Roping A Runaway Bride

by Honey Jans

  "You'd wait for her?” Phillipa asked curiously.

  "Forever,” Rafe said, and walked out the door.

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  Chapter Ten

  Rafe stepped off the curb and walked toward the idling pickup truck. He opened the passenger door, and got a glimpse of Zeke's dour face before he hopped in. “Thanks for coming out this late to pick me up."

  "Don't mention it.” Zeke motioned back toward the lights of the hospital. “Is she gonna be okay?"

  "Yes, thank God. She just regained consciousness. Mark Phillips said she should make a full recovery.” Rafe pulled the door shut then rolled down the window hoping a touch of breeze would make him feel better. “Let's get going, Zeke,” he said impatiently. “I want to get home."

  Zeke put the truck into gear and pulled out of the parking spot. “I suppose you heard they picked up Travis Cain."

  "Yeah, I did. Bob Wilson stopped by to give me the news. He said they rounded up Nevell Blackthorn as well. The two of them were in on it together.” He gazed over at Zeke. “Were you there when they came to arrest Travis?"

  "I sure was,” Zeke said with a scowl. “The sheriff came just as we were all sitting down to lunch."

  "I never would have thought Travis was the one doing this thing.” Rafe closed his eyes and said tiredly, “Thank God, Wilson insisted on doing ballistic tests on the rifles on the Double-H. It uncovered a viper in our midst."

  "Yeah, but it almost came too late."

  "I know.” Rafe thought about Sarah's brush with death and shuddered.

  "It came as a shock to all of us when they came to get Travis. I never thought the kid would have it in him to shoot a person let alone an animal. He just don't seem to have the stomach for it."

  Rafe glanced at Zeke's puzzled expression. “How'd Travis take it when they came to arrest him?"

  "Bad.” Zeke shook his head. “When the sheriff walked into the dining hall the kid turned white as a ghost. And when they slapped the handcuffs on him he looked like he was gonna cry. The kid was shaking like a leaf. He was talking a mile a minute when they hauled him out the door. He was saying he might be a spy but he wasn't a killer."

  "It doesn't sound like a pretty picture.” Rafe set his jaw, the kid had that coming and more. “Travis deserves everything they throw at him. I just hope Blackthorn gets a dose of the same medicine."

  "I ain't saying he don't deserve it, I'm just saying he didn't take it very well."

  "I know,” Rafe said with a sigh, regretting his irritable tone. Just because he was miserable he didn't have to take it out on Zeke. He looked out into the black night seeking solace for his wounded heart. “I'm sorry I spoke sharp to you, old friend. It's just that I'm a might edgy right now."

  "I understand.” Zeke was silent for a moment. “I picked up the ambulance call on my monitor. Poor Rose was shook up something awful,” Zeke's added, his voice rough with concern. “She wanted us to rush right up to the hospital, but I told her we'd best keep out of the way. The way the sheriff put it to us later, she was in bad shape."

  Rafe winced, remembering Sarah's pale face. “Mark told me that Sarah was very lucky. If she would have gotten hit just a little bit harder, she would probably be dead."

  "Folks at the ranch will be mighty relieved when I tell them she pulled through. Course, most of the men are out on the town tonight so it will have to wait until morning. But we can set Rose's mind to rest right away,” he said eagerly.

  Rafe nodded. “You did right to keep Rose away. They wouldn't even let me in by Sarah until they took her up to her hospital room."

  They pulled into the driveway of the Double-H.

  Rafe turned to look at Zeke, his face illuminated by the yard light. He looked his age tonight, no doubt he'd suffered too. Rafe was sorry to have put him through it. “Do you want to go in and tell Rose the good news? I think I'd just like to go to bed.” Rafe saw Zeke's eager smile. He knew the two were more than friends.

  Zeke got out of the truck saying, “I'll take care of it. You just get a good night's sleep."

  Rafe got out of the truck. The yard light shone on Sarah's Jeep Cherokee. Rafe rattled her keys still stuffed into his pocket. They were the last link to her. He'd have the Jeep run up to the hospital in the morning. Then he'd have no reminders to fret about.

