Running Scared

by Shirlee McCoy

  “Just the tow truck driver.”

  “Tow truck driver?”

  “He was dropping off Maggie’s car. It had slid off the road and into a ditch.”

  “Did you get the name of the driver?”

  “Maggie mentioned the name Adam, but I’m not sure that was him.”

  “Was he still there when you left?”

  “No, and he never even spoke to Maggie. Just left the car and took off.”

  “And you saw no one else?”

  “No. There wasn’t a car on the road on my way back here. It’s not a good night to be out.”

  “It isn’t, but that didn’t stop you and someone else from getting to Maggie’s place.”

  “You said she was attacked. What happened?”

  “She was shot.”

  “Shot?” It wasn’t an attack then. It was an attempted murder. Imagining Maggie lying in her house wounded and scared, made him want to find the shooter and teach him a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget.

  “Yeah. She was lucky, though. The bullet went through the fleshy part of her shoulder, and the doc says she’ll make a full recovery.”

  “Did she see the guy who did it?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “Does she have any idea who it might be?”

  “I’m not at liberty to say.” Which meant Maggie had an idea, but the deputy didn’t plan to share it.

  That was fine. Kane was more than willing to ask Maggie the same question.

  “Which hospital was she taken to?”

  “Spokane Valley. It’s a thirty-minute drive, though, so you may want to wait until tomorrow to visit her.”

  “I told Eli I’d check on her, and that’s what I plan to do.”

  “Why don’t I escort you over there then? I’m heading in that direction anyway.”

  “Thanks. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”

  “If you think of anything else, give the sheriff’s office a call.”

  “I will.” Kane got out of the cruiser and hurried to his rental, his mind spinning with possibilities. Maggie had seemed nervous and scared when they’d met. That, combined with the deputy’s refusal to answer Kane’s question about whether or not she’d had any idea who’d shot her, indicated that there was something more going on than a random attack.

  Had the attack happened because of what she’d done for Kane and Eli?

  She’d made it very clear she didn’t want her picture in the news, and it had been. Kane had seen her in a photo that had flashed across the television screen while Eli was getting ready for bed.

  Had that been what led to the attack?

  Kane didn’t know, but he planned to find out. Maggie might not want his help, but he owed it to her, and he’d do whatever it took to make sure she stayed safe.

  FIVE

  Maggie hated hospitals. The scents, the sounds, the hushed anticipation that always seemed to hang in the air. People suffered in hospitals. They died there. She’d watched her grandmother breathe her last breath on a sterile hospital gurney. She’d sat beside her mother’s hospital bed one too many times after she’d overdosed on drugs and been rushed to the emergency room. Four years ago, Maggie had followed an ambulance as it brought her mother’s nearly lifeless body to the hospital for one last futile attempt to resuscitate. She’d promised herself then that she wouldn’t follow in her mother’s footsteps. She’d given up drugs, given up alcohol, given up the hard-partying lifestyle that had led her to Derrick.

  That had been the beginning of the end of their relationship.

  But it hadn’t been over.

  Maggie had known too much about Derrick’s business. Not the car dealership that he claimed made him millions, but the illicit drug trade that he’d been part of. He hadn’t planned on letting her walk away from their relationship. She’d known it as surely as she’d known that going to the police with information about Derrick’s drug connections would be futile. She’d tried anyway, hoping that what she knew would put Derrick away for the rest of his life. He hadn’t even been put away for a day, and he’d vowed to repay her for her betrayal. She’d known he meant it, and she’d run, hoping that putting distance between them would keep her safe.

  And now she was pacing a sterile hospital room, trying desperately to believe that the person who’d shot her hadn’t been sent by Derrick.

  She shuddered, glancing at the closed door and wishing there was a lock she could turn to keep danger out.

  But there isn’t, so do the smart thing and leave. She turned quickly, swaying from a combination of blood loss and pain medication. She was fuzzy-headed, but not so fuzzy-headed that she didn’t know what staying in the hospital room made her—a sitting duck.

  Her duffel bag was lying on the chair where a kind nurse had left it, and Maggie scrounged through it, pulling out a pair of gray corduroy pants and a white three-button sweater that she thought she could wiggle into, shoulder bandages and all.

  It didn’t take long to change from the hospital gown into street clothes, and Maggie managed to scrape her hair into a ponytail and shove her feet into sneakers with barely a twinge from her gunshot wound. Maybe adrenaline deadened pain, or maybe the pain meds she’d been given really were doing their job. Either way, Maggie planned to find a way out of town before the effects wore off.

  She grabbed the duffel, checked to make sure her wallet was inside and left the room, her stomach sick with the reality of what she was doing. Soon she’d be leaving everything behind. Her friends. Her church. Her job. Eli.

  How would he feel when he found she was gone?

  The question followed her as she stepped into the corridor and walked to the nurses’ station. A twenty-something nurse smiled as Maggie approached. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m Maggie Tennyson. Room 509. I’ve decided not to stay the night. Can you let my doctor know?”

  “You can’t leave.” She looked appalled, her deep-brown eyes wide with concern.

  “Yes. I can.”

