Peril on the Ranch

by Lynette Eason

  “No. I hear her every so often, but your walls are thick. I can just roll over and go back to sleep.” He frowned. “If you ever want me to take a night getting up with her so you can get a decent night’s sleep, I’m happy to do it.”

  His concern pierced her. “Thank you, that’s very kind of you, but you’ve got the ranch to keep up with. I’ll manage with Lilly. She’s just adjusting and will settle down eventually.” He studied her and Isabelle felt heat climbing into her cheeks. “What?”

  “Nothing. You do a good job with these kids. They adore you.”

  She blinked at the praise, then smiled. “Thanks. The feeling’s mutual. Give them a chance and they’ll adore you, too.”

  “Hmm.”

  Sounds from the kitchen pulled Isabelle to her feet. “I guess that’s my cue.”

  He nodded and took a sip of his coffee, his eyes thoughtful. Shadowed. One day, she wanted to hear what had put the sadness there, but that story would have to wait. She had kids to take care of. A smile tilted her lips upward. Then faded as she stepped into the house. Not only did she need to take care of the kids, she needed to protect them.

  Please, God, help me take care of and protect these children. They have no one else but us. With that prayer on her lips, she hurried to take the baby from Ms. Sybil. At the kitchen window, she stared out toward the wooded area, wondering if the man was out there, watching and waiting.

  Her arms tightened around Lilly and she couldn’t help wondering if the baby was the reason for the sudden attacks. She kissed the infant’s head. “Don’t worry, baby girl, they’ll have to go through me to get to you. I promise.”

  * * *

  Mac waved to the children as they loaded up on the bus to head to school. From his spot along the fence, he faced the left side of the house. He could see the driveway to his right and the woods behind the pasture to his left. Just on the other side of the woods was one of the back roads that led to town. Beyond that, the wooded area rose sharply and blended into a majestic mountain view. Very soothing and peaceful.

  When intruders weren’t trying to break in.

  In fact, the area was almost as beautiful as the place he’d picked out when he decided he was ready to settle down. And he was getting there. The pain of his losses was still there, but it wasn’t as sharp or debilitating.

  Mac turned his attention back to hammering nails into the new wood. The fence would definitely take him several more days to finish. He’d get a few of the boards up, then he’d head over and help Cody Ray muck out the stalls, lay fresh hay, and fill up the troughs out in the pasture.

  He could see why Isabelle had needed help ASAP. Cody Ray was a hardworking man, but he couldn’t take care of the place by himself.

  A pang of regret sliced through Mac. Maybe he shouldn’t have applied for this job. Maybe he should have just said no when he realized that Isabelle was going to need someone long-term.

  But...he’d been straight up honest with her. She knew he didn’t plan on sticking around for an extended period of time. He figured if he stayed for the next two or three months, he’d have more than enough to put a down payment on his own place. Then eventually build the barn to house the horses he’d board...

  One step at a time.

  A scream from the house pulled Mac up short.

  “Stop him! He’s got the baby!”

  Mac gripped the hammer and ran toward the house. He bolted around the side of the porch to see a man racing from the kitchen toward the woods.

  He held the carrier tucked against his side. Isabelle flew after him. “Stop! This is kidnapping!”

  Mac cut in front of her, his long legs eating up the ground, desperation and adrenaline driving him. “Call the cops!” Mac yelled the order and Isabelle fell back. As he ran, he noted every detail he could see about the guy. Dirty jeans, black shoes, black hoodie. Having to run with the carrier slowed the kidnapper down and Mac gained a lot of ground quickly. He pulled closer.

  The man cast a quick look over his shoulder and Mac got a glimpse of a dark goatee and more facial features. In an abrupt move, the kidnapper skidded to a stop and set the carrier down, then took off once again with a fresh burst of speed, disappearing behind the next tree.

