Page 15 of Crisis at Rescue Ridge
Going down without a fight wasn’t an option.It occurred to her that she’d left her rifle in the bed of Hudson’s truck.Before she could rationalize her next steps, she grabbed a knife from the block on the counter and followed Hudson outside.
He stopped two steps onto the back porch.A raccoon was trying to break into a shed.
Cassie exhaled a long, slow breath as she noticed her hands trembling.Her nerves were fried.The interesting thing about what had just happened was that her first thought had been about Hudson’s safety, not hers.
The kiss had blown her mind—body and soul.She had feelings for Hudson.They might be brand new, and maybe they hadn’t had enough time to fully develop, but she cared about this man and his well-being.Risking his life so she could sleep on a warm bed was the most selfish thing she’d ever done.
“I have to go,” she said before turning back to the house and running inside.
Hudson followedCassie into the kitchen, where she returned the knife.“Tell me who he is, and I’ll make certain he’s caught the minute he sets foot in this town.”
She whirled around and then gripped the bullnose edge of his granite counter like she needed to anchor herself.“You can’t do that.”
“Yes, I can.Did I mention that my brother-in-law is the acting sheriff?”
Cassie’s mouth fell open, and her gaze widened.He saw real fear in her eyes.“Why didn’t you tell me that before?”
“It didn’t come up.”
“It should have,” she said, clearly in a panic as her gaze darted around the room.“This was a bad idea.”
“It felt pretty damn good a few minutes ago if you ask me.”
“The kiss?”She stared at him, managing to clear her expression of any sign of emotion.It was like suddenly staring at a blank piece of paper.“It never should have happened.”
“Agree to disagree on that front.”He studied her.“I realize that we have an agreement that means I’m not supposed to ask questions, but dammit, Cassie, I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s really going on.”
“That’s a bad idea.”
“Tell me why, and I’ll leave it alone,” he said.
“No, you won’t.You won’t be able to, Hudson.And do you want to know why?Because you’re an honest, decent person.You’re the kind of person who helps strangers and tends to injured animals.”Her disposition changed.She looked as wild and scared as the mountain lion had after it had been shot.
Damned if he wasn’t confused by the sudden whiplash.“Is that what you think?I’m helping you because I think you can’t help yourself?That couldn’t be further from the truth.You’re one of the most capable people I’ve ever met.”
“You don’t know me.”She folded her arms across her chest, hugging her elbows.
The kiss had burned into his brain, branding him.He was invested whether he wanted to be or not.Emotion said he wanted nothing more than to be able to help Cassie.Logic warned she would never allow it.She was too headstrong to let herself depend on anyone else.
“Then tell me who you are,” he said.
“I would only disappoint you, Hudson.”She released a breath that caused her shoulders to deflate.
“You couldn’t.”
She shot him a glare that challenged him.“See?I already told you.You have no idea what a mess you’d be getting into by hanging around with me.”
“For your information, I don’t go around kissing people I barely know, so what happened in this kitchen is special to me,” he said, figuring honesty might not help the situation, but it sure as hell couldn’t hurt.“I haven’t wanted to kiss anyone the same way I wanted to kiss you in longer than I care to say or remember.But that kiss didn’t give me any rights.I’m clear on that.”
Her knuckles turned white from gripping the bullnose edge even tighter.Was he making progress or pushing her further away?
The fact that she wasn’t walking out made him believe the former rather than the latter.Knowing when to push and when to pull back had never been his strong suit, so he went on pure instinct.
“And just to make sure we’re on the same page, I’m not asking for anything from you.”He leaned against the counter.“I’m here to help in any way that makes sense for you.If you have an ex out there, stalking you—”
“You have no idea.”The panic in her eyes said he’d touched on the correct subject.
“I’m not afraid of anyone,” he said.
