Catching Cara: Dark Horse, Inc: Book 2

by Amy J. Hawthorn

  “Yes. Thank you,” Cara answered, before her mother could, in an attempt to head her off. She needn’t have bothered because there was no stopping Betty Gregory when she was on a mission.

  “Are you Louise MacDonald? I’m Betty Gregory.” Her mother introduced herself as if the woman she suspected might be Joe’s mother should know her.

  “I am. It’s nice to meet you, Betty.” Confusion dimmed her smile.

  “This is my daughter, Cara May Gregory.” Her mother set her enormous purse on the counter and dug for her checkbook.

  “Um, it’s nice to meet you, too.” Louise smiled again and rang up the shoes.

  Cara couldn’t stand it any longer and blurted, “I’m a friend of Joe and Kate’s. I moved in with my mother temporarily and met them recently through a mutual friend.” If it hadn’t been for her mother’s recent surgery she might have hip-checked her into next week.

  “Oh. That’s lovely.” When she looked down to bag the shoes, Cara gave her mother the death glare.

  Her mother frowned and pulled out her debit card. Miracle of miracles, she finished her purchase without any more snooping. Cara bit her tongue until they were out the door. Then she let loose. “Mom! Really! Why? Why was that necessary?”

  “Why what?” Her mother put on her best innocent expression.

  Beyond exasperated, she shook her head. “I knew something was up when you insisted on coming here. How did you know she worked here?”

  “I asked him.” She tilted her head as if Cara was the one who’d lost a screw.

  “Mom! When I dug out the vase? I left you alone with him for less than three minutes. Why do you do these things?” She wanted to pull her hair out as she growled, literally growled, at her meddling mother. She stepped down off the curb, turned and looked back.

  “Well, you’re my only child. Your father isn’t alive to do the whole opening the door with a loaded shotgun bit. I can only do so much, Cara May.” She stood with her hands on her hips, explaining the simplest of concepts to her dimwitted child.

  Cara didn’t know whether to be touched or supremely ticked off. She mirrored her mother’s pose then growled again. Then giving up, she threw her hands up in the air. Deciding it was in her best interest to let it go, she reached for the bag. “Come on, Mom. Did you even really want these shoes?”

  Her mother raised her hand to her mouth as if caught with her hand in the cookie jar and accidentally dropped the bag. Cara bent over to pick it up. Then she heard a familiar sound that jolted her into action. The distinct sound of a high-powered rifle firing. She tackled her mother to the ground before the report’s final echo.

  “What in the world?” Her mother’s anxious question served as reassurance that at least she was okay.

  “We have to get out of sight. Can you make it back into the store? Stay low. I’ll be right behind you.” By right behind, she meant on top of.

  She nodded beneath Cara’s chin.

  Cara closed eyes, took a deep breath and opened them. “Let’s go! Go!” She hauled her mother to her feet, put her hand on her head to keep her low and all but threw her the short distance to the door. Reaching over her she yanked the door open and sent her mother in.

  Seeing she was in, she ducked even lower, just before another deafening crack rent the air with a thunderous boom. The glass door shattered, sending tiny fragments of glass everywhere. She shouted as her ears rang. “Go. Get out of sight.” She bent double as she crossed the threshold and heard a loud ping hit the door’s metal frame where her head would have been, followed by the echo of a third shot.

  Dear God, the shooter means business. She saw that Louise MacDonald had pulled her mother behind the counter with her and she had a phone pressed to her ear. Cara kneeled behind a display of folded jeans and hoped the authorities came quickly. They were no longer in plain view, but if the shooter was desperate enough to come inside, they would be sitting ducks. Her hand itched for her weapon. She had taken her mother shoe shopping! It was the last place she’d expect to need a gun.

  She heard faint sirens in the distance. Thankfully, someone must have been nearby.

  “Mom! Stay put until the police get here. Are you okay?” Fuck! She’d tackled her mother who had a hip fracture and surgery. But there was nothing else she could have done.

  “I’m okay.” Her voice trembled a bit, but otherwise she sounded just like her mom.

