by Aden Lowe
"Rita, come help me." A heavy chest-of-drawers sat only a few feet away. She threw her weight into it, and with Rita's assistance, managed to scoot it in front of the door as a barricade. It wouldn't keep out a determined invader, but it might give them a little time.
At the window, Jakob broke away the rest of the glass in the window. "Come on, we're going to have to make a run for it."
Kate and Rita helped Falon to the window, and out, then Rita slid through, and finally her turn. Her hands shook violently when she took Falon's arm to help support him. They were probably all in the same shape.
"Follow me, as close and quiet as possible. Falon, can you do it?"
"On your six, man, as long as it's not twenty miles." Falon's teeth flashed in the light spilling through the window. How could he joke at a time like this?
"Anything happens, give a low whistle if you can. Ready? Move out." This side to Jakob was something entirely new. Her easygoing cowboy was gone, replaced by a stranger who meant serious business.
Jakob crouched down and signaled them to stay low, then darted for an outbuilding several yards away. He motioned them to the left of the squat structure and as she rounded the corner, Kate caught a glimpse of a still body on the other side.
They rushed from one building to the next, pausing only seconds each time. Back at the house, men shouted in anger and made all sorts of threats. A motorcycle roared to life and a shot rang out. Silence fell, except for the fading roar of the bike.
"Barger, I will get you. No matter how long it takes, I will have your blood."
Jakob didn't take the bait, just directed them to the next hiding spot. He seemed really familiar with the place.
The noise at the house resumed as Jakob allowed them a couple of minutes to catch their breath before the long haul to the hulking barn a hundred yards away.
The glow of headlights in the distance caught Kate's attention. They turned and headed toward the house. A mixture of alarm and hope flooded her system. Maybe someone had heard the shots and come to investigate? She touched Jakob's shoulder and alerted him to the newcomer.
He lifted the bulky goggles he wore and watched the car's progress. It stopped in front of the house, and the glaring lights someone had turned on to search for them gave good illumination of the man who climbed from behind the wheel.
Alexander Blackwell.
Kate's heart pounded with fear and shock.
"What the hell is going on here?" Alexander's shout brought silence again.
Kellen stepped forward and the two argued.
Jakob signaled them forward to the barn. When they crouched in the deep shadows, Jacob spoke in a low voice. "There's maybe eight of them in good enough shape to search if they get organized. We're going to cut through pasture to avoid leaving a clear trail. We have to be low and quiet, and there will be cattle. All ready?" He didn't wait for a reply. "Move."
The electric fence they had to crawl under left a painful burn on Kate's lower back, and she thought it got Falon too, from the way he grunted. So far, he'd managed to keep up with them, despite his wound, surprisingly.
The short grass of the pasture concealed cow piles by the hundreds, impossible to avoid stepping in. Oh well. She'd had worse on her boots. A couple of drowsy cows lowed in question, but they managed to skirt the sleeping herd without causing a stampede.
When Kate thought she might collapse from the pain in her bad hip, brought on by the stress of the unfamiliar way of moving, they reached a tree line. She made it unscathed under the fence and stood, breathing hard, waiting for Rita and Falon to get under. With everyone safely within the trees, Jakob called another short halt.
"Okay, we're going down an old trail to a creek. Watch for fallen branches. Moon's out now, so there's enough light, but we have to be more careful. If it's still there, and not damaged, I have us a way out of here."
Kate's belly loosened with relief. They were going to make it.
Jakob led once more and she took her turn bringing up the rear. The trail Jakob used only barely existed, with underbrush encroaching and fallen branches every few steps. Staying quiet was next to impossible. Someone stepped on a branch and it snapped, deafening in the still night.
A shot rang out. "I got them!" The shout send ice water through her veins.
"Move." Jakob's low call sent them on a perilous sprint through the trees.
Another shot sounded and Kate heard the bullet impact a tree not far away. They were going to get caught.
