Page 5 of Protective Cowboy

“Hi Mommy!” he greeted her cheerfully. “Kenny and Ethan want to know if I can come over to their place on Saturday to play Minecraft.”

Guilt gnawed at her. How could she tell him they were leaving Bozeman and all of his friends?

Jayden frowned, apparently sensitive to her mood. “What’s wrong? You look sad.”

Autumn forced a smile. “Sweetie, I need to talk to you about something important.”

His blue eyes, so like her own, gazed at her curiously. “Did Dad come home early? Is he mad about something?” His tone was wary.

Autumn swallowed hard. “No, he isn’t home yet, and this doesn’t have anything to do with you.” She reached for his hand. “Your dad and I have been having some problems. So, I’ve decided that you and I are going to go stay with Grandma and Grandpa at the ranch for a while. Won’t that be fun?”

Jayden’s eyes widened. “Just us? Daddy’s not coming?”

Autumn nodded, bracing herself for a flood of protests and questions.

“Okay.” To her surprise, Jayden broke into a huge grin. “That’s awesome! I can’t wait to see Grandpa’s horses and the goats. Can I take riding lessons again?”

Autumn nodded. “Of course! I mean, if it’s okay with your grandpa and Uncle Spring,” she added hastily.

Minecraft with his friends apparently forgotten, Jayden spent the drive home chattering eagerly about his cousins and everything he wanted to do at the ranch.

The knot in Autumn’s chest loosened a little. She’d been worried about traumatizing her son with news of the separation and move, but he actually seemed to look forward to living on the ranch.

∞∞∞

The next day, Autumn took a deep breath as she taped up the last box in preparation for the movers, who were arriving at 4:00 p.m.

Looking around the living room, now emptied of all her knickknacks and personal touches, regret stabbed her. This had been her home for nearly a decade. It was the place where Jayden had taken his first steps, said his first words. Where she and Phillip had shared laughter and tears, joy and heartbreak.

But it was also the place where Phillip’s harsh words had cut her down again and again. Where his lies and secrets had shattered her trust.

She closed her eyes and took a deep, cleansing breath.

Everything’s going to be okay, she told herself. This is a chance to start over. And this time, I’ll make sure things turn out differently.

Chapter Two

Baa-d Behavior: Snowberry Springs’ Most Wanted

Snowberry Springs, Montana

August 8

“Baa.”

Is there a goat somewhere behind me? Deputy Sheriff Matt Parker paused, his brow furrowing.

Nah, that can’t be right. He glanced toward the Children’s Petting Zoo, located in a temporary corral at the edge of Town Square Park. And decided it must’ve been some kind of weird echo from the tall brick storefronts surrounding the park on three sides.

He turned his attention back to the opening ceremony for the Vintage Railroad Days Festival.

The morning sun beat down on his neck as he adjusted his uniform hat and surveyed the bustling crowd. He stood sentry at the back of the audience, scanning for troublemakers among the sea of cowboy hats and sundresses.

Tall trees cast welcome shade over the rows of folding chairs set up on the grass in front of the white gazebo band pavilion that served as a stage.

Behind the pavilion, the town’s recently renovated nineteenth-century train station stood as a testament to both the past and the future of Snowberry Springs.

A cool breeze carried the smoky aroma of barbecued ribs and tri-tip to his nose. Matt’s stomach rumbled in response, reminding him he’d skipped breakfast to help with the festival set-up.

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