Christmas Ranch Rescue

by Lynette Eason

  Her knees shook and she clenched her fingers into fists to stop the fine tremor.

  “Becca?” Nathan’s soft voice jerked her from her thoughts. “You okay?”

  “Yes. No. I don’t know.”

  “Now you sound like me.”

  She flicked a glance at Lance who stood at the door, waiting. “I’m just nervous. Do you know what it took for me to stand up to my father—my parents—and walk out of the house after I told them what I planned to do?”

  She’d been living with them and saving money. It had worked out well. They had a guesthouse separate from the main house, and she’d been very comfortable there. They also had the barn and the horses that she often worked with on her days off.

  But it wasn’t enough. She wanted her own place, her own horses. And they simply didn’t understand that.

  “I imagine it was pretty tough.”

  “That’s one way to put it. I was so scared of how they were going to react that I went ahead and packed my car just in case.”

  “And?”

  “It was a good thing I did.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah.” When her father had ordered her from the house, she’d simply walked out, climbed into her Lexus and driven away.

  She’d cried all the way to Wrangler’s Corner, but she’d closed on the ranch the week before and it was time to get busy working it to get it ready for business. She’d sold her Lexus and bought a truck that was much more suitable for ranch living.

  And now she’d come full circle.

  “You don’t have to go in there,” she said. “I can ask him myself.”

  “No.” He raised a brow and she shook her head. “Let’s get this over with.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  His hand closed around hers as she stepped from the car. She was very glad he was with her.

  She led the way inside the building, her steps sure even while her heart beat like a wild bird trapped in a cage. She’d never been good at confrontation and truly, had she not done the counseling with Lisa, she wouldn’t be doing this. But, she’d finally come to the conclusion that her relationship with her parents was worth fighting for—but only if her father wasn’t trying to have her killed.

  She found his office, her feet automatically walking a route she’d taken many times. The door stood open. She drew in a breath and felt Nathan’s hand at the small of her back. His strength bolstered her own.

  She stepped forward and rapped her knuckles on the open door. The man at the desk looked up and she faced her father for the first time in a year. She didn’t bother trying to smile at him. “Hi, Dad.”

  THIRTEEN

  The man actually flinched. Nathan blinked. Dr. Price had aged over the years and not particularly well. He had a full head of gray hair, and his blue eyes had bags that indicated he was either working too hard or wasn’t sleeping well at night.

  Probably both.

  Nathan stayed just outside the door so he could listen and intervene if necessary. Lance stood at the end of the hall, keeping watch on those who passed by.

  “Becca.”

  He had a pleasant voice, a low bass that sounded like it could soothe a scared patient—or intimidate a rebellious daughter. Nathan couldn’t tell which way the conversation might go from that one word.

  “I need to talk to you,” Becca said.

  “Have you come to your senses and sold your ranch?”

  “No, sir, and I don’t plan on it any time soon.”

  “Then we have nothing to talk about. Shut the door as you leave.”

  He looked down at his laptop and Becca’s back wilted at the harsh words. Nathan took a step forward, ready to blast the man. Becca looked back at him, the hurt in her eyes nearly his undoing. Then she shook her head and straightened her spine. “I’m not leaving yet.” She took two more steps then slid into the chair facing her father’s desk. “I have a question for you. Once you answer it to my satisfaction, I’ll be happy to leave.”

  He glanced up and met Nathan’s gaze. Dr. Price’s eyes narrowed then dismissed him. The man huffed. “What is it?”

  “Are you trying to kill me? And I mean that in the literal sense. Do you hate me so much,” her voice quivered and she cleared her throat, “that you would rather see me dead than working the ranch?”

  The silence nearly deafened him and Nathan’s tension rose with each passing second.

  Becca’s father finally drew in a breath and rubbed a hand down the side of his face. He shook his head and squinted at her like he’d never seen her before. “I’m sorry, what did you ask me?”

  Becca lifted her chin. “You heard me.”

  Leaning back and crossing his arms, he seemed to search for words even as he searched his daughter’s face. Nathan almost felt sorry for him.

  Finally, he leaned forward.

  “Well, that’s one way to get my attention. Why would you ask me such a thing?”

  “Because someone’s trying to either kill me or run me off the ranch, and the only person with motive that I could think of was you.”

  More silence.

  Nathan wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

  “What exactly has happened that you felt you had to come ask me that?”

  Becca told him about the incidents. The attack in the barn, the shootings and being run off the road. The more she talked, the more the man’s face paled. Nathan didn’t relax, but his anxiety eased. For all his arrogance and bluster, Dr. Price loved his daughter. At least it looked like he did. Could he be that good of an actor?

  Nathan’s tension returned as another thought occurred. Or was the man simply shocked she’d figured it out?

  The doctor rose from his seat and paced to the window. “I don’t know what to say, Becca.”

  “Just answer the question and I’ll leave.”

  He turned back to face her and spread his hands. “I simply don’t know what to say.”

