Page 48 of Cowboy Heat

I’m going to have to call my brothers, I realize.

It was okay to leave them in the dark when I thought Alice Dean might be an isolated incident.

But now?

I look at Kissy as we head toward the ranch. She’s staring out into the dark with a set jaw.

I haven’t told her about Micah yet—I’m going to; we’re heading there now as point of fact—but I’m getting stuck.

I want to know what her relationship to Guidry is.

I want to know everything.

I want—

I want to protect her.

The feeling wallops me as I point us toward the road that’ll lead us to the animal shelter and back up to the main house.

So hard, in fact, that I nearly say it out loud.

It’s only been a week since I met Kissy Lawson, and I’ll be damned if I wouldn’t do everything in my power to keep her safe.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Kissy

Big House is right there.Through the windshield with a light on inside, warming the porch up. So close I could throw a rock at it if I felt so inclined.

But I don’t feel inclined to do anything at the moment. Even talking to Beau feels like a weight in my stomach.

I should apologize to him for the trouble he’s been through.

I should thank him for saving me. Again.

I should tell him some things.

I should maybe ask him some questions.

I don’t know.

Instead, I look at Big House and hurt. Whatever reason Beau wanted me here, I’m ready for, I guess.

Though maybe not.

I let out a small, sagging breath. It hurts my face. I feel lost.

I turn to Beau, and he’s got that smile on. I should start rating them. This one’s nice with some concern. Maybe a touch of sympathy too.

“Adrenaline surges are great in the moment but surely bite the big one on the downslope,” he says. “You get all drained and depressed-feeling. Like you’re sludging through mud. At least, that’s what always happened to me. I couldn’t shake it for a while. But food helped me fight it some. How do you feel about grilled cheeses?”

He’s trying to cheer me up.

Somehow that makes me feel worse.

I drop my gaze to my hands. I should cry a bit, right? Doesn’t that help in situations like these?

I don’t know what to say.