“It isn’t the first time I slept in my truck.”
Stubborn man. “I’ll be right back.” While waiting on the coffee, she changed into jeans and a t-shirt, and in the kitchen, she pulled on the new pair of boots. They still needed breaking in, so she might as well do it while pacing. She tied laces on her sports shoes and draped them over her shoulder in case her feet needed a break. She grabbed a pillow from the linen closet. Picking up the carafe, she turned off the lights in the kitchen with her elbow. Zach came from around the barn. Kimber sauntered up to him. He took the coffee.
“Honey is still on her feet.”
Kimber handed him the pillow. “Here, go lie down.”
“If she lies down again, come get me.” Zach placed his hand on her shoulder. His touch sent heat through her body. If this was a fantasy movie, the touches would be shown as sparks in the dark. “All right. Anything that doesn’t look right with her, or anything, wake me.”
She pulled him in close for a tight embrace. “I’m thankful you’re here.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve seen some bad cases of colic, and this one isn’t even close. She’ll be all right, darlin’.”
Zach kissed her, then closed the door on his way out. She brought the creamer and sugar cans from the office. Sighing, she poured herself a big mugful. A half mug of coffee later, Kimber focused on Honey’s breathing, which sounded normal. Her tummy didn’t look extended, nor did she seem uncomfortable. In fact, she nudged Kimber with her muzzle once. Bill’s treatments must’ve helped. She leaned over to hug her, getting a whiff of horse and sawdust. “Am I keeping you awake, girl? Go to sleep.” Stormy wagged her tail as if Kimber spoke to her.
It was late, but against her will, she called Jerry. She let the phone ring until voice mail came on but hung up without leaving a message. And she did the same with his cell. He’d call once he saw it was from her. If Melinda had been there, a message like she wanted to leave would not sit well if she heard it.
Uneasy, she called another number she never should’ve dialed. Greg Stone’s voice mail came on his go-phone. “Greg, this is C.G. I need to talk to you. I don’t know what else to do. Strange things are happening. Please.” She hung up. She’d have to wait and see if he chose to respond to her call. The initials, C.G. were what he’d asked her to use if she had to call him—her sister’s initials, not her own.
***
The barn door slid open. Her breath held until she peeked around the stall door. “You’re not sleeping?”
“No. Why don’t you try to get some? I’ll get a cup of coffee and sit here.”
“I won’t be able to sleep. I’ll be right back though.” Inside the house, she used the bathroom. After washing her hands, she stared at the gift box from Melinda, then picked it up and smelled it. It smelled of sweet, refreshing lavender. There was a little spot on the front of the bow that looked like a sequin had dropped off, but when she looked closer, her eyes deceived her.
Kimber opened the box. It had a double layer inside. Ripping it apart, she found a tiny speaker. Her hand immediately went to her mouth, knowing damn well Melinda put this box there. Melinda had asked if someone was there when she’d called. Is that why she called? She’d heard Zach talking? Them making love? No, her bedroom and bathroom door had been closed.
Her gaze darted all over the room. She tried to act nonchalant in case there was a camera somewhere to go with the speaker. She crushed it with her heel. Her heart pounded so hard, a camera would’ve detected the thump in her chest.
She gathered up a bag and tossed pajamas in, makeup from her master bathroom, and a few extra under things, plus a change of clothes. Albeit, she wasn’t sure what she’d do, but she prepared anyway. On the way out, she grabbed an extra box of ammunition and another full magazine to her pistol. She tried to make these movements slow and subtle, now feeling like eyes were on her everywhere she turned. She took her purse and keys, stopped at the door to look back. This could be the last time she saw the place she’d grown to love. She went out to the barn.
She tucked her bag in the tiny room in front of Major’s stall. Zach came out from attending to Honey. “Can’t sleep either?”
“I didn’t try.”
He brought out a chaise lounge from the work room. “Where do you want this?”
Feigning a good mood, she spoke softly, “The doorway is fine. It’ll be too crowded in the stall, though the stall is good sized.”
