I'll Be There

by Deborah Grace Staley

  He disconnected the call. He’d pay for this later. Dixie could be relentless when something was going on she didn’t know about. He dialed Cord’s number. It rang funny, like there was no service, then went to voice mail. “Damn it!” He dialed Cole next.

  “Hello.”

  “Cole, it’s Grady. There’s a band of men headed your way in a Hummer hauling some ATV’s.”

  “What the hell?”

  “I tried calling Cord to alert him, but he doesn’t have service on his cell. We need to move Jenny.”

  “How are we going to move her in this weather?”

  “We don’t have a choice. Get down there now.”

  “On my way.”

  Cord stood at the kitchen window, watching for Jenny. When he saw Cole coming, he went to the door and held up a hand in welcome.

  “Get Jenny. We gotta move her. Now!”

  Cord went out to meet him. “What’s happened.”

  “A band of strangers were just at the diner asking for directions to get out here.”

  Cord’s heart nearly stopped. “She’s not here. I let her go out for a walk.”

  “Where did she go?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Damn it, Goins, how could you let her leave the house alone?”

  He went back in the house, got his rifle, put on an extra sweater and sweatshirt, then jammed his hat down on his head. There’d be time to blame himself for the critical mistake later. Outside, he scanned the clearing behind the house. “I told her not to go far.” Snow fell. The hushed, white valley lay out before him.

  Cord wanted to shout her name, but if anyone was out there, the sound would lead them straight to their location. He looked down at the tracks leading away from the back door. “We’ll just follow her tracks. She couldn’t have gone far.”

  He and Cole followed tracks that angled down away from the house. The sound of a creek became stronger.

  “You go this way, I’m going to angle back up to the house. Maybe she wound up there.”

  Cord nodded and kept moving forward. “Jenny?” he said softly.

  Heavy silence settled back around him. The tracks moved in both directions along the creek bank. He squinted into the heavy snow falling to see if either set ended, but the tracks were so shallow here, they’d already begun filling up with new snow. He chose the path that led farther away from the house, assuming she’d move in the opposite direction until she was ready to return.

  He set out at a jog. When a large, two-story farmhouse came into view, he moved towards it. He picked up tracks again when the ground leveled off. She’d headed straight for a barn situated behind the farmhouse. When he came even with the house, Cole Craig barreled out of the front door.

  “She’s not here.”

  “I think she’s in your barn.”

  “It’s a good thing she made her way back here. Y’all were too exposed in the tenant house.” He joined Cord in the yard and led him back to the barn. “Time’s running out. Let’s find her and get her hidden under my house.”

  “I’m with you on that.”

  As soon as they entered the barn, he saw Jenny petting a big bay horse housed in one of the stalls. Without preamble, he grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the entrance.

  “Hey!”

  “I told you not to go far.” His hard look must have telegraphed an urgent message.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Some riff-raff might be coming our way,” Cole said, “but don’t worry. We got this.”

  Inside the house, Cole led the way to the back and into the kitchen. He opened a door that had a stairway leading down. “Head on into the root cellar, Jenny. Keep quiet. Cord and I will let you know when it’s safe to come out.”

  When Cord looked at Jenny, her eyes were huge and frightened. He could practically see recent past events playing like a movie across her memory. He gently squeezed her arms. “No one’s getting past me,” he said, but could tell his words weren’t getting through the panic that had set in. Cord grasped the back of her neck and bent so that his eyes were level with hers. “No one.”

  She swallowed, then nodded. He squeezed her arms again, before releasing her so she could start down the stairs to the cellar. When she turned and looked back up at him, eyes huge, he said. “I’ll be back for you.”

  “I don’t know why,” she said softly, “but I believe you.”

  The look of trust in her soft blue eyes reminded him of others he’d failed. That was then. This time would be different. He wouldn’t compromise Jenny. He’d die first.

  A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Don’t let me down.”

  He nodded and closed the door.

  Jenny felt her way down the dark steps and stood at the bottom, waiting for her eyes to adjust. She felt rough stones along the wall and edged her way around the cellar. She found several large burlap sacks of fragrant apples and pushing them out from the wall, huddled behind them. She pulled Cord’s coat closer and waited.

  Unfortunately, she had been in too many similar situations of late. She swiped at an angry tear, so sick of this—the waiting, the terror, the reality of being found that would surely come. People would die and then she’d be moved again, only for the process to repeat itself. The difference this time was she knew and cared about the people putting their lives on the line for her.

  She pressed the heels of her hands to her eyes and willed the images away, of Cole and Grady lying in a pool of blood. As long as she was in Angel Ridge, everyone she cared about would be at risk.

  And now there was Cord... he’d promised to come back for her, but she knew better. They were alike, she and Cord. Neither of them had anyone because they chose to face the world alone on their own terms. They’d both given up their lives—she unwillingly, he of his own choosing. But they’d found each other. He’d found her on the side of that mountain and saved her. Now, he could be lost forever because of her.

