Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves)

by Rachels, Rayne

  Taking a sip of the sweat, creamy coffee, Tara sat down at the table. The kitchen and dining area were cute and cozy. She loved the white cabinets and black countertops. It was perfect.

  It was too perfect.

  Tears threatened to fall. Tara wiped both of her eyes to stop the tears. How could she have dragged Jason and his family into her problems? Donald was her problem.

  The backdoor opened causing Tara to jump.

  Jason walked in and closed the door. He looked at Tara and grinned. “Good morning.” He walked over to her and kissed her.

  Tara sighed and leaned into the kiss. The taste of cinnamon and sugar flooded her tongue. Desire rippled through her body.

  Jason broke the kiss. “Nice.”

  “Not so bad yourself.”

  “Where were you?” asked Tara.

  “A blue norther will be to be here in an hour or two. I was making sure there was enough wood piled up by the backdoor.” Jason pulled off his jacket and hung it on a peg by the door.

  “It’s going to be that cold?”

  “The weatherman is predicted freezing temperatures by this afternoon, and possibly some sleet. I figured it would be a good idea to have the wood ready. I doubt we’ll need it to warm the house, but sitting in front of a roaring fire might be romantic.” Jason gave her a huge grin. His eyes twinkled.

  Tara blushed.

  “And if the electricity does go out, we’ll have heat.”

  Tara sighed.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Tara shook her head. “Nothing that matters. I was thinking about the winter dad left us.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. His leaving was the best thing that happened to mom and me. It was just the timing that was the problem.”

  “What do you mean?” Jason poured himself another cup of coffee.

  “We were living up in North Texas, somewhere on the other side of Fort Worth. We were renting a small house out in the middle of nowhere. We didn’t have a lot of money. Dad liked his alcohol better than food, so by the time he came home on Friday, if he came home at all, his paycheck was usually gone. Anyway, he came home angry, and it didn’t help that there was no food on the table and the electricity had been disconnected for nonpayment. He and mom argued and the next thing I know, the door’s slamming and he’s gone.”

  “He wasn’t much of a father or a man.” Jason’s eyes turned silver.

  “It was like a weight had been lifted from the house, but that night a norther blew in. We didn’t have any wood for the fireplace and there wasn’t anything around the house we could use to chop any wood. The kitchen table and chairs were wood, so mom broke them up and burned them to keep us warm. Mom burned a lot of thing those three days.”

  Jason didn’t know what to say. He had never been in that kind of situation. It hurt him knowing Tara had gone through it.

  “Mom managed to scrap some food together. Three days later, the landlord came looking for his rent. He took us to town to a shelter.”

  “Your mom must be some kind of lady.”

  Tara smiled. “She’s tough. I’ve learned a lot from her.”

  “After you finish your coffee, go get your jacket.” Jason drank his coffee and put the mug in the sink.

  “Why?” Tara raised an eyebrow.

  “We’re going over to Mom’s to have breakfast and check on the kids. Then you and I are going shopping. We need groceries and some other things.”

  Tara swallowed. “Jason, it’s not necessary to spend money.”

  Jason stepped back. “Yes, it is. We need food and you and Haley need clothes.”

  “Haley and I can’t stay here.”

  “And where else are you planning to stay? You are my mate. This is your home.”

  “And Donald will follow me. I don’t want him harming you or Ben.” Tears threatened to fall again.

  “Do you think I can’t protect you?”

  “I never said that.” Tara raised the volume of her voice.

  “Then what are you saying?” yelled Jason, matching Tara’s volume.

  “I don’t want you or your family to get hurt because of me. Donald is my problem.”

  “No! He is our problem.” Jason saw the tears glistening in Tara’s eyes. “Why are you so afraid of him?”

  Tara stared at the wall.

  “Tara?”

  Tara shook her head.

  Jason kneeled down next to her. “You have to tell me, so I know what I’m up against. Why is he after you? What does he plan to do?”

