Saving You

Chapter Two "Unwelcome Stranger"

Monday, October 3rd Charlie POV

I heard a knock at the bunkhouse door and stumbled over to answer it. It was Ross and Pepper. "Rise and Shine, sleepyhead." Pepper said with a grin. He stepped into the bunk house and Ross followed.

"How late did I sleep?" I asked in horror, rubbing my eyes.

"It's noon!" Pepper told me, straight faced.

"Oh my God! The horses, Brynna!" I searched around for my clothes frantically before I heard Ross mutter something with a smile.

"It's only seven in the morning."

I dropped my clothes and gave Pepper a death glare. He just chuckled. "Sorry."

I grabbed my clothes for the day and went to the bathroom to change. I put on my dark blue jeans and a light gray t-shirt then put on the boots Sam had lent me.

"Okay, so first I need to go feed the horses then I guess go see Brynna?" I said, grabbing my cell phone.

"Sounds good. Miss Grace sent us over to make sure you knew where you were going to meet Brynna." Pepper stated.

"I go out on the main highway and keep following that til I see the sign for Willow Springs, right?" I threw my hair up in a short ponytail.

"Yep. Seems you got it all figured out." Pepper was satisfied.

"Well I have extraordinary people helping me." I winked at them both as I grabbed my car keys.

Ross blushed and Pepper smiled. "That's right, I'm just amazing."

I shook my head at Pepper's response and turned to Ross. "How do you put up with him all day and night?"

"Tune 'im out." Ross half smiled.

"Teach me how!" I joked with him.

Pepper gave me a playful shove and I was glad at the friendships I had already made. "So is there a mall or anything around here? I think I need to update my wardrobe for my new country life and I need a pair of boots so I can give Sam these back. And is there a car dealership around here? As much as it saddens me, I think I'm going to trade my car in for an SUV or truck." I sighed. I loved my little car.

"There's Crane Crossing Mall in town, then there's a Ford dealership a few miles from that. Hard to miss it."

"Thanks Pepper." I started to leave but he stopped me.

"Boss told me that me or Ross had to go with you and Ross volunteered."

"The Forsters are really taking this whole watcher thing, seriously aren't they?" I smiled.

"Well that and you know, it's kind of dangerous right now with your grandma's killer still out on the loose and stuff..."Pepper shuffled his feet.

"Oh yeah, that too." I nodded. "Alright, well Ross, I'll try not to take too long at the mall today. Just a couple of things."

"I don't mind it." Ross shrugged.

"That's a first." I laughed. Ross just cracked a small smile and followed me out to my car.

…...

An hour later we showed up at Willow Springs, laughing. Feeding had been adventurous task with the horses feeling frisky and making all kinds of trouble for Ross and I.

"I never knew Judge was so energetic." I told Ross as we walked to Brynna's office.

Ross nodded with a smile. "Playful horse."

I agreed with him. "I guess he's feeling young today."

"You really like horses." It wasn't a question.

"Love 'em. Well I really started to since Gabe got Firefly, I always thought they were beautiful but really started loving them after he got him."

"One of the best things in the world." Ross agreed. Brynna came out and greeted us before I could reply and Ross said he wanted to walk around while I filled out the application.

Ten minutes later, I handed Brynna the application. "You got a job when you were thirteen?" Brynna asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah, I liked animals and kids so it seemed like a cool job to do petting zoos." I replied.

"Then you started at Pet Smart when you were fifteen and worked there until recently." She murmured as she read over it.

"Okay, let me just say this. My intuition tells me you're responsible, hard working and reliable. So I'm going to hire you right off the bat. The annual salary is forty-thousand – about nineteen dollars an hour.

My mouth dropped open. "Sounds amazing to me!" Nineteen dollars an hour. Wow. And federal benefits?

"Let me tell you about your duties. You know computers right?" Brynna asked.

I nodded and she went on. "Okay, I'd like you to keep our website updated, answer all the e-mails and such. You'll help me keep track of the horses we bring in, the reports we get, etc. I was thinking Monday, Wednesday and Thursday you work at the office and Tuesday and Friday you can work from home. Then the weekend is all yours."

