Page 48 of Wyoming Bodyguard
“Not sure how well beer and apple pie go together, but I’m willing to try.” She took her drink and set it on the floorboard then rested the pie tin on her lap.
He snagged a bottle of water from his pocket and waved it in the air. “Thought you might say that, so I brought this in case.”
Stabbing the fork into the pie, Lily slid a bite in her mouth and groaned. “Best. Idea. Ever.”
Madden swallowed hard. Watching her eat pie was way too sexy. He cleared his throat, needing to stay focused. He’d slipped last night, and someone had snuck onto the property and vandalized Lily’s barn. He couldn’t let that happen again. Hell, he’d even discussed it earlier with Reid, and they’d agreed to both stand guard throughout the night to make sure nothing else happened to Lily. Until whoever was determined to hurt her was caught, he needed to keep his mind sharp.
Sipping his beer, he stared at the backdrop of mountains in the distance. The lush green peaks with spots of color called to him, grounded him. “It’s funny how for years I’ve sat on the porch with my dad and looked at these exact same mountains. Crazy to think we’ve seen the same view all this time.”
“Dad and I like to sit out here at night after the work’s done for the day. Reminds us of why we do what we do, why we work so hard for this place.” She placed the fork in the tin. “I’m glad I went to see him today, but it was tough. So many emotions are swirling around inside me, and he’s at the center of most of them.”
Not wanting to interrupt, he cradled his bottle in his lap and rocked. He hadn’t asked about her visit with her father, figured she’d tell him anything she wanted him to know, and he didn’t want to say the wrong thing.
She sighed. “I hate being mad at him right now. I should be standing by his side, holding his hand. But even though it cuts my soul to admit this, Iknowhe plays a role in everything that’s happened, and it pisses me off. I’m angry he’s put me in this position. I’m mad he’s not awake to clear everything up. I’m terrified he’ll die and I’ll be left with all this guilt and turmoil, never getting a chance to move on. Leaving me here all alone to pick up the pieces.” Her voice broke on the last word, crushing his heart.
“I’m sorry for what you’re going through. Hell, I’d take your place if I could. Just know that everything you’re feeling is okay to feel. All of it. And no matter what, you’ll never be alone. I’ll be right here with you, Lily, as long as you want me to be.”
She smiled through her tears. “Thank you. I like the sound of that.”
“Good, then you should know your dad will pull through and make it home. Because no way he’ll let me win your heart without a fight. I’m gonna have to win him over if I stand a chance.”
She snorted out a laugh. “Good point. He won’t make things easy.”
“For you, I’m up for the challenge.”
They sat and finished their drinks in comfortable silence. The sound of cawing birds and the squeaking of their matching chairs keeping them company. Once he drained the bottle, he stood. “All right. We better get this done now, or I’ll be tempted to head inside and take a nap.”
“A dinnertime nap?” Lily asked, eyes wide. “I’ve never heard of such a thing, but let’s get you to the barn before you leave me outside to handle the chores alone.”
Standing, he stayed close to her side as she walked to the second, smaller barn that was used for storage.
“We have a few ladders in here. We shouldn’t need a super tall one.” She pushed open the door, and a subtle creaking raised the hairs on the back of Madden’s neck.
He rested a palm on her shoulder to stop her from stepping inside. “Stay right here a second.”
“What is it?” she asked, frowning.
“Not sure but something doesn’t feel right. Where’s the light switch?” The sun wouldn’t set for another hour or two, but the storage barn didn’t have windows to let in natural light.
“On the wall, to the right.”
The sensation of bugs skittering down his spine made him move slowly. He took a step into the stale, musty barn. A wall of heat, along with a continuous groaning met him. Finding the switch, he flipped on the light and dread dropped low in his stomach.
In the center of the ceiling, a lifeless man hung from a thick rope.
* * *
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Lily barged inside, and bile shot up the back of her throat. She turned away from the morbid scene in front of her, but the sound of the subtle shifting of the rafters as the body dangled would be forever etched in her brain.
Madden wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her into the fresh air. “I need to see if I can help him.”
“How can you possibly help? He’s dead.” She squeezed her eyes closed, but when an image of the body slammed against her brain, they flew open again. “Who was that?”
“I don’t know, but I’ll find out. You stay here and call the police.”
Before she could ask any more questions, he took off at lightning speed into the barn. She fumbled for her phone in her pocket and called the authorities as her mind spun. If she believed in such things, she’d think someone had put a giant curse on her and her ranch.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?” The dispatcher chirped out the all-too-familiar line after two rings.
