A shuffling sound could be hear outside of the cabin, waking up Tyler from his peaceful sleep. He reached for the gun next to him on the floor next to the bed. This was the first time in many months that he hadn’t woken up covered in sweat and shaking from his horrible dreams. He checked his watch. It looked like Hank’s guys were right on time.

Carefully, so as not to awaken her, he removed Jeanie’s arms and legs from around his body and placed the blanket over her naked body. He got out of the bed and pulled on his boxers. He checked the window first, knowing who was out there, but caution was important under the circumstances. Tyler opened the door to his fellow Brotherhood Protector, Taz. They had briefly met when he’d come on to work for Hank. Tyler respected his hard work and go get ’em attitude.

The fellow ranger grinned back and reached out his arm to shake in a warrior’s arm grip. Both being Rangers, they had many of the same experiences. Tyler hoped to be able reminisce with him one of these days.

Taz glanced into the cabin. “Heard you had a little trouble yesterday. Hank sent us out here to check the area.”

“Thanks, man. I’ll get Jeanie up, and we’ll be ready to head back to the ranch shortly.”

Taz guffawed. “Be careful around sleeping beauties. They can be cranky in the morning.”

Tyler quirked an eyebrow. “I’ll take that under advisement. Thanks for the advice.”

Taz walked away, and Tyler closed the door quietly, not wanting to wake up Jeanie just yet. He was surprised she hadn’t woken up from the knock or them talking. He walked over to the bed and laid down next to her. Very gently he placed a kiss on her forehead. She moved her body into his and scooted her butt right up against his cock. A zing went through his body like a lightning bolt, and the need to have her again was strong. Tyler wrestled with his conscience for a second then wrapped his arms around her body and whispered in her ear. “Time to get up sleepyhead. We need to head back to the ranch.”

Her bottom wiggled slightly against him, and she stretched her body like a cat.

“I don’t want to get up,” she said, her voice muffled by the pillow. “It’s so cozy right here.”

She turned her face to him, and even though she was just waking up, she was beautiful. Her long hair curled around her shoulders and spread like a cloud across her pillow. Her stunning hazel eyes blinked lazily. Jeanie reached to place her arms around Tyler’s neck and brought him down for a quick kiss.

The need to deepen the kiss, almost took his breath away, but he knew they had to head out. He separated his lips from Jeanie’s and kissed her cheek. She sighed, cuddled back into the pillow, and closed her eyes again. Gently, he moved away and stood beside the bed. Then he patted her on the bottom. “How did you sleep, my beauty?”

She made a sexy groaning sound. “Very well, no bad dreams, which is a miracle. Seems I’m always waking up from those dreadful things. But not last night.”

Uncurling her body, the blanket slipped down to her waist, baring her breasts. Her rosy nipples pearled up, begging to be plucked. Tyler almost pounced on her but turned away as he pulled out his clothes for the day. While he dressed, he heard her shuffling around. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her rifling through her pack of clothes.

“Are the Brotherhood Protectors already here?” she asked.

“Yeah, they arrived shortly before I woke you up. They’re already checking out the area.”

“Wow, they’re stealthy. I didn’t hear a thing, but I was sleeping so good.”

Now dressed, she turned toward him and gave him a smile.

Tyler knew his expression mirrored hers. Their smiles turned into goofy grins. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this happy. And it was all because of her. This woman did things to his insides, made him feel relaxed and normal again. His face and neck started to heat up, and he looked down at his pack to finish putting everything away to hide his embarrassment.

They finished getting their things together at the same time then, in tandem, put away the bedding, folded up the pullout, and straightened up the room.

Tyler took a moment strapped on his holster, check the rounds remaining in his 9mm, and slid it into the holster. He turned to look at Jeanie. “Ready to head out?”

She smiled and gave him a nod.

They both picked up several packs and shouldered their rifles.

After a quick scan around the room to make sure they hadn’t forgotten anything, Tyler preceded Jeanie out the cabin door. Looking back to make sure Jeanie was still with him, he headed toward the small barn.

Taz walked toward them. “Good morning,” he said and nodded in their direction as he walked up to join them.

The men shook hands and flanked Jeanie.

“Wanted to let you know we followed your attacker’s trail to the property line, along the edge of the forest,” Taz said. “We contacted the owner of that land to see whether he’s noticed anyone moving around his property, and we’re waiting for a call back.”

Tyler nodded. “Great. Keep me updated.”

“For sure man. Drive back safe.”

Taz turned and walked away.

