Page 15 of Malice

“Because other than my family being there, there is nothing at home for me. No opportunity, no prospects, no chance to show the world my art. And I did go back, at least for a little while. I don’t fit there anymore.”

“What do you mean?” He frowned as he glanced at her then looked back at the road.

“It’s like the spot where I was shrank while I was gone.” She turned and looked out the window, as if gathering her thoughts. “I know that’s not true, but it feels like it.”

“Maybe it’s that once you weren’t there, in that space you grew? You bloomed and became who you were meant to be and now it feels like that space shrunk?”

She turned back to him, a sad smile on her face. “I like that description. A lot better than the way I’d been thinking of it. I may have to steal that.”

“Feel free.” He shot her a grin, glad she seemed to have lost the melancholy that had come over her as she’d packed. So far, she seemed to be handling things well. He didn’t expect it to continue but he’d take it as long as it lasted.

They spent the rest of the ride to the ranch in companionable silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Malice couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking about and how she would adjust to life at the ranch.

12

Bonniewatchedthecountrysidespeed past the pickup window, wondering if she was making a mistake. Another one. With all the shit she’d been through with Phillip how could she agree to go stay with another guy? How could she trust Corey like she did when he could be just as bad, or maybe worse?

Sure, he seemed like a good guy, one who wanted to protect her and make sure she was safe, but Phillip hadn’t seemed like the asshole he’d turned out to be either. It wasn’t like his place was in town where she’d be able to get away easily, either. She’d be miles from town, without a vehicle of her own and surrounded by his friends.

Still, even knowing all that, she didn’t hesitate to do it, or she didn’t hesitate for long. She’d thought about it, then considered the alternative, staying in her apartment where Phillip might find a way in to do who knew what to her, and had chosen to follow her gut.

The brief vibration and buzzing noise of the truck crossing a cattle guard brought her back to the present. She looked around, but there wasn’t much to see, not yet. She hoped they were close though, because she didn’t want to have to drive too far to get to work. Though she hoped it wouldn’t last too long. She also needed to get started on that mural. First though, she needed to finish the design and get the owner to approve it… That she could do out here just fine.

She let her gaze skim the horizon, taking in the unbroken skyline that would give her an amazing view of sunrises and sunsets. Yeah, she could find somewhere to draw out the scene for the mural and at least make progress on that.

The truck came to a stop beside a large barn, and Corey killed the engine. She turned to look at him wondering where they were. She’d assumed they were going to his place, but this didn’t look like a cabin like she’d expected.

“I figured we’d meet everyone first. Let you decide then if you’d rather stay with one of the others or with me. I guess you should also see my place before you decide, but let’s meet everyone, then I’ll show you.” Corey lifted one shoulder and let it drop before opening his door and stepping down.

Bonnie blinked, wondering again what the hell she’d gotten herself into, then opened her own door. She slid down out of the seat, bending her knees to absorb the impact as she hit the ground, then stood, and looked around. There were several buildings visible from where she stood, and she recognized what several were for but didn’t see anything that would qualify as a cabin.

“Come on, Lurch will be in here.” Corey held out one hand toward her, she didn’t take it but stepped up beside him and walked with him as he went into the largest barn. Inside the door they both paused for a moment, she wasn’t sure if he was looking for someone, or letting his eyes adjust, the way she was, while taking in the place. The large building was being used more like a garage and storage space than a traditional barn. There were several snow machines, a couple of dirt bikes, a couple more four wheelers, a couple flat bed trailers and a large stack of feed sacks off to one side. Several large stacking toolboxes stood like soldiers along the back wall, making her think they maintained the vehicles in here as well as stored them.

“In here.” Corey continued to lead her through the maze of equipment to a door she hadn’t noticed.

Bonnie followed, not sure what to expect.

Corey knocked on an open door then stepped inside without waiting to be spoken to. Bonnie followed but hesitated in the doorway, waiting to see what kind of greeting they got. She didn’t want to have to go far if whoever was inside didn’t like having company at the moment.

“We’re back. I thought meeting you would be a good first stop for us.” Corey spoke to the man sitting behind the desk, a laptop open in front of him and a stack of papers off to one side.

The man behind the desk stood and extended a hand toward her, he had dark hair and bright blue eyes. “Nice to meet you, ma’am. My name’s Lurch. I want you to know we’ll do our damnedest to make sure you’re safe here. Do you happen to have a picture of this guy who’s harassing you?” His deep rich voice surprised her, but it was more the slow drawl that made her blink, taking a moment to process his words.

“Um. No. Sorry. I only took a few to begin with and I deleted them all after I broke it off with him last week.”

Lurch nodded. “Any chance he has social media of any kind where we might find a picture of him?”

“I’m sure he does. I saw him scrolling on Facebook a couple of times, more often he was on Insta though.” She frowned. “Why do you want a picture?”

“Good to know. Make sure Malice has his full name so we can see if we can find one. And I want to be able to pass his photo among the men, so they know who to keep an eye out for. It shouldn’t be too bad if we can’t find one. The men know everyone on the ranch and would know if a stranger showed up. Still, it would be great if they knew who to watch for.”

She nodded. Knowing that they wanted to know who it was that might show up after her, who might come looking for her, so they could stop him, made her feel better. It didn’t totally eliminate the worries that had crossed her mind during the drive, but it did help.

“Is there anyone else around or should I take her up to my place?”

“Your place is fine. The women will be around for dinner at the main house. Even Kerry and I will eat up there tonight so your girl can meet everyone then.” He glanced at Bonnie then looked back to Corey. “You get the rest of today, but I expect you to be back to work tomorrow.”

“Can do,” Corey said with a single nod before turning to face her. “Oh, who would be the best to take a look at a cell phone and see if there’s software on it to track the phone?”

---