Page 28 of Wyoming Bodyguard (Sunrise Security #1)

A nxiousness crawled over Madden’s skin like a pack of red ants. Waiting for word on Reid’s condition was agonizing. He wasn’t family, so no one would tell him anything, even if Reid was just as close to him as his own brother.

Lily sat beside him, her hand glued to his.

She hadn’t said a word since they’d taken their spots in the waiting room but had stayed as close as possible since he’d returned to the hospital.

The relief in her eyes when she’d seen him spoke volumes.

He’d wanted nothing more than to sweep her off her feet and carry her far away from this place.

But Reid needed him now, and Lily instinctively understood.

Deputy Sanders rounded the corner and stalked toward him. The bags under his eyes hung lower than usual and wrinkles lined his uniform.

Madden started to stand, but his father’s old friend gestured him to stay seated.

“Don’t get up. I’ll sit. My feet are killing me.” Deputy Sanders sank onto the empty chair on the other side of Madden. He groaned as if he’d just finished an eight second ride on a bucking bronco.

“Have you heard anything about Reid?” Madden could barely get the question through the tightness of his dry throat. Too many memories of another time, another accident, another brush with death sat at the forefront of his mind, transporting him back to the desert.

A place he never wanted to go again.

Deputy Sanders nodded. “Just spoke with the doctor. Figured you’d want an update.

He got a few stitches from where the glass cut his face, and he has some fluids and medications being fed to him through an IV.

He’s awake but lethargic. Nothing too complicated.

Nothing life threatening. Shock and loss of blood gave him a double punch.

They’ll monitor him overnight, but he should be free to return home in the morning. ”

The vise squeezing his lungs loosened, and Madden leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. He drew in a deep breath, blowing it out slowly.

Lily kneaded his shoulder. “Thank God. I knew he’d be okay. Can we see him?”

“He’s in room number 203. Not sure if he can have visitors or not, but worst they can do is ask you to leave.”

Now that he knew his friend would be okay, Madden straightened and cleared the emotion from his throat. Reid might have been his priority, but updates regarding his friend’s condition wasn’t the only thing that needed addressed.

“What about the shooter? Get an identification on him yet?”

Lily’s hand tightened on his shoulder.

Sighing, Deputy Sanders rubbed the top of his head. “Guy’s name is Jason Simon. Ring a bell for either of you?”

“Not at all. Lily?” He glanced down at her wide eyes and dropped jaw.

She shook her head. “No. Is this the man who shot my dad?”

“We believe so,” Deputy Sanders said. “As of now, the department is looking at him and no one else. The truck’s registered in his name and is the same one witnessed at your father’s shooting.

The casings found in the parking lot match the bullets used at the site of your dad’s shooting.

Forensics will be able to add more weight there, but we’re waiting for that report to come through.

The way things go around here, it could take a couple days. ”

“Did he give you any details about why he targeted Mr. Tremont?” Madden asked. Getting the evidence against this asshole was important, but he needed to understand the motive behind terrorizing Lily.

Deputy Sanders frowned. “No, not yet.”

Lily inched forward on her seat. “Why not?”

“He hasn’t woken up from surgery, and we’re not sure if he will.”

Lily stiffened beside him.

“Son of a bitch.” Madden reined in his temper. He might want answers, but not as badly as Lily. She deserved to know the reasons her life had been turned upside down. “Any idea who this guy is? Where he’s from?”

Deputy Sanders cast a hesitant glance at Madden before focusing on Lily.

“This won’t be easy for you to hear, but sources shared Jason Simon is a big name in the drug world.

Surveillance has shown him around the new resort out by your place, and he has a rap sheet a mile long.

Drug possession and distribution, aggravated assault, intent with a deadly weapon.

He’s a bad guy, Lily. If your dad pissed him off, he wouldn’t just walk away. He’d make him pay.”

Lily let out a shaky breath. “I should be more shocked than I am, but I knew something put a target on my dad’s back.

He couldn’t be an innocent bystander with everything that’s happened.

I just wish I understood the connection.

I’d hoped when we found the shooter everything would come to light.

Looks like Dad’s still the only one who can tell us what we need to know. ”

Madden remembered the information Reid had found and grimaced. “Does the sheriff’s department know about all of Mr. Tremont’s bank accounts?”

Lily turned narrowed eyes his way. “What are you talking about?”

He shoved a hand through his hair, hating that he was springing this on her in front of law enforcement.

He should have told her sooner. Given her a chance to digest the information before now.

But with all the chaos since Reid had shown up, he’d forgotten the papers now folded in his pocket.

“That’s why Reid came to the hospital. He brought me account information he’d uncovered that’s tied to your father.

Large amounts of deposits quickly followed by similar sized withdrawals. ”

“You think these withdrawals were being paid to some drug lord?” Lily asked, doubt dripping from her words. “But what about the cattle tags? And if he paid this guy, why would he want to kill him?”

Madden pinched the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know. I’m not sure how this is all such a mess.”

Deputy Sanders slapped his palms to his thighs then stood.

“That’s for the sheriff’s department to figure out.

The good news is the shooter can’t hurt you anymore, Lily.

Or your dad. It sucks we couldn’t get more answers from him right now, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get to the bottom of things.

Hopefully when your dad wakes up, we’ll sort all the details. ”

A boulder of reality sank low in Madden’s gut as he waved goodbye to the deputy. The reason he was hired to protect Lily was gone. The person responsible for putting her in danger was dead. She didn’t need him anymore, but the thought of not seeing her every day sucked the air from his lungs.

Lily rested her head against his shoulder and looped her arm through his. “I thought I’d feel more relieved when we found the shooter, but my stomach’s still tied in knots.”

