As she walked past a tree, an arm wrapped around her waist, and a hand covered her mouth. She was about to scream when a familiar voice whispered in her ear.
“Rory, it’s me,” Wilder said next to her ear. “Don’t make a sound.”
She nodded, and he removed his hand from her mouth but kept his arm around her waist, bringing back too many memories.
“What are you doing here?” she asked in a low voice.
“I think I should ask you that,” he whispered.
“I just wanted to check on my cows, and now someone’s taking them.” She looked at him but couldn’t make out his face in the dark. “Do something.”
“I can’t. I don’t have backup, and there are at least three of them.”
“You’re going to let them take my cows,” she growled out.
“No choice right now, darlin’. I’ll just have to get closer to the men until I can figure this out.”
“Wilder, I cannot lose more cows.” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, though she knew he couldn’t see her face enough to know.
“Keep that damn redhead temper under control. I’m doing my damn job.”
“Really? Then arrest them,” she said and pointed to where the men were loading the trailer.With her cows!
“Yeah, okay, let me go out there on my own. I’m sure I can take all three at once,” he snapped.
She leaned against a tree and slid to the ground. He squatted down in front of her.
“Baby, I will not let them get away with this. I’ll get them.”
Rory looked up at him. “You said you don’t make promises on cases.”
His hand touched her cheek. “I don’t, but I want these bastards as much as you do.”
“I believe you.” She wiped a tear away. “I called my insurance company. They’re sending me a check for the seven that were taken. God, now I have to call them again.” She shook her head.
He pulled her into his arms, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“I’m sorry, I am, but I have to have enough evidence to get them, and with more than one, I need backup. By the time I call someone, they’ll be gone.”
“I know. I know you’re right, but I hate the thought of them getting away with this.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I’ll get them.”
Rory stared up at him. “I trust you, Wilder.”
“Where’s your truck?” he asked as he glanced around.
“I walked.”
“You…walked? All the way up here?”
“I use a treadmill every day, so this was nothing.” She smiled up at him.
“I want to kiss you, Rory.”
“I want that too, but don’t you think we should wait until these pigs take my cows?”
She watched him tip his head down, then he raised it to look at her.