Chapter Seven
Madilyn headed back inside and started cleaning up. Kaitlyn began to help her when Sam stopped her.
“I’ll help, Madilyn. You go sit down, Katie.”
“I’m not an invalid, Sam. I can help. Then I want to talk to you all about something.”
Madilyn saw Sam and their parents frown but Sam nodded. “All right.” They left the room.
Kaitlyn’s hands were shaking. Madilyn took them in hers. “Are you all right?”
“I’m scared to death to tell them,” Kaitlyn whispered.
Madilyn sighed. “I know, but you have to tell them. Maybe you don’t need to tell them about the rape.”
Kaitlyn laughed. “I’d rather tell them the truth and get it out there and Sam’s going to know I wouldn’t sleep with a man I knew was screwing around on me.” She sighed. “Let’s get this over with.”
They entered the living room to find Sam lying on the sofa with his eyes closed. Their parents sat in the recliners. Kaitlyn moved toward Sam. His eyes flew open.
“Were you sleeping?” Kaitlyn asked softly.
“Just resting my eyes,” Sam said as he sat up. “What did you want to talk about?”
Kaitlyn sat in a wingback chair and Madilyn sat in a rocking chair. Her stomach was in knots. She couldn’t imagine how Kaitlyn’s was. Madilyn watched her take a deep breath and Sam narrowed his eyes. Kaitlyn cleared her throat.
“I’m pregnant,” she said softly.
“What?” Sam asked between clenched teeth.
Kaitlyn nodded. “I’m two months pregnant.”
“You slept with that cheating son of a bitch, when you knew he was fucking around on you?”
“Sam!” their mother chastised him.
“Not intentionally,” Kaitlyn whispered.
“Not intentionally? What the hell do you mean by that, Kaitlyn?” Sam asked quietly.
Madilyn reached over, grabbed Kaitlyn’s hand, and gave it a squeeze. She gave her a small nod when Kaitlyn glanced at her.
“Kevin…raped me.”
Madilyn watched as Sam tried to get his emotions under control, his hands clenched and unclenched. “He what?”
“Sam—” Madilyn stopped when he glared at her. Kaitlyn’s parents hadn’t said a word or reacted in any way.
“He was drunk one night, and I was accusing him of sleeping with Beth. He said if I was more of a wife, he wouldn’t have to screw around.” Kaitlyn’s voice caught. “I said it didn’t matter anymore since I would never sleep with him again. It set him off. He took me to the bedroom and raped me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Rape is rape.” Sam stood and moved to squat down in front of her.
“Because you’d have killed him.”
“I wouldn’t have killed him. I would have beat the shit out of him then arrested him.”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Sam. I want this baby, even though it wasn’t made in love, but I don’t know how I can afford it.”
“You can come here and live. I’ll take care of you. Isn’t that what big brothers do? Take care of their baby sisters?”
“You can always come home with us, Katie.” These were the first words Kaitlyn’s father had uttered.
Madilyn stood. “I’m going to go and let you all talk. I’ll see you whenever you get back to work, Katie. Take your time. I can run the shop.”
“I’ll be in tomorrow.”
“Katie, you just buried your husband,” Madilyn said.
“A husband who cheated on me and raped me. I’m glad he’s gone. I’ll be in tomorrow.”
Madilyn glanced at Sam. He shrugged. Madilyn smiled. “All right. I’ll see you tomorrow, but if you change your mind, it’s no problem.”
“I won’t change my mind. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Kaitlyn said with conviction.
