Page 49 of Falling For Her Cowboy
Melah was starting to feel the fatigue set in from a long day’s work. She had a few peppermints back at the barn she could give Daisy. At this point she was not above begging her horse to not play around.
Melah looked at Daisy.
Something was off. This wasn’t playful Daisy. She was picking up something. The hairs on the back of Melah’s neck rose. She froze in place. Was her horse warning her of something? Melah swallowed hard and tried to act as if nothing was wrong.
“Okay, girl. If you just want to graze a little more, you could have just said so.” Melah gave a shaky laugh. It was then she felt eyes on her on. A calmness washed over her. She was not going to let her fear of the unknown take over her. She had learned that from the military. Being in hot zones meant someone was always watching. Someone was always plotting to take them out, and she and her troops had to stay one step ahead of the enemy.
She felt the comfort of her weapon in her thigh sheath.
“A few more minutes, Daisy. Then we have to go.” It helped for her to hear her own voice. If there was truly someone watching her, she didn’t want to let on that she’d picked up on them. She casually turned around and rested her hands on her waist. She glanced at the sky as if to enjoy the warm sunrays. She smiled slightly and gazed at the scenery to take it in.
At least she wanted to giveoff the sense she was admiring the beauty of nature around her, but in reality, she quickly catalogued everything. Her training was ingrained in her.
Her gut was screaming that she and Daisy were not alone and whoever it was, was not friendly.
“Fuck this.” Melah reached down and withdrew her weapon from its holster. Her radio was on Daisy. She’d have been able to radio for someone to come to her, but with the way Daisy was spooked, she didn’t want to increase her horse’s anxiety and risk getting hurt in the process.
Melah aimed her gun true and stalked toward the woods. She didn’t know what she was going to find, but she damn sure was going to clear the area.
For all she knew it could be a predator who was stalking her horse. If so, she’d protect Daisy and put down whatever wolf or mountain lion that waited for her. There had been reports in the last weeks of small game disappearing from the local ranches and being blamed on the wild animals hunting.
She crept into the woods, thankful it was still daytime where she had good lighting. Her hand remained steady. It may have been a while since she’d gone into a hot situation, but her training hadn’t faded. Her gaze swept over the tall trees, bushes, and wildflowers of thewooded area.
Was she crazy?
No. Her gut never led her wrong, and she doubted it would start now.
“If you don’t want to get shot, you’ll show yourself,” Melah called out. She flipped off the safety and swung around at a slight snapping sound. She tightened her grip on her weapon. “Now.”
She hardened her voice. She was not here to play, she was dead serious. She’d shoot and ask questions later. She took a few more steps forward along a path and swung around again.
A force came at her and hit her arms, her gun lowering. A gasp escaped her. She automatically fell into a defensive move.
Again—training still intact.
Her eyes widened at the person standing in front of her.
“Miss me?” Theo grinned. He was dressed in fatigues which had allowed him to blend in with nature. He even had dark paint on his face. His hair was slicked back away from his face.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” she snapped. She went to raise her gun again with clear intent. It was without a doubt that he was not here just to visit. The crazed look in his eyes alluded to his intentions.
He dove forward just as she pulled the trigger. The sound of the shot echoed through the air.
Shit.
He’d caused her aim to be off and directed at the sky. His body fell against hers, and they landed on the ground. Her gun went flying and disappeared in the brush. Panic washed over Melah, but she fought to push it down. Memories of the last time he’d attacked her came to the forefront.
Not now.
She cried out and fought to shove him off her.
“You thought I would just rot in that damn prison while you get to live the high life?” he growled.
Melah tried to get him off her, but he was solid and too heavy for her.
“Get off me!” she screamed. She swung her arms toward his face. Her nails connected with his cheek and raked down it. Satisfaction filled her at the sight of angry marks appearing on his skin.
“You bitch!” he roared.