"Wow, this job is amazing!" I laughed happily.

"Yeah. Winter coming up will be a little stressful with some of the herds we have to bring in but you'll get the hang of it soon enough." Brynna smiled. "I was thinking you could start next Monday."

"That'd be great, gives me time to settle in at Deerpath and get a routine going." I smiled. "And the dress code?"

"Blue shirts and khakis like me." Brynna answered. "We'll get you a name tag. Would you prefer Charlotte or Charlie on it?"

"Charlie if you could."

"Charlie it is then." Brynna stood up and I followed her lead. "Welcome to the team." We shook hands then she took me outside to introduce me to the few men here working.

I waved Ross over to my car with Brynna and he walked over. "Find anything you like?" Brynna teased Ross.

Ross smiled. "Nice Buckskin in pen 4."

"They always need a home." Brynna told him with a wink.

"Would have to talk to Wyatt about that."

"Oh I think we could convince him to take one more horse on." Brynna's eyes sparkled.

Ross just chuckled. "Done?" He asked me.

"Yep, got the job." I smiled.

"Congrats." Ross smiled back and looked happy for me.

"Now where are you two headed?" Brynna asked, curious.

"The mall so I can pick up a couple of things then I want to go over to Ford and see about switching my car in for a truck or something."

"Make sure to tell them you're a BLM employee, they'll give you a discounted price. And Rudy – the man who runs the dealership – can call me if he needs to confirm." Brynna told me.

"Oh I love this job already!" I half joked but I was really serious. "It shouldn't be that much of a difference because my car is this years model and doesn't have many miles on it."

We talked to Brynna for a couple more minutes before heading to Crane Crossing. Ross showed me where the tack shop was and helped me pick out a nice pair of working boots and riding boots. I also picked out a couple of tops and jeans and a bag of horse treats. Then we walked to the register and rang up my purchases.

Then we went to a couple of stores in the mall where I bought BLM work clothes, shoes and just some everyday clothes. When we left the mall, Ross remarked about how I was a quick shopper.

"Well I actually don't like shopping that much so I try to get it done and over with." I told him as we got in the car and headed towards the Ford dealership.

"That's the first time I heard that from a woman." Ross chuckled.

"I know, I'm weird." I agreed, grinning.

We arrived at the Ford dealership and we looked at the cars together with Ross telling me what to go for, since I had learned he was mechanically inclined. An hour later, I was driving out of the dealership with a used bronze Ford F250 truck with a tow package. It had miles on it, but would last me a long time.

"This truck is amazing!" I commented to Ross as he play with the SYNC and the navigation.

Ross only nodded in response as we headed towards River Bend. I had decided that I was going to go ahead and stay at Deerpath like I should.

I pulled into River Bend where everyone was outside. We had been gone for the whole day so the other cowboys and Wyatt were all home.

Dallas whistled when we got out of the truck. "I coulda swore when you left here you were driving a little Honda."

I laughed and patted the truck. "I traded it in for this monster."

"What'd you have to pay?" Pepper asked, inspecting it.

"A couple thousand to the Honda and the BLM discount." I winked at Brynna.

"You got the job!" Sam smiled and gave me a congratulatory hug.

"Yep, Brynna is officially my boss." I said with a laugh.

Brynna just laughed. "I'm not that bossy really."

"Hey that's good with me." I joked.

As the boys looked over the truck with Ross, the women and I went to the bunkhouse. They watched me start packing my things for five minutes before Sam spoke up. "Charlie, what are you doing?"

"I decided to stay at Deerpath." I told her as I put my clothes in the duffel bag.

"Oh Charlie, all by yourself?" Grace fretted, twisting her hands together.

"If I don't do it now, how will I do it after Gabe's two weeks are up? I won't be going in the master bedroom, I'll be making the guest room my home." I answered, taking a deep breath as I thought about it.

"Stay another night." Brynna suggested, concern in her voice. They didn't want me to go.