  Mac drew up short next to the baby. Heart pounding, he looked down, and his knees went weak when Lilly grinned up at him. At the sound of a motorcycle engine roaring, Mac’s jaw tightened. He wanted to try to follow, but there was no way he was leaving Lilly alone. He picked up the carrier and headed back toward the house.

  When he entered the kitchen, Isabelle rushed him, reaching for the baby. “Is she okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah, she’s fine.” Mac set the carrier on the table and Isabelle released the child from the restraints and pulled her into her arms. She kissed the fuzz-covered head and Mac’s heart thundered with relief—and pain. He swallowed and got a grip on his emotions. Babies and children always brought the past barreling toward him like an out-of-control semi.

  “I put her in the carrier,” Isabelle said, “because she sounded a little stuffy. I thought she might feel better sitting up. What if I hadn’t—”

  Mac squeezed her bicep. “She’s fine, Isabelle. Really. Focus on that.”

  “Right. Of course. She’s fine and that’s all that’s important.”

  He noticed Sybil holding a bag of ice to her head. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine,” the older woman said with a wave of her hand. “He just caught me by surprise is all. If I’d have seen him coming, he never would have gotten close enough to hit me or grab Lilly.” She grimaced. “But I had my back to the door.”

  “I’d walked in just as he snatched the carrier,” Isabelle said, “and dashed out the door. And I couldn’t... I didn’t...”

  “It’s okay,” Mac said. “He had his bike stashed in the woods again.”

  Isabelle scowled. “This is getting ridiculous.”

  Mac rubbed his chin and frowned. “How did I miss him? I never saw him come across the pasture.”

  “The only way he could get to the house without you seeing him,” Isabelle said, “is just like he did last time. By coming from the back road through the woods and parking the bike just inside the tree line. Once he got close to the house, he probably saw you working on the fence and simply went around to the cover of the barn.”

  “Wouldn’t Cody Ray have seen him?”

  She shook her head. “He rode up to check on the pond in the south pasture. We’re going to move some cattle there and he was afraid the water was too low to support them.”

  “Right,” Mac said. “Okay, so the kids are at school and Sybil was in the kitchen with Lilly.”

  “And I was putting some laundry away,” Isabelle said. “So no one would have seen him come from the barn side of the pasture.” She sighed. “I don’t usually keep the doors locked. When the kids are here, they come and go with all of us keeping an eye on them. When they’re outside, Cody Ray watches them if he can. If not, I sit out on the porch. If they’re inside, Sybil watches them. I’ve got to call this in. Again. Regina’s going to want to move in with me until this guy is caught.”

  “That’s not a bad idea.”

  Isabelle gave a low groan and grabbed her cell phone from the counter.

  While she dialed, Mac got a pen and paper and wrote down everything he could remember about the man. This time he’d locked eyes with him. The would-be abductor’s eyes were blue. And Mac would know them when he saw them again. And he would see them again.

  Because he’d be looking for them on every face he saw.

  SIX

  Isabelle had sent Sybil to her home above the garage after being unable to convince the woman she needed to see a doctor. “It’s just a goose egg,” Sybil had said. “I’ve had one before and know exactly what the doctor will say. Ice it, ibuprofen for the pain, and rest. I can sav
e my money and do all of that.”

  “Fine,” Isabelle had finally said. “But I’ll be checking on you regularly, and if I even suspect you might have a concussion, you’re going to the doctor. Understand?”

  “Of course, Mama.”

  Isabelle had stuck her tongue out at the woman, who’d chuckled on her way out. That made Isabelle feel a tad better. She took a deep, steadying breath as Regina’s cruiser drove into sight. Isabelle locked eyes with Mac. “Regina’s here.”

  “And I’m ready.” He waved his paper at her.

  After Regina finished taking her report at the ranch for the second time in two days, she looked at Isabelle. “I think it’s obvious someone is after the baby—and he doesn’t care who he has to hurt to get to her. First, he tried to break into the house, then he went after you with the hammer, and now he knocks Ms. Sybil over the head? He’s dangerous, Isabelle. And escalating.”

