“Slow down. You aren’t making a bit of sense. You had sex with Kane, and Lark knows about it?”
“No, of course she doesn’t, not about the sex part. She just saw a little hand holding and a kiss and maybe a couple of hot glances.”
“I thought you weren’t going to get involved with Kane? We decided men with major emotional problems are bad relationship risks.”
She sighed. “He’s worth the risk. I really like him, Grace.”
“So this wasn’t just a vacation romance. You’re planning to see him again when you get home?”
“I hope so. He said he’d call.”
“Wow.”
“It all happened sort of fast. One minute we were just friends on a hike, and the next we were making out and half-naked. The guy has the most amazing effect on me.”
“I’ll say. How long did you date old what’s-his-name before you finally slept with him?”
“If you mean Alan, we dated for a couple of months.”
“See. You’re about the least spontaneous person I know.”
“You don’t have to tell me, but Kane makes me feel different. Better. He jolted me out of a boring rut.”
“If he makes you happy, then I’ll welcome him with open arms.” Grace’s voice rang with enthusiasm. “In fact, it’s a win-win situation because I’ll be seeing a lot more of you from now on.”
“How do you figure?”
“Well, you’ll be coming into the city to see Kane, so you can visit me at the same time.”
“I wouldn’t get my heart set on it. He’s still pretty ambiguous about going back to work when his vacation leave is up. I’m hoping he’ll spend a little time in Vine Haven while he decides what he wants to do.”
“Is he planning to quit?”
“I’m not sure, so don’t say anything to Nolan. You are still seeing Nolan, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am.” Her sister’s tone took on an edge.
Rachel laughed. “What has it been, three weeks now?”
“For your information, it’s been four.”
“Wow, Grace Hanover has been with the same guy for a month. I’m surprised I didn’t hear about it on the six o’clock news.”
“Smartass. Do you feel any better?”
“Actually, I do. Talking to you always cheers me up.”
“I’m glad I could help. Don’t stew about Lark. If you and Kane really have something meaningful, she’ll come around eventually.”
“I hope so, but she’s giving me a lot of grief.”
“She’s a teenager. That’s her job.”
“You’re a fine one to talk. Lark reminds me of you when we were kids, and I guess you turned out okay, so maybe there’s hope. Anyway, I appreciate the pep talk.”
“I should get off the phone. I’m making dinner for Nolan, and he’ll be here any minute.”
“You’re cooking? I couldn’t have heard right.” Rachel tapped her cell. “There must be something wrong with my phone.”
“Of course I’m not cooking. I got take out. Drum roll please, it’s not pizza.”
“Amazing. Have fun tonight.”
“I always do. Call me if you need another pep talk.”
“I will. Bye, Gracie.”
Chapter 10
Rachel draped an armful of wet towels over the deck railing to dry before heading upstairs to change from her bathing suit to a tank top and shorts. The afternoon spent cruising on Lake Tahoe had gone better than she’d expected. Erica’s high-energy intensity, while tiring at times, held no lingering resentment, though she’d seemed more stressed than usual. Olivia had actually relaxed and offered up a few hesitant smiles. The work Rachel had put into establishing a solid relationship with her in-laws seemed to be paying off. Still, after a full day of putting her best foot forward, she’d kill for some alone time.
Olivia stood at the counter slicing tomatoes when she entered the kitchen.
“If I promise to do the dishes tonight, can I beg off helping with dinner? I’d really like to go for a run.”
“By all means, go. We aren’t having anything fancy, and I did most of the prep work this morning.”
“Thanks, Olivia. Do you know where the girls are?”
“Lark is reading a book on the front porch, and Jade went into town with Ford to get more milk. We’re running low.”
“That’s because my girls drink so much.”
“It’s good for them. Bryce was a bottomless pit when it came to milk.” Her sigh echoed through the kitchen. “I think Ivy and Wes are playing ping pong out on the patio.”
“It doesn’t sound like anyone will miss me. I’ll be back before dinner.”
“We’ll probably eat later than usual tonight, so take your time.”
Rachel left the house, calling and whistling for Daisy. When the dog didn’t appear, she decided not to waste time looking for her. Daisy would just have to miss out on the run. Rachel headed down the driveway and crossed the road then easily found the trail Ford had mentioned, which followed Ward Creek through an undeveloped area of state park land. She ran at a brisk pace, letting her tension fall away. Erica had made a few comments about the cost of the party then clammed up, leaving Rachel to wonder what her problem was. Bryce’s sister usually didn’t hesitate to tell anyone within earshot exactly what she thought.
The peacefulness of the forest worked its magic, filling Rachel with a sense of strength as she worked her muscles. Panting with exertion, she climbed steadily. It was after six o’clock, and the shadows across the trail had grown long. When a sleek coyote stepped onto the path, Rachel stopped. It stared at her through narrowed eyes. Breathing hard, she waited for the creature to move. Suddenly its eyes widened before the animal bolted into the forest.
Strong arms snaked around her chest and neck, holding her immobile.
“Let go!” Heart pounding, she screamed and kicked, trying to turn her head.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Jordan.” The voice whispered in her ear. “I’ve waited so long for this moment. Please don’t spoil it.”
