Page 44 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

“You can think that, but it doesn’t make it true. Whoever wants me gone, they’re going to do whatever it takes to make me leave. Who knows the lengths they’ll go to.”

Athena sighed. “Fine. Let’s say that they’re the same people. Regardless, they’re after you—not the Keagans. So, if the guys go out there to figure things out, they’re probably not in any real danger.”

Rachel groaned and got to her feet. “You don’t know that either. They might have been watching the guys when they made their checks around the property. For all they know, the Keagans are part of this mess. I know you’re just as worried about Henry. Why aren’t you freaking out like me?”

Athena stared at her hard. “Because I’m choosing to think positively. Because if I let myself cave to the thoughts of fear and uncertainty, then the bad guys win.”

Her words had a profound effect on Rachel, who slowly returned to her seat. “I guess you’re right. I would rather burn the place to the ground than let them win.”

Their eyes locked, and Rachel heaved a shuddering breath. “I guess all we can do is try to stay calm. Everything will work out, right?”

“Right,” Athena said and gave her head a sharp nod. “Everything will work out.”

Rachel pulled her sister into her arms. Athena was the only one in her family who knew what was really going on. Her folks had no idea. It was nice to have someone to talk to about all of this—a comrade in arms. “Do you think they’ll ever stop? Maybe after the horses get brought out?”

“I don’t know,” Athena said into Rachel’s shoulder. “I wish I did.”

21

Hudson

Nature was one of the main things Hudson could count on to remain the same. Birds and bugs chirped. The reeds and grasses whispered. Leaves in the trees ticked against each other.

All those sounds were normal, which was why the cool quiet of the evening set off all kinds of alarms in his head. The only sound he heard was the rhythmic clopping of the horses’ hooves as they wandered up the creek just outside of Rachel’s property.

The water was public for all intents and purposes. People downstream were allowed to use it how they saw fit as long as they didn’t dam it up or divert it in any way. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that someone had intentionally stopped the flow of water from reaching Rachel’s property.

“Any ideas of what we’re going to be running into?” Wade’s gruff voice tore Hudson from his thoughts. He glanced up at his brother, who rode beside him, and shook his head.

“Whatever happened, it’s not sanctioned. I think we should probably be prepared to come up against someone who won’t take kindly to our intervention.”

Wade nodded.

“You know what I think?” Liam had twisted around in his saddle to give his brothers a knowing look. “It’s impossible to completely dry up a creek. And this one? It’s too big for someone to dam it up and let it out with a trickle. Eventually it would overflow.”

“Yeah. That’s a no-brainer,” Hudson said with a scowl. His patience had worn thin. He wanted to get rid of whoever was sabotaging his girlfriend so they could get back to living a normal life.

“All I’m saying is that they would have had to divert it somewhere else. Do you think they’d be smart enough to build a well and fill it?”

“Not likely,” he returned. “But I’m guessing the same as you. They had to run it somewhere else. I’m just surprised that whoever is downriver from Rachel hasn’t started complaining yet.”

“You’re right,” Wade said. “This wouldn’t have lasted forever. The only reason we’re dealing with it as soon as we are is for the sanctuary. Eventually the water would find its way, or the others in town would start investigating.”

Henry pulled up closer from behind their little group. “So, what you’re saying is that this is going to be an easy fix.”

Wade shook his head. “We don’t know what to expect. If they managed to divert this much water somewhere else, we’re going to have to figure out a way to divert it back.”

“And how much do you want to bet that whoever is responsible has been working on this since the fences were sabotaged?” Hudson spewed the comment from his lips like it was poison. “They’re covering their bases. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have a string of other ways to push Rachel out. They’re ten steps ahead of us already, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

No one spoke. He knew exactly what they were all thinking.

They all knew he was right. There wasn’t a doubt in their minds that whoever was behind all of this wouldn’t stop until they were caught. And the chances were incredibly high that the criminals were too big and too untouchable to be stopped.

They were quickly coming to a dead end. How many stories had they heard about ranchers getting pushed out of their property by developers or other corporate bigwigs? How many times did the ranchers prevail?

Not often.

If possible, the mood throughout their small group grew more dismal. When he glanced around, none of his brothers met his gaze. While he was thankful that they’d jumped in and supported him in this endeavor, one thing became even more apparent. Rachel’s problem didn’t affect them. If she got run out of town, they’d go on living their lives as normal. He was alone in this.

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