Jameson replied.
We’ll bring him out.
A few minutes later, Steven Stewart made his entrance. His gate swayed as he entered the living room. His gaze locked on Riley. “Where’s Tara? You can’t keep her away from me forever,” he sneered. “You have no legal rights to her.”
“You’re not getting your grubby paws on her,” Riley spat. “How did you find us?”
“Listen, girl,” her father said, pointing a finger in her face. “You don’t know how much trouble I can cause you. One word from me and you’ll go to jail. You took an underage girl across state lines.”
“Then call them,” she dared him. “I’m not giving Tara’s location to you.”
Her father lunged at her, slapping her face.
Garrett growled as he shoved the man against the wall. “Listen to me, old man. You lay one finger on her, and you won’t have to worry about the police. Do I make myself clear?”
The older man nodded as he glanced at Riley, who held her cheek.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” Steven cried. “I miss you girls. Why did you have to break our family apart? I’m tired of chasing you. It’s time to come home,” he pleaded.
“Home?” Riley exclaimed. “You let the bank take the only home we ever loved. You drank away the money instead of paying the taxes. You didn’t pay the vendors, and they came for the cattle. You hurt us. We’ll never go anywhere with you.”
“You know what that bitch did,” he shouted. “She stole the woman I loved. Tara killed your mother.”
“Stop it,” Riley said, shaking her head. “Mom died because of an accident. Tara’s innocent. If you saw her through sober eyes, you might realize it. Mom wouldn’t want you around us like this. I can’t be responsible for your bad choices, and I refuse to give you Tara.”
“I suggest you sober up and then return to speak with your daughters,” Julio said. “Why don’t we drive your car back to town and get you a hotel room? You can sleep it off and start fresh in the morning.”
Steven’s eyes narrowed, appearing angry, his pathetic act didn’t work. “I want the girl, Riley. If you don’t give her to me, I’ll make you pay.”
“I’m no longer scared of your threats, believe in your empty promises, or care to hear how you blame an innocent young girl. She must live with what happened, and she doesn’t need your constant accusations,” Riley said quietly.
The room grew deathly quiet as her father struggledwith his emotions. “Give her to me or you’ll regret it,” he seethed.
“Over my dead body,” Riley said slowly.
The man’s face grew red as he stared her down.
Julio cleared his throat. “It’s time you took your leave. Since you snuck on our ranch without permission, let me reiterate my warning to you. We don’t tolerate trespassers here. Next time, we won’t be giving any warnings. Matthew and Jameson will drive you to wherever you’re staying, and I suggest you stay away from here.”
Jameson approached him and took his arm, leading him to the front door. The older man hung his head, seemingly understanding the warning. As he entered the doorway, he turned and glared at Riley. “You can’t always protect her. One day, you’ll let your guard down, and I’ll be waiting.”
Riley let out a shaky breath as he left.
“Don’t worry about him. He’s a drunk and saying things he doesn’t mean,” Julio said while glancing at Garrett.
Riley stayed silent. She knew exactly what her father, Steven Stewart, was capable of, and her stomach twisted in knots. She wanted to talk to Garrett about the biker gang and how the leader seemed interested in him, particularly his money. Garrett said he didn’t like drama or liars. The ranch seemed to offer Tara and her some protection. If she explained now, would Garrett consider her a drama queen and a liar for not telling him sooner? For Tara’s sake, she’d stay put until the danger passed and then get out of dodge.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Three weeks later
Garrett repaired the fence and sent two hands to town to get more posts. Mac gave him the assignments and told him to rotate them between the hands.
He counted the men in the bunkhouses and then those listed on the paperwork. The numbers didn’t add up. It seemed the ranch split into two sections, and the side he worked on never crossed the dividing line, making him more curious.
His mind drifted to Riley. Since her father showed up a little over three weeks ago, she seemed quieter. She only perked up when Tara entered the room. Garrett expected a fight over the new computer he gave Tara, but instead, she gushed over it, exclaiming her happiness over Tara’s good fortune. Saying all the right things. Riley waited until the teen left the room and wrote something down on a piece of paper she kept in her dress pocket. Tara, true to her word,kept her end of the bargain, and the meals he returned home to tasted outstanding.
Finishing up the assignments, he saddled Gus and made his daily rounds, ensuring the cowboys didn’t slack off. After speaking with Matthew, he planned to attend the horse auction on Saturday. Although Gus loved his daily ride, he seemed tired by the time they returned to the barn. Deciding it’s time he bought himself a proper horse, he wondered if Riley and Tara might like to go with him.
