Tularosa Moon

by Stacey Coverstone

  Momentarily paralyzed with fear, Lindy squeezed her eyes shut and squelched back a scream. Her limbs began quaking. Someone evil had done this.

  I have to get out of here now.

  She spun around, and the breath seized in her lungs. Her gaze collided with the albino’s menacing glare. The murderer had tormented her dreams for years, and here they were—standing face to face. In one hand, he held a bloody hunting knife. In the other was a handgun. Her gaze flew to his arm. Standing out in bold color was a tattoo of the initial “B” with a dagger and lily through it.

  “I like horses,” he said, cocking a malevolent smile that chilled her to the bones. “I didn’t want to kill this one, but I had to get your attention somehow.”

  With his beady, pomegranate-colored eyes penetrating her, Lindy felt like a spider caught in a web. Fear slithered down her spine when he flipped the knife onto the ground and lifted the gun. There was a silencer on the end of it. He was going to kill her now, just as he’d vowed in the courtroom that day.

  Afraid to remove her gaze from him, pieces of disjointed memories flashed through her mind like a lightning storm. One of those memories was of mucking equipment hanging from pegs in this barn. When she’d come in a few moments ago, she’d walked past a pitchfork and what T.J. called a pooper-scooper hanging on the wall. But the shovel hadn’t been there. She suddenly remembered where it was. It had fallen off the wall and hit Hunter in the shoulder. He’d propped it against the stall door beside her. She quickly cut her gaze in that direction. The shovel was still there.

  Skin tilted his head back and forth, and Lindy flinched at the sound of bones cracking in his neck.

  “I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time, Joy,” he said. “Revenge has kept me from going insane in that hellhole for the last three years. The hellhole you put me in.” He raised the gun parallel to her head and aimed.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she glimpsed the dull metal of the shovel next to her.

  “Farewell, Joy,” Skin whispered. He thumb-cocked the pistol.

  Lindy batted at the shovel and flung herself to the ground at the exact moment Skin pulled the trigger. A bullet exploded into the wood above her, sending splinters raining down on her head. When she fell, the thin edge of the shovel bit into her uninjured knee.

  Her tearful thanks covered her pain-filled curse as she grabbed the handle and sprang to her feet, swinging like a mad woman. She whacked at the gun, and it flew out of his hand just as he got another round off. She ducked, and the bullet went wild. The gun skittered across the floor. Skin cursed and grabbed at his hand. Grunting, she swung the shovel again, with all her might.

  The dull thud of metal against skull bone stunned her for a second. Skin stumbled and staggered, shock in his eyes, blood peppering his temple. He swiped at the slow trickle and then bared his teeth like a wild animal. He lunged.

  Lindy’s chest heaved as she raised the shovel again. But he was too strong and full of rage. He ripped the shovel from her grasp, flung it to the side, and raised his fists. She felt herself falling backward and thudding to the hard ground.

  Just then, a deep voice roared, “Get off her!” Skin glanced over his shoulder. From the ground, Lindy saw Cole plow through the door. His blue eyes were afire with rage. She rolled away a moment before he tackled Skin. She watched with bulging eyes as Cole wrenched her attacker up by the collar, whipped him onto his back, and punched him, blow after blow.

  Unfortunately, Skin was not about to go down without a fight. He kneed Cole in the groin and flipped him onto his back and began to pummel him with flying fists.

  Despite the excruciating pain shooting out from both knees, Lindy heaved herself up from the ground and limped around the tussling men toward the shovel. She gripped the handle and raised it, intending to deliver a final, fatal blow to Skin’s head.

  Crack! The deafening sound of a shotgun blast set Lindy’s ears to ringing. Her gaze flew to the figure standing in the doorway. Cole and Skin stopped fighting and turned their heads.

  Ella made fast strides toward them with the shotgun aimed at Skin. Cole shoved Skin off his body and pinned him to the ground. As Ella neared, Lindy dropped the shovel, hobbled to pick up the discarded revolver, and then slumped against a wall in exhaustion.

  “Stand up, you skinny-assed murderer,” Ella barked, nudging Skin with the barrel of her shotgun.

