Seeing the tears on Opie’s face broke through Gil’s calm, letting in a torrent of rage and terror. He dropped forward, head in his hands, elbows on his knees, and prayed.
* * *
An hour later, a doctor approached him. Gil leaped to his feet, swaying when spots danced in front of his eyes. He had skipped lunch knowing that the housekeeper was preparing a big spread for tonight’s dinner with Bailey, hosted by Cade and himself.
It was after eight now.
The man stared at him with the same compassion Gil had seen in Nate’s eyes. “Mr. Addison?”
“Yes.”
“Your friend is back in the room resting.”
“May I see her?”
“Only for a moment. She’s had something to help her relax and sleep. We’re monitoring the concussion.”
“Are you aware of the situation?” Gil asked, his throat tight with a combination of frustration and dread.
The doctor nodded. “You need her to wake up. I get it. But you have to understand that her body needs rest and peace to heal. If she regains consciousness right now, she’ll have to relive everything that happened, and she’ll become agitated. At this critical juncture, I can’t allow that. I’m sorry, Mr. Addison. Hopefully if her vital signs are good tomorrow, I can reconsider.”
When the man departed, Gil pulled himself together and followed the directions back to the Bailey’s room. Standing in the doorway, he felt his vision blur. Struggling to stand up straight, he moved toward the bed.
She lay still as death, her skin unnaturally pale. A large bandage covered an area that included her temple. An IV was secured in the hand that rested atop the sheet. Gil stared at that hand, remembering how it had caressed him.
Knowing Bailey, she would have done everything to save Cade. But it hadn’t been enough. Bailey hadn’t saved him, and neither had his father.
Emotion roiled in him, hot and deep. This was the woman to whom he wanted to propose marriage. By all rights he should be sitting at her elbow, promising to remain by her side.
But though every cell in his body wanted to hold her and comfort her, a sick guilt held him back. How could he think about loving Bailey when the only other person he loved with equal intensity was out there somewhere? Alone. Terrified.
A male nurse stepped in to check BP and temp and adjust the flow of medication. “She’s doing as well as can be expected, sir. It was a nasty wound.”
Gil leaned against the wall. No one told him she had cut her face. A neat line of stitches closed a gash on her forehead. She must have hit a rock or some other sharp object when she fell.
“Should I leave my number?” he asked, his lips numb as he formed the words. He felt as if he were outside his body observing.
The man nodded, moving about the bed with efficient, gentle motions. “Write it on the board, if you will. Someone will get in contact with you if there is any change. If you’ll permit me to give you some advice, sir, I’d suggest you go home and get some rest. You look pretty bad. Visiting hours start at ten in the morning. There’s nothing you can do for her now.”
Gil didn’t remember walking back to his truck, but he found himself behind the wheel. In some dim corner of his brain, he realized that he was impaired. Driving as slowly as a geriatric en route to Sunday church, he made his way home, determined not to hurt anyone else.
Though it was cold, he sat on the back porch to call Nate. But there was no news. The investigation was ongoing. They were doing everything they could to find Cade.
The housekeeper had gone home. She left instructions for heating dinner. Gil fixed a plate of chicken casserole and ate five or six bites. Moments later he was in the bathroom throwing up.
He couldn’t walk upstairs. He couldn’t look into his son’s bedroom. He couldn’t look at the bed where he and Bailey had made love with such happy abandon.
His soul in ashes, he stretched out on the sofa in the living room and slung an arm over his eyes.
* * *
Bailey didn’t want to wake up. Somewhere just offstage, pain waited, deep and vicious. She clung to the drug-induced fog, well aware that the alternative was not something she wished to face.
Hours passed. Maybe weeks. She didn’t know. She didn’t care. Nothing could hurt her in this wonderful cocoon.
But eventually, her cowardice was challenged. Professional voices, sympathetic but demanding, insisted she accept reality. Swimming toward the surface, she noted the various aches and pains that held her down. The crushing throb in her skull was the worst.
She opened her eyes cautiously. The light was bright. Too bright. Turning her head slowly, she focused her eyes on the man sitting by her bed. Frowning, she tried to decipher what was wrong with the picture. “Nate?” she croaked.
The sheriff jumped to his feet, looking down at her with an indecipherable expression. “Let me get the nurse,” he said.
“No, wait.” She frowned. “Why are you here?”
He rubbed a hand over his chin. “I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“Gil?” The omission of his name seemed ominous.
“He’s on his way.” The answer was too quick, too hearty.
She closed her eyes, sifting through the layers of memory. A hospital. Something had happened. Suddenly, the truth crashed down on her. A wail ripped from her throat. “Cade,” she cried, her head pounding. “What happened to Cade?”
Nate went white, and suddenly the room was filled with medical personnel. Seconds later, the fog returned...
* * *
Gil and Nate stood at the foot of the bed. Bailey’s doctor was there, as well. The older man’s expression was grim. “We’ve backed off the sedative. You’ll have to be quick. This morning her BP skyrocketed when she realized what had happened.”
