Page 66 of Her Saltwater Cowboy

“Willow?”

Chance’s voice.

Ray turned.

Willow could barely breathe. Chance walked up from behind her uncle, his eyes narrow and untrusting.

“How can I help you?” He didn’t sound like he wanted to help Ray at all.

Willow opened her mouth, but her uncle spoke first.

“I’m Willow’s uncle. Just dropped by to say hello and to pick something up.” He swung a look at her. “Isn’t that right, dear niece?”

Chance stepped between them, his stance firm, shoulders squared, eyes hard. “You’re not welcome here,” Chance said.

Ray raised his brows. “Easy now. No need to make a scene.”

“You already did,” Chance replied, voice like steel. “You come onto this land, uninvited, and start threatening her?”

Ray shrank back. He looked briefly at Willow for help. “I didn’t threaten anyone.”

Chance didn’t budge. “You have one option: Leave and never return. Understand?”

Ray’s smirk faltered. “What’re you gonna do about it?”

Chance had moved so that his body completely shielded Willow’s. He stayed firm, unflinching.

“First thing I’m gonna do is call my friend, Sheriff Olay.” He shifted slightly. “He already has your name and description. Gave him your photo myself.”

Ray’s expression faltered.

“Then I’m going to stick around and watch as he cuffs you for trespassing.” Chance took a step forward, leaning toward her uncle. “I’ll be pressing charges by the way.”

“But I’m not done talking to her …”

“You’re more than done.” Chance’s voice went flat. “You’ve worn out your welcome—and my patience.”

Ray hesitated, his hand gripping that baseball so tightly his knuckles turned white. He sent a withering stare toward Willow before turning and marching back toward the main road. Only when he was gone did Chance exhale slowly and turn toward Willow.

His eyes brushed over her face, concern tugging at the corners of his eyes. “You okay?”

She nodded, barely.

Chance’s jaw worked, his forehead pulled. “You want to tell me what that was about?”

Willow crossed her arms and blew out a breath. She couldn’t meet Chance’s gaze. “He’s been trying to get money from me. Blackmail, basically.”

Chance’s eyebrows lifted. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I couldn’t,” she said quickly. “I was embarrassed. I didn’t want anyone to know—especially not you.”

“Why?”

She swallowed hard. “Because … there’s one part of this whole mess I haven’t told you. Something my uncle knows about.”

Something in Chance’s gaze flickered.

“I used some of the tainted money to buy my car. Of course, I didn’tknowit was tainted when I borrowed it …”

---