“William, I said no more parties. You haven’t lifted a finger and yet, you want to destroy everything Jesse and I have done. We’ve worked our butts off getting this place together.”

“Sis, you really need to chill out and have a beer. Or better yet, go hang out with your new boy toy.”

Abby stormed off into her bedroom. Rummaging through her top drawer, she pulled out some earplugs. She had a good mind to call Monroe, her friend at the sheriff’s department and have him come get her drunk of a brother. What infuriated her most was his total lack of regard for anyone but himself.

Frustrated and unable to sleep, she sat in the bay window, staring in the direction of the guesthouse, wondering if Jesse was awake and if so, what was he doing. She’d told him he could stay until other arrangements were made, but she’d kept her distance somewhat over the past few days, only seeing him when she brought him meals.

She’d thought it was insane of her to still be fond of him after everything he’d told her. Maybe he’d encountered some type of head injury and just didn’t remember. Doing a CT scan would easily sort that out but the stubborn man would not step foot inside a hospital.

Anyway, he’d be taking off soon, and her heart would be able to recover. Well, that’s what she wanted to believe. Apparently he couldn’t leave without Moira, and she was out of town for a few days.

Speaking of Moira, she needed to have a conversation with her once she returned to see if anything Jesse had said was actually true. For some strange reason, she found herself believing his story or rather, believing he believed his story. Getting hit with a sudden revelation, Abby pulled out her laptop. Taking a chance, she decided to do a search on the name Jesse Landers.

At first the search came up with a broad range of information on Jesse Landers across the world. She decided to narrow it down, whispering the words as she typed it in.

“Sheriff-Jessie-Landers-Maplesville-1880.”

Her eyes widened. The picture was black and white and it was taken from the side so she couldn’t make out the face, only the build. But there was a striking resemblance between the man on her screen, wearing a gun on his hip, and the man living in her guesthouse.

The knock on the front door jolted her, and she removed one of the earplugs. Before she could call out, someone strode down the hallway, and her bedroom door opened.

She gasped. “Dave!”

Abby jerked out the other earplug and ran to the door. She held her arms out in an effort to hold him off but he was at least twice her size and much stronger.

“Stop it!” he said, grabbing her hands and clamping them to her sides. “I just came to talk to you. I told you I would.”

“What are you doing here? Get out!” Abby said, backing away.

Had William invited him? There was no way. As irritating as her brother was, she was certain he wouldn’t have allowed Dave inside their home.

“Just calm down and have a seat, Abby. I’m not going to hurt you.”

Abby wasn’t so sure about that. Still she pulled the chair back from her desk and sat down.

“You’re not welcome here, Dave. You really should just leave.” Abby’s voice softened as she struggled to take control of the situation. If all else failed, she could scream and hope William would hear and come running.

There was no way she’d let him know she was afraid. That would only make the situation worse.

“Where’s your boyfriend now?” He roamed around the room picking up different items and sitting them back down.

“Hmm…” he said, looking at the picture of her father sitting on the dresser. “I tell you, your old man was a real piece of work. You do realize he kept us apart. He never wanted you with me.”

Abby thought it was best not to say anything. It would’ve just added gasoline to an already burning fire.

Dave moved over to her bed and picked up her laptop. Abby’s heart beat against her chest rapidly. Her eyes started to prick and water, but wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing she was frightened.

“What’s this, research or something?” he asked, looking at the screen.

In a trembling voice, she asked, “What is it you want, Dave?”

Setting the computer down, he walked over to where she was sitting. He leaned over her chair and whispered in her ear. “I want you, Abby. I thought I made that clear.”

Turning her head away from the stench of liquor, she muttered, “Let me make myself very clear. I…have…no…interest…in…you.”

He let out a loud, wry laugh.

“For someone so little, you have a big mouth,” he said, hitting the side of the chair, making her flinch.

Abby tried to push to her feet but he shoved her back.

