Page 7 of Some Cowgirls are Worth Protecting

He spun and jumped into his truck. He needed supplies, and then he’d set up shop for when those criminals showed up to start surveying their newly bought property. Whatever it took, he’d stop them. He’d show everyone—even Zeke—that there was always something that could be done when it came to helping out their town.

Hudson peeled off the Callahan property and drove down the street.

There was always a way.

4

Rachel

Rachel’s heart hammered almost painfully. It was one thing to spend her trust money when she was trying to locate Athena, it was something completely different to use most of it on a purchase like this one. She’d always known that there was a part of her heart that was missing. Even though she hadn’t remembered Athena from her infancy, she knew that they needed to find one another.

Thankfully, she hadn’t needed to use much of her trust. Henry’s curiosity had aided in that. Still, her parents weren’t going to be thrilled to find out that nearly half of what she had was now invested in this property. There was still plenty for her to live off comfortably, though it was difficult seeing the numbers in her account shrink so much.

What was she thinking? She didn’t know the first thing about owning a large piece of land. She’d spent about three hours researching what it could be used for and happened to come across an article showcasing a Colorado win for keeping the wild horses around.

There was a need that wasn’t being addressed in this part of the state. Wild horses were being hauled off properties where people didn’t want them. What better place to start a wild horse refuge than right here in Copper Creek? There was plenty of space for it. And the government even had incentives for opening one’s private property for the relocation of the majestic creatures.

Of course, she’d have a lot to do in order to work that out, but the first step had been to buy the land and make sure the developers of that resort didn’t get their grubby hands on even one acre.

Her heart slammed harder into her chest as they stopped at the foot of the drive. The man in the driver’s seat was someone she’d only met a handful of times. He was the representative at the bank, who was probably too jovial for his own good. In the back seat was her realtor.

They’d both insisted that she take a tour of the property before they officially closed. It was one of the things a “smart” investor would do. Neither one of them needed to know that she had plans for the property that didn’t require her to check it out. If anything needed fixing, she’d make sure it got handled.

The funny thing was that she didn’t need some big place to live. Sure, she’d grown up in a very nice house. They’d even had a housekeeper, which around here was unheard of. But Rachel was content to live simply.

“Are you ready?”

She jumped and glanced over her shoulder as her agent leaned forward. He was an older gentleman—someone who reminded her a lot of her father. He was never without his tie and briefcase. She’d found him in a listing, and he worked mostly out of Billings, but he’d been willing to jump through the hoops she’d set out to work with her.

Mr. Hennesy was nice, and he did exactly what he set out to accomplish. But as soon as these papers were signed, she wouldn’t likely ever hear from him again.

Rachel smiled. “I don’t think I could be more ready.” Her enthusiasm lacked the conviction she knew it should have had, but both Hennesy and the bank administrator would just have to deal with it.

“And you’re sure you don’t want an official inspector? You’re legally allowed to request it.”

She couldn’t tell them the plans she had for the property. Not yet. There was still so much she had to figure out. And they probably wouldn’t back down anyway. So instead, Rachel brushed him off with a wave of her hand. “I have the funds to do what I need. This is a foreclosure. It’s being sold as is. An inspection wouldn’t do much for me anyway. It’s not like I’d back out.” She smiled at her realtor. All of what she’d said was correct, but it wasn’t the biggest reason she didn’t need one.

The fewer people on the property, the less likely she’d have to deal with the gossip in town. Only these two men knew who was really buying the land. Mr. Hennesy didn’t really care one way or the other. And as for the banker, he didn’t seem the type to share gossip with others in town. So far, her secret was likely safe. Who would care that a piece of land was no longer on the market anyway?

Hennesy climbed out of the car and walked toward the gate that blocked them from driving up the road to the house. There was a fence that stretched as far as the eye could see in either direction, and just outside of the fence line grew several large trees that shaded the highway they’d arrived on. He pushed the gate open, and the banker drove the car over the threshold. Now everything felt that much more real.

Breathe.

Just because she was alone in this venture didn’t mean she had to worry. She could make this work. She knew how to run a charity. That was essentially what this project would be. Research, endless hours, and horses. She couldn’t ask for a better gig. She could do this.

They pulled up in front of a house that looked like it was large enough for a family of five. It wasn’t a starter home by any means, but it also wasn’t as large as the home she’d grown up in. One day it might even be the place where she raised her family—if she ever decided to settle down.

Rachel pushed her door open and stared at the house. It was perfect, just the way it was. The outside walls were all rustic brick. There was also some pretty old stone and wood accents that could use a good touch up, but this place had good bones—something the realtor continued to say.

“Now, inside, you’ll notice that the house hasn’t been updated. It was built in the early 1900s, and as such, there aren’t many modern touches.”

“It’s fine, Mr. Hennesy. I’m sure it’ll be perfectly fine.”

Her realtor gave her a look. She couldn’t tell if it was his way of saying she didn’t know what she was talking about, or if it was a look of pity. Whatever, it didn’t matter. No one else would be living here. She would be alone.

They spent the better part of a half hour going through room after room. By the time her realtor and the banker decided to stay put in the kitchen, she was able to sneak out the back door and head for the barn. It looked a little worse for wear on the outside. The roof would need to be patched. There didn’t seem to be any sign of life in and around it.

The previous owner likely hadn’t even had a horse to put here. She wasn’t sure if she’d need to fix it up. If she didn’t own any of the horses herself, and they were all wild anyways, then maybe she’d end up just tearing it down. She poked her head inside but didn’t dare walk past the open doorway. The last thing she needed was to get caught in a barn collapse just before her deal was supposed to be finalized.

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