But Jakob pushed them ruthlessly and the sound of running water soon covered the noise they created, as well as the commotion of the men searching for them in the forest.
Down a steep bank, she wrenched her bad leg and nearly fell, but righted herself at the last instant. They ran along the water's edge, the swift stream waiting to swallow anyone who fell in.
Jakob stopped again and climbed partway up the bank and prodded at something. He gave a satisfied grunt and a big pull brought him and a cascade of dirt out of the creek side. And a canoe.
"No time to be sure it's worthy. Climb in, we're out of here." He held the canoe at the creek's edge for them to get in. Rita found a pair of paddles in the bottom and pulled them out. Jakob gave the boat a shove and jumped in at the last second.
The current carried them almost to the other side before it propelled them downstream. Jakob used the paddles to steer them through a series of boulders, and suddenly, they reached calm water.
Jakob heaved a sigh. "We're not clear yet, but in a couple miles, we'll be in town. We can get help there."
A heavy tremor ran through Kate's body, leaving her cold and weak. She couldn't believe they'd managed to survive that. Alexander's presence said loud and clear that this whole thing came from him. All to get her land.
The rest of the trip to town went smoothly and Jakob tied up at a small dock. Falon was barely conscious and his wound had bled more, so Jakob had to lift him out of the canoe and onto solid ground. They managed the climb up the bank and reached a small park. Beyond, a sidewalk led into a small town.
"We have about a half-mile to go."
Falon leaned on Jakob heavily, and Kate and Rita supported each other, but they made it. At a twenty-four hour convenience store, Jakob directed them inside.
"Hey kid, call Chief Bellamy."
The young man behind the counter hustled to follow the order while Jakob lowered Falon to the floor.
"Better call the ambulance while you're at it."
Kate collapsed to the floor as well, and leaned back against the counter. "Is it over? Really over?" She felt like she'd been running for a hundred years.
Jakob sat at her side, but kept an eye on the door. "Yeah, I think it is."
Flashing blue lights nearly blinded her just outside the door. A fat, blustering cop pushed in, gun drawn and pointed directly at Jakob's head. "Barger. I should have known. You're under arrest."
Alarm raced along her nerve endings. "Wait! Sir, Jakob saved us."
Rita hurried to confirm. "Bikers kidnapped us. He rescued us."
"Who the hell are you?"
Kate took a deep breath and explained in detail.
Finally, understanding dawned on the cop's face. "That gang that rode through here early this evening."
"Yeah. Tom Kellen and the Hell Raiders. He's a felon and the rest probably are too." Jakob explained in more detail than Kate managed. "They might still be out at Uncle Frank's place."
The cop nodded. "I'll call the state boys in. We're not equipped to handle anything like that."
A rescue squad pulled, lights and siren blaring, and two uniformed medics raced in with a gurney. From there, everything turned into a blur.
The next thing Kate was really conscious of was the damn hospital gown annoying her while Jakob sat in a chair beside the bed they'd made her get into. "I hate hospitals."
He grinned. "I know, baby, but we're safe. A few minutes here won't hurt you."
She sighed. "I guess not."
Jakob parked the rental car by Kate's house, grateful to have the long drive behind them. The damn thing was more like a toy than a car, and also the only car available at the rental place when the hospital finally released Falon. At least the three-day wait had given him time to repair things at Uncle Frank's place and get everything closed up nice and safe.
Hopefully Kellen wouldn't return, now that Blackwell was a guest of the state. The Hell Raiders had disappeared long before the state patrol arrived at Uncle Frank's, but in his arrogance, Blackwell had assumed no one could touch him.
The sun had set a short time earlier, and Jakob had pushed the little four-cylinder engine as hard as it would go to reach Kate's home before full dark. The idea of driving that thing in full dark gave him chills. Happy to have the trip done and over, he climbed out from behind the wheel, and went around to open Kate's door and help her out.
