Ranch Refuge

by Virginia Vaughan

  She might never see Colton again if she couldn’t get away and the thought galvanized her. She remembered the weapons closet inside the laundry room. If only she could escape their grasp, maybe she could protect herself. She continued to kick and struggle with all her might, but the men were too overpowering as they pushed through the door.

  Suddenly she heard the howls of dogs and the sounds of paws on the porch. Milo and Roxie appeared from around the corner, barking and jumping on her attackers. The men swatted and kicked at the dogs, but that only riled them more.

  “Stop right there!” Colton’s voice boomed through the air and the man holding her spun around at the sound of his voice.

  Laura’s heart lurched. He’d returned in time to save her.

  “Freeze!”

  The man spun again at the sound of Blake’s voice.

  Both men trained their guns on the assailants. Her attackers raised theirs as well, the one holding her pulling her closer to use as a shield.

  “Let her go,” Colton warned them. “Drop your weapons.”

  The one holding Laura suddenly shoved her to the ground and both men took off running toward their car. Blake and Colton ran after them.

  A moment later Colton and Blake were back by her side.

  “They got away.”

  “Where’s Miranda?” Blake demanded.

  “Inside. They knocked her out.”

  At her words, Blake bolted into the house.

  Colton helped her to her feet, then wrapped his arms around her. “Are you okay? Did they hurt you, Laura?”

  She burrowed her head on his shoulder, savoring his comforting warmth. “No. I’m okay. How did you know we were in trouble?”

  “We didn’t,” he said gruffly. “We were heading back and saw the car.”

  “How did they know I was here?” she asked.

  “I don’t know, but we’re going to find out.”

  Blake was helping Miranda to the couch when they entered the house.

  Laura saw that Miranda’s lip was bloody and swelling was already apparent on her right cheek. She hurried to the freezer, found a bag of frozen peas and took it to her. “Hold this against your cheek. It’ll help with the swelling.” She checked Miranda’s eyes and found them equal and reactive, indicating no concussion. But once she was certain the young woman wasn’t seriously injured, guilt rushed in. “I’m so sorry. This happened to you because of me.”

  “It’s not your fault,” Miranda insisted. “I’m thankful the guys returned in time.”

  “Me, too,” Laura said, glancing at Colton. She saw the guilt on his face, as well. He was blaming himself and it truly wasn’t his fault. He couldn’t have foreseen someone would break in while they were out investigating.

  She was just so thankful he and Blake had arrived in time.

  * * *

  Colton walked over to examine the alarm. It was disarmed. He turned back to the two women. “Did one of you turn this off?” They both shook their heads.

  Blake stood and approached him. “What is it?”

  “The alarm was deactivated. Whoever did it must have known the code.”

  “Who else knows it?”

  “Only a few people. You, Miranda, Tony Hurst, who helps me out on the ranch. My cleaning lady, Evelyn Greer, who comes by to clean twice a month. Plus the people from the alarm company. I had it upgraded a few months ago.” He pressed the keys to reset it, then turned to Laura. “Did you recognize either of those men?”

  She shook her head, her eyes glassy, still in a state of shock. “No, I didn’t know them.”

  “I did,” Blake stated. “It was the McGowen cousins. They’re locals who have been in and out of trouble with the sheriff’s office for robbery and house burglary.”

  “It’s quite a jump from robbery to kidnapping.”

  “True, but the reward money Randall is offering could be driving them. I’m going to swear out warrants for their arrest for assault and attempted kidnapping. They’re going to pay for putting hands on my fiancée.”

  Colton saw the fire in his eyes and understood Blake’s anger. He felt the same way about the attack on Laura, but he still didn’t understand how anyone knew Laura was here at his ranch. How had they tracked her down so quickly?

  He thought about what Blake had said about these attacks being for revenge for a job he’d done, but it seemed less and less likely. Those men had come for Laura. They’d knocked Miranda out to get to her. And although he still hadn’t figured out how they’d known his alarm code, he was certain Blake had been wrong about that, as well. But he had been correct when he’d advised Colton not to take anything for granted.