He unfolded it and set it down. “I’m taking her for another walk. Wanna come?”
Her voice cracked as she forced out the question. “Not this time. I’ll take a turn later. How is she?”
Zach moved in closer. He stood in front of her and lifted her chin until she looked at him. “What’s going on with you? Don’t you feel well?”
“Everything, I suppose, is catching up. Melinda’s visit, now the horse…”
“She seems to be wanting to stay on her feet. I won’t walk her too long.” He attached the rope to her harness, shoved the chaise away, and led her out of the stall. Kimber hugged Honey’s neck and patted her. “Good girl. No more scaring us.” Zach clicked for her to follow.
Kimber peeked in on Major. Bristles under his muzzle prickled against her palm. “That’a boy.” Her eyes were heavy. All she wanted to do was lie in her bed and pull the covers over her head. She sat, then Stormy lay at her side, but Kimber went into the tack room and brought out a blanket for her to lie on instead of the concrete floor. “That’s my girl.”
***
By the wee hours, Honey showed improvement. On the way to the stable, Zach observed a car stop on the highway. He came to a halt and peered in the direction of the signpost. The car drove away. Something besides the horse bothered Kimber tonight. Melinda had started it all. He had been coerced into riding with her yesterday morning. It made him uncomfortable when she had questioned him about Kimber and his own private life. Though to him, she seemed genuinely concerned about Kimber.
Zach slid the door open after their walk. Kimber slept. He led Honey toward her, but halted. “Kimber?” What a stunning woman. Her green eyes lazily opened and lifted to his. She hadn’t removed her contacts. “We can’t get in the stall with you there.”
“Okay,” she answered drowsily. She spread her legs on each side of the chaise lounge to stand, and Zach about bit through his lip. Those jeans didn’t leave much to the imagination. She dragged the chaise out of the way.
He released Honey to the stall, pulled the chaise lounge back to where it was, and poured himself a cup of coffee.
“That can’t be warm enough now, can it?”
“Sugar will dissolve. Want some?” Zach grinned.
“Uh uh.” She sat, this time by keeping both legs together until she planted her ass down and scooted her legs over. When he peered at her, his heart beat a little stronger. It wasn’t the caffeine and sugar getting his blood flowing.
He sat his cup down, straddled the lounge, and leaned forward, resting a hand on the arm of the chaise. He cupped one side of her face and gave her a kiss that went further and became hotter than he’d anticipated. She fell into it, but he had to pull away before his hands roamed all over her. “I wouldn’t mind doing more of that, but later.” The lingering tingle on his lips from the kiss spoke a lot.
“I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
“You’re entitled. Listen…” He pulled the chair over. “Tell me what’s going on? Who is Melinda, and why would she harm your horse? Why are you afraid of her?”
“Zach. Please. I’ve already told you, I can’t—”
“Can’t answer. It would be beneficial to you if you clued me in on what’s going on. You’re scared of something.”
“I’m not afraid of Melinda. I’m afraid of my future.”
He was afraid of his past. “How can you expect to figure it all out if you won’t confide in anyone?” Zach bit on his lip instead of asking more questions, but he wasn’t finished.
“This is th
e choice I made. I knew the consequences of my actions.”
“You put yourself in harm’s way?”
“Not intentionally.” Kimber got up by straddling the chaise again. She walked out of his sight, but he stood at the stall door to watch her. She turned off the overhead lights. Upon return, she stood in front of him, bringing him close. “I’m so confused about everything. Hold me for a moment.”
Zach bent forward and rested his cheek against hers. “Let me in, Kimber. We were destined to be here, and if you tell on me, I’ll deny saying it.” He gave a little chuckle.
“Why, because we saw each other on the plane and the restaurant?”
“The baggage center and the doctor’s office…here.” He shouldn’t have brought up the touchy subject between them because he wanted her to trust him.
“You know that’s something we can’t talk about.”
He blew out a breath over her head. “Too bad, because I could offer that woman a safe haven and protection.”
