Alice Sharpe

by Cowboy Incognito

  “Yet I married,” Zane reflected.

  Pike looked toward the stairs. “Yeah, well, you seem to have a knack for finding exceptional women.”

  After the past several hours, Zane had grown to like and trust Pike. For the first time since arriving at the ranch, he thought he might be able to belong here again, to care about these people even if his memory never returned. “Thanks for all you did today,” he said. “I’ll go down to the ranch house, but I won’t be long. I want to be here when she wakes up.”

  “I’ll sit in your office,” Pike said, “so I can hear if she needs anything.”

  “Thanks.” He took the gun from his waistband and pressed it into Pike’s hand. “Take care of her.”

  “I’ll keep her safe until you return.”

  Chapter Twelve

  He found everyone in the kitchen, sitting around the big maple block counter. Lily stood at the stove stirring a pot of what smelled like marinara sauce, while Charlie perched on a stool nearby watching her. Chance was sorting mail and the man who had to be his father sat as though he’d been expecting Zane.

  “What the hell is this I hear about you having amnesia?” he demanded.

  It was pretty easy to see parts of himself and his brothers in his father. Harry Hastings had Chance’s forehead and full head of hair, though his was mostly white. On him, Pike’s dark blue eyes and straight brows looked stern instead of thoughtful, and though Zane was decades younger, his father’s general physique was much the same. There was also a belligerent twist to his lips that seemed to be all his. It announced clearly he didn’t like obstacles and would not tolerate any funny business.

  “Hello to you, too,” Zane said.

  Harry Hastings grunted at Zane’s reply. “I heard some little gal was injured by one of our wranglers. Is she okay?”

  “She will be,” he said.

  “Can’t believe something like that could happen on Hastings soil. Damn negligent of Pike to hire him.”

  “Pike didn’t know,” Zane said. He looked around for some sign of the new wife. “Where’s your bride?” he asked.

  “She wanted to stay in town until she’s boxed up all her stuff for the move out here. Damn woman has been living alone in a tiny house for twenty-five years. You wouldn’t believe how much crap she has. Anyway, we’ll take a transport and the horses out to Bywater tomorrow. I predict your memory will come back as soon as your butt hits a saddle.”

  “If that was true, it would be back now,” Chance said. “Gerard rode out to the ghost town as soon as he got here.”

  Harry’s brow furrowed. “Why did you go out there if you didn’t remember Ann and Heidi?”

  “I didn’t plan on going there. It’s just where we ended up.”

  “We?”

  “Me and the woman who was hurt today. Her name is Kinsey Frost.”

  His dad grunted. “Well, a day working cattle will put you right as rain, mark my words.”

  “Actually, I won’t be here tomorrow,” Zane said. “Kinsey wants to go back to New Orleans. I’m taking her.”

  “New Orleans?” he snapped.

  “That’s where she lives. That’s where I lost my memory. Do you know why I was in New Orleans while you were on your honeymoon?”

  “No idea. You never said a word to me about it.”

  Zane fought off disappointment. His father had been his last hope. “Listen, Jodie Brown gave Kinsey the impression someone named Block was angry with her for taking something he cared about more than anything in the world. He told her she would die in an accident. She hasn’t the slightest idea...”

  His voice trailed off because his father’s attention had shifted to Lily, who had stopped stirring the sauce. She stood with her mouth agape, her gaze connected to Harry’s.

  “What’s going on?” Zane asked. Even Chance looked up from the mail, apparently sensing the same sudden tension that Zane did.

  Lily licked her lips. “Did you say Block? Jeremy Block?”

  “She didn’t hear a first name that I know of.”

  “Oh my God,” Lily said, dropping the spoon into the sauce and lifting Charlie into her arms. She looked around the room as if she was searching for a way out of the kitchen, off the ranch, maybe off the planet.

  “Is it him?” Harry asked.

  Her voice, when she answered, sounded different. “It has to be. Jodie must be one of his minions.” She met Zane’s confused gaze. “Oh my God, Gerard, don’t you see? He thought he was taking me. He thought Kinsey was me.”

