Rancher Rescue

The weight of those words sat heavier than a block of granite. Panic squeezed her chest. Her breath labored.

Brown eyes, rich, the color of newly turned fall leaves, set in an almost overwhelmingly attractive face stared at her. Before she could protest, his hand guided her face toward his shoulder.

“Don’t blame yourself,” he soothed. “Talk like that won’t bring him back.” His voice was a low rumble.

This close she could breathe in his scent. He smelled of fresh air and outdoors, masculine and virile. His mouth was so close to hers she could feel his cinnamon-scented breath on her skin.

She’d felt so alone, so guilty, and then suddenly this handsome cowboy was offering comfort.

Caleb pulled away too soon. Her mind was still trying to wrap itself around the fact a room could be charged with so much tension in less than a second, and in the next she could feel so guilty for allowing herself to get caught up in it.

The sounds of boots scuffling across tiles came from the other room. He inclined his chin toward the kitchen. “Sounds like we have company.”

He stood and held out his hand.

By the time Katherine limped into the kitchen with Caleb’s help, the table was filled with men. As soon as they saw her, chatter stopped and they stood. There were half a dozen cowboys surrounding the table.

“Ma’am.” Matt tipped his hat.

She smiled, nodded.

Caleb led her to the sink to wash her hands and blot her face with a cool, wet towel.

“Take my seat,” he said, urging her toward the head of the table.

Matt leaned forward, staring, lips pinched together.

As soon as she thanked the cowboy and sat, conversation resumed.

He handed her a plate of ribs and beans. She smiled up at him to show her gratitude.

He brought her fresh iced tea before making his own fixings and seating himself at the breakfast bar.

She looked down the table at the few guys. These must be the boys he’d referred to earlier.

Yep, he took care of everyone around him, including her.

* * *

WHENDINNERWASover, Caleb excused himself and moved to the back porch. Remnants of Katherine’s unique smell, a mix of spring flowers and vanilla, filled his senses when he was anywhere near her. He had to detach and analyze the situation. He needed a clear head. He could think outside.

Katherine had clearly been through hell. An unexpected death and a kidnapping within a week?

Before he could get too deep into that thought, the screen door creaked open and Matt walked out.

“Tough situation in there,” he said, nodding toward the house.

“You believe her now?”

“Hard to dispute the evidence.” He held his toothpick up to the light. “I didn’t mean to insult her before. I didn’t know what to believe.”

“Can’t say I wouldn’t be suspicious, too, if I hadn’t seen her moments after the fact.”

“I know you’re planning to help, and it’s the right thing to do, but is there something going on between you two?”

He clamped his mouth shut. Shock momentarily robbed his voice.

“No. Of course not. I met her five minutes ago. What makes you think otherwise?”

“You have a history of getting involved with women in crisis.”

“I’d help anyone who needed it.”

“True.”

Matt didn’t have to remind him of what he already knew. He had a knack for attracting women in trouble. Did he feel an attraction to Katherine? Yes. Was she beautiful? Yes. But he knew better than to act on it. The last time he’d rescued a woman, she’d returned the favor by breaking his heart. She’d let him help her, but then deserted him. He needed to keep his defenses up and not get involved with Katherine the way he did with the others. Period.

That being said, he wouldn’t turn away a woman in trouble. Did this have something to do with his twisted-up childhood? He was pretty damn sure Freud would think so.

Tension tightened Matt’s face. “Just be careful. When the last one walked out, she took a piece of you with her. You haven’t been the same since.”

“Not going to happen again.”

Matt arched his brow. “If I’m honest, I’m also bothered by the fact there’s a kid involved.”

Figured. Caleb knew exactly what his friend was talking about. “My ex and her little girl have nothing to do with this.”

“No? You sure about that?”

“I don’t see how Katherine’s nephew being kidnapped has anything to do with my past,” Caleb said. Impatience edged his tone.

“A woman shows up at your door with a kid in crisis and you can’t see anything familiar about it? I’ve known you a long time—”

“You don’t have to remind me.”

“Then you realize I wouldn’t come out of the blue with something. I think your judgment’s clouded.” Matt’s earnest eyes stared into Caleb. His buddy had had a ringside seat to the pain Cissy had caused when she’d walked out, taking Savannah with her. Matt’s intentions were pure gold, if not his reasoning.

“I disagree.” He couldn’t deny or explain his attraction to Katherine. It was more than helping out a random person in need. He could be honest with himself. He probably felt a certain amount of pull toward her because of the child involved. No doubt, the situation tugged at his heart. But he’d only just met her. He’d help her. She’d leave. Whether she was wearing his favorite color on her underwear or not, they’d both move on. He had no intention of finding out if the pale blue lace circled her tiny waist. He was stubborn, not stupid. “Nothing else matters until we find that little guy.”

“Saw the sheriff earlier.” Matt’s hands clenched. “Heard about the boy having a medical condition. What kind of person would snatch a little kid like that?”

Matt didn’t use the word monster, but Caleb knew his buddy well enough to know he thought it.

