Page 59 of Cowboy's Sinful Bargain

First Uncle jumped to his feet, his face flushing with anger. "Mitsuaki!"

I cocked an eyebrow.

First Uncle grabbed the papers and shook them at me. "You will sign these papers and you will sign them now. You know what happens if you disobey me."

I shuddered in remembrance. I was all too aware of what the man could do if thwarted. I had the scars to prove it, physical and emotional.

"Is that a threat, Mr. Kaneko?" Jos asked in a rough, low tone that should have shook the walls. "We don't take kindly to threats around here."

First Uncle's eyes snapped to Jos. "This is none of your business."

Hadn't we already gone over that?

"I'm making it my business."

"Jos," Mrs. Gibbons called out as she rushed into the room. "Mr. Walker called. He needs Miko out at their ranch. One of their mares is having trouble and the vet requested his help."

"Miko, go get your kit," Jos ordered. "I'll see our guests out."

I could hear First Uncle arguing with Jos as I took off up the stairs to get my kit. I hoped Jos was giving that old coot a good chewing out and then kicking him off the ranch. I had no desire to speak with my uncle a second longer. He had nothing to say that I wanted to hear.

When I reached the bedroom, I grabbed my kit out of the top drawer of my dresser and then raced back downstairs. The living room was empty, but I could hear angry voices outside.

I hesitated at the bottom of the stairs, unsure if I should go outside or not. I'd really had enough of my uncle. He had never been family to me, only a dark Boogeyman that I feared to make angry, and he sounded plenty angry. He was cursing Jos out in Japanese so loudly, I winced from the excessive noise. I really hoped Jos hadn't gotten that far in his language studies.

I walked over to the door and slowly pulled it open. My eyebrows peaked near the top of my head when I saw the wall of ranch hands standing between me and the front steps.

I stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door closed behind me, and then tapped the shoulder of the man directly in front of me. When he turned, I realized it was Axel. He gave me a brief nod and then stepped out of the way so that I could get through.

Huh, another wall. This one was all muscle.

I tapped Jos on the shoulder this time.

He turned and glanced at me. "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded, holding up my kit so he'd know I had it.

"Wade," Jos started, "I want everyone on alert in case this jackass comes back."

"Sure thing, Boss," Wade replied.

"We'll be at the Eagle Creek Ranch if you need us."

Wade gave a nod before going back to watching the people standing around the two cars parked in front of the house.

I wasn't sure why First Uncle hadn't left yet. It couldn't be clearer that he was no longer welcome.

Jos held a hand out to me. "Let's go, Miko."

Right.

I took Jos's hand and then followed him around the side of the house to the back steps. Thankfully, his truck was parked close to the back of the house.

Jos opened the passenger side door and then lifted me into my seat. Before closing the door, he pulled the seatbelt around me and clicked it into place. A moment later, he was in his seat and we were underway.

The two cars were still parked in front of the house when we came around to that side. First Uncle stood toe to toe with Wade, shouting at him in Japanese. Wade just stood there, arms crossed, and let the man vent, but there was an amused smirk on his face making wonder what he was thinking.

As soon as First Uncle saw us leaving, he hurried to one of the cars. I watched through the back window as the two cars started chasing after us, kicking up dust and dirt in their haste.

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