Saved by the Rancher

by Jennifer Ryan

  “She had a bodyguard, once. He turned up dead one morning in the pool at one of her hiding spots. Accidental drowning. Yeah, right, he’d been on his high school’s swim team for four years. Two days after the drowning, her ex grabbed her and did some serious damage to her that time, furious she’d put someone between them.

  “He switches between trying to romance her back into his life with notes and flowers and gifts and threatening her, smacking her around when she doesn’t do what he wants. It’s a game. His game. And he makes her play. She managed to hide for five months this time. That’s the longest he’s ever left her alone.”

  “I think I’m going to be sick.” The story and the whisky made his stomach roll.

  “I can’t do this anymore, Jack. I can’t stand by and do nothing to help her. She won’t even come see me for fear he’ll do something to me. We’ve managed to keep a lot of secrets, but he finds out more than we can hide. I didn’t want to involve you, Jack, but you’re my last hope. If you can’t help her, I don’t think anyone can. She’ll have to keep running for the rest of her life. I’m convinced he’ll kill her. It’s only a matter of time.”

  “By the looks of her, he almost killed her this time.”

  “Is she going to be okay?” The fear in Ben’s voice disturbed him, made the situation all the more real and terrifying. He might have patched her up, but she wasn’t out of the woods.

  “If I can get her fever down and the infection in her leg cleared up, yeah.”

  “If you need anything, call me. Oh, you’ll get an overnight package tomorrow for her. Just the usual stuff I send her when she runs.”

  Something sparked in Jack. “What does ‘Rabbit’s on the run’ mean?”

  “That’s her code when she needs help. She calls my office and the entire staff knows to get me anytime, anywhere. She’s being hunted like a scared rabbit. Her words, not mine. That’s how she refers to this whole mess.”

  “Hunted. That’s a vivid description.”

  Caleb winced and downed the last of his whiskey.

  Jack ended the call. “I’ll expect the package and take care of Jenna.”

  “Have her call me,” Ben said, his words desperate. “I need to hear her voice.”

  “I’ll tell her. It’ll probably be a few days before she’s feeling better.”

  Jack hung up and dropped the phone on the table beside him. He downed the last of his whiskey and sat in silence.

  “You going to be all right?”

  Jack ignored the question, knowing he’d never be the same. In some ways, he guessed, that was a good thing.

  “How does someone go through life feeling like they’re being hunted? Even when we were in combat situations and running special ops, I don’t think I ever felt hunted. More like a strategy, you against them. For her, it’s run and be captured and tortured and run again, find a new hole to hide in before he finds her again. I can’t stand it.” He shot up and paced.

  “Jack, come on, man. I’ve never seen you like this. She’s okay, safe in the room upstairs.”

  “Safe, for how long? I don’t even know who the hell is after her, or if they know she’s here. How can I protect her when I don’t even know who I’m protecting her from?”

  “You hardly know this woman, and yet you’re acting like she’s your wife or something. Take a step back. Get some perspective. She’ll be fine in a few days, and then you can decide how deep you want to jump in this thing with her.”

  “I’m drowning, is how deep I am in this thing. I can’t turn my back on her. I just can’t.” He’d always been this way. If someone or something got hurt or fell sick he had to take care of them, and it always took a piece of himself. Maybe that’s why his military career took such a toll. Each horror took a piece, until each of those pieces added up to a huge gaping hole of hurt.

  “I was afraid you’d say that. Okay. You know I have your six on this. I always do. Let me know if you need my help with anything.”

  “Thanks, man. You always have my back. I know I can count on you. Now go home. Kiss Summer and Lily. Make Summer laugh, she had a hard time tonight.”

  “I will. Summer said she’d be by tomorrow.”

  “Night, Caleb.”

  Caleb slapped Jack on the shoulder and gave him a look, telling him without words he was there for him. Jack appreciated the sentiment and the support.

  BETH WALKED IN the front door as Caleb left, holding a glass bottle in her hand. Jack stood in the Great Room and turned to stare out the window toward the mountains. His hands buried in his front pockets, his shoulders sagged, weighed down by the gravity of Jenna’s situation. He gazed up to the stars, his mind a million miles away with them.

