Chapter 33

My paranoia is at an all-time high over the next few days. I feel as if I’m looking over my shoulder constantly, thinking someone is out to get me, but despite that, ranch life doesn’t stop. Dakota let everyone on the ranch know exactly what’s going on. At first, I’d thought they’d look at me differently. Instead, each and every one of them came up to me to let me know that I’ll be okay.

Family. I hadn’t realized how much like a family we were until Naomi came up to me and wrapped me in a hug, offering her support.

“Don’t you worry about those Crows, darlin’. We’ve got you. We take care of our own,” she whispered in my ear. I hadn’t even realized I’d started crying until she leaned back and wiped my tears. “None of that. You’re safe here.”

But I’m not certain how safe I really am. Clearly, the Crows know a rough idea where I am, and if they ask anyone in town, they’ll point them toward the ranch since I haven’t been trying to hide my presence while in town. Hell, after our night at the Boot Scoot, I doubt there isn’t a person here that doesn’t know about Kate up at Steele Mountain Ranch. I’ve well and truly fumbled this whole low-profile thing.

We’re only a few weeks away from the annual cattle drive, both a daunting and exciting event despite the threat hanging over me. In the months I’ve been here, Wiley has talked nonstop about it but now, Dakota has joined in. Dakota talks about going on the drive as a child with his father, but by the time he was a teen, they’d started slowing down. It wasn’t until his dad died and he took over that the cattle drive was taken up again. He’s so very clearly proud of his progress, of going from a few hundred cattle to thousands. I can’t pretend the way they talk about it doesn’t get me just as excited. This is some real cowboy shit and I’m here for it despite my fear.

Despite everyone knowing my history now, no one treats me any differently. What they do treat differently is the ranch security. Before, the front gate stayed open during the day. Now, it’s closed at all times and only opens to those with clickers. It seems like everyone is armed now. There isn’t a hip that doesn’t sport a gun. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many guns in one place. Those who are more vulnerable, like Jenny, are sent home with full security each night, and eventually she’ll stay safe completely at home and do what work she can from there. Every day, a few people go out and scout the property on four-wheelers, making sure no one that shouldn’t be here has found their way on the land. It’s about as secure as it can get in every direction except the mountains, but I can’t see anyone coming down over the mountains just to get at little ole me.

Of course, they came across the country for me so who knows.

“So what else do we need to do?” I ask Dakota as we finish loading hay into the barn. Both Levi and Wiley are in the barn with us, helping unload the massive trailer full of hay bales. My strength has grown since I first came here, but it’s not nearly as effortless for me as the guys all make it seem. Levi throws them around like they don’t weigh a thing despite Dakota bitching at him the entire time about his weight limits. Something tells me though that Levi isn’t going to stop what he’s doing. He purposely works to be able to do what he wants. I caught him one morning working out in just basketball shorts and tennis shoes and realized that he does it every day, working on strengthening his back and core to make sure they can support his injured back. It makes sense now why he’s so fucking large.

“We’re still in the midst of calving,” Dakota grunts as he pulls his gloves off. “Hopefully the late bloomers calf before we head out, but we’ll need a few stalls ready for those who haven’t just in case. I think we still have a dozen we’re waiting on, right, Levi?”

Levi nods. “Thirteen. A few will probably calf in the next few days.”

“Good. I swear the ladies like stressing us out every year,” Dakota grumbles before grabbing the broom and leaping up onto the trailer. “We’ll need to ready the horses, check saddles and gear, check the oil in the trucks and side-by-side, check our camping gear. The list goes on and on.”

I blink up at him and grab another broom to help him sweep off the trailer. “You’ve mentioned camping a few times. You don’t just come home at night?”

“My pa used to come home every night,” he answers. “When I took over, we all agreed it was best to camp out with the cattle. Not because we worry about them, but because it’s tradition. The guys just bring us out any supplies and bring the horses back each evening so we can settle down and the horses get to rest. Levi, Wiley, me, and you will be camping.” He glances up at me. “We’ll have a small tent for you, so you have some privacy if you need it and they bring a small camper out with a bathroom and shower every night so we won’t be completely roughing it.”

