Her Billionaire Protector (Texas Ranch Romance Book 2) Read online

  Chapter 7

  As she entered the dining room, the two men sitting at the end of the table looked up at her. They did not smile. It wasn’t the typical look she got from men. They were thoughtful and calculating—and she was immediately on alert.

  Mary came in and guided her to the buffet. “Oh, good. Ruth, you’re up.” Mary looked at her earnestly. “These two men are from Anchorage. They have come down here to warm up.”

  “Welcome to Texas.” Elsie smiled. “I hope you brought some of that nice Alaskan summer weather with you.” She sat down with a plate of fruit, eggs, and a biscuit. She was starving. The other guests agreed they all needed some Alaskan weather to cool things down.

  The men went back to their eating. Everything about them set off warning bells. They were stiff, nervous, focused. Neither looked like they were about to begin a vacation. Whoever was behind this was upping his game by sending these two. Elsie tried to listen to as much of their conversation as she could, but she didn’t really hear anything of import. One of them got up to get seconds, and he took a moment to leer at her. A cold sensation crept up her back. All her instincts told her to be on high alert.

  Henry and Colton finally arrived, and Henry introduced Colton as Ruth’s husband, Robert. Elsie choked on her orange juice. “Sorry. Yes, honey.” She moved her plate over in front of the seat at her side. “I grabbed some eggs for you.”

  Colton looked surprised, but he recovered quickly. He pushed the plate back in front of her. “I am starving, dear. I think I’ll get a bigger plate.”

  Henry asked everyone to choose the ranch chores they wanted to do. “Our daily jobs involve feeding the animals, gathering eggs, and, my personal favorite, mucking out the barn and stables.” He got a good laugh out of that one. “We have weekly jobs involving mowing and moving the cows to rotating pastures.”

  Henry put down his notebook. “And today we have something different. The vet is coming out, and we will be giving shots to our Tigerstripe Brangus once we get them up into the horse pasture. Oh, and our bull Curly has broken through the back fence by the river, and we need someone to get him back where he belongs.”

  The men from Anchorage looked up and asked, “How many guests do you have this week?”

  Mary answered while pouring the milk. “We have twelve normally, but we’ve had some cancellations this week.”

  Henry looked at his list. “Today is normally Fowl Liberation Day. But it looks like the fowls will have to wait a couple more days before we let them loose in the woods. This year, we raised pheasants and turkeys. The turkeys stay around for a while, but the pheasants disappear instantly. We will reschedule it in a couple days.” Henry laughed.

  The two men from Anchorage said they would get Curly back and wanted to try some fishing. Colton and Elsie said they would mow around the lake then do some exploring and maybe take a spin in the paddle boat. The other guests wanted to watch the vet give the shots, and, although they weren’t familiar with horses, they wanted to try riding back with Henry to bring up the cows.

  Elsie listened to Henry, but her mind was spinning with this new role she was going to have to play. Her plan had been to avoid Colton. Now they would be thrown together for the rest of the week. She pushed away from the table and headed up to her room alone.

  Colton hurried up behind her. “Wait for me, honey!” He seemed to be making the most of this façade.

  Elsie gave him a droll look and continued up the stairs. Her temper simmered as she thought about his quick retreat when she’d mentioned marriage just an hour or so ago. She had to admit, his rejection had jabbed at her pride. And who said I would even consider him in the first place? I could name five men right now who would be thrilled to marry me. Well, maybe two.

  Colton held the door for Elsie as they entered her room. Elsie dropped into the chair. “Well this is just great.” She sighed. “I was hoping to see less of you.”

  They heard furniture moving in Colton’s room, next door. They jumped to their feet, ready to race over there, when then a tapping sound behind the tall dresser made them pause. Colton shared a look with Elsie. They pulled the dresser away from the wall and discovered a door hidden behind it. As soon as Colton turned the knob, Henry came through.

  She and Colton breathed out.

