by R. C. Ryan
She was shaking her head as she bit her lip. “I suppose you plan on introducing me under a phony name.”
It was his turn to shake his head. “I have no intention of lying to them. I’ll tell them your name, and that you’re my friend, and that I expect them to respect the fact that you need a safe shelter.”
“And just like that, you think they’ll take me in.”
“I’m sure of it.” He nodded. “Just like that.”
She stood and hugged her arms as she began to pace. “I know I can’t stay here. Even with the door locked and all the lights on, I’d never feel safe from that awful man. And I can’t take this to my uncle. I’ve already burdened him with too much. So why would you want to bring this trouble to your door?”
“Once you meet my family, you’ll understand. We’re big and rough and loud, and at times we fight among ourselves. But in times of trouble, we stand together. And if someone needs a safe haven, trust me, there’s no safer place to be than with the Merrick family.”
For just a moment she looked as though she might cry. Then she took in a breath and gave a slight nod. “All right, you’ve sold me. Just for the night. Because I’m desperate.” She turned toward the bedroom before saying over her shoulder, “Now, I hope you can sell your family on welcoming a Dempsey into their midst.”
Chapter Nine
While Annie packed, Jonah switched off the outdoor lights, leaving the upper balcony in darkness.
Inside the apartment, he went about turning on lights, along with the television.
When Annie stepped out of the bedroom with a giant suitcase, she glanced around. “What’s all this?”
“I think it’s wise to leave this place looking like someone’s home.”
Before she could ask him to explain, he merely smiled. “I write mysteries. Humor me.”
She nodded. “I’m glad one of us has a brain. Right now, I’m just running on adrenaline.”
He walked over and took the handle of her suitcase. “I’ll take this down to my truck. While I’m there, I’ll look around. If your visitor is gone, I’ll come back up for you.”
“And if he’s come back to watch in the dark?”
Jonah gave a chilling smile. “Then I’ll politely ask him to leave.”
As he walked out into the darkness, Annie crossed her arms and tapped her foot as she waited, imagining a dozen different scenarios, all of them bloody and violent. There had been a thread of steel in Jonah’s voice that she hadn’t noticed before. But if he decided to fight the stranger and came up against a gun…
By the time Jonah returned, her nerves were reaching the breaking point. When the door opened, she flew across the room and clutched at his arms until her nails dug into his flesh. “Are you all right?”
He shot her a sexy grin. “Nice to know you missed me.”
“That’s not funny.” She stepped back.
“No. It isn’t.” He drew her close and ran a hand down her back. “I’m sorry. But we may as well laugh. It beats cursing our bad luck.”
She took in a breath. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“If you feel like swearing a blue streak or breaking something, go right ahead.”
She stood very still for a moment, then nodded. “Okay. You’re right. Those things won’t help my situation. Let’s go.”
He caught her hand and they stepped out onto the darkened balcony. Together they descended the stairs, and once they approached his truck, he held open the passenger door.
She held back. “What about my car?”
“I think it’s best to leave it here, to add to the illusion that you’re still upstairs.”
She nodded and he helped her into the truck before circling around to the driver’s side.
Minutes later, as they drove through town, she closed her eyes and let her head fall back against the headrest. “Want to know the craziest thing about all this?”
“What?” Jonah glanced over.
“If I hadn’t uncovered that million dollars in my bank account, I’d still be blissfully ignorant, gallivanting all around San Francisco with a man who was planning on destroying me.”
Jonah reached over and covered her hand with his. “Don’t think about that now. Think about this. Arlen Lender didn’t know who he was dealing with when he targeted you. You’re a strong woman, Annie. Strong enough that you didn’t cave. Instead, you did the right thing and decided to fight back.”
“Some fighter. I ran like a scared rabbit.”
“Well now you’re ready to fight back.”
She sighed in the darkness, but this time she didn’t draw away. Instead she absorbed the warmth of Jonah’s hand on hers and let his words wash over her, strengthening her resolve.
“We’ve been driving for a while now. Just when do we reach this ranch of yours?”
Jonah smiled. “We’ve been on Merrick land for the last half hour. The house is up ahead.”
Annie looked around, trying to get her bearings. Instead of the secluded forest where she’d met Jonah, she saw fields and meadows, black with cattle. Then a three-story house came into view as they rounded a bend. And looming up behind it, the darkened outline of the Tetons, and above their peaks, the end of a glorious red sunset.
Jonah parked behind a line of vehicles, then hopped out and circled around to open her door.
As he took her hand, he said in a low voice, “Brace yourself. You’re about to meet my family. And there are a lot of them.”
“Out here?”
He led her up the steps to the porch, and she realized he wasn’t kidding. Porch lights illuminated the scene before her. There were people sitting in rockers and on gliders and porch swings. Some were eating cake. Others were drinking from steaming mugs of coffee.
Then, suddenly, a circle of faces was staring at her as if she’d dropped from the sky.
Jonah’s voice broke the silence. “I’d like you all to meet a friend of mine. Annie Dempsey, this is my father, Bo Merrick.”