So was his, but it had more to do with not knowing where things stood between him and Lily. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head, and her blond hair tickled his nose. “You’ll feel better when your dad wakes up. For now, we should get you home. It’s been another long day.”

“We should see Reid before we leave. Find out if he needs anything and let him know he’s not alone.”

Her consideration for his friend released a torrent of gratitude so strong, it swallowed everything inside him. “You sure you’re up for that? I can always come back after I drop you off.”

“I’m sure.” She tilted her chin to stare up at him. “After we spend some time with him, will you stay with me?”

“Absolutely. I don’t need to take off right away. I can hang around for a while,” he said, her request lifting his lips.

“I want you to spend the night. I don’t care if the threat is gone and I’m safe. I don’t want to be alone. I want you with me.”

Her unrelenting stare spoke of a million promises that set his core on fire. He cradled her jawline in the palm of his hand. “Baby, I’ll stay with you as long as you want me.”

* * *

Butterflies attacked Lily’s stomach in rapid succession as she unlocked her front door, stepped into the foyer and flipped on the lights. Madden had been inside her home countless times. Hell, he’d already been in her bed. But tonight was different.

Tonight was special. A first step in a new relationship that promised so much happiness she could hardly stand it.

As if sensing her nerves, Madden locked the door then turned to her with a grin. “Dinner was good but how about we finish that pie before heading downstairs?”

She breathed a little easier, steadier now as she led the way to the kitchen.

So many words sat at the tip of her tongue, questions about Madden’s expectations regarding a relationship and the future ringing in her brain.

But there was no need to move too fast. They’d already started off at warp speed.

Nagging him about his feelings and where he saw things going would only scare him.

“Sit or stand?” she asked, carrying the pie to the island.

Madden found two forks and crossed the tile floor to stand beside her. “Stand. If that’s okay with you. Between our visit with Reid and dinner at Tilly’s, I need to stretch my legs.”

She hopped onto the counter. “We can do both.” She grabbed a fork before digging in for the first bite. She’d barely touched her meal, too consumed with the uncertainty of her future, and the burst of apple and cinnamon was exactly what she needed.

Grinning, he stood in front of her and caged her in place with his strong arms. “You’re a problem solver.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Hardly. I’ve had my share of problems lately and still feel like I’m wading through the issues, searching for a solution.”

“I’m sorry about that,” he said, brow rippling in concern. “But things are getting better. Just like your barn. All it took was a little work to paint over the mess and create a clean slate. So what does your clean slate look like? Have you given any more thought to hosting that wedding?”

Not wanting to admit she’d been too consumed with thoughts of Madden, she shrugged.

“It still seems like such a tall order. When I spoke about possibly wanting to use the ranch as a venue option, I figured I had months to iron out logistics. To plan and organize. I don’t know if I can pull something like this off all by myself. ”

“You’re not alone. You have an entire village behind you.

Look at how people have stepped up to help you lately.

From Eve who insists on keeping you fed to Charlie who hurried over tonight to handle the horses as soon as you called.

Hell, even Reid picked up some slack and painted your barn.

Everyone who loves you wants to help you make this place a success, no matter what you choose to do. ”

She twisted her lips to the side. He was right. This town was filled with people willing to lend a helping hand. All she had to do was ask.

Indecision battled in the pit of her stomach, and she set down her fork. “This is someone’s big day we’re talking about. I want to know I can deliver what this couple wants instead of jumping in and hoping I don’t land on my face.”

“Honey, even when we make all the plans in the world, we can still fall on our faces. Sometimes we have to take a leap of faith.”

She wasn’t sure if he was still talking about her possible business venture or taking that leap on them, but either way, her mind and heart were set.

She wanted both.

“I want to take the jump. I want to try and give it all I’ve got.” The permanent pit in her stomach dissolved. She’d made up her mind and would go after what she wanted with everything she had. And if she ended up with nothing, at least she’d know she’d done her best.

His grin grew impossibly wider and he scooped her off the counter, whooping with excitement into the empty room. “You’re going to kick ass.”

Laughing, she wrapped her legs and arms around him and held on tight as he spun her in circles. “Stop it. I’m getting dizzy.”

He set her on her feet and captured her mouth in his. “I’m so damn proud of you.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“You made a choice. You’re grabbing an opportunity by the horns, and you’re going to kill it. We’ll start making plans tomorrow, tonight we celebrate.” His gaze lingered on her lips.

Her heart burst like a confetti popper. Here was a man who not only supported her but encouraged her to do more than was expected. To step out of her box—out of the shadow of her father—and make a stand for herself and the land she loved.

“Thank you.”

He tilted his head to the side, brows raised. “For what?”

“For showing up after I was awful to you. For protecting me and teaching me that things aren’t always what they appear to be.

Sometimes I get too caught up in my own life and don’t stop to consider the issues others might be facing.

I don’t want to be that person anymore. I don’t want to walk through life with my eyes closed.

You forced them open, and I see so much more now. I see you.”

“You’ve always seen me, Lily. You just saw me as a pain in the ass.”

Chuckling, she slapped a hand to his chest.

He trapped it against him with his own, and all hints of amusement fled. “I didn’t give you or anyone else in this town a chance to look past what I was willing to show them. I’m not happy about what you’ve gone through, but I’m glad it brought us together. I’ll never forget what a gift you are.”

“Never, huh? That’s a long time to not forget, cowboy.” She couldn’t stop the breathy quality from taking over her voice, but damn it all, the hint of a promise coated his words.

“There’s nothing about you I’ll ever forget, Lily. I want to memorize every taste, every touch, every line of your beautiful body.”

She sucked in a shuddering breath as her legs threatened to give out. She leaned against him, her muscles putty in his hands. Steeling her nerves, she traced her fingertip along his scruffy jawline then over to rest on his bottom lip. “That’s a lot to memorize. You better get started.”