She’d always loved the snow, had looked forward to the many ski trips her family had gone on when she and Matt were kids—and still did when time permitted, though not for the past few years. On their last trip, Dad and Matt had spent most of their time researching a new company they planned to acquire. Which was the same time she’d started penning her first manuscript. She’d imagined a beautiful countess staring off into the snow-covered countryside anticipating the arrival of her true love, the father of the child she’d just discovered she was carrying.
Damn.
Lindy’s hand settled atop her flat stomach. With a disgusted sigh, she set the glass of bubbly aside and reached for the book she’d left on the floor beside the tub.
A loud thump had her sitting up in a rush, heart pounding in her ears. The sound had definitely come from inside the house. She glanced at Bianca, whose own ears had perked up. The pounding became full-blown panic when Bianca took off to investigate.
A sharp, feline hiss followed by a dull thud sent a chill up her spine. Bianca! Lindy bit the inside of her cheek, wanting to call out to her precious baby, but too petrified to utter a sound. Instead, she slid from the tub, blew out the candles, and slipped her robe off the hook on the back of the door with trembling fingers. All she could hear over the roaring in her ears was the howling wind outside as the blizzard arrived in full force. No electrical hum, no knocking of the furnace. Whoever had broken into her house must have cut off the power.
Biting her lip, terrified to make even the tiniest sound, Lindy slowly cracked the door open to peer into her nearly black bedroom. She watched intently for moving shadows, but nothing stirred or shifted. A sitting duck in the bathroom, she crept out into the bedroom and positioned herself behind the door, which she’d left slightly ajar. Nothing but absolute silence. And thanks to the storm, not even a flicker of moonlight filtered in through the window in the hall. She’d just started to convince herself she’d imagined the whole thing when someone sneezed so close to where she stood Lindy swore she felt the spray. Tears sprang to her eyes, and she quickly clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Goddamn, I told you to be quiet!” came a furious whisper from just outside her door.
“I can’t help it. I’m allergic to fuckin’ cats.”
Numb with fear, Lindy somehow forced her legs to move. She inched back away from the door and looked around in a blind panic for someplace to hide. Dropping to her belly, she crawled under her bed just as the door to her bedroom flew open and slammed against the wall.
“Come on out, rich girl,” one of them prompted with obvious impatience. “We know you’re in here.”
Her breath caught as she realized the voice sounded oddly familiar, but for the life of her she couldn’t place it. Hell, he could be anyone—someone from the coffee shop, or the grocery store, or the diner. She squeezed her eyes shut and strained to listen as they rummaged through her room, chucking stuff around, slamming dresser drawers, checking the closet and the bathroom. One of them bumped into her dresser and cursed a blue streak.
“Dammit, where the hell is she?”
“She was here; you can still smell the candles. Probably slipped downstairs. Let’s go.”
“Why did you have to pick such a big goddamn house? Shit, she could be any-goddamn-where.”
“Hey, you’re the genius who forgot to make sure the fucking flashlight worked before cutting the power.”
Their voices grew faint as they hurried down the stairs. Lindy slid out from under the bed and grabbed her purse off the dresser. Cell phone, cell phone...where the hell was her cell phone? With a silent sob, she dumped her purse on the bed, but her phone wasn’t there. Then she remembered...she’d set it on the counter in the kitchen!
Okay, calm down. Think.
The landline! She almost laughed aloud at the absurdity of forgetting to check the landline. But when she picked up the receiver, the line was dead. Fear skittered up her spine like icy cold fingers. Looked like she had no choice but to sneak downstairs. Reaching the kitchen undetected would be difficult considering the only way to get there was down the staircase, but she had to try. She could wait and hope they left once they got what they wanted.
But what if she was what they wanted? Why else would they be searching for her? If they meant to simply rob her, wouldn’t they have simply waited for a day she wasn’t home?
Fresh tears filled her eyes and she quickly swiped them away. Drew. If only she hadn't been so damn stubborn and had simply let the man apologize, he’d be here right now and...and he’d be in danger, too.
