Heather frowned. “Did they say how long it might possibly be before Mr. Powers regains consciousness?”
“The doctor seemed hopeful by tomorrow morning. They had to pump him full of donor blood and are keeping him sedated for now. Apparently, when EMS brought him in, he woke up briefly and was extremely agitated.”
“Of course,” Heather said. “Sedated makes sense. He needs to heal for a bit before they bring him out of it. If he wakes up and realizes he’s under arrest, he could get violent and break open that surgical site.” She drew in a breath and turned to Travis. “All right. I’m ready when you are.”
Travis nodded. “When do you plan to search the home?”
“Depends on when the judge signs the warrant, but I’m guessing in a couple of hours. By the time you get to your place, I might have something for you. Hopefully a location on the second kidnapper and whoever hired them to snatch you. Once we find the second one and have them both in custody, we can play them against each other. Maybe one of them will spill how they knew where to plant that explosive.”
Heather rubbed her eyes. “Fine. If I don’t get some rest, I’m not going to be good for anything anyway.” And she was used to long hours and sleepless nights.
Travis clasped her hand. “Come on. We’ll come back in the morning—or whenever we learn that he’s awake.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, indecisive, her gaze bouncing between the two men.
“Heather,” Caden said, “let us do our job. Your being here isn’t going to hurry things along or change anything. You know I can’t let you see the man until after we’ve finished questioning him anyway.”
She grimaced. “I know.”
“Then go get some rest and I’ll catch you two up when I’m able.”
Heather let out a low groan. “Okay, fine.”
Travis led her toward the elevator. Heather was fine with the thought of getting some rest. Maybe once she could think straight, she’d be able to put all the pieces together for a clear picture on why someone was after her.
Maybe.
Caden met Zane on the front porch of the Powerses’ middle-class home. It was a traditional two-story brick house that could use some attention to the yard. A soccer ball and a bicycle graced the driveway. Mrs. Powers was at the hospital but had asked a neighbor to open the home when she’d been told about the warrant.
“His wife didn’t even hesitate to cooperate,” Zane said.
“I think she’s in shock. Where are the kids?”
“With the neighbor who let us in.” Zane handed Caden a pair of blue gloves before pulling on his own. “You think Powers was dumb enough to leave evidence behind?”
“He was dumb enough to use that cabin, so I’m not above hoping.”
“Good point.”
Caden stepped inside and found the agents going through the home with methodical precision. “Keep an eye out for anything that might suggest this guy has ties to someone in Afghanistan.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Just a hunch mostly. We’ve already run Heather’s past surgical patient records, and none of them have thrown up any red flags. Not even the ones who didn’t make it off the operating table alive.”
“I bet that warrant was fun to get.”
“Yeah, I jumped through a few hoops and called in a lot of favors. All that matters is we got it done.” To no avail. “But the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced her problems really didn’t start until after that video came out.”
“You think someone’s so mad about her trying to save a suicide bomber that they’d come after her?”
“It’s not the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“Yeah, me either.” His partner shook his head, and Caden threw himself into helping with the search, unsure of what he was looking for but fairly confident he’d know it if he saw it.
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
Travis pulled into his parents’ long dirt drive, and the truck bounced toward the house that sat at the top of the hill. The drive ran along one edge of the property, and as he rounded the next curve, he could see the whole ranch.
Heather gasped. “It’s beautiful!”
“Thanks. I feel blessed I get to call it home.” The mountains in the distance surrounded the rolling valley, protecting both the livestock and the family. He and his dad had hiked over almost all the sixty-five acres in the time they’d lived there, discovering the secrets, the treasures, and yes, even the dangers of the land. Cliffs jutted from the majestic peaks, beckoning the more adventurous, a warning to the unaware and unprepared.
He never tired of seeing the “homestead,” as his mother called it, but one day, he planned to pave the driveway and save the suspensions on all their vehicles.
He pointed to a two-story home on a smaller hill. “That’s my sister and her family’s place.”
“The horses in the pasture make it postcard perfect.”
“Wouldn’t be home without horses.” Four of them grazed in a nearby pasture, manes and tails blowing in the wind. “That’s Herman, Iggy, Louie, and Marie.”
“I love the names.”
“Herman is the old man of the bunch. It’s good to see him out there, but he probably won’t be with us much longer. He’s got cancer and is going downhill fast.”
She frowned. “That’s so sad.”
“Yeah, it is. He’s Sandra’s horse. She’s had him since she was fifteen.”
“I’ve never had an animal other than the ones in the foster homes when I was there, but I know people love them like family members.”
She drew in a deep breath, her shoulders relaxing, her tension seeming to ebb a bit. Good. The place did the same thing for him, lowering his stress level and blood pressure several notches.
“This whole area is breathtaking,” she said. “I love the mountains. I bet the sunrise is incredible.”
“It’s indescribable.” While he never tired of seeing the property, this time he pictured how it would look through her eyes and smiled. He loved all of it—the horses, the cows in the back pasture, the rolling hills that would be green come springtime, and the mountains surrounding the property.
She shifted her attention back to him. “Do you miss Texas?”
