Joseph came to his feet, doubled over. He spit blood onto the ground. Then, he grabbed Madison and produced a knife from his pocket. He held it to her throat.
Madison froze, one hand gripping the arm that Joseph had wrapped around her neck. She couldn’t see, couldn’t think.
Couldn’t pray.
“Now what, pretty boy?” Joseph’s voice dripped with poison. Madison closed her eyes, barely daring to breathe. The blade pressed against her neck. She didn’t swallow for fear the movement would send the knife slicing through her skin.
Carsten raised his hands in surrender. “Don’t do anything stupid!”
“If you don’t back up, you’ll force me to just do that.” Joseph’s grip tightened on Madison, and she whimpered.
Carsten moved away slowly, keeping his gaze trained on Joseph. Madison gripped Joseph’s arm tighter, desperately trying to loosen his grip. It wouldn’t budge, and the knife pressed in closer. She stopped struggling, sensing it only made the situation worse.
Lance picked up the bag of money again. Joseph dragged Madison backwards several feet toward the car parked at the edge of the woods. She closed her eyes. She didn’t want to look, didn’t want to know. Was this the end? Was this their plan all along? To get the money and kill her? God, I’m sorry I didn’t do more with my life…
Taking a step forward, hands still raised, Carsten shouted. “Let her go. You have your money!”
Madison opened her eyes, hope flooding her veins. Carsten was still there. He wouldn’t let them kill her. He obviously cared more than her father did. The betrayal coursed through veins, bringing fresh pain.
She channeled the anger and reacted, bringing her elbow sharply into Joseph’s stomach. At the same time, she stomped down hard on his foot. His grip loosened, and she hit him again. Joseph cursed, and in one sudden motion, shoved Madison forward, propelling her straight into Carsten’s arms. They both fell hard onto the ground.
The car started. Madison struggled to sit up.
Carsten reached for a gun tucked into the back of his pants. He pulled it out and aimed. Madison followed the gun’s sight and saw Lance running toward the car with the bag.
“No!” Madison knocked into Carsten’s arm as the shot fired, sending the bullet spiraling into the woods.
“Madison! Those men tried to kill you!” Carsten shouted. The car sped away into the night, tires squealing. Carsten raised the gun and aimed again.
“Lance saved me in more ways than you’ll know.” Madison lowered her eyes. And Carsten lowered the gun.
~*~
Madison was silent on the way back to the ranch. She sat with arms crossed against her chest, a subconscious protection of her battered heart. She stared straight ahead, not bothering to look at the passing scenery drenched in rich moonlight. Another night, under other circumstances, the landscape would be beautiful.
Tonight, it just seemed barren and empty.
Madison didn’t flinch when Carsten coughed. It was the third sudden noise he’d made since leaving the warehouse in an effort to get her to talk. It wasn’t working. She wouldn’t let it. She had no idea what she was feeling right now. Except, blatant betrayal. Both by her father and the man she loved. Even if Carsten had lied to her for the right reasons, betrayal was still betrayal
She’d forgiven him in those dire moments in the warehouse. And while she was so grateful he’d come for her, it couldn’t overshine the despair that her father hadn’t.
She tried to pray, but couldn’t find the words. God had rescued her tonight. Right? Or was she seeking Him, too, where He couldn’t be found?
Maybe she was more alone than she thought.
She continued to stare aimlessly out the window. The tears threatened again. Finally, the road to the ranch loomed in sight, the front porch light shining a beacon in the darkness. She eagerly got out of the car, and waited for Carsten to unlock the front door. He paused, looking down at her, and she quickly averted her gaze.
She followed Carsten inside.
“Are you cold?” Carsten grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch without waiting for an answer. He draped it around her and helped her settle on the couch. Then he turned and began to make a fire.
Madison accepted the quilt and snuggled into the cushions. The fire started nicely, but she felt no heat. Her mind was too busy with other thoughts to process such things as senses.
