The Rebel of Copper Creek (9 page)

He gave her a gentle smile. “Give it time, Juliet. You've got a lot going on in your life. But most of it is good. You've got two great boys. A ranch that holds a wealth of history for them. A chance to build a good life here for them and for yourself.”

She let out a long, slow sigh. “You make it sound so easy.”

“Maybe not easy. But possible.”

She managed a weak smile. “Why is it that when you say it like that, I believe you?”

Again he reached across the table to cover her hand with his. “Keep on believing. That's all we can really do in this life. Believe things can be better.”

He noted the color that had returned to her cheeks. “Why don't you go up to bed?”

She looked startled. “I couldn't possibly sleep. What if he comes back?”

Griff stood. “If he does, he'll deal with me.”

She made a feeble attempt to protest. “You can't just stay here all night.”

“I'm not leaving you alone.” He smiled. “I think I saw a sofa in that other room.”

“It's old and lumpy.”

“Sounds perfect.” He turned away. “Go upstairs now. Get some sleep.”

She paused. “Oh, Griff. How can I thank you?”

“I'll let you make me breakfast.”

He watched as she started up the stairs. Halfway up she turned and mouthed
Thank you
.

He winked before picking up the rifle and heading down the hallway toward the old parlor.

The sofa was lumpy, as Juliet had said. Not that it mattered. He was so wired, he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep.

It wasn't just the thought of Mitch that had the adrenaline pumping through his veins. It was knowing he was just steps away from where Juliet Grayson, in that clingy T-shirt, was lying.

He'd had plenty of time to feel that slender, perfect body, so clearly visible through the thin fabric of her nightshirt, pressed to him as he'd held her.

The thought of holding her again was enough to have him up and pacing in the darkness.

And the thought of Mitch Cord harming someone so wounded, so vulnerable, had all his protective instincts on high alert.

J
uliet lay in bed, shivering despite the blanket.

The thought of that braggart Mitch had her balling her hands into fists. He'd been making insulting comments ever since he'd started working here. But she'd never dreamed that his talk would turn to dangerous actions.

How could she have been so careless?

One minute she'd been sound asleep. The next she'd woke to the sound of someone pounding on her door. She'd taken every precaution, standing inside the locked door to ask what he wanted. But when he'd told her there'd been an accident in the hills and Cooper had sent him to fetch her, she'd been so startled, she'd forgotten all the rules she'd set for herself.

What would have happened if Griff hadn't arrived on the scene?

She couldn't put aside her fear. She knew, without a doubt, how this would have ended.

She rolled to her side and drew the blanket over her head. She hated the fear that was now firmly planted in her heart. She'd been through so much. After dealing with the pain of Buddy's accident, and watching him slowly lose the battle he'd fought so bravely to win, she'd honestly believed that there was nothing that could ever again have her trembling like a coward. But right now, right this moment, the only thing that kept her from curling into a fetal position was Griff Warren's presence downstairs.

Her fierce, avenging angel.

He'd looked so calm, so in control. But she'd seen a flash of something feral and dangerous in his eyes that told her that beneath the air of cool command there had been a warrior poised to attack.

She would be forever grateful for the way he'd taken over when she'd fallen apart.

She hoped and prayed that police chief Ira Pettigrew would have Mitch in custody by morning, when she went to town to sign the documents needed to keep him safely away from her and her ranch. Otherwise, she would have to spend every day and night looking over her shoulder.

That thought had her sighing as she fell into a deeply troubled sleep.

Griff heard the sounds coming from the upper floor, indicating that Juliet and her sons were awake and moving. The occasional creaking of a floorboard. The sound of a shower running. Voices. Laughter.

By the time they trooped down the stairs, he had bacon and eggs sizzling in a skillet, and was busy feeding bread into a toaster.

He looked over to see the two little boys, eyes as round as saucers, peering at him in surprise.

“Mama, look.” Casey was grinning. “Griff's here.” He turned to the man standing at the stove. “I didn't hear your plane. When did you fly in?”

“I didn't fly. I drove. Good morning.” Griff glanced beyond the two boys to their mother, who paused uncertainly on the bottom step. “I thought, since I was here early, I'd make breakfast. I hope you all like your eggs sunny-side up.”

“What's sunny-side up?”

“This.” Griff lifted down the skillet to show both boys the eggs. “See? Their yellow sides are called sunny sides.”

“That's how our mama makes them,” Casey said.

