9781631054723LucasDavis

by Susan Fisher-Davis

  His arms encircled her as he kissed her forehead. “All right.” He stood.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I have work to do. Nick is out sick, we’re shorthanded. I’ll be in for lunch.” He left the room leaving her staring after him.

  She got up from the bed and took a shower then headed downstairs for coffee. She was feeling much better after sleeping so long. Munch wound through her legs as she walked to the table. Almost as soon as she sat down, there was a knock on the door. Before she had a chance to open it, Tinker came marching in. He came right to her and sat down beside her. They gazed at each other with tears in their eyes. Tinker put his arms out and Emily leaned into them. She sobbed on his shoulder. Tinker patted her on the back, murmuring to her.

  “It’s all right, girl. You’re home now. You’re safe again. The son of a bitch is going back to prison and the world will be a better place.”

  Emily jerked back and laughed. “I have never heard you swear, Tinker.”

  Tinker’s ears turned red. “I don’t cuss around women but it’s what he is.”

  Emily nodded. “Yes, he is. I’m glad it’s over.”

  “You and me both. I know for sure Lucas is. He was a mad man while you were gone. Even that friend of his, the FBI agent, had trouble calming him down. I know I thought he was a bad penny when you first married him but he’s turned into a great man. His friends too. They were here almost every day you were gone supporting him. They all grew into good men.”

  “Thank you, Tinker. I know Lucas respects you too. I’m happy you get along so well.” She kissed his cheek. “I love you both and if you tell Lucas I said that, I’ll deny it.”

  Tinker cackled. “I won’t say anything but I think you should. That man loves you too.”

  Emily didn’t correct him. She knew Lucas wasn’t in love with her or he would have told her when she was rescued. Blinking back tears, she hugged Tinker again. “You’d better get back to work or your other boss will come looking for you.”

  Tinker laughed and stood. “I told him I was coming to see you whether he liked it or not. He just grinned.” Tinker kissed her cheek. “Glad you’re home safe and sound.”

  Emily watched him leave and smiled. She loved everyone at the ranch. They were her family and she hoped now that Adam was out of their lives, she and Lucas could start on their family in the near future. The blood drained from her face when she saw the sheriff’s car pull up. Nathan stepped from the cruiser and strolled to the door. Emily opened it before he got there. He took his hat off and smiled at her.

  “How are you, Emily?” he asked.

  “I’m fine. Come on in. Would you like some coffee?”

  “Sure. Is Lucas in here?” Nathan took a seat at the table.

  “No, but I can call him.” Emily called the barn and asked Lucas to come to the house. She sat down beside Nathan and sipped her coffee. The back door opened and Lucas strolled in. He took his hat off and raised an eyebrow at her. She shrugged.

  “What’s up, Nathan?” Lucas asked as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “We found two bodies down in a ditch off Center Road. One of them is Marylou.”

  Emily gasped. “I asked Adam if he knew where she was and he said no but I knew he was lying.” She glanced at Nathan. “Who’s the other woman?”

  “A woman from Casper. Stella Carlisle. We found out she was visiting Adam while he was in prison. Surveillance shows her picking him up the day of his release.”

  “The bastard killed them,” Lucas murmured.

  Nathan nodded. “Yes. Ms. Carlisle had skin under her fingernails. It wasn’t much but it was enough to show up as matching Walters’ DNA.” Nathan stood. “Marylou was shot in the head at close range while Miss Carlisle was strangled.” He put his hat on. “Now, we can get him on murder charges. I wanted to tell you personally. You’ve been through a lot the past few days. I didn’t want you to hear it through the Dry River grapevine.” He nodded, shook their hands and left.

  Emily glanced up at Lucas. “I think Nathan is one of the sexiest men I’ve ever seen. Him and his brother, Dakota are both hot. Mont is definitely sexy too.”

  “Maybe you should have asked one of them to marry you,” Lucas smirked.

  “Oh, Nathan’s too busy to stay at the ranch and Dakota’s in Colorado all the time. And you know Mont’s in Jackson Hole.” Emily grinned.