“Let go of me, you freak!” Rachel kicked again, connecting with the heel of her shoe. “I’m not Jordan.” She dug her nails into her attacker’s arm.
He yelped but didn’t release her. “That wasn’t very nice. If you hurt me, I’ll be forced to hurt you back.”
“Who are you?” She struggled to turn, but he held onto her so she couldn’t. “What do you want?”
“You belong to me. You betrayed me at the lake, but I’ll try to forgive you. Don’t fight me, Jordan.”
“Let me go!”
Raising her foot, she kicked backward, connecting solidly with his shin. He swore and smacked the side of her head. Rachel’s vision blurred.
“Stop it. If I have to, I’ll knock you senseless and carry you out of here.”
“Like hell.”
She pried his fingers off her chest and bent them backward. He yelled and hit her again. She twisted and squirmed to free herself. When his erection pressed against her, she tensed with dread. As fear and exhaustion weakened her efforts, voices carried down the trail. Rachel sucked in a breath and screamed.
“No!” It was a bellow of anguish and rage. “Why couldn’t you make this easy? Why?”
Pain exploded in her head, and she fell forward into blackness.
* * * *
Rachel’s head throbbed. A whimper slipped past her lips as she fought to open her eyes. The world spun, and for a minute she was afraid she would be sick. When everything settled into place, her gaze focused on an unfamiliar face, young, male and wearing a bike helmet. With another scream, she struggled against him.
“Take it easy, lady. I’m not going to hurt you. My buddy and I heard you yell and found you lying on the trail. He’s calling 9-1-1.”
She gritted her teeth against the pain. “The man who had me?”
“We saw a dude in a white T-shirt and a baseball cap
running down the trail. We were too worried about you to chase him. You were out cold.”
“My head hurts.”
“There’s a big knot on the back of it. I’m afraid to move you. Does anything else hurt?”
“I don’t think so.” Her voice came out in a croak.
“Would you like some water?”
Rachel nodded then let out a moan. He held a water bottle to her lips, and she took a few sips.
“Hey, Isaac, an ambulance and the police are on the way.” A second young man tossed down his bike. “I had to ride a ways to get cell reception. Is she awake?”
The boy holding her nodded. “Did you see the guy who attacked her? The police will want to know.”
“He disappeared. Must have left the trail somewhere.”
“Can I call my family?”
“Sure, but there isn’t any reception right here.” The second boy frowned. “I can ride down the trail and call them for you.”
“Please, would you?”
He nodded. As she repeated the Carpenters’ phone number, he punched it into his cell phone.
“Tell them where I am, but don’t scare them. I don’t want my kids to freak out.”
“Sure thing. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Do you know who grabbed you?” The boy, Isaac, eased her back down and put away the water bottle. “You scared the hell out of us when we saw you lying there, face down in the dirt.”
“I have no idea. He was behind me the whole time. Then he must have hit me so hard I passed out.”
“That sucks. Who would believe some maniac was on the loose out here? I always thought this was a safe area.”
“Can you help me sit up? I feel pretty silly with my head in your lap.”
“Are you sure you should move? You probably have a concussion or something.”
“I’m okay, just a bit shaky.”
Still looking doubtful, the boy helped her sit.
“I haven’t thanked you. Isaac, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “My friend is Cal.”
“Thank heaven you came when you did. My name’s Rachel.”
“I’m glad we found you.” His smile was hesitant. “I’ve never saved anyone before.”
“Well, you have now, and that makes you a hero in my book. How old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
“You and Cal have a lot to be proud of. You scared off my attacker, kept your heads and called for help. I can’t thank you enough.”
The boy’s cheeks turned pink. “It was no big deal.”
Cal appeared a moment later followed by two paramedics with a stretcher and the local sheriff with three deputies. The sheriff took her initial statement then sent his deputies out to search the woods for her assailant. The older paramedic, a gray-haired man with bushy eyebrows, carefully examined the lump on her head. During the confusion, Ford and Dan arrived.
“Rachel, honey, are you all right?” Ford knelt beside her.
“I think so, but my head is killing me.”
“She has a concussion.” The paramedic glanced up from his clipboard. “Also some bruising, but there don’t appear to be any other injuries. They’ll check her out more thoroughly at the hospital.”
Rachel winced. “I really don’t want to go to the hospital. I’m fine, honestly.”
“I’ll examine you and be the judge of that.” Ford set down the black satchel he carried and moved closer.
“Hey, mister, I can’t allow you to interfere with my patient.”
His partner, a Hispanic woman with a beautiful smile, nudged his arm. “That’s Dr. Carpenter. He worked at the hospital before he retired.”
Ford smiled. “It’s nice to be remembered.” Taking out a penlight he shined it in Rachel’s eyes and felt her head.
“You have a definite goose egg. How long were you unconscious?”
“I’m not sure.”
“It couldn’t have been more than a couple of minutes.” Isaac rolled his bike out of the way. “We heard her scream when we were riding down the trail and reached her a few seconds later. I think she came to about a minute or so after that.”
“That’s good news. How about dizziness or nausea?”
