Texas Abduction

by Barb Han

  Riggs nodded.

  “There was this time Ally decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner,” Cheyenne started. “She invited me and this guy she had a crush on to eat with her. She wanted to do everything and wouldn’t even let me bring dinner rolls. So I walk in with a bottle of wine that I could barely afford because we were being grown-ups, and I couldn’t figure out why her house didn’t smell like the holiday. You know?”

  He cocked an eyebrow, clearly confused as to where this conversation was going. It was one of the many things she appreciated about him before. She could come out of the blue with a topic and he would go along with it until she made sense.

  “I couldn’t figure out what was missing. There were a few familiar smells, but it wasn’t as if I walked in and was hit with the amazing food aromas like when my mom was alive and we did Thanksgiving. I chalked it up to my memory being faulty.” She paused long enough to finger the charm on her bracelet. “At Ally’s there was corn heating on the stove, and she’d bought a pumpkin pie for dessert. She’d made the green bean casserole the night before. The stuffing was in the bird, so I just went with it. Then she goes to take the turkey out of the oven and realizes she never turned it on.”

  She chuckled as a stray tear streaked her cheek at the bittersweet memory.

  “And that’s Ally, you know?” she continued. “When she was on duty at her job, she was on point. Nothing got past her, and she was there for her patients. Sure, a couple of doctors gave her a hard time now and then but that was the nature of her work. Once she walked out of that hospital, totally different story. So much so, that early on I refused to allow her to bring candles in our dorm room in college for fear she would burn the entire building down because she forgot to blow one out.”

  Riggs studied her thoughtfully. There was no judgment in his eyes now. Just a hint of compassion.

  “You’re hoping this is one of those times despite what we already know,” he finally said, catching her drift.

  “Maybe she got sidetracked or forgot to tell us that she was still with the guy in Dallas. Maybe he called and she’s on her way there. Maybe the battery ran out on her phone.” Chin to chest, she tried to hide the tears that rolled down her face. The thought anything bad might have happened to her best friend ripped her insides out. The fact Ally was trying to help Cheyenne wasn’t lost on her. The weight of it was crushing.

  In the next second, Riggs was there. He looped his arms around her and hauled her to his chest, where she felt the most at home she’d ever felt. “I’ve never been one to believe in miracles, but I sure wouldn’t be against being proven wrong this once.”

  Cheyenne nodded. She wiped away a few more rogue tears as they sprung from her eyes.

  The sound of a car pulling into the gravel drive broke them apart too soon. Riggs’s movements were smooth and predator-like as he bolted to the window. Crouching low, he peered through the window, barely moving the curtain.

  “Someone’s using the drive to turn around,” he said. “It’s a sedan loaded up with a family.”

  Cheyenne let out the breath she’d been holding. A miracle was probably too much to hope for.

  Wherever they were going, they needed to get to it. The thought someone had been watching the house and could still be sent an icy chill down her spine.

  She wondered if they had been followed home from the hospital?

  “I find it interesting that someone started watching the house after our visit to the hospital,” she said to Riggs.

  “I’d like to know what Renee, Sherry, and Becca have to say to law enforcement.” Riggs walked over to the kitchen and drained his coffee cup. “Pack up whatever you need and let’s head out of here. Colton requested the place be looked after by local police. Manpower is limited and there’s only so much cooperation he can get while also requesting his deputy be permitted to interview nurses.”

  “As sheriff, can’t he investigate anyone he wants to?” she asked.

  “He’s certainly able to follow a lead wherever it takes him, but gaining local support gives him more resources to work with.” He set the coffee cup down and gave her the look she recognized as needing to get a move on.

  “I’ll be five minutes.” She circled back to her bedroom and, true to her word, had an overnight bag filled in the time she’d promised. She closed the door to her bedroom and paused in front of Ally’s room. It dawned on her there might be a clue inside.

  The door was ajar from the time she’d opened it this morning. It seemed wrong to go snooping around in her best friend’s bedroom, but if she could find one clue, it would be worth a few minutes of discomfort.

  Inside was dark, with the blackout curtains still closed. Ally flipped on the light thinking her roommate would be all kinds of angry if she walked through the front door about now. Since the probability of that happening was about as high as Colonel Sanders pulling up out front to personally deliver a bucket of chicken, she shut down the guilt and pushed ahead.

  The bed wasn’t made. No surprise there. Ally normally jumped out of bed and ran straight to the shower. Her habits hadn’t changed all that much. Her laptop sat on top of her bed.

  Cheyenne walked over and tucked it inside her bag. She might be able to figure out the password. Guilt got the best of her, so she pulled out her cell and tried to text Ally one more time.

  I’m going through your room.

  Sorry.

  Taking your laptop.

  Pls respond.

  No response came. Cheyenne issued a sharp sigh. At least some of her guilt for going through Ally’s personal belongings eased after reaching out.

  A dark thought someone might have Ally’s cell phone and be reading the texts struck. It wouldn’t be a good idea to lay out their plans. Cheyenne decided not to mention anything about leaving.

