Protector Cowboy (Whiskey Valley Bryant Brothers)

He hands me my tote bag and holds out his hand. “Give me the key to your apartment. I’ll go in and grab the bags so you can come right out after work. And I’ve already talked to Levi. You are training your replacement this morning, and he’ll let you come back to work in two weeks.”

I should argue and mention the whole controlling thing, but I know I’d be wrong. He’s doing all this to protect Eli and me. I can’t fault him for it. I pull the key off my key ring and hand it to him. “You’ve been busy.”

He nods, and from the look on his face, I know there’s more he’s been up to, but I don’t want to ask. There are just some things I’m not ready to know yet.

He squeezes my hand. “Drive safe. I’ll see you after work.”

I watch as he goes up to the apartment and brings bags down with him. It would have taken me two to three trips, and it looks like he got it all in one. I wave to him and Eli when I pull out.

As soon as I walk into the Sunrise Diner, Levi meets me at the door. “You should have told me. I would have helped.”

He’s offended, and the last thing I wanted to do was upset Levi. He hired me without any references and even agreed to pay me in cash. I felt guilty about it, but he said he understood and never asked another thing about it. “I’m sorry, Levi. I really am. And I don’t want to put you in a bind...”

He shakes his head. “It will be fine. You can train the new girl this morning, and in two weeks, you come back. It will be fine.”

I impulsively hug him, and he blushes, pulling away. “Okay, enough of that. But you promise me you call me if you or Eli need anything.”

I rub at my eyes that are filling with tears. I’m so happy I chose Whiskey Valley. “I will, I promise.”

The rest of the morning I work, training the new girl that just got into town last night and is in need of a job. She’s never waited tables before, but she’s a hard worker and picks it up quickly.

I walk over to a police officer’s table. He came in as soon as the doors opened this morning and has been sitting there ever since, nursing the same coffee. “Can I fill you up?” I ask.

“No thanks, I’m on duty and can’t spend it all in the bathroom.” I laugh and start to walk away. “You’re on duty... right now?”

He blushes. “Yes, ma’am.”

I put my hand on my hip. “Are you a friend of King’s?”

He nods. “Yes.”

“So let me guess. By duty, does that mean you were sent here to watch me work?”

He’s shaking his head. “No, ma’am. Well, not to watch you work, specifically. I mean, King even warned me not to watch too close, but yeah, I’m supposed to make sure you’re safe and then make it out to the ranch safely when you leave here.”

I stare at him wide-eyed. Well, I’ll be damned. King is taking this very seriously, and I can’t even be mad about it.

I start to walk away, but the deputy stops me. “Uh, I was supposed to be inconspicuous. I mean, you weren’t supposed to know what I was doing. King didn’t want you mad or anything.”

He looks worried, and I smile at him. “Oh, I’m not mad. I’ll be right back.”

That man. How in the world can I be mad? From the minute he found out about my ex, he’s gone out of his way to know I’m safe. I can’t fault him for that. I order up a plate of French toast, and when it’s ready, I take it out to the deputy. “Here you go. You need to eat.”

“I can’t.”

I laugh. “Yeah, you can. I mean, you definitely look obvious just sitting here. This way you sort of blend in.”

He nods, and I wink at him. “Oh yeah, I’ll be ready for my police escort at noon.”

He’s already shoveling the French toast in. “Yes, ma’am,” he says between bites.

Chapter 18

King

It’s like I’ve been holding my breath. I’ve been on the phone with Levi and the deputy all day, checking on Natalie. I didn’t breathe any easier until she pulled into Double B Ranch.

I knew she was on her way, and I meet her by the car when she gets out. “Hey!” I say as I wave at the deputy as he pulls out.

She gestures to the cop car. “Do you think all that was worth it?”

“If it meant you were safe, absolutely.”

She just shakes her head, and I grab her hand and start walking toward the house. “I showed Eli his room this morning when he helped me carry your bags in. I have you right next to him.”