That Kind of Cowboy (Ford Brothers Book 1)

Chapter Seven: Madison

   Four thirty comes early, it feels like I have not slept in days. I am running on empty, and I do not know how much more I can take. Emma is having a rough time fitting in at her new school. Noah and Sofia have been fighting more than normal, for them two. Mom keeps hounding me about bills and money. And to top it all off, I am still looking over my shoulder.

Whenever I am outside, I am always expecting to see Ethan standing there waiting for me. He has not called or messaged me again, but I know that he will not give up. I know that he will find me again, I just do not know when.

Climbing out of bed stretching my arms over my head. I headed for my closet, trying to be quiet. I do not need to wake the girls up. I made it there without tripping over stuff, with the help of the flashlight on my phone. Picking out jeans, a Disney T-shirt, and my only pair of sneakers.

I really need to do something about my outfit choice. I always wear a T-shirt and jeans. I should try wearing make-up. I never learned how to do it, so I only know the basics. What am I thinking, Lucas would never notice if I did wear any.

Walking into the bathroom, I quickly changed out of my black shorts and night shirt. I brushed my hair out and threw it up into a high ponytail. Finishing in the bathroom, I hurried back to my room grabbing my bag and phone.

Closing the locked front door behind me, I glanced around the yard. Afraid Ethan might be out there watching me. I want to feel safe but the only person I feel safe around is Lucas. It does not matter how much I worry, when he is around the worry gets pushed away for a while. He takes the fear away just by being near me. I know we have not known each other for a long time but I feel like there could be something between us.

There is a spark I feel, every time that he touches me, they fly. My heart races and I get butterflies. I know I have strong feelings for the cowboy, but could I let my family down again? Could I really put Lucas through my messed-up life?

Pulling up at The Store, I put my car into park. Taking a couple of deep breaths before getting out of the vehicle. I must stop thinking so much, they always lead to Ethan or Lucas. I am either afraid of someone hurting me, or afraid of the other stealing my heart and leaving.

Dang it! I need to clear my head and figure things out. I refuse to always being afraid, and I refuse to let my past get in the way of my happiness. My children deserve everything, even seeing their momma happy.

Unlocking and slipping into the door, I closed it and locked it up behind me. Going to the back to clock in and start up the cash drawer. I sat in the chair for a couple minutes before I started making up the teas and coffee.

I felt a buzz in my jeans pocket, letting me know I received a message. Taking it from my pocket thinking it was Bella, but I was wrong. It is from that same number that sent me those messages about finding me. It cannot be from Ethan, please let it be something else.

Opening the text, reading the message, I knew who it was from. Ethan. Cold chills running down my spine. He has not found me yet, but he has not given up on finding me.

'Where, oh where has my little Madison gone?' Is what he sent to me. Is he trying to be funny, playing a sick twisted game? What am I going to do? I cannot keep running, I cannot let him win. I just need to act like nothing is wrong, to act as if his words do not bother me.

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I have been on shift for four hours now, I am trying to act brave, but I am still looking over my shoulder. I have been jumping at the littlest of noises. Bella has asked me over a hundred times if I am okay. I tell her that I am, but I have a feeling that she does not believe me.