Set Me Free, Cowboy by R.L. Atkinson

Author:R.L. Atkinson [Atkinson, R.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-11-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

“No,” I cried out, my voice so small, so quiet as someone’s hand rested against my arm and rolled me over onto my back. My eyes stayed focused on the man who remained against the rail, the man that was coming to destroy the little bit of freedom I’d just won back. Becky’s body came into view, blocking sight of him, and she lowered her head, snorting and sniffing my hair.

“Brex baby?” Deep, comforting, whispered words reached my ears as I felt a tear slip from my eye, and I finally let my gaze slide away from the direction of the gate to find Tate kneeling next to me.

“Not here, too,” I whispered, the tears crashing over my eyes. “Not here,” I cried, and turned away as every painful memory came rushing back in. I knew Tate didn’t understand, not yet anyway, but I couldn’t form any different words even as he kept asking me if I was okay, even after Jake rode this way and asked if I was alright or if anything was broken.

Just my soul.

My physical body was fine, for now. But my heart was forever torn to shreds. Footsteps and hooves seemed to surround me, Becky began to pace back and forth, even as I sat up and fumbled for the reins. I searched those faces that were peering down at me, praying that it had just been one of those moments my brain decided to play tricks on me.

“Brex, are you okay?” Tate asked again, his voice laced with concern. He placed a hand upon my leg, and I flinched, pulling it quickly away. My heart was racing as I slammed my eyes shut and began to count.

One.

Footsteps.

Two.

Another shadow cast over me.

Three.

I opened my eyes to the face of that wretched man feigning concern. “Your girlfriend alright there, Tate? She took a solid tumble,” Matt asked, giving me the faintest of malicious smiles. Something I knew all too well, something that nearly no one else ever saw.

I backpedaled away from him and shot up to a standing position. Murmurs rippled through the group, asking what he meant by girlfriend. Shocked faces crossed the group, and Jake stumbled back as Tate remained crouched next to the spot I just stood from.

“What’s he sayin’?” Jake asked Tate.

“Nothin’,” Tate snapped at Jake, who shifted the cigarette between his teeth and stared at Tate. It was odd. Tate seemed to have pulled something over his previously concerned figure, one of frustration and calculation.

Matt’s eyes flashed with a vicious understanding. “They don’t know? Ah man, I didn’t mean to embarrass you. What a great first impression at my new job.”

My stomach lurched. New job? He was here to stay? Tate hired him?

Tate placed his hands on his knees and stood, ignoring Matt and everyone else. He stepped toward me, but I backed away.

“Horse fly?” he asked, and I shook my head. He took another step in my direction, and I tugged Becky with me again, backing farther away.

“Did your

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