  Tears rain down Tara’s cheeks. “Do you want to know his plans before or after he rapes and tortures me?”

  Silence filled the kitchen.

  The muscles in Jason’s jaws twitched. He stood up and moved away from Tara. Anger rolled off of him in waves strong enough that even Tara could feel them. Jason ran his hand through his hair. “And his plans after?” His voice was cold and hard.

  Tara’s body trembled. She hadn’t told anyone about Donald’s plans, not even Noah, her stepdad. “He’s in serious debt with a loan shark. Donald doesn’t have any money. He has stolen everything he can from his company. He forged several documents and was able to sell the condo.” She wiped her eyes and face, but the tears kept falling.

  Jason waited for her to continue. He and his bear wanted to hunt down the bastard and rip him to pieces. He was having a hard time keeping his bear under control, but he needed Tara to tell him what was going on. He needed to hear it in order to know what he was up against.

  “Donald’s on the verge of losing everything.”

  “Don’t make excuses for him,” growled Jason.

  “I’m not, but you need to understand how desperate is, so you will understand what he’s willing to do to get what he wants.

  “What are his plans?” Jason tried making his voice not sound so harsh.

  Tara swallowed. Her hands shook. “After he’s done with me, he plans on turning me over to the loan shark so I can pay off his debts as a prostitute.”

  “And Haley?”

  Tara shook her head. She couldn’t speak.

  Jason slammed his fist into the wall causing Tara to jump.

  “I can’t stay here. I have to keep moving.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  Jason turned and looked at Tara. His bear paced and growled.

  Settle down, Jason told his bear.

  Want to rip his throat out.

  So do I, but we need to take care of our mate.

  His bear snarled, but settled down a little bit.

  “You aren’t going anywhere. You are my mate. You and Haley are staying here.”

  “Would you quit being a Neanderthal and listen to me?” Tears ran down Tara’s cheeks.

  Jason walked over to Tara and pulled her into his arms. “I know you’re scared of what he could possibly do, but you are my mate and I will do everything in my power to keep you, Haley, and Ben safe. He didn’t say anything about the cub she was carrying, because he didn’t want to burden her with anything else. She had enough worry on her shoulders. Tara was tough, but he hoped she would realize he wasn’t going anywhere and let him take some of the burden. It was his job to protect her.

  Tara frowned. “What are you not telling me?” She pulled back so she could look into his face.

  Someone pounding on the backdoor saved Jason from answering Tara’s question. “I had better get that.” Jason released Tara and walked over to the door.

  The pounding continued even after he had opened the door.

  “Eddy, what are you doing here?” Jason frowned.

  “I’m sorry to bother you, but is Mrs. Wilson here?”

  “I’m here. Is there a problem?” Tara pushed her way around Jason and elbowed him when she heard him growl.

  “I was making a list of things the car needed your cellphone starting buzzing.”

  “My cellphone?” Tara’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Yeah, it startled me. You know, I wasn’t expecting it.
Anyway, I hope you don’t mind, but I answered it. It was your husband, Mr. Wilson. I told him you were okay, and you staying with the Andersons.”

  Tara turned white. Her heart skipped a beat. “You spoke to my husband?” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  “He said for me to tell you he will be here real soon to pick you up.” Eddy held out the small, black cellphone.

  Tara took it and stared at it.

  “Are you okay, Mrs. Wilson?” Eddy looked concerned.

  “Everything‘s fine. Go home. You don’t want to get stuck out in the weather,” said Jason.

  “All right, I’ll see you later.”

  Jason closed the door even though Eddy was still speaking. “Tara?”

  Tara looked up from the cellphone. “This isn’t my cellphone.”

  “Are you sure?” Jason prayed she was wrong.

  “Don’t you think I would know my own cellphone from someone else’s?” Tara snapped.

  “That’s not what I meant.” He wrapped his arms around her.

  “Donald’s here. He knows where I’m at,” whispered Tara.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” Jason whispered into her hair.

