King Creek Cowboys Box Set 1

Chapter 13

Miranda flopped down in her recliner. She’d spent the day in Phoenix and Scottsdale with her parents, who had just dropped her off. Miranda had been worried about how her mom would be after meeting Justin last night. Betty had taken some time to thaw out, but after a while she was easier to talk with.

It was only seven now. They’d had an early dinner, and Betty had wanted to return to the bed and breakfast to take aspirin for her headache and enjoy a bubble bath. That was one enjoyment Miranda had inherited from her mom.

A knock at the door startled Miranda from her thoughts. She frowned. Who could be here? She didn’t know anyone who would just drop in, unless it was Justin. She brightened. She would love to see him right now.

Miranda pushed herself out of the recliner and made her way to the door. She smiled as she turned the doorknob, then opened the door.

Her smile vanished.

Craig stood on her doorstep.

Her whole world seemed to tip. What was he doing here? How did he know how to find her?

“Hey, babe.” Craig gave his lop-sided grin that used to make her smile. Now she just felt cold.

“What are you doing here?” She had tried not to snap the words but hadn’t been able to help it.

“I came to see you.” His smile broadened. “Can I come in?”

“No,” she said at the same time he pushed by her.

She spun, leaving the door open, heat burning her insides. “You need to leave.”

He dropped down onto the couch and rested one arm across the back of the couch and brought up his foot to rest on his knee. It was a completely relaxed and familiar pose. “I just got here. We need to talk.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” The heat inside her burned hotter. “You ruined everything between us when you started hitting me. There’s no going back and I will never forget what you did.”

“Babe, please.” His cocky smile vanished. “Sit down and let’s talk.”

“No.” She pointed to the open door. “Leave.”

He got to his feet and moved closer to her. “We are going to talk.”

She braced her hands on her hips. “How did you know where to find me?”

He shrugged. “Your mom is worried about you. She wants what’s best for you.”

The fury Miranda felt threatened to cause her to burst into flames. She loved her mother, but how dare she?

“Stop, Craig.” She clenched her jaw and her fists. “If she knew what you did to me, she would never have told you how to find me.”

His expression darkened. “If you ever tell anyone, I will make you regret it.”

A chill spread over her. “Leave, Craig.” She’d barely been able to say the words. Would he hit her again?

Once an abuser, always an abuser.

He stepped within her personal space, causing her to take a step back. “Do what’s right and come home with me. Now.” His expression and his words held darkness and a demand he clearly expected her to obey.

Miranda’s heart pounded and a ringing started in her ears. Craig was far bigger and stronger than she was. He’d retained his athletic physique, and the best she could hope for was to run. Even then, he might catch her.

She would never give in to him, and she would never give up.

Her throat worked as she swallowed. “You need to understand something. I do not love you and I will never go back to you.”

He reached behind him and her blood went cold. Did he have a gun? Would he shoot her if she didn’t go with him?

Instead of a gun, he brought out a folded piece of paper and held it up. “You didn’t fill out the document correctly and it came back to me.”

She nearly sank to her knees. The court document she’d been waiting for. “Give that to me.”

He grinned and tucked the paper into his back pocket again. “We’re still married, and you promised to love and obey me until death do us part.”

“You agreed to the divorce, Craig.” Her throat felt raw and scratchy as she spoke. “I will re-file and it will be finalized.”

He shook his head. “I changed my mind. You belong to me.”

“No.” She felt like her world was falling apart. “That will never happen. The sooner you understand and accept that, the better things will be.”

He moved into her space again and she couldn’t help but back away. What could she do to fix this? How could she get him to leave?

“Miranda?” Justin’s voice came from the open doorway. She cut her gaze in his direction and relief flowed through her at the sight of him.

“Is everything okay?” Justin’s question sounded casual, but underneath she heard the coldness and hardness he felt as he saw Craig standing over her.

