He knew about Cam and yet he thought she’d just leave her life behind, return to something that meant nothing to her anymore, and act like none of the past weeks had occurred. The thought that Robert might actually be crazy scared her more than any of the previous threats. She knew from her SAR experience that desperate people took risks that put them and others in danger. Their goal became more important than the risk.
Lainey closed her eyes and tried to relax. There would be an opportunity to get away from Robert. She just needed to be patient, let him make a mistake, and run.
******
“Cam, do you see that car just ahead? The white, four door with red, white, and blue Idaho plates?” Eric leaned as far forward as possible, trying to make out the passengers. “It’s hard to tell from here but it looks like there’s a man driving. I believe a woman’s in the passenger seat. I can’t see anyone else.”
“Todd, contact Buck. Tell him we may have spotted Crafton. Have him get people to the freeway intersection a few miles ahead and block all entrances. He’ll have just ten or fifteen minutes before the car gets onto the interstate.”
Todd wasted no time getting Buck on the radio. “Done. He’s got cars on the way and another helicopter. Even if Crafton makes it onto the freeway, he’ll have nowhere to go. He’ll be trapped.”
Cam slowed the helicopter to keep pace with the car that had pulled a half mile ahead of them. He didn’t want to alert Crafton to their presence, and at the same time couldn’t afford to lose him.
******
“Do you hear that?” Crafton shifted in his seat to look around.
“Hear what?”
“Sounds like a helicopter. Maybe behind us. Take a look.” Robert kept his eyes on the road, not changing speed or acting as if anyone might be chasing them. Worse, he had convinced himself that Lainey still wanted to be with him and return to Bluebird Falls.
She looked behind her and up to see a helicopter following about a mile away. She’d heard it for some time, yet hadn’t let on, hoping it would be someone trying to locate her. Enough time had passed that Cam would know something had happened, and in her heart, she knew he wouldn’t stop until he found her.
“Do you see anything?”
“There’s a helicopter quite a ways back. I can’t tell what it’s doing from here. Do you want to slow down so I can get a better look?”
“No. We’re almost to the freeway. We’ll get something to eat, find a place to stay the night, and talk. There’s much I have to tell you.”
Lainey realized Robert had set himself up in a delusional world of his own making, believing what he wanted, and trusting others believed the same. He didn’t comprehend that soon he’d be in jail and she’d be on her way to Fire Mountain, and Cam.
******
“Roger that, Buck. Thanks.” Todd turned to Cam. “Everyone’s in place. There were roadblocks at the freeway entrances already and now there are a few more officers. It won’t be long now.”
Cam scanned the horizon, searching for a place to set down. He could see the freeway up ahead and began a slow descent.
“You see that?” Eric asked, pointing toward the interstate. “They’re out in force.”
“Crafton will see them soon. We’ll follow if he makes a move to turn around. If he doesn’t, I’ll find a place to set down.” Cam stayed focused on the path ahead, his intention to hover over the car while looking for a suitable landing spot near the freeway intersection.
“Looks like Crafton spotted them. He’s braking.” Eric continued to watch through the binoculars.
Lainey saw the patrol cars, lights flashing, at the same time as Robert. In his current state, she had no idea what Robert would do—try to drive around them, turn back, or give himself up. At one point in her life, Lainey had thought she knew the man, what drove him, and how he’d react when angry. She felt differently now.
“What will you do, Robert?”
“Stop and talk to them. Find out what the commotion’s about.” His calm voice disturbed her more than if he’d panicked and tried to run.
Lainey decided to sit tight. She’d be ready to jump if he stopped the car. She had no intention of being around when he discussed her abduction and tried to talk his way out of what had turned into an extremely serious situation. One that Lainey was sure Robert didn’t grasp. She placed her hand on the door handle as Robert pulled to a stop, turned off the engine, and cast a look at Lainey.
“You stay here. I’ll explain you’ve decided to go back to Idaho with me. This shouldn’t take long.”
He opened his door and climbed out to shouts from the officers who stood no more than fifteen feet away, partially hidden behind their cruisers, with guns drawn.
“Stop where you are! Put your hands in the air!”
Lainey didn’t hesitate. Before Robert took two steps from his car, she dashed out the other side and ran toward a highway patrol car off to her right, the farthest point of rescue from Robert.
“I’m Lainey Devlin,” she choked out as she approached an officer who grabbed her arm and yanked her down beside him.
“Stay down, Ms. Devlin. Did he hurt you?” The officer couldn’t have been more than twenty-five, yet he had the air of someone with years of experience.
“No, I’m fine.” Lainey took a deep breath, attempting to rein in the fear she’d felt the last few hours. “He’s delusional. Robert believes I wanted to leave with him.”
The officer glanced down at her, but only nodded.
Lainey’s head swiveled at the whirling sound of the helicopter as it prepared to land about a hundred yards from her on a vast, open field. She watched as it landed, the engine shut down, and the pilot jumped out. Cam.
“Cam!” She started to rise, run toward him, when the officer pulled her back down.
