Rodeo Family

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  An uncomfortable hush settled over the guests.

  Why had Desiree shown up now? Tori wished she could be a fly on the wall. In spite of all the times Jenna had helped her out, Tori couldn’t do anything to help Jenna now. Helpless.

  * * *

  Tori pulled into the drive at the guesthouse. How could she be so tired? All she’d done was go to lunch.

  Poor Jenna. Even though Desiree had been truthful and only shown up to apologize, the encounter had obviously rattled Jenna. And Garrett worried about Desiree going to the press with the location of his house. Yet after Desiree left, Jenna and Garrett pulled off a chatty, fun lunch.

  Tori wanted to be Jenna when she grew up.

  Only problem, she and Jenna were the same age, so Tori should be grown up by now.

  Designs waited for her all over the house, people to call and orders to take. But all she wanted to do was take a nap. She hauled her hulking body out of the car.

  Maybe she’d take a short nap and then get to work. Probably be more productive that way. She slid her key in the lock. No click. It was already open.

  Odd. She could have sworn she locked the door. She always locked the door. Especially since Russ could be lurking around. No, that was ridiculous. She was on a private ranch with an alarm system on the gate. No one could get in. And as far as she knew, he hadn’t paid his fine. And if he did get out of prison, Mitch was to be notified.

  Deep breath. In and out. Calm down. She turned the knob and pushed the door open, hung her purse on the hook by the door and headed for her bedroom.

  A hand clamped over her mouth. Spasms coursed through her and she tried to cry out.

  “Hey, babe.”

  A whiff of alcohol turned her stomach. Russ.

  “Just when were you going to tell me I’m about to be a daddy?” His words slurred together.

  She stopped struggling against him. That would only make him mad and he might hurt the baby. Besides, it was no use. She was no match for his big bulk.

  “Now this is what we’re gonna do. I’m gonna move my hand, so we can talk and you’re going with me. I’ve got a new place. It’s real nice and you’ll like it. If you scream, I’ll go get your boyfriend and kill him with my bare hands. If you try to get away, I’ll kill your boyfriend, beat that baby right out of you, and kill you too. Got it.”

  She nodded.

  Russ moved his hand.

  “How did you get in the gate?”

  “Well now, I knew there must be somebody who wants revenge on Garrett Steele bad enough to pay my fine.”

  “Desiree.”

  “Busted. She was easy to look up. Since she kind of ruined her reputation as an entertainment agent, she’s desperate for a job. Then I saw you at the Stockyards yesterday. Saw you was holding out on me. So, I followed you. Once I got a load of this place, I figured it had to be Garrett Steele’s place and I knew Desiree could get me in.”

  “I can’t believe she went along with this.” Her voice came out too high.

  “All I had to do was promise her a piece of dear old daddy’s pie. I figure you’ve got plenty of funds for all of us.”

  “So that’s what this is about. Money.”

  He backhanded her across the mouth.

  Her head flew back and her body followed. She curled her arms around the baby and landed hard against the side of the couch. She tasted the iron of her own blood and wretched on the floor.

  “Look at the mess you made. Now get up, slut. Enough talk. Let’s move.”

  She had to do exactly what he said. And not make him mad. He’d hurt the baby without a second thought. If he hadn’t already.

  But she had to get away. Going with him and trying to keep him happy hadn’t worked before. And it wouldn’t work now. Something would always set him off and he’d take it out on her. And the baby. She couldn’t let that happen.

  She pushed awkwardly to her feet. He didn’t help. Nothing like Brant—not a speck of gentleness in Russ. She wiped at her mouth. Bleeding pretty badly.

  If he’d let her go to the bathroom, maybe she could squeeze out the window and make it to her car.

  “Can I go to the bathroom and wash my mouth? Maybe brush my teeth?”

  “Only because I don’t wanna have to smell your breath. But I’m going with you, so’s you don’t get any ideas.” Russ wrenched her arm behind her back.

