Page 74 of Fierce Protector

The men sat around the Graceys’ big dining room table, looking stern. Next to them, the women they loved waited patiently for the discussion about the events of the previous night to start. And Sean Gracey sat at the head of the table, finally taking his position as head of the family and the Gracey Ranch once again.

Colton gave Sean a nod.

The older man spread his hands across the table and began to speak. “I’m finished sitting back and letting things happen to my ranch and my family.” He looked around the table, including all of those who sat here in that family.

Several of them bowed their heads. A few sat up straighter and listened harder.

“When I heard Meadow on the phone, saying that our veterinarian was in danger, I knew I had to stop sitting around waiting for life to fix itself. I got in that tractor and went after her. I did what I should have been doing all along.”

Silence followed his statement.

He continued, “We haven’t had it easy in this family. Some of that is my doing. I messed up and put the ranch in the line of fire.” He swung his gaze to Meadow, then to Ivy seated across from her. “I got my daughters hurt, and for that I can never forgive myself.”

Meadow’s eyes filled with emotion. “Oh, Dad.”

“We forgive you, Dad,” Ivy added.

He nodded, acknowledging their words before going on. “The loan shark that I owed money to is out of the picture. But as some of you know, he sold the debt to someone else. Someone worse.”

At Demi’s side, Ledger went still. She didn’t see the hardening of his spine as much as felt the shift in him.

Colton cleared his throat. “Eli Feldman.”

Sean Gracey nodded. “That’s right. He’s ruthless. A business mogul who will stop at nothing to earn a buck.”

“A lot of people have been hurt by Feldman. He’s known for committing crimes to drive people off their land so he can take it and build it up. Now that’s what he’s trying to do with the Gracey and the ranches around us.”

Toward the end of the table, Webb slashed a hand through the air, drawing all their attention to him. “Mr. Vale lost his life.”

“Demi could have too. She was luckier.” Ledger’s cold tone sent a shiver through her.

Colton picked up the thread. “The WEST Protection team uncovered more information yesterday. Feldman is friends with someone who runs a wolf sanctuary.”

Demi gasped, gripping her hands together, prepared to hear what she already had feared since they first learned about the wolves.

“Some went missing from that sanctuary recently. And it seems that the ones that we tranquilized and transported to the ranger station to be examined are already microchipped and registered to that sanctuary.”

“Oh my god,” Livia breathed from her position next to Carver. “They stole wolves from a sanctuary and released them here, and they attacked our local cattle.”

Carver nodded. “The authorities have been alerted, and the rangers are all out in full force, trying to trap the rest of the missing wolves.”

Everyone silenced, thinking of the one ranger who wasn’t in on that roundup—because she was planning her father’s funeral.

After a moment of silence, Sean Gracey spoke again. “We aren’t going to stand for this. We’re going to fight. This ranch has enough acreage that I can easily sell some off and earn the money I owe Feldman. I’ll settle the debt, and we’ll run what’s left of the ranch.”

Meadow spread her hands over the table in a similar gesture that her father just made. “I’ve made a decision too. I’m going to sell Lonesome Rose after she’s healed.”

Colton didn’t look at all surprised by the news. Of course the pair had already discussed it.

“No, Meadow. You’ve already lost your horse Jewel a little while back. There’s no need—” her father began.

“I want to. It will help pay the debt. There are plenty more horses to raise and train. I want to do this. It means we won’t need to sell so much of the land.”

Sean ran through some numbers, spouting off figures. “I think it’s still in our best interest to sell the upper fifty acres.”

“I’ll buy it.” Zach’s gruff statement surprised all of them. “It adjoins the Springvale.”

Demi’s insides warmed at the thought of the man who’d been looking out for Opal since her father’s death owning a piece of land so close to her family’s ranch. With a deeper interest in it, he’d have even more reason to watch out for the woman who was such a good friend to Demi. Opal deserved to rest, heal and find happiness with her daughter.

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