I shook my head. "You guys have been so wonderful to me since I've been here but I can't stay forever. I have to go there sometime."

"At least let someone come over after you and stay with you for awhile." Grace insisted.

"Sure. For awhile." I agreed. So I packed all my clothes and my computer and put them in my truck.

"I'll send someone over in awhile." Grace said with a worried look.

"I'll be fine Grace. I'm going to make sure the horses are okay and then probably clean for awhile." I told her honestly.

Grace only nodded and I left River Bend. When I got to the house I would blast my iPod on my iPod dock while I cleaned to make sure I had noise in the house. Gabe had called me and told me his was on his way but he wouldn't be here 'til tomorrow afternoon. I was so glad he was going to be here soon!

When I got to Deerpath, I checked on all the horses in the corral, fed them and threw them some more hay. Then grabbing my bag and computer, I headed into the house.

I turned on all the lights downstairs and the TV. I listened to the news while I separated mail and organized books, magazines and papers. I dusted the living room shelves, I set her partially finished painting over by the window gently, opened the drapes then moved on to the kitchen. I cleaned the few dishes there were, unloaded the dishwasher, cleaned off the counters and table.

I looked around and sighed. I didn't understand why someone would just come in and kill them, it obviously wasn't a robbery because as far as we knew, nothing was missing. The Sheriff thought it had to do with Preston's old job and maybe that was it, but it seemed so wrong! Shooting Preston because of something that happened years ago was so stupid and shooting my grandmother along with him was even worse. I would find out who did this.

I turned around continued my cleaning, waiting for whoever Grace was sending over..

…...

Mystery POV

I had been watching the ranch ever since the murder and now I saw that lights were on in the house and there was a young girl there, living there.

Maybe it was his granddaughter. The daughter of one of his kids. My job was apparently not finished and I couldn't finish it tonight obviously because I didn't want cops swarming anywhere near where I was so it would have to wait for now.

I looked over to the left of the house when I saw a horse and rider approaching. It was a man, heading towards the house. Oh so a boyfriend too huh? This would be harder with him around.

I turned around and headed back to camp. I had plans to make.

…...

Ross Pov

I could literally kick Pepper's butt for making me volunteer to come over here with Charlie. She was going to start thinking something was up or that I was stalking her or something. Miss Grace had asked someone to go sit with Charlie for a few hours, maybe even stay the night, and Pepper had automatically volunteered me.

Not that I didn't like Charlie, 'cause I did. I just didn't want her to think I was too eager and she was twenty-three, she probably thought of me as an old guy(I was turning thirty-one in November), not someone who she'd like. She probably had a boyfriend anyways, I mean she was so pretty and sweet that she couldn't be single.

I shook all those thoughts out of my head as I steered Tank towards the corral holding the saddle horses. I dismounted Tank and unsaddled him in the dark, I could do this in my sleep, and made sure not to drop the homemade Quesadillas and cheesecake Grace had sent over for Charlie and I.

After I made sure everyone was settled – Charlie had apparently already taken care of everyone and given them hay – I walked towards the house. I knocked on the door and it took her a couple of minutes to answer.

When she saw who it was, she smiled. "Hey Ross! Got volunteered again to come over?"

I felt slightly guilty when she said it that way. "Kind of."

She laughed. "I'm sorry I'm causing so much trouble for you."

She wasn't and I told her so. "Oh but I must be ruining your personal life." She worried, looking embarrassed.

"Ain't got much of one." I shrugged.

She didn't answer but noticed what my hands held. "Grace sent over some of her cooking didn't she?" I nodded. "Oh bless her, because unfortunately my grandmother nor Preston apparently shopped much for food and I have nothing here."

I smiled. "Guess I'm glad she loves to cook then."

Charlie smiled at me. "Yeah. Oh come on in! I'm sorry." She opened the door and stepped back to let me in. After I stepped in, she locked the doors. Smart girl. "I've been cleaning since I got here and have some laundry going. I'm so boring." She laughed.

"Not boring, responsible." I corrected her.

Charlie grinned at me. "I have some movies left from the last time Gabe and I spent time here, would you like to watch some?"