“Could you offer me the same if I needed it?”
He placed his hand against the back of her neck. “Do you have to ask?”
“I found a speaker in a decorative piece Melinda had left in my bathroom.”
Zach froze. What a damn mess. “You need to sweep your house. You must know people who can do this kind of investigation.”
In a near whisper, she replied, “I have a phone call in to someone who might be able to help.”
“Good, but I had hoped something like that couldn’t have been possible.” Zach released her. “Sit down and try to get some rest.”
She sat but glanced up at him with a lonesome look in her eyes. “Please don’t pursue my past. The lady you saw in Boise is long gone.”
His patience ran thin. It made sense though. Two people escorted her here, and whoever they were, they had the power to move her away. Had one of them turned rogue? He wasn’t about to let this sit.
Chapter 19
To leave the stall, Zach stepped over a sleeping Kimber. He used his phone flashlight and went out to his truck where he unlocked the glove box. He smoked a cigarette, removed his Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm pistol and more ammo for his .45. Behind the seat, he had a shotgun. Collecting it, he entered the barn and put them out of sight but where he had easy access until he explained them to her.
Kimber stated she’d had a pistol. Hoping the alarm hadn’t been set, he entered her home. Where would she keep a handgun? Her purse was nowhere to be found, not that he’d go through it. It gave him a shudder to think about going through a woman’s purse. The bedroom was his next thought, so he checked under the pillow. Nope. Nor was it in her drawer beside the bed. He locked up and left as quickly as he’d come in.
Kimber woke when he stepped over her again. “What are you doing?”
“Checking things.” Zach patted Honey. “She’s doing better. Respiration and pulse are good.”
“The night isn’t over yet.”
“I know, but it’s a good sign. Go back to sleep.”
Kimber sighed. “You must be tired.”
“Not with all the coffee I’ve had.” Now adrenalin kept him wide awake. He glimpsed her sitting beside him and clasped her hand. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m anxious and I’m not sure why. The cameras, the gift box… Melinda’s sudden change of personality was a red flag.” Her body jerked when her phone rang. She and Zach made eye contact, but she answered. Zach motioned for them to go outside. He slid the door open and they stood by his truck. “Greg, oh thank God. Hold one minute, please.” She turned to Zach.
He didn’t budge.
***
She took a big breath. “Greg, I don’t know what is going on.”
“Okay, okay calm down. What is it? I know you wouldn’t call unless it was necessary, but I’m glad you did.”
“Melinda Richards had cameras installed outside my house, but they’re not connected. Earlier I found a speaker inside the liner of a gift box she’d left.” She breathed deep and her voice pitched. “My ranch foreman is with me.”
“Tressa, hold on a minute here.”
The sound of her real name broke her heart. “No, I can’t. I heard her on the phone the other night, in the middle of the night whispering. I copied the numbers from her phone and one was the hospital in Scottsdale. In the middle of the night, Greg. The other was the security company who hung the cameras. Why would she call the hospital there? Jerry lives in Scottsdale. Why would she have cameras installed but not hooked up? She’s no friend to Jerry, Greg.”
“Tressa, where are you now? I need to tell you something.”
“Outside my barn in the yard with my ranch foreman.” Zach looked for something in his truck. At this point she no longer cared if he overheard the conversation. He was the one here with her. She didn’t care if he knew everything. Then he lit a cigarette and moved to the back of his truck.
“Listen to me. Jerry is in the hospital. He’s been shot in the head. He’s in critical condition.”
She strode toward Zach and grasped his shirt. “NO. She would have told me. Melinda said he was going out of the country. She never said he was in the hospital, Greg.”
Zach slipped his arm around her. “Shh, maybe she didn’t know. Keep your voice down.”
“Are you in a safe place?” Greg asked.
“I don’t know. I’m home.” She lowered her voice. “I’m not feeling very safe. Poor Jerry. Is the whole fricking world against us?”
“No, no. Tell me where you are.”
