, but his smile was even brighter. “Why aren’t you out there having fun? There’s a lot of new people here tonight. I don’t think I’ve seen this many.”

“That’s why I’m not out there,” Hudson muttered.

“Why? Because of the new people? That’s ridiculous.” His eyes swept through the room. “There are still a few people who you know. Maybe you should ask one of them to dance.”

Hudson snorted. “I only came because you made me. I probably should have left an hour ago. I didn’t even want to come.”

“Then why did you?”

Hudson’s gaze drifted toward Athena. As much as he’d hated her arrival, he couldn’t help but respect her. She’d dug her way out of a hole and made something of herself, much like the Keagans had done when their parents had left them high and dry. Hudson’s focus flitted over to Henry, who was surrounded by several well-wishers. He was the other reason Hudson had allowed himself to give in to Liam’s demands. “Because we’re family. It doesn’t matter if I disagree with how any of them choose to live their lives. What matters is that I’m not going to be the one who walks away.”

Liam nudged him with his elbow. “See? There it is. You care about our family. Athena is part of that now.”

“This isn’t about Athena,” Hudson ground out.

“Then maybe it’s about her sister?”

Hudson stiffened and stared hard at his brother. “This isn’t about anyone but Henry, and you know it.”

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