Jeanie’s eye fluttered open. As she stared up at the rafters, she couldn’t believe everything that had happened in the short time Tyler had been with her on the ranch. She was falling for him. As well, she was scared for him because of all he was going through. They were two broken people, and, sometimes, a broken person wasn’t the best thing for another to be around. She knew in her soul that Tyler was an amazing person, and that he would do anything to protect her. She just wished they could quickly find this person who kept attacking her. Then they could sort through whatever it was happening between them.

The weight of Tyler’s body on her own reminded her they should probably get up and eat something since they’d left the food out.

With a smile, she wiggled and tried to move Tyler off her. “Tyler are you awake?”

He grunted. “Just enjoying the feel of your body, babe.”

Babe. She liked the way he said it—low and sort of growly. She gave a soft laugh then wiggled harder, finally dislodging him.

Playfully, he rolled softly to the floor. “You’re gonna get it now.” He jumped up but tripped over the pants still around his thighs.

She leaned over and looked into his eyes that were sparkling with mischief. “Ha ha. Looks like you’re all tangled up.” She jumped over the back of the couch and sprinted into the kitchenette.

Faster than he probably should have, being careful of his sore arm. With a quick movement he kicked off his pants and out of the corner of her eye she saw him follow her like a cheetah after its prey. Tyler bounded into the kitchen. He stalked her then pressed her against the countertop and took her lips, his body snug against hers.

A moan left her lips, and Tyler growled into her mouth. After a few moments, they stopped kissing and panted, their chests colliding with each breath.

She felt a little chill and shivered. Night had descended, and by the sound of the wind against the walls of the cabin, the storm had arrived.

Tyler pulled away from her, strode to the couch, and returned with a quilt to drape over her shoulders. “We should probably put a few clothes on and settle in for the night.”

“Afraid I’ll tempt you?” she asked, arching a brow.

“Yeah, and frankly, I don’t want to greet company in the morning in my birthday suit.” Tyler moved back toward the couch and dragged on his boxers, leaving them low on his hips.

She gave him a wry smile. His definition of “dressed” didn’t match hers. Not that she’d complain. Her gaze strayed toward the stark white bandage high on his shoulder, and her tummy did a little flip as she remembered how close he’d come to being killed.

He waved a hand in front of her face. “Hey. I’m all right. Let’s eat the food you brought for tonight. Then I’ll report back into Hank and Gavin, so they know we’re good until the guys come to check out the area tomorrow.”

“Ok, give me a minute.” Walking over to the clothes she’d dropped on the floor, she collected them and started pulling them on. She turned as she shimmied her jeans up her legs, and her gaze collided with Tyler’s. He nostrils were flared like a feral animal’s, and she could see a bit of wildness in his eyes.

“You know you don’t have to get fully dressed,” he said with a grin like the Cheshire cat’s.

She rolled her eyes. “It’s a little cold in here. Besides, where’s the fun if they’re already off?” She picked up the socks from the floor and sat on the couch to don them. With a little more sway in her step than usual, she walked back to the little kitchen. Once she was going through the food, he turned away from her and went around to the doors and windows. She was glad he was making sure they were safe and that he was keeping an eye out. The sandwich’s she had prepared, had little bits of crisp green lettuce peaked out of the sides of the bread. The smell of spicy mustard wafted up to her nostrils. In a medium size bag held waffle chips and another small container had fresh fruit down to eat. They sat down to eat the meal. Their arms brushed often, and every time, Jeanie felt a shiver go up her arm. Tyler’s arm had goosebumps, so she wasn’t sure if he was cold or if he felt the little zap.

She gave him a smile. “You should probably put a shirt on, don’t want my protector to catch cold.”

“Yeah, it’s finally cooling down after getting all steamed up.” He walked over to the spot on the floor where his bag and pulled out a clean shirt and rolled up his torn bloody flannel and put it next to his bag on the floor. They finished eating the sandwiches and some chips, and then went about unpacking some of their gear.

“I’m pretty sure looking for cattle is out of the question right now, but I’m going to check in with Hank and Percy,” Tyler said over his shoulder. The satellite phone they’d brought was the only way to contact the ranch this high in the foothills away from cell towers.

While cleaning up the kitchen, she listened as Tyler talked into the phone just outside the open door, so that the phone could have direct contact with satellite to work. Percy’s voice crackled through the small space of the cabin. They discussed what had happened, Percy relayed that Hank had already called Gavin to let him and the other ranch hands know what was happening and to stay clear of the high meadow.

“They’re sending out some Brotherhood Protectors tomorrow to search the surrounding area,” Tyler called out to her, “but we’re to report back to the ranch first thing and not stop to look for cattle.”

Jeanie turned to respond to Tyler, only to find him now standing right behind her. He placed an arm around her shoulders. She moved closer and rested her head on his chest.

“I think that’s probably the best thing to do,” he murmured.

“I hate that all this is happening, and I’m ready for it to end. I came up to Montana to get away from everything and the memories of what happened when I was kidnapped.”

“Jeanie, I’m here for you,” Tyler said into her hair. He kissed her cheek and held her.

Tyler seemed to know she needed him to listen, because he held on to her and as if it was natural for them to seek solace in each other’s arms.

