Live for Me (Hallow Ranch)

Chapter Twenty

Abbie

Three days later. Hallow Ranch.

I walked by the bunkhouse, then the massive red barn, my eyes on the black “H” painted on the front of it as the gravel crunched underneath my boots, the summer breeze shifting my sage green, cotton dress that fell just above my knees. I stopped, tipping my head back to study the barn, the horses neighing on the inside. The familiar sound of spurs filled my ears and I dropped my head to find Mags standing at the opening of the barn, a grand black stallion behind him. I couldn’t see the cowboy’s eyes under the brim of his black hat, but I could feel them studying me, burning into my skin, trying to expose me from the inside out. He was dressed in worn Levi’s, black boots, a black t-shirt, and, a gray and black flannel.

I shifted on my feet and gave him a slight nod. “Good morning, Mags.”

He raised his fingers to the brim of his hat, tipping it to me. “Abbie,” he greeted, his voice gruff.

A tight smile found my face, and I looked down to my feet.

Mags intimidated the hell out of me.

I still remembered the first day he came to Hallow Ranch. His beard had been down to his chest, his hair longer and more untamed. His clothes had been dirty and the only thing he had was a military duffel on his shoulder. It was the dead of winter when he walked into Hayden, looking for work. Everyone told him to come to Hallow Ranch to see if the brokenhearted eldest Langston brother could give him a job.

Denver hired him on the spot.

“If you’re looking for Beau, you won’t find him here.”

I jumped, and my head shot up.

Mags was moving then, leading his stallion to the water bin outside the corral.

“Oh, I wasn’t looking for Beau,” I said to Mags’ back. Granted, we needed to have a conversation about the other night, about the way he made me feel, and then I needed to tell him it could never happen again. It was just a one-time thing, getting rid of the tension between us.

That’s all that was.

You slept in his bed—the one he carried you to. Remember?

I shoved the voice inside my head back, choosing to ignore that memory. Beau held me for the rest of the night, and by the time I woke up late the next morning, he had left. He didn’t return to the cabin until I was already asleep—in my bedroom. He didn’t come get me. The next day, again, I didn’t see him at all. The last two days, I’d sat in that cabin, replaying everything, and today, I didn’t have the strength to be trapped inside all day again.

The dark cowboy said nothing, and I watched him as he finished tying off his horse. When he finally turned to me, my back straightened, and I braced myself for all the horrible things he must have to say to me. Just like Mason. Just like Denver. I was making my rounds, I guess, taking a verbal beating from all the cowboys at Hallow Ranch for what I did to Beau.

You deserve it, Abbie.

Just stand there and take it.

Mags slowly made his way to me, wiping his hands on a black cloth he’d pulled from the back pocket of his jeans. “How are you holding up?” he asked.

I blinked.

Was Mags—was Mags engaging in conversation? With me?

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. So, I did the next most logical thing: close it. He stared down at me, his face unreadable. I opened my mouth, trying again, but I could only manage to get out one word. “Fine,” I said, my voice squeaking.

He kept his face set as he spoke, not letting me read him at all. “You don’t have to lie to me.”

“Truth be told, Mags, I don’t know what to say to you,” I blurted.

“The truth is usually a good start.”

“I’m sorry, are you—are you trying to have a conversation with me, or are you just stalling?”

“Stalling?” he parroted, staring at me.

I nodded and took a step back. “You can do it anytime, you know? I can take it. Hell, Mags, I fucking deserve it.”

“Abbie, I’m afraid I have no idea what the hell you’re referring to,” he deadpanned, stuffing the black cloth in the back pocket of his jeans. “I have a busy damn day ahead.” With that, he turned around, heading back to his horse.

“The verbal beating,” I blurted out before I could stop it.

The cowboy stopped mid-step, but didn’t look back.

“You’re supposed to tell me how awful I am for hurting Beau like that, tell me I’m not welcome here. You’re supposed to tell me you hate me, and that when this is all over, to never come back to Hallow Ranch. To leave Beau alone,” I called out to his back, my chest feeling tight.

This wasn’t on my to-do list for today.

I was living in the house that was supposed to be mine, with the man I was supposed to marry, and he wasn’t talking to me. He still wanted me. God , how he wanted me. I would never be able to get the look of raw need he had in his eyes while standing in that kitchen, how he told me to get away from him, out of my head. He wore that same look as he touched me, making me feel pleasure I hadn’t felt in years.

