Her Rancher, Her Protector

Chapter 9 - Tyler

I got a shirt from my room and quickly put it on. I buttoned it up as I walked downstairs and sure enough, both Camren and Mike were waiting on me, as they helped themselves to some sandwiches. I said firmly, “Come on, back to work.”

Camren smirked. “You are not going to get yourself something to eat?”

Mike than cracked, “I think he did get himself a little something to eat.”

I rolled my eyes and smiled. Camren elbow Mike side playfully. “From the sound of it, she is pretty full too.”

They both laughed. Mike than looked at me puzzle. “Weren’t you wearing a different shirt?”

I just nodded. “I was.”

“Why did you change?” Mike asked.

I just smirked as I grabbed my hat and put it on. I walked out as the guys followed me. Camren quickly complained, “Come on, you cannot hold back. How was it, man?”

I laughed. “A gentleman never tells.”

“Well, damn, man. You got a girl that hot, who is living with you and you won’t spill the beans.” Mike complained. “We wish we could live your life.”

I just laughed and shook my head.

After some time, I was working, I heard Cory. “Hey, Tyler!”

I looked over to see him coming over. “Hey, buddy, how was school?”

“Good.” He smiled. “So, riding lessons, right? I am ready to go without help.”

“In a minute, I gotta feed the cattle first.” I told him.

We moved over and we slowly feed the cattle. He helped me. “So, make any friends yet?”

He shrugged as he seemed sad. “No point, really? I will just move away again. I always do.”

My heart wrenched at this. “Might be different this time.” I tried to be optimistic.

Cory just looked sad. “It never is, Tyler. We move away, after...never mind.” He just said, softly.

I looked at him and moved to him. I placed a hand on his shoulder. “After he finds you.” I only said.

He looked at me in shock. “How did…”

I cut him off. “Your mama told me. She told me everything, Cory. And this time will be different, cause if he shows up here, I promise you, I will protect you and your mother. You have nothing to be scared of here.”

“I hope so, Tyler. My dad is really mean. He was always hurting my mama. Mama thinks I don’t remember but I do. I remember a lot more. I just don’t tell her because she would be sad if she knew that I did.” Then he looked down sad.

“Cory, did he ever hurt you?” I asked.

He shook his head. “No, never. But last time found us, he shot at me and mama. I was so scared. Mama protected me but I was so scared. Mama got us in the car and drove away. I have asthma and when I get scared or mad, it can acts up. Well, it did. We were trying to get away that I didn’t grab my inhaler. I couldn’t breath. Mama took me to the hospital. Mama was so scared.” Than he looked up at me, his eyes filled with sadness. “See, Mama deals with a lot. My dad trying to find us. I think he wants to kill my mama. I don’t think he really cares about me. He just is really mad at my mama and is a bad, bad man. I am scared he will kill my mama, Tyler.”

I bent down in front of him and moved my hands to his arms. “Son, I will not let anything happen to your mama or to you. Do you understand me?” He nodded with sadness. “I promise you, Cory. As long as you two are with me, nothing will happen to either of you.”

He gave me a small smile. “I believe you, but I don’t think mama will.”

“I will make her see. Okay?” I told him, sternly.

He nodded. Than gave me a small smile. “She might listen to you. She likes you. You make my mama smile. It’s nice to see her smile.”

I didn’t know what to say to this boy when it came to this, so I just gave him a smile and ruffled his hair. I stood up. “Come on for that riding lesson.”

He just nodded. I needed him distracted.

Night came, Angel had cooked dinner for us and we sat around the table, like a family. Before they came along, I ate alone at the dinner table and it was lonely. But these two here, now dinner time was filled with laughter and jokes. Also with talks of our day. This dinner was a little different, cause that day I felt like Angel was really mine now. Sealing the deal after what we did that afternoon. She gave herself fully to me. After dinner, I did the dishes as she got Cory to bed. I finished up and went to my study. I grabbed a drink. I sat in my chair as I looked at a picture of my wife. I did feel a little bit of guilt being with Angel as I still loved Maggie so. “Baby.” I sighed. “Are you okay with this? Are you okay with me moving forward? I wish I knew.” I looked up and said, out loud, “I am falling for her and I feel guilty that I am. I feel like I am betraying you in a way. I can’t let her go but I can’t let you go either.” I sighed again as I looked at my drink. “It’s not right that I am in love with her and still love you.”

Than it hit me what I said. I said out loud that I love her, but we have only spent a couple weeks together. I can’t be in love with her already. It’s not possible. I couldn’t deal with this. I just couldn’t. It was too fast and I didn't know if I was ready to be in love again. Would Maggie be okay with it? Am I disrespecting her memory? I didn’t know if this was right, a part of me felt it wasn’t. It was one thing just to have feelings for this girl, but now I realized I loved her. I downed my drink and went upstairs to my room as the overwhelming guilt consumed me. As I got to my door, Angel walked out of Cory’s. She smiled. “Hey, where you running off to?” She was waiting for me.

“Um,” I stood in my doorway. “Bed. I am exhausted after today.”

She smiled and moved, seductively, towards. “So, want to take this to your room?”

I shook my head. “You know I am not ready for that. And I need the night alone anyways.” I tried to move away.

She grabbed my arm as she looked at me confused and hurt. “Did I do something wrong, Tyler?”

I quickly reassured her. “God, no. No, Angel. You did nothing wrong. It’s...it’s just...god, I can’t really explain it.” She looked the same way and it hurt me cause I was hurting her, I didn't want that either. “I will see you later.” I moved in and kissed her cheek. Than I rushed into my room and closed, knowing that probably hurt her more. Jesus, how did I get myself into this mess.

Night progressed, I couldn’t sleep as my mind raced. Honestly, the past couple weeks I have slept with her, holding her, I slept like a baby. Tonight, the first night I didn’t. I don’t think that is some coincidence. I sighed as I got up and walked out of my room. I walked over to her door, I went to knock but I heard a noise come from the room. I pressed my ear on the door. What I heard, I didn’t expect. I heard her crying, softly, but crying. My heart winced at this. I did this to her, I made her cry like this. I didn’t deserve to have her in my arms after what I did. I got scared cause I realized I loved her and pushed her away. Only to what, go after her when I want something, than do it again. No, it wasn’t fair to her. So, I went to my room, if I had to suffer, so be it. But I wouldn’t keep hurting her.