The Rancher's Return

by Karen Whiddon

  The declaration was out there in the open. Both men understood what it meant.

  “Good luck.” Brock stuck out his hand.

  Reed shook it. “Thanks.” He allowed himself a wry grin. “I have a feeling I’m going to need it.”

  Chapter 16

  When Reed got to Kaitlyn’s room, she was dressed and waiting in the armchair near the window. The wheelchair he’d used the day before sat nearby.

  “About time you got here,” she said, her voice weak and slightly cross. “Now all we need is to get the doctor to show up and sign those discharge papers.”

  “Are you all right?” he asked, searching her face. Her alabaster skin seemed paler than usual, and her beautiful eyes were rimmed in red.

  “Sorry.” She exhaled. “I’ll feel better once I get out of here.”

  He figured now was as good a time to tell her as any. “I’m taking you back to my house with me.”

  She froze. Her bright blue gaze met and held his. “Why is that?”

  Reed guessed he knew what she was thinking, most likely some kind of convoluted, flawed logic involving holding her prisoner. “Zoe’s got enough on her plate dealing with Brock,” he said. “So unless you’ve got somewhere else you’d rather be, I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”

  “Or vice versa.” She swallowed, the movement in her graceful throat drawing his eye.

  Forcing himself to look away, he smiled. “You know I don’t mind. I’ve enjoyed having you at my house. Plus, I think Bentley misses you.”

  At the mention of her little dog, she brightened. “Is Zoe bringing him over?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. He’s already there.” He decided to tease her a little. “I might have to keep him. He’s starting to get used to me now.”

  She knew him well enough to laugh. The lighthearted sound made him smile. “I can’t wait to see him.” Another glance toward the doorway. “Where are those discharge papers? They said I’d be out of here by ten.”

  Recognizing and understanding her impatience, he told her he’d go check.

  When he got to the nurses’ station, the lone occupant was on the phone. She held up a finger, asking him to wait. Once she’d finished her call, he told her what he wanted.

  “Going home today?” she asked, sounding surprised. “Let me check her file.” Once she’d located the manila folder, she opened and read a sheet of paper. Looking up, she shook her head. “That’s what I thought. She was scheduled for release today. But that’s been changed. The doctor has ordered more tests.”

  “What kind of tests?”

  Her expression changed, the friendliness becoming a sort or brisk professionalism. “And you are?”

  “Her friend.”

  “I’m sorry, sir, but we can’t discuss her medical information with you. We’re prohibited by law.”

  This he understood. “There’s a solution for that. Ms. Nuhn is in her room, dressed and ready to go. Why don’t you come with me and explain to her what additional tests are needed.”

  Though she nodded, she made no move to leave her spot behind the counter.

  Something wasn’t right. The hair rose on the back of Reed’s neck. Alex? Even though he was currently in custody, he still had minions willing to do his bidding.

  “I’ll wait for you in the room,” he told the nurse, turning and hurrying back to Kaitlyn.

  When he reached the room, he closed the door. “Grab your stuff. We’re leaving.”

  She stared at him. “Did you get the discharge papers? I thought I had to sign something.”

  “Nope. Something’s not right. I’ll explain later. Can you walk or do you need the wheelchair?”

  “I can walk, but I’m slow.” She didn’t question him, for which he felt grateful. “It might be faster for you to push me.”

  Unable to contain his rising agitation, he helped get her settled. “Just act like everything is normal,” he said. “No one in the place knows what’s going on everywhere. For all anyone knows, you’ve already been discharged. Getting past the nurses’ station will be the only hurdle.” Especially since it was on the way to the elevators.

  “What about my doctor?” Speaking calmly, she looked over her shoulder at him as he pushed her out the door.

  “We’ll call him once we’re safe. You need to talk to him and find out exactly what’s going on. I’m not sure how this works, but I’m guessing if he really ordered more tests, he would have told you about it.”

  Like all hospitals, this one was busy and no one noticed them leave. They reached the elevator and he pressed the button, doing his best to appear to be waiting patiently. Kaitlyn had gone silent, too, though he couldn’t help but notice how she occasionally darted glances over her shoulder.