Falon made it out of the backseat under his own power, even with Rita's watchful eye noting every movement. The way the woman worried over his old friend might have been funny, if Jakob hadn't felt that same apprehension for Kate. Even though the doctor at the emergency room gave her a clean bill of health, she still had some trouble with her hip. After a night of observation and some tests, the doctor determined she'd simply over-worked the leg during the flight from Kellen. A few days rest would bring her back to perfect.
He helped her into the house while Rita followed with Falon. He would have offered to carry her, except she had already refused that offer once when they stopped for food. She said as long as she could move under her own power, she would. She'd had enough of being treated like an invalid as a child. He didn't need to be told twice.
Inside, everything remained just as they'd left it when they rode out to track down whoever had hurt Kate's horses. After the destruction the Hell Raiders had left in their wake at Uncle Frank's place, relief rolled over Jakob. He'd feared they might have done something similar at Kate's house, even with her crew around to keep an eye on things.
Kate started for the fridge. "Who's ready to eat something other than fast food?"
Jakob's stomach growled in answer, but he caught her hand. "Oh, no you don't. The doctor said rest and that's what you're going to do. You hit the couch and catch something on TV. I'll handle the food."
"I'm okay, Jakob. Really."
"Of course you are. But you still put your body through a lot that night and it needs rest. The more you rest right now, the sooner you'll be back to normal."
He had her with that argument. Kate shrugged and turned for the living room. "Okay then. But Falon has to sit around, too. The doctors told him to get plenty of rest."
Rita agreed and pointed Falon toward the recliner in Kate's living room. "I'll help with dinner. It won't take long at all."
Working together, Jakob and Rita quickly managed a quick stove-top version of chicken parmesan, pasta, and a salad. They all ate, and ask Jakob finished clearing the table, Ray's tell-tale knock sounded at the door. Kate called for him to come in.
"Hi, Miss Kate. The boys asked me to tell you how glad we all are that you're okay." He turned to face Jakob and offered a hand. "Thank you for taking care of her."
Jakob accepted the handshake. "Thanks, Ray. And thank you for looking after things here until we could get back."
The older man nodded and turned his hat nervously in his hands. "I thought you might want to know about Ol' Devil's herd."
Kate sat up straighter. "I do want to know. How many did we lose?"
Ray smiled a little. "None. Doc Tara went out there to tend them. She got them patched up enough for the boys to bring them in. We spent yesterday working on them, checking for permanent damage. Physically, it looks like they'll all recover nicely. We've already started working on their heads." His smile turned to a full-fledged grin. "That boy Kyle has the touch. He's got the younger ones calmed down already, and several of the old mares are showing progress. Ol' Devil…well, he's himself, ready to kill anything that gets within range."
Kate wiped away tears while Jakob took a relieved breath. "God, I was afraid we'd lose them all."
Ray shook his head. "It looks like with time they'll all be okay. I just wanted to let you know." He turned for the door, then looked back. "Oh, and Miss Kate? I think that ornery blood bay missed you. He's been watching for you." He said goodnight and let himself out.
Kate shook her head, wiping more tears. "I honestly can't believe it. The shape they were in, I thought we would have to destroy the entire herd."
Jakob sat back down and pulled his chair close. "I'm glad they're going to be okay."
Falon nodded. "And I'm glad Blackwell is going to be charged for ordering that."
"What on earth was the man thinking, to do something like that? He surely couldn't have thought Kate would marry him after." Rita headed for the sink and started loading the dishwasher. "He must not be right."
"He isn't. He's been after my land since my father died. Kept insisting this place was too much for a mere woman, that I couldn't possibly protect my own interests. I guess he thought all that would prove his point." Kate gingerly got to her feet. "If no one minds, I'm really tired. I think I'll get a quick shower and get to bed."
Rita assured her she would finish the cleanup and wished her a good night.
Jakob wanted nothing more than to accompany Kate for that shower. But that would be selfish. She needed rest, not him pestering him. He excused himself and went for a quick walk in the dark on the pretext of making sure none of Kellen's men lurked around nearby. Falon gave him a knowing grin and offered to come along. Jakob scowled a little and refused.
