“I can’t let Grady know where I’m going. He’s going to sue me for fraud. I shouldn’t be calling you, but I don’t know anyone else to turn to who won’t turn me in.”
“How do you know I won’t turn you in?” Nessa asked.
“I want you to be my therapist. Client confidentiality,” Linx replied. “You told me that I could call you. I need your help.”
“Then come to my office and we can talk.”
“I can’t do that.” Linx hung up the phone and started up her Durango. Less than an hour later, she entered Nevada and headed north toward Montana where the forest service had a large firefighting base camp.
Grady hiked the last mile down the creek to the abandoned artist’s cabin Becca described. The trail in front of him looked undisturbed, and Sam, who walked at his side, didn’t seem to be excited about tracking Cedar—the closest dog he had for a girlfriend. Not that they got it on, since both had been fixed, but they enjoyed playing together.
Grady stopped when he spotted the tiny cabin. It was little larger than a storage shed and the roof was covered with pine needles.
“Cedar?” he called half-heartedly. “Linx?”
The place looked deserted, but he hadn’t come so far to not take a look. Maybe Linx’s mother left tools behind, or unfinished work. Or this was the place she used to assemble her horrid metal sculptures.
Sam sniffed the trail and picked up speed as they approached the cabin. He definitely picked up something interesting, although it could be a squirrel.
Someone had been by, and it could have been Linx. He rushed to the door. It was unlocked and opened easily.
He turned on the light and peered into the dimly lit space. An old easel was stacked along one wall and pieces of scrap metal lay in a heap in the back.
Grady swept aside cobwebs and stepped through the door. Sam sniffed the corners of the cabin and appeared disinterested.
“Think she sent me on a wild goose chase.” Grady rubbed Sam’s neck. “Nothing to see here.”
He examined the artist’s sink which was bone dry, and kicked the mattress lying on the floor. A tangle of metal was piled behind the easel. The windows were so dirty no one could see out or in, and from the tiny droppings in the corner, the only residents appeared to be mice.
There was, however, a sour smell, as if vagrants had sought shelter inside. But who would pass through this remote ranch out in the middle of nowhere?
Grady walked by a covered trash container right outside the doorway. He opened it and recoiled at the sight of charred bones among a pile of ashes.
Human or animal?
Salem Pryde?
But no, it couldn’t be. No one had found her remains. These could be a rack of ribs for all he knew.
He let the lid slam over the trash container, then using his sleeve, he wiped his prints off the handle.
“This is stupid. Probably a barbecue dinner. Someone had a picnic here,” he muttered to himself as Sam sniffed the container. “Come on, let’s go. Linx isn’t here.”
He dragged Sam’s collar and walked as fast as he could away from the artist’s cabin. Maybe he was creeped out by the bones, or it was the dank breeze wrapping itself around him, but Grady’s spine tingled as if someone were watching him.
As they stepped back onto the trail, Sam emitted a low growl, raising his hackles. Grady stumbled and stubbed his toe.
His jaw dropped and his heart pounded. He’d tripped over a row of rusted railroad spikes welded together in the shape of crosses.
Chapter Thirty-Four
On the way back to town, Grady texted Linx, Whatever’s bothering you. We can fix it.
He didn’t expect a reply, and he didn’t get one.
If Linx’s mother wanted attention, wouldn’t Linx’s cabin and the dog rescue center be targeted next? What better time than when the entire clan was gathered at the ranch?
Grady raced back to Colson’s Corner in record speed. As he approached Mountain Dog Rescue, he saw dogs running loose up and down the road and scattering into the forest.
What happened? Had the arsonist set the dogs free before torching the place?
Grady slammed the door of his truck and ran toward the building, followed by Sam.
The front gates were wide open.
“Linx!” he shouted. “Linx, where are you?”
Not only were the gates wide open, the cabin door was unlocked. Grady rushed in, but no one was there.
Grady called Linx’s cell phone. After four rings, it went to voice mail.
