Page 28 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

“Don’teverfucking question me again! Now take the fucking envelopes,” he hissed, leaning his head close to hers as he shoved them into her purse. “If anyone asks how you got that mark on your cheek, what will you say?”

“I…uh…” she stammered.

“Think of something! I’ll be in touch, and Helen, don’t fuck up.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

As soon as Kenny and Helen left the restaurant, Brody walked quickly from the small office and sat at the bar to wait for her return. When the minutes ticked by and she didn’t appear, he moved across to the windows overlooking the parking lot. It took a moment to see her car under the shade of a tree, but she was nowhere in sight and Kenny’s motorbike was gone. As he hurried outside he suddenly saw her sitting on the ground with her back against her car, her arms wrapped around her legs, and her head buried in her knees. Running across to her and kneeling down, he discovered she was crying.

“Helen, what’s happened?”

“Brody…it’s awful…I’ve been such an idiot,” she sobbed, then slowly raised her head.

Seeing the bright red mark across her left cheek a flash of fury rippled through him, but controlling his anger he helped her stand up and walked her slowly back to the restaurant.

“You need to tell the sheriff exactly what happened,” he said softly as they moved through the empty dining room.

“I c-can’t. K-kenny warned m-me.”

“I know you’re scared, but he won’t be a free man for much longer. You don’t have to worry, hon, we’ll protect you.”

“B-but he’s so…m-mean. What if you c-can’t?” she stammered with a sniffle as he took her into the small office.

“Helen? What happened to you? Is Kenny Lockhart responsible?” the sheriff asked urgently. “My goodness, come and sit down. When you’re ready give me all the details. Take your time. There’s no rush.”

* * *

Andy had said goodbye to his guests and had just finished putting the horses in their paddocks when his phone rang. Seeing Brody’s name he immediately accepted the call.

“Brody! Is it over? Has Kenny left?”

“Yeah, but Andy, you need to get over here. Helen’s okay, but she’s really upset. Kenny hit her.”

“He did what?”

“He hit her. It looks like it was a hard slap across the face.”

“I swear to God I’ll kill the bastard. Does the sheriff know?”

“Yeah, she’s talkin’ to him right now, but she needs you.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Hastily ending the call, he ran to his truck, jumped behind the wheel and sped down the winding country road. Swerving into the campgrounds entrance and driving as fast as he dared, he came to a screeching halt outside the restaurant and raced inside.

“Hey, that was fast,” Brody exclaimed, marching up from behind the bar. “This way.” Walking with Brody across the dining room, they exited through a side door and moved down a short path to a cabin. “We were in the office but the manager came in to check on things and when he saw Helen he brought us over here,” Brody said as they approached.

“I want to say I can’t believe this has happened, but I can,” Andy grunted. “You never know what a guy like Kenny will do. Did Helen tell you he sent a thug to the ranch after me?”

“You’re kiddin’? No, she didn’t. We need to talk about that, but, Andy,” Brody said, lowering his voice as they reached the door. “She says she’s feelin’ okay, but I think she’s pretty shaken up.”

“I’m sure she must be,” Andy murmured, then opened the door and found Helen sitting in an armchair holding a small bag of crushed ice against the side of her face.

“Andy!” she cried, dropping the ice and jumping to her feet as he hurried across to her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

Bringing her into his arms and holding her tightly, he thought the brash, brave young woman was now neither brash nor brave.

“It’s okay, darlin’, I’m here,” he said softly. “Tell me what happened?”

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