Chapter 9

Chapter

Nine

Easton was feeding the bulls, wishing he could climb on one of their backs and push all the emotional pain away with an intense physical challenge. He was trying and failing as usual not to think about Cassie. His phone buzzed on his hip. He pulled it out and glanced at a text from Clint.

Get to the Sheriff’s office now. We have a situation.

Abrupt but exciting and totally Clint. His brother wasn’t flowery or effusive for anyone but Lily.

Easton didn’t mind. It would get his brain off of longing for Cassie and Presley, and being frustrated with Cassie as well. He’d been darkly introspective and adrift without purpose again. He’d even called and begged the doctor to clear him. The guy refused to budge, and the NFR wouldn’t let him in without that doctor’s approval. Not with his accident and subsequent coma being reported.

He called one of the ranch hands, Chad, and asked him to finish feeding the bulls as the sheriff had demanded his presence. He smiled to himself. Somebody needed him. That was good. Cassie certainly didn’t need or want him, and it hurt. It gouged deep.

Hurrying to his own cabin, he washed up quick, grabbed his keys, and jumped in his Ram. He drove ten miles over the speed limit into town. It sounded like the sheriff and his men were all at the office or dealing with this situation. Nobody would give him a ticket.

As he pulled up to the small sheriff’s office, he was surprised to see Cassie’s Jetta parked right up front. His heart leapt, and against his better judgment, he couldn’t wait to see her. Then worry slammed into him. Was Cassie in trouble, in danger, part of this situation Clint needed him for?

Please let Cassie and Presley be safe , he pleaded in his mind.

Jumping out of his truck, he jammed his hat on and raced up to the sheriff’s office door. He flung it wide and stormed inside. Clint’s deputies Mark Garrett and Carlsen Smith were in the front area. Clint’s office door was closed.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Easton demanded.

“Good to see you too, Mr. Woman Magnet,” Mark teased him. Mark teased with everybody, and usually Easton enjoyed the guy, but right now he needed answers.

“Cassie and Presley?” he demanded.

“In with the sheriff.” Carlsen’s dark eyes were serious. “We just got back from collecting evidence.” The large and solemn man shuddered. Shuddered! “It’s bad, Easton.”

“But they’re all right?” Easton had no idea what was bad, what was going on, but he needed to know they were all right.

“They’re fine, Romeo,” Mark said. “Cassie’s mama is not. Somebody murdered her.”

“What?” Easton exploded. Their small town was safe, with the exception of the cases that were brought into his family’s ranch. Somebody murdering Cassie’s mom made no sense. He stormed toward the office.

“Yes, go on in,” Mark said to his back. “Don’t wait on the sheriff for permission.”

“He’ll forgive me,” Easton flung at him as he threw the door open wide.

He stopped in his tracks. Clint sat behind his desk, staring at him, but it was the two beautiful females gazing at him that stole his breath.

Cassie’s face was tear-stained and pale. She clung to Presley who also looked as if she’d been crying. Both of them looked to him as if he could rescue and protect them. He could, and he would.

“Easton!” Presley cried out, pushing out of her mother’s arms and running across the small space to him.

Easton scooped her up and cradled her close. “Are you all right, my princess?”

“No,” she cried, cuddling into his shoulder like the spot was made for her. Easton thought it had been. He hadn’t spent much time around small children, but this child was the most perfect in creation in his opinion.

“‘Lean on me’,” he sang softly. “I’ve got you, love.”

He looked to her mom, silently pleading with her to trust him and let him protect her. Their eyes caught and held for several long moments. Then Cassie gave a little whimper, stood, and hurried to him as well. Easton caught her in his other arm and pulled her tight to his chest. Cassie’s arms came around his back as naturally as they used to, and she clung to him.

Easton had everything he’d ever wanted in his grasp at that moment, but he knew this wasn’t about him and his longings. Something was terribly wrong. Cassie’s mother had been murdered. He had to right every wrong for these two. Nothing mattered but them.

They stood there for a few moments, holding onto each other, and he hoped he was imparting the comfort and protection they both needed. In those beautiful, drawn-out moments, something shifted within Easton. It was an earthquake, a movement of the earth’s plates.

Easton Coleville, former player and woman magnet, may have been rejected by Cassie, and more than once, but he knew them being together was right. He would leave behind any flippancy and selfishness. His complete devotion was to his Father above, Cassie, Presley, and his family. If he didn’t compete on one more bull’s back but had Cassie and Presley in his arms, his life, and his heart, he wouldn’t complain.

Cassie pulled back quicker than he would’ve liked and wiped at her eyes. “Sorry,” she murmured. “I’m a mess.”

“You don’t need to apologize to me.” He tried to give her his standard smirk, but it was half its normal wattage. “‘I’m here for you through the good and the bad,’” he sang Rick Trevino’s lyrics.” Then he lowered his voice and said, “I will heal any pain.”

