Clay followed. As soon as Abe hit the parking lot, Clay confronted him. “Why was your ball cap found up at the caves where someone shot at Sabrina and me?”
Abe froze midstep, then swiveled to face Clay. “What’d you say?”
“You heard me.”
Abe’s fingers curled into fists at his sides. “Yeah. I did, but I thought I must have been mistaken.”
“Why were you up there?”
“Well, I wasn’t shooting at you or that girl in there. I might have a lot of hate for her mama and I might not want to have her presence forced on me, but I wouldn’t shoot her.” Clay thought he saw a flash of hurt on the man’s face before he covered it up.
“I really didn’t think you would. In fact, that’s what I told Ned when he asked me about it.”
Abe blinked, then relaxed a fraction. “You did?”
“I did. So what were you doing up there?”
Abe sighed and shook his head. “None of your business, but I sure wasn’t shooting at you.”
“Come on, Abe. Ned’s going to want to talk to you. They’ve got your hat and your DNA. They can place you in the area around the time of the shooting.”
Abe ran a hand through his still-thick dark hair. “I wasn’t there. I mean, I was, but I never heard any shots, so I was there either after or before.”
“Doing what?”
Abe’s expression darkened. “Like I said, none of your business.” A muscle jumped in his jaw as he looked behind Clay in the direction of the hospital. “You stay away from her if you don’t want to get your heart broken. She’s trouble, just like her mama.” Abe didn’t wait for Clay to respond. He turned his back and left. Clay stared after the man for a brief moment, then made his way back to Sabrina. He knocked and waited for permission to enter.
When he stepped inside, he found Sabrina seated at her grandmother’s side. She glanced up. “Everything all right?”
“Yes. Fine.” He could see the questions in her eyes but didn’t want to say anything in front of Granny May. “Or it will be.” He looked at her grandmother. “Ned’s going to have someone watching your room. You’ll be safe here.”
A knock on the door spun them all around. Clay relaxed slightly as the doctor stepped in carrying a laptop computer. “Well, Mrs. Mayfield, I hate to tell you this, but your hip is broken. You’ll need surgery.”
Sabrina let out a pained sigh, and Granny May groaned. “Well, I figured.”
“I’ve already called Dr. Nathan Ray from Nashville. He’s an orthopedist and one of the best in the country. You’ll be in good hands.”
“When will she have the surgery?” Sabrina asked.
“Within the next hour would be my guess. He was climbing in the car as we spoke.” He shut the laptop. “The nurses will get you prepped, and then I’ll be back to check on you when he gets here.”
The nurse came in and administered more pain medication. Granny May soon drifted off, and Clay took Sabrina’s hand in his. “Abe said he wasn’t there at the caves when you were shot.”
“Did you really expect him to admit it?”
“No, but I think I believe him.”
Sabrina frowned and stood to pace to the window. “Of course you would believe him—he’s your uncle.”
A shot of anger splintered through him, and he closed his eyes to let it pass. “It’s not that. He was doing something up there, but he wasn’t shooting at us.”
“What was he doing?”
“I don’t know. He wouldn’t tell me.”
Sabrina sighed. “I guess Ned will question him.”
“Yes.”
“Is he going to be mad you talked to him first?” She turned to look at him, and the defeat in her eyes hurt.
He strode to her and slipped his arms around her. She didn’t protest, just leaned against him. “Probably.”
“What now?”
“Granny May will have her surgery, you’ll move into the cottage, and we’ll keep you safe while we keep looking for Jordan and Trey.”
“When will it end?” she whispered.
He placed a finger under her chin and lifted her face to his. “I can’t tell you that. All I can promise is to do my best to keep you safe.”
She studied him, and then her gaze dropped to his lips and a flush heated her cheeks. It wasn’t a stretch to figure out what she was thinking. Which was okay because he was thinking the same thing.
Clay lowered his head and pressed a light kiss to her lips. He meant to comfort, to let her feel he was there for her. She returned the pressure, and he tightened his embrace to pull her into a bear hug. She shifted and rested her cheek against his chest and Clay decided he could stay like this just about forever.
Unfortunately, he had a potential killer to find, a possible witness to locate and two women to keep safe.
ELEVEN
No one breathed easier than Sabrina when the doctor came into the waiting room to tell her that Granny May had come through the surgery just fine but was still heavily sedated. “Go home and get some sleep. Come back tomorrow when she’s awake. Otherwise you’re going to be without sleep tonight and feel lousy tomorrow when she’ll need you.”
Clay drove her home and helped her pack a few things she might need for the next week. “I hope this doesn’t drag on that long,” she muttered with a frown.
“Getting tired of me already?” he teased.
“You? No. Being a target? Yes.” She threw the small suitcase into the back of her car. “I’ll follow you. I don’t want to be without my car.”
“But you won’t be going anywhere without me.”
She crossed her arms. “I want my car.”
Clay threw his hands up. “Fine.”
