Free Someone to Watch Over Me by Jerrie Alexander

name.”
    The blow to his arm brought a laugh from them both. He laid his open hand on the passenger side door handle. She touched his face, stopping him. Big blue eyes sparkled in the sunlight. In that moment, the broken pieces of his life came together. With her, two made a whole.
    “Nobody heard. Ginger grocery shops on Saturday.”
    “Is that the truth?” She squeezed his fingers.
    “I’ll always be honest with you.”
    He opened the pickup door, and Stacey lifted a foot to the running board.
    The sound he heard was distinct. Blood curdling. Deadly. There was no other like it.
    The rattle was a warning.
    Time stopped.
    Stacey froze.
    Adrenaline slammed into Cash’s system. The snake struck at the same time he looped an arm around her waist and jerked her behind him. He put a boot on the door and kicked it closed, locking it to keep anyone else from opening it.
    He turned to face her, pulling her rigid body against his. Seconds later, she trembled from head to toe. He tipped her face up to find the color had drained from her skin, and her pupils were dilated.
    “It’s okay. Breathe. I’ve got you.” Afraid she’d gone into shock, he scooped her into his arms and hurried to the porch. “Stacey. Talk to me.”
    “I’m going to be sick.”
    “Go ahead.”
    “Put me down.”
    No way was she getting very far from him. He put her feet on the ground, and she rushed to his shrubs where she lost the contents of her stomach. When her heaves subsided, he guided her inside.
    He helped her to the couch, tucking a blanket around her to stop her shivers. His heart double clutched at the sight. He wanted to hold her, to kiss away the memory of the rattler, but calls had to be made.
    His chat with the 911 operator was brief. Because his ranch was outside the city limits he expected both the locals and a deputy sheriff to show up.
    The next call went to his friend in Houston. Cash wanted firsthand information on Ray Simmons. He’d explain the situation to Ash and get the information needed and more.
    “This the same Stacey you told me about?” Ash never forgot anything, which sometimes wasn’t a good thing. He could ferret out someone’s deepest secrets.
    “Yeah.” Cash smiled at the beauty resting on his couch. Her color had returned. Now instead of frightened, she looked pissed. “Hang on. I’m putting you on speaker.”
    He made introductions and turned the call over to Ash who let Stacey do most of the talking. The longer she spoke the stronger she sounded, so Cash went to his house phone and called the barn, instructing his two ranch hands to come to the house. It was only right to give them a chance to opt out of working for a few days.
    Stacey’s laugher from the other room put a smile on his face. No telling what that dog Ash was saying. Ty decided he’d better get closer to the phone and rejoin the conversation.
    “So, did Cash tell you I was a rescuer of damsels in distress?”
    “He failed to mention that.” She scooted over, making room for him to sit.
    “What else did you tell her?” Cash asked, bracing for Ash’s usual line of bull.
    The room went silent for a heartbeat before Ash responded. “Only that you saved my life.”
    “And you returned the favor.”
    “I’ll see what I can find out on Ray Simmons. In the meantime, watch your six.”
    The line went dead. Never one to talk about his own heroics as a Ranger, Ash had reverted to business.
    Cash stood after hearing voices outside. “I’m going to send Ginger and my men home for a few days. Just until we stop this lunatic.”
    “I’ll talk to them.” She folded the blanket and rose to her feet. “Least I can do is apologize.”
    “Not necessary.” Sirens ended their discussion. “If you’ll explain to Kelly what we found in the pickup, I’ll take care of the boys.”
    “I’ll meet him on the porch.” She stopped at the door and cut him a glance from the corner of her eyes. “No way I’m getting near that pickup.”
    Her