by Cassie Miles
“And we need a tree,” Dylan said.
With the light snow falling, today would have been the perfect time to head out on horseback and search the forests until they spotted the perfect Christmas tree. Not too short or tall. The branches needed to be symmetrical.
She loved that tradition. But not this year. “We can’t go roaming through the forests. Not while Nate’s lurking around.”
“Not to worry,” Dylan said. “I have a plan.”
Curious, she followed him back to his office. “Another surprise? You’ve been busy this morning.”
“You inspire me, darlin’.”
As he sat her in one of the leather chairs facing the desk, his hand lingered on her shoulder. A gentle touch. A sweet reminder. She felt herself being drawn into the familiar pattern of their life together.
Dylan called a number on his cell phone. At the same time, he turned his computer screen around so it was facing her. After a brief consultation on the phone, he tapped a few strokes on the computer keyboard. A shaky picture appeared.
“It’s a live feed,” Dylan said. “I sent a couple of the ranch hands out to find you the perfect tree.”
Though nothing could be as good as their previous tree-chopping adventures, this was a decent substitute. She jumped to her feet and gave her husband a hug. “You’re a genius.”
“Not really.” He gave her a peck on the cheek. “I’m just a thoughtful, sensitive guy with a great big heart.”
“And a great big ego to match.”
He turned the cell phone to speaker. “Talk to me, MacKenzie.”
“Sure thing, boss. This tree’s about ten feet tall.”
“Have one of the other guys stand next to it so we can compare.”
Nicole squinted at the image on the screen. “It’s lopsided. And too skinny.”
“We’ll keep looking,” MacKenzie said. “There’s a whole forest to choose from.”
“Turn the camera around,” she said. “I want to see who my Christmas elves are.”
“Don’t call me an elf, ma’am.”
“Of course not.” She recognized the other men with MacKenzie. One was Larry. The other had the nickname of Dirty Tom, though she’d never found out why. It was probably best she didn’t know. “Thank you, guys. I appreciate this.”
“Keep to the south sides of the hills,” Dylan said. “Those trees get more sun.”
The camera jostled as the cowboys mounted up and rode through the lightly falling snow. After fifteen minutes of directing them, Nicole still hadn’t spotted the right tree. But she was enjoying the search.
“This was a great idea, Dylan.”
“Just because we’re stuck inside the house, it doesn’t mean we can’t find the best Christmas tree.”
He was sitting beside her, looking pleased with himself. A half grin lifted the corner of his mouth. The laugh lines at the corners of his deep-set eyes crinkled.
“When you came down to your office,” she said, “I thought you’d be locked inside all day. Taking care of business.”
“I’ve got my priorities straight. My number-one project is titled Make Nicole Happy.”
“I’m even more important than the cattle?”
“You’re my little lost dogie that strayed. I need to bring you back to the herd.”
Being compared to an orphaned calf wasn’t exactly a compliment, but she appreciated the thought.
The office door whipped open, and Carolyn strode into the room. “We’ve got trouble. Take a look out front.”
Peering through the window, Nicole saw a news truck with a satellite dish on top. The television news crew had been stopped at the gate by the cowboys guarding the house. Even from this distance, she could see a woman reporter with microphone in hand.
“I’d better get out there,” Carolyn said, “before that pretty reporter convinces one of our guys to talk.”
“Give them the two-word response,” Dylan said. “No comment.”
“Thanks for the advice, baby brother, but I know how to handle the media.” She tossed her head, and her black ponytail flipped back and forth. “This might be a good opportunity for publicity.”
Nicole couldn’t imagine anything more humiliating than media attention. She’d barely been able to tell her family the sketchy outline of what she’d endured. Having her story displayed in the media would be devastating. “Please, Carolyn. I don’t want my photograph next to the check-out line in the supermarket.”
“There’s no reason for you to feel bad. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“You heard her,” Dylan said. “Give them a ‘no comment.’ That’s all.”