The truth was, I wanted Beau.

I wanted to run and jump into his arms. I wanted to kiss him until I couldn’t breathe and give him the pleasure he deserved and oh so desperately needed.

The last two nights, I’d been tossing and turning in bed. When I finally managed to fall asleep, my mind was plagued with nightmares of the faceless men who threatened me. The men in masks who told me to leave Hallow Ranch six years ago could still be out there, and in my nightmare, they’d found out I was back.

My body pulled me out of the nightmares because my soul couldn’t take the sounds of Beau’s screams.

If they found out I was here, they would kill him. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind about that and I’d been foolish enough to give into him, to fall back into the past with him. Guilt was eating me alive, poisoning me. The other night with Beau had been a mistake, a stupid, stupid mistake that could cause the man I loved to die.

I was a failure.

A burden.

“Abbie.”

I blinked, the sound of Mags’ voice yanking me out of my thoughts. He was facing me now, his brow furrowed. This was the first time I’d ever seen the man show any emotion. “Yes?”

“It’s not my place to judge you. If Beau wants you at Hallow Ranch, then that’s where you’ll be. Simple as that.”

Before I could utter a word, he was walking away from me. He didn’t understand. None of them would ever understand.

The longer I was at Hallow Ranch, the sooner Beau would die.

I made my way up the hill, my somewhat of a conversation with Mags still on replay in my mind. When I reached the tall tree in front of the main house, I said a silent prayer, the fears manifested from my nightmares settling over me.

The truth was, I’d been so overwhelmed with my stalker, Beau kidnapping me, and my house being destroyed, I didn’t have time to fully contemplate the fact that danger was still here, in Hayden. I’d been in need of a good distraction, and when my boss assigned me this story, I grabbed it.

Now, I had to go into town today, and I prayed six years was long enough for those bastards. I leaned against the tree, closing my eyes for a moment, and listened to the birds chirping all around me, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, the breeze in my hair as I held my laptop at my side.

Minutes passed, and when I heard the sound of a car coming down the gravel path, I opened my eyes. I tensed, seeing a large, dark green RAM truck with a law enforcement logo on the side pulled over on the side of the path. I remained against the tree, somewhat hidden in the shade as a man got out of the truck, putting a tan cowboy hat on his head. It looked out of place and, deep in my gut, I knew this man wasn’t a cowboy. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

He turned around, looking up at the main house, making his way towards it. My eyes dropped to the gun on his hip, and a chill ran down my spine. He pulled out his phone, dialing a number before putting the device to his ear.

“I’m here, Langston,” he clipped. “Where are you?” He was silent for a moment. “I shouldn’t have to chase you or your brother down,” he snapped. “You wanted me here, and I’m here. I’m standing in your front fucking yard.” Another pause. “Yeah, you have five minutes to get here, or I’m gone.”

I watched in silence as he pocketed the phone, muttering something about how much he hated this ranch. My head tilted to the side. There was something familiar about him.

He turned around, freezing when he spotted me under the tree and I pushed off the trunk and stepped into the full sunlight. “Hello. Can I help you?”

The man reached up and slowly took off his hat, revealing himself.

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Abbie Spears,” Ricky drawled, giving me a smile I hadn’t seen before. I took in his new-looking boots, clean jeans, and tan button up. My eyes lingered on the badge on his hip.

He was the Wildlife Warden.

“Ricky Johnson,” I greeted, the hairs on the back of my neck rising. I clutched my laptop tighter to my chest. That was the thing about Ricky; he always gave me the creeps. Not to mention, his father hated me because my mother only fucked him once and didn’t want seconds. He stayed outside our trailer all night once, begging for another chance, promising her a good life. She didn’t take the bait, and even though she was a shit mom, I needed to thank her for that. God only knows what would’ve happened if she actually ended up marrying that awful man.

“Been a long time, girl,” he said, laughing.

“That it has,” I replied curtly, wanting nothing more than to leave. I looked over to the main house, finding the porch empty, no sign of Harmony’s car. She was supposed to give me a ride into town, and while she was running errands, I would be following the story. I’d stayed up half the night digging into the contracts that went sour years ago with the hotel developers. No sense in sleeping if I was going to get pulled into nightmares.

