“What does it say, Foxy. Tell me right now.”
This man! How in the world could someone so wonderful love her as much as he did? Barely able to get the words out, she managed to say, “Y-you a-are wanted h-here. St-stay.”
Trace’s answer was a low, furious sound. “That was true when I had you write it, babygirl. And it is still true. I am coming for you, little fox. You stay. And Ruby, do not let anyone touch anything around that truck. We’re leaving the ranch now, and I’ll call Sam on the way.”
Ruby ended the call and then wrapped an arm around Kip and another around Tildi. “Kenzie, Joy, come here. Nobody’s hurt. That’s what matters right now. We’re together, and we’re safe.”
Kip moved to a window to watch for her Daddy. He was on his way. She was wanted, and she was going to stay. She had a family now, and family didn’t run. Family stayed.
It was amazing how slowly time could crawl. Three trucks roared into the Bridle parking lot, what seemed like hours later but was actually only twenty minutes. She left her spot at the window the second her Daddy got out of the first truck. He musthave hit the snow running because, when she made it to the door, he pulled her into his arms. Ruby stood right behind them, her hand resting on Trace’s back, as she must have been doing since he was a boy.
“We found it exactly like that,” Ruby told him quietly. “We didn’t touch a thing.”
Trace set Kip down but kept her tucked against his side. She had a feeling he wouldn’t be letting her go for a long time. His eyes were wild. Without moving from his arms, she reached up and cupped his cheek. “I’m all right, Daddy. We all are.”
At the sound of sniffling, she turned and saw Boone and Chance with Tildi and Joy. Tanner stood with his arms around Kenzie and Ruby. What had she ever done to deserve to be part of a family like this? She’d have to think about that long and hard, but until she figured it out, she’d focus on being thankful.
Sam and Mitch arrived a few minutes later. Ruby gave her statement clearly and calmly, never letting go of Tildi’s hand.
When Sam asked Ruby if she was okay, she managed a tired smile. “I’ve had better days, Sam, but I’ve had worse ones, too. Just find out who did this so my family can have some peace.”
Sam was no dummy. Kip wouldn’t be surprised if he’d had a dose or two of Ruby’s wooden spoon when he was a boy. He nodded and said, “Yes, ma’am.”
Trace’s arm tightened around Kip as he spoke to his brothers. “From now on, none of them leave the ranch without one of us.”
From the grunts of approval and nods, she could tell all the Daniels boys were on the same page. Kip should probably be offended. She should feel smothered, but all she felt was protected and safe right there in her Daddy’s arms.
Ruby nodded, eyes soft. “Whatever you need, sweetheart. We’ll make sure they stay on the ranch where it’s safe.”
Staring at the accusation scraped into the metal of Trace’s truck, Kip’s throat closed. “Daddy, your truck?—”
He looked down at her, fierce and tender all at once. “Foxy, do you think I’m worried about the damn truck?” Well, when he asked in that tone, she supposed not. For the first time in an hour, she felt warm. But this warmth came from the inside.
The mechanic came, winced at the damage, and started making calls. Trace handed over the keys without a second glance.
The men loaded their girls—and Ruby—into the extra trucks as if they were made of spun sugar. Ruby climbed into the back seat beside Kip, grabbed a leftover basket onto her lap, and passed out cookies like it was just another December morning.
On the drive home, Trace kept one arm around her shoulders the whole way.
Ruby’s voice floated up from the back seat. “Whoever did that made one mistake, baby.”
Just one? Kip could think of a few, but she turned and asked, “What’s that?”
Ruby’s smile was small and fierce and full of love. “They scared my girls. And nobody does that without answering to me.”
Kip leaned into Trace’s side and, for the first time all day, felt his ribs shaking with silent laughter. She didn’t think Ruby would have to worry. Her Daddy would take care of everything.
CHAPTER 17
Kip held Trace’s hand as he guided her to the truck. His shoulders rigid under his shearling, he held his phone to his ear with the other hand, though she had no idea who he was calling. The bite of the late December air had her pulling her coat tighter, since her fingers were too numb to work the buttons. Wilder’s sky was the color of a pewter plate, low and heavy with snow that, thankfully, was still falling in random flurries.
“Who’re you calling?” she asked, breath fogging.
“You’ll see.” He tilted the phone away so the wind wouldn’t carry his words. “Yeah, Marlene, it’s Trace Daniels. I need you to tell the clerk I’m coming in for a license. I’ll be there in five minutes.” He snapped the phone shut and opened the truck's passenger door for her.
“License for what? My driver’s license expired two years ago. Seems like a funny time to worry about it.”
Trace slid behind the wheel and started the engine. “Are you telling me you’ve been driving without a valid license since you got here? You know what, just get in. The courthouse is warm.”
