Page 33 of A Curse On Black Lake (Black Lake Gothic Cowboys #1)

Chapter twenty-five

Killian

“Morning,” Eliana says as my foot hits the floor.

I pull up short, surprised to find her sitting on the couch, dressed, and a cup of coffee in her hand. My eyes trail from her folded legs up to her tank top covered ample chest, to her white hair cascading over her shoulder, the rest against her back.

She smiles and takes a sip. “Forget I was here?” she asks.

My hand runs through my hair and rubs my chin trying to hide my grin. “No, I, uh, didn’t think you’d already be up.”

She tilts her head, and the way those blue-grey eyes seem to go darker. “I’m always up this early. Coffee is ready,” she says and takes another sip.

“Thanks,” I grunt.

She hums, and I glance over my shoulder before pouring a cup.

“Did you sleep okay?”

She doesn’t answer right away, and I lean back against the counter, studying her.

She shakes her head and takes a long drink.

“Is it the pillows? The bed?” I ask her.

“No,” she says.

“Was it too hot? The AC unit is old, so I might need to charge it.”

She sighs. “No, it was fine. I struggle to sleep since Grams died. Sometimes my eyes won’t close, and if it’s not that, sometimes the Spirits won’t shut up.”

“Oh,” I mumble and take a drink.

“Yeah, it is what it is. I’ll survive.”

“There were days I wondered if I would,” I mumble into my cup. But when my eyes flick up from the floor, I know she heard me.

“I’ve stopped asking if I will because if I don’t sleep, then I don’t,” she says.

I don’t know how to respond to that, but I’ve been in her shoes before. The lack of sleep makes you feel a little crazy.

“Do you think you can die of heartbreak?” she asks.

My heart stalls in my chest, and the hot coffee hits my tongue.

I focus on the burn going down my throat so I can’t answer the question.

It doesn’t matter if we barely know each other.

The more time we’ve spent together, the more connected I feel, like she is filling that space of loss.

It will always be there, but it feels like it’s shrinking because of her.

“Do you think you can heal from it?” I ask her instead.

Her lips purse and she shrugs. “I think there are different kinds of heartbreak. Some you can avoid. Others you can’t.”

“What kind can you—”

“Are you ready to go?” she asks, done with the conversation.

I take another drink of coffee and set it in the sink. “Yeah, oh, are you hungry?” I ask her.

“Not particularly. I want to get my animals,” she says. “Is there enough room in the barn?” she asks.

“I’ll make room, darlin’,” I grunt. I’ll build a whole fence enclosure if I have to. I know I’ll have to build a small structure for the goats. If it keeps her here, and safe, then I’ll do whatever I need to do.

“Okay,” she rasps.

“Burnin’ daylight, let’s get going,” I tell her and move for my boots.

She slips hers on, and I follow her out the door.

The hair on the back of my neck rises, and I spin around looking for the source.

Eliana stops standing as still as a statue. I come up behind her. “Do you—”

“They’re warning me,” she whispers.

I reach for her hand, and it trembles in mine. Whatever they’re saying is terrifying her. Her eyes clear, and she lets go, spinning around. I do the same again, but nothing looks out of the ordinary.

“What did they say?” I ask her.

“They said I was in danger.”

“How would they know that?” I ask her, scanning the area again. If that bastard is around, I’ll find him and kill him myself. No time for cops. I’m within my rights. But what if it’s Wyatt?

“They were told,” she whispers.

I grab her hand again and lean close to her ear in case he’s watching from a distance. “If he’s watching, we need to act as if nothing is going on. Let him think we don’t know, it could make him cocky. When perps get cocky, they make mistakes.”

She turns her head and I glance at her lips. We’re so close. Now, is absolutely not the time. But the way her hand shakes in mine makes me want to comfort her by putting my mouth on hers.

“How do you know it’ll make him cocky?” she whispers.

“I don’t. But if we can’t spot him, let him think he’s got us. We can get the animals then we’ll come back and look for signs.”

“Shouldn’t you call the Sheriff?” she asks.

I start to answer and pause. “I will if you want me to.”

She contemplates for a moment and shakes her head.

“Are they okay with that?” I ask her, glancing at her forehead.

Her lips turn up into a smile. “Yeah, I think so.”

“Good,” I mutter and keep hold of her hand until I get her into the truck. The trailer is down by the barn.

After I get the trailer hooked up, we head to her house, and I can only pray that there aren’t any presents this time around.

I drive the truck towards the barn at the back of the Greer property. Eliana hops out and works in her garden, foraging, cutting back anything that needs to be trimmed, and watering. She’s been quiet all morning, and I can feel her anxiety from here.

I get Winnie loaded up and then the Brown Swiss cow, Gertrude, next.

“I’ll get her,” Eliana says.

“I don’t mind,” I mutter.

“I know, but she barely tolerates me. She only loved Grams,” she whispers the last words as if they were physically difficult for her to say.

Eliana gets Gertrude in the trailer, but there’s no room left for the goats and chickens.

“We’ll take them and then come back to get the rest,” I tell her.

“I have so much to do here, I’ll hang back.”

My jaw clenches, and I slide my hands into my pockets.

“What?” she asks.

“Do you think that’s a good idea? With everything going on, I don’t want to leave you on your own.”

She huffs. “Killian, it’s broad daylight.

Would it make you feel better if I walk around with the shotgun on my shoulder?

” she asks, eyes wide. Part of me thinks she’s doing this to prove to herself that she’s not scared.

Which is fair because allowing anyone to instill fear in you gives them power.

But I wonder if maybe she’s being tough because she hasn’t had the opportunity to be any other way.

“It would,” I grunt.

She smiles softly and shakes her head. “Fine, I’ll go get it.”

I follow her into the house, and she toes off her boots before going to her room and coming back with the double-barrel shotgun resting on her back.

The strap presses between her breasts, and I have to force my eyes away.

I never thought a woman in a tank top and glistening with sweat would make me feel anything.

But then again, I’m coming to the conclusion that it’s her making me feel this way.

“Better?” she asks.

“Uh — yeah,” I rasp as she gets her boots back on.

“While you’re gone, I’m going to work on harvesting. I need to start fresh tinctures,” she says, walking out the door.

“You’re sure you’re okay by yourself?” I ask her again. “I will help you when we get back so you can get it all done.”

She pushes her shoulders back and nods. “I’m fine, cowboy. Take my babies to the ranch, and I’ll be here when you get back.”

I click my tongue conceding, and head to the truck.

It goes against my better judgment, but if I’ve learned anything about Eliana Greer, it’s that she cannot be forced to do anything.

She’s tough, and struts to the beat of her own drum.

I want to make sure no one damages that drum.

Otherwise, they will have to deal with me.