Page 8 of Rescued By the Mountain Man Cowboy
"You don't want me at your house."
"No ma'am."
"Then don't take me."
"Got no choice."
"Everybody's got a choice."
"You want to explain that to the guy you’re running from? Be my guest."
Her whole face changes. The color drains out of it. She sits back down fast, like her knees gave.
Ah, hell.
"Luke." Gabe's voice is quiet thunder.
I look at the floor. "Sorry."
Nobody says anything.
Madison sits on the arm of Anna's chair and puts a hand on her back, rubbing slow circles. I watch Anna breathe through whatever I just did to her and I feel like the world's biggest asshole, which I probably am.
"Anna." I keep my voice even. Gentler than I started. "I'm sorry. That was out of line."
She doesn't look at me. Just nods once, small.
Gabe jerks his head toward the door. "Luke. Help Madison with her bags."
I pick up the duffel. The duffel's light. Too light for two weeks. She didn't pack. She grabbed.
Outside, Madison walks with me toward my truck. Her voice is low.
"You hurt her further, Davis, and I'll make your life a legal hell you can't climb out of."
"I'm not gonna hurt her."
"I know you're not. I'm saying it anyway."
"Noted."
We load the bag into the back of the F-150. Madison leans against the tailgate and studies me.
"She's had the worst week of her life. She's running on coffee and adrenaline. She hasn't slept more than two hours since it happened. She's not eating. Just so you know what you're walking into."
"Got it."
Her tone softens. "She doesn't need a drill sergeant. She needs a wall she can stand behind."
I meet her eyes. "I know the difference."
Madison nods slow. "Okay."
Anna comes out of the office ten minutes later with Gabe. She's got her purse clutched against her chest like a shield. She walks past me without looking up and stops at the passenger side of the truck.
I open the door for her.
She freezes. Just for a second. Like she forgot people did that. Then she climbs in, and I shut the door softer than I'd shut it for anyone else. Gabe catches my eye over the hood of the truck.
