by Linda Warren
“If you ask nicely.”
“Whatever.” He leaned back his head and closed his eyes.
With his features relaxed, he was actually quite handsome. Sort of had a Noah Wyle from Falling Skies appeal. And she had to stop thinking about him. She turned her thoughts to her dad and Chloe. Hopefully, her dad was coping. Under stress, his blood pressure tended to shoot through the roof. But Gayle would be there to keep a close eye on him.
Had they told Chloe? She’d just turned three and she would be asking for her mommy. Her stomach cramped at the thought of her baby’s distress. Don’t worry, Chloe. Mommy will come home.
Doug was probably there by now and had whisked their daughter away. She hoped he used some discretion if he told her about the bank robbery. Chloe was his daughter and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. She had to keep telling herself that.
She lifted her foot to look at her shoes. Her Manolo Blahniks were coated with dirt and ruined.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Looking at my last big expense before the divorce.”
He leaned forward. “I never understood women’s obsession with shoes.”
She stared directly at him. “And I’ll never understand a man’s obsession with his truck.”
He frowned. “That’s different. I use my truck for transportation.”
“These shoes were made for walking.” She lifted her shoe higher. “And that’s what I do in them.”
“It’s not the same thing,” he stressed. “That’s like comparing apples to oranges.”
“No. It’s like comparing a Granny Smith apple to a Red Delicious. And in case you’re wondering I’m Red Delicious and you’re a tart Granny Smith.”
He just stared at her with an irritated expression.
“Okay.” She turned to face him. “How do you feel when you get in that big ol’ truck?”
“What?” His irritation intensified.
“You probably feel in control. Confident. As if you can take on the world.”
“I think the heat’s getting to you.”
She ignored the snide remark. “When I put on these shoes—” she lifted one so he could see the classy, if dirty, little bow “—I feel pretty. Confident. And ready to take on the world.” She paused. “See? Same thing.”
He shook his head. “Does anyone ever get anything past you?”
“No. So stop trying.” She relaxed against the tree feeling as if she’d scored a point with the hard-nosed cop. Neither said anything for the next few minutes. The woods were quiet. An occasional rustling but nothing else.
“What time do you think it is?” she asked.
He raised his left wrist. “Damn. I can’t believe I didn’t put my watch on this morning. It’s the first thing I do after my shower, but I was in a rush to get home. I gathered up my things and put them in the console of my truck.”
“Do you usually work nights?”
“No. My partner and I are working on a murder case and keeping an eye on a person of interest.”
“Who keeps your daughter?”
“My dad, and he’s not the most patient person. I promised Kelsey we’d spend the day together.”
Guilt weighed on her conscience. “Once she finds out what happened I’m sure she will understand.”
“No, she won’t.” He locked his arms around his knees. “She has a chip on her shoulder about the size of the Alamo. It will be just one more time an adult has let her down.”
“I’m sorry, Ethan.”
“Yeah, well, let’s get some rest.” He shrugged off her apology as if it meant nothing, and it probably didn’t. “I’m guessing it’s about four o’clock, the hottest part of the day. We’ll stay here for a while and then trek on.”
“What were you checking out earlier?”
“I lost the tire tracks. I don’t know if they turned right or left or drove straight ahead. It’s as if the tracks disappeared into thin air.”
“Why were you looking at the sky?”
“I was checking for power lines.”
“And?”
“There are none. Fences either.”
“And that means?”
“I’m guessing this land is part of a big ranch and this section is leased for deer hunting. Since the cabin’s in disrepair and hasn’t been used for a while, my thought is that it’s up for sale.”
“But wouldn’t they need electricity?”
“Some guys like to rough it, but if we keep walking we’ll reach power lines and water.”
“I’d kill for a glass of water.”
He leaned back against the tree. “Rest. We’ll start walking when it’s cooler.”
She stretched out her legs and drifted into sleep. When she awoke, her head was on his thigh. She sat up and rolled her head from side to side, feeling a little better. The heat wasn’t so intense, but the need for water hadn’t left her.
Sweat trickled from Ethan’s hair down the side of his strong face. She was mesmerized by it.
“What would you do if I sucked the sweat off your face?”
With a gleam in his eye, he replied, “Depends how you do it.”
Staring into the warmth of his eyes, she felt a heat that had nothing to do with the temperature. It had to do with hormones, chemistry and a titillating attraction between a man and a woman. It was wrong, wrong. Denying that didn’t change a thing.
She’d fallen for her rescuer.
* * *
EVERETT FELT LIKE a fool. He’d had another anxiety attack brought on by stress. His blood pressure was extremely high, too. A bad combination. The doctor had said he could have a stroke if he didn’t reduce the stress in his life. He’d gotten some medication to help, but nothing was going to help until Abby was returned safely.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the den he could see Chloe and Holly playing in the pool. His granddaughter was happy for now, but soon she would be asking for her mother.
“Everett, why don’t you lie down for a while,” Gayle said behind him. “I’ll wake you if the police call.”
