Page 84

So many questions were left unanswered. The trouble on the ranch. Her father’s role in it.

When Meadow told Colton that her attacker mentioned taking her as payment, his blood had run cold and fury prickled on his nape.

Her father had to get better—fast—so Colton could interrogate him about what was happening around here.

There was also the unsettling matter of Dude going missing. Colton did not have a good feeling about any of this. He’d seen evil in the world—spent his career trying to eradicate it.

This was evil on a different level. This time it was personal.

The cop watched them for a minute before he approached. “We have more questions for both of you.”

Over the top of Meadow’s head, Colton met his gaze. “Not now.”

Sweeping her into his arms, he carried her to the house. The lights were all on, leaving a yellow blaze on the porch to light their way.

She tensed in his hold.

“The police searched the house, baby. It’s clear. You’re safe with me.”

She shivered, a reminder to him that he had killed a man in front of her eyes.

Right now, she was still in a state of shock. When that wore off, she might see him differently.

She may run away.

When he walked straight to her bedroom and lay her down, he lingered over her, unwilling to step away for fear that she may never let him close again.

“Colton?”

He forced himself back an inch.

She hooked her arms around his neck and yanked him down on top of her with more strength than he ever thought her capable of.

But that shook him too—he knew better. Meadow was a survivor, just like he was.

“Come back to me. I see the shock on you, Colton. Stay here, with me. Let me take care of you.”

He buried his face against her fragrant throat and groaned. “God, woman. It’s me who should be taking care of you.”

“You do.” She kissed his cheek, his temple. “You saved my life. You’ve saved my heart from the bleak darkness it was headed for. I love you more than anything in this world.”

“I don’t know what is going on around here, but I will find out.” His jaw ached from the tension clamping it. “I will find out and I will put it to rights.”

She curled her fingers into his shoulders, holding him closer. “We will find out together. We’re a team now, Colton Nox. Forest sent you to me for a reason, and I’m never going to let go of that gift.”

He found her mouth and kissed her, long and deep. The ache inside of him eased a little, but it was enough for now. It was enough to carry on.

“I love you, Meadow. Beautiful woman. Wild thing. You are my world now.”

She parted her lips for his tongue, and suddenly, nothing else mattered.

* * * * *

Meadow fiddled with her hair. Then she knotted her fingers in her lap.

Why was she a bundle of nerves? She was only picking up her sister. This was Ivy—they grew up together, playing with dolls and swimming in the pond.

The same pond that had started so much with Colton.