  * * * *

  * * * *

  Rafe's alarm clock went off at four-thirty as usual. He rolled over to shut it off and his hand landed on the empty side of the bed. He frowned and slapped at the clock. The stupid bed was way too big without Sarah to share it with.

  He closed his eyes and sighed. It was better this way. He'd done his duty and stuck around to make sure she'd be okay, but then he'd caught a ride home. This was where he belonged. Sarah had her own life.

  He rolled out of bed and walked to the closet. It was Sunday, the hand's day off, but he needed the routine of work to keep his mind off Sarah. It sure as hell wouldn't do either of them any good if he pinned after her.

  The whole mess was over. The sheriff had Nevell Blackthorn and Travis Cain in jail. Rafe intended to keep his promise to Bob and stay out of the investigation. There was nothing more to do than go on with the rest of his life. It seemed like a pretty grim prospect. Rafe jerked his work shirt off the hanger. There seemed little point in getting dressed but he went through the motions automatically.

  He wandered into the kitchen and saw Rose bustling about making breakfast. He stopped short, surprised that she was up. “It's your day off, Rose, what are you doing up?"

  Rose gave him a sympathetic smile. “I figured you'd be up bright and early, with all that's on your mind. Besides, I thought you could use the company. Have a seat at the table and I'll serve you some breakfast."

  Rafe sighed and slumped down in a dinette chair. He doubted if he could swallow a mouthful. He glanced out the window. A light rain was falling and trickling down the window. The dawning light looked drab and dreary just like his mood. “I don't feel much like eating,” he muttered.

  Rose shook her head. “I know how you feel, boss. I don't have much of an appetite myself this morning. But you've got to keep up your strength for the missus."

  Rafe blanched at her innocent words.

  "When are you going up to the hospital?"

  "I'm not going to the hospital,” Rafe said grimly. He looked away from Rose's inquisitive gaze.

  "Why?” Rose asked apprehensively. “Did they tell you that she can't have any visitors?"

  "No.” Rafe turned away, not wanting to say out loud what he'd agonized about all night. If only Rose would drop the subject, but he knew she wouldn't. Rafe said grimly, “She's not coming back."

  Rose gasped and put her hand to her heart. “What do you mean she's not coming back? I thought you said she was all right?"

  "She will be, God willing, but she's out of our lives. I set her free to go back to her old life."

  Rose clucked her tongue. “But she was doing so well here at the ranch. We were all getting along just ducky. I just don't believe she'd want to leave."

  Rafe shrugged and looked away from her sympathetic gaze. “Believe it or not, it's true. She only stayed here for the summer because I forced her into it. You know the snow job I gave her. And what did it get her? Nothing but trouble. Well, now I'm letting her go. She's free."

  Rose harrumphed and put her hands on her hips. “Lord, lord, what a load of malarkey. If ever I saw two people made for each other, it's you and the missus.” She shook her head. “Why, you young people nowadays don't know a good thing when it's right in front of your face."

  "I don't want to talk about it any longer.” He started to stand up thinking he'd rather clean out stalls than listen to any more of Rose's scolding.

  "Oh sit back down, you hardheaded man, and I'll pour you some coffee,” Rose said with a great deal of exasperation in her voice.

  He didn't even seem to have the power to go against Rose's bossiness today. Rafe sat back down.r />
  "Zeke told me Sarah woke up before you came on home.” Rose carried two cups of coffee to the table and sat down across from him.

  Rafe nodded. “Yes. The doctor said she should make a full recovery. They'll want to keep her under observation for a couple of days to be sure. Mark said she was very lucky. If she'd been hit a little bit harder she might not have made it."

  Rose shook her head. “Some luck!"

  "That's what I said.” Rafe's jaw tightened as he thought of the pain she must be feeling. “She shouldn't have been out there, Rose. I got careless and it almost cost Sarah her life."

  Rose reached over and patted his hand. “It's not your fault, Rafe. I'm sure the missus won't blame you."

  "That's just peachy,” Rafe mumbled and took a sip of coffee.

  Rose sighed. “Anyway, like I was saying, I'm glad she's gonna be okay. It gave all of us quite a scare when we heard about her getting hurt. Zeke was listening to his police band radio when he picked up the ambulance call."

