Cowboy, Cross My Heart Read online

  “And yet that’s exactly who your eyes are on now,” Whitney said as she looked pointedly at her.

  Naomi wrinkled her nose. “I can’t deny that.”

  “Brice is a good catch. Not because of the Easts but because he’s a decent guy. I’ve never heard anyone in the rodeo have anything bad to say about Brice or Caleb.”

  “That’s good to know.”

  Whitney pushed away from the stall and walked forward a few steps before she stopped and faced her. “If Suellen had lived, I wonder if she would have handled all of this better than I have. She never hesitated to stand up for herself.”

  “Neither did you.”

  Whitney looked away as her eyes filled with tears. She shook her head, her shoulders beginning to shake. Naomi hurried to her, but Whitney wouldn’t look at her.

  “Nothing you tell me will change my respect, admiration, and love for you,” Naomi told her.

  Whitney faced her and raised her brows. “Are you sure about that?”

  “Positive,” Naomi said, unease settling in her stomach.

  “It’s my fault. I let it happen. I didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t stop him. I di-didn’t do anything!”

  Naomi wrapped her arms around her friend as Whitney started sobbing. Naomi fought back her own tears at learning that her friend had been assaulted. She rubbed her hands up and down Whitney’s back, letting her friend cry it out.

  “It’s okay,” Naomi said, over and over.

  And she prayed it would be. She didn’t know what to do—or say. Her heart was broken for Whitney.

  It was sometime later before Whitney leaned back and wiped at the tears. She sniffed and looked anywhere but at Naomi.

  “I don’t know what’s going through your head, but this isn’t your fault,” Naomi said.

  Whitney gave a bark of laughter. “Isn’t it? He told me it was.”

  “Who? Give me his name. I have some choice words I’d like to say to him.” The rage within Naomi was like a tsunami. It kept building and building until she was shaking with it.

  The longer Whitney remained silent, the more concerned Naomi became. She shifted until she stood before her friend and made Whitney look at her. “What have you left out?”

  “Giving you a name will do no good.”

  The dejection in Whitney’s voice about sent Naomi over the proverbial edge. “Why? Is he that powerful? Have you taken a look at who is helping us? I don’t know anyone more powerful than the Easts.”

  Whitney’s look was doubtful. “These men are—”

  “Men?” Naomi said, feeling as if she’d just been kicked in the stomach. “How many men?”

  “I don’t know exactly.”

  Naomi shoved her hair back from her face. “How many times did they … force you?”

  Whitney shrugged.

  Naomi swallowed a cry of outrage. Her beautiful, strong friend had been crushed beneath the boots of men who thought they had the right to touch her as they wanted.

  “Whatever you’re thinking of doing, it will do no good,” Whitney said. “Jamie Adcock tried to out them. They ran her out of town and buried the story.”

  Naomi wasn’t going to accept that. “No. You have chaperones to guard against things like this. Are all the contestants being subjected to such assaults?”

  “They hand-pick a few of us at a time.”

  Naomi didn’t understand why Whitney wasn’t ready to fight. It was as if she’d accepted what had happened—what was still happening—as a part of life. “So there is only a handful who know what’s going on.”

  Whitney nodded and walked to one of the horses. She pressed her forehead against the animal’s and closed her eyes. “If I say anything to anyone, they will fabricate lies and strip me of my title.”

  “It’s just a crown.” Naomi knew it was the wrong thing to say as soon as it left her mouth.

  Whitney lifted her head and glared at her. “Just a crown, huh? Funny, you didn’t say that to Suellen. Why is it that for me? Do you know what it would mean for me if I win the state title? It’s not just the money but the exposure to corporations and the chance to compete in the USA pageant. And if I win that, my God, Naomi, the possibilities are endless.”

  “Then do it. But first, stand against this group of men.”

  Whitney snorted and shook her head. “You just don’t get it, do you?”

  She brushed past Naomi and shoved open the doors as she strode to the house. Naomi watched her go, unsure of how things had gotten so turned around.

