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I frown. On closer inspection, the man looks like he’s aged overnight. Even though he’s been undergoing chemo for the last year, he looks beaten down. His knuckles are clenched white around his cowboy hat.
“You okay, Stede?” Charlie asks, brow furrowed.
“You remember my oldest daughter, Dakota, don’t you?”
Fuck.
My body tenses like it’s in battle. Still, I do my best to keep my face expressionless while my heart slams against my chest like a kick drum.
Remember. More like engraved onto my goddamn soul.
Although, I’d never tell Stede that. Dakota and I are water under the bridge. She came into my life as quick as she left. One year. But it felt like she blew up my entire world.
The memory of her comes in waves. Intelligent dark brown eyes, the color of roasted chestnuts. She always reminded me of the buzz of neon long after it flickered out. Always going. Energy in motion. That was Dakota McGraw.
“Sure, I remember her.” I place my hands on the counter to shake off the ache that’s already settled and study the defeated hunch of his shoulders. Having spent half my life decoding facial expressions and nonverbal cues, I know without a doubt that he’s brought nothing good to the ranch. “What can we do for you, Stede?”
“I’m afraid I need your help,” he says grimly. “Koty’s in trouble.”
“Trouble?”
Fuck.
If Dakota’s in trouble, it means I’ll kill someone.
Again.
“Got a call from her early this morning,” Stede goes on. “She wouldn’t tell me what happened, but she’s hurt. Her car broke down. Sounds like she’s on the run. From what, she wouldn’t say.”
“On the run? What the fuck,” Ford says, looking bewildered.
“Tell us what we can do,” Charlie growls, his arm wrapped around Ruby.
Stede lets out a long, tired sigh. “I’m not too proud to ask…would you go get my daughter, Davis?”
All eyes pin to me. My throat tightens as my mind locks on the promise I made to Stede last year. To always protect Dakota and Fallon. The old man is like a second father to us all. Taking us in. Protecting the ranch by calling in a doozy of a favor when we needed help.
I make a promise, I keep it.
But before I can answer, Stede, shame in his voice, says, “With the cancer, I’m not strong enough to make the drive.” Ruby rests a hand on his arm. “And Fallon…”
Wyatt straightens up, blue eyes bright and intense. “Fallon needs help?” he asks over a mouthful of donut. Powdered sugar coats the front of his shirt.
“If Dakota’s in trouble”—Stede runs a hand through his wispy hair—“I don’t want Fallon tangling with whatever she’s got following her.”
“I’ll go,” I announce, feeling all three of my brother’s gazes on me. Fueled by anger and determination, I stomp across the floor and grab the keys to my truck. “Where is she?”
“A little town outside of Sioux Falls.‘Bout eleven hours away.”
I’ll make it in eight.
Ford’s eyes are cold. “You need backup, D?”
“No,” I grit out.
Only backup I’m taking is my twelve gauge.
I look at Stede. “I promised you I’d protect your daughters and I’ll do that. I’ll bring Dakota home safe.”