Lindy could hear the intruders rummaging around downstairs, either looking for valuables, for her, or both. Careful not to make a sound, she slipped from her room and crept to the top of the staircase. Taking a deep breath, she padded barefoot down the stairs in a half-crouch, heaving a soundless sigh of relief when she reached the bottom undetected.
A crash of thunder rocked the house. Lindy shrieked, then quickly clamped a hand over her mouth. Dear God, she’d very likely just given away her location! She waited what seemed like an eternity before forcing herself to continue.
Creeping along the wall, careful to stay hidden in the shadows, Lindy reached the kitchen without incident. She slipped inside and cautiously made her way to the center island. Her hand closed over her phone just as someone seized her by the hair and yanked her backward.
“I got `er, man! She’s in the kitchen!”
Survival mode kicked in. Lindy jabbed an elbow back with all her might, nailing the guy in the stomach. He released his hold on her with a muttered curse and she tore out of there, racing back to the staircase, desperate to find another hiding spot. She’d only made it up three steps when they caught her and dragged her into the foyer. She realized they both wore ski masks, so even if she managed to survive the attack, she wouldn’t be able to identify them.
They shoved her to the cold tile floor as Lindy kicked and screamed for her life. But they were much stronger than her and had her pinned down in no time. One held her by the ankles while the other held her arms over her head. When she let out another ear-shattering scream, the latter gathered both her hands in one of his and slapped a hand over her mouth so hard her skull cracked against the tile.
“Feisty as hell, ain’t she?” said the one holding her ankles, the glee in his tone turning her stomach. He maneuvered until he straddled her knees, then clicked on a flashlight and shined it in her face, momentarily blinding her. “Found this in one of the kitchen drawers.”
“I think we’re gonna have us a good time here,” the other agreed, his sadistic tone chilling the blood in her veins. “Flash that light on her tits, will ya?” He removed his hand from her mouth and yanked open her robe. “Damn,” he murmured with near reverence, running one of his disgusting hands over her breasts, pinching cruelly at her nipples. “Nice, rich girl. Very nice.”
Lindy fought in earnest, screaming until she thought her lungs would burst. Humiliation burned in her gut and she grew numb with fear, the inevitability of her fate the only fuel she had left to drive her to fight. The scumbag holding the flashlight set it down to pry her legs apart as his cohort knelt on her shoulders and reached for the zipper of his fly.
The front door burst open with such force both men yelped as they lurched backward and stumbled to their feet. Someone rushed in.
“Lindy!”
Drew? Her throat was so raw from screaming she couldn’t even say his name, but she could have cried in relief when the beam of the flashlight cut across his handsome face. He’d come back! She sat up in a rush and tried to stand, but one of her attackers grabbed her hair and yanked her to her feet. When he pressed a knife against her throat, Drew stopped dead in his tracks.
“One more step and I’ll slit her fuckin’ throat.” Her captor’s wrist flexed and the blade nicked her skin. He’d purposely deepened his voice, she realized, and wondered if it was because Drew might recognize it as well.
Lindy held deathly still
, aware of the blood trickling down her neck. Her heart hammered triple time as she waited for Drew to respond.
With surprising calm, Drew said, “You’re a dead man.”
“Such a hero,” her attacker sneered as he slowly backed up, dragging her with him. Lindy took a misstep and the knife bit into her throat again. A whimper escaped her. Suddenly, he shoved her so hard she stumbled into the staircase post and cracked her head.
Lindy’s knees gave out as everything went black.
Chapter Thirteen
Drew paced outside the ER as he waited for news on Lindy’s condition. She’d still been unconscious when they’d reached the hospital, and so far there’d been no word. He’d called an ambulance immediately, but because he’d chosen to stay with Lindy instead of give chase, her attackers had escaped. One day, Drew swore, he’d make those bastards pay for hurting the woman he loved.
