002

The ranch's heavy evening air filled my lungs as I ran, my boots pounding against the dirt toward the stables. The voice behind me had quieted, settling into a steady pace that matched mine.

I was being followed.

"Señorita, stop runnin'! Ain't safe out here for a lady. You one of the ranch hands' girls? Go on now, get back inside." the voice called out, breathless but determined, drawing closer.

But I was stubborn. I kept running, my heart hammering against my ribs. I had almost reached the stables when a strong arm suddenly wrapped around me, stopping me cold.

A deep, musky scent filled my nostrils earthy, masculine. My pulse spiked.

I screamed and kicked, thrashing like a wildcat. "Let me go, you-you scoundrel!"

I even tried to bite his hand, but all I tasted was salt and dust.

The voice above my head chuckled, calm and composed. "If you stop thrashing about, I might just let you go."

I stilled, my breath ragged. Fear coiled in my stomach. I had heard enough stories about ranch hands attacking women after dark.

For the first time since my escape, I felt truly afraid

Maybe I should have stayed at the ranch. Maybe entertaining the Mendoza family wouldn't have been so bad.

"Relax," the man said, finally releasing me. "Just tell me why you were running. Did you steal something? Is someone after you?"

Good. He didn't know who I was.

"Why do you care?" I snapped, taking a step back.

A sharp sting shot up my arm, and I winced. My fingers came away wet. Blood. I must have scraped myself climbing down the wall.

"I don't care, actually," the stranger replied, stepping closer. "But it's odd, seeing a lady out here alone and unarmed at this hour. Figured you were in trouble."

Before I could react, a bright light flashed in my face. I winced, shielding my eyes with my hand.

"Oh, damn—did I hurt you?" The concern in his voice startled me.

I felt his fingers brush against my injured arm, his grip steady yet gentle.

"Don't touch me!" I snapped, jerking away. "And lower that torch before you blind me."

He chuckled, lowering the beam until it cast a soft glow over both of us.

And that's when I saw him.

Lisa had never seen such a striking man before.

He was clearly a farmhand his faded jeans and buttoned work shirt clung to his tall frame, his sleeves rolled up to reveal tanned, muscled forearms. A bandana was tied around his hip, and his tawny brown hair looked like he had run his fingers through it one too many times.

He looked like trouble. The kind of trouble she had no business noticing.

Heat crept up her face. She quickly looked away, thankful for the darkness that hid her blush.

"What's your name, miss?" the man asked.

Lisa hesitated.

"Can you take me to rio Grande?" she blurted instead.

Maybe if he thought she was a new bride good to meet her beloved out of longing,

he'd help her escape.

Luis studied her for a long moment. "Why would a lady want to go there? It's no place for someone like you."

He sighed. "Come on, let me take you back inside." He extended a hand.

Then, as if remembering his manners, he added, "Oh—how silly of me. You can call me Luis."

Lisa ignored his outstretched hand, rubbing warmth into her arms instead.

"…Lisa," she finally said.

"Lisa! Lisa!"

The ranch hands called her name into the night, their voices echoing across the open field. Bright torches cut through the darkness, their beams sweeping over the tall grass.

Mike Cardone was in shambles. His heart pounded as he stormed across the ranch, the weight of his own actions pressing down on him.

If anything happened to Lisa, he wasn't sure what he would do.

Guilt clawed at his chest. He hated that he was the reason she had wanted to run away in the first place.

"Maybe we should check the stables," Julio, one of his most trusted farmhands, suggested.

Mike turned sharply toward him, but Julio was already moving.

"If she's running away, she'll need a horse," Julio added over his shoulder.

Without waiting for orders, he and seven other men took off toward the stables.

Carlos had joined the search as well, much to Mike's dismay.

He clenched his jaw. He didn't want Carlos to know Lisa had tried to escape.

What would the young man think? That Lisa didn't want to see him? That she was rejecting their arranged marriage outright?.

But Carlos wasn't thinking about that.

His only concern was finding Lisa.

He didn't care that his dinner clothes were ruined as he rushed into the field, his torchlight bouncing wildly with every step.

What was wrong with her?

Had she been mistreated?

Did she not want to see him?

The thoughts whirled in his head as he neared the stables, scanning the area.

Then his torch caught something—a flash of blonde hair.

Two figures emerged from the shadows, walking side by side.

Lisa.

Carlos didn't hesitate.

"Lisa!" he called out, sprinting toward her.

Without thinking, without asking questions, he sent a punch straight into the man beside her.

Luis barely had time to react before the fist connected with his jaw.

The fight broke out instantly.

Carlos was strong, but Luis wasn't weak either.

With a grunt, Luis retaliated, sending Carlos staggering backward with a heavy blow of his own.

Lisa shrieked as they clashed, fists flying, bodies slamming into the dirt.

"Stop! Please, stop fighting!" she cried, her voice laced with desperation.