“What if she can’t help us?” It was Gil’s worst fear. He had hung all his hopes on the fact that Bailey would be able to explain things when she woke up.
Nate shifted from foot to foot, his gaze watchful. “We’ll work with what we have.”
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, Bailey returned to consciousness. The first sign that she was at all aware of her surroundings was the frown that creased the space between her eyebrows.
The doctor looked at the monitor. “She’s in pain. As soon as you have what you need, I’ll give her more meds.”
Gil shuddered. What they were about to do seemed little shy of torture. “You have to do it,” he muttered to Nate. “I can’t. I’ll step over here where she won’t see me.”
Nate stared at him. “I understand.”
As Gil watched, Bailey opened her eyes. Only for a few seconds. But in a moment, she tried again, this time focusing on Nate.
He spoke softly, reassuringly. “Hey, there, Bailey. Glad to see you’re back with us.”
Her lips trembled. “I’m so sorry.”
Nate touched her hand. “Steady. I need to know if you can help me. Do you remember?”
Her expression destroyed Gil. He had never seen such agony on a woman’s face.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Nate nodded, his face calm, his eyes kind. “Someone ran you off the road and hit you on the head.”
“Yes.”
“Who was it?”
“I don’t know. He wore a ski mask.”
“Anyone else in the car?”
“I think so, but I’m not sure.”
“And the vehicle?”
“A beige sedan...newer model. Maybe a Honda. The plate was dirty, but it was Mexican, I think. Had a 367 at the beginning.”
“Anything else, honey?”
“It all happened so fast. They didn’t want money. Cade was in the car asleep. I had to do something...” Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. “Oh, God.
” She sobbed aloud, groaning as her involuntary movements caused her discomfort.
Nate squeezed her hand. “Relax, Bailey. It’s okay. You may remember something else later. Everything’s going to be okay. I promise.”
The doctor pushed something in the IV and Bailey’s body visibly relaxed.
Nate exhaled. “Well, at least we have something. It’s a start.”
Gil shook his head, his heart sick. “It’s damn little.”
“Faith, Gil. Keep the faith.”
Sixteen
The next time Bailey awoke, she knew exactly where she was and why. Gil sat beside her bed, his eyes closed, his face gray with exhaustion. She wet her dry, chapped lips. “May I have a drink, please?”
He roused instantly, poured water from an insulated pitcher, and stuck a straw in it. Holding it for her, he helped her take several sips. “You look a little better,” he said.
“You don’t have to stay with me. I know you have responsibilities at the ranch. And you need to help Nate look for...” Her throat hurt. She couldn’t say the last word.
He shrugged. “They tell me civilians only get in the way.”
She closed her eyes, processing what he wasn’t saying. “You’re angry with me.”
“No.” The answer was quick. “But I warned you that the investigation was dangerous.”
His calm stoicism made her feel worse. Inside, he had to be a mess. And all because he had entrusted Bailey with his son’s care, and she had allowed him to be kidnapped.
“Is there any word about Cade?” She could barely voice the question. Because she knew the answer in her heart. Gil wouldn’t be here if Cade had been found. He would be with his son.
Gil’s expression was grim. “Not yet. Nate has brought in off-duty officers from other counties. I’m footing the bill for the extra help. They will find Cade.”
“You sound so sure.”
His gaze met hers square on, and for the first time, she saw the extent of his torment. “I can’t allow room for doubt. I won’t.” His voice was raw.
Tears burned her eyes, but she blinked them away. “I never should have let myself get close to you or to Cade. We’re all paying for my selfishness.”
His scowl deepened. “We both made mistakes. Both lost sight of our primary goals. You had a job to do, and I had a son to protect. Have a son,” he corrected swiftly, the words cracking.
A masculine voice in the hall caught her attention. It sounded like the sheriff. Gil stood up. “I’m going to grab a cup of coffee. I’ll be right back.” He pulled the door partway closed as he walked out.
The men conversed in low voices, obviously thinking Bailey could not hear them. But she was able to catch words here and there, enough to piece together what was being said.
They were arguing about possible theories. Judging from Nate’s line of thought, he was still expecting a ransom note. She strained to listen. Gil was audibly upset, his voice growing louder.
Suddenly, the voices moved away and the hall was silent.
Bailey shrank back in the bed, tears filling her eyes and spilling across her cheeks. Gil would never forgive her, even if and when Cade was found. Her actions had brought harm to Gil’s family. One moment she’d been standing on the cusp of something wonderful, and now it was all gone.
The pain made it hard to breathe. She loved Gil Addison and his son. But she had lost them both. Shaking and cold, she punched the button to summon the nurse.
Moments later, the woman entered the room, her expression concerned. “Are you hurting? It’s not time for medicine yet.”
Bailey was hurting. Her dreams had shattered into a million pieces. Now was a heck of a time to learn that a heart truly could break.
She gripped a handful of the sheet, her breathing choppy. “Is it okay if I limit my visitors?”
The woman frowned. “Of course. Is there a problem?”
“I’m willing to see the sheriff. But no one else. Please.”
