Flirting with Fate

by Alexander, Jerrie

  Elle’s talk with Liam was brief. She hung up with a sigh of relief. “He’d been notified of the cable break but didn’t know about the gunshots. A rescue team has already headed up the mountain.” Elle kept her eyes on the horizon. “Brandon’s good-old-boy routine should win an award.”

  “He’s crazy if he thinks I won’t hunt his sorry ass down.” Logan, who’d been scanning the horizon, turned toward her.

  Her eyes filled with panic. “You’re wounded. How did I not notice that your right arm is bleeding?”

  “I’ve had worse.” He tried to ease her fear. “The bullet must have grazed a nerve. My fingers are tingling.”

  The roar of an engine was a welcome sound. The bright orange rescue snowmobile cruised into sight. Its driver, dressed in cold-weather gear and wearing a full-face helmet, slowed the big machine.

  “Thank God.” Elle pushed away from the tree she’d been leaning on, walked to the opening, and then waved. “We have an injured man. Hurry.”

  “Elle,” Logan growled her name. He pulled her behind him, shielding her with his body. “Stay behind me.”

  The driver stopped and motioned for them to get on the back of the snowmobile. Logan slowly scanned the area. Elle wanted to grab him and run. If he had lost the feeling in his fingers, something was very wrong. He needed medical attention.

  “Stay alert.” He glanced back at her.

  His troubled expression and deep frown touched her. Elle put her hand on his back as reassurance that she’d follow his instructions. It was no surprise to find that his muscles had coiled tightly.

  Single file, they walked out into the open. The snow slowed their forward movement, but Logan forged ahead. A bright flash blinded Elle for a second.

  The driver aimed a rifle at them. Logan whirled and pushed Elle down in the snow. Together they crawled behind a scrawny tree. He landed on top of her just as a gunshot rang out, echoing in her head.

  He was trying to unzip a pocket on his right hip using his left hand. “Get my gun. Safety’s on.”

  Elle put her hand in his pocket, feeling the cold handle in her palm. She flipped off the safety, turned to see their attacker walking toward them with the rifle aimed their direction. There was no time to give the pistol to Logan. Elle fired.

  The driver stumbled backwards and collapsed.

  “Stay down,” Logan said. He eased up to the shooter, grabbed the gun with his good hand, and retreated as fast as possible in the snow.

  “Oh, my God.” Elle stared at the body. Her brain locked down as reality hit. Her chest heaved. She couldn’t catch her breath. “I killed him.”

  “Elle?” Logan grabbed her, forcing her to look him in the eyes. “Baby. You did what you had to do.”

  She studied the shooter for a second longer. “Logan. Even under all those layers, I can tell that’s a woman. Look at the size. That isn’t a man.”

  Logan walked toward the body. He glanced at Elle. “I think you’re right.”

  Elle had to know. She took a deep breath and joined him. Flashes of television shows where the killer was still alive flashed through her mind with every step. The bad guy always woke up, reached out, and grabbed the heroine’s arm.

  “Ready?” His eyes locked on hers.

  “Yeah.”

  He lifted the face guard. Nicki’s blue eyes stared up at them. Cold and very dead.

  “You’re very observant. That’s the sign of a good cop. It’s not too late for you to sign up for the academy.”

  “Thanks, but I couldn’t deal with the danger.”

  “It was our life or hers. Never forget that.”

  His words had been intended to soothe and calm. She loved him for reassuring her. “Let’s get you to a doctor.”

  “I’m okay.”

  “You’re bleeding. Lean on me,” she said.

  “Have you ever driven a snowmobile?”

  “I’ll figure it out. Damn it, don’t argue.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He brushed her cheek with the back of his hand. “We can wait right here.”

  “There’s not time.”

  “Elle,” Logan said. “I hear a snowmobile. The rescue team is coming.”

  Cautious and afraid, Elle slipped the pistol into her pocket but kept her finger on the trigger. After the two men removed their helmets and rushed to Logan’s side, she engaged the safety.

