Chapter 16
Tegan had just finished putting the upstairs in order when he saw the flash of headlights coming down his road. He opened the front door and waited. He was off the porch and out the gate before the engine was turned off. Opening Kate’s door, he pulled her into a hug. “God, babe.” He wanted to say a million words. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, that he was sorry he asked her to come out to the ranch, that he was so fucking angry at whoever did it that he could see how people killed to protect those they loved. Everything he wanted to say was stopped up and not coming out, so he just held her.
She nodded. “I know. I know. We’ll talk later.”
He loosened his hold on her and stared down at her. Her hair was still matted in areas with blood, but her face was clean, and her eyes were bright. “I was so fucking scared when I saw all that blood.”
“Yeah? So was I. It was a shock to look at myself in the mirror. I can only imagine what it was like when I was still dripping.”
“So, are you going to stand out here all night or give me that cup of coffee you promised me?” Lawrence drawled from the other side of the truck.
Tegan glanced over at him. “I haven’t decided.”
Lawrence laughed and headed into the house. Tegan dropped for a kiss. The warmth of her lips was a reassurance he needed. When he lifted, he nodded his head in the direction of the house. “Shall we?”
She smiled at him, and they walked arm in arm through the gate and into the house. Lawrence had a cup of coffee in his hand and was staring at Doodle, who had come back from the barn. He was upset by all the unusual activity, and Tegan didn’t mind having the company while he waited for Lawrence and Kate.
“Tegan, your petting zoo is in your house,” Lawrence said.
Kate chuckled. “You get used to the idea.” She leaned down and gave Doodle some love.
Lawrence shook his head. “Nope, don’t think I will.”
Tegan whistled and headed to the back door. “Time to go to bed.” He opened the door, and Doodle once again trotted toward the chute that would lead him to his shelter. Hopefully, this time, the little guy would settle for the night.
He shut the door, ensured he locked it, then went back into the kitchen. Kate and Lawrence were sitting at the table, and they’d poured him a cup of coffee. He sat down and stared at her. “You need a shower and then sleep.”
“I do, but I’m going to have a cup of coffee first.” She took a sip and sighed. “What did Ken find?”
“He followed the tracks through the tree claim to the next pasture. They went into the draw.”
Lawrence frowned. “Why didn’t they go to the road? Surely, they had a car?”
“I don’t think so. What they stole was stuff to stay out in the weather.” Tegan took a sip of his coffee. “By the way, Ken doesn’t want us to discuss what was taken. He wants to keep that under wraps.”
“Who would I tell?” Lawrence huffed. “I’ve been off the ranch a handful of times in the last year.”
Kate shrugged. “I don’t even know what he took, so I’m not going to let anything slip.” She shook her head. “Was it the same person who trashed the stockyard?”
“Ken isn’t sure.” Tegan leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. “He’s working on it, and he’ll be out at first light to see if he can track the guy.”
“Good luck with that.” Lawrence used his coffee cup as a pointer. “Snowing.” Tegan and Kate both turned to look out the window. “Which means I need to get home. I’ll see you tomorrow sometime.”
He put his hand on Kate’s shoulder, and she covered it with hers. “Probably later in the afternoon, but early enough to make dinner.”
“The kids will be very happy to hear that. Goodnight, Tegan.”
Tegan stood up and walked to the door with him. Lawrence pointed at the jimmied lock. “What are you going to do to secure this tonight?”
“Tonight, I’m going to put something heavy on this side and sleep with my handgun under my pillow.”
“Not a good idea. I’d prefer it was on the side table,” Kate said from the kitchen.
Tegan smiled. “I can do that.” He turned back to Lawrence. “Nothing will happen to her.” He’d make sure of it.
Lawrence nodded and stepped out of the house. Tegan waited until Lawrence got into his truck before lifting a hand and shutting the door.
Kate was sitting with her head in her hands.
“Shower time.”
She lifted her head. “The numbing is wearing off. The staples hurt a bit.”
“I’m sure they hurt a lot.” He took her cup, his and Lawrence’s, rinsed them out, then extended a hand to her. “Come on. I’ll get you into the shower, and then I’ll come down and barricade this door.”
“I think I may be crashing.” She yawned as she walked with him up the stairs.
“I think you have every right to do that.” Tegan helped her undress, kissed her gently, and put her under the warm water. He picked up her clothes and headed downstairs. After putting her clothes in the wash, he moved a heavy credenza from the dining room in front of the door, and on the very edge, he placed two cans. They were balanced, just barely staying on the wood surface. If someone jostled the door, the cans would fall, and he’d be awake and charging down the stairs. He triple-checked all the doors and windows before turning off the lights and heading upstairs.
Tegan stopped by the dresser and grabbed a t-shirt for her to wear. When he walked into the bathroom, he was once again stopped in his tracks by how beautiful she was. To him, she was the most beautiful woman in the world and had been since he met her all those years ago. He grabbed a towel and opened the shower door. Her eyes opened, and she smiled at him. “You’re not going to join me?”
“Not tonight. In the morning, if you’re feeling up to it, I’ll be happy to join you anywhere you want me to.” Tegan lifted his eyebrows a couple of times, which had the desired effect.
Kate laughed and turned off the shower. As she stepped out, he handed her a towel for her hair while he dried her body. Damn, his cock kicked hard, but he wasn’t going to take advantage of her. When he was done, he helped her comb her hair. She’d gotten the caked blood out of her hair, but trying to detangle the area around the staples was difficult. Partly because he was so fucking mad at whoever had left that slice in her head. Still, Zeke had done a good job putting her back together.
When they finished, he took her by the hand and pulled back the blankets, and she slid in. “I have a t-shirt if you want it.”
She closed her eyes and burrowed down into the pillow, careful to stay off the side of her head with the stitches. He barely heard her purr, “No, I want to feel your big, warm body next to mine.”
“That’s something I can do.” Before getting undressed, he got his gun out of the safe and made sure it was where he could easily reach it. Then he slipped under the covers and turned off the light, spooning her and hoping his half-hard cock would behave. He didn’t need to worry, though. Kate’s breathing was steady, and her body relaxed. He kissed the back of her head gently and closed his eyes; though, he doubted he would sleep. Every noise the house made seemed to be amplified. Taking a deep breath, he retraced the day in his mind. From the great ride that morning to the disaster at the stockyards. But hearing Kate’s voice … knowing she was in danger and then the wait until he got to her. His mind raced. What could he have done differently? What would have changed the course of events? It was something he’d think about until the sun came up. What a fucking day.