Cowboy kept his eyes open as he followed Miley around the Double H Ranch. To keep close to her, he had lugged her medical bag as she checked the horses in the stable. Although Tariq watched with barely suppressed disinterest, Loran appeared angry that Cowboy tagged along. Cowboy couldn't have cared less. He was there to keep Miley out of trouble, and he intended to do his job.

They had made it to the last stall of the second stable. Miley was kneeling beside a chestnut quarter horse named Artemis checking the hooves. The position caused her shirttail to raise slightly. He could see the little freckle tracker just above the waistband of her jeans. It made him feel a little more comfortable knowing it was there.

"What's in the pasture you're putting him in?" Her question shook him out of his musings. Glancing over her shoulder, he could see her examining the hoof bed of the beast with a frown on her face.

"Just plain grass," Drake replied. He was leaning against the wall with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "You know, the stuff that grows naturally," he smirked.

"We had a bad winter and a hot summer," Miley muttered.

"Laminitis?" Cowboy asked as he sat the bag down and squatted beside her. The horse whinnied and took a half step to the side. "Woah there, boy." Cowboy muttered as he gently stroked his chest. Looking up, he could see the pain in the animal's eyes.

"Yeah. Thankfully, I believe we caught it in time." She stood, turned to Loran, she narrowed her eyes. "Why didn't you call me sooner? Surely you noticed this horse limping on his right front leg?"

Loran glared at Drake who had turned visibly paler. "You're in charge of the stable. Why did you not take proper care?"

"I...I... didn't see it." Drake now stood ramrod straight as he eyes fell to the horse.

"We will discuss this later." Loran dismissed him with a glare then turned to the horse. "Is there a problem with the grass in the pasture?"

Miley squatted again as she dug into her bag, pulling out items and placing them on her knee. "I need a saline bag. Drake, there's a small cooler in the back of my truck. Could you get it please?" She looked up as he bolted out of the stable. "When grass becomes stressed, it overproduces sugar. Consuming this super-sweet grass overloads the digestive tract and leads to inflammation of the laminae. It could cause the bone in the hoof to move and if that bone pokes out the bottom, the horse will have to be put down. Luckily, Artemis isn't that bad."

Drake returned with the cooler and placed it on the ground next to Miley. She popped the top open and pulled out a bag of clear liquids. "I'll start him on medication to ease the pain. You'll need to move the horses nearby to another stable."

"Laminitis isn't contagious," Drake growled.

"No, but with him being sick, he'll be more stressed if there are other animals nearby. He needs to be quiet. Also, you need to change the straw out of here. Use sand, wood shavings or even shredded cardboard." She quickly started the IV. "Take out the molasses lick and feed him several small meals a day."

Cowboy couldn't help but be proud of how well Miley took charge of the situation. He knew laminitis was serious and sometimes fatal if left untreated, but she was doing everything perfectly. Drake, on the other hand, was glaring at Miley as if she were at fault for his mistake. With a bark from Loran, the hands jumped to do her bidding.

The stable was quiet except for the horses nickering. When the fluid was finished, Miley stood and gently talked to Artemis as she removed the line. When she had completed her work, she gathered the garbage and stuffed it into the cooler. Checking Artemis once more, she exited the stall. Cowboy followed with both cooler and bag in his hands.

"Dr. Ellison, if you're done, would you come to my office for a few moments to..." Tariq eyed Cowboy. "I would like to discuss the findings from your visit. Privately."

Cowboy felt the hair on the back of his neck raise. Taking a step toward her, he transferred the bag to his hand already containing the cooler and placed a hand on her back. Without saying a word, he sent the message that where she went, so did he.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hoxha, Alcide and I have an appointment that we are late for. Whatever you need to discuss, you can say in front of him. Taking care of Artemis used up the last of my time."

"I prefer not to discuss my business in front of others. Surely you understand my position. Mr. Montgomery represents another competitor. Ranch business is aggressive."

"It's not that aggressive, Hoxha," Cowboy growled.

Miley put a hand on his arm. Cowboy wrenched his gaze from the cold blue of Hoxha's eyes and looked down at her. "It's okay. I'll only be a minute. If you don't mind, take those things to the truck for me." She smiled at him. "We may be dating, but I still prefer to keep my money business to myself. You may decide I bill you too much if you knew what I charged another client."

Cowboy knew it for what it was - Miley was trying to defuse the situation. She knew Hoxha wanted her alone, most likely so he could strong arm her. He bristled at the thought until he felt her hand on his back, gently rubbing the area where the tracker sat. She was telling him she would be all right. He felt the wind leave his sails as he nodded. "All right. But hurry, dear. You know the others are waiting for us."

Miley smiled and rose on her tiptoes, pressing a chaste kiss on his cheek. Turning away, she followed Hoxha out of the barn and into the business office attached to the primary stable. Loran climbed the steps and disappeared inside as well. Cowboy turned and strolled out of the barn to put Miley's things in her truck. Leaning against the side, he waited for her to return.

"Since when have you and Miley been dating?" Drake leaned against the front of the truck.

"None of your business."

