Lace & Lassos by Cheyenne McCray Read Free Book Online Page A

looked at the dirt road leading up to her house. Relief poured through her when she realized it was Wayne’s truck. She wasn’t alone. Harold couldn’t hurt her.
    Harold watched the truck come toward them. The other man came out of the house with an old rocking chair that had been in the family for generations.
    Dust rose up around the truck’s tires as Wayne pulled up to a stop in front of the house on the other side of her SUV, and he cut the engine. He was frowning as he stepped out of the truck. “What’s going on?”
    “Harold is taking my parents’ things.” Kaitlyn looked at Harold, her jaw set. “Without my permission.”
    “I don’t need her permission.” Harold glared at Wayne. “This is my daddy’s house and our things. You just mind your own damned business.”
    Kaitlyn gritted her teeth before she said, “Put it all back in my house, Harold.”
    “Listen to Kaitlyn,” Wayne said calmly. “Or I’m going to make you, Barrett.”
    When she looked back at Harold, he was glaring at Wayne, a crazy light in his pale brown eyes. For a moment her skin prickled as she felt Harold’s urge for violence against both her and Wayne.
    “Mind your own business, Cameron.” The gleam in Harold’s eyes grew brighter. “She’ll get nothing when I’m through with her.”
    Kaitlyn reached into the horse trailer. The jewelry box was sitting on the faded cushion of an antique chair. She took the box and turned to face Harold.
    He grabbed hold of Kaitlyn’s arm, his grip like a vise, tight enough that pain shot through her and she gasped. “Give that back to me.”
    Wayne stepped forward. He slammed his fist into Harold’s face.
    Harold dropped and sprawled on the ground, blood gushing from his nose and onto his shirt. His eyes were watering and he held his hand to his face. He started to scramble to his feet but Wayne put his boot on Harold’s chest, pinning him to the ground.
    “Touch her again,” Wayne said with barely controlled fury, “and I’ll make sure you won’t be getting up, much less touching anyone for a real long time.”
    Hate rolled of Harold in waves as Wayne moved his boot away. Keeping his eyes fixed on Wayne as he got to his feet, her cousin wiped blood from his nose with his shirtsleeve.
    Wayne narrowed his gaze at Harold. “Put everything back where you found it.”
    “Fuck you.” Harold staggered toward his truck and started to climb into the driver’s side.
    Wayne gripped him by his shoulder and jerked him backward. Harold turned, swinging his fist straight for Wayne’s face.
    He blocked the punch then rammed his fist into Harold’s gut. The man fell to his knees, cradling his belly with his arms. He fell forward, his head down as he braced himself on his hands and knees as if trying to recover from the blows.
    “Tell you what,” Wayne said. “You get the hell out of here and I’ll make sure everything’s put back where it belongs.”
    While Harold was on the ground, Wayne unhitched the trailer.
    Blood was still smeared across Harold’s face as he steadied himself on his feet. He gave one more glare at Kaitlyn. “I’m not done with this,” Harold said to her. “I’ll be back with the sheriff and the deed that proves my daddy owns this house and property now.” He looked back at Wayne. “I’m not finished with you, either, Cameron. You hit the wrong guy.”
    “The trailer will be ready at five tonight,” Wayne said. “Come and get it or I will drive it off the property and leave it in the lot at Parker Canyon Lake. I don’t care what happens to it then. Now get the hell out of here.”
    Harold climbed into his truck and started it as the other man climbed in. The wheels spun, throwing up small rocks and dirt, as Harold’s truck shot out of the driveway.
    Kaitlyn held her hand to her belly as she turned and faced Wayne. He brought her into his arms and held her to his chest. Tears that had backed up inside of her spilled out and she couldn’t stop herself