Outside, in the cool evening air, he felt a little better. But by the time he'd made it halfway around the house, visions of Kate in the shower tormented him. Damn, he acted like a kid with his first girlfriend. He had to get himself under control. She didn't need a guy pawing over her right now. Rest. She needed rest.
When he finally felt like he might have the raw need slightly reined in, he went back inside and said goodnight. Just in time to meet Kate, all soft and vulnerable, leaving the bathroom in a cloud of fragrant steam. Mentally kicking himself for the way his hard-on twitched every time she looked his way, Jakob tucked her into bed with a gentle kiss and a promise to return soon. He needed a shower. A very cold shower.
Kate slept by the time he returned, her breathing deep and even. He slid into the bed behind her, careful to not wake her. She sighed and moved back against him, nestling into his arms. Her warm flesh tormented him, but finally he slept, sheer exhaustion taking over.
Later, some sound roused him. Kate's shoulders shook a little and after a moment, he realized she was crying.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong? Are you hurting?" He propped himself on his elbow and swept her hair away from her face.
She refused to answer but her shoulders shook harder.
Damn. Feeling helpless, all he knew to do was hold her. He kissed along her neck and shoulder, trying to offer some comfort. Finally, she seemed to calm a little.
"I'm sorry." Her voice cracked, making him fear she would start crying again.
"What's wrong, baby? Can you tell me?" Worry shook his hand and he swept the tears from her cheek with one finger.
"It's nothing, really. Just that I came so close to losing you." She made that helpless little sound again.
Jakob sat and drew her up to cradle in his lap. "No, you didn't." He rained little kisses over her face. "I wasn't going to let that happen, Kate. I'm not going anywhere, and neither are you."
"Jakob, you could have been killed." The last word turned into a plaintive wail and tears flowed again.
He sighed. "Kate, I've taken on far worse than a bunch of bikers. I love you. I'm not going to let anything keep us apart."
She trembled in his arms but didn't argue. After a bit, she seemed to calm again. Should he do it now? For the past three days, he'd thought of nothing else, planning the perf
ect time. This wasn't it, but she seemed to need some reassurance.
"Wait here." He disentangled himself and left the bed, searching for his jeans. Perfect or not, the time had come. He found the jeans and fished the little package from the pocket, and peeled away the wrapper on his way back to the bed. "Come here." He took her hand and drew her to her feet.
"What is it?"
Jakob took a deep breath and dropped to one knee, popping the lid of the little box. "Kate Holt, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He held the ring box up, almost in supplication.
She took a deep breath.
God help him, she couldn't refuse. Surely she couldn't.
"Yes." The word was barely audible, but he heard it.
"Really?" Elation set in. He stood and swept her into his arms. "You really will?"
She laughed a little. "Yes, I will." She lay a finger on his cheek. "I love you."
He groaned. "I love you." Unable to hold off any longer, he leaned down to claim her mouth in a deep kiss.
When she suddenly pulled back, his heart plummeted. Had she changed her mind so quickly?
"My ring. Where's my ring?"
A relieved laugh burst forth and he slid the ring onto her finger. "Better?"
"Oh, yeah." She stood on tiptoe and drew his head back down. "I love you, Jakob Barger." She brushed her lips across his.
Jakob gathered her gently into his arms and bore them both to the bed where he deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue over her lips. She opened for him with a little moan. In an involuntary movement, his hips surged, his hard-on seeking contact. Shame immediately made him draw back. What the hell was wrong with him? She was hurting.
Her lips clung to his, and she slid her hand between them and into his underwear. She grasped his cock and slid her fingers up the shaft.
He groaned. "You're killing me, Kate."
"No, I'm not. I'm making love to you." Her fingers smoothed over the head. "I want you to make love to me."
"Kate, I want you. I want nothing more than to be inside you. But we can't. You need to recover." Turning her down had to be the hardest thing he'd ever done in his life.