  “Jack? Here’s the medicine. Sorry it took so long. I thought you’d still be up with her, and the guys asked a lot of questions.” When he glared, she added, “Don’t worry, I told them to mind their business. Besides, I don’t know anything.”

  Yeah, well, he didn’t know shit either. “Thanks, Beth. I appreciate your help.”

  “No problem. Anything for you, boss. How is she? Any better?”

  “No. But maybe once I get these antibiotics into her, she will be.” Jack accepted the bottle and took the stairs up two at a time.

  Beth called after him. “Do you need me to stay tonight?”

  “No, go on home. She’ll probably sleep through the night.”

  Jack climbed the rest of the stairs, knowing he faced a long night watching over Jenna.

  Chapter Ten

  * * *

  SALLY RAISED HER head and followed his progress around the bed to Jenna’s side. She moved off Jenna’s arm, but still lay down at her left side. Jack spoke softly to his beloved dog.

  “How is she, Sally girl?”

  Sally slapped her tail on the bed softly.

  “That good, huh. She hasn’t woken up?”

  Again, Sally slapped her tail.

  “Good. Let’s give her another shot and hope it doesn’t wake her.”

  Jack prepared the needle with the proper dose for a human, not a horse. He grabbed an alcohol wipe out of his medic bag and swabbed a small spot on Jenna’s bottom between two nasty welts. He stuck her with the needle, sending the antibiotics into her system. Hopefully, they would help break the fever soon. He trashed the needle and alcohol pad and rinsed out the washcloth on Jenna’s forehead. He washed down her face, rinsed the cloth again, and placed it on her head. He pulled the sheet over her, careful of her back and leg, and turned off the bedside lamp. Moonlight spread across her like a glowing sheet.

  Jack slumped on the chaise lounge by the window. His elbow rested on the arm, he put his hand on his brow and massaged the ache building behind his eyes. Tall, his right booted foot hung off the end of the long chair. He bent his other knee and planted his foot on the floor and watched her sleep for a long time. Hours later, too tired to fight it any longer, he drifted off to sleep, his mind tired from trying to sort out everything he found out about her and all the feelings racing around inside his heart.

  The barking didn’t really register at first, but he didn’t mistake the scream shattering the quiet night. Jack shot out of the chair. Jenna thrashed in the bed, moaning and screaming, fighting off her dream. Jack laid a hand on her shoulder to try to still her. He leaned over and in a low honey of a voice soothed her.

  “Jenna, it’s Jack. You’re safe. Stop moving. You’ll hurt yourself, baby. That’s it, sweetheart. Calm down. You’re okay. Be still.”

  “He’s coming. He’ll get me. He’s going to kill me. Run!”

  “No, Jenna. You’re safe with me. It was just a dream. Calm down.” He kept his voice low, calm. In a panic, if he could get her to listen, maybe she’d quiet.

  “Jenna, I’m the only one here. You’re okay, baby. I won’t let him get you. Calm down. Stop struggling. Remember your stitches.”

  Jenna’s eyes flew open and locked on Jack.

  “Stitches? What stitches? How did I get stitches? Please
, you didn’t take me to a hospital. Tell me you didn’t take me to a hospital.” She tried to get up, but Jack gently pressed on her shoulder. Completely out of strength, she could barely keep her eyes open or struggle with him.

  “Jenna, calm down. No one took you to the hospital. I stitched you up. I even gave you a shot of antibiotics. You’ll be feeling better in a few days.”

  Her eyes drooped, ready to close again.

  “Where am I? I never seem to know where I am,” she said weakly. Yet she remembered Jack without reservation.

  “You’re safe. You’re in my house where I can take care of you.”

  “Never safe. Always running. Always alone. Have to run. Rabbit’s on the run.” Her eyes fluttered shut and she drifted back into sleep.

  “No, Jenna. Rabbit’s safe. You’re not alone. Not anymore. I’m here with you. Rest, baby. I’ll keep you safe.”

  “Safe,” she said mockingly. “I don’t want to be hunted anymore.”

