Alexander Ranch

by Marla Josephs

  “Well, I’m starting to want a break from it right now. I haven’t had a vacation in a while. What do you say we plan a vacation somewhere?”

  “Really?”

  “Yea, we haven’t been on vacation together since Mom and Dad took us. And, I can’t get you to go with me when I work to keep me company.”

  “Do you get lonely?”

  “Sometimes. Especially when I’m somewhere where there isn’t much to do and I don’t have anyone to talk to or hang out with.”

  “Yea, I miss you being here sometimes when I have free time and I don’t have anyone to hang out with.”

  “That’s because you isolate yourself. I’m really glad to see that you’re making some friends and hanging out. You’re too young to be all work and no play,” he chided.

  “It has been rather nice,” I smiled.

  “Although, I do think that Ethan might have a different reason for hanging out with you and Daisy.”

  I rolled my eyes, “Ethan is just a friend. You can turn off your over protective big brother radar.”

  “Well, even though I don’t think anyone is good enough for you, I actually like Ethan. He plays some serious ball. I thought I was in great shape. Maybe working on a ranch all day keeps you super fit.”

  Or maybe being super human makes you superior at sports, I thought to myself.

  “Oh, so as long as I date a guy who plays mean ball than he’s ok? What an endorsement.”

  “Whoa! I thought you just said he was a friend?”

  “I did. I was referring to your endorsement. You implied it would be ok even if he wasn’t just a friend. Don’t try to turn things around,” I wagged a finger at him.

  “Well, I was just commenting on his skills. But, no I wouldn’t have a problem with him. But, I expect Jordan would,” he smirked, pulled into the driveway and glanced at me while he waited for the garage door to lift. It was blessedly too dark for him to see my face. I think I blushed but when I spoke my voice was unruffled.

  “Why do you say that?”

  He pulled the car into the garage and turned off the engine.

  “Look, Baby Girl. I am a man. And I know when a man is interested in a woman. And I especially know when a man is interested in my little sister,” he said pointedly and climbed out of the car. I opened my door and followed him to the door. When we got in the door I headed for my room.

  “What time are you leaving tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Early. My flight is at 6:30 am.”

  “After Denver and Arizona, I’ll be off to Hawaii.”

  “You suck,” I teased.

  “You can always come with me you know,” he said giving me a squeeze then releasing me, “I wouldn’t be able to be with you during the day, but we could hang out at night. And, you wouldn’t have to worry about a room. You could share mine.”

  “I wish I could. But, not this time.”

  “You sure? You don’t have to do the Denver and Arizona part but just meet me in Hawaii. I’ll be there for a week and you can stay the whole time or just a few days.”

  “I’m not sure how long my stent at the ranch will last. It might not be over by then,” I said wishing I could go. Hawaii sounded so good, but I didn’t know how long this situation was going to last. And, I don’t think the Alexanders would let me out of their sight to fly off to Hawaii. “But, I plan to take you up on that offer really soon. I think I need a vacation.”

  “Look at us,” he chuckled, “Who’d of thought that I would get tired of jetting around the world and you’d decide you couldn’t take time away from work to have a vacation.”

  “Scary isn’t it?” I laughed.

  “Maybe we’re just changing a little. I miss you Squirt,” He said using my childhood moniker.

  “I miss you too Meanie Butt Face.” This was what I’d called him when we were kids and he didn’t want me hanging out with him and his friends. He tweaked my nose and we headed for our respective rooms. This time I didn’t make a sound when I saw a familiar form sitting in my chair in the dark.

  Chapter 24

  Sunday morning I woke to the smell of coffee and bacon cooking in the kitchen. I dragged myself out of bed to see Jordan in my kitchen cooking. Blake had left a message on the fridge promising to call when he got into his hotel. Jordan pressed a coffee mug into my hands and I sat at the table sipping.

  “What would you like to do today?” he asked

  “I don’t know. I’m not awake yet,” I mumbled.

  “I thought we’d maybe go to lunch and shop around for Daisy’s birthday.”

  “Daisy’s birthday?” I perked up, “When is her birthday?”