“Appreciated,” I say. “Especially when it comes to using the bathroom.”

Wiley grins. “Not a fan of the mountains seeing your fanny, city girl?”

“No,” I laugh. “No, I’m not.” I look back up at Dakota. “So we’ll all be riding horses?”

Dakota nods. “Wiley told me he’s been taking you riding to prepare, so you should be good. The only one who doesn’t ride is Levi. He’ll be in the side-by-side.”

At my strange look toward Levi, Dakota adds, “Levi can’t sit too long on a horse anymore.”

Levi offers no extra explanation, but I assume it has to do with his bull riding accident. Everything seems to come back to that, but no matter how much I ask, he doesn’t offer any more information than what Dakota has told me. Even Kill Dozer, the big ass bull in the pasture, confuses me. Dakota says it’s the same bull that nearly killed Levi and yet it lives out its life in the pasture, happy as can be. Why buy the bull? Why remind yourself of that? And why won’t that big bastard let me feed him apples?

“And everyone here will be okay?” I ask, looking down. I can’t help the guilt I have about everyone making such a fuss about me. I don’t want anyone hurt, and I certainly don’t want something happening to them when I’m not even here.

Dakota nods. “The gates will remain closed. No one gets in that isn’t already approved. Everything will be checked over a million times before it comes in. We’ve already contacted the local police to let them know we’ve received some death threats.” When I frown, he grins. “Wiley is excellent at making convincing looking proof. So they’re already aware we’re on edge and so if something does happen, there’s a record of it. Besides, Sheriff John grew up with us. He’s as trustworthy as they come and can’t be bought.”

Which was my next question. Back home, the Crows have their hands in the local police force. Corrupt doesn’t even begin to cover the police or the government, but it seems like here, there’s a different sort of code. I’m grateful for that.

“Good,” I breathe, letting out a puff of air and sweeping off the trailer the rest of the way. “I still think it’s a bad idea to face them if they show up.”

“You can think it’s a bad idea all you’d like,” Dakota grunts. “We’re not gonna just let some assholes come and steal you away. We can hold our own.”

I grimace. “But what good are a couple of ranchers against a literal gang?”

It’s not that I don’t think they’re capable of protection. It’s that there’s only three of them against a whole host of people. I don’t even know how large The Crows are, but I have to assume they’re large. Against a few of us at a ranch, what hope do we really have?

“With all due respect, Kate, you don’t know all there is to know about us,” Wiley murmurs, and for the first time, he avoids my gaze when I look over at him.

I stare at him. “What exactly does that mean?” When no one answers, I turn back to Dakota. “What does that mean?”

Dakota smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Just know you’ll be fine, and that’s all that matters.”

“That’s very fucking ominous,” I growl. “The three of you know my secrets, but you’re keeping your own?”

“Not everything is about you, princess,” Levi grumbles softly, and of the three, he’s the one who meets my eyes. “Some secrets aren’t meant to be spoken about in the light. Be patient if you wanna hear them.”

I hesitate. I’m curious, and something tells me that these three men are definitely more dangerous than I realize, and here I am, sweeping out a trailer with them. What secrets could they possibly have that they’re comfortable facing down a mob? I know Wiley has a military background, but he doesn’t talk about it and that can’t be the only thing they’re talking about, surely?

“Okay,” I sigh. “Okay. Keep your secrets for now, I suppose.”

I sweep the last of the hay off and jump down to start sweeping it over to the pile in the corner.

“Which brings up something else important,” Dakota says, pulling a revolver from his hip. “You know how to use one of these?”

My eyes bug out at the large revolver in his hand. It seems better fitted to the Wild West, not on a ranch in Wyoming.

“No,” I admit.

He nods as if he expected my answer. “Well, it’s time to learn.”

I take a step back. “What?”