Madilyn nodded and left. She knew once Kaitlyn made up her mind there wasn’t anything that she could do to change it. Maybe it was better she did return to work, rather than sit around and think. Madilyn couldn’t imagine what she was going through. Pregnant by a man who’d raped her and obviously didn’t love her, a job that barely paid enough to support her, and now she would have a child to care for. Madilyn would do anything she could to help but she had her own bills to take care of. She shook her head as she drove home to change and then go to Brody’s place. She wanted to be with him, and spend the rest of her life with him, if he wanted her. After getting what she needed from her apartment, she drove to Brody’s ranch. He came out on the porch to meet her. She watched as he leaned against a post, folded his arms, and crossed his booted feet. He grinned at her and her heart hit her stomach. He was so gorgeous. Stepping from the car, she leaned back against it, folded her arms, and smiled up at him.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“How did it go with Sam? I’m sure their parents were supportive, but Sam…”
“He was livid but supportive. He told Katie she could stay there with him, but I know she doesn’t want to invade his space. I think Sam would kill Kevin if he wasn’t dead already. Her parents said she could live with them, but I can’t see that happening. Katie isn’t going to want to live with her parents in San Diego. I really can’t see her leaving Clifton.”
“I agree, and you’re right, Sam would kill him. He adores Katie and he’d do anything for her.” Brody walked down the steps then stopped in front of her. “Hi.” Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Madilyn moaned against his lips. His tongue moved slowly into her mouth as he pulled her tighter against him. Brody groaned as he deepened the kiss. He pulled back slowly and stared into her eyes. “I love you, Maddie. I always have and I always will.”
“Oh, Brody. I love you too. So much.” Madilyn wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Marry me,” Brody whispered against her neck.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Are you staying here in Clifton?” Madilyn stared into his eyes.
Brody glanced away from her and sighed. “Yes. I want to start the ranch back up. Mom and Dad are all for it. I’ll still be a deputy, Maddie. You’ll have to accept it.”
“I do, Brody. I don’t care where you go, I’m going with you.”
“Move in here until we can get a date set.”
“I’d like to keep my apartment. It’s close to work.”
“All right but on Saturday nights you’d better be here.”
Madilyn squealed and kissed him. Brody laughed and picked her up and carried her inside the house and to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and came down beside her. Madilyn took his glasses off and placed them on the nightstand then reached for him. She pushed him to his back, straddled him, and ran her hands up under his t-shirt, over his six pack and up to his pecs. His skin quivered under her fingers. She leaned down to kiss him, took his bottom lip between her teeth, and sucked it into her mouth. Brody growled low in his throat. His hands ran up her back and into her hair. Madilyn sat up and removed her shirt then her bra. She scooched down his legs, unsnapped his jeans, and slowly lowered the zipper. Her hand snaked inside and wrapped around him. His hips lifted and he pushed his jeans off.
Madilyn grinned and crawled to the end of the bed and pulled his boots off, then his jeans. She slowly moved up his body, kissing his calves, then to his thighs. He hissed in a breath when she lowered his boxer briefs and ran her tongue along the length of him. His hands clenched in her hair. She moved her mouth down over him, taking him deep into her mouth, and sucked. Brody groaned deep in his throat. Madilyn ran her tongue around the tip and down the length. His hips jerked.
“Maddie, stop please,” he moaned.
“Nope.” She continued to drive him wild until he jack-knifed up and grabbed her. Brody tossed her to her back, rolled on a condom and moved between her legs. He took her lips in a deep kiss and slowly inched into her. Madilyn gasped as he filled her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist and held on while he
moved harder and faster against her.
“Maddie, come with me,” he whispered against her lips.
“Yes…” she moaned and cried out his name.
Brody growled her name out as he joined her tumbling over the edge. After catching their breaths, he rolled to his back and pulled her tight against him. They fell asleep in each other’s arms.
* * * *
A few hours later, Madilyn silently crept around the room looking for her clothes when the lamp beside the bed came on. She jumped and glanced at Brody.
“Sneaking out on me? I feel so cheap,” Brody said as he sat up against the headboard.
“I didn’t mean to wake you. I have to get going.” She put her knee on the bed, leaned down, and kissed him. “Call me tomorrow.”
“I will. I’m starting back on my regular shift tomorrow night but I’m off from Saturday to Monday night.” Brody tried to pull her into the bed.
Madilyn laughed. “Stop. I have to go.” She quickly kissed him. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Be careful driving Copper Ridge.”
