Page 24 of Wyoming Bodyguard (Sunrise Security #1)

L ily woke to an empty bed and in an unfamiliar room. Blinking, she adjusted to the light filtering through the lace curtains and forced herself to sit and take stock of her surroundings.

Homemade quilt, four-post bed, yesterday’s clothes folded on a rocking chair in the corner.

Awareness trickled through the fatigue clouding her senses. She’d slept at Madden’s childhood home, in the guest room without him.

Disappointment pulled her back down on the mattress. She’d fallen asleep wrapped around Madden. She’d hoped he’d changed his mind and she’d wake beside him like the day before.

Turning to bury her head in the pillow, she groaned.

What was wrong with her? She’d never been one to depend on a man, to yearn for constant companionship and comfort.

Maybe the stress had caught up with her and morphed her into some needy woman.

Hell, maybe all the feelings Madden stirred inside her weren’t even real.

She forced herself to her feet and padded into the bathroom. Just like the wedding venue issue, she didn’t need to figure everything out right away. For now, she had to focus on fixing the mess her life had become. The rest would fall into place.

Including the clarity about her feelings for Madden.

After making herself presentable and donning yesterday’s clothes, she searched for the McKay men downstairs.

The kitchen was empty, but the coffee was hot, so she poured herself a cup and savored the first sip while appreciating the quiet of the house.

She hadn’t had much of that lately and hadn’t realized how much she missed it.

The whinnying of a horse broke into her reverie and piqued her interest. She didn’t bother finding her shoes as she strolled down the hallway to the front door and stepped onto the wide porch. The sun had just begun its climb into the sky, but the day already promised to be warm.

Dax stood in the middle of the weed-filled corral with a tan stallion trotting in a circle around him.

One hand held the lead, the other used a lunge whip to guide the horse.

The beautiful beast bucked and announced his annoyance at being told what to do, but Dax kept his voice firm, his hand steady as he choreographed a graceful ballet with a stubborn dancer.

But it was Madden who stole her attention and her breath.

He stood outside the fence, his dark cowboy hat perched on his head and a piece of straw hanging from his mouth.

He leaned against the barrier and kept his eyes on his brother.

Fitted jeans were molded to his backside, and the T-shirt he wore showed off every muscle.

She wasn’t sure who was more magnificent, Madden or the horse, but she’d give just about anything to ride them both.

A hearty chuckle turned her head to the side and humiliation scorched her cheeks.

Walter sat in his rocking chair puffing on a pipe with a mischievous twinkle in his gray eyes.

If she didn’t know better, she’d think she’d voiced her last thought out loud.

And if that had happened, she’d go ahead and die on the spot.

Walter lowered his pipe and patted the chair beside him. “Come over and take a seat, Lily.”

She crossed the worn wooden planks and settled into the rocker so much like the one on her own porch. The arm was wide enough for her to set her mug on, but she kept her palm curled around its warmth to keep it steady. “Good morning.”

“Good indeed. I don’t get the pleasure of having so much company most days, and I never see those two getting along so well.” Walter dipped his head toward Madden and Dax. “I hear I have you to thank for that.”

She stared at the enchanting scene before her. The simple act of one man working with one of God’s most magnificent creatures while another watched, the mountains covered with the greenery of life in the distance, made something right in her soul.

Made her happy and content.

These were the moments she loved most. The moments that made living the hard life of a rancher worth all the aches and pains and struggles. The moments where she could sit and appreciate nature and all its abundance while witnessing those she loved do the same…

Her heart stalled. Loved? How had she gone from uncertain if what she felt for Madden was real or not to love?

“You okay?” Walter asked. “Looks like you swallowed a fly.”

She sipped her coffee to collect her thoughts before responding.

“I’m fine. Just thinking about what you said and happy to see Madden and Dax together.

But despite what you may have heard, the praise for that doesn’t fall on me.

They had the tough conversation, and they’ll need to continue to do the work until they’re in a better place. ”

“True, but you encouraged Madden to talk to his brother. Something he and I both put off for far too long. You might be surprised I’m a stubborn old man, and Madden needed that kick in the ass you gave him.

And I needed Madden to force my hand a little.