  A handwritten note would do the trick.

  She moved to Ally’s dresser and found a scrap of paper along with a pen. She clicked the pen and scribbled a message. Leaving for a few days. Call me. Text me. I’m worried.

  The note was cryptic enough not to broadcast Cheyenne’s next steps and yet got the point across. The creepy feeling someone could break into the house and read the note raised goose bumps on her arms. The whole situation was surreal. This kind of thing only happened in the movies. It didn’t happen to normal, law-abiding citizens.

  And yet, she knew on some level crime didn’t discriminate. Criminals were everywhere and would take advantage of anyone. But an O’Connor? Surely the name would be a deterrent.

  It dawned on her that she was still using her maiden name. Would that make a difference? No one would mess with an O’Connor baby. Or would they? She thought about what had happened to Riggs’s sister.

  Wouldn’t the person be in touch to demand some type of ransom by now if that was the case?

  Chapter Eight

  Riggs caught himself tapping the toe of his boot on the beige tile in the kitchen. Impatience edged in when Cheyenne didn’t return after the promised five minutes. Ten passed before the toe tapping had started. He realized he was gripping the bullnose-edge granite like a vise at the fifteen mark.

  Fighting the urge to traipse down the hallway and see what was taking so long, he started whistling. The next thing he knew, Ozzy scampered over and sat at his feet. Looked like the little yippy dog had some training after all.

  Riggs bent over to pick up the small animal. Ozzy growled before backing away.

  Maybe not.

  Riggs’s thoughts shifted to the events of the day. He had no idea what Ally’s personal life was like. Cheyenne had mentioned her best friend a few times before arranging a meetup. His impression of Ally had been good. She promised to be an amazing godmother after Cheyenne had asked.

  Ally had the kind of personality most would describe as bubbly. Cheyenne joked that only happened after a decent amount of caffeine, which Ri
ggs could relate to. The three of them had chatted easily about plans for the baby. Cheyenne had apologized to her friend for what felt like a dozen times for not having a traditional wedding or having Ally as maid of honor.

  To make up for it, Cheyenne had asked Ally to be godmother to their child. Ally accepted and did nothing but support Cheyenne as far as Riggs could tell. He’d had a good feeling about his wife’s best friend, and he was usually spot-on with his assessments when he met people. Ally was what most would call a pure soul. The thought of something bad happening to her was a gut punch. Not just because she was Cheyenne’s best friend, although that was part of it. Because Ally was a good person who deserved the life she wanted.

  He stopped himself right there before he got too far ahead of himself. They didn’t know anything for certain despite his gut telling him this situation had gone south. The chilly reaction he and Cheyenne had received at the nurse station and then with E-cig Nurse outside drove home the point. Not to mention the fact Ally had gone off the grid. No cell phone contact after sending the texts to him and Cheyenne. No witnesses so far. No sightings.

  And now the vehicle that had been watching the house.

  So yeah, he expected the worst when it came to news about her and prayed like the dickens he was wrong. Despite her strength, Cheyenne could only handle so much. There was a something in her past that he hadn’t been able to break through while they were together. He’d figured they had a lifetime to get to know the nuances of each other’s personalities.

  When they’d first met, she’d reacted more like a wounded animal who needed protection and was the last to know it. Every time he got close to her, she backed away. It was okay. He understood being broken after her mom’s death. He understood needing time. And he certainly understood needing space. The last thing he’d wanted to do was spook her away by trying to get too close too fast. Because he also knew in his heart that when she truly opened up to him, she would absolutely be worth the wait.

  “I found her laptop.” Cheyenne bounded into the room and patted her weekend bag. She no longer looked like she’d jump out of her skin at the slightest noise. It was progress and he’d take it. Getting her to relax and trust him might just get her talking about why she thought she was protecting him by pushing him away.

  “Any chance you know the passwords, too?” He walked over and took the bag so she wouldn’t have to carry that and her purse once she put the devil dog in it.

  “I wish. I know her personal information like her birthday and first pet name. Maybe I can make an educated guess,” she offered as Ozzy started running around her ankles, threatening to nip. “What’s wrong with him?”

  “No clue. I whistled and he came. When I tried to pick him up, he went psycho.” Riggs was normally good with four-legged critters. Dogs were his favorite and there were several on the ranch who preferred living in the barn and bunkhouse. He didn’t have time for one of his own. Maybe someday he would. He’d been thinking of surprising Cheyenne with a puppy once the baby came.

  “Ready when you are,” she said, picking up the devil dog and then tucking him inside her handbag where he settled.

  Riggs took note of the behavior. Dogs were den animals, and this guy must feel out of his element now, with Ally gone and a strange male in the house. Not to mention the fact he didn’t seem too keen on Cheyenne being there. Based on what she’d said so far, it didn’t appear like she’d left her room much except to heat a leftover or grab a cup of coffee or take the occasional shower.