  “Well, that is handy.” Colton smirked and helped Henry move the dresser to a different wall.

  Henry leaned on the dresser. “We use these two rooms as a suite when needed, the kids love to use the smaller-sized door, but normally they are saved for last-minute reservations like your own. The dressers hide the suite accommodation.”

  Elsie was not amused at Colton’s attitude. “The door does have a lock, I assume?”

  Henry was too concerned to notice the humor. “We need to talk for a minute. I am still worried about those two men from Anchorage. I tried googling them, and there was nothing. They could be using fake ID. If we can hide your identity, Elsie, I think you will be safer. This pretend marriage may be enough to do that. Of course, you can stay in your separate rooms, but just use this one for coming and going.” Henry sat down on the bed.

  Elsie sat down next to him. “So, all this worry is about a bunch of gold hunters with guns?”

  Henry had a big, goofy smile on his face.

  “Why are you smiling?”

  “Just thinking about Colton over there. I am a bit of a matchmaker. I have to say, you two look like there is some real possibility here.”

  Colton immediately stood and brushed off his shirt. “I think I’ll run a check of the perimeter. We need to make sure you two are safe. Checking out our Alaska friends is next on the list of things to do.”

  Elsie was irritated at his immediate escape. Especially when she wasn’t even pursuing him in the first place. “Once we can be sure that my grandfather and Henry are safe from further danger, I’ll be thrilled to get back to my life.”

  Colton looked over at her with a troubled expression. “After we mow, we can explore and see how the Anchorage men are doing on their job.” He headed to his room to change, and Henry left to begin his day.

  Elsie was already dressed, so she sat down on the bed and thought about Colton. He was arrogant and annoying. At the airport, he’d claimed she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Was he affected by her? He seemed to be, sometimes.

  All they had going here was a physical attraction; they didn’t even really know each other.

  She went out into the hall and headed down the stairs. Colton came down soon after, and they walked over to the barn to get the tractor with the Bush Hog mower.

  “So, have you ever driven a tractor?” Colton asked.

  “I’ve driven a tank; so this can’t be too hard. Why?” Elsie climbed up into the tractor seat and looked at the levers.

  “I thought you could start mowing around the lake, at least halfway to the other side, and then we can meet up and follow those men.” Colton leaned in to show her how to run the tractor and turn on the mower. “We can leave the tractor under the trees over past the bridge.”

  “Okay, sounds like a plan.” Elsie turned on the tractor and drove to the water’s edge. She turned on the mower, lowering the blades, and she began carving a path through the tall grass. They kept the grass around this five-acre lake mowed all the way down to the shore. It looked like someone had pulled the seaweed out around the edge too. She felt good about that—she hated snakes, and water moccasins were prevalent in this area. The fewer places they had to hide the better.

  She looked over to Colton. He was so distracting. What is he doing over there? She craned her neck to keep watching him as she went by. He was on his hands and knees, pushing a duffle bag under a bush on the far side of the lake. When she looked back, she jerked her wheel hard to the right. Her tractor skirted the edge of a steep incline right at the lake’s edge. She figured it would be okay, but this was not a tank. She turned the wheel hard in the opposite direction, causing the vehicle to slide, and before she
could right it, the tractor tipped over sideways into the lake. She tried to jump away, but her leg got pinned under the loader. Sharp pain shot through her thigh and wiggling just made it worse. Colton jumped into the water next to her. “Hold still.” He lifted the loader, and she slid away while he lowered it back into the water.

  “Are you okay?” Colton’s eyes, sincere and caring, made it difficult for her to be tough, to swallow the pain. He lifted her in his arms and started carrying her to the shore.

  “Put me down, Colton. I am fine.” She paused. “Well, just carry me to the side away from the snakes.” Elsie felt like an idiot, but snakes made even the bravest people swallow their pride.

  Colton laughed. ”You’re worried about a few snakes?” He put her down, and she tested the weight on her foot.

