Champagne and Cowboys

by Donna Michaels

  “Yours is nicely rounded and come to think of it, Joleen always was a thin wispy type of gal growing up. Maybe she wears those padded underwear things. That would explain it. Damn, now you have me wondering if she wears a padded bra.”

  “Doubt it, she has tons of cleavage. You know we shouldn’t be talking this way.”

  Maverick nodded and a strand of dark hair fell across his forehead. The urge to reach across the table and brush it back hit her strong.

  She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Andy kidnapped me five years ago.”

  “Excuse me?” His eyes widened.

  “I was taken five years ago, and I haven’t been allowed to contact my family since. That’s why I need to go back to him. He always threatens to kill my family if I don’t obey him. I know I should have told you instead of putting you in danger, and I’m as sorry as can be.”

  Maverick jumped up and grabbed the phone.

  “No! What are you doing?”

  “Calling the police. If Andy is behind bars, he can’t kill anyone.”

  Fear raced through her body. Maverick’s words made sense, but Andy said he could get to them at any time. She should have thought it all out before telling the truth. “I don’t know if you should, I mean, I’m so scared and I’m so tired of being terrified every minute.” Sighing she wrapped her arms around her middle. “Call the police and then I’ll call my mother and father.”

  With her elbows on the table, she put her face in her hands wondering what would happen. It was all too much. She heard him on the phone.

  “Anora?”

  Uncovering her face, she looked at him. He stood with his arms open wide and she stood and walked into his embrace. He felt so strong and safe and she wished she could just stay in the comfort of his muscled arms. “I should make my call now.”

  Maverick held her tighter. “Your father had a heart attack a few years back. The detectives who worked your case are on their way to your house to tell them.”

  Anora nodded as she turned her head into his shoulder and cried.

  Maverick wished the police would just arrest Andy instead of questioning Anora first. Sheriff Woods arrived much quicker than he’d thought possible. Maverick held the door open for him; they shook hands and exchanged serious glances.

  The sheriff walked to the couch, introduced himself and sat on one of the petite blue chairs. If everything weren’t so serious, it would have been comical. “Why don’t we start with your real name?”

  Her hands shook and Maverick took ahold of one as he sat next to her, hoping to give her strength. “I’m Anora Lee Piller.”

  “That’s what Maverick said when he called. I pulled all the files on you and a picture. I needed to be sure it was you before we contacted your family.” He looked at the file he held and took out a picture of a younger Anora, it was definitely her. Fishing his phone out of his shirt pocket, he called the station. “Yep, it’s her. Pick him up and call the local sheriff in Florida. Yeah, he’s waiting on our call.”

  She leaned back against the couch and sighed. “It’s over?”

  “I need you to come down to the station and make a statement.”

  “Why can’t she do it here? She’s been through enough.” He gave the sheriff a hard glare.

  “Wish I could, but too many of these men get off free, and I’m going to get everything recorded and done properly.”

  Maverick nodded. “You okay?” He squeezed her hand.

  Although dazed, she nodded. “I can do this. Maverick can come with me?”

  The sheriff hesitated, looked from one to the other and finally nodded. “I don’t see how it could hurt.”

  “We’ll follow you,” Maverick said as he pulled Anora to a standing position, making sure she was steady on her feet.

  “You ride with me. Miss Piller is under my protection now.”

  The nod he gave the sheriff was slight. The sheriff might get his way this time but if anyone would protect Anora, it would be him. “Come on, honey, let’s get this done.”

  The breath she took was wobbly as she nodded. “Let’s get it done. I want my family safe.”

  Maverick smiled at her, hoping it was an ‘everything was going to be all right’ type of smile. Even now, her first thought was of her family. He led her outside swallowing hard. He felt a jab to his heart, he was going to miss her when she went back home.

  Chapter Three

  The police station was crowded and chaotic as Maverick tried to shield Anora from the lurkers. Fighting the crowd, they finally made their way into the building.

