Page 50 of Stalked at Rescue Ridge

“Come on, boy,” Kade urged Rinty to hop onto the foot of the bed.

Kade lifted the covers, and Bree slid into the sheets. He followed, and she curled her limbs around him. He looped his arm around her and held her tight. Her unique scent, flowers and spring air, filled his senses. All he could think was that he’d finally found the place where he belonged.Home.

It didn’t take long for Bree’s steady, even breathing to tell him she’d fallen asleep. He stayed there, not quite ready to budge, breathing her in. Before he realized it, it was five thirty, and the morning sun would peek through the miniblind slats soon enough.

Kade slipped from the covers and into the adjacent room, leaving the door open. He threw on his jeans and brewed a fresh pot of coffee.

After taking a few sips, he made a call to his boss. The call was short. Kade apologized and explained that his priorities had changed after learning he would be a father. Brendan had taken the news well and joked that he’d rather know now instead of after Kade got settled on a rig. Brendan also brought up the fact that Kade needed a well-paying job now more than ever with a kid on the way, a fact that had kept Kade awake already.

He had money saved. There hadn’t been much to spend it on while at war, and he’d socked half of his paychecks away with the dream of buying the bait and tackle shop.

Brendan had ended the call, wishing Kade the best. He’d take all the well wishes he could get. Surprisingly, he wasn’t freaked out about the baby. He was stressed about time and money—and the fact he’d sold off most of his belongings.

Hours passed while his mind churned. This was the kind of situation Kade would’ve confided in Zeke about. The two would’ve gone out for beers. Zeke would’ve given Kade holy hell about not using a condom—one either slipped off in the heat of the moment or they were going so many times he’d forgotten—and then the good-natured teasing would begin. Zeke would tell Kade everything would work out. The pressure would lift like early morning fog on a sunny day.

The cavern in his chest reopened every time he thought about his buddy.

Kade had been a damn good soldier. Maybe he could call his S.O. to see if it was too late to re-enlist. Joe Mercer would take Kade’s call in a heartbeat. He’d told Kade if he ever needed anything to give him a shout. He glanced down at his ankle.Maybe not.

Re-enlisting would only keep him away from Bree. Plus, she might see that as him running away. With the ordeal she’d been through, he needed to physically be here in Saddle Junction for her. The ranch came to mind. How could he run an operation that tossed nonwinners away like yesterday’s news, gone and forgotten? Running Sturgess Ranch was out of the question.

What about a new name? What if you took care of all the horses and changed the operation?The ridge had been the spot to go to when Kade was down or needed time to think. Could they call the place, Rescue Ridge?

Running the ranch could keep him in Saddle Junction. Turning the operation around could give him a purpose. It was the complete opposite of the way Beaumont had run the place. That alone might be incentive enough.

Also, he’d had a front-row seat to Chloe having to take care of the trailer, the kid, and pretty much everything. She said she didn’t mind. It was probably Kade being selfish, but he wanted to be around to see his kid grow and help his sister.

Would the others agree to changing the ranch operation?

Going back into the military would be living a life he’d walked away from. He’d served his country, been damn proud to do it, but it was time for a change. He’d check the Want Ads or whatever people did when they looked for a job nowadays if the ranch idea fizzled out when he called a meeting. He’d been out of the market for work since graduating high school.

He poured another cup of coffee and pulled his laptop out of the backpack he’d brought in from the truck along with the shotgun. He sipped the black brew and booted up the computer at the kitchen table.

Bree had been through a lot in the past few days. Hell, months. He needed to show her how serious he was about being there for her and the baby. She most likely wouldn’t trust him right away. Trust would take time. Time was something Kade had in spades.

First things first, he needed a permanent place to live. He checked out one of those real estate apps that had all available homes listed. He could rent a small place and fix it up. A small voice in the back of his mind picked that moment to pipe in,What about the bunk house?

He dismissed the idea as premature.

How far away from Bree and his child did he want to live? He could stick around at his sister’s place for the time being. Or, hell, maybe he could talk to his buddy about buying this cabin. Kade didn’t need a lot of room. This place wasn’t fancy, but it was plenty big enough for three people and had everything he needed: a kitchen, a bathroom, and a decent living space. It was already furnished. There was cell service and internet. Some adjustments for a little one would have to be made.

Hadn’t his buddy mentioned he never used the place anymore? When Kade really thought about it, he might be doing his friend a favor by offering to take the place off his hands. He’d talk to Bree first. Feel her out. See if this was an option that could benefit both of them. If not, there were other places Kade could rent while he considered his next steps. Figuring out employment was another priority.

Bree screamed.

His heart lurched, and he set the laptop aside and quickly pushed to his feet. Kade was next to the bed a few seconds later as Bree bolted upright. Sweat beaded on her forehead, and Rinty stood at attention next to Kade.

“I was there. I was in that awful barn.” She gasped for air. “And he threw me against the wall before everything blacked out.”

“You’re all right,” Kade reassured. He kneeled beside the bed and took her hand in his. Her body shook. “You’re safe now. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Her wide, fearful eyes were a shot straight to the heart. He understood nightmares. He understood battling an invisible enemy—the enemy inside his head.

She blinked at him. “He has a half-moon ankle tattoo. It was the last thing I saw before I blacked out. I didn’t remember that before.”

Kade slid into bed beside her. She climbed on his lap, buried her face in his neck, and cried. He held her tight to his chest, wishing like hell he could take away her pain. Hot tears dropped one by one onto his shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered.

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