  Don’t cry out. For some reason that always made him madder. She cleaned up her tender mouth as best she could with one hand, not really caring since Russ hadn’t fallen for her escape ruse.

  He dragged her out the door and toward his truck.

  “Let me drive. You’ve been drinking.”

  “Nice try.” He shoved her in the passenger side.

  As he rounded the truck, she considered jumping out. But she couldn’t run fast enough to get away from him. Especially not with the extra weight of the baby. And if she made it back to the house and locked herself inside, he’d break a window and come in after her. Then he’d kill Brant. She didn’t doubt him—not one bit.

  She’d wait until he drove into a populated area. Then she’d think of something.

  Please Lord, don’t let him wreck us.

  * * *

  The trees lining the endless fence blurred together as Brant made the long drive back to the highway from Garrett’s ranch.

  Strange lunch, but in the end it had gone as planned after Desiree did her apologizing and left.

  Brant had enjoyed being with Tori as usual. But her new business venture knocked the wind out of him. And she’d slipped out without him even realizing it until he saw her car gone.

  How could she go to Nashville with him—if he went—if she had a business to run? And how could he ask her to give up her dream to go with him—if he went? How had their dreams managed to come between them? Just like Jenna and Garrett. Their dreams had kept them apart for years—until they’d finally reached a compromise.

  The difference—he had no idea how Tori felt about him.

  A hard knot settled in his chest. He needed to know.

  Brant turned down her road. Maybe he could live in Aubrey and have his career. In between tours, he could live happily ever after with Tori. For the first several years, he’d be on the road a lot. But once he got his career established, he could cut back like Garrett.

  Until then, maybe Tori could go with him. If he convinced her to keep her baby, they wouldn’t have to worry about school for a while. And she could put together clothing designs from anywhere.

  If she loved him.

  A truck appeared in the distance. Tori drove a car. Who would be visiting her? For all he knew, she might be seeing someone. Like that Kenny guy from her dad’s funeral. The truck neared and he didn’t recognize it. A man driving too fast. Familiar. Brant focused on the passenger side as the two trucks met. Tori.

  And he remembered where he’d seen the man. At Jenna’s store and in court. Russ.

  Brant slammed on his break and spun gravel in a U-turn.

  Mitch was still at Garrett’s. Brant grabbed his phone from the seat and jabbed his address list button, then the G. Garrett’s number popped up and he pushed the call button.

  “Hello?” Jenna’s cheery voice came over the line.

  “Is Mitch still there?”

  “Sure, he’s right...”

  “Russ has Tori.”

  “Oh no. How? When did he get out? Russ has Tori, Mitch.”

  “I’m following them. We’re still on the ranch drive, but he’s getting near the gate.”

  “Mitch is on his way. Garrett’s calling 911.”

  He tried to catch up with Russ. But he didn’t want to make Russ go any faster. Not with precious cargo in the passenger seat.

  Russ neared the ga
te and didn’t slow.

  “Open the gate, Jenna,” Brant shouted.

  “No. He’ll get away with Tori.”

  “He’s gonna crash into it. Open the gate.”

  “I opened it.” Jenna’s voice cracked. “Oh, dear Lord, keep Tori safe.”

  The iron gate slid ever so slowly open as Russ blasted toward it. He barely cleared it and tires squealed as he turned toward Denton.

  “He’s headed toward Denton.”

  “I’ll give Mitch your number.”

  Brant ended the call and hung back—far enough to keep an eye on Russ’s truck—hoping he’d slow down.

  A truck came roaring up behind him. Mitch.

  His phone rang and he grabbed it. “Hello?”

  “It’s Mitch. I’m assuming you’re staying back to keep him from getting reckless.”

  “Yes.”

  “Here’s what I want you to do. There’s a nice straight stretch coming up. I want you to pull over and raise your hood. He’ll think you’re having truck trouble and he’s in the clear. I’ll stay with him after that and we’ll have the advantage since he won’t know the Texas Rangers are onto him just yet. I’ve got backup heading him off.”

