Freedom Ranch

Chapter 10

Colt swung his head around to see a tall man at the bar talking to an older gentleman.

"How do you know she's even here? I haven't seen her in quite a few years."

"Her aunt told me where to find her but she didn't know the address. I'm sure Dakota is worried sick about me and I just can't seem to find her."

"Give her a call on her cell. If you do get a hold of her, tell her to come back home. We miss her around here."

Colt watched the tall man turn around, knowing who it was before he saw his face. It was Colin. He watched as he wandered around the bar with a dark expression before leaving.

"Excuse me ladies," said Colt quickly before making his way to the window.

He peeked out the window seeing the wind had picked up, blowing dust up from the vacant lot behind the bar. But, there was no sign of Colin. Colt walked up to the bar stopping in front of the older gentleman who was throwing back his drink.

"Colt! How are you?" boomed the man.

"So, you never told me Dakota was a female when you told me about this work opportunity," said Colt with a chuckle.

The man laughed as he motioned for the bartender to refill his glass.

"Well, no offense against Dakota, but I don't know if she qualifies as a female."

Colt thought about her curves that tempted him in so many ways. She was definitely a female even though she was tough as nails and as gritty as a ranch hand.

"Besides," continued the old man, "I figured you could handle her. She's a different kind than these other girls that flock at your heels."

Colt laughed in response and shook his head. "Ain't that the truth. So, what does her good for nothing ex-husband want?"

"Oh you know about him?"

Colt nodded, not revealing how. Knowing Dakota, she didn't share that information.

"He's looking for her but I don't think she wants to be found. Hopefully he'll go back where he came from," grumbled the old man.

"I highly doubt that," mumbled Colt.

He motioned for the bartender and paid for his tab. He needed to get back to Dakota to warn her.

"Where are you heading, Cowboy?"

Colt turned around to see one of the girls had made her way to him. Her eyes were glassy from one too many drinks. Her lips pouted in a seductive way as she popped her hip to the side waiting for an answer. Any other night, he would have played along. But, not now.

"Something came up, darlin'. I'll have to cross paths with you another time," he said with a wink before stepping past her to reach the exit door.

Colt quickly jumped in the cab of the truck and drove down the dark dirt roads towards Freedom Ranch. Snow was starting to drift in, making it difficult to see. He slowed the truck down knowing it wouldn't do anyone good if he ended up in a ditch. He was usually a patient person but, he found himself worrying about Dakota. What if someone told Colin where she lived? What if he ambushed her? What if —

He slammed on the brakes, sliding on the dirt and snow, when he saw tire tracks leading up to Dakota's porch. Someone was here recently. He slipped out of the truck, grabbing his pistol from he glove box. He positioned himself as he did for years in situations like this. Gun low, arms out, and eyes scanning. His heart drummed against his chest as clouds of mist escaped his lips. He quietly approached the front door and wiggled the knob to see it was unlocked. He threw the door open. No one was in the living room and the house was quiet.

"Dakota?" he called.

No answer. He went from room to room, clearing the area just as he did for years on the force, looking for any signs of life. There was no blood, no sounds, and no Dakota. He worked to calm himself as he cleared the last few rooms wondering if she was kidnapped. Everything looked to be in place. But, where was she?

Colt stepped out through the back door seeing a light in the barn. He quickly maneuvered towards it, careful to stay in the shadows. He stopped by the barn door and pushed his back against the side. He closed his eyes for a moment as he grew overwhelmed. He needed to focus. He needed to find Dakota. He pushed back the panic that was filling him and turned towards the cracked door with the pistol out in both hands. Another barrel of a gun was pointing at him. Behind it was Dakota.

"What the f**k, Colt!" she roared.

They both dropped their pistols at the same time staring at each other. The fire behind Dakota's eyes could have scorched him.

"I'm sorry, Dakota. I thought someone was here."

"Yeah, me and my equine vet. Horse coliced," she huffed as she motioned to the stall next to her.

"Well, nice to see Colorado hasn't lost its old western ways," muttered the gentleman as he poked his head out apprehensively.

The veterinarian went back to what he was doing. He was holding up a tube full of liquid that traveled to the horse in cross ties. He glanced at Dakota to see she was still angry, on edge, and her fists were tightly balled up against the dip of her waist.

"Let me talk to you for a moment," whispered Colt.

He could tell she didn't want to move. He gently placed a hand on the back of her arm and led her to the other side of the barn.

"What is so important that you have to take me from my horse and my vet?"

Colt turned to face her and whispered, "Your ex is in town."

Dakota's pink cheeks grew white in a blink of an eye. Her sharp eyes cooled with his words.

"How do you know?" she quipped.

"He was in the bar asking where you were."

"s**t," she mumbled as she started to tap the toe of her boot on the floor.

"That's why I pulled out my weapon. I thought he was here. I saw the tire tracks and panicked."

She stopped tapping her foot and looked up at him curiously. Colt felt his heart quicken when watching her green eyes search his. Man, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her right now.

"Do you keep thinking I can't handle myself?" asked Dakota with a raised eyebrow.

"I have no doubt you can take care of yourself."

"Then, why come guns blazing and scaring the hell out of me?"

"Hey, I pulled myself from a table full of women so I could warn you. What if he was already here? What if he caught you by surprise? That's what was going through my head when I was driving through that mess out there to get here to you. You really think I wouldn't pull my gun. Wouldn't you?"

He found he still found her cute with her defenses up. He was sure most men would find her intimidating. The man at the bar was right saying he wasn't sure if she qualified for female. But, damn, the fire in her made him want her more. Which is the exact opposite of how he should feel. She was his boss. He lived with her. Nothing good could come from this. How hard headed she was that she didn't need any help, maybe he should have taken off with a girl or two tonight. That would have cleared his mind from the untamable filly in front of him.

"Look, I won't deny that I appreciate you thinking about your boss and friend before your d**k. I should have made that clear before. I'm sorry."

He smirked at her matter-of-fact way of apologizing. He gave her a nod in understanding.

"At least I know he's in town. That just means I will lay low for awhile. I'll make some calls tomorrow to remind some folks to send him away and don't let him know where I am. I'm sure they already know this. No one thinks I'm married or ever have been so they will laugh in his face."

"No one knows you were married?" asked Colt in disbelief.

"Not around here. Like I said, no one would believe it anyway. Dakota Taylor is not the type to settle down or depend on any man. Thanks again for letting me know."

Colt watched her swing around and return to the vet as if nothing happened. No terror, fear, or anything to indicate she was worried. But, he could see in her eyes there was a flicker of something there. He left the barn and decided to stand guard in her house. She may not ask for help but he was going to give it to her anyway. She didn't have to know.