Page 75 of The Breakdown

“I agree.”

“They caused you any trouble before?”

Vaughn breathed deeply and made the turn up the ranch drive. They drove through the gate and past the mounted cameras. “They cut my fence and stole one of my best mares.”

“Christ almighty.” He turned to look behind them. “Is that why you got the cameras?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, I’ll be goddamned. You’ve got more trouble than I thought.”

“It will be remedied. I can guarantee you that,” Vaughn said and clenched her jaw. Natalie could feel the barely harbored anger coming off her and this time she did place her hand on her leg. Vaughn glanced at her, and Natalie gave her a soft pat.

“Yes, it will,” Natalie said, removing her hand. “Rest assured.”

Vaughn’s stone-like face softened at that and she pulled the trailer around to the stables and parked. Marv opened his door and climbed out with a grunt, but Natalie remained, looking at Vaughn.

“You okay?” she asked.

Vaughn narrowed her eyes as she stared through the windshield. “I don’t know.”

“We’ll get it sorted.” She touched her leg again.

“We?” Vaughn asked.

Natalie nodded.

“You aren’t still upset with me?” Vaughn asked.

“No.”

“Thank God. I don’t think I can handle much more at the moment.”

“I’m sorry, Vaughn,” Natalie said. “About this and about the way I’ve been behaving.”

Vaughn looked at her. “I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Natalie withdrew her hand, feeling way too much emotion toward her. She wanted to respect their boundaries, the ones Vaughn had put into place, regardless of how hard it was for her.

“I’m not,” she said, being honest. “But I’m hoping I will be.”

Voices came from the stables as Benny and Greer and Wyatt and Em came running out. Vaughn switched off the engine and opened the door. But before she climbed out she looked again at Natalie.

“Let me know if I can help.”

Natalie smiled wistfully at her. “I will.”

Vaughn emerged from the truck and the group gathered around her, asking questions and staring back at the horse trailer. Natalie sat and watched for a moment, content on remaining inside where it was relatively peaceful. It wasn’t until June came out and poked her head in, that she snapped out her trance.

“You okay, darlin’?”

Natalie scooted toward her and climbed out of the truck. She once again smiled, this time feeling more certain than she had only moments ago. “I am.”

Chapter Thirty-three

Allen gripped his desk as the line rang and the automated voice mail played. When it finished and he heard the beep, the signal to leave a message, he seethed. “I’m paying you good money. Very good money. And you don’t answer your phone when I need to talk to you? Well, that had better change if you know what’s good for you, Tito. You hear me?” He slammed the receiver down and leaned back in his office chair, still fuming.

How could Tito not answer his damn phone? He needed to talk to him. Jesus, he was beginning to think he’d made a mistake in hiring him. He was beginning to think the big man was as incompetent as Tom. The little runt bastard. It was his fault he was in this mess. He was the one who’d lost Natalie to begin with.

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