The Cowboy's Rules: 2 (Cowboys After Dark:) (22 page)

Marty watched the Sheriff stride away, and as he disappeared into the foyer Marty landed a well-placed kick into the man’s ribs, eliciting a deep, painful groan.

“That’s for Cassie,” he growled.

In their bedroom, Chad laid Cassie down, pulled a blanket over her, and was stretching out beside her when Mickey jumped up on the bed.

“Mickey,” he frowned, “you know the rules.”

The dog looked at him for a moment, then turned and was about to jump off when Cassie reached out her arm.

“M-Mickey,” she croaked, touching his fur. “You s-saved m-me.”

The dog immediately dropped his head and began licking her arm.

“You can stay, Mickey,” Chad sighed. “Of course you can stay, what was I thinking?”

The dog snuggled against her, and as Cassie’s tears of fear and relief began to cascade down her face, still trembling she leaned into Chad’s arms.

“S-sometimes,” she stammered, “r-rules are m-meant to b-be b-broken.”

“Yes, sweetheart,” he replied, fighting the lump in his throat, “yes they are.”

W
hen the ambulance arrived and Jason Lewis, aka Peter Burrows, aka James Monroe was rolled on to his back, it was discovered he’d suffered several injuries, one of which was a bullet wound to his leg. As they carried him away Marty asked one of the attending paramedics to look in on Cassie.

“She was shakin’ real bad,” he told the young man as they walked toward the bedroom. “Chad, it’s me, Marty, with one of the docs from the ambulance,” he called softly, knocking on the door.

“Come on in,” Chad called back.

Stepping into the bedroom the paramedic saw the dog that had saved the day laying next to the young woman on one side, and Chad Douglas on the other. “I think she’s okay,” Chad remarked, “but she can’t stop tremblin’.”

“Hi there,” the medic said warmly as he approached the bed, “you had quite a scare.”

“Uh-huh,” she managed.

“You look to me like you’re in a bit of shock. How would you feel about me taking a quick look at you? Would that be okay?”

“I g-guess,” she mumbled.

“Will your dog let me?” he asked.

“Mickey will be fine,” Chad assured him.

Moving to the side of the bed he let Mickey sniff his gloved hand, then sitting gently he reached across and felt Cassie’s pulse and studied her eyes.

“I think you should have your doctor come and give you a sedative,” he suggested. “You need to sleep for several hours, then take it easy for a few days.”

“I c-can’t s-stop sh-shaking,” she stuttered.

“That’s understandable,” he assured her. “That’s why you need a sedative. It will pass, and from what I understand,” he continued, patting Mickey on the head, “this dog here was quite the hero.”

Mickey looked up at him for a moment, then dropped his head back between his paws.

“Looks like he could use a bit of a rest as well,” the paramedic remarked.

“They’re both going to get whatever they need,” Chad assured him. “How’s the villain?”

“Wounded, but he’ll be all right,” the medic replied rising from the bed.

“Thanks for coming in,” Chad smiled. “Marty, could you call the Doc for me, get him over here right away,” Chad asked as the ambulance man headed out, “and then go tell everyone I won’t be back…maybe on Saturday to say goodbye…otherwise they won’t be seein’ me.”

“Sure,” Marty nodded.

“If they want to quit early because I won’t be around that’s fine, I’ll refund their money. If they’re okay continuin’ with you and the boys, that’s fine too. Whatever they want, but I’m not leavin’ Cassie,” he vowed.

“I wouldn’t leave Hannah,” Marty murmured. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everythin’.”

“Please ask Hannah to continue with what she’s doin’, and tell her she can come and see Cassie after the Doc’s given his okay.”

“Will do, don’t worry about a thing,” Marty repeated. “Cassie, you rest. We’ll make sure your horses are taken care of.”

“Th-thank you,” Cassie muttered, her voice muffled against Chad’s chest.

When Marty returned to the living room he discovered the Sheriff and some deputies were placing yellow tape around the area, and turned to head back to the kitchen through the hallway.

“Marty!”

It was Hannah’s voice, and looking over to the dining room he saw her; she was mortified. Hurrying across, skirting the tape, he wrapped his arms around her.