Drake lifted an eyebrow. "You know Loran has his eye on her. He's been telling everyone here that she's going to be his wife. He wasn't happy when he saw you pull up with her. He got her flowers and was going to take her to dinner in Cody. Guess that's not happening now." He grinned broadly as if he knew a secret nobody else did. "Nope, not happy at all."

"Maybe you should take some pointers from him. When was the last time you brought Rissa flowers or took her to dinner in Cody?"

The smile on Drake's face fell. "I have my relationship in order, thanks. Rissa doesn't like that kind of stuff. She'd rather cook me dinner, and she's told me a thousand times that flowers die so don't waste money on them."

Cowboy turned and faced him, leaning on the hood. "There are other things you could do. Wash the dishes after she makes that dinner. Pick some wildflowers that don't cost a penny. Write her a note to tell her you're thinking about her. It's the little things that say a lot."

Drake's laughter bounced off the building, echoing in the space. "Maybe Miley likes that wussy shit, but Rissa prefers her man to be strong. We don't need that romance garbage."

Cowboy thought about how Rissa had smiled this morning when Fin appeared suddenly and swept the porch for her, insisting she sat down after cooking them all a lush breakfast. He even refilled her coffee cup exactly how she liked it. Yeah, his sister liked that romance garbage, as Drake put it, just fine. He grinned and shook his head sadly.

The sound of a door opening drew their attention. Miley stormed out of the office and down the steps. Her head was up and her back ramrod straight while at her side, her hands were clenched into fists. Behind her, Loran leaned against the wall with a huge grin on his face. He raised his hand and wiggled his fingers at Cowboy who simply glared back.

Drake disappeared back into the stable as Miley reached her door. Snatching it open, she slid into the cab and shoved her key into the ignition. Cowboy barely had the time to close his door before she was slinging gravel as she fled down the driveway.

Cowboy waited until she entered the main road again before reaching over to touch her leg. She drew back, putting more space between them. "What?"

"What happened? What did he say to you?"

Miley ground her teeth then turned the wheel hard to the right, pulling the truck onto the shoulder. Throwing the gear into park, she laid her head on the steering wheel. Cowboy waited while she took several deep breaths, calming herself.

He reached over and gently touched her shoulder, rubbing it softly. He didn't speak but merely lent her his strength until she had herself under control. Finally, she turned her head and looked at him. The first thing he noticed was the hopeless look on her face. The second was the huge tears that swam in the pools of her eyes. She was on edge, and it made him grit his teeth.

"What did he say, Miley?"

She laughed bitterly. "What did he say? What didn't he say? First off, he threatened me, you, everyone I know. He insinuated he would kill everyone I ever knew all the way back to my first-grade teacher. Mrs. Wommak was a witch, but I wouldn't want to see her dead." She choked on a bitter laugh before continuing. "Once he finished with the threats, he told me to quit being a child and do what was best for everyone. I asked him what that was supposed to be. He said to ensure I had the ranch's best interests at heart was to become a part of the family. Apparently, Loran has his sights set on me for some reason and Tariq is all for giving baby brother what he wants. He said I would have a calming effect on him, help to, as he put it, 'even him out.' It was like I'm some sort of human Prozac." She wiped her nose on the hem of her shirt before giving him a watery smile. "Can you believe that crap?"

The words that left Cowboy's mouth would have made Toad proud. Fury like he had never felt before clouded his vision. "Not. Happening," he growled. The thought of that mobbed-up piece of cow pie placing one finger on Miley made Cowboy's blood pressure soar into orbit. No freaking way was he going to sit back and watch him strong arm her. She may not be Cowboy's, but he would be damned if she was Hoxha's. She was strength, attitude, and fire all bound up with a healthy dose of self control. She was a loyal friend, a self-sacrificing granddaughter and a million other things that created someone so perfectly unique and amazing that she continually took his breath. Cowboy felt something deep inside twist as he witnessed her losing her grip on things. Her lip quivered as she blinked at the tears that swam in her eyes. He knew he should be angry at the Hoxhas for what they had done to her, but all he wanted to do was take her in his arms and assure her that he would always be here for her. He needed to protect her, care for her, and fight all her dragons for her. At this moment, Miley needed him and he was done taking things slow. With a muttered, "Screw it," Cowboy unbuckled his safety belt then hers. Pulling her closer across the bench seat, he cupped the back of her head and crushed his lips to hers. The kiss was demanding, searing, claiming. He ravaged her mouth, marking her with his kisses until she gasped breathlessly. Her head fell back, exposing her neck to his lips. He growled softly, nipping the skin with his teeth until she squirmed and whimpered against him.

He knew they were on the side of the road. He knew she was his sister's best friend, but he also knew she meant something to him. Realizing what he was about to do, he stilled. "Uh shit," he began in a choked voice, trying to formulate the words to apologize to her and not damage the delicate balance they had obtained.

Miley surprised him by turning around and sliding into his lap, straddling his thighs as she captured his lips in hers. All thoughts of apologizing flew from his brain when her hands slid under his shirt, running her nails over his skin. He groaned at the sting as she marked him with red stripes down his chest. "Miley," he moaned as she clamped her teeth on his ear, sucking it into her mouth to lick and nibble.

