“No I can’t. I can’t go, because I won’t. I’m staying here with you.”
“Why?”
Because I love you, Blake wanted to say, but knew it was probably too soon to say it. He didn’t want Kate to feel like she had to say it back. “Because I need to be here with you. I want to be here in case you need me.”
• • •
Kate couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She had never known Blake to put anything before the ranch. She’d always understood that, especially when the ranch was a family tradition, a way of life and livelihood. She’d often dreamed of being part of it. But to hear him say he wasn’t going back and that he was staying with her was wonderful. Maybe he was beginning to love her as she had loved him all these years.
“How long are you going to stay?” Kate asked with a happy heart.
“As long as it takes.”
“As long as what takes?” Kate smiled.
“Till he’s caught.”
“Oh.” Kate looked at the comforter wrapped around her and felt suddenly cold. He was only here for Luke. Of course he was. He felt responsible. Decent men took care of their responsibilities. Too bad, Kate thought. She tried to shake off regret. “How long was I asleep?”
“Not long, in fact if you feel like it, Sally has a video recording of the guy who left the rose, do you want to see it?” Blake asked and wondered why Kate looked suddenly sad.
“Yeah. I feel like it. Let’s see if it’s him.” Let’s catch him so you can go home, Kate thought.
Kate watched in silence as the figure dressed in hippie-like clothes strolled up to her porch, set the rose down, and walked away. She couldn’t see his face, but she didn’t have to. It wasn’t Luke. Luke was taller and wider than the almost boy he’d had deliver the message.
“It’s not him,” Kate said.
“How do you know?” Sally asked.
“I know.” Kate looked at her.
“I don’t think it’s him, either,” Ranae said.
“Me either.” Nichole patted Kate’s hand.
“That guy’s too scrawny.” Erin pointed to the television.
“Well, gentlemen, that’s it then,” Sally said to the police standing behind the couch. “Thanks for coming. I’ll be in touch.” Sally nodded and waited for them to tip their hats and leave. “Now, what?” She asked the girls and Blake.
“I think one of us should be with Kate all of the time,” Nichole said.
“Yeah. That’s great. We can get killed, too.” Erin stood up. “No. I’m sick of this shit. Why can’t they find him? Why can’t they go get that kid who was on the television and make him tell them where this son of a bitch is?”
“I don’t know. He’s really good for one,” Sally said in a calm voice. “For two I think Kate confuses him.”
“Now, you’re a criminal psychologist?” Erin asked.
“I have a degree in it, yeah. But that’s not what I’m using as my base here. I’ve studied the other cases, the other girls. Kate’s the only one who fought back. I mean really fought back, which is something his mom never did. I guess his father used her as his punching bag. At least that’s what the police reports say. Anyway, I think he admires Kate as much as he wants or needs to kill her.”
“That’s a hell of a thing to say with Kate sitting right here.” Erin pointed to Kate.
“No, she’s right.” Kate stood and walked to Sally. “So what do I do?”
“If you really want to catch him, you’re going to have to let him come to you.”
• • •
“No, ma’am.” Blake stood up, fear gripping his heart. He could hardly breathe. “We will think of something else. I will not let this happen.”
“I think it’ll work,” Kate said.
“It’s how my mom killed him,” Ranae said. Tears were streaming down her face.
“Nae, no.” Kate wrapped her arms around her friend. “Don’t think about it.”
“But it might help you.” Ranae wiped the tears from her eyes. “My … attacker is dead. I don’t have to be afraid of him anymore.”
“But you are,” Nichole whispered and joined arms with Kate.
“See what you did.” Erin glared at Sally as she went to be with her friends.
“No. I want to tell it.” Ranae sniffed. “You guys just hold onto me though, while I do.”
The girls nodded and didn’t let go.
