Page 21 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

He shifted, drawing her attention to the fact that she was still curled up against him.

She scrambled from his lap and got to her feet. “We need to call the sheriff—file a report. There has to be something they can do.”

Hudson peered up at her, then grunted as he got to his feet. He scowled at something on the floor and then moved toward it. She followed the path of his focus, finally seeing what he was so fixated on.

A rock about the size of a kitten sat on the floor, surrounded by a few shards of glass. There was a piece of paper wrapped around it, secured with a rubber band. Hudson scooped the rock up and pulled out the paper. He scowled at the note, then glanced up at Rachel.

“What does it say?” she asked in a small voice, moving closer.

He pulled the paper into his fist, crumpling it. “They want you to abandon the property.”

“They what?”

“They said you’re not welcome,” he said with derision in a low voice.

“That means it has to be someone local, right? Maybe it’s someone who wanted to buy the land for themselves?” Rachel reached for Hudson’s hand to retrieve the paper, but he held it out of her reach.

“You don’t need to see it.”

She frowned. “Yes, I do. It was meant for me. I don’t see your room covered in broken glass.”

Hudson’s dark eyes grew even darker. “That doesn’t matter. Technically, it’s not for you either. It’s meant for your client.”

Rachel looked away. She wasn’t prepared to tell him the truth yet. Besides, it didn’t make a difference if he knew who the real owner was. This wasn’t about helping her; it was about saving the land. “What if the person who wants to have this land would use it in a way you were okay with?”

“What are you trying to say?” Hudson demanded. “Because it almost sounds like you’re considering giving in. It’s a note. No one was hurt.”

She lifted her chin in defiance. “Look around, Hudson. They broke into my home—our home. There’s glass on the ground. They got past the gates. They got past you. This is just a taste of what they’re willing to do.”

“You can’t give up,” he said, throwing a hand in the air. “You can’t walk away just because someone feels entitled to this place. Your client has an amazing vision for this place, and it’s a worthwhile one at that. Don’t let the bad guys win.”

Rachel’s jaw tightened, her fury matching the tone of his voice. “I don’t want to give up, but clearly, we need more security. One person isn’t enough around here?—”

“I’ll get my brothers to help.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You can’t expect?—”

“I have nine brothers and a brother-in-law who can help. We have a community that will be willing to stick up for you. Just don’t…” He shook his head and released a sigh. His voice softened, and his gaze intensified. “Just don’t give up yet. Once all the paperwork is filed and the horses get moved to the sanctuary, it will get easier.”

“You don’t know that,” she whispered. “What if they don’t stop?”

“We’ll find a way. I don’t know how, but we will.”

Her eyes narrowed as she stared harder at him. “Why do you care?”

Hudson shrugged.

“Don’t give me that. You’re too invested in this place for it to make sense.”

“I don’t need a reason to be a good person,” he said. “No one does.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Let’s get this place cleaned up, and then I’ll call my brothers in the morning. I don’t think they’ll show up again tonight, but if they do, I’ll be waiting.”

Rachel shook her head. “You can’t stay up all night.”

“I’ve done worse.”

“You need your sleep,” she insisted again.

“So do you.” His eyes drilled into her, making it clear he’d noticed her restless nights.

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