Chapter Thirteen #3
She shrugged. “I don’t know. At first, I thought he put a tracker on our luggage. I tossed them after the second time he showed up. We purchased clothes from a charity store and tossed the rest.”
“Do you have anything you kept with you all this time?” he asked.
“We only kept Mom’s jewelry. I can’t pawn it. It’s probably only worth a couple of bucks, but she gave us matching necklaces and bracelets. I have one necklace she used to wear all the time. Tara and I share it,” she said slowly.
“Where do you keep them?” he asked.
“In Tara’s old backpack. We lost it when the bikers took me. I don’t know what happened to it,” she admitted.
“Do you feel up to a short drive to see your father?” he asked, grabbing his keys.
“As long as you don’t carry me,” she warned him with a scowl.
“Fine, I’ll get your crutches, but you’ll sit while we talk to him. You’re supposed to keep your leg up,” Garrett said before telling Tara they’d return in a bit.
They drove to the farmhouse, and he guided her up the steps of the porch, ensuring she didn’t fall.
He heard the team talking to a man in the kitchen, guessing they were trying to sober him.
“Sit on the couch, and we’ll cover your legs. He doesn’t need to know your injuries,” he said, leading her to the living room. Placing a blanket over her, he put the crutches behind the couch.
He texted Jameson.
We’re in the living room.
Jameson replied.
We’ll bring him out.
A few minutes later, Steven Stewart made his entrance. His gate swayed as he entered the living room. His gaze locked on Riley. “Where’s Tara? You can’t keep her away from me forever,” he sneered. “You have no legal rights to her.”
“You’re not getting your grubby paws on her,” Riley spat. “How did you find us?”
“Listen, girl,” her father said, pointing a finger in her face. “You don’t know how much trouble I can cause you. One word from me and you’ll go to jail. You took an underage girl across state lines.”
“Then call them,” she dared him. “I’m not giving Tara’s location to you.”
Her father lunged at her, slapping her face.
Garrett growled as he shoved the man against the wall. “Listen to me, old man. You lay one finger on her, and you won’t have to worry about the police. Do I make myself clear?”
The older man nodded as he glanced at Riley, who held her cheek.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Steven cried. “I miss you girls. Why did you have to break our family apart? I’m tired of chasing you. It’s time to come home,” he pleaded.
“Home?” Riley exclaimed. “You let the bank take the only home we ever loved. You drank away the money instead of paying the taxes. You didn’t pay the vendors, and they came for the cattle. You hurt us. We’ll never go anywhere with you.”
“You know what that bitch did,” he shouted. “She stole the woman I loved. Tara killed your mother.”
“Stop it,” Riley said, shaking her head. “Mom died because of an accident. Tara’s innocent. If you saw her through sober eyes, you might realize it. Mom wouldn’t want you around us like this. I can’t be responsible for your bad choices, and I refuse to give you Tara.”
“I suggest you sober up and then return to speak with your daughters,” Julio said. “Why don’t we drive your car back to town and get you a hotel room? You can sleep it off and start fresh in the morning.”
Steven’s eyes narrowed, appearing angry, his pathetic act didn’t work. “I want the girl, Riley. If you don’t give her to me, I’ll make you pay.”
“I’m no longer scared of your threats, believe in your empty promises, or care to hear how you blame an innocent young girl. She must live with what happened, and she doesn’t need your constant accusations,” Riley said quietly.
The room grew deathly quiet as her father struggled with his emotions. “Give her to me or you’ll regret it,” he seethed.
“Over my dead body,” Riley said slowly.
The man’s face grew red as he stared her down.
Julio cleared his throat. “It’s time you took your leave.
Since you snuck on our ranch without permission, let me reiterate my warning to you.
We don’t tolerate trespassers here. Next time, we won’t be giving any warnings.
Matthew and Jameson will drive you to wherever you’re staying, and I suggest you stay away from here. ”
Jameson approached him and took his arm, leading him to the front door. The older man hung his head, seemingly understanding the warning. As he entered the doorway, he turned and glared at Riley. “You can’t always protect her. One day, you’ll let your guard down, and I’ll be waiting.”
Riley let out a shaky breath as he left.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s a drunk and saying things he doesn’t mean,” Julio said while glancing at Garrett.
Riley stayed silent. She knew exactly what her father, Steven Stewart, was capable of, and her stomach twisted in knots.
She wanted to talk to Garrett about the biker gang and how the leader seemed interested in him, particularly his money.
Garrett said he didn’t like drama or liars.
The ranch seemed to offer Tara and her some protection.
If she explained now, would Garrett consider her a drama queen and a liar for not telling him sooner?
For Tara’s sake, she’d stay put until the danger passed and then get out of dodge.