  Inwardly cursing Alex for the long tail of destruction that had started so many years ago and continued to this day, Reed exhaled in relief when the elevator doors opened. Then they were inside, the doors closed, and finally they were on their way to freedom.

  Once they reached the front lobby, he fought the urge to push the wheelchair faster. Normally, in an ordinary situation, he would have had her wait while he went and got his truck. Since this was far from normal, there was no way he was going to leave her by herself. Not for even a second.

  “How far can you walk?” he asked. “My truck is in the lot, second row back.”

  “I can do that,” she said, her voice ringing with confidence. But when he helped her stand and she went to take the first wobbly step out of the wheelchair, it became apparent she couldn’t.

  “Sit,” he ordered. “I’ll just wheel you out to the truck, load up the wheelchair in the bed, and drive it back to the front door.”

  And that’s exactly what they did.

  Reed took a roundabout way back to his house, just in case. He hated to be paranoid, yet he knew what Alex was capable of, even while in police custody.

  “I’m thinking we’ll go stay at the ranch,” he said. Kaitlyn smiled. “I’d like that.”

  On the way home, Reed’s cell phone rang. It was Zoe calling from the hospital.

  “They’re in a bit of a tizzy here,” she said, “trying to find Kaitlyn. I’m guessing you spirited her away?”

  “Yep.” And he told her about the potentially fake doctor’s orders and the sense of danger both he and Kaitlyn had felt.

  “Ah, now I understand.” She sounded relieved. “Her doctor is here in Brock’s room and he’d like to speak to you.”

  “Okay.” That was so unusual that Reed couldn’t help but wonder if it was really her doctor or one of Alex’s men pretending to be. This frustrated the hell out of him, as he didn’t want to go through life seeing Alex’s dirty hand in every single person he dealt with.

  “Hello?” A male voice came on the line. “May I please speak to Kaitlyn Nuhn? This is Dr. Newberry calling.”

  Reed handed her the phone. She spoke, listened a minute, then thanked the man and ended the call. When she handed the phone back to read, she appeared about ready to cry. “Dr. Newberry said he didn’t change the orders. Someone got into my file and falsified the info. Even worse, if I’d been given those drugs in that quantity, he said it probably would have killed me.”

  * * *

  Once Reed had Kaitlyn settled back in her old bed in the guest bedroom, with an ecstatic Bentley beside her, he pulled out the business card he’d been carrying around and called Agent Brown, the one FBI agent he felt he could trust. He relayed what had happened at the hospital and the other man promised to look into it. Meanwhile, he offered to provide a protective detail for Kaitlyn or even move her to witness protection if necessary. While Reed hated the idea, it might be the only way to keep her safe, so he told the agent he’d check with her and let him know.

  But when he went back into her room to discuss it with her, Kaitlyn had fallen asleep.

  Such a major decision could wait for an hour or two. But Reed paced the living room, wishing he had an outlet for his frustration. No matter wh
at he and Kaitlyn did, he knew they weren’t safe. It wouldn’t surprise him if the next thing to happen was Alex getting off on a technicality.

  Except...Reed had the cell phone video. Time to upload it to the internet and send copies to all pertinent law enforcement agencies, as well as the media.

  After finding the USB charger, he plugged it into the phone and to his laptop, and got ready to end Alex’s reign of terror once and for all.

  Forty-five minutes later, Reed’s phone began to ring. Both his cell and his house phone, the one no one ever called anymore and which he’d been meaning to disconnect. They rang and rang, sometimes in unison. He didn’t answer, and watched in disbelief as the voicemail messages began mounting.

  When his cell showed he had sixty-two new messages, he began to play them back. Most were from various media outlets—the big ones like CNN and FOX, as well as local news stations and newspapers.

  Agent Brown had phoned, too. Five times, each call sounding more and more agitated.

  Reed took a deep breath and called him back.

  “Why didn’t you turn that evidence over?” the agent nearly shouted. “That is tantamount to a taped confession and will result in more charges being brought against him.”