“If that’s the way you want to play it, okay.” Carolyn stalked toward the door. “I won’t say one word about the kidnapping. But I’m not passing up the chance to talk about Carlisle Certified Organic Beef. National publicity won’t hurt our bottom line.”
Nicole returned to the chair facing the computer screen. The live feed showed a very nice lodgepole pine.
“How about this one?” MacKenzie asked.
Following her instructions, he circled the tree and knocked a dusting of snow from the branches. Her gaze was distracted. Though she tried to recapture her former mood of fun and celebration, the bubble had popped.
“The tree is great,” she said. “Chop it down.”
She heard a shout from Dirty Tom. The camera bobbled.
Dylan snapped, “What’s going on?”
“We got company,” MacKenzie said.
“Don’t take chances,” Dylan ordered. “Draw your weapons. Be prepared for an attack.”
The camera swung around, giving them a snowy view of what was happening. She saw Dirty Tom aim his rifle. The other man rode downhill. Melting snowflakes smeared the lens.
Over the cell phone she heard more shouting. This could be Nate, moving in for an attack. His threats focused on Dylan, but she wouldn’t put it past him to go after other employees at the Carlisle ranch. Nobody was truly safe until he was taken into custody.
Gripping the arms of the chair, she felt her body tense and the blood drain from her face. The only way to stop Nate was to obey him. He’d told her to get a cell phone and call him, but how could she? How could she betray Dylan?
“Tom got the drop on them,” MacKenzie said. “It’s two guys. What do you want us to do with them?”
“Turn the camera around,” Dylan said, “so I can see them.”
Through the lens they saw two men in parkas and stocking caps. One of them had a shoulder-mounted camera. The other held a microphone.
“Reporters,” Dylan muttered. “Go ahead and shoot them.”
Before MacKenzie took the boss at his word, Nicole jumped in. “Escort those gentlemen off our property. Don’t talk to them.”
“One of them says we can be on TV.”
“Listen to me,” Dylan said. His voice was harsh. “The first man who talks to the media is fired. Is that clear?”
“But we’ve got to say something.” MacKenzie sounded confused. “How are they going to know what to do unless we—”
“Talk about the weather. You can tell them your life story. Hell, you can whip out a guitar and sing them a song. But don’t talk about the kidnapping. Got it?”
“You bet, boss. We’ll get rid of these guys and come back for the tree.”
The live feed went dead, and Nicole slumped back in the chair. Her heart was beating fast. Though she was free of the chains Nate had used to keep her prisoner, she was still under his control. As long as he threatened, she couldn’t forget him or pretend that he didn’t exist.
When Dylan touched her shoulder, she flinched.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“I thought it was Nate. That he was coming after MacKenzie and the other guys.”
“They’re okay, darlin’. Everything’s going to be fine.”
If only I could believe him.
“Dylan, I need a cell phone.”
AFTER LUNCH,
the Christmas tree was set up in the living room, the boxes of decorations had been brought down from the attic and Nicole was in the kitchen with Polly Sanchez and Andrea. There were gingerbread cookies in the oven and hot cinnamon punch on the stove.
Trying to absorb the festive spirit, Nicole inhaled. She wanted to see the day through a rosy glow, to enjoy the sounds of laughter and carols playing on the stereo. Santa Claus is coming to town. She hummed along. “You’d better watch out.” That was ominous. Who knew that Christmas had such dark undercurrents? Watch out, watch out…
Her ears pricked up as she heard a familiar voice from the front entryway. Doctor Maud Applegate.
She rushed down the hall and threw her arms around the tall, rosy-cheeked woman in a long, reddish-brown parka that made her look like a giant hot dog topped with a wild mop of curly blond hair. She trusted Doc Maud more than anyone but Dylan. Except, of course, when it came to fashion. Maud could diagnose ten different bovine parasites from a quick glance through a microscope, but she was incapable of putting together an outfit that matched.
Nicole looked up into her friend’s bright blue eyes. “I’ve missed you.”