  Cole yanked Skin to his feet, and Ella tossed him a length of rope. Cole tied Skin’s hands behind his back and then pushed him against a pole and wrapped him in the rope, as if they were going to burn him at the stake. Ella kept her gun leveled at Skin as Cole made several tight knots.

  “The state police should be here soon,” Ella told Lindy over her shoulder.

  “How’d you know I was out here?” Lindy asked, breathing hard and walking like a lame horse to Ella’s side.

  “I saw you leave the house and head for the barn with your bags under your arms. Luckily, I was standing at my bedroom window at the time. I immediately phoned Cole and told him to get over here pronto. Then I rushed downstairs and heard a buzzing noise coming from the office. I found my laptop on, and the page about this scumbag was on the screen. I skimmed the article to read that he’d murdered five men in California and wounded one woman three years ago.” Her mouth drooped with pity.

  “But how did you know he”—Lindy nodded at Skin but couldn’t bear to say his name out loud—“was here in the barn waiting for me?”

  Cole yanked the knots tight and stepped over to her, wiping blood from his mouth and knuckles onto his jeans. His blue eyes glittered with unshed tears.

  “I saw a strange car parked under the trees across the road from the entrance to the ranch,” he explained. “When I pulled over and inspected it, something didn’t set right with me. I got a bad feeling in my gut and called the state police and rushed up here.”

  “I think I know why Lindy’s so scared of you,” Ella spat to Skin, while holding the shotgun under his chin, “but I’m sure of one thing. You’re going to jail for attempted murder.”

  “He brutally killed one of your horses, too,” Lindy said. Ella’s nose rode in the air and she scowled, apparently smelling the blood for the first time. She narrowed her eyes at Skin. “You rotten bastard. I’ll have you charged with trespassing, animal cruelty, and anything else we can come up with.”

  He showed her a bloody smile, and Lindy saw that Cole had knocked one of Skin’s teeth out. Then he snarled, “You have no idea what kind of animals I’ve killed, you old bitch.” He spit on the ground at Ella’s feet.

  Cole stomped over to him and kicked him between the legs with the toe of his pointy boot. “Shut up, asshole.”

  Skin let out a wail so loud and eerie that the donkeys began hee-hawing outside. Then Cole marched past Ella and Lindy toward the tack room. He returned thirty seconds later with a roll of duct tape in his hand, ripped off a wide piece, and slapped it over Skin’s mouth. “I won’t tolerate more of your guff.”

  Moments later, two patrol cars rolled up to the barn with sirens blaring. When the officer in charge introduced himself, Cole reached out to shake his hand.

  “Officer Rafael. Do you remember me? Last summer, Wyatt Brannigan and I got involved in helping Jordan Mackenzie with the problems she was having with Addison Stillwell. You set up a sting operation in order to trap him at the county fair.”

  Rafael smiled and pumped Cole’s hand vigorously. “Of course, Mr. Roberts. How could I forget you and Mr. Brannigan? Good to see you again. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now?”

  Cole chuckled. “I’ll let this lady do the talking. To be honest, I don’t know what the hell’s going on.” He introduced Lindy, and she briefly explained who Steven Neal was. Then Ella and Cole relayed to Rafael their part in the capture.

  After the knots binding Skin to the pole were cut, Rafael arrested him, slapped on cuffs, and read him his Miranda rights. Then three officers escorted him to the patrol car with the
ir guns trained on him.

  “There’s nothing to fear now, Miss Grainger,” Officer Rafael said. “They’re hauling him off to jail, where he’s going to stay. But I do need a full statement from you. Are you up to giving one at this time?”

  She nodded, thankful to be alive and looking forward to Cole and Ella hearing the truth.

  “Let’s go inside and sit at the table where we’ll be more comfortable,” Ella suggested. “And you need some first aid before we get started,” she said, noticing Lindy’s sliced kneecap. “You, too, Cole.”

  Ella led Rafael out of the barn with her shotgun resting on her shoulder.

  “Are you okay?” Cole asked Lindy, gazing into her eyes with tenderness.