“Sometimes. Not as much as I used to. Having the family here helps a lot. When Joe, my sister’s husband, got this job in Asheville, Mom and Dad couldn’t resist moving to be close to both of their kids and grandkids, but they didn’t want to live in the city. They wanted something that reminded them of Texas. Campobello was the compromise. They get country living close to city convenience.”
“Sounds ideal. What does Joe do?”
“He’s an electrical engineer and works very long hours.” Travis rounded a curve and pointed again. “That’s my home. I just finished building it about four months ago. Sandra and Mom helped me decorate it.”
“I’m sure they loved that.”
“They did. I’m just glad it’s done. I can’t tell you how many texts and phone calls I had to answer about paint color, fabric patterns, and picture themes.”
She laughed. “I’m sure it’s lovely.”
Two barking dogs raced from the barn, their yips making him smile. “That’s Bart and Dart. They’re Australian shepherds and do a good job bringing in the cows when it’s time.”
“Cows? What cows?”
“In the back pasture. You can’t see them from here.” He parked the truck in front of his parents’ house and shut off the engine before turning to her. “Do you ride?”
“Cows? Not recently.”
He snorted, then chuckled. “Horses, silly, but if cows are your preference . . .”
She laughed. A deep belly laugh that caught and held his attention. Her mirth faded when she caught him watching. “What?”
“Uh, nothing.”
“Not nothing. You were looking at me in a . . . way.”
Caught. He cleared his throat. “What way?”
> “You tell me.”
“I don’t think I’m intimidated by you anymore.”
“No?” This time her laugh held a breathy quality. “I’ll have to work on that.”
He smiled. “You know I’ve been wanting to do something almost since I met you.”
Her eyes sparked. “Oh?”
“Oh.” He slid a hand around the nape of her neck, and she shifted closer, watchful, wary, but with apprehension mixed with a longing even a blind man would recognize. He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. Then her nose. Her eyes fluttered shut and he let his lips feather across hers in a brief, barely there touch. When he drew back, her eyes opened and he ran a thumb over her cheek, marveling at the softness.
“That’s it? That’s what you wanted to do?” she asked, amusement replacing her earlier trepidation.
“Not exactly, but it’ll have to do for now. My mother is walking this way.”
Heather’s cheeks went bright red, and she tilted away from him. “Glad you noticed that.”
He laughed and opened the door. The dogs attacked him with wagging tails and whimpers of delight. He scratched ears and rubbed bellies until he stopped to hug his mother.
“Glad you made it in time for dinner,” she said.
His stomach rumbled in response. “Wasn’t going to miss it.”
“Your sister and the kids are coming too. Joe is working late tonight on that project.”
“Surprise, surprise.”
“Now, son, Joe’s a good man.”
“He’s a workaholic, but yes, he’s a decent guy. He doesn’t deserve Sandra, though.”
She chuckled. “No man would be good enough for your sister.”
That was true enough. “I have someone I want to introduce you to.”
“I’ve been wanting to meet her since I stepped out of the house.”
So, she’d caught a glimpse of him kissing Heather. Even while the rush of heat climbed into his cheeks, a chill settled around his heart. Not that he cared if someone saw his affection for the woman waiting for him to introduce her, but he shouldn’t have allowed himself to be distracted. That could be a costly mistake.
Making a mental note not to let it happen again, he made an effort to slow down his growing feelings for the pretty surgeon and held out a hand. When she slipped her palm against his, real terror threaded through his veins. He didn’t want to lose her. He wanted a chance with her. A chance to explore what could be. After he made sure she was safe.
“Travis? Hello?”
He blinked. His mother stared at him half amused, half worried. “Sorry. Mom, this is Heather. Heather, this is Mom, but I’m sure she’ll let you call her Debra.”
“Of course.” His mother clasped Heather’s free hand between her palms. “Travis said you’ve been having some trouble. We’ve got plenty of room, watchdogs, and rifles. We’ll take good care of you.”
“Oh! Thank you, but I don’t expect—”
Travis nudged her, and she shot him a wide-eyed look, then cleared her throat.
“Let me just leave it at thank you.”
When his mom’s gaze bounced between the two of them and her eyes narrowed, Travis nodded to the house. “We’re going to stay with you and Dad. I think the more people around, the better.”
“That works for us. It’ll be nice to have the rooms filled up again. Heather, I think you’ll like the sunflower room.” She turned to head back into the house.
“Love the golf cart,” Heather said to Travis.
“It’s handy for them to go back and forth between the houses. Mom says she likes driving it better than her car.” Travis took the small carry-on bag from Heather. “Let’s get you settled, then we’ll check in with Caden.”
“Right. Sure. Let’s do that.”
He frowned at her. “You okay?”
“I’m just . . .” She smiled, but it looked forced to him. “Yes, I’m okay. Lead on, I’m right behind you.”
Heather knew she sounded dazed, but that was only because she was. Sideswiped. That was it. Among other feelings. Not to mention completely exhausted and running on fumes. But at least one of those feelings included safe. The house wasn’t huge, but it was roomy and well laid out. The front door led to a two-story foyer. To the left was the dining room, to the right a living room that held a baby grand piano.