  “I know you…Haley!” Tara pushed Jason, trying to make him let her go. “I have to get to Haley.”

  “Haley is with Ben at my parents. She’s safe there.”

  “You don’t understand. If he can’t get to me first, he’ll go after Haley because he knows I’ll come after her.”

  Jason wanted to tell Tara her fears were irrational.

  Get to cubs. His bear swiped his ribcage.

  Jason decided to trust his bear’s instinct, something he hadn’t done when Tina and her sister, April. “Go get your jacket.”

  Tara didn’t give him a chance to change his mind. She slipped the cellphone into her back pocket as she raced upstairs to get her jacket. She prayed she was wrong. She prayed Haley and Ben were safe.

  CHAPTER 8

  “Mom! Dad!” Jason called out to his parents. Silence greeted him, causing him to frown. “Mom! Dad!”

  “Something’s not right.”

  Jason put his arm around Tara, pulling her close to him. “They’re probably out back.” He kissed the top of her head.

  “Jason, thank the Great Mother Bear you here.” A worried look was etched onto her face.

  “What’s wrong?” Tara tried pulling out of Jason’s arms. She knew that look very well, because of the number of times she had seen it staring back at her in the mirror. “Where are the kids?”

  “They’re missing.” Mary’s eyes were red from crying.

  Tara’s guilt wrenching cry cut through Jason faster than the sharpest claws. He pulled her tighter to him, trying to give her the comfort she needed. She wrapped her arms around him.

  “Mom, what happened?” Jason wasn’t sure what he felt. Ben and Haley should have been safe on the ranch. They should be here laughing and playing, not missing.

  “Your dad went to the barn to check on the mares. Ben and Haley went with them. Ben and Haley decided to come back to the house.”

  Tara stared at Jason’s mom. Tears ran down her checks.

  “Robert caught a scent and found some track behind the barn. Others are out looking right now.”

  “Has Todd been called?” asked Jason.

  Mary nodded.

  “Who’s Todd?” asked Tara.

  “He’s my cousin and the town’s sheriff.”

  Find cubs. Jason’s bear pushed hard against his rib cage.

  We will. Jason tried reassuring the animal. His skin itched. His bear fought for control.

  “Jason, we don’t need an angry bear right now. We need calmer human heads.” Mary wrapped her arms around herself. “Todd has his men setting up roadblocks as we speak. The rest of the family will be here any minute. We will find them.”

  “This is all my fault,” whispered Tara. She had no one else to blame. The children were missing because of her. If she had just kept going, this wouldn’t have happened.

  “If you had kept going, we wouldn’t have found each other.” Jason’s voice was more of a growl. His bear was too close to the surface.

  Tara paled. She hadn’t realized she had spoken aloud.

  “You can’t blame yourself for the actions of others,” said Mary. “We will find the cubs.”

  Tara shook her head. It didn’t matter what anyone said. This was her fault. Haley and Ben were in danger because of her selfish actions. Tara’s stomach churned. She felt the bile rising up her throat. “Bathroom.” She clasped her hand to her mouth.

  “It’s around the corner, the first door on your right.” Jason let Tara go. He knew she blamed herself, and nothing he said would change that fact. He had to find the cubs. He had to eliminate the threat to her. “Mom, watch Tara. I’m going to join dad and the others. Tell her I will find the children.”

  His mom nodded and watched him leave the room.

  * * *

  Tara rinsed out her mouth and splashed cold water on her face. Her stomach still churned, but there wasn’t anything left in her stomach. She gripped the counter and stared at her reflection in the mirror. This was her fault. She knew better. She should never have let Haley out of her sight, and then there was Ben. Why would Donald take Ben? It didn’t make any sense.

  Something on her rear buzzed.

  Tara almost screamed, but clasped her hand over her mouth at the last minute when she realized the cellphone in her back pocket buzzed. She pulled it out and looked at the screen.

  Donald’s name blinked.

  Tara flipped open the phone. “Where are the children?”