  Under the circumstances, Riggs would cut the little guy some slack.

  “Keep the dog in your purse. He settles down inside there. I’ll go start the pickup truck and then text you when it’s safe to come out.”

  She cocked her head to one side but then nodded with a confused look on her face.

  Good. That meant she hadn’t caught the underlying meaning in what he was saying. Yes, it was dangerous to leave the house. It was also risky to start his vehicle and he planned to perform a couple of safety checks before hopping in and starting the engine.

  “I won’t be but a minute.” He waited for the okay, which she gave, before heading outside.

  First, he stepped outside and beside his truck to block anyone’s shot from the road. There were a few cars on the street zipping by. For his taste, this was a busy street, but he lived on a ranch where he didn’t have to see another vehicle or person for days on end if it suited him.

  By town standards, the street would probably be considered normal. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, but he’d learned a long time ago not to trust appearances. If someone wanted to climb on top of a roof and hide behind a chimney, he could be picked off without ever knowing what hit him.

  He ran his hand along the bottom of the truck, feeling for anything out of the ordinary. If someone wanted the two of them dead, a bomb would do the trick. It would be messy, but it would blow up the evidence along with them. He rounded the front and then popped the hood.

  A quick check gave him the confidence to take the driver’s seat and risk starting the engine.

  It hummed to life as he listened for any unusual sounds that might come right before a big boom. When he was certain it was safe, he palmed his cell and fired off a text for Cheyenne to join him.

  She came out of the house so fast she forgot to lock the door behind her. Once she settled into the passenger seat, he asked for the house key.

  She blinked at him and then embarrassment heated her cheeks. She was even more beautiful with her face flushed, but this wasn’t the time to get sentimental or take another trip down memory lane. Their relationship was in the rearview. For now. They had come together as interested parties in an investigation. He needed to remember that when he was staring into those blue eyes or noticing how beautiful she was.

  “Right. I didn’t even think...” She placed the key on top of his opened hand. “Are you sure you want to get out of the vehicle?”

  He didn’t say better him than her. Instead, he went for “I got this.”

  * * *

  CHEYENNE HELD HER breath waiting for Riggs to return. Her nerves were shot, and she couldn’t even go there about something bad happening to Ally. The thought alone gutted her. But this was also the first time she’d felt alive in days. Weeks?

  Riggs did that to her. Being around him again reminded her how much she enjoyed his company and how safe she felt around him. This situation was far from ideal, yet it felt right to do this together.

  Of course it did. He was the father of her baby. An annoying voice in the back of her mind reminded her that he deserved to know what happened as much as she did. It was, after all, the reason he was here.

  Being near him again also reminded her of all the things she could never have. Not because she didn’t want them but because her life just wasn’t designed that way. Call it destiny or fate but having a happy homelife—with kids running around and a husband who adored her even when she woke up first thing in the morning and was a hot mess—wasn’t in the cards.

  And, man, did Riggs deserve all those things. Even now, he stood beside her, opened doors for her and took the heavy bag so she could walk a little lighter. He was kind, considerate and wicked smart. He wasn’t hurting in the looks department, either. The man was pure billboard-worthy hotness. And the only reason she thought about any of those things right now was to remind herself he deserved much more than she would ever be able to give him.

  How many times had he teased her, saying he wanted enough kids to field a football team? More than she could count. He even had names for half a dozen of them already picked out despite swearing he’d never thought a day about having his own children until her pregnancy.

  How could she rip his dreams, his future, out from underneath him? Because she didn’t ever want to have kids again. What kind of a selfish person did that to another human being, especially one she loved?
r />   Loved?

  Did she love Riggs? It had been so easy to convince herself she did while pregnant with his child. Living together had been the definition of perfection. She’d found herself opening up to him little by little only to have it all ripped out from underneath them by losing the baby. Without a doubt, Cheyenne knew she would never try to have another child after what happened.

  What if her daughter was alive, though?

  Cheyenne couldn’t go there yet. Not now. It was too soon. She would pull herself up by her bootstraps and soldier on. She would get back into her career as a college admissions counselor, the career she’d put on hold to have a baby. She would force herself to get out of bed every morning and get back into life.

  Strange that she’d only known Riggs for a less than a year and yet the thought of a life without him nearly broke her. He was that special. More proof that he needed to be with someone who could give him a football team of kids. He needed someone who could fill the ranch property with little ones running around, and maybe even a dog or two. As much as she might care for him, that person would never be her. She was fine with it, except for the part about having to walk away from Riggs forever. That was the tricky part.

  “Now we’re ready.” Riggs reclaimed his seat.

  “I forgot Ozzy’s food.” Cheyenne was most definitely not used to taking care of an animal.

  “Keep your cell in your hand and have 911 on speed dial,” he instructed. “Make the call if you see anything suspicious.”

  “Got it.” She fished her cell out of her handbag and made sure she was ready.

  “Lock the door behind me. I’ll leave the truck running in case,” he said.