Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
T he moment Aurora heard her stepfather’s name, the urge to run consumed her. She was going to be sick to her stomach. But when she heard the other man drawing a gun, she didn’t think; she acted.
Standing before Stewart’s desk, she met the other man’s eyes with a fierce glare, “You’ll need to shoot me first,” she said defiantly.
Startled, the man quickly holstered his gun.
“Are you Stewart’s latest…er, bodyguard?”
“No, just helping with the fundraiser. And you are?”
She turned around when Stewart cleared his throat behind her.
“That’s my brother McKenna. He’s an easygoing cool-tempered cowboy,” he explained.
She furrowed her brow. “Your brother pulled a gun on you? Do you want me to call the sheriff?”
“No need.” Stewart shook his head. “McKenna was just leaving.”
She turned to face McKenna, her glare intensifying.
“I’ll be back,” McKenna warned, narrowing his eyes.
“You are barred from this house until we have another board meeting,” Stewart informed him crisply. “Good day.”
“We’ll see about that!” McKenna yelled before he left.
“Did you just say good day to a man who wanted to shoot you?” she asked, scrunching her face in confusion.
Stewart snickered. “He gets incredibly angry when I pretend not to notice he’s upset. He’ll be back to his usual self in a few days.”
As she stared in disbelief, the magnitude of her actions suddenly dawned on her. She slumped into the chair, her body trembling.
“I can’t decide if you’re a brave woman or a foolish one,” he commented as he walked to the front of his desk and leaned against it, studying her closely.
“Both. Maybe I’m just out of my mind. I didn’t think I just acted.” Clasping her hands didn’t stop the shaking, so she lowered them to her lap, hoping the shaking didn’t show. “Should I be afraid he’ll come after me?” To her horror, her voice broke.
“No, but I’m moving you in,” Stewart announced. “You’re the best guard I’ve ever had.”
He had to be joking. Right?
“I—uh… I need to catch up on the fundraiser reading. Will you be participating in the 5k race?” she asked.
He chuckled. “If it was 2k, maybe. I’m going to call my accountant about paid volunteers. Maybe we won’t need your social security number. I’d like you to stay longer. For now, I’ll let you get back to what you’re doing. McKenna won’t be back today.”
She walked into her office and sat down. Her heart hammered in her chest. His brother? Taking out the first papers held together with a large paperclip, she pretended to read. He wasn’t serious about her moving in, was he?
Once he found out her stepfather’s name, she’d be told to leave. Of that she had no doubt. And probably not in a very pleasant way. Good thing she was only here for a few days. The way he smiled at her gave her confidence, but that smile would disappear soon enough.
Her hands trembled. Setting the papers on the desk, she began to read in earnest. It was hard to stay focused. She could manage for a few days, but then she was leaving.
He deserved McKenna’s anger and disdain. Losing a huge sum of money was a good enough reason. Their investments had performed exceptionally well over the last decade under his management. People don’t remember the past when disaster strikes. He needed to sit down with McKenna and explain each fraudulent purchase he made. There was a reason behind each piece of equipment he’d ordered. There was still money. They just wouldn’t be buying new equipment this year.
His hat was on a table near the door. He put it on and hesitated. His gun belt hung on a hook. He was not in the habit of carrying one unless he was out on a ride. The wolves had been getting bolder. He shook his head. He was going into the barn with no gun needed, hopefully.
Entering Aurora’s office, he gave her a nod before continuing his walk to the porch. Drawing a deep breath, he absorbed the scene. Past the outbuildings, bunkhouse, and barn, the mountains stretched out. God’s glory. Despite their struggles, he and his family were truly blessed.
While the original house had been expanded, the barn had been torn down and rebuilt. He couldn’t comprehend the sheer number of trees his great grandfather needed to fell for the construction.
He walked toward the barn reflecting on Aurora; she’d looked a bit pale when he passed her. She sure was fearless, though, jumping in front of a gun. She hadn’t known McKenna was his brother. That made her even more courageous. Maybe she was the impulsive type.
As he reached Echo’s stall, he was met with a headbutt from the paint.
“Good to see you, too. How’s your leg today?” he asked as he opened the stall and kneeled. He placed his hand on the bandage. “Still feels hot.”
“He’s on the mend,” Bernie said as he walked to the stall. “The vet was here this morning.”
“Was it Doc Lynne or Doc West?”
Bernie smiled as he shook his head. “I know you don’t like Doc Lynne. She knows it too.”
“I didn’t realize she was aware of my preferences.”
“When you call and are willing to wait to talk to Doc West instead of her, well…”
“Has McKenna been around?”
Bernie chuckled. “You mean since he stormed out of the house? No.”
“He drew his gun on me,” Stewart admitted softly. “I was sitting at my desk.”
“That fool.” Bernie huffed out a sigh. “What if the gun went off? That was a foolish move.”
“I have a new gal working on the fundraiser. She jumped in front of me. I’ve never seen anything like it.” He stroked Echo’s face. “I’ll be by to visit later. Carrot or apple?”
The horse snuffled along his palm.
“Okay, I’ll surprise you.” Stewart followed Bernie out of the stall and locked it.
“Must be some woman. Sorry, but I wouldn’t step between you and McKenna, ever.”
“It surprised me.”
“Is she pretty?” Bernie asked.
A grin slid across Stewart’s face. “Yes, she is, and as we work together, it’s best not to discuss this further.”
“I was hoping you and her… Never mind.”
“You can hope all you want, but I don’t have time for a girlfriend.” His lack of business instinct made it hard to believe he could choose a woman he could trust. The courts were taking care of Paul Stingster. But, oh, what he wouldn’t do for just one punch.
Stewart glanced around and found himself alone in the barn. He hadn’t noticed Bernie leaving. If only he could growl or howl or scream. He was such a fool. Maybe McKenna was right. How could he be certain he’d make the right calls in the future? How had he not seen it? How? His decisions had always been solid, but now? He let out a sigh.
He hadn’t yet figured out how to put Aurora on the payroll. If she was only staying for the fundraiser, he’d cut her checks out of his own account. That would be simple enough for now. Her gaze had been haunted as she recounted her circumstances to him. She might not stay. He’d have to wait and see, he supposed.