Protector: Doms of Mountain Bend Book 1 by BJ Wane (good books to read for 12 year olds .txt) 📕

“Hell yeah. I thought for sure he’d beat the tar out of us when he caught us smoking in the horse barn ten minutes after finding us in the hayloft of the feed building and lecturing about the risk of fire. Man, he was livid. Ah, good times.” Clayton sighed with feigned drama.

“We found out quick he had other ways to punish.” Shawn winced as they rode. “Every muscle hurt the next day after he made us stay up all night scrubbing down each stall with soap and water. And we still had to go to school and do chores afterward.”

“At least he caved and let us have the cherry pie Miss Betty made us. That helped.”

“Her cooking always soothed our ruffled feathers,” Shawn agreed, eyeing Dakota’s scowl as he joined them, his head turned to watch the approach of a ranger’s cruiser. “Huh, wonder what they’re coming all the way out here for.”

Ben Wilkins, their part-time bartender and a full-time ranger pulled to a stop and got out, leaning one arm on the open door. His Stetson shielded the upper half of his face, but there was no mistaking the tight set to his mouth that indicated trouble.

“What’s up, Ben?” Shawn dismounted, along with Clayton, and the two of them walked toward Ben. Dakota remained on Phantom, his dappled-gray Morgan.

“You’ve heard grizzlies have returned to the state, right?”

“Last year, yes, after what, a century of close to extirpation? I just read the oldest one on record, thirty-four years old, was found living in Yellowstone last month. Why?” Clayton asked.

“Because one a lot younger attacked a hunter. He’s been air-ambulanced from the north into Boise. We’re out spreading the word but wanted to give you guys the heads-up since the attack was so close to you. Watch your backs until we get him.”

“Need help?” Dakota asked.

Shawn looked up at him as he rode closer, the stern set to his face revealing the concern he would never reveal in words.

“Not yet, but thanks, Dakota.” Ben rubbed his jaw, shaking his head. “He must be just plain mean because the attack came out of nowhere, without provocation.”

“So says the victim, right?” Shawn had arrested more than his share of abusive hunters who got their kicks out of torturing or killing for the sake of killing instead of for the sport and then the meat.

Ben nodded. “His testimony is all we have to go on right now, and, as of yet, no one has found cause not to believe him. If he’s lying, he’s paying a hefty price for whatever he tried with this bear. He’s lucky to have survived.”

“Appreciate the warning.” Clayton dipped his head and turned back to his mount, saying over his shoulder, “We’ll let you know if we spot him.”

“Thanks, guys. Take care.”

Shawn swung up onto Nevada, cursing over yet one more thing to worry about. He could tell by Ben’s face his friend was as aware as he if a story about a grizzly attack got out, every big game hunter in the country would make a beeline for their state to make a name for himself. The sheriff’s office had enough on their plate without that added headache, and he knew the park rangers were also overworked once hunting season opened.

“Relax, McDuff,” Dakota drawled, managing his huge, spirited stallion with ease. “Attacks like that are rare, and between me and the hands, we can ensure the safety of our livestock. You won’t need to change your schedule to watch over us.”

Clayton chuckled at Shawn’s frown. “It’s true. You’ve got that look on your face.”

They ribbed him a lot, claiming he was an overbearing ass whenever there was a threat floating around. Was it his fault he’d inherited a strong protective gene from his dad? Lisa’s face popped into his head, her evasive looks and the worry often reflected in her eyes both hints she was carrying baggage of some kind. Was that why he couldn’t quit thinking about her, was so intent on solving the riddle of who she was, where they’d met before? Fuck, probably.

“I’ve known neither of you needed someone to cover your backs since we were teens, but there’s always safety in numbers. Remember that, Dakota. If you’re good here, I’ll ride back in. I have things to do yet today.”

“Any of them have to do with the attractive blonde with the pretty breasts from last night?”

Clayton always did go for blunt questions when poking his nose into his or Dakota’s business.

“Blonde? Was she the one who got under your skin last night?” Dakota asked with a sharp glance toward Shawn.

“No one got under my skin, it’s just Clayton making an ass of himself, again. I’m grilling tonight if either of you wants to join me.” Lifting his hand in a wave, Shawn turned Nevada toward the east and kicked him into a gallop.

There was nothing as exhilarating as tearing across a wide-open range with the wind whipping at your face and your body in tune with your steed’s ground-eating strides. As much as he enjoyed the rigorous ride, Shawn arrived at the stables still debating over what step, if any, to take next with Lisa. On top of finding her attractive, she tempted him as a Dom to explore her submissive side further, and to get to the root of her problem. Her wary, reserved eyes with hints of trouble tugged at his protective instincts and whatever secret she was holding close that demanded investigating. The combination couldn’t have been gift-wrapped and left on his doorstep in a more enticing package, and he figured the only solution was to get to know her better and earn her trust.

He couldn’t rely on random meetings to accomplish that goal in the relatively short time she would be here, and certainly not at the club where emotions