Carsten sat on the cushion beside her and took her icy hand in his. He began briskly rubbing his palms over her hands in an effort to warm them. “You’re cold. Maybe it’s shock.”
When Madison still refused to meet his gaze, Carsten snapped his fingers in front of her face. “Madison! Look at me!” Fear laced his tone.
Madison turned her head and looked into his eyes. The fire reflected in the limpid pools of blue, bringing a life to his eyes she knew was not reflected in her own. “You’re safe now.” Carsten wrapped an arm around Madison’s shoulder, not letting go even when she didn’t lean into his embrace. He smoothed her hair back with one hand. “I’m here.”
Madison’s stomach twisted. You’re here. But for how long? She shrugged out of Carsten’s embrace. Inside, she felt the walls in her heart building faster, brick by brick. She couldn’t trust anyone to love her unconditionally.
Carsten was probably more trust worthy than most. But she couldn’t take that risk. Not tonight.
Maybe not ever.
Carsten looked hurt at the abrupt dismissal of his touch, but Madison couldn’t bring herself to feel anything.
The wall was almost complete.
“I need to talk to you.”
Madison said nothing.
“This might not be the best time to tell you, but in light of what happened between us the other day, I think that honesty is more important than timing right now.”
Madison raised an eyebrow of interest, but kept staring into the flickering flames.
Carsten paused, and then released his final bombshell. “I paid for your ransom.”
Her heart skipped a beat. She turned to face Carsten fully.
“I knew you would find out eventually and I wanted you to know the truth up front.” He held up hands, offering a feeble smile. “He can be taught.”
“How…“ She stopped.
“I got the money together, Madison. It’s done. How it came together isn’t important.”
She ducked her head as the news processed. A rush of guilt and sorrow flooded her entire being. Sorrow that Carsten, not her father, had paid for her rescue. And guilt that she’d assumed the worst in Carsten’s motives toward her. He’d paid for her to be free.
As much as she wanted to let that light in and warm her, it couldn’t pierce the intruding shadow of shame.
She was truly orphaned.
24
“She has to stay here, Mr. Lawrence. It’s not safe. Those men are still out there, loose.” Thanks to Madison’s emotional reaction that had kept him from stopping them earlier that night at the scene.
Carsten stared out the kitchen window. The scenery he used to love so much did nothing to ease the storm in his heart. He swiped a hand over his face, thinking he hadn’t been so exhausted in his entire career.
His client didn’t seem any better rested. “And a fine job you did of keeping her protected the first time!”
Carsten bit his lip. He refused to get into an argument with the man. He’d blame Teddy’s reaction on grief and adrenaline over the last few days’ events, but in all honesty, the man had seemed more concerned about money than his daughter.
Which made Carsten even more determined to do what was best by her. He couldn’t trust her dad to do the same.
“Mr. Lawrence, this is for the best. Madison won’t run away again. She doesn’t want a repeat of the past two days any more than we do.” It wasn’t as though the man had any money invested in her rescue. Carsten closed his eyes against the frustration building, not wanting to say something he’d regret. “I’ll check in with you la
ter.” He pushed the off button on the cordless phone and tossed it on the couch He dreaded telling Madison she was being forced to stay at the ranch for a while longer. Lately she acted as if she’d rather be anywhere else. But he had to keep her safe. And not because her dad was paying him to.
At this point, he wouldn’t accept a payment from Mr. Lawrence even if it was the only thing keeping him from being homeless.
He needed air. He wanted to race, like he always did to clear his mind when too much pressure consumed him. He wanted to mount Samson and fly like the wind over the hills. But now that Samson had a proud new owner, those days were gone.
Running a hand through his hair, he closed his eyes, desperate for sleep. The night had been long, too long. He checked his watch. It was three a.m. in New York. He knew Shan wouldn’t be happy to hear from him at this hour.
He picked up the phone anyway.
~*~
“You sure know how to take a vacation.” Shan’s suitcase hit the floor with a thud in Madison’s room.
Madison looked up in surprise from the book she was reading.