  “Okay.” Everything in him screamed not to let her out of his sight. The straight stretch loomed in front of him. Against everything in him, Brant pulled over, jumped out and lifted his hood.

  “Good job.”

  “When we get closer to town, I’ll take advantage of the first stoplight and get her out of there. Brant?”

  “Yeah.”

  “I want you to go home. This could get ugly. Do you know if he has a weapon?”

  “I have no clue.”

  “I don’t need any civilians in the line of fire. Just stay clear and I’ll let you know when we’ve got her.”

  “Just keep her safe.”

  The line went dead. Brant’s heart would surely explode. He got back in his truck.

  And pulled back onto the highway. Within minutes, Mitch’s truck was in sight.

  His phone rang again and he grabbed it.

  “McConnell!” Mitch barked. “What part of stay clear did you not understand?”

  “I can’t.”

  “Do I need to have you arrested for obstruction of justice?”

  “Tell me something, Mitch! If Caitlyn was in that truck and you weren’t a Texas Ranger, where would you be?”

  Silence for a few seconds. “Checkmate. Just stay out of our way.”

  * * *

  “It’s a good thing your boyfriend’s truck broke down.” Russ snickered. “He was making my trigger finger itch.”

  The gun lay in his lap.

  Hopelessness threatened to overwhelm Tori. Brant wasn’t behind them anymore. At least he was safe. He’d probably called the police long ago. But where were they?

  At least Russ hadn’t lost control of the truck.

  If she waited ’til they got to Denton and the light happened to be red, she could jump out and get help. But Russ might start shooting. She couldn’t risk that. For the baby or for innocent bystanders.

  There was a wooded area close to the road coming up. That might work.

  She clasped a hand over her mouth. “I’m gonna be sick again.”

  “Hold it in.”

  “I can’t.” She wailed and threw in a fake gag.

  “Not in my truck, you don’t.” Russ didn’t slow enough and bounced the truck onto the grassy shoulder.

  If she had really been sick, she’d have lost it.

  As soon as the truck stopped, she bailed out and ran into the woods.

  Russ spewed curse words and his truck door slammed.

  Panic coursed through her. She couldn’t outrun him. And Brant was gone. She had to save herself. For the baby’s sake. A large branch lay on the ground and she slowed enough to grab it.

  “I see you, Tori. You can’t get away from me. Ever.”

  A siren screeched in the distance.

  Footfalls crashed through the brush behind her. Closer than before.

  Never in her life had she ever hit anyone. But she had to. This was life-or-death. For her baby.

  She spun around and swung the branch like a club. It made contact with the side of Russ’s skull with a sickening thud.

  He groaned and went down, slurring curse words as he grabbed his bleeding head.

  She wheeled back toward the highway. If she could just get to his truck before he caught up with her.

  But what if he had the keys? Still the highway was her best chance. Surely someone else would come along and help her. They were near Denton and she could hear traffic.

  Footfalls behind her again. Gaining on her.

  His arm came around her middle and his hand clamped over her mouth. She swung the club back over her head.

  “It’s me,” Brant whispered and took his hand off her mouth. “Where’s Russ?”

  She stilled and leaned into him, trembling. “Behind us somewhere. I hit him and he fell.”

  He grabbed her hand and ran toward the highway. The sirens blared now and blue lights flashed.

  “Put your hands up, so they’ll know we’re not the bad guys.”

  With both their hands up, they stepped out of the woods. Half a dozen police cars lined the road and all guns turned on them.

  A chill ran down Tori’s spine.

  “I’m Brant McConnell and this is Tori Eaton. Russ Dawson was holding her hostage. He’s in the woods, along with Mitch Warren.”

  “At ease,” one of the officers shouted and the guns lowered.

  Tori blew out a big breath.

  “Is Dawson armed?”