  “You? Then you know Block?”

  Harry Hastings got to his feet. He walked to Lily’s side and put out his arms. “Charlie, how about you and me go find the dogs?”

  Charlie all but leaped into Harry’s arms and the two of them started for the door. Lily looked reluctant to part with her son and thankful for the help all at the same time.

  By now, Chance had set aside the mail and was staring at Lily. “How could anyone confuse you with Kinsey? Granted, you’re about the same size, but your hair...”

  “Is really brown. I bleach it,” Lily said. “I used to wear it long, like Kinsey does. I wanted to look different, to disappear...he must have found her where he expected to find me.” She swallowed hard. “How did he find me? I have to leave here. I have to go. Now. Tonight.”

  “Wait a second,” Chance said as he stood. “Who is this man?”

  She searched his face for several seconds before finally whispering, “Charlie’s father.”

  “And what did you take from him?”

  She seemed unable to speak, so Zane said it for her. “You took Charlie,” he said. “You took Block’s son.”

  Lily covered her face with her hands as sobs racked her body. Zane and Chance exchanged alarmed glances until Chance stepped closer. “You aren’t going anywhere,” he said gently. “You’re safe here.”

  Lily looked up at Chance. “You don’t understand. I’m not safe anywhere.”

  *

  ZANE CLIMBED INTO BED after seeing Pike off, too wrung out from the day to even think about eating. The room was dark by now and Kinsey didn’t stir when he slid between the sheets. As always, the proximity of her body aroused him. He held his hands in fists at his sides, determined not to disturb her. It promised to be a very long night.

  “Aren’t you going to make love to me?” she whispered.

  He turned on his side. “You’re awake,” he said.

  “I’ve been waiting for you. I want you to make love to me. You’ll have to do most of the work, though.”

  “Are you sure you’re up to it?” he asked as he stroked her cheek, careful to make sure it was her left one so he wouldn’t inadvertently touch her bandaged earlobe.

  “I’m sure. I want wonderful thoughts in my head, not ugly ones.”

  “I’m your slave to command,” he said, sliding his hand down her throat until he hit the fullness of her breasts.

  Their lovemaking was gentle compared to the night before, Zane being careful not to settle his weight on her bruised and cracked bones. He satisfied her needs and then his own, creating a pocket of potent warmth that seemed to drive away the demons. And when they both lay replete, she sighed deeply.

  “I feel safe with you,” she said, nuzzling his shoulder. “Tell me a story, okay? Let me hear your voice as I fall asleep.”

  He didn’t want to tell her about Lily’s revelations because he didn’t want to burden her with thoughts of Jodie. That story could wait until morning. He couldn’t tell her about his past because she knew as much about it as he did, but he could tell her about the places he wanted to visit. “Have you ever wanted to walk on an iceberg?” he began. “That takes a helicopter ride, I suppose. Imagine standing there on the tip of something so huge with the ocean in every direction. Or how about we travel down to Ecuador and then on to the Galápagos Islands. The wildlife there is something else.” He paused for a few seconds and cleared his throat. “I’ve also given consideration to where we should honeym
oon. How does Hawaii sound? Too ordinary? If so, maybe Tahiti or Australia or even the Bahamas. No, wait, maybe you’d rather go to Europe and visit art museums. What do you think, Kinsey?”

  She didn’t respond because she’d fallen asleep. He brushed her lips with his and she made a contented noise in her throat. At that moment he knew he had to have her, he couldn’t let her go even if it meant leaving the ranch and his family.

  Wouldn’t his dad be thrilled to hear that?

  It didn’t matter. He’d apparently loved a woman once before, and a child, too. Fate had given him a second chance and he wasn’t going to blow it.

