by Krista Lakes
Chapter 31
Bonnie
Bonnie was sad to leave. She loved this house. She loved PawPaw's hospitality. She loved how Dylan shared his childhood with her and the way he smiled at everything. She was happy here. She felt almost as safe here as she did at the ranch.
But, she wanted to get home. They were still too close to the city for her to feel comfortable. Dylan had made sure there was plenty of security, and while they did blend into the background, she could always tell that they were there. She saw them out of the corner of her eye and would startle until she realized they were security and not intruders.
“Thank you so much for having us,” Bonnie told PawPaw as the limousine drove up to get them. “I hope you'll come out and visit us sometime soon.”
PawPaw wrapped her up in a big bear hug and squeezed. “I'd love that. You know you're invited out here for Thanksgiving, right?”
“I wouldn't miss it for the world,” she assured him. PawPaw grinned before turning to Dylan.
“This one's a keeper,” PawPaw told him.
“I already knew that,” Dylan replied, but he beamed with pride. PawPaw hugged his grandson.
The limo pulled to a stop, and Dylan helped PawPaw put their things in the trunk before one more round of goodbyes. PawPaw stood on the porch, waving goodbye as they drove away. Bonnie opened the window and waved for as long as she could before the limo turned, and PawPaw was obscured by the trees.
“Thank you for bringing me here,” she said softly, rolling up her window. The air conditioning felt cold after the heat of the sunshine. Even though it was still early in the day, the New Orleans' southern heat was rising.
“Thank you for coming,” he replied. Dylan leaned over and kissed her cheek, making her smile.
She watched as they drove, taking in the sights. The big oak trees covered in Spanish moss were so different than the big pines of home. With a start, she realized that she now thought of Colorado as home, rather than New Jersey.
She looked over at Dylan as he too watched the world out the window. It wasn't Colorado that was home. It was Dylan. Where ever he was, that was home.
The limo came to a stop just outside the tarmac of the small airport. It was larger and busier than the one in Silver Springs. Several people with suitcases walked along the sidewalk. Most were busy talking into cell phones or checking their departure times, but it made her uneasy. There were a lot of eyes here.
“You're just being paranoid,” she told herself as the driver opened the door. She wished she'd remembered to bring her sunglasses with her in the limo, but they were packed in her bag. She felt very exposed all of the sudden.
She stepped to the side and opened up her carry-on bag from the trunk. She wanted the sunglasses for the quick walk to their plane. She had a horrible sensation that something was about to happen. She needed to hide.
“Are you okay?” Dylan asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“I just need some sunglasses,” she replied. She couldn't find them. They had to be in the bag somewhere.
“Okay. We can wait,” he replied. “Do you want mine?”
"No, that's okay, I'll find them in just a second," she replied digging further into her bag. Her fingers felt the curve of plastic, and she sighed with relief as she pulled them out. They were big and mirrored and perfect for hiding her face.
She turned to grin at Dylan when she noticed someone standing directly behind him. At first, he looked like just another traveler on his way to a plane. He wore a dark polo shirt and was putting his phone into his pocket. He pulled a small suitcase behind him.
He checked to make sure his phone was safe and looked up and directly at her. Recognition glowed in his eyes. She saw the scar on his cheek.
He had been at the fire. He knew who she was.
Their eyes met, and the man grinned. He pulled his phone back out, hit a button, and she could read his lips.
“I found her.”
“Dylan,” she whispered. She grabbed at his arm, forcing him to turn, but the man was already gone.
“What? What am I looking for?” Dylan asked. “Are you okay? You're shaking?”
“He was there,” she whispered. “He was at the fire. I saw him.”
Dylan's face went hard. He motioned to security, but Bonnie knew it was too late.
Security swarmed around her, but it didn't matter. The damage was already done.
They'd found her. They'd seen her with Dylan, and she knew a simple Google search would lead them right to Silver Springs. Dylan wasn't in hiding, so it would be easy enough to locate him. Hell, all they had to do was ask at Sandy's for him.
She suddenly regretted not being more careful. She should have taken more precautions. She should have stayed hidden.
“It'll be okay,” Dylan told her, guiding her toward the plane. “Security is on it. You don't have to worry.”
She let him take her onto the plane. She felt numb all over. She had hidden successfully for weeks now. If she had just walked to the plane without the stupid sunglasses, the man would have never seen her. They would have missed each other by seconds.
Instead, she had failed her brother.
She sat down in the soft leather chairs but didn't feel comfortable. She was clammy and hot and cold at the same time. Her stomach threatened to expel her breakfast.
They had found her.
Chapter 32
Bonnie
The plane ride home was miserable. Bonnie alternated between terror and passive fear the entire flight home. She didn't have a plan. She wasn't sure what she was going to do now. She wasn't sure what the next steps were.
She needed to call Detective Patton. Dylan's security team never found the man with the scar at the airport, but she was sure she'd seen him. She was sure it wasn't just her imagination playing tricks on her. He'd seen her with Dylan.
It wouldn't be difficult to ask whose private jet was on runway three and then to do a simple Google search for the location of Dylan Abbott. It was common knowledge where he was working.
