Page 15 of Protective Cowboy

Autumn glanced up at Matt. The vulnerability and relief in her expression ignited a fierce protectiveness in him.

“Everything’s fine, Officer,” the stranger said before she could answer. His smile looked as fake as a three-dollar bill. “We’re just having ourselves a family reunion. I haven’t seen my kid in months, ya know? I’ve really missed my little man.”

Family? What the hell’s that supposed to mean?

“Are you okay, Autumn?” Matt asked, pointedly addressing her.

He saw the stranger’s scowl out of the corner of his eye.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said everything’s fine,” the other man repeated, his arrogant tone grating.

Yep. Asshole. Matt knew the type—older, entitled, and a bully.

A spurt of rage shot through him as he noticed Autumn’s eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

“Hey, Matt…” Autumn rose to her feet. “I… It’s just—Phillip and I were having a discussion.”

This is Phillip Garthe? The realization sent an unpleasant jolt through Matt.

Thanks to the local grapevine, he’d heard a lot of stories about Autumn’s ex-husband over the years. None of them good.

Matt’s jaw tightened as he looked back and forth between them.

“Looks a little more intense than a discussion,” he pointed out, trying to keep his tone even. His gaze lingered on Jayden, who clung to his mother’s waist. “Jayden, buddy, how are you doing? Everyone’s worried about you.”

“I’m fine, Deputy Matt,” the boy whispered.

Matt didn’t miss the nervous glance he shot in his father’s direction.

“See, everything’s okay and under control. Now, if you’ll excuse us,” Phillip snapped. “I’m in the middle of a private conversation with my wife.”

“Ex-wife,” she snapped. “And I can speak for myself, thank you very much. We’re divorced, remember?”

“Maybe you gave up on us, but I never did!” Phillip retorted, his eyes narrowing at Autumn.

He then turned his pale stare to Matt. “You can move along now, Officer. We’re all fine. As you can see.” His tone oozed with condescension.

“And our discussion is over,” she added. Matt didn’t miss how she edged fractionally closer to him. “Leave us alone, Phillip. I’m done with you.”

Phillip’s mouth thinned even further. “We’re not done until I say we’re done.” He crossed his arms. “You can’t keep my son from me, babycakes.”

Babycakes? Matt thought incredulously.

Judging by her expression, Autumn didn’t like the nickname any more than he did.

“Actually,” Matt drawled, crossing his arms over his broad chest, “I think I’ll stick around. You know, just in case there’s any more trouble.”

Phillip scoffed, his nostrils flaring in annoyance. “What kind of trouble would that be, Officer? Or is it illegal now for a man to treat his son to ice cream?”

“You know you triggered a missing child alert, don’t you?” Matt asked coldly.

“Seriously?” Phillip’s expression twisted. He turned to Autumn. “Jeez. You always were a drama queen, but you called the cops on me? Seriously?”

Autumn’s glance darted uncertainly between the two men.

Matt remembered the laughing, confident woman of just a short while ago, and his annoyance at Phillip’s bluster coalesced into genuine anger at seeing her like this now.

“Matt, I appreciate your concern,” Autumn said, her voice wavering. “But I can handle this.”

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