CHAPTER 4
Cash’s heart rate began to slow as Travis pulled the trailer underneath the new wrought iron arch with the words Resolution Ranch. He’d made it.
“How do you feel, cowboy?” Travis asked as they came over the rise. A new dusting of snow cast everything in shades of white and pink in the last of the afternoon sun.
“Relieved. Proud. Glad we’re home.”
“Think you can consider Resolution Ranch home?”
Cash nodded. “I want to try.”
“You did well out there. You learn fast. Most importantly, I think you can be a help to other vets who’ve struggled just like you have.”
Cash barked out a laugh, running a hand over his beard. “You say that like the struggle is over, man.”
Travis parked the truck and set the brake, turning to him. “I know it’s not. But you made a few key breakthroughs during the trek. I know as well as you, the real struggle begins now that you’re back. But you’re in control. You write your story from here on out.” Travis grinned at him as he exited the cab. “And you have our sorry asses looking out for you. You’re family.”
Warmth spread across Cash’s chest. He owed his mom a call, now that he could honestly say he was pulling his life back together. She’d been a saint, and he knew she worried. Hell, he worried. At the top of his list was spending the night truly alone. The thought of eight long hours of isolation where his brain could go haywire, pulled his gut tight. He followed Travis around to the back of the horse trailer. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Anything.”
Heat raced up the back of his neck and he toed a rock in the gravel, unable to meet his friend’s eyes. “I… I’m not sure I’ll sleep well by myself. Can you leave the door unlocked… just in case?”
He hated asking. Hated that he couldn’t predict whether or not he’d get the shakes. He should be stronger than that. He was a fucking SEAL for chrissakes. But asking for help was the first step to conquering. No SEAL ever went it alone. Travis had reminded him of that over and over during the trek. He wasn’t alone, and he could conquer this. Find a new normal.
“You’re home!” Travis’s wife, Elaine called from the porch, rushing across the yard to where they’d parked.
Travis gave him a thumbs up. “Couch is yours whenever you need it.” He turned and caught his wife into a hug, spinning her around and kissing her soundly. “God, I missed you, beautiful.”
“Not half as much as I missed you.” She beamed up at Travis. “Dax too, he’s been crawling the walls today, waiting for you. I finally sent him out to help Kate.” She glanced his direction. “Welcome back Cash. You look like the trek agreed with you.”
Who in the hell was Kate?
Travis nuzzled Elaine. “So she’s working out well?”
Elaine giggled and swatted Travis’s hand. “Kate’s fantastic. I couldn’t have managed without her while you were gone. I think she’ll fit right in with you lot. She’s been great with the horses.”
Her laughter settled over Cash like a warm blanket, pulling something deep inside him. Travis was damned lucky to find a woman like that. Beautiful. Kind. Elaine had the knack for making everyone feel welcome, even when it was obvious he was intruding, like now. “I’ll take care of the horses,” he offered.
“I put Kate in the trailer next to yours, Cash. But don’t worry, she’s real quiet. You won’t notice her at all.” She flicked a wrist his direction, but only had eyes for Travis. “And it’s the shower and a shave for you, mister. No more kisses until you’ve removed that scruff from your face.”
“Think so?” Travis growled playfully, kissing her face and sending Elaine into a fit of giggles.
Something akin to jealousy poked at Cash’s chest. Not for Elaine. She wasn’t his type. He preferred someone a little leggier. A little less… wholesome. But for the first time since Miranda had Dear Johnny’d him a mere fourteen months after they’d gotten married all those years ago, something close to longing stirred inside of him.
What would it be like to have a woman look at him like that? He’d been devastated by Miranda’s betrayal, and after the divorce he’d thrown himself into work, volunteering for back to back tours, pausing only for equally rigorous R&R, and then diving back into the fray. Cash shook himself. All the fresh air must be having an effect on his mind. People like him never got the girl. He’d let down every single person he loved. Even before joining the Navy. There was no one like Elaine in his future. No special someone for him. With a bitter sigh, he unlocked the trailer and greeted Samson, gently backing him out of the trailer.
