Her Lifeline: (A Romantic Suspense)

by Chandler, Danica

  Nick was behind her, his hand on her arm. “Could he have gone outside? He loves playing with the dogs.”

  Amelia didn’t answer him, but it was a good suggestion that she hoped were true. Her instincts were screaming that there was more to this, but she had to check. Running out into the yard, she checked all of the places that Noah loved to hide. He wasn’t in the barn, he wasn’t in the tool shed, or in any of the trucks.

  “I checked the bunkhouse too. He’s not there.”

  The world felt as if it were spinning. Amelia wanted to puke, but instead she fell to the ground, the very thought of her only son going missing bringing her to her knees. Tears flowed freely, and usually she was quick to wipe them away, but now she didn’t care. Nick pulled her into a tight hug, and his strong arms were comforting.

  “That son of a bitch Chris took him, I know he did!” Her dad flailed his arms in the air. “I knew he was gonna start playing dirty.”

  Fear, guilt, and anger coursed through Amelia. How did they not see it happen? They weren’t that far away. He was just in the house. Shouldn’t they have heard the vehicle pull up? Wouldn’t Noah yell if something bad were happening? There were too many questions and no answers.

  “I think it’s time to get the police involved.” Nick’s chest rumbled as he spoke, and Amelia had no reason to object. It didn’t matter what it’d take – she had to get her son back.

  ***

  Nick slid a mug of coffee across the table to Amelia as he sat beside her. After what seemed like eternity, the police had arrived at the house. They were willing to go into the station, but the sheriff wanted to come survey where Noah had gone missing. The room was quiet and Nick wondered when they’d start asking questions. Amelia looked up, but didn’t touch the coffee. She hadn’t said much since they had called the cops, and it killed Nick to see her this way. He couldn’t imagine what she was feeling – the thought of not knowing where your child is has got to be terrifying.

  “What time did he go missing?” Finally, Sheriff Grady broke the silence as he pulled a notepad from his breast pocket and waited for a response.

  Glancing at the cop, Amelia’s eyes were red and swollen. “This afternoon. I guess around two.”

  “You guess?” Sheriff Grady stopped writing and flashed a hard look at her.

  “He was in the house taking a nap. My dad went into town and Nick and I were out in the yard. I can’t give you an exact time, Chief. If I knew that, then I’d know who has him, right?”

  “I presume this is Nick?” He pointed his pen toward Nick, sizing him up. “I don’t think I know you. You’re not from around here, are you? Nice looking shiner you got there.”

  “No sir. Not this area.” He squeezed Amelia’s hand. He was here for her, not matter what it took – even if it meant being a possible suspect. The fact that he recently got beat up didn’t help first impressions with the cop.

  “What brings you here?”

  Amelia broke in before Nick could answer. “I hired him. We needed a ranch hand and he answered the ad. If you’re insinuating anything else, you’re wrong about him.”

  “I’m not assuming anything, Ms. Tucker. I just want to know who everyone involved is.” The sheriff looked toward Nick, waiting on his answer.

  Adjusting his baseball cap, Nick moved in his chair. He had never been in trouble with the law, but they always seemed to have a knack for making you feel guilty, despite the fact of him not doing a damn thing. “I just got discharged from the army, sir. Was stationed at Fort Hood. Traveled to Austin, and now here I am.” It was simple, it was true, and Nick could understand if Sheriff Grady had his qualms about him.

  “I was a soldier myself. How many tours?”

  Nick took a deep breath and shook his head. “With all due respect, sir, this is about Amelia and Noah. We need to find that little boy. We can talk about our history later. Don’t you think we oughta be out there looking?”

  The older man seemed to not like Nick’s answer by the way he creased his brow. Nick didn’t care. He wasn’t here to impress a local cop. He was here to find Noah and here to make sure Amelia was taken care of. Glancing at her father, Nick was surprised he hadn’t spoken up, but there seemed to be some tension between him and Sheriff Grady just from the sideways glances Mr. Tucker flashed him, along with the fact that he hadn’t said two words since law enforcement showed up. Or maybe the poor guy was in shock. There was so much happening with the ranch debt, and now this on top of it. Desperation made people do crazy things. Nick could relate.

