Her own tinge of guilt washed over her. She knew instinctively this was her fault. Had she inadvertently given away her location? “It was me, wasn’t it? When I called Randall? I led him here.”
He shook his head. “No, he wouldn’t have had the time to do that before I crushed that phone. But from now on, you stay inside the house. No wandering around. I’ll also start doing sweeps around the property. You’ll be safe. I promise.”
She saw worry crease his face. It reassured her in a strange way. She knew he took her safety seriously and personally. Was it possible this was a man she could trust to keep his word? She hoped so, because despite today’s turn of events, she felt safe here with Colton. She found herself trusting that he would protect her.
THREE
Colton opened his weapons closet and double-checked his supplies. He’d let his guard down, lost his focus, and Randall had found a way to get to Laura. The pained look on her face as she napped on the couch was all the reminder he needed that he’d already failed her. He’d promised to protect her, assured her he was good at his job, then lost his focus at the sight of her.
He couldn’t deny she was beautiful, and she wasn’t the first pretty lady he’d protected without getting emotionally involved. But Laura was different. She was someone he knew he could never have. She’d said herself she was stuck because of her father’s addiction. He could never ask her to take on his own past, as well. That wouldn’t be fair to her.
He phoned Blake. He needed to bounce ideas off someone while Laura dozed on the couch.
Blake sounded exasperated when he answered. “I’ve been trying to reach you for days. Where have you been and why haven’t you been answering my calls? I was worried about you, Colt. I nearly called in the Rangers until Miranda said she saw you at the store today.”
Colton knew he was referring to his ranger brothers. They’d intervened before when Colton had hit rock bottom. “I’m fine. Really. You don’t have to worry.”
Blake sighed. “I’m glad you called finally. What’s happening? Miranda said you had a woman with you?”
“I’m working a protection job that’s gone bad. The man who’s after my client is both powerful and obsessed with her. He’s a loan shark in River City named Chuck Randall.”
“You said it went bad. What happened?”
“Someone was here on my property. We were out by the back field and someone shot at us.”
“Did you catch him?”
“No, he got away on a motorcycle before I could reach him. I had to get Laura to safety first.”
“So you think this Randall followed you from River City?” his friend asked.
“No, he’s not the type of person to do his own dirty work. He has her face plastered on social media and is offering a reward for her return. There was a man this morning at the store who was watching her.” He cleared his throat, then went on. “I don’t think he followed us back to the ranch, but maybe he recognized me and knew where I lived.”
“You’re sure no one followed you from River City? How careful were you?”
“I was careful, but...” He grimaced. In his old life he’d spent a fair amount of time in that city hitting the casinos and becoming familiar with the locals.
Blake obviously saw the direction he was headed and finished his thought. “You aren’t exactly a stranger in River City, are you?”
“If someone recognized me, they could connect me to Laura.” It was possible his past had already hindered his ability to keep Laura safe.
But his pal was quick to reassure him. “Unlikely. River City has grown by leaps and bounds since your days there. Unless there’s something you need to tell me?”
He knew what Blake was alluding to. His friends had pulled him from that gambling life after he’d lost everything, including his ranger career, to it. The addiction had overtaken him, tossing him into a deep, dark pit of despair. They’d all had their ways of coping with the aftermath of the ambush. That had been his.
“No. Except for meetings, I never go near there.” His Gamblers Anonymous meetings were held at a church on the outskirts of town. It was a small connection to his old life, but it was one he still considered important.
Colton was certain he heard relief in Blake’s voice. He knew how bad he’d gotten and Blake, the closest of his ranger brothers, had had a front-row seat for his descent. “For now, keep a low profile. I’ll swing by and we’ll see if we’ll take a look at the area. We might be able to find some bullet fragments or tire tracks that could lead us to the shooter.”
“We’ll be here. Can I ask one more favor? Laura didn’t have time to pack a bag and we left the store before purchasing anything. Do you think Miranda would mind lending her some clothes?” They’d left behind the groceries as well, but he still had a full freezer, so they would be okay food-wise.
“Sure, I’ll ask her.”
Colton thanked him, then hung up. His friend wouldn’t let him down. The bond they shared was something that could never be erased. Because no matter what he did or where he went, his ranger brothers would always have his back.
* * *
Blake arrived at the house later that afternoon with Miranda by his side. Colton and Laura met them on the porch. Laura saw Blake had an air of former military about him. Miranda was pretty, blonde and petite, but her jewelry suggested a flamboyant personality.
“Laura, this is Blake Michaels. We were in the Rangers together. And you’ve already met Miranda.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Laura said, extending her hand to Blake.
Blake shook her hand, but Miranda wrapped Laura in a hug instead. “Oh, Laura, Blake told me what’s happened to you. I’m so sorry. Don’t you worry. I brought plenty of clothes and stuff that you’re welcome to borrow.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your help.”
“Don’t think anything about it. We’re always here for one another, aren’t we, Blake?”
“That’s right. The Rangers are a band of brothers. We’re always there to help.”
