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“Sick bastard,” Brock mumbled as he drew Morgan to his side. “Don’t worry, pumpkin, we’ll find out who this is.”
She gave him a tight smile. “You all don’t have to stay here. I know you have things to do at the ranch.”
Lincoln made her way over to Morgan. “I can make you some lunch or something.”
I could see Morgan was starting to feel suffocated with everyone hovering around her. I was about to suggest pizza when she cleared her throat.
“Ryan’s going to head to his place to pack up some stuff, and I’m going with him. I need to get out of here and get some fresh air. Plus, I haven’t seen his folks in a while. And Ryan mentioned that we might go riding.”
Lincoln smiled at me, and I returned the gesture before glancing over at Blayze with a what the hell expression. He simply shrugged.
“I think going for a ride will be a great distraction, and I’m positive Tina and Bobby will love to see you,” Lincoln said as she put her arm around Brock’s waist. “You’ll call if you need anything?”
Morgan nodded.
Lincoln turned to me. “Ryan?”
“Yes, ma’am. I promise.”
Brock reached his hand out to shake mine. “Thank you, Ryan. It means a lot to us that you’ll be here, watching out for our girl.”
I drew in a breath and shook his hand. “I swear to you, I’ll keep her safe.”
An expression passed over Brock’s face, but it was gone before I could read it. “I know you will, son. I know you will.”
“I spoke with a friend of mine who works at the police station, and he said they’re going to keep an officer close by for the next few days,” Hunter added.
“That’s nice of them to do that,” Morgan said as she walked over and gave her brother a hug. “Go home, get off your foot. If I need anything, I’ll call you.”
Hunter looked at his sister with so much concern and love, it made my chest squeeze. “Promise me, Morgan. I’m home for a couple of weeks, so I can stay here if Ryan can’t.”
She hugged him once again. “I promise. I love you.”
He drew back and kissed her forehead. “I love you too.”
“Are you still up for meeting with the interior decorator later?” Georgiana asked as she walked over to Morgan. “She wants to make sure we’re good on a few last-minute things.”
“Yes,” Morgan stated firmly. “It’s business as usual. This person doesn’t get to keep me from living my life.”
Georgiana grinned and took Morgan’s hand. “Okay, we’re meeting at four in the studio. I’ll see you then?”
Morgan nodded. “See you then.”
After walking everyone to the door and saying their goodbyes again, Morgan shut the door, locked it, then leaned her forehead against the surface. She let out a long, exhausted sigh. I made my way over, turned her, and pulled her into my arms.
“I hate this, Ryan. I hate that someone can make me feel this way.”
I ran my hand up and down her back. “I know, and I’m so sorry. We’ll find him, Morgan. I swear.”
Chapter Nine
MORGAN
A feeling of utter peace washed over me as I dropped my head back and let the sun warm my face. The feel of the horse walking underneath me in a calming motion put my anxiety at ease.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Ryan said from his horse, which was walking next to mine.
“Nothing makes me happier than being on a horse.”
“Nothing? Not even designing?”
I turned my head to see him watching me. “That’s different. Designing lets me be creative and it’s a great outlet. But riding…I don’t know. There’s something about being near a horse that makes me so happy. I wish I could have Titan with me in town so I could ride him every day.”
Ryan grinned. “Well, my parents’ place is a lot closer to town than your family’s ranch. You’re more than welcome to keep him here if you want.”
“Really? Your mom and dad won’t mind?”
That time he laughed. “It’s a horse farm, Morgan. They love horses.”
“I’ll take care of his feed and grooming and everything. They won’t have to lift a finger.”
Ryan waved me off. “Please, the more horses the merrier.”
I looked down at the chestnut mare I was riding. “But you won’t be here to help them.”
“One more horse isn’t going to break us. Besides, I think Titan would fit in well. He’s so gentle that he might actually be good for some of the problem horses we work with. Would you mind if we partnered him up, if need be?”
“I don’t mind at all. He always tends to favor the more timid horses. It’s like he’s trying to welcome them into the herd. He’s a good boy.”
We rode in silence for a bit until we came upon a creek and got off to let the horses take a break and get some water. I stood at the edge of the water and stared out over the rolling pastures of High Meadows Stables. Ryan’s grandfather had started the ranch as a horse rescue years ago, then moved on to specializing in training barrel horses and team roping. Since Bobby took over the place, he’d taken on more troubled horses. Folks in town called him Hamilton’s horse whisperer. Ryan had the same gift when it came to horses. It was like he knew what the animal was feeling. I was surprised he’d even consider walking away from it to brew beer.