  As tired as she was, she knew she couldn’t sleep knowing that her friend had been raped. She walked to the bench and sat down, angry and dejected and confused. Naomi leaned forward and dropped her head into her hands.

  She wasn’t put off by the fact that it wasn’t just one man she was after. In some ways, it would be easier to find this group because someone, somewhere had to have seen or heard something. It was just a matter of finding them.

  And if Whitney wouldn’t—or couldn’t—fight for herself, then Naomi would do it for her. She’d failed Whitney by not realizing something so bad had happened to her friend. By doing this, she might make up for it.

  She lifted her head when she heard the barn doors close again, thinking Whitney had come back. Her heart did a little leap when she saw that it was Brice.

  “It went that good, huh?” he asked.

  She slumped against the stall. “I messed everything up.”

  “I doubt that,” he said as he walked to her.

  “I said all the wrong things. I don’t know who was standing out here with me, but it wasn’t Whitney.”

  Brice stood across from Naomi and braced his foot behind him on the stall. He rubbed the underside of a horse’s chin when the animal put its head on Brice’s shoulder. “People change.”

  Naomi glanced toward the barn doors. “She was raped, Brice. Repeatedly.”

  Chapter 15

  It was as bad as Brice had feared. He walked to Naomi and squatted down in front of her. He put his hand over hers and found himself staring into beautiful brown eyes with lashes spiked from her tears.

  “Did she give you a name?” he asked.

  “That’s just it. It’s not just one man.”

  Brice hadn’t expected that. He kept his face from showing his shock. “Do we have anyone to confront?”

  Naomi shook her head of wheat blond hair. “Nothing. She’s scared of them.”

  “As she has every right to be.”

  “No one, man or woman, should have that kind of control over someone.”

  Brice moved to sit beside her. “I agree, but it happens all the time.”

  “I never thought Whitney wouldn’t stand up for herself. I mean, I know these kinds of things happen slowly and all that, but how did it even begin?”

  “With men in positions of power,” Brice said.

  Naomi inhaled a quick breath of air. “In this day and age, I can’t believe that still happens.”

  “But it gives us somewhere to start looking.”

  Her head swung to him, hope in her eyes. “Really?”

  Brice gave a single nod. “There are several people in charge of the rodeo, a Board of Directors.”

  “You know them?”

  “I do. More importantly, Clayton does, as well.”

  Naomi suddenly frowned. “I feel bad enough that you and Caleb are embroiled in this. Clayton and Abby have children. Not to mention, Abby is pregnant. If they can push me into the arena in the hopes that I die, I don’t want to think what they might try with your family.”

  Brice put his hands on his knees as he considered her words. “I’d like to believe that with the security on the ranch, Abby and the kids will be safe but I don’t want to test it. Now that she and Clayton know what’s going on, they’re going to be hard-pressed to stay out of it.”

  “Well, Abby can’t do much in her present condition.”

  “Good point. Clayton will also remain near her.”

  Naom
i tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m sorry she’s having such a difficult pregnancy.”

  “There have been a few problems. She’s supposed to stay off her feet, but that’s difficult to do. The doctor is being cautious, as we all are,” he explained.

  “I should never have come here.”

  Brice watched as she rose and made her way to one of the horses. “You think by visiting that you’ve put everyone in danger.”

  She looked over her shoulder at him and gave him a flat look. “Exactly.”

  “My family became mixed up in this the moment I stepped in to help you the other night.”

  “Yes, but I’m at your house.”

  “So are Whitney and Ms. Biermann. It’s going to be all right,” he assured her. And he prayed he was right. At this point, he really didn’t know.

  She turned to the side to look at him. “I feel safe with you.”

  “Good.” It was exactly what he wanted—and needed—to hear. He rose and walked to stand beside her. “I’m going to help you no matter what direction this turns.”

  Her eyes focused on the buckskin mare she was petting. “My best friend suffered something horrible and didn’t tell me.”

