Page 28 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

“What?” he snapped before staring hard at Henry. “She’s going to be your sister-in-law. She’s the only family Athena’s got.”

“I thought you didn’t like Athena,” Henry said.

“It doesn’t matter who I like or don’t like. I don’t want this property being swiped up by some city hotshot who won’t treat our community like it should be.”

Understanding seemed to fill Henry’s gaze. No one could deny that Hudson had his heart on keeping strangers and tourists from settling in their small town. Hudson just had to lean more into that idea when his brothers were around.

They spent the next twenty minutes putting a plan together. By the time they were done, the sheriff and his deputies had left as well. The only ones remaining on the premises were Hudson and Rachel.

Hudson found her standing in the doorway of her bedroom, staring at the glass on the floor. She had her arms wrapped around herself, but for the most part, she’d returned to her typical confident self. He knew better than to believe that she was doing okay. Inside that hard exterior was a woman who was terrified of what might happen next.

He cleared his throat, and she turned her head so she could see him out of the corner of her eye. “Everyone’s gone,” he said quietly.

She nodded, turning her attention back to the glass. “Do you think any of them got hurt?”

“I sure hope so.”

A small smile tugged at her lips but then faded just as quickly. “I wonder if the guy who almost crawled through the window is regretting his decisions.”

“Unfortunately, people like that don’t tend to have regrets—not unless they end up half-dead in a ditch somewhere.”

“Yeah,” she said and sighed. “You’re probably right.”

He waited for her to glance at him, wanting to give her as much time as he could for her to find her closure with what had happened to them. When she glanced at him again, he motioned toward the door. “Come on.”

“Where?”

Hudson didn’t have the patience to explain himself. He reached for her hand and pulled her out of the room and toward the front door. Even after she’d buckled herself into the truck, he didn’t let her in on where they were headed. They rode in silence for a while before she finally spoke up.

“You know, I could just call the sheriff and tell him you’re kidnapping me.” Her voice was light on the surface, but there was a deeper meaning beneath it. That very thing might have happened the other night. They really didn’t know what those men were capable of.

Hudson’s eyes cut to hers. “Oh, you wouldn’t want to do that.”

“Yeah? Why’s that?”

One side of his mouth quirked upward. “Then you’d never figure out where we’re going. You’d never get the chance to see what’s in store.” He gave her one more meaningful look and nearly told her she’d never realize the potential they could have if they were to stick together. But he chickened out. “Besides, we’re here.”

She swung her head around to stare out the front window. “I don’t think I’ve ever been here.”

“No, I didn’t think you would. Remember that friend of mine? The one who has dogs?”

Her eyes widened with realization. “You’re getting me a dog?”

He shook his head. “I’m getting a dog.” He barely registered that she was disappointed when he continued. “You’re getting a puppy.”

14

Rachel

Pets had been off-limits in Rachel’s home growing up. Her father was deathly allergic to animal dander—that was one reason he hadn’t come to Copper Creek to visit. There were too many animals hanging around, and Rachel wanted to spend time with all of them.

Granted, most of the four-legged friends had been horses, but that didn’t mean her father would be able to come without some serious discomfort.

A puppy?

She’d always wanted a puppy. When Hudson had mentioned getting a dog to help alert them to intruders, she hadn’t thought much of it. She’d figured he’d get one of those stereotypical guard dogs—the mean kind that required signage on the outside of the property.

She swiveled her head around and gaped at Hudson. “You’re joking,” she said without inflection, even though inside she was doing a happy dance. “You want to get me a puppy.”

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