The Rancher's Return

by Karen Whiddon

  More shaken than she cared to admit, she began exploring. Though she didn’t want to be intrusive, she couldn’t help but check out the place where she’d be staying for a little while. Hopefully not too long. She knew she couldn’t really begin healing until she’d left everyone and everything from her past behind.

  Trying to settle her tension, she wandered the compact house. She wasn’t hungry—her nerves had taken care of that—so she once again checked out the other rooms.

  The guest room where she’d spent the night looked a bit utilitarian, with the sofa sleeper for a bed and a small dresser. It had the look of never having been used, as if Reed didn’t have a lot of visitors out here in the back of beyond. She guessed she might have been the first to stay there.

  In the guest room, she inspected the wide oak desk and computer and wall-to-wall bookshelves, packed floor to ceiling with books. She moved closer, checking them out. Everything from classics to modern thrillers, nonfiction to horror stories by New York Times bestselling authors.

  Thrilled despite herself, she found several titles she’d been meaning to read and, eyeing the overstuffed chair in one corner, knew she’d spend a lot of time in this room during her stay. She’d never pegged Reed as a reader, but then she’d never really gotten to know him.

  Except for that one night, when passion had exploded between them and they’d made a mistake that would impact both of their lives forever.

  Again, the past. Resolutely, she pushed the memories away.

  Next she moved down the hallway toward what had to be the master bedroom. She felt oddly nervous about venturing in there, but also felt Reed’s most personal space might give her the most insight into the man she’d just agreed to trust with her safety.

  After all, she’d already made enough missteps to last a lifetime.

  At the doorway to his bedroom, she paused, taking it all in. In typical masculine fashion, the comforter was dark, a pleasing combination of browns and maroon. Several framed photographs hung on the wall, black-and-white landscapes, making her wonder if he’d taken them himself or simply purchased them.

  Either way, they were beautiful, in an eerie, haunting way. She stood, absorbing each one before moving on to the other. Something about them called to her, and for a brief, glorious second she felt connected to the man who’d hung them. Her chest tightened and her throat stung, even as she realized her own foolishness. She could no more afford to indulge in romantic fantasies about Reed than she could expect to emerge from a confrontation with Alex unscathed.

  And then she saw it. A familiar sight, as Alex had several in various locations all over his house. A gun safe, one of the larger ones, with a keypad locked entry.

  Stunned, she stared. A rancher would need guns, right? Just because Alex had used his for nefarious purposes, didn’t mean Reed did.

  Still, she backed away from the gun safe, her heart pounding.

  Back in the living room, trying to calm her pulse, she clicked on the television. The five o’clock news had just begun, and she was startled to see a photo of herself, with the words Possible Abduction underneath. Listening in disbelief, she realized Alex had made up a story about an intruder, and even doctored surveillance video to show her—actually someone playing the part of her—being taken forcibly from her bed, clearly unconscious, and carried out the side door.

  “Authorities are on the lookout for a woman matching this description—five-two, 110 pounds, long blond hair and blue eyes. Caution is advised since the man who took her may be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, please contact your local authorities.”

  She stared at the screen, not even noticing that the program switched to another story. When she finally roused herself to click the off button on the remote, her fingers were shaking and she couldn’t catch her breath.

  Aware that if she kept hyperventilating she’d pass out, she forced herself to slowly inhale and then exhale. Deeply, striving for calm. While she’d known Alex would go on the offensive, she hadn’t expected him to take it public right off the bat. In her mind, she’d guessed he’d send a few of his goons out snooping around before taking a chance with the media.

  Proof she’d been wrong. How could she have forgotten the rock-solid confidence Alex placed in his ability to manipulate everyone and everything?

  Still feeling dizzy and jittery, she pushed to her feet and began to pace. The sooner Reed returned with her disguise, the better she’d feel. Or so she hoped. Good thing she’d listened and hadn’t gone with him to the store.

  Her stomach growled. She remembered Reed telling her to make herself something to eat. Even though she wasn’t sure she could, she welcomed the distraction. A quick search of the refrigerator revealed nothing she could use to put together a salad, but a loaf of bread, sliced cheese and cold cuts would enable her to make a sandwich.

  She checked the cupboards and found a can of creamy tomato soup—her favorite. As soon as the soup was hot, she ladled out a bowl and carried it to the table to eat with her sandwich. The announcer’s words kept playing over and over inside her head: armed and dangerous. Which made it even worse for Reed. A crooked law enforcement officer like George could say he felt justified for shooting Reed on the spot. Thank goodness they’d gotten out of Anniversary.

  Still, she’d never intended to put Reed’s life in danger. She needed to make sure he understood the risk. Despite what she’d told him about Alex, she wasn’t sure he did.

  After eating, she’d just finished washing out the dishes when she heard the sound of a vehicle in the drive. Despite being ninety percent sure it was Reed, she ran to the window and peered out.

  Alex had surprised her with his first move. She didn’t want to take a chance on being surprised with a second.

  Of course it was only Reed returning from his brief shopping expedition. She still started trembling. She took several deep breaths and tried to think calming thoughts before greeting him. She didn’t want him to see how rattled she’d gotten.

  He walked in the doorway, his shoulders reassuringly broad. Glancing at her, he smiled as he placed two plastic bags on the kitchen counter. “I got most of your disguise,” he said. “Except for the colored contacts. I’ll order those on the internet, but they’ll take a few days to get here.”

  Though she managed to nod, she didn’t immediately reply.

  He went still when he caught sight of her face. “What’s wrong?”

  “Alex,” she said, and then told him what she’d seen on the news.

