by Terri Reed
She could picture Luke holding an infant, his strong, gentle hands cradling the tiny body. “Luke will make a good father.”
“Do you like children, Faith?” Dottie’s steady gaze pinned her to the sofa.
“Yes, but…I don’t have a lot of experience with them.” Almost none. Vinnie had refused to start a family, and now she was very thankful. Adding a child to the situation would have been so unfair to the child. But in the future? She dared not even dream that far ahead.
“Do you like my son?”
Dottie’s blunt question startled her. “Uh, yes. I do like Luke. He’s a decent man.” Not to mention caring, sensitive and attractive.
“I think he likes you, too.” Dottie’s wistful expression made Faith’s heart pound.
“He’s a good employer,” Faith said, hoping that would put their relationship in perspective, for both her and Dottie.
Dottie’s slight smile told her she wasn’t convinced.
“What are you two doing?” Reva hovered just inside the doorway from the kitchen, a bucket of cleaning supplies in her hand. The tight pink sweater she wore optimized her cleavage.
Surprised to see Reva and thankful for the distraction, Faith answered, “Looking at some old photos.” She hesitated a moment, sympathy for the other woman twisted in her chest. “Would you care to join us?”
Reva’s expression shifted, and for a brief moment, Faith saw longing in her gray eyes. She understood what it was like to be on the outside looking in, wanting to belong.
How many times had she herself looked at Vinnie’s family and wanted to belong? They’d never let her in. And in retrospect, she was again thankful. Had she been attached to his family, would she have had the courage to flee when she needed to?
“Oh, Luke has shown me those before,” Reva said airily, her chin going up slightly as if challenging them to dispute her.
“That was nice of him,” Faith offered with compassion aching in her heart.
Reva smiled tightly and moved away from the door but instead of going back into the kitchen, she disappeared down the dark hall.
“I’m surprised she came back.” Dottie sighed. “I wish she’d get her own life.”
Now that Faith knew Reva’s situation and had heard Luke tell her the exact same thing, the wariness Faith had felt for Reva evaporated. “She seems lonely.”
The shrill sound of the phone echoed through the house.
“Would you mind getting that, dear?” Dottie leaned back in her chair.
“Sure.” Faith stood.
Just then Reva came sailing back into the room. “I’ll get the phone,” she threw over her shoulder before disappearing into the kitchen.
A moment later she reappeared. “It’s for you.”
Dottie began to rise, but Reva shook her head. “Not you, Dottie. The phone’s for Faith. You can take it in the kitchen.” Reva left the room and went back down the dark hall.
Faith couldn’t seem to make her feet move. She could feel the blood rushing from her head. Who could be calling?
“Do you want me to find out who it is?” Concern etched lines in Dottie’s forehead.
“No, that’s okay.” The last thing she wanted was for Dottie to think something was wrong. She forced herself to walk, dread creeping into her soul with each step. “It’s probably just the pharmacist. I refilled your meds yesterday.” Though why they’d be calling now, she didn’t know. The pharmacist had assured her the refill would be ready for pick up tomorrow.
In the kitchen the phone lay on the counter, Faith stared at the instrument with apprehension before picking up the receiver and putting it to her ear. “Hello?”
There was a moment of silence before a deep, muffled voice she couldn’t identify spoke. “I’m coming for you, Faith. You can’t get away from me. No matter where you go, I’ll find you.”
The line went dead.
Icy talons of fear pierced Faith’s skin, causing goose bumps to rise. She dropped the receiver. It clattered noisily on the counter and she backed away. Blood and fear pounded in her brain, her vision blurred.
Tears welled in her eyes and she bit her lip. A trickle of blood seeped into her mouth, the coppery taste making her gag. She hadn’t tasted her own blood since the night she’d run away. Violent shudders racked her body and her breathing became shallow.
She had to leave.
But how? Where would she go? Part of her wanted to give up. When would it ever end? Would she ever find the peace she so desperately sought?