  “Saturday.”

  “Oh, wow, Ok. That sounds good. What about Ethan and Daisy? Won’t they be coming by to relieve you?”

  “They have other things to do today so you are stuck with me. And, since Grace is busy and I have the darndest time figuring out what to get Daisy, I figured I’d bribe you to help me shop by taking you to lunch.”

  “Well, consider me bribed.”

  After a wonderful breakfast of eggs, bacon, and fruit we headed out shopping. Daisy wasn’t a frilly kind of girl, but I found some t-shirts and jeans I knew she’d like. I also found a really nice bracelet. Jordan bought them all. I had the feeling he would buy anything that I thought she might like. I’d seen a few things I might like also, but I wasn’t shopping for me and I hated to impulse buy. Our shopping venture took all of an hour and a half.

  “From now on, I’ll be hiring you as my shopping helper. Daisy and Grace would have had me going from store to store all day long,” Jordan said pulling a chair out for me at a nearby restaurant, “and, I would be loaded down with bags.”

  “I guess I’m not a big shopper,” I shrugged and sat down, taking the menu the waiter handed to me.

  “I thought all women were shoppers,” he said taking his own seat.

  “No, we are not,” I said giving him a frown and then returning to my menu. “I am a get in, get what I want and get out kind of girl.”

  “Mmm, that sounds good to me.”

  I looked up at his tone. It had changed. It was soft and low as if he hadn’t really meant for me to hear. He smiled at me and looked back down at his menu. I returned to my own menu. I was in the mood for a Panini.

  “Thank you for all of your help today.”

  “No problem at all,” I replied absently trying to decide which Panini I wanted.

  “Lela.”

  I looked up. “Yes?”

  He was looking at me with a serious expression. “Shopping was not the only reason I brought you to lunch.”

  He looked so serious. I just looked at him wondering why his playful mood had become so serious. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing’s wrong,” he assured me, his face softening a little. “I just need to talk to you.”

  “About what?”

  “Us. I know you said you didn’t want to talk about it, but I do. So, can we talk about us?”

  “What is there to talk about?” My voice sounded disgruntled even to me. I was not liking the direction of this conversation. “And, why did you want to talk about it here?”

  “Well, I figured you wouldn’t just get up and walk out of the restaurant. But, if we were at your place, or mine, you’d find some reason to walk away.”

  “Fine, Jordan,” I scowled and sat back in my chair, “Talk.”

  “Well, to start I don’t think you understood what I was saying yesterday when I said we could take it slow, nothing serious.”

  “Oh?”

  “I wasn’t implying meaningless casual.” He was looking uncomfortable now. “The fact is I’m not sure I’m ready for this either, at least not with you.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” What the heck was wrong with me?

  “I want you, Lela. But, I’ve never been with someone like you before.” He wasn’t looking uncomfortable now. His eyes had grown intense and they were laser focused on me.

/>   “I know. A regular human,” I said, trying to sound bored and not squirm under his penetrating gaze.

  “Yes, a regular human. I don’t know how far I could go without losing control or even if I would lose control. But, now that I’ve kissed you, and was in no danger of harming you, I’m fairly certain it won’t be a problem. I’d rather ere on the side of caution anyway and take things very slow. Now that I’ve kissed you and gotten a taste of you, I’m dying for more.”

  I just sat back staring at him, my mind whirling. He wasn’t leering at me nor had the tone of his voice changed. He was very matter of fact. No words came to me. What was I, a science experiment?

  “Say something, Lela.”

  I swallowed a sip of water to give me time to figure out what to say. It didn’t help. “I don’t know what to say, Jordan.”

  “Well, at least you’re not denying that you’re attracted to me,” he says wryly.

  “No, I’m not denying that.” I picked up my water glass again. The waiter thankfully chose this moment to come and take our drink order. I ordered a vodka and seven. Jordan raised an eyebrow but he didn’t comment. He ordered water with lemon.

  “Is talking about us stressing you?” He asked when the waiter walked away.

  “There is no us, Jordan,” I said, trying not to sound exacerbated, “and, yes, frankly it is.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, you seem to not want to take no for an answer. And, you’re asking for more than I can give.”