“My mom was really young when she met my dad. He was this wonderful son of a rich family. But after they died, he started gambling to ease his grief, I guess. He lost all the money and began blaming it on my mom. See, his parents died on the way to their wedding. The way he saw it was, that if he hadn’t been marrying my mother, his parents wouldn’t have died. So, no matter how hard my mom worked, it was never enough. So he,” Ranae paused and let the fresh tears stream down her cheeks, “beat her.” She clenched her eyes shut and tried to ignore the vision of fists hitting bone.
“I can finish, Nae,” Kate said. “Let me finish.”
Ranae nodded.
“Nae’s mom worked out this plan to get rid of her husband. All she really wanted was for him to leave her, but he never would. Always spouting the, ‘til death do us part.’ So, basically, she decided to kill him. She left this big elaborate note for him to meet her at this old plant, where to go when he got there and what to do. All under the assumption that she’d found a way for it to make money. In her note she told him how to turn the lights on. But what he was really doing was turning the boiler to an unsafe level. It all had to be timed just right. As he turned the knob, the lights had to come on.”
“That was my job,” Ranae said. “I remember being so scared. But I did it. Mom and I were back home by the time we heard the fire truck sirens. I can still hear her say, “God, please let him be dead. Please let him be dead.” I think she would’ve died if he hadn’t been.”
“Dear God, Ranae.” Blake hugged her close. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” No wonder she got under her bed so quickly, he thought.
“So how can we trick Luke?” Nichole asked, still not convinced this was a good idea.
“I’d like to have a few hours to do some thinking. I’ve thought of a few ideas, but I want to get them cemented in my mind before I involve you,” Sally said. “In the meantime I want you to remember, you are all important to me. And that I gave Maggie my word that I would protect you. And I will.” She turned to go, thinking of her own mother, the only person she’d ever failed to protect. “It’s funny and awful how the world is the same,” she muttered as she started her car. “But there’s only so much a ten-year-old girl can do for her mom. This time I won’t fail.”
After Sally had gone, Kate hugged Ranae. “I’m sorry the shopping trip got ruined.”
“No big deal.” Nichole walked to look out the window.
“Nichole’s a chicken ass anyway,” Erin said, joining Nichole.
“Yeah, that’s the breaks,” Ranae said.
Blake sat down and scrubbed his hands over his face. What the hell am I going to do now? he wondered.
Kate looked at them. She loved them all so much. If luring Luke into a trap would save their lives and possibly hers, then she would do it. But she wanted to wait until summer school was over, only one more week. She’d tell Sally first thing in the morning. Right now, though she was going to bed.
“Hey, guys, I’m exhausted. I’m going to bed,” Kate said and hugged each girl. “Good night, Blake.” She kissed him gently on the head and walked to her room.
“What do you think, Blake?” Nichole asked.
“I think it’s a horrible idea. But I know Kate will do it, especially if it means saving our lives.”
“Can’t you tell her not to?” Erin pointed at him.
“I wish I
could. But I’m not going to. The last time I did something like that — ” I almost lost her for good, he thought.
“Even if it means saving her life?” Nichole wiped a tear from her cheek.
“I don’t know,” Blake said. “Damn, I wish Sally would’ve never brought that up.”
“We can’t go on like this forever, you know,” Ranae said. “It may work for a little while, but don’t you think us trapping him is better than him trapping us? I do.”
“I’d like to just kill him myself.” Blake stomped to the kitchen.
“It’s going to be Kate’s fight.” Ranae walked over to Nichole and Erin. “It always has been. Just like it was my mom’s fight. But that doesn’t mean we can’t turn on the lights when the time comes.”
“Damn right,” Erin said and wiped tears of her own.
“Let’s go plan how to get rid of Luke then.” Nichole opened the door. “Blake, we’re going,” she called as the girls walked out in front of her. She understood him, understood his fear. She could see in his eyes how much he loved Kate. Nichole just wished he’d tell her soon. That love would give her strength.