  “Nathan’s a good bit older than you too. He’s in his late thirties and engaged.”

  Emily snorted. “Like it would make a difference.” She laughed. “I’m just teasing. He is hot, though.” She shook her head and sobered. “I think Adam became a little crazy in prison. He was verbally abusive but I’d have never thought he’d resort to murder.”

  Lucas crouched down in front of her. “He would have killed you, too.”

  Emily nodded. “Eventually. Whether he took me away with him or not. He would have gotten tired of me and just killed me.” She shivered. “He’s an evil man and he’ll get what he deserves.” She stood quickly. “I’m going to lie down.”

  Chapter Nine

  Lucas watched her go and knew there was nothing he could do for her. She had to get past this on her own. He wanted to hold her and tell her it would all go away but it would be a lie. It was going to take her a while. Lucas took a seat at the table and sipped his coffee. Munch sat on the floor staring up at him. Lucas raised an eyebrow at her.

  “What do you want, cat?”

  Munch meowed up at him.

  “I don’t speak cat. Go away.” Lucas pushed at her with his foot. Munch jumped onto his lap. Lucas almost spilled his coffee. “What the hell? Get down.” He tried to push her off his lap but she laid down and curled into a ball. He glared down at her. “I don’t like cats.” He laid his hand on her to move her off his lap when he heard her purring. Lucas smiled. “I’m not so bad, either, am I?”

  “I thought you didn’t like cats?” Emily said from the doorway.

  Lucas raised his eyebrow at her. “I thought you were going to lie down?”

  Emily moved toward the cupboards and got tea and a cup down. “I got up there but didn’t want to be alone. I feel better.” She turned to face him. “You didn’t answer my question.” She nodded her head toward Munch.

  “Just because she’s on my lap, doesn’t mean I like her.”

  Emily laughed softly. “Okay.”

  “She won’t get down. Look at her,” Lucas said.

  “All you have to do is push her down. She’ll give you a dirty look but she’ll get over it.” Emily leaned back against the countertop and grinned at Lucas.

  “I don’t need her growling at me. We need to live here together.”

  Emily laughed. “Uh huh.”

  Lucas glared at her. “Uh huh, what? You don’t believe me?”

  “No.” Emily giggled.

  Lucas pursed his lips. “My wife doesn’t believe me, cat. What do you think? Do you think I like you?” Munch opened one eye and looked up at him then she closed it and fell back to sleep. Lucas glanced over to Emily. “Will you take her so I can go to work?”

  Emily lifted Munch from Lucas’s lap and cuddled the cat. Lucas kissed her quickly and headed for the barn.

  * * * *

  Two days later, Kendra came to visit along with their friend, Chloe Baxter. They sat in the living room, talking.

  “I’m so sorry what happened to you, Emily,” Chloe told her.

  “I’m getting better, Chloe. I’m so glad he’ll go back to prison. I hope he gets the death penalty for the murders.”

  “Me too. Thank God Wyoming has it. He’s such a dick. I hate him.”

  Kendra and Emily were laughing when the back door opened and Lucas strolled into the living room. He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the women. He removed his hat.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company,” he said.

  “It’s all right, Lucas. The girls just wanted to check up on me and visit for a while. Is there somet
hing you needed?”

  “No. I thought if you were feeling better, we’d go for a ride, but we can go tomorrow.” Emily smiled at him. Their eyes met and held until Kendra stifled a giggle. Lucas glanced away then back to her. “I’ll just head back to the barn then.” He spun on his heel and left.

  The women looked at each other and laughed. Chloe sighed. “I had the biggest crush on Montgomery Bradford but I left to go to college and didn’t get a chance to let him know I was interested.” She stared at Emily. “What’s he look like now?”

  “Pffft. He’s fat and bald now.”

  “What?” Chloe shouted.

  Emily burst out laughing. “I’m kidding. He’s gorgeous. Those green eyes of his.” She sighed. “He’s tall, probably around six four and built. Apparently being an FBI agent doesn’t keep him chained to a desk.”

  “Wow. Now I wish you hadn’t told me the truth.” Chloe pouted.

