“Do we need to get information out of them?” A massive man stopped by the edge of the porch. He cracked his knuckles like he couldn’t wait to get his hands on the two intruders.
“Sorry, Bear.” Priest had wrapped up his call, but was already dialing another number. “Shane wants to turn things over to the sheriff.”
So this was Bear… I’d heard his name mentioned, but hadn’t had the honor of meeting him before.
“It’ll probably take him at least fifteen minutes to get here,” Bear said.
Priest shrugged. “Just don’t mess them up too much. I don’t want to have to explain an excess of blood.”
“We’re not going to tell you shit,” the shorter one spat out. Then he backed up, pressing himself against the house.
“Careful, Bear’s never backed down from a challenge,” Priest warned.
I wanted to laugh at the fear in his eyes, but I understood where it was coming from. I’d been on the receiving end of beatings from guys bigger than Bear while I was in prison. But I’d also learned how to fight back and how to tell when it was time to shut the fuck up.
Flashing lights bounced off the trees on the way up the drive. A sheriff’s department truck stopped in front of the house, and Bear let out a frustrated sigh.
Priest lifted a shoulder. “I guess he was closer than we thought.”
The sheriff got out of the truck as another vehicle pulled in behind him. “Want to fill us in on what’s going on?”
CHAPTER 11
PAISLEY
What a differencetwenty-four hours could make. Yesterday at this time I was so worried about Aiden I could barely see straight. With the two men who’d been causing trouble around the ranch behind bars, it seemed like the sky had never been so blue and the sun had never shone brighter.
“There you are.” Aiden came up behind me, his hair still wet from his shower, and pulled me back to lean against his chest. “Is there a reason you’re standing in the door and letting all the cold air in?”
I laughed as I twirled around to face him and kicked the door closed behind me. “Just enjoying the scenery.”
He burrowed his hands under the many layers I had on until he reached my skin. “How about we enjoy the scenery inside instead?”
“Don’t you have chores to do today?” I asked, my arms already snaking up behind his neck. Whatever he had to do could wait a little while.
His lips spread into an easy grin. “Nothing more important that loving on my girl.”
“Your girl, huh? That sounds pretty presumptuous.” I loved the way we teased back and forth. Though he still had majormoments of grumpiness, I’d been enjoying his more frequent smiles. It was like a light that had gone dark inside him had sparked back to life.
“You don’t want to be my girl?” His palms slid over my skin, a promise of what was to come.
“I didn’t say that. I just don’t remember you asking.” Gazing up at him, I batted my lashes. Both of us knew we were in this for the long haul. Even though we hadn’t been together long, neither one of us could imagine a life without the other. He’d opened my heart up to the possibility of forever, and I was willing to give it my all.
“Fine.” He pulled away, leaving my skin burning for his touch. “I guess if I’m going to ask, I’d better do it right.”
My heart stalled while black dots popped up at the edges of my vision. “What do you mean?”
Aiden took my hand and tugged me toward the counter. He reached for something, then turned to face me. “Paisley, will you be my girl?”
He held out a metal rose—the same kind that I’d been so enamored with at the silent auction.
“Where did you get this?” I took it from him and spun it around in my fingers. The attention to detail was incredible. “Did you know I bid on that bouquet at the auction last week? I was so bummed when I found out I didn’t win.”
“You like it?” He bit down on his lower lip like he was nervously gauging my reaction.
“Like it? I love it. But, how…” My words trailed off as my gaze caught on a large leaf.
Our initials had been carved or stamped onto the surface. AJ + PM.