“What happened? Is Cassie okay? There’s blood,” she exclaimed. “I thought I heard a shot, then all the police cars…”

“I’m sorry hon, I was about to call you,” he frowned. “Let’s get out of their way. I could use a sit down and a cup of coffee, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

“Is Cassie okay?” she repeated.

“It’s been crazy here,” he remarked, taking her by the elbow and leading her back into the kitchen. “Cassie’s gonna be okay, she’s just real shaken up. That guy, that Jason Lewis fella, he was in the house, he had a gun, Mickey attacked him, but don’t worry, Mickey’s fine as well. The guy was shot in the leg, had some other injuries, not sure what.”

“Shit, who shot him? Did Cassie shoot him? How the hell did he get in?” Hannah asked urgently.

“Don’t know how he got shot,” Marty replied, sitting her down at the kitchen table then taking a seat himself. “and he stole a van from Sampson Security, so Cassie thought he was one of the installers.”

“This is terrifying,” she declared. “I can’t believe it.”

“If it wasn’t for Mickey I don’t know what would have happened,” Marty grimaced. “He came down and got us, then ran back up here and attacked the guy. He is a helluva dog.”

“We need a dog, Marty, let’s get one, please,” she begged.

“Yep, I think we should. Doubt he’ll be like Mickey though, but yeah, I’d feel better knowing there was a dog around the place when I’m not home. Hon, could you make me that coffee?”

“Sure, of course.”

“Gotta catch my breath, then go down and talk to all the clients.”

“I could use a cup myself,” the Sheriff announced as he walked in. “Marty, we’re gonna need a statement from you, and you too, Hannah, what you heard and so forth. Henry Greenwood, that’s the detective who’s been on this case from the beginnin’, he just arrived.”

“Did Cassie shoot the guy?” she asked as she set about brewing the coffee.

“Looks like self-inflicted,” the Sheriff replied. “Probably when Mickey jumped him. I’m gonna get that dog a medal, and I’m gettin’ a canine unit. Just made up my mind. I’ve been thinkin’ about it, but now…”

“Darn, I forgot to call the Doc. Excuse me,” Marty said pulling out his phone.

In the bedroom, though Chad was speaking to her soothingly as he stroked her back, his own heart was still racing. In an attempt to settle himself he closed his eyes and took several long deep breaths, then slowly exhaled.

“I’m f-fine,” she mumbled.

“I know you are,” he said softly, “but you’ve just gone through a really traumatic thing and the Doc needs to check you out.”

“I’ve n-never b-been so s-scared,” she quivered, fresh tears suddenly splashing down her face.

“I know baby,” he crooned, fighting the thickness in his throat. “Me too, but it’s over now. All you need to do is rest so you can get back to your ridin’.”

“Y-yes,” she muttered, “I w-want t-to.”

A short time later Doc Harrison, Chad’s personal physician, pulled up at the front door. Marty had already left to return to the barn, but Hannah had stayed behind in case Chad needed anything, and to meet the doctor when he arrived. Henry Greenwood was perusing the scene with the Sheriff, and as Hannah moved to open the door, seeing the yellow tape and the continuing activity, she felt a chill shudder down her spine.

Showing the doctor into the bedroom she waited outside, and after just a few minutes she heard him say that Cassie was fine and the sedative would kick in quickly.

“Try not to worry,” he assured her as he joined her in the hallway. “I have a prescription for you as well. After you leave here you go take a shot of brandy, then watch some TV, go see your horses, do whatever takes your mind off things.”

“Okay, Doctor, thank you, I will. I am terribly upset. I’ll just check in with Chad first, make sure he doesn’t need anything.”

She walked him out, then headed back to the bedroom and softly knocked, but not getting an answer she peered around the door; the sight brought a smile to her face and a tear to her eye.

Chad, Cassie and Mickey were curled up together, each molded into the other, and all were completely conked out.

L
ife appeared to have returned to normal at Horse Haven Ranch. The yellow tape had disappeared from the living room, the carpet had been discarded and a new rug brought in, and though Chad knew Cassie was still fragile she was slowly recovering.