  “Probably because she was ashamed.”

  “I have so much hate inside me for those responsible. And I mean everyone. There have to be others who know what’s going on. No one said anything.”

  He leaned against the stall. “Someone did.”

  “Jaime Adcock,” Naomi said, her head swiveling to him. “We need to talk to her.”

  Brice looked toward the doors that led out in the direction of the house. “I know just the person to task with that. My sister. It’ll make Abby feel like she’s involved but keep her off her feet at the same time.”

  His gaze moved back to Naomi. He’d been pleasantly surprised to find that she had chosen his coat. It swallowed her. She had to keep pushing the sleeves up just so her hands could pet the mare.

  “I miss being around horses,” she said suddenly.

  “We have plenty for you to use.”

  She smiled as her eyes met his. “Don’t tempt me.”

  That’s exactly what he wanted to do. “When was the last time you rode?”

  “It’s been about six years.”

  “Pick a horse,” he urged.

  She stroked the velvety nose of the buckskin and grinned. “I like her.”

  He scratched the horse behind the ear. “This is London. Abby was on a kick about traveling and named several horses after famous cities.”

  “The name suits her.”

  “She’s fast. And the queen mare around here.”

  Naomi laughed and stroked the horse’s neck. “If it wasn’t so late, I’d saddle you up.”

  “There’s always tomorrow.”

  His heart skipped a beat when her gaze briefly met his, a small smile playing on her full lips. God, he really hoped she stayed. He liked Naomi more than expected. Her beauty might have caught his attention, but it was her strength, steadfastness, heart, and authenticity that kept pulling him back to her.

  Not that he’d tried to get away. The woman was ideal for him in every way. After his disastrous relationship with Jill, he’d thought it would be several years before he would be ready to even contemplate another relationship. Then he’d spotted Naomi, and he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her.

  After meeting her, she filled his thoughts constantly. Partly because of their current situation but also because of the attraction.

  “It’s technically tomorrow,” she said and met his gaze again.

  He grinned and moved closer. “Shall I saddle London?”

  “You want to ride in the dark?”

  “Don’t tell me you’ve never done that?”

  She laughed and dropped her hands when the mare pulled her head back to munch on some hay. “I think I did as a kid.”

  “To have nothing but the moonlight and the stars … it’s amazing.”

  “Obviously, I’ve been missing out.”

  His balls tightened when she leaned against the stall, putting her body within inches of his. “We should remedy that.”

  The barn door suddenly swung open, and Caleb strolled in. “We’ve been waiting for y’all. Whitney came in a while ago, crying.”

  “Sorry,” Brice said and put his hand on Naomi’s back as she turned and they walked toward his brother.

  “Well?” Caleb asked when they reached him.

  Brice looked at Naomi, who glanced at the house. “It’s not one man we need to look for.”

  “Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Caleb grumbled and put his hands on his hips. “How many?”

  “I don’t know,” Naomi answered. “I barely got that much out of Whitney.”

  Caleb ran a hand over his jaw. “Is that all she told you?”

  Brice shook his head. “She was sexually assaulted. Several times.”

  “Damn,” Caleb said and lowered his gaze to the ground as his lips twisted. “I thought it might be something like that.”

  Naomi drew in a deep breath. “The others need to know, but I think it’d be better if no one said anything to Whitney.”

  “Of course,” Brice said.

  Caleb nodded. “She’s been hurt enough. There’s no need to add more to it.”

  “We should get some rest while we can,” Brice said.

  Naomi nodded and huddled in the jacket. “I really thought we’d have all the answers and could approach the asshole tomorrow. I feel like we’ve taken two steps back.”

  “Not true,” Brice told her. “We have more information now. It might not be a lot, but as I told you, these are men in power.”

  Caleb raised a brow. “You’re thinking the Board of Directors, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah. I also think we should talk to Jamie Adcock.”

  “Abby could look into that.”

  Brice grinned. “I’d already planned to turn her in that direction.”