“I’d rather sit in my chair. Chloe will be in soon and I don’t want her to think I’m sick.”
“Okay. I’m not going to argue with you.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
“I’ll get you some iced tea.”
“Thank you.”
Gayle was being calm and rational, and that’s what he needed right now. He hated to think he was so weak he would collapse if something happened to Abby. Something had happened to his daughter and he was falling apart. That wasn’t easy to admit. He was an indoor, quiet guy, a retired banker. He was good at numbers. He often wished he was a rough and tough outdoorsman, but that just wasn’t his personality.
As Gayle handed him a glass of tea, the doorbell rang. “That’s probably Doug,” she said. “Please remain calm.”
“I will.” Taking a sip, he set the glass on a coaster. He knew the dangers and he wasn’t risking his health. He had to stay strong for Abby and Chloe.
Doug and a policeman followed Gayle into the den. Doug’s eyes went to the windows and Chloe and Holly playing in the pool.
“What’s Holly doing here?” Doug demanded.
Gayle bristled. “I didn’t realize we needed your permission to invite people over.”
“I didn’t mean it that way. Holly hates me and fills Chloe’s head with nonsense.”
“They’re playing, Doug,” Gayle told him. “So relax.”
Doug moved toward Everett. “I’m here for Chloe.”
“I know,” he replied. “She’s swimming as you can see. I had no right to try to keep you from your daughter.” Those were the hardest words he’d ever had to say and it was killing him to let go of h
is link to Abby.
“I’m glad you see that. I’ll get her.”
“If that’s all you need, I’ll be on my way,” the policeman said.
“Yes, yes, and thank you.” Doug headed for the pool.
“I’m surprised at you, Doug.” Gayle crossed her arms over her breasts.
Doug swung back. “What are you talking about?”
“I thought you’d be more concerned about Abby.”
“I am. I’m worried out of my mind.”
“No. I meant when they find her. She’s going to need love, support and a shoulder to lean on. I’d assumed you’d want to be that person. But Everett and I are more than happy to be there for Abby. Under the circumstances, it’s probably best, too.”
By Doug’s stunned expression, Everett could almost read his thoughts. This was his opportunity to be there for Abby. To prove how much he loved her. Everett shook his head in disgust.
“You’re right, Gayle,” Doug said. “I’ve been so worried I hadn’t thought about Abby needing me.”
“You seem to forget about Abby a lot.”
Before Doug could respond, Chloe ran in from the sunroom. She climbed into Everett’s lap. “Did you see me swimming, Grandpa?”
“Yes, I did.” He stroked wet curls from her face. “You swim like a fish.”
“That’s what Holly said.”
Holly walked in with an oversize towel wrapped around her waist. Her eyes zeroed in on Doug. “I didn’t know rats came out of the sewer at this time of day.”
“Your daddy is here,” Everett said quickly before heated words could start.
“Hi, Daddy.” Chloe raised a hand, but she made no move to go to him.
Doug squatted by Everett’s chair. “Do you want to go to Daddy’s house?”
Chloe shook her head. “I have to stay with Grandpa. Mommy’s coming to get me.”
“Okay, sweetie.” Doug leaned over and kissed his daughter’s cheek. “Daddy has a lot to do, but I’ll come back for you.”
“No, Daddy. Mommy’s coming.” Chloe’s little face scrunched up in worry. Even at three she sensed something was not right.
“C’mon, cutie,” Holly said. “Time to get dressed.”
Chloe gave Doug a hug and ran after Holly.
Doug left without another word.
Everett looked at his wife. “I knew you were crafty, but you’ve taken devious to a new level. Doug didn’t even catch on.”
She shrugged. “You didn’t want Chloe to leave and I figured out a way to accomplish that.”
“Thanks.”
“I’m not a monster.”
“I know, honey. I said things this morning I didn’t mean.” He raised his eyes to hers. “Did you mean it when you said we’d take care of Abby?”
“Yes. I’m not the motherly type, but I will try.”
“Don’t try, Gayle. Let it happen naturally.”
She kissed his forehead. “I’ll make us a nice dinner.”
“Chloe—and Holly, too?”
“Of course.”
His cell buzzed and he quickly pulled it out of his trousers. “Hello.”
“Mr. Baines, this is Detective Logan.”
“Yes, I know. Have you found my daughter?”
“Sorry, Mr. Baines, no. But a SWAT team and the feds have arrested Devon Williams at his girlfriend’s.”
“And Abby wasn’t with him?”
“No. He said the van broke down and he left it on the side of the highway in Houston. He called his girlfriend and she picked him up and they traveled to her apartment in south Houston. The girlfriend verified his story. He said he doesn’t know anything about a bank robbery.”
“You believe this?”
“Not for a minute. He’s being transported back here and I’ll get a crack at him. I’ll stay in touch.”
“Thank you.”
Everett stared at his phone and suddenly threw it across the room. It landed with a soft thud on the large Oriental rug.
“Everett!”