He left a message. “I’m at the rescue center. The front door was unlocked and the gates are open. Dogs are outside. Ginger and Cedar are missing. Did you take them both?”
He hung up and scanned the empty cabin. There were no signs of anyone pouring gasoline. The weird sculpture still stood on the porch. Sam sniffed around, not scenting anything that raised his hackles.
Whoever it was had been interrupted by him showing up, and they could be watching to see when he’d leave.
Grady went upstairs and checked the loft. The expensive designer wedding dress Linx purchased from Jenna was still on the form, and her clothes, along with her favorite boots and cowgirl hat, were in the closet.
He opened the nightstand drawer and found the two photographs Linx had shown him. She wouldn’t have left town without them, would she?
Her gun, the one he’d noticed was sitting on top of her Bible, was missing. But then again, she had a concealed carry permit, and she probably took it with her in case the arsonist came around.
Perhaps she had only gone somewhere to unwind. She certainly had a lot to think about, given what Becca said about the perjury charges she was facing if he decided to go through with the paternity and custody issue.
Grady checked his phone and opened the photos that had been taken earlier in the morning. Little Jessie and Linx with the puppy. They wore identical grins and matching dimples. Their dark brown gypsy eyes crinkled with mischief, and the love they had for each other was palpable.
Would he destroy all of this?
But heck. She was his daughter—or was she?
He had a right to know.
And then what?
Of course, if she was family, he should take care of her, raise her and nurture her. It wasn’t fair to slough off his own child on another couple.
But where would Linx fit in?
Grady walked out the back door to check on the dogs who’d stayed behind and see if he could get the rest back into their pens.
Old Bob the bulldog wagged his tail, barely lifting his head for a pat. It was a shame such an adorable animal would be left to languish because people preferred younger pets. At least he hadn’t flown the coop.
Grady opened the box for the gate controls and sectioned off the play yard where several dogs had congregated, making sure they couldn’t join the escapees outside the compound.
Walking toward the front gate, he spotted a red bandana snagged onto the chain-link fence.
Grady couldn’t remember if Jessie had been wearing it or not when she came to visit the second time, but he should contact someone to let them know she’d left it.
He herded the dogs that were still hanging around back into the pen and went into the cabin to look for the volunteer list.
A text message chimed and the phone rang at the same time.
Grady picked it up. It was Nessa.
“Nessa?” He wondered if he’d forgotten an appointment he had with her. “What’s up?”
“Have you heard from Linx?”
“No, has anything happened?” His throat tightened and worry thumped in his chest. “She’s not at the rescue center. Is she okay?”
“I don’t know, but she called me asking me to take over the rescue center. It sounded strange, like she was going away and not coming back.”
“Not coming back?” Grady’s breath hitched. “I’m at the center and someone’s opened all the gates. Half of the dogs are missing and I’m abo
ut to call my brothers over to help me find the dogs. Linx’s SUV isn’t here and neither are Cedar and Ginger.”
“She tried to invoke client confidentiality, but the more I thought about it, the more worried I got,” Nessa said. “She said she was a fugitive from the law. Has she done anything?”
“Nothing other than a lie she told years ago. It’s not like her brother’s going to arrest her or anything.”
“Anyway, thought I should let you know. She wants someone to take care of the dogs. I’m on my way from San Francisco, but it’ll take me a couple of hours to get there. Sounds like you have a mess on your hands.”
“Yeah, thanks. I better go round up the cavalry.” Grady thanked Nessa and hung up, as text messages and missed calls flooded his phone.
It was his family, probably berating him for bailing out on the dinner with Linx’s family.
But then again, couldn’t Becca smooth it over with them? He wasn’t exactly in the mood for socializing after the bombshell she dropped about Linx’s lies and the possibility he wasn’t Jessie’s father after all.
Grady typed a message to Dale. Need you, Connor, and Brian over at Mountain Dog asap. Gate’s wide open. Dogs are missing.
