AllFreeNovel
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“Where are you, Rory?”
“I’m in town.”
“That’s what I heard. Heather went in and saw you hanging out outside of the bakery in your truck. Are you stalking that girl?”
I snort. “No.”
“Then what’s going on?”
“Callie’s had a string of bad luck over the past twenty-four hours and I’m kind of worried.”
“Like what?”
“Like tires that are slashed and an employee that was kept up all night so she was too exhausted to come in.”
“So she’s alone at work today.”
“Exactly. And if something’s gonna happen today, I’m not leaving her alone. I still can’t believe that someone shot at her yesterday. I’m so sorry about Donut.”
“It wasn’t anything you did. Or her. If it’s this guy then he’s got some half-assed agenda that he came all this way for and he’s probably not gonna give up with just grazing a horse.”
I nod my head, forgetting that he can’t see me.
“If you need to keep an eye on her and you need to leave work early or skip you just let me know. We can’t let anything happen to our women. I’d do the same for Heather. I’d give my life for hers without even thinking about it. She means everything to me and I’m sure that you feel the same way about Callie.”
“I do,” I mutter, staring at my hand on my jean-clad thigh, knowing it’s the damn truth. I’d gladly give my life for Callie. She’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever met and I cannot bear the thought that someone thinks that it’s alright to hurt her.
It’s not alright. It’s never gonna be alright.
“So you take whatever you need. You’re a good guy and I know how you felt about your wife but you deserve to find love again.”
All of a sudden, I can’t take it anymore. “Dammit, I am not still mourning my wife. I didn’t mourn her at all. At least not the way everybody else felt like I did. She was cheating on me and she refused to stop. She wanted an open marriage but she didn’t tell me until I already married her so basically I didn’t have any choice in the matter. I either divorced her or put up with her wild ways and cheating heart.”
He’s silent for a beat or two and then he sighs. “Shit. I’m sorry. That must have hurt like hell.”
“Yeah,” I growl and run my hands through my hair, my eyes staying locked on Callie’s lithe figure.
“Still. It’s a good thing that you’ve found Callie and it’s giving you a second chance at love. You deserve to be happy. You’re a good guy.”
“Thank you.”
“Heather’s worried about her too. She said she seemed pale and scared when she was in there. Said she was checking her phone and her hand was shaking.”
Fuck!
“Yeah. He’s still sending her messages but she didn’t think that he knows where she’s at.”
“It’s not good that he’s still sending her messages.”
“Trust me. I know that. He’s still interested enough to try and scare her. That means he’s still invested in her.”
“Yep.”
“You take what you need and take care of that girl. And call the Sheriff and let him know what’s going on.”
I grunt but I know that I’m not letting him near her either. I’ll take care of her.
My hands clench and I unclench them, wiping the sweaty palms on my jeans. She’s mine. Nobody else needs to be here.