  “Your hip? I’m sorry I knocked you down, but I didn’t have any choice.” She talked to her mother across the aisle.

  “It’s fine, I think. Cara, my God! You were like…like…a warrior princess! Like a real soldier! You saved us.” She shifted as if trying to get comfortable on the hard floor and Cara’s throat clenched.

  “Mom. I am a soldier.” She met her mother’s gaze.

  “You are.” The quiet awe in her mother’s words were nearly her undoing. She wanted to pull her into a gentle hug and hold her close, but she couldn’t reach her.

  “Joe?” Letting the store phone dangle over the counter, Mrs. MacDonald held a cell phone to her ear. “I’m fine; we’re fine. Your friend Cara May is here with her mother, and she told us not to move. I’m sitting on the floor behind the sales counter with her mother. No, I don’t think anyone was hit.”

  Joe!

  She interrupted, saying “Mrs. MacDonald? Tell Joe there were three shots fired, possibly from long range. No casualties.”

  Louise MacDonald repeated the information into her cell phone then looked up to Cara. “He said to tell you he’s five minutes out, but that an officer is pulling into the lot now. He also says that Caleb is cool.” Her face scrunched on the last sentence as if she didn’t understand why anyone would need assurance about one of Joe’s fellow deputies. “He said that no matter who else shows, to stick with Caleb until he gets here, and that he’s calling your friend Rick.”

  Cara got his meaning and sighed with relief. Then as her adrenaline wore off and the waiting game set in, so did realization.

  Someone tried to kill her. Her mother and Joe’s had been caught in the crossfire and could have been killed. This was no accident and no coincidence.

  Boyd.

  This had his name written all over it. He’d always envisioned himself as some sort of elite sniper. And attacking from long distance, from a safe vantage point with little risk to his own neck was totally his M.O.

  God, I would love to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until he can’t breathe.

  A deputy dressed in black fatigue pants, gray T-shirt, and bulletproof vest appeared in the shattered doorway. “Ladies? I’m Caleb. We think it’s clear, so you can move about, but we’d like you to stay inside and away from the door for the time being.”

  “Thank you.” Cara stood and went to help her mother and then Mrs. MacDonald up.

  “I can’t imagine what’s going on or why. I mean, this is Riley Creek. Nothing ever happens here.” Joe’s mother placed her hand over her chest.

  “It was all so dramatic!” Her mother’s eyes were bright with excitement as she fanned her face.

  They all turned their heads when another siren grew in volume until it cut off with a sudden, startling silence.

  Joe rushed through the door and straight to his mother, crushing her in a tight hug. “Mom?”

  “I’m fine, Joe.” Louise put her hand on his cheek, and the sight warmed Cara.

  She also noticed that Joe made a damn fine picture in his uniform. He wore the same basic black fatigues and T-shirt as Caleb but filled them out in an entirely different way.

  Then he met her gaze with an unreadable expression. “Cara May, what a surprise to find you in the midst of all this mayhem.”

  “Uh, yeah. About that. I can explain. Sort of.” God, what did she say without offending her mother too badly? She needed to tell him everything, but they had a rapt audience.

  He let go of his mother and came straight toward her. “My Mayhem. Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad everyone is okay.”r />
  “Mayhem? Joe, you should have seen her! She was a stone-cold, soldier. Why, I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder.” Someone could have knocked Cara over with a feather. When Joe came over and gave her a hug of her own, she couldn’t resist melting into his solid heat.

  Sheriff Dale Hawkins appeared in the doorway, feet crunching on broken glass, and interrupted. “Hello, ladies. It’s all clear outside. If you’ll come with me, we have a few brief questions.” Tall, with salt and pepper hair and a slight paunch, he smiled.

  “Sir, I’d rather keep them inside until we’re certain that the scene is safe. We haven’t had time to—”

  “I just came in from outside, MacDonald. It’s fine. I’m sure it was just an accident.” Hawkins smiled and talked down to Joe as if speaking to a child.

  His body turned to steel beneath her hands. “No, I’m not sending my mother outside to a scene where shots were fired less than ten minutes ago.”