Madilyn blew him a kiss and ran out the door. She hated driving in the dark but she couldn’t stay. Not tonight. In two nights, she’d go stay with him for the weekend. She grinned. Being back with him was amazing. It was as if no time had passed and they’d never been apart. Madilyn frowned as it started to rain. Driving in the dark was bad enough, but add in rain and it was almost impossible. The headlights reflected off the wet road. She slowly drove the curve of Copper Ridge. A car came up behind her and was too close for her liking, staying close to her bumper. There was no place to pull over and let them pass so she lightly tapped her brakes. The car fell back from her. She breathed a sigh of relief and finally made it to her apartment complex. When she pulled in, the car slowed and for a minute she thought it was going to pull in behind her but it picked up speed and drove on past.
She blew out a relieved breath. She certainly wasn’t in the mood for any confrontation. Pulling into her parking spot, Madilyn locked her car and ran for the overhang to get out of the rain. A scream tore from her when a dark figure stepped in front of her. A hand covered her mouth.
“Shut up.” Zach!
Madilyn kicked his shin and scratched at his face. “Get away from me,” she shouted.
Zach pulled her up the stairs to her apartment and shoved her to her door. “Open it,” he growled.
“Go to hell,” Madilyn screamed.
Zach wrestled her keys from her hand and unlocked her door. Once opened, he pushed her inside. Madilyn ran for the phone but Zach tackled her and rolled her to her back. She fought back and started to scream again but he put his hand over her mouth.
“Shut up, Madilyn. I’m not going to hurt you.”
She stopped struggling and nodded. He removed his hand and stood. Madilyn kicked her foot up into his groin and watched as he fell to his knees. She scrambled up, grabbed the phone, and called the sheriff’s department. Then she ran behind the sofa and kept an eye on Zach. He laid on the floor groaning. Since the sheriff’s department was just down the street, they were there in minutes.
Madilyn opened the door to Deputy Mark Shaw. “Come in, Mark.”
“Madilyn? Did you call us?”
She moved aside to show him Zach lying on the floor. “Yes. He attacked me.”
“Are you hurt?” Mark glanced at her as he strolled over to Zach and squatted down.
“I’m fine. He scared me. I kicked him in his family jewels.” She folded her arms across her chest and sniffed.
“Get up, Johnson,” Mark told Zach.
“I can’t yet,” Zach groaned.
Madilyn watched as Mark grabbed Zach by the back of his collar and lifted him from the floor. “I don’t care if you can or not. You’re going in.” He glanced at Madilyn. “You are pressing charges, right?”
“This time, I am.”
“This time?” Mark’s eyebrow rose.
Madilyn waved her hand. “Never mind. It’s a long story, but yes, I’m pressing charges.”
Mark handcuffed Zach and had him sit on the couch. He took a pad out of his shirt pocket. “Tell me what happened tonight.”
“I was running from my car and he grabbed me. Then he dragged me up here, took my keys, and then pushed me into my apartment. I tried to run for the phone and he tackled me. That’s when I kicked him.”
Mark nodded. “Good enough.” He pulled Zach up from the sofa and led him from the apartment. Madilyn could hear him reading Zach his rights. She moved to her couch and collapsed on it. What had he been planning to do? She shivered. Was he going to force himself on her? Leaning her head back against the sofa, she closed her eyes. If Brody found out about this, there would be hell to pay. He’d kill Zach. Madilyn sat up and reached for her phone and dialed Sam’s number.
“Garrett,” he answered.
“Sam, it’s Madilyn.”
“Is something wrong?” She could hear the concern in his voice.
“I shouldn’t have called…”
“Madilyn, tell me.”
She sighed and told Sam what happened with Zach and Mark arresting him. “I’m afraid when Brody finds out, he’ll go ballistic.”
“That’s putting it mildly,” Sam muttered. “I’ll talk to him tomorrow when he goes in for his shift. I’ll take care of it.”
“Thank you. Is Katie all right?”
“She’s fine. Sound asleep. It’s been a rough day for her.”
“I’ll let you go, Sam. Thank you.” She heard him hang up.
Madilyn stood and headed for her bathroom. She hoped a hot shower would help her relax and help her forget what almost happened.