  “I am now. What about you?” She searched his face. His lip was bloodied and a green and purple bruise was forming below one eye. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”

  “I’ve been in brawls before. I’ll survive.”

  As they started out of the barn, Cole noticed Lindy limping and carefully lifted her into his arms.

  “You don’t have to carry me,” she said, knowing he was in pain, too. Nevertheless, she locked her arms around his neck, grateful to be off her feet. It felt like someone had slammed her knees with a sledgehammer. “You must be hurting,” she acknowledged.

  “I’ll manage.” With little effort, Cole carried her up the hill. When they reached the top and he set her down, he slid a querying look at her and said, “You’ve got a lot of explaining to do.”

  Thirty

  Once Lindy had finished telling her remarkable story, Cole rubbed a hand over his chin. He met his mother’s gaze. She looked as stunned as he felt.

  “I’m worried about Griffin,” Lindy told Officer Rafael as he stood, closed his notebook, and prepared to leave.

  “I’ll use my contacts in the government and call you as soon as I find out any information on him. Do you have a cell phone number?”

  “You can call here,” Ella said.

  Rafael nodded. “I’ll also let you all know what’s to happen with Steven Neal.” With that, he shook their hands and left.

  Cole stared at Lindy, not knowing what to think or how to feel. His nerves rippled under his skin. Apparently sensing he and Lindy had some talking to do, his mother excused herself by saying she needed to take her gun upstairs. She stood and hugged Lindy around the shoulders.

  “You’ve been through so much, honey,” she said with tears shimmering in her eyes. “We had no idea.”

  Lindy squeezed Ella’s hand. Her voice hitched when she said, “I’m sorry for almost running out on you that way, and for putting you and Cole, and the others, in danger. Also for going through your personal papers and using your computer without asking.” She sniffled and lowered her gaze. “I’m sorry for so many things.” Cole could tell Lindy was about to lose it. Obviously, his mom could tell, too.

  “Lindy…uh, I mean, Joy,” Ella said, using the name Lindy told them was her real name. “That man has been arrested. You don’t have to be scared anymore. They’re going to lock him up and throw away the key. You’re safe again.”

  Cole knew his mom had been sick all day. She looked tired.

  “Thank you for coming to my rescue,” Joy said thoughtfully. “You were very courageous to do what you did.”

  Ella smiled a weary smile. “I wasn’t about to let anyone hurt my family.” She patted Joy’s hand and then ruffled Cole’s head. “And I’ll confess, it was a bit of a rush to brandish my shotgun and strut in there like Dirty Harry. But I’m plum worn out now.”

  “I’ll bring your shotgun upstairs later,” Cole offered. “And I’ll make arrangements to have the dead horse removed from the barn first thing in the morning. I’ll seal it off tonight and let the boys know what happened so the guests don’t go inside.”

  Ella nodded and disappeared up the stairs.

  There was an awkward moment in which Cole and Joy—it would take a while to get used to the new name—stared at one another in silence. Then she said, “I’m sorry for having lied to you, Cole. I hope you understand I had no option. I’ve been on the run for three years. There’s been no one I could tell or trust. I had to leave my family and friends—and my career—behind when I joined the Witness Protection Program. Griffin has been my only friend and support. I’m so worried about him. I’m afraid Steven Neal or someone in his gang has hurt him.” She wrung her hands together.

  “I’m sure Rafael will locate Griffin soon and contact you. He’s a highly capable and efficient man.”

  She nodded but didn’t seem placated.

  “Why the sad face?” he asked. “The nightmare is over.”

  “Is it? That evil creature went to prison for murdering five men, then he somehow managed to escape and find me. I’m going to have to go to court and testify against him for the second time. What’s to say he won’t break out again, or send his gang members after me like he did before? I’m never going to be free of him. I’m always going to be running and hiding.”

  Cole’s gut flared with anger at what that bastard had done to her. There was no denying her fear was warranted. But what kind of life was she destined to have if she kept running? Where did that leave them? If he was reading her correctly, she was telling him goodbye.

  He leaned forward in his chair and rubbed her hands between his. “I’ll protect you, Lindy. I mean, Joy. I won’t let any harm come to you. That’s a promise.”