  “No offense, but we weren’t sure who we could trust.” He explained what had happened during the raid on Alex’s house, and about the local sheriff’s deputy George who had also been on Alex’s payroll. When he’d finished speaking, Agent Brown had gone quiet.

  “I think you and I need to have another chat,” he finally said.

  Reed agreed. “Just not right now. The media is blowing up my phone and I need to watch over Kaitlyn. I would like to take you up on your offer of providing us additional security, if you don’t mind.” He cleared his throat. “Just make damn sure whoever you send isn’t on Alex’s payroll.”

  There was a distinct edge to the other man’s voice as he replied. “Will do.”

  * * *

  After days of being in the hospital, where it seemed as if she was woken up constantly for tests or blood work or meals, Kaitlyn slept like a baby in Reed’s quiet spare bedroom. Even with the lumpy old sofa bed, she felt at home in his house, an odd sort of feeling since she was only a guest.

  Sunlight warm on her face woke her. Stretching, she winced at the twinges of pain. It took a moment to register why she felt so battered and bruised, another that she was no longer in the hospital.

  “Are you finally awake?”

  Reed. A hot flush suffused her entire body and she looked to see him standing in the doorway. At first, she felt a flash of panic, wondering if he’d been watching her while she slept. But then, she relaxed. This was Reed. Her friend. They needed to figure out the logistics of their relationship. He was the man she loved and wanted to be with for as long as she lived.

  “I am.” She smiled brightly, unable to keep from tugging down the hem of the oversize T-shirt she slept in. “I could really go for a shower and then a cup of coffee.”

  “I can’t help you with the first, but I can make some coffee.” Gaze intense, he returned her smile. “You’re going to have to walk.” He indicated the crutches leaning on the wall next to her bed. “You can use those. We don’t have a wheelchair.”

  Pushing her hair away from her face, she nodded. “That’s a good thing. My physical therapist told me I need to start walking. A little bit at a time, to build up my strength.”

  Light smoldered in his eyes as he studied her. “Sounds good. Take your time. I’ll wait for you in the kitchen.”

  Once he’d gone, Kaitlyn pushed herself to a sitting position. Slowly, she swung her legs, one at a time, wincing at the aches and pains. Overall, she’d been lucky. No broken bones, just some messed-up tendons and a sprained ankle. In time, all of this would pass.

  Gingerly, she lowered herself to the ground, good ankle first. With some maneuvering, she was able to grab the crutches. Then, feeling extraordinarily proud of herself, she hobbled into her bathroom to get ready to start her day.

  When she emerged thirty minutes later, having showered, brushed her teeth and blow-dried her hair, she felt like a new person. The pain had subsided to a dull ache. And the delicious scent of freshly brewed coffee wafting her way from the kitchen made her smile.

  As she went toward it, the sight greeting her made her stop and stare. Throat tight, heart full. Reed stood at the stove, his back to her, his broad shoulders straining the cotton T-shirt he wore. He appeared to be cooking. She sniffed. “Is that an omelet?”

  Turning, he grinned, a flash of white in his tanned face. “Yep.” He handed her a mug. “Here’s your coffee. One cream, one sugar. Exactly how you like it.”

  She took a sip and nearly moaned with pleasure. “Have I died and gone to heaven?”

  His grin widened. “Wow, you really know how to thank a guy.”

  She hadn’t realized she’d spoken out loud. Though she knew she’d turned red, she shrugged it off. She liked this new easygoing, friendly Reed. Pushing aside a pang of longing, she hobbled over to the table and awkwardly lowered herself into a chair. A minute later he brought her a plate with a perfectly cooked ham-and-cheese omelet.

  “Wow.” Inhaling deeply, she smiled at him. “This looks wonderful. Thank you.”

  Their gazes locked. Her heart turned over, even though she willed herself not to react. She needed to get used to thinking of Reed as a friend, nothing more. Even though he’d always be more to her.

  He pulled out the chair across from her, watching as she ate. “I bet you’re glad to be out of the hospital.”

