Her father’s truck pulled into the drive the next morning. Gen had no idea how he got past the guard, but she would know the sound of that truck anywhere. The dusty black dually pickup was over a decade old and worn out. Will was lying in bed, watching her at the window. She’d been looking out at the pasture, thinking about the past, but now, all she could think about was then. That moment.

“He’s here. I wonder if he knows I’m here. Don’t make me go.” She tugged Will’s tee lower on her hips, feeling exposed at the window.

Will stood and joined her, caressing her shoulder. “The only way he could know is if someone here told him. I would never let him in here. You aren’t going anywhere.”

That didn’t leave her feeling any better. Hadn’t he said the night before his own foreman might be conspiring against him? “And if your foreman told him?”

“Then you’ll do as you would do anyway, you’ll stay inside and let me handle it.”

He kissed the back of her neck and warmth spread over her. At least he was thinking of her now, and her safety. She hoped the closeness she felt with him would only continue to grow. “I’ll stay right here if it means I never have to see that man again.”

“What did he do to you?” He pulled her into his hard chest and wrapped protective arms around her. She gripped his arms and reveled in the protection he offered. Nothing else had come close.

“It isn’t what he did, it’s what he threatened with his eyes.” She swallowed, tension roiling through her at the memory of what those eyes had promised. “My father is a sick man.” She held tight to Will’s arm, and he hugged her tighter.

“You don’t have to see him ever again.”

Her father got out of his truck and stared at the house. Will pulled her away from the window and turned to tug his pants on. “Just stay here. I don’t know how he got past the guard shack, but I’ll take care of him.”

* * *

Will threw on his shirt as he headed to the front porch. Mr. LaMont pounded on the front door as he reached it. He opened it and stared into the face of the man he couldn’t stand, now for completely visceral reasons.

“Where is she? I know she’s here.” LaMont tried to shove his way into the house.

Will gripped the door frame and blocked him. He would never let that man into his house, not ever. “Who? You have no business in my house.”

“My daughter is here, that means I have all the business in the world in your house.”

Will shoved him outside and followed, closing it behind him. His stomach churned even seeing the sick man. He wouldn’t get anywhere near Gen. Will would never let it happen. “Your daughter is an adult and doesn’t need you anymore.”

“Are you holding her hostage? She’s my daughter. Mine. You have no right to what’s mine.” His gaze searched every window, and Will hoped Gen was smart enough to stay away. The hypocrisy of Mr. LaMont lecturing him on belongings wasn’t lost on Will.

“She left you. Had her reasons. Now she’s with me and she’s not going anywhere. She’s my concern now.”

“You can’t just take what isn’t yours. I’ll offer you a trade.” He waved to the car and Maddie slid out of the passenger side.

Now he knew how LaMont had gotten in, the man at the guard shack would need to be replaced, too. Letting Maddie in twice was inexcusable.

“We trade. My daughter, for Maddie.”

“Never.” Will crossed his arms and waited, knowing LaMont would try something else.

Maddie stalked toward him, but his glare stopped her in her tracks.

“Don’t act like that’s even close to an even trade. Gen is my concern now and, unlike you, I plan to actually take care of her. Maddie’s been with Jack for about as long as you’ve been trying to get your hands on what’s mine. I’ll give both of you five minutes to get off my property or I’ll remove you myself.”

It was a bluff, he didn’t have much in the way of power, but people always did what he said, and LaMont was no exception. He went back to his truck, throwing a scowl over his shoulder.

“We aren’t finished, William.”

He laughed. “Yes. We are. Your daughter is my wife, that will never change. There isn’t a thing you can do about it.”

LaMont’s eyes widened in a crazed search. “No. She wouldn’t do that to me. She loves me. I’m her daddy.”

Will shook his head and his stomach lurched at what Gen had had to put up with. It was clear why she’d run, and fate had brought her right to him, where she belonged. “She doesn’t want you to be anything to her anymore, and if you don’t leave now, you’ll be in jail.”

Maddie climbed into the truck just as Carter drove up for the eight o’clock meeting. LaMont climbed behind the wheel and took off, spraying loose gravel as he sped away.

“What was that all about?” Carter joined Will on the step.

“Maddie is in league with LaMont. So is Jack.” Jack had worked for him almost as long as Carter, and the betrayal hit hard, but not half as hard as LaMont’s betrayal of his own daughter.

“LaMont isn’t allowed on this property anymore, and neither is Maddie. I mean it. If that bothers you, I’ll have to let you go, too.”

Carter crossed his arms and clenched his jaw. “I’m not with them. I might not like the choices my sister has made, but she’s still blood.”

“Your choice. She’s taking everything she knows to LaMont. If I can’t trust you, then you’re gone.” He hated to do it. Losing Carter would be like starting over, but now that he had Gen and he could see a real future, there was the chance that he could have children. He wouldn’t lose what he could give them some day.

“You can trust me. I’ve never told her anything. She didn’t use me to get information before, and it won’t start now.”

He nodded, but he could feel the breach in trust between them. “Jack needs to go. Go get him so I can send him on his way.”

He watched Carter head for the barn and then turned to the house. Gen stood in the doorway, fully dressed, but hair still tousled. He’d protected her. His chest swelled with pride that he’d been the one to do it. It was better than any acquisition he’d ever made, better than any big deal. He’d known Gen for years, but it took an unplanned marriage for him to realize just how much he cared for her.

He strode up to her and drew her against his chest, enjoying the feel of her against him. “He’s gone, and he won’t be back.”

“I know. Thank you. I guess I should tell you … I need you, too.”

He held her close and kissed the top of her head. “I think I more than need you, woman. I love you.”