She blew out a shaky breath, hoping she wouldn’t cry. “I was kidnapped by a human trafficking ring that was connected to a dating website. I was taken from my home and kept unconscious for most of the time I was held, so I don’t remember everything that happened, but I have dreams almost every night.” She started to hiccup, and then a sob broke from her lips.

“Shhh, it’s ok,” he said, rocking her gently side to side. “You can talk or not, but you’re safe with me,” Tyler said, his deep voice rumbling.

She could feel his warmth soaking into her bones and relaxed into his arms. “In my dreams, I can see the other women and hear the men who took us. Sometimes, I can even see some of the men.” She shivered at the memories.

He rubbed her back and cuddled her closer to him.

Jeanie took a long breath. “Sometimes when I wake up from my nightmare, I seem to have remembered things, but as soon as I get up, they disappear. It’s so frustrating.”

His cheek nodded against hers. “I have nightmares, too, about what happened when I was in deployed to the desert in the middle east, and sometimes everything is clear and sometimes it’s like I’m in a fog.”

Nodding her head in agreement, she sighed. “The same thing happens to me.” Feeling better, she drew back. “We should get settled for the night.”

He kissed her forehead. “I need to check around the cabin and the security of the building and call Gavin really quick. Just give me about five minutes, and then I’m all yours.”

Smiling, she walked toward the kitchenette to grab a fresh water bottle. Tyler picked up the satellite phone and walked out the door.

“Hey, Gavin,” she heard him say. “Yes, we are fine. I figured Hank had let you know what happened.” His shoulders raised up and went down with a deep breath.

She poured some of the fresh fruit into a mug she took from the cabinet , and then she put the perishable food in the ice chest they had brought. She rested her arms on the counter and watched Tyler talk to Gavin, as she munched on the fruit.

“We’ll wait for the Brotherhood protectors in the morning, and then we’ll head back to the ranch. Alright, see you then.”

He clicked off the phone set it aside, then turned to face her. “I’m sure you heard most of that. We’re to remain here until the Hank’s guys come in the morning to investigate. They’ll escort us back to the ranch.”

“Well, we have plenty of food, and I even brought a deck of cards, so we can play a few rounds of whatever games you can think of.”

He chuckled. “Always ready for anything.”

“My dad was Army, too, and he raised my sister and I to always be prepared.”

Tyler rose from the couch and came toward her. She couldn’t help but admire the way the muscles of his arms and legs flexed under his shirt and tight jeans. She remembered what they felt like against her skin, and her face started to heat up. Jeanie reached for him as he took her in his arms. They fit together so perfectly a sigh escaped her lips.

Tyler chuckled under his breath. “You’re like a kitten.”

“I enjoy you holding me, and I feel safe when I’m with you,” she said and let out another sigh.

“I love to hold you, but maybe we should move this to the couch.”

They settled on the couch and placed their feet on the coffee table in front of them almost in tandem.

“You know I could get use to this,” she said, turning her face toward his and looking up into his eyes.

He looked down into hers and gave her a sweet, tender kiss. When their lips parted, Jeanie put her head back on his chest, and they sat like that for a few minutes, just listening to the cabin creak and the wind moan.

She tilted her head to look into his face. “I think now would be a good time for me to beat you at a good game of strip poker.”

His chest shook as he laughed. The feeling made her think of home and happiness.

“Alright, missy, but I do play a mean game of poker. I might be the one who wins.”

“Not a chance. I learned from the best—that being some of the guys who worked for my dad.”

“Well, may the best player win.”

Scooting off the couch, she went over to her pack and pulled out a well-worn deck of cards. She sat beside him again and shuffled the cards on the coffee table. When she finished, she set them on the table in front of Tyler. “You can split the deck.”

He reached and split the deck, his hand brushing over hers. She felt him all the way to her toes, and a little shiver went through her.

“Are you cold?” he asked with a wink.

“Not a chance. You’re just trying to distract me. Are you scared, I’ll win?”

For the next few hours, they played several games, and they each won several rounds. He was left with his jeans only and she only had her bra and underwear.

“I think it’s a draw,” Tyler said. “How about we set up the pull-out couch to sleep.”

“Eager for sleep, are we?” Jeanie said with a grin, and then started dragging the cards toward her.

“No, just ready to get you back into my arms.”

With the cards in their box, she put away the pack then came over to help Tyler set aside the cushions then pull out the hidden bed.

“Blankets and pillows are in the chest over there,” she said, pointing.

He helped her lift the lid, and they each grabbed pillows, sheets and blankets. They worked together to make the little bed.

“I could just fall into that thing and pass out from exhaustion,” Jeanie said. “It’s been a very eventful, busy day.”

Tyler pulled off his jeans and tossed them on top of the chest. She stared. For just a second, his plaid boxers looked like a short kilt, and he reminded her of a Highland warrior. Yeah, sleep was the last thing on her mind.

She turned away, shaking her head at the fanciful thought. She moved to her pack and pulled out pajamas. With her body facing away from his, she pulled on her pajama top.

Arms corded with muscles came around her. Tyler turned her toward him. His lips came crashing down on hers, and she gasped from the force of it. Her almost naked body became weak, and she felt her legs give out. His grasp around her middle tightened, and he walked her to the bed. As they tumbled onto the little pullout, she realized she was falling for this broken soldier.