Tomorrow Dana would appear to leave for work as usual. Then with Angie’s help, she’d switch cars and take a roundabout way driving to South Dakota. She called Angie on her cell and gave her the message. Then she hung up.
Dana threw as many clothes and anything else she thought she’d need in three suitcases. After dark a metal shutter came down to close off the garage. Of course, anyone who lived here could raise it with a code. Hopefully no one would enter while she was hiding her suitcases in the trunk.
Fear gripped her in the throat while the elevator went down to the ground floor. A few lights lit the interior of the garage. She slipped around to her car and quickly shoved the cases in her truck. When she heard the shutter going up, she hid behind a large SUV close to the elevator.
One of her neighbors drove in and the shutters automatically came down right behind them. But not before she peeked and saw the silver sedan parked across the street from the entrance.
They were coming for her soon. If she didn’t get away tomorrow, it’d probably be too late.
* * * *
Gavin called Steel. “Is your upstairs apartment ready for your tenant?”
“Yeah, I’ve been doing some more painting and put in a few new pieces of furniture. Why? Is she on her way?”
Gavin had already explained the strange conversation he’d had initially with Dana Wynters. “I heard relief in her voice this time.”
“This is a good place to hide. We can keep an eye out for her.”
“I was hoping you’d say that, and you don’t mind the short-term lease?”
“No, I’m making an exception this one time.”
“Good. I hope she gets here all right.”
“Me, too. My curiosity is aroused. I wonder if she’s hiding from an abusive husband.”
“I don’t know. She didn’t mention a husband.”
“I guess we’ll get most of our answers when she arrives. Have her come by my shop. I’ll give her the keys and show her the apartment.”
“I may not be able to reach her. I’m guessing she’ll leave her cell phone off most of the trip or use a disposable one. If she calls, I’ll tell her.”
“She sounds like one scared lady. I hate men who threaten women,” Steel said. “If he comes around here, we’ll run him off.”
“Maybe it’s a woman scaring her,” Gavin suggested.
“Very doubtful. Let’s hope she’s careful on her trip.”
Chapter Two
Dana pretended to be late going to work. The silver car kept close behind. Angie met her in the parking lot. They walked toward the office as usual. The silver car drove on by.
“Thanks for getting this rental car for me, Angie.” They’d stepped inside the medical office backdoor. “Here’s a check to cover the cost. When it’s safe, I’ll contact you. Tell Dr. Sanders I’m sorry to leave him with all my patients.”
“It’s all right. The new doctor he hired doesn’t have a full caseload. He’ll pick up your patients. Put on this black wig I got for you, and I’ll check outside. I’m glad you have somewhere to stay when you get to wherever you’re going.”
“Yes, I’m relieved that I don’t have to start hunting for a place right away. The doctor hiring me found the apartment very quickly. It’s small, and furnished, and I can rent it for three months or more. If I get there, I’ll be all set.”
Angie walked out the door and looked around. She motioned to Dana. Dana hurried to the rental car and got in. Angie handed her the keys.
“Now how do we get the suitcases from my car to this one?”
“A good question. But I thought of a solution. I’ll put your suitcases in my car and meet you at the first rest area on Interstate 75.”
“You might get in trouble being gone so long from work.”
“I’ve already notified everyone about a dental appointment I’d forgotten.”
For the first time that day, Dana smiled. “You have a devious mind.”
“I do. I like this cloak-and-dagger stuff, but I don’t like that it’s real.”
“Let’s get on the road. If I lose you, we know where to meet,” Dana said.
“Right, and if I’m followed, I’ll have to lose my tail before our meeting.” Angie walked to Dana’s car.
Dana drove slowly out of the parking area in the rental. There weren’t any suspicious vehicles around. She didn’t speed up until she spotted Angie pulling out a short distance behind her. Then Dana headed to the shortest route for I-75 North. Soon she was in the middle of the interstate traffic. Angie was three cars behind. She’d made it without anyone following her. The men stalking her had made their first mistake. They had the impression she was in the office for the morning.
They knew her routine and were always back by lunch. Then she got followed when she went to eat and see her patients at the hospital.
Dana had carried her travel book in her briefcase. She’d opened the case before starting to drive and placed the book open on the front seat beside her, in case she needed to check it. But she had no difficulty spotting the rest area where they planned to meet. She pulled off, and then parked her black sedan between two SUVs. It wasn’t quite so noticeable.
In a few minutes Angie drove in and stopped two cars down. They quickly shifted the suitcases to the rental car.
“I didn’t see anyone in a silver car or a car that followed for any length of time,” Angie said.
“Maybe I’ll get away without being noticed. They’ll think I’m still in the office if you get back before lunchtime. It’ll give me an eight hour start.”
“No problem. Even if they see me return, they’ll think you went to the hospital. We’re about the same size and with this blonde wig I’m wearing, they’ll hopefully be fooled. They’ll assume it’s you.” Angie gave her a quick hug. “Take care. Try to call tonight from wherever you stop, and let me know you’re okay.”
“I can use the motel or hotel’s phone. I’ll just say I’m safe and hang up.”
