WindSwept Narrows: #23 Molly & Natasha

by Diroll-Nichols, Karen

  “Should I ask what happened?” He asked cautiously, a flash of something close to fear in her eyes. “Or not. I promise, Tasha, the ranch isn’t a wild forest.”

  “My parents meant well, they really did,” she defended with a sigh, lifting one of the crispy rolls and biting down hungrily. “They thought it would be a grand adventure like I always read about in books…and it probably would have been, if they had just whisked me out of bed and right to the camp. But they let me read about forests first,” she slapped out at his arm when he broke into laughter. “It wasn’t the least bit funny. I was positive I’d be eaten alive out there. It took years before I went back hiking…”

  “A girl and her books…dangerous combination,” he murmured through the dying laughter, his fingers taking the last egg roll. “How long did you last?”

  “I made the counselor’s a little crazy. It was before cell phones were affordable,” she murmured, looking a little like that nine year old girl must have looked, Dell realized with a grin. “My parents were back before breakfast. Shortest week of my life…I didn’t leave my bedroom for a month after that, positive there were…things…out there waiting to get me.”

  “Elk don’t eat people,” Dell figured it was about the safest thing he could say at this point.

  “I’ve gotten over it,” she returned with the corner of her mouth rising in a little snarl that made him laugh again. “I go to zoos and hike all the time now. And I SCUBA.”

  “That’s a relief,” he waited a few quiet seconds, both of them eating. “How is the research going, Tasha?”

  “I’m missing something,” she said finally, pushing a slice of beef around before stabbing at it and chewing in thought. “I know I’m missing something. I’ve got tons of pieces…but something is off.”

  “I’m pretty good with puzzles.”

  She sighed and started absently cleaning up their meal. Then she began gathering the things she’s copied and the notes she’d been making. She opened the notebook she had and flipped it to a clean piece of paper.

  Dell watched her draw a dozen tiny circles around the page in various places. He looked at her expectantly.

  “Alright…these…represent a dozen or so people working for or friends with people at the resort,” she drew two small, black dots at the bottom of the page. “These two gentlemen…one of which is James Harrison, who used to be in charge of the academy outside Higley.” She looked up and saw the single arched brow with a little nod. “Coincidence? They’ve been going around to all these other people, inquiring about their jobs, their past schooling and friends they might have in common. Except Faith…” she tapped one of the dots with her pen, full lips pulled into the taut purse. “But there was no ambulance or attorneys involved, so it ended up okay.”

  “Okay,” was all Dell could think of to say at the point.

  “Anyway…if not for the incident with Faith, we might not have known about these others,” she clarified. “Then security started asking questions. Now, if they were just headhunters looking to steal employees, okay…that’s just the cost of doing business. But the single factor in common…everyone they contacted has above average intelligence. Most of them in the field of computers. At least at one time or another, maybe not now, but…anyway…we had them on video once we had it pinned down when they spoke to the others because they weren’t trying to keep it secret.”

  “What else in common?”

  “That’s the part we were working on when the answer presented itself,” she drew a little stick girl in the middle of the page. “Molly whose last name was different when she was stuck in the academy. That’s where I came in…researching to find out why they want to talk to her.”

  “I’m guessing you’ve spoken to Molly?”

  “She doesn’t know. She hasn’t had a thing to do with any of this since she was twelve…over twenty years ago. She’s one of the new physicians with the health center. Her photo was in the paper…some fluff piece about the different way healthcare was being handled through the resort and surrounding businesses,” she waved her pen in the air. “They came into the resort and caught her there. Wanted her to have dinner with them and talk.”

  “She recognized him.”

  “Yeah…and freaked. I can imagine being thrown back to being twelve again in a situation like that,” Tasha shook her head and sighed. “We haven’t been able to locate them and have our attorney talk to them…and Molly can’t figure out what they might want with her.”

  “When you present a puzzle, you present one hell of a puzzle,” Dell said with a low whistle. “No chance of finding others who were there?”

  “If you were there, would you want anyone to know?” Tasha shook her head. “We know of one person who was there, but they haven’t contacted her. The thing is, with the help of good computer people, both women had completely new identities. I can’t imagine I’d be real friendly when I found out my parents,” she drew a couple new little stick people holding a large square case. “Sold me for a lot of money.”

  “Ahh…”

  “But there were never any cars coming from the airport,” she tapped the two little dark dots. “Only trucks with the same logo on them all the time. Supposedly bringing supplies. Only now, I’m pretty certain it’s how they got the kids into the academy.”

  “Trafficking for what purpose?”

  “Brain trusts,” she said with one hand up and rubbing on her neck. “All of them – on the side of the school where Molly was – had been in special, advanced classes. And the parents were in need of money and had next to no morals, evidently. I’ve got names of the administrators as well as some of the so-called doctors who were there, but there’s no telling if they’re genuine or not.”

  “What happened to the academy, Tasha?”

  “According to the fire department, police and news reports,” she quoted professionally. “There were extremely faulty pipes and it was a gas explosion.”

  “Uh-huh…survivors?”

  “Theoretically…none.”