  "I'll bet.” Rafe grimaced when he pictured the scene. “What did Travis say?"

  Rose nodded and took a deep breath. “I just finished laying out lunch when the sheriff came. Even though everyone was all in a tizzy about Sarah being hurt, I had my job to do. The sheriff came right to the table and handcuffed him. You could have knocked me over with a feather, I was that surprised. The boy looked like he was going to faint he turned so white. I never would have pegged him for a criminal."

  "Me, neither,” Rafe shook his head. “But I guess he was the best kind of criminal because he looked so innocent."

  Rose nodded her head. “They came back in and checked the phones in the house. They said the phones were bugged, can you imagine that?"

  Rafe shrugged. “I guess Travis had an easy time doing that, having access to the house at meal times. All he had to do was excuse himself to use the bathroom and sneak into my study."

  Rose tightened her lips. “And to think I took kindly to that lad.” She shook her head. “The boy got really agitated when they were taking him away, saying that he was a spy but he'd never shot anything in his life. He said the rifle was a birthday present from his dad and that he'd never even fired it. Well I can tell you, there was a lot of speculation after they hauled him away."

  "I'll just bet.” Rafe knew how cowboys loved to talk. “Just so Travis, and especially Nevell Blackthorn, get what's coming to them. That's all I really care about."

  "Well now that things have straightened out. You can wait for the missus to come back to you. I know you're in love with her. It's as plain as the nose on your face. And I know she loves you and wouldn't want to leave."

  Rafe tamped down the hope that sprang up in him at Rose's positive words. “It's just barely possible that she might come back to me, but I wouldn't bet on it. The odds are against me."

  * * * *

  * * * *

  Sarah turned her head on the pillow and carefully opened her eyes. She had a gigantic headache that seemed to throb along with her pulse. Well, at least that told her she was still alive. She glanced at the strange walls. They were painted a sickly yellow. Where was she? she wondered. She sure wasn't in her own bed. Then she noticed a person standing at the foot of the bed. “Rafe."

  "No, it's Pipi.” Her cousin stepped closer. Pipi's mouth curved into a soft smile. “How are you feeling this morning, Sarah?"

  "Terrible,” Sarah said with a sigh. “It feels like there are little men banging away at my head with tiny hammers. I was attacked, wasn't I?"

  Pipi nodded solemnly. There was a tight frown on her face. “Don't worry, Sarah, they already caught the man."

  "Good.” Sarah sighed and sagged back against the pillow.

  Pipi brushed the hair back from Sarah's bandaged forehead.

  Sarah smiled at Pipi's tender gesture. Her older cousin had always looked out for her. “I guess Rafe must have called you."

  "Yes, he let me know you were hurt. I arrived in the middle of the night, while you were sleeping."

  Sarah smiled up at Pipi. “He shouldn't have worried you. I'm okay."

  "Are you?” Pipi's voice was cautious.

  "Yes, I'm fine and I'm even better now that you're here. I'm just a little sore that's all. So have you seen Rafe?"

  "Yes, he and I had a long talk,” Pipi said after a moment's hesitation.

  Sarah glanced up sharply at Pipi's evasive tone. What was wrong? Rafe might be hurt, too, or even worse, dead. “Is Rafe okay?” she gasped, frightened.

  "Yes, he's fine,” Pipi said, tightly. She looked toward the door as it opened and then turned back to Sarah with a bright smile. “I've got someone special I want you to meet, Sarah."

  Sarah head footsteps enter the room. She glanced over toward the door as an older lady entered the room. Sarah would have recognized that dear face anywhere. “Granny Blake, is that you?"

  The lady walked up to the bed and reached out to clasp Sarah's hand tightly in hers. “Yes, I'm here, baby.” Granny's soft hand trembled while tears dampened her green eyes. “I gave up hope of ever seeing you again, baby Sarah."

  Sarah couldn't believe her eyes. “I must be having some kind of hallucination caused by the bash to my head. Pipi's probably not real either."

  Pipi chuckled. “Oh, I'm real all right, just ask the nurse from last night. She probably thinks I'm the toughest hombre to cross her path in ages. And your Granny is real, too. Grandfather had us all conned."

