Ignoring the makeshift ladder, he jumped twelve feet down into the pit and went to her, noticing immediately that her ankles were tied, and her left arm was extended, the wrist tied with rope to a piece of timber. He reached out, touching her face, unaware of his own tears as he beheld her. He felt for a pulse. It beat faintly, so very faintly, but she was alive. His Rose was alive.
Cutting the ropes that bound her, he cradled her in his arms, kissing her, talking to her, telling her she was safe now.
Rose was floating, but the place she was floating in wasn't so bad now. It wasn't dark any more, and there was a faint breeze. But there was something else too. A voice. His voice. With a huge effort she opened her eyes - and looked into his. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but the words wouldn't come. He held something to her lips and she drank gratefully, the water coursing through her, helping to bring her back.
"I... knew... knew you'd come," she croaked, feebly.
"I never stopped looking for you." He hugged her close and massaged her wrist and ankles.
"She's here! We found her! She's going to be ok!" he called to his pa and the others.
After that, there was a great deal of noise and activity as several things happened at once.
Firstly, the assembled ranch hands clapped and cheered. The tension lifted and disappeared, replaced by a joyful exuberance. Tink picked up the vibes and capered about ecstatically in a mad doggie dance. He decided he couldn't wait any longer to greet Rose and launched himself down into the bunker in a great leap of faith. If Hank hadn't jumped up to catch him, the dog would most likely have landed awkwardly and broken his legs. But Tink didn't care what the risks were. He wanted to be with Rose. He whimpered in delight and pressed his nose up against Rose's hand, then pushed past Hank and managed to lick her chin, smothering her in big wet doggy kisses.
"He appears to love you almost as much as I do, darlin'," Hank whispered.
Exhausted but quietly elated, Rose squeezed Hank's hand, her other hand stroking the wonderful dog who helped to find her.
Connor climbed down the ladder into the bunker, followed closely by Gabriel. Isaac remained with the others. All looked up, shading their eyes, tilting the brim of their Stetson's against the blinding sunlight.
The distinctive whirring noise made by the blades of the Search and Rescue helicopter intensified as the chopper came closer, it's blades whirling around overhead, making one hell of a din. Isaac waved. Someone inside the cockpit waved back, and the chopper came ever closer, flying low over the tree tops to land on an expanse of flat land.
Out of the helicopter came a medic carrying a stretcher, and behind him was the familiar figure of Sheriff Johnson.
---oOo---
After being flown to hospital, Rose was found to be dehydrated, but aside from a few scrapes and bruises, was otherwise found to be in good physical health. She was given an intravenous drip and a tetanus shot, and then, much to Hank's delight, declared she was absolutely starving and demolished a big plate full of scrambled eggs. Five hours later, Rose was back at the ranch.
"I'm fine now. I'm fine," she repeated as everyone rushed over to hug her.
"Rose, darling!" Brenda rushed over to kiss her. "I can't tell you how glad I am to see you. We've all been so worried."
"I know. Thanks Brenda," said Rose as she threw her arms around her future mother-in-law. Her lip began to tremble and tears welled in her eyes. "I can't tell you how glad I am to be back home," she whispered.
Hank gently prised her away from Brenda. "You need rest, hon. It's bed for you now - doctor's orders. There'll be plenty of time tomorrow to catch up with everyone."
"I'm not going to argue with you, big ears," she smiled. "I am exhausted. I feel as though I could sleep round the clock."
"Then that's what you will do, my love."
Hank put his arm firmly around her waist and escorted her upstairs. While she was in the bathroom, he pulled back the covers of the bed and got out a clean nightdress from her drawer. In no time he had her snuggled up in bed. She smiled at him in relief, closed her eyes, and fell asleep almost immediately.
Hank sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching her as she slept. "Thank the Lord you are safe and well, Rose."
Smiling now, despite his own tiredness, he went down to the kitchen. He was going to make damned sure that Tink got a very big and very juicy steak for supper.