Behind them, Blake waved a silent good-bye and felt like slamming the glass he held in his hand across the kitchen. In fact he’d love to see it shatter in a wild tide of shards. But he held firm. He was a Spencer. He needed to pull himself together. Kate needed him and he was not going to let her down this time. But by God, if he ever got a hold of Luke he would gladly strangle the life from him.
• • •
Kate slept easy that night. She was snuggled down in her wide bed with the soft comforter tucked beneath her chin. She was dreaming. She was strolling along a winding path through the forest. In her hand were fragrant wild blossoms. She could hear humming and knew it was her own voice. The sun shone in little droplets of light on the fallen leaves at her feet. In the brush ahead of her she could see a tiny fawn hidden from the world by the wonder of its coat. She’d been walking for hours, loving every step. But for some reason she felt hurried. Like if she looked behind her she’d see someone she was afraid of. She couldn’t think of who it would be. But then she heard him.
Kate, came the rancid whisper. Kate, I’m following you.
Kate started to run. She could hear his pounding steps matching her own. She looked over her shoulder and there he was. His knife glinted sliver as he ran.
Don’t run, Kate. I need you.
She turned to see how close he was. He was there. A breath away. She begged her legs to run faster. Her blood was pumping fast. It throbbed through her aching muscles. She ran. Following the bend in the path she raced. But her foot got caught. She fell. She tried to scramble over the branch and get up, but he was there, looming over her.
Kate tore at the sheets in her bed. She woke up, but she couldn’t drag herself from the dream. She was trapped. She was trapped with Luke standing above her.
Why were you running, Kate. Don’t you want me anymore? I want you. Luke knelt over her, pinning her to the dirt. He slathered his tongue along her face. She could feel his hot breath. He held the knife high over his head, screaming, Dream of me, you bitch! Dream of me, now!
Then he slammed the blade deep into her heart. Over and over he stabbed. Kate could feel the life flowing out of her. She screamed.
CHAPTER 22
Blake was tired. Night after night of no sleep was catching up to him. He didn’t think he’d ever been this tired. Not even during his rodeo days, when traveling for three days straight to get to a rodeo where a bucking horse would throw him to the dirt, was common. He felt like it was at least two in the morning even though the clock on the mantle said it was still early.
He closed his eyes, wishing his mind would relax into the calming silence of the night. Feeling himself drift, he smiled. He swayed at that edge between sleep and awake. He was falling closer and closer to sleep’s oblivion — until he heard her scream. Kate’s piercing scream filled the house with terror. In an instant Blake was in her room.
“Kate, wake up.” Blake was standing at the edge of Kate’s bed. He practically pulled her to a standing position. “Come on, wake up.” He was terrified at the panic on Kate’s face. “It’s not real. I’m real. I’m right here. Come on.” Blake knew he was yelling. He had to, to be heard above her screams. When he saw her eyes flutter open, he quit yelling. “That’s right. It’s not real.” Blake pulled her to him. “I’m real.” He crushed her mouth with his. “I’m real. You’re all right, darlin’.”
“Blake?” Kate asked in a hoarse whisper.
“I’m here. Sshh. I’m here.” Blake looked at her simple but sexy white cotton gown. His heart tugged at him.
“He killed me, Blake.”
“Damn it, no, he didn’t. You’re right here. I’m holding you.” He kissed her with all the passion he had in him. “I’m kissing you. Damn it! Do you hear me?”
“Do it again,” Kate whispered.
“What?”
“Kiss me. Kiss me again, Blake. It makes me feel normal.”
“You are normal.”
“Just kiss me,” Kate begged.
He was on the bed in a second, with Kate molded beneath him. His mouth ate at hers. Devoured hers. He moaned with need as she did. He pressed where she arched. He could feel her tears beneath his hands, but they didn’t stop him this time. He needed her with his very soul. Life wasn’t worth living without her. There would be no breath he’d take if she didn’t share it with him. He moved his mouth from her lips to her cheek. Her scent engulfed him. His lips traveled the delicate line of her jaw down to her neck. Pulling the edge of her gown off her shoulder, he explored the curve of it. He knew he’d never be full of her. He’d never be done.