  Sheriff Grady jotted something on his note pad. “You say you think he disappeared around two. That doesn’t give much time. Could he have possibly just wandered off somewhere? Kinds lose track of where they are. You’ve got a lot of acres. Did you look around here?”

  “Yes, we have. We’ve looked everywhere he likes to go. Noah wouldn’t run off. He knows the boundaries of our land. It’s got a barbed wire fence around it, for crying out loud,” Amelia replied, her patience wearing thin.

  “A damaged fence. I’ve heard surrounding ranches state that your cattle tend to get out. If a cow can, a small boy could too.”

  Nick was trying desperately to keep his cool, but with everything they had to offer, this guy was shooting it down. They didn’t have time for this. The longer they played this game, the farther Noah could be from them. “I’ve fixed the fence, Sheriff. None of our livestock has gotten out for over a week now.” Nick looked him straight in the eye. “What is it with you small town cops? We have people you’d be interested in. What’s the harm in looking into it? Why do you have to think we’re being incompetent and Noah just ran off? He didn’t run off. Someone took him.”

  “For not being from around here, you seem to know a lot about the Tuckers.”

  “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” Nick was about to stand up, but Amelia’s hand on his forearm pulled him back to reality. His nerves were frazzled, but he couldn’t come unwound. It’d just land him behind bars, and what good would that do her?

  Mr. Tucker finally broke his silence, “Sheriff Grady, Amelia and John are always fighting for custody. The courts have sided with her, pissing John off. He’s a possibility. Also, we’ve been in some serious debt lately. I borrowed some money from a not so legitimate person and now they want payment. Nick had a run in with them in town, and somehow John is involved in that too. Don’t ask me how, but it sounds like a hell of a coincidence if you ask me.”

  Sheriff Grady nodded as he wrote what seemed like a novel down on the small piece of paper. Finally, he was showing somewhat of an interest in what they had to tell him. “Got a name on the guy you took the loan from?”

  “Chris. I know that doesn’t really narrow it down, but it’s something. Noah didn’t run off. Noah didn’t lose track of where he was. He’s with his father and Chris. They’re making a statement.” Mr. Tucker stood up and began to pace. “It’s all my fault. If we don’t find my grandson, I’ll never be able to forgive myself.”

  “Daddy, it’s not your fault. Don’t think like that.”

  Sheriff Grady stood up and walked toward the door. “We’ll look into this information. In the meantime, stick around the house. Keep your phone near you. Maybe whoever has him will try to make contact. Call me if anything out of the ordinary happens, and I’ll keep in touch with what we’re doing on my end.” He extended his hand and both Nick and Mr. Tucker returned the handshake, but Amelia stayed in her chair. Maybe she was in shock, too.

  Sitting beside her, Nick waited until he heard the car drive off before he said, “I’m gonna go look for him. That son of a bitch ain’t gonna do a damn thing right now. He still thinks Noah is out back somewhere.”

  “It’ll be dangerous, Nick. It’s obvious they don’t care if they hurt you.”

  “What else are we gonna do? I can’t just sit here and wait.”

  He started toward the backdoor, heading for the bunkhouse. His mind was set on finding Noah, and he didn’t realize Amelia had foll
owed him until he was inside. Opening his closet, he pushed some clothes aside and found the cabinet where he was storing a rifle and a handgun that he had kept since he turned eighteen.

  “Nick, I appreciate you wanting to do this, but you don’t have to. I should’ve never got you into this.”

  He set the two guns on the bed and gathered up the ammunition. Hopefully it wouldn’t call for it, but having them in his possession for show could work in his favor. “I love you, Amelia. I love Noah. He’s like my own flesh and blood. I’m not gonna stand for someone coming in here and doing this. You didn’t get me into this. How can I let the only people who ever made me feel like I belong go through this without helping?” He cocked the shotgun and an empty shell bounced to the floor.