  “Are you all right?” he asked quietly as he pulled her closer to his side.

  “Yes, I just can’t see. All those flashes going off blinded me. How did everyone find out so quickly?”

  “Honey, I don’t know.”

  She clung to his arm as though he was her life preserver, and he hoped he was up to the task.

  Sheriff Woods seemed to enjoy the cameras and attention. He smiled at all the bystanders and he was still smiling as he led them down the hall and into a small room with a rickety old table and wooden chairs. “Have a seat.”

  Maverick helped Anora into her chair then he sat in his. He hoped they wouldn’t have to sit in the uncomfortable chairs long. The room reeked of urine. What goes on in this room?

  “Your parents have been told and are on their way here. We’re flying them in. Why don’t we start from the beginning?”

  “You mean when I first met him or when he took me?” Her voice wobbled.

  “Where you first met him.”

  Maverick took a deep breath hoping he’d be able to hear the story without wanting to kill someone. Reaching over he gave her hand a quick squeeze.

  “We lived in Florida at the time. We moved around a lot, and I liked the places by the sea best, but we went where jobs were. My daddy works in construction. Andy was one of the workers in Florida. He’s a bit older than me, but he was cute.”

  “You flirted with him?” the sheriff asked.

  “No I’m not the flirting type plus my daddy would have killed me if I talked to a male. My sister and I were very sheltered. I knew Andy enough to nod my head to him. Then one day after school, I was a sophomore, I was walking home and he drove by in his truck. He stopped and backed up until he was next to me. I gave him a slight nod and kept walking. He drove so slow and kept pace with me.”

  “Were you scared?”

  “No, Sheriff, I wasn’t. I didn’t have any reason to be scared. I was more puzzled and annoyed. Then he started to speed up, stop and back up, over and over again as though he was playing a game or something.”

  “How’d he grab you?”

  “He told me my daddy sent him to pick me up and I got in his truck. Only my daddy never asked him no such thing. Minutes later, we drove toward my house, but as soon as we drove past my driveway, I knew something was terribly wrong. I heard the locks click and I just as fast unlocked my door. He locked them again and when I reached to unlock my door again he backhanded me so hard, I was dazed.”

  “Did you even fight to get away?” The sheriff narrowed his eyes.

  “Why do I feel as though I’m on trial? I did try and got beat for it. Finally, he threatened my family if I tried to leave again. He was very graphic about what he’d do. I believed him, I still do.” Her hands shook as she tried to put a piece of hair behind her ear. She clasped them again, but they still shook. Her eyes were surprisingly dry. He expected tears.

  Sheriff Woods leaned back in his chair and studied her. “Five years is a long time. Why did you wait a day after you escaped to call us?”

  Anora shook her head. “I was too scared. Why are you making this to be my fault?” Her eyes widened as she glanced from the sheriff to him.

  “Sheriff, I agree with Anora. It wasn’t until I chased her husband, er, Andy away that she felt safe enough to speak up,” Maverick explained as he stared Sheriff Woods down.

  She nodded. “I hadn’t felt so safe
in a very very long time and I never thought to feel safe like that ever again. If this is all too much trouble for you, I can hop on a bus and find my own way.” She gave the sheriff a pointed look, but her continued shaking under minded her false bravado.

  There was a knock on the door and the sheriff opened it. In rushed her mother and father along with a younger version of her. Probably her sister. Maverick watched the reunion for a minute then slipped out the door. It was a private moment for her to share with her family. His job was done. His heart squeezed painfully. He didn’t know her very long, but he’d miss her.

  Chapter Four

  One Year Later

  Anora drove her truck into the parking lot, the engine sputtering until it finally died. Sighing in relief, she leaned her head against the back of the seat. Her muscles were so tight from worrying whether she’d make it to town or not. The sight of Cindy’s Diner gave her comfort. The lights inside began to turn off one by one. She quickly got out of her truck and raced for the door. The sign said closed, but she knocked anyway.