  He almost couldn’t hear her soft plea. “I’ll keep you safe.”

  The single tear slipping through her closed lashes told him she didn’t believe him. He’d prove it to her.

  Jenna’s breathing slowed and she fell into a deep sleep. Sally settled back at her side. Jack took up his guard in the chaise by the window with an overwhelming urge to crawl into bed next to her and hold her. Then she’d know the feel of safety again. He couldn’t. Not only because of her injuries, but because he feared frightening her. She’d stayed a good distance away from him in the restaurant and backed up with every step he took toward her. No, he couldn’t rush her into trusting him, but she would. He’d work at it until she did. He couldn’t let her go, when for the first time in years he actually felt something warm burning in the cold pit that used to be his heart.

  Chapter Eleven

  * * *

  JACK WOKE THE next morning sprawled on the chaise with a sore neck and a pounding headache. Water splashed in the sink in the bathroom. Summer came out with a bowl of water and a fresh washcloth. Jenna lay asleep in the bed, her hair and the sheet soaked with sweat. Her fever kicked into high gear. She lay perfectly still, except for the slow rise and fall of her back as she breathed. Sally hadn’t left her side.

  Jack rose and followed Summer over to Jenna’s side. She pushed the quilt on the end of the bed to the floor. Sally refused to leave willingly, so Summer grabbed her collar and yanked her off the bed. Sally took off out the door and down the stairs.

  Summer pulled the sheet off Jenna and tossed it on the floor by the doorway. She used the warm water and washcloth to gently wash Jenna’s face, arms, and legs, wiping away the salty sweat.

  Jack grabbed a needle and the antibiotics and stuck Jenna again. Each time he had to jab a needle into her, it made him cringe.

  Jack stood by watching as his sister silently took care of Jenna. She brushed Jenna’s hair away from her face and into her own hand. Then she separated it into three pieces and braided it down the length. She tied if off with a rubber band she pulled from her wrist. Then she twisted the braid into a circle on the back of Jenna’s head and used a pin to secure it. Good idea. That would keep the tail of the braid from rubbing on Jenna’s sore back.

  She glanced at Jack and smiled. Jack couldn’t smile, but he nodded with approval. They very carefully changed the sheet Jenna lay on. They rolled her as little as possible to get the sheet out from under her and replaced it with a fresh one. Jack grabbed the clean sheet to go over her and gently placed it over her legs and up to her waist. Her arms, bent at the elbow, lay by her head. He kissed Jenna’s shoulder and left the room quietly with his sister, disturbed by how quiet and still Jenna remained.

  Beth waited for them in the kitchen at the large island chopping celery, carrots, and onions, probably to make a pot of soup for Jenna. She had the coffee on and breakfast ready for him and Summer. The smell of bacon made his stomach rumble to life.

  “Want some coffee, you guys?”

  “Thanks, Beth, I’ll pour.” Jack reached for a couple of mugs and filled them, inhaling the rich scent. He handed over Summer’s and she sat on a stool at the island by Beth. Sally scratched at the back door to come in. Beth must have let her out. Jack let her in and filled her bowl with food. She ate greedily. Neither he nor Sally ate dinner last night.

  “How is she this morning?” Beth asked and continued chopping. She watched Jack with her dark brown eyes, inherited from her Mexican mother.

  “Her fever hasn’t broken. She’s passed out cold. She’ll probably sleep the day away.”

  “I’ll check on her throughout the day. If you want, I’ll sit in the room and watch her while you go to work.”

  “No. Just check on her. Like I said, she’ll probably sleep through the day. I’ll eat and go down to the barn, catch up on paperwork, and check on the horses and the crew. I’m sticking close to the house today. I’ll send Caleb to check the pastures and herds.”

  He scooped scrambled eggs and bacon onto two plates and handed one over to his sister. After she set her plate down, she grabbed him around the waist and hugged him hard, squeezing the air out of his lungs. He almost dropped his plate. He put his own plate next to hers and wrapped his arms around her head, resting on his chest.

  “Honey, it’s all right. She’ll be okay. What you did for her this morning, it was sweet.”