"Sure." It had been a long time since it had just been me, a girl, a movie and an empty house. And I mean a long time. Probably since Sarah. I shook that thought away before it could appear again. No more thinking about it.

I watched her take the food and set it in the kitchen and she came back to turn a movie on. Charlie apparently was a fan of horror/scary movies. "My dad and Gabe are big horror fans. I got sucked into it too."

She chose a popular slasher thriller and I chuckled under my breath. This was exactly the kind of movie we didn't need to be watching.

She chose to turn out the lights, a stupid choice, and we sat on the couch watching it. She screamed at some parts then looked at me sheepishly. "Sorry."

"S'okay." I told her with half smile. We were just getting to a scary part when a big loud bang came from outside. She screamed and jumped onto me, throwing her arms around my neck. I couldn't move for a minute out of shock and fear but then I grabbed her waist and gently pried her off. "I'm going to see what that was. Stay here." I said sternly. I could see the fear written on her face but I had to go see what had happened.

"Don't leave me alone in here!" She begged. I heard another bang from outside and she was freaking out even more. "Please Ross, please!" She was near hysterical now, near tears and she wouldn't let go of me.

"Charlie, I have to see what it was." I told her gently. She nodded slowly and put her arms around her knees. "Go in the bathroom. Lock yourself in there with your phone. And lock the doors behind me, don't open the door for nothing, you g—got th-that?" I started to stutter and cursed myself. I was getting nervous too. I pulled my pocketknife out since I didn't have no other weapon and headed outside.

…...

Charlie POV

I locked the door behind Ross but went to the window instead of the bathroom. I had to make sure he was alright. I watched him walk out in the darkness and saw him the check the corral then walk into the barn, I also watched the clock on the table to time him, if he didn't come out in five minutes, I was so calling 911.

I watched the barn door, waiting for Ross to come out. It was almost painful. "Come on Ross." I mumbled.

I heard another loud noise and saw a male figure running for the mountains. It wasn't Ross and no one was following the man. I ignored Ross's warning and flung open the door and ran my heart out for the barn. "Ross!" I shouted. No response. I shoved the barn door open and saw Ross laying on the ground holding his side. "Ross! Are you okay?" I ran to him and slid on my knees beside him.

"Fi—fine. G-got h-hit iinn thee s-side." Ross was stuttering. I remembered him doing this a time or two before and it must be when he nervous or something. My mind recalled but I was more worried about his injury.

"Did you get stabbed?" I asked, panicking.

"Ma—maybe I think I just got nicked b-by my knife."

"You need to get to the hospital!" I started to dial 911.

"Please don't call 911." He begged, calmer but sounding panicked at the thought of me calling.

"But you have to see a doctor!" I protested.

"Look, call the police and then if you want you can drive me in." Ross said, putting his hand over mine.

"But you could be dying!"

Ross took his hand off. "I'll bandage it up while you talk to the police then we can go to the hospital."

"Fine." I helped him up and into the house. I made him sit on the couch while I cleaned his wound, which I admit wasn't very deep but he was still going to see a doctor, and questioned him about what happened. Then I called the police.

Fifteen minutes later, the place was lit up with police lights. It seems Sheriff Ballard had decided to bring in the state police too. Oh goodness.

After reciting what Ross had told me about twenty times, Sheriff Ballard pulled me aside. "Charlie, you seem like you're holding something back, is there something you're not telling us?"

"Ross was nicked by a knife. I didn't want to say anything because he doesn't want to go to the hospital yet, he wants me to take him after we talk to you."

Sheriff Ballard took a deep breath. "How deep was it?"

"Not too deep, I took care of it but I'm still making him see a doctor." I assured him.

He nodded. "Alright, go ahead and take him out of here. I'm gonna have Jake Ely come out in the morning and see if he can track anything. Can't do much in this darkness plus I don't think whoever came here is gonna come back again. Just in case I'm gonna leave two of my deputies here overnight. I want to make sure you're safe Charlie."