She gave a satisfied nod and climbed behind the wheel. Knowing her grandmother was safe made all the difference for Sabrina as she renewed her determination to figure out why someone wanted her dead. She glanced around her neighborhood and shivered. Was the person watching her leave? Was he wondering where she was going?
Was he going to follow? She sent up a prayer asking for protection for her and those she loved. She found herself picturing Clay’s face during that prayer and her next shiver had nothing to do with fear of an unknown attacker but was more of an apprehension about her growing feelings for a man whose family had no desire for them to be together.
She followed Clay for the fifteen-minute drive to his ranch. When they pulled up to the cottage, she could see the mountains in the distance, the hills with the caves and where they’d found evidence that Abe Starke had been up there. Was she crazy moving so close to a man who couldn’t stand the sight of her?
She climbed out of the car and waited for Clay. “Are you sure this is a good idea? Abe hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you—he hates the reminder you represent. He’ll come around.”
Sabrina lifted a brow and didn’t comment. Voicing her doubts would gain her nothing. Time would prove who was right. She grabbed her suitcase and rolled it toward Clay’s home.
Clay’s home. Another set of butterflies took up residence in her belly.
He opened the door for her, and she stepped inside. It shouted “Boys only.” She couldn’t see a woman’s touch anywhere. It was clean, just bare. Her fingers itched to do something with it.
But that wasn’t her place. This was going to be her safe house. She hoped. “Thank you.”
“It’s small but functional. It’s a two-bedroom. Kitchen to the right, hall to the left. Bedrooms on either side. Guest bedroom is on the right.”
“Okay.”
“I won’t be far away. There’s an intercom system with all the cottages on the property. You can disable it if you want or leave it on. If you need something, all you have to do is hit the button and it beeps in the main
house. Mom and Dad used to rent these out before Mom got sick. Once she recovered, she was still too weak to handle being responsible for taking care of guests and Dad was working in town at the body shop and trying to keep the ranch going.” He cleared his throat. “I didn’t realize it until you told me about their financial issues just how much they’ve struggled to keep this place going.” He shook his head. “I can’t believe how blind I was.”
“You weren’t here. How were you supposed to see it?”
“I just should have.”
She wouldn’t argue with him. She knew how it felt to blame yourself for something you had no control over. “It’s very nice. I’m sure I’ll be very comfortable here.” She swallowed. He dwarfed the living area. His musky scent surrounded her and she was sure he could see her pulse beating in her throat.
“All right then, I’ll see you in the morning. Just call or press the button if you need anything. The fridge is full. Help yourself.”
“You’re leaving?”
“I’m going to help Dad with the horses. Need to bring them in from the pasture and feed them.”
“Oh. Okay.”
He tilted his head. “I’d invite you along, but I’d prefer you not be out in the wide-open spaces.”
He was worried about a sniper. The thought chilled her. “I’ll stay here. You go help your father. I’m going to call to check on Granny May and then go to bed.” He stepped close and slid his arms around her. She took a deep breath and hugged him back. “Thank you, Clay,” she whispered.
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re welcome, Sabrina. Get some rest.”
And then he was gone.
Sabrina looked around the small house. She would be fine here. She would. She really would.
Wouldn’t she?
* * *
Clay found his mother and the two children in the kitchen mixing a bowl of chocolate. “Brownies?”
“Yes.” She looked up, flour on her cheeks and happiness in her eyes for the first time since he’d come home for Steven’s funeral. “They’ll be ready in about thirty minutes.”
Tony, chocolate smeared all over his chin, held up the spoon. “Wanna taste?”
Clay laughed and ruffled the boy’s hair. “Thanks, but I’ll wait to try the finished product.”
Maria smiled at him, her shy dimples putting in a rare appearance. He tapped her nose and she giggled.
Seth sat at the table, leg propped on the chair next to him, crutches on the floor. He had his laptop open. “Where’s Dad? Has he left yet?”
Seth finally looked up. “Yep, he’s up in the north pasture rounding up the horses.”
“It’s going to be a cold one tonight. Supposed to snow, too,” his mother said.
Great. He liked the snow, just not when he was trying to keep a killer from succeeding in getting his latest target. The thought of being trapped in one place made that spot between his shoulders itch. He tugged his hat down around his ears. “I thought he was going to wait on me.”
“I did, too, but you know your father.”
“What about the barbecue? Are you going to cancel?”
Her eyes sharpened. “Not a chance.”
“But—”
“But nothing. We’ll move it into the barn and the house if we need to.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so.” His mother turned her attention back to the children and the brownies. Seth’s frown deepened as he focused on the computer.
“What’s wrong?” Clay asked him.
His brother slammed the laptop shut. “Looks like someone I know is in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“I don’t know. Nothing I can do about it anyway.”
“Right.” Clay blew out a breath and headed for the barn. As he pulled on his gloves, he noticed the light on in the kitchen of the cottage where he’d tucked Sabrina. He hoped she was able to rest tonight.
Darkness was falling fast. He hopped into one of the golf carts his father kept to navigate the acres and aimed it for the north pasture.