Jeanie headed to the door of the barn and began to open it. Tyler turned toward her and helped to open the doors. They both headed to the ATVs to load their packs and rifles.

“Ready to go?” Tyler asked.

She looked over at him with her helmet strapped under chin, nodded her head once in acknowledgement, and then faced forward on the ATV. Two of the Protectors that had come for the inspection had pulled up in their ATV’s to escort them back to the ranch. They nodded at Jeanie and Tyler.

Tyler started his engine and pulled out in front, heading in the direction the ranch with Jeanie right behind him. He’d paid close attention yesterday, so knew he knew the way back. All along their route, Tyler continued to scan the area as they drove over the rolling hills. He could see the house just ahead, and soon they were pulling the ATVs into the ATV shed. The two men that escorted them back to the ranch headed off back to the cabin, to help with the inspection. So many things had happened since he’d come here only a few days ago, but he already felt a connection with these people and a growing bond and need for Jeanie. The need was tangible and anytime he was apart from her, he felt the loss.

“I’m gonna go take a shower once I unpack. I’ll see you later.” She sauntered off.

He didn’t feel comfortable with her going anywhere by herself, but he’d remain nearby, and that the other ranch hands would be doing the same. “Ok, I’ll see you in a bit. A shower does sound really good right now.”

She glanced back as she continued toward the ranch house and nodded, and then turned away. Her long, golden hair swung behind her.

Tyler felt his cock twitch just watching her curved hips and slightly rounded bottom as she left. Shaking his head to clear it of lustful thoughts, he headed to the bunkhouse as quickly as he could. He needed to grab his stuff. He, Percy, and Gavin had agreed yesterday before he’d left that he needed to move into the ranch house with Jeanie so that he could keep a closer eye on her. Inside, he grabbed up his few belongings, shoved them into his duffle, and headed to the house. His room would be the one straight across the hall from Jeanie’s, so it wasn’t hard to find. He dropped his stuff at the end of the bed, grabbed his bathing essentials, and jumped in the shower. With the efficiency of a soldier, he quickly cleaned his body then stepped out of the shower to dry off. He started wrapping it around his waist when he heard a distressed feminine voice across the hallway. His heart dropped into his stomach, and he grabbed his 9mm and raced out of his room and across to Jeanie’s door. When he swung it open, he found her standing in a bra and panties, patting her head with a towel.

Jeanie had just stepped out of the shower, wrapped her hair in a towel, and pulled on her underwear and bra, when her cell phone rang. “Dang it. Why does this always happen when I’m dripping wet,” she cried out. Running to her bed in the other room, she grabbed her cellphone. She let out an excited gasp when she realized the caller was her sister Maddie.

“Hi Jeanie,” Maddie said on the other end of the line.

“Hey how are you doing?”

Putting her sister on speaker, she unwound the towel and rubbed her hair.

“I’m great. Hanging out at Derek’s apartment. We’re preparing for a barbeque for an early lunch, but I left the guys in charge to call you,”

Jeanie smiled. “You’re not worried they’ll burn the place down?”

“No, Derek is a quick learner,” her sister said, laughing. “So, how have you been? I haven’t heard from you in a few days.”

Just then, the door slammed open, and Tyler stood in battle-ready stance, gun drawn, with wet hair and a towel loosely wrapped around his waist. Her mouth dropped open as she stared, distracted by the handsome man whose gaze darted around the room.

When he finally relaxed, she motioned to the phone she held. She didn’t want to let her sister know anything was up.

He mouthed to her, “Are you ok?”

She signaled to him with a thumbs-up then winking at his towel. Then she turned away and continued to speak to her sister on the phone. Every time she saw that man he gave her goose bumps and sent a warm feeling to her core. Out of the corner of her eye she saw that he’d left and closed the door behind him.

“Hello, earth to Jeanie…are you there?” Maddie said.

“Yeah, sorry. I was a little distracted.”

“Dad gave me a little heads-up about some of what is happening, but I wanted to get the deets from you.”

Jeanie sighed. “There have been a few incidents here over the last few days,” she said breezily—she didn’t want her sister worrying. “And…there’s a new guy. Hank Patterson sent me a bodyguard of sorts. His name is Tyler.”

“Is he cute?” Maddie asked with a sly note in her voice.

Again, she sighed. “Yesssss…. He’s gorgeous.”

She chuckled. “You’ve been a busy girl. But first, tell me about what’s going on. Then I want to know all about this guy.”

