Page 29 of Falling For Her Cowboy (Silver Creek Ranch #9)

They both ignored her and continued to swing at each other. Theo’s movements were jerky and unformed, while Ridge was calm and calculated. Ridge pushed Theo away who came back flying at him with a loud roar. Ridge’s boot landed in the middle of Theo’s stomach and sent him sprawling on the ground.

“Stay down,” Ridge snapped.

He stood above Theo who glared at him with such devilish menace it sent a chill down Melah’s spine.

His face was bloodied with his left eye swelling quickly.

It was then Ridge’s gaze flicked over to her.

It roamed her swiftly, leaving her breathless.

She pushed up off the ground with Theo’s knife in her hand.

Love for this man filled her.

There were a few scratches on his face, his knuckles were battered and bloodied, but otherwise he remained unharmed.

“Are you hurt?” Ridge asked.

“I’ll be fine,” she replied.

Her face still throbbed from where Theo had hit her, but it was nothing compared to what could have happened had Ridge not arrived.

He strode around Theo and came to her. He cupped her chin, tilted her face to the side, and visually examined her.

She was sure a bruise was settling in on her cheek.

A darkness filled his eyes as they focused on her cheek.

“Your woman can take a lot.” Theo’s grim chuckle sliced through the air.

Ridge froze in place. He tilted his head to the side and eyed Theo.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Ridge growled.

“No, Ridge. He’s just goading you.” Melah rested her hands on his chest to try to keep him away from Theo. The glint in his eyes was different. She’d never seen him like this before.

“I want to hear what the fuck he’s got to say.” He strode forward, but trying to push him away was like trying to get a stubborn bull to move.

Theo leaned over and spat out more blood.

“I said your woman knows how to take pain. She’s a screamer.” He rolled over and pushed off the ground.

It was then she took in the sight of a pistol in his hand leveled on her. Melah automatically reached for her gun, but her sheath was empty on her thigh. Ridge shoved her out of the way. She stumbled from the force and fell to the ground.

A resounding crack split the air.

“Ridge!” she screamed. Her gaze fell on Ridge but found him standing with a familiar gun in his hand aimed at Theo .

Theo fell to the ground, holding his thigh. She raced over to Ridge who lowered her gun. Where he’d found it, she didn’t know, but she was glad he had. Ridge strode over to Theo and kicked his gun out of his reach.

“This is the last time I’m going to tell you to stay down and shut the fuck up,” Ridge barked.

“Why? What are you going to do? You’re a lame-ass shot. You should have killed me. I’ll never stop coming for the bitch. She deserves to die. I’ll make sure it’ll be a slow death where she feels all the pain. You’ll find her body parts piece by piece.”

Ridge raised the gun again and this time aimed at Theo’s head.

“No!” she screamed.

She moved swiftly to his side and reached for his arm. She tried to pull it down, but he nudged her away. She scrambled back to him to get the gun. She didn’t want him to do something they’d both regret. He was too lost in his rage. She’d seen the look on other soldiers’ faces before.

“He’s not worth it.”

“Do you always do what your woman tells you? You don’t have the balls to shoot me again,” Theo sneered. The man must have a death wish, but he was not going to get his wish at the expense of her man getting locked up for life.

“Don’t listen to him, Ridge,” she pleaded.

“Ridge!” a voice shouted from behind them. Draven emerged from the woods. The elder Harvey brother went toward them. “Put the gun down.”

“He threatened to kill her,” Ridge responded in a monotone. He had yet to take his eyes off Theo.

Worry filled her that Ridge was too far gone. She moved to him, but Draven shook his head. He arrived at Ridge’s side and forced his brother’s arm down. He took the gun from Ridge’s hand.

“Leave. Take her to get checked out. The authorities and an ambulance are on their way,” Draven calmly announced. He guided Ridge toward her.

Ridge hesitated at first, but something appeared in Draven’s eyes. There was a silent exchange between brothers.

Draven jerked his head toward Melah. “She needs medical attention. See to your woman.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Theo snapped. He leaned over and spat again. “If anyone needs medical attention, it’s me. He shot me. I want to press charges.”

Ridge came to her and gathered her into his arms. She leaned into his embrace and breathed him in.

The strength of him surrounded her, and she never wanted to leave.

A heavy sigh released from her. She was so thankful for him.

He knew she didn’t need him to fight her battle for her, but he’d done so anyway.

“Get up,” Draven ordered.

The tone was chilling, and she glanced over at them. Draven reached down and practically lifted Theo from the ground.

“Let’s go,” Ridge’s voice rumbled from his chest.

She nodded and slipped her hand into his waiting one. He tugged her behind him as they walked toward the woods. She glanced over her shoulder at Draven leading a hobbling Theo in another direction.

“Who the fuck are you?” Theo hollered.

“Your worst fucking nightmare,” Draven replied.

Melah’s head snapped back to Ridge. She didn’t know what that meant, but Theo had a new problem on his hands.

Draven.

Ridge guided her along in the woods until they came out onto a path.

He stopped abruptly and spun toward her.

He brought her to him and lowered his head.

His lips overtook hers in a hard kiss. He held her face in his hands, his mouth gently moving over hers.

She leaned up on her toes and met his kiss.

“I love you, Melah,” Ridge murmured. His lips brushed hers. He rested his forehead on hers.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. His words only confirmed his actions. She’d known he’d had feelings for her, but hearing his admission of love was the icing on the cake.

“I love you, too, Ridge. Thank you for coming to my rescue,” she said.

A small smile appeared on his face. He leaned down and pressed another soft kiss to her lips. This man had been willing to kill for her, but that wasn’t what she wanted. She needed him in her life—forever.

And not behind prison bars.

“You didn’t need me to rescue you, I’m sure, but I’ll always have your back.” He lifted his head and gently took her chin in his grasp. He tilted it to the side and turned her face away so he could assess her again. “I’m just sorry I didn’t get to you quick enough.”

“Don’t apologize for anything. It’s not your fault. Plus I figured he was going to hit me. It was sort of the plan,” she admitted sheepishly. Her plan had worked. It had allowed her to free herself .

“Come. Let’s get you checked out.” He took her hand again and began walking.

She glanced around and didn’t recognize any markers she’d seen before when Theo was dragging her through the woods. She wasn’t going to question the direction they were going. She was sure Ridge knew the way.

“But what about Draven and Theo? Won’t the cops need to know where they’re going to be?” She glanced back over her shoulder and didn’t see any signs of the two. Nor did she hear anything aside from a few birds calling out.

“What cops?” Ridge asked.

Melah blinked. Was she tripping? Didn’t Draven say the authorities were on their way? She remembered the look on Draven’s face and decided she didn’t even want to know.

Theo was no longer her problem.