Page 4 of Rescued By the Mountain Man Cowboy
“Okay. Good. Let’s move, Anna. Get to your car. Now.”
I kick into gear and forgo the elevator and go for the building stairs to the parking garage.
“I’m right here, Anna,” Madison says, typing something. “I’m searching for any information we might need.”
“Okay,” I say, out of breath.
In the parking garage, I take that elevator to the third level and head to the back right where I parked. As I power walk closer, a rush of frigid cold fills my veins.
“Madi,” I whisper.
The typing stops. “What?”
Across the space, the back windshield of my Honda is completely smashed. The back tires are all I can see from here, and they’re both flat. I whip my head around.
“My car,” I whimper. “He got to my car. The back glass is broken. My tires are flat. Shit, shit, shit.” I turn around, checking every direction. “What if he’s here?”
“Get out of there. Get out to the main street where there’s people, Anna. Now.”
I run. Every muscle in my body is tight and protesting, but I make it downstairs and almost crash into a couple on the sidewalk.
“You okay?” the woman asks.
I nod, walking away.
“Okay. Change of plans. I don’t want you alone over there,” Madison says, typing again. “I’m getting you a rental. I’m paying for it, so nothing is under your name.” I open my mouth to protest. “Don’t argue with me on this. You’re going to drive to me.”
I frown, still on alert of every stranger passing by. “To that ranch you live in now?”
“Wild Peak Ranch. Yes. I already have a ride share on their way to you. Get to the drugstore across from your apartment and wait inside until I tell you they’ve arrived. They’ll take you to get the rental, and we’re going to figure this out.”
“So, I don’t call the cops?” I ask.
“Honestly, babe. My instinct tells me we should wait till you get here first.”
“I trust your instincts better than mine right now.”
“Good. I got you. We’ll figure this out. I promise,” Madison says firmly.
“Wild Peak.” I exhale. “Okay.”
What other options do I have?
Chapter Two
LUKE
The stall door swings shut behind me with a solid clack. Buttercup huffs at my shoulder, warm breath against my neck, her nose bumping the brim of my hat like she's fishing for the peppermint she knows damn well is in my pocket.
"Quit begging." I slip her the candy anyway.
She crunches it, satisfied.
I drag a forearm across my brow. Mid-morning sun's already doing its work, baking the ranch in that particular Oregon gold that makes everything look softer than it is. Hay dust catches the light. Somewhere past the paddock, Diego and Kidd are arguing about a busted water line, their voices carrying the way voices always carry when men think they're alone.
My radio crackles.
"Luke. You around?"