“What are you doing here? At Hallow Ranch?” he asked, his voice slicker than oil. “I thought you left this town in your rearview mirror years ago.”

Of course, I couldn't tell him the truth—not that I wanted to anyway. I cleared my throat, raising my chin higher. “I’m here for a story.”

His eyes dropped to my laptop, lingering longer than they should’ve. “Your story about the embezzlement case was really good.”

My brows went up. “You—you follow my articles?”

Another laugh left him, a rich, practiced sound. He shook his head, a huge grin on his face as the wind around us shifted. “I thought you knew.”

“Knew what?” I asked, taking a step forward, anxious thoughts filling my mind instantly.

He beamed at me. “You’re famous, Abbie. You went out and proved everyone wrong. You’re usually the talk of the town every single Sunday.”

I blinked, shock shooting through my veins as I tried to figure out if he was joking with me or not. I was unsure of what to say, and I shifted my weight, looking to the ground. Suddenly, I felt exposed—small. Ricky took a step forward, then another, not stopping until he was less than a foot from me.

“I know your momma was never proud of you,” he began softly, his eyes warm. “I know I wasn’t the nicest to you in school, but you need to hear me say this as someone who foolishly doubted you in the past: I’m proud of you.”

I jerked by back slightly. That was the last thing I expected him to say. “I didn’t leave this shit hole of a town to go to college and build a thriving career in journalism for your approval—or anyone else’s,” I replied, glaring at him. Why the hell would his opinion matter to me? He was proud of me? I could give less of a shit.

The side of his mouth tipped up in a cocky smirk I would take great pleasure in slapping off. “Oh, I’m well aware, Abbie, but you deserved to know someone out there is proud of you.

“I’m proud of myself,” I snapped.

His eyes dropped then, taking in my appearance for a second time. “You look good, Abbie. Real good.”

God, he made my skin crawl.

I was ready to give him a piece of my mind, but the sound of horses running stopped me. I looked over my shoulder and past the tree, my heart skipping a beat to find not only Denver and Mason heading this way, but also Beau. His blue eyes collided with mine, holding them for a moment before he looked to Ricky.

The cowboys slowed their horses to a stop a few feet from us. Denver was glaring at Ricky as Mason leaned forward, resting his arms on the saddle horn.

“Took you long enough, Johnson,” Mason drawled, his jaw working as he chewed his gum.

Beau clicked his tongue, and his golden steed took a few steps forward. “A little close, aren’t you?” he clipped at the warden.

Ricky’s lips tipped up in a cocky smile. “We were just having a conversation, Beau.”

“And that conversation is over, Ricky ,” Beau shot back, his voice dangerously low. “I suggest you take a step back.”

Ricky looked over to me, and there was a look in his eyes that all men got when they saw something they couldn’t have. I lifted my chin, glaring back at him. Ricky was the worst kind of man, and the look in his eyes was proof enough.

“I can’t believe you’re still putting up with this, Abbie,” Ricky said conversationally.

I gave the man a thin smile. “The only thing I’m having to put up with is you,” I said sweetly before moving away from him. The sound of another car grabbed my attention, and I looked over my shoulder to see Harmony pulling up. I stopped in my tracks and looked up at the golden cowboy atop his golden steed. He was staring down at me, his eyes aflame, his knuckles white around his reins.

“I’m going into town,” I told him softly as Spirit turned his head, greeting me with a nudge. I put my hand on his nose, giving him a quick pet. “Hi, handsome,” I murmured to the animal. He neighed in reply, and a true smile spread across my face.

“You’re nicer to my horse than you are to me,” Beau noted gruffly from above.

I looked back up at him, holding my hand up to block the sun. “Seeing as how I haven’t seen or spoken to you in days, you don’t deserve nice, Beau Marks.”

A muscle jumped in his tanned check, and a low curl of desire flicked between my legs. This cowboy had too much power over me. I didn’t know whether to be pissed off or give in.

He was about to speak when Mason cut in. “Best get a move on, Abbie. Harm likes to hit up every shop in the damn town when she goes.”

Twisting my neck, I looked over to the bull rider, and he tipped his hat to me.

He was being nice to me.

Why the hell was he being nice to me?

Beau called out to Harmony then, who was standing beside her car. “Drop her back off at the bunkhouse when you’re done.”

The redhead smiled. “Will do, Beau,” she said before looking at me. “You ready?”