“That’s what I plan to find out.”

“You know I’ll help in any way I can. Then she can go home, and you can get on with your life.”

Caleb chewed on a toothpick. “How are the men taking everything?”

“Hard. Especially with Jimmy’s situation. He’s still out searching.”

“Meant to ask how his little girl’s doing when I saw him tonight.”

Matt shook his head. “Not good.”

Damn. “Send ’em home. They need to be with their families.”

“I think most of them want to be here to keep searching. Jimmy made up flyers. A few men headed into town to put the word out. Everyone wants to help with the search. They’re working out shifts to sleep.”

“Tell ’em how much I appreciate their efforts. We’ll do everything we can to make sure this boy comes home safe. And we won’t stop looking for him until we do.”

Matt nodded, his solemn expression intensifying when he said, “You be careful with yourself, too.”

“This is not like the others.”

“You don’t know that yet,” Matt said, deadpan.

Caleb bit back his response. Matt’s heart was in the right place. “Tell Gus I can’t meet tomorrow. I know the buyer wants to stop by, but I can’t.”

“This is the third time he’s set up a meeting. You haven’t liked anyone he’s found so far.”

“Can’t dump my mare on the first person that strolls in.”

“Or the second...or third apparently. Every time we breed her, the same thing happens. It’s been three years and not one of her foals has lived.”

“Which is exactly the reason I don’t want to sell her. What will end up happening to her when they realize she can’t produce? Besides, she’s useful around here.”

“How so? The men use four-wheelers so it won’t do any good to assign her to one of them. I have my horse and you have yours.”

“I’ll find more for her to do. Dawn’s getting older. I’ll use both. Not all lost causes are lost causes.”

Matt’s eyebrow rose as he turned toward the barn. “We’ll see.”

* * *

CALEBHADBEENburied in paperwork for a couple hours when Katherine appeared in his office doorway, leaning on the crutch.

“Mind some company?”

She wore an oversize sleep shirt and loose-fitting shorts cinched above the hips. Even clothes two sizes too big couldn’t cloak her sexy figure. Her soft curves would certainly get a man fantasizing about what was beneath those thin threads.

“Sure. Where’d you get the clothes?”

“Margaret put these on the bed with a note saying they belonged to her daughter. Even said I could borrow them as long as I needed to. I managed to clean up without getting my leg wet. I took a nap. I’m feeling much better.”

Katherine sat in the oversize leather chair Caleb loved. It was big enough for two. Claws hopped up a second later, curling in her lap.

“Any word from the sheriff yet?”

“No. I put in a call to him. Should hear back any minute. If your leg is feeling better in the morning, I thought we could head to Austin.”

“I want to stay here and search for my phone.”

“We’ll look first. Then we’ll head out. Any chance you have a copy of your sister’s keys?”

“Afraid not.”

“We’ll get in anyway.”

She cocked her head and pursed her lips. “Tell me not to ask why you know how to break in someone’s house.”

Caleb cracked a smile as he rubbed his temples. “Misspent youth. Besides, some secrets a man takes to his grave.” He chuckled. “I’ve been thinking. You have any idea if Noah’s father knew about him?”

Katherine heaved a sigh, twirling her fingers through Claws’s fur. “I should but don’t. My sister’s relationships were complicated. Especially ours.”

“Families can be tricky,” Caleb agreed.

“When our parents got in the car crash my freshman year of college, I resented having to come home to take care of her.” Katherine dropped her gaze. “I probably made everything worse. Did everything wrong.”

“Not an easy situation to be thrown into.”

Katherine’s lips trembled but no tears came.

“Leann had always been something of a free spirit. Her life was lived without a care in the world. I was the one who stressed over grades and stayed home on Friday nights to study or to help out around the house. My parents owned a small business and worked long hours. I was used to being alone. Leann, on the other hand, was always out with friends. The two of us couldn’t have been more opposite. Sometimes I wished I could have been more like her. Instead, I came down on her hard. Tried to force her to be more like me.”

“You had no choice but to be serious. Sounds like you were the one who had to grow up.” She was a survivor who coped the best way she could.

“What about your parents?” She turned the tables.

“My mom was a saint. The man who donated sperm? A jerk. Dad, if you can call him that, didn’t treat my mother very well before he decided to run out.” Caleb’s story was the same one being played out in every honky-tonk from there to the border. “I rebelled. I was angry at her for allowing him to hurt her when he was here. Angry with myself for not jumping in to save her. Mom worked herself too hard to pay the bills. Didn’t have insurance. Didn’t take care of her diabetes. Died when I was fifteen.” The familiar stab of anger and regret punctured him.

“Did you blame yourself?”

“I know a thing or two about feeling like you let someone down. Only hurt yourself with that kind of thinking, though. I found the past is better left there. Best to focus on the here and now. Do that well and the future will take care of itself.”

“Is that your way of saying I should let go?”

“I did plenty of things wrong when I was a child. You could say I was a handful. Dwelling on it doesn’t change what was.”

She studied the room. “Looks like you’re making up for it now.”