The thought of leaving the Campbells’ weakened her knees, but for their sake, their safety, she had to go. Her sanctuary was nothing more than a house of cards. God wasn’t watching over her. She had to take care of herself and protect those around her. Never mind her selfish dreams.
“Faith, honey, are you all right?” Dottie called from the living room.
It took several tries before she managed to answer, “I’ll be right there.”
Her mind frantically reviewed her options. She could walk to town and catch a bus. But she’d have to ask Luke or Dottie for some cash. Or she could take some money from her trust fund. Since Vinnie already knew where she was, that seemed the best option.
Only she wouldn’t be able to get at the money unless she went to the bank. She’d have to go to town with Luke tomorrow.
Calming herself down enough to rejoin Dottie, Faith settled back on the couch, aware of Dottie’s scrutiny.
“You look a little pale,” Dottie commented. “Is something wrong?”
“I think I need some fresh air. Would you like to go outside?” Faith asked, hoping to distract Dottie.
Dottie slowly stood. “I’d love to see my babies.”
They bundled up and then stepped outside. The snow from the previous evening had dusted the gravel drive, making the uneven surface look more like a sea of scattered marshmallows rather than chunks of stones.
They approached the fence and the llamas meandered over. Brandy came bounding out of the barn to give Faith and Dottie wet kisses before running back to the barn and disappearing inside.
“Luke must still be in with Lucy,” Dottie commented.
Faith ran her hands through the soft fur of the animal named Ricky and wished the soothing texture could smooth the edges of her nerves.
“He likes you,” Dottie stated. “Ricky is usually very standoffish.”
“The llamas are much friendlier than I heard they were,” Faith said.
“Faith, Faith!”
Reva’s high-pitched call sent the llamas scattering. Reva came hurrying out from the house and down the road, her frosted curls bouncing about in disarray. She’d donned her black, fur-lined parka.
Reva gave Dottie a tight smile. “You’re looking the picture of health.”
“I feel good.” Dottie smiled back brightly and Faith was sure Reva’s eyes narrowed slightly before she turned to address her.
“I almost forgot. This was delivered for you on Friday.” Reva held out a white envelope.
Faith took it and frowned. “Who delivered it?”
“Oh, some local rug rat. Said some man in town paid him to ride his dirt bike out here.”
“When?” Faith looked toward the road. A boy had biked to the ranch and she hadn’t seen or heard him? A small tremor raced from Faith’s toes to her hand and her throat tightened. She was getting too complacent, too comfortable.
“I don’t remember. I’m not your secretary,” Reva groused.
Faith inclined her head to acknowledge that. “Well, uh—thanks.”
“Aren’t you going to open it?” A thread of impatience vibrated in Reva’s tone.
Faith didn’t want to. A sense of foreboding invaded her senses. First the phone call, now this?
Sliding her fingernail beneath the seal, she slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the folded piece of paper. Her hand shook as she unfolded the note. The words, written in bold, black ink, were in stark contrast to the white paper.
You can’t hide from me.
Dizziness clouded Faith’s vision, forcing her to lean against the fence for support.
“What is it?” Concern laced Dottie’s voice.
“Yes, what is it?” Reva echoed.
Faith’s mind worked to come up with a plausible explanation. “It’s—just—hmm—personal.”
She hated dodging Dottie, but she couldn’t tell her the truth. The note was meant to scare her and it was doing a good job. But the note and the phone call wasn’t Vinnie’s style. He wouldn’t give her a chance to run, he’d show up unexpectedly.
It had to be from the private investigator.
Maybe he thought he could flush her out with the note. She glanced down the road. There were no cars visible, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be out there somewhere, waiting. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. She had to leave tonight.
Anxious to get back inside and plan her next move, Faith turned to Dottie. “Would you mind if we go back in? I’m feeling a little tired.”
“Of course not, dear.” Dottie hovered over Faith as if she were the invalid. “We’ll get you to your room so you can lie down.”
