“We’ll table the conversation for now,” Blue said, still eyeing her with some emotion that she thought might be caution.
They got out of the car, and because the three of them were still on edge, they all put their hands over their weapons. Rayanne was more than a little relieved when she didn’t see any need for concern.
Good thing, too, since there was more than enough concern in the waiting room.
The moment they stepped through the doors, a lanky dark-haired man wearing a badge approached them. “I’m Deputy Hawks from the Clay Ridge County sheriff’s office.”
Of course, she’d expected law enforcement to be there. And it wasn’t just the deputy, either. She spotted a county jail guard she recognized from her visits to her mother.
“Is there any update on my mother?” Rayanne immediately asked.
Deputy Hawks shook his head. “She’s still in surgery.”
He motioned for them to follow him and took them into a smaller, private waiting room just up the hall. “Figured you’d be more comfortable in here.”
Blue and Rayanne mumbled a thanks, and Colt stepped to the side of the room when he got another call.
The deputy took a seat near the door. “Sheriff Braddock’s on the way to the scene of his grandfather’s explosion. After that, he’ll assist moving the prisoners to the jail over in Sweetwater Springs.”
Good. She had enough on her plate without having to deal with another Braddock tonight. From all accounts, Sheriff Aiden Braddock was an upright peace officer, but she’d had her fill of Wendell and his entire family.
“You should sit,” Blue said, and he tried to get her to do that, but her body didn’t cooperate. She was suddenly too wired to do anything but pace.
Blue paced with her.
Now that she could actually see him, she looked him over to make sure he wasn’t injured.
He was.
There were new scrapes and bruises on his face and hands. Probably on the rest of his body, too. That was when she realized she probably looked just as bad. She pushed her hair from her face, causing Blue to smile.
“You’re beautiful,” he said as if reading all the doubts in her mind.
She nearly pointed out that it was a lie, but Rayanne found herself smiling. Briefly, anyway. “Thanks.”
“So, you’re in love with me?” he asked.
Okay, here was where she could say it’d all been a mistake. Something she’d blurted out in the heat of the moment. Then things could go back to the way they were before.
But she didn’t want that.
Rayanne nodded. “Sorry. I know that only complicates things.”
He squinted one eye, gave her a funny look. “It could, I suppose. Especially if that means you’d add me to the list of people you’d take a bullet for.”
It did indeed add him to the list. Except the list was sort of on hold right now because the baby had to come first.
“You won’t take a bullet for me,” he insisted. “But I appreciate the thought. I’d take a bullet for you, too.”
That made her heart soar. And fall. “That list wasn’t meant to be a nightmare come true,” she insisted. “No more taking bullets.”
Maybe that would include no more bullets being fired at them, too.
“No more,” Blue mumbled.
Anything else he was about to add to that was cut off when Roy and Rosalie came rushing into the room. Rosalie ran to her, pulled her into her arms.
“Anything yet?” her sister asked.
But Rayanne had to shake her head. She let go of her sister so she could face Roy. There was way too much pain between them for her to pull him into a hug, but she was careful not to issue him her standard glare.
“Thank you,” she mumbled. “For everything.”
Roy nodded. Blinked hard as if blinking back tears and nodded again. “Glad I was there.”
That made Rayanne have to blink hard, too.
Thankfully, Colt gave them a reprieve when he finished his call. “The deputy found Ruby-Lee,” he relayed to them. “She was tied up at Wendell’s house. Wendell told her his men would be there to take care of her once they finished with Rayanne and Blue.”
Thank God those men were now in custody and couldn’t harm her. Rayanne made a mental note to call the woman and thank her when this ordeal was over.
And once Blue and she had worked out the possible complications of her I love you and the near tears she’d just shed over Roy.
“Cooper got a look inside what was left of Wendell’s car,” Colt went on. “Two bodies. One of them was definitely Wendell.”
So it was really over.
Well, the danger was, anyway.
But the damage to her family might have already been done, and the proof of that stepped into the doorway. Not a doctor but rather a nurse, according to her name tag.
“The doctor will be here in just a few minutes to give you an update,” the woman said. “But I wondered if any of you have B-negative blood?”