After I thanked Sheriff Ballard and he introduced me to the two deputies who would be staying, I got Ross in the truck. "We really don't have to go." Ross told me.

"We're going, Cowboy. You probably need stitches and they may give you some pain medication." I held my hand up before he could protest. "Don't even try to argue with that, I see you wince every time you have to move."

So there we were, Ross and I, our on way to the Darton Hospital. Such a interesting night.

…...

Three hours and seven stitches later, we headed back to Deerpath Ranch exhausted. When I passed River Bend, Ross looked at me. "You just passed River Bend."

"I know. You really don't want to go in there and have to disturb everyone do you? Have you seen the time?" I pointed to my radio clock. It read three minutes after two. "I'll give Grace a call in the morning and explain what happened."

Ross didn't try to protest, just chuckled. "What's so funny?"

"You're really a take charge kind of girl aren't you?"

"When I have to be." I smiled at him. "You can sleep in tomorrow and rest up. If you need anything, you can just let me know."

"I'm not used to this."

"Used to what?"

"Being around such a nice and pretty girl like you."

I blushed instantly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I think you're one of the most prettiest girls I've met and you sure are nice, taking me to the hospital, making me stay at your house so I don't have to wake them up and letting me stay there tomorrow and saying you'll help me out." That must have been the most I had heard Ross talk since I've been in Nevada. And I had been here for a few weeks.

"I think your medication is kicking in." I brushed off his comments.

"Not yet. Charlie, thank you." Ross smiled.

"No, thank you Ross. I hate to think what would of happened tonight if you hadn't been over there." I tried not to think about it.

We were silent until we got to Deerpath. I waved at the deputies and drove as close as I could to the house so neither of us would have to walk far. I helped Ross to the house and sat him down in the kitchen. "Do you want me to heat up the food from earlier?" I asked him as I grabbed us two waters. I would have to go to the store in the morning and get food plus supplies.

"Yes please, if it's not too much trouble." Ross said. So I warmed up the food and we ate then I showed Ross to one of the two guest bedrooms that held two twin beds. I turned the heat up at his request—it was a little chilly— told him which room I would be in and left the room, closing the door as I watched him drift off to sleep.

I went back downstairs, made sure all the doors were locked, turned the TV off and turned off all the lights except for the little light in the hallway. I made my way upstairs and went into the bedroom that would be mine and flopped down on the bed, I stripped off my clothes, leaving my shirt on.

Not even caring that I probably needed a shower and should change into my Pjs, I drifted off into a deep sleep.

…...

Tuesday, October 4th

Which felt like nothing when my alarm, already set, went off at seven am. "Ugh, stop beeping." I said as I grabbed my phone and turned the alarm off. I saw a missed call from Brynna and decided to call her back.

"Hello?" Brynna answered.

"Hi, it's Charlie."

"Charlie! Oh, is Ross over there?"

"Yes, he is." I told her.

"Oh thank God! We woke up this morning and Wyatt said Tank was not here and Dallas said Ross never returned last night. Then we get a call from Heck Ballard telling us what happened last night and that Ross had been stabbed." Brynna sounded near tears.

"Oh no! Brynna he's fine! He just got nicked but I made him go to the hospital and see a doctor. He got seven stitches and some pain meds with an order to rest til Wednesday. When we got back from the hospital it was after two am so I just told him to stay here so we wouldn't disturb anyone at your place and I was going to call you this morning to tell you. I should of known you guys would be up way early." I rushed out to her.

"Well it sounds like you had an exciting night at the ranch." Brynna said, sounding worried.

"Yeah, you could say that. Ross had it more exciting." I told her more, things that Sheriff Ballard probably hadn't. Like the fear and seeing Ross on the ground. "He is such a stubborn cowboy! He protested about the hospital until after he got stitched and got some medicine in him then he was pretty happy but I think that was the meds."

Brynna and I talked for a little while longer with her and Wyatt telling me to make that cowboy rest, ignore his protests and that they would be over after Wyatt got back from the range to pick up Ross and Tank.