Dylan's car sped along the highway as they returned to the ranch. She stared out the window, not really seeing the mountains or the building storm.
In her mind's eye, she could see the Trio already booking flights and renting big, black, scary SUVs with tinted windows that they could snatch her up off the street with. She could see them finding her at Sandy's and taking her and her hamburger back to New Jersey to silence her brother.
“Are you okay?” Dylan asked, putting his hand on her knee. She jumped sky high.
“I'm fine,” she told him. She moved away from him in the small car. It was one of his nicer ones.
“Right,” Dylan replied. He didn't sound convinced. “Do you want to come over to my place?”
“No,” she said shortly.
Dylan sighed and pulled the car over to the side of the road. Bonnie immediately became agitated. She needed to get home.
"What are you doing?" she asked, glancing around. She was ready to get out and walk if necessary. It wasn't far. She could actually see her cabin from here. If she hurried, she could be on the road before dark.
“You're planning on running again, aren't you?” Dylan turned to her, his dark eyes watching her every movement.
Guilt tugged at her, but she pushed it away. She raised her chin. "Yes. It's not safe."
He sighed, hurt pulling his lips tight. “Bonnie, you promised me.”
“I know,” she said, hating how guilty she felt. “It's just that I can't put you, or the ranch, in danger. They'll be coming for me. I know it.”
Thunder rumbled, echoing off the mountains. The ominous sound reflected through her entire being.
“Bonnie, I promised I'd keep you safe,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm. “I'm going to keep that promise.”
Beside them, two dark SUVs with pulled up. Dylan waved them off before the security teams could interrupt their conversation. Two men with earpieces hopped out of the car and positioned themselve
s so that no one could sneak up on them.
“You don't understand,” she whispered. Her mind went back to the fire. To the helpless feeling of watching her life burn. She remembered the police station. Brett had looked so small and afraid in the uncomfortable chairs. She didn't want her little brother to be scared anymore.
“I want to be with you, Bonnie.”
She closed her eyes tighter, trying to fight back the tears. She could hear the gentle plunk of raindrops start to land on the windshield. The rainstorm was starting.
She'd arrived in a rainstorm, and now she was going to leave in one.
She reached for the door, her hand shaking as she gripped the handle. She didn't want to leave, but she was so afraid. Afraid for Dylan. Afraid for Tyson. Afraid for Brett.
Afraid for herself.
“Please don't leave,” Dylan told her. His voice made her turn and look at him. His dark eyes were so sad. “Please. I love you.”
Her fingers fumbled on the door handle. She didn't open it. Her heart was bursting. Joy, fear, sadness, relief, and love were all exploding out of her chest, and she wasn't sure what she was going to do with all of them.
“I love you, Bonnie,” he repeated. His eyes were dark pools that drew her in. “Please don't leave.”
She didn't go out in the rain. The rain came harder, making the car a cocoon for the two of them. The world outside was lost to the sound of rain and thunder. They were the only two humans left.
“I love you, too,” she whispered.
“Then stay,” he said, reaching for her cheek. His fingers were rough but gentle as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. “I promise to keep you safe.”
With her eyes closed, she thought.
She loved him. She loved him more than she'd ever thought possible and the sheer amount of emotion she felt was terrifying. She let herself wonder if perhaps it wasn't part of her need to run. She was afraid he might break her heart. She was afraid she'd break his, and that was almost as bad.
She took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
Dylan was there. Just seeing him made her shoulders relax and her stomach stop twisting into knots. He loved her. He'd just said the words and the light in his eyes told her it was true.
“Okay,” she whispered. She'd take this leap of faith. She'd stay and make a stand.
“Okay?” Dylan's eyebrows raised with hope.
“Okay,” she told him. “I'll stay. I'm done running.”
He leaned forward and kissed her. He kissed her like she'd just given him everything he'd ever wanted. He kissed her like she was the air he breathed.
Lightning flashed, and thunder rumbled, but they weren't in the storm. Together, they were safe. Together, they could survive any storm.
Chapter 33
Bonnie
Bonnie couldn’t sit still. She jumped at every sound. She saw shadows around every corner, and she heard every squeak, step, and breath of every person walking down the hall.
She was a mess.
Four days. Four days since they’d left New Orleans. She’d been jumping and living on little to no sleep for four days. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the man with the scar on his cheek. He would grin and then lunge for her.
She’d wake up screaming and afraid to go back to sleep. Not even Dylan could get her to relax.
She’d called Detective Patton, but he said there was nothing he could do. They didn’t have any reports coming into the station about the Trio. It was still business as usual. As far as the police knew, the Trio was still looking for her and didn’t know where she was.
So, today, she sat outside watching the horses and trying to stay calm. She felt better by the horses. Anytime anyone approached, they would lift their heads to see who it was. They were better at spotting people than she was.
So far, they’d seen two kids, Laura, and a security guard. Nothing too dangerous there.
She sighed and put her head against the fence post. She was so tired. This was going to drive her insane. The waiting was the worst part. She knew the Trio saw her. She knew it was only a matter of time before they found her.