Oh, God. That sounded serious. “Why?” Rayanne asked.
“It’s the patient’s type. We’re running short, and we usually ask family to donate in situations like this.” Her attention landed on Rayanne’s stomach. “Can’t take a donation from you, though. Nor you,” she added, eyeing Blue’s injuries.
“I’m O positive, anyway,” Blue said.
Rayanne shook her head. “And I’m not B negative. I’m A positive.”
Rosalie mumbled the same.
So did Roy.
“I’m B negative,” Colt said, stepping ahead of them. He suddenly didn’t look too pleased that he and his estranged mother shared the same blood.
Of course, Rayanne was no doubt looking similar about Roy’s and her blood connection. It was strange how things worked out like that.
Colt followed the nurse, but he’d been gone only a few seconds when someone else stepped into the doorway.
Seth.
He made it to Rosalie and her in what seemed to be one giant step, and he pulled them both into his arms. “You’re both hardheaded for trying to come here.” But he brushed kisses on their foreheads and looked at Blue.
“How many thanks do I owe you for watching out for them?” Seth asked.
“None. No thanks necessary. I have my own pretty high stake in all of this.” Blue put his hand over Rayanne’s stomach. Then eased her back to him. No forehead kiss. He gave her one of his winners right on the mouth.
Seth smiled. Well, sort of. Her brother wasn’t actually the smiling sort, but since he wasn’t scowling, that was close enough.
Blue tipped his head to Roy. “But we both owe him some thanks. He helped get us out of there. Colt, too.”
That caused Seth’s usual scowl, but Seth softened—just a little—when he nodded, a gesture that appeared to be a thank-you. Whatever it was, no one had time to dwell on it, because the man in scrubs stepped into the room.
“I’m Dr. Dayton.” And with just those few words, he had everyone’s attention. “I did Jewell’s surgery to remove some shrapnel from her abdomen. Some of it was deeply embedded, and she lost a lot of blood, but no vital organs were hit. She’ll be fine.”
Rayanne hadn’t even known she was holding her breath until her lungs started to ache. The relief was instant, her breath whooshing out, and she practically collapsed into Blue’s waiting arms.
“I need to see her,” Rayanne managed to say.
The doctor glanced at all of them. Finally nodded. Just when Rayanne thought she was going to have to get ugly and demand it.
“But keep it short,” the doctor warned them, and he motioned for the family to follow him. He led them farther down the hall to the surgical-recovery suites.
Rayanne spotted another guard, a reminder that her mother would be returned to jail as soon as possible. She held her breath again when the doctor opened the door, and she got her first glimpse of her mother.
She was too pale, was Rayanne’s first reaction. Too weak look
ing with all those machines hooked up to her.
But then Jewell opened her eyes and smiled. There was an IV in her arm, but she waggled her fingers, motioning for them to come closer.
They did. All of them. Including Roy. But he stayed back while Rosalie, Seth and she gave their mom gentle kisses on the cheek. The smile lingered on her mouth a little longer until she studied Blue’s and Rayanne’s fresh injuries.
“Who did this?” Jewell asked, but she turned her attention to Roy for an answer.
“Wendell.” And that was all he said. All that needed to be said. With just the man’s name, her mother no doubt knew the motive.
Revenge.
“He’s dead,” Rayanne added. “He can’t hurt us anymore.”
Of course, the upcoming murder trial could. But Rayanne pushed that aside. For now, her mother was okay, and that was enough.
“Blue,” Jewell said, motioning for him to come closer, too. Her grip seemed as fragile as fine crystal, but she caught on to his hand and pulled him down for a kiss on the cheek. “You’ll take good care of Rayanne and my grandbaby.”
“I will,” Blue said without hesitation. “In fact, I was just about to ask Rayanne to marry me. Figured this was a good time and place to do it.”
Rayanne choked on the gulp of air she sucked in. “This is the first I’ve heard about a proposal.”
“Because you’ve missed a boatload of signals,” Seth grumbled. “The guy’s in love with you. I’m not sure why, but he is, so my advice is to say yes before the doctor boots us out of here.”
