AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The moment was so sweet, yet an ache formed deep inside my heart. He’d suffered so much. I was sick inside with the thoughts of what he’d been forced to endure. I was also pissed that nothing had happened, including an arrest. I’d seen Prescott Westfield more than once on my drives into town. He’d been pontificating in front of a crowd, but he’d watched me like a hawk every time.
“I’m scared stiff,” I managed, my teeth chattering from the cold shiver racing down my spine and all the way to my toes.
“You have to relax. Star knows what to do. Trust in her. Besides, we’re not going anywhere other than around the corral. For now.” He laughed softly as he started walking.
“Whoa.” Immediately Star stopped, tossing her head behind her. “Oops. Sorry, baby. Go. I mean…”
Montgomery couldn’t seem to stop laughing. He continued and thank God he wasn’t taking his usual long strides, or I might toss my cookies. I closed my eyes briefly as I tried to calm my nerves. Within a minute or so, I was able to squint, almost enjoying myself.
Almost.
“That’s better. Good girl,” he said.
“I’m not sure who you are talking to.”
“Both of you. At least you’re both being obedient right now. See how easy this is?”
“That’seasyfor you to say,” I retorted.
He laughed again, moving around the fence and closer to the barn. There was a comfortable feeling about him, but I’d caught the glimpse of sadness in his eyes.
“Have you found anything else out about Prescott? Have you talked to him? Did the sheriff mention he’d talked with the FBI?” He’d told me he’d accosted the sheriff and what the man had told him.
“No, I haven’t talked to the sheriff. I anticipated a quiet period before the asshole struck again. However, I did have an interesting phone call from Prescott.”
“Are you kidding me?”
He darted a glance in my direction, stopping just outside the barn. “No, I’m not kidding. He made me what he called one last offer to sell.”
“That sounds ominous.”
“Oh, the man knows what he’s doing. There was no overt threat, just an offer. Actually, it wasn’t a bad price.”
“You’re not thinking of accepting it. Are you?”
“Of course not. I told him in no uncertain terms what he could do with it. Don’t worry, Aspen. That man is going to get what’s coming to him.”
“What are you going to do? I know you’re planning something.”
“Let’s just say that Jackson and I are preparing for another visit, one Prescott won’t be happy with.”
“Don’t you dare do anything stupid.” I’d been right. The man was going to get himself killed.
He tugged on Star’s bridle, leading her away from the barn. “You’re going to need to trust me, Aspen. This will all be over with within two days. That much I promise you.”
I shuddered to my core, uncertain why he was bothering to tell me. I tried to shake off the terrible feelings, my instinct screaming that something horrible was going to happen. It wouldn’t matter what I said, Montgomery was going to do exactly what he wanted exactly how he decided to.
Biting back a moan, I closed my eyes, trying to enjoy the moment. When my phone rang, the sound was so unexpected that I jerked, immediately toppling to the side and into Montgomery’s arms.
“Oopf,” I managed, taking scattered breaths.
Star whinnied, hoofing the ground several times.
As he continued to hold me, ignoring the fact my phone was ringing, his gaze became mesmerizing. He’d allowed me to see a glimpse into his soul before. Now I could grasp all of his intense emotions and thoughts, the pain that he’d struggled with for so long. And in those few seconds, I couldn’t hold back saying what I’d wanted to for days.
“I love you.”
He didn’t seem bothered by my statement, his only reaction a slight curl appearing on his lip.
