The Colton Bodyguard

by Carla Cassidy

  “It will never work,” Greta said in desperation as she pulled off her boots and then stepped out of her jeans.

  The knife in her boot called to her, but the old saying about a fool bringing a knife to a gun battle played in her mind. There was no way she could get her hand in her boot, pull out the knife and use it against the power of the gun Alice gripped in her hand.

  And there was no question that Alice would shoot her if she felt it necessary. If she did, she might get caught, but Greta would definitely be dead.

  Still, once she was clad in Alice’s sweatshirt and jeans and Alice was in her clothing, Greta stepped back into her boots, grateful that Alice didn’t seem to want them, too.

  “You’ll never pull this off,” Greta said. “Within minutes everyone will know you aren’t me.”

  “Ah, dear sister, you underestimate me,” Alice returned with a confident smile. “I’ve been hanging around here for a long while. I’ve seen you with your hot boyfriend, Tyler. I’ve studied your family and I know all that I need to know to get by. Now, stop wasting my time and get into the box.”

  Greta balked, her entire body trembling at the very thought of being inside the wooden enclosure and nobody having any idea she was there.

  Tyler. Her heart cried his name. She should have awoken him. She should have told him she was going outside. She should have told somebody. She’d been so stupid.

  “Move it,” Alice said harshly. She jabbed the gun in Greta’s back and after a brief hesitation Greta did as she was told.

  She sat in the box and tears once again began to flow. She didn’t know what to do or how to help herself. Maybe she should scream and hope that when Alice shot her, she’d somehow survive a bullet. Before the thought took full form in her head, Alice shoved a red handkerchief in her mouth, effectively gagging any scream Greta might have released.

  “Lie down,” she commanded and forcefully shoved Greta backward. Her back and head slapped against the bottom of the box and at the same time Alice grabbed a piece of wood and slammed it down.

  It fit perfectly over the coffin, and apparently, Alice jumped on top of it, for when Greta pushed against the wood, there was no give.

  Despite the gag in her mouth, she screamed as the sound of a hammer pounding nails into the top resounded in her head. She kicked her feet and banged on the sides with the backs of her hands and on the top with her fists. Her ineffective screams and the pounding seemed to go on forever.

  Then complete silence.

  * * *

  It seemed to take forever to get the bitch in the box, but in actuality it had taken only about fifteen minutes. Alice left the barn and hurried toward the house, hoping to sneak inside and into Greta’s bedroom without meeting anyone along the way.

  Eventually, after Greta was dead and Alice had established herself firmly as her sister, Alice would figure out a way to get rid of the coffin. She’d make sure it would never be found and hopefully after enough time passed people would just assume that Alice had moved on.

  She knew which bedroom was Greta’s, for she’d seen her twin standing at the window several evenings while Alice had been sneaking around the ranch and watching the house.

  Thankfully, nobody was in the kitchen as she entered the house, and she raced up the stairs and into the room that would now be her own. She got inside and closed the door and then looked around in awe.

  Clean and luxurious, the room was like no other Alice had ever been inside in her life. She kicked off her shoes, pulled off her socks and sank her feet into the plush beige carpeting.

  Heaven.

  She was in heaven.

  She went to the closet and opened the door and stepped inside. Fancy shoes sat in cubbyholes, designer dresses hung in a row and jewelry lay out on a small island as if to be grabbed at a moment’s notice.

  The closet was as big as many of the bedrooms Alice had lived in as a child. She flipped through the dresses, reverential of the designer names as her fingers lingered on silks and satins. Hers. They were now all hers.

  She finally left the closet to check out the bathroom. She could easily imagine herself in the whirlpool tub surrounded by the scent of bath oils or fragrant salts. The nearby shower was enclosed by etched glass, a beautiful alternative to a long hot soak in the tub.

  The sink was surrounded by plenty of blue-and-white swirled countertop, a perfect place for a lady to put on her makeup or admire herself in the lit mirror.

  She returned to the bedroom and sat in one of the two chairs in front of a white marble fireplace. It was easy to imagine Greta curled up in one of the chairs on a cold wintry night with a fire warming her.

  A swift anger shot through Alice. It should have been her being raised in the bosom of a loving family. It should have been her enjoying all the luxury that came with being a Colton.

  The minute her mother had confessed that Alice had been a twin and the other baby had been bought by a wealthy Colton, Alice had spiraled down the rabbit hole of wrath.

  She tamped down her anger. This winter it would be the new Greta enjoying the warmth of a fire, wearing the fancy clothes and high heels. This winter it would be the new Greta enjoying the holidays with loving family members.

  She got up from the chair and undressed from the clothes she’d taken from Greta. She’d changed into them just in case somebody had seen Greta leave the house and knew how she’d been dressed.

  A nightshirt was on the unmade bed and Alice took off her bra and panties and pulled it on over her head. She immediately smelled a fresh, citrusy scent that was appealing.

  It was Greta’s scent. And now it was hers.

  Alice crawled into the bed, where the sheets were soft and the pillow still held the imprint of Greta’s head. She fit her head into the depressed place and breathed a deep sigh.