“I won’t. Melinda is supposedly coming back tomorrow or the next day. She said she’s staying with me while Jerry is out of town. Greg, what is going on?”
“Listen closely. W-we suspect a leak. Good decision calling this phone.”
She peered at Zach who crushed out the cigarette with the toe of his boot. He held her hand tight.
“If Melinda calls, don’t answer, and don’t see her, either.”
“Will Jerry survive?”
“They don’t know yet.”
She paused to catch her breath. Tears formed in her eyes. “Won’t they let Melinda in to see Jerry? How’d you find out?”
He ignored her last question. “Probably not anymore. You’ve been a great help. Stay at home until you hear back from me. Do what you would normally do. Listen, at this point, if Melinda does show up, don’t believe anything she tells you.”
Huh? “I don’t understand.”
“Never mind. I have to go.”
Kimber walked a foot away from Zach, whispering, “Do you know what Sam will have done to me if his men find me? I like it where I am. I can’t do this again.”
“I’m sorry. It isn’t in my control, and you know that. I’m deaf to whatever went on since the last time I saw you.”
Kimber hung up and tried to pull herself together. What would she tell Zach? She paced the front yard then her phone rang again.
“Hey, give me the name of your ranch hand. I need to know where you are. I’ll run the name.”
“Good Lord. I want to wake up from this nightmare. Jerry himself checked him out. I’m telling you this is senseless. How did you know about Jerry?”
“A contact. The guy’s name?”
“No.” She couldn’t tell him where she was or her new name, and especially not Zach’s. Again, she asked herself who could be trusted, and if he had a leak, she surely wasn’t bringing Zach into this. “He’s clean,” she whispered.
He sighed. “I suggest you don’t have this guy hang around.”
“Greg, he’s staying. I hate this.” She ended the call. Kimber stuck the phone in her jeans pocket then wiped the tears and blew her nose.
Zach strode over but didn’t say anything. He gave her a stern, yet inquisitive look.
She took his hand. “Please try to understand.”
“Nope. You need to clue me in now.”
“Promise me you’ll take care of the horses if you ever have to. They’re my responsibility now, an
d I want you to take them to Jake’s or somewhere. Please. Please see that they’ll be taken care of until Frank can get back.”
He gripped her shoulders. “Your horses will be taken care of, but don’t be silly, you’ll stay at my loft with me.”
“Please, Zach. Keep my horses if I…” She gulped, unable to say any more.
“Disappear? You’re not going anywhere.” He hugged her. “Nobody is taking you away from me, Kimber.”
“Your brother. I can’t put you out like this, let alone expose you and Tyler to danger.”
“I’ll take care of your horses. I promise not to bite too hard if you stay with me.” He grinned. “I’m trying to get a smile out of you.”
She did smile then wiped it away about as fast as it appeared. “I can tell you staying at my house might not be safe right now.”
Zach folded his arms and spread his legs. “I figured that out on my own. Are you in some kind of legal trouble?”
“I never would have brought you into this if that was the case. I promise.” She wrapped two hands around his bicep. “Honest, I’m not in trouble for anything. All I did was…” She couldn’t say the word witness.
“Come on, let’s see how Honey does the rest of the night. It’ll be daybreak soon. I’ll unhook the trailer and bring my truck inside. We’ll sit in the dark.” He strode on ahead of her but turned in mid-stride. “Don’t be afraid of me, I would never hurt you. But let me tell you… Before this night is over, you’re telling me everything.”
Kimber looked downward but lifted her eyes to his. “Okay.”
He brought his truck inside, drove to the other end of the barn facing the back door, then closed the front door. Kimber stood in the doorway as he collected a shotgun and pistol. Zach held his hand out. “Come on, get in and lie across the seat. I’ve figured out more than you want me to know, Kimber.”
“Okay.” She squeezed his hand and got in. Her pillow still remained inside from when she’d handed it to him earlier.
Finding Kimber (Canyon Junction; Hearts In Love Book 2) Page 25