  “And you’ve already disproved the theory,” Dell said as a matter of fact, the containers and empty water bottles gathered and carried to the trash bin near the entrance.

  Tasha said nothing, closing up her notebook and stuffing things into her pack.

  “I think I need to talk to Molly…I just don’t want to upset her more. But without information, we can’t find a way to keep them away from her without keeping her under lock and key. All the records were destroyed in the fire. Paper and computer files…gone,” she looked up as if remembering he was there. “You don’t have a rental car.”

  “I don’t. The ranch I do business with picks me up and returns me,” Dell said simply, casually taking the stuffed pack from her and slinging it on his shoulder. “However, I happen to know this really sexy girl heading to the airport.”

  “Wow…that’s convenient,” she looked down at the hand that was now surrounded by his.

  “It is…I might get to like being driven around,” he told her with a wink, deciding that she’d had enough heavy thinking for the day and started asking questions about the casino and resort.

  Dell kept up the nothing conversation all the way to the airport, distracting her with the news, billboards and the tangerine scent she seemed to emit.

  “It’s just an energizing spritz,” she told him, glancing into the mirror at the tint of red in her cheeks at his chuckle. Or it could be because his palm was sliding up and down her thigh. “It’s a kind of herbal thing…I like it…”

  “So do I, Tasha,” Dell assured her, stepping from the car when she’d parked it in the rental lot. He waited for her at the front of the vehicle, his small carry-on bag in one hand. “Do you have a garden? For these herbs?”

  He already knew he liked the low, husky laugh she offered up now and then. Like now, her head shaking as they walked into the cooler, busy afternoon at the airport.

  “No. I live in one of the apartments near the resort. It’s a
very nice complex and they’re in the process of adding more units for employees. Rent is based on your salary and removed directly from your check. But it’s on the third floor…no room for a garden.” The sound of remorse in her voice was shrugged off. “I find nice smelling things at the farmer’s markets. Lots of people make them. I love scents when I…”

  “Oh, please, continue,” Dell teased with a laugh.

  “You know…shower soaps and shampoos…” she pulled her hand free, swung her pack to the front and rummaged inside for her boarding pass.

  “I have to check in,” he told her, tugging her to the side and kissing her firmly. “I’ll see you at the gate. Don’t lose my card, Tasha.”

  Before she could do more than nod, he’d taken off in the other direction at a light run. How a guy that big could look so good moving so fast was beyond her. But she sure did enjoying watching all those muscles in sync.

  No matter, she thought with a sigh, waiting patiently while the machine checked her bag and the people standing around looking bored to tears watched people wandering around the massive airport.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Dell used his status with the airlines to get right through and to the desk at the gate. He placed his boarding pass on the counter and waited while the young woman looked up at him.

  “I need to change a seat, please. Tell me you have an opening in first class next to my seat,” he urged with his most charming tone. He wasn’t a fool. He knew how to play and how to pay for what he wanted. And he wanted Natasha Banks in the seat next to him on the flight.

  “The flight is only three-quarters full,” she said with a friendly smile. “And first class has only one seat booked. What’s the name of the passenger?”

  “Natasha Banks. I’d like her moved to first class,” he pulled his wallet from inside his jacket and laid out his credit card. “And I’d really appreciate it if you simply told her she received a random, free upgrade.”

  If she thought this an odd request, it was hidden behind a pair of well-made up eyes and a coy smile. She took his card and charged him for the upgrade.

  “You’re free to board now, Mr. Russell. The plane arrived early and is prepared for passengers,” she slid his boarding pass back to him. “Have a pleasant flight.”

  Taking her advice, he walked straight to the entrance to the boarding ramp, his pass offered and returned when the man took the section he wanted. Dell had stowed his bag above his head when he heard footsteps on the ramp. Voices followed and he watched people passing his section and continuing into the main portion of the plane.

  Dell almost laughed when he heard her voice.

  “One?” Doubt filled the single word. “One? I can’t be in one…one is for…”

  Then she came around the small curtain and stopped dead, staring at him. One small fist went to her hip, pale lashes narrowed and lips pursed.

  “What did you do?”

  “You’re blocking the aisle, Tasha,” he said quietly, standing up and taking her pack. He slid it beneath her feet and under the seat before gesturing to the window. “Would you prefer the window seat?”

  She moved hastily past him and plopped down, still glaring at him.

  “You did this. I have never flown first class before…random upgrade my fanny,” she mumbled, losing to the soft chuckle he offered. “Why didn’t you tell me you were on this flight?”

  “You didn’t ask…and the surprise was worth it.”

  She had her mouth open but watching people file past made her close it again at the same time the stewardess came into the area and offer a glass of a crème colored sparkling drink in a tall flute.

  “Champagne?” Tasha said after a little taste, staring in amazement at Dell.

  He offered only a shrug and took a taste, nodding. “Not bad. You don’t care for it?”

  “If I drink this, I’ll be asleep for the whole flight,” she said with a little smile.