Whistles and yells clued him in to his father’s location. The horses headed his way. Clay turned the cart to get behind them.
“’Bout time you showed up!” his dad yelled as he thundered past him on a large black stallion.
“Sorry! I’ll get the stragglers.”
Clay stomped the gas pedal, and the cart bolted forward. The horses ran from him toward the barn. Once they realized they were heading in, it didn’t take much to convince them to move that way.
He slowed to watch the sunset. The ranch really was a beautiful place, but he just had no interest in running it. He was a cop. First and foremost. Dealing with his sister’s bullies—albeit the wrong way initially—and landing himself in trouble had been wrong, but it had also led Ned to take him under his wing and teach him how to fight injustice.
With a badge.
And now injustice looked as if it was getting the upper hand.
His phone rang. Ned. “What’s up?”
“I can’t find your uncle. You have any idea where he is?”
“Where’ve you looked?”
“I’m at his house right now. No sign of him.”
Clay sighed. “He was at the hospital earlier, but I don’t know where he went after he left there. If I see him, I’ll give you a call.”
“Thanks. I need to hear from him why his hat was up at the caves.”
“I know. He’ll have a good reason.” He just didn’t know if the man would share it.
He sniffed. Straightened.
Smoke? “Where’s that coming from?”
“What?”
“Nothing. I’ve gotta go. If I see Abe again, I’ll call you.”
Clay ended the call and started moving, trying to determine the direction of the smoke. As he drove toward the grove of trees near the pond, the smell grew stronger.
And stronger.
His heart thudded. If there was a fire, they were in trouble.
But he didn’t see flames. He got to the edge of the trees and stopped, unholstered his weapon and headed in the direction he thought the smoke came from.
Just inside the copse of trees, he stopped. Someone had placed a ring of rocks on the ground. In the midst of them, a small fire burned. “Hey! Who’s out here?”
* * *
Her heart pounded in her ears. Her lungs felt full of fluid. Sabrina woke with a gasp, her fingers clutching the covers, her ears straining to hear every little sound in the unfamiliar house.
Memory returned. She was in Clay’s guest room. She relaxed a fraction until she heard the footstep in the hall.
Terror froze her for a split second. Then she tucked her injured arm against her and rolled from the bed onto the floor. The cold hardwood chilled her already shivering body. Should she call out? Or just wait?
Another footfall just outside her door.
Sabrina trembled. Her phone. Where had she put it?
She’d left it charging on the end table. The one on the opposite side of the bed she’d just slid from.
She moved to the foot of the bed, slithering on the floor like a snake, using her one good arm, doing her best to stay silent. She peered toward the door she’d left open.
Two feet, booted toes faced her.
She bit her lip hard enough to make her flinch. Would he come in? Start looking for her? Did he know she was there or was he looking for Clay?
The feet turned, and she puffed out a relieved breath. The slow, almost silent footsteps carried her intruder away from the room into Clay’s bedroom across the hall. Making as little noise as possible, Sabrina scrambled from the floor and darted around the bed to grab her phone from the nightstand. She started to bolt for the
front door but froze when the footsteps headed back toward her.
She did a one-eighty and headed on bare feet to the bathroom off the guest room. With shaking fingers, she turned the lock, then pressed the button on the phone to bring up the screen. She squinted in the sudden brightness and did her best to ignore her pounding pulse and strangled breathing.
Clay or 911? Clay was closer. She dialed his number and held her breath.
* * *
Clay’s phone rang as he assessed the area. Night had fallen. The darkness pressed in, broken only by the dying flames of the small campfire. He kicked dirt over it and looked at his screen. Sabrina. He smiled and answered. “Did you get a good nap?”
“Someone’s in the house, Clay,” she whispered.
Fear shooting through his veins, Clay bolted for the golf cart. “What do you mean? Where are you?”
“Hiding in the bathroom. I woke up when I heard footsteps in the hall. Hurry!”
“Stay on the line with me. I’m only a couple of minutes away. Do you know where he is now?”
“No. I can’t hear anything.” A thud sounded.
“Sabrina?”
“He’s in the room, just outside the door. He’s not making any effort to be quiet.”
He had to strain to hear her. Her terror reached through the line and grabbed him by the throat. “I’m thirty seconds away.”
Each second seemed like a lifetime until finally, the cottage came into view.
Dread pounded through him. Abe’s truck sat in his parents’ drive. He’d deal with him later. Clay hopped from the cart. He shoved aside his heavy coat and gripped his Glock, pulling it from the shoulder holster and holding it ready.
He stepped up onto the porch, stood to the side and twisted the knob to the front door. Unlocked. He pushed it open. When no bullets started flying, he slid inside and shut the door behind him with a faint click.
Silence greeted him. Fear clutched him. Was he too late?
Clay held the weapon gripped in front of him, pointed to the ceiling. He took gentle steps toward the bedrooms.
Then he heard the footsteps coming toward him.
The Lawman Returns Page 11