Pride filled his chest. “Never felt like I belonged anywhere before here.” He’d been restless lately though. Matt had said Caleb missed having little feet running around. The wounds were still raw from Cissy leaving. Another reason he should keep a safe distance from the woman curled up on his favorite chair. She looked as though she belonged there. “TorJake is a great home.”

“I love the name. How’d you come up with it?”

“My first big sale was a beautiful paint horse. The man who’d sold him to me when he was a pony said he tore up the ground like no other. He’d been calling him Speedy Jake. I joked that I should enter him over at Lone Star Park as ToreUpTheEarthJake. Somehow, his nickname got shortened to TorJake, and it stuck. Had to geld him early on to keep his temperament under control. He had the most interesting, well-defined markings I’ve ever seen. Sold him to a bigwig movie producer in Hollywood to use filming a Western. The sale allowed me to buy neighboring farms and eventually expand to what I have now.”

“Was it always your dream to own a horse ranch?”

“I figured I’d end up in jail or worse. When I landed a job at my first working ranch, I fell in love. A fellow by the name of Hank was an old pro working there. He taught me the ropes. Said he saw something in me. He never had kids of his own. Told me he went to war instead. Became a damn good marine. Special ops. He taught me everything I know about horse ranches and keeping myself out of trouble.”

“Where is he now?”

“He passed away last year.”

“I’m so sorry.” Her moment of distraction faded too fast, and he knew what she was thinking based on the change in her expression. “You don’t think they’ll hurt him, do you?”

He ground his back teeth. “I hope not. I don’t like this situation for more than the obvious reasons. This whole thing feels off. Your sister dies a week ago. Now this with Noah. Could the two be connected somehow?”

Katherine gasped. Her hand came up to cover her mouth. “I didn’t think about how odd the timing is.”

“Maybe she got in a fight with Noah’s father. Was about to reveal who he was. He could be someone prominent. Most missing children are taken by family members or acquaintances, once you rule out runaways, according to the sheriff.”

“Then what about the file?”

“I was thinking about that. Could be a paternity test.”

“If his father took him, at least Noah will be safe, right?” Katherine threaded her fingers through her hair, pulling it off her face.

“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.

“Why would they come looking for me? They said I had twenty-four hours. Why come after me before that?”

“Might be afraid you’ll alert the authorities, or disappear. Plus, they must’ve figured out your nephew needs medication since they asked what was wrong with him.”

“How did they find me?”

“There weren’t many places to look other than my ranch.”

“Good point.” She hated the thought of putting Caleb and his men in danger. At least the sheriff was there to defend them. He would have questions for the men in the SUV. He’d slow the plans of any attackers and keep Caleb’s crew safe. A little voice reminded her how the kidnappers had warned her about police involvement. She prayed Sheriff Coleman’s presence didn’t create a problem for Noah.

The trip was short and bumpy but allowed enough time for her eyes to adjust to the dark. Caleb cut the engine well before the clearing as she dug around in her purse for the keys.

“They might be watching your car, so we’ll need to play this the right way.” His earnest brown eyes intent on her, radiating confidence, were all she could see clearly in the dark.

A shiver cycled through her nerves, alighting her senses. It was a sensual feeling she was becoming accustomed to being this close to him. It spread warmth through her, and she felt a pull toward him stronger than the bond between nucleons in an atom. His quiet strength made her feel safe.

Caleb’s powerful arms wrapped around her, and she wanted to melt into him and disappear. Not now. She canceled the thought. Noah needed her. No amount of stress or fear would make her shrink. She would be strong so she could find him. Sheer force of will had her pushing forward.

“Wait here.” Caleb moved pantherlike from the tree line. Stealth. Intentional. Deadly. His deliberate movements told her there wasn’t much this cowboy had faced he couldn’t handle.

Katherine scanned the dark parking lot. She couldn’t see far but figured even a second’s notice would give Caleb a chance to react.

There was no one.

Nothing.

Except the din of the woods behind her. Around her. Surrounding her. A chilling symphony of chirping and sounds of the night.

Silently she waited for the all-clear or the telltale blast of his gun. For a split second she considered making a run for it. Maybe she could give herself up and beg for mercy before it was too late? Maybe the men would take her to Noah, and she could get his medicine to him now that she had her purse back?

Maybe they would take what they wanted and kill her?

They’d been ruthless so far. She had no doubt they would snap her neck faster than a branch if given the chance. Without his medicine, Noah would be dead, too.

All her hopes were riding on the unexpected hero cowboy, but what if he didn’t come back? What if he disappeared into the night and ended up injured, bleeding out or worse?

Caleb was strong and capable, but he had no idea what kind of enemy they were up against. A bullet didn’t discriminate between good and evil.

When the interior light of her car clicked on, she realized she’d been holding her breath. Caleb’s calm voice coaxed her.

Another wave of relief came when she slid into the passenger side and secured her seat belt. He put the car in Reverse and backed out of the parking space. The sound of gravel spinning under tires had never sounded so much like heaven.