The Rebel of Copper Creek by R.C. Ryan Page A

stillness.
    Headlights drifted across the walls and ceiling before fading from view.
    Griff touched a hand to her cheek. “You all right?”
    She couldn’t speak. Instead she buried her face in the hollow between his neck and shoulder and struggled to keep from weeping.
    His voice was a whisper. “It’s okay to cry.”
    â€œI’m not crying. I never cry.” Even as she said it, his collar grew damp from her silent tears.
    All he could do was stand there, holding her as the aftershocks rolled through her. A trembling began in her legs and moved up all the way to the tips of her fingers, which were wrapped firmly around his neck. She held on to him as if he were a lifeline. Gradually, as the tears and the shaking passed, he carried her toward a chair and eased her down.
    He crossed the room and locked the back door before setting aside his rifle and dropping to his knees in front of her. Then he handed her his clean handkerchief. “Better now?”
    â€œA little.” She blew her nose before taking in deep drafts of air.
    He pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket. “I need to call Chief Pettigrew.”
    She nodded.
    He felt a wave of gratitude to Whit as he touched the number programmed into his phone and waited as it rang several times. Then he heard the voice, gruff from sleep.
    â€œIra Pettigrew here.”
    Griff handed the phone to Juliet, who said softly, “Chief, this is Juliet Grayson. One of my wranglers talked his way into my home and threatened to…hurt me.”
    â€œGive me a name.”
    â€œMitchell Cord.”
    â€œI know him. Is he armed?”
    â€œI don’t know. I didn’t see a weapon.”
    â€œDo you know where he is now?”
    â€œHe left in one of my ranch trucks. He could be anywhere.”
    â€œAre you alone, Mrs. Grayson?”
    She hesitated for a moment before saying, “No. My two sons are here, and so is Griff Warren.”
    â€œBear MacKenzie’s other son?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI’d like to talk to him.”
    Juliet held out the phone to Griff.
    â€œGriff Warren, Chief.”
    â€œYou witnessed this attempted assault?”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œI’d like you to accompany Mrs. Grayson when she comes into town tomorrow to swear out a warrant.”
    â€œI’ll be there.”
    â€œThanks, Griff.” The chief cleared his throat. “Do you think Mitch might return and try again?”
    â€œIf he does, he’ll face my rifle again.”
    â€œAgain?”
    Griff turned away and kept his tone low. “I threatened him with my rifle. I intend to keep it handy in case he wants to try his luck one more time.”
    â€œThanks, Griff. That’s all I need to know. I’ll see both of you in the morning. Until then, I’ll have my deputies keep an eye out in town for a Grayson Ranch truck.”
    Griff rang off and deposited his phone in his pocket. To give Juliet some time to compose herself, he said, “I’ll make some coffee.”
    Quickly, efficiently, he moved about the room, plugging in the coffeemaker, filling it with coffee and water, taking cups and saucers from a cupboard. When it was ready he filled two cups and brought them to the table.
    Juliet blew her nose and stared down into the cup, avoiding his eyes. “How did you know what Mitch was planning?”
    â€œHe was at Wylie’s. Drunk and bragging.”
    She shook her head. “I can’t believe I let him in the door. But he said there’d been an accident in the highlands, and…” Her lips trembled. “I let down my guard. What would have happened if Casey or Ethan had come down those stairs?”
    Griff reached across the table to lay a hand over hers. “They didn’t. No sense borrowing trouble.”
    She let out a shuddering breath. “Heaven only knows what lies he’s spreading about me to the others.”
    â€œWhat do you