Nodding, I stole one more look at Beau, the sight of him igniting my soul. “See you later.”

“Be safe for me,” he said to my back.

As I got into Harmony’s car, those four words branded themselves on my soul, scorching it the same way the heat of his gaze did.

“I’ll be at the diner in about an hour to pick up dinner,” Harmony said as she swung into a parking spot in front of the Hayden Hotel. “Meet me there?”

I unbuckled. “Deal. Thanks for driving me.”

“At least it’s better than helping you run away,” she deadpanned, a smile teasing the corner of her lips.

Minutes later, I watched her walk across the street towards the small grocery store, and once I made sure she was inside, I turned and headed into the hotel. The doors were heavy like I remembered, the brass handles glittering in the bright sunlight, adding to the charm. I’d always loved this place. Aside from Hallow Ranch, it was the only place in Hayden I’d ever felt truly safe or even wanted when I was kid. I stepped inside, the cool air hitting my face, to find the lobby empty.

“Abbie? Is that you?” the old man behind the antique wooden checkout counter asked, a wall of gold and silver room keys behind him.

The smell of old books, leather, and firewood filled my nostrils as I made my way across the cream tile, the heels of my boots providing a comforting sound along the way. Once I reached the counter, I smiled at the old man, happy to know he was still around. As kids, Beau and I used to joke that the Bart was older than the town of Hayden itself.

“Hi,” I greeted warmly, placing my hands on the smooth, polished wood. God, the stories this hotel could tell. “How are you, Bart?”

He pushed his glasses up his nose before slowly rising to his feet, grunting as his knees cracked. “I’m doing just fine, darlin’. Been missing you, that’s for sure.”

My throat thickened, emotion gathering right in the middle, making it difficult for me to respond. Instead, I gave him another smile and he lifted his shaking hand, pointing to the grand room to the right of me. “That room isn’t as bright anymore,” he said, laughing a bit as he threw his arms out slowly, making a show of it. “It used to light up when you came in here, carrying a sack of books in your arms. Never seen such determination before, and I haven’t since.”

When I was in high school and finally away from my mother, I’d found that trying to study around a bunch of cowboys was harder than it looked. So, on the weekends, Jigs would drive me into town so I could study here, in the grand room. The town of Hayden didn’t have a library anymore, having lost its funding before I was even born. The schools, of course, didn’t let anyone come in on the weekends or evening to study. The Hayden Hotel was the only place I could get some quiet and focus. Without Bart’s kindness, I don’t think I would’ve made it out of this town.

Education was everything to me. It had been my only way out.

“I’m glad to see the place hasn’t changed,” I said, looking around.

He made a gruff sound of agreement. “Like hell, I would change this place. It’s been in my family for generations.”

I knew that.

Everyone knew that.

The Hayden Hotel was one of the oldest in the state, which was why I wanted to know if he was really planning on selling it to another developer. “Bart, I came here to ask you some questions for a story,” I told him, placing my laptop on the counter. “Would that be alright?”

He scratched the white scruff dusting his jaw. “Well, sure, darlin’. I’d be happy to answer any of your questions, but I don’t want to sit behind this old counter to do it. Let’s go into the Grand Room. My granddaughter can hold down the fort here for a bit.”

Granddaughter?

He looked over his shoulder to the opened door on the left side of the counter. “Margaret, be a doll, and mind the desk for me.”

A soft voice followed. “Yes, Grandfather.”

Minutes later, after Bart led me to my usual table in the corner of the Grand Room, I got down to business. “What do you know about the hotel developers who came into a town a few years ago?” I asked, pulling up a blank document on my laptop to take notes.

The old man stared at me, the button of his pearl-snap glowing from the rays of the afternoon sun pouring in from the window behind me. “Is that what your story is about, Abbie?” he asked slowly.

I met his eyes and nodded once. “Yes, sir,” I confirmed, looking back down to my laptop, ready to take notes. Usually, I would have a pen and a notebook, but Beau failed to pack that the night he kidnapped me.

“Sweetheart, I’ve been around a long time, and I’ve had a lot of men in suits try and buy this property from me. You’re going to have to be a bit more specific.”

I relayed the information my boss gave me.

“So, you’re here to find out what happened to them?” he asked, seeking confirmation.

