Along Came a Ranger

by Debra Holt

  The water was cold as it swirled around her ankles; the rocks were slippery and easily moved underneath her faltering steps, inflicting cuts on her skin at the ankles with their sharp edges. Her steps were hesitant in the darkness. It was difficult to balance herself and the child also. A couple of times she slipped and almost lost her grip totally, almost sending them both into the water. Luckily, Stacy finally made the bank and took a deep breath. Another thought brought her up short. What if there was something already sheltered in between the rocks? Some animal? A snake? Great. The slithering kind of snake with fangs… or the two-legged variety with guns? Some choice.

  Carefully, she wedged herself into the opening, not letting her mind go crazy with what-ifs as she turned to ease Lizzie further into the protection of the rocks. Luck was with them and they were the sole occupants. Stacy folded the child closer against her side as the night sounds closed around them. Any second, she expected to hear footsteps. Lizzie ceased her whimpers and finally spoke in a half-whisper, half sob.

  “Where’s my mommy? I’m hungry. I want to go home.”

  “I know you do, sweetheart. I want to go home, too. We have to stay here until the sun comes up so we can see to find our way home. That means you have to be brave for me and still not make any sounds, okay? Just close your eyes and think of something pretty… something you like to do with your mom and dad. Before you know it, the sun will be up in the sky and we can go home. Your mom will fix you your favorite breakfast, I’m sure.” Stacy hoped that worked.

  She was rewarded with a sniffle and then a sigh. “Pancakes with little blueberries in them and chocolate milk, that’s what I want her to make.”

  Stacy smiled for the first time in a long while at the child’s menu. “That sounds perfect. Just close your eyes and think of how good those pancakes will taste when you wake up.”

  At some point, the child did sleep; her breathing became easy and deep. Stacy forced herself to stay awake as long as it was possible. She kept her mind on positive things. First, she went over the outline of her new book in her mind, trying to make mental notes on changes she might make; and how she really should go back to that little store on main street and purchase the other lamp to match the one she purchased earlier; and she wondered if Darcy would give her the recipe for her pot pies?

  But, throughout it all, her mind kept returning to Davis. Where was he at that moment? What was he doing? Did he even know she was gone from his house yet? The bottom line was that he wasn’t with them at the moment and she was all that Lizzie had to get her home safely. Failure is not an option. Maybe if she kept repeating the words in her head, she’d believe them. At some point in the early morning hours, Stacy finally succumbed to a fitful sleep.

  *

  Through half opened lids, her eyes tried to focus on what it was that had awakened her. Where exactly was she? The mind fog cleared. Reality came crashing back with painful clarity. A shiver went down her spine as she felt eyes upon her and she jerked hers open with a gasp. It took a moment or two for her mind to grasp the fact that the eyes looking at her belonged to a white-tailed deer… a doe to be precise.

  The animal stood on the far side of the stream silently examining the odd pair of humans interrupting her dawn visit to the local watering hole. Her velvety ears flicked first one way and then another. She sniffed the air. A second or two more of contemplation and she bounded away, her short little white tail raised stiff in departure.

  Lizzie stirred in her arms and Stacy knew her own arm had fallen asleep with the way the child was folded against it. She tried to move it and sharp pin-like needles shot through it. In fact, most of her muscles felt strained and sore from their cramped space. The light was enough that it was time to head toward the ranch house. Surely, the pair had given up their search in the night and fled the area. Why Davis had not arrived yet, she had no idea.

  “Where’s mommy? I’m hungry.” Lizzie’s voice was hoarse and just above a whisper.

  “I know you are, sweetheart, but we’re almost home. Just hang on tight and remember we still have to be very quiet.”

  Slowly, Stacy lowered both from their hiding place and, with the child still half asleep in her arms, she waded back through the water and climbed the far bank. It was certainly easier going with the light of morning taking hold across the landscape. Where was Davis? Surely, he had returned to his house by now? Or Darcy would have called and getting no answer, would have come to investigate and found her note? Where was the cavalry when you needed it?