  “You said that already.”

  Clasping his hands behind his back, he clicked his heels together and raised his gaze to lock it on hers. “I really have to say the words?”

  “Yes, Dad, I believe you do.”

  “No, Rebecca,” he said, “I’m not trying to kill you, and I didn’t hire anyone to carry out those things that you just described.”

  Becca sat stone-still for a brief moment before she gave a short nod and stood. “All right. Thank you for answering me.”

  Her father continued to stare at her. “You don’t believe me.”

  Frankly, Nathan wasn’t sure he did either, but he was leaning toward the idea that the man had had nothing to do with any of it and was blown away that Becca had actually asked him if he was involved somehow.

  Becca hesitated then sighed. “I don’t know what to believe, to be honest.”

  Another flinch from the usually rock-steady man. He drew in a deep breath and Nathan thought he saw a sheen of tears before it disappeared. “I might be furious with you for throwing your career away, but I’d never hurt you.”

  She didn’t speak for a moment. Then said, “As someone once said, there are all kinds of hurt. Thank you for seeing me.” She turned on her heel and walked out of his office. In the hallway, Nathan took her hand. She stopped and closed her eyes for a moment.

  “What is it?”

  “I can’t leave like this.”

  * * *

  Her father seemed shocked that she would believe that he had something to do with the attempts on her life, but to Becca, the conclusion wasn’t all that far-fetched.

  Of course she didn’t want to believe it, but...she drew in a fortifying breath and walked back into his office. He hadn’t moved from his spot by the window. “Dad, I
love you. We haven’t always seen eye to eye on everything, and yes, that’s an understatement. But I love you. I’m sorry if I hurt you by asking, but I—” She rubbed a hand over her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. A headache had started as soon as she’d stepped into the hospital. Now the nausea was getting ready to kick in. She had to get out of here. “Anyway, I have to go. Please tell Mom I love her, too.”

  There, she’d done all she could do. The ball was in his court, so to speak.

  He said nothing, simply turned from the window to stare at her, a strange look in his blue eyes.

  She sighed and once again left his office. This time she kept walking, Nathan at her side. “You did good,” he said in a low voice. “As much as that hurt you—and I think him as well—it was the right thing to do.”

  “I’m glad you’re so confident in that.”

  “I’m confident in you.”

  She stopped walking and turned to look up at him. Tears wanted to fall, but she held them back. “Thank you for that. I think with everything going on, I’ve lost some of my confidence, my faith that I can do anything I set my mind to.” Sad, her heart heavy, she headed for the exit, desperately glad Nathan was at her side.

  “Becca?”

  Becca’s heart thudded. She stumbled and only Nathan’s hand on her upper arm kept her from falling to the tile floor. She looked to her left. “Mom?”

  “Oh, Becca. I’ve missed you so.”

  Becca didn’t hesitate. She ran into her mother’s outstretched arms and buried her face into her shoulder, inhaling her familiar scent. A hint of vanilla and spice. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  “I couldn’t stay away when you said you’d be here.”

  Becca pulled back and searched the woman’s beloved eyes. “But you can’t return my phone call?”

  Her mother frowned. “What call?”

  “I called and left you a message.”

  “I didn’t get it.” She pulled her phone from the side pocket of her purse and tapped the screen. She shook her head. “There. See? Nothing.”

  Becca looked and sure enough, there was nothing to indicate she’d called. “I know I had the right number, I left a message on your voice mail.”

  “I don’t know. I would have called you back had I seen it.”

  “Really?”

  Tears flooded her mother’s eyes once more. “Really. This distance is so foolish. I’ve been praying for a year that your father would see reason, but he doesn’t seem to be any closer now than the day you left.”

  “If you felt that way, why wouldn’t you talk to me? Discounting my most recent attempt, I called you every day for three months.”

  “I know.” She sighed. “In the beginning, your father demanded I not answer. He said our refusal to talk to you would bring you back around. He said we had to stick to what we said.”

  Which was they were done with her until she saw reason. Their interpretation of reason anyway. “I see.”

  “But I’m done with that. Now that I’ve seen you again, I can’t go back to the way things were.”

  “Even if Dad refuses to change his position?”

  “Even if.” She squeezed Becca’s hand and looked past her. “Now, who is this young man who’s been watching us with eagle eyes?”

  Becca turned. “Oh, you remember Nathan Williams, don’t you?”

  “Nathan? Of course! You and Becca were such good friends before we moved. She was so sad to leave you behind.”

  “Good to see you again, Mrs. Price. And I missed her, too. It’s been good to reconnect. I just wish it was under better circumstances.”

  Her mother frowned, her flawlessly plucked brows drawing together at the bridge of her nose. “What do you mean?”

  “It’s a long story,” Becca said. “Do you have time to go down to the cafeteria for some food? I’m starving.” Becca wanted to get her mother’s perspective on the whole thing. She hadn’t planned to tell her anything, but she wasn’t 100 percent sure her father would fill her in.