  “What? No hello or how are you?” Donald’s voice was smooth.

  “Where are the children?” Tara flushed the toilet again and turned on the water, hoping it would make her voice hard to hear.

  “Fine. Have it your way. The brats are with me, but what happens to them is up to you.” Donald’s threat hung in the air.

  Tara swallowed. “What do you want?” Donald’s laugh sent cold shivers through her.

  “What could I possibly want?” He paused. “I want you of course.”

  “If you want me, why did you take the children? They aren’t worth anything to you.” Anger flickered to life.

  “Because, my sweet Tara, I knew it would get your attention. You’ve been ignoring me, and that is not nice of you.”

  “You have my attention. What do you want?” The anger grew.

  “Do I really have your attention? Honestly, I don’t think I have your undivided attention. You have too many things on your mind, including this whiney brat. I’m glad now I took the other one. At least he’s useful for keeping the brat quiet.”

  Tara’s heart almost stopped. “Don’t hurt the children.”

  “I wasn’t planning on hurting them. I was thinking about getting rid of them permanently. That way, I have your undivided attention.”

  “I’ll make you a deal.”

  “You’re in no position to make any deals. You should never have run from me. This is all your fault! Whatever happens to the brats is your fault! You have no one to blame but yourself.”

  The cold evil tone sent chills down Tara’s back. She had to get the kids away from him. “Let the kids go and I’ll go with you. I’ll do anything you want. I’ll be anything you want.” Tara tried to keep her voice low and sexy.

  “Tempting idea, but there’s one small problem.”

  “And what problem is that?” asked Tara.

  “Those people you’ve hooked up with. They are a huge problem.”

  “I’ll meet you alone, somewhere in the middle of nowhere, somewhere isolated. The kids will have to travel a long distance to get help.” Tara prayed he would go for it. She just had to get Haley and Ben away from him.

  “Boy, where are we at?”

  Tara heard Donald’s muffled voice.

  “Give her directions.”

  Tara heard a rustling noise.

  “Ta
ra, it’s me, Ben.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah,” he muttered.

  “Tell her!” Donald screamed.

  “Ben, just tell me where you and Haley are at. Don’t worry about anything else. Do you understand?”

  “We’re at the old Bryant Station Bridge going over Little River. When you go out of the gate, turn left and follow the gravel road for about five miles, and turn right onto County Road 106. Make sure you’re on 106 and not one of the letters. The road will bend several times, but keep following it. You’ll have to cross the bridge to get to us.”

  “Don’t worry. I will be there in a few minutes,” said Tara.

  “Tara, I have to go,” said Ben.

  “This is so touching. You have fifteen minutes. If you’re not here, one of the brats is going for a swim.”

  The line went dead.

  Tara closed the cellphone. “You can do this,” she told her reflection. Tara turned off the water. She put the cellphone back into her pocket before she left the bathroom.

  The living room was empty when Tara walked back into it. She looked over at the table by the front door. Several sets of keys were on it.

  “I brought you a cup of hot, herbal tea. It’ll help soothe your stomach.” Mary came back into the room with a mug.

  Tara plastered a smile on her face. “Thank you.” She took the mug of tea from Jason’s mother. “Where is Jason?” Tara was both disappointed he wasn’t waiting, and relieved at the same time.

  “He went to search for the children.”

  Tara nodded. She took a sip of the tea. “I’m not feeling too good.”

  “In your condition, it’s understandable. I’ll turn down the bed in Jason’s old room. I know you’re worried, but you have to take care of yourself.”

  Tara nodded. She watched Mary leave the room. As soon as she was gone, Tara put down the mug and dashed for the front door. She looked at the keys and grabbed a set. “Please be the right ones,” she prayed to whoever was listening.

  Outside, Tara looked around the yard.

  No one was there.

  She ran to Jason’s truck and pressed the open button. The truck’s lights flashed and the driver’s door locks clicked. She climbed into the cab. There wasn’t any way to hide the fact she was stealing the truck.