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your shit, and lose your cell.”
    He stood and reached for his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. “Here’s your pay for the next month so you have cash.”
    She was astounded. It took her a long minute to straighten on shaky legs as Dale shoved a wad of cash at her. His intense gaze locked with hers. “Remember, leave your cell phone, don’t call anyone from the ranch, and whatever you do, don’t use anything that can be traced back to you, like a bank card.”
    “I know the drill.” She took the cash, not even checking the amount. “Thank you, Dale. I owe you.”
    “Survive this asshole and when he’s locked up again just return to work for me. No more running away, okay? Strangers don’t give a damn about you but I consider you one of mine and that means I watch out for you, little girl. Now get your ass to the Raine ranch pronto and stay there.”
    “What kind of patient am I looking at? I want to be prepared.”
    Dale hesitated. “Well, there really isn’t one but you’ve got experience with horses and it’s a horse ranch. They’ll find something for you to do.”
    “Oh, Dale…”
    “Shut up and get the hell out of here. They really do need the help and they owe me some favors, just like I owe them some, so we don’t keep track anymore. They know you’re coming but I didn’t tell them anything about you, just that you needed to lie low somewhere, and to keep their mouths shut that you were on the ranch. They are good folks. You’ll be safe there. Get going so you can arrive before dark. I want you safely tucked in at their ranch by nightfall.”
    Impulsively she threw herself against the big ole softy and hugged him around his thick waist. “Thank you.”
    2He patted her back. “Get the hell out of here and I’ll call you when that worthless son of a bitch gets tossed back into prison. Don’t you call anyone, got it? I’ll call you.”
    She nodded, knowing she wet his shirt with the tears that squeezed out. She released him and spun, fleeing his office quickly. She shoved the wad of money into her purse and left the outer office, not taking the time to even say goodbye to anyone. She drove to her sorry apartment and quickly packed two bags.
    The instructions Dale had written out were clear. The ranch was located five hours away. She only stopped twice for gas, food, and bathroom breaks. She found the Raine ranch easily enough an hour before darkness fell. She couldn’t miss the big sign.
    Turning onto the driveway she had to drive almost a mile before a large two-story ranch house came into view.
    Nervousness gripped her about staying with strangers—people she knew nothing about—as she climbed out of her car. She hoped they’d like her. Brit knocked on the door after not spotting a doorbell. In less than a minute the door opened to reveal a pregnant blonde woman who smiled at her warmly.
    “Hi. I’m Trina Raine and you must be Dale Hass’ friend, Brit.” The woman held out her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
    Brit shook the woman’s hand. “Thank you so much for putting me up.”
    “Hey, any friend of Dale’s is a friend of ours.” The woman ushered her in. “Come on in. I’ll show you to one of the bedrooms. I will apologize now for the décor you’re going to get but they are all men’s rooms except the nursery my husband has painted and I doubt you’d want to sleep with teddy-bear walls.” She chuckled, rubbing her rounded stomach. “We just found out we’re having a boy and my husband Navarro is over the moon about it.”
    Smiling, Brit noticed the large living room had a warm, welcoming feeling to it.
    “That’s great. Is this your first?”
    “Yes for both of us. I’m sorry that Navarro isn’t here. He and his brother Ryder are away until tomorrow morning. They had to pick up some new breeding stock. We breed and sell horses. Adam and Trip are around somewhere so if you need any help with your belongings I can call them on their cell phones. They