Travis led her straight through to the den, then turned left down a hallway. His mother followed, after snatching several towels from a linen closet.
She handed them to Heather at the bedroom door and Heather breathed in the fresh just-out-of-the-dryer scent. “If you need more, they’ll be in the closet inside the bathroom. This room has an en suite, so you should have all the privacy you need.”
“I can’t thank you enough,” Heather said.
“Happy to do it, hon. Make yourself at home. Don’t be walking on eggshells around here.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Heather wanted to hug her.
The woman turned to Travis. “You know where to park your boots, son.”
“I do. Thanks, Mom.”
She hurried back toward the kitchen. “Dinner is in thirty minutes. Your sister’s on the way and your dad is cleaning up in the barn. He’s been spending a lot of time with Herman. That poor horse is down to his last few days, maybe hours.”
Travis flinched. “I was afraid of that.” He returned his attention to Heather, his eyes soft, but his posture stiff.
Heather frowned at the vibes coming from him. He’d kissed her not ten minutes ago and now he was distancing himself?
“Do you want to eat or sleep?” he asked. “I can always bring you a tray or you can raid the leftovers when you wake up.”
She pulled her mind from her confusion about his weird behavior and debated. “Uh . . . yes, sure. I think I’d better eat something before sleeping. If I can actually sleep.”
“You need to. So do I.”
She gave a slow nod. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
“You’re distancing yourself from me. Mentally and physically. Why? If you don’t want me here, I’ll leave.” She’d lived in too many places where she was unwanted. She wouldn’t do it again.
“What? No. No, no, no. You’re misunderstanding.”
“But I’m right. You’ve got this”—she waved a hand between them—“this I don’t know what. But something’s changed from the car to now.”
He dropped his chin to his chest. “Yeah. I got scared.”
Heather frowned. “Okay. Could I have a little more detail?”
He lifted a hand and traced it down her cheek. Heather swallowed, desperate to know what was going through his head.
“I got distracted. By you. By my . . . feelings for you. At that point, someone could have attacked and I would have been blindsided. My priority needs to be protecting you, not kissing you.”
“I see.” It wasn’t that he didn’t want her there, he was worried he’d fail her. The thought was enough to close her throat up and send cracks all through the wall around her heart. She needed to change the subject before she blubbered all over his shirt again.
“Good.” He stepped back and stopped, his eyes on her face. “What is it?”
“What happens if someone managed to follow us?”
“No one did. And the truck was clean for trackers. I checked it before we left. My dad is a former Texas Ranger. I’ve filled him in a bit, and he’s already arranged to have some of the hands patrol the property tonight.”
Heather bit her lip.
“You’re going to be all right, Heather, I promise.”
“You sound really sure about that.”
“There’s no other option. There can’t be.”
She nodded. “I appreciate that, but you can’t promise that.”
“It’s a promise to myself as much as you.” He rolled the little suitcase inside the room. “Want to meet me in the den in fifteen minutes?”
“Of course.
”
His gaze lingered on her eyes, dropped to her lips, then back up. Her stomach flipped, and she swallowed, thinking about that kiss. “Travis?”
“Yeah. Um . . . yeah.” He drew in a deep breath and shot her a tight smile. “See you in a few.”
With that he left, and she dropped onto the bed, burying her face in the pillow. She was tempted to shut her eyes but figured if she did, she might not wake up for a week.
And she was hungry.
After freshening up in the bathroom, she headed for the den, where she found Travis hugging a young woman with dark hair. The woman held a baby in the crook of her elbow. When the baby caught sight of Heather, she kicked her legs, babbled, then let out a screech of excitement.
Travis turned. “Heather, come meet Sandra, my big sister.”
“Hi.” Heather walked closer to tap the infant on the nose. The baby grinned and held out her arms. Heather laughed and scooped her up.
“Oh, thank you,” Sandra said. “She gets heavy fast.”
“What’s her name?”
“Lisa.”
“Mama, Jackie touched my leg!” A small body zipped past Heather and hid behind his mother’s legs. Another child just slightly older than the first rounded the corner and into the den, sliding on the hardwoods when she came to a sudden stop at the sight of Heather.
“And these are two more of my munchkins. Davey and Jackie.” She detached the little one from her leg. “This is Davey. He’s four. Jackie’s six. Jackie, don’t touch your brother.” She glanced in the direction of the kitchen. “Martin’s around here somewhere. He’s ten.”
“So very happy to meet you all.” The children seemed to forget about their squabble as they stared wide-eyed at the newcomer holding their sibling.
Travis’s mother entered the den, wiping her hands on a towel. “Well, we can go ahead and eat when y’all are ready.”
The kids raced for the table. “I’m sitting by Uncle Travis,” Jackie called.
“No! I am,” Davey countered.
He looked at Heather. “I guess I’m sitting in the middle.”
“Do you mind?” Sandra asked. “I know it’s a cop-out to let them fight about it, then get what they want, but I’m too tired to worry about it.”
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