Dana fought back her tears when she watched Angie drive off. She was on her own, and she had a long way to go. She intended to get off of I-75 and take back roads to Mississippi. Then she’d stop and tomorrow head for Arkansas. It’d take her from today, Tuesday, until around Friday to get to South Dakota. But at least I’ll be safe. I hope.
* * * *
Steel was working on one of his own wrought iron designs when an unfamiliar car parked outside his shop.
The driver’s door opened and a blonde-haired woman got out. When she walked around the car, he noted the tired lines on her face.
He stepped outside. “May I help you?” Up close her jade-colored eyes and her bow-shaped mouth had his nerve endings tingling. He got a sudden craving to touch her creamy skin.
“Are you Mr. Randolph?”
Her soft voice held just a hint of a southern drawl. He put out his hand. “Yes, but most people call me Steel.”
She glanced at his open-air shop where his assistants were working on ironwork. “You’re kidding.”
She gave him a tired smile.
“No, that’s the truth. It’s a long story. I’m assuming you’re the doctor renting my apartment. You look ready to drop.
“Wait here. I’ll get the keys and you can follow me over there. It’s just behind the shop, but I’ll show you the way.”
“I need to be led. I’m so tired, I’m numb.”
Steel retrieved the keys. He got in his truck and turned left, then left again into the parking lot for the upstairs apartments. Dana followed and parked beside his truck.
“We’ll see if you like it. If so, I’ll bring whatever suitcases you have up the stairs for you.”
Dana popped the trunk open. “Take them now. I’ve already rented it. I won’t go back on our deal. I’m sure I’ll be fine with whatever.”
“A renter who’s easy to please. I like you.” He smiled, and then took the first two suitcases with him. “You must have loaded these cases with rocks. They’re heavy.”<
br />
“I had to struggle to get them to the elevator in my condominium. I pushed them across the floor, onto the elevator and off. Sheer determination kept me going.”
Steel opened the door and let her go in first. She immediately walked to the windows showing a view of the town and mountains surrounding it.
“What a beautiful scene. I’d take the apartment just for this.”
“Check the rest. It’s pretty small.”
Dana glanced at the living room. “Some new furniture and it looks like a comfortable spot to rest at the end of a busy day.” She glanced at the tiny kitchen. “I won’t be doing much cooking in there. Do you all have a restaurant nearby?”
“Within walking distance.”
She took a quick glance in the bath and bedroom. “This is perfect.” When she got to the door, she studied the lock. “Can you put on another heavier lock and keep this one, too?”
“I’ll have it on by this evening. Would you like to have dinner with my best friend, Chayton, and me at the Sunshine Diner? We’ll come here for you and walk you to the restaurant.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want to bother you.”
“No bother. I’ll put on the lock, and we’ll go eat. It’s hard to go out alone the first time in a new place.”
“Thanks. By the way, my name’s Dana Wynters. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself at first. I’m in a daze, and right now I’m going to crash. I didn’t sleep well on my way here.”
“We’ll see you at six thirty. I’ll call before we come to make sure you’re awake. The phone in the apartment is on.” He waved and went out the door. He heard the lock snap into place as he walked down the stairs.
When he got back to work, he called Chayton’s cell.
“Hi, what’s up?” Chayton asked.
“My renter got into town, and she’s a beautiful blonde, but also very scared and exhausted. I’ve invited her to have dinner with us at the Sunshine Diner.”
“Did she accept?”
“Yes, but I promised to put an extra lock on her door before we eat.” Steel hesitated a moment. “Chayton, I think she’s the one we’ve been waiting for all this time.”
“You’re kind of jumping to an important decision without knowing much about her.”
“I know. You’re the cautious one. But you’ll see when you meet her.”
“I can hardly wait to meet the woman who’s got you so excited. What time shall I join you?”
“I’m coming home to change clothes. We can ride into town together. I told her we’d be at her place at six thirty.”
“I’ll be ready.” Chayton clicked off.
Steel put down his phone and got back to his work. He and Chayton had been friends since they were five, and they both tended to be cautious about making important decisions. Chayton was right. He knew nothing about Dana except that when standing near her all his senses went on alert.
Slow down, cowboy. She’ll be here three months. I’ll have plenty of time to see if this is a temporary attraction or a more lasting one.
* * * *
Dana’s phone woke her from a deep, dreamless sleep. The first she’d had since all this started. She reached for the phone by her bed.
“Hello.”
“You sound like I woke you.”
Steel’s velvet-edged voice sent a ripple of awareness through her. “You did, but it’s okay, I need to eat.”
“Then you still want to go with us to the diner?”
“Yes. I’ll dress quickly and be ready.”
“Take your time. We’ll come a half hour later.”
His soothing tone comforted her. Yet her body heat had risen, and her nipples tightened into buds.
What’s happening to me? The last thing I need is to get involved with anyone.
She forced herself to speak coolly and calmly. “I appreciate your understanding, but I’ll be ready.” She hung up abruptly. Then she went in the bathroom and turned on the shower. Cold water will wake me and douse the heat in my body.
