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“Who’s Chad?” asks Kenny.
“The creep who got me sent here!” Ava yells.
“You stole my job! This was supposed to be my story. I got fired because of you!” Chad growls at Ava.
“You got fired because of yourself. You were using me! I should have known better. You’re such a slimeball.”
“Is this your new plan? Just sleep with everyone involved so you can get your way? Does your brother know what a slut you are? Does he know you’re sleeping with the ranch owner to get a good story? Or is he in on it, too?” Chad yells.
“Hey! Don’t you talk about her like that.” I raise an arm, ready to beat the crap out of him.
“Travis, stop! The cops are here.”
Two cruisers race down the road, skidding to a stop in front of the house.
“Hi, officers. Thanks for coming. We found this guy sneaking around my property. He was looking in my bedroom window, taking pictures!” I give him a shove.
“Ok, easy there. We’ll take him from here.” Two officers take Chad to the back of their police car to talk. The other two stay to speak to me and Kenny.
“Who’s the owner of this ranch?”
“I am,” I say.
“Do you have proof?”
“Yes, I have proof of ownership and proof that this guy has been sneaking around my property! He broke one of my fences! He’s been taking pictures!” I gesture at the broken camera on the ground.
“I understand how upsetting this must be for you. We’ve got him now. I’m going to take the camera and see if our guys can get any of the images off of it.” One officer picks up the camera pieces and places them into a bag.
“I’ve got guests here! And women! And my child!” I yell.
“I know, sir. We’ll take care of this.”
“Travis, it’s ok. They’ve got him now.” Ava comes up beside me and places a hand on my arm. Her touch calms me. “We’re all ok.”
The officers took down our statements and decided to arrest Chad. Now I’ve got to get these ladies settled down. Then I’d better call Ryder. He’ll kill me if he hears about this on the news first.
I go inside, and Roberta has already made tea for everyone and is ushering them back to their rooms.
“The excitement is over. Everyone is safe. Go on. Take this tea up to your room and get back into bed. Good night.” She’s cooing at the ladies in a soft voice.
“Thanks, Roberta, you’re a godsend.”
“Mia! There you are, sweetie. Are you ok?”
“Yeah, I’m fine, Dad.”
“I’m glad you’re ok.”
“Me too, but I wasn’t worried. I knew you’d protect us.” She leans in for a hug. It’s like a punch to the gut. I almost didn’t protect them. What if Chad had gotten further with them when they were horseback riding? What if they hadn’t noticed him?
What if I had been out or asleep when he came to the window tonight? Was he trying to get in? What would he have done to Ava? I can’t let my mind wander.
“I’d better call Ryder. He needs to know what happened before the police get ahold of him,” I say to Ava as she takes my hand and leads me inside.
19
AVA