“Annie.” Bo set aside his coffee and got to his feet, offering a firm handshake.
“My aunt Liz.”
A pretty blond woman half hidden in shadow gave a timid smile and a nod in acknowledgment.
“Our ranch foreman, Chet Doyle.”
He offered his hand. “Ma’am.”
“My brother Brand and his wife, Avery.”
As she nodded toward the couple snuggled together on a porch swing, Jonah added, “My brother Casey and his wife, Kirby.”
Annie turned to acknowledge them, sitting close together on a comfortable-looking settee.
“My grandparents Meg and Egan.”
“How lovely to meet you, Annie.” Instead of a handshake, Meg moved in to give her a warm hug, and Egan followed suit. Both of them smelled of cinnamon and coffee.
“Our cook, Billy Caldwell.”
“Welcome, Annie. We’re having cinnamon coffee cake. Will you have a piece?”
“No, thank you, but it smells heavenly.”
Jonah led Annie across the porch to a figure in the shadows, seated on a glider. “And this is my great-grandfather, Hammond Merrick. Everyone calls him Ham.”
“Ham.” Annie was smiling as she extended her hand.
The old man gave his great-grandson a piercing look. “Did I hear you say Annie Dempsey?”
Jonah nodded. “You did.”
He turned to Annie. “You related to Des Dempsey?” He spat the name like an insult.
She stiffened, prepared to defend her name. “He’s my uncle.” She started to lower her hand.
Seeing it, Jonah said, “Ham…”
The old man shot him a stern look, silencing his words.
He stuck out his hand, forcing Annie to accept his handshake. He looked her squarely in the eye while saying, “Any friend of Jonah’s is a friend of ours. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Annie Dempsey.” He put the emphasis firmly on her last name.
He patted the empty spot beside him. “Sit here.”
As she sat, she arched a brow at Jonah, who was hovering beside her like an avenging angel.
“Why don’t you head to the kitchen and get yourself and your guest a couple of drinks, boy.”
“I’ll get them, Jo—” Billy started, but was immediately silenced by a look from Ham.
“Jonah can fetch for himself.”
“Beer, wine, or coffee, Annie?” Jonah asked his guest.
She gave him a tremulous smile. “I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
With a last look at Annie, Jonah walked to the door and let himself into the house. By the time he returned with two chilled beers, Ham and Annie were chatting like long-lost relatives.
“California? What part?”
“San Francisco.” She smiled as she accepted the drink from Jonah, who pulled up a chair alongside the glider.
“A pretty part of the country.”
“You’ve been there?” Jonah arched a brow.
“Been plenty of places I haven’t told you about, boy.” Ham pointed to the sky awash with color. “Bet they don’t have sunsets that can compete with that.”
“It’s glorious. And with those mountain peaks turning that same amazing shade of red, it’s breathtaking. It looks like something an artist would paint.”
“That’s who did it. A heavenly artist.” Ham gave a nod of satisfaction. “It never gets old. This is my favorite time of day. Just sitting out here, watching the sun setting over my land, whatever worries I have just fade away.” He turned to Annie. “Don’t you agree?”
She gave a sigh. “You’re right, Ham. It’s like a drug. Just experiencing this, I can feel my heartbeat slowing and my whole day beginning to slip away.”
“That’s a good thing, girl.” He looked over her head to where Jonah sat watching the two of them. “You brought this friend of yours to the right place, boy, and at the right time.”
“I was just thinking that, Ham.”
The two shared a secret smile.
Jonah took a long drink of beer and felt his own world begin to settle as well. He’d been right to bring Annie here. Whatever feud his family had with hers, they’d already silently agreed to a truce.
At least for tonight she was safe. And while she slept, he would have to come up with a plan.
Though he didn’t want to probe his feelings too deeply just yet, he knew he was already in over his head.
This mysterious woman had begun to matter to him. And he intended to do as much as he could to keep her safe from whatever trouble was closing in.
Chapter Ten
As the various family members began drifting off to their rooms, Jonah turned to his grandmother. “I would have phoned ahead, but there wasn’t time. I hope you don’t mind but I invited Annie to stay the night.”
Meg gave a nod. “You’ll show her to the guest suite.” To Annie she said, “I hope you enjoy your stay with us. If there’s anything at all you need, be sure to let Jonah know. If it isn’t in the room upstairs, we’re certain to have it somewhere.”
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
Jonah put a hand on Annie’s arm. “I’ll get your suitcase from my truck.”
Hammond waited until the others were gone before getting to his feet. “It was good meeting you, Annie Dempsey.”
“Thank you. It was good meeting you, too.”
“You in some kind of trouble, girl?”
Seeing the look of surprise on her face, he leaned down. “Didn’t mean to pry. But I couldn’t help noticing the way my great-grandson was hovering. Like a bodyguard in charge of the crown jewels in a room full of thieves.”
That coaxed a smile to her lips. “Maybe he was worried about my reception because of my name.”
“Maybe. But I’m thinking it’s something more. Like trouble.”
“Am I that obvious?”
Seeing Jonah toting a suitcase up the porch steps, he stepped back. “Good night, Annie.” He looked over. “’Night, Jonah.”
