Page 59 of Rafe
The harsh sound of Frederick’s voice echoed through the empty barn, sending shivers down Maggie’s spine. She knew she was alone, with Rafe and all the ranch hands out working and Fred in town. The only thing that didn’t make sense was why Frederick was at the ranch when his father wasn’t. Was he following her? He had to know Fred was gone and she’d bethe knew Rafe was too. She quietly opened the gate to Rocket’s stall and crouched in the corner. Maggie held her breath as she listened to Frederick stomp through the barn, searching for her. She couldn’t risk moving or making any noise, not with Rafe’s horse standing in front of her. She had always loved horses, unlike Frederick who despised them, but she knew this gentle creature would never hurt her unless she provoked it.
As tears streamed down her face, Maggie’s mind raced to find a solution. She was too afraid to try to text Rafe. If she made any sound at all, she knew Frederick would hear it and she had to stay quiet. She feared what Frederick would do if he found her.
When the horse shifted slightly in its stall, Maggie tried to move to the other side to keep hidden, but there was barely enough room for her to squeeze through. As she pushed against the animal’s side, it let out a whinny that caught Frederick’s attention, and he marched over to the stall and flung open the gate.
“So, there you are,” he sneered. “Get out of there, Maggie.”
Maggie shook her head defiantly. “You want me? Then come and get me. I’ll make sure this horse kicks you.”
Frederick laughed darkly. “I don’t think that will happen if I slit its throat.” He eyed the horse menacingly, making Maggie’s heart clench in fear.
“Don’t you dare hurt this animal!” she cried out, her voice shaking.
Rocket shifted uneasily; his ears pinned flat against his head as he let out a sharp snort. His muscles tensed beneath his sleek coat, and his eyes rolled with a wild, restless energy. She could feel his disdain, a physical force that matched her own feelings toward Frederick. It was as if the horse shared her sentiments entirely, clearly expressing his dislike with every twitch of his tail and stomp of his hooves.
“Then come out here before I do,” Frederick growled, as he removed a knife from his pocket. “This is Marshall’s horse, isn’t it?” His voice was filled with suspicion.
“I think it belongs to a ranch hand,” Maggie lied, knowing that if she told him the truth and revealed that the horse belonged to Rafe, he would surely kill it just to spite her because he hated Rafe.
Frederick’s eyes narrowed as he considered her answer, then he raised his hand and motioned for her to come out of the stall. Trembling with fear and anger, Maggie stood up and walked toward the open gate. Before stepping out, she placed a comforting hand on the horse’s flank, silently thanking it for protecting her.
As soon as she turned to face Frederick, his hand swung with brutal force, backhanding her with a ferocity that sent her sprawling to the ground. Pain erupted like fireworks in her skull, and the metallic tang of blood filled her mouth. Despite the tears cascading down her cheeks and the desperate gasps for air, Maggie steeled herself, refusing to show any sign of weakness to her abuser. She would not let him see the control he still held over her; she was determined to cast off the chains of fear he had wrapped around her for so long.
She scrambled backward, her heart pounding like a war drum against her ribcage as he loomed ominously above her. The barn wall’s shadow stretched over his face, casting an eerie darkness that sent a chill down her spine. The rough texture of the wooden boards pressed uncomfortably into her back, trapping her between his towering form and the unyielding surface.
Desperation fueled her as she clawed at his wrists, trying to pry herself free as he yanked her to her feet, his grip on her shirt as tight as a vise. She struggled valiantly, but his size and strength dwarfed hers. The moment he released her, she seizedthe opportunity, delivering a swift kick to his groin that sent him collapsing to the floor.
She bolted toward the back doors, her breath a ragged symphony of fear and resolve. Behind her, she heard the sound of him scrambling to his feet, the dull thud of his footsteps growing closer. He snagged her by the ponytail, yanking her abruptly to the ground. The impact sent fresh tears to her eyes as she curled into herself, pain radiating through her body, while he towered above like a dark specter, the embodiment of her deepest fears.
As she braced for another assault, he hesitated, his gaze shifting toward the open barn doors. Through her blurred vision, she saw Rafe ride into the yard and dismount with a fluid grace. Her breath hitched, a gasp escaping just as Frederick clamped a hand over her mouth, dragging her up and into an empty stall.
“You make one sound, and I will kill him, do you understand?” His voice was a venomous whisper in her ear.
Tears streamed down her face as she nodded, agreeing to stay silent to protect Rafe. “Do not move, Maggie,” he commanded, giving her a rough shake. “I mean it.”
She watched with bated breath as Rafe strolled past the stall, blissfully unaware of the silent menace concealed within its dark corners. The air was thick with tension, and moments later, Frederick emerged from the shadows, trailing behind Rafe with a predatory grace that sent shivers down her spine. Her heart pounded as she rose to her feet, the rough texture of the barn wall pressing against her back. Peering cautiously around the edge, she glimpsed Frederick’s fingers curling around the handle of a shovel, his intentions unmistakable. A sense of urgency gripped her; she knew she had to stop him before it was too late.
****
Rafe rode the horse into the yard, anxious to see Maggie. He dismounted, then led the horse into the barn. Looking around, he didn’t see Maggie anywhere. He mentally shrugged, maybe she went back to the house for some reason.
He ambled along the barn’s aisle, his footsteps echoing softly against the hay-strewn floor. Suddenly, Maggie’s voice pierced the quiet, calling his name with urgency. He spun around just in time to witness Junior, eyes wild and determined, swinging a shovel with brutal force. The metal connected with a sickening thud against Rafe’s head, sending him crashing onto the dusty barn floor. His ears rang as Maggie’s voice rose in a panicked scream, calling out to him.
Through a haze of pain, Rafe managed to roll onto his back, his vision swimming as he saw Junior’s rough grip clamp around Maggie’s arm, dragging her toward the barn’s exit. The sight ignited a desperate fire within him. He couldn’t let Junior take her away.
With a low, agonized groan, Rafe forced himself onto his hands and knees, feeling the warmth of his own blood trickling from a gash on his head and pooling onto the floor. Maggie’s frantic voice reached him again, spurring him to his feet, though the movement nearly sent him spiraling into unconsciousness. He braced against the barn wall, gulping in deep breaths to steady himself, and choked back the nausea before pushing away and staggering after Junior.
In the harsh light filtering through the barn doors, Rafe saw Junior’s hands harshly spinning Maggie to face him, shaking her with vicious intent. Maggie’s eyes locked onto Rafe’s, and a gasp escaped her lips. Junior, sensing her distraction, turned, a sneer twisting his features as he shoved her to the hard-packed floor.
“You think you’re going to be able to stop me, Marshall?” Junior jeered, his voice dripping with contempt.
“You’re not taking her,” Rafe slurred defiantly, each word astruggle against the pounding agony in his skull. Despite the pain, he knew he had to find a way to stop Junior. His jaw clenched as Junior’s mocking laughter filled the air.
“Not much you can do about it. You probably have a concussion and you’re not too steady on your feet.” Junior’s grip tightened on Maggie’s arm again, but she retaliated, driving her foot into his shin. With a pained grunt, Junior released her, and she stumbled toward Rafe. But as he reached out, his strength gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.
“Rafe! Oh, God, please. Rafe,” Maggie sobbed, cradling his head gently in her lap as tears cascaded down her face. The barn was dimly lit, shadows dancing across the wooden beams. The air was thick with the scent of hay and sweat.
“Get out of here,” Rafe murmured weakly, his voice a mere whisper.
