A Cowgirl's Pride Read Online Free

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of this beautiful country and grow up.
Here, I would always be ‘Baby Girl’ to everyone. Out there, I could be me and at least try to fulfill my
dreams. Then when trouble hit, I was terrified to tell them and have them rush
out there…maybe lose them for good.”
    “Yes, I can see the dilemma you were in, but no
matter what, you’re family. They would’ve helped if they’d known.”
    * * * *
    A vehicle drew to a halt beside the house, and
Zakia crossed to the window. “It’s Michael. I’ll go call Luke down.”
    “No need,” he said as he entered the kitchen. “I
heard him pull up.”
    “All right. I’ll tend to Casey and Cammy, so
they don’t run in and interrupt.”
    “Okay. Good,” he said as he opened the door to
admit the Mountie.
    She wouldn’t have recognized Michael if she
hadn’t already been told who was coming.
    “Leah, you remember Michael?”
    “Leah? Little Leah? Geesh, girl, you’ve gone and
grown up on us.”
    “Thanks, Michael. You’re definitely a lot bigger
than I remember.”
    “Wowee, girl! You’re sure are a looker.”
    She smiled at him, surprised at the changes. He
was gorgeous, but he seemed harder somehow, his smile not quite reaching his
baby blues. “You’re not so bad yourself. Is that your way of trying to relax
the people you intend to interrogate?”
    This time the smile made his eyes twinkle and
the dimple on his cheek more prominent. “Not all, just the women.”
    Amused laughter followed the bantering.
    “Seriously, though, is this an official visit or
a welcome home party?”
    “It’s official, Michael,” said Luke. “Leah’s in
trouble, and we need your help.”
    That “we” was the most beautiful word she’d ever
heard. She wasn’t alone in this anymore.
    Michael’s smile disappeared as he sat down
across from Leah, digging a notebook and pen out of his pocket.
    Luke also sat. Being surrounded by men was
nothing new to Leah, but for some reason, she felt nervous. Or was that shame
and guilt rearing its ugly head? Having to expose her sordid life to this man
who’d been a family friend for years wasn’t going to be easy. “Where do you
want me to start?”
    Michael smiled. “The beginning is usually the
best place. Would it help if I asked questions?”
    “No, not really.” She glanced at Luke, and he
nodded for her to go on, so she related her tale again. When she’d finished,
there was complete silence.
    “Phew! You went after trouble big time when you
got involved with
Kendall
,” said Michael.
    “You know him? How?” she asked.
    “Until I returned home a few weeks ago, I’d been
a vice-cop in
Vancouver
.
He featured in a lot of our cases, but we could never prove his involvement.”
    “I didn’t know.”
    “How could you when you just returned home
yourself. I find it funny, though, how your name never came up in connection to
his during any of the investigations.”
    “Roddy likes to keep his private life private.”
    “Apparently so. Same as his club. When I was
working undercover, they wouldn’t allow me in.”
    “No, it’s members only. He prefers a very elite
clientele. No offence.”
    “None taken. Why do you think he’ll follow you
here? Because of Alex’s murder?”
    “Partly.”
    “Surely, there are other women he could have
without coming after you.”
    “If only it was that simple. Roddy is
possessive, very possessive. He doesn’t like to lose anything or anybody he
considers his. And besides, I know things, like Alex’s murder. He’s not about
to let go willingly. With the minions he has under his control, he can find out
anything. He will find me, the only
thing I don’t know is when.”
    “So all of this happened four years ago?”
    “Yes.”
    “How is it you found a way to leave now and not
then?”
    “Incentive. I’m pregnant, and I want a better
life for my child.”
    Michael sat back and stared at her, his face
registering disbelief. She’d shocked him. She could tell he hadn’t