Page 31 of Mad About Her Cowboys

She smiled dreamily until another bellow traveled to her. Far from the quiet that had enveloped the house earlier, arguing filled the sanctuary of the Quist’s home. She furrowed her brow confused by it. She didn’t know them well, a fact that brought heat to her cheeks when she recalled last night…and this morning. But this seemed unlike the men she’d spent time with since yesterday. She didn’t recognize the louder voice, but she heard Connor’s calmer tone reply. She had a feeling this was one of the guests raising a stink.

Because of her. Martin had been evicted from the retreat because of her—well, in truth because he was an asshole, but she’d been the catalyst that had brought out his bad behavior. Not that she was to blame for that, but she still felt guilty that it might impact her men’s—no not her men. The Quist’s—business.

Heart heavy, she quickly located her clothes. All her things had been brought in here and neatly lain on the dresser. Her clothes, her purse… And her shoes were on the floor beside it. Shaking with disappointment, she redressed—in her own things this time—then headed for the bedroom door.

“You’ve got balls to kick one of my people off the ranch,” she heard yelled as she opened it.

“We’ve been over this,” Connor replied. “He was verbally abusing my woman and menacing her when I came into the kitchen and stopped him. I won’t have anyone behaving that way on my property.”

“She was coming on to him.”

At this, Connor growled. “Bullshit. It isn’t her word against his. My brothers and I witnessed it when we came in. Behavior like that won’t be tolerated from anyone—or to anyone. It’s in the paperwork each of you signed when you booked with the ranch.”

“Bullshit,” the man echoed. “I’m calling our lawyer.”

“You do that. I’ll be calling mine, as well. Will the rest of your party be leaving early or just Mr. Bradley?”

“Doctor Bradley,” the man corrected, conceit and self-importance clear in his tone.

“Well?” Connor prompted, still awaiting an answer.

There was a long pause. Madison crept down the hallway toward the kitchen. She was surprised to find it empty.

“No,” the other man growled. She turned her head toward the sound and realized they must be in a room off the living room or the other wing of the house. Jeez, and she could hear them? Off-hand, she wondered if Connor and the guys were in the office they’d shown her. Or possibly another space that allowed the voices to travel. They hadn’t shown her all the house, so it was possible. The question raised her guilt at not knowing them better before they all got intimate.

She almost growled at herself. She had no reason to feel guilty. Even if it was a one-night stand, she was a modern woman with needs and nobody had the right to tell her she couldn’t be with these guys after one night if she wanted that. The problem lay in that argument down the hallway, as well as the one this morning. She couldn’t ruin their business.

Sadness weighing heavier on her, she glanced toward the big living room window overlooking the circle drive. Her car was brushed off, and someone had plowed while she’d been asleep. The blue sky was clear as far as the eye could see, and sunlight glinted off the fresh snow, almost blinding in its brightness.

She could go. Should she? Madison sighed. She’d never intended to stay longer than dinner. It was time to leave, get back to her life, let the guys get back to theirs.

Her pea coat hung by the front door, her keys in the pocket. Less than two minutes later, she was on her way, removing herself from the equation. She had too much baggage. Coming to Daly was supposed to bring her refuge, but it seemed as if she’d brought drama with her.

* * * *

“Well, good,” Franklin said, his arms crossed as he glared at the Doctor. “We’ll continue as scheduled. If we have another problem like this, we’ll have to ask you all to leave.”

“You can’t do that.”

“It’s all lain out in the terms and conditions your group signed,” Connor said, and Franklin was glad his brother backed him up. They both felt a deep need to protect Madison and lay down the law with anyone who might mess with her.

The doctor’s jaw tightened as he obviously clenched his teeth. Without a word, he stormed out of the office, through the office door that led outside rather than into the house. Franklin locked the door behind him. The guests could freaking ring for them if they needed something. This was a ranch, not a hotel. On off hours, one of the brothers carried an emergency contact phone. The people here for the retreat this weekend could darn well use it.

“We have a problem,” Eds gasped as he ran into the office. His hair was wet with traces of snow still in it. Neal was on his heels.

Franklin glanced toward the door where Dr. Fields had just left. It seemed to be one thing after another today, and it was barely noon. “What now?”

“We were coming across the north field and saw Madison’s car heading toward the main road. I know you guys wouldn’t have let her just leave—”

“What!” Connor exclaimed, but Franklin was already heading for the living room. Sure enough through the window he saw a blank spot where her tiny car had been.

“Shit,” he cursed under his breath, and Connor didn’t even chide him. Probably because he felt the same way. “What the hell? She was sound asleep.”

“I’m sure Fields’ yelling woke her,” Connor growled.

“But why did she leave? She seemed perfectly happy.”

“Who the hell knows with women?” Connor glanced over. “We should follow her. I don’t trust that little roller skate to do anything but land her in a ditch.”

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