“Stay here. Let him come to you.” He never took his eyes off the scene in front of them. Robert Crafton continued to rant about something while an officer cuffed him and assisted him into the back of a patrol car. The officer let loose of his hold on Lainey once Crafton was secured and no longer a threat. “All right. Go ahead.”
Lainey wasted no time. She dashed toward Cam, who had come within a few yards, and threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck, and holding on tight.
“Cam, you came for me.”
He held her to him, relief flooding his body, and thanking God they’d found her.
“Did you think I wouldn’t? I love you, Lainey,” he whispered in her ear before pulling back enough to cover her mouth with his in a hard, possessive kiss.
Eric and Todd stood just feet away, smiling, and relieved they’d found Lainey before Crafton did something that couldn’t be undone.
Cam ended the kiss and held her at arm’s length while his gaze roamed from her head to her feet. “Are you hurt?”
“No, Robert didn’t hurt me. He never tied my hands or secured me at all. The whole situation had been too incredible.” She turned toward the police car where Robert sat, still trying to reason with the officer who sat in the driver’s seat, and nodding toward Lainey, as if she would explain everything. She’d be happy to explain, although she knew Robert wouldn’t like what she had to say.
Cam wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her tight.
“Looks like he won’t bother you any longer, sweetheart.”
She gazed up at him, her face breaking into a tentative smile. She started to say something, then stopped.
“What is it?” Cam asked.
“Nothing, except I’m glad it’s over and you’re here.”
He turned her to face him. “I’ll always be here for you, Lainey. Always.”
Epilogue
Four months later…
Cam supported himself on one arm and gazed down at Lainey as she slept. He never tired at the sight of her, especially in the mornings after a passion-filled night of making love. She’d decided to let her black hair grow back to its longer length, and he reached down to captu
re strands of hair and sweep them off her face. He bent to place a soft kiss on her forehead, and watched her stir.
She turned her head toward him as her eyes opened a crack. “What time is it?”
“After seven, Mrs. Sinclair.”
Her eyes opened and locked on his, crinkling at the corners, as a smile pierced her face. “I do like the sound of that.” Her sleepy voice indicated how exhausted she felt. They’d married several weeks before and each day still felt like a honeymoon.
Cam stroked a finger down her cheek and followed it with feathery kisses until he claimed her mouth with his. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled him to her, letting her fingers run through his hair.
“When do you fly back?” she whispered against his lips, then drew back.
“Ten o’clock. We have time,” Cam answered as he lowered his mouth again.
“You do. I have a meeting at eight at the preschool.” She placed one more kiss on his lips before rolling from the bed and heading toward the shower. “The new assistant manager is taking over as of today and I want to be there.”
She and Cam had discussed at length her desire to continue her preschool after the news of his promotion to president of their new acquisition in Cold Creek, Colorado. The previous president retired after an unexpected heart attack. Heath hadn’t wasted a minute putting Cam in charge. Cam’s new duties required him to be in Colorado each week from Monday morning until Friday afternoon. The company jet, which he co-piloted, shuttled him back and forth.
However, neither he nor Lainey wanted to be apart for days at a time indefinitely. So, they’d compromised. She hired an assistant manager to help with the day-to-day operations of her preschool, which freed Lainey to travel to Cold Creek with Cam most weeks. This was the woman’s second week and already Lainey felt she’d hired the perfect person.
“Next week, you’ll fly with me to Cold Creek. Our house will be ready to move into by Tuesday, but believe me, there’s still a lot to do.” He stepped into the shower behind her, soaped a soft cloth, and began to run it over her sleek body.
“That’s all right. I’d much rather keep busy than sit around the house waiting for you to get home.” She finished rinsing her hair and turned toward him, her eyes sweeping down his magnificent body.
“By the way, I have an offer for you.”
She glanced up at him. “What kind of offer?”
“Heath and I have been discussing the need for a preschool near the facility in Cold Creek. There isn’t one for miles, yet the area is surrounded by new neighborhoods and young families. Most drive into town to drop off their children, then turn around to head back to our area for work. They do the round trip again after work. Even if you don’t want to run it, we could use your help finding a location and setting it up. What do you think?”
Her eyes lit up and Cam knew he had her. “I like the idea. Can it wait until we get settled, maybe in a month?”
His reply was cut off by the ringing of her phone. She grabbed a towel and stepped out of the shower, picking up the phone on the counter.
“This is Lainey.” She fell silent as the caller talked for several minutes. “I see. I don’t believe that will work, but I’m happy to recommend someone. Okay, fine. That’s great news. Thanks so much for calling.”
“Good news?” Cam stood beside her, hair damp, a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Robert’s been sentenced to time in a mental facility. His evaluation came back with a diagnosis of strong delusional tendencies accompanied by some form of schizophrenia.” She placed the phone down and turned back to Cam. “Such a waste.”
He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “At least he’ll get the treatment he needs. He may never be able to practice law again, which is no doubt for the best.”
“He asked that I come to Bluebird Falls to take care of selling his house.”
