Taking the Reins(99)

And then there were two. Red watched Peyton shuffle her feet in the dust, stick her hands in her pockets, look anywhere but at him.

Speaking of heartbreak . . .

Red smiled, fighting the urge to grab her, toss her over his shoulder and storm back to his place for a come to Jesus moment. “Guess we figured out who’s been snooping through my stuff.”

“Guess so.” Her voice was distant, and she wouldn’t look at him.

“Peyton . . .” He ran a hand through his hair, gripping the ends and pulling. Didn’t clear his head nearly as fast as he’d hoped. “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” She did look at him now, surprise filling her wide eyes. “For what?”

“It was my father who started all this. Played Nylen’s pawn.”

Her eyes widened, but he plowed on without waiting for her comments.

“I caught him snooping around the other night. Chased him off, and was trying to figure out how to tell you. I should have said something sooner.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Yes, you should have.”

No excuse for it. “Then tonight, I saw his truck at the end of the drive. He drove Nylen here.”

Her lips curved. “Are you going to mention that to the police?”

He wiped a hand over his brow, pushing back his hair. “Would you let me make the choice?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

Hope bloomed in his chest. “Well, I already chose to say something. I added it to my statement to the deputy. What they do with it, I can’t control. But I’ll do what I can to make sure he’s never close to you, or the ranch, again. And I’m so . . .” He turned to look out at the sky, turned back again and swallowed hard. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to bring this to you.”

She shook her head. “Not your fault. God knows, I know enough about the sins of the parent not being the child’s load to bear. Sylvia taught me that much. Probably the only thing she did teach me. We’re responsible for ourselves.”

Promising. He chanced a step toward her and she didn’t back away. “He might spread it around about us. People would know.”

“People already know. I learned that much in town tonight. This evening was very . . . educational.” She shrugged. “It’s out.”

Despite her casual stance and nonchalant tone of voice, he could see it hurt. The fact that people would think poorly of her, less of her. “I’m sorry.”

“I made my choice. And I’m coming around to accepting the consequences.” She took a deep breath and pushed back some hair that fell over her eyes. He smiled at the frustrated gesture. The outside package might be all woman, but the inside was pure tomboy. Just how he liked her.

“So where does that leave us?”

Peyton bit her lip and shrugged. “I—”

“Peyton!”

She cut off, and they both looked over to see Trace hustling over the dirt driveway as fast as he could without jostling Seth on his shoulder. He stepped up and reached around her with his free arm, pulling her in close for a hug. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Red and Billy had it all settled before I could even get in any of the action.” She sounded so disgruntled and put out by the fact that she didn’t get to swing at Nylen, Red had to laugh.

“Sorry to ruin the fun. I was a little busy making sure the bastard didn’t get away.” Red smiled. “Next time, I’ll let you have a turn.”

“Thank you.”

Trace looked back and forth between them. “So is someone going to clue me in on what happened?”

Peyton laughed shortly. “Forgot you’ve been in the dark. It was Nylen.” She shot a quick glance at Red, but didn’t mention his father. Protecting him? “We’ll talk about it more, but he’s in custody and the major threat is gone.”

“But—”

“Later,” Peyton said firmly. She turned to smooth a hand over Seth’s head, and her voice softened as she spoke to the child. “Hey, guy. Lot of action past your bedtime, huh? Soon enough you’ll be running around here with the rest of these boys, fighting crime.”

“Not likely.” When Seth cooed, Trace jiggled him a little. “Let’s head to bed, little man. Auntie Peyton’s got some business to attend to out here.” With a significant glance Red’s way, Trace headed into the house behind Bea and Billy.

And then, once more, they were alone.

Red figured he had two choices. He could walk away and pretend that nothing had happened and keep his pride intact. Or he could ask her for another chance, fight for the opportunity. Beg if necessary, pride be damned.