She considered running again, but she couldn’t bring herself to even think of it. She didn’t want to leave Dylan. She was going to ask him if they could take a trip though. Maybe he could show her the farm he grew up on. She’d love to meet his mom and sister. Plus, his farm was in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. She’d probably be safe there.
“Bonnie?”
Someone touched her shoulder, and she spun, defensively putting up her hands. She was ready to fight whoever just snuck up on her. She’d only had her eyes closed for a second, but somehow someone had snuck up on her.
“Bonnie? Are you okay?” Tyson asked, taking a step back. His big brown eyes had a little fear in them, and she immediately felt guilty. She glared at the horses. They were supposed to warn her about people coming up. The nearest one just flicked its ears and walked away.
“I’m so sorry, Tyson,” she said, dropping low to be at his level. “You just startled me.”
“I’m sorry, Bonnie.” Tyson got smaller before her eyes.
“It’s not your fault, Tyson,” she told him. “I’m just feeling anxious today.”
“Oh. Sometimes I get anxious about things, too,” Tyson said, a smile brightening his face. He gave her a big hug. “Hugs help.”
Her heart melted into a puddle on the ground. This five-year-old was wise and kind. She hugged him hard back. “What were you coming to see me about?”
“I just wanted to see if we were going to have a swim lesson today. It’s almost time.”
“I would love to have the swim lesson,” she told him. “I just lost track of time. How about we both go change and I’ll meet you at the pool?”
She smiled and hoped he’d take her up on it. A swim lesson would help distract her.
Tyson nodded. “Okay.”
“Come on,” she said, rising up and putting a hand on his shoulder. “We can walk back together.”
Tyson reached for her hand and held it tightly as they walked. She liked having the physical connection. He could always make her feel better. She sighed and looked around. The camp was quiet.
You’re safe here, she reminded herself. She gave Tyson’s hand a gentle squeeze, and he smiled up at her.
She didn’t want to run, but she just wished she felt safe again.
Two more days passed. Bonnie sat on the back porch of the kitchen trying to eat her sandwich for lunch. It was almost a week since New Orleans, and still, there was nothing. She was starting to think that maybe she’d been seeing things. Maybe it wasn’t the same man from the fire. Maybe it was just a man with a similar scar who she thought was him.
Detective Patton checked in with her daily, but he always said the same thing- no new leads. No new chatter.
The sandwich was one of Chef’s best, but she couldn’t find the desire to eat. She just kept picking off pieces of bread and chucking them off the deck. At least the squirrels and birds would get a good meal out of it.
Two security guards walked past, their uniforms dark in the afternoon sun. They both nodded politely in her direction, but they were all business. Since New Orleans, Dylan had the security teams doubled. No one was getting onto the ranch without them knowing.
She let her gaze wander to the garage. Dylan was under the hood of her car again. She sincerely suspected that he was replacing her entire engine. She shook her head. It was probably cheaper to just buy a new car, but he was having fun replacing and fixing up the junker. It tickled her that a billionaire was fixing up her car when he could buy her a new one six times over without even blinking.
Plus, he looked good with a little grease on him. He looked even better when he let her help shower it off.
“Hey, Bonnie?” Laura called, coming up to the porch. “Do you have a minute?”
“Sure. What do you need?” Bonnie set her sandwich off to the side.
“Can you help m
e with the kids?” Laura asked. “We’ve got extra kids coming in for the day, and I’m short staffed.”
“I’d love to help,” Bonnie told her. “Let me just put this in the kitchen.”
“Oh, thank you! Just come to the barn. You’re a lifesaver!” Laura called, already walking toward the barn.
Bonnie headed into the kitchen, disposed of the sandwich, and put her plate in the dishwasher. She liked having something to do, so she was happy to help Laura. Besides, she also liked working with the horses.
She jogged over to the barn where Laura had a line of kids finishing a horseback ride and a line of new kids getting ready to go. Laura pointed to the kids and mimed taking off her helmet, so that’s what Bonnie did. She helped the kids take off their riding gear and then had them line up along the barn wall.
“Thank you so much,” Laura told her, as she grabbed a riding helmet from Bonnie. “There’s more kids than we expected today. A bunch of foster parents just brought all of their kids, so this really helps. Thanks.”
“My pleasure,” Bonnie assured her.
“If you can make sure all these kids get up to the cafeteria, Elena will make sure they get fed,” Laura said. “I’m going to get this next group up and riding.”
“Sounds good,” she told Laura. She turned to the kids. “Okay, time for lunch!”
She wrangled the line of kids up the hill to the cafeteria where Elena had plates and food ready to go.
“I think I’ve got lunch handled,” Elena told her. “Laura may need some more help, though.”
“Sure, I’ll head back to the barn,” Bonnie replied with a smile. She felt better now that she was moving and doing something. She was sure Laura could use a hand with the kids, and then she could even help groom the horses. It was certainly something to do, and it felt better than being by herself.
She walked along the side of the barn. The sun was warm on her cheek, and she was glad she’d put sunscreen on that morning. She’d learned the hard way just how easy it was to burn up in the mountain altitude.