  Cindy peered out and smiled. She opened the door and ushered Anora in. “Sakes, alive! You’ve often been on my mind, and now here you are! I’m glad to see you.”

  “I’m glad to see you too, Cindy. I never did get a chance to thank you before I was whisked out of town. I never got to say goodbye to anyone.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Not sure yet. My truck made it to the parking lot and died. I’ll figure something out I always do.”

  Cindy walked her toward the counter. “Let me get you a cup of coffee. Have a seat.”

  “If you’re closing I shouldn’t hold you up.”

  “Not much to go home to. My son started college this past year, and it’s a bit quiet at my house. Tell you what, why don’t you stay the night with me? I have plenty of room. Besides there really aren’t many places to stay around here.”

  “There’s my house. There’s no electricity or water yet but—”

  “That’s it you stay with me until you get everything turned on. I’m not sure what condition the house is in. People didn’t take kindly to what Andy did. There’s graffiti on it. The town voted to paint over it so it wasn’t an eyesore. Maverick volunteered to take care of it.”

  Her heart jolted at Maverick’s name. He was the one person on earth who’d made her feel safe. Though it might not be the same next time she saw him, she still clung to the feeling. Sometimes imagining him with his arms around her was the only way she could sleep at night.

  “I would have thought you’d be with your family still.”

  “It’s been a little over a year, and quite frankly I couldn’t take the hovering and worrying they did. They didn’t want me to leave their sight. At first it was nice, but as I grew stronger, it became a strain.”

  Cindy nodded. “You did tell them you were coming here didn’t you?”

  Sighing she nodded. She’d hoped to be normal here, but Cindy was already worried. “They weren’t too happy about it, but they understood my need to be on my own.”

  “You do see their side of it don’t you? You were missing for five years.”

  “We’ve had family counseling and I’ve had my own sessions. I understand, but I can’t be kept in a glass cage either. I have a long way to go, but truthfully they were making me crazy.”

  “Okay, no more questions. Let’s get you to my house.” She started turning the lights off again and suddenly a truck came flying into the parking lot, spewing the gravel behind its wheels. “What in tarnation?” She approached the door. “It’s Maverick.”

  Anticipation and panic filled her. How was he going to react to seeing her again? Would he even acknowledge her? She hadn’t heard from him in all this time. He was probably too busy with his ranch. She did hear from Belle but never him. Her heart beat faster, she couldn’t afford for her dream of being safe in his arms to be popped. The door opened and she held her breath.

  “Anora? Your mother called and asked me to make sure you were okay.” He gave her a half smile and stood close to the door with his arms crossed over his powerful chest.

  “She called you?” She swallowed hard. “I told her I’d call when I got here.”

  “Well, I guess you didn’t.” She detected a hint of annoyance in his voice and part of her shriveled.

  “I’m sorry she bothered you. I didn’t know she had your number. I’ll make sure she doesn’t bother you again. Cindy, can I use the phone real quick?”

  “Sure, sugar, go right ahead.” Cindy smiled at her, but she didn’t miss the frown she sent Maverick’s way.

  “Well, I have things to do. Good to see you.” He turned and walked out the door.

  She watched him with her heart in her throat until his truck was too small to see clearly. He mattered to her. He mattered too much and she couldn’t have that. She’d had enough heartache for a lifetime. This time, it was of her own imagination and need. She’d get through, she was a survivor.

  Three days later, Maverick frowned as he put all the paint and supplies needed to fix Anora’s house, into his truck. He still couldn’t believe she’d want to live there. Wasn’t it filled with bad memories? Shaking his head he jumped into his truck and drove to town. He wasn’t sure how to act around her. She was bound to be skittish and leery of men. Quite frankly she left a hole in his heart, and he wasn’t even sure how it happened. He didn’t like it one bit.

  If he had to describe her, he’d call her brave. It would probably be easier to hide in her room for the rest of her life. She went through some nasty times. It wasn’t his problem. Painting over the graffiti was his problem. He pulled into her driveway and all looked quiet. More than likely she was still living at Cindy’s.