  Grandfather stepped near the bed. “I'm afraid it's true,” he admitted gruffly. “I thought it best that you didn't grow up under that kind of influence."

  Sarah blinked up at the three of them. “You mean to tell me this is real. I'm not off my head."

  "Not last time I checked, cuz.” Pipi grinned and added, “But I can always have a shrink check you out if you like."

  Sarah processed the information slowly. She stared up at Granny Blake's sweet face. The two of them shared the same eye color. That hadn't changed but there were new lines on her grandmother's face. Her hair was now a cap of gray curls instead of blond. “You're alive!” Sarah gasped.

  She stared at Grandfather's hard countenance stunned. “How could you have kept us apart?"

  Grandfather fidgeted then looked away. “It was wrong, I realize that now. And I'm ... sorry."

  Sarah saw his proud face crumple and noted how much he had aged. “But how?"

  Granny shook her head. “That's because he snatched you after your parents went down in that plane crash, before I was even informed of the accident. He wanted you all to himself, so he took me to court for total custody. With all his money it wasn't hard for him to win. I think it was his revenge on me for your mother stealing his son away."

  Sarah frowned. “Stealing away. He's always said my mother had ruined my father?"

  "And she did,” Grandfather said bitterly.

  Granny gave him a quelling glare and he piped down. “Sarah, the truth is your dad was following along in his father's footsteps until he met my girl, Dawn. Of course your grandfather could never accept anything less than blue blood for his son, so he rejected them both."

  Granny reached out to brush a wisp of hair off Sarah's forehead. “I was worried at first that your dad might desert my girl. His father had always been such a strong influence in his life. But instead, he broke away and made something of himself. You were all very happy, but the plane crash changed all that. They were coming back from a delayed honeymoon trip when they died. So at least I had the comfort of knowing they were doing something happy."

  "Oh Granny, I never knew any of this.” Sarah glared at her Grandfather. “According to him, my mother was just a cheap little tart and my father was besotted by her. Of course, deep down, I knew differently. I had early memories of us being a happy family."

  Granny smiled sadly and shook her head. “I missed you, baby child."

  Sarah smiled while tears ran down her cheeks unchecked. “So many years have been stolen from us.” She felt like s
ome part of her that had been dead was now coming back to life. “Oh Granny, I missed you, too. We've got so much time to make up for."

  Granny smiled and squeezed her hand. “We will, baby Sarah, we will."

  "I missed you, too,” Grandfather said roughly. “It's been ten long years since I last saw you. I admit, after losing my son I latched onto you. I know I was never good at showing it but I loved you very much, still do for that matter. What I did was wrong and I'm sorry for all the hurt I've caused. Can you ever forgive me?"

  Sarah took a calming breath, swallowing the lump in her throat. She saw the lines of sorrow on his face and heard the genuine regret in his voice. This humble old man was a far cry from the stiff autocrat that had raised her. She reached out to take his trembling hand. “I guess we'll have to start fresh, won't we?"

  Tears misted his eyes as he glanced at her and then at Granny Blake. “We all will."

  Sarah cleared the lump in her throat. “Tell me, Granny, how did you find me after all these years?"

  "That nice husband of yours did some checking and got my number. Then Pipi called me last night and told me you were hurt. She chartered a plane and before long we were here. It was just like being caught in a whirlwind. Before I knew it, I was here looking at your sweet face."

  Sarah smiled. This was just like Rafe's typical high-handed style to go behind her back. But considering the results she didn't mind. “That was so nice of Rafe. I should be mad at him for being so sneaky, but I can never stay mad at him for long."

  Granny smiled understandingly and then glanced nervously at Pipi. “Yes, he said you'd want family around you when you woke up this morning."

  Sarah's heart melted, what a sweet thought. Rafe loved her. He'd shouted it out at the campsite. And his actions proved it. After all he'd always said that actions counted the most. She hugged the thought to her. She looked around the hospital room but didn't see any sign of him. “So, where is he?"

  "He went home, Sarah,” Pipi said quietly.

  Sarah looked at Pipi. “Why?” she asked, knowing somehow she wasn't telling her everything.