  “Dr. Stevenson wanted to run another blood panel before you leave. If you wait in your room, I’ll see if we can do that now rather than tomorrow morning.”

  “I can’t wait. Thank you, though.”

  “But—”

  “I appreciate the wonderful care I’ve had while I was here, but I really do think I’ll be more comfortable at home.” Maggie smiled and turned away, hurrying to the elevator across from the nurses’ station, slamming her finger on the button, half afraid security personnel would swoop in and force her back to the room.

  The door opened, and she stepped in, pushing the button for the lobby and feeling like a criminal escaping the scene of a crime. Would someone be waiting below to escort her back up?

  Of course not. It was a free country, after all. She hadn’t committed a crime, and there was no reason why she couldn’t go where she wanted when she wanted.

  She straightened her shoulders, stepped off the elevator and straight into a warm, hard chest. She stumbled back, nearly falling as she struggled to regain her balance.

  “Careful.” Hands cupped her upper arms, holding her in place, and she looked up into the calm, handsome face of Kane Dougherty.

  “Kane! What are you doing here?”

  “I could ask you the same question. Last I heard, you’d been admitted and were staying the night.” He studied her face, his eyes deep emerald, his dark hair wet from rain and melting ice.

  Maggie’s breath caught, the slow tumble of her stomach, the quick throb of her pulse, surprising her. She could not be attracted to Kane. She would not be. She’d learned her lesson about love a long time ago. She didn’t plan to forget it.

  “Who did you hear that from? I haven’t even called Edith, yet.”

  “A deputy came to see me. He said you’d been shot.”

  “Barely.”

  “I didn’t realize that was possible.” He cocked his head to the side, the angle of his jaw, the shape of his eyes, the intent, solemn look on his fa
ce reminding her of Eli. But Kane was no boy. He was a full-grown, good-looking, trouble-causing man.

  She didn’t need to know him to know that.

  There hadn’t been a man in Maggie’s life who hadn’t caused more trouble than he was worth.

  “Didn’t realize what was possible?”

  “To be barely shot. I figure a person either is shot or she isn’t.” He offered a quick smile.

  “The doctor says I’ll heal completely. And, really, it barely hurts.”

  “Maybe not, but you look pale. Are you sure you should be leaving the hospital?”

  “I’ll recuperate better at home in my own bed.” Or in a hotel room where no one could find her. Not Kane. Not the police. Not Derrick.

  She started to cross the lobby, but Kane put a hand on her arm, his fingers warm and compelling through her cardigan. “You’re running from something, Maggie. What is it?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Of course you do. You were running when I found you walking along the road, and you’re running now. Who’s after you?”

  “Why does someone have to be after me? Why can’t I just be a woman who wants a little time alone?” she asked, refusing to let herself be pulled into offering excuses. She didn’t owe Kane any.

  “Because you were scared when we met, and you’re scared now. And because someone shot you a couple of hours after your photo was in the news. That isn’t coincidence, is it, Maggie? You were hiding from someone, and now he’s found you.”

  Shocked, she didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know if she should admit the truth or keep trying to hide it.

  Finally, she did the only thing she could.

  “Look, Kane, you and Eli have enough to deal with. You don’t need to add my troubles into the mix. Go back to the hotel, go back to your son and stop worrying about me.”

  “That’s not possible. What you did for me and for Eli makes you family, and I never turn my back on family.”

  “You’re wrong. I’m not family. I’m just a stranger who happened to touch your lives for a little while. In a few days, you’ll forget I even exist.” She tugged away from his hand, walked to the automatic doors and stepped out into the freezing rain, her chest hot and tight with emotions she didn’t want to feel.

  There had been so many times in her life when she’d longed to hear someone say what Kane had. So many times when all she’d wanted was to be part of a loving family.

  “Do you have a ride?” He walked up behind her but didn’t touch her again, didn’t ask why she was running, where she was going, didn’t mention family.

  “No. I guess I wasn’t thinking very far ahead.”

  “Then I guess it’s good I’m here. Where are you heading?”

  The bus station, the airport, the train station. Anywhere but Deer Park.

  “I don’t know.” Her voice broke, and Maggie pressed her lips together. No way was she going to break down in front of Kane.

  “Then take the night to think about it. Get a little sleep, talk to the sheriff again, figure out what all your options are. If you still think you need to run, then do it. But do it smart, not scared.” He spoke quietly, not trying to change her mind, simply trying to make her see what she should have before. Running when she was exhausted, hurt and mentally spent wasn’t smart, and being smart was the only thing that was going to keep her alive.

  “You’re right. I need to make some plans.”

  “If you want help doing it, I’m here.” Fabric rustled, and a warm coat settled on Maggie’s shoulders. It smelled of icy rain and of Kane, and she didn’t know whether she should burrow into it or take it off.

  “You’re going to freeze,” she said as Kane stepped in front of her and tugged the coat closed. His knuckles brushed her collar bone, and Maggie shivered in response.

  “Based on the way you’re shivering, I think you need the coat more than I do.” Hospital lights spilled onto his hair and face, casting shadows and deepening the hard angles of his jaw and cheekbones. He looked mysterious and compelling. A hero come to life, offering his coat and his protection. At that moment, Maggie wanted to believe she could accept them and not regret it later.

