Cowboy Save Me: By Judith Lee (Tiller Brothers Book 1) (4 page)

She had to stop and close her eyes.  The pain Cody saw in Tammy’s face was almost unbearable, and if he could get his hands on Marcus he would show him what it was like to have a man kick the life out of him.

In a tiny voice, she recalled, “I woke up in the hospital. I had broken ribs, a crushed lung, a severe concussion, and a broken arm.  The police questioned me about why I had been drinking and driving and told me that I had severally injured a family of four. They told me Marcus had told them I was the driver.  He was a college professor and they believed him and not me. I was devastated but I told them I hadn’t been drinking and I told them about Marcus beating me and that he had been drunk.  They still didn’t believe me, but my blood tests came back clearing me and the forensic science proved I had not been driving.  My lawyer, John Peterson in Laramie can tell you all about the case and the trial.  I would have called him tonight, but I panicked.”

“Marcus took a plea bargain and only got ten years, with the possibility of parole.”

She stopped and looked at Cody, fear clearly in her eyes.  She whispered, “I’m sorry I should have told you earlier, but we just met and it brings back such painful memories.”

He squeezed her hand and told her, “It wasn’t your fault darlin’.  Don’t blame yourself.  Why were you so afraid this morning?”

“He called me this morning, and said he was out and he was coming for me and he wouldn’t be stopped this time. I can’t remember what else he said. I think he said he was going to fuck me or something and he was coming for me.”  She started crying really hard this time and Cody pulled her into his lap.

He looked at Bob, “Can you get in touch with her attorney Peterson, and get started on a restraining order?”

They discussed it for a few minutes and Bob asked Tammy a few more questions. Then he assured her he would get the restraining order.  She might need to talk to the judge later that morning but he would try to give the judge as much information as he could with the help of her attorney in Laramie so she wouldn’t have to go through the whole story again.

Cody could tell she was shutting down.  Her eyes seemed glazed and she was shaking and starting to blur her words.  He told Bob he was going to pack a few things and take her to his house so he and his family could protect her.  Marcus wouldn’t have any idea where she was. Mr. Snodgrass took her phone.  He didn’t want her using her cell phone or using any credit cards, and she was going to have to take a few days off work until they could find where Marcus was hiding.  He had probably already broken his probation by just contacting her.

I have an extra ranch phone I can give her so she can always call for help if she needs to.

“I’ll bring the judge to your house Cody if I need to but I think it’s best if she gets some rest.”  They shook hands, and Bob left to start the legal process rolling.

She opened her eyes and looked at Cody, “Let’s go see Jenny’s bunnies before you take me home to meet your family.”  She closed her eyes again.

Cody smiled, kissed her forehead, and told her not to worry, that he’d send Dakota or Matt or Cameron to watch Jenny show her bunnies.  It warmed his heart that she was more concerned about making sure Jenny had friends and family there to cheer her on.  “Let’s get you to the ranch where I can protect you.”

“Okay, whatever you want Cody.  Thank you.”  And she closed her eyes again as she leaned against his shoulder.

If Marcus tried to get near her, he’d rip him to pieces.  His family, even with the enormity of all their troubles right now, would stand up in force to protect her.

While Tammy slept in the seat next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder, he called his dad and mom and told them what was happening.  As he knew they would, his family said they were fine with him bringing her home where they could all look out for her.  It was agreed that Matt would take Jenny to the fair while he got Tammy settled in.

Tammy slept through the bumpy ride to the ranch. When he got there, he lifted her into his arms and started carrying her into the house.  Her gardenia smell floated to his nose and he drew her closer.  God this woman drove him crazy. She woke up briefly and told Cody she could walk.  He kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes again. “I got ya, darlin’.  You just need to get some rest.”

He carried her into Dakota’s room.  Dakota and Cameron were going to be staying in the horse/camper trailer at the exhibitor’s lot because they were heading out to the next rodeo in the morning.  Cody pulled back the covers and laid Tammy down.  He slipped her shoes off and pulled the covers up to her chin.  Her eyes drifted open and she smiled a sleepy smile. 