“Oh, a few little things have happened…runaway horses, a rattle snake in the barn, shootings. You know the usual.” She winced and held the phone away from her ear.

“What? Oh. My. God. Are you ok?”

“Like I said, I’m fine. I have a very capable bodyguard, and he’s keeping me safe and out of trouble. We’re thinking that someone from the kidnapping ring is trying to scare me.”

“Sounds like more than that. Have you talked to the local police?”

“Of course, and Hank, as well as local law enforcement, are talking with the Colorado unit.”

“Well, isn’t Derek sneaky not telling me anything?” she said, her voice lowering.

“Don’t get onto him. We don’t know very much, and he probably didn’t want to worry you.”

“When it’s my family I need to be worried.”

A harsh breath sounded in Jeanie’s ear.”

“Alright, now tell me about this bodyguard.”

Jeanie grinned. “He is a little rough around the edges.”

“Aren’t they all? Is he prior military?”

“Yes, he’s was a Ranger, and he’s really good at his job and…. other things.”

“Other things?” Her sister’s voice rose. “Did you sleep together?”

“Dang, Maddie. Straight to the point as always. Um, we did at the cabin last night.” She waved a hand at her hot face. “Girl, after everything we went through, we needed the stress break.”

“Too true. Well I better go. I think I heard Derek yelling at the stove,” she said with a chuckle.

“Love you, sis. Talk to you later.”

“Bye. Love you, too. Be safe.”

“Always.” She clicked off the phone.

Jeanie continued to dry her hair and walked over to the dresser on the other side of the bed. She found soft, faded blue jeans and a T-shirt and pulled them on then padded out of her room and down the stairs to the kitchen to see what was left over after breakfast. As she walked into the kitchen, she found Tyler standing there, with two plates of food, one in each hand.

“I see great minds think alike.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “Figured you’d be down shortly, so I put together a plate for you as well and was just about to heat them up.”

“That sounds amazing.”

Tyler put each plate in the microwave and then placed them on the table.

Jeanie grabbed silverware and napkins.

Tyler motioned for her to sit down at the table. “Would you like some juice?”

“Sure, that would be lovely.”

He poured two glasses and set them beside each plate and sat next to her. They ate in silence for a few minutes then both started to talk at once.

“Well, what are we doing for the rest of the day?”

“What was life like in military?”

They both laughed.

Tyler looked away for a second. “The military was like being part of a well-structured family, but you don’t didn’t have to worry about anyone abusing you.”

He was quiet after that statement, which made her more curious. “What do you mean by not being abused?”

“Ah, my Dad abused my mom and I. She tried to get away with me once, when I was child, but when we went back it was worse.”

“Tyler, nothing I say will make that better, but I’m sorry you both had to go through that.”

He shrugged. “Thank you. I don’t know where that came from, but it felt right telling you.”

“I feel the same way when I am talking to you as well. Like I can tell you anything.”

They both smiled. True genuine smiles, like the weight of the world had been lifted from their shoulders. Jeanie let loose a little sigh and dug into her food with more gusto.

When they finished eating, Tyler helped Jeanie out of her chair, and they both walked with their plates to the sink to clean up. He washed as she dried the plates.

Suddenly, the side door to the kitchen slammed open, and Percy stood there. His hair stood on end, and soot smudged on his cheeks. His was gasping for breath like he’d been running.

Tyler’s hand went to his weapon, and his face took on a grim expression with steely eyes and a set mouth.

“The north fields on fire, and most of the horses are out there. We need all hands on deck to help rescue them and start putting out while help is on its way.”

Jeanie and Tyler shared a charged glance.

“We’ll be right there,” Tyler said.

Percy ran out the door toward the north field. Horses could be heard screaming in the distance. They both ran up the stairs, splitting off to run to their respective rooms. She grabbed her socks and boots and slammed them on, then grabbed a bandana to put around her face as well as baseball hat to stuff her hair beneath. At a run, she slammed open her door and straight into Tyler’s arms.

He steadied her. “Whoa.” He too had donned boots and wore a bandana.

“We can make it to them faster if we take the ATVs we used yesterday,” she said.

“Let’s ride together.

Tyler sprinted down the stairs in front of Jeanie.

She tied the bandana around her neck as they sprinted out the back door toward the shed. He got to the main door first, pushed it open, and started up the ATV. Jeanie grabbed her hair and pushed under her hat, and then jumped on to the vehicle behind him.

“Are you ready?” he said over his shoulder.

“Ready.”

He sped off in the direction of the smoke and sounds of men shouting and horses screaming.