“If you don’t leave right this minute, I’m going to scream.”

His eyes darted over her with fury. Abby realized he wasn’t walking away, regardless of what she said.

She screamed loudly, but he covered her mouth.

“No one will hear you over the music.” He was menacing, and cold looking.

Just then, Jesse burst through the door. Dave jumped back, and Abby watched as Jesse tackled Dave to the floor as if he weighed nothing.

“Stay down or else.”

Abby reached the phone and dialed 9-1-1.

By the time the police had come, Jesse had sent Abby to retrieve rope from the stables, which he tied Dave up with.

Once again, he’d come to her rescue.

Jesse had stayed with Abby until the cops came. They’d escorted everyone off the property and taken Dave off to jail. When he was certain she was okay, he went back to the guesthouse. He watched outside as William pulled up in a car and stumbled around in a circle.

Abby must have seen him too because she’d come out, stomping across the grass, wearing her boots.

She met him midway, and they stood arguing. He didn't mean to eavesdrop, but he needed to make sure she was okay.

"Where were you?” Abby asked, pointing a finger at William. “Do you have any idea what happened here? If it wasn’t for Jesse…”

"You mean Jesse, your boy-toy?"

Abby shook her head. "You’re a lost cause," she said, striding off in the direction of the guesthouse.

Jesse was already standing behind the door waiting for her to walk up the stairs. Just as she approached, he opened it.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Abby turned away. It suddenly occurred to him that he was shirtless.

“Oh, sorry. I'll be right back," he said, disappearing and coming back wearing a shirt.

She stood with her hands wrapped around her waist, wearing a pained look.

"Are you okay, Abby?"

She burst into tears, falling into his arms. He held her tightly, brushing her hair. This was the first time he'd seen her cry. He’d hold her all night if that’s what it took to ease her pain, never letting go.

Jesse led her to the sofa.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be putting this on you. I think it's all just taking a toll on me. My father's death, having to come back here to the ranch, and dealing with William."

"Really, it's okay," he said, walking away and coming back with a tissue.

He sat next to her and dabbed her cheek.

She looked up and smiled slightly.

"Thanks."

If there was one thing he never liked to see, it was a woman crying.  He felt helpless as she lay her head on his shoulder.

He was nervous. Would it be too forward of him to pull her in closer?

Matters of the heart had never been his forte.

"I want to help him through his pain, but I don't think I can. My father gave up on him long ago. Maybe I should have done the same. And you know what else? I think he's been stealing from my pa."

Jesse wondered if he should mention William coming in and searching. Maybe he was looking for some money or something to sell. Just when he’d decided to let it go, a loud commotion made them both leap to their feet.

They ran to the door, Jesse taking the lead.

It was William, and he was in trouble. Two guys were roughing him up pretty bad.

“Stay back, Abby.” Jesse ran over to where William was lying on the ground being kicked. The gun William had taken from the guesthouse was stuffed in the back of his jeans. Jesse thought he’d go for it, but William just lay there, mumbling.

“Get off him!” Jesse yelled, running toward the brawl.

“Stay out of this,” one of the guys hollered back, right before Jesse rammed into him, taking him to the ground.

“Stay down,” Jesse yelled before turning his attention to the other assailant who’d turned his attention from William and swung at Jesse, missing when Jesse ducked.

He hit him hard with a right hook, knocking him to the ground. Then Jesse rushed over to William.

“Are you okay?”

William was lying on his side, bleeding badly from his nose.

“Watch out, Jesse!” Abby yelled as one of the guys was fast approaching him with a knife. Remembering the gun William had, he rolled over, and snatched it from behind William’s back.

Rising up, he fired the weapon, hitting the guy in the foot. He tumbled to the ground, and the other one took off running.

Abby ran out to where William lay. “It’s okay, an ambulance is on the way.”

Holding William in her arms, she looked over at Jesse.

“Thank you,” she whispered.