A Promise Worth Remembering (Promises Collection) Read Online Free PDF

out her thoughts. But one she clung to—Tucker made her feel safe. Safer than she’d ever felt.
    “You don’t need to contact the law,” the spokesman for the duo said. “But look at the cat. He’s ready to attack at any moment. A predator like that could decimate the deer population. So let’s say we talk about a new arrangement. Or about refunding the association fee.”
    The range charged an enormous fee, ranging in the hundreds of thousands for each private member. Another way Old Man Pierce had exploited the natural habitat and the trophy game roaming the Pierce’s property, fed by the surrounding Federal Bureau of Land Management wilderness.
    Tucker’s grip on his gun held steady. “Contract is void, gentlemen. Now, get off my property.”
    “What about a refund?”
    “You’ll get what’s coming to you. I never break my promises.”
    Tucker’s smooth and steady voice made her shudder from the roots of her scalp down to the tips of her toenails and every cell in between. She’d always loved that strength in him. Back when, his sureness of their future had helped her overcome her mother’s betrayal. But did he remember the promise he’d made to her?
    She shuffled close to Tucker until his heat practically leapt off his body and darted into her very core, wiping away her chill. Had her bareness caused him to feel something for her he’d needed to cover up?
    The men exchanged glances, an unspoken understanding, and then they slipped back into their truck and headed toward Crooked Bridge that led to Highway 89.
    To find her breath again, she leaned her forehead against Tucker’s back. “Thank you. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
    He turned, slipped his arms around her shoulders and held her.
    Now, she really couldn’t breathe.
    His masculine scent combined with something spicy and deliciously heavy. The scent rushed up her nose and her throat hitched. Then her tummy did that hiccup thing right before tears threaten. She took a cleansing breath and pushed back. She didn’t want him to feel obligated to protect her when she needed to assure him she could stand on her own. “I’m fine. We need to get Copper back to the ranch.”
    “My SUV’s only a little farther, but time enough to talk.”
    As they walked, all the rustling leaves in the trees seemed to settle inside her tummy. “About what?”
    “Pride’s a cruel thing, Bailey. But…” He looked at her and his brows arched. His steady gait slowed. “You’re more important than pride. You need to know the truth, no matter how ashamed I am about what I kept secret.”
    Even if she couldn’t count on him being there for her tomorrow, at least she was here for him right now. Reality with Tucker gave her a tingle like when she’d rescued another tiger. Listening had saved him a little. She smiled. “Go on.”
    “My leaving had nothing to do with you. I need you to believe that. Yet, everything to do with you. And my father. Protecting you from him.” He stopped. Then his body grew ramrod straight and his voice lowered. “Do you remember the bruises on my arms, my split cheek I blamed on a swimming accident?”
    Her memory flashed to the concealed bruises she’d questioned him about, marks he’d blamed on his own clumsiness. She’d never seen any guy more in control of his body, but when she’d pressed him, he’d waved away her concerns. “I remembering me asking and you telling me they were from swim practice. But they weren’t from the pool, were they?”
    “No. My father put them there.”
    Copper shifted restlessly. He skirted around them as if he’d tasted the rise in her irritation toward Tucker’s father. “It’s okay, Copper.” She glanced toward Tucker. “Let’s keep walking.” After a few steps, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me the truth?”
    “Pride. Shame. And your uncle playing keeper of the gate.” He took hold of her hand, his rough palm encasing hers.
    By his touch, the swirl of