Until There Was You

by Unknown

  “Yes.” The word came out without hesitation. Luke was a temptation she couldn’t afford.

  He pulled out his wallet and laid some bills on top of hers. “You won’t change your mind?”

  “No.”

  “In that case, why don’t we start looking now?”

  Surprise widened her eyes, then she remembered she was number twenty-eight. He probably couldn’t wait to get rid of her. Wasn’t that what she wanted? “Thanks, but I can do it myself.”

  “I insist,” he said, leading her to the back of the restaurant. “We’ll say goodbye to Brandon, then I’ll drive you around. I’ve lived in Santa Fe since I was a little boy. With my help, you won’t miss one place to rent a room.”

  SANTA FE HAD OVER FOUR THOUSAND ROOMS IN hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns. Catherine knew because she had read it in a brochure she had picked up in one of the many lobbies she had gone into inquiring about vacancies. There were none. After being told the same thing, numerous times and dreading going back to see Luke’s face, she had found a phone booth, taken out her calling card, and started through the yellow pages.

  The answer was always the same. No vacancy.

  She had traveled enough to know that there were rooms available, but she didn’t rank high enough to get them to release one. Her mother wouldn’t have any such difficulty. Her clout was what had prompted the New Mexico State Police to move so quickly. Helena had no shame in throwing United States Senator Elizabeth Stewart’s name around when she wanted people to move.

  If Catherine called her mother, she’d have a room in five minutes. But her mother would want an explanation as to why she had left the cabin. Telling her that she was wildly attracted to a man who was too perceptive about the troubles she was having, her trouble being her periods of forgetfulness, would only worry her and have her and the entire family on the next plane.

  Sighing, Catherine left the hotel. Darkness had fallen. The night was cool. She found Luke, arms folded, Stetson tipped down over his face, in the truck. As soon as she opened the door, he kicked up the brim of his hat with his thumb and flicked on the motor in one smooth motion.

  “There’s another one a block over.”

  “It’s full.”

  “The—”

  “It’s full, too.”

  He switched off the motor. “What do you want to do?”

  Her gaze straight ahead, her hands clutching her purse, she said, “Since you don’t want me at the cabin, I’m not sure.”

  “When did I say I didn’t want you at the cabin?”

  “You didn’t say it exactly. But you didn’t even let me go back to the cabin before you start looking for a room for me.” She tried to keep the unexpected hurt from her voice, but it slipped through.

  “Women.” He started the motor and pulled away from the curb. “I’ve been trying all afternoon to get you to stay at the cabin. You were determined not to listen. I figured the only way to let you get it out of your system was to let you see there were no rooms available. I wasn’t about to let you hunt on your own. As stubborn as you are, you probably would have slept in your car rather than call me to come get you.”

  “Come get me?”

  “You have no business driving that road at night,” he barked, slowing to let some jaywalking pedestrians cross the narrow streets. “Going up, the driver is on the cliff side.”

  He had taken her by surprise. Again. He was a man who took his responsibilities seriously. “Luke?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you.”

  He did a double take. He had expected her to come out swinging. Women.

  THE NEXT MORNING CATHERINE WOKE WITH A PLAN. Showering and dressing in a loose knit white top and navy slacks, she headed for the kitchen. She was going to cook breakfast for Luke. It was the least she could do after all he had done for her.

  She paused briefly in the large living area, marveling again at how beautiful the room was. The contemporary cabin was nothing like what she had expected. The hip roof with its concentric circle of logs, the track lighting, the almond-colored walls, and overstuffed furniture was inviting and homey. But she was learning to expect the unexpected from Luke. Last night was no exception.

  After they returned, she thought there would be some awkwardness about going to bed, but after making sure she didn’t need anything, he had said good night and gone to his room. Since it was only a little after eight, his early retirement had been for her benefit. Feeling somewhat bereft, she had gone to her room and instead of reading or working on her next children’s book, had prepared for bed.

  When she climbed beneath the covers, instead of tossing and worrying, she had another surprise. She had gone to sleep. Humming, she started for the kitchen again.

  Sometime during the night she had heard a guitar playing the tune on the radio. The melody was hauntingly beautiful and lonely. A lover looking for the other half of his lost soul. It was almost as if the music was playing just to her, for her. As if she were the other person being sought. Assured and strangely comforted, she had slept more peacefully than she had in months.

  Shaking her head at the impracticality of her thought, she opened one of the enameled overhead cabinets with its sleek, rounded corners, her hand already reaching for the package of freshly ground coffee she had brought with her. Her heart rate accelerated when she didn’t see the red package.

  She knew it was there. It had to be. Only yesterday morning she had made coffee. Opening cabinet after cabinet the results was always the same. No coffee. . . .

  “What are you looking for?”

  Whirling around, she stared into Luke’s puzzled features. Realizing she probably looked as frantic as she felt, she turned and opened another cabinet. “The coffee.”

  “You’re looking in the wrong place.”

  The silver knob of the cabinet in her hand, she turned back to him. “Where is it?”