  Ten

  The emergency room doctor stood back and nodded his head as if admiring his handiwork. Logan didn’t care if it was pretty, he just wanted out of the emergency room. “You’re cutting me loose, right?”

  Elle walked through the door. “He should stay overnight.”

  Logan could see the stress in her eyes. She’d been through a lot in the past few hours.

  “That won’t be necessary. He’ll be fine,” the doctor said. “There’s no permanent damage to the nerve. You know how it feels when you hit your funny bone and numbness spreads to your fingers?”

  “Yes.” Elle wiggled her fingers as if remembering that very thing happening before.

  “Same feeling but times twenty,” the doctor said.

  “Thank you,” Logan said to the doctor. Then he turned his attention to Elle.

  Dark circles marred Elle’s face. She had to be ready to crash. They’d been separated after arriving at the hospital. A Detective Lexington had questioned Logan first. He’d answered questions about the shooting, explained the situation to the police, and had given Eric’s number for a reference. Neither he nor Elle could offer ironclad proof that Brandon knew about Nicki’s plan. The detective spoke with Elle last. No doubt she’d been grilled thoroughly.

  “You must be tired of answering questions.”

  “He just wanted to be sure we told the same story.” She leaned over and kissed Logan. “I was so scared. What if you’d lost the use of your hand or fingers because of me?”

  “But I didn’t. I’m sorry you worried about me.”

  “As you should be.” Her weak attempt to smile hurt his heart. Elle’s eyes reflected the stress she’d been under.

  The evidence backed up her claim of self-defense, but the Colorado police department had protocol to follow. The day had been hard on her. She’d come through it like a seasoned cop. Logan’s pride in her grew every day. A uniformed officer and the detective on the case reentered the ER bay just as Logan slipped on his shirt. He got off the bed and caught Elle’s hand.

  “Detective Lexington,” Logan said. “Did you have time to verify our story?”

  “Yeah.” The detective had yet to smile. “Can’t say I appreciate the way you two handled this, but you checked out. I’ve stationed men at the resort to make sure Brandon Ethridge doesn’t leave.”

  “You think he’s still there?” Elle asked.

  “Can’t say. We had men on the scene right after the cable incident. If he left, he didn’t check out. We’re following up with the shuttle drivers.”

  “Has the word of who was killed spread?” Logan asked as he and Elle followed the detective out of the hospital.

  “No name has been released.”

  “You checked his room?” Elle asked. “Sorry. I’m sure you did.”

  “Ethridge didn’t respond when an officer knocked on the door. He didn’t enter and conduct a search. I’m waiting for a warrant.”

  “If he’s gone?” She smoothed a stray lock of hair off her face.

  “We’re watching the airport. I’m heading to the castle now.” The detective turned to leave. “You two need a ride to the resort?”

  Logan bargained all the way back and finally convinced Detective Lexington to let him tag along when they opened Brandon’s suite.

  The ride back was filled with more questions. Only this time, Detective Lexington wanted to know about possible job opportunities in Texas and the warmer climate. It seemed he had grown tired of cold weather.

  Logan and Elle followed the detective into the resort, where Liam was wringing his hands and waiting for them. He quickly le
d them into his office, where Alana waited. She stood and walked to meet them, greeting them both with a little less enthusiasm than they’d been receiving.

  “I’m glad you’re both okay. Liam and I have been quite worried,” Alana said. She moved to stand next to Elle.

  “I’m sorry about all the trouble. It’s all my fault.” Elle took Alana’s hand. “Neither you nor this wonderful old resort deserve bad publicity.”

  “Nonsense,” Alana said. “We’ve weathered many storms. We’ll come through this one. Besides, you saved us from making a bad investment.”

  The detective asked Liam for the card key to the Ethridge suite. Once he had it in hand, he thanked them and turned to leave, pausing to look at Elle.

  “This is as far as you go. I suggest you stay here with the Fitzgeralds.”

