Page 12 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

“Is someone talking? I hear a voice in the background,” Brent said.

“Just some cowboy. He says we could build some natural-looking shelters around the property.”

“That’s actually not a bad idea.” Brent’s voice grew quieter and the clicking resumed. “There are a lot of options. I think you’d be happy with them. Sure, there would be upkeep, but it’s not like you don’t have the funds to do it.”

Rachel glanced at Hudson again, not sure if she should be grateful for his input or if she should tell him to get lost. “Fine. Draw up a report on the cost, and I’ll look into getting it approved. How long do we have to wait until they can come out again to inspect the project?”

“One month at least. But that shouldn’t be too bad. I’m sure we could get a few of the enclosures built by then. You might have to start out with smaller numbers for your herd, but we can add onto it as we go.” Brent’s reassurances did little to ease the tickle in the back of her mind. Something was going on.

The fence getting sabotaged and the trees getting chopped down didn’t sit right with her. She knew better than to believe in coincidences. “I think I’m going to have to hire some security.”

“I thought you were going to stay in the house on the property.”

She nodded, more to herself than anyone else. “Yeah, I’ll be doing that, too. It’s just a really big place. I can’t keep an eye on it everywhere.”

“Have you considered cameras?”

Rachel hated that idea, too. But it was looking more and more like she didn’t have a choice in the matter. “I’ll look into it.”

“I’ll send you some specs. You let me know when the fences are repaired and if you find a company you like for the enclosures.”

“Thanks, Brent.” She hung up her phone and pushed it across the table. Well, that was just great. Now she had to deal with criminals while getting her project off the ground. On top of that, she had expenses she wasn’t planning on.

Sure, she had the money for it, but that didn’t mean she liked spending it. Despite being raised in a wealthy family, she had learned to be frugal. She didn’t buy designer clothes. She didn’t splurge on high-end cars. For all intents and purposes, she was in the upper division of the middle class.

“Sounds like you could use some help.”

Her eyes darted upward to find Hudson still seated across from her, a wry smile on his face. She scowled at him. “What are you still doing here? Don’t you know when you’re not welcome?”

“Sounds like you struggle with that, too.”

“What do you mean?”

Hudson shrugged his shoulders with another smile. “Sounds like someone doesn’t like the fact that your friend bought that land. Do they have any enemies?”

She didn’t think she had enemies. She’d kept her head down while being in Copper Creek. There was no one she’d offended as far as she knew. Except one. Her eyes narrowed, and she pointed a finger at him. “You’re the only one who doesn’t…” She cleared her throat. “You’re the only one who didn’t want that land bought. Maybe you sabotaged it before you realized what the land would be used for.”

He lifted a brow and chuckled, throwing her off balance.

“What?”

Hudson shook his head. “I would never sabotage the land. I might show up and scare off the investors, but destroy property? I know better than that. I can’t afford to pay for my dinner sometimes, let alone a lawyer. Nope, whoever it is that ruined those fences has it out for whoever bought it.”

Rachel worried her lower lip and stared at her phone as if it would give her the answer. Still, nothing came to mind. She was at a loss. All she could do was try to strengthen her defenses. She didn’t want to electrify the fences, but she might actually have to do that.

A security team definitely would be helpful. She just didn’t know where to start on that. The town was small as it was, and most of the strong men had jobs on farms or ranches. She’d probably end up paying through the nose for someone from Colorado Springs to move out here for the next couple of months.

She groaned. Perhaps this was her sign. She’d bitten off more than she could chew with this one, and she wasn’t prepared for the consequences.

“Maybe I could help.”

Her eyes cut to Hudson’s again. “What?” she said incredulously.

“I could help.” He said it like it was the most natural idea in the world. “I could come out and help fix the fences for cheap. I wouldn’t even mind making the rounds so we can keep people off the property. I’m guessing I could convince some of my brothers to help out, too—when their work is done.”

She couldn’t believe her ears. He wanted to help her? Rachel’s eyes narrowed once more as she leaned forward, her voice low. “Why would you even offer that?”

“Do I have to have a reason?”

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