Hard to Hold

by Karen Foley

  “Cattle. It’s a small operation, with about five hundred head, but it provides jobs for some of the local guys.”

  “What about your father? Where is he?”

  “My dad lives in Monterey. He and my mom were never married, but they’re still good friends.”

  “Really?” Maddie couldn’t keep the disbelief out of her voice.

  Colton grinned. “Really.”

  She didn’t know what to expect, but not the neat ranch house surrounded by a half-dozen outbuildings and a series of paddocks and corrals. The house itself was sprawling, with an enormous wraparound porch, and Maddie could see it was well maintained. Beyond the main house was a large barn, and she could make out the shadowy figures of several people inside. Several older trucks were parked beside the building, and Colton drew his own pickup alongside and turned off the engine.

  “Are you okay?”

  Maddie dragged her gaze away from the main house, where a woman had come outside to stand on the porch. “I’m a little nervous, I guess.”

  Colton grinned. “Don’t be. We haven’t stolen any white women in decades, and the only person likely to go on the warpath is my mother if we track mud through her house.”

  Maddie flushed. “That’s not why I’m nervous.”

  She hadn’t actually given his Native American heritage much thought beyond an appreciation of how it had contributed to his dark good looks. No, it was the thought of meeting his family that made her palms go damp. She barely remembered her own mother, and her memories of her father were all mixed up with vague emotions of anger and fear. Even her grandfather, whom she had loved, hadn’t been someone she could look up to or depend upon.

  But she sensed that Colton’s family was close. It was there in his tone when he talked about them, and she could almost see his body posture change now that he was home. Since she’d met him, he’d been on high alert. Now he seemed marginally more relaxed.

  Reaching across the seat, he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and let his knuckles linger for a few seconds against her jaw. “There’s nothing to be nervous about, Madeleine. Come inside and meet my family. Then we’ll make plans. Okay?”

  She nodded, resisting the urge to turn her face into his hand. Seemingly satisfied, Colton got out of the truck and came around to her side to open the door. She was grateful for his protective bulk as they made their way across the dusty yard to the house. As they walked, several men came out of the barn, while another group appeared from one of the outbuildings beyond the ranch. Maddie was unaware that she had slid her hand into Colton’s until she felt the warm strength of his fingers close around hers.

  They reached the porch at the same time as the two groups of men. They were all Native American, all around Colton’s age, except for one who was older by at least twenty years. He wore his long, dark hair in a neat ponytail beneath his cowboy hat. He strode up to Colton and embraced him, saying something in a language Maddie didn’t understand.

  Colton returned the man’s hug before pulling away and turning toward the woman who stood watching quietly. This was Colton’s mother, Maddie knew. She had the same dark eyes, the same watchful manner as her son, and she was strikingly attractive.

  “Mom.” He pulled her into his arms and gave her a brief hug. “Thanks for having us on such short notice.”

  “This is still your home. You know that.”

  Colton stepped away to draw Maddie forward. “This is Madeleine Howe, a friend of mine.”

  When Colton’s mother reached out and took her hands, Maddie could feel calluses on the other woman’s fingers. “I’m Susan Waite. Welcome to the Black Creek Ranch.” Her eyes were warm as she assessed her.

  Maddie gave her an uncertain smile. “Thank you.”

  Colton drew her attention to the older man. “This is my stepfather, Billy Waite, and these other men are my friends.” He turned to his mother. “Aiden Cross is on his way. He should be here within the hour.”

  Maddie smiled at the men, but their names were a blur as Colton introduced her. The only one she really remembered was Siyota Fast Horse, distinctive because of his name and the Bureau of Indian Affairs police badge he wore on his uniform.

  “Come inside,” Susan invited when the introductions were over. “I just made a fresh pot of coffee.”

  “The boys and I are going to head over to the bunkhouse,” Colton said. “But Maddie could probably use a cup of coffee.” Seeing her alarmed expression, he bent his head close to hers. “I won’t be gone long. You’ll be fine.”

  Maddie watched them stride across the yard before reluctantly turning to follow Colton’s mother into the house.

  “Have a seat,” Susan urged her, gesturing toward an enormous farmhouse table in the middle of a large kitchen. “How do you like your coffee?”

  “Light, please.” Maddie sat down, and as Susan poured coffee for them, she took stock of her surroundings. The ranch house was spacious and decorated in a Southwestern style. It was rustic without being primitive, and the warm tones of the fabrics and textures made Maddie feel comfortable. An open hutch stood against a nearby wall, displaying a collection of hand-thrown pottery. An assortment of framed photos on the lower shelf caught Maddie’s attention, and she stood up to get a better look.

  “Is this Colton?” she asked, picking up one photo and tipping it toward the light. Two little boys stood with their skinny arms flung around each other’s shoulders, grinning impishly into the camera. Both had shiny black hair and dark eyes, but one boy had deep dimples that Maddie instantly recognized.

  Susan came to stand beside Maddie, and handed her a steaming mug of coffee. “That’s Colton and his best friend, Siyota, when they were ten years old.” She smiled fondly. “They were such little hellions.”