Blake pulled out a sheet of paper. “I’ve been doing some checking into Chuck Randall’s background. You were right, Colton. He’s a dangerous man. He’s a suspect in a string of gaming schemes, drug deals and brutal assaults. It’s even reported that he has mob connections. He’s a man used to getting whatever he wants.”
“And now he wants me,” Laura stated, fear rippling through her at Blake’s list of Randall’s corrupt deeds.
“We’re not going to let that happen,” Colton assured her.
Blake was more direct. “We’re going to do everything in our power to keep you safe. But first we need to understand how he knew where you were. I’d like to check out where the shooting happened. If we can find shell casings or tire marks, we may be able to take molds and match the type of tires the shooter had on his vehicle. It may help identify him.”
Miranda wrapped her arm around Laura’s good shoulder and smiled. “You two go ahead. We’re going to try on some clothes and maybe whip up some supper. We’ll be fine.”
The men gathered their guns. Miranda kissed Blake, making him promise to be safe, before the men walked out the door.
Colton readied the alarm, then turned to Laura. “Lock this door behind us and call my cell phone if you see someone lurking around. We won’t be more than a few minutes away.”
Laura watched at the window as they mounted ATVs and headed out in the direction of where the shots had come from.
When they were gone, Miranda promised her, “They’ll find something. Blake is the best investigator in the state. And Colton...well, he is nothing if not persistent.”
Laura noticed the ring on Miranda’s finger and how happy she and Blake seemed. “How long have you and Blake been together?”
“We both grew up together here in Compton and started dating in high school. We broke up for a while when he joined the army, but then we started writing back and forth and rekindled the romance. We were supposed to get married
nearly three years ago. Had our wedding all planned out. Then the ambush happened.”
“The ambush?”
“Blake and Colton’s ranger squad was ambushed. All but six of them died that night in Afghanistan. Those that made it ended up injured and scarred for life. That night changed him. When he was released from the hospital, all he wanted to do was come back home and mourn what he’d lost. Blake’s slowly gotten his life back together, but he never rejoined the Rangers. He retired from the army and took a job here with the sheriff’s office.” She looked at Laura, then blushed. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this. I hardly know you, but you seem kind. And Colton likes you, so that’s good enough for me.”
Laura was stunned to learn Colton had been caught up in an ambush. She’d suspected he’d suffered loss in his ranger squad, but she’d never expected this. She glanced at the photo of the rangers. There were at least twenty men in that photo and to know only six were left alive made Laura shudder. Colton had certainly suffered loss and suddenly her anger toward her father seemed petty in comparison.
“Now, let’s see if we can find something else for you to wear.” Miranda hauled the suitcase she’d brought upstairs, placed it on the bed and unzipped it. She pulled a blouse and slacks out and showed them to Laura. “These will look cute on you. Why don’t you go try them on and let me see?”
Although the blouse was flashier than she would normally wear, it looked as if it would fit, and Laura was glad for the change of clothes. Colton’s T-shirts were way too big. She went into the bathroom and slipped on the blouse. It felt soft against her skin and she felt like a woman again thanks to the soft pastel color.
Miranda squealed with excitement when Laura emerged wearing the new outfit. “Wait until Colton sees you in this. You’ll knock his boots off.”
She felt herself blush and wondered if she was that obvious. She couldn’t deny she was attracted to the handsome former ranger, no matter how hard she was trying to fight it. “How well do you know Colton?”
“I know him well enough to know he won’t let anything else happen to you, Laura.”
She nodded. “If Colton hadn’t been there that night, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”
“Why does this man want you?”
“I don’t know. He’s obsessed with me. I never did or said anything to encourage him. But he’s determined to have me.” Since they were talking so frankly, Laura decided to ask Miranda a personal question. “Did Colton leave the Rangers because of the ambush?”
“He did.”
“I had no idea,” Laura said. Her heart broke at the story. How Colton must have struggled with such loss. And yet he still had it inside him to reach out to help others, to help her. He really was a warrior.
“That one event really messed them all up. Colton spent six months in rehab before locating here and buying this ranch.”
Six months in rehab? He must have been severely injured in the ambush if it had taken that long for him to recover. It had to have been such a long, hard road for him, yet he still was willing to help her.
She wanted to believe in him when he said he would keep her safe, but she couldn’t remember the last time she’d believed in anyone. Was Colton finally the one she could trust to keep his word?
She found herself smiling, then realized it had been a long time since she’d smiled.
* * *
They stopped the ATVs and dismounted.
“Where was Laura standing when she was shot?” Blake asked.
“She was here,” Colton stated, moving to the spot.
“And where were you standing?”
He hesitated a moment, then took a small step backward.
A knowing grin spread across Blake’s face.
“I was showing her how to shoot. Of course I was going to be behind her.”
“Of course.” His grin spoke volumes.
Okay, so maybe he wasn’t fooling Blake with his attraction to Laura, but Blake knew him so well. Hopefully he wasn’t broadcasting it to the rest of the world...or to Laura.
“We were here and the shot came from that way,” Colton said, pointing out the angle of the bullet. “It grazed her right shoulder.”