  Was she becoming loopy? Her thought process was not as sharp as it had been. Her arms felt as if pins were being stuck in them. She was aware that a myriad of scratches were burning on her skin.

  Her mind brightened as she recognized the clearing they moved into. The house could not be that far away. She picked up the pace.

  “Don’t move lady. You’ve cost us enough time and money.” The voice was a low growl and deadly in its intent.

  Stacy froze. How could she have been so stupid? Please God, don’t let this happen. They were so close to making it to safety. She tightened her grip on Lizzie.

  “Turn around nice and slow. Do it now!”

  Stacy tried to grasp at one of the many thoughts running through her mind all at the same time. What could she do? Her body turned slowly in the direction of the voice, although she tried to keep Lizzie to her side and herself between the speaker and child. There were two men… one short and one tall. Both dressed as cowhands. The tall one had the gun, pointed straight at her.

  “Get the kid, Arnie, and make it fast. We’ve wasted too much time already.”

  “You don’t need her. She’s just a baby. If you leave now, you can get away. I won’t say a word to anyone.” Stacy said as she took a step backwards. “I have money. I can get you money to get away from here on. Just let the child go back home.”

  The small man, Arnie, took a step toward her. “Keep your mouth shut, lady. Get the kid! I’ll deal with the troublemaking excess baggage.”

  Stacy heard the release click on the gun and then a really loud boom came after that. She stood transfixed to the spot. Had she been shot? Weren’t you supposed to feel something if a bullet had ripped through your skin?

  That was when the tall man with the gun fainted to the ground. The small man spun around and dropped to his knees with his hands behind his head. Was this a joke? A hallucination? Stacy’s eyes blinked a few times as her mind tried to make sense of the scene before her. The explanation soon became clear.

  From the woods to her right, a large brown horse appeared. The man on his back was familiar and she wanted to cry at the welcome sight. Davis McKenna, rifle in hand, reined the animal up a few feet from her, and swung from the saddle. He was the best sight she had ever seen. If she hadn’t had the now awake, sobbing child in her arms, she would have flung herself against him in sheer relief.

  The clearing was suddenly full of other law enforcement personnel, but she only had eyes for the man who grabbed her against his side as her legs went all rubbery. Another man stepped up and took the rifle and the reins of the horse from Davis, which allowed him to turn her around more securely within his arm.

  Her eyes caught a glimpse of the small man on the ground, being handcuffed by two deputies. The tall man was on the ground too, but he was very still and there was a large red splotch in the center of his chest. It was then that she realized he hadn’t fainted. Davis had shot him with the rifle she had seen. She felt lightheaded and swayed a bit.

  “Let me carry her.” Davis’s voice came through the fog in her brain.

  The child’s arms tightened around her neck, and Stacy’s arms tightened around her. Neither one of them was ready to let go of the other. Davis sensed it and simply drew them both closer within the protection of his arms. She leaned against his welcome strength as he slowly guided them across the clearing. It wasn’t long before the house came into sight and its yard was alive with even more uniformed and plain-clothed officers,
medical personnel, and many others she had no clue as to their identities.

  Davis led them to an ambulance that stood with its lights flashing and its medical crew waiting. They helped Stacy climb aboard and instructed her to sit on the gurney with Lizzie in her arms. As long as Lizzie could hang on to the woman who saved her, she was calm and let the strangers listen to her heartbeat and check her out as best they could. Davis climbed in across from the pair and Stacy became aware of the vehicle moving.

  “We’re going to the hospital,” he explained as he saw the question in her eyes. “You both need to be checked out. Lizzie’s parents are meeting us there.”

  “I’m okay. There’s no need for a doctor for me.”

  “Yes, there is.” Davis’s voice was slow and steady and it brooked no argument. It was his eyes that flashed from light blue to dark sapphire as he maintained the rest of his thoughts under tight control. “You’ve got cuts and scratches that need treatment. You’re probably already experiencing the beginning of delayed shock. We’ll let the doctors do their job.”