Griff caught Ethan studying the colorful place mats of red and yellow and green, set with bright yellow plates and green paper napkins, all of which he'd found in one of the cupboards.

“Look, Mama,” Casey called. “Griff used all the stuff you said was too good for us to use.”

“Too good to use?” Griff winked at the little boys. “I think we should always use the good stuff. And do you know why?”

“Why?” Casey asked.

“Because we're worth it.” He turned to include Juliet. “Why don't the three of you sit down and I'll serve your breakfast.”

He carried a tray of glasses, some filled with orange juice and some with milk, and deposited them around the table before handing Juliet a cup of steaming coffee.

After popping up the toast, he carried over a platter of toast and jelly and another of bacon and eggs, which he set in the middle of the table so they could help themselves.

Finally he filled a cup of coffee for himself and took a seat at the table.

“Well.” He took a moment to taste the coffee before looking around at the other three. “How did everyone sleep last night?”

Casey answered for all of them. “I sleeped all night. And now I'm glad, 'cause this is the best breakfast ever. Isn't it, Mama?”

She was grateful for the easy banter between Griff and Casey. It gave her time to compose her crazy heart, which was beating a wild tattoo in her chest.

She smiled and nodded. “You're right, Casey. This is the best ever. And do you know why?”

“Why?” Casey's eyes were big and round.

She shot Griff a blazing smile. “Because I didn't have to cook it.”

Griff winked. “Maybe you'd better wait until you've had a taste before celebrating.”

Juliet dipped the edge of her toast in the yolk and closed her eyes on a sigh. “Perfect. Just the way I like it.”

Her two boys followed suit, dipping their toast in egg, breaking off bites of bacon, and washing it all down with milk.

They were still eating when they heard the approach of a vehicle. A minute later a knock on the door had Griff peering out the window before throwing the lock and holding the door for Jackie Turner.

“'Morning, Griff. Is Juliet here?”

“She is. Come on in.”

The old man hung his hat on a hook by the door of the mudroom before stepping into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Jackie.” Juliet indicated a seat at the table. “Will you join us for some breakfast? There's plenty.”

“No, thank you, ma'am. I had breakfast with my daughter. But I'll have some of that coffee, son.”

Griff filled a mug and handed it to him.

While the boys finished their meal, Jackie made small talk, mentioning the perfect summer weather, the herds growing fat on grass in the hills, and the fact that ranchers in these parts were saying it was one of the best seasons ever for growing wheat and corn.

Griff bit back a smile, knowing the old man was biding his time until he had Juliet alone to give her a report of her wranglers.

Taking pity on him, Griff glanced at Juliet. “Since Casey and Ethan are finished eating, do you think they might like to go play with their trucks in the other room?”

“Oh yes.” Juliet nodded to her sons. “Put your plates in the sink and you can be excused.”

The two little boys jumped up eagerly, gathering their dishes and dropping them in the sink with a clatter before running from the room, eager to escape grown-up conversation.

Griff circled the table, filling their cups with fresh coffee.

Jackie drank before meeting Juliet's eyes. “Randy Cooper's a good man, but he can't be everywhere at once. So I guess I'm not surprised at what I found up in the highlands yesterday.” He set aside his cup, taking a moment to choose his words carefully. “Most of the wranglers who work these parts do it for the freedom it offers. They go from ranch to ranch until they find a place that suits them. Sometimes they'll stay on for a lifetime. But there are always a few who just never fit in. Maybe it's because they're lazy, or they have some bad habits, usually liquor or women. I suggested to Cooper that he ought to consider letting Mitch Cord go.”

Juliet glanced at Griff. “Why?”

“He was drinking while he was supposed to be tending a herd on the north hill. It wasn't even noon, and I could smell the liquor on his breath. I guess he figured an old man like me wouldn't notice.” He drained his coffee. “Cooper agreed with me. Said Mitch slipped away every chance he could, probably to drink, or maybe gamble with some of the other wranglers. So Cooper gave him his marching orders while I was there.”

“Are you saying that Mitch Cord was fired yesterday?”

“Yes, ma'am. It was my recommendation, but it was Cooper's order. I hope you don't mind.”

“Mind? Of course not. From the beginning, I've let Cooper know that the hiring and firing of wranglers is his job. And since the suggestion came from you, I feel even more confident of his decision. You're the expert on running this ranch.”