  Going to the pantry at the end of the L-shaped kitchen, he picked up a can of coffee and held it out to her. “Here you go. Mary always makes sure we’re well-stocked.”

  She stared at the round blue and white can in growing fear. Her free hand flexed as she tried to keep her voice even. “Mine’s another brand. Maybe you moved it?”

  He set the can on the granite countertop, his gaze wary. “Sorry, I haven’t seen it.”

  Somehow she knew what his answer would be. She couldn’t go on like this. She had to know if she was going crazy. Slowly she closed the door. “I think I’ll go into town and buy some more.”

  “What wrong with this coffee?”

  “I like mine freshly ground,” she told him, already moving out of the kitchen to her bedroom. As she suspected, he followed.

  “I’ll drive you then.”

  She had expected that also. No one could ever accuse Luke of shirking his duties. Picking up her purse, she grabbed the car keys from the dresser. “No. It won’t take that long and I’ll be back before you know it.”

  “You’re going to a lot of trouble for a cup of coffee.” He followed her to the garage and opened the door for her.

  “Just call me eccentric.” She forced a smile and got into the car. She reached for the door. Luke stood in the way. “I really have to go.”

  For a long moment, he stared down at her. “Be careful driving down the mountain.”

  “I will.” The door closed. Putting the car into gear, she drove off.

  CATHERINE STOPPED AT THE FIRST STORE SHE CAME TO. Hurriedly she got out of the car and went to the pay phone at the end of the graveled parking lot. For once she had change. In a matter of moments her call had gone through. Her spirits plummeted lower at the sound of Helena’s recorded voice on her answering machine. Her grip on the phone tightening, Catherine began speaking as soon as the beep ended.

  “Helena, it’s Catherine. Everything is all right, but I need to ask you to do me a favor. It’s for a friend. I need for you to check around and get me the number of a security expert. He must be discree
t and able to devote his—”

  “Why do you need a security expert?”

  Catherine whirled. Luke stood two feet in front of her. “Why do you need a security expert?” he repeated.

  Incensed, she hung up the phone. “How dare you listen to a private conversation! After all that talk about my being able to trust you, you have the audacity to follow me.”

  “Why do you need a private investigator?” he repeated calmly.

  “None of your business.”

  Stepping around her, he picked up the receiver. Sliding his hand into the pocket of his jeans, he drew out some coins and laid them on the metal shelf. He deposited thirty-five cents and began dialing.

  “Who are you calling?” she asked.

  “Maybe your brother can give me the answer?”

  “You don’t know my brother’s number.”

  “Daniel does.”

  She gasped, then reached around him to disconnect the phone. “Will you stay out of something that doesn’t concern you?”

  Removing her hand, he positioned his body in front of the phone, deposited the returned thirty-five cents, and began redialing.

  “Please, don’t call Daniel.”

  Pausing, he glanced over his shoulder. “Then tell me what’s going on.”

  “I can’t,” she wailed.

  He dialed another number.

  “Please, Luke, don’t call.”

  He looked over his shoulder again. His grip on the phone tightened on seeing the misery in her beautiful face. “Whatever it is, I give you my word, I’ll help you, but you have to tell me.”

  Her hand tunneled through her hair. “I’m not sure anyone can help me.”

  “If you thought that, you wouldn’t have wanted a private investigator.”

  “Desperate people do desperate things,” she said.

  He slammed down the phone, the noise deafening. “The woman who held a gun on me and befriended a wolf hybrid wouldn’t wallow in self-pity. If there was a problem, she’d try her best to find a way out of it.”

  As expected, her head snapped up, her brown eyes flashed. “I should have shot you when I had the chance.”

  “Be thankful you didn’t or you wouldn’t have me to help you out of whatever mess you’ve gotten yourself into. Now talk or this time I’m making the call.”

  She didn’t doubt him for a minute. However, she still couldn’t make herself say the words. “Can we go back to the cabin first?”

  His narrowed eyes studied her. “Call Helena back and tell her you won’t be needing a security expert after all.”

  “But you haven’t heard what I have to say. I may need one.”

  “If you do, you’re looking at him.” He stepped aside. “Now make the call.”

  CATHERINE ALTERNATED BETWEEN BEING ANGRY WITH Luke and annoyed with herself as she drove back to the cabin. She had let Luke intimidate her, had caved in and let him tell her what to do. Under his watchful eye she had made the phone call back to Helena. To make matters worse, a small part of her was glad he had followed her, glad he had forced the issue. She wanted to lay her head on his broad shoulders and tell him her fears as much as she wanted to tell him to take a flying leap. Luke confused, irritated, and drew her in equal portions.

  She stopped the car in front of the cabin. By the time she had reached the first step, Luke was there to take her arm. “Afraid I’ll lock myself in my room?”

  “The thought had crossed my mind.”

  The thought had crossed her mind, also. She had briefly visualized a scenario of going through the window in her bedroom and escaping. Two things had changed her mind. She had run away from enough in her life, and Luke would undoubtedly come after her. She glanced at the hard line of his jaw. He wouldn’t be too happy when he found her.

  In the conversation area of the great room, he released her. “Talk.”