“Shan? What are you doing here?” Surprise and joy flooded Madison in equal measure. She tossed the book aside and stood.
Shan didn’t answer, just opened her arms. The two friends embraced.
Tears streaked down Madison’s face. “I’ve been such a fool.” To put it mildly. “This was all my fault.”
“Don’t be crazy.” Shan cleared her throat against the uncharacteristic emotion evident in her voice. “I’m the one who tried to convince you to come out here. Neither one us had any clue what was going to happen. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Madison sat down the edge of the bed, motioning for Shan to take a seat as well. “So did you come to try to cheer me up? “I’m basically under house arrest. And Carsten’s been trying everything he can think of to get me to talk to him.”
“Why won’t you? The poor man’s in love. Give him a break.” Shan situated herself on the bed, leaning against the headboard and facing Madison. She tucked her legs underneath her.
In love? Hardly. More like paid to care.
She was the fool who loved him.
She averted her eyes, hoping Shan wouldn’t see the truth. “He lied to me, Shan. I can’t trust him.”
“Sure, he might have withheld the truth about your dad hiring him, but he also took you in to protect you, and risked his own life coming to rescue you.”
Madison raised her eyebrow. “Apparently, you’ve already heard his version.”
Shan grinned sheepishly. “We did talk for a few minutes in the kitchen before I came upstairs. Is that information inaccurate?”
Madison plucked at a loose thread in the quilt underneath them. “No, it’s true. He was willing to risk everything, and my father was willing to risk nothing.” Now it was her turn to clear her throat.
Shan dipped her head until she caught Madison’s gaze. “Taking out your anger on Carsten isn’t going to change your dad.”
That one sunk in deep. Madison slipped off the bed and began to rearrange the items on the dresser. “That’s not what I’m doing.” She moved a bottle of lotion to the right side of the dresser, and then held a pair of earrings up to her ear. “Do these look good on me?”
“Girl, I wasn’t born yesterday. Don’t think you can change the subject that easily. But yes, I like the earrings a lot.” Shan joined Madison at the dresser. “Can I borrow them?”
“Sure.” Madison held them out. Anything to move on to a different topic.
“I’m kidding.” Squirting some lotion into her palms, Shan rubbed the scented cream into her hands. “Just give Carsten a chance.” Her voice softened. “He really cares for you, Madison.”
“I don’t know about that. I don’t know much of anything right now.” Madison shut the top dresser drawer firmly and met her friend’s gaze in the mirror. “It’s been a long few days, and I don’t want to talk about it.”
Shan held up both hands in surrender. “Of course. I just don’t want you to make a mistake. I’m your friend, remember?”
And thank goodness for that. Madison relaxed. “I know you are. Thank you for coming out here.” She paused. “Why are you here, again?”
Shan laughed. “Partly to cheer you up. But mostly because Carsten insisted I stay out here for precaution’s sake. He thinks it’s possible those men might try something again, and if that’s the case, then I’m at risk as well. They’ve already broken into the office once before.”
“So how long are you here?”
Shan shrugged. “I guess until the men are apprehended?”
Madison’s spirits rose considerably. At least she wouldn’t be stuck on the ranch alone. She remembered her reaction the day before when Carsten had given her that bit of news. She thought since she’d been rescued, she’d go back to New York and could resume her job and try to get over Carsten.
Much harder to do when on the same property as he was.
She hadn’t exactly handled the piece of news well. “So, when do we eat?” Shan grinned, rubbing her flat stomach. “That airplane food did nothing for my appetite.”
Madison shrugged. “Rita should have dinner on soon. The past few days she’s been bringing me a tray up to my room. I haven’t been exactly sociable.” “Well, Ms. Social Butterfly is here now, so we will be eating in the dining room with the others. I want to meet me a real live cowboy.” Shan raised her chin.
Madison wasn’t sure if her friend was joking, or serious. But she wasn’t about to argue with the look in Shan’s eye.