Secrets shouldn’t have any place in this family, and I’m relieved to be rid of them. ”

The mention of family secrets yanked her back to the chaos in her life and tied her stomach in knots. “Secrets always come to light. Sometimes it’s as simple as talking things through, other times it comes down to ripping a family apart—taking down everyone else who stands in the way.”

Walter rested his wrinkled hand on top of her knuckles and gave a light squeeze. “I’m sorry for your troubles. More than you know. I can’t help but feel responsible.”

The crack in his voice furrowed her brow. “How in the world would you be responsible? You’ve been nothing but kind and gracious to me, even though me and my father played a part in dragging your name through the mud.”

“I played a part. One decision can cause ripples for years. They grow bigger and bolder with time, engulfing people who get caught in the stream. Your ranch was caught in the crosshairs of my choices. Your father’s a good man who was placed in an impossible situation.

Who was looking down the barrel of a gun and trying to figure out how to keep his ranch alive.

If you find out he had his hands in rustling cattle or even those drugs, know it was something he didn’t want to do. ”

His words caused tears to prick her eyes. Each day brought a weight of guilt and shame. Every fiber of her being screamed her father played a role in everything that had happened. A role that would probably paint him as a villain in his own story.

But he was her father, her rock. She’d idolized him since she was a child, and hearing words of absolution before uncovering how dirty his hands were made her fall hard for another McKay man.

“I’m scared to find out the truth,” she said, finally vocalizing her fear.

“You’re strong like your mother. No matter how things shake you, you’ll find your footing.” Walter picked his pipe back up and took a puff, the smell of tobacco rising in the air with the spiraling smoke.

She let her gaze drift back to Madden. Watched him laugh at something Dax said and shake his head. As if sensing her, he shifted, and their eyes met. The side of his mouth hitched up and he waved before making his way toward her.

“I like the way he looks at you,” Walter said. “Reminds me of how I used to look at his mother.”

She couldn’t stop her grin. “I’m sure Madden’s looked at plenty of women that way.”

“Nah.” Clicking his tongue, Walter shook his head.

“At least not that I’ve ever seen. Trust me.

Once a McKay man sets his sights on the woman he wants, there’s no turning back so I hope you’re ready, girl.

And I hope he treats you right or him and I will go a few rounds.

I might not be as young as I once was, but I can whip that boy into shape if he needs it. ”

She barked out a laugh and rose to place a kiss on Walter’s weathered cheek. “Don’t worry, I know how to handle myself.”

She left the sound of Walter’s amused chuckle behind her as she met Madden at the top of the porch steps.

He grinned up at her, dirt streaking down the side of his face.

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding faster than the stallion’s footsteps as he galloped nearby. She hoped she was ready for Madden, because after spending the last few days by his side, she didn’t ever want to let him go.

* * *

Madden parked his truck beside Reid’s newer model and jumped out to open Lily’s door. Now that all the anger and animosity toward Dax had been sorted, he felt lighter. Freer. Happier.

Okay, so the happiness might have more to do with what was happening between him and Lily. But getting rid of the ugliness inside him left more room for the bright light Lily had brought into his life.

Lily stepped down onto the driveway and frowned. “Where’s Reid?”

“Not sure. Maybe he’s surveying the property?” He hoped that’s where his partner was. A beat of apprehension ricocheted through his system. Nothing had gone as planned since taking on Lily’s assignment. Reid hadn’t indicated there was trouble, but that didn’t mean trouble hadn’t found him.

As if sensing his unease, Lily wrapped her arms around her middle. “Maybe you should call him.”

Madden found his phone in his jeans pocket, scrolled to Reid’s contact information and called him.

The shrill ringing of a phone cut through the quietness of the morning.

“Sounds like it’s coming from behind the barn,” Lily said.

Leading the way, Madden stomped over gravel and rounded the side of the red barn, Lily right behind him. He kept his device pressed to his ear, but spotted Reid before he could answer.

Lily squealed and shot past Madden. “What are you doing?”

Reid glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Morning. Didn’t expect to see you so early.”

“Chores wait for no man… .or woman,” Lily said, eyes wide. “But you didn’t answer my question. What are you doing?”

Reid shrugged. “Painting.”