I got up and showered then dressed in jeans, a long sleeved black t-shirt and my new boots. I left my hair down, wet, and applied minimal makeup. Then I went downstairs and after seeing Ross was still asleep, I wrote him a note saying I was going to the store and I'd be back soon. I found some cereal and milk that was still good so I set the cereal box on the table with a empty bowl and a spoon then left the house.

I put out some hay for the horses, assuring them I'd feed them when I got back and got in my truck.

The Darton grocery store wasn't hard to find and I went in, got the basics, then splurged a little on junk food and got a case of water, some Gatorade, and my bath supplies.

As I checked out, I wondered if Ross was awake yet, if Gabe was close to Darton yet, if my Dad would call today. Then the cashier said my total and I slid my debit card. Then I thanked the cashier and walked out of the store, putting my bags in the backseat of the truck. I couldn't wait to get back to Deerpath. But I did end up making a stop at River Bend after Grace called me to say stop by and grab a pair of Ross's clothes so he wouldn't have to wear his dirty ones.

When I got there all was quiet and I took the groceries in the house and put them all away, then took Ross's clothes up to him. He was out of the bed and I heard the shower running so I sat his clothes on the bed and left quickly. Downstairs, I made some pancakes, bacon and eggs, set the table and poured two cups of coffee. Okay, so it was a little much for the cowboy and I, so what?

I heard the stairs creaking and turned to see Ross, showered and looking a little better since last night. "Morning Cowboy."

I sat down at the table and motioned for him to do the same as he stood at the doorway. "What's all this?"

"I went to the store and actually got food." I stage whispered.

He chuckled and sat down. "I mean the cooking part."

"Oh, I can cook ya know. So I thought I'd get you used to pampered life then send you back to the hard life of a working ranch hand."

He just shook his head. "You shouldn't have."

"But aren't you glad I did?"

"Maybe." He smiled, shaking his head.

"I knew it." I smiled back as he drank his coffee without any kind of cream or sugar. "You drink it straight?"

He nodded. "Don't like all that sugar and cream."

"Ugh, I can't drink it without lots of sugar and cream." I shuddered.

Ross laughed and we started talking about the horses, his job and stuff. Correction, I did the talking, Ross just listened. I guess he was out of his talkative mood.

When I went to take the dishes away, Ross stopped me. "I'll do 'em."

"You don't have-" Ross stopped me.

"I want to."

"Okay."

"Go tend to the stock." Ross suggested. I nodded and left the house. I fed the horses, filled up their water troughs, then gave them all treats.

"No more for you greedy!" I said to Calico as she reached for a the treat I was holding out for Tank. Calico's ears pricked forward and I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.

I turned around fast and saw Sheriff Ballard with Jake. "Morning Charlie." They both greeted me.

"Morning Sheriff, Jake." I nodded at them.

"I just got Jake out here because I want him to take a look at the footprints, maybe track 'em." Sheriff Ballard told me.

"Oh." I nodded. I saw the horse trailer and I saw Jake's horse, Witch, tied up and a grulla colored horse tied up far away from her.

"Is Ross still here?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, he's in the house." I figured I'd keep it from Jake that he was doing the dishes. Had to keep Ross's cowboy reputation clean.

I giggled at the thought and Jake looked at me weirdly. "It's nothing; lack of sleep."

Jake nodded and Heck smiled. "Well I think we're gonna head out of here. You be careful today and we'll update you if we find anything."

"Thanks Heck, Jake."

"No problem." They both said and went to mount their horses. I watched ride towards the barn then start following the tracks, I watched until they were out of sight then headed back to the house. I was planning on riding out to check on the mustangs and should probably tell Ross.

When I went inside and told Ross my plans, he told me he was coming with me. "You have to rest, Ross."

"I'll be fine. I'll ride Tank, he won't do anything." Ross paused. "It'll be an easy ride."

I thought about it for a minute and sighed. "Okay. Let's go."

I saddled up Calico and he saddled up Tank, then we were on our way.

All the mustangs were fine and we sped up the pace on the way back to the barn. "Wanna run?" Ross shouted over to me as we loped.

