Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Joey and my idea. Oh and that evil dude. lol
AN: I am kind of disappointed in this chapter but you tell me what you think. And I know when the chapter ends it will seem like a Bob/Joey story but it isn't. I promise. And on to the thank yous! I can't believe you guys actually like this.
Tasuki's Girl-I am glad you like it. Hope you like the next installment.
Aenil-He is hott isn't he. I bought the movie for Colin and ended up like Scott. Who knew? lol
Krystal-Thank you so much!!!!
thepathchoosesthewalker-Okay, girl you need to slow down and just let the story tell itself. LOL! I am so glad you like it. I am glad I captured his temper b/c I wasn't sure if I could do it right. I am so afraid I am not living up to the movie. I thought I made it clear at the beginning about the gun. She has a shotgun that she keeps above the door and I just assumed you guys would think she knew how to shoot. She does by the way. There will be more Bob, so I am glad you like him. Here is the next chapter to so you will know what happens.
Tortured Hearts5
Joey slid off Goldie and fell to the ground crying. She didn't know why she was so upset. She did love the girls and she didn't understand why Bella wouldn't come to her. She didn't understand a lot lately. Like how someone she met the night before bothered her so much. Why did she let him get to her?
"Joey?" a small voice cut into her thoughts.
She jumped up. "What are you doing here, Megan?"
"I followed you," Megan said walking over to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. You shouldn't be out her. It is freezing out here." Joey grabbed her hand and looked around. "Where is your horse?"
"I rode Midnight and tied him up over the hill," she said breathing hard. "I had to come after you. Cole is taking us away..."
"What?"
"He says you are putting us in danger. He doesn't understand. You have to get back home before Nathan gets there."
"What? How do you know Nathan is coming?" Joey asked jumping up on her horse. "Go get on Midnight and lets go."
Joey rode hard till they arrived home and saw there wasn't any visitors. She sighed in relief. She walked into the house, Megan following, and saw Cole packing his bags and Bob trying to talk to him. "What's going on?" she asked.
"We are leaving," Cole said. "I won't put my sisters in danger."
"They aren't in danger," Joey said. "You can't leave okay," she said calmly.
Cole stalked past her, "We can leave whenever we want. Megan get packed. NOW!"
Megan stood there when she heard a horse approach, "Joey?"
"Don't look at her," Cole yelled. "I'm your brother."
"Cole for once shut up!" Megan screamed. "Joey someone is here," she said more calmly eying Joey. "I will go pack."
Joey looked at Cole, "Please don't leave. Let's talk after I get back inside." She opened the door and walked outside seeing Nathan on his horse waiting. She noticed his rifle at his side. He looked upset but not about her, about something else.
Cole stood in the doorway and watched Joey talk to the man. He could tell Joey was trying to stay calm and forcing her niceness. Who was she talking to? What did he care? He had to get the girls packed.
"Mr. Jackson" Joey was cut off by his harsh voice.
"I just want to know if you got my letter?" Nathan Jackson said coldly.
"Now you listen to me, okay?" Joey said sternly. "You have no right to talk to me the way you did in your letter or the way you do to those girls. And yes I read your stupid little note and I don't care what you tell people about me. I will not marry you. Not now, not ever." She turned and looked Cole's way, "Besides, I am already engaged to be married."
Nathan grabbed her arm yanking her up off the ground hard. "You are not engaged you here me. You belong to me and so does that mon" he stopped noticing Cole and Bob walking toward them. He let Joey go and she fell to the ground. "We'll talk later," he said riding off.
When Cole reached Joey she was getting up and Nathan was riding away. "Are you okay?" he asked trying to help her up.
Joey didn't say anything. She couldn't breath from shock. She never thought he would use physical harm on her. She didn't realize any man would. Her daddy had taught her from the bible that a man was supposed to cherish a woman, not harm them.
"Joey," Bob said.
She looked at Cole, "Please don't leave."
"We'll talk about," Cole said as Bob put his arm around her shoulders and led her back to the house.
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Joey woke when the sun was down. She didn't remember going to bed. What time was it? She looked at Megan, who was asleep in the old rocker next to Joey's bed. Had she been there all night? She went to get up and went stiff with pain. Then it all flooded back. The fight with Cole, Nathan's aggressiveness, and Cole's sweetness. He had taken her to her room and laid her to bed. She was in shock for awhile.How could she let Nathan get to her like that? She was strong, she could take care of herself. She was a big girl and had done it for the last five years. Then why did she want nothing more than to have someone take care of her? Not just someone, but Cole. Have Cole take care of her. Cole? Why Cole? She barely knew him. Where did he come into her thoughts like this? She needed some fresh air quick.
She softly got up and slipped on her coat and shoes leaving the bedroom. She saw Cole and Bob asleep and tried as quietly as possible to go to the porch but to no avail the floor creaked. 'Damn ole house,' she thought to herself. She stepped outside briskly hoping no one woke up. She was only on the porch a minute before a presence joined her. "I didn't mean to wake anyone."
"I was already awake," came Bob's voice. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, kind of sore," she smiled softly.
Bob's face went sour, "Jerk had no right to lay a hand on a woman like that. If I could get my hands on him..."
Joey turned to him and smiled, "I know you would but it is my problem, not use getting in trouble for me." She looked toward the starting sunrise, "How are you enjoying it here?"
"It's beautiful," Bob said. "The girls really like it. Especially Bella, she loves horses and Ma never let her have one."
"Every girl needs to get their first horse. She had a hard time adjusting," Joey said softly.
Bob put a hand on her shoulder softly. "She loves you. Don't let Cole give you the wrong impression."
"I know." Joey smiled as they stood there and watched the sun rise.
After about five minutes of silence she broke it, "Are you guys leaving?"
Bob didn't answer at first. She looked at him. "No, we aren't. Cole may be hard to deal with at times but he wouldn't leave you up here with that asshole running around." Bob's hand flew to his mouth. "Forgive me for cursing."
Joey smiled. "I've heard worse."
