Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47222 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Three of the four doors to the SUV open and three men clamber out of the car. I know there are four McLaughlin brothers, but I’ve never met the two older ones. Not only that, but I’ve heard that the oldest one is never around because he was sent to boarding school or something of that sort. Well, the fewer the better. I hope he never comes around because the fewer I have to deal with, the better.
Cruel, vindictive assholes, I think. I pull my short robe a little tighter around me, wishing I were wearing something less provocative.
I watch as the three men approach the porch, but none of them climb the steps. I’m grateful for the distance, and to know that I have Ranger sleeping upstairs if I need him.
“Mornin’, Darcy.” Cole McLaughlin has cold, gray eyes and an unsettling smile. At some point he lost some teeth in a fight and what ones remain are crooked and ugly. It doesn’t help that he’s always grinding chew, and that the tobacco has stained his all of his teeth a nasty yellow color. He spits onto the ground by the bottom step, the juice staining the recently redone stair.
“Cole.” I answer coldly, grateful that my voice doesn’t betray how nervous I am. “What are you doing here?”
“Remember us, do you? Good.” Cole’s words are almost a threat, and I shudder slightly. “We’re here to talk business.”
“No.” The short word comes out before I can stop it, but I realize that it’s exactly how I feel. “We have no business to discuss.” I reaffirm, my voice laced with ice to match Cole’s. “You’re not welcome on my farm. I thought my Pa made that real clear.” I stand up taller, but even standing on the porch, the men appear to loom, their very height and brawn threatening.
“Come on now, Darcy. Don’t you have a lick of sense?” says the one I don’t recognize. This must be Sam McLaughlin, the second oldest. He folds his arms across his chest, posturing. His beard is patchy and unkempt, and reminds me of a diseased mongoose. If he’d taken the time to clean himself up, he wouldn’t be half so bad looking. But his eyes are gray and squinty, and he wears a permanent snarl from years of rudeness.
“Yer daddy sure didn’t,” says the last man. Zane. The idiot of the group but mean as a snake, I think to myself. Of the three brothers I know, Zane scares me the most. He’s not unattractive, but his eyes lack humanity. They’re flat and cold, and I shudder just looking at him.
“Don’t you dare talk about my father.” The words come out as a hiss. “You heathens are the one who pushed him over the edge.”
“Your father’s dead. It’s time to face facts.” Cole’s voice is cold and his callous words rekindle my rage. I start yelling at the brothers for all the world to hear.
“You sons of bitches,” I curse them. “My dad left me this farm and it was his dying wish that I keep it in the family. And that’s damn well where it’s going to stay!” I’m somewhat surprised by my boldness, but enough is enough.
The McLaughlins need to leave me alone.
“You sure are stupid, girl.” Cole sneers as all three men take a menacing step towards the porch. “You can’t manage this place all by your lonesome. You know that. It’s only a matter of time before it’s ours.”
“I can too!”
The McLaughlins start laughing, the cruel sound like a bunch of hyenas stalking prey. But I won’t be that prey, not like Pa was.
“How the hell do you think you can manage this much land? Your old man struggled, and he actually knew what he was doing,” Sam guffaws unkindly, his eyes dwelling on my boobs longer than they should.
“And aren’t you lonely in this here big house?” Zane’s question is almost a hiss, and more than ever I’m grateful that Ranger is sleeping upstairs. Ranger.
I take a deep breath. Now or never, Darcy.
“You boys think you’re so clever, calling me helpless and alone. Well guess what? I’m not alone. I got married, and my husband is an expert farmer. He’s also strong and real mean if someone is threatening to hurt me.”
All three men stop in their tracks, looking at one another to try and figure out if I’m bluffing.
“So there’s no way you’ll get my farm, not ever.” I continue furiously, thrilled to have this secret weapon. “So scram! Git, before I call my husband to take care of your sorry asses!”
Just as I finish speaking, I sense Ranger come up behind me in the doorway, handsome and powerful and protective. I turn and send him a grateful smile, pleased at the timing of his appearance at the end of my little speech.