  “So what do we do? Do I hand Lilly over to you or another stranger and confuse the poor child all over again? She’s just getting used to us. She’s definitely bonded with me.” She swiped a tear that threatened to fall. She’d bonded with Lilly, too, and didn’t want to give her up just yet. If ever. But that was a problem for another day. “It’s not healthy for her.” She huffed a short laugh with no humor. “Of course, being kidnapped isn’t, either. But seriously, if I give her over to CPS or the police, whoever is after her will just show up wherever she is.” She studied her friend. “Tell me what to do.”

  “Let me talk to the sheriff,” Regina said. “Maybe he can put an officer out here until we can catch this guy.”

  “You sound doubtful.”

  A sigh slipped from the officer. “I’m sorry. It’s just that we’re a little shorthanded right now. The sheriff is looking to hire two more deputies, but so far hasn’t found anyone. But this is important. We’ve got to find a way to keep everyone safe. I’ll talk to the sheriff, fill him in on this latest incident, and see what he thinks. I’ll also call Cheryl and ask her if she wants to move the kids somewhere else.”

  Isabelle flinched, but nodded.

  Regina snagged her phone from her belt clip. “I’m going to step outside and call. You guys sit tight.”

  Regina walked out onto the porch and Isabelle turned to Mac. “Are you sure you want to stay? Things are looking pretty crazy right now.”

  “I’m staying. Now more than ever.”

  She bit her lip as gratitude rushed through her. “How can I ever repay you?”

  “For what? I let him get away.”

  “But you got Lilly back.” She shuddered. “I can’t believe he actually came in my house and grabbed her with Sybil right there and me in the other room. I mean, it happened so fast my head is still spinning.”

  “She’s safe now. That’s all that matters. But I recommend keeping your doors locked from now on.”

  “Yes. I will. It makes me sad that I have to, but safety is the priority.”

  Regina stepped back inside. “All right, first, Sheriff Payne said he could spare someone for the next couple of days. Ben Land has been asking for overtime, so he’s going to be on his way over shortly.”

  Isabelle let out a slow breath. “All right. Good. I don’t like the fact that it’s necessary, but I appreciate the help.”

  Regina turned to Mac. “Also, you’re former law enforcement. Your background check came back clean, so whatever caused you to leave police work wasn’t anything illegal.”

  “No, it wasn’t.” He shot her a tight smile.

  “The sheriff said to ask if you’d do double duty. He said as long as your concealed weapons permit is legit, to get your gun and keep it on you.” She paused. “It’s legit, right?”

  Mac’s eyes widened slightly. “Yeah, it is.”

  “Excellent. Then I feel like everyone out here will be in good hands. I’ve talked to Cheryl to ask her what she wants to do about the children and she said she has absolutely nowhere else to put the kids. They’d have to go to a whole other location, change schools, and everything. She said as long as the sheriff is handling the safety factor, then she’s okay with the kids staying.”

  Isabelle let out a relieved sigh. “Perfect.”

  “I’ve assured Cheryl that every precaution is being taken and the children are safe.”

  “Yes,” Mac said, “yes, they are.”

  Isabelle was touched at the resolve in his voice. But even she knew that if someone really wanted to get to Lilly, at some point they would succeed.

  “Please catch this person, Regina,” Isabelle said, her voice soft, pleading. “Lilly’s already had a rough start in this world. She needs to be able to depend on us to keep her safe. And the other kids do, too. You know their backgrounds. Every single one of them come from nothing but instability and upheaval. This is their happy place—their healing place. They need what this ranch and those of us who work here give to them.”

  “Absolutely. I agree.”

  Isabelle nodded and Regina stuck her notebook in her front pocket. She turned to Mac. “I was thinking. You got a pretty good look at the guy this time, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Could you work with a sketch artist?”

  “Of course.”

  “Good. This town isn’t that big. If we have his picture up around a lot of the busier places, someone will recognize him.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.”

