by Angi Morgan
“But the helicopter’s gone, ma’am.”
“Do you think I’m going to wait here to be rescued? Drive me or get out. Every second I sit here he gets miles away.”
“But the sheriff said to stay put and not move. We don’t know who else is down there. They have guns.”
“Can I borrow your car?”
“No. I’m driving back to the quarters and we’re waiting.”
The young woman put the car in Reverse and turned her little car around to head up the road again. Kate couldn’t blame her. She doubted she’d believe the fantastical story of the past three days if she hadn’t actually lived it.
Oh, my God, Cord, what did you do?
The young college student beside her had binoculars. Even in the low light she’d seen Cord run deliberately up to the two men in the field. He’d made a decision to get close to Serna. Probably trying to protect her. Not knowing for certain that she’d made the phone call to the Rangers, who should be headed this way in their own helicopter by now.
“May I borrow your phone again?”
The student handed her the cell from the seat next to her. “Sure, but it won’t work until we get back to the house. Too many trees.”
“Can you hurry?” She needed to call Cord’s unit and tell them that Serna had one of their own. Maybe they could track him or something.
The woman—Kate couldn’t remember her name at all—drove carefully through the snow. On a normal day, Kate would sit back and commend her for being so careful. Today was anything but ordinary.
Kate kept punching Redial even without the reception bars, hoping and praying the call would go through even seconds earlier. Her heart was racing and her palms were sweaty. And then a wave of dizziness hit her so hard she had to put her head back on the seat.
“Are you okay, Kate?”
“Just dizzy. I haven’t had much to eat or drink today.”
“I’ve got lots of food.” The student parked the car in the bare spot she’d left pulling out earlier. “Sit there and I’ll be around to help you inside.”
Kate was past hungry, but knew she had to eat. But first, the phone was finally dialing.
“Sheriff Barber, this is Kate McCrea.” She waited, her door was pulled open and she held up a finger, too afraid to move and lose the connection.
“Are you safe, Kate?”
“They left in the helicopter, flying southwest. They have Cord. It looked like they dragged him unconscious onto the seat and then took off.”
“But are you safe?”
“Yes, or I wouldn’t be calling you. Get someone tracking that helicopter. You’ve got to do something. Please. If anything happens to him, I don’t— Oh God, he gave up. He did that to save me and all I did was watch.”
“We’re doing our best, Kate. Stay put and calm down. I’ll contact the Rangers and see if they have any choppers available.”
“How long?”
“I just passed the state park, sixteen miles away. Are any of Serna’s men left?”
“I really don’t know. I think so.”
“Listen to me, Kate. Get inside, lock the doors and protect yourself. I’m at least twenty minutes out.”
They disconnected and Kate was suddenly exhausted.
“The sheriff said to make certain everything’s locked up tight. We don’t know how many men were left behind.” She accepted the help from the young woman to get inside the building. “What did you say your name was again?”
“I’m Sharon. Did your husband kill that guy? He fell to the ground and didn’t get up. The guy from the roof ran to the helicopter just before it took off. Are you sure you’re okay?”
There was no reason to correct her earlier mistake of calling Cord her husband. It was easier than explaining why her ex-husband was sacrificing so much to protect her. She’d convinced Sharon to drive her down the hill. It might take a long time to change how she thought about Cord.
“I’m just very tired and hungry.” Kate turned the main light off. Leaning on the wall to close curtains, she looked around the room for the best spot to defend them.
“Hey, you better sit down. I can do all this.” Sharon scooted one of the sofa chairs into the hallway, away from the windows and doors.
“I’m sorry you’re in danger because of me.” Kate could barely walk another step, but she made it and rested on a thick sofa arm. Her mind wouldn’t stop. She could barely listen to what the young woman said about it being okay and probably saving her. Kate’s head was imagining all the horrible things Serna would do to Cord. She was stuck on that flying death trap with him, sending all her energy, telling him to survive, praying and then praying again.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Sharon in the kitchen, chattering the entire time about normally loving her job. She accepted the cold sandwich while she waited on anyone to come through that door.
“Is the gun necessary?” Sharon eyed the rifle resting across Kate’s lap.
One look and a nod of her head later, Kate fingered the safety off and waited. The sheriff had reminded her that Serna’s men were still out there. She didn’t know how many had come and didn’t know how many would still be looking for her.
“I see headlights. The sheriff made great time. It’s only been ten minutes.”
“Get behind me, Sharon. Stay down and don’t say a word.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Sharon?” a deep male voice shouted and he pounded on the door. “Sharon, are you in there? Open up.”
“Kate,” Sharon whispered, gently touching Kate’s arm. “That’s Logan. It’s okay. He works here. I’m fine.” She said the last words a bit louder so he could hear.
“Thank God. You wouldn’t believe what we’ve been hearing over the scanner. Open up.”
“You can put the rifle down, Kate,” she said softly.
The young woman’s hands covered Kate’s grip, steadying the rifle that she’d pulled to her shoulder. They couldn’t be sure who was out there. Someone might be forcing him. She understood that Sharon wanted her to set the rifle aside, but she couldn’t. Not yet.