  “Son, I know she’s your mother, and I can see that you’re attached to the little lady. Maybe you’re a little too close to this case. You can sit this one out. Caleb and I can handle it.”

  Tightening her hold around his waist, she waded in before Joe lost his temper.

  “We’ll wait in here. My mother has recently had hip surgery and shouldn’t stand on concrete for extended periods of time. I’ve been around live gunfire before. I know—”

  “I appreciate your input, ma’am, but we’ve got this under control.” He smiled again, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Something dark flickered in their depths as he looked to her.

  Her mother stepped forward and her words caught Cara completely off guard. “My daughter is a soldier, and she knows what’s she’s talking about. She served in Afghanistan. Did you? Have you ever seen combat—?”

  Oh. Shit. The last thing she needed was her mother broadcasting her past with Sheriff Hawkins. She let go of Joe and slapped her hand over her mother’s mouth to stop her information vomit. “Mom. It’s fine. I’m sure the good Sheriff knows what he’s talking about. You’re fine. I’m fine. No one was hurt.” Damn, did it cost her to say the next part. “He’s probably right.”

  Joe looked as though he wanted to flatten Dale with his fist, and she didn’t blame him. But what could they do?

  Rely on Dark Horse.

  Chapter Eleven

  She answered her phone as she shut the front door behind her. The caller spoke before she could get out a greeting. “Get your mother packed and then pack for yourself. That’s an order.” Rick’s terse voice barked.

  “Rick, I—”

  “No. Hell, no. No buts. Get. Your. Asses. Packed.”

  “You know, I was going to call as soon as I got in and took a quick look at Momma’s incision. I think she’s fine, but I’ll feel better after I check it.” She dropped her keys on the table and frowned. Taking a deep breath, she told herself he worried about her safety and should be touched that he worried about her mother as well.

  His tone softened a touch. “Are we having the meeting at Trent’s or your place? We’ll come after you, if you want.”

  “We’ll come out to the Walkers’.” In her room, she began to throw clothes into her suitcase, hoping her stay wouldn’t last more than a few days. She knew she wouldn’t be that lucky.

  “I’m not sure I want you two on the road alone. I’ll come meet you.”

  “I won’t be surprised if Joe shows up here as soon as he makes sure his mother is settled safely at home.” Her stomach still churned each time she thought about the danger that had almost come to Louise and her own mother.

  They needed to talk, but she wasn’t sure how they’d find the time.

  “If he’s able, I’ll have him follow us in. If for some reason he can’t, then I promise to call you. Right now, they’re likely regrouping and planning their next move. Let me check on Momma and get us packed, okay?” She went in the bathroom and gathered her toiletries. “Rick?”

  “Okay. I don’t like this.” He sounded quiet, subdued.

  “I don’t either. I had to tackle my own mother to the concrete sidewalk to avoid gunfire. As much as I hate to inconvenience anyone, I promise you, I’m not taking any more chances.”

  “We’ll be waiting.”

  “I know. Thanks.” She hung up and got out her weapons case. She checked over her pistol. She wanted it loaded and ready. Then she braced herself for an altogether different sort of battle.

  She had to find a way to explain this all to her mother without causing a meltdown.

  She found her on the phone with her friend Anne. “You should have seen it! Bullets were flying everywhere, like a real movie. Cara knocked me out of the way, like a stunt man.”

  “Momma, we need to talk,” she tried to interrupt.

  “That jackass Sheriff acted like it was no big deal. Idiot. Do I look like I was born yesterday? And then—”

  Cara pulled the phone away from her mother in mid-sentence.

  “Anne, I’m so sorry. I have to talk to Momma. I’ll have her call you later tonight or first thing in the morning. Bye, sweetie.” She hung up without waiting for a reply.

  Her mother crossed her arms over her chest. “Why, Cara May! I raised you better than that. Hmph.”

  Oh boy. Here we go…

  “Is your mother set?” After driving Cara and Betty Gregory up to Harlan and Sandy Walker’s house, Joe looked down at Cara. Hours had passed since they’d been shot at, and his emotions still bounced from terror to blazing hot anger.

