“On my land,” she said, twisting her hands together nervously. “He fell unconscious. After he told me to give you that coin and tell you he wasn’t coming back.”
Harrison pulled Beck’s eyelids back, checking his pupils, then released them. “Ain’t escaping us that easy, Beck.” He sighed in relief as he took a step back.
“Here.” Harrison’s wife, Marian, a curvy brunette with hazel eyes and a sweet smile, came into the room and handed her a cup of coffee.
They’d been introduced when Sierra came to the door to deliver Beck’s message.
“Thank you,” Sierra said, gratefully sipping the coffee. She was soaked to the bone from her swift ride to get help. But it had been worth it to make sure this beautiful man made it.
And he was beautiful, despite his immense size. Before he’d passed out, she’d caught a glimpse of the most amazing irises. She’d thought it was just a reflection of the stormy sky, but when Harrison had pulled back the man’s eyelids, she’d confirmed it.
Pure silver gray. Like storm clouds covering sunlight.
The rest of him was beautiful as well. Though he was huge, with a stern set to his face, short, masculine hair, and a short but full beard, there was something about him that just set her at peace.
Even if he could probably throw her over a fence with ease.
His nose was beautiful and straight, his jaw hard and firm. His lips, in contrast to the beard, oddly soft and kissable.
But why was she even thinking something like that?
The last thing she needed was a boyfriend. And this man, who had the audacity to almost bleed to death in front of her, wasn’t auditioning for the job.
But still… she could imagine it. Having a man this big, this beautiful for her own. Working her spread with him. He could probably reach—
“This is yours,” Harrison said, handing her back the odd silver coin she’d given him. There was a long slash over the middle as if something extremely sharp had scratched across it.
“Oh, no,” she said, putting up both hands. “I couldn’t. He expressly said to give it to you.”
Harrison, who was as handsome as his friend but unbearded, shook his head and pushed the coin into her hands. “I told you. It’s yours. He owes you a favor.”
At that moment, Beck woke up in the bed, looking around in a panicked fashion. His silver eyes were even more astonishing when wide with surprise. And then they landed on her and narrowed.
“Who are you? Why do you have my coin?” He practically snarled.
“Well, damn, Beck. Way to thank your rescuer,” Harrison said.
Above his beard, the big man apparently known as Beck flushed. Then he lowered his head. “She wasn’t supposed to save me. Just tell you I was dead.”
Harrison snorted. “I’d punch you if there weren’t ladies present. Beck, if she hadn’t come and gotten me, you would have bled to death in that rain.”
Beck pushed himself up to a half-sitting position against the headboard, groaning and putting a hand to his side. “Lady, you should have left me there.”
Her chest tightened. “I’m sorry.”
His expression softened, and he dropped his eyes to the sheet that half covered his body. “Well, thanks for getting my friend like I asked.” His serious eyes met hers, and she felt a spark of electricity travel between them. “But you should give that coin back to Harrison. The last thing you should want is me doing you a favor. Trust me on that.”
Sierra nodded quickly, pushing the coin back toward Harrison, not wanting to cause any trouble.
She had enough troubles of her own back at home.
But Harrison shook his head, taking a step back and refusing to accept the coin from her. “That’s called a dragon talon, and ‘round these parts, it has a special meaning. You saved Beck. No doubt about it. He’ll pay you back.”
Beck made as if to protest, but Harrison silenced him with a fierce look.
“He’ll pay you back, Sierra,” Harrison said. “He owes you a favor.”
“I’ll do her a favor by staying the hell away from her,” Beck muttered from his bed, sending a scowl at her.
Sierra tried not to let the rejection sting her. It wasn’t like she had asked him for anything, even after saving his life.
She wasn’t sure what to do next, but then Harrison’s wife stepped forward.
Marian gave her husband a look that said, I’ll handle this, and put her arm through Sierra’s to walk her out of the room.
Sierra could still hear Beck and Harrison arguing in the distance.
As Marian opened the door, she smiled. “You sure you have to get back right away? I could lend you some dry clothes, and—”
“I need to get back,” Sierra said. “My dog is probably scared out of his wits, wondering where I ran off to. Thanks so much, though.”
“No, thank you for saving Beck,” Marian said. “I know he seems gruff, but we love him around here.”
“It’s just what any good neighbor should do,” Sierra said, shrugging.
Marian looked over Sierra’s soaked figure. “You deserve a little more credit than that.” She put her arm through Sierra’s as they walked out onto the porch. “Look, you should come over again soon. There aren’t many women out here, and I’d love a new friend. I haven’t met many neighbors because… Well, you met Harrison. He likes to keep to himself.”
“Why’d he tell me to take this coin, then?” Sierra asked. “Beck didn’t want to help me out.”
Marian cocked her head, smiling warmly. “Because Harrison instantly liked you, as I do. And as he said, there are rules here at Dragonclaw Ranch.”
“I really think I should give this back,” Sierra said, pulling the worn coin out of her pocket. “I don’t think Beck wants me to ask for a favor, and I honestly don’t think I would want to ask him for one either. And look, I don’t need anything in exchange for doing what any good person would have done—”
But Marian just looked at the coin fondly and then took Sierra’s hands and closed them over it, forcing her to keep it. “Trust me. You should take it.” Marian gave Sierra a mysterious smile. “You never know what might come of it. These coins are very special.”
Sierra nodded, but she would probably place the coin in a drawer and forget about it. She’d seen the panic in Beck’s eyes at her having it.
The last thing she wanted was to cause more trouble for anyone.
But as she walked to her horse and swung up into the saddle, she couldn’t help but think about those pretty gray eyes.
What a pity that such a beautiful man had to be so unpleasant.
“Now what in tarnation was that?”
Beck kept his head down and ignored Harrison’s question as he prepared a sandwich to help him regain the strength he’d lost from almost bleeding to death.
He’d been a bit disappointed when he’d woken up and realized it wasn’t over.
This nightmare of a life where he might someday hurt someone he loved.
Fighting was all he was good for. Going down in order to save the ranch he called home would have been an honor.
That pretty lady… she shouldn’t have ridden so fast to get Harrison to bring him home.