  “Lucas is gorgeous, Emily. It must be such a hardship being married to him.” Kendra teased.

  Emily turned toward her. “Speaking of gorgeous, what the hell is going on between you and Cooper? You two didn’t even acknowledge each other when Lucas and I got married.”

  Kendra’s cheeks reddened. “We don’t like each other much.” She shrugged.

  Chloe burst out laughing. “Oh, please. Tell her the truth, Kennie. You have the hots for Cooper.”

  “You do?” Emily asked as she looked at Kendra. “Still?”

  Kendra shrugged. “He broke my heart, though. I can’t get past the fact he hurt my feelings. He was so cruel about it. I was fifteen and had a huge crush on him. I saw him with Debbie Lawson and I was so jealous, I asked him the next day what he saw in her and he smiled and said ‘what do you think?’ I told him I was sure there were other girls much nicer. He laughed and told me if I was thinking of myself to get over it. I was still a baby.” She shook her head. “It really hurt me. I just never got over him being so cruel.”

  “You never told me about it. Why not?” Emily asked.

  Kendra shrugged. “You were so wrapped up in the ranch. Cooper came to see me the next day. He said he wanted to apologize and he meant nothing by it, I was just too young for him.”

  “He was sorry, Kennie. You should have given him the chance to prove it.” Chloe raised an eyebrow.

  “I was young and hurt, Chloe. How do I even know he’s changed?”

  Chloe snorted. “I still think you should have listened to him.”

  “I told him we’d forget what happened and move on with our lives. What more do you want?”

  “How about giving the guy a chance to make it up to you? He’s gorgeous.”

  “Girls, girls. Please stop.” Emily interrupted. “If Kendra wants to get past her time with Cooper, it’s none of our business, Chloe.”

  “Fine. Maybe I’ll go after him myself then.” At Kendra’s gasp, Chloe smirked and pointed at Kendra. “See? She still wants him.”

  Emily laughed. “Stop, Chloe.”

  Chloe stood. “She knows I love her. Let’s get going so Emily can rest.” She turned to Emily. “You look tired.”

  “I am. I’ll walk out with you and then I’ll lie down.” The women walked out the front door and Emily watched as her friends left. Too bad Lucas couldn’t lie down too.

  * * * *

  Lucas worked in the barn for a few more hours before he finished up for the day. Tinker stood at one of the stalls. Lucas stopped beside him.

  “I’m heading in. I need to catch up on some sleep. I’m exhausted,” Lucas told him.

  “I’m sure you are. Is Emily getting some rest?”

  Lucas sighed. “She’s trying, but she keeps having nightmares. She wakes up in a cold sweat every night.” Lucas shook his head. “She’s fine during the day, but once night falls, she freaks.”

  “It was hard on her.” Tinker nodded.

  “I think a lot of it has to do with her being held in that basement. Mont said it was dark and damp down there.” He slapped Tinker on the shoulder. “She’ll get back to her old self soon enough.”

  “I hope so. I miss her out here.” Tinker walked down the barn aisle while Lucas moved toward the house.

  He entered the back door and noticed how quiet the house was. He figured she was taking a nap and he was ready to join her after a shower. He slowly climbed the stairs and entered the bathroom to undress. He came to a halt when he saw her in the tub with her head back and eyes closed. Lucas squatted down beside the tub and touched her cheek. Her eyes snapped open then she smiled at him.

  “Hi. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “How long have you been in there?” Lucas asked.

  “I’m not sure. What time is it?”

  “A little after five.”

  “I just got in here a few minutes ago. I dozed off.” She smiled. “I’m so tired.”

  “You haven’t been sleeping much.”

  “I know and because of it you haven’t either. I’m sorry,” Emily whispered as she touched his cheek. “You need a shave, Mister Taggart.”

  “I need you, Missus Taggart.” He leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. When she moaned against his lips, he deepened the kiss. His tongue moved against the seam of her lips. He growled when she opened to him.

  Emily pulled back from him. “Get me out of here.”

  Lucas grinned and stood. He reached into the tub, put his hands under her arms, and lifted her out. After setting her on the rug beside the tub, he reached for a fluffy white towel and dried her off before carrying her to the bedroom. He laid her on the bed and quickly shed his clothes but hesitated.

  “I need a shower. I just came in from the barn,” he told her.

  “I like you sweaty, get in the bed.” She raised her arms to him.

  Lucas groaned and got on the bed with her and pulled her into his arms. “I’ve missed you so much.” He pressed his lips to hers and took them in a deep kiss.

  Emily groaned into his mouth. When she moved her tongue into his mouth, he moaned deep in his throat.

  “I’ll never get enough of you, Emily. Never.”

  “Lucas, I…” His mouth stopped her from saying more. He pulled back from her and gazed down into her face.

  “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known. There’s no other to compare to you. I’ll cherish you for the rest of my life. I love you Emily,” he whispered.

  “What?” Her eyes widened as she gazed up at him.

  “I love you. I know you don’t love me yet but maybe one day--”

  Emily laughed. “I do love you, Lucas. So much.”

  “Wait. What? You do?”

  She nodded her head. “I have for a while now.”

  Lucas glared at her. “And you didn’t tell me?”

  Emily raised her eyebrows. “You didn’t tell me. I wasn’t about to put my feelings out there and make you uncomfortable.”

  Lucas laughed. “I wouldn’t have felt uncomfortable. I would’ve felt wonderful because I loved you too.” He chuckled. “Damn, my wife is hardheaded.”

  Emily giggled. “Yes but she has nothing on her husband as far as stubbornness goes.”

  He sobered. “I was so scared when you were gone. I wanted to kill him and if Mont hadn’t been with me, I would’ve found you and killed him.” He swallowed hard. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if he’d taken you away from me, in any way. Mont knew I was in love with you and I was going crazy without you.”

  Lucas watched as tears rolled down her face. “I was scared, too. When he called you to make you go there, I was terrified. I know he wanted to kill you. I’m so glad Mont made you wear the vest but when I saw you lying on the ground, I wanted to die if you were dead. Lucas, I need you in my life and like you said, I can’t remember what my life was like before you came into it.”

  Lucas moved to kiss her when Munch butted her head against him. Lucas narrowed his eyes and glared at her. “Go away, cat.”

  “You really should start calling her Mun
ch since you like her,” Emily snorted.

  “Who said I like her?”

  Emily grinned. “Love me, love my cat.”

  Lucas laughed softly. “Now you’re pushing it.” He pressed his lips to hers and made both of them forget the terror they’d gone through.

  * * * *

  Adam laid in the hospital bed, thinking. There was no way he was going back to prison. He was going to get away and this time he would kill them both. The wound in his leg wasn’t so bad but the one in his arm hurt like a bitch, but not enough to keep him from getting them back. If they thought two small gunshot wounds would keep him from his agenda, they had another think coming. He would get out of here one way or another and kill them this time.

  He sat up when a pretty nurse entered his room. He smiled at her. She blushed as she checked his IV.

  “Do you need any pain killers?” she asked him.

  “I’m fine, thank you.” He grinned up at her.

  The young nurse smiled and left. Adam watched as she stopped at the doorway to talk to the FBI agent stationed at his door. She grinned up at him and flirted. The agent seemed to flirt back. This could work in Adam’s favor. He watched as the agent kept his eyes on her backside as she walked away.

  “She sure is a looker,” Adam said.

  The agent turned to glare at him. “Shut up.”

  Adam laughed. “Hell, I’d go for it if I was out of this bed. You should take her up on what she’s offering.”

  “Do I need to close this door so I don’t have to listen to your mouth?”

  Adam shook his head. “No.” He shrugged. “I just thought she looked like she was really interested in you.”

  “Mind your own fucking business,” The agent told him.

  Shit! Obviously, it wouldn’t work with this agent, but another was due to come on duty in a few minutes and Adam knew he was very young and inexperienced. He’d taken the shift yesterday after the agent at the door now. Adam was sure he could get him to walk away from the door for a while. A few minutes later, he grinned as he saw the young agent talking with the other one. The older agent gave Adam a glare before he left for the day.