  She punched the sack of apples she leaned against. Why? She was the kind of person who believed things happened for a reason. Why would this person be brought into her life only to die? If she were being truly honest with herself, she’d admit they had a deeper connection than she’d been willing to acknowledge, much less analyze; one she wasn’t ready to have severed, but rather one she longed to explore so that she could better understand it. She’d begun to care for him in the short time they’d been together. She punched the bag of apples again. Stupid! How could she have let that happen?

  Cord’s thoughts shifted to the possible threat that could be headed towards them. He removed his hat, pushed his hair back and secured it with a strip of leather he kept in his pocket, then met Cole Craig in a front room. Cole stood at the window, a shotgun resting on his shoulder.

  “See anything?”

  “No. Nothing.”

  “Can they come in from behind the house?”

  “There’s no access. The back of the property is bordered by the river.”

  “Isn’t it low this time of year?”

  “Yeah, but it’s the main channel. Too deep to cross on foot, even when they lower the lake level upstream at the dam.”

  “I’ll keep watch from the kitchen. Call if you see anyone.”

  Cole nodded. “You do the same.”

  He checked his guns and set out ammunition on the table so he could grab it easily as needed. Then the waiting began. He stood back from the kitchen window, far enough that he could see at a wide angle but not be seen if anyone approached. There wasn’t a second that he wasn’t aware of Jenny waiting in the cellar below, trusting him to keep her safe.

  “We got company,” Cole called out. He was torn between going to see what was happening and staying put to prevent anyone from coming in the back, giving them direct access to the door leading to where Jenny hid. So, he did what he did best—let his training kick in.

  “Here’s how this is going to go down,” Cord called out. “Wait until they’re two hundred yards out, the
n go onto the porch and tell them they’re on private property; to turn around and leave. I’ll watch from here for a few minutes to make sure no one approaches from the rear. Then I’ll come into the front room to back you up if needed.”

  “Yeah, I’m not too wild about walking out there and exposing myself to whatever fire power they’re packing. Good thing Grady told me he’d have the perimeter secured, so I’m trusting that’s the case. He should be right behind them to make the arrests.”

  Cord’s estimation of the local sheriff trebled. It was a sound plan. He heard the front door open, and then Cole saying, “Hey, fellas! Y’all are on private property. You’ll need to turn around and head back out to the main road.”

  “Aw, man... come on! We just wanted to do some four-wheeling!”

  “Sorry, you’ll have to find a deserted farm somewhere. This one’s occupied. I’m sure you understand.”

  With no activity at the rear of the house, Cord jammed a chair under the knob at the backdoor, and eased into the hallway leading to the foyer, keeping to the wall so he wouldn’t be seen through the open door.

  “You got the wife and kids in there then?”

  “Yeah, man,” Cole lied. “Just trying to weather the storm.”

  “Then there’s no harm in us riding the property.” The speaker revved the engine of his ATV.

  “Like I said, man. Private property. It’s posted. No trespassing.”

  “Guess we missed that.”

  “Nevertheless, you’ll have to leave. If you don’t, you can be arrested for trespassing,” Cole warned, his tone more stern.

  “Right, like you got some big time police force out and about in this weather.”

  Grady and his deputy stepped out of tree line on either side of the house, along with about a half dozen others armed with shotguns. “As a matter of fact,” Grady said, “we got a call about half an hour ago that a ragtag band of rednecks was headed this way, so we decided to come on out, in case you caused any trouble.”

  Cord smiled and moved back to the kitchen. The intruders were outnumbered. No way they’d open fire in this kind of situation. He set his rifle on the table and looked out the window one more time. Nothing. He pulled out a chair and sat to wait until the sheriff had these guys cleared off the property.

  Thinking ahead to their next move, they’d have to relocate Jenny again. They couldn’t stay here with these men having found their location. Even though no one had seen her, they had to know she was nearby with all the armed men the sheriff had brought to Cole’s farm. More would be close behind. How did these guys keep finding them?

  “We got ’em cuffed and will have them loaded up in our patrol cars to haul into jail soon,” Grady said as he walked into the kitchen. “Where’s Jenny?”

  “Downstairs in the cellar.”

  “We have to move her. There’ll be more right behind these guys. You can count on it.”

  “I was just thinking the same thing, but I’m a little worried about that. She’s been sick.”

  “Sick?”

  “Yeah. She’s been in bed since we got here. It’s just this morning that she’s been up and about.”

  Grady pushed his western-style hat back on his head and rubbed the dark stubble on his chin. “Well, there’s nothing for it. We’ll have to take her into town. Probably ought to have the doc check her out, too.”

  “Too many people know already.”

  “True, but what else can we do? You’ll be sitting ducks if you stay here.”

  “You got any theories on how they keep finding her?”

  “None that I like.”

  Cord nodded. “An insider?”

  A muscle ticked along the sheriff’s clinched jaw. “Yeah.”

  “Who knew?”

  “Everyone in my department and one, no, two other people.”

  “Who?”

  “Jay Kennedy with the TBI.”

  Cord tried not to react at hearing the name.

  “He called me yesterday. I told him she was with you. He wasn’t crazy about the idea. For that matter, neither am I, but with this weather, we’re all stuck.”

