Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

Rhett had to tamp down the fury inside him and not continue to pummel Jaxon Lewis’s face as the worm cowered in the mud. How dare this loser threaten and hurt Sloan? What kind of lowlife got his kicks out of scaring and hurting an innocent woman? The anger started to rise again.

Sloan was talking to the 911 operator but studying him. He wanted to focus on her and hold her gaze, communicate that he was here for her, but he didn’t want Jaxon to think he had an opening to take a cheap shot or flee.

Footsteps pounded their way.

“Boss?” Paydon called. “Everything okay? We heard some commotion.”

“This loser was threatening and hurting Sloan,” Rhett growled.

Jaxon cowered in the mud, looking like he’d slither under the car if he could.

“What kind of a …” Brody added some colorful terms that made Rhett smile even as Sloan raised her eyebrows.

She hung up her phone and slid it in the pocket of her flannel coat. She looked like she fit right in on a Montana spring job site with a baseball cap on, the thick flannel, jeans, and boots. She looked incredible.

“The sheriff will be here in about fifteen minutes,” she said, holding herself erect. “He said all of his deputies, and he’s recruiting the Kalispell police, will help him track Preston down.”

“Good.” Rhett looked to Brody and Paydon. “Can you two make sure he doesn’t dare move?”

“For sure, boss,” Paydon said.

They both stomped toward him. Rhett looked down at Jaxon. “They won’t be as kind as me. I wouldn’t make any sudden moves.”

Jaxon nodded, eyes wide.

“Thanks.” Rhett slapped Paydon on the shoulder and walked toward Sloan.

She let out a whimper that revealed how upset she truly was, no matter how brave she was acting, and hurled herself against his chest. Rhett wrapped her up tight, cradling her to him, but easing her farther away from his guys and Jaxon.

She didn’t cry, but she did cling to him. He inhaled her sweet gardenia scent and savored her in his arms. She was safe. That was what mattered.

After a couple minutes, she glanced up at him, her deep-brown eyes suspiciously bright. “How did you know to come?”

“Paul called me and told me you were sugaring up all the men and making them fall in love with you.”

She managed a watery smile.

“I was waiting impatiently for you to come when Josh called. He apologized for being pigheaded, and said you were on your way to me. I strode out to the road to meet you, and …” He glanced over, but Jaxon hadn’t moved. Paydon and Brody were looking properly threatening. They were young, rough around the edges, but loyal with good hearts.

“What did he do to you?” Rhett asked quietly, not sure he wanted to know but needing to.

“He threatened me. He said he was going to kill me if I didn’t leave town.”

“What?” Rhett’s body went rigid.

She gave a small nod. “He said he was going to teach me a lesson and then he slammed my back into my car.”

Rhett loosened his grip on her. “Ah, Sloan. Am I hurting you?”

“No,” she said fiercely, clinging tighter to him. “I might have some bruises tomorrow, but you holding me takes the hurt away.”

Rhett cradled her to him but was careful not to put too much pressure on her back. “I think I need to ‘chat’ with Jaxon a little more,” he said in a restrained voice.

“Let’s stay away from him. The police will arrest him and hopefully find Preston.” She glanced up at him. “Why is everyone so against me and this development?”

“I thought you were making a lot of progress and all the builders you took treats to today were happy, not just with the treats but with the progress you’ve made and your willingness to work hard. Don’t let your scummy cousins discourage you.”

Rhett prayed she wouldn’t move on from the Kalispell area like she’d said last night. He wanted her here, with him. He wanted to know everything about her, show her she could trust him, hold her every chance he got.

She drew in a steadying breath and straightened. She was still in his arms but not leaning against him for support. “You’re right. I have been making progress, and I like it here. A lot. It’s a million times more beautiful than Vegas.” She was looking at his face, not the scenery.

He cocked an eyebrow, tempted to kiss her, but this was a worse spot than last night on the street when Josh had honked at them. At least his friend was softening.

“That’s good to hear,” he said. “The scenery I’m looking at is more beautiful than anything in the world.”

She grinned at that. “I never figured the tough general contractor for a sweet talker.”

He chuckled. “It’s never happened before.”

