Page 26 of One Heated Summer

“I’m glad you’ve decided to stay,” Jensen murmured.

“I could never walk away from this…from you, Jensen.”

I knew for sure now that what I’d felt for Finn had never been love and I was grateful fate had stepped in and ended the disaster of our relationship. Jensen and I kissed and drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms.

Two weeks passed and the calf was doing well, spending all her time with her surrogate mama in the pasture with the other mamas and their babies. I watched from the porch as the youngsters frolicked with each other, a soft smile playing on my lips. The scene before me was a testament to the new beginnings that had taken root in my life, both on the ranch and within my heart.

I had thrown myself into the rhythm of ranch life, finding solace and purpose in the simple yet profound tasks that filled each day. My mornings began with the gentle hum of the wind through the tall grass that had sprouted after a week of solid rain, and my evenings began with the golden sunset painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. It was a life that seemed both timeless and fleeting, and I cherished every moment.

Jensen's presence every evening and night was a constant source of strength and comfort, his quiet support bolstering myresolve to succeed. We’d fallen into a routine of working both ranches together, giving extra help to our men where needed. We tackled any challenges that came our way, whether it was mending fences or tending to the animals. Our partnership extended beyond the physical, growing into an unspoken bond.

The heat of the summer was finally coming to an end, at least I hoped it was, and fall brought promises of cooler weather with much needed rains. I was still investigating different ways to conserve water, and as time wore on, I understood why there had not yet been a solution to combat the dryness of the vast land of Texas and her ranches.

Jensen and I shared stolen kisses under the wide Texas skies and he became more embedded in my heart. We proclaimed our love for one another at every opportunity and our love making was nothing short of explosive.

The men from both ranches, along with Jensen, had headed out to rescue cows belonging to both spreads. The beasts had managed to break through a fence and get themselves stuck in one of the dams on the boundary line that was now boggy from the rain. I’d offered to stay and get started on regular chores. Once done, I’d ride over and give Jensen a hand at Triple C. Lost in thought, mucking out stalls in the stables, I didn’t hear someone enter.

I startled on hearing a cackle from behind me and spun around to come face to face with Finn who held a gun in his hand…pointed at me!

“My, my, how far the bitch has fallen. Don’t you have staff to shovel shit?”

Finn was a mess. His clothes hung off his thin frame and they were filthy. His previously clean-shaven face was covered in unkempt hair and as filthy as that on his head. He steppedcloser and I noted the manic, glazed look in his eyes. Was he on something?

“What are you doing here?”

“Did you think I wouldn’t find you? You ran off and left me with nothing. No one would hire me,” he laughed but it was more of a manic cackle. “They said I didn’t know what I was doing and stuffed things up too often.”

I didn’t understand, Finn had managed the dive business with ease when we were together. “Are you on drugs?” I asked since it seemed to be the only explanation.

He took another step forward and I took one back. I kept my eyes on his shaking hand and the way he waved the gun around.

“Put the gun down and I’ll talk to you,” I tried.

He shook his head.

“Why are you here?”

“I’ve lost everything!” He waved his hand around. “I want you to sign all this over to me, you and I are going for a little drive.”

“No fucking way! You have had all you’re getting from me. I was more than generous with what I gave you when you left.”

Another cackle. “I got nothing!” he screamed. “I had nothing after the debts were paid. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even have enough to cover what I owed. I lost the house and business because I couldn’t pay my debts. No one will speak to me. I’ve been living on the fucking streets while I looked for you.”

“You wasted your time. You’re not getting one cent more from me so you can piss off to wherever you came from.” Stupid way to speak to a deranged lunatic, I know, but I was so angry.

Finn fired, the bullet barely missing my toes and I jumped back in shock.

“Where’s your car?” he snarled.

I refused to answer and he fired again, this one caught my ankle and had me screaming in pain before I collapsed to the ground. Blood soon oozed through the denim of my jeans and I prayed—I was desperate—that Jensen or one of the men had heard the gunfire.

“Get up and take me to your fucking car or the next one will be in your head.”

I was shaking as I pushed to my feet, Finn was deadly serious and if I wanted to survive I needed to do as he said…within reason.

I passed by where he stood with caution. He moved behind me and I cried out when he prodded me in the back with his gun. I hobbled to where my pickup was parked, the keys in the ignition because they always were out here, and he ordered me into the passenger seat. Once I was in the vehicle, he made his way to the driver’s side and climbed behind the wheel.

Finn started the car, gripping the wheel with white-knuckled intensity. The tires screeched against the gravel as he pulled out, driving erratically down the narrow drive. I held on for dear life as the car fishtailed and searched for any sign of Jensen or one of the men. They were nowhere to be seen.

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