  Elle marched right up to Lexington. “No. Either you take me or I’ll follow. I have the most invested here. Brandon Ethridge stole my grandmother’s life savings. And I was almost killed. Not to mention, I took another person’s life.” She glared at Lexington. “I promise to stay out of the way.”

  The detective had been tolerant, and Logan didn’t think it wise to push him. But damn, he was proud of Elle. Her shoulders were back and her head held high. Lexington’s eyes narrowed. He glared at her briefly and then sighed.

  “Nothing else about this case has been by the book. You will have to stay outside the room in the hall. If I say stop, you freeze. Got it?”

  “Got it.” Her tone was honest, but Logan knew better. She was going to see this to the end. “If we locate him and break the news about Nicki, maybe we can get a full confession out of him. Between fraud cases from the FBI and conspiracy to commit murder from the state of Colorado, he’ll be going away for a long time.”

  The detective stepped toward her. “You do not have control of this case.”

  “Of course.” She nodded. “Sorry.”

  “Give us a minute,” Logan said, walking out of Liam’s office and into the lobby with Elle in tow. “This time, you need to follow instructions. Hell, the detective has been pretty damn tolerant. Don’t wave a red flag in the bull’s face.”

  She smiled up at him. “You’re right.”

  “Wait here,” the detective said, walking toward the office. “I’m going to bring a couple more men inside.”

  “We’re not going far.” Logan caught Elle’s hand and led her aside. He slipped his index finger under her chin and then tipped it higher. He leaned down and kissed her, lost himself in the softness of her lips as he pulled warmth from her and fed hungrily. Her soft moan reaffirmed what he was about to do. He pushed her away from him, so she could see the seriousness of his face before he spoke.

  “We don’t have but a minute, and this probably isn’t the time or place to say this, but I love you.” He couldn’t stop now. “When Eric sees how much I love you, he’s going to be happy for us. And I’ll make sure your grandmother never wants for anything.”

  “Say that again.” She paled, color drained from her cheeks.

  “All of it?”

  “No. The I love you part.”

  The knot in Logan’s gut unwound. The weight on his shoulders disappeared. “I love you. Have for a long time. Will you marry me?”

  Detective Lexington cleared his throat. He had two uniformed officers with him. “If you two are going, fall in.”

  “Yes, sir,” she responded, hurrying to stay up with the men.

  That she hadn’t answered Logan’s question was troubling.

  * * * *

  Elle took deep breaths during the walk to the elevator. A mixture of fear, anger, and excitement had her blood surging. Logan dropped his arm over her shoulder. His presence instantly calmed her. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with him.

  “How are you holding up?”

  “Good.” She found she was telling the truth. “I think after it’s all over, I’m going to need another vacation.”

  “You got it. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go as long as the sand is white and the water is warm.”

  They got off the elevator and walked to the suite. Hanging on the door handle was the familiar Do Not Disturb sign. The detective held his finger to his lips and opened the door. He pointed at Elle, positioning her to the side. She bit back a groan but complied. The minute the detective turned his back, she moved to where she could see inside the room.

  The men separated after searching the common room and walked into the bedrooms. Logan held up his hands and shook his head at her.

  “This isn’t good.” The detective led them out of the suite. “You two check with the men at the airport. Ethridge is not to get on a plane.”

  Elle stood in the doorway. Her mission had been a bust. She had nothing that might recoup her grandmother’s money. She turned to walk away. “Did you hear that?”

  “Hear what?” the detective asked.

  “Crying.” She went into one of the bedrooms and listened. Whining? Elle sucked in a breath. She walked to the closet door and gently tapped.

  “Nicki? Is it over?”

  A hand clamped onto Elle’s shoulder. Logan held his finger to his lips and shook his head. A few minutes passed.

  “Did you kill her? May I come out now?”

  Logan opened the door. The detective looked inside. He grabbed an oversized suitcase and tossed it across the room. What he discovered hiding behind the luggage shocked everyone. Sitting on the floor, wearing nothing but his underwear, Brandon blinked in surprise.

  “Come out and meet Detective Lexington,” Logan said.