  “Yes.” Swallowing the last bite, she blotted her mouth with the paper napkin and then took a deep drink of her coffee. Though she tried to relax and enjoy the moment, she couldn’t keep from frequently glancing at the front window and front door.

  “Are you all right?” he asked, noticing.

  “Ever since the hospital confirmed someone changed my orders, I’m even more nervous.” She decided to be honest. “Since I’m the only witness, I guess I’m going to be spending the rest of my life looking over my shoulder, aren’t I?”

  “Maybe, maybe not. But...” His smile widened. “I got a taped confession out of him. I’ve already sent it to every media outlet I could think of. The FBI also has a copy. So even if you weren’t able to testify, there’s enough incriminating evidence to put him away for a long time.”

  Stunned, she wished she could jump up and hug him. “How did you manage that?”

  “I just hit Record on my cell when he wasn’t paying attention and asked him a few questions.” He shrugged as if it was no big deal. “The media is going nuts. I’m sure the craziness will fade once Alex is convicted. A few months after that and no one will even remember who he is.”

  Almost afraid to believe, she waited.

  “I don’t know how long it will take to uncover his massive web of deception,” he continued. “Or for his trial to come up on the docket. The main thing we need to hope for is that they’ll consider him a flight risk and refuse bond.”

  Bond. She hadn’t even thought of that. The idea made her shudder. “If they let him bond out, he’ll come after me for sure.”

  “The FBI has promised extra security.” He gave her a long look. “Meanwhile, instead of worrying about him, why don’t you start thinking about making plans for your future? It’s wide-open now, full of possibility and potential.”

  Without him? She managed a tentative smile back. “I like the way you put that.”

  “Do you?” He leaned forward, a lock of dark hair falling over his forehead. “Do you have any ideas? Any thoughts about what you might want to do?”

  “Zoe and I were talking about that. I’m a pretty good cook,” she put in, hesitating despite herself. “I’m considering starting a gourmet brownie business. I could start out local, and then set up a website and ship orders all over the country.”

  He nodded. “Great idea.” Every time his gaze met hers, her heart skipped and her stom
ach did a flip.

  His cell phone rang. Frowning as he glanced at the caller ID, he answered and listened for a moment.

  “What?” Reed’s voice echoed with fury. “You can’t be serious.”

  Something, a premonition, a shiver of disaster, had her turning. When she caught sight of the stark fury on his face, she froze.

  “I’ll let her know,” he said, still staring at Kaitlyn. “And yes, we would appreciate whatever extra protection you can provide.”

  As he ended the call, she waited, heart pounding in her throat. “What is it? What’s happened?”

  “Alex has escaped.” Crossing to her, he wrapped her tightly in his arms. “They’re looking for him now. But until he’s found, both of us are in grave danger.”

  Her entire body started shaking, something which she realized she had absolutely no control over. “Oh crap.”

  “Shh.” He crossed to her, pulling her in close and stroking her hair. “I’ll protect you.”

  For one wonderful second, she allowed herself to melt into his embrace. And then, when she realized she’d reverted to her former pattern of letting a man take care of her, she pushed out of his arms. Refusing to meet his gaze in case she’d hurt him, she grabbed her crutches, climbed to her feet and hobbled into the living room. There, she picked up the television remote and clicked the TV on.

  “A massive manhunt is underway,” the reporter said, panning to a shot of a chopper with a spotlight. “Suspected killer and former congressional hopeful Alex Ramirez has escaped and is on the run. This is not looking good for someone who, until now, has steadfastly maintained his innocence.”

  Kaitlyn could only stare at the screen. She felt hollow, almost resigned.

  “Resigned to what?” Reed asked, his expression thunderous.

  She sighed. “I wasn’t aware I’d spoken out loud. This has to end. Now. I have no doubt Alex is on his way here.”

  “That’s what the FBI thinks, too. I can promise you this. If he comes here, there’s no way he’s going to get you.”

  Eerily calm, she turned to face him. “Why do you say that? What kind of guarantee do you have?”