  She’d done it. After months of planning and waiting, hoping that a time would come when she could do what needed to be done, she felt a sweet sense of success roar through her as she snuggled deeper into the bed.

  She knew there was a big family gathering planned for that afternoon. It was amazing what she had learned by staying hidden and listening to the gossip of ranch hands.

  It was Thanksgiving Day and nobody on earth was more thankful than Alice right now. She was exactly where she belonged and her twin sister would suffer a slow and agonizing death by suffocation.

  The mistake of the past had finally been righted. She closed her eyes and fell into a peaceful sleep, knowing she was where she had always been meant to be.

  * * *

  Tyler slept later than usual. He awoke at about seven, and instead of jumping right out of bed, he turned over on his back and remained in a state of relaxation he hadn’t known for the past couple of weeks.

  Greta had told him last night she intended to spend the morning helping her mother with whatever needed to be done to make the day a rousing success.

  There would be no corral visit today, no outside activity and no reason for Tyler to strap on his gun and be on guard. He found himself looking forward to the family getting together, to being a part of something bigger than himself.

  Work had always fed his ego and been his reason for being and had given him the satisfaction of being part of something outside himself, but he realized now that work wasn’t enough...would never be enough now that he had spent so much time with Greta and the Colton clan.

  Greta. As always when he woke up alone in his bed, he missed her snuggled against him. He missed the warmth of her body and the scent of her. And as always when he woke up first thing in the morning, no matter whether she was with him in the bed or not, he was eager to see her smile and to spend time with her.

  He also loved to see her interact with her family. She was loving with her brothers and their wives and a soft puddle of goo when it came to baby Alexander and five-year-old Seth. Despite the unusual circumstances, he was honored to be sharing this holiday with her and her family.

  He finally roused himself f
rom bed and dressed casually in jeans and a long-sleeved ribbed shirt. He’d change into something a little less casual this afternoon. Greta’s door was closed when he left his room, indicating that she either was still asleep or had already left the room to help out in the kitchen or in the basement, where the meal would take place.

  He headed to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a chat with Edith. The housekeeper had definitely warmed to him and he to her as he realized how much she had done for Greta and her brothers when they had been young.

  The heavenly scent of cooking turkey filled the air as he got closer to the kitchen. It was possible Edith wouldn’t have time for his early-morning teasing. She might be busy with all the cooking that had to be done that day, unless Maria had come in earlier than usual to work.

  He entered the kitchen to find Edith sitting on one side of the island, a cup of coffee in her hand. A second cup was ready to be consumed on the opposite side of the island.

  “I heard you coming,” she explained and pointed to the awaiting cup.

  Tyler sat in the stool opposite her. “Thanks. Have you seen Greta yet this morning?”

  “Not a sign of her yet. It’s still early. I’m sure she’ll be up and around soon.”

  Tyler cupped his fingers around the warm mug. “It wouldn’t hurt her to sleep in a little bit. She’s been under a lot of stress lately.”

  Edith took a sip of her coffee and eyed him over the rim. She set the cup back down and released a sigh. “At least you’ve been here for our girl. She might act like a tough tomboy who can gentle the biggest of beasts, but she has a heart as sweet and soft as anyone I’ve ever known.”

  “I’m aware of that,” Tyler replied.

  “Are you going to marry her?”

  Tyler nearly spewed a mouthful of coffee across the island at the unexpected question. “I... We...uh... We’ve only known each other a little under a month. We’re certainly not at a place that we’ve talked marriage.”

  “You should. You’re good for each other and she’s in love with you,” Edith said firmly.

  “Oh, I don’t know about that...” His heart skipped a beat.

  “I do,” Edith replied. “I’ve known that girl since she was little. Your brother wasn’t good for her and I saw plenty of doubt in her eyes when they were together. But when she looks at you, all I see is her love for you and there are no doubts at all in her eyes.”

  “We’re just enjoying each other’s company,” he replied and tried to ignore the look Edith gave him that told him she thought he was an ignorant boob. “We haven’t even known each other a full month yet.”

  “True love doesn’t watch a clock,” Edith replied curtly.

  “I figured you’d be bustling around here this morning with all the cooking that would be going on,” he said in an effort to change the topic of conversation. He couldn’t quite wrap his head around the possibility that Greta was in love with him.

  “I’ve got the turkey baking and a big ham ready to go in. It’s too early to do much of anything else right now,” she replied. “By the way, there’s no official breakfast this morning. I’ve put out sweet rolls and bagels and fruit on the buffet in the dining room so everyone can just help themselves.”

  “Sounds good,” he replied. “So this is the calm before the storm.”

  “Maria will be in early and then the real work begins.”

  “Is Abra up and around?”

  Edith shook her head. “I imagine she’ll be making an appearance in another half an hour or so. She’s truly excited by today and has done so much work to make sure you all enjoy a wonderful holiday.”

  “Is she doing okay? I know Greta has worried that this whole feast thing would be too much for her.”

  Edith smiled. “She’s doing wonderfully well. This has been so good for her.”

  “I know she was disappointed when Greta’s wedding was called off.”