  Moonlight made her hair shine and her eyes glitter as she leaned back against the tail end of his truck and smiled weakly. “Yeah, I think so. She’ll love staying up at the Walker’s house, and they’ll treat her like royalty. I just hope she’s not too big a terror. They’re good people.” Good people? No, the Walkers were the best kind of people.

  Cara ran her hands up and down her arms as if chilled, but the night was far too warm for her to be cold.

  He couldn’t wait a single moment longer. He pulled her into his arms and crushed her to his chest. Her head dropped against his shoulder, and he felt her expel a heavy breath. She wrapped her arms tight around his waist and leaned against him, as if she couldn’t carry her own weight any longer.

  They’d both been busy since the shooting and hadn’t had time for even a real hug, let alone time to talk. He tucked her head beneath his chin and savored the feel of her in his arms. When he’d heard dispatch say there’d been a shooting right outside the doors to where his mother worked, his heart stopped. He’d been fifteen minutes away, so he flipped on his lights, made the sharpest U-turn of his life, and put the pedal to the floor. The moment his hands were free, he’d called his mom only to her have her tell him that his “new friend Cara May and her mother were outside when the shots were fired.” His pulse skyrocketed until he heard the rapid beat in his ears.

  His mother and his…his Cara were part of a crime scene.

  Then he realized who the target had most likely been and why. Half a day had passed and his blood still boiled when he thought about it. He squeezed her tighter instead of kicking his truck.

  “I’m sorry. You must be so angry with me. I would have never set foot within Riley Creek if I had a clue that your mother worked in town or that there was a hint of danger to her. Momma insisted on shopping there today and I went along with her. I suspected she wanted to snoop but I thought it was just a general look through town, never where your mother worked! I knew better than to underestimate her meddling skills. When we walked up to the counter and I saw your smile and brown eyes looking back at me from the cashier’s face, I wanted to strangle her. Louise was so nice, then Momma and I went outside and everything went to shit.” Hands fisted in the back of his shirt, and she shuddered against him again.

  Leave it to Cara to feel guilt when a jackass like Boyd put others in harm’s way. He took her chin and tilted her head up. His heart clutched when he saw the stark guilt on her sweet face. When her legs trembled as if sh
e were ready to run out of strength he picked her up with one arm and with the other, he unlatched the tailgate. He set her ass on it and needing her full attention, he moved between her legs.

  “Look at me.” He cupped her face in both hands and held her damp gaze to his. “You have no reason whatsoever to be sorry. None of this is your fault. I had only two thoughts today. One, light speed couldn’t have gotten me there soon enough. Two, I wanted—no, I still want—Boyd’s blood on my hands.” He watched a single tear well, and his gut cramped. “I’m thankful you were there and in control.”

  “But if I hadn’t been there, it wouldn’t have happened. He had to have followed me and took the opportunity when he saw it. Being in Riley Creek probably made it that much more appealing. There he has Hawkins at his back. How could I have been so stupid?”

  The tear slid from the corner of her eye and made a silver trail down to her cheek. He kissed the droplet, wishing that he could take her pain away just as easily. His little soldier had a marshmallow heart.

  He rubbed his thumb over her jaw and took her mouth in a kiss meant to show her the tenderness she deserved. Her tongue touched his, sparking off a warm glow of arousal. The slow burn grew brighter with each brush of his mouth against hers. Merging, trusting, starving, their mouths communicated a growing passion. Her hands fisted around his belt and when her fingers grazed over the bare skin of his abdomen, the simmer boiled over. The heated potion filled him with rabid hunger.

  She whimpered into his mouth and her grip tightened, pulling him closer. He slid his hand down her back and stopped at her waist. He pulled his mouth from hers, bent his head and met her forehead to forehead. There was only one thing he wanted more than the gift of her surrender.

  He wanted Boyd and Hawkins behind bars. If that didn’t work? He’d settle for their heads.

  “Let’s go. The guys are waiting on us. Are you staying with Trent and Kate or at my place? Kylie is already with my parents.”