Free Raising a Cowgirl by Jana Leigh Page B

on the disposable cell
     she brought with her. It was crazy, I knew I should have called someone, but she
     was desperate. I agreed and here we are.
    "Now what the fuck happened at the hotel. I remember noises and pain. That's about
     it,” Jolie snarled and waited.
    Gage lifted his head and looked at David. Jolie turned to them and was struck with
     the feeling they could communicate without speaking. “Were you a member of the team
     as well?”
    David smiled, “No, I really am the Sheriff of a small town called Healing in Wyoming.
     I met the guys there when they moved onto the ranch. Gage just became a Deputy with
     me, and we have become fast friends.”
    “Oh, gay? You know don’t ask don’t tell?” she said.
    “What? NO!” Gage yelled and sat up, waking Sammi who startled. She began to cry
     and Gage looked at David with terror in his eyes. She could have laughed but didn’t.
    “Give her to me,” David said softly and took the small bundle. It only took a few
     moments for him to sooth her and put her back to sleep. Gage was shaking his head
     in wonderment.
    “Well you know more than we do, but we are going to find out,” Gage said grimly.
    “What do you know?” she whispered.
    “Marie was tortured and beat in order for them to find out some information,” Gage
     said and Jolie gasped and looked at them with horror-filled eyes. “Sorry, that came
     out coldly. She was my best friend's wife, and like my sister. Right now, all I
     can think about is getting you to safety and finding the son of a bitches who started
     this.”
    Jolie nodded but still felt the tears fall as she thought about what her friend had
     gone through, it was terrible , she felt a rush of anger. “I stay until you figure this out.”
    Gage raised an eyebrow and said to her, “Not like you had a choice.”
    “Oh, well, I am saying I will cooperate,” Jolie said and blushed. “Now what is going
     on right now.”
    “We are waiting, when we arrive to the ranch we have armed guards and security being
     installed even as we speak. Sable, which is Alex and Slone's wife, is waiting for
     you with the doctor. Lou, our honorary grandmother, will be there as well,” Gage
     said and then waited for it.
    “Uh, you said Sable, was married to Slone and Alex? Uh, I don’t get it,” Jolie said
     confused.
    David is the one who answered, “Healing isn’t like many places you have been to.
     They are accepting of everyone’s lifestyles. The town was built from families who
     shared women way back when. In the Old West, it was easier if they shared women because
     of the harshness of the land. One could even say it became the norm back then. Healing
     stood on its morals. Women were meant to be cherished not hurt.”
    “Oh, well, it doesn’t bother me. I mean, I am not one of those people who judge others.
     So I think we are good.” Jolie smiled and looked at the two men. She wondered briefly
     if they had a woman they shared. Surrounded by these two would be like heaven.
    “We are landing,” Gage said and held out his hands for Sammi who made a happy cooing
     sound. Jolie noticed he was gentle with her, although slightly uncomfortable he didn’t
     shy away from holding her. Cute .
    “Let’s get you buckled up,” David said and helped her move into the seat and get her
     seat belt on. She felt the descent and was anxious to see where they were. Jolie
     had been out of California only a few times, she never had enough money to travel
     the way she wanted.
    The landing was smooth and fast, she was surprised when they announced they were on
     the ground and opening the doors. The bright sun beat down on her when she exited.
     It was a different kind of hot there, dry and brutal. She sighed though, finally
     in the sun again, last night she had not been sure she would make it to see a new
     sunrise, and today she was in Healing, Wyoming.
    Her eyes drifted and noted the lush green grass, and the animals. Wow, there were a lot of