  *

  THE NEXT MORNING, Kinsey watched as Zane packed their bags. He’d just finished telling her about Lily’s amazing revelation of the night before. It was reassuring to discover she and Zane hadn’t been the intended targets, though the lingering malice and fear would take a while to deal with. She must have created doubt in Jodie’s mind when she said she didn’t know Block. After driving toward the road, he must have decided to check out her story by searching her wallet. And then, with the arrival of Pike and Zane, he’d cut his losses and left her.

  Her phone rang and she glanced at the screen.

  “Your mom?” Zane asked.

  “Yes. I don’t know if I’m up to this.”

  “Then don’t answer it,” he said. He looked back at her and his expression softened. “Do what you need to do, sweetheart. I’m going to go get some things out of the office. I’ll be right back.”

  As he left, Kinsey answered the phone, doing her best to sound normal. “Hey, Mom,” she said.

  “I have news,” Frances Frost announced.

  “Is it Bill?”

  “No, well, kind of. James has asked me to marry him right away, before Bill dies so Bill can know that I’m taken care of.”

  Kinsey stared out the window for a second. “Married. You’re getting married?”

  “Yes. Can you believe it? After all these years...”

  “Mom, isn’t it happening a little fast?”

  “Fast? I’ve been a widow for twenty-five years. What’s fast about that?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Yes, I know what you mean. You’re being cautious. But James has promised to take care of me. You have your life, it’s time I allowed myself to have mine.”

  The statement reminded Kinsey of the time her mother had said she’d sacrificed everything for Kinsey. It was kind of troubling. “If this is what you want, then I’m glad for you,” she said at last. “When’s the ceremony?”

  “Today. I wanted you to know.”

  Today! “Mom, we’re actually about ready to leave for New Orleans. Could you possibly wait until I get there to, ah, share this with you?”

  There was a substantial pause, then Frances spoke. “I can ask James.”

  “Would you? It would mean a lot to me.”

  “Then okay, we’ll wait. But not for long, not with Bill coughing constantly.”

  “I’ll need four days,” Kinsey said. She knew they could get back in three, but she needed to have a little time to make sense of this once she got there.

  “Okay. Let’s say three o’clock four days from now, whether you make it or not, okay?”

  “Thanks, Mom. I won’t miss your big day. Is Bill’s nephew still there?”

  Frances lowered her voice. “He thinks I don’t know what he’s doing, but I can tell he’s still searching the house. What in the heck is he looking for?”

  “I have no idea. What does James think?”

  “He says to ignore him. I’m trying. Have to go now. Keep in touch, honey, and hurry home.”

  Kinsey clicked off the phone and stared at the screen until Zane appeared in front of her and gently lifted her chin. “Are you okay?”

  “We’re going to a wedding,” she said. “Mom is getting married.”

  “To the lawyer?”

  “Yep.”

  “Are you good with that?”

  “No. Two weeks ago she never mentioned his name. And now it’s James this and James that. I’m afraid she’s responding to outside influences.”

  “Like what?”

  “Well, like my sudden desertion, for instance. And Bill’s impending death. I think she’s afraid to be alone.”

  “I imagine people marry for worse reasons,” he told her.

  “I guess.”

  “Maybe the lawyer has been lonely, too. Maybe he figures it’s time to seize the day.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  “I’m going to go put our things in the car. You’ll feel better when you get there and see everything is okay.”

  He leaned down and kissed her lips and her heart raced. Every time he looked at her or spoke to her or touched her, it was more intense than the time before. She’d never felt about anyone the way she did about him. If her mother experienced even a molecule of that kind of desire, who was she to question it?

  He turned at the door. “I’ll be back in a few moments to help you down the stairs, okay?”

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  As his footsteps faded, a chill ran through her body. All of a sudden she felt as though she was standing at a crossroad, buffeted by the inescapable winds of change. She hugged herself tighter.

  Loss was in the air. She could almost smell it.

  *

  “I STUDIED A MAP,” he announced an hour later when he left the main highway. “We’re going to take as many smaller roads as possible. It might make the trip a little longer, but I’ll feel better not being so damn obvious.”

  “But now that we know Jodie was after Lily, not you and me, what concerns you?”