She smiled, her eyes watery.

“Close the door, Easton,” his brother said, his blue eyes more serious than even Clint’s norm, and the sheriff was an expert at serious. “We need to talk.”

Easton obeyed, but as soon as he shut the door, Clint said to Cassie, “Should we have Presley sit with Mark and Carlsen for a few minutes?”

Cassie nodded as Presley protested, “I don’t leave my Easton.”

Easton couldn’t hide his smile at that declaration, but he wiped it away quickly at the gravity in Clint’s gaze. “Just for a few minutes, princess. Then we’ll be together again.” He looked down into Presley’s teal-blue eyes. He was as serious as his brother at this moment.

“You promise?” she asked.

“I promise.” Easton meant those words deeply. He held her gaze, praying her mom knew he meant his promise to her as well. She’d yelled at him and pushed him away just days before, but he was a sucker for Cassie every time and she would be his life’s focus. He would forgive and forget and promise her forever. If she’d agree.

“Otay.” Presley leaned into his shoulder as if resigned.

The warmth of this child and the responsibility he felt toward her and her mother was unlike anything he’d felt in his life. He’d never stopped loving Cassie, and now he loved her daughter. He would protect them with his life, do anything for them. He stole a quick glance at Cassie. Her gaze was warm on him. Was she done being angry with him? Their issues couldn’t be the focus in the face of her mother being murdered. These two must be in grave danger or Clint wouldn’t have called him. They’d talk through their past later. Right now, it was enough for him to commit to her in every way and for her to allow him to protect and strengthen her.

Easton carried Presley out into the open main room. “Mark, I need you to entertain a very special princess for a few minutes.”

Presley looked cautiously at the deputy.

Mark opened his arms. “I am the man for the job. Presley, I am the most fun dad and uncle on the entire earth. Do you know how to ride a horse yet, princess?”

“No. ”

“This is your lucky day.”

Easton wanted to be the one to teach Presley how to ride a horse, but being unselfish meant doing what was best for Presley and Cassie at this moment.

She clung to his neck, and it was hard to let her go. He handed her over to Mark. The deputy turned and sat on a hard chair. He perched Presley on the edge of his knees and started into the silly song, “The little girl horse goes clickety clack, clickety clack, clickety clack,” as he bounced her on his knees.

Presley was at least smiling before Easton closed the door to Clint’s office. Mark was a tease and a fabulous father and uncle. He would be great with her.

Easton wanted to pick Cassie up and hold her again, but the air in the office was suddenly tight. He settled for sitting in the chair next to her and offering his hand. She looked from his hand to his face and then back again. More reluctantly than he would’ve hoped, she put her hand in his. He gently threaded their fingers together, clasped her hand in his, and rested their joined hands on his thigh.

She swallowed, and her eyes were bright as she studied him.

Clint cleared his throat, stealing her attention. That was all right. She was willingly holding Easton’s hand, and it appeared she was trusting him.

“Olivia Johnston was murdered,” Clint said without preamble. “We have every indication the perpetrator is Cassie’s ex-husband Baxter Churchill.”

Easton’s stomach clenched and his mind raced. Baxter Churchill was the idiot boss she’d cheated on him with. She’d married the guy and now Baxter was not only scaring her and her daughter, but he was murdering her mom?

What had his Cassie gone through, and why would an angel like her choose a filthy scum like that? Manipulation. Mind games. Some kind of tricks had to be employed, or his Cassie would never have chosen that loser over him. Even still, he felt stiff and uncomfortable just thinking about Cassie in that scum’s arms and stressing about what she and Presley had endured.

“I’m sorry,” he said to Cassie.

“Me too,” she murmured.

Their gazes met and held, and he thought she might be sorry for more than just her mom dying. She might be sorry about the mess between them and how angry she’d been. She didn’t seem angry now. She was vulnerable, sweet, and in need. Any worry he’d felt disappeared. He could hear Presley’s peals of laughter from the other room. He would take care of them, keep them safe, love them.

“Churchill has an APB out already as he’s been in hiding since he broke into Cassie’s home in Syracuse and tried to kidnap Presley,” Clint continued. “The detective in Syracuse also believes Churchill may have murdered his own grandmother, his first wife, and now his therapist.”

“What?” The hits just kept on coming. Cassie had been dealing with so much. Why hadn’t she told him? Begged him for protection?

“It’s true,” Cassie said quietly. “He’s gone insane.”

“Sounds like it.”

“We’ll have to run the prints to confirm Churchill murdered Ms. Johnston, but the note that was left points that direction, and no one else would have a reason to murder a shut-in lady.”

“What did the note say?” Easton asked.

Cassie shook her head like she couldn’t say it.

“’I’m coming for you next, Cassie,’” Clint said quietly.