When they knocked, she had dressed in jeans, a white sweater, and being too tired to bother, left her hair hanging loose around her shoulders. A quick spritz of her perfume, and she walked to the door.
Gratefully, someone had put in a peephole. Steel waited patiently on the landing. Putting a smile on her face, she greeted him.
“You are ready. You look great”—Steel leaned forward—“and you smell wonderful.”
“Please don’t flirt. I’m not ready for any type of relationship.”
“I wasn’t flirting. What I said was truthful. Come on down and meet my best friend.” He turned and walked down the steps ahead of her. Then he took her hand as she came to the last few steps.
There was a sinking feeling in her stomach. No matter how she tried to deny her interest in Steel, she had no control over her body’s reaction to his nearness, touch, or his sexy voice.
When she glanced across the parking area to Steel’s truck, she saw a man leaning casually against the side.
Steel put his hand on the back of her waist and directed her toward him.
“Dana Wynters, I’d like you to meet Chayton Kane.”
Chayton was taller than Steel by about an inch, and his glossy black hair was longer and held back by what looked like a piece of leather. But it was his gray eyes that held her attention.
He straightened and put out his hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Miss Wynters.”
Hesitantly, she put her hand in his. She jerked her hand back when a spark shot up her arm and straight to her core.
To cover her strange behavior, she asked, “Is your name not Clayton?”
“No, I’m part Native American. My grandparents were Native American and my mother. Chayton”—he spelled his name for her—“means falcon.”
“I like the name and I suspect it fits you.” She suddenly realized Steel stood close behind her and Chayton had stepped forward. Their combined scents, a mixture of sandalwood, cedar, and musk surrounded her, and enticed her to take deeper breaths.
When Steel touched her shoulder, she jumped to the side away from both of them. Her face flushed with warmth. “Sorry, I’m a bit edgy.”
“I was going to suggest we start walking to the restaurant. I can put in the lock when we return.”
She sighed with relief. “I agree.”
Steel ran up the steps, locked the door, and joined her and Chayton. They walked straight about a block and a half. Then she saw the diner’s sign.
Chayton stepped around her and opened the door. The place was busy. He leaned close and whispered, “The baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and biscuits are the special tonight. It’s a favorite of the Triple Creeks Township’s residents.”
Dana smiled at him. “Then you all really asked me to dinner to have an excuse to eat in town and get the special.”
Steel and Chayton laughed out loud and several of the customers looked their way. A few hollered their names. Then a tall, burly man asked, “Is that the new doc? We heard it was a woman.”
“Yes, Barney, and all the rest of you, this is Dr. Dana Wynters. She starts working Monday,” Steel said.
One older woman got up and came to shake Dana’s hand. “I am happy Doc Gavin chose a lady. It’s much nicer for us older women.” Several other ladies nodded their heads.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. I’ll look forward to meeting you individually in the future.”
The waitress had been waiting. She led them to a back booth. “You’ll have a little more privacy here.”
Steel thanked her and she handed them the menus. “We don’t need them,” he said. He glanced at Dana. “I think we all want the special, unless you’d rather order something different.”
“I’m starving. The special sounds delicious. I’ll have iced tea to drink.”
“You guys want your usual, coffee?” the waitress asked.
“Sure do,” Chayton told her.
Both men relaxed in their seat
s. Chayton sat across from her and Steel on her right side.
“I’m glad you offered to bring me here the first time. Otherwise I’d have been a bit overwhelmed by the greetings.”
“You obviously don’t understand small towns like ours. The folks all know each other and their business,” Chayton said.
“When I was very young, my parents moved to Atlanta. I went to medical school and have worked there since I got my MD.”
“Then you don’t know how to horseback ride,” Chayton stated.
“Oh, but I do. A friend of mine lived outside the city and had several horses. She taught me to ride. We often got together to enjoy the wonderful sense of freedom when riding a horse, especially in the fall.”
Steel nodded toward Chayton. “We call him the horse whisperer. He has an uncanny way with horses and can train the most difficult ones.”
Dana spotted a light flush on Chayton’s cheeks. “May I come watch you?”
“Sure. I’m working with a stubborn stallion. Gavin bought him from me. It’s taking me a bit longer than usual to train him, and Gavin’s getting impatient. Why don’t you drive out to the ranch tomorrow? I’ll draw a map for you.”
“If I wasn’t working I’d drive you there myself,” Steel said. “But I’m behind on a project. I don’t usually work weekends.”
“I’d rather drive. I don’t want to impose on you or anyone.”
The waitress delivered their food. It was hot and delicious. Dana hadn’t eaten since having coffee and a donut early this morning. She cleaned her plate and ate two of the biscuits. She flushed when she saw she’d finished ahead of both men.
An indulgent glint shone in Chayton’s gray eyes. “You were hungry. Don’t be embarrassed. I like seeing a woman enjoy a meal. While we’re eating, tell us about you and why you decided to move to South Dakota and to a town where you don’t know anyone.”
Dana bit the edge of her lip. Chayton’s gray eyes turned silver-gray. “You have many questions. Dr. Melwyn must have talked with you.”
Captivating Cowboys [Triple Dare County, South Dakota 5] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) Page 2