Blake followed the angle he’d mentioned, searching the ground for evidence of an intruder as he walked. Colton did the same.
“Found something,” Blake called and Colton walked over to see tire tracks. “We’re fortunate it hasn’t rained or been windy today. They look viable.” He took out his camera and handed it to Colton. “Take some photos of these while I get the molding kit ready.”
Colton snapped several photos of the tracks along with the area. A few feet away he also found shoe imprints and snapped pictures of them, as well.
“How did you get involved with this girl?” Blake asked him.
His pal had never approved of his line of work, but they didn’t have time to debate that now. “I met her father in Gamblers Anonymous. That’s how I learned she was in trouble. If I hadn’t been there, there’s no telling where she might be now. She’s in real trouble, Blake. I want to help her.”
“You know, Colton, I’ve never known you to let someone sneak up on you that way. Is it possible something else had grabbed your attention?”
He saw where Blake’s suggestion was heading. “She’s a client. That’s all.”
“A beautiful client.”
“I can’t deny it. She’s gorgeous. But I also can’t let my feelings interfere with my vow to protect her. I can’t let my guard down again. He is not going to get her, not on my watch.”
Blake chuckled and Colton realized his denials about his attraction to Laura had not been lost on him.
“So what’s your plan beyond protecting her? You can’t hide forever.”
He grimaced. He didn’t actually have a long-term plan. All he’d been focusing on was keeping her safe. “That’s where I was hoping you could help.”
“Well, the logical first step would be to have Randall arrested for attempted kidnapping, but given his background, that’s probably easier said than done. I imagine he has more than one corrupt official in his pocket in River City.”
“What about the FBI?” Colton prodded.
“Unless he crossed state lines to abduct her, they wouldn’t have jurisdiction.” Furrowing his brow, Blake asked pointedly, “Besides, why would someone be shooting at her if Randall wants her alive?”
“What do you mean?”
Blake looked him square in the eye. “Is it possible this shooting had nothing to do with Laura?”
“What do you mean? He shot her.”
“He might have been aiming for you and hit her instead. When we left the Rangers, we all looked for something else to do with ourselves. You and Garrett started doing search-and-rescue operations. He told me just last week that he’d infiltrated a Taliban camp to rescue two missionaries who’d been taken captive.”
“And? What are you getting at?”
There was a long pause. “What you and Garrett do is dangerous. Is it possible someone is looking for revenge for a job you did?”
Colton rubbed his jaw as he considered Blake’s suggestion. “No, it’s not impossible.” Just unlikely. This was about Laura; he was certain of it. Besides, he’d walked away from that life, from those dangerous assignments, more than six months ago in search of something else. He was too old to keep behaving as though he was invincible. He wanted roots, a home, a wife and family...some stability. Helping Laura was the first intervention he’d done since walking away from that life.
But he had to be absolutely sure. “I’ll call Garrett and see if he’s heard anything.”
Was it possible he’d brought Laura into the middle of a revenge plot? Colton had made enemies and those enemies could have found him. As far-fetched as it seemed, it was still an avenue he had to pursue.
* * *
Miranda was telling Laura about the way Blake had proposed to her as Laura tried on another outfit. She e
njoyed her new friend’s chatter. It helped to occupy her mind and seemed so normal that for a moment she could pretend they were just two friends visiting and that some madman wasn’t out to abduct her.
Suddenly Miranda stopped talking and leaned her head toward the door as if listening for something.
“What is it?” Laura asked.
“I thought I heard something downstairs.”
Laura tensed at the idea. She hadn’t heard the ATVs return, so it couldn’t be Colton and Blake.
Miranda opened the bedroom door and stood at the top of the staircase listening. Laura joined her and jerked when she heard something downstairs.
“It’s probably just one of the dogs,” the other woman stated, trying to reassure her, but Laura knew those that hadn’t followed Colton and Blake had been left outside. But if someone was really inside the house, how had they gotten past the dogs?
Miranda took out her cell phone. “I’m phoning Blake.” She tried to call but shook her head when he didn’t answer. “It went straight to voice mail.” She put away her phone and started down the steps.
“What are you doing?” Laura asked urgently.
“I’m going to see who is down there.”
“Then I’m going, too,” Laura said, following closely behind as they took the stairs.
They reached the bottom and looked around but saw no one. Laura stepped into the kitchen and spun around when she heard Miranda cry out. A man stepped from the closet and grabbed Miranda. Laura rushed to her, only to have another man appear and grab her, too. Laura screamed and struggled against her attacker and saw Miranda doing the same.
The man who held Miranda lost his patience and hit her, knocking her to the floor. She instantly went quiet.
Laura cried out when her friend didn’t get up, praying she was okay.
The other man joined her attacker and grabbed Laura’s legs. She kicked and flailed against her attackers, screaming as they carried her outside to a waiting car, and she knew she was in real trouble if they managed to get her into that car and drive away. She had no idea who these men were or what they wanted, but she knew they must belong to Randall.
Ranch Refuge Page 5