“Are you?” Rayanne asked, sounding so stunned that it caused Blue to laugh.
Mercy, she loved that laugh, almost as much as she loved him.
Blue hooked his arm around her waist, pulled her closer. “Of course I’m in love with you. And I love our baby and the life we’re going to have together.” He paused to kiss her.
Oh, heck. It was one of those mind-scrambling kisses that robbed her of the ability to think. Not good. She figured this was a time when she needed all of her wits.
“Well, I will love our life together if you say yes,” Blue amended.
Rayanne nearly glanced at Rosalie, Seth and her mom to see what their reactions were.
But then she realized it didn’t matter.
Yes, she wanted them to approve. Wanted them to be happy for her, but she knew in her heart there was only one thing that would make her truly happy.
And he was standing right in front of her.
Rayanne didn’t make him wait. “Yes.”
Or at least, she got most of the word out before Blue kissed her again. Everything fell into place.
Rayanne pulled back, meeting her mother’s gaze. Then she glanced around the rest of the room. This wasn’t about rifts, the trial or injuries. It was about one thing.
Family.
Rayanne put her arms around the man she loved and pulled Blue to her for another kiss.
* * * * *
Next month, be sure to pick up the next book in
USA TODAY bestselling author Delores Fossen’s miniseries SWEETWATER RANCH.
You’ll find KIDNAPPING IN KENDALL COUNTY wherever Harlequin Intrigue books are sold!
Keep reading for an excerpt from DELIVERANCE AT CARDWELL RANCH by B.J. Daniels.
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SPECIAL EXCERPT FROM
Read on for a sneak peek of
DELIVERANCE AT CARDWELL RANCH
by New York Times bestselling author
B.J. Daniels
Part of the CARDWELL COUSINS series.
Daniels delivers another Cardwell Ranch keeper with a woman on the run...
and the lawman sworn to keep her safe.
“Maybe you don’t understand the fine line between snooping and jail. Breaking and entering is—”
“I’m going with you,” Donning a hat and gloves, Gillian turned to look at him.
Austin was smiling at her as if amused.
“What?” she asked, suddenly feeling uncomfortable under his scrutiny. She knew it was silly. He’d seen her at her absolute worst.
“You just look so…cute,” he said. “Clearly breaking the law excites you.”
She smiled in spite of herself. It had been a while since a man had complimented her. But it wasn’t breaking the law that excited her.
She breathed in the freezing air. It stung her lungs, but made her feel more alive than she had in years. Fear drove her steps, along with hope.
At the dark alley, Austin slowed. It was late enough that there were lights on in the houses.
“Come on,” Austin said, and they started to turn down the alley.
A vehicle came around the corner, moving slowly. Gillian felt the headlights wash over them and let out a worried sound as she froze in midstep.
Her moment of panic didn’t subside when she saw that it was a sheriff’s department vehicle.
“Austin?” she whispered, not sure what to do.
He turned to her and pulled her into his arms. Her mouth opened in surprise and the next thing she knew, he was kissing her. At first she was too stunned to react. But after a moment, she put her arms around his neck and lost herself in the kiss.
As the headlights of the sheriff’s car washed over them, she gave a small helpless moan when Austin deepened the kiss, drawing her even closer.
The sheriff’s car went on past, and she felt a pang of regret. Slowly, Austin drew back a little. His gaze locked with hers, and for a moment they stood like that, quick, warm breaths coming out in white clouds.
“Sorry.”
She shook her head. She wasn’t sorry. She felt…lightheaded, happy, as if helium filled. She thought she might drift off into the night if he let go of her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, looking worried.
She touched the tip of her tongue to her lower lip. “Great. Never better.”
Find out what happens next in
DELIVERANCE AT CARDWELL RANCH
by New York Times bestselling author B.J. Daniels,
available December 2014, only from Harlequin® Intrigue®.
Copyright © 2014 by Barbara Heinlein
ISBN-13: 9781460342176
Rustling Up Trouble
Copyright © 2014 by Delores Fossen
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Rustling Up Trouble Page 18