  Edith scowled. “Yes, she was disappointed to stop planning a beautiful wedding for her only daughter, but the last thing Abra would want is for Greta to be in a loveless marriage. Abra and Big J have weathered many a storm throughout their marriage, but the one thing that got them through the years was their great love of each other.”

  “They’re lucky to have each other,” Tyler replied.

  “Yes, they are.” Her eyes grew distant. “I was also lucky enough to have a wonderful husband who I went home to each day after my work was finished here. Sadly, he passed a little over a year ago.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” Tyler said.

  Edith’s smile held a touch of sadness. “Thank you, but I have wonderful memories of loving and being loved. I sold the house we had in town and moved in here. The Coltons are my only family now and I love them all fiercely.”

  There was a warning in her eyes and he knew it was directed at him. It was the silent communication of a woman who loved Greta warning him not to hurt her. Surely Edith had to know that was the last thing he wanted to do.

  A few minutes later Tyler sat across from Brett at the dining room table. Before him was a small plate with a bagel slathered in cream cheese and a combination of fresh strawberries and blueberries.

  “Where’s your better half?” Tyler asked.

  “Sleeping in a bit,” Brett replied.

  “It must be something in the air. Greta is still asleep, too.”

  Brett unpeeled a banana. “They’re fortifying themselves for the chaos ahead,” he said good-naturedly. “And trust me, there will be chaos. Six men, six women and throw in a couple of grandkids and it becomes total bedlam at some point.”

  Tyler grinned. “Actually, I’m looking forward to it. Last year I ate Thanksgiving dinner alone in a restaurant.”

  “That stinks.” Brett ate his banana in three big bites and then moved on to the palm-sized cinnamon roll still on his plate.

  “It would be a real Thanksgiving Day blessing if Ryan arrived with the news that evil twin, Alice, had been caught and was now behind bars,” Tyler said.

  Brett scowled. “I don’t believe in violence against women, but I wouldn’t mind wrapping my hands around her throat for a minute or two. Aside from the hell she’s put Greta through, Kurt Rodgers was a good man and she killed him in cold blood.”

  “I just want her caught so that Greta doesn’t have to be afraid anymore,” Tyler replied. How badly he wanted to take away her fear, let her go about her life without looking over her shoulder or entertaining the kind of dark thoughts that stole the shine from her gorgeous eyes.

  She’s in love with you.

  Edith’s words played in Tyler’s mind even after Abra and Big J joined them at the table for the continental breakfast. Tyler lingered over coffee, trying to focus on the conversation while his brain whirled with Edith’s assessment of Greta’s feelings toward him.

  Edith had to be mistaken. Greta wasn’t in love with him. She might enjoy his company. He knew for sure that she was grateful for the protective role he played in her life, but love? He didn’t think so.

  But what if she was in love with him?

  His heart fluttered and then fell. He carried the burden of keeping her safe very seriously, but the idea of also being responsible for her heart scared him to death.

  Was he in love with her? It was a question he’d grappled with over the past week or so. Certainly his feelings for Greta were like nothing he’d ever felt for a woman before...but was that love...the kind of love that would sustain them through a lifetime together?

  Initially, he’d believed himself in love with Michelle, but after their relationship had ended, he’d realized he hadn’t really loved her in the way it took to build real lasting happiness.

  “The big day is finally here,” Big J said, his booming voice pulling Tyler from his thoughts. “Are you ready for all this wingding, sweetheart?” He looked across the table to Abra.

  She smiled serenely. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m more than ready. There are some odds and ends to atten
d to, but nothing I can’t handle.”

  “Greta told me last night she was going to get up and help you with whatever needs to be done, but I guess she’s still asleep,” Tyler said.

  “Let her sleep,” Abra replied.

  “She’s usually such an early riser,” Tyler said.

  “She’ll get up when she’s ready. She’s been through a lot over the last couple of months. We’ve all been through too much.” Abra used her fork to eat a strawberry.

  “I wish I could have seen into the future twenty-six years ago.” Big J’s voice was softer than usual, his expression troubled. “Everything that has happened is all my fault.”

  “Nonsense,” Abra said with a loving look. “You did what you did out of love for me and you gave me the daughter I wanted so badly.”

  “Nobody could have guessed how this all would go down,” Brett replied. “Who knew that this Alice would grow up to be such a crazy wild woman? Maybe Ryan will bring some good news with him today.”

  “We can only hope,” Tyler replied with more than a touch of fervor.

  After breakfast he went back up to his room and made a call to his manager at Stanton Oil. Tyler was working a skeleton crew for the day, allowing as many of his employees to be at home with their families as possible for the holiday.

  His manager, Bruce Bridges, assured him that everything was running smoothly. They talked for a few minutes about the business and then ended the call.

  Tyler looked at his watch. Almost nine and still no peep from Greta’s room. A sudden shot of fear went off inside him. Almost nine and nobody had seen Greta since last night.

  Was she really sleeping in this late or was it possible that somehow Alice had got to her in the night? How could Alice have managed to get into a second-story window? He didn’t know, but what if she had?

  Was Greta either gone from her bed or dead in it? His fear rose to a ringing alarm.

  He grabbed his gun, even as he knew that if something had happened during the night, it was probably already too late for his weapon.