Miranda started to speak but Craig cut her off. “What the hell do you want?” He growled the words at Justin.

“Miranda?” Justin ignored Craig.

“Craig was just leaving.” She glared at Craig. “Weren’t you.”

“No, I’m not leaving, cowboy. You are.” Craig’s expression grew darker and fear rose inside her again. Would he hurt Justin? She’d never seen him hurt anyone but her.

Justin stepped into the living room, moving closer to Craig. “Miranda said you’re leaving. I’ll be happy to make sure that happens.”

Craig clenched his hands into fists. “This is my wife. Mind your own business asshole.”

“You’re her ex,” Justin said. “Now, walk out that door while you still can.”

Craig shook his head. “We’re still married.” He sounded victorious.

Miranda felt as if she might throw up.

Justin kept his gaze on Craig. “Regardless, you are going to leave.”

Craig was about the same height as Justin, over six-two, and he drew himself up as if that might make him taller. He squared off with Justin. “Go before I put you into the hospital.”

Justin maintained his outward calm. “I’m going to tell you to leave one more time.”

Craig brought up his fist and swung.

Justin blocked the punch with his left arm, then slammed his right fist into Craig’s eye.

Craig howled in pain, then flung himself at Justin, who took a step back. Craig stumbled forward and Justin grabbed him and rammed his knee into Craig’s gut, and the man dropped to the floor.

A shout of fury exploded from Craig and he surged forward. He caught Justin with an uppercut to his jaw. Justin stumbled back

Miranda stood, frozen in place. She needed to call the sheriff’s department.

She managed to force herself to move and dug her cell phone out of her pocket. Her hands shook so hard she dropped the phone.

Justin dove in for another punch, this time with his left fist. It connected with Craig’s left eye.

Rage turned Craig’s face deep red. He bellowed and charged Justin.

Justin stepped aside and Craig tripped and fell onto the coffee table. The wood table splintered and collapsed from the impact.

Miranda scooped up her phone, punched in 9-1-1, and brought the phone to her ear.

Craig scrambled up from where he lay over the broken coffee table. He whirled and faced Justin. Craig breathed heavily, his eyes purple and swelling, his face red. A cut on his cheekbone beaded with blood and drops started to roll down his face.

“I’m going to kill you.” Craig’s words hung heavy in the air. “You don’t come between a man and his wife.”

The emergency operator came onto the line. Miranda’s voice shook as she gave her address and started to tell the operator what was happening.

Craig cut his gaze to her and saw she was on the phone. He moved the few steps toward her so fast she didn’t see his fist coming. He slammed it into her eye and knocked away the phone.

Miranda dropped to the floor, pain searing her head, her mind spinning.

Justin’s calm vanished and he snapped. He grabbed Craig by his shirt collar and slammed his fist into Craig’s face and then again and again.

Craig dropped to the floor and Justin went down and hit him once, twice more.

“Justin.” Miranda shouted his name. “Stop. He’s not worth going to jail for.”

Justin pulled his punch and snarled at Craig, who looked dizzy and unable to focus.

With a growl, Justin shoved Craig away. Justin got to his booted feet and stared down at Craig, who groaned, then shouted obscenities at both Justin and Miranda.

Justin kept an eye on Craig, even as he went to Miranda and helped her to her feet. “Are you okay?” His words came out gruff.

She nodded. “I’m fine.”

His eyes still flashed with anger, but his tone was gentle with her. She could tell he wanted to take her into his arms but needed to keep his focus on Craig.

Miranda scooped up her phone and brought it to her ear. Even as she did, she heard sirens. She spoke into the phone as she heard the 9-1-1 operator’s repeated request for her to explain her emergency. The operator told her the sheriff’s department would be arriving soon and to stay on the line.

The sirens came closer. She touched her face where Craig had hit her. The skin was tender and swelling and she felt nauseous. Something sticky coated her hand and she looked at it. Blood covered her fingers.