  Colton nudged her. “I thought you could handle a tractor, Elsie. This messes everything up.”

  They looked over and saw the Anchorage men laughing as they headed toward the river, their fishing gear in hand.

  He pulled out his phone and sent a text. “I’m letting them know, up at the house.”

  A few minutes later, Carson drove over with a couple men and a hitch to pull the tractor upright. “Don’t worry, this happens more than you would think. You two go get cleaned up, and we can take care of this. I’ll finish mowing around the lake.”

  As they walked back to the ranch house, Elsie smiled ruefully. “Well, at least those Anchorage men think we’re totally incompetent. That should help with our cover.”

  “Speak for yourself.” Colton laughed.

  Elsie punched his arm. “Whatever.”

  Chapter 8

  They both changed quickly and were soon back at the lake’s edge and heading into the woods. Elsie’s leg was sore but not too painful. She could walk on it just fine. She had grabbed a picnic basket that Mary had prepared for them—it was more a part of their cover than anything. Though, the smell of the fried chicken was making her mouth water.

  She waved the basket at Colton. “This is just to keep up the marriage story.” She didn’t want him thinking she was trying to take him on a date.

  “What? Oh, I know this is no picnic we are on here.” Colton laughed.

  “Nice one! We are berry lucky to have the support.” Elsie held up a pie. “I have to admit, though, it smells really good. I am starved.”

  “Okay, let’s get going. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can eat.” Colton grabbed the basket.

  Once they were close enough to the men, they laid out a blanket in the grass to watch. Colton scooted over and whispered, “Thanks for going along with the marriage idea. It removes you as a possible target and makes my job easier.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, leaning in. “You make this very easy.” His eyes searched her face, close enough the smell of his soap filled the air between them.

  Elsie tried to calm her reaction to him, but her eyes smiled. And without meaning to, she leaned closer. “I don’t think playing marriage is as intimidating for me as it is for you. Being married and having a big family is my dream.”

  Colton pulled her down to lay beside him and moved closer to look at the men through a hole in the bushes. “I am the first to admit I have a hang up in that area.”

  As he leaned over, Elsie peeked up. His jawline was within inches, his lips just out of reach. She stared at his face, his eyes intent on the two men. He glanced down at her, and then his eyes came to a stop, searching her own. They warmed; his gaze flickered to her lips and back to her eyes. She held her breath. What did she want him to do here? Then his attention switched back to the men. “Now, what are they doing?”

  The moment passed. Elsie was still trying to recover. She peered through the bushes. “What?”

  The men were both behind the fence, trying to coax Curly, the bull, to follow them to the gate to the back pasture. The bull started to move, so they both turned around and started walking in front of him, calling for him to follow.

  “These boys have no experience with bulls, that’s for sure,” Colton whispered into Elsie’s ear. He was so close, their bodies pressed together side by side on the blanket.

  She enjoyed the tickle of his breath on her ear. “Why do you say that?”

  “You never walk in front of a bull.”

  Just as he spoke, Curly went into a charge, lowering his head and running at the men. They both glanced back, yelped, and jumped behind a tree. Curly turned back around toward them and pawed at the ground. They stayed behind the tree, peeking out from behind.

  Colton snorted. “This is like the rodeo bull and clown show.”

  For a few minutes, there was a standoff between Curly and the men. Finally, it occurred to them to get a stick and prod Curly from behind. They carefully prodded him until he finally went through the gate.

  One of the men pulled out a Beretta handgun with a silencer and pointed it at the bull. “That stinking bull was after us. Did you see his eyes? I would love to make beef steak out of him right now.”

  The other man said, “Put your gun away, Luther. How would we explain a dead bull?”

  Elsie and Colton started laughing quietly.

  “Come on. We have to check our stakeout for later anyway.” They headed through the brush right toward Colton and Elsie.

  Colton wrapped an arm around her. “They’re coming. Give a little laugh.” He leaned over and began kissing her.