  They didn’t speak any further. It was a short ride actually, with lights and sirens. There seemed to be a lot of hands ready to help her and the child out of the vehicle and usher them inside the building upon their arrival, but Davis never left her side, his arm still protectively around her.

  Stacy stepped into the emergency room and a shriek met her. A woman was flying across the space with a man close behind her. Lizzie came alive in her arms then and fairly lunged out of them and into the open arms of the woman. This was evidently the mom and dad. Tears and smiles and hugs filled the next few minutes. A doctor and another nurse stepped up to Stacy and went to escort her toward one of the exam rooms. Just as she turned, the tearful woman caught her arm and stopped her.

  “How can we ever thank you? You saved our daughter’s life! You have no idea what you’ve done for our family.” The sincerity and tears in the woman’s eyes would remain with Stacy for a long time to come. She only did what she felt anyone would have done.

  “It was Ranger McKenna who rescued us both. He brought us home. You should thank him,” Stacy replied in a voice with an unsteady tremble beneath it.

  Hands propelled her towards the cubicle.

  The nurse closed the door to shut out the rest of the crowd at that point. Davis relinquished his hold and stayed outside the door. “There’s a gown here on the table for you to change into. You can step behind the screen in the corner. The doctor will be in shortly to begin the exam.”

  The ER physician came in a few minutes later and began his exam and the nurse carried out his instructions. They were very nice and treated her quickly and efficiently. The numerous cuts and scrapes along her arms were cleaned and covered with antiseptic patches where needed. There were a few gashes on her ankles where sharp rocks had gouged her when she slipped against them in the stream bed but luckily, she got by without any stitches. A couple of scrapes on her forehead and cheek were cleaned and ointment applied.

  “Well, young lady, I can tell you that you’ll be sore the next few days, and it’ll get worse before it gets better. Your cuts and scrapes will heal just fine, but you need to keep them cleaned when you get home just as the nurse has showed you how to do. There won’t be any permanent scars that you can see. However, I do suggest that you see a counselor once or twice when you get back to the city. I can give you the name of a couple of good ones.”

  “A counselor? Why on earth would I need to do that?” Stacy had no idea why he would suggest that.

  She was a little keyed up at the moment, but anyone would have nerves after what she had just gone through. Besides, she had always been tougher than anyone gave her credit for.

  “You had quite a time of it. Often the aftermath of such an intense situation doesn’t present itself until days or weeks later. It’s just a precaution.”

  “I’ll be fine, but I’ll keep it in mind.” Stacy couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital.

  She needed her clothes first. The hospital gown was not her best look. In fact, she could imagine what she looked like… seated on the edge of the exam table, her legs bare except for the bandages here and there, with the bruises that were purpling up quite nicely. Her arms matched her legs. Her hair still had bits of twigs and leaves and no telling what else caught up in it. She tried to pick out the larger pieces, but there had to be more she couldn’t see.

  “I’ve signed your discharge and I have a script for some pain meds for later, and an antibiotic cream for the scratches. You’re to go straight home and get to bed. You need about twelve hours of sleep to begin with.” He turned from the door and threw her a smile. “It was a brave thing you did. We all thank you for bringing that little girl back to her family. You can take her home, Ranger McKenna.” The last instruction was said to the tall figure just outside her door.

  Davis stepped into the room after the doctor stepped out. The nurse smiled and left them alone for a moment. Stacy wanted the floor to open and swallow her. She had never felt quite as vulnerable in her life as she did at that moment. Sitting in the drab hospital gown, no makeup left on her face, bandages and ointment dotting her limbs, she could only imagine what a pathetic sight she must make. She didn’t meet the man’s eyes.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Those were not the words she expected to hear and her eyes flew to his face. That was a mistake. The look in his encompassed every inch of her and she felt he had physically touched her skin. There was an emotion in their depths that caught at a space beneath her rib cage. It both frightened and thrilled her at the same time.