The sirens cut and she heard vehicles coming up the graveled driveway. Justin stepped into the doorway and waved to the approaching vehicles. Moments later, she heard the sound of a man asking Justin what was going on.

“Deputy Jones and Deputy Michaels, please come in.” Justin gestured to the deputies, who appeared in the doorway a few seconds later.

Craig groaned, seeming to come back to his senses. Despite the fact that Justin and two deputies were now in her home, she still felt the cold bite of fear.

Justin explained what had happened and that Craig had attacked both of them. Miranda and Justin said yes, they would like to press charges.

Craig became belligerent with the deputies, who cuffed him. Craig struggled to get away, but the deputies maintained control and got the man out to their SUV and locked him into the back of the vehicle.

In the meantime, Justin checked with Shari to make sure she could stay longer with Kaycee and was told that would be fine.

Deputy Jones returned and asked them if they needed medical attention and both Miranda and Justin declined.

After Jones finished asking his questions, he left and Justin closed the door behind him.

As he turned back to her, Miranda wanted to crumple to the floor. She glanced down and saw a folded piece of paper.

She knelt and with shaking hands, picked up the paper. She unfolded it and saw that it was the document with a form explaining it had not been filled out correctly.

Her face burned with pain, but now it burned with shame, too. She was still married to Craig.

Tears flowed down her cheeks as Justin took her into his arms. He held her for a long time.

“You’re all right now,” he said softly, and she cried harder. “Shh. I’m here.”

“I’m so sorry.” She finally found her words in between sobs. “He hit you.”

He forced her to look at him. His jaw was purpling from a bruise, but otherwise he looked okay.

“I’m fine.” He gently touched her face and she winced. He moved his hand away. “Seeing that bruise makes me want to hit him all over again.”

“Thank you for being here.” She blinked away more tears. “I didn’t expect you.”

“I figured I’d see if you were home and how your day went with your parents.” He narrowed his gaze. “I saw a different car than the one your parents rented. Your door was wide open, and I heard shouting. Something didn’t feel right.”

“I’m sorry about something else.” Her throat ached. “I found out I’m still married to Craig.”

Justin went still. “What?”

She blinked away more tears. “I’ve been waiting for the final court document.” She raised her hand that still clenched the papers from the court. “Apparently, I filled something out wrong and the document went to Craig. He kept it and I didn’t know until now what had happened.”

Justin didn’t say anything for a long moment.

“I’m sorry,” she said again. “I never thought anything would go wrong. I never expected it to be sent back.”

He finally said, “I would have liked to have known you didn’t have the final word. I would have taken things slower.”

More tears flowed down her cheeks and she looked away from him.

Justin pressed her closer to him. He didn’t say anything more and just held her.

What was he thinking? Was this the end?

Finally, he moved his hands to her shoulders and drew away to look into her eyes. “I need to get home to Kaycee. Do you want to call your parents to have them come stay with you?”

She shook her head. “I’d have to explain about my face and the coffee table, and some other things Craig broke. I’m not ready to talk to them about that tonight. I will tomorrow.”

“You could come to my home and stay in a guest bedroom,” Justin said.

She gave him a watery smile. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”

He kissed her forehead, hugged her again, then walked out the door.

She stood in the doorway and watched him leave. When she couldn’t see him anymore, she stepped back into her home, shut the door, and turned the bolt lock and door lock. She couldn’t help the tears that rolled down her cheeks. Had she lost Justin over her stupidity in not telling him about the document?”

More tears fell as she walked into her room and threw herself onto the bed. It was a long time before she managed to fall asleep.

The following morning, Miranda paced as she waited for her parents to come to her door. She had to do this. It was time.

Justin had called a half hour ago to check in on her and make sure she was okay. He’d sounded emotionally distant and her gut sank. She’d lost him, she knew it.

The sound of a car driving up caught her attention, but she stayed in the house. She didn’t want to explain what had happened to her face until her parents were sitting down.