  She shot him an irritated look. Impatience radiated from him. “This isn’t easy for me.”

  “It isn’t easy for me either to see you happy and playful one moment, then frantic and afraid the next.”

  She slowly realized something. Luke wasn’t angry at her, but for her. He was a leader, a healer, he’d want to help anyone in pain or trouble. She certainly qualified on all counts. “I don’t know where to start.”

  “The beginning usually works.”

  She let out a deep sigh. “It’s so simple to you. Things used to be just as simple for me.”

  “What happened to change things?”

  “Six months ago I couldn’t find my wallet.” Folding her arms around her she walked to the wide expanse of windows and looked out to the forest and mountains beyond. “It was in my purse that morning. I remember putting it back after paying for my gas and recording it in my date book as I do everything. But when I went to get it to pay for the lunch I’d ordered, I couldn’t find it. There were several people in and out of my office at the university that morning, people I trusted. My assistant insisted on calling the campus police. They had interviewed four students who had been in my office when the teacher who uses the classroom after me came in with my wallet.” She turned to him. “Everything was inside. The money, credit cards, everything.”

  “It could have fallen out.”

  “That’s just it. I never take my purse to class. I have a briefcase and leave it in my office.”

  “Locked?”

  She sighed before answering. “Yes.”

  “Was it locked that time?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go on.”

  “Three days later I received my favorite flowers that I hadn’t ordered. The next day I couldn’t find my house keys. They later turned up in the door. Four days later a sterling silver bracelet I had admired in a jewelry store window, but didn’t order, arrived. I thought I was having blackouts and went to see a neurologist. Everything checked out fine.” She looked at him.

  “I remember being so happy with the good results. I told myself I was just overworked, that I needed some time off. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time. It was in the middle of midterms. I had exams to prepare, then grade, grad students to deal with, an assistant who was often more trouble than she was worth.” Her arms came to her sides.

  “And as soon as that was over, I was scheduled for a series of talk shows and book signings to promote my latest book.” Her voice became strained. “A week later I began hearing noises outside my house. I called the police twice and they never found anything. Afterward, I didn’t call anymore.”

  “Is that why you learned to use a gun?”

  “Yes.”

  “Go on.”

  She took heart that he was still listening. “A month ago Daniel called to ask me if it was all right to send a complete set of my books to autograph as a gift for a child’s birthday party Daniel Jr. had been invited to. He must have heard the weariness in my voice. He suggested I come early and stay at the cabin. I jumped at the chance. I called my agent and told her to let the Women’s League cancel my hotel reservation and that I would make my own arrangements. I came up here expecting peace and quiet.”

  “Only things weren’t quiet.”

  She went to her purse and took out her red wallet. “I don’t remember leaving this on the bed. I don’t even remember making the bed.”

  Pushing up from his seat, he went to her. “Take it easy, Catherine.”

  “How can you tell me to take it easy when I may be going crazy?”

  “You’re not going crazy.”

  “How do you know?” she asked, her voice unsteady.

  His answer was simple. “Because I’ve been around neurotic, schizophrenic people before and you’re not one of them.”

  “I thought so too until six months ago.”

  Taking her arm, he guided her to the sofa and sat beside her. “Keep thinking it. Whoever is behind this wants you to start doubting yourself.”

  “Luke, you don’t know how much I want to place the blame anywhere but on me.” She clutched the wallet i
n her hands. “I had the crazy idea of installing surveillance cameras in my home. So I can see if I’m really doing all these things.”

  “So that’s why you wanted the security expert.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I was right to follow you.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You’re looking at your security expert for the time you’re in Santa Fe.”

  “What exactly is it that you do?”

  “I run an investigative service called Manhunters in Santa Fe. We do everything from missing persons to forensic accounting.”

  She frowned. “What’s that?”

  “Catching the bad guy in white-collar crime. Most of the Fortune 500 companies have their own people to investigate sophisticated kickbacks and money-laundering schemes, but sometimes they run up against a dead end and call me. Either I’ll go or send one of my people in,” he explained, then continued by saying, “You can’t wait until you go home. Whoever is doing this followed you to Santa Fe.”

  Eyes huge, Catherine fought to keep the fear at bay. “They were in my bedroom.”

  His face became stony. “While we were gone to the clinic probably. Neither one of us thought about locking the door or the gate.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, genuinely distressed. “I know how much this place means to you and Daniel, and to have someone invade your privacy because of me is unforgivable.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry for,” he said flatly. “But I can guarantee the person who is behind this will.”

  Catherine shivered at the deadly fury in his voice. “Maybe I should move out.”

  “You’re staying. I’m going to be watching you.”

  Heat lanced through her. “I thought you were leaving.”

  “Not anymore.”

  “What about your business? Your mother?”

  “Security work is my business. As for my mother, this will work to my advantage. As long as she thinks we’re involved, she won’t try to line me up with anyone else.”

  “I see.” Somehow she didn’t like being used as a front.

  He came to his feet. “I need to check your bedroom. Do you mind?”

  “No. I need to take the sheets off and wash them.” There was no way she could sleep on them now.