  “Yes. Just let me call the office and let them know I’m taking the rest of the day off.”

  Becca gaped. Her mother never took time off. Ever. A slow peace started to fill her. And it was really nice to see God answering a prayer right before her eyes. Maybe things would be okay after all.

  If they could just catch the person trying to kill her.

  * * *

  It didn’t take as long to recount everything as Nathan had thought it might. Lance stayed in the background, eating a sandwich and keeping an eye on their surroundings. Becca talked while they ate. When she finished the story her mother gaped, horror in her eyes. “Oh my, Becca, are you serious? Someone is trying to kill you?”

  “It sure seems that way.”

  Her mother pressed a hand over her heart. “I don’t even know what to say.”

  “I don’t, either.”

  “And you actually asked your father if he’d hired someone to do so?”

  Becca’s face reddened. “I know. I’m a horrible daughter.”

  “No. Not at all. It’s amazing to me.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “That you’re not letting him bully you. That once you made your decision to take charge of your life, you did. And you haven’t looked back. I admire that. I’m proud of you.” She drew in a deep breath. “And I guess it’s up to me to learn from you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean it’s time for me to grow a spine. I’m not letting him dictate my relationship with you. Not anymore.” She reached for Becca’s hand. “Oh, honey, the fact that someone is trying to kill you scares me to death—but it’s not your father.”

  “How do you know?”

  Mrs. Price’s mouth opened, then closed. She sighed. “Come on, Becca. You know he wouldn’t do something like that.”

  Becca bit her lip and looked away. Nathan wanted desperately to intervene but forced himself to stay still and keep his mouth shut. He seemed to be doing a lot of that around her lately.

  “You really think he would hire someone to kill you?” Mrs. Price said. The whisper was low, but Nathan heard it.

  Becca pressed her fingers to her eyes before looking at her mother. “I don’t want to believe it, of course. With everything in me, I don’t. I just...don’t know what to believe anymore.”

  Her mother sighed. “Go home. I’ll get to the bottom of this.” She looked at Nathan. “Is someone going to be with her? To make sure she’s protected?”

  “At all times.”

  “All right, then. And when you catch him, I want to prosecute.” She reached for Becca once more and they hugged. Becca seemed loath to let her go but finally did.

  Her mother cupped her face. “I don’t know why I didn’t get your call. I suspect your father saw it come in and deleted it. But I’ll be sure to keep my phone with me at all times from now on. If you need me, call me. In the meantime, I’ll call you after I manage to get your father alone and have an uninterrupted conversation with him.”

  “All right.”

  One more hug and Mrs. Price turned on her heel and strode to the elevator that would take her to her husband’s office. Nathan wished he could be a fly on the wall. Becca didn’t move until her mother was no longer in sight and then let out a sigh. “I’m not sure that did any good with my father, but I can’t tell you the peace and joy I feel at this reconciliation with my mother.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and his heart thudded a bit faster when she snuggled up next to him. “Thank you for being here with me.”

  He nodded. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” He blew out a low breath. He was going to have to come clean with her. And soon. His jaw tightened. He’d tell her everything on the ride back to the ranch. Then beg her not to make him leave. If
she was determined to send him away, he’d just camp out on her property. And if she didn’t want him there, what was she going to do about it? Call Clay? Clay would be his backup.

  He gave her shoulders another squeeze. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” He waved to Lance who’d been waiting quietly, watching the people and the doors. Lance nodded that he was right behind them.

  On the way back to the car, several people stopped Becca and asked her when she was coming back. She simply smiled and shrugged. “I’m happy doing what I’m doing right now. We’ll see.”

  When they were almost to the exit, Becca stopped and laid a hand on his arm. “Wait, I need to get something from the gift shop.”

  “What?”

  “Something I just saw in the window. Hang out here for a minute, okay?”

  Mystified, but willing to wait, Nathan nodded then stopped her. “Stay here with Lance and let me take a quick look.”

  “Why?”

  “Because. Just hold on.”

  Nathan walked inside the store and wrinkled his nose at the strong smell from the scented candles. But one glance around and he had his answer. Chock-full of Christmas decorations, flowers and other odds and ends, it had only one way in and one way out. He exited and nodded to Becca. “Want me to go back in with you?”

  “Nope. I want you to stay right here.” She gave him a quick, mysterious smile before disappearing into the shop.

  “What’s she doing?” Lance asked.

  Nathan shrugged. “Beats me. She said she needed to get something.”

  “What’s the layout?”

  “It’s small, overcrowded with inventory, and needs some serious ventilation, but the only other person in there is the cashier. She’s fine.”

  Lance fell back a little and Nathan waited. He didn’t have to wait long. Soon, she came out holding a brown paper bag. “I’m ready now.”

  “What did you get?”

  “Just a little something I decided I wanted. I’ll share it with you later.”

  “Chocolate?”

  She smiled. “It’s a secret.”