  “If your answer is no, then I accept it. I just want to understand why. You’ve admitted you want me and I want you. We can make it as uncomplicated as you like.”

  “What are you suggesting, a physical only no strings attached kind of deal?” I jeered. “Or am I to be some strange science project for you to determine just how far you can go before you hurt or kill me.”

  He stared at me. He’d become so still with his face unreadable, I found it hard to hold his gaze, but I did. He finally broke the silence.

  “Do you really believe I would use you that way? That I could harm you or kill you?”

  “You believed it yourself, Jordan!” I hissed through gritted teeth. “Remember that was your reason for staying away from me before?”

  “Yes, but I took all precaution to guarantee I wouldn’t hurt you. I knew as long as I didn’t touch you I wouldn’t. And, I didn’t allow myself to even touch you until I knew I could do it without hurting you. You’re safety would always come first with me. That is what I am trying to express. Maybe I’m not saying this right,” he frowned. I said nothing and a moment later he continued.

  “And no I wasn’t suggesting that we have a physical, no attachment relationship. But, if that’s what you want I’ll accept that to. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me.”

  I stood up abruptly almost knocking my chair over. Jordan was suddenly on his feet as well.

  “I need to go to the bathroom,” I mumbled putting my hand out when he made a move to follow. “You can see the bathroom door from here. You don’t need to follow me.”

  He nodded but didn’t immediately sit. When I’d made it to the door I saw him sit out of the corner of my eye.

  I was running and I knew it. Jordan knew it too. The problem was, Jordan wasn’t as easy for me to blow off or placate. He was right. I did want him. And the fact that I did terrified me. I’d been attacked by one of his kind before. I could defend myself against a mere mortal of a man. But, I knew first hand that I couldn’t defend myself against Jordan. Not that Jordan would ever attack me. No his attack was a mental assault on my senses that I was equally inept at defending against. He made me feel out of control.

  I looked around the large restroom, but it didn’t appear that there was anyone else around. There was a door on the back wall with a personnel only sign on it. I let out a pent up breath, walked over to the sink and washed my hands. I wanted to splash water on my face but settled for the hand washing. The cool water on my hands had a calming effect.

  After a moment I turned the water off and walked over to the little machine that spit out paper towels via motion sensor. I waved my hand in front of it and it began to whine. I reached for it just as someone came from behind and put a cloth over my mouth. I jerked back and kicked out and the grip loosened. I tried to run but, disoriented, I unsteadily turned into the sink trying to hold on to consciousness. In the mirror I saw a big man standing behind me holding a cloth. I could also see that the previously closed door with the personnel only sign was now open. The burly man jerked me against him as I swayed and covered my face again as I feebly tried to lash out again.

  Jordan! Was my last thought before everything went black.

  Chapter 25

  When I woke up I was in a moving van. My hands were bound behind me and I had a gag in my mouth, but my legs were free and I was laying on my side. I couldn’t really see the driver but he was talking to someone. I was lying behind his seat and next to something big and bulky. I looked around not daring to move. But I could see no one else in the van and no one was responding to the driver. The windows, that I could actually see, were blacked out except the passenger side window. I chanced moving my head around and could see there was no one else in the van with me besides the driver. He was talking on the phone. The radio was on low so I could hear what the driver was saying.

  I had to figure out how to get out of here. I couldn’t see my purse anywhere. I had a knife in my purse. I looked around frantically trying to control my breathing. It had hitched up in my panic.

  “Yea, I’ll be there in about 30 minutes,” I heard the driver saying. He must have hung up then because he turned the music up and began singing along. I looked around frantically, but there was nothing in the van I could use to free my hands. I lay back down and closed my eyes. I must think. I must do something. I took two deep breaths and opened my eyes. And there under the seat was a gleaming, wicked looking knife.

  How could I get the knife with my hands tied behind my back? I would have to turn over without him hearing. Thank goodness for the music and his singing, which wasn’t bad actually. Dismissing the odd thought I slowly rolled over and turned as sideways as I could stretching and scrambling as quietly as possible under the seat.