  “Kane—”

  “Come on. Let’s get in the car before we both turn to icicles.” He led her through the quiet parking garage, his hand on her wrist, his touch light and gentle. He was the kind of guy she’d once dreamed of meeting, the kind who would offer a coat or a ride or a smile.

  All she’d met were guys who’d offered nothing but lies and who’d known nothing about family, sacrifice or love.

  She shivered again, pulling the coat even closer, allowing herself to enjoy its warmth for just that moment. Tomorrow would be a new day. She’d have to make decisions, act on them, but for tonight, she’d simply pretend that she really was Maggie Tennyson—student, teacher’s aide, law-abiding citizen. A woman without a past, without mistakes that haunted her.

  “Here we are.” Kane opened the door to the SUV, waited while Maggie got inside and then rounded the car to join her. “Are we headed to your country house or to your apartment?”

  Maggie hesitated. There was no way she wanted to return to her house, but she didn’t want to bring danger to Edith, either. “I’m not sure.”

  “Your house is isolated. I’d hate to think of you out there by yourself.”

  “And I’d hate for the guy who shot me to show up on Edith’s doorstep.”

  “How about I call the sheriff and see if he’s willing to have a patrol car stationed outside her house for the night? If he can’t, you can always stay at the hotel with me and my family.”

  “And give the reporters something to speculate about? I’d rather take my chances at my place.”

  “Really?”

  “No.” She sighed. The day was definitely not going the way she’d hoped. “Go ahead and call the sheriff. If he can’t manage the patrol car, I’ll go to the hotel, but I’m not staying with your family.”

  She leaned her head against the seat as Kane called the sheriff’s office, wishing she could go back to the harvest party and keep from being photographed. She’d been so careful for so long, but Deer Park felt like home, and she’d let her guard down. Allowed herself to believe that the past was truly behind her.

  That had been her first mistake.

  She couldn’t afford to make any more.

  “Okay. We’re set. A sheriff’s deputy will park outside Edith’s house for the night.” Kane broke into her thoughts, and Maggie straightened.

  “Thank you.”

  “All I did was make a phone call.”

  “You also came to the hospital to make sure I was all right, and you’re giving me a ride home.”

  “That’s nothing compared—”

  “Let’s not. Compare, I mean. I helped Eli because it was the right thing to do. I don’t want or need to be repaid.”

  “Who said anything about repaying?”

  “You did earlier. Besides, why else would you be here?”

  “I heard you’d been hurt and wanted to make sure you were okay. Isn’t that reason enough?” He pulled out into the road, its slick surface shining in the headlights.

  “Yes.” But she wasn’t sure it was. Her life was too complicated already. She didn’t need to add a man like Kane into the mix.

  “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “I already told you, I don’t want any part of the media blitz that’s going on in town.”

  “Would you rather I bring you back to the hospital? You can call someone else to come give you a ride. Maybe a family member or a friend.”

  “My friends are all sound asleep, and I don’t have any family around.”

  “You didn’t grow up here?”

  “I grew up in Florida.”

  “Yeah? What part?”

  “Mia—” Maggie frowned. “Are you interrogating me?”

  “I prefer to think of it as an interview.” He offered a brief
smile, and Maggie frowned.

  “An interview for what?”

  “I can’t help you if I don’t know what kind of trouble you’re in.” He pulled up in front of Edith’s house, flashing his headlights at a police cruiser parked on the street a few yards away.

  “The police are helping me, Kane. All you should be doing is helping your son.”

  “I’m capable of doing more than one thing at a time.”

  “I—”

  “It’s late. We’re both exhausted. How about we save the argument for another day.”

  He was right, of course. Spending time discussing all the reasons why he shouldn’t get involved in her troubles wasn’t going to do either of them any good. She pushed the door open and hopped out of the car, grabbing her duffel and offering Kane a smile that felt stiff. “Thanks for the ride.”

  “Anytime.” He followed her out of the car and up to Edith’s front door, waiting as she dug the keys from her duffel.

  “Good night.” She started to open the door, but he put a hand on her arm, holding her in place.

  “The deputy I spoke to seemed to think you might have some idea of who shot you tonight.”

  She wanted to ignore the comment or to pretend she didn’t know what he was talking about, but neither would change the truth. “I’ve got a past, Kane. It’s not one I’m proud of, and it isn’t one I talk about. It’s possible it’s finally caught up with me.”

  “I don’t suppose you want to explain.”

  “I explained to the sheriff. He knows everything he needs to.” And it hadn’t been easy telling him. Her past wasn’t something she liked to talk about. She’d made money the easiest way she could and spent it on drugs and parties. That had been her downfall, but it had also led to her redemption.

  She opened the door and stepped into the dark foyer, turning to offer Kane what she hoped was a relaxed smile. “Thank you again for the ride.”

  “Maggie—”

  “My past isn’t open for discussion.”

  “What about your plans?”

  “Plans?”

  “Are you going to stay in Deer Park or run?”

  “I haven’t decided.”

  “Let me know one way or another, okay?”