A knock and this time she peered through the peephole. Yes, Betty and Richard stood on her doorstep.

She opened the door. “Hi, Mom and Dad.”

“Hello, dear.” Betty walked into the house and looked at the room, clearly judging Miranda’s space as lacking.

Miranda was too tired to be irritated and she had a splitting headache.

Richard walked in and looked at his daughter. He frowned. “What the hell happened to you?”

Betty turned and for the first time noticed Miranda’s face. Her eyes widened. “What did you do?”

“Have a seat.” Miranda gestured to the couch. She’d put the broken coffee table and all its pieces out back to throw away later.

Her parents sat and looked at her with concern.

Richard barked his words. “Did someone hit you?”

Miranda blew out her breath. “Yes.”

“Who?” Betty sat up straighter on the couch. “That cowboy?”

“No. Justin would never hurt me.” Miranda held back a scowl. She took a deep breath. “Craig showed up last night.”

Betty’s lips parted, but it was like she couldn’t think of anything to say.

“Did Craig hit you?” Richard looked thunderous.

“Yes.” Miranda spoke firmly. “He was going to force me to go back to Texas with him. I refused, but Craig wasn’t taking no for an answer. If Justin hadn’t shown up, I don’t know what would have happened.”

“Where is he?” Richard shouted. “I’ll take care of the sonofabitch.”

“He’s in jail.” Miranda let out her breath. “I’m pressing charges.”

“Craig hit you?” Betty spoke, shock clear in her voice. “Why would he do that?”

“It wasn’t the first time.” Miranda forced the words out. “He hit me during our marriage—on many occasions before I left him.”

Betty audibly sucked in her breath.

Richard got to his feet. “What?”

Miranda closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them. “I never told you because I was embarrassed, and Craig was like family.” She sighed. “I should have told you a long time ago.”

Betty rose and went to Miranda. She gathered Miranda in her arms. “You shouldn’t have had to bear that alone.” Tears spilled down Miranda’s cheeks and her mom rocked her. “We love you, honey. We would never have encouraged you to go back to him.”

Betty’s voice cracked and Miranda looked up at her. A tear rolled down Betty’s cheek. “If I hadn’t told Craig where you live now, this never would have happened.”

“You didn’t know, Mom.” Miranda had never seen her mother cry. She hugged Betty. “I should have told you.”

Miranda looked at her father, whose face was clearly red from anger at Craig and pain at seeing his daughter hurt. “If he wasn’t in jail, I might have put him in the hospital. Still might.”

She went to Richard and hugged him. “It’s over, Dad. Everything is going to be fine.”

“This Justin McLeod helped you?” Betty said. “How?”

“He showed up while Craig was trying to force me to go with him.” Miranda’s voice shook. “Justin told him to leave and Craig threw a punch at him. To make a long story short, Craig ended up with two black eyes and a bunch of bruises. Justin came out with a bruised jaw, but other than that, he’s okay.”

He wasn’t okay with Miranda, but at least he wasn’t hurt more than receiving a single punch from Craig.

She looked from her dad to her mom. “I’m done thinking and talking about Craig. Okay?”

“Instead of going out to the café, I’ll make breakfast here.” Betty obviously needed to do something she thought would be helpful to Miranda. “What do you have?”

“Bacon, eggs, and cheese are about all the breakfast foods I have,” Miranda said.

“I’ll make omelets.” Betty went into the kitchen area and set to preparing the meal.

Richard hugged Miranda again, squeezing her hard. “No one touches my baby girl,” he said, his voice tight. “If I’d known, honey, he never would have touched you again.”

“I know, Dad.” Miranda drew away and smiled at him. “Everything will be fine.”

Miranda and Richard went into the kitchen area and sat at the small table. She and her parents talked about her childhood, everyone keeping the conversation light and on a happier note.

Craig was out of her life now.

Was Justin gone, too?