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Faith pulled herself
up from the ground and turned to the open back doors,
dusting her fitted jeans off in the process. She started to
walk towards them in pursuit of her horse when something
shiny and white on the post by Cupid’s stall caught her
attention. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and she
froze in her tracks as the moon shone on the post like a
spotlight. Her whole attention was focused on what she saw.
Fear paralyzed her as her brain tried to digest what her
eyes were seeing. Thunder and Storm reared in protest.
Something was really wrong. She turned, grabbed a heavy
bridle by the reins and turned, colliding with a solid body.
Staring at a black ski mask, she hit the assailant with the
horse bridle and caused a loud groan from the attacker.
The front door of
the stable slammed shut behind her as ice water cascaded
down upon her. What she guessed was a metal bucket hit her
in the back of the head. Letting out a blood-chilling
scream, her body hit the ground from a strong shove. Another
body moved past her and the sound of the movement faded. She
was now terrified and knew she hadn’t been alone in the
stable. There hadn‘t been one assailant, there had been two.
There were rapid
footsteps from the front doors as they swung open and Faith
picked herself up off the ground for the second time, this
time covered in mud and hay. Jake and Devon flew in with Ben
on their heels. The Beagle growled and woofed, then put his
nose to the ground, sniffing.
“Faith, what the
hell?” Jake asked. The moonlight cascaded in and revealed
worry on both his and Devon’s faces. “You’re a mess.”
Faith found it hard
to find her voice. Her body started to tremble as she
uttered what words she could. “Someone was here in the
stable. I think there were two of them.”
Jake shook his head.
“Impossible.” Though he said the word, his dark blonde brow
furrowed and his tone was unconvincing. “Devon and I have
been on the front porch. We would’ve seen something. Ben was
with us; he would’ve heard something and would have barked.”
Tears welled up in
her eyes as temper welled up in her soul. “Impossible?” Her
voice was just as watery. “Look at me.” Anger replaced the
fear.
Jake glanced at
Devon as Faith’s tears fell down her cheeks. Was she ever
going to stop crying?. “Please, believe me. I wasn’t alone.
Do something before they get away.” Through blurry eyes, the
guys exchanged another look, this time one of skepticism.
“Faith, you’re
soaked.”
“Obviously! Thanks
for noticing, Devon. Someone was out to get me.”
Devon looked like he
was weighing her words and her tone. “Are you sure?”
Faith wanted to
scream in frustration. “Okay, whiz cops, how do you explain
that?” She pointed a trembling finger towards the post and
the shiny white object that had caught her attention only
seconds earlier. Both men turned to see the seven-inch
jackknife stabbed through the six of hearts playing card.
“What the…?” Devon
uttered as both he and Jake pulled their guns. “That’s sick,
really sick.”
“Devon, take Faith
to the house and call for back up. Get Riley out here. I’m
going to check things out and retrieve Cupid. I’ll take Ben.
Ben, come.” Jake moved with his gun up like he was in some
sort of movie. Ben, at the call of his name, followed Jake,
nose to the ground.
Faith turned to
Devon who had taken off his denim jacket. “Here.” He put it
around her trembling shoulders.
“Your jacket is
going to get muddy,” she told him quietly.
“It’s just a jacket;
it can be washed. The main thing is that you’re okay.”
Hesitation flickered across his face and he turned towards
the door.
Faith didn’t move.
“Devon, who would do this?” Her voice was a shaken whisper,
now more from anger and frustration than from the alarming
and upsetting events.
“I don’t know.” He
turned back to her.
“They could have
killed me,” she told him with a trembling lip. How dare
someone attack her.
“I know, but they
didn’t. Let’s get you to the house.” He pulled the jean
jacket tighter around her. He scanned her face. Her breath
caught and her heart picked up speed. His hands dropped and
then reached for hers. One of his strong hands closed around
hers gently. Neither of them moved. They just stood there
for a moment and looked at each other. Faith couldn’t help
but notice that, even with them both in cowboy boots, he
still had over a good three inches on her.
“The six of hearts?
Devon, whoever it was obviously knew me, knew my past. Who,
Devon?” she asked, feeling his hand tighten around hers.
“I don’t know,
Faith. Believe me, I’d love to know right about now.” His
tone was weighed by the venom that laced every word he
spoke. “Whoever they are, they’re sick and put you in a
world of danger tonight. That’s why I’m taking you up to the
house, doing what your brother asked of me, and I’m calling
that sister of mine to drag herself out here so you’re not
alone. Your brothers and I are going to be busy for a while
and your parents may not be enough comfort.”
Faith nodded and bit
her lip. “Thank you, Devon, for taking care of me.”
He gave her hand a
squeeze and inhaled a deep breath. “Let’s just say I am
finally returning the favor.” He grinned and turned to lead
her out of the stable. Her hand was still in his and his gun
still drawn in the other. A night from the past lay in the
air between them.
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