“’Night, Ham.” Jonah held the door and waited for Annie to precede him.
Once inside, she looked around, noting the luxurious great room they passed while heading toward the stairway.
Upstairs, they moved along a hallway until Jonah paused to open a door.
He went in and set her suitcase by the nightstand before waving a hand. “I think you’ll find whatever you need here, but if you don’t, let me know. My room is just across the hall.”
She stood clasping and unclasping her hands. “You weren’t kidding about your family. There are a lot of them.”
“We can be a little overwhelming.”
She shook her head. “No. Even when your great-grandfather challenged my name, his reaction wasn’t at all what I was expecting.”
“Yeah. For a minute there I thought we might have to fight our way off the porch.”
She smiled. “He actually referred to you as my bodyguard.”
“Was I that obvious?”
Now she managed a laugh. “I said the same thing. He said you looked like you were guarding the crown jewels.”
“Ham may be ninety now, but he’s still sharp. Nothing gets by him.”
“Is he really that old?”
Jonah nodded.
“He’s amazing. And as you said, very perceptive. While you were getting my suitcase, he asked if I was in trouble.”
Jonah gave her a long look. “I know you need some time to process what happened to you, but I hope by morning you’ll agree to meet with Noble Crain, the police chief in Devil’s Door.”
Annie took in a quick breath. “I know I should, but I can’t forget that ominous threat about what will happen to me if I go to the authorities.”
“Promise me you’ll at least think about it. Noble is a good man. And, Annie, this isn’t something you can handle on your own. You need to bring in the authorities.”
She gave a slight nod. “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll think about it.”
“Good. Here—put Noble Crain’s number in your phone contacts.”
He waited until she picked up her phone before inputting Noble Crain’s number on it. “His day starts early and ends late, so don’t be afraid to call him first thing in the morning if you’re so inclined. It will give him an excuse to come out and enjoy Billy’s breakfast. And there’s another reason to meet with him here instead of in town. In case your visitor from last night is still watching, he won’t see the two of you together.”
With that, he started toward the door. As he passed her, he paused and put a hand on her arm. “Try to sleep. You’re in a safe place, with a lot of people who look out for one another. Nobody and nothing is going to hurt you here.”
“Thank you, Jonah. It’s strange, but I do feel safe here.”
“I’m glad.”
His gaze lingered on her mouth, and his eyes narrowed slightly before he took a step back. “Good night, Annie.”
“Good night.”
When he stepped into the hall and pulled the door shut, she stood still for a moment, staring at the closed door and wondering at the electric current that had snaked along her arm the moment he’d touched her.
For the space of a heartbeat, seeing the way he’d looked at her, she’d thought he might kiss her.
She’d wanted him to. She’d like to think it was because of the strong, steady feel of him. But it was more than that. More than she wanted to think about at the moment. But if she were honest, she’d simply admit that she was attracted. And had been from the moment they’d met.
She sank down on the edge of the bed and sighed as she looked around, noting the desk and chair and a wall of shelves holding an assortment of books, CDs, and a TV.
She crossed to the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered an amazing view of the majestic mountains looming in the distance. The sun had set, leaving the sky dark and brooding.
Then she walked into the adjoining bathroom that s
eemed to be a sea of marble. The floor, shower, and jetted tub were all in white, as well as the sink and countertops. A white dressing table held an assortment of lotions in anticipation of anyone who stayed here.
This wasn’t what she’d expected to find on a ranch in Wyoming. She’d envisioned something rustic. Or at least utilitarian. But this was so much more.
She opened her suitcase and removed a pair of tailored pajamas, which she carried into the bathroom. Turning on the taps, she filled the tub, settled into the warm water, and lifted an oval of scented soap.
After such a terrifying visit from that stranger, and the threatening message he’d delivered, she ought to be too wired to even give a thought to trying to sleep.
But half an hour later, pleasantly relaxed from her bath, she climbed beneath the covers of the big bed and was asleep within minutes.
As was his custom, Jonah was awake and dressed before dawn. In the kitchen he snagged a mug of coffee and headed for the barn. Once there, he set aside the empty cup and began the rounds of endless ranch chores, beginning with turning the horses out into a fenced meadow before mucking stalls.
Brand and Casey strolled in a few minutes later, followed by Bo, Egan, and Hammond.
Jonah paused in his work and gave a shake of his head. “Why am I not surprised? Since it doesn’t take all of you to clean stalls, I’m guessing you’re here to grill me.”
“Good call, bro.” Brand leaned an arm on the top rail of the stall. “You just had to go back to Nonie’s and find that pretty stranger, didn’t you?”
“As a matter of fact, I didn’t. The pretty stranger found me.”
Brand shared a look with Casey. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I never went back to look for her. We met at my cabin. She was out hiking and thought she was on public land.”
Brand chuckled. “Only our little brother could have such luck. So she intruded on your private space. But when you found out she was a Dempsey, why didn’t you send her packing?”
“I didn’t know her name then. The two of us hiked and formed an instant friendship. A few days later we went riding together and—”