  “It’s the least I can do. I feel bad for her.”

  “I do, too.” He let his sister go and sat on the stool beside her.

  “How did she do last night?”

  “She had a few bad moments. She woke up and panicked at one point when she thought I’d taken her to the hospital to get those stitches. I calmed her down, and she slept well after that. She talked a little in her sleep. Stuff about how she’d never go back, she wouldn’t give up. She’s strong. She’ll get through this.” He took a bite of eggs, not tasting them, but knowing his body needed the food.

  Sally finished eating and burst out of the kitchen heading for the stairs. Jack knew exactly where he’d find her later. He checked the impulse to follow.

  Summer and he finished their breakfast in silence, watching Beth put together her soup in a huge pot on the stove. She got the fixings out to make bread. By the afternoon, the scent of fresh baked bread would fill the house. Jack’s mouth watered thinking about a slice with hot melted butter.

  Jack gulped down another cup of coffee before he stood to go upstairs and shower and walk down to the barn.

  Before he left the kitchen, he asked his sister, “Where’s Lily?”

  “I sent her down to the barn with her daddy to see her pony. I’ll pick her up and take her to preschool on my way to work.”

  “Okay. Don’t let her upstairs. I don’t want her to see Jenna.”

  “She’s curious about the ‘lady upstairs’ and wants to meet her.”

  “Not now. When Jenna’s better.”

  “I agree. I’ll come by after work and check on you guys before I head home. I’ll see you later.”

  “Tell Caleb I’ll be down shortly.”

  “I will.”

  “Beth, come get me if Jenna stirs.”

  “Count on it. Get cleaned up. Go to work. I won’t let you down.”

  “You never do.” Beth’s eyes glassed over at his praise and confidence in her. Jenna had made a big impact on his life. He’d been a hard, cold man for too long. Jenna was bringing him back to his true nature and it showed this morning. It took her arrival and knowing she’d spent the last couple of years isolating herself from everything and everyone around her to make him see he’d done much the same in his own life.

  Sure enough Sally lay on the bed next to Jenna, watching the door. Jenna hadn’t moved. He passed her door and went down the hall to his own room. He pulled his shirt over his head and made his way to the bathroom. He sat on the toilet and worked off his boots and socks. He got up and turned on the water in the big marble shower. Steam filled the large bathroom. Jack stripped off his jeans and boxers
and stepped into the shower washing away his hard night. He wished it could wash away the images of Jenna’s beaten body from his mind.

  Chapter Twelve

  * * *

  JACK ARRIVED TO the barn later than he normally would any other day. His crew took care of the stalls and fed all the horses. Many of the horses were being groomed. Others were out in the pastures and up in the hills, ridden by his crew checking on the cattle. Caleb stood by Jack’s horse’s stall.

  Blue was a huge gray stallion Jack couldn’t pass up at auction last year. Ornery as hell, mean to everyone but Jack. He’d bitten several of Jack’s men. Anyone close enough to him better watch he didn’t get kicked. Jack couldn’t explain it. He loved Blue’s defiance and spirit. They suited each other. Jack’s crew thought he should shoot the beast. It just made Jack laugh.

  “This horse is going to hurt someone one of these days. He snapped at the groom and it took two people to move him out of the stall so they could clean it.”

  “He’s not so bad. Just a little cranky is all.”

  Caleb laughed. “That’s how I’d have described you over the last year. How is she? Better yet, how are you? You look like crap.”

  “I’m fine. And thanks, you look like horseshit yourself, but that’s normal.” Jack put all teasing aside and turned serious again. “She’s sleeping. The fever hasn’t gone down. Beth will keep an eye on her. I’ll stay close to the house, check on her when I can.”

  “Summer thinks you have a thing for her.”

  “Summer’s a smart woman.” He did have feelings for her. He just wasn’t sure what they were exactly, besides a tangled mess with his anger toward the person who had hurt her. The one thing he knew for sure, when he saw her, touched her, something inside him eased and reached out at the same time. Like the way he felt about Blue, he admired her spirit and grit.

  “Well, I’ll be damned.”

  “I already am.”