Cowboys Mine by Stacey Espino Page B

no right taking if
she wasn’t offering. After seeing the abuse his mother received from their
father first-hand, he was sensitive to any woman being hurt by a man.
    “Get her out of here.” Colton may not have any
championship trophies like Wade, but he’d been fighting dirty since he was a
teen. It was usually because he was mad with the world, but it gave him the
experience to deal with this asshole.
    ****
    Eva felt all her fears drain from her body and settle
in her boots. It was exhausting after being so stressed and frightened. She’d
been used to her father, the McReed brothers, and the close-knit community in
their small town. Wade forced her to see a side of humanity she’d never seen
firsthand. She’d been humiliated and victimized, and experienced a sense of
helplessness she never wanted to relive. Eva came to Chester to gain her
independence, not lose it.
    North attempted to lead her away, but she dug her
heels into the ground. “What about Colt?”
    “He’ll catch up in a minute.” North scooped her up
into his strong arms as if she weighed twenty pounds. After feeling so
vulnerable, it felt amazing being sheltered by one of the men she loved. The
McReed twins were her heroes and always would be.
    The sound of punches being landed made her gasp. Wade
and Colton were both hardcore cowboys, tall and solidly built. There was
cursing and banging as they crashed into the small shed. North kept walking,
not even worried about his brother.
    “He could get hurt!” she said. “You have to help him.”
    North kissed her forehead. “Colton’s teaching that
piece of shit a lesson. I’d like to be in his boots right now.”
    “But—”
    “But nothing. Tell me one thing, did he hurt you?”
    She sighed. “No. I’m okay.”
    “Good thing because you have a ribbon to win.”
    Eva shook her head. “I can’t. I’ll be humiliated after
what happened.”
    “Nobody knows a thing, little lady. I didn’t come all
the way to Chester for you to give up right before the finish line. You’ll
regret walking away.”
    He set her on her feet before they neared the crowds.
She had to get her thoughts together, to calm her nerves so she could do her
job. Eva tried to convince herself she was being ridiculous. The McReed
brothers came to her aid before Wade could really harm her. Then why did she
feel so lost? Why were more tears threatening to fall? She’d foolishly trusted
Wade, thrived on his courtship, and ignored the warnings by North and Colton.
    She took a deep breath and slipped into the holding
paddock, not making eye contact with any of the spectators or staff. Eva felt
like she was an open book to the crowd, even though North was probably right
and nobody was the wiser.
    Eva hugged Bessie, the familiar sight healing her a
degree. She began to primp the cow as the other animals were being showed. The
loud speaker in the distance gave her a sense of urgency. Any minute and they’d
call for Bessie or Ruby. She wouldn’t let Wade steal all the excitement of this
day. She’d been waiting for it for months, prepared for years, and wanted to
savor every minute.
    When she was finished grooming both girls, a low
whistle caught her attention. Colt leaned over the rail of the holding pen and
winked at her with a smile. “Good luck, baby girl.”
    She rushed over to him, touching the cut on his cheek.
“You’re hurt.”
    “I’m just fine. You worry about showing those prized
cows. Tell Bessie she’ll be steaks if she doesn’t win.”
    He’d lifted her spirits but she playfully swatted him
anyway.
    Her name was called and she had to lead Bessie out
first. She held her breath, convinced she’d screw something up. This wasn’t
just her first competition but also her first time in the city. Everything was
new and unfamiliar. As she attempted to lead the cow out to the judging ring,
the brat stalled, stubbornly fighting to stay put. Back at home, she handled
the livestock with ease, but she froze under the