  “What about those men you had out there with you?”

  “I rounded them up and told them I needed their help with some trespassers. They didn’t know anything else.”

  “Who else? You said two.”

  “Dixie Ferguson.”

  “The lady that runs the diner?”

  “Yeah. She found Jenny right after the explosion, but she doesn’t know she’s back in town now.” He tugged at his hat. “Well, we’re burnin’ daylight standing around here. Bring Jenny up and let’s get her out of here.”

  “My Jeep’s back at the tenant house.”

  “Right. We’ll need you to move her since no one will suspect she’s in a local’s vehicle. I doubt they saw it when they came through. Even if they did, it was covered in snow.”

  “True.”

  “I’ll stay with her while you go get it.”

  Cord stood, wanting to go to her and make good on his promise. “I’ll bring her up.”

  “I can get her.”

  Cord tossed the sheriff his keys. “Why don’t you go get my Jeep instead?”

  Grady caught the keys. “Getting a little territorial, aren’t you Goins?”

  He gave the sheriff a steady look. “Like you said, we’re burnin’ daylight.”

  Grady palmed the keys, then he turned and walked back to the front of the house.

  Chapter 14

  “Jenny?”

  She lifted her head at the sound of Cord’s voice. It had been so quiet. She hadn’t even heard the door at the top of the stairs open. Light streamed in from the kitchen. Could she trust her hearing? Was Cord coming for her like he’d promised?

  “Jenny?”

  His voice rose with urgency this time. She came out of her hiding place and faced the man she’d hoped would come for her. Their eyes met. He took a step towards her. In that moment, something shifted inside her—something raw and visceral. She was safe, and he was here—unharmed. He’d kept her safe twice now. On the heels of that knowledge came the realization that he’d come into her life so that she could survive this ordeal. As long as she was with Cord, she’d be all right.

  He stood still, backlit with his face in shadow. He made a slight movement with his hand, like he was unsure of himself, of the strong connection she felt pulling them together. She hadn’t spent a lifetime trusting her intuition to give it up now. In two long strides, she was secure in his arms.

  “You’re all right?” she breathed.

  “Everyone’s all right, but we have to go.”

  Her arms tightened around his neck. She’d never needed anyone besides her sister, but she knew in her core that she needed him. That they needed each other. “We?”

  She felt him nod, but needed more.

  “You won’t leave me?”

  His arms tightened around her. Jenny eased back, framing his face with her hands. Emotion softened his harsh features as his dark gaze devoured her face. She closed her eyes against the intense rush of feelings assaulting her.

  “Cord?” she whispered against his cheek.

  His mouth captured hers, hot and open. She met him with an intensity of her own, knowing no other way to express all that she felt for him in this moment. Jenny Thompson was not a romantic, but their bodies fit perfectly, their kiss a choreographed dance she’d waited her whole life to experience. Their bodies moved restlessly, frustrated by clothing and need.

  “Everything okay down there?” Cole called from the top of the stairs.

  The interruption shocked them into breaking the kiss, but they still held each other close, both unwilling to let the other go.

  “Cord? Jenny?”

  “Yeah,” Cord said, his voice rough, husky. Sexy as hell. “She’s fine. We’ll be right up.”

  Her head fell back as Cord imprinted her neck with his kiss and they heard Cole’s footsteps recede to the front of the
house.

  “Dear God...” he said.

  She pulled at the leather holding his hair in place; it felt like fine silk sliding through her fingers, his kiss like fire branding her. Jenny moaned, longing for more, but knowing they had to let each other go. What a cruel twist; to finally find this when her life was no longer her own.

  Jenny stepped back. Pulling herself together was not possible, but she could pretend. She looked at Cord, so dark and appealing, his desire for her evident, and she faltered. This was what it meant to be truly powerless.

  “Jenny...”

  He was only an arm’s length away. She smiled and took his hand. “Let’s go.”

  Cord squeezed her hand and led the way up the stairs like he wanted to put himself between her and any potential harm that might surprise them. But in the kitchen, it was empty and silent. He pulled out a chair and she sat, not because she was tired or ill, but because she didn’t think her legs would hold her any longer given what she’d just experienced with Cord.

  He squeezed her shoulders, like he didn’t want to break contact with her. “I’ll just go see—”

  Cole came into the kitchen followed by Grady. Taking in Cord’s hands on Jenny, his gaze skidded to hers and back to Cord’s. When Cord crossed his arms, but didn’t move, Grady said, “Um, our guests are on their way to the jail. I’ll be extending our hospitality to them, and then hopefully, tomorrow, the TBI will be here when we question them. Of course, tonight, we’ll offer them a deal if they turn state’s evidence. Just a little something for them to sleep on.”

  “What about Jenny?” Cord said, but had to wait for his answer when Grady’s phone began ringing.

  He pulled the cell out of his pocket. “Sheriff.”

  Frowning, he said, “Miss Estelee? Is everything all right?... I’m in the middle of something. Can I call you back?”

  Grady looked at Jenny, his eyebrows rising.