Page 55 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

Rachel spun around, her face flushing as she flung a hand in the dog’s direction. “He’s been out here since Hudson left. He doesn’t move.”

“Is he eating?”

“Well, yeah?—”

“Is he drinking?”

“Of course, but?—”

“And if he’s in control of his bowels, then I’d say he’s doing exactly what his master wanted him to do.” He continued to pet the dog with a thoughtful expression.

Rachel’s mouth dropped open, the implication becoming clear. “You think Hudson told him to stand guard?”

Mateo shrugged as he got to his feet. “The whole reason Hudson got that dog was to protect you. Just because Odin followed him around when he was here doesn’t mean anything. The dog knows what’s important to his master.”

She continued to stare at him, unwilling or unable to accept what Mateo was saying. If Hudson cared about her so deeply, then why wasn’t he coming back to work through this? If she were honest with herself, she’d admit she already knew the answer. Selling the property meant she was giving up. The only reason to sell was to take on this new charity. As much as she might want Hudson to follow her to the city, she knew deep down that he would rather get trampled by a horse.

Rachel turned her gaze to the dog, realizing Odin was looking at her with his soulful eyes. She swallowed hard, unwilling to show Mateo any more weakness. “Well, based on what I’m seeing, I would almost rather that Hudson took Odin with him. He probably needs that dog more than me.”

Mateo gave her a pointed look, all the while saying nothing. He clearly didn’t agree, but he wasn’t willing to argue with her. At least he was smart. He glanced across the way toward the rubble of the barn. “I’m glad no one got hurt.”

Her ability to keep her expression smooth failed her and she scowled at him. “Hudson got hurt.”

“I mean—What I was trying to say…” He rubbed the back of his neck and looked away. “Hudson got out okay. The animals got out okay. You didn’t lose anyone.”

She shook her head. Didn’t he understand that she had lost someone? Probably not. “None of what happened was okay. The people who did this aren’t going to stop. Don’t tell me you agree with Hudson?”

“I haven’t talked to him since he left. I don’t know what he’s thinking,” Mateo said quietly.

“If it were up to him, we’d stick it out until the whole place has been burned to the ground. I’m not willing to risk that.”

Mateo peered at her, his eyes squinting slightly. “What are you going to do?”

She lifted her hands and dropped them to her sides. “I don’t know.” What Rachel really needed to do was find someone she could speak to who would be able to listen to her and tell her that she wasn’t going crazy. Hudson wasn’t that person, and she had a feeling that Mateo wasn’t either. “Thanks for coming out to check on Odin. It’s getting late.” Her words were a clear indication the conversation was over, but Mateo didn’t move right away.

Finally, he nodded. “Call me if you need anything else.”

She watched him head back to his truck, and only when he’d driven away did she head back inside.

“Who was that guy?” Athena sat up from the couch she’d been sitting on near the front window in the living room. She glanced toward the window once more, but there was nothing to see. “Does he know where Hudson is?”

Rachel considered ignoring her sister and going straight to her room. She wasn’t in the right headspace for a long conversation, which was likely what would take place with Athena. Unfortunately, her sister had learned that it was easier to follow Rachel around and pester her than wait for her to be ready to talk.

She moved into the living room and collapsed onto the other side of the couch. “That’s Mateo.”

“Who’s Mateo?” There was an edge in her voice. It wasn’t that she seemed to be accusing Rachel of anything, but more that she was worried—worried that Rachel might be acting in a way that wasn’t herself.

Rachel gave Athena a sharp look. “He’s Hudson’s friend, okay? He’s the one who raises the working dogs.”

Understanding flickered in Athena’s eyes. “Oh. Is Odin?—”

“Apparently, Odin is doing his job.” Rachel pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her chin on her knees. “I get the feeling that Mateo thinks I need to stick it out, too.”

“Did he say that?”

Rachel shook her head. “Not in so many words. But I could tell he didn’t think I was dealing with this the right way.”

“Maybe you’re not.”

---