  Amelia found a notepad on the desk and scribbled something. “This is John’s address. I highly doubt they’d have Noah there, but you might find something that is helpful.” She folded the yellow paper up and slipped it into Nick’s pants pocket. “I don’t know where Chris is. According to Daddy, he keeps a low profile from his clients.”

  Nick wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her as close to him as possible. “I love you, Amelia Tucker.”

  “Can I come with you?” A stray tear fell down her cheek, and Nick wiped it away with his index finger.

  “No. Stay here with your dad. Make sure the guns in his gun cabinet are loaded and lock all the doors. Stay by the phone. I’ll call you when I know something.”

  “Nick, maybe the cops will…”

  He interrupted her, planting a deep kiss on her lips. Gently, he pushed her backward until she was up against the wall. His hands flowed through her soft hair and over her chest as his tongue danced inside her mouth. She tasted sweet and he found it hard to pull away. Burying his face in her neck, he took her delicate scent in, trailing his lips over her silky skin.

  Looking into her beautiful eyes, Nick smiled. “I’ll have Noah home before the cops finish their donuts.” Pecking her on the lips, he stopped, cupped the back of her head, and said, “Hey.”

  To his surprise, Amelia giggled. “Hey.”

  “I love you. Noah and I will be home soon.”

  “I love you too.”

  Gathering his guns, he walked to his truck and slid them under the seat. He was certain that Sherriff Grady would be keeping an eye on him, too, and if he got stopped, he didn’t want to draw any attention to the firearms. As he climbed into the pickup he rolled the window down, and Amelia pulled his hand up to her mouth, kissing his palm.

  “Be careful, Nick.”

  Winking, he turned the key, and the diesel engine rumbled. “Always, babe.”

  Putting it in gear, Amelia backed away and he drove down the long driveway, fighting hard to watch her in the rear view mirror. He had no idea what to expect. How dangerous were these guys? Hopefully he’d find out soon – he just had to find them first.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Nick stopped at a gas station near the bar he had first met John at. He didn’t need gas, but wanted to double check the address Amelia had wrote down for him. He wasn’t too familiar with the neighborhoods, but since the town was small, finding it wouldn’t be a challenge. He thumbed the yellow paper, staring down at the address for a few seconds. His nerves were getting the best of him. He had been on multiple combat missions, but for some reason, this was getting to him. Anything involving a child did. He had quick flashbacks of the private who let a child get the best of him too.

  Closing his eyes, Nick heard the gunshots ring out, followed by the explosion that ended the young soldier’s life. Gripping the steering wheel, he took a deep breath to try and compose himself. Now was not the time to lose it. Opening his wallet, he flipped to a picture of Amelia he had taken a few weeks back, next to her horse, her smile beautiful as the sunlight hit her olive complexion just right. The photograph held an instant calming effect for Nick, and his daydream dissipated.

  He nodded at a couple of women who passed by the truck, looking in at him as they walked by. Were they concerned for him? Did they know he was up to something? He was paranoid. They probably just didn’t recognize him.

  No more stalling. Amelia was waiting on him. Mr. Tucker was too. There was no telling what poor Noah was going through. Merging the truck back out onto the street, he searched for Magnolia Street. Slowing, he found the road he needed, and made a right turn. He was on the two-hundred block and needed five-hundred. The numbers on the houses were getting smaller, so he made a quick U turn and headed the other direction. The three-hundred block approached, four-hundred, and now, the block he needed.

  The house would be on the left side, and Nick felt his clammy palms slide on the steering wheel. If someone were there, would they recognize his truck? Pulling his hat low, he tried to make the brim hide his face better. The house was right across the street from him, so he pulled to the curb and shut the engine off. Waiting, he tried to see if anyone was home, but the place looked vacant. A heavy feeling settled inside of him. Where could they be?

  Getting out of the truck, he grabbed the handgun and slipped it inside his waistband. He’d have to leave the shotgun for now. He didn’t want to tip any neighbors off, but at least the magazine held fifteen bullets. Fifteen bullets. Was he overreacting?

