Page 36 of Meant for Her

“I don’t think you’re in any shape to be going anywhere for a while.”

Malia looked at Luke, hoping he would agree. “That’s all the more reason to have my rifle in the house. Who knows what these men are capable of.”

Ted nodded. “I see your point. I’ll bring them in shortly. Did you graze any of the men?”

Luke glanced over at her, and she slightly shook her head. Luke had shot two of them—or so Ryan had told her. If these men were caught, being werewolves, they could show the deputy they had no bullet wounds, so it couldn’t have been them.

“I shot at them, but I don’t think I hit anyone. I was rattled, what with seeing our hard work being driven off in those trucks.”

She was impressed with his quick-thinking response.

The deputy made more notes. “Did you get a good look at these men? I mean, you must have if they were close enough to beat you up.”

Even she winced at that statement.

“They all wore bandanas—some red and some blue.”

“Any distinguishing features?”

Luke blew out a breath. He seemed like he really wanted to remember. “Everything happened so fast. One second, they were driving away, and the next, they were shooting at us. When six men run at you with guns blazing, you don’t think to memorize what they looked like.”

“I understand.”

“I did think to check the license plate for a number, but they’d removed it.”

Ted Dennison made another note. “This sounds like a professional group of rustlers.”

“That’s what I thought,” Luke said. “What are the chances of finding our cattle? They’re all branded.”

“You know as well as I do that brands can be changed. I assume yours was an L in a circle, just like the name of the ranch.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ted shook his head. “It would be easy to add a line or two to make it different enough to fool a few less discerning people. But if we find your cows, we should be able to prove they are yours if you have the paperwork.”

“I do.”

“Good.”

Luke winced and then rubbed his leg. That was a nice touch. Ted stood, hopefully believing that Luke needed his rest. “Let me retrieve your guns.”

When he left, Luke looked over at her. “How do you think it went?”

“I thought it went well, but I’m surprised he didn’t want to speak with Ryan.”

“I don’t plan to ask him about it.”

Ted returned a moment later with the rifle and gun. He placed them on the floor near the door. “I’m sorry this happened. The sheriff and I will do our best to find these men and your cows.”

If they did, those six werewolves might not want to leave any witnesses. Malia certainly wasn’t going to mention that the wolf attacks in this area were not from animals but rather from werewolves. It was one of the many reasons why their kind didn’t want the world to know of their existence. There would always be some bad werewolves.

“Thank you,” Luke said in a voice she’d never heard before. He could kiss up with the best of them.

Ted then faced her. “Nurse them back to health quickly.”

“I plan on it.” Once more she smiled.

Ted left, and Malia dropped onto the chair. Luke tore off the blanket and sat up.

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