  In an instant, Brandon straightened his back and stood up.

  “What the hell are you doing in my suite?” He blinked, then focused on Elle. “You.” His jaw dropped. “Where’s Nicki?”

  “At the morgue by now.” The detective’s tone was harsh.

  “No.” Brandon dropped to his knees and wept like a child, sobbing uncontrollably. His muttering was impossible to understand.

  What if he clammed up and the police got nothing from him? Could she convince him to talk? She had to try. Elle knelt beside him. She cringed at the red welts on his back. Softly, she whispered, “It’s all over now. You’ll feel better after you talk to the police.”

  “No. I won’t. I knew we’d be caught and should’ve run while we could.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “Nicki was so sure that if she killed you, we could close the deal with Logan without anyone figuring out who shot you.”

  “She made you get in the closet?” Elle asked, barely holding her disgust at bay.

  “Only if I did something bad. Sometimes I do stupid things and make her very angry.” He started sobbing again.

  “That’s enough,” the detective said.

  Elle understood that no one had read him his rights, so she reluctantly stopped talking. A uniformed officer came, lifted Brandon to his feet. While the detective mirandized Brandon, he put on his pants, a shirt, and shoes. Then an officer handcuffed Brandon.

  Relief washed over her in waves.

  “Who killed Nicki?” he asked.

  “I did,” Elle said.

  The detective looked at her and then at Logan. “You’ll have to stick around for a few more days. I’ll get you back to Texas before Christmas. You might have to come back for the trial, but I have a feeling Mr. Ethridge is going to be very forthcoming.”

  Logan and Elle stayed with Detective Lexington, his men, and his prisoner until Brandon was loaded into the back of a police car and hauled away from the castle.

  “You know what I’d like?” She leaned into Logan, taking time to enjoy the beautiful day.

  “Me?” His arm slipped around her waist, pulling her closer.

  “You’re wearing a sling. I’m not making your injury worse. I was thinking about another strawberry shake.”

  Logan snuggled her against him. “I can take this sling off, but you’ll have to be gentle with me.”

  She laughed at h
is joke. This trip had far surpassed her expectations. Maybe her grandmother had been right. Love happens when the time is right.

  Eleven

  Elle helped Nan put a couple of bows on the Christmas tree. Not that she needed help. Nan had already hung every decoration that Elle and Eric had made, along with bulbs, bows, lights, and tinsel. She’d been given the job because her pacing had gotten on her grandmother’s nerves.

  “It’s beautiful,” Elle said as she backed across the room. “What’s in the big box?”

  “None of your business.” Nan moved to stand between Elle and the present under the tree. “You’ll have to wait until Christmas morning.”

  Elle heard a noise. Logan had dropped her off at Nan’s before he joined Eric for lunch. Elle had wanted to go and voice her opinion, but Logan had won the argument. This was something he wanted to do alone. “Logan’s back.”

  “I didn’t hear anything,” Nan said with a chuckle. “He’s taking care of business. Relax.”

  Elle walked to the front door and looked out. It was nothing. “I should have gone with him. You think he and Eric are arguing?”

  “No way of knowing. My money is on Logan.” Nan pushed the screen door open. “He’s only been gone a couple of hours. Come sit in the porch swing next to me.”

  Elle followed Nan outside but paced the length of the porch instead of sitting.

  Another thirty minutes passed before Elle spotted the dust rolling off the dirt road that led to Nan’s house. “Finally.”

  Logan parked his pickup and got out. He straightened his shirt, walked up the drive and down the sidewalk without changing expression.

  “I knew it.” Elle turned to Nan. “Eric hates the idea of me and Logan in love.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Nan said.

  Elle ran to meet him at the yard gate, lifting up on her toes for a kiss. Logan leaned down, brushing her lips with his. Nan waited for them on the steps.

  “Afternoon, beautiful,” he said, turning on the charm for Nan. He smiled at her, and the Texas sun got brighter.

  “Good to see you.” Nan turned her cheek for a kiss. “It sure felt like you and Elle were gone a long time.”