Read To Find You Again for Free Online Page B

Ridge staggered and ducked, barely escaping a second fist aimed at his face. He kicked Cullen in the groin and the scout dropped to the ground, clutching his privates.
    Ridge leaned over the fallen man. "Keep your filthy mouth shut and your goddamned hands off Miss Hartwell." Ridge grabbed a handful of Cullen's greasy hair and jerked his head back so they were eye-to-eye. "You understand?"
    Cullen stared at Ridge, his narrow-set eyes flat and filled with pain and hatred.
    Ridge tightened his hold and felt a measure of satisfaction when Cullen grunted. "I said, you understand?"
    "I understand," Cullen said through clenched teeth.
    "Good. 'Cause if I hear about you bothering her again, I won't be so forgiving."
    Ridge released him and backed away. He watched while the sorry son of a bitch pushed himself to his feet and stumbled away. Only after Cullen was gone did Ridge give his attention to Miss Hartwell. Her face was silvery-white in the moonlight and one sleeve had been tugged down, leaving a pale shoulder bared. Ridge had to restrain himself from going after Cullen. "Are you all right, Miss Hartwell?"
    Wrapping her arms around herself, she managed a small nod, but her voice was surprisingly steady. "Yes, thank you, Mr. Madoc."
    The woman had grit, but she was shy of brains coming out here with Cullen.
    "You should get back inside."
    She glanced in the direction Cullen had gone, then looked back at Ridge. "It's not what you're thinking."
    "You don't know what I'm thinking, ma'am."
    Her lips thinned. "I didn't lure him out here and I didn't invite his attentions."
    Ridge, starting to feel the ache from the scuffle, shifted restlessly. "Then what were you doing?" The question came out more accusing than he'd intended.
    The woman straightened her backbone and raised her chin. "I offered him a job. I want him to track down the Indians I used to live with."
    Ridge cussed inwardly and reined in his temper. "I'd sooner trust a rattlesnake than Cullen."
    "I realize that now. I made a mistake."
    "Why do you want to find them?"
    She glanced away and her spine stiffened even further. "That's none of your concern."
    "Fine. I suggest you get back inside now." Ridge leaned over to pick up his hat and slapped it against his thigh before settling it on his head. "Evening, ma'am."
    He turned to leave but she caught his coat sleeve.
    "I have to find them," she said with quiet intensity.
    He met her scrutiny with his own and read the sincerity and desperation in her eyes. His gaze flickered across her shoulder and he spotted bruising on her milky white skin. Rage burned through him anew at the evidence of Cullen's violence. Gently, he reached out and pulled the dress back into place, hiding the signs of Cullen's attack.
    Miss Hartwell's eyes widened, and he heard her soft inhalation of surprise and saw the delicate flare of her nostrils. Ridge forced himself to release the cloth and stepped back.
    "The best thing you can do is forget about 'em and move on with your life, ma'am," he said quietly. He touched the brim of his hat and strode away.
    All the way across the street he could feel Emma Hartwell's sharp gaze drilling into his back. She was a fool to want to go back to the Lakota. There'd be some hotheaded braves who'd blame her for what had happened to them and vengeance wouldn't be pretty or swift. Although her life wasn't the best here, at least she was alive and safe.
    He tightened his saddle cinch and mounted up, but before riding out, he took one last look. Miss Hartwell was walking back into the hall, her proud carriage bowed. He shrugged aside the whisper of guilt and deliberately turned away.
     
    A full moon lit the night and a breeze stirred the leafless branches to create fluid shadows on the forest floor. A baby animal yipped, cracking the brittle silence, and an owl's hoot immediately followed. Moments later a wolf pup emerged from the scanty brush. He raised his head and let loose a pitiful howl that wavered and waned in the