Her eyes softened. “Truly?”

“No, ma’am.”

“I like that.”

He liked her. Could things settle down with Jaxon and Preston arrested and things moving along with the development? Could he and Sloan have a chance to date?

The sheriff’s truck pulled up and they had to break apart to talk with him and his deputy. He took their statements and loaded Jaxon into the back of the truck.

While they were doing all the formalities, Rhett thanked Paydon and Brody and told them they could head back to work. Sheriff Pollard got a phone call that they’d found Preston at his grandfather’s old cabin. They’d bring him in as well. There wasn’t as much reason to hold him as he hadn’t touched or threatened Sloan, but they’d at least hold him for a few days and scare him into staying away from her while they filed the restraining order.

Finally, the sheriff and his deputy loaded up into their truck and drove off. Rhett turned to Sloan. He didn’t want her to leave, but there was no reason for her to stay. He looked down in the muddy puddle at the open box of pastries.

“Those idiots ruined your sweet treats too,” he muttered. “My guys and I would’ve loved them.”

She smiled. “I’ll get you some more.”

“You don’t need to.” He suddenly wasn’t certain how to proceed. She’d been in his arms earlier, but now she was standing brave and tall as she always did. “I like the hat, and the flannel.”

She laughed. “I’m fitting in pretty well.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She might fit in, but she also stood out. Far too beautiful for a bunch of dirty, sweaty construction workers.

She looked over his T-shirt and grinned. “But I do need to catch up on the funny T-shirts. Men Working .” She read the large construction site sign on his chest and then the smaller print. “ Except Rhett. That guy does nothing .” She laughed out loud.

Rhett laughed with her. “My brother Miles had this one made for me.”

“I like it. I read up on Miles last night.” She suddenly looked a little embarrassed.

“There’s a lot about him online,” Rhett said.

“Not so much about you.” She met his gaze.

“You were Googling me?” That was great news.

She nodded. “You don’t even have Instagram.”

“I know, right? How do I live?” He grinned. They were back to teasing, but also … she’d Googled him. He’d feared last night she wanted nothing to do with him again.

“I can’t understand it.” She raised her hands. “Must be like the dark ages.”

“For sure.” He paused and looked her over. She wasn’t as muddy as yesterday. “Do you feel up to driving back to town? I can follow you. Or I can have one of my guys drive your car and you can ride with me.”

“Oh …” She rolled her eyes and clenched her fists. “Jaxon hurled my keys into the forest.” She pointed.

Rhett shook his head. “What a jerk.” He looked at the thick vegetation and mud and spring mulch. “I don’t think we’re going to find them. Luckily, I know a guy.”

Sloan looked him over, and then she smiled. “Luckily, I know a guy too.”

Rhett’s lips curved in a smile as well. She did know him. He wanted her to know him much better.

They walked through the mud and to his truck. The rain was coming down in earnest, but it didn’t bother him or dampen his mood.

She said hello to Andy and some of his guys, promising them donuts tomorrow. He helped her into his truck and they drove to her car, loading her suitcases, purse, and treat bag into the back seat.

“This is becoming familiar,” he teased her as they loaded back up.

“You hauling me and all my luggage around?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. “Where to?”

“Well, I guess I could take everything to my new short term vacation rental, then I’d better get some groceries. I’ve had sugar for breakfast two mornings in a row.”

“The breakfast of champions.”

“That’s right.”

“Where’s your rental?”

“It’s on the Flathead River. Leisure Park is in the backyard. Let me look on VRBO and find the address.”

“That’s all right.” He held up a hand. His reasoning that heaven above had brought Sloan into his life strengthened by what she’d just said. “I know the area.”

“Okay.” She relaxed back into the seat and stared at him. “And you ‘know a guy’.”

He chuckled, reached across the console, and wrapped his hand around hers. “I’m a lot more concerned right now about knowing a brave lady from Arizona.”

“Hmm. Maybe you’ll be blessed and be able to get to know her.”

“I hope so.” He threaded their fingers together and enjoyed the warmth of her much smaller hand in his—not a physical warmth but a warmth of bonding and belonging. “I really hope so.”

Her answering smile ratcheted his hopes up again.