Hank and Isaac didn't bother eating in the dining room. Instead they sat with the kitchen staff and the ranch hands around the big table in the kitchen. Everyone had a huge smile on their face and the mood was euphoric.
Scot had returned from some urgent business in Austin. He slapped Hank on the back.
"It's all turned out well, bro. What a relief."
"You're not kidding." Hank gave his brother a hug.
"I've been fixin' you up a treat, Hank. Now you sit here and eat this up," said Hannah as she placed a huge steaming bowl of chilli con carne under Hank's nose.
"Mmn, that smells good. I'll do it justice," said Hank as he tucked in and ate heartily. "I'll have another helping of that Hannah," he grinned when his bowl was empty.
Eventually, the meal over, everyone sat replete with a cup of coffee or a glass of beer, and things were discussed in detail.
"So this guy Pete. You say Rose knew him?" asked Hannah.
"Yeah. She lived with him a couple years, back in England. What she saw in that low life piece of shit I don't know," Hanks face darkened in anger.
"At least she has better taste now, eh buddy?" said Connor,
Hank nodded. "They'd been together around six years, and one day she came home early and found him in bed screwing another woman. The other woman just happened to be her best friend, Gloria."
"Some friend she was," muttered Mary Lou.
"She was stunned - ran out of the house and wandered around in the rain - and when she came back, the bastard had her cases packed and waiting for her. He told her it was over, and that he was moving Gloria in."
"What a rat," said Dylan.
"Needs a good punch," growled Matthew."
"I'm coming to that part soon." Hank grinned in anticipation. "Anyhow, Rose took off and ended up in a real nice place called Lincoln. That's where I met her when I was over on business. We spent all the time together we could and I'd already made up my mind to ask her to come back to Texas with me, when that no good son of a gun put in an appearance again."
"How did he find her?"
"Hired some fancy private detective."
"So what happened then?"
"Rose finished her shift at the cafe and went home for a shower. She came downstairs wearing a towel and found him waiting for her in the sitting room. He told her he was taking her back home with him."
"What a jerk. He turned up out of the blue and assumed she'd go back with him? Geez, this guy really stinks," said Mary Lou.
"Yeah. Well, she refused. Then the bastard made a grab at her, pulled off the towel and kissed her. I saw it all. I'd arrived to take her out. I'd just got out of the car and I saw them in the doorway. I... I overreacted... assumed the worst. I was wrong." Hank sighed. "I thought, given what I'd just seen, that she was having an affair with some dick head. All my plans for a future with her went down the pan. I was gutted, I can tell ya'. I left - didn't look back, I just got in the darn car and drove off. I packed my stuff and left the hotel and got an earlier flight home. And that was it - or so I thought, until she came to Texas and made me listen to what really happened."
"She's a decent sort. I knew she wouldn't do that to you," said Hannah.
"I should have known it too. Well, as you know, she came over here and we were good again and she accepted my proposal. We flew back to to England after a few weeks to collect some of Rose's stuff from her friend Cindy, and to sort out immigration paperwork. And I also took the opportunity to pay that rat Pete a little visit."
"You did?" Gabe grinned. "This is where it gets real interestin' I take it?"<
br />
"Sure does. He opened the door and I grabbed the bastard by the balls and I twisted them - hard."
"Ow!" grinned Gabe. "Then what?"
"I told the rat exactly what I thought of him, all the while hanging onto his puny bollocks. You should have heard him shriek. He squealed like a stuck pig."
This description was received very favourably by everyone seated around the table.
"And what happened next, Hank?" asked Kayla.
"Now I'm not a violent man but... my fist sorta slipped, and I gave him a couple of cracked ribs, a busted nose and a black eye."
He got no further as everyone cheered. More drinks were called for. Isaac dug out another bottle of bourbon from his not so secret stash in the study. Glasses were replenished. Hannah magically produced a plate of chocolate brownies. Hank demolished three of them effortlessly and continued his tale.
"We thought that was the end of the matter. I never gave him another thought, but it seems he wouldn't let the matter rest. He booted Gloria out and was determined to get Rose back. Sheriff Johnson had immigration records checked and told me Pete's been in Texas three weeks on the pretence of taking a vacation."