A siren cut off as a police cruiser tumbled up the gravel driveway.
Well, that was fast. He certainly couldn’t complain about the response time. They showed up before he’d even called.
Grady ran toward the police car, waving at Todd as he stepped out of the car.
“The dogs are missing. We need to get them rounded up and put back in the barn.”
The sheriff pulled a gun. “Stop right there.”
What the hell?
Was he being blamed for Linx’s disappearing act?
Slowly, Grady raised both hands and gaped at the sheriff. “Someone let the dogs out, but there’s no sign of burglary.”
“What are you doing here?” Todd’s eyes narrowed over Grady. “I need to take you to the station to account for your movements.”
“I came over from your father’s ranch.” Grady couldn’t believe he was being given the third degree. “You were there.”
“You left well over an hour ago.” He put his gun down and gestured to his deputy. “Secure the area and call in the search party.”
“Linx isn’t here. I already checked,” Grady said. “She took off.”
“We know that,” Todd said as a minivan pulled onto the driveway and Pastor and Mrs. Patterson tumbled out. “It’s Jessica Patterson. She’s missing.”
“Jessie? Missing?” Grady jumped and felt like his insides were turned out. “What happened? Where?”
“She disappeared from church,” Pastor Patterson said. “We had a festival to kick off God and Country Week. When it was over, Jessie was nowhere to be found. We questioned the other children, and they claim Jessie was talking about getting a puppy.”
“Someone must have taken her from the church property with promises of a puppy.” Mrs. Patterson wrung her hands and wiped a tear. “Have you seen her?”
“No, neither Jessie or the puppy are here,” Grady said. “But her red bandana is caught on the chain-link fence.”
More cars screeched around the corner and bounced onto the rutted dirt lane leading to the barn. It was his family joined by the Colsons.
Todd circled his hands around his lips and yelled, “Stay back. This is a crime scene. Nobody move. Jessica Patterson is missing.”
Shock and consternation fell over everyone’s face. Becca ran toward him and grabbed Grady, shaking him. “What did you do? Why couldn’t you wait for the paternity test?”
“Just because Jessie’s your daughter doesn’t mean you can take her,” Chad stepped forward.
“I didn’t do anything. I came here to check on Linx.” Grady held his hands up.
“Then Linx must have taken her.” Cait sidestepped the sheriff and stood in front of Grady, as if she would protect him. “She left the ranch even before Grady did.”
“What’s going on here?” Pastor Patterson’s booming voice knocked everyone back. “If you two did anything to hurt my daughter, I’ll …”
He cocked his fist and slammed it into Grady. “Arrest him. He kidnapped my daughter.”
Bedlam broke loose and everyone shouted to be heard, as Todd snapped the handcuffs over Grady’s wrists and shoved him into the patrol car.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Linx couldn’t believe the text message she received from Grady promising to work things out with her. She glanced at the voice mail icon and missed call from him, but her heart couldn’t take it to hear his voice, pleading for her to return.
Once he found out he was unable to gain custody of Jessie, he would regret everything about her. His only chance was for her to leave and admit her guilt. That way, he could work out a deal with the Pattersons.
Perhaps they would feel sorry for him that he’d been cheated out of having a say on the adoption.
Or maybe the court would side with him, and Grady and Jessie would live happily ever after—as long as Linx wasn’t around to screw things up.
So much like her batshit crazy mother.
She had to make a clean break—no looking back. Grady deserved to have a home in Colson’s Corner with his daughter. Eventually, he’d find another woman—one who wasn’t nuts—to settle down with. He could take over the Mountain Dog Rescue Center, and she was sure her father would let Jessie have her horse.
They would live a good life, one they deserved, while Linx would disappear into the fire lines, fighting forest fires until the flames finally caught up to her, like they did for Salem, and she would simply disappear without a trace.
She should shut off her phone, but text messages came in fast and furious like popcorn over a hot campfire.
