With a huff, Larry threw down the hammer he’d been holding and stomped off toward the house after Pete. It seemed McGrath Ranch was about to experience and full-blown mutiny in the span of a single day.
And honestly… I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
Chapter 14
Connor
Ithought I was going to have to wait the entire day before I could sneak off the ranch. Even so, I had no idea how I’d manage to walk the several miles across town to the Nelson Ranch, see Ryder, and make it back in time before I had to work in the morning. I didn’t care if I slept though, I just needed to know that Ryder was alright.
However, for the first time, it seemed luck was on my side. In the late afternoon Larry said he was going into town to pick up some supplies and that he needed my help. However, it wasn’t until we were halfway to Hell Creek that he told me the truth.
“Evelyn texted me,” he said in a rather gruff voice. “And told me you needed to go to the Nelson Ranch today. No questions asked. And that if I was any kind of decent man, I would give you a ride.”
“Oh…” I felt my heart sink. “I’m not sure what?—”
Larry held up his hand, cutting me off. “It’s none of my business what she needs you for. And it’s none of my business what goes on between you and Ryder.” He gave me a knowing look. “But if I were you, I would be careful. Pete’s not the kind of man to take kindly to his son getting involved with an ex-con.”
I let out a long sigh, not bothering to deny his insinuations. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“And do me a favor?”
“Yeah?”
“Tell Ryder I’m sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “And don’t come back until after dark. I don’t want Pete to know you’re gone.”
I nodded, grateful for Larry’s unexpected help. “Thanks for this. I know you’re sticking your neck out.”
“Pete’s been like family to me for almost thirty years,” Larry said, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the steering wheel. “But what he said to that boy... what he’s done over the years...” He shook his head. “There are lines you don’t cross. Not with your own flesh and blood.”
The rest of the drive passed in silence. My mind raced with worries about what I’d find when I saw Ryder. Would he be beaten and bruised? Would he be broken emotionally? I was fully prepared to do whatever it took to make him feel better, but I didn’t want to see him hurting either. Still, I was going to be there for him, no matter what. I tried to tell myself I was just concerned for his wellbeing. But my heart knew better. And that terrified me.
When we pulled up to the Nelson Ranch, Larry put the truck in park but left it running. “The ranch should be pretty quiet by ten. That’ll give you plenty of time.”
“Thanks again,” I said, climbing out.
“Connor,” Larry called as I started to walk away. I turned back to see his weathered face serious in the afternoon light. “That boy’s been through hell. Be good to him.”
I nodded once before heading toward the house. The wedding decorations were mostly gone now, just a few forgotten streamers fluttering in the breeze. I’d barely reached the porchwhen the front door swung open and Evelyn appeared, her expression a mixture of relief and concern.
“Thank goodness,” she said. “I wasn’t sure Larry would come through.”
“He did,” I confirmed. “Is Ryder okay?”
She gestured for me to follow her inside. “He’s been better. Physically, he’s alright—a bruised throat and some scraped knuckles. But...” She trailed off, leading me through the house to a back bedroom. “He needs someone right now. I think that someone is you.”
My heart hammered against my ribs as she knocked softly on the door. “Ryder? Connor’s here to see you.”
There was a moment of silence before a muffled “Come in” reached us. Evelyn gave me an encouraging nod and stepped aside.
I pushed the door open slowly. Ryder was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring out the window. When he turned to look at me, my breath caught in my throat. He looked so young, so vulnerable. He was nothing like the cocky, flirtatious cowboy I’d known these past months. A dark bruise circled his throat, unmistakably in the shape of fingers.
“Hey,” I said, closing the door behind me.
“Hey,” he replied, his voice slightly hoarse. “Guess you heard what happened.”
I crossed the room and sat beside him on the bed, careful to leave space between us. “Evelyn paid a visit to the ranch. Made quite a scene.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “Yeah, she told me she was going to rip him a new one.”