  He waited until Blake and Miranda left and Laura had gone upstairs after a thrown-together supper to rest before he picked up his cell phone and dialed the number for Garrett Lewis. He and Garrett had served together in the Rangers and shared a continuing mission for serving those in need. Colton had brought the younger man in and together they’d established a private endeavor to help folks out of sticky situations. They’d made contacts in their years in the Rangers and together they’d built a stellar reputation for themselves in many different countries.

  Money had flowed in and the jobs had grown bigger and grander. It had given Colton the means to buy this ranch and settle down when the jobs and the pace had gotten too much for him. He’d backed away from the missions, allowing Garrett to take over more and more. The younger man had more of a taste for the risk and danger, and Colton’s interest had begun to wane. He’d retreated to this little ranch and the slow pace it provided him.

  Garrett answered quickly. “Colt, what’s the word?”

  “I need some intel, Garrett. I had a shooter on my property. Have you heard anything about anyone seeking revenge?”

  “No, I haven’t, but I’ll keep my ears open.”

  “I’d appreciate it,” Colton said. “Let me know if you hear anything.”

  “I will.”

  “Garrett, where are you?”

  “North Dakota,” the younger man replied. “A woman’s family hired me to find and rescue their daughter from a dangerous cult. The leader is one crazy dude.”

  Garrett had a thing about cults and always took jobs that allowed him to infiltrate and liberate cult captives.

  “Are you working on anything right now?” Garrett asked. “’Cause I’ve got some leads on jobs. We could use your help.”

  Colton drummed his fingers on the table. Garrett’s offer was tempting, but that life just wasn’t enough for him anymore. “I don’t think so. Not now. I’m helping someone out of a bad situation.” He filled Garrett in on everything that was happening, including the shooting and even the earlier attempted abduction. “Blake says he knows the guys from today, but it seems Laura isn’t even safe here.”

  “She has you, Colton, and I know how determined you can be,” his pal reminded him. “You’ll figure out how to keep her safe. Besides, you know the Rangers always have your back. If you need me, I’ll be there.”

  “I appreciate that, Garrett.”

  “But yet you don’t sound convinced.”

  He exhaled wearily, scrubbing a hand over his jaw. “Laura is in this situation because of her father and his gambling problem.”

  “Romans 8:1.”

  He knew the verse Garrett was referring to. He’d clung to it during his dark days. “‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’”

  “You’re no longer that guy, Colton. You’ve been changed. You have to believe that or no one else will.”

  Garrett’s words were just what he needed to hear and he was happy he’d called him. It amazed him how well his brothers knew him. Garrett had sensed he was doubting himself and been right there to pick him up and remind him of God’s grace and mercy.

  Laura appeared from upstairs. She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, then took the seat across from Colton. She looked pale and in pain, but she tried to smile at him.<
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  “I have to go,” he told Garrett. “Call me if you find out something.” He hung up the phone and addressed Laura. “Feeling better?”

  “It’s not bad,” she told him, but the dark circles around her eyes spoke volumes. She was not only still hurting from the gunshot, she was worn-out. How many sleepless nights had she spent worrying about Randall? Or her father? She needed a good night’s sleep. He was going to make certain no one else got close enough to harm her.

  * * *

  Laura picked up the photo of Colton and his ranger friends from its place on the mantel. They appeared to be a formidable group. She remembered what Miranda had told her about the ambush and it broke her heart to think most of these men hadn’t made it home.

  She looked at him now, his face scrunched as he stared at the screen of his laptop.

  “What are you looking up?” she asked.

  “I’m looking into backgrounds of a few people I know—those who might have had access to the house. Blake will be running down their criminal backgrounds, but I want to see if anything pops up that might be a red flag.”

  “And what have you found?”