  “I should have made you stay with Darcy in town. Then none of this would have happened.”

  “This isn’t your fault, Davis. If I hadn’t stayed at your house, and hadn’t played junior detective in the woods, then Lizzie might not be home today. At least that’s what people keep telling me around here.”

  “You got hurt in the process and it could have been far worse. I should have called you sooner. When I found that you didn’t answer the first time, I should have been on the road to the house immediately. And if I had been a second or two later, that man would have pulled the trigger on you. I won’t forgive myself for allowing you to be placed in that danger.” He had moved to stand much too close to her.

  Stacy was aware the hospital gown was fairly flimsy and she felt practically naked sitting there. Too vulnerable. There was a shimmer of heat pulsing off him and it was hard to concentrate on what he was saying. She was experiencing the same sudden desire she had first felt the moment she looked up and saw him sitting on his horse. It was the desire to be wrapped up in his strong embrace, to find that place where she could instantly feel safe and protected. Instead, she clasped her hands tightly in her lap.

  “I made the decision to stay at your home. It was also my decision to take a walk in the woods at night. Besides, I don’t know why you’re yelling at me.”

  His gaze narrowed as he continued to look at her. “I’m not yelling at you. I’m just trying to apologize and making a mess of it. You scared me… and I don’t scare easily. It’s not a feeling I care to repeat anytime soon. When I got to my house and found the note, well, I don’t want to go through that sort of thing again. I feel responsible.”

  “You’re not responsible for me! How many times do I have to say that? Why won’t people listen to me? I do what I want to do and no one is going to tell me I can’t do—” Her voice broke on the last word. “Just hold me.”

  Davis stepped forward then and she found herself in a very precarious, yet much desired place… inside his arms. Her cheek rested against the solid expanse of his chest and she could feel his heart beating… very fast and very loud. Immediately, she became aware of another sensation. For the first time in a very, very long time, she felt a quiet peace settle around her. She felt… safe. It was as if she had been running for a very long time… from what and toward what, she had no idea. She had found a safe harbor and it was in the arms
of a cowboy… go figure. Stacy didn’t want to dissect anything at that moment. She just wanted to keep her eyes closed and breathe in the scent of the man who held her as if she might break any moment.

  “You’re coming off the adrenalin rush.” The voice rumbled in his chest beneath her ear. “You haven’t slept and you’re either about to have a crying jag or collapse… or both.”

  “I don’t cry.” The tears trailing down her cheeks made a liar of her on that score.

  Davis kept one arm around her and plucked a tissue out of the box on the table beside her, then began dabbing gently along her cheeks, careful to not touch any scraped skin. His infinite tenderness was her undoing and more tears flowed. She cradled again by both his arms and he gently rocked her in their sanctuary. A hand lightly smoothed over her hair. This was as close as she had come in a very, very long time to feeling cared for. The irony wasn’t lost on her. She had always run from the cowboy type. And, now, this cowboy was all she wanted. How long they remained like that, she couldn’t say. Neither one of them made a move to break the spell around them. It took the arrival of the nurse to do that.

  “Excuse me. Here are the rest of the scripts and your release, Miss Smith,” she said as she stopped just inside the doorway, trying to be as discreet as possible.

  Davis dropped his arms and stepped away while Stacy grabbed another tissue for her nose.

  “I’ll be waiting for you right outside this room,” he said, just before the door closed behind him.

  Chapter Eight

  Davis wasn’t a man to second guess himself… usually. Except, he had been doing a lot of that since coming face-to-face with Stacy Smith in that hotel gym. No woman had ever had such an effect upon his senses and he had been intrigued and then some. What the “some” was, he didn’t place a name on. He needed more time to examine the strange feelings when he was alone. Standing in a hospital corridor wasn’t the place or time. While he waited for Stacy to be released, his mind went over the last few days. Had it only been a matter of under a couple of weeks?