A louder banging on the door caused Kate to jump. “Tell him to go away. If he’s really alone, he can go away.”
Sharon ran to the window. “He’s alone. It’s okay.”
“You don’t know these men. They’ll do anything. They could be holding someone else hostage.”
“Sharon! Answer me or open this door.”
The observatory employee nodded her head. “Logan, you need to drive out of sight. I’ll call you when it’s okay to come back. Don’t ask why, just do it. I really am safe. I’ll explain later.”
Kate held firm. “No one but the sheriff is getting in that door.”
“I understand. We’ll wait together.” She returned to her place behind Kate.
Kate tucked the fright in Sharon’s voice away but she didn’t care. Logan must have heard it, too. His car pulled away without another word. Right now, the rifle was staying in her hand and would stay pointed at the door until she knew it was safe. That was just the way it was. Period.
When the sheriff showed up a few minutes later, Kate finally slid the safety on but still held the rifle across her lap. Her elbow knocked the sandwich to the floor and Kate got on her knees to pick up the mess. That’s where Sheriff Barber found her, crying.
She couldn’t stop and knew the hiccups were going to take over soon. She’d make a fool of herself, sounding ridiculous, sobbing because a simple turkey sandwich covered the floor. She didn’t care. She needed to cry. And cry. And then cry some more.
* * *
KATE WAS RIGHT back where she’d started two days ago. Wait. What day was it? She was wrong, it had just been the night before that she’d left with Cord. How could she have added an entire day? She really was tired.
Mrs. Burke opened the door, pulling her crocheted shawl around her shoulders for a little protection from the snow.
“I didn’t know where else to take
her, Juliet. She obviously needs rest and protection, but refused to stay at the observatory. Or go into protective custody. Said she wouldn’t leave Valentine until we found McCrea. Maybe you can talk some sense into her.”
Sheriff Barber was too young to have authority. She’d experienced so much more than this thirty-year-old Dallas ex-cop.
“I’m right here, Mike. Please stop talking like I’m not. And the last time I looked, I was a legal adult and didn’t need anyone’s permission to go anywhere. Nick,” Kate said, looking at her friend and then his mother. “Juliet, I know this is a lot to ask. I understand it’s dangerous to have me here. You can say no and I’ll go to my ranch.”
She spoke to Mrs. Burke, but Nick stood not two feet away. Arms crossed. Angry with each movement. Not saying a word. Typical man.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Juliet wrapped her arm around Kate’s shoulders and ushered her to the door. “You’ll stay here until your father arrives.”
The sheriff stepped across the porch toward Nick, securing his hat back on his head to protect it from the freezing air. Kate stayed in the doorway, listening, wanting to learn anything the authorities had refused to share with her, longing to fall asleep in Cord’s arms and feel safe again.
“What are the chances he’s still alive?” Nick asked.
“Slim,” the sheriff whispered, and shook his head, his chin nearly dragging in defeat across his jacket. “I wish I could leave a deputy here, but we’re all out searching. McCrea’s one of our own. We won’t stop looking.”
“He’s alive, you know,” Kate said from behind the screen, feeling the cold air rush into the warmth of the living room, but she couldn’t close the door until they believed her.
Nick shifted from one leg to another. Nervous? Uneasy at her being at the house or overhearing? Or just uncomfortable at the thought she was holding on to a fantasy?
“Think about it,” she explained. “Serna’s had more than one opportunity to kill both Cord and me. But he didn’t. Not in the years he was in prison and not by any of the men he’s sent after us. This is a vendetta for him and he’s vowed to make Cord suffer. There’s no way he’s killed him without getting to me.” Her voice choked on the words and she pushed them out. “He’ll make Cord watch.”
“So you’re agreeing that as long as you’re alive, Cord’s alive?” Nick asked, pulling the screen open to face her.
“I think so.”
“Then get into protective custody. I can’t protect you here, as much as I want to think I can.” Nick pressed his lips together, shaking his head. “We don’t have enough hands or guns to hold off the men Serna might have.”
“He’s right, dear.” Juliet placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
The sheriff stepped back onto the porch and held his hat in his hand, hypnotically smoothing the rim, turning the department-issued hat in a circle, over and over and over.
“Kate, Maddox is sending someone to pick you up. They aren’t taking no for an answer and may very well force you into custody.”
“Fine. I’ll go. Can I at least have a bath and some of those fantastic eggs of yours, Juliet?” She couldn’t argue with her only hope—if she was alive, so was Cord. So she needed to disappear. No local protective custody. Wherever she went she was putting someone in danger. So disappearing was the only option.
“Nick, help Kate to the guest room while I whip up some biscuits. Mike, you’re staying until Kate’s ride gets here, of course.”
“If biscuits are involved, yes, ma’am.” The sheriff nodded. “I’ll keep an eye open. Holler when it’s ready.”
Kate turned to Nick. “I know where the guest room is. Go do whatever you’re itching to do.”
He ignored her suggestion and escorted her down the hall, following her inside the room so she couldn’t close the door. “Are you really okay?”
“Yes.”
“Mike said you were hysterical when he found you. That you wouldn’t let go of the rifle.”