“Where am I?” She seemed confused and lethargic, and gripped his hand.

“You’re at my house in Dakota’s room.”

“Won’t he need his room?” she asked, and he could tell she wasn’t fully awake.

“No, he and Cameron are heading out to the next rodeo in the morning.”

“Won’t you be going with them?”

“Tammy, don’t worry about that now.  We’ll talk after you’ve had a little rest.”

“Cody?  Can we have that kiss now?”  She smiled, with her eyes half closed, and a yawn following her words.

“Oh baby we’re going to have that kiss, I promise, but I want you awake and totally with me.”  He kissed her on the cheek, barely stopping the urge to lie down next to her and pull her into his arms. The thought of just holding her and protecting her while she slept was very appealing. His control would be gone if he did that, so he got up quietly and left the room.

***

Later in the afternoon Tammy woke up and remembered where and why she was in the strange room.  There was a bathroom attached, so she took a few minutes to wash her face and run a brush through her hair.  She looked tired but she felt so much stronger than she had this morning. Tammy was upset with herself.  Over the last three years, she had gone to counseling and worked so hard to get her confidence back.  She had taken self-defense classes, and she felt she had made such progress. Then one stupid phone call sent her back to a full blown panic attack.  She knew she had to get ahold of herself and face this demon head on, or she would never be normal again.

She walked down the hall and stopped just outside the door as she heard Cody and his mom.  Mrs. Tiller was crying.  “Mom, everything is going to be okay.  This will be over soon, and you don’t have to worry.  I will be here.  You knew I was going to retire soon anyway.  It doesn’t matter if it’s just a few rodeos sooner than I planned.”

On no!  He can’t quit because of me.
  She backed up a few steps trying to decide what to do as she silently watched Cody hold his mother’s hand.

Cody looked out the window. “Mom here comes Bob and the judge.  Why don’t you go lie down and we’ll talk later.  I’ll go see if Tammy is awake.”

Tammy pulled herself away from the wall and entered the room.

Cody looked up and smiled at her.  He took her hand and brought her over to his mother.

“Mom this is Tammy Anderson and this is Beth Anne, my mom.” He smiled kindly down to his mom.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Mrs. Tiller. I’m so embarrassed to have caused all this trouble and I appreciate you letting me rest at your house.”

“Don’t be silly, and please call me Beth Anne.  We will love getting to know you better.  I have heard so much about you from Jenny and Cody.”  She hid her sadness with a welcoming smile. 

Cody opened the door just as they got to the porch and let the judge and the attorney in and made the introductions.  “Tammy, you know Mr. Snodgrass and this is Judge Willis.”

They sat at the round oak kitchen table.  The judge asked a few questions of Tammy and had her sign some papers.  Bob told her he had confirmed that if Marcus shows up within 50 feet of Tammy, he was indeed in violation of his probation agreement.  The judge had issued the restraining order and the sheriff and police department would be on lookout for him.

She thanked them for their help and asked if she could have a ride back to her condo.

Cody stood up, and started to protest. “Tammy…”

“Cody, please, I can’t stay here and interrupt your family’s life.  I just had a terrible shock this morning hearing his voice again, but I need to get home. I appreciate everything you and your family have done for me, but I just need to go home.  I can’t let him win.  I have to stand up for myself.”

He shook his head.  He turned to the judge and Bob, and told them, after he talked to Tammy in private, if she still wanted to go home, he would take her himself and he would let them know so they could inform the sheriff’s office.

They shook hands and left.

Cody took Tammy’s hand, “Let’s go for a walk.” He looked over at his mom, “Go rest, the casserole won’t be done for a little while.”

When he looked back at Tammy, she could tell by the expression on his face that he didn’t want her to go.

“Okay.”

Every time he held her hand, her heart started beating faster and it just felt so incredibly right.  Nobody had ever held her hand like this, so positively and with such absolute confidence.

They walked down to the corals and watched the new colts prancing around the arena. He told her a little about the ranch operations and how he’d be breaking those horses in soon. He talked about everything but the elephant in the room.