  He sighed and shut the laptop. “So far, nothing.”

  She could feel the frustration rolling off him.

  “There has to be a connection between the break-in, the shooting and Randall. But how would anyone know you were here? Have you called anyone?”

  Her face reddened. He’d specifically asked her not to phone anyone, but she had. She couldn’t let people she cared about wonder if something had happened to her. “My friend Denise. She works with me at the hospital. I asked her to let our nurse manager know I was going to be out for a while and I wanted to let her know I was safe. She knows about my father’s gambling debts.”

  He nodded but didn’t appear to be angry at her for placing the call. “Anyone else?”

  “Only my landlady. She’s a very sweet elderly woman. I told her I was going out of town for a while and asked her to feed my cat while I was away.”

  “Is it possible she told someone?”

  “No. She’s aware of the trouble I’ve had with my father. When people started showing up at my apartment wanting money for his debts, she became very protective of me. I think she went through something similar with her late husband.” Mrs. Duncan knew about discretion. Like Laura, she was a very private woman. “Besides, she wouldn’t be able to tell anyone anything because I didn’t tell her where I was.”

  “They might have tapped her phone, although I doubt they would have had time since yesterday. They thought they were going to grab you with no problems and were probably scrambling to figure out what to do after that. But if they did in fact trace the call you made to your landlady, all they would have is an approximate location, since my number is unlisted. My theory is that they might have started out at the main shops...” He shook his head, chagrined. “I should have known better than to have taken you there. I’m sorry, Laura. I let you down.”

  “No, you didn’t, Colton. I’m the one who placed the calls. If someone did track us down, it’s because of me.”

  His cell phone rang and Colton glanced at the screen. “It’s Blake.” He answered, then gave Laura a grim look before reaching for the TV remote. “What channel?”

  He clicked on the television and changed it to a station broadcasting the news. Laura saw a reporter standing in front of an apartment building. Police and ambulances were behind her, their lights flashing. Across the bottom of the screen, a message scrolled: Body of Elderly Woman Found Dead in Her Apartment. Another Woman Missing.

  Laura realized the building looked familiar. It was her apartment building.

  She focused on the words the reporter was speaking and felt her heart drop.

  “Again, one woman, seventy-three-year-old Lily Duncan, was found dead in her apartment today. Foul play is suspected in her death and the police are still investigating. Police are searching tonight for Mrs. Duncan’s upstairs neighbor, Laura Jackson, who, according to social media posts, went missing two days ago after completing her shift as a nurse at River City Medical Center. We’ve recently learned her backpack was found in the employee parking lot along with her abandoned car and police suspect foul play. If you have any information about Laura Jackson’s whereabouts, please contact the River City Police Department...”

  Tears flooded Laura’s eyes. Mrs. Duncan was dead, murdered in her home. Had it been because of her? Had Randall sent men to find out if she knew where Laura was?

  Colton switched off the television, then pulled Laura into his arms. She went willingly, needing his strength and comfort. This was no coincidence. Her landlady was dead because of her. Did that also mean every one of her friends was in danger, also?

  “My father!” Laura gasped. If they would kill Mrs. Duncan because she might know her whereabouts, what would they do to her father or Denise?

  Colton was dialing her father’s number before Laura could even explain her sudden realization. He must have come to the same conclusion.

  He placed the call on speaker as the phone on the other end of the line rang. Finally, after four grueling rings where Laura imagined him lying dead or injured, he answered his cell. “Hello?”

  “Dad!” she cried, never before so thankful to hear his voice.

  “Laura.” The relief was evident in his tone. “It’s good to hear from you, baby. Are you all right? Is he keeping you safe?”

  “I—I’m fine, but we just saw on the news that my landlady is dead. She was murdered, Dad. Wh-where are you? Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. I’m staying with a friend.”

  “Has Randall tried to contact you?” Colton asked.