I inhaled a deep breath, sinking back into the old wooden chair, the leather padding cool against the top of my back as I crossed my legs. He watched as my hands fell away from the table, and I kept them in my lap as I said, “I’m here to find the truth.”

Something shifted in his gaze, glimmering with deception. “The truth can be ugly, Abbie,” he warned me gently. A cold, haunting chill trickled down my spine.

“The truth is the truth, Bart. You and I both know this. My boss thinks the world—at least, this small part of the world—deserves to know this truth,” I told him plainly.

He blinked, his features softening all over again as a smile teased his lips, his white whiskers lifting slightly. “I’m just surprised you’re chasing this particular story, Abbie.” He chuckled, looking down to my laptop. “It’s going to be difficult to put that one on the wall.”

My brows snapped together. “What are you talking about? What wall?”

Bart looked over to the other side of the Grand Room, across the various tables and seating areas to the massive stone fireplace.

A small gasp left me.

There, on either side of the fireplace, hung on the old, red brick, were elegant gold frames filled with newspaper clippings. I rose to my feet slowly, my breath halting as my eyes scanned over each one. Just as slowly, I made my way over to the far wall, wrapping my arms around myself. There were a few hotel guests littered throughout the room, minding their own business, working, having a cocktail from the bar in the next room, or even a cup of coffee from Miriam’s.

Once I was standing in front of the unlit fireplace, my head tipped back, taking in the articles going all the way up the red brick, stopping a few feet below the ceiling. Tears welled in my eyes.

I heard movement beside me, and without looking at the old man, I whispered, “Why did you do this?”

“You don’t like it?” he countered, his voice gentle. I looked at him, catching him just in time to see him look at the ground, muttering, “The boy said she would like it.”

“What boy?” I asked, turning to face him fully, a single tear sliding down my cheek.

Bart looking at me, his face filled with a mix of pride and sadness. “Your boy—your cowboy.”

“W-what?” I breathed out, my chest caving in. I looked back to the wall.

Beau did this ?

“You didn’t—you didn’t do this, Bart?” I asked, tripping over my words.

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “Don’t get me wrong, darlin’, I have all your newspapers saved back at my house. Those are mine to keep, but Beau…” He trailed off, shaking his head in disbelief. “Beau believed the town needed to see how successful you are. He said the people needed a reminder of the amazing woman they shamed for years.”

Another tear, and my lip began to wobble. “I don’t—I don’t understand. This was Beau?” I rasped, jerking my thumb to the wall.

Bart nodded. “Yeah, darlin’, it was all him.”

“Why on Earth would you let him do this to your hotel?” I pressed, reaching out blindly for the nearest leather chair before falling into it.

The old man stepped up to me, holding out his hand. Without a word, I placed mine on top, and he covered it with his other. “For the last several years, Beau has been doing all the maintenance for the hotel during the winter months, my dear.”

My lips parted.

Bart nodded, seeing the shock on my face. “He needed something to keep him busy, Abbie. Instead of payment, he asked for this,” he explained softly, gesturing to my career display. I said nothing, frozen as he let go of my hand and walked away. I stared straight ahead, my very first article in my direct line of sight. A few moments later, Bart returned, placing my closed laptop down on the small table beside the chair before pulling up his own. He sat in front of me then, blocking the view of the article that essentially launched my career years ago.

“My girl,” he cooed, grabbing my hands again. “Look at me.”

It was difficult, but when I finally managed to meet his gaze, all I’d found was warmth—understanding. “Love is a puzzle, darlin’. It takes time to put all the pieces together,” he murmured.

Love.

I bit down on my tongue. “Don’t,” I begged, my voice thick. “I-I just came here for a story, Bart. That’s all.”

His warm smile slowly faded, sadness quickly replacing it. “You need to talk to your cowboy before I can give you anything else, Abbie.”

I shook my head and pulled my hands from his. “This isn’t about love, Bart. This is about—”

“—Abbie, you dig any deeper, you’ll end up digging a grave,” he cut me off, leaning forward. “Talk. To. Your. Cowboy.”

You dig any deeper, you’ll end up digging a grave.

You dig any deeper, you’ll end up digging a grave.

You dig any deeper, you’ll end up digging a grave.

A grave.

When the realization hit me, my heart thundered, the sound filling my ears, and my vision filled with black spots.

Hallow Ranch was behind the disappearance of those developers.