Faith pulled herself up from the ground and turned to the open back doors, dusting her fitted jeans off in the process. She started to walk towards them in pursuit of her horse when something shiny and white on the post by Cupid’s stall caught her attention. The hairs on the back of her neck rose and she froze in her tracks as the moon shone on the post like a spotlight. Her whole attention was focused on what she saw. Fear paralyzed her as her brain tried to digest what her eyes were seeing. Thunder and Storm reared in protest. Something was really wrong. She turned, grabbed a heavy bridle by the reins and turned, colliding with a solid body. Staring at a black ski mask, she hit the assailant with the horse bridle and caused a loud groan from the attacker.

The front door of the stable slammed shut behind her as ice water cascaded down upon her. What she guessed was a metal bucket hit her in the back of the head. Letting out a blood-chilling scream, her body hit the ground from a strong shove. Another body moved past her and the sound of the movement faded. She was now terrified and knew she hadn’t been alone in the stable. There hadn‘t been one assailant, there had been two.

There were rapid footsteps from the front doors as they swung open and Faith picked herself up off the ground for the second time, this time covered in mud and hay. Jake and Devon flew in with Ben on their heels. The Beagle growled and woofed, then put his nose to the ground, sniffing.

“Faith, what the hell?” Jake asked. The moonlight cascaded in and revealed worry on both his and Devon’s faces. “You’re a mess.”

Faith found it hard to find her voice. Her body started to tremble as she uttered what words she could. “Someone was here in the stable. I think there were two of them.”

Jake shook his head. “Impossible.” Though he said the word, his dark blonde brow furrowed and his tone was unconvincing. “Devon and I have been on the front porch. We would’ve seen something. Ben was with us; he would’ve heard something and would have barked.”

Tears welled up in her eyes as temper welled up in her soul. “Impossible?” Her voice was just as watery. “Look at me.” Anger replaced the fear.

Jake glanced at Devon as Faith’s tears fell down her cheeks. Was she ever going to stop crying?. “Please, believe me. I wasn’t alone. Do something before they get away.” Through blurry eyes, the guys exchanged another look, this time one of skepticism.

“Faith, you’re soaked.”

“Obviously! Thanks for noticing, Devon. Someone was out to get me.”

Devon looked like he was weighing her words and her tone. “Are you sure?”

Faith wanted to scream in frustration. “Okay, whiz cops, how do you explain that?” She pointed a trembling finger towards the post and the shiny white object that had caught her attention only seconds earlier. Both men turned to see the seven-inch jackknife stabbed through the six of hearts playing card.

“What the…?” Devon uttered as both he and Jake pulled their guns. “That’s sick, really sick.”

“Devon, take Faith to the house and call for back up. Get Riley out here. I’m going to check things out and retrieve Cupid. I’ll take Ben. Ben, come.” Jake moved with his gun up like he was in some sort of movie. Ben, at the call of his name, followed Jake, nose to the ground.

Faith turned to Devon who had taken off his denim jacket. “Here.” He put it around her trembling shoulders.

“Your jacket is going to get muddy,” she told him quietly.

“It’s just a jacket; it can be washed. The main thing is that you’re okay.” Hesitation flickered across his face and he turned towards the door.

Faith didn’t move. “Devon, who would do this?” Her voice was a shaken whisper, now more from anger and frustration than from the alarming and upsetting events.

“I don’t know.” He turned back to her.

“They could have killed me,” she told him with a trembling lip. How dare someone attack her.

“I know, but they didn’t. Let’s get you to the house.” He pulled the jean jacket tighter around her. He scanned her face. Her breath caught and her heart picked up speed. His hands dropped and then reached for hers. One of his strong hands closed around hers gently. Neither of them moved. They just stood there for a moment and looked at each other. Faith couldn’t help but notice that, even with them both in cowboy boots, he still had over a good three inches on her.

“The six of hearts? Devon, whoever it was obviously knew me, knew my past. Who, Devon?” she asked, feeling  his hand tighten around hers.

“I don’t know, Faith. Believe me, I’d love to know right about now.”  His tone was weighed by the venom that laced every word he spoke. “Whoever they are, they’re sick and put you in a world of danger tonight. That’s why I’m taking you up to the house, doing what your brother asked of me, and I’m calling that sister of mine to drag herself out here so you’re not alone. Your brothers and I are going to be busy for a while and your parents may not be enough comfort.”

Faith nodded and bit her lip. “Thank you, Devon, for taking care of me.”

He gave her hand a squeeze and inhaled a deep breath. “Let’s just say I am finally returning the favor.” He grinned and turned to lead her out of the stable. Her hand was still in his and his gun still drawn in the other. A night from the past lay in the air between them.