“Oh, yes. You do look a little under the weather.” Reva smiled sweetly before walking away.
“That woman has no heart,” Dottie muttered, taking Faith’s arm.
Faith shrugged and let Dottie lead her back to the house. After hanging up their coats, Faith asked, “Do you wish to go upstairs?”
“Yes, I think I’ll take a rest, as well,” Dottie answered.
Faith settled Dottie in her room and turned to leave.
“Whatever it is, Faith, tell Luke.”
Stunned, Faith gaped. “I—don’t—what?”
With an amazingly strong grip, Dottie took her hand. “Honey, something’s got you scared. First, that phone call this afternoon, and now this note. You’re pale, and you’re shaking like a leaf in the breeze. You don’t have to tell me, but tell Luke. He can help you.”
Faith closed her eyes. Everything inside screamed for her to do as Dottie suggested, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t his problem to solve. She kissed Dottie’s cheek. “Goodbye.”
“Excuse me?” Dottie’s anxious expression tore at Faith’s heart.
“I mean I’ll see you later.”
She went to her room to plan. She’d have to make do with the little money she had until she could get to a bank.
Now, if she could just get out without anyone questioning her. Her mind kicked into overdrive. Reva would be leaving the ranch to return to her own home soon.
Fleetingly, Faith contemplated asking Reva for a ride, but discarded the idea. It would be better if no one knew how or why she left. That way when Vinnie did show up, they could honestly say they didn’t know what had happened to her. She couldn’t leave until dark and when no one would miss her right away.
Once Dottie was upstairs and settled for the night, she’d leave. Luke would be with the llamas or the horses as he always was after dinner, so she’d have to be careful going down the drive.
She’d be leaving the Circle C Ranch tonight and leaving behind a part of her heart.
NINE
From the corner of his eye, Luke saw movement.
He sank back into the shadows and waited. The light of the moon reflecting off the snow illuminated a figure scurrying behind his Bronco. A second later, the person emerged from around the front.
Adrenaline pumped through his heart, energizing him. On quiet feet, he moved through the shadows, closing the gap between him and the mystery person. Approaching from behind, Luke judged the person to be of medium height and slight of frame.
He couldn’t make out the face, obscured from his view by a dark cap pulled low over the collar of a dark jacket. The person’s pace accelerated, soft tennis shoes crunched slightly on the packed snow on the edge of the gravel drive.
With grim determination, he closed in on his target. No one tried to make off with something from the Campbell ranch. Then he recognized the suitcases.
Confused, he frowned and grabbed Faith by the scruff of the neck and turned her around. “What are you doing?” he demanded.
Faith dropped the bags and squeaked, “Luke.”
“For crying out loud, Faith.” Apprehension tightened his chest, making his voice gruff. “Where are you going?”
Her chin came up in a defensive gesture that set his teeth on edge. “I don’t have to answer to you.”
“Oh, yes you do.” He grabbed the bags. “We’ll discuss this inside.”
“Give me my luggage.” Faith struggled unsuccessfully to take the bags from his grip. Finally, she fisted her hand. “You have no right to stop me, Luke Campbell.”
Anger and an odd sense of hurt flashed within his chest. Had the friendship they’d begun to build mean nothing? “Oh no? I think I have every right. As your employer, I deserve two weeks’ notice.” He thought she might be on the verge of tears, but he couldn’t tell for sure.
“I don’t have two weeks!”
Her exclamation left him more bewildered and he softened his tone. “As your friend, I’d like to know what’s going on.”
She turned away from him and the moon’s glow lit her features, exposing her drawn, scared expression. That did it. He would get answers out of her tonight, even if he needed to throw her over his shoulder and carry her inside.
“Come on, Faith. We’re going in.”
He could tell by the tightening of her lips that she wanted to protest. Giving her no chance, he turned on his heel and carried her bags toward the house. He let out an exaggerated sigh when she didn’t immediately follow, but when he heard her quiet footfalls behind him, he released a quick breath of relief.