The woman’s eyes were kind. “Would you like me to ask the chaplain to come by?”
“No.” Bailey’s throat was so tight she could barely speak. “Thank you.” She couldn’t bear to look into Gil’s eyes and see his anger and disappointment and fear. It was better to make a clean break.
“I’ll make sure your wishes are noted at the nurse’s station and on your door.”
“Thank you.”
The woman left. Bailey turned her head to stare out the window. The sun was shining brightly, in direct opposition to her bleak mood. How soon would she be able to travel? Her boss needed her back in Dallas, and Bailey wanted to go home. If there was more work to be done in Royal, she would ask to be reassigned. She couldn’t come back here.
In her heart, though, she knew she would not be able to leave until she had the assurance that Cade was back in his father’s arms...safe and happy. Thinking about the alternative was unbearable. Surely a ransom note would arrive soon. One victim with no memory, one child too young to plan an escape, and Bailey—who had been unconscious when the child was taken. It was an impossible situation.
Her brief burst of energy faded, leaving her drowsy and deeply sad. Cade had trusted her. Gil had trusted her. And she had failed them both. The knowledge haunted her.
She drifted into sleep, her dreams dark and threatening. Suddenly, she was back on the road between Chance’s place and Gil’s ranch...
She felt the cold slither of fear. The rapid beat of her heart. She stared at the man. He was tall. Maybe older. But the ski cap obscured everything important. Think, Bailey. Think. She focused on the car. It was ordinary. A figure sat in the passenger seat. Again, she saw Cade, sweet innocent Cade in the backseat. Then, something brutally hard hit her head. She crumpled, the ground coming up to meet her.
Bailey woke with a start even as the recollection of panic pushed adrenaline through her veins. The bland sterility of the hospital room was recognizable and reassuring. With shaking hands, she pushed the button to call the nurse.
* * *
Gil sat beside Nate in the squad car as they sped through town. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t she call me?” he asked
“Don’t know.” Nate slowed down for a stop sign, noted the empty side streets, and kept going. He had his lights flashing, but the sirens were off. At the hospital, they parked in a restricted zone. Both of them jogged toward the front of the hospital.
On Bailey’s floor, a nurse with salt-and-pepper hair stopped them. “Hello, Sheriff. Mr. Addison.”
Gil shifted from one foot to the other, impatient to hear what Bailey had to say. And to see for himself if she was improving. “We’re here to see Bailey,” he said, wanting to add, Get out of my way, woman.
“I’m sorry, sir. Ms. Collins has restricted her visitors.”
Gil looked at her blankly. “What the hell does that mean?”
The nurse frowned at his language.
Nate touched his arm. “Take it easy.” He addressed the woman calmly. “I had a message that Ms. Collins wanted to see me.”
“She does. But Mr. Addison, I’m sorry. You can sit in the waiting room down the hall.”
Gil felt his temper rise. He was on a short fuse from worry and lack of sleep. “I think there’s been some kind of mistake,” he said, injecting ice into his voice.
The woman didn’t budge. “She was very clear. Only the sheriff.”
Gil’s eyebrows shot upward, incredulity in his exclamation. “I was here a few hours ago. What’s this about?”
Nate gave him a glance. “Keep your mind on the goal, buddy. Let me go in and see what she has to say.”
* * *
Relief washed over Bailey when she saw Nate’s head poke around her door.
“You ready to see me?” he asked.
She nodded. “Pull up a chair.”
When Nate made himself comfortable, Bailey managed a smile, though she hoped it didn’t look as false at it felt to her. “I think I remembered something. It may amount to nothing. So don’t get your hopes up. But then again, it might be a lead.”
He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “Tell me.”
“I’m almost positive there was another person in the car that ran me off the road...a woman in the passenger seat. I remember seeing long hair. And today, something clicked. What if this has nothing to do with Alex? What if Gil’s in-laws took the boy?”
Nate’s gaze sharpened. “That’s an angle we haven’t considered.”
“Were you in Royal when Gil’s wife died?”
“Yes.”
“So you remember that his wife’s parents tried to get custody of Cade? And nearly succeeded?”
“True. But Gil hasn’t heard from them in almost five years. I still think someone might have been sending you a signal to get out of Royal.”
“You’re probably right. But it won’t hurt to check this out, will it?”
“I won’t waste any time.” He got to his feet, leaned down, and kissed her gently on the forehead. “Thank you. Now concentrate on getting better. That’s an order.”
“Yes, sir.”
He stopped at the door and turned, his expression no longer as excited. “Why won’t you see Gil?
“My reasons are private.”
“You might want to cut him some slack. He’s been through hell. Worried about you. Sick about Cade.”
“I understand what’s at stake here. But I’m not Gil’s responsibility. He needs to focus on his son.” She was proud of the even tenor of her voice and the calm expression on her face.
Nate shrugged. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you, Bailey. What’s a man to do when the two people he cares most about are in harm’s way at the same time?”
“I’m not upset with him, Nate, truly. Cade needs to come first. That’s as it should be.”
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