“Drew!”
He spun around in relief at the sound of Matt’s voice. Lindy’s brother strode toward him, Carrie and Hannah flanking his sides. Hannah rushed forward and threw herself into Drew’s arms with a soft sob. On the brink of tears himself, and in desperate need of comfort, Drew held her tight.
“Is she okay?”
“I don’t know. She was still unconscious when we got here, and nobody’s told me a goddamn thing.”
Matt gave him a thump on the back. “It’s only been maybe twenty minutes since you called, and Lindy’s a lot tougher than she looks, trust me on that.”
Carrie gazed up at Matt, love and support shining in her eyes. He gave her shoulder a squeeze before leading her over to the waiting area. Drew and Hannah joined them, but as soon as they sat, Charlie strode out the ER doors and headed their way. Drew swallowed hard, sending up a silent prayer that Lindy’s injuries weren’t serious or life-threatening.
“Lindy’s awake and doing remarkably well considering how hard she hit her head,” Charlie informed them. “She has a mild concussion, but that’s to be expected.”
Relief expelled from Drew’s chest with a mighty whoosh. Thank God.
“Can we see her?” Matt asked.
“Absolutely. Come on.” With a wave of his hand, Charlie led them through the double doors.
They piled into her cubicle, and Drew’s heart wrenched when he saw her. A bandage covered her forehead, another wrapped around her throat, and tears stained her cheeks, but to him she had never looked more beautiful.
Matt leaned over to kiss her forehead, but she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him down with a cry of relief. “I’ve never been so scared in my life,” she whispered, though everyone heard her heartbreaking admission.
Drew silently vowed those two rapist sons of bitches would pay dearly for what they did—and tried to do—to Lindy. They may have gotten away for now, but if it was the last thing he did, he’d castrate the both of `em.
Miss Melinda Spalding had taken up residence in every corner of his heart, and when he’d heard her scream....dear God. To echo what she’d just said, he’d never been so scared in his life. He needed to quit thinking about it or he’d lose his damn mind.
“Me, too,” Matt whispered back.
“Bianca?”
Matt looked to Drew, who smiled reassuringly. “She’s fine. Tough as nails, just like her mommy.”
“Thank God,” she murmured, reaching up to finger her bandage.
Matt straightened and stepped back to allow Carrie in. Carrie grasped Lindy’s hand, and the two women who’d started off as wary acquaintances, but had become good friends, shared a moment.
Lindy finally made eye contact with Drew. Fresh tears welled in her eyes as she gazed him, so many unspoken words between them.
Matt cleared his throat. “Uh, ladies, I think we need to give these two some privacy.”
Carrie released Lindy’s hand and stepped back into Matt’s embrace. Hannah smiled and gave Lindy’s hand a squeeze before following Matt and Carrie from the room.
They stared at each other for a moment.
“I’d never have forgiven myself if those scumbags had...” The words escaped Drew’s lips before he could call them back.
“But they didn’t. Thanks to you.”
“I never should’ve left,” he countered. “I swear, first thing tomorrow I’m having a state-of-the-art security system installed in your house.”
“I ordered you to leave, Drew. In no way is any of this your fault. I’m just so grateful you came back.” Her voice cracked on the last word, and Drew rushed forward to crush her in his arms.
“I needed you,” he admitted in a near whisper, eyes burning. “I couldn’t imagine spending another night without you. My damn pride had already kept me away for over a week.”
“Why...why did you leave?”
Drew released her from his death grip and reached back to pull one of the chairs up next to the bed. He grasped her hand, kissing her palm before replying. “I realized for the first time in my life, it’d happened. I’d fallen in love. But I knew once the plant was up and running…” Unable to finish, he shrugged.
Lindy searched his face and whispered, “You thought I’d leave you?”
“It wasn’t exactly a secret you planned to head home to L.A. as soon as the job was done.”
She was quiet for a moment, then asked, “You’ve heard the expression Home Is Where the Heart Is, right?”