“A little of both initially.”
“Your neck is bruised, and your throat feels swollen, which will make talking uncomfortable. Did he have his arm wrapped around your neck?”
Rachel nodded gingerly then held her head. “I have to stop doing that.”
“I can give you something for the pain once we’re home. You definitely have signs of a mild concussion, but I can keep an eye on you tonight.” He looked up at the paramedics. “If I see anything unusual, I’ll bring her in for a CAT scan, but I don’t anticipate a problem.”
“It’s your call, Doc. I can’t force a patient to go to the hospital against her will.”
“We’ll probably need the stretcher to get her back to the car.” Ford stood. “I don’t think she’s up to the walk.”
“No problem.”
The sheriff finished questioning Cal and Isaac then approached Rachel. “I’ll need you to answer some more questions first.”
Dan stepped forward. “Can you question her back at the house? It’s close by, and I’m sure Rachel would be more comfortable sitting in a chair than on the ground.”
The middle-aged man with a droopy mustache and kind eyes who’d introduced himself as Sheriff Barns nodded. “I suppose so. Let me check in with my deputies, and then I’ll follow you there.”
The paramedics lifted her onto the stretcher and strapped her down. When they hoisted her, with Dan’s help, Rachel protested.
“I came the other way.”
“We parked on the far side of the creek.” Ford patted her hand. “Don’t worry, honey. We’ll get you out of here.”
They made it across the shallow creek without incident. When they reached the road, Ford eased her off the stretcher and into his big sedan.
“Are you certain you don’t want to go to the hospital?” The senior paramedic raised a brow.
“I’m positive.”
“Then sign this release.” He handed her a clipboard. Rachel filled out the information they needed, signed it and thanked them for their help. When the sheriff arrived a few minutes later and gave them a thumbs up, Ford drove away.
“I can’t believe some psycho attacked you.” Dan turned in his seat to give her a commiserating smile. “I’ve lived in Tahoe City my whole life, and nothing like this has ever happened before. At least not that I’ve heard about. How’re you doing?”
“Fine.” She swallowed.
“She’ll feel better once I get a couple of pain pills into her.” Ford stopped the car. “Get the gate.”
Dan jumped out to punch in the combination, then Ford and the sheriff drove through. All three girls, Wes and Daisy waited in the front yard.
Ivy ran forward. “Mom, what happened?”
“Are you okay?” Jade’s face was pale beneath her tan.
“Give her some room, you two.” Lark tugged her sisters away as they crowded closer.
Rachel’s smile shook. “I’ll be fine, but I do need a hug.” She held each girl in a brief embrace then patted Daisy’s head before letting Dan help her into the house. She sat on the couch then cautiously leaned her head against a cushion. When Ford handed her a couple of white tablets, a glass of water and an ice pack, she took them with a grateful smile.
“Thank you.” After swallowing the pills, she placed the ice pack against the lump on her head.
“See, girls, I’m fine. Go eat your dinner while the sheriff asks me a few questions.”
“Yes, why don’t we all eat?” Erica shooed the girls toward the door. “It’s long past dinner time.”
“I’ll stay with Rachel.” Ford touched his wife’s arm when she stepped up behind her daughter. “That way I can answer all your questions after we’re finished, and Rachel
won’t have to go through it again.”
Eyes wide, Olivia left the room, and Dan followed.
The sheriff pulled up a chair and opened his notebook. “Why don’t you start at the beginning and tell me exactly what occurred. Don’t leave anything out, even if you think it’s not important.”
“First, can you tell me if your deputies found the man?”
“Not yet, but they’re still searching. Your information could help, so let’s get started.”
Rachel told him about her run, the coyote and the man grabbing her from behind. She went over how she struggled with him then had to go over it again.
“Now, I want every detail, Rachel. You probably know a lot more than you think. What part of this man did you see?”
“I saw his forearms and his hands and feet.”
“Describe them for me, please.”
“His arms and hands were lightly tanned and had brown hair on them. His fingers were bare, no rings.” She closed her eyes. “He was wearing dirty navy and white running shoes. I didn’t notice what kind.”
“How tall was he?”
“I’m not sure. When he held me against him, his voice was just above my ear. When he spoke, he whispered. It was really freaky.”
“It’s possible he didn’t want you to recognize his voice.” The sheriff looked up from his notes. “You’re what, five-five, five-six?”
“Five-six.”
“Then that would probably make our suspect between five-nine and five-eleven. Was he thin or fat?”
“Sort of in-between. When he held me against him, he wasn’t flabby, but not super muscular either. He was strong, though, a lot stronger than I am.” Rachel hesitated. “He was...excited.”
The sheriff’s eyes held sympathy as he met her gaze. “Did you notice anything else about him, an unusual odor or maybe an accent when he spoke?”
“He smelled like sweat, not pot if that’s what you mean, and he was breathing hard. I was running pretty fast before I stopped for the coyote and he caught me.”
“So he isn’t in top condition, but he was able to run a couple of miles.” Sheriff Barns smiled. “You’re doing great. Now, let’s go over what he said again and anything you can remember about his voice.”
Every Move She Makes Page 11