"I thought this was supposed to be a easy ride?"

Ross grinned. "Running is easy."

I debated for a minute. "I'm afraid." I admitted.

"Don't be, just go with the flow!" And with that he nudged Tank into a run and Calico followed happily. I grabbed some of her mane and smiled as I felt the wind running through my hair and the easy gait of Calico. I loved riding, it was amazing. Something about riding a horse was just so peaceful.

We pulled the horses up when we reached the barn and I noticed Ross rubbed his side a bit. "Hurting Cowboy?"

"A little bit, didn't take my medicine this morning." Ross admitted.

"Ross!" I scolded him as if he was a child.

"Thought I'd be fine."

We unsaddled the horses and had just put them back in the corral when we saw Sheriff Ballard and Jake come running on their horses.

"What's up?" I asked as they came to a stop beside us.

"We found a camp a few miles north of here." Jake said. "On Deerpath land."

"Someone's been living there for a few weeks now, maybe a month." Sheriff Ballard told me.

"Was anyone there?" Ross asked, glancing over at me.

"No, just the campsite." Jake answered. I felt sweat breakout on my forehead, there had been someone living on the ranch for weeks, probably watching my grandmother and Preston, planning it out then finally murdering them. And they were still around.

I felt weak for a moment then everything went black.

…...

"Charlie? Charlie, can you hear me?" I heard a voice but I couldn't answer. Not yet. I was still processing everything.

Finally I opened my eyes and saw Heck, Jake and Ross kneeling next to me. "What happened?"

"You fainted." Ross answered, his face tight.

"Oh."

"Have you ever fainted before?" Sheriff Ballard asked.

"Once."

Sheriff Ballard nodded. "You alright now?"

I nodded and sat up. "Sorry, the news was just a bit...disturbing."

"Was to me too, Charlie. Knowing someone has been out here. Makes me sick." Heck shook his head.

"What happens now?" I quietly asked.

"Well some of the boys and I will go back out, see if we can find a person, if we do we'll bring them in and question them. Your grandmother or Preston never said anything about a camper living on their land so they didn't know they were there." Heck told me.

I nodded. "I'm going to go inside if you don't mind."

"Let me help you." Ross helped me up. "Thank you Jake, Sheriff."

I didn't listen to them respond, only followed Ross to the house. He led me to the couch and sat me down when we got inside then sat down with me. "Wanna talk about it?"

I shook my head but felt a tear slide down my cheek. This was all too much.

…...

Ross POV

I put my arms around Charlie as she cried. This had to be taking a toll on her, first the death of her grandmother and now this. Rage built up inside me towards this person if they were the killer, they had obviously planned this whole thing out and possibly had been trying to get rid of Charlie last night. I was now thankful to Pepper for volunteering me, I was thankful I had come instead of Grace or Sam, because the outcome might not have been so good then if they had been here last night.

I saw Charlie had stopped crying—but now she was asleep on my shoulder. I remembered she probably hadn't gotten much sleep. I had slept in later than she had, she had gotten up and went to the store then came back to cook breakfast, fed the horses.

I didn't move and wake her up, just watched her chest rise up and down with every breath she took. I vaguely remembered me telling her last night she was one of the prettiest girls I had ever met, even thought it made me feel like blushing, I smiled. It was true, even now with her makeup smudged and running, she was one of the most beautiful girls I had seen.

I realized with what I knew about her, I was starting to like her. She loved horses which was a major plus, didn't mind living on a ranch(yet), she cared for people, was incredibly nice, could cook, was a natural rider and she loved riding. She was for the most part, able to handle hard things like deaths, she wasn't afraid to come after me last night, was a little pushy but for the better, obviously. Of course I wanted to get to know her more.

But how? Could I really just ask her on a date? I knew I would stutter if I tried and I didn't want to stutter around her. I knew I had last night and she hadn't said or did anything that would make me think she noticed. Plus she was only twenty-three and I was turning thirty one in November so we were about eight years apart in age. Would she even say yes to me?