~*~
“Rita, this was fabulous.” Shan praised the older woman’s cooking, dropping her napkin in her lap and shaking her head. “I think I just gained ten pounds.”
Rita grinned at Shan’s dramatics and thanked her for the compliment. “Nothing like good ol’ home cooking, is there, dear?”
“We don’t eat like this in the city. Most people in New York live on coffee alone. Except for Madison here, who’ll occasionally scarf down a salad with her espresso.” She nudged Madison in the elbow with her ribs.
“We’ll fatten her up, yet.” Rita winked at Madison over the top of her mug.
Madison forced a grin. It was beyond awkward sitting at the table for the meal. Luckily, Shan had kept a running conversation going with whoever would answer her.
The cowboys at the other end of the table couldn’t keep their eyes off this new “city girl”. She held the table captive with her antics and stories. Madison was grateful for that much. It was hard enough trying to avoid Carsten’s piercing stare, much less participate in the conversation around her.
Her gaze darted to Carsten, almost against her will. Yep, still staring. She forced herself to look away.
“Who wants dessert?” Rita stood up to prepare the next course.
A herd of cowboys gleefully answered in unison.
“I might be able to find room for just a bite. I do have to watch this figure, you know.” Shan winked at one of the men staring at her, and he blushed.
Madison grinned in spite of her dark mood. At least someone was enjoying themselves.
Rita served bread pudding moments later, and Madison busied herself in pretending to eat it. She hadn’t had much of an appetite since she had gotten back to the ranch, and it was beginning to show. She had successfully hidden from Rita thus far by dumping the food out the window from her room and leaving the empty tray on the kitchen counter.
“Girl, you better eat that pudding. I saw what you had for dinner—exactly two bites of chicken and dumplings and three green beans!”
Madison should have known her luck would run out. Shan’s eagle eye was a great asset for their design business, but not such a wonderful attribute when it concerned Madison’s personal life. She picked up her spoon, wishing everyone would look away.
Carsten cleared his throat, and spoke for the first time since they sat down. “Leland, I saw a break in the fence in the north pasture this morni
ng. I think you and a few others should ride down and fix it first thing tomorrow.”
Leland nodded from his spot down the table. “Yes sir, boss.” He had been promoted to foreman when Mitch had been fired.
Madison wondered if Carsten sensed her discomfort and had changed the subject purposely. She shrugged it off. It didn’t matter if he was trying to rescue her. She no longer had a desire for a fairytale prince in her life. Charming or not, he was still just a man. And that meant he was eventually going to hurt her. He already had, in many ways.
She put down her spoon, her appetite too far gone to pretend anymore.
Shan scooted her chair back, looking eagerly to Carsten. “I want to see these horses you’ve been telling me about. I’ve never seen one up close.”
“I’ll be happy to give you a tour of the stables.” Carsten answered politely.
Shan turned to Madison. “Come on! I need you for moral support.”
“They’re not that bad.” Madison mumbled, pushing back her own chair. It would take more energy trying to change Shan’s mind than it would to just go ahead and accompany them. She knew what Shan was trying to do, and she was just as determined not to let it work. Two could play that game.
Shan linked arms with Madison and they followed Carsten out of the house. They walked along the yard in silence, Shan humming under her breath, and Madison staring at the ground, barely registering where she stepped.. Carsten stayed a few feet ahead Thankfully. She wanted this nightmare over so she could go home, recalibrate, and get on with her normal life. Whatever that looked like now.
They reached the stables and Carsten led the way to the first stall. “This is Champion.” He began introducing Shan to each horse, making his way down the length of the barn.
Despite her earlier claim of needing moral support, Madison noticed Shan seemed perfectly comfortable with the animals. “This is Sasha. Madison rode her a few weeks ago, and she did great. Like a natural.” Carsten spoke directly to Shan as if Madison wasn’t even there.
Madison frowned, not knowing how to interpret that. She thought she detected sadness in his voice, and tried to ignore it. She fought back a twinge of pain at the happy memory of riding with him. And how he rescued her when her horse started running away.
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