"Three weeks?" Scott frowned. "What's he been doing all that time?"
"Lurking. Watching. Waiting. He wanted an opportunity to get Rose on her own. The sheriff also had his credit card checked out. Records show he spent a couple nights in a motel, and he also used the card to hire an SUV and buy a sleeping bag. There's evidence he's been living rough in the SUV. The shit has been hiding out on Armstrong land. They found binoculars in the vehicle, and cameras full of recent pictures - of Rose. The dirty stinking bastard has been hanging out, spying on her and taking pics."
"He sounds like he's not right in the head," volunteered Hannah.
"Yes," agreed Mary Lou. "He sounds obsessive."
"Obsessive is exactly what he is," said Hank. "Not to mention unhinged. Rose told me how he abducted her when she was out riding. He tied her up and bundled her in the back of the SUV. When she refused to cooperate and go back to England with him, he flipped and started ranting and raving. I guess it was then he thought he may as well see what sort of money he could get for her release. Later on they hid in an abandoned shack near the Collins ranch. He kept moving around, never staying in any one place for long - and finally discovered that disused bunker."
"I never knew it was there," said Gabe, "and I know these lands like the back of my hand."
"I didn't know about it either," said Hank. "I've no idea who built it or for what purpose - though I suspect it wasn't a good one."
"Could it have been intended for storage?"
"Possibly - maybe it was a place for stashing liquor or contraband. Or maybe it was built to hide people. The timbers are ancient. It's possible it was used for slaves way back - though no one would survive for long down there. Jesus. Rose could have died."
"Well she didn't," said Hannah firmly. "Thanks to you, Hank."
"No - thanks to Tink!"
As if on cue, the dog came up to Hank and sat in front of him, holding out one of his front paws, a look of smug expectation on his face.
"Tink, buddy. You are getting the biggest steak I can find. You're going to be the best fed dog in Texas."
"There's a steak cookin' in the pan for him," said Hannah. "An extra big one."
Hank patted the dog fondly. "Good. Now, where was I? Right - so this Pete guy goes down town and orders a meal from Dempsey's bar. He has a couple beers, then decides to call me to talk ransom money."
"And I spoke to the low life," said Brenda. "He asked for you, and then when I told him you weren't around, he wanted Isaac. He wouldn't leave a message. But he called again later."
"And by that time he'd had a few too many beers," said Hank. "Chuck Andrews and his boys were having a quiet drink in Dempsey's. They were sitting at a nearby table. They heard everything - and so did other people - the bastard was plastered out of his skull by then and shouting that he knew where Rose was, and if he didn't get money for her return, he'd start cutting off her fingers."
"The sick bastard," muttered Isaac in disgust. "I almost feel like cutting off his fingers."
"It's not his fingers I'd cut off," said Hank grimly. "After that, Chuck and his boys muscled in and gave him a few welcoming Texas punches. Knocked him out cold, they did. The sheriff turned up, arrested him, and threw him in a cell. When he came round he wouldn't talk at first, but you know how 'persuasive' Sheriff Johnson can be?" He grinned. "Before long, he started talking. He'll stand trial over here and I can guarantee he'll be going to jail for a very very long time."
"Jail's too good for the likes of him," sniffed Hannah. "I hope he rots."
"Me too," agreed Hank. "So, the Sheriff picks up the phone and scrambles a helicopter. Pete had described the location of the bunker, and they turned up shortly after we'd found Rose. That's about it, I guess."
"I do love a happy ending," sighed Kayla, dabbing her eyes.
"You big soft lump," said Hannah, fondly. She dabbed her own eyes with a corner of her apron and sniffed loudly.
"So," said Brenda. "Tonight is Wednesday and we have a wedding on Saturday. Is Rose going to be well enough?"
"She sure is. She just needs a couple days rest and plenty of fluids. The whole experience has been traumatic for her, but it's over now. She's a tough little cookie and I'm hoping she'll soon put it behind her and get on with her life."