* * * *
Wilson Delgado sat in his car and watched as the sheriff’s deputy put a man in the back of the patrol car and then pulled out of the parking lot. Wilson wasn’t sure which apartment the man was taken from but he really didn’t care either. He was there to keep an eye on Madilyn Young and get her routine down so he could make his move. He grinned as he thought of how Morgan would panic when he took her from his life.
Wilson turned on the wipers to clear the windshield. The rain was coming down heavier, making it almost impossible to see. He sighed and started the car. There wasn’t much he was going to see tonight. He doubted she would leave her apartment anymore tonight since she’d just gotten home from Morgan’s. Wilson followed her from Morgan’s ranch and drove on past when she pulled into her parking lot. He circled back and parked. It would have been so easy to run her off the road but that would have been too simple. Morgan needed to suffer for what he’d done to Abby. For what he’d made Wilson do to his wife. His fist hit the steering wheel. The lying whore. She swore she wasn’t seeing anyone but he’d had her followed. When he saw the pictures, he saw red and put his plan into action. Wilson grunted as he remembered the night he’d had her killed.
“Wilson, please. Please don’t do this.” Abby begged while she grabbed the lapels of his jacket.
“Get off me, you fucking whore. Do you think you can lie to me?” he yelled.
“I’m not lying. We only had lunch together a few times.”
Wilson slapped her and shoved her to the ground. He strode away from her to his car and opened the glove box. When he came back to her, he shoved the glossy photos in her face while he grabbed her hair. He put his face next to hers.
“Pictures don’t lie, bitch!” He pushed her to the ground and turned to the two men standing by the car. “Kill her, get rid of the body.”
“Wilson,” she screamed.
He stood over her. “No one, especially my wife, lies to me.” He strode to the car. “Kill her,” he growled as he stood beside his car and watched them shoot his wife. Wilson knew her body wouldn’t be found for a long time. Cheyenne, Wyoming was a long way from Butte, Montana. With any luck, animals would ravage it. Knowing his men would do as instructed, Wilson drove back to Butte. The bitch deserved what she got, but Morgan would pay, too. The thought of tak
ing someone from him kept Wilson going. He would take care of this one himself then head into Canada. With more than enough money to live on, he’d disappear.
What a whore his wife turned out to be. He was glad she was dead but he didn’t understand why she whored around. Wilson gave her everything she wanted. Cars, jewelry, clothes, and a huge home to live in. He hit his fist on the steering wheel again. Bitch! He was better off without her. Revenge was going to taste so sweet when he took Madilyn Young away from Brody Morgan.
* * * *
Brody jerked awake and sat up. The dreams were back. Nightmares were more like it. He kept seeing Abby lying in a shallow grave, the animals digging at the dirt and pulling her out. Only, she wasn’t dead. Her screams woke him for months after she’d been found. Jesus! He ran his hand down his face and took deep breaths. Why now? Her death was over a year ago. He’d been free of the nightmares for months now.
Brody swung his legs off the bed and headed toward the kitchen. It was almost dawn. Getting a glass of water, he leaned against the countertop and gazed out at the sun coming over the mountains. The sky was beautiful with pink, blue, and yellow hues. He glanced over to the old hay barn. It was time to tear it down and build a new one. The ranch prospered in its day. Black Angus cattle had roamed the pastures. Brody wanted to make a go of it again. He knew he could do it and he wanted Madilyn alongside him. Their kids running around the fields and barns as he’d done growing up. Both red barns needed repainting. He’d take care of that too.
Damn it! Why did he have the dream? He made coffee and headed for the shower while it brewed. Today, he’d start on tearing down the barn and sleep later. Back to work tonight. He really hated nightshift.
* * * *
Madilyn sat at the counter placing orders for the shop when Kaitlyn strolled through the door. True to her word, she showed up for work. Madilyn smiled at her.
“Are you sure you want to be here?” she asked.
“No place else I’d rather be. I have bills to pay.” Kaitlyn smiled at her. “I’m going to the house tonight and get some things. I’m going to stay with Sam until I can get an apartment.”
Brody Page 9