I hadn't realized she was awake until I felt her hands on my chest, pushing herself up. "Oh wow, did I fall asleep on you? I'm really sorry!"

"S'okay." I told her. "You must be tired."

"Just a little." She admitted. Then she wiped her face. "Aw man, my makeup is all smeared isn't it?"

I nodded. "I better go wash it off." She got up but before she left the room she turned around and looked at me. "Thanks Ross." I just smiled in response.

…...

Charlie POV

For the rest of the day we didn't talk about what Jake and Sheriff Ballard had found, we just worked in companionable silence. Ross helped me make the beds, helped me rearrange furniture and then Gabe showed up. Ross helped us bring my stuff in and helped Gabe take the twin beds out of my room and put in my queen size bed.

While the guys were doing that, I looked in the basement. It was finished with pretty blue carpet and a light yellow on the walls, on the one side it held boxes with Christmas ornaments, decorations, art supplies and such and on the other side it was an office. Unused.

I remember Preston saying something about them putting in an office for him but he must of never used it. I think I could put it to use. I brought my laptop, my printer and an extra house phone, I would put on my grandmother's line since cell service was sometimes iffy, down to the office and started setting it up.

"Charlie?" I heard Gabe yell out for me then his footsteps on the steps, along with Ross's.

"Over here in the office."

Gabe and Ross found me sitting in the desk chair. "Preston's office." Gabe stated.

"He never used it." I said. "Grandma always said he probably never would."

"I was going to make us some sandwiches, I was wondering if you wanted one." Gabe changed the subject.

"Sure, that'd be great." As he went to do that, Ross pulled up a odd chair that was sitting in the corner, next to mine.

I booted up my laptop and Ross watched me as I answered a few e-mails and checked my Facebook. We sat there until Gabe came back and then we went upstairs. After awhile Gabe found a deck of cards and we all played gin rummy and before we knew it, we heard a knock at the door.

It was Heck and Jake with Brynna and Wyatt behind them. "Got some bad news, Charlie."

I let them in and gave them coffee as Heck explained when he, Jake and a few deputies went back to the campsite, everything was gone, only the fire pit left.

"Must of known we were there, spooked and left." Heck shook his head.

"Does this mean he's gone for good?"

"Not necessarily. If he feels there's unfinished business, he'll come back."

I didn't notice the glare Ross sent Heck. "Would I be unfinished business?"

"Oh, well. I don't think so, but I still have no clue for the motive for the murder...so I guess what I'm saying is be careful and don't do anything stupid. Don't go up in mountains, don't make yourself an easy target or prey. Always keep your doors locked and if you see anything suspicious, don't hesitate to call. Doesn't matter what time it is, just call." Heck paused. "I'd rather run out here at three am for a false call then have to do another homicide case."

I nodded. Heck left, taking Jake with him and then it was time for Ross to leave. "Thanks Charlie for last night and today." Ross said as we stood on the porch. Wyatt and Brynna were loading Tank into the trailer to go back home. After a minute of hesitation, Ross hugged me.

I was shocked for a moment but then hugged him back. "Thank you, Ross. For everything that you did the past couple of days."

Ross nodded and turned to leave. As he hit the last step, he turned around. "You know how I said you were the prettiest girl I had ever met?"

I nodded slowly. "I wasn't lying and my meds hadn't kicked it yet. I meant it Charlie." And with that, Ross left, leaving me standing on the porch with a growing smile.

…...

Author's note: Hi readers! I was going to wait for a review(I haven't gotten any yet!) but seeing how many hits it was getting and it got added on a story alert so I decided to go ahead and post the second chapter because I really like the story and want it to continue. I hope you like this chapter and I hope you'll keep reading because I'd really like that. I'd also like to hear from someone in a review but just seeing how many hits this story is getting is enough encouragement!

Thanks everyone! Chapter 3 should be posted soon.

If you want, tell me what you think of Ross and Charlie's budding friendship/relationship! Like it? Hate it? Too fast?

Thanks Again!

From: QuinnandSeth'sgirl15

P.S: I stayed up til 5 am writing this chapter. So I really hope you like it! :)