  He shook his head. “I’m not sure. Gut reaction to what happened yesterday. It might have been a mistake, but it served as a reminder that New Orleans could be deadly for us, and I just want to make sure nothing else hurts you. Ever.”

  She smiled. “Sounds good to me.” She cuddled back in the pillows Zane had brought along in an effort to make her comfortable, wrapping a blanket around her legs to ward off the chill of the air conditioner.

  “What did Lily say last night, you know, about Block?”

  “Nothing much. Just that he was Charlie’s dad. She was obviously terrified.”

  “Is she going to leave?”

  “I don’t know that, either.”

  “If Jodie is an example of how Block intends to reclaim his son, who can blame her for bolting? Does your father know this guy?”

  “No. I asked him about it before I came home last night. All he said was that Lily was the grand-daughter of an old friend. When he heard she needed a place to retreat for a while, he offered her a job. He said it was obvious she didn’t want to talk about what was wrong, so he left her alone. From what I’ve seen of the man, that must have taxed him. He’s not exactly Mr. Hands Off.”

  “I hope Lily will be okay,” Kinsey said before yawning into her hand.

  The hours passed in a haze as she did her best to breathe in such a way that her ribs didn’t hurt. After a light lunch, she fell asleep and didn’t awaken until Zane announced they were getting a room at the first motel they ran into. The room they found was a lot nicer than either had expected, and the soft bed dominating the area looked like a slice of heaven to Kinsey. As always, being in Zane’s arms was like a magic potion.

  The day after that passed in a long, mind-numbing daze as they pushed the SUV and themselves hard.

  They made it back to Louisiana by midnight of the next day, when Zane admitted he was too tired to drive another foot. He checked them into a ground-level room and excused himself to take a shower. Kinsey looked at her face in the mirror and almost gagged. No wonder she’d been asked so many questions about her injuries. Tomorrow they would be in New Orleans and she’d be her mother’s maid of honor. Wouldn’t she look fetching in the wedding photo?

  She groaned at the thought and then groaned again when she realized she’d forgotten to call. It was late, but ev
en if Frances didn’t answer, at least Kinsey could leave a message. She placed the call and it switched to the answering service almost immediately.

  “Hi, Mom, sorry I didn’t call earlier. We’re somewhere around Shreveport at the Red River Inn. I’m not sure how long it will take us to get back to New Orleans because we’re traveling the scenic route, but I’ll call when I get there and it will probably be sometime tomorrow, so you and I will have a whole day to go shopping for whatever you need. See you soon.”

  Zane came out of the bathroom followed by a billow of steam. Wet dark hair framed his amazing blue eyes, and his muscles, as he walked toward her, rippled with sensuous ease beneath his bare flesh.

  She raised a hand to touch the bandage on her forehead and winced. He stood over her a moment, just about blowing her mind with the bevy of hot, damp masculinity hovering just a few inches away. Her pulse pounded in her throat. He sat down next to her, his powerful thigh touching hers. It was hard to catch a decent breath. Her imagination soared at the thought of being in his arms, of having him inside her.

  He lifted her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. “Does your head hurt?” he asked.

  “No worse than usual.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know. I guess I just got a breathtaking eyeful of how gorgeous you are and it reminded me I look like a zombie.”

  He stared into her eyes and smiled seductively. “Baby, baby, baby,” he whispered as he touched her lips with his. “Glance down at my lap and you will find proof positive that you look perfect to me.”

  She did as he asked, looked up at him and licked her lips. “Care to prove it?”

  “Thought you’d never ask.”

  *

  THEY GOT A good start the next morning and, as usual, Zane left the major highways in favor of subsidiary roads. Kinsey had lived in Louisiana for almost four years now, moving there after college, but she’d never traveled these more remote highways. They were running alongside the Red River on a narrow road bounded on one side by the river and on the other by a slough. There was little traffic and as they drove, huge raindrops spattered against the windshield in the sudden deluge of a summer storm.