Her Cowboy (Book One Of The Brave Series)

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

M.

I was still in the tree by the time they dragged the cat off into the woods. Something about attracting other predators and whatnot. I still couldn't get over the fact that he shot the thing, but I guess that was the only solution aside from getting my ass chewed.

"Hey scaredy-cat, it's okay to come down now ya know?" Asher's voice snapped me out of my fighting conscience. I looked down at him. I was farther off the ground than I thought.

"Ah, haha funny, I think, I'll just stay up here, don't want to uh, come down too soon and get mauled by a bear or something." I heard him chuckle as he stared up at me and I watched as he smiled crookedly. It was very adorable, and I found myself kind of just staring. If you got over his overbearing attitude he as kind of...cute.

The sound of voices snapped my attention up towards them and I saw an older couple running up.

"Axel, why did I hear the gun go off?" the man asked. They were both in their pajamas, boots scrunching their pants up. The woman looked up at me and tried to hide a giggle.

"Axel, honey, why is there a girl up in a tree?" she asked.

"Mrs. Gaines," an energetic boy started, "This is your new neighbor Madeline, she was being chased by a bobcat, so Axel got the 12-gauge and Asher shot it to protect her. She had jumped into the tree to get away from it, but I think she may not be a fan of heights."

The man looked up at me, and then laughed before waving. I waved back as nausea filled me from looking down.

"Well, then we're going to go back inside, you kids be careful now." The man, whom I assume was Axel's father turned and both he and the woman walked back through the snow. They just left it at that. I looked back down, and Asher glanced up at me.

"Come on Sweetheart, jump down, I'll catch you." my heart skipped...sweetheart? I shook my head to clear my thoughts before I looked back at him. I really did want to get down.

"Promise you'll catch me."

"Cross my heart." he said.

"If you don't, I'll kill you."

"I know."

"I'm serious, I'll-"

"Jump already!" he said and before I realized it, my feet left the branch and I was falling. I closed my eyes and braced for impact. But it never came. Instead I heard a hushed "Open your eyes." be whispered into my ear and I popped one eye open. I saw Asher. This close you could see ash blond chin stubble and his deep blue eyes looked darker than black. His breath smelt lightly of chocolate, sweet, sweet chocolate.

"See? I caught you." he said as his head tilted slightly and he smiled. He was so handsome, and my face was burning so much that I jumped out of his arms.

"Thanks, I gotta get home, I'll see you guys tomorrow." I hurriedly turned and bumped into something hard.

"Och!" I said as my nose started throbbing.

"Oh no you don't missy, we'll be driving you home." Axel said from in front of me.

"No, I'm fi-ack!" I was cut off as Asher's shoulder dug into my stomach. My world turned upside down as all the blood in my body rushed to my head.

"Hey, this is kidnapping you know!?" I let out as I punched Asher's thigh. I felt searing pain then.

"Ouch!" I yelped out. "Did you just slap my butt?!" he chuckled, and I felt it vibrate my body.

"Yes ma'am. Sure did." I heard the boys laughing as they walked behind us, and I lifted my head to glare at them. They shut up quick after that.

"How would you feel if I slapped your bum, huh?"

"I'd have to turn you over my knee and give you a good spankin'." my eyes widened, and I didn't dare say anything. This boy had no filter whatsoever.

"He really does grow on you Madeline, I promise." Axel said as I looked up at him.

"Yeah, he grows to be a real pain I'm sure. Oof!" he threw me up and back down onto his shoulder.

"My hands itching real bad Maddie. Behave and I'll keep you from having my hand print on your little bottom." I scoffed but didn't say anything else as we got to the truck and I was tossed not so gracefully inside. It was an older pick up with a one bench seat. The spazzy boy from earlier, with ear length brown hair and dark eyes, hopped in on one side of me as Asher shut the door on his side to my right. A boy with shorter brown hair hopped in the back-tail bed and faced our way as Axel hopped in the driver's seat.

"Hi there, my name's Riley, and back there is Daniel, good to meet ya!" He said as he held out his hand, the other pointing to the guy in the back.

"Madeline, likewise." I said as I reached out my hand. He took it but instead of a handshake he brought it to his lips and kissed it. I froze. Surprised I pulled back my hand and watched as Riley lit up with a big goofy smile.

"Don't mind him, he's a giant kid in a man's body." Asher whispered into my ear and I nodded.

"Makes sense." I whispered back as Axel turned on the truck and started pulling out of his driveway.

"So, you run really fast Madeline." Riley stated as he watched me intently.

"Uh, yeah, I've played some kind of sport all my life, so it builds up as you go."

"Cool!" he said as he kept staring at me. I looked away and out the window as the bumps on the road shook us. As odd as it was I liked it here, it was peaceful, homey almost.

We pulled into my driveway and the car was there telling me that Dad was home.

"You guys can drop me off here." I said. We were about a hundred yards from the house.

"No way, it's still dangerous." Axel said.

"Don't worry about it, just stop, I can walk fine from here." I felt a hand on my arm and I looked up at Asher.

"You sure?" he asked suspiciously. I only nodded.

"Axel, you can stop, we can watch her from the truck." Axel paused but nodded and stopped.

"Thanks guys. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" They all nodded, and I hopped out of the truck.

I hurried to the house, turned and waved. They waved back and backed up, leaving only the glimpse of tail lights behind them. I let out a deep breath.

"Where have you been?" I jumped and turned to see my father standing in the doorway, beer in hand.

This wasn't going to end well.

---------------

EDITED VERSION

J. Vas