  The weather was crisp and almost too cold to paint, but he’d get it done. He promised the town and if he had to redo it come spring, so be it. With drop cloth in place and brush in hand, he dipped it into the paint and started what looked to be a boring job. What type of person writes Sicko, Leave, Go to Hell on a front of a house? Good thing the house was brown and one coat would take care of it. Glancing at his watch, he figured he’d be done by lunch.

  He was half way done when the front door slowly opened. Anora peered out. Her red hair was disheveled as though she just woke up. Her sky-blue eyes widened and her mouth formed and O.

  “What? Oh, the graffiti. Thank you, Maverick. It’s been hard seeing it each day. I was inclined to do it myself, but Cindy told me not to. She said you offered.”

  “I did offer. Anyway, I’m almost done.” He stared at her, drinking in the sight of her. “You doing okay?”

  “Of course. I’ve been to hell and back, of course, I’m fine,” she said in a faltering voice.

  “I wouldn’t think it’s an, of course, type of thing. I bet there’s a lot of baggage that comes with surviving being kidnapped.”

  She stared at her pink slippers. “I’ve had therapy. I’m good to go.”

  “That’s good, but still… Did you sleep last night?” It didn’t matter what her response was, the dark circles under her eyes was his answer.

  “I tend to cat nap these days. I’m fine, though.”

  “Belle will be home soon for winter break. I know she’d love to see you.”

  She smiled brightly. “I’d love to see her. I hope she calls while she’s in town.”

  “She will.” The ensuing silence grew uncomfortable, and he stopped staring at her. “I need to get this done.”

  “Sure. Thanks so much, Maverick. Everyone has been so nice to me.”

  “Why wouldn’t they be?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. At home, I was a curiosity, not a real person. People asked about me while I stood next to my family. They never talked to me. Here, I feel at home. I’m a real person, not some kidnapping victim.”

  “I understand now why you came back. I see you as a survivor. Not a victim. I see you as an independent woman trying to make a life for herself and I admire you.” His heart thudde
d as she blushed.

  “I’d better get dressed. Thanks again, Maverick.” He watched her close the door. His name on her lips lifted his spirits. It wouldn’t hurt to get to know her better. It was doubtful she was looking for another husband. It was just as well, he liked his life the way it was. Belle would be back in time for Christmas. He’d have to do all the shopping and she’d do the cooking.

  He finished painting, put all his supplies in the truck and gave the house a long look. She’d be fine. He shrugged his shoulders. She wasn’t his responsibility, and it sounded as though she wanted to be on her own. It was good to see her though and to know she was okay. He’d spent a lot of time over the past year wondering how she faired. Sleepless nights were to be expected, and she looked good otherwise. It was time to let go.

  Anora leaned back against the front door and sighed. He was gone. She’d spent the last half hour watching him through the peephole. Part of her wanted to open the door and step into the circle of his arms, and part of her wanted to jump back into bed and hide her head. Her heart thumped. His curly brown hair and blue eyes enthralled her. She was pitiful for sure. No one would want damaged goods like her. Hell, she was afraid of her own shadow.

  She walked into the bedroom, grabbed clean clothes and headed to the bathroom. A nice hot shower would clear her head. She looked in the mirror and slowly traced the big circles under her eyes. She wasn’t one for much make up but if ever there was a time… She’d get some at the store. Twenty minutes later she was dressed and feeling much better. Her heart slowed and she felt almost normal.

  A thud on the front porch alarmed her, and she quickly looked out the peep hole. No one was there, but she saw something on the porch. Probably something Maverick left behind. Slowly she opened the door and saw a brick laying there. She scurried out, grabbed it and ran back in, locking the door behind her. The words written on the brick startled her. Die Bitch. There was no mistaking who they meant the warning for. Someone wasn’t thrilled she was back in town.