Finally, Cody turned her toward him, “Tammy I would feel better if you stayed here.  You aren’t being an inconvenience to me or my family.  We like having you here.  If Marcus shows up you can’t hope to stand up to a lunatic like him,” he pleaded.

She ran a hand through his thick black hair that had fallen over his forehead and looked up into his eyes. He had the most brilliant blue eyes
.  I could really fall for you
.
No No No
…where had thought come from?

“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but you probably need to get on to the next rodeo and I need to get myself together.  I have worked so hard the last three years, to overcome both the mental and physical abuse.  I also took self-defense classes and I learned how to shoot.  I even have a special permit to carry a gun.  I’m so ashamed of how I fell apart this morning.  I have fought too hard to lose it from one phone call.  I have to be strong. Damn I need to get it together. I can’t be dependent on you or anyone for the rest of my life.  You have to understand how important this is to me.”

“You are strong.  You survived that asshole.  Can’t you just stay for a few days until we have a better idea where he is?” 

“Cody, I heard your mom crying.  I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I heard how sad she was that you were retiring from the rodeo.  You can’t do that.  I can see the passion you have for it.”

He rested his forehead against her forehead and sighed.

“Darlin’, you have nothing to do with me retiring.  And mom is crying for another reason I can’t get into with you right now.  Truthfully, you would help me by staying at least for a few days or a long as you want.  I wish you would trust me on this.”

She looked into his eyes and saw pain. She was quiet for a few minutes.

“Okay Cody, but I have to go work tonight at the Ag booth.  I am in charge of the booth this year.  It means so much to me.  I worked so hard to get my job at the Ag Extension office, and I don’t want to run and hide, and not do my job.  It would just put me back to where I was three years ago.”

“Then I’ll go with you to make sure you’re safe.”  He rubbed his calloused thumb over the freckles on her cheek bone. She trembled at his touch.

“Man, we are going to have women crawling all over the booth tonight to get your autograph,” she giggled.

He pinched her nose and laughed at her as he looked into her eyes.

Their gazes held, and she couldn’t wait another minute.  She lifted up on her toes and kissed him.  Or maybe he kissed her first, she wasn’t sure.  It started out gentle at first…a new exploration of each other’s soft lips. His lips feathered and caressed her lips.  Their breaths touched and mingled. Her body flared to life. She thought she heard him growl deep in his throat and he pulled her tighter into his embrace.  His lips were so soft, full and possessive.

He nibbled on her bottom lip then ran his tongue over her trembling lips until she opened her mouth. 
Oh God don’t stop.
She couldn’t seem to get her breath as he devoured her mouth with his tongue. Their tongues tangled. He wanted to take her deep inside him. He sucked her tongue in a rhythm that mimicked making love.  The kiss seemed to go on forever.  Tammy lost all track of time. She moaned into his mouth, and he lifted her up into his arms with her feet off the ground.

“Hmm, Son…”

They both pulled apart and he set her on her feet, both looking surprised that the passion between them had erupted so quickly.  Cody looked up into his father’s smiling face.

Cody cleared his throat, “Sorry dad. I want to introduce you to Tammy Anderson.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Tiller.  I… I… thank you for letting me hang out at your house for a little while.  I’m sorry if it is an inconvenience for your family though.” She felt flushed and unsettled.

“Nonsense, and please call me Josh.  We love having such a beautiful woman as our guest.  Evidently my son has forgotten his manners. He was kissing you in the middle of the yard with lots of eyes on you two. I was afraid he was about to carry you off somewhere,” he laughed, “…but please come in.  Dinner is ready.”  He gave Cody a look filled with fatherly humor with a lingering touch of sadness.

Josh tucked her arm in his and placed himself between the two of them.  He wrapped his other arm around his son as they headed toward the porch.
There is something so attractive about both of these men
, Tammy thought.

Her cheeks were red after being caught kissing Cody in plain sight of all the ranch hands and family. 
Could this day get any more embarrassing?
This beautiful man had a way of making her forget everything…like they were the only two people in it.
Holly crap
, he was just too good-looking for any woman to ignore.  She certainly needed to put some distance between them or she was going to get her heart broken by this sexy womanizing cowboy.