Rancher Rescue

“It’s possible. I don’t mean any disrespect. Do you think it’s possible your sister was blackmailing him?”

“He didn’t pay child support. That much I know. I paid her tuition. She enrolled in a social program to help with Noah’s care. Got him into a great daycare. I was planning to move to Austin in a few months to be closer. I work for a multinational software company scheduling appointments for our trainers to visit customer sites, so it doesn’t matter where I live. I wanted to be close so I could help out more. I can’t help wondering what kind of person would hurt the mother of his child.”

“I’m probably grasping at straws. We’ll start with trying to figure out who he is. See what happens there.”

“She was reckless before Noah. I thought her life was on track since his diagnosis. She got a part-time job at a coffee shop and enrolled in community college. She reconnected with me.”

His ring tone cut into the conversation. “It’s Matt.” He brought the phone to his ear. “What’s the word?”

“Jimmy found two things out at the Reynolds’ place. A stuffed rabbit and a cell. I told him to meet me at your place.”

“I appreciate the news. We’ll keep watch for you.”

Caleb hit End and told Katherine what his ranch hand had found.

“I hope I got a shot of someone. They wore dark sunglasses, so their faces might be hard to make out, but maybe I captured someone else involved. Like the man who distracted me.”

“Either way, we’ll know in a minute.” Wouldn’t do any good to set false expectations. And yet, hope was all she had.

Looking into her violet eyes, damned if he wasn’t the one who wanted to put it there.

A knock at the door had him to his feet faster than he could tack a horse, and tossing a throw blanket toward Katherine.

Caleb led Jimmy and Matt into the study. After a quick introduction, Jimmy advanced toward Katherine, carrying a phone. “Found this along the tree line by the Reynolds’ place. Look familiar?”

“Yes, thank you. That looks like mine.” Katherine’s eyes sparkled with the first sign of optimism since Caleb had found her in the woods. She checked the screen. “Seven missed calls and a voice mail.”

Another knock sounded at the door. Caleb walked Sheriff Coleman into the study a moment later, before moving to her side. The hope in her eyes was another hint of light in the middle of darkness and blackness, and every worst fear realized.

“Put it on speaker.”

“I’m praying the message is from the kidnappers, but I’m scared it’s them, too.”

Caleb tensed. “Whatever’s on that phone, we’ll deal with it.”

Her gaze locked on to his as she held up the cell and listened.

“What’s wrong with the boy? You have twenty-four hours to help me figure it out and get me the file. I’ll call back with instructions. No more games. Think about it. Tick. Tock.”

Click.

Caleb took the phone and scanned the log. “Private number.” He looked at Coleman. “There any way to trace this call?”

“Doubt it. They’re probably smart enough to use a throwaway. We’ll check anyway.” Coleman scribbled fresh notes. “You mentioned the file before. Has anything come to mind since we last spoke?”

Katherine shook her head. “I’ve been guessing they mean a computer file, but I’m not positive. It could be anything.”

Outside, gravel spewed underneath tires. Caleb moved to the window. Two dark SUVs with blacked-out windows came barreling down the drive. “Sheriff, you tell anybody you were coming here?”

Coleman shook his head. “Didn’t even tell my dispatcher.”

Katherine’s eyes pleaded. She wrapped the blanket around her tighter, clutching the stuffed rabbit Jimmy had handed her. “I don’t have the first clue what file they’re talking about. As soon as they realize it, they’ll kill us both. Don’t let them near me.”

“Dammit. They must’ve followed someone here. The sheriff can cover for us.” Caleb pulled Katherine to her feet as she gripped her handbag. He moved to the kitchen door, stopping long enough for her to slip on her sandals before looking back at his men.

“Can you cover me?”

Chapter Four

Caleb’s arm, locked like a vise around Katherine’s waist, was the only thing holding her upright.

The barn wasn’t far but any slip, any yelp, and the men would barrel down on them. The lightest pressure on her leg caused blood to pulse painfully down her calf. She breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth, slowly, trying to keep her breaths equal lengths and her heart rate calm.

Could the darkness cloak them? Hide them from the danger not a hundred yards away?

Katherine squinted.

The glow from lamplight illuminated the parking pad. There were two men. Dark suits. A wave of déjà vu slammed into her like a hard swell.

They weren’t close enough to make out facial features. Only stature. They looked like linebackers. Had the man with the jagged scar etched in his overly tanned face come back to kill her? He would haunt her memory forever.

Her pulse hammered at the recollection. “Even if you have a car stashed here somewhere, they’ll never let us get past them.”

“Don’t need to.”

“If you have another plan besides trying to barrel through them, or sneak around them, I’m all ears.” She glanced at her bad leg and frowned.

“You still have your keys?”

She nodded, tucking the rabbit into her purse.

“Then we’ll take your car.”

“How will we do that? It’s too far. I doubt I could get there unless you carried me.” He seemed perfectly able to do just that.

“Won’t have to. You’ll see why.” Caleb leaned her against the side of a tree near the back door of the barn. “Wait here.”

She didn’t want to be anywhere else but near him.

A moment later he pushed an ATV next to her. A long-barreled gun extended from his hand. A rifle? Katherine wouldn’t know a shotgun from an AK-47. She only knew the names of those two from watching TV.

“This’ll get us there.” He patted the seat.

She glided onto the back with his help.

He slid a powerful leg in front of her and gripped the bars. “I think we’re far enough away. The barn should block some of the noise. Hang on tight just in case they hear us.”

Katherine clasped her hands around his midsection. His abdominal muscles were rock-solid. Was there a weak spot on his body? She allowed his strength to ease the tension knotting her shoulders. His warmth to calm her shaking arms.