  Elsie was not prepared for the explosion of emotions she felt as she lost herself in the kiss.

  “Well, what do we have here?” Luther chuckled as he pushed his way through the bushes.

  Elsie yelped, and Colton raised himself up. “We thought we might find a little privacy. Do you mind?”

  Luther laughed a dirty laugh as he headed back to his partner. “Just two love birds taking a roll in the grass.”

  She could hear the men laughing as they pushed through the underbrush further away.

  Colton and Elsie had not moved as they waited for them to leave. Colton looked into her eyes with wonder. “How about we do that again?” His eyes held hope and humor, and Elsie wanted nothing more.

  Their lips met, and she was again lost in the moment. Colton pulled her closer, and Elsie caught her breath. And then with great restraint, she pulled away. “Let’s go back.” She didn’t know where this was going. She wasn’t sure how he felt, and she knew if they continued, she’d lose her heart to a rancher who might not want the same.

  Colton pulled himself up and helped Elsie to her feet. Then he took her in his arms and held her close. Elsie snuggled into his embrace, and they stood holding each other. She didn’t want him to ever let her go.

  Their stakeout was pretty much ruined, so they headed back to the ranch along the river path. Elsie stopped at an outcrop along the river, and Colton set the basket down in the shade under a tree. “We might as well eat our lunch here. They will be expecting us to come back with an empty basket.”

  They settled in the shade. Elsie felt at peace and didn’t want to think about the future. She could worry about that later. Right now, she was on a picnic with a man she wanted to get to know.

  “So, how long were you in the SEALs?” Colton dug into the chicken like he was famished.

  “Six years. What is your job in the military?” Elsie drank some iced lemonade.

  “I’m actually leaving the military once this mission is finished. I have a position waiting for me in my family’s business.” Colton looked sad. “But I don’t want to talk about all that right now. I can’t believe what happened back there.” He held up his hands. “Now, don’t take this wrong, but I was blown away. I didn’t want to ever stop.”

  Elsie raised her eyebrows. “Well, you are a pretty good kisser.” She laughed. “No, seriously, I‘ve never felt that way before.”

  “I’ve never met anyone like you. You’re something. Woman takes me down at the airport, is beautiful and brave, and then kisses like you just did…” He looked like he’d like to kiss her all ove
r again and Elsie almost scooted over to make it happen, but then Colton leaned back, putting his arms behind his head. “I was thinking about my parents and wondering if they ever had the kind of strong feelings we just felt.” He sighed. “I doubt it.” A new bitterness laced his tone. “I have no plans to get married.”

  Elsie put away the drinks and shook her head. He really does have a hang-up. And that was a problem after that life-changing kiss. She felt like her soul had communed with him during that kiss. But apparently that wasn’t enough for him to take a leap of faith.

  Colton helped with the basket. “If my parents are a prime example of marriage, then I want no part of it. You are literally the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen. You are kind and intelligent, and I would hate to have you as an adversary. But the thought of marriage scares me to death. At the same time, I want to hold you forever.” He shook his head. “But my parents. I don’t know if they ever felt like I do, or if they did and they lost everything.” His eyes seemed to ask for understanding. Elsie listened, watching him, trying to predict where he was going with this conversation.

  “My parents are wealthy, and they both work in the family business, but they don’t even communicate with each other anymore. Mom lives in one wing of the house, and Dad the other.”

  That explained a lot about his attitude. But as much as she wanted to get to know him, to understand this side of him, she felt it was time for a reality check.

  “Whoa, slow down, cowboy! Who said anything about marriage? We barely know each other. I would never choose a husband on so little information. I have no idea if you’d be a good husband, let alone a good father to my children. But you are a good kisser.” She could feel her face heat. “I’ll give you that.”

  Chapter 9

  As they walked back to the ranch house, Colton felt depressed. Here was this beautiful woman at his side, talented, smart, military—and all he felt was fear to move forward because of his parents.