“For a minute, but I’m fine. It’s nothing that a couple of your mom’s biscuits and a good, long sleep won’t take care of.” She hoped. Her hand rubbed her tummy. She could only pray nothing happened as a result of the past three days. “Really, Nick. I’m just very, very tired and I’m going to force myself to take a bath before I fall asleep standing here talking to you.”
She forced herself to smile, attempting to reassure him that she believed what she was saying. It was half-true. Physically, she was just tired and needed food. Mentally though, well, worrying about Cord had never been this rough. It had been a “what if” game before. This was much too real and would follow them the rest of their lives—apart or together.
“I’m here if you need me. I always have been.”
“I know and thanks.”
“But?” he said with a twinge of disgust.
Definite attitude that she was too tired to deal with. “Look, we’ve been friends since elementary school. It’s never been anything other than that, so what’s the deal? I’m just too exhausted to tippy-toe around your ego.”
He immediately backed out of the room with a hands-off gesture. “Got it. You’re still in love with McCrea.”
“So what if I am? He’s my husband.”
“Ex-husband.”
She slammed the door in his face.
No matter what their marital status, Cord might very well be dead. Her child might grow up without her father. That scenario was completely unacceptable and there was nothing she could do about it.
Nothing except run away and hide. And that’s exactly what Cord would want her to do. Stay alive. Protect their child.
* * *
“YOU ARE ONE lucky son of a bitch.” He spoke low into the burner cell as soon as he could get out of earshot of all the people swarming the ranch. “She came back here to wait until they found McCrea.”
“Bring her to me.”
“It would be better if you ambushed their car when—”
“We’re out of time. The buyers are impatient and we’re ready to move.”
“That’s stupid. Three counties are covered with feds and state authorities trying to find you. They have special units covering the mountains. The state’s bringing in more choppers.”
“And they won’t be looking for us to move the guns into Mexico. The diversion is necessary to make it across the border,” Serna said, unusually calm. “We both know they’re wasting their time in the mountains. We’ve moved to Danver’s place just like we planned.”
The level tone and pleasure exuding from the drug runner’s voice gave him the creeps.
“You really are crazy. What if she’d gone home instead of here?”
“You agreed she’d never do that. If it had happened, you wouldn’t have to get your hands dirty.”
“Was this your plan all along?” He wondered if he was dealing with a madman or a cold, calculating, brilliant mind.
“You are too curious about details, friend. You might want to think hard on extending our partnership before we talk some more.”
“I told you I’m out. That’s always been the deal. The fire’s a bit too close to home and the pan’s getting awfully hot around here.”
“You and your sayings. You have always amused me.” Serna laughed. “I like having you around.”
Those words were calculated. Innocent but a threat nonetheless.
For the first time since he’d begun dealing with these bastards, a chill ran down his spine. He shook it off. Showing fear wasn’t the way to gain respect. And clearly telling them he wanted out was a death sentence. No matter what the understanding had been before, now wasn’t the time to remind him. It was as plain as day he wouldn’t be leaving alive if he took Kate Danver McCrea there.
“You know, Serna, I’ve only wanted one thing and you’re about to take care of that. I’ll have her at your camp soon and I’ll think hard on reconsidering. Your operation is too smooth to just walk away. When I get there, we can decide the right amo
unt of enticement to continue our arrangement.”
Like hell he would. He was dropping her close to the gate and getting out of Dodge.
It was still his plan to become a witness for the government if he was caught. He had all the evidence safely tucked in a safe-deposit box. And if he wasn’t caught...that island retirement looked better and better.
He laughed out loud. He just couldn’t help it. Years of planning were finally paying off. Finally.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The smells were comforting, familiar. Cord knew them and relaxed. Couldn’t place them for a couple of minutes until he took a deep breath—hay, manure, animals, leather. Barn. He drifted and woke with a start when a muscle in his shoulder cramped. Blasted shoulder. He must have slept wrong. He couldn’t bring his hand around to work the muscle. Man, he was tired, and opening his eyes was difficult. Then he realized he was blindfolded, hands bound behind his back, face in the bottom of a stall.
No clue how long he’d been unconscious. He couldn’t tell much of anything while he was blind as a bat.
This sealed it. Serna was working with a local rancher. Burke had been his first choice. But Cord wasn’t gagged. Seemed to be out in plain sight, from the feel of the draft blowing across him. Serna’s men wouldn’t risk alerting Mrs. Burke and the hands. And every sense in him had to be totally skewed if Juliet Burke was a drug runner. No way. Where the hell was he?
His ribs were sore like he’d been kicked hard enough to bruise them. He licked his parched lips and could taste dried blood. He hadn’t doubted Serna would kill him given the chance. Truth be told, when he’d let himself be taken by Serna’s men he hadn’t really thought further than keeping Kate and the baby safe.
Trying to get out of this mess alone wouldn’t be easy, but he wasn’t just giving up. He nudged his head against the ground. Slowly and painfully he inched the blindfold up so he could see and even blink. Still dark outside—at least that’s what he could estimate from the nonexistent light. A dampness clung in the air from the snow outside and his muscles were stiff from the cold.