  “He’s called, but I haven’t answered. And I’ve tried to stay out of sight. Don’t worry. Even if he finds me, he won’t get any information from me. You just focus on protecting my daughter.”

  She looked up from the phone and saw Colton looking at her, determination steeling his gaze.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll keep her safe,” he said.

  She instinctively knew he would. He’d already proved the lengths he would go to to shield her from harm, and despite the earlier incidents, she felt protected here with Colton. He wouldn’t let her down.

  She made her father promise to remain hidden, then disconnected the call.

  Her dad was okay for now, but Mrs. Duncan had paid the ultimate price for Randall’s obsession. The man had just raised the stakes and Laura feared no one in her life would be safe until Randall was stopped.

  FOUR

  Laura was quiet over breakfast the next morning. Colton could tell she hadn’t slept well. The loss of her neighbor had been a big blow and one that he hadn’t been expecting. It didn’t make any sense to him. If Randall had killed Laura’s landlady to try to find out where Laura was hiding, that meant he didn’t know about the ranch. But if he didn’t know about the ranch, then who had been shooting at them? And why had the cousins tried to abduct her?

  As they stood over the sink rinsing off the breakfast dishes, Colton couldn’t stand the silence anymore.

  “I know you’re sad,” he said softly. “I’m sorry about your friend.”

  Laura shook her head. “She wasn’t really a friend. She was a very private person. We chatted occasionally, but that was about it. I hardly knew anything about her. I don’t even know if she has a next of kin to contact.”

  “The police will take care of that.”

  “And will the police tell them that Mrs. Duncan probably died because of me?”

  He dropped the plate in his hand and turned to her. “Stop it, Laura. This isn’t your fault. This is all Randall’s doing. If you’re looking for someone to blame, then blame him.”

  “What exactly is your plan, Colton? For me to hide out here for the rest of my life and hope Randall gets tired and moves on?”

  He heard the sarcasm in her voice and didn’t appreciate it. He stepped toward her, his expression hard. “Right now, my
only plan is keeping you alive. And, believe me, you’re not making it easy.”

  “I’m tired of being locked up inside this house. I want to go home. I want to return to work. I want my life back.” She put her hands over her face as she struggled to keep her composure. “It’s not fair. I didn’t do anything to deserve this. My father is the one who messed up. Why am I the one paying the consequences?”

  He saw her tremble and put his arms around her. Regardless of their relationship, someone she knew had been murdered and the killer was now searching for her.

  He stroked her hair, loving the softness of her curls and the way it felt against his hand. She glanced up at him, her green eyes full of fear and confusion, her lashes wet with tears. But it was her lips he focused on and the sweet beckoning way they called to him. He pulled his eyes from her lips and found her eyes focused on him, too, her chin lifted and her lips waiting for a kiss.

  He pulled away. He couldn’t go down that road with someone he knew he couldn’t have. Why torture himself? Besides, she was upset and he wasn’t one to take advantage of a lady when she was feeling vulnerable.

  He cleared his throat, suddenly at a loss for words. “Laura, I—”

  She stared silently up at him. For an instant he thought he saw a flicker of disappointment flash in her eyes. Was it possible she’d ached for their kiss as much as he had?

  He heard footsteps on the porch and the door suddenly swung open. He was reaching for his firearm when Mrs. Greer appeared in the doorway. He’d forgotten it was her day to come by to clean. Her eyes widened to find him in the embrace of a woman, but her shocked expression quickly turned to gleeful delight.

  “I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she exclaimed. “Should I come back later when you’re not so busy?” Her playful glint meant she was happy to see Colton with a woman. She’d been trying to fix him up with every woman in the county since he’d moved to town.

  Colton pulled an arm’s distance away from Laura. “Mrs. Greer, this is Laura Jackson. I’m helping her out of a sticky situation she’s having.”

  Mrs. Greer smiled, then closed the door and approached them. “Sorry to hear that, love, but I know Colton will take care of things for you.”