There was the sound of ripping fabric as she yanked his shirt open, the buttons pinging off the surfaces as they popped free. Cowboy felt her wet mouth close in on his chest, sucking loudly. There was too much fabric between them; he needed to feel her skin on his. Sliding her tank top up, he waited for her to lean back slightly so he could push it up and over her head. He groaned at the sight of her beautiful body before him, her breasts captured by a plain white bra. Though he enjoyed seeing a woman decked out in lace, the simplicity of the piece of white fabric cupping Miley's full breasts were more breathtaking than anything by Victoria's Secrets. "So damn beautiful," he whispered as he leaned in and peppered kisses on the gentle swell over the bra.

He stopped and stared a moment then lightly traced the outlines of a feather peeking out the side of her left bra cup.

"You have a tattoo?"

Miley nodded and smiled. "Don't you? I thought all sailors had tats."

He shrugged. "Not all sailors have them, but I do. Three actually, but mine aren't anywhere nearly as sexy as yours. What's the story behind it?"

She shivered as his fingers ran over her ink. "Maybe someday I'll tell you." She grinned seductively. "If you deserve it," she added then captured his bottom lip in her teeth sucking it into her mouth.

Miley arched her back, grinding her hips against his as his fingers explored her torso, pushing under her bra until she gasped and closed her eyes. "Yes, please, Alcide," she whispered.

Every nerve in his body vibrated with awareness. Miley was a goddess, his own personal siren sent to Earth to torment his senses. He decided at that moment he would gladly answer her song. She was perfection, and he was lost in her hypnotizing call. His fingers found the clasp on her bra and with one flick, her breasts were free. Leaning in, he ran his tongue along the tattoo now visible curling around her left breast.

"Jesus," he whispered reverently. "You taste so good." His lips continued to nip and sample her skin until her breathing became erratic.

"Alcide, please," she begged in a breathless moan.

He unzipped her jeans then slid his hands over her back and to disappear into the back of her jeans, grasping her rear as he squeezed and massaged. The little sounds of pleasure escaping her lips made his blood pound in his veins. He couldn't see anything except for Miley's beautiful face caught in the passion of this moment. The heat of her touch burned him like wildfire. The smell of her arousal was intoxicating. Miley was everything he wanted, everything he needed.

The sound of his cell echoed in the cab. Immediately, they both stilled a moment, staring at each other. Miley's face was flushed with the heated need in her blood. Her lips bruised by his kisses and her eyes sparkling brightly. Cowboy had never seen anything so beautiful in his life.

Ignoring the cell phone, Cowboy reached up and ran his fingers through her chin-length hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. The phone rang again, and he dropped his head back to the rest with a groan. Lifting slightly to push his fingers into his pocket to retrieve it, he was rewarded with a subtle grinding of her hips against his. The pleasure, even through their pants made him catch his breath and his eyes cross. She felt so damn good pressed against him like this, all hot and willing. For a moment, he was tempted to ignore the damned cell and return to their mutual pleasure.

Miley grinned mischievously as she threw her leg to the side, hopping off his lap and returning to her seat. Little minx knew exactly what she was doing. He narrowed his eyes at her as she grabbed her clothes and began to put them back on. He swore as her gorgeous skin was covered again. This had better be life or death on the other end. Stabbing the button on his phone, he snarled into the mouthpiece. "Montgomery."

The sound of Digger's voice filled the cab. "Just wanted to let you know, FBI team's here. They want a meeting in one hour at my place. Bring Miley."

Just his freaking luck. With a resigned sigh, he agreed. "Will do."

Cowboy disconnected the call and dropped the cell on the seat between them. Squeezing his eyes tightly closed he contemplated how many places he could stow the body if he murdered Ryker for interrupting them. Glancing over at Miley as she straightened her clothing, he decided it would be worth it.

"So we're going to the McMillans?"

"Looks that way. First, we need to stop by my place."

"Oh?"

He laughed. "Yeah. I rather not meet the FBI team in a torn shirt." He lifted the sides of his ripped clothing and wiggled his eyebrows.

She turned the prettiest shade of pink. "Oh." She giggled and started the truck.

They rode in silence for a few minutes until she asked, "What about Loran? He expects me to go out with him."

Cowboy shook his head. "Not happening. Not now, not ever." He reached over and touched her cheek with one finger. "I'm not going to lie and say I don't want you, that I don't want to see where we could be together. However, I'm making that your choice. I'll never take it away from you. You deserve to be happy, Miley. If it's not with me, I'll learn to accept it without pressuring you." He grinned slyly. "Doesn't mean I won't try to convince you otherwise but in the end, I'll respect your decision. That goes for Loran or any other man who thinks he can strong-arm you. I'm not going to let him hurt you, and I'm not going to let him take away your joy. Trust me?"

Miley nodded. "Yeah," she breathed softly. "I trust you."

For some reason, those words sounded important, enormous and more real than any he had ever heard before. Miley trusted him to take care of her, and that was one promise he wouldn't ever break.