Neither man listened.

Carlos tackled Luis, but the ranch hand was quick, using Carlos's own weight against him to flip him onto his back.

Lisa grabbed Luis's arm, trying to yank him off. "He didn't do anything! He was just helping me! Luis, stop! Carlos, please!"

Their struggle, Lisa's frantic screams—it was enough to alert Julio and the other men.

They ran toward the commotion, their torches bobbing like fireflies in the dark.

Mike followed close behind, his gut twisting as he neared the stables.

Carlos gritted his teeth, trying to break free. "What did you do to her, you bastard?" he growled.

Luis easily overpowered him, pinning him to the ground.

"I didn't do anything to her," he shot back, his voice calm but firm. "Maybe you're just too overbearing. Your wife clearly doesn't want you."

Carlos froze.

Lisa did too.

Luis thought Carlos was her husband.

"We're engaged, you bastard! I'll have your head removed!" Carlos swore, fury burning in his eyes.

Luis wiped the blood from his lip and sneered. "I'd love to see you try."

"Lisa!"

Mike's voice rang through the night as he pushed past the ranch hands, his torch falling to the ground.

Ignoring the fight, he rushed to his daughter and pulled her into a tight embrace.

"What got into you, Lisa?" he demanded, gripping her shoulders.

Lisa opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, Mike turned to Julio.

"Take her inside," he ordered, shoving her toward the trusted farmhand.

Lisa struggled. "Papa, wait—"

"Enough," he snapped.

Ignoring her protests, he turned to Luis, his eyes narrowing.

"Might I know what the hell is going on here? Why were you seen with my daughter?"

Luis took a deep breath, still wiping the blood from his mouth. "I didn't know she was your daughter, sir. She ran past me toward the stables, and I only asked where she was headed. I meant no harm."

Carlos scoffed. "I don't believe him. He was probably trying to take advantage of her."

Before Luis could respond, one of the older ranch hands raised a hand. "Gentlemen, gentlemen—how about we all go inside and discuss this over some tea?"

Carlos was having none of it.

"You're seriously going to let this—this rapist walk free?" he spat.

The ranch hand sighed. "I'm pretty sure if the young miss had been harmed, we'd all know by now."

Carlos turned to glare at him as if the man had grown two heads.

Mike exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Enough. Let's go inside," he ordered.

Carlos shot Luis a final glare before turning on his heel and following the others.

As they neared the Cardone estate, the house was alive with whispers. Maids crowded the windows, their wide eyes watching as Julio dragged a struggling Lisa up the porch steps.

Carlos' mother rushed toward them, her skirts swishing as she moved.

"Oh dear, what have you done now, my child?" she fretted, her sharp gaze scanning Lisa's disheveled appearance.

Then, turning to Julio, she spoke firmly. "Leave her to me."

Julio hesitated. "But her father said—"

"I'll handle Mike," she interrupted, her tone brooking no argument.

Still, Julio looked uncertain. "Ma'am, this one here is too rebellious," he muttered, earning a seething glare from Lisa.

Deciding it was no longer his problem, Julio held up his hands in surrender and backed away, muttering under his breath as he headed toward the farmhands' quarters.

Lisa straightened her spine, bracing herself.

Carlos' mother wisely kept her thoughts to herself as she guided Lisa inside.

The maids, caught snooping, hurried back to their duties, pretending they hadn't been peeking just moments ago.

Once inside, Carlos' mother sat Lisa at the dining table and offered gently, "Would you like some water, child?"

Lisa hesitated before nodding. A drink wouldn't hurt.

As Carlos' mother poured a glass, she studied the young woman. A striking blonde beauty, no doubt. But stubborn—perhaps too much for her own good. Why had she wanted to run away?

She considered pressing for answers, but before she could, the men strode in.

Carlos led the way, his eyes blazing with barely restrained anger. He took the seat across from Lisa and his mother, while Mike settled at the head of the table.

Luis entered last, choosing a spot near Carlos' mother.

Lisa stole a glance at him, feeling a pang of guilt. She owed him an apology.

Taking a steadying breath, she murmured, "I'm so sorry, sir—Luis—for the trouble."

Carlos' head snapped up.

"You're not going to say hello to Carlos?" her father interjected. "That's rude. He saved you."

Lisa finally glanced at Carlos, her voice flat. "Hello, Carlos. It's good to see you."

Her eyes flicked back to Luis, then to her father.

"He didn't save me. I didn't need saving. Luis didn't hurt me—Carlos threw the first punch."

A heavy silence settled over the room.

Carlos' fists clenched on the table. Lisa's father exhaled sharply. And Luis… Luis just sat there, watching it all unfold with an unreadable expression.

"Luis, you say?"

Mike studied him closely, realization dawning.

"You're the new farmhand from San Juan?"

