Page 26 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

“The instant people find out about my family’s socioeconomic status, things change. Either they want something from me, or they want nothing to do with me. So, which is it? Which one are you?”

Still, he said nothing. She couldn’t tell if she’d offended him or just made him feel bad. Well, great. That wasn’t what she wanted at all.

Rachel sighed again. “I guess we both have reasons we don’t generally trust people, huh? We make quite a pair. You don’t want to get close to people because they’ll leave. I don’t want to get close to people because I’m scared they’ll use me.”

“Yeah,” he murmured. Then, after a while, he added, “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry,” she offered.

“If it makes any difference, I don’t care about your money. I think what you’re trying to do is admirable. If anything, it made me like you more. You were willing to put down roots for a project that you obviously cared about.”

It wasn’t much of a compliment, but it warmed her all the same. Rachel couldn’t hide the smile that touched her lips. “And you’re probably the most genuine person I’ve met this side of the Colorado River.”

That strange tension in the air returned. Electricity hummed in the air between them—words unspoken, thoughts left a mystery. There was still a lot she wanted to learn about him, but it was nice to pin down what it was he’d held against her for so long.

She grabbed the comforter and tossed it aside. “How about I get us some tea?” She swung her legs off the side of the bed, stood, and then gasped, not realizing just how quickly he could move.

In a matter of seconds, he’d bolted out of his seat and grabbed his rifle. Now he stood in front of her. They were only inches apart. She could smell the soap he’d used wafting off him. His warm breath brushed against her cheeks as he spoke. “You’re not going anywhere alone.”

“It’s just downstairs,” she murmured.

“I don’t care. Until we figure out who is doing this, I’m not leaving your side.”

She stared at him, stunned. “You… but what about your perimeter checks?”

“You can come with me, or we’ll get one of my brothers to do it.”

As much as she wanted to argue with him and insist that she was fine, she couldn’t. The trauma from a few hours ago still weighed heavy on her. A small part of her was thrilled that he insisted on these changes.

“Fine,” she mumbled. “I… trust you.” The words were easier to speak than she’d thought they’d be. She couldn’t say for sure that she felt that way about anyone else in her life—besides her parents and her sister.

Hudson continued gazing down at her, causing her fidgeting to worsen. She felt pinned in place by his stare. Her breath caught in her throat, unwilling to be released. There was a moment that passed between them when she really thought they might be capable of becoming more to each other than just friends… if that’s what they were.

But then he stepped back and the moment passed. They were too similar in the worst ways. Hudson gestured toward the door. “I’m going to go first to make sure no one broke in while we were up here. I didn’t hear anything, but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. I suggest we go to town and get some floodlights ordered that turn on with motion.”

She nodded, throat dry, voice raspy. “Okay.”

With a sharp nod, Hudson stepped farther away. He opened the door and poked his head out first. Then he slipped into the hallway and down a few stairs before she followed him out and stood at the landing. He glanced up at her briefly, then disappeared around the corner toward the kitchen.

13

Hudson

Early morning sun filtered through the kitchen window. The sound of boots crunching against broken glass in the other room aggravated Hudson’s senses, mostly because of what it represented.

He’d failed Rachel last night. He’d been here to protect her, and the guilt wouldn’t let him forget just how massive that fiasco had become. Rachel’s soft voice held none of the terror it had when he’d come to her rescue. Hudson had to hand it to her. She knew how to put on a mask and show people what she wanted them to see.

It made him wonder if she was still hiding anything from him. Clearly, not many knew who really owned this property. It was possible the only people who did were the ones targeting her. That meant he had a lot of research to do in order to pin down the culprits.

The cup of coffee in his hand had long since grown cold. He’d called Henry—mostly because of his relationship with Athena. Then he’d called Wade. They needed to figure out how many of the Keagans to include. There was a strong possibility that the dangers weren’t something his younger brothers should be dragged into.

At least Sheriff Donahue sounded like he was taking the threat seriously. He’d only asked Henry a handful of questions, but since Hudson couldn’t give much information, he quickly moved on to the scene of the crime.

Quick footsteps rushed through the front door and Athena’s familiar voice rang out, full of anxiety. “Rachel? Rachel! Where are you?”

“Here, Athena.”

Hudson remained where he was in the kitchen. Their voices carried from the hallway as if they were standing in the same room as he was.

---