Cedar nuzzled her thigh and whined, wondering why they hadn’t moved from the parking area.
“I need to see if Nessa will agree to take care of the rest of the dogs,” Linx said. “Sorry you’ll never see them again, especially little Ginger.”
The tip of Cedar’s tail wagged, and Linx rubbed her furry neck, knowing that she’d selfishly kept Cedar from Grady.
She scanned the messages and swallowed as she realized she’d never see her siblings and father again. They were all texting her, including Grady’s sister, Cait, pleading with her to come back.
One message flashed at her like a hot branding iron on bare skin. Call me, my daughter. I can help.
From Minx.
Why was she texting her now, of all times?
A while ago, Becca had tracked their mother down, using her attorney skills, and had called her for Christmas. Linx hadn’t wanted to say ‘hi’ and had run away to the artist’s shed to hide out for the rest of the day.
When she’d returned, none of her siblings mentioned the phone call, and Becca had taken her phone and added Mom to the address book.
Linx had immediately changed “Mom” to “Minx” and debated deleting the number.
But every night for the next two weeks, she had instead pulled out the phone and stared at the number—never ginning up the courage to call.
Why should she?
Minx hated her.
What would she say to her?
Tips on how to elude the law?
Linx swallowed hard and closed her eyes. She should call Minx and let her know exactly how bad she was and how she’d turned out just like her.
Before she could change her mind, she hit the green call button and waited breathlessly as a woman answered.
“Hello?”
“It’s Linx.”
“Ah, Linx, I knew you’d call.” The woman’s voice was scratchy, as if she’d been chain smoking since the day she left.
“Why did you ask me to call?” Linx said. “Why now?”
“Wanted to help.”
“Because I screwed up my life? I’m on the run—just like you. Are you proud of me? Happy?”
“You finally stopped pretending to be a Colson.�
� Minx chuckled and then coughed.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“The Colsons are goody-two-shoes. The whole lot of them. The kind of people who won the West. Brave, courageous, honest, hard-working, and do-gooders. I always knew you couldn’t keep it up. What did you do now? Kill someone?”
“I, uh, no, of course not.” Linx’s voice trailed off. What had she expected from her mother? Apologies? Compassion? Maybe even a little motherly concern?
“Then what? Broken heart? You still chasing after that smokejumper?”
“How do you know?” Linx’s body tensed, causing Cedar to jump.
“I know a lot of things, and I’ve been waiting for you to call.”
“You have? Since when?”
“Since you refused to wish me a Merry Christmas. Now why would that be? Are you afraid of looking in the mirror? Afraid to see your ugly self?”
“I can’t be as ugly as you.” Linx spat, her voice deep and tight.
“Don’t be so sure. I know what you’re capable of, and you’re no better than me. You’re worse.”
“At least I don’t hate my own daughter.”
“Who says I hate you? Has your dad been lying to you?” Minx’s raspy voice scratched like fingernails on a chalkboard.
“I don’t know why I called you,” Linx choked on the lump in her throat, “but I’m not going to give you the satisfaction of turning out just like you.”
“Oh, but it’s too late. You already have. No one will ever trust you. No one will ever believe in you. You’re nuts, and your heart is black just like mine. I know you stole that man’s dog, and I know you stole his kid.”
Linx ended the call and turned off her cell phone.
She wanted to smash it, but all the pictures she took of Jessie were on the device. Instead, she turned her SUV due north. She would pay her dues and seek redemption on the fire lines—burn her sins and herself into white ash.
Maybe that was what Salem had done to atone for her wrongdoings.
Hellfire raged all through the northwest, Canada, and Alaska, burning millions of acres and scorching the entire earth. If she could do nothing right or bring happiness to nobody, she could at least consume herself in the fiery inferno, purify her soul and redeem her pitiful self.
Summer Love Puppy: The Hart Family (Have A Hart Book 6) Page 24