“It’s only been a couple of weeks.” Maud squeezed her again. “A lot’s happened. Oh, Nicole, I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t know you were coming. Did Dylan call you?”
“He did. And he wanted a favor.” Maud pulled away from Nicole. “I’d like to introduce Doctor Sarah Lowell. She’s going to examine you and make sure you’re all right.”
Looking over his shoulder, she caught a glimpse of her clever husband. She’d told Dylan a dozen times that she didn’t need a doctor, but he knew she couldn’t refuse Maud. She politely greeted the attractive young doctor with straight brown hair and long bangs that covered her eyebrows.
Both women shed their coats, and Maud revealed her version of holiday finery—a green paisley jacket, red blouse and a giant Santa Claus belt buckle. There were various other bangles and dangles—earrings, bracelets and necklaces. She looked like a walking Christmas tree.
“I’ve got to ask,” Nicole said. “Where did you get all the jewelry?”
“You know how I do those talks in the grade school about pet safety? This year, the kids brought me gifts. I couldn’t decide which I liked best, so I’m wearing them all.”
Maud had always loved kids—a love made poignant by the fact that she couldn’t have children of her own.
“Shall we get started?” Dr. Lowell asked.
“We’ll go upstairs to my bedroom.” As they climbed the staircase, Nicole asked, “Are you new in town?”
“I’ve been here a couple of months. I’m on a reimbursement program that pays off some of my med-school debt if I take a job in a rural area.”
“How did you meet Maud?”
“It’s the same old story,” Maud said. “Girl moves to town, finds a stray cat, brings the kitty to the vet for shots and falls in love with my assistant, Tony.”
“Tony’s a great guy.” Nicole opened the door to her bedroom and escorted the other two women inside. “I’m afraid we’ve wasted your time in coming here, Sarah. There’s really nothing wrong with me.”
The young doctor’s expression turned serious. “You’d like to believe that you were completely untouched by being held captive for seven days?”
“Untouched?” Nicole frowned. “That wouldn’t be the word I’d choose.”
“Let’s sit over here by the window.”
The three women arranged themselves. Sarah took the chair Dylan had slept in last night. Nicole perched on the matching chair beside the table. Maud slipped off her loafers and sat cross-legged on the bed.
It seemed like an odd start to an examination.
Nicole asked, “Should I take my shirt off? Roll up the sleeves?”
“I’d like to ask a few questions first,” Sarah said.
“Right.” She nodded. “You need to know about prior illnesses and allergies.”
The young doctor smiled. “I’m a medical doctor, fully capable of giving you a physical checkup. I work in a clinic with other doctors who have other specialties. My area of expertise is psychiatry.”
Nicole sat back in her chair and folded her arms below her breasts. A psychiatrist? “Does Dylan know about this?”
“Lord, no,” Maud said. “Introducing you to Sarah was my idea.”
Nicole had nothing against mental-health professionals. In her work as a vet, she’d seen how the emotional component played into wellness and behavior, even in a herd of cattle. But she’d always thought of herself as a well-grounded individual—not someone who needed psychiatric counseling.
On the other hand, she’d never been kidnapped and held captive before.
Chapter Nine
After half an hour’s conversation, Nicole’s mouth was dry and her palms sweaty. She’d related the chronology of her time in captivity with a few more details than she’d told to the others, including the heart-pounding panic when Nate sealed her mouth with duct tape. When she talked about it, a gag reflex tightened her throat.
She sat back in her chair. “Well, Sarah? What’s your diagnosis?”
“It wouldn’t be going out on a limb to say that you’ve been traumatized. Do you agree?”
“Yes.” As a vet, Nicole didn’t have the luxury of talking to her patients. She couldn’t look a bawling steer in the eye and ask where it hurt. The only way to understand was poking and prodding. That sort of guesswork wouldn’t be necessary for her own treatment. “How do I get better?”
“You’ve already taken the first step by acknowledging your trauma. Tell me about your physical symptoms.”
“Upset stomach. I’ve vomited twice. I’m tense and irritable. Having trouble sleeping.”