  Maddie replaced the photo and picked up another one of two different boys. “Who are these?”

  “Those are my younger sons, Shane and Wes. They’re older now, of course.”

  Maddie stared more closely at the picture, seeing the resemblance to Colton. “They’re beautiful boys.”

  Susan tipped her head, listening. “I think I hear them waking up.”

  “They’re here?” Maddie couldn’t contain her surprise.

  “Of course. They might think they’re grown men, ready to leave their father’s house, but they are still just seventeen and fifteen years old. Normally, they would already be up and helping their dad, but with so many of Colton’s friends here, Billy decided to let the boys sleep, and the men did the chores for them.”

  As if on cue, a teenaged boy shuffled into the kitchen, still rumpled from sleep and looking a bit grumpy.

  “Why did you let me sleep so late? What’s going on?” He caught sight of Maddie and stopped short, running a self-conscious hand over his short hair. “Sorry, I didn’t know we had company.”

  “Shane, this is Maddie Howe. She’s a friend of Colton’s.”

  At her words, the boy’s face brightened. “He’s here? Where is he? Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “He’s in the bunkhouse with your father, but I think they’re talking business—”

  But it was too late. Shane disappeared the way he had come, shouting for his brother to wake up. “Colton’s here! Hurry up!”

  They heard the slam of the front screen door, and Maddie caught a blur of movement through the living room as Wes sprinted after his older brother, hastily pulling a shirt on over his head as he ran.

  Susan gave a philosophical shrug. “They adore Colton. He was already a teenager when they were born, and by the time they started school, he was in college. His visits are always a treat for them.”

  “I have a brother who’s not much older than Shane,” Maddie told her. “He’s always been the most important person in my life.”

  “But maybe there is room in your heart
for another person?”

  Maddie threw the older woman a startled look. “What do you mean?”

  “I see the way Colton looks at you.”

  “Oh, no,” she said with a surprised laugh. “You’re mistaken. I hardly know Colton, and I’m the last woman he wants to get involved with.”

  Susan studied her over the rim of her coffee cup. “Something tells me he is already involved. He’s a good man. The best.”

  They were prevented from further discussion as Shane and Wes came back into the kitchen, looking disgruntled.

  “Colton told us to get lost,” Wes said moodily, throwing Maddie an assessing look. “They’re planning something, and they won’t tell us what it is.”

  “He said that? To get lost?” Maddie couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice.

  “No. He told us to give them twenty minutes and then he’d come up to the house,” Shane clarified, pouring himself a cup of coffee. “His friend Aiden just arrived. You know, the navy SEAL. What’s going on, Mom?”

  “Sit down and I’ll make you both some breakfast,” Susan said, turning to the enormous stove. “And say hello to Colton’s friend Madeleine. She’ll be staying with us for a day or two.”

  Maddie bit back the denial that sprang to her lips, and instead gave each of the boys a brief smile. They sat down at the table across from her, openly studying her. She tried not to stare back, but it was difficult. They were handsome boys, with shrewd dark eyes and gorgeous bone structure, and Maddie could see the promise of the striking men they would soon become. There was a strong family resemblance to Colton, but where he was broad and muscular, the boys were whipcord thin and wiry.

  Maddie watched as Susan prepared eggs and bacon, and wondered what was keeping Colton so long. She’d go crazy if she had to sit there for another minute, she finally decided. Pushing her chair back, she stood.

  “I’m going to see what’s keeping Colton,” she announced.

  Shane shook his head and gave her a lopsided grin. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. They looked pretty serious, and if Colton wouldn’t let me stay, there’s no way he’s going to let you hang around.”

  Maddie glanced at the youth, affronted. “Why? Because I’m a woman?”

  “No,” he promptly replied. “Because it looks like they’re planning some kind of covert military operation. Colton never lets anyone get involved with official business.”

  Anxiety washed over Maddie. What was he planning? Didn’t he realize that if they tried to intervene in any way, they could jeopardize Jamie’s life?

  “This isn’t official business,” she said firmly. “This is personal.”

  Striding across the kitchen, she opened the door to the porch and nearly collided with Colton coming in. He caught her by the upper arms, steadying her. “Whoa, where are you going?”

  “To find out what you’re planning,” she muttered. “Colton—”

  Pulling the door shut behind her, he drew her onto the porch and down the steps. “I was just coming to get you. We need you down at the bunkhouse.”

  “What are you planning? Shane said it looked like a military operation.”

  He gave her a sidelong glance. “I want you to call the men who are holding your brother and tell them you need more time.”

  “What if they refuse?”

  “Then we’ll try negotiating. The longer you can keep them on the line, the better.”

  Maddie followed him across the yard to the farthest outbuilding, a rough-planked structure with a corrugated tin roof and windows that pushed out from the bottom. Opening the door, Colton led her into a living room, where at least a dozen men stood around a long table, talking in low tones. They looked up as the two of them entered.

  One of the men detached himself from the group and crossed the room toward them. There was something so confident in his manner that Maddie felt her anxiety level drop a notch or two.

  “You must be Madeleine.”