Easton’s entire body went cold. “That loser won’t touch you,” he vowed, pinning Cassie with his gaze. “I promise you, love.”

She studied him.

After a few moments, Clint interrupted. Easton realized he hadn’t given his oldest brother and Lily nearly a hard enough time when they got lost in each other’s eyes. This interrupting his and Cassie’s moments was annoying. “I’m glad you feel that way, brother. Because Cassie and Presley are going to stay with you at the ranch for the foreseeable future.”

“What?” Cassie asked.

“That is an ideal plan,” Easton said.

Clint focused on Cassie. “Cassie, not many know this, but the Coleville Ranch has been a safehouse for many people who are in danger, even some famous people like Elizabeth and Jacey Oliver and Eva Chevron.”

Cassie blinked at him.

“Furthermore, my dad trained all of us and our ranch hands to fight and protect. Our training is on level with most special ops teams.”

Cassie looked at Easton. “Why didn’t you tell me this?”

Easton cocked an eyebrow. “When would I have told you? Dad started training us from the time we were young, but we just thought it was fun as boys. We didn’t start protection details until a few years ago.”

“Oh.” She focused back on Clint.

“Papa and Mama would of course welcome you at the main house,” Clint continued, “but we had an incident a couple months ago where Benjamin Oliver blasted through the exterior fence, almost killed Easton?— ”

Cassie gasped.

“I’m all right now, love,” Easton assured her. “Don’t you worry. I’m too tough for any criminal to kill.”

“That’s why your forehead is scarred and you can’t ride in the NFR finals?”

The real reason was because the good Lord above needed him here to reunite with her and now protect her. But Easton only nodded. He prayed he could share the rest with her soon.

She drew in a breath and squeezed his hand. “I’m grateful you’re all right.”

“Thank you, love.”

Were all of Easton’s dreams about to come true? Cassie was letting down her walls, no longer angry with him. He could protect and love her and Presley. He felt terrible about her mother dying, and her ex definitely needed to be caught and put away for good, but he’d already committed in his mind to be here for her no matter what. If miracles could happen, this might be the answer to breaking through her walls and healing their relationship.

“The scum who worked with Benjamin Oliver hit Mama with a stun gun,” Clint continued, ignoring their moment yet again.

“No!” Cassie cried out.

Clint nodded. “It was awful, especially on Papa as he was right there being hit himself and unable to protect her. And they both thought Easton might be dead.” He pushed out a heavy breath.

They were all sickened by Benjamin Oliver breaching the exterior fence with a bomb, but at least he was in prison now. They’d gotten through it, except for Easton’s physical scars and Papa and Mama’s emotional scars.

“Because of that, we haven’t had a protection detail at the ranch in almost two months,” Clint said. “Mama keeps claiming she’s fine, but it’s Papa who is the most shook up. We’ll of course inform them what’s happening, but I think staying at Easton’s house will help Papa feel like he’s part of the protection detail but give him a way to ease back into what used to be his dream and purpose in life.”

He paused, and Easton found he had to ask, “Are you all right staying with me, love?”

“You have your own house?”

He smiled. “Not to flex or anything, but I am a successful full-grown adult.”

She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t doubt that. But you never take anything seriously.”

Easton held her gaze. “Cass, I am taking this very seriously. You and Presley will be safe with me, and Clint will find your ex.”

Cassie searched his eyes and finally seemed to settle. “I believe you.”

It was a significant moment, and Easton felt it clear through.

None of his rodeo friends or beautiful female fans would believe how serious he was about protecting and settling down with Cassie and Presley. He’d experienced the tectonic plate shift earlier, and now he had never felt anything so deeply in his life.

“Thank you.” She looked from him to Clint.

“You’re welcome,” Clint said gravely.

“Don’t thank him,” Easton teased. “He hasn’t done anything yet. You’ll be thanking me often.”

“We’ll see.” Cassie gave him a soft smile.

“Yes, love.” He had to tease a little bit. “You can thank me with loads of kisses.”

Clint groaned even as Cassie gave him a sassy look.

“If kissing is the requirement to staying with you, I may have to rethink my situation.”

Easton let his mouth fall open in mock outrage. He was teasing and thankfully she seemed to be as well. He was still holding her hand, and her teal-blue eyes looked lighter and happier than they had since he’d walked into the office. She had to know how deeply he was committed to her, but their relationship had always been him teasing her and her giving him sweet sass.

“I would never force you into kissing me,” he said. “You’ll be begging me for a kiss within hours of being in my presence.”

“Keep lying to yourself, Mr. Coleville.” She gave him a partial smile and a wink.

Easton wasn’t lying to anyone. He would focus on keeping her and Presley safe. He’d also turn on the charm, and now he had Cassie all to himself.

They’d conquer this vicious ex of hers. He’d savor the time with Cassie and Presley. She’d let down her walls and be begging him for a kiss.

Soon.