CHAPTER 13 #2
“We’ll let Callum decide.”
I walk back over to take Ria from Tana and head to the cabin. Butcher is waiting outside for me.
“Ridley called. Vegas has a suspect in custody. They were wondering if you could come make a statement again.”
“Who?” I ask, not sure I really want to know. “I mean is it someone I knew or just a crazed fan?”
Worry eats at my gut. My baby must sense my mood change because he starts rolling around, letting me know he’s there. Even Ria lays her head on my shoulder.
“Beau Traynor,” Butcher says, and it feels like the floor drops out from under me.
I stumble. If Callum wasn’t so close to catch me, I would have fallen.
“Whoa, babe, what’s going on?” He takes Ria from my arms, and I’m so glad because I’m freaking out.
“It can’t be.” I grip Callum’s shirt. “Beau wouldn’t hurt me at all.”
“What’s going on?” Callum looks at Butcher.
“Cowboy, they have evidence her ex is guilty.”
Before my eyes open, I can feel the calmness all around me.
Callum breathes against my head as he holds me tightly, his hands resting protectively on our baby boy.
Through the baby monitor, I can hear Ria breathing.
I turn my head and notice she isn’t moving, so she’ll be out for a bit longer.
My eyes focus on the curtained window. The sun is starting to shine, letting me know how early it really is.
In the distance, I hear Raine neigh. She’s calling to my soul, just like mine is to her. I ease out of Callum’s arms and place my feet on the cool floor. The November weather has been a bit on the warmer side.
Standing up, I turn back to the bed and look at the man I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving and being with. Callum’s hair is mussed from sleep. He wraps his arms around my pillow, pulling it close. I have to hurry if I want some time without him.
I’m in a white-and-pink pajama short set.
Reaching for the chair, I grab Callum’s button-down flannel shirt.
I walk into the living room to slip on my socks and boots, then head out just the way I am.
Only a few hands will be up and working this early in the morning. I have a lot to roll around in my mind.
I need to process everything that has happened. I doubt it’s Beau. In my heart, I know it’s not him. He wouldn’t hurt me, let alone Raine. Besides, we parted knowing we’d never get back together. He’s not into me anymore. So why would he stalk me? What would he gain?
I walk toward Raine’s stall. She peeks out at me, knowing what we both need. Grabbing an apple and a couple of treats, I give her the special bites before slipping a rope halter over her muzzle and clipping on a lead. I guide her from her stall out to the round pen.
I would love to take her out for a ride, but I haven’t told anyone my plans, and I won’t risk Kary or myself that way.
Walking Raine to the side, I climb up the panel and swing my leg over her bare back.
We circle the pen a few times before I lean forward and lie across her neck, just feeling her breathing as she slowly moves around. I give Raine her head so she can roam.
Lying there, I roll everything over in my mind.
I can go to Vegas now that they’ve captured Beau, but I’m sure he’s being framed.
When I get there, I’m definitely going to speak with the investigators.
I need to make it clear there’s no way Beau is smart enough to do some of the things that have been done to me.
Besides, he’s so self-centered he doesn’t care about me or any other woman.
At first, I thought he was arrogant because he was dating me, but then I watched him with other girls, and I realized it’s all him. It’s why I suspect he and Starla aren’t together anymore.
Starla was always my competition. But even Beau wouldn’t go after me so she could win. He was all about the best winners. Cheating like that would go against his code. He doesn’t have a big ethical personality, but he still has one.
The memories of the day Raine and I were hurt roll through my mind. Beau, who was usually a pickup rider, decided that morning to work ring crew. He had access to the tack room with a special key only a few people were given.
The memory is harsh and blatant as it hits me. My head throbs and tears roll down my eyes as I vividly remember that he lost the key. He swore up and down to anyone who would listen that the last time he saw it was in his room the night before.
Then Starla walked up and handed him the key, saying he left it in her room the night before.
She acted like I didn’t know they were already together.
Him going to her after we broke up didn’t bother me, but Starla acted like it should.
I remember the smirk on her face as she handed over the key in front of everyone.
“By the way, last night was amazing.” She cooed at him before she giving me a snide look.
I just smiled and walked away. But the memory keeps washing through my mind. Beau lost the key, and Starla found it.
“Andi.”
Callum’s voice startles me from almost drifting to sleep on Raine. I sit up, and Raine walks to where Callum is standing outside of the pen.
“I woke up and couldn’t find you. If not for Butcher, I would have called in the National Guard. Are you okay?”
I smile at him. No one has ever been as protective of me as Callum.
“I’m good. I couldn’t sleep and decided to come out here to think.”
“Come on, baby, you need to be careful.” He opens the pen and walks to Raine’s side.
I slide off her back into Callum’s arms, and he carries me back to the cabin.
“I hate you walking around out here in barely any clothes, baby.”
“Butcher doesn’t see me that way, and Ty isn’t interested in me. You don’t have to worry.” I laugh as he sets me down in the kitchen, and I proceed to make breakfast.