“Falling asleep?”
Nicole thought for a moment, trying to be precise. “I can nod off, but I’m not getting a good rest. I’m wakeful. Tossing and turning.”
“And your dreams?”
“I don’t remember.” She wasn’t ready or willing to reveal the depth of her fear. “Nate Miller is a very creepy guy. He’s obsessed with destroying the Carlisle family.”
“I want to talk about you.”
“He scares me. Him and his threats.” She hastened to add, “Last night, Dylan went chasing after him and almost got himself blown to bits. Nate set off dynamite.”
Sarah nodded. “I heard about that.”
Her easygoing, encouraging manner almost made Nicole forget that she was talking to a shrink. Almost. “Nate Miller is a very dangerous person. He’s already killed our foreman, Lucas Mann.”
“And you’re afraid he’ll hurt someone else you love.”
“I can’t stand to lose anyone else,” Nicole said.
“Have you lost others?”
“My parents.” The remembered sorrow surrounding the death of her mother and then her father only a year later washed through her in a sudden, unexpected surge. She grabbed a tissue from the box on the table to dab away the tears. “Oh, hell.”
“It’s all right to miss them,” Sarah said.
“Well, yes. But I don’t usually start crying when I think of them.” Her emotions were in turmoil. She couldn’t control herself. “How long will it take me to get over this?”
“I’d like to set up regular appointments,” Sarah said. “In the meantime, I’ll prescribe anti-anxiety medication.”
“No drugs,” Nicole said firmly.
Maud sat up straighter on the bed. “Why’s that?”
“Just because.” Nicole knew she wasn’t being a good patient, but she didn’t care. She’d talked as much as she intended to. “Sarah, could you run some blood tests for me? I’ve been feeling weak, maybe anemic. I don’t think Nate was drugging me, but I’d like to make sure.”
“No problem.”
Sarah quickly went through the physical part of the examination and complimented Nicole on her self-treatment of her bruises and abrasions. After drawing a couple of via
ls of blood, she arranged to come back to the ranch in a few days. “But you can call me—anytime you want to talk.”
After Nicole showed Sarah downstairs to the front door and said goodbye, she took Maud by the arm and dragged her down the hallway to Dylan’s office. She peeked inside, making sure nobody was there. Then she pulled Maud into the room and closed the door. “Why did you bring a psychiatrist?”
“She’s good, isn’t she?”
“Answer my question.”
Maud straightened the tangle of necklaces around her throat. “When Dylan called, he told me you refused to see a doctor. I trust your judgment enough to believe you. Physically, I think you’re going to heal in a few days. But he also mentioned trouble sleeping, tension, nervousness. He’s worried about you.”
“Dylan wants everything to get back to normal as soon as possible.”
“Don’t you?” Maud asked.
She wasn’t so sure. “To be completely honest, normal wasn’t so great. Dylan and I have been arguing. I’m not sure I want things to go back to the way we were before the kidnapping. I want a change.”
“Does this have anything to do with the reason you refused to take medication?”
She sat on the long leather sofa. She trusted Maud. They came from the same town in Wyoming, and she had known Maud for most of her life. It was because of Maud that Nicole had moved to this area to work in Maud’s veterinary clinic. Still, it was difficult to talk about her fertility troubles with someone who wasn’t part of the family. Nicole inhaled a breath and blurted, “I want to have a baby.”
“Fan-tabulous!” Maud dove onto the sofa beside her and gave her a hug. “You’ll make a terrific mom.”
“I figured it was time. I’m coming up on thirty, and I truly want a family. But I’ve been having trouble getting pregnant. The longer it takes, the more I know this is what I want. I’m not sure Dylan feels the same way.”
“Can’t blame him,” Maud said with a grin. “Most studs don’t seem to care if they ever see the foals.”
“He’s not a horse. Or a prize bull.”
“Of course not, kiddo. You’re primates.” Maude hugged her again. “If you’re looking for a really good paternal role model, you might be better off emperor penguins.”
