Page 50 of Protective Cowboy

Autumn couldn’t resist asking him, “Which reminds me, how old is your baby girl now? The one born to your mistress before our divorce was finalized?”

Murmurs—and a few snickers—rippled through the onlookers.

Speechless with rage, Phillip glared at Autumn and Matt. Then he turned on his heel and stalked off.

Autumn let her gaze drift over the crowd, taking in the supportive faces of her friends and neighbors. Rick Stinson gave her a thumbs up. Mrs. Parker smiled and nodded at her.

Relief washed over her. No one believes Phillip’s lies.

Because everyone in Snowberry Springs knew her, trusted her. They had her back.

She swayed, her knees suddenly weak in the encounter’s aftermath.

“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” Matt said. “Why don’t I walk you home?”

Home. The word sent a pang through her heart. After two days, Matt’s house was quickly becoming more of a home than the house she’d shared with Phillip for nine years.

I should think seriously about Matt’s offer to rent me his spare rooms.

She found Jayden. He looked nervously at his dad’s departing back, then grabbed for her hand.

Matt guided them through the crowd thronging the market. As she walked, Autumn realized she was shaking like a leaf.

She recalled the venom in Phillip’s eyes as he left.

She knew him. He wouldn’t let this go. He’d find some way to punish her for rejecting him.

“Do you want me to stay with you?” Matt asked, draping a protective arm around her shoulders as they walked. “I can call Gabe and ask him to take over the rest of my shift.”

Autumn shook her head. “We’ll be okay, but thanks. And you bet I’ll be heading for Livingston first thing tomorrow morning. Phillip is completely out of control.”

She fervently hoped the judge would grant her the Order of Protection.

“Good.” Matt gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “We’ve got this.”

Chapter Twelve

Protection

Livingston, Montana

Monday

“Here’s to Judge Arran,” Autumn said, raising her margarita glass. “And my shiny new Order of Protection.”

It had been a stressful morning, but Judge Arran hadn’t laughed Autumn out of court, as she’d feared. After Autumn had answered Her Honor’s questions, Matt had offered his testimony regarding Phillip’s threats and his harassing behavior, both at the ranch on Friday and yesterday at the Farmers’ Market.

Now Autumn was starving. It was a good thing they’d come to Fiesta Jalisco as soon as the hearing ended and she had her temporary Order of Protection in hand.

She hadn’t eaten since breakfast, too nervous to even think about food. But now she felt light and giddy, the weight of her worries lighter with the document in her purse.

“To Judge Arran!” Matt clinked glasses with her, then solemnly repeated the action with Jayden’s glass of soda.

“And here’s to being housemates,” Autumn added, using a tortilla chip to scoop up salsa. She’d done a lot of thinking yesterday afternoon and evening, then talked to Jayden about what he wanted. “Jayden and I want to take you up on your offer. If you still want to rent us your spare rooms.”

“Heck yeah,” Matt said. “After that chicken pot pie, I’m willing to give you a discount on your rent if you promise to take over all the cooking.”

“No need. You’re already giving us a great rate. I’d love to cook if you and Jayden continue to do all the cleanup. I absolutely hate washing dishes,” she confessed.

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