He told Gayle what the detective had said. “My daughter is probably lying dead in a field somewhere, and he just didn’t want to tell me.”
“No. No. Don’t say that.” Gayle wrapped her arms around him. “We’re staying positive. Do you hear me?”
“I think I will lie down.”
“No.” She kissed his face. “I’ll get the checkerboard out and you can play checkers with Chloe. She loves it.”
“But you hate it when we make a mess.”
“I don’t care.” She wrapped her arms around him again and he held on tight. “Abby will come home, Everett. We have to believe that.”
And he did.
* * *
WITH EACH STEP, Ethan cursed himself. One look from her sleepy blue eyes and he’d let his guard down—allowed himself to wonder what it would feel like to have her lips on his skin. He’d come to his senses quickly, telling her they had to keep moving. She’d seemed startled, but complied. Concerning Abby Bauman, he had one goal—to return her safely to her family. That was it. No hanky-panky.
“E-e...”
He swung around to see Abby crumpled to the ground. He fell down beside her and lifted her upper body onto his thigh. “Abby!”
She’d passed out from the heat, and her breathing was shallow. Balancing her on his leg, he whipped his T-shirt over his head and wiped her face with it, running it around her neck trying to cool her.
“That feels good,” she murmured, opening her eyes. Lightly touching his chest, she added, “That feels even better.”
He slowly removed her hand from his hot skin, even though he had the urge to press it closer.
“What happened?”
“You fainted.”
“Oh. I’m so hot.” She moved restlessly. “I’m sticky and miserable.”
“Maybe take off your bra. It’s restrictive and might rub blisters.”
Her eyes opened wide. “Oh, you want to get me out of my bra?”
“This isn’t personal.” He had to make that clear.
“Oh, no, we don’t want to get personal. That could get messy, messy...” Her head tilted against his chest.
“Abby, stay awake.” He rubbed her face and neck again and she stirred. “Is it a front or back hook?”
“F-ront.”
He slid his hand under her top and unhooked her bra, touching unbelievably smooth, soft skin.
“You did that rather easily,” she said, watching him.
“It’s in my repertoire of skills.”
“I bet.”
“Can you get it off? Or do you need me to help?”
“I can do it.”
Some of her stubbornness was back. She pulled her arms through the sleeveless top and finagled a strap over her arm and then another. Removing it, she threw the lacy beige bra into the leaves. Then she jammed her arms back into the openings.
They both stared at the lacy bra. “Can you imagine the conversation when someone finds that?” she asked.
“Only nocturnal creatures will find it, or birds will use it to make nests.” He looked down at her. “Ready to continue on?”
She reached up and touched his face. He froze. There was that thing again between them. He kept pushing it away and it kept coming back. Describing it was difficult. Attraction? Sexual awareness? Or gratitude?
He was well aware of all three, but their connection hinged on gratitude. He was positive of that.
A snort and a thrashing rumbled through the trees. Before Ethan could move, a big buck came charging out, leaped over them and disappeared just as quickly.
“What was that?” Abby sat up.
“A deer and I’m betting he’s headed for water. We hav
e to follow.”
“Oh, water. Do you think it’s close?”
“We have to go to find out. Can you stand?”
She pushed to her feet and he slipped into his sweaty T-shirt. With his arm around her waist to steady her, they started off. She didn’t stumble or complain so he kept them moving. They stopped as the trees meandered down into a small overgrown valley. In the middle sat an old shack.
“There has to be a creek running by it. Let’s go.” He started off, but she stayed at the top. Glancing back, he called, “C’mon. What are you waiting for?”
“I’ve been waiting for you, Ethan. I’ve been waiting for you all my life.”
What? She was delirious. That was the only answer.
“That’s crazy,” he said before he could stop himself. “C’mon.”
She walked toward him and against every sane objection in his head a delusional thought slipped through. He’d been waiting for her, too.
The heat had finally gotten to him. He was a hard-nosed, badass cop and he was well insulated from silly, romantic nonsense.
Until Abby Bauman.
CHAPTER FIVE
WALT PLACED A glass of iced tea in front of his friend Henry Coyote, Levi’s grandfather. Even though Henry was older by seven years, they were best friends. They were hardworking, hard cussing cowboys who were born and raised in Willow Creek, Texas. Henry had started a family early, while Walt had been thirty-five when Ethan was born. Henry’s son had been killed in a car accident and the son’s wife had moved to Austin with Levi and his sister. But Levi had returned every chance he got and lived here now. Like Ethan, Levi never strayed far from his roots.
Walt and Henry argued like two-bit lawyers and fought like bobcats. That is, they had in their younger days. They’d been there for each other through the bad times, the deaths of both their wives and the death of Henry’s son.
“Sure you don’t want to go to the Rusty Spur, drink some beer and play dominoes?” Henry asked.
“Nope. Not going anywhere until my boy comes home.”
“Levi is on the case and there ain’t nobody better at catching crooks than Levi.”
“Except Ethan.”
“Ah, shit...let’s don’t have this argument again.”