  Her lips curved up at the corners, but her eyes clouded with despair. “No matter how much I want to stay, I can’t put you and Ella in further danger. The responsibility is too much to bear. If something happened to either of you, I’d never forgive myself.”

  What was she saying? That she was leaving? Without even giving it another thought? The ache he felt move through his chest turned to a deep, unbearable burn at the thought of losing her.

  He palmed her cheek and sifted his fingers through her hair. If there ever was a time for him to speak from his heart, it was now, before he lost her forever.

  “Joy, I’m in love with you. I can’t imagine not having you by my side. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you and making you happy.” He dropped to one knee and squeezed her hand. “Please say you’ll marry me. I’ll take care of you. I’ll love you and always keep you safe.”

  The expression on her beautiful face shattered him. Her eyes grew wide with surprise. But just as quickly, the hope within them died and she closed them tight. A single teardrop slid down her cheek. When she opened her eyes, she gently pressed her lips to his. His pulse pounded in his ears at the taste of her warm lips caressing his.

  When they parted, she quietly said, “I’m sorry for leading you on, Cole. It was wrong of me to sleep with you or to make you think there could ever be anything between us. I can’t marry you.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t love you.”

  Pain more potent than a fist to the face knifed through him. His teeth ground together. “I don’t believe you.”

  “I’m sorry, but it’s true,” she said with conviction. “Someday, I hope you’ll understand that it’s better this way. We’re not meant to be together.”

  “Bullshit.” Coiled energy flowed through his veins as his temper sparked. “I love you, and I know you love me.”

  “No, I don’t. It won’t work,” she said, standing up. “Please forgive me.”

  With that, she turned and ascended the stairs. When her—his old bedroom door—closed, Cole slammed his fist on the dining table.

  ****

  Twin suns collided behind Joy’s eyes and she collapsed onto the bed. Hot tears streamed down her cheeks. Cole loved her and wanted to marry her. But it couldn’t be. She sat shivering on the mattress when she heard the front door slam downstairs. The noise shook the house like a bomb had exploded.

  Holding her head in her hands, she wept for having lied to him. And for the life they would not share. She did love Cole, which is why she’d had to turn down his proposal and lie
about her feelings. Skin had proven to be a cunning monster—someone who would stop at nothing—not even prison walls—to seek revenge. Joy could not take the chance of Cole and Ella getting caught in his devious crossfires again someday. The best thing for all of them was for her to move on and start over again, in a new place and with another new identity.

  Her ears perked at the telephone ringing. A moment later, a knock sounded on her door. She patted her tear-stained face dry and answered the door.

  “Joy, this phone call is for you,” Ella said holding her hand over the receiver of a portable phone. “You can take it here in your room, if you’d like.”

  “Thank you, Ella.”

  Joy accepted the phone, hoping it was Officer Rafael with some news about Griffin. Cole had said he was a capable and efficient man. She softly closed the door and said, “Hello?”

  “Joy, it’s me.”

  Every cell in her body jumped with excitement at hearing the voice she’d know anywhere. “Griffin! You’re alive! I was terrified that something horrible had happened to you. Where have you been? I’ve been calling and calling.” She felt tears burning the backs of her eyes again.

  “Slow down,” he chuckled. “I’m fine, and I appreciate your concern. Long story short, my cell phone was compromised, and someone hacked into my computer and deleted all my files, including yours.”

  “That’s why no one knew me at the toll-free number you’d given me,” she realized.

  “We discovered who did the hacking. He’s a member of the Brotherhood. He’s been arrested, along with a couple of accomplices. They’re all in jail and being held without bond.”

  Joy’s hand flew to her heart. That bombshell brought a mixture of surprise and relief flooding her senses.

  “I’m sorry for what you’ve been through,” Griffin continued. “I’ve just gotten off the phone with a New Mexico state policeman by the name of Rafael. He’s filled me in on what happened there at the ranch. He told me Steven Neal has been arrested and is in jail, but that you had a close call.” He paused, and his voice choked when he asked, “Are you okay?”