  She nodded, momentarily unable to find her tongue. Up close, the guy wasn’t just attractive, he was off-the-charts gorgeous, with a shock of sun-streaked blond hair and the brightest, bluest eyes she’d ever seen. He gave her a reassuring smile, and Maddie felt certain he knew exactly the effect he had on women. As casually as if they’d known each other for years, he slid an arm across her shoulders and drew her slightly away from Colton. He was warm, and Maddie could actually smell him—a mixture of masculine deodorant and soap, and a subtle coconut fragrance that reminded her of sun-baked days on the beach.

  “I’m Aiden Cross,” he said, dipping his head toward hers. “Did Colton explain what we need you to do?”

  Maddie glanced at Colton, the perfect foil for Aiden’s fair good looks. Was it her imagination, or did he seem a little bigger and darker than usual?

  “Um, yes. He said he wanted me to call the men who are holding my brother, and tell them that I need a little more time to bring them the money they want.”

  “That’s right.” Aiden’s voice was warmly approving as he smiled into her eyes, and Maddie felt her insides go a little weak. “We have no idea where these guys are holding your brother. They could be anywhere. But once you place the call, we’ll be able to pinpoint their location.”

  She frowned. “But won’t we know their location when they tell me where to bring the money?”

  “Sure, but we’re going to insert our men around the site tonight. That way, they’ll already be in place when you deliver the money.”

  “But what if they change the location at the last minute? There’s no guarantee that they won’t move my brother during the night.”

  “The phone call will tell us where they are right now, and let us move in. We’ll put a tracer on the signal, and they won’t be able to do anything without us knowing their every move.”

  Her dismay must have shown on her face, because Colton stepped forward and physically removed Aiden’s arm from her shoulders, frowning at the other man. “Okay, there’s no need to bore Madeleine with the details.” He switched his attention to her. “All you need to know is that we’re going to get your brother back.”

  “You’re going to send men in ahead of time? Don’t you realize you could ruin everything?” Maddie’s voice rose a little with her increasing agitation. “They specifically said that if I involve the police, they’ll kill Jamie. Why would you send men in?”

  Colton tipped his head and looked directly into her eyes. “I think I know who has your brother, Madeleine, and I do know how dangerous they are. Did he ever mention the Canterino family to you?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’ve never heard of them. Do they have Jamie?”

  “Once we pinpoint where he’s being held, we’ll be able to confirm who has him. But this is typical of how the Canterino family operates. They’ve been under investigation for over a year, but we’ve never had solid proof of their crimes until now.” Correctly interpreting her troubled expression, he dipped his head and again looked into her eyes. “You need to let us handle it. It’s what we do.”

  Before she could protest, Aiden thrust a phone at her. “Call the number you were given and tell them you’re in Reno. Tell them you want to come right now and give them the money.”

  Maddie threw a bemused glance at Colton. “But I don’t have it. What if they call my bluff?”

  Aiden gave her a humorless smile. “They won’t. They’ll want to stick to the plan, and this will give us a chance to pinpoint their exact location.”

  Colton gave her a curt nod, confirming what Aiden had said.

  Reaching out, Madeleine took the phone. Aiden turned away, and for the first time, she noticed a metal container about the size of a shoe box sitting on the table. The device was topped by a metal plate that held a series of small lights and toggle switches. The box was connected to a laptop, and Maddie
could see a map displayed on the screen.

  “What is that?” she asked, looking at Colton.

  “It’s called a stingray. It works by mimicking a cell phone tower, and getting a cell phone to connect to it. The operator can send a signal to that phone and locate it.”

  “And you think that will tell you where the kidnappers are?”

  Colton glanced toward the table, where Aiden and the men were watching her expectantly. “We’ve used it before. It works.”

  “Okay, then.” Withdrawing the slip of paper from her pocket, Maddie unfolded it and slowly punched in the numbers. She watched Colton’s face as she listened to the phone ring on the other end. He listened as well, using an earpiece attached to the phone she was using.

  “Yeah?”

  The voice was deep. Abrupt. She took a breath. “It’s Madeleine Howe. I was told to call this number when I arrived in Reno.”

  “I know who the fuck this is,” the man at the other end answered. “And you weren’t told to call this number when you reached Reno, bitch—you were told to call at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.”

  The voice was cold and angry, and Maddie felt an answering anger surface from somewhere deep inside her.

  “I don’t care what you told me,” she practically growled. “I’m here now, and I want my brother. Do you understand me? Tell me where to bring the money.”

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow at ten o’clock, and if you don’t want your brother returned to you in small pieces, you won’t call this number again before then. You understand that, bitch?”

  “How do I know Jamie’s okay? Put him on the phone right now or you get nothing.”

  The silence stretched, until all she could hear was the whooshing sound of her own blood in her ears. She was vaguely aware of Colton and the other men watching her closely.

  “Maddie?”

  Jamie’s voice, sounding high and frightened, came over the line.

  “Jamie!” She clutched the phone closer, her heart nearly exploding out of her chest with fear and anxiety. “Are you okay?”

  But it wasn’t her brother who answered. It was the first man. “Tomorrow,” he snarled. “Ten o’clock.”