Luis gave a small nod. "Yes, sir, I am."

Mike's tense expression eased slightly. "Forgive the misunderstanding. You can call me Mike."

He extended a hand, and Luis shook it with a small, polite smile.

Carlos' mother took the opportunity to cut through the tension. "Well, now that that's settled, shall we finally enjoy a peaceful dinner?"

But Luis shifted in his seat. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer to be shown to my quarters. I really don't want to intrude."

Carlos scoffed under his breath. "You are intruding."

His mother shot him a sharp look. "Carlos."

Mike ignored the younger man's irritation and stood. "That's no problem. I'll take you now."

Luis nodded. "Thank you, sir."

Excusing himself, he followed Mike out of the hall, leaving Carlos and Lisa sitting across from each other, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Lisa kept her eyes down, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her glass. Carlos, still simmering, sliced into his steak with more force than necessary.

His mother exhaled, watching them both with quiet amusement. "Well, that certainly was eventful."

"How have you been, Lisa? It's been a long time."

Carlos' gaze lingered on the blonde beauty before him, but Lisa kept her eyes down, her fingers idly tracing the rim of her glass.

"I've been good, Carlos. How was the military?"

She finally looked up, taking him in. He had a small cut on his forehead—probably from his scuffle with Luis—but otherwise, he looked the same. Just a little broader, more chiseled than she remembered. His hair, which had likely been slicked back earlier, was now a mess.

A faint smile played at his lips. "It was… fine, Lisa."

Carlos' mother cleared her throat before standing. "Well, I'll go check on the maids."

Lisa stiffened. She wanted to protest, to beg the woman to stay, but no words came. Being alone with Carlos was the last thing she wanted.

No—that wasn't entirely true.

She did want to talk to someone. But not him.

Her mind drifted to that handsome rogue who had walked off with her father.

On impulse, she stood, ready to make her own escape.

But before she could take a step, Carlos' hand closed around her wrist.

Lisa turned sharply, eyes flashing.

"Did that peasant ranch hand do this to you?"

Carlos was already on his feet, his grip tightening as he studied the scrape on her arm. His jaw tensed, his protective instincts flaring.

Lisa yanked her hand back. "Don't talk about Luis like that, Carlos. Besides, I'm not a child."

She stepped back, voice turning cold.

"You never answered any of my letters. So don't stand here pretending we're friends."

Then, without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the grand staircase, taking the steps two at a time.

Carlos stood there, watching her retreat, hands clenching at his sides.

He wanted to go after her—to explain himself, to say something—but he forced himself to stay rooted in place.

He was a gentleman.

And right now, he wasn't sure he could trust himself alone with her.

Luis surveyed the small, dimly lit room as Mike flicked on the overhead light. The space was modest, the scent of dust and old leather lingering in the air.

"Sorry about the mess," Mike said, rubbing the back of his neck. "The last ranch hand wasn't exactly the tidiest. I'll have someone air it out in the morning."

Luis gave a nod, stepping inside.

"And about earlier…" Mike hesitated. "I apologize for the… fiasco with my daughter."

Luis kept his expression neutral. "No harm done, sir."

Mike gave a curt nod before retreating, leaving Luis alone with his thoughts.

The moment the door shut, Luis moved toward the window. He pulled a small pistol from his waistband, checking the chamber before tucking it securely into the windowsill.

Satisfied, he turned to the small wooden desk, pulling out a pen and a scrap of paper. His movements were swift but deliberate as he drafted a coded letter to Edy Collins, noting his arrival at the Cardone Ranch. He carefully omitted the part where the daughter of the house had tried to escape to San Juan some details could wait.

Once finished, he slipped the letter beneath the bed, where it would stay hidden until he could send it off.

Stripping off his dust-stained clothes, Luis stood bare in the dim light, stretching out his sore muscles before moving to the closet. It was fully stocked with ranch-hand attire, likely belonging to the previous occupant. Without much thought, he grabbed a clean black sleeping set and tossed it onto the bed.

The scent of fresh water and soap reached his nose. He glanced toward the bathroom someone had already prepared a bath.

Stepping inside, Luis sank into the washing basin, letting the warm water soothe his aching limbs. He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.

But the moment he did, a pair of striking blue eyes flashed through his mind.

Lisa Cardone.

His jaw tightened.

So, she was the same woman from the photograph.

His instincts had been right.

He rubbed soap over his torso, brows furrowing. The blonde was more trouble than he had anticipated.

And then there was Carlos.

Luis recalled the heated words exchanged between them. Carlos had claimed Lisa as his fiancée.

Luis scoffed under his breath.

Not that it mattered.

She wasn't his.

Hell, she wasn't even his type.

So why the hell was he still thinking about her?

With a frustrated sigh, he dunked his head beneath the water, hoping to wash away the thoughts of the fiery woman who had already managed to complicate his mission.

It didn't work.