“Thanks for that vote of confidence.” Jackie got to his feet. “If it's all right with you, I'd like to check out your barns today. See the condition of your equipment. Then I'll give you another report tomorrow, if you don't mind.”

“Yes. Of course. And Jackie, thank you.” Juliet rounded the table to shake his hand. “I have to go into town this morning, but I'll be back by afternoon.”

“You take your time, Juliet. Creepers. I certainly don't need anyone with me. I'll leave when I've finished my walk-around.”

“I'm grateful for your help, Jackie.”

The old man turned and shook Griff's hand before taking his leave.

When they were alone, Juliet seemed distracted as she filled the sink with hot water and began washing the dishes. Griff cleared the table before picking up a towel and drying. All the while he remained silent, allowing her time to mull the old man's words.

Finally she looked over at him. “Do you think that scene last night was retaliation for being fired?”

Griff raised a brow. “Do you?”

She sighed. “Maybe. I guess that could have been the trigger. But I think there was more than just getting even. Mitch has shown so much contempt for me since he started here, and I don't know why. I haven't given him any reason for his behavior.”

She pulled the plug and drained the soapy water before drying her hands.

Griff draped the damp towel over the edge of the sink before looking into her troubled eyes. “Guys like Mitch don't need a reason to do what they do, Juliet. It isn't just contempt for you. I think he has contempt for all women. You just happened to be a convenient target. You're young. You're inexperienced at being a rancher, and he saw that as a weakness. But you're not weak. You're not helpless. And you're not a victim. And when he's arrested and facing charges of home invasion and attempted rape, he'll be stopped before he can hurt another woman.”

She lifted her chin and gave him a weak smile. “I guess that answers my next question. Whether or not I ought to follow through on swearing out a warrant for his arrest.”

Griff touched a hand to her cheek. “You don't need my advice. You already know you're going to do the right thing.”

She sighed. “Yeah. I know. I just wish I could feel the confidence you seem to feel in me.”

He winked. In his best imitation of the old cowboy he said, “Come on, boss lady. Let's round up those sons of yours and head on out to town.”

She actually managed a laugh as she followed him to the parlor, where the boys were busy moving their trucks around the furniture.

Half an hour later they were in Griff's truck and headed to town.

“Chief Pettigrew.”

The police chief looked up as Juliet and Griff stepped into his office.

Her two sons sat in the outer office, playing with the trucks their mother had brought along to amuse them while she dealt with the unpleasant business that had brought her here.

Ira motioned for them to sit in the chairs that faced his desk.

“Did you catch Mitch Cord?” Juliet's hands were clutched firmly in her lap.

“No sign of him, Mrs. Grayson. But I've faxed his description and the license number of your truck to the authorities in neighboring counties. I expect he'll turn up in the next day or so.” He reached into a drawer and handed her some documents. “Read these and sign them. That'll make it official.”

Juliet did as he asked and when they were signed, handed them across the desk. “You don't think Mitch would stick around and try to…follow through on his threats to me?”

The chief met her concerned look. “I wish I could ease your fears, ma'am. But there's no way of knowing the mind of a guy like Mitch. I've fielded complaints about him from ranchers in the past. Mostly petty things. Drunk on the job. Leaving his duties to drive into town to carouse with other cowboys. And he once threatened a rancher with a rifle, when the rancher refused to pay him at the end of the season because he'd been derelict in his duties. But that was resolved without any violence, and the rancher and Mitch ended up settling their differences without prosecution.” He glanced at the documents she'd signed. “This time it's more serious. An attack on a woman and the theft of her truck. He'll probably do jail time, and that won't sit well with a freedom-loving cowboy like Mitch Cord.”

Juliet hugged her arms about herself and glanced toward the outer office, where her two little boys were seated.

The chief followed her look before adding, “You ought to be aware that he may very well show up, mad as a hornet. If he does, he could be armed and dangerous.”

“Thank you, Chief.” She stood and offered her hand.

Ira shot a meaningful look at Griff before saying, “I wish I could spare a deputy to watch over your place, but I just can't. You might not want to be alone until Mitch is caught, ma'am.”

The chief's meaning was crystal clear.

Griff gave a barely perceptible nod of his head before following her from the office.

Ira Pettigrew acknowledged the signal that had passed between them. If the town of Copper Creek couldn't provide a bodyguard for the widow Grayson, it would appear that Bear MacKenzie's other son had already delegated that particular chore to himself.