  Nick walked up the sidewalk, attempting to keep a steady pace. There were a few people out and about, but they were all minding their own business, oblivious to the fact that he was here, ready to take out anyone who stood in his way of getting Noah back.

  The porch steps creaked and he hurried up to prevent any clue that someone was outside. The front window was closed and made it impossible for Nick to see inside. Leaning against the door, he held his breath and tried to stay as quiet as he could. Maybe there was a TV on, but it was completely silent.

  Maybe they weren’t in the living room. Rounding the corner of the house, he walked toward the backyard, but stopped in his tracks when he heard voices and a couple of car doors shut. Where would he hide? He needed a place where he could see who it was.

  Ducking into some bushes, he still had a clear view of the front porch. It was John and he was fumbling with his keys as he talked on his phone. Nick tried to lean in to hear, but if he moved any closer out of the bush, he’d definitely be spotted. Where was Noah? He wasn’t with John at that moment, but that didn’t mean anything.

  “Yeah. I’m just stopping off at my house right quick. Don’t worry, no one is here. No one has a clue.”

  John was about to go inside, hindering any chance of Nick hearing any more of the conversation, but instead, leaned against the porch railing as he continued to talk with whoever was on the other line. Nick was glad he was so careless. With how loud and open he was, he was either arrogant to think he wouldn’t get caught, or just stupid. Either way, hopefully Nick would get some good information. Doubt crossed his mind. What if John had nothing to do with the kidnapping? What if he was being careless on the phone because he really didn’t have anything to hide? No, Nick couldn’t play mind games with himself. His instincts were telling him otherwise.

  “Let me grab a few things and I’ll be on my way. Give me like ten minutes and I’ll head over.”

  John hung the phone up and went inside. Nick fought the urge to follow, but he couldn’t blow his cover. If he confronted him now, John might never reveal where Noah was. Instead, Nick planned on following him. With as careless as John was being, he’d slip up soon.

  Crawling out of the bushes, he stayed low as he ran back to his truck. Thankfully, the sun was going down, aiding in him staying concealed just enough. Lowering himself in the truck seat, he kept an eye on the house. John’s car was parked right in front and Nick memorized the license plate for safe measure.

  He had to be patient. This was for Amelia and Noah. That was enough inspiration to fuel Nick’s desire to catch these sons of bitches and get the boy home where he belonged.

  ***

  Amelia couldn’t stop pacing. She continuously checked her
phone to make sure that the signal was fine and that she somehow hadn’t missed a call or text. Nick had only been gone about forty-five minutes, but she still had to wonder what was going on. Her imagination was driving her crazy – what if they kidnapped him too? What if he was shot dead in a ditch somewhere? What was happening to Noah and would she see her beautiful boy again?

  A chill shot down her spine. She was tempted to call John and play it cool. She could discuss the next time he was scheduled to take Noah for the weekend, but she was a terrible liar. He’d see right through her and it would be a big enough clue to spook him.

  She smoothed her hands down her hair and jumped when her dad came into the kitchen. “Nothing yet?”

  “Nothing yet,” she replied, eyeing the clock. “Do you think Nick should’ve gone into town?”

  “Yes. You know Sheriff Grady is back at the station twiddling his thumbs.”

  “It’s just sad that we have to take the initiative to get things rolling. And Nick at that. He didn’t sign on for this.”

  Her father sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her in for a tight hug. “He didn’t sign on to fall in love, either, and it happened just the same.”

  “All of the drama I’ve caused him, you’d think he’d say to hell with it and be on his way.”

  “That’s how I know he’s a good man,” he replied. “A man who truly loves a woman takes on her entire life. Her problems become his problems too. If Nick didn’t love you, he’d have hit the road. Instead, he’s out there looking for Noah. Stop beating yourself up about it. Nothing could ever make him not do what he’s doing.”

  “Are John and Chris capable of killing a person?” She hated to think that the father of her child would do something so evil, but as the years passed, the less she knew him.

  “I can’t answer that. All I know is money makes people greedy. It makes them do things they usually wouldn’t do. And Chris wants his money. I’m not sure how John got involved, but I’m sure the money has clouded his mind as well.”