  Caleb twisted his lips. “But the Board of Directors? We can’t just approach them and demand they confess.”

  “Not to mention, they may not be mixed up in this,” Naomi pointed out. “In which case, we’ve tipped our hand.”

  Brice looked at the house. “What about Ms. Biermann?”

  “What about her?” Caleb asked.

  Naomi huddled beneath his jacket. “You think she might be involved?”

  “She’s Whitney’s chaperone. Can either of you honestly stand there and tell me that she doesn’t know anything?” he asked.

  Naomi’s eyes widened. “She’d have to have seen or heard something.”

  “That’s true. Things happened to Whitney outside of her home,” Caleb added.

  Brice looked from his brother to Naomi. “We can’t really plan until Whitney and Ms. Biermann are gone.”

  “Wait,” Caleb said, his brows drawn together. “I thought Whitney was helping us.”

  Naomi’s lips turned down as she shook her head. “I think Whitney has been as involved as she’s comfortable being. She’s terrified, and frankly, I’m scared for her. If we’re going to succeed in this, then we need to keep her as far from this as we can.”

  “I don’t think that’s possible,” Caleb said. “You and Whitney have been seen together multiple times. Not to mention the attack. The only way to distance yourself is to return home.”

  Naomi gawked at him. “I’m not leaving my friend.”

  Brice held up his hands before him. “That’s not what Caleb is saying. What he attempted to recommend—badly, I might add—is that you pretend to leave.”

  “Oh,” she said and considered it. “That might work.”

  Caleb winked. “Of course, it will. Now, let’s get inside before Abby comes downstairs.”

  Once they left the barn, Caleb closed the door and followed them. Brice and Naomi didn’t speak as they made their way to the house.

  At the porch, Caleb said, “I’ll fill Jace and Cooper in. They’re crashing here toni
ght, as well.”

  “Just make sure Jace calls his mom. She’s still pissed at us from last month,” Brice said.

  Caleb made a face. “Good point. ’Night,” he said and entered the house.

  Brice held the door open for Naomi. As she took off his coat and hung it up, she asked, “What happened last month?”

  “Jace and Cooper rode the fence line with us, which they often do, but Jace purposefully left his cell phone at the house so the girl he broke up with couldn’t reach him,” he explained.

  Naomi nodded, smiling. “But that also meant his mother couldn’t.”

  “And Jace was so focused on the ex that he forgot to tell his mom where he was. She was fit to be tied. Needless to say, she came here and spoke to Abby, who then called Caleb.”

  “I can’t imagine the things the four of you have gotten into.”

  Brice walked her to the stairs. “Trust me, you really don’t want to know. But Cooper and Jace are like brothers to us. We’d do anything for them. And they, anything for us.”

  “Like me, Whitney, and Suellen,” Naomi said and looked up the stairs.

  He put his hand on her lower back, his hand warming at the contact. They shared a look before slowly ascending the steps. Brice walked her to her room. He whispered goodnight and waited until her door shut before he turned away.

  Chapter 16

  “Do you think they know?”

  Raymond inhaled on his cigar and looked at the men sitting around his poker table. Smoke hovered above them, though each had yet to remove their hats. They hadn’t converged to play this night. No, they were there because Naomi Pierce had gotten in the way.

  His gaze shifted to Ethan Ross, who had posed the question. Ethan sweated profusely, a sign of his nervousness. Ethan was also mayor of their fine town.

  Raymond took another puff of his cigar before tossing back the last bit of bourbon in his glass. He leaned forward and grabbed the bottle and refilled his glass. “No one knows anything,” he stated.

  “We went too far today,” Curtis Moore stated, his bloodshot, brown eyes darting around the room at everyone. “Taking the pictures from Brice Harper, yes, but did you have to stomp on his hand?”

  Raymond raised a brow and stared down at Curtis until the man lowered his gaze. “Let me get this straight. You feel bad about Harper’s hand getting hurt, but not the girl nearly dying? Or the pleasure you’ve taken from the other girls all these years?”