She twined her legs with his.
“Blake, please.” Kate gripped his hair in her hand.
“Are you certain?” Blake paused and wished with all his might he’d still be able to function if she said no. “We don’t have to do this.”
“I want to.” Kate pressed her lips to his and teased them with her tongue.
“I need to know.” Blake flipped on the dim light on the bed stand. “I need to see you.”
Tears edged Kate’s eyes. “I’m sure, Blake.”
Blake looked deep into Kate’s eyes. All he saw was need that matched his own and something else, something else that had always been there. He just hadn’t realize until now what it was. He’d had to love her first in order to understand that the something else that was always there was love. She loved him, just as he loved her.
Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he kissed her deep. Watched for fear. Fire flamed. The kiss turned hard and grasping. Kate returned it.
“Blake, please.”
Blake wasn’t sure if his voice would work. He nodded and nudged his mouth against hers. “You’re not afraid?”
“Yes. I am.”
Blake’s eyes gazed into hers. He was certain he saw no fear.
“I’m afraid you’ll stop. Again. I don’t want you to.”
“Darlin’, I won’t. Just give me a minute, okay? I want this to be special.”
“Blake, it is special — ”
“Sshh.” Blake kissed her, switched out the light and left the room. A few moments later he returned with matches to light the candles that were set about Kate’s room. After lighting one, he kissed her. On the lips. He lit another, then kissed her neck, her hand. He kissed her until all the candles were burning and he heard that sound of surrender every man waits for. With Kate, it was a sound so powerful and sweet. Blake ordered his pulse to slow.
Slipping beneath the covers and reaching for her, he found her warm and waiting with nothing between them.
“Oh, God, darlin’.”
Threading her fingers through his hair she pulled him to her. Onto her. His mouth me
t hers. Sweet floating warmth worked its magic through her body. She pushed her body up to meet his. Surrendering, she turned her head as he kissed her throat.
He could see her heart beat through her skin. He paused only a moment to see what his hands could do to it. His fingers teased and coaxed her body until he felt he could conduct the orchestra of her pulse. Moving, slowly down, he cupped her breast. It swelled and filled his hand as his thumb drew loving circles, drawing it tighter with each pass. He replaced his thumb with his tongue. Taking her inside his mouth was a wonder. He felt her tighten against his tongue. He moved to the other to feel its response. He tightened as she did.
She grabbed his shirt, dragging it over his head. Skin on skin, heartbeat with heartbeat, she arched against him and pleaded with her hands. Her lips hummed along his shoulder urging him on. Her hands moved like a whisper of a breeze along his skin. Her fingers smoothed the muscle of his stomach. She smiled as it bunched with her movement. Following the tense muscles lower to the drawstring of his pants, she unlaced them. She pushed them down and away, running her tongue on his skin as she went. She kissed and teased and gathered him in her hands.
In a flash, he had her hands pinned above her head. “Darlin, just wait.” His eyes smiled with promise. He reached over to the nightstand and unwrapped the condom he’d gotten from his duffle along with the matches. He strained against his need when her hands helped him put it on.
He smoothed his hands along her back, along her waist. Rolling with her. Moving her beneath him. He pulled her legs up around him, pressed his hips to hers. He smiled at the throaty moan escaping her lips. Slowing the rhythm, he kissed her lips. Trailing lower, starting over. Making it last. He wanted to enjoy her silky skin, her fiery hair.
He filled his mouth with her. He found a little spot at her hip that made her giggle when he skimmed it with his hands, but made her groan and arch toward him when he kissed it. He experimented with the other side to find the same. As his fingers found her wet and ready, he looked into her eyes as they moved. Slipping his hand over her, he saw her eyes grow dark and wide. This was something they’d never done and he wanted to watch her take that tumble. He wanted to feel what he could do to her. Wrapping his arm around her, he held her while his fingers found the spot he searched for. Soft and easy he moved.
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