Mickey wouldn’t leave her side for a moment, and the constant companion seemed to help calm her whenever she became unexpectedly nervous.

Her spirits had been significantly buoyed when the Sheriff had stopped by the day following the harrowing episode. He’d delivered the gratifying news that Jason Lewis, whose real name was Marvin Coolidge, had lost one of his two front teeth in the fray.

“That smile was like Sampson’s hair,” Cassie remarked, a vague, satisfied smile crossing her lips, “and thanks to Mickey that bastard will never be the same!”

“I have something else to tell you, something very exciting,” the Sheriff continued. “Mickey is going to be honored by the Mayor. He’ll have his picture in the paper, a medal around his neck, and will be given the key to the city.”

The news sent the still shaken Cassie into a fresh set of tears as she proudly hugged her brave canine hero.

“He deserves it, he deserves even more,” she’d sniffled.

Chad postponed the second week of construction at the house, demanding that Dan Michaels do a thorough background check on anyone that would be working at the ranch. The Sheriff also became involved, asking for a list of Dan’s laborers to run his own check through the station’s data base.

Leaving nothing to chance Chad hired the three young guards as full-time security until the home’s construction was complete. They were directed to wander the grounds, and to be at Cassie’s barn whenever she and Hannah were there.

When Chad’s clients had heard the dramatic news they’d rallied around, sending a huge bouquet of flowers and a large bucket of dog treats to the house, along with a card that each of them had signed offering their heart-felt wishes. They had departed earlier in the day, and barely controlling his emotions Chad had hugged each of them, thanking them profusely for their understanding and support.

Cassie's first meal out of bed was a late lunch cooked up by Hannah. Ranger was due to arrive mid-afternoon, and when Hannah had suggested to Chad the four of them could share the meal pending the horse’s arrival, he’d thought it was an excellent suggestion.

“I think that will really give Cassie a lift. Thank you, Hannah. It’s super idea.”

He was right.

Cassie hadn’t seen the horse for almost a year, and she was thrilled that the trusty steed would soon be under her care; her delighted anticipation was the perfect excuse to have her join everyone for lunch.

It was a drawn out affair, a chance for them all to relax. The clinic was over, there was no-one else at the ranch, and as they drank wine and slowly consumed the delicious concoctions that Hannah had whipped up, the mood became comfortable and happy. It was when Hannah was clearing the plates that Chad’s phone rang; Ranger was five minutes away.

Excitedly Cassie jumped up to help stack the dishwasher and clear the table, causing Chad to break into a broad smile. Her enthusiasm was like the old Cassie, and he swallowed a lump in his throat as he watched her.

The chores done they hurried outside to wait, and

as the large horse van swung into the driveway headed towards them, Mickey began barking happily, and Hannah could hardly contain herself.

“The worst is behind us,” Cassie declared, “and this is going to be a wonderful spring and summer. I can feel it.”

“I agree,” Chad smiled putting an arm around her shoulders, “but I’m keeping you on a short leash for a while,” he whispered.

Looking up at him she sighed happily.

“You and Mickey both” she sighed. “He’s like you, he won’t leave my side for a second, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

From the first word, I was spellbound by Maggie Carpenter’s wonderful tale. Her wonderful story flows beautifully and you will fall in love with her characters, because they truly come to life and leap off the pages! This book has everything you could want in a story: romance, an exciting plot and a handsome, dominant hero who will capture your heart. This book not only promises passion, it delivers!! A must read!

I loved, loved it. Great characters. please make a second one with a continuing story. Maggie Carpenter, you are a fabulous writer.. Enjoyed it, didn’t want it to end.

This book is a “cannot put down.” Zander and Gabriela’s journey together, then apart and then together again will make your insides feel good and remind you of life’s unexpected thrills that tend to come our way when least expected. Once again Maggie has developed her book’s characters in such a manner that we feel we are right there with them. Well done Maggie!!!

This book was like all my favorite things in one. What was not to like?!?! Strong hot man meets lady who desperately needs to be taken in hand all with a horse show/ranch back drop. More please!!!!