  “Yes, he has a handgun.”

  “Get in my cruiser and stay there.”

  Brant supported Tori as she stepped across the steep ditch.

  “You can’t get away from me,” Russ shouted as they approached the police car, and a blast came from behind them.

  Chapter 14

  Gunshots rang out and Brant tackled Tori, doing his best to cradle her gently to the ground and cover her body with his.

  Shots fired back and forth until it all became one giant, seemingly endless explosion, and Tori screamed until it stopped. Tires squealed away and several answered in pursuit. Silence.

  “We’re clear,” Mitch shouted. “He got away, but we’re in pursuit. Y’all okay?”

  “I think so.” Brant rolled off her. “Sorry about that. I was trying to keep you safe.”

  “It’s okay.” Her voice trembled.

  “Did he hurt you? The baby?”

  “I think we’re okay. What were you doing in the woods?”

  “Saving you. How did you end up in the woods?”

  “I was saving myself.”

  Mitch crouched beside them to examine Tori. “With the pregnancy, I think we should have a doctor check Tori out and then I’ll need to get a statement from her.”

  “I’ll take her to the E.R.” Brant helped her up and walked her to his truck.

  “I’ll give you an escort.” Mitch got in his truck and set his siren on top.

  “There’s blood on your skirt.” Panic rang in Brant’s tone.

  “It’s from my lip. The baby seems to be fine. I’m not cramping or anything.” She leaned into him. “I was so scared he was going to hurt the baby. Or you.”

  “Me?”

  “He saw me at the Stockyards. He must have seen us together. He said if I screamed or tried to get away, he’d kill you.”

  “They’ll get him. Don’t worry. And he should go to prison for a while since he fired shots at officers. I’m just sorry he hurt you again.” He propped her against his truck and gently dabbed at her battered mo
uth with a handkerchief.

  “I must be a sight.”

  Her stomach kept him at a slight distance. But not far enough.

  “A beautiful sight.” One he couldn’t resist anymore. He rained kisses over her forehead, nose and eyes tasting her tears, then pulled back enough to look at her.

  She opened her eyes and his gaze strayed to her mouth. Her chin tipped up.

  And he needed no further invitation. Brant claimed her lips, tasting all their sweetness. “Ouch.”

  “Oh, sorry.” He brushed a gentle kiss on the uninjured side of her lips, then opened his truck door, and helped her climb up.

  If he ever got his hands on Russ Dawson...

  * * *

  At least a dozen fluffy pillows cushioned Tori’s back in the king-size bed. Jenna had insisted she spend the night. Even though the doctor had said she and the baby were fine and prescribed rest for a couple of days. Even though Garrett had hired one of his bodyguards to permanently man the gate. But no word on Russ yet.

  And with everything that had happened and Russ still out there somewhere, all Tori could think about was the kiss. Brant had kissed her. What did that mean?

  A knock sounded at the door.

  “Tori. You awake?” Jenna whispered.

  Like she could sleep after that kiss. But Jenna didn’t know that part. “Sure. Come on in.”

  The door opened and Jenna perched on the foot of her bed. “Mitch called. Russ wrecked his truck fleeing the police. He’s in the hospital—pretty bunged up—but alive.”

  Tori hugged her stomach. She probably shouldn’t feel relieved that Russ was injured. But it would keep him from hurting her and the baby again.

  “And you have a visitor. Brant is here. Are you up to seeing him?”

  Was she? She definitely wanted to see him. But it would be awkward—after the kiss. “Sure.”

  “Okay.” Jenna squeezed her foot. “I’ll send him in.”

  Tori practiced not hyperventilating as Jenna left. Heavy footfalls in the hall. And Brant stepped into the room. Head down, his eyes on the floor.

  What was with the hangdog thing? Not like Mr. Take Charge at all.

  “I brought you McDonald’s.”

  “It’s a good thing I’m a cheap date.” She squeezed her eyes closed. Date? Had she really just said that?