Chapter Three
A knock on the door brought Ben off the couch and up on his bare feet in seconds. He must have fallen asleep after tossing and turning on the narrow couch. Every noise had kept him awake until way into the wee hours.
The sun shone through the filmy curtains, lighting his path through the boxes and furniture. From what he could see of the front porch, two men stood there in tan uniforms.
The local law enforcement.
As he pulled the door half-open, footsteps sounded on the stairs behind him.
Who is it? Kate descended the flight of stairs in a light blue baby-doll nightgown, pulling a robe over her shoulders that only came down to midthigh. Her creamy legs and the glimpse of her breasts through the thin material of the gown had Bens jeans tightening.
With the door gaping, he had no choice but to open it the rest of the way.
The two men in tan uniforms stared at him, then their eyes drifted to the woman on the stairs behind him.
A flash of anger burned through his bloodstream and Ben moved to block their view as much as he could. Can I help you?
The bigger man stepped forward. Im Sheriff Fulmer, this is Deputy Schillinger. Were here to see Katherine Langsdon.
Bens eyes narrowed. For what reason?
The sheriffs lips pulled up on one side in a sneer. Now, I guess thats between me and the lady.
Its okay, Ben. Kate laid a hand on Bens arm and stepped up beside him. I wanted to call on them this morning anyway. We had a break-in last night.
Sorry to hear that. Can you describe the perp?
She shook her head. No, he was wearing all black and a black ski mask.
Not much I can do to help without a detailed description.
She tipped her head to the side. Then why did you come out?
Ms. Langsdon, as the only living relative of the late Kyle Kendrick, you have been served. The sheriff handed her a thick envelope, his face poker-straight.
What? She took the packet, her cheeks blanching, making the bruise stand out even more.
Whats this all about? Ben slipped an arm around Kate as she opened the envelope, every protective instinct on alert in the face of the sheriff and his deputy.
Back taxes? The will said nothing about back taxes. She looked up at the sheriff.
Sorry, Ms. Langsdon, I only deliver the bad news, I dont create it. Your father was the one who didnt pay. Since he left the ranch to you, youre responsible now.
Ben didnt like the sheriffs tone or the way the man hit her with the notice so soon after coming to her fathers ranch.
Twenty-seven thousand? She snorted softly. I cant afford twenty-seven hundred. Kate stared at the paper in her hands. That would completely wipe me out and then some.
The sheriff shrugged. You might consider selling this dump. Pretty young woman like you will find it difficult to manage a place this size all alone.
It was all Ben could do to keep from punching the sheriff for his patronizing words. Ben barely knew Kate, but any woman would resent the sheriffs inference that a woman couldnt run a ranch.
Im not alone. Kate clutched the envelope to her chest, her chin rising. I have Ben. She edged nearer to Ben.
His chest swelled, his arm automatically tightening around her middle, pulling her closer to him.
The sheriffs brows rose. Hired hands dont always stick around.
Hes not the hired hand. Hes Kates hand waved, in search of the right word.
Afraid shed say he was her bodyguard, Ben finished for her, Im her fiancé. We will be working the ranch together.
The sheriffs eyes narrowed. What did you say your last name was?
Bens lips twisted. I didnt. Now, if youll excuse us. He moved to shut the door.
The sheriff shoved his foot in the way. Dont cross me, cowboy.
Bens brows rose and he stared down at the boot in the doorway. Did you have more business to discuss?
The sheriff stared at Ben for a long moment, then replied, No.
Then have a nice day. Ben glanced down at the boot and back up at the sheriff. Bens free hand clenched into a fist, ready to take on the arrogant sheriff if the need arose. Hed seen law enforcement officers who let the power of their position go to their heads. This sheriff appeared to be one of them. He made a mental note to watch the man. He could cause trouble for himself and for Kate.
The sheriff finally moved his foot. Ill be seeing you around Wild Oak Canyon.
Ben shut the door, muttering, Not if I can help it.
Kate turned away, her gaze on the legal document the sheriff had given her. Twenty-seven thousand dollars. She looked up at Ben, her eyes glazed. Thats more than I have in every savings account.
Surely you have a thirty-day notice on it.
Thirty days until they seize the property for back taxes owed. She shook her head. I dont believe this. I should never have come.
Cant you go back where you came from? As he made the suggestion, his gut clenched. If Kate left, he wouldnt have to be around her. He could forget the way she made his body hum to life.
Kate shook her head. No. I quit my job. Theyve already leased the apartment we lived in. Not that Id go back. Its no safer in Houston than here.
What do you mean?
I left Houston after my apartment was broken into and ransacked.
In Houston?
Last week. The day after my fathers will was read.
Ben didnt like it. Hell, she wasnt any safer in Houston than in Wild Oak Canyon. Ben resigned himself to being her protector until he could convince Hank he had the wrong man for the job. Was your Houston apartment in a bad neighborhood?
Kate shook her head. I hadnt had any problems in the four years I lived there. Whoever did it tore everything apart.
Any writing on the walls or threats? Ben asked.
No. They even ripped the cushions on my sofa. Every drawer was tossed, even the contents of the refrigerator.
Theyre looking for something, Ben stated. The day after your fathers reading, you say? Did your father leave you anything besides this ranch?
Kates eyes widened. Yes. Before Ben could question her, she ran up the stairs.
The blood racing through Bens veins had nothing to do with whatever item she might have received from her father and more to do with the way her bottom swayed side to side and the vision of smooth, creamy skin visible along the curves of her legs. More clothes. She damn well better wear more clothes, he muttered.
Kate paused at the top of the stairs, glancing down at Ben, her brows dipping. Did you say something?
Ill get my clothes on. He strode back to the couch hed spent the better part of the night lying awake on, thinking of the sexy legs on a woman he had no business looking at that way.
Hank Derringer was paying him to provide protection from a problem, not to become the problem or one more thing Kate had to be protected from.
He pulled his T-shirt on over his head, calling himself every kind of fool. If he had any cell phone reception at all, hed be calling Hank and asking for a different assignment. One with a less attractive woman andno kids.