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Everly was still smiling as she drove back down the highway toward the ranch. She slowed as she approached the driveway but checked the time and decided to carry on a little farther.

Her dad’s cabin was only five minutes down the road. Tanner had taken her and Ashton over there to see him a couple of times now. She didn’t have long, but after what Ashton had said about thebad men, she wanted to at least check in with him.

When she entered the property, she spotted Ty’s truck parked outside the restaurant building. From what Tanner had told her, they were almost ready to open for business. She drove by a couple of cabins that were closer to the road and kept on going until she reached her dad’s place. That was more out-of-the-way than the others – it suited him.

As she was climbing out of the truck, the front door opened, and her dad came out to greet her.

“Hey, Everly. Is everything okay?” he asked, looking concerned.

Her heart sank. She hated that he assumed the worst – that the only reason she’d come to see him would be if there was a problem.

“Everything’s fine. I just… I wanted to see you.”

He smiled cautiously. “You know that makes me happy, but I still feel like there must be a reason.”

She blew out a sigh. “There is. I need to know what happened on the night that you couldn’t meet me at Chico.”

He held her gaze. “I told you; I got held up.”

She raised her eyebrows.

“By some assholes who had a grudge against Cash and Mav.”

“I know, but what doesheld upmean?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does. I need to know what happened to you.”

“I’m fine. It’s all over. They won’t be doing anything like that again.”

She frowned. “Because Cashtook care of them, right?”

He dropped his gaze. “Yeah.”

She went to him and touched his arm. “I’m not trying to give you a hard time, Dad, I’m not. I’m worried about you, and I’ll be honest, I’m a little bit worried about Ashton, too.”

His head snapped up at that. “About Ashton? Why?”

“Because he’d love for his grandpa to pick him up from school. What worries me is what if there are more bad guys? What if you getheld upwhile Ashton’s with you?”

“No. It wouldn’t happen.” He frowned. “But I understand why it’d worry you. I’ll tell him that I can’t do it. I’ll come over to see him at the ranch – where you know he’s safe.”

She shook her head sadly. “I’m not trying to keep you away from him.”

“No, I understand, love. It’s not worth taking the risk. I don’t expect any reprisal for what happened, but I can’t one hundred percent guarantee it. So, we play it safe.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Of course. Do you want to come in?”

She checked her watch. “I can’t. I’m sorry. He’ll be home from school anytime now.”

“Right. You should get a move on. Thanks for coming.”

“Thanks for being honest with me.”

“I told you, Everly, that’s how I’m going to do it with you from now on. No more excuses, even if they’re only meant to protect you. I’ll tell you the truth; that way, you can decide for yourself.”