  “I’ll watch out for you,” he promised, lifting the glass to her lips. “It’s my fault you didn’t sleep last night,” he continued softly as she downed the sparkling wine. “Once they clear the belts, you can curl against me and sleep. I’ll wake you when we land.”

  “That’s hardly fair since you were awake, too,” but she did as he said, smiling at the confident hands that fastened her seat belt into place. She’d never had someone want to take care of her like this before and once the flight was in progress, he released the belt and pulled her against him.

  It didn’t surprise him that he slept through the three hour flight, coming awake from instinct. His body had felt the shift in the plane, the subtle chatter from the back of the plane and the movements of the two people working, putting things away and cleaning up. He stared down at the woman who had shifted to her hip, her head against his chest and arms around his waist.

  Dell decided he’d have to find a way to thank Grady for being unable to do the inspection and purchase in Utah. It was the luckiest trip he’d ever taken. One hand rose, gently tucking the stray hair behind her ear. She’d taken her glasses off and he allowed his fingers to trace over the pale brown eyebrow and onto her ear. There was a single sparkling red heart nestled there.

  An intelligent little city girl. He’d thought himself well beyond falling for someone. He’d spent most of the night lying awake trying to figure out why. What was it about her that twisted him around inside? When she’d reached for him in the middle of the night, she kissed him with a passion that warmed him to the bone. He gave up trying to logic it out and decided he was going to take ever second he had with her.

  “Are we home?” Came the sleepy little voice, pale lashes blinking and working to focus.

  “Just coming in to land. Time to buckle up,” he reluctantly helped her turn and right herself, their hands moving as one on the seatbelt. He handed her the band from her hair when she frowned at the strands that fell over her shoulders.

  “You’re dangerous,” she mumbled, gathering her hair back into the ponytail with practiced ease. “I don’t know if that helped or made it worse. I have a feeling I’m going to crash tonight.”

  “Did you drive to the airport?” Dell asked, doing his best to sound casual.

  “I take the shuttle. It takes me right to the complex,” she told him with a yawn. “Sorry.”

  “Hmm…and I don’t have a ride to the ranch until tomorrow,” he said, doing his best to sound lost. He met the single eyed gaze she turned on him.

  “And tomorrow?”

  “I planned to ask this sexy wench I know to spend the weekend with me at the ranch,” he answered glibly, turning up his charm with a sexy grin.

  “You want to spend the night in my apartment? What if I had to work?”

  “I’d call your boss and tell him or her that they were slave drivers,” he answered immediately and without remorse.

  “My boss is female and she’s not a slave driver,” Tasha listened to their arrival and stretched before opening her seatbelt.

  “Relax. Let the others pass while we negotiate,” Dell took her hand, carrying it to his lips. He pressed a kiss into the soft center of her palm.

  “A ranch…I’ve never been to a ranch before…with a real cowboy,” Tasha ran her tongue around her lips and nodded. “I think it would be a nice way to spend the weekend.”

  He heard the words but there was doubt in her voice. “Tasha, if you’d rather be alone, I understand.”

  “I don’t want to think about it too much…it’s…like a dream,” she searched for the right words. “Didn’t want to sound like a little girl, but…”

  “Nothing wrong with being a girl. It’s the part of you I like most,” he teased, relieved when she returned his grin. “If I’m asking too much, too quickly, Tasha, tell me. I’m a patient man.”

  She stood up and reached for her pack, sliding her arms in and carrying her jacket in one hand. The other palm she held out to him.

  “I…umm…unless you’re planning to sleep on my sofa…
”

  “It’s taken care of, Tasha,” Dell pause only long enough to lift his case from the overhead bin. His fingers tightened around hers as they walked silently through the airport. “I was hopeful. What’s bothering you?”

  “I’ve never talked so much before…not about…being with someone.”

  “I think you like it. I can pretty much guarantee there’s nothing you can talk about that will shock me,” Dell met the glance she offered patiently. “Between living most of my life on a ranch or in the military, I’ve pretty much heard and seen it all.”

  “Sometimes things you don’t want to see or hear,” she agreed quietly, her fingers tightening around his. “This way. The shuttle if very convenient and easy. It’s amazing how much the cities have come to accommodate the resort and the needs it created.”

  “If things are to be believed, they’ve also created a huge amount of jobs in a short amount of time,” Dell commented, staring out the mass of multi-paned windows as they walked through the wide collection of covered tunnels. There wasn’t a cloud in the skies tonight and hundreds of tiny lights sparkled over them.

  “You’ve never been to the resort?”

  “No. But I anticipate a visit anytime soon,” he told her, pulling her against him while they waited for the rail shuttle to appear. “I’m sure I have a willing tour guide and I’m fairly good with cards and dice.”

  “I could be your lucky piece,” Tasha told him, laughing when he took her mouth with a long, slow kiss. They broke apart breathless when the sound of the transport arrived.

  “Lucky piece, huh?” Dell could only grin as they stepped into the sleek interior and found seats.

  “I’m not sure about spitting on dice, though.”

  Barely catching himself, Dell closed on eye and shifted to the side. “You blow on them, sweet. You don’t spit on them. And I play poker and blackjack, not craps. So we’re safe.”