“Of course, why?”
“Because I love you, too,” she told him, her heart shining in her eyes. A slow grin curved her lips. "Even though you’re the most impossibly arrogant man I’ve ever had the misfortune to know.”
Drew tipped his head back and laughed. “I never thought I’d say this, Hot Stuff, but I think we’re damn near perfect for each other.”
“And I never thought I'd say this, but...” She cast him a coy look through her lashes. “You’re right, Lou.”
Epilogue
“And who would you like me to make it out to?” Lindy asked, pen poised over the dedication page of her latest release, Moonlit Encounter. She looked up and met Lauren’s sheepish smile. Caleb stood grinning beside her, Emma tucked in his arms.
“Me, please.” As if in awe, Lauren glanced slowly around, taking it all in—the posters, the stacks of books, the mob of people crammed into the interior of Coffee To Chai For, with a line literally spilling out the door.
Lindy was plenty awed herself.
“I just still can’t believe it. You’re Katelynn Meadows. How crazy is that?”
“How come that doesn’t exactly sound like a compliment?” Lindy teased as she signed the book. “I can’t imagine why my being a romance author is such a shock to everyone.”
Lindy heard a few muffled snickers, but they only brought a smile to her face. Blissfully happy, she tucked a bookmark into the copy she’d just signed and handed it to Lauren, who beamed as if Lindy had just placed a rainbow in her hand. Lindy glanced up at Emma who was busy sucking down one of Carrie’s delicious triple berry smoothies. “Hey, sweetie, that sure looks good.”
Emma gazed down at her, those little lips working the straw like a siphon. Suddenly she stopped and graced Lindy with the most heart-stopping smile. Lindy’s heart melted into a gooey puddle. Gripped by emotions completely new to her, she smiled back. Emma waved as Lauren thanked her and headed off with her prize.
Humbled by the number of people who’d shown up for her first ever appearance as Katelynn Meadows, Lindy signed book after book, chatting with everyone from Allie and Rick, to Motormouth Marv, to Mrs. Steagle from the Piggly Wiggly. The residents of this town had welcomed her into their fold without hesitation, just as they had Matt last summer. They’d made her feel like she belonged, though it wasn’t that long ago she couldn’t imagine calling this small town home. She’d put her nose in the air from day one, and now she couldn’t even fathom living anywhere else. Home truly is where the heart is. And Lindy’s heart—and future—were right here in Redemption.
The main reason for Lindy’s total eup
horia strolled through the door. He stopped, propped his hands on his hips, and gave his head a bemused shake, taking it all in. When those gorgeous baby blues landed on her, Lindy’s heart lit up like a bonfire. She loved this man, wholly, completely, and forever.
Good Lord, she sounded like a huge cheeseball!
Drew strode forward, people stepping aside so he could pass. He reached the table and gave her a sexy wink. “Your knight in shining armor reporting for duty. So how’s my little author doing?”
She stuck a bookmark in the book she’d just signed and handed it to Mrs. Steagle. “You do know how patronizing that sounded, right?” She softened the comment with a wink of her own.
“Sorry.” He cleared his throat and did another sweep of the place. “I was thinking I’d take you out for lunch, but from the look of things, you’re gonna be here for awhile.”
“Another couple of hours at least. How about dinner? I have a taste for one of Nino’s meatball subs.”
He quirked a brow. “Really? I’ve never seen you eat a meatball.”
“Probably because I don’t like them.”
He chuckled. “Hot Stuff, you’re definitely gonna keep me on my toes.”
Lindy signed one book after another, chatting and laughing with everyone, more at ease with these people than she’d ever been with her friends back in L.A. Drew stood beside her, watching in silence, and she couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind.
“So, no more thoughts of running home to LA?”
Okay, now that was just scary. They were already finishing each other’s thoughts. “I am home. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
“Glad to hear it.” He placed a hand on the back of the chair and leaned down to murmur, “I could eat you with a spoon.”
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