Page 48 of Alive and Wells

“Pretty sure seeing your car parked here will be a dead giveaway. Unless this is your way of saying you’ll let me buy you a truck to drive?”

“No, it’s definitely not. I’m just unsure what to tell them.”

“Like I said, you don’t need to tell ’em anything.” He slides open the massive barn door to reveal fourteen of the twenty-man crew.

Denny looks up at us and nods knowingly. “Aus. Filly.”

“Hey, guys. Congrats on the big win, Jacky.” Austin shakes the short, dark-haired man’s hand. “Can I talk to you guys for a minute?”

A few men grumble, which gives added power to the nervous whirlpool in my stomach.

“So, we have a… threat.” His eyes drift over to meet mine and the men all follow his gaze.

So much for letting me get away with not saying anything.

“Um, hey.” It doesn’t matter that I’ve become decent friends with most of these guys, I’m terrible at speaking in front of a crowd. “Shit, I didn’t want to have to say anything, but obviously I didn’t turn up at Wells Ranch because I’m a professional cowboy or something.”

A couple guys chuckle.

“My, uh, husband…” I watch Red’s eyes nearly spring from their sockets as he looks at me and then over at Austin. “We’re separated so I should’ve said ex-husband... Anyway, that’s not important. I left and came here because he was abusive and—um, a person I thought was my friend helped him track down my approximate location and, basically, he let me know hewillbe finding me. So, Austin—”

“We’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen.” Austin cuts me off. “During the day there are enough people around, it’ll be fine. At night, I need somebody to keep an eye on the place. You see any strange vehicles coming up the driveway? Call me.”

“You got it, boss.” Red’s jaw is stiff and his eyes narrow.

“Nobody messes with Filly,” Colt agrees.

“We all good to take turns?” Denny looks around at the other guys, who nod in agreement. A unanimous decision to take turns staying up all night, in a potentially dangerous situation, to look out for me. I could cry, and hug each one of them, and cry some more. But they all casually go back to their tasks like we just asked them if they were okay with ham instead of turkey in their sandwiches tomorrow.

“Denny, you good to handle tonight?” Austin asks.

Even though I knew this was the plan, I can’t deny that it hurts to know Austin would prefer to spend tonight alone than be with me. Pawn me off on his brother, like I’m a small child who needs to be babysat. Everything he isn’t saying is what I hear the loudest; I can’t believe I was dumb enough to think there was a chance he would ask me to go home with him.

“Done deal. Filly, you’re coming to town with us.” Denny smiles.

“That’s not the deal.” A muscle in Austin’s jaw pops.

“Well then, find somebody else to watch her, ’cause I’m going out tonight.”

The two men stare each other down, and I ask, “Wait, go to town for what?”

“Jacky won the cutting competition at Stampede, so he’s got a good chunk of change in his pocket to buy beer. Plus, a shiny new belt buckle means he’ll be wheeling all the ladies tonight. We’re going out to celebrate.”

Ignoring the burning of Austin’s scowl, I say, “Sounds like fun. I’m in. When are we leaving?”

Denny pulls his phone from his T-shirt front pocket to check the time. “Uh, give us half an hour to shit, shave, and shower. Then meet us over at Red’s truck.”

Would I rather spend the night with Austin? Yes. But that’s apparently not what he’s interested in doing, so I’m going to go shake my ass at the bar.For Kate.

“Cecily.” Austin’s voice carries across the grass, chasing me as I skip back to my house. I’m already planning out what I’ll wear and looking forward to putting makeup on for the first time in ages. By the time Austin finally catches up to his booming shout, I’m standing on the steps to my cabin.

“Just stay at my place tonight. Then you don’t have to go to town.”

I take a breath, mulling over my thoughts before I say something stupid. Like, telling him I’m mad at him for not suggesting I stay to begin with. He was perfectly content to let me sleep in my own bed, guarded by his ranch hands, until he heard I’d be going to the bar. If he wants to play it this way, so be it. I’ll make sure he regrets not asking sooner.

“Did you ever consider whether Iwantto go? I’m going to get dressed up, have some fun, let loose, give you a night off. Plus, Jacky won, so I obviously need to go celebrate.”

I have no idea what kind of competition he won, but that’s neither here nor there.

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