Chapter 1 #2
No sooner had that thought gone through his head than he heard the pop.
Without thinking, he jumped out of the vehicle and rushed up behind her, wrapping his arms around her and taking her to the ground as a second pop followed.
As they fell, Cal looked to where she had been and saw the bullet ricochet off the rock.
“Are you hit?” he asked in a whisper.
She shook her head.
When he glanced at her, he saw that her face was pale, and she was shaking. His attention returned to the spot next to the creek to see what she had been investigating. He spotted a horse halter that looked as if someone had cut it.
“Do you have hunters on your property?”
She shook her head again.
Unease filled him. Was he still drunk, or had he just witnessed someone attempting a murder?
“We need to get back to the UTV,” he told her. “It’ll offer us some protection. Can you walk?”
“Of course,” she snapped.
He didn’t take her sharp words personally.
He would probably do the same if someone had just tried to kill him.
Cal released her. Together, they got to their feet and hurried to the vehicle.
Her hands shook when she started the engine and put the UTV in drive.
Cal searched the area where he thought the shooter had been as they sped away, but he didn’t see anything.
Whether he wanted it or not, he was now sober. His head still hurt, and his stomach needed food to soak up the alcohol, but he was well and truly clearheaded.
They rode in silence until he spotted roofs in the distance.
When they reached the homestead, he noted how well-maintained the fences, corrals, and barns were.
The house was older but impressive with its rustic beams and columns around the porch.
The white limestone found so prevalently in the area gave the domicile a grand appearance.
He particularly loved the wide porch that included rocking chairs and even a swing.
Cal could imagine how nice it would be to sit on the porch as dusk settled over the land.
The UTV jerked to a halt. His head swung to the woman to find her blue eyes focused on him.
“Thank you,” she said.
“I’m glad I was there.”
She held out her hand. “I’m Dillon. Dillon Young.”
He shook with her, the feel of her skin against his like a punch to the gut. He blinked, trying to discern what had just happened, and gave her a nod. “Nice to meet you.”
“I don’t know if you just happened to stumble onto my land, or if you were sent. Regardless, you saved me today, and I owe you.”
“I wasn’t sent,” he replied, holding her gaze so she knew he meant every word. “You owe me nothing. I did what anyone would do.”
She glanced away. “Hardly.”
“Has someone shot at you before?”
She shook her head and gripped the steering wheel tightly. “He did shoot at me, didn’t he?”
“Yes, ma’am, he did.”
“Dillon?”
Her head turned at the sound of her name.
Cal spotted an older man striding toward them.
He was bowlegged with wrinkled skin that looked like old leather from years out in the sun.
The hair peeking out of his brown Stetson was solid white, matching his bushy eyebrows.
His light brown eyes were clear and intense.
He sported a handlebar mustache that matched his hair and completely covered his upper lip.
Despite his obvious age, he moved like a young man, covering ground quickly.
“What happened?” he demanded as he reached Dillon. There was concern on his face as he looked her over. “You’re pale.”
Then the man’s gaze slid to Cal and lingered for a moment. When Dillon shook her head as if she wouldn’t answer, Cal took it upon himself to do so. “There was an incident. Someone shot at her.”
“Dillon,” the old man admonished and removed his hat as he shook his head in shock.
“I’m fine,” she answered woodenly.
But it was obvious she wasn’t.
Cal cleared his throat and held out his hand across Dillon to the man. “I’m Cal Bennett. Apparently, I got drunk last night and wandered onto the ranch. Dillon found me passed out this morning.”
“Emmett Perkins,” he replied as they shook. “I’ve worked at the Bar 4 Ranch since I was fourteen. Worked my way up to ranch manager,” he replied with a smile. “I’m honestly surprised Dillon didn’t shoot you.”
“It was close,” Cal said with a grin. He glanced at Dillon to find her staring off into the distance. His smile faded as he thought about what could have happened had he not pulled her out of the way.
Emmett cleared his throat as his gaze darted to Dillon. “How close was it?”
Cal didn’t need to ask for clarification. “There were two pops. I didn’t see where the first landed. Most likely, it went into the water. There was a shift in the wind, and I think that’s the only reason it missed. The second ricocheted off the rock where she had been.”
“Had been?” Emmett asked with his shaggy eyebrows raised.
Dillon replied. “Cal jerked me out of the way.”
“These things can’t keep happening,” Emmett said.
Cal frowned. Keep? Had Emmett just said keep? He didn’t want to ask since he was a trespasser on the ranch, but he couldn’t help but feel involved after witnessing things firsthand.
“I’m fine,” Dillon said and climbed out of the vehicle.
“You wouldn’t be,” Cal said as he followed suit and walked around the front of the UTV. “You were out there by yourself. If you had been shot, who’s to say you would’ve been able to get back? Who’s to say that whoever was there wouldn’t have stayed to finish the job?”
“He’s got a point,” Emmett said.
Dillon put her hands on her hips and faced Cal.
Before she could reply, he said, “You need someone to patrol.”
“That’s a fine idea,” Emmett said. “You up for the job?”
Cal blinked. He had no money, nowhere to go, and nothing to do.
But did he want to get involved in whatever was going on?
He looked into Dillon’s powder blue eyes and recalled how she had shaken in his arms after being shot at.
How the mere touch of her had run through him like lightning.
There was no way he would walk away. Not after finding someone like her.
“Yes,” Cal answered.