  “Perfect. I’ll have the artist from Asheville drive over to the station. I’ll let you know when he can make it, but he’s usually pretty quick. It’ll probably be later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.”

  “No problem. Just let me know when.”

  “Thank you.” She turned to Isabelle. “Are we still on for tomorrow? I don’t mind changing locations and meeting you here if you would feel safer, but I know Travis has another meeting right after ours. And Donna will need to get back to her store fairly quickly.” Donna Taylor. She owned the bakery on Main Street and planned to donate several cakes and other items for the cake-walk at the fundraiser.

  “No, I’ll be there. I have to pick up Katie’s allergy medication. With the officer and Mac here, Lilly will be safe. And with me in town, I should be safe, too, since the kidnapper would have no reason to come after me if I don’t have Lilly with me, right?”

  Regina shrugged. “Logically, that makes sense.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Mac said with a frown. “I think you should have someone with you in spite of Lilly being here and protected. Why don’t I take you into town and I can get a few things I need while I’m there, then bring you home?”

  Isabelle echoed his frown. “I appreciate the offer, but you have enough to do here. Not only that, but being a bodyguard wasn’t exactly in the job description, and I don’t feel right asking you do it.”

  “You’re not asking. I’m offering.”

  His tone said he wasn’t budging. She hesitated, then nodded. “Okay, as long you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure.”

  Regina studied him. “Why’d you leave law enforcement? I can tell you’re a natural.”

  His eyes went dark and Isabelle wished Regina hadn’t asked that question with such bluntness. Then Mac sighed. “A little over eighteen months ago, my wife and two-month-old son were killed in a car accident.”

  * * *

  Isabelle gasped and went white. Regina flinched. The words had slipped past his filters, so he might as well finish the basics. “As you can imagine, my whole world shattered and I was an emotional wreck. I couldn’t do a job where one mistake could cost my partner’s life—or an innocent person’s. So I quit—with the invitation to return at any point.” He shrugged. “I haven’t reached that point yet.” But he was getting close. If he could offer to protect a woman and her children, he could go back to police work. The silent admission shook him e
ven while a tiny seed of hope sprouted.

  “I’m sorry,” Regina said. “I shouldn’t have asked. It’s none of my business.”

  “No, you were right to ask. I’ve been on a journey of healing since I left the force, and my training will serve Isabelle and the children well. I want to do this.” Actually, he had a feeling that he needed to do this—for his own mental health—but kept that to himself.

  For some reason, he felt lighter than he had in ages. Telling them about Jeanie and Little Mac set something free inside him. Something he’d have to examine at a later time.

  Isabelle still hadn’t recovered from his announcement. Her pale features worried him. Just as he was about to ask her if she was all right, she drew in a deep breath. “Well, thank you for sharing that. I’m...actually at a loss for words to say how sorry I am.”

  Her compassion enveloped him like a warm blanket. “It’s been hard. Like I said, it’s been a journey, but I’m in a much better place than I was even just a few months ago. So—” he cleared his throat “—tomorrow, I’ll follow you into town, you have your meeting, and I’ll bring you home. Deal?”

  “Deal.” She nodded, but he could see the questions swimming in her eyes.

  “Would you have time to meet with the sketch artist while you’re in town?” Regina asked.

  “Of course.”

  “Good, I’ll set it up. I’ll give our guy your number and he can tell you when he’ll be at the station.”

  “Sounds good.” Mac headed off to get his shoulder holster from his truck. Keeping it hidden from the kids might require some ingenuity, but he’d manage.

  For the next several hours, he worked on the fence, then helped Cody Ray in the barn until it was time for the children to get home from school. The police officer, Ben Land, arrived behind the bus. Mac leaned his pitchfork against the side of the barn and walked out into the sunlight just as Katie hopped off the last step of the bus. She spotted him right away and ran over to him. “Hi, Mr. Mac.”