Page 16 of Wyoming Bodyguard
She’d been surprised that he’d cleaned the kitchen while she dressed and was grateful for the couple of ranch hands her father still employed who’d showed up to tend the property. She still had her own chores to see to, but at least the morning work would get done while she went into town with Madden.
Madden sat behind the steering wheel and studied the two men. “Those guys work for you and your dad for long?”
She flicked her wrist toward the man entering the horse barn. “That’s Charlie. He started working here right after my mom died, so close to fifteen years. Daniel not quite as long, but probably eight, nine years.”
“Do they have access to the house?”
“Not that I’m aware of. Dad’s always kept the ranch hands separate from the main house. Wanted clear boundaries for the men he employed and his young daughter.” She couldn’t help but grin at the memories of trying to sneak the cute summer help inside, only getting away with it once.
“Any more staff?”
Her grin vanished. “Not full time. When we have visitors, we hire people to come and help with cleaning the cabins and cooking meals. Try to give our guests the full dude ranch experience. We don’t have the need to keep many people on payroll. At least not until we figure out how to turn things around.”
Madden grunted and headed away from the ranch toward town. “Any of your employees—current or past—hold a grudge? Would want to hurt your father?”
The idea made her sick. They loved the people who worked at the ranch like family. The main reason for ire over the ranch’s struggles was the people they’d had to let go. People whose paychecks were taken away because of the lack of work. But she couldn’t imagine anyone blaming her father, hating him enough to try and kill him.
Everyone understood the real reason for fewer tourists at Tremont Ranch was because of the McKays.
“No. No one who works for us would want to hurt me or my dad. I’d bet my own life.”
“I’d still like to talk with them. Maybe someone noticed something off or saw someone sneaking around the property recently. You never know what little detail could lead to answers.”
“I’m sure Charlie and Daniel would be more than willing to tell you anything they may know. They were upset when I told them what had happened to my dad last night. Both promised to be on the lookout for anything useful.”
Not wanting to continue the conversation, she stared out the window. Blue skies and the bright sunshine predicted another beautiful day ahead, but nothing could chase the dark clouds above her. Every aspect of her and her father’s lives would be picked apart in the next couple of days, and she’d gladly expose her very soul if it meant tracking down whoever was responsible for hurting her dad, but she wasn’t looking forward to the scrutiny.
After driving into town, Madden parked his truck on Main Street, in front of Sunrise Security.
Frowning, she stepped out of the truck and met him on the sidewalk. “I thought you wanted to clean up and grab some things at your place before heading into work.”
“I do,” he said, unlocking the front door and ushering her inside. “I keep the loft above the office. Dax is at the farmhouse to help Pops. I wanted a little more privacy, and the loft made sense.”
“Why does Dax need to help your dad? It’s not like there’s much of a ranch left to run.” She cringed at the bite of her words and held up a hand before Madden could say anything. “Sorry. I can’t say I’m happy, or even understand, why your family sold so much of your land to developers. But while we’re working together, I’ll try to keep those opinions to myself.”
Madden didn’t speak, but the tense set of his shoulders broadcasted his irritation.
She sighed and followed him through the dark office space to a stairwell that went upstairs. She couldn’t say Madden was a friend now, but he’d been a lifesaver last night. He didn’t need to be rewarded with her sharp tongue. She couldn’t forgive him and his family for the hole they’d put her and her father into, but she could at least be civil.
Inside his apartment, he flipped on lights and waited for her to enter before closing the door behind her. “I won’t be long. Make yourself comfortable.”
He took a step away, and she grabbed his arm to keep him in place. He locked eyes with her, and the pain that flashed in them had her regretting her remarks even more. “Listen. I really am sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I don’t want there to be tension between us. Not after everything you’ve done for me.”
Something shifted in his expression. He dropped his gaze to her hand for a beat before bringing it back to her face. “Really, it’s not a big deal. I’m used to the comments from everyone in town. Sometimes I feel like no matter how hard I try, nothing will erase the stain of selling our land. But I can’t change the choices we made, and honestly, I wouldn’t if I could.”
The sadness in his words tugged at her heart and pulled her closer to him. He was so big, so strong.
So unlike the man she’d assumed him to be since he’d returned to Cloud Valley.
Tilting her head to the side, she studied his downturned mouth and his drooping shoulders. “Why not? I remember you as a boy. You and Dax. You both loved that ranch. Loved helping your dad. I even remember your mama telling mine all sorts of stories about the trouble you’d get into. Stories that made them both laugh and talk about how the lessons you were learning would make you one hell of a rancher one day. What changed?”
He winced and pulled away from her touch. “Doesn’t matter. Especially now when I have a job to do. Give me a few minutes then we’ll head downstairs.”
She watched him march to the bathroom and she jumped when he slammed the door. She’d struck a nerve. Something she didn’t think possible with Madden. He always appeared so carefree. Happy and oblivious to the trouble his choices had caused others.
Maybe she’d been wrong. Maybe there was more behind his easygoing smile and the reasons for his actions. But at the end of the day, he was right. What was done couldn’t be erased, no matter the intentions.
Besides, she had enough to worry about. Madden had dug his own grave, and she didn’t have the energy to care if he got out of it or not. She only needed him to keep her safe and help her find a criminal, then he could continue his crusade to clear his family’s name.