“No.” Cam’s firm response and set features confirmed what Lainey already thought.
“That’s what I told them.” She finished dressing before heading to the kitchen for coffee, handing Cam a cup when he joined her. Lainey glanced at her watch.
“Guess I’d better get going.” She reached up and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Call me tonight?”
“Definitely,” Cam replied as his phone rang. He shook his head then reached into his pocket to check the caller ID—his sister, Brooke. “Hey, Brooke. What’s up?” His face sobered as he listened. “I’m on my way now. No, Brooke, I won’t wait to find out what’s happening, I’m getting on a plane within the hour—period. Now, let me speak to one of your new friends.”
Cam listened, jotting down names and numbers before asking to speak with Brooke again.
Lainey watched, concern crossing her face as she watched her husband deal with the news from Brooke.
“I’ll call as soon as I land. Yes, I’ll explain it to everyone, and take special care about what I say to Mom. You do understand she’ll call you back as soon as she hears the news and will want to fly out, right?”
What can I do? Lainey mouthed as Cam listened to Brooke once more. Cam shook his head.
“I love you too. See you this afternoon.” Cam hung up, his eyes showing the confusion he felt.
“What’s going on?”
“I don’t know what it is about the Sinclairs and moving vehicles.” He set his empty cup down. “Brooke was sideswiped by a motorcycle last night on her way home from dinner.”
“Is she all right? Is her car damaged?”
“She wasn’t in her car—she was on foot. She’d just left a coffee shop where’d she met with another student.”
Lainey gasped, then waited for Cam to continue.
“The guy who clipped Brooke whisked her away to the hospital and stayed until they checked her out. When they released her, a group of guys, all in suits escorted her outside and into a waiting car. They’re taking her someplace to question her about what she saw just before the accident, and about her boyfriend.”
Lainey narrowed her eyes at Cam. “Boyfriend? I didn’t think she had a boyfriend.”
Shit, Cam thought as the conversation played back in his mind. “Neither did I. The guy she met with is the son of some drug lord in Mexico. The guy who hit her with his motorcycle is a fed. They think Brooke is the kid’s girlfriend...”
About the Author
Shirleen Davies writes romance—historical, contemporary, and romantic suspense. She grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. During the day she provides consulting services to small and mid-sized businesses. But her real passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She now lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.
Shirleen began her series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain, with Tougher than the Rest, the story of the oldest brother, Niall MacLaren. Other books in the series include, Faster than the Rest, Harder than the Rest, Stronger than the Rest, and Deadlier than the Rest. Book six, Wilder than the Rest, is due for release in early summer, 2014. Her contemporary romance series, MacLarens of Fire Mountain Contemporary, opened with book one, Second Summer. Book two, Hard Landing, and book three, One More day, are available through your favorite online book retailer. Book one of her newest historical western series, Redemption Mountain, will release in the fall of 2014.
Shirleen loves to hear from her readers.
Write to her at: [email protected]
Visit her website: http://www.shirleendavies.com
Comment on her blog: http://www.shirleendavies.com/blog.html
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Other Books by Shirleen Davies
To
ugher than the Rest – Book One
MacLarens of Fire Mountain Historical Western Romance Series
“A passionate, fast-paced story set in the untamed western frontier by an exciting new voice in historical romance.”
Niall MacLaren is the oldest of four brothers, and the undisputed leader of the family. A widower, and single father, his focus is on building the MacLaren ranch into the largest and most successful in northern Arizona. He is serious about two things—his responsibility to the family and his future marriage to the wealthy, well-connected widow who will secure his place in the territory’s destiny.
Katherine is determined to live the life she’s dreamed about. With a job waiting for her in the growing town of Los Angeles, California, the young teacher from Philadelphia begins a journey across the United States with only a couple of trunks and her spinster companion. Life is perfect for this adventurous, beautiful young woman, until an accident throws her into the arms of the one man who can destroy it all.
Fighting his growing attraction and strong desire for the beautiful stranger, Niall is more determined than ever to push emotions aside to focus on his goals of wealth and political gain. But looking into the clear, blue eyes of the woman who could ruin everything, Niall discovers he will have to harden his heart and be tougher than he’s ever been in his life…Tougher than the Rest.
Faster than the Rest – Book Two
MacLarens of Fire Mountain Historical Western Romance Series
“Headstrong, brash, confident, and complex, the MacLarens of Fire Mountain will captivate you with strong characters set in the wild and rugged western frontier.”
Handsome, ruthless, young U.S. Marshal Jamie MacLaren had lost everything—his parents, his family connections, and his childhood sweetheart—but now he’s back in Fire Mountain and ready for another chance. Just as he successfully reconnects with his family and starts to rebuild his life, he gets the unexpected and unwanted assignment of rescuing the woman who broke his heart.
Beautiful, wealthy Victoria Wicklin chose money and power over love, but is now fighting for her life—or is she? Who has she become in the seven years since she left Fire Mountain to take up her life in San Francisco? Is she really as innocent as she says?
One More Day Page 14