  With my hands tied behind my back I could only search by feel. I tried to visualize where it must be and how far I needed to reach. I got my finger on it when the van hit a bump in the street and jolted. The knife slid away. I squeezed my eyes shut wanting to scream. After calming myself again, I reached out and couldn’t find it. I fought back the tears. Though fear was threatening to overwhelm me and I could feel my whole body tingling and oozing a clammy sweat, I knew I had to stay calm. I forced myself to focus on breathing slowly and calmly. I slowly breathed in and then let it out just as quietly. I took two more slow deep breaths and forced myself to relax.

  Curling up into a fetal position and reaching out again, my fingers touched the knife. It was the blade. I gently pulled it to me and maneuvered it to the plastic binding my hands. After cutting myself a few times the knife became slippery with my blood. I bit down on the nasty smelling gag to prevent myself from crying out each time I nicked myself. Finally the material gave way and my arms were free. I dropped the knife and froze at the clank it made against the driver seat, but the man seemed not to hear or notice. He just went on driving. I sat up carefully trying to gently message some feeling back into my arms and staunching the trickles of blood from my hands and wrists on my pants. I tried to see outside the passenger window, but I could only see that the sun was setting.

  I had no idea where I was but, from the rhythmic sound of the tires on pavement and the lack of buildings, I had the impression I was on a bridge. Bridges often made a specific whapping sound. I wasn’t sure if I could hear it only because of the base vibration coming through the floor of the van since the radio was so loud.

  Jordan, please help me. I don’t know where I am. I was shouting in my head before I kne
w it. It had worked before hadn’t it? Daisy said that Jordan had said he’d heard me screaming his name in his head. Please let it work again. And when Daisy had dragged me in to experiment hadn’t they been able to hear the thoughts I’d aimed at them? How close did I have to be for him to hear me? I couldn’t think of that now.

  I’m in a van. The windows are blacked out except for the driver, passenger and windshield. I concentrated on directing my thoughts at him. I lifted myself on my knees and took in as much as I could and concentrated on projecting what images I could see in the dying light.

  The whapping sound seemed to end and we appeared to be on a regular road. I could see the tops of trees as we sped by. Suddenly the van turned and, with a jolt, began bouncing around. We were no longer on a regular road. I was thrown against the big chest like thing beside me. We bounced along for a short distance and then the van came to a stop. The driver got out and, a few moments later, I could hear him talking to someone. I had planned to kick the door when it began to open, hoping to hit the driver when he came back and opened it to get me, but he was not alone. And, while I was fairly sure the driver was a regular mere mortal, I didn’t know about the person he was talking to. I lay there listening intently. He would surely notice my bonds were broken and I was bleeding. I had to move. But the voices began to fade into the distance.

  I scrambled up onto my knees and dared to peek from behind the driver seat. There were two men walking away towards some sort of barn like structure. I took in as much of what I could see as possible and tried to think them to Jordan. I scanned the building and everything I could see and tried to project the mental images.

  The sun was going down now and it was almost dark. There were no side doors to the van only a backdoor and there were no inside handles. The van was facing the driver and the man he was talking to so, if I opened the door they would likely notice.

  Abruptly the driver turned and headed for the van. My time was up. I would have to act at the first opportunity. I lay back down and clasp my hands behind my back, praying that the overhead light wouldn’t come on when he opened the door. I angled myself as if I’d rolled partially on my back and my hair, which had come loose, was covering my face. I concentrated on slowing my breathing. I could hear someone fumbling with the back door and willed myself to stay relaxed and limp. When the door opened I was unceremoniously scooped up and tossed over a hard shoulder, practically knocking the wind out of me. I loosely held my fingers together while trying to keep my arms limp. It must have worked because the man, who was the driver, didn’t seem to notice my hands or the blood. I ventured to open my eyes and look around without moving my head. I saw trees, lots of trees. Then, we are on the side of the building and I knew he was getting ready to walk into the barnlike structure. I knew I couldn’t let him take me in this place. Once in, my chances of getting out went down considerably.