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“I’ll wait for the police,” Ginny said. “I’m packing a bag now, and I have family I can stay with.”
“I’ll stay right here on the line with you,” he said.
Ginny thanked him, and they didn’t speak again. She started answering her texts, and fifteen minutes later, Ronald said, “The police are searching the house now, ma’am. I’ve fed them your floor plan, and they’ll come get you from the closet.”
“Thank you,” she said again, her exhaustion nearing a breaking point. The call ended, and she picked up her weekend bag.
In the next moment, she got a text from the security company, saying an alarm was going off at property number three.
“Drake,” she said.
Another text came in.Alarm sounding at property number one. Please check the status of your alarm and text the contact at property number one.
“Elliot,” she said, and she knew none of them would be staying in their homes that night.
Her first thought was Olli, and then her phone rang again, and Handsome Cowboy sat there.
Perhaps she could stay at Bluegrass Ranch until they got things sorted at Sweet Rose. “Hey,” she said.
“What’s going on?” Cayden asked. “I came back to check on you, and there are cops everywhere.”
“I have a huge favor to ask you,” she said. “It’s okay to say no, but I need a safe place to stay and lay low for a few days…”
Chapter Eleven
Trey woke the morning after his wedding, his internal alarm getting him up just after six o’clock, as normal. He picked up his phone to find a dozen messages, and his frustration grew.
Thankfully, the first few were from Robert, saying he was on his way to the ranch, and that he’d gotten the contract Trey had sent him last night.
He sent him a quick,Thanks, Rob. I’ll be back on Friday, and we’ll meet Saturday morning. I’d love to hear your initial assessment on the horse then.
Sounds good, Rob said, and Trey navigated to the several texts from Cayden. They were part of a group message, which included Trey, Spur, and Blaine.
Ginny’s had some trouble at her house. She needs a place to stay, and I offered Spur’s old room at the homestead. If you object to that, I’d love to hear it now.
Trey frowned but kept reading. Blaine had answered instantly with,What kind of trouble? Either way, it’s fine with me.
Fine with me, Spur said.I think that bed is made and ready.
It was, because Mom had made sure to lecture the three cowboys who still lived in the house to keep it that way. She wanted the bedroom ready for any guests that might need it. Blaine had argued back with her, laughing afterward, asking what guests would possibly come to the ranch and use that bedroom.
Turned out, Ginny Winters was that guest.
The other brothers had kept talking for a few minutes, and Cayden explained that they weren’t sure what was going on at the property where Ginny lived with all of her siblings, but four out of the five houses had had their alarms triggered.
Blaine had asked if he and Ginny were dating, to which Cayden had answered with a very firmNo.
They’d probably taken the conversation off the group, because there wasn’t anything after that. Spur hated group texts with a passion, and Trey had to admit he wasn’t that fond of them, either.
He sent a quick,I hope she’s okay. Keep me updated.
Trey closed his eyes, the burning sensation behind his eyelids reminding him exactly how long it had taken him to fall asleep in this wretched hotel room. Alone.
His wife slept on the other side of the wall, and Trey put his palm against it. The rough texture of the plaster and the coolness of the paint infused into him, and he took a long, deep breath.
He could do this. Beth had asked him to marry her so they could enter a horse into a race. They’d taken things a step further only very recently, and Trey had to be patient if he wanted a real relationship with her.
He hooked another breath to his first, and then another to that one. Eventually, he drifted back to sleep, and that was the best gift the Lord could give him.