"We'll all be around to give her any support she needs," said Brenda. "Now - to business, Hank! I've been going through Rose's lists for the wedding, and I've made a few calls to suppliers to make sure everything is on track. And I've organised the hairdresser to come over early Saturday morning."
"And I have all the food preparations underway," said Hannah. "And housekeeping have cleaned all the guest cabins in preparation for the arrivals. Rose's friend Cindy arrives tomorrow. She'll stay here in the ranch in one of the spare rooms. The other guests are arriving Friday - and I have enough food to feed an army."
"Good," nodded Hank. "Well done y'all." He smiled fondly at everyone. "As for Cindy, she'll be good for Rose. They're best friends."
Hank leaned back in his chair. He looked around the table, and he was thankful for the supportive presence of his family and friends.
"Y'all did great. Thanks for everything."
"You can relax now, son," smiled Isaac. "Go and get yourself an early night and catch up on some sleep."
"I might just do that," he nodded, happy but exhausted. "These past few days have been hell, but they're over now." He stood up. "Right - I'm gonna hit the sack. 'Night folks."
---oOo---
Scott and Brenda left the table and went to sit in the lounge.
"Are you ok, Scott?"
"Sure. I'm fine."
Brenda gave her younger son a contemplative look. There was something different about him - a subtle tension simmering away underneath. He was doing his best to hide it and he had probably fooled everyone else, but not her.
"I'm not so sure," she said. "You know you can talk to me - about anything. What's on your mind?"
"Nothing. I said I'm fine," Scott said sharply. But his hand shook a little as he reached for the remote and switched on the television.
Brenda had half a mind to pursue things, but Isaac entered the room and the moment was lost. The three of them watched the news channel for twenty minutes or so, and then Scott excused himself and left the room.
"Has he spoken to you about anything that might be bothering him?" Brenda asked.
"Scott? No. Not a thing. Why? Something I should know about?"
"There's something not quite right, but whatever it is, he's keeping it to himself. I hope he's not in trouble."
"Doubtful - he's fairly level headed. I'll ride with him tomorrow - see if he'll tell me anything."
"Good," nodded Brenda, "because there is something - I can sense it."
Isaac turned down the sound on the television. "Do y
ou sense anything else, Bren?"
"Bren. You haven't called me that in years. And no - I don't sense a thing. Should I?"
"Yup." He looked at her speculatively with his piercing blue eyes, his head very slightly to one side. It was a very knowing, very intimate look.
"Oh?" She recognised that look from long ago. It was the look he used to give her when she'd misbehaved in some way. It was the look he used to give her just before he paddled her butt. "I haven't a clue what you mean," she said airily.
"Then let me remind you." He took a step closer. "Who was it took Rose down town to Dempsey's bar?"
"Well I did of course. I don't deny it."
"You never told anyone you were taking her out. Don't misunderstand me Bren - I'm not the controlling person I used to be. I've grown up since then and learnt how to behave. But the point is, you didn't say a word to anyone - just got in the car and left. We were worried."
"Ok, I guess that's reasonable," conceded Brenda. "So I'll apologise for my thoughtlessness."
"Then you let her get drunk on margaritas - and Hank had already told you what she's like after a few drinks, yet you chose to ignore it. I know, because I was there when he told you."
"Ah. So he did." Brenda didn't like the way this conversation was going. "I forgot."
"You forgot."
"Uh huh." A pink blush coloured her face. She felt like a school kid being chastised.
"And what used to happen in the early years of our marriage when you 'forgot' something or otherwise acted in an irresponsible manner, hmmn?" he arched his eyebrow questioningly.
God, but she loved that look. It sent tingles up and down her spine.
"Um... er..." For some reason she was completely tongue-tied.
"Allow me to remind you. I gave you a spanking. Bare butt. Then you had to stand with your nose in the corner. Remember?"
She nodded, crimson-faced. "How could I ever forget," she said dryly.
"You know what I think, Bren?"
Love on a Ranch Box Set Page 12
