“You didn’t have to buy me a car,” she exclaimed.
“Consider it a bit of back child support. You and the boys need something safer. If you don’t like it, we can trade it for something else.”
Besides Jeremiah, no one did anything nice for her. The stigma of getting jilted followed her everywhere in the small town. This grand gesture will certainly get tongues wagging.
“It’s too expensive,” she protested.
“You’re priceless,” he murmured. “Let me give this to you. I want you safe.”
Leslie glanced at the vehicle and back at him before grinning. “Can we take it for a ride?”
Owen chuckled. “Sure.”
Turning, she called to Conner and Tucker. “I’m going for a quick drive. Uncle Mason’s back to watch the boys.”
She ran toward the vehicle and slid into the buttery soft leather seat. The navigation screenshowed a ton of buttons, and she bounced in excitement as she ran her hand along the console.
“Oh, Owen. It’s beautiful. You even remembered my favorite color,” she gushed.
“Do you want to take it for a spin or sit in the driveway?” he teased.
Leaning over, she kissed him before starting the vehicle. Turning on the engine, she marveled at the quiet sound as she put it in drive.
Feeling giddy, she made her way down the mountain and into town. She saw people turning curious glances at her as she drove by with Owen beside her. She didn’t care. Leslie wanted to enjoy the moment.
She turned back onto the road to the mountain when a black vehicle came from behind, slamming into the rear of her car and jolting them forward.
“He hit me,” she exclaimed as the truck rammed into her again.
“Gas it,” Owen ordered as he took out his phone and called Cade.
Leslie put her foot to the floor as the truck sped up and hit the corner edge, making her struggle for control.
“Hang on, Leslie,” Owen commanded. “When I tell you, I want you to gas it again.” A second later, he said, “Do it.” The truck missed them, and she turned the wheel sharply around the curve.
“Good, girl,” he said. “Do it again.”
Leslie gunned it while she feared for their lives. The truck struck again, only this time it didn’t jolt her forward as much. When she rounded the next bend, she saw Cade, Dillon, Jake, and Max blocking the road, leaving a path for her to drive through. She pressed her foot down as the bullets pelted her new car.
She screamed as they whizzed past the blockade and Owen yelled, “Stop the car.”
Slamming on the brake, she stopped and put the SUV into park. Her chest rose rapidly as she tried catching her breath. Owen pulled her head down to the seat. Opening the door, he stopped long enough to tell her, “Stay put until I come for you.”
She lay on the seat, listening to the exchange of gunfire. When everything went quiet, she waited for Owen. He opened the driver’s door, making her panic. Seeing his face, she wrapped her arms around him as she let out the fear and anxiety.
“It’s all right,” he soothed as he stroked her hair.
He pulled her out of the SUV and closed the door. Her mouth hung open as she saw her beautiful gift destroyed.
“It’s insured and can be replaced. You can’t,” he assured her before turning to his brothers. “Did anyone see the driver or the license plate?”
“I have the plate numbers,” Gunny called. “I’ll give them to Elias when we get back to the house.”
“I called the police as soon as I hung up speaking with you. They’ll be here shortly.” Leslie heard thesirens coming up the mountain. The men stowed their guns and waited for the police.
The same officer who showed up during her burglary attempt got out of his car.
“What can we do for you?” the officer asked.