  After she’d finished, he simply nodded. His strong profile spoke of strength. His broad shoulders and muscular arms should have made her feel safe. Instead, she felt uneasy.

  “That’s all right,” he reassured her. “Don’t worry. No one will recognize you once we’re finished. Here.” He handed her a box of hair color in a shade that could only be described as mousy brown. “After I cut your hair, you can get started on this.”

  “You’re cutting my hair?” The thought made her nervous again, not because of vanity, but because the act would be far too intimate. She eyed his big hands, and his fingers, long and strong, and shivered.

  “Yep. It might not look like it was done by a professional, but that’s kind of the point.”

  Trying for resigned, she only managed to squash down nervous anticipation, even though the thought of his hands on her head made her entire body quiver. She really needed to get this attraction from the past under control.

  “Let’s get it cut so I can color it,” she said, managing to sound completely normal. “The sooner I can change my appearance, the better.”

  Handsome face expressionless, he nodded and then reached into a kitchen drawer for scissors. “Take a seat.” He indicated a chair at the table. “Remember, the goal is to make you look as unattractive as possible.”

  Was it her, or did he sound as if he might be enjoying this a bit too much?

  “Just don’t go so overboard that it’s obvious,” she warned, dropping into a
chair. “If you give me a mullet or something, it’s not going to be believable.”

  He laughed, the rich sound rolling over her like a velvet blanket. “Take it easy. I promise not to give you a mullet or a burr.”

  As he walked up behind her, she stiffened. “Have you ever cut hair before?”

  “A long time ago. Tim and I used to trim each other’s hair when we were kids.” When he lifted her heavy hair up from her back, a wisp of air hit the back of her neck, making her shiver again.

  He went still. “Are you all right?”

  “Yes,” she lied. “I’m fine. Just do it before I lose my nerve.”

  Without saying anything else, he cut. And cut. The long, silken strands dropped to the kitchen floor. After the first stunned look, she closed her eyes, refusing to watch, shocked at the depth of her vanity. Even though she’d always considered her hair her best feature, vanity had no place in her life now.

  The light touch of his hands on her scalp, the steady snip-snip of the scissors...if she tried hard enough, she could almost pretend she was in a pricey beauty salon. But then his muscular arm brushed her shoulder, and she caught a whiff of his masculine scent, and her attempt to disassociate herself from him failed.

  “Okay,” he finally said. “You can look.”

  Though she really didn’t want to see, she opened her eyes, accepting the hand mirror he gave her. “Bangs?” she squeaked. “You gave me bangs?” Not just any bangs, but a thick fringe cut straight across halfway up her forehead. As for the rest—she looked like he’d put a bowl over her head and started cutting.

  Of course, the more she thought about it, the cut was perfect. No one would ever suspect she was the same woman they’d shown on the television.

  “Thank you,” she said quietly. “It’s exactly right. I can’t wait to see what it looks like once it’s brown.”

  He grinned, softening the hard ridges of his face. “Not just brown. The most boring, dullest brown I could find.”

  She made a face. “I guess I should be glad you didn’t go with gray.”

  “I almost did. But then I worried it would look too good on you.”

  Though she squinted at him, trying to determine if he’d made a joke—he sounded serious. She worked up a smile and met his gaze. “Well. Anyway, thank you.”

  The amused expression vanished and he gave her a hard look. “We need to get one thing straight. I’m going to avenge my brother’s death and make sure Alex Ramirez is punished. Understood?”

  “Understood,” she said, matching her brusque tone to his. “We both want the same thing.”

  “Good.”

  * * *

  Shortly after sunset, Reed’s cell phone rang. Caller ID showed Anniversary Sheriff’s Department. Of course. Since he wasn’t home, George had decided to try and reach him by cell.

  “What now?” he asked, trying to sound bored and irritated all at once.

  “I’m at your front door,” George told him. “I need you to come home so we can talk.”

  “Sorry, I’m out of town. Any talking we do will have to be on the phone.”

  Silence for a moment while the deputy considered Reed’s words. “How long are you going to be gone?”

  Though Reed wanted to tell him it was none of his business, he held his tongue. “I’m not sure. Why? What’s up?”

  “I’m looking for Kaitlyn Nuhn.” George finally drawled. “No doubt you’ve seen on the news that she’s been abducted. Since she used to live here in town, we’re going door to door to check and see if anyone has spotted her.”

  “Kaitlyn Nuhn?” Reed didn’t have to feign his shock. “Tim’s old girlfriend? Why in the hell would you think I’d have anything to do with her?”

  At the bitterness in Reed’s tone, George’s chuckled, a smug sound. Hearing that, Reed clenched his hand into a fist. He wanted to punch something. Someone.

  The flash of violence startled him. Though George had managed to get under his skin over time, Reed had never wanted to actually hit the guy. Now... The knowledge that not only was the deputy on Alex Ramirez’s payroll but had known all along who’d killed Tim, made Reed want to smash his fist in the other man’s face.

  There was nothing Reed hated more than a liar. Nothing.

  Blood boiling, Reed swallowed back his rage. “I haven’t seen her,” he said. “Now, if you don’t need anything else—”

  “Not so fast.” Making every syllable count, as if he thought Reed might not be able to follow, George gave an overly forced chuckle. “Since you’re not here, I’m going to have to break into your house. I’d like to take a look inside, if you don’t mind.”

  “No. That’s taking this harassment to a whole new level, isn’t it, George?”

  “The only reason I can come up with why you’d object would be that you have something to hide.” The taunt fell flat.

  “Really?” Sarcasm dripped