Читать книгу Ranch Refuge - Virginia Vaughan - Страница 11

THREE

Colton opened his weapons closet and double-checked his supplies. He’d let his guard down, lost his focus, and Randall had found a way to get to Laura. The pained look on her face as she napped on the couch was all the reminder he needed that he’d already failed her. He’d promised to protect her, assured her he was good at his job, then lost his focus at the sight of her.

He couldn’t deny she was beautiful, and she wasn’t the first pretty lady he’d protected without getting emotionally involved. But Laura was different. She was someone he knew he could never have. She’d said herself she was stuck because of her father’s addiction. He could never ask her to take on his own past, as well. That wouldn’t be fair to her.

He phoned Blake. He needed to bounce ideas off someone while Laura dozed on the couch.

Blake sounded exasperated when he answered. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days. Where have you been and why haven’t you been answering my calls? I was worried about you, Colt. I nearly called in the Rangers until Miranda said she saw you at the store today.”

Colton knew he was referring to his ranger brothers. They’d intervened before when Colton had hit rock bottom. “I’m fine. Really. You don’t have to worry.”

Blake sighed. “I’m glad you called finally. What’s happening? Miranda said you had a woman with you?”

“I’m working a protection job that’s gone bad. The man who’s after my client is both powerful and obsessed with her. He’s a loan shark in River City named Chuck Randall.”

“You said it went bad. What happened?”

“Someone was here on my property. We were out by the back field and someone shot at us.”

“Did you catch him?”

“No, he got away on a motorcycle before I could reach him. I had to get Laura to safety first.”

“So you think this Randall followed you from River City?” his friend asked.

“No, he’s not the type of person to do his own dirty work. He has her face plastered on social media and is offering a reward for her return. There was a man this morning at the store who was watching her.” He cleared his throat, then went on. “I don’t think he followed us back to the ranch, but maybe he recognized me and knew where I lived.”

“You’re sure no one followed you from River City? How careful were you?”

“I was careful, but...” He grimaced. In his old life he’d spent a fair amount of time in that city hitting the casinos and becoming familiar with the locals.

Blake obviously saw the direction he was headed and finished his thought. “You aren’t exactly a stranger in River City, are you?”

“If someone recognized me, they could connect me to Laura.” It was possible his past had already hindered his ability to keep Laura safe.

But his pal was quick to reassure him. “Unlikely. River City has grown by leaps and bounds since your days there. Unless there’s something you need to tell me?”

He knew what Blake was alluding to. His friends had pulled him from that gambling life after he’d lost everything, including his ranger career, to it. The addiction had overtaken him, tossing him into a deep, dark pit of despair. They’d all had their ways of coping with the aftermath of the ambush. That had been his.

“No. Except for meetings, I never go near there.” His Gamblers Anonymous meetings were held at a church on the outskirts of town. It was a small connection to his old life, but it was one he still considered important.

Colton was certain he heard relief in Blake’s voice. He knew how bad he’d gotten and Blake, the closest of his ranger brothers, had had a front-row seat for his descent. “For now, keep a low profile. I’ll swing by and we’ll see if we’ll take a look at the area. We might be able to find some bullet fragments or tire tracks that could lead us to the shooter.”

“We’ll be here. Can I ask one more favor? Laura didn’t have time to pack a bag and we left the store before purchasing anything. Do you think Miranda would mind lending her some clothes?” They’d left behind the groceries as well, but he still had a full freezer, so they would be okay food-wise.

“Sure, I’ll ask her.”

Colton thanked him, then hung up. His friend wouldn’t let him down. The bond they shared was something that could never be erased. Because no matter what he did or where he went, his ranger brothers would always have his back.

* * *

Blake arrived at the house later that afternoon with Miranda by his side. Colton and Laura met them on the porch. Laura saw Blake had an air of former military about him. Miranda was pretty, blonde and petite, but her jewelry suggested a flamboyant personality.