“Sterling’s headed into town,” Travis called. “Join us for dinner? You can let Kate take care of the horses.”
He’d settled into eating most of his meals with Sterling, the new foreman and a former Ranger, and he appreciated how Travis and Elaine always made sure he wasn’t alone. But the way their hands were all over each other, it was clear he’d be a third wheel. They needed their privacy. Especially with a baby on the way. He shook his head. “Nah. I want to take care of Samson myself. And you two need your alone time.” He waggled his eyebrows, drawing a laugh from both of them. “Thanks, anyway.”
Travis grew concerned. “You gonna be okay?”
“Yep. I’ll be just fine.” He would be, too. If not tonight, then maybe the next night. Or the night after that. He’d made it through a six-hundred-fifty-mile trek to Santa Fe through open range, and he didn’t die. There were times he even liked it. Felt peaceful, even. He could manage a night alone.
Travis looked dubious. “Door’s always open. Don’t hesitate.”
Cash waved and turned Samson toward the barn. “You two go on. I’ll finish up here.” The hollow feeling returned to his chest as he glanced back at the couple. He’d never pegged Travis for the sappy love-struck type, but even at a distance, he could tell Travis was crazy about his wife. And she him.
“C’mon, pal.” He patted Samson’s neck. “Let’s get you settled.”
The barn door was partially open and Cash parted it the rest of the way, stepping into the dim warmth. The sweet smell of dried clover and hay, laced with an undercurrent of oiled leather and the sharp tang of manure settled into his bones. He cherished the solace and security of the barn. He’d learned every nook and cranny the first week he’d moved to the ranch. And on really bad nights early on, working and sleeping in the barn had been his salvation. While he welcomed the addition of a desperately needed ranch hand, the thought of an interloper in his sanctuary unsettled him.
The scrape of a shovel against the floor drew his attention. Looping Samson’s lead around a post next to the tack room, he slipped down the aisle following the sound. He stopped short at the sight of a luscious heart-shaped ass bent in his direction. Of course, if the interloper looked like that…
Sensations Cash hadn’t felt in ages stuttered to life. Legs for days? Check. Curves? If her ass was any indication, check. He couldn’t care less about hair color, but the sight of the thick long brown braid peeking out from under a felt cowboy hat and hanging down the owner’s shoulders launched his imagination into overdrive. Visions of winding its length around his hand and tugging, exposing a column of creamy skin danced through his head. His pulse went to the races as he watched her fluidly shovel hay into a wheelbarrow. The woman was poetry in motion. She moved with an easy grace that belied the difficulty of the task at hand. He’d shoveled hay for hours. He knew how taxing it could be on the body. Was this Kate?
CRACK!
What the fuck?
CrackCrackCrack
“DUCK!” Cash shouted as he launched himself through the air at the woman, pulling her down on top of him to break her fall, then quickly rolling them over to cover her body with his.
A muffled squeak came from beneath him.
“Quiet,” he murmured into her ear, heart pounding, brain racing through a thousand scenarios of what could be going on outside. Whatever was happening, he’d protect this woman with his life. He’d failed to protect people he loved in the past, he wouldn’t fail again.
Another muffled noise came from the body squirming beneath him, and his attention was suddenly drawn to soft curves and heady perfume. “Stay still,” he ordered roughly, bringing his focus back to his surroundings. He couldn’t focus on where the attackers were with her writhing beneath him. Not when his cock was notched perfectly between her legs. She stilled momentarily, only to renew her struggle with vigor. He strained, listening for the telltale signs of an attack, scuffles, shouts, more gunshots. But, nothing.
He lifted his head, cocking an ear in the direction of the initial noise. The woman took advantage, yanking his beard so hard tears sprang to his eyes. He swung his gaze back to the firecracker beneath him and the world tilted sideways, snatching his breath with heart-stopping ferocity.
This wasn’t Kate. Oh, no. This was his worst nightmare come back to life. He opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Lying beneath him, green eyes flashing fire, was the last woman he ever expected to see face to face again, Kaycee Starr.