Bossy, controlling, arrogant.
Faith couldn’t come up with enough names to silently yell at Luke’s retreating back.
Didn’t he realize she had to go for his sake? No, of course not, you dolt. He didn’t know what lurked out there, waiting to pounce. She hadn’t told him.
She stoically followed him into the study. The overhead light came on bathing the room in a yellow ambient glow. He went around the wide walnut desk and set her bags down on the muted sage green carpet before seating himself in his black leather captain’s chair.
“Please, shut the door.”
His tone made her think of the one time she’d been sent to the dean’s office in prep school for talking in class. Luke had that same reasonable look on his face that Dean Snoddgrass had had, and it made her feel small and insecure. But she was a grown woman, not a child.
And she’d vowed after Vinnie, she would never cower before a man again.
Drawing herself to her full height of five-feet, eight-inches tall, she closed the door and moved to sit on the striped cushioned divan by the window. Looking at Luke, she clasped her hands in front of her and waited.
“You do that when you’re nervous.” Luke leaned forward, his look intent.
“Do what?”
“Clasp your hands together until the knuckles turn white.” He nodded toward her hands.
Abashed, she looked down and realized her knuckles were indeed turning white. Unhooking her fingers, she spread her hands, palms down, on her thighs.
“So tell me,” he said.
Biting her lip, she hedged. “Tell you what?”
For a long, silent moment he closed his eyes, and when he opened them she knew he’d reached the end of his patience. “Tell me what’s really going on.”
“I don’t have to tell you anything.” Surprised at herself for baiting him, she steeled herself for his reaction. Her heart told her Luke was a man who had control of his temper, yet when his palms landed on the desk, making a loud noise, she flinched.
“I can’t help you, Faith, unless you tell me what you’re so afraid of. And don’t tell me it’s investors or charitable organizations,” he said through gritted teeth.
“Who said I wanted your help?” Though that was exactly what she wanted.
<
br /> She wanted to break down and let him take care of everything. It was so hard to be strong and brave. And alone. But she cared too much about him to continue to risk his safety.
He came around the desk, moving slowly and deliberately. She tensed, steeling herself as old fears rushed headlong into her mind. Was she wrong about him? Would he be like Vinnie and use his physical power to bend her to his will?
Luke knelt down beside her and took her hands in his. Relief swept through her and burning tears gathered at the back of her eyes. He’d proven himself gentle and self-controlled before. She was ashamed for doubting him.
“Whatever your burdens are, God can help you. Tell him. And if I can help you, I will.”
Each word he spoke was a plea to her heart. She could feel the tears gathering steam and fought them with all her might. God wouldn’t help her. What right did she have to put Luke in danger? What right did she have to his help? She tried to speak. “I—I don’t—”
“Please, Faith.”
The tenderness of his voice battered down her defenses and she broke, like a water pipe bursting. Large, wet tears streamed down her face and sobs racked her body. The brave front, the unyielding control she’d kept herself under, shattered like crystal hitting the floor. Jagged edges of pain and fear cut into her, leaving her wounded and bleeding inside.
The past had caught up with her, the uncertainty of the future stretched out before her and the world seemed more cold, more desolate than before.
Luke gathered her into his arms and suddenly warmth enveloped her, a soothing balm to her tattered soul. The embrace was comforting and the pressure secure. His hand stroked down her back in a calming tempo. The rhythmic movement continued until the tide of tears ebbed and the flow dried up. She lifted her head from his shoulder and their gazes locked.
The air around them seemed to shift and change, the embrace became a caress and heat scorched her palms where they rested against his hard chest. Faith took a shuddering breath, unsure what she should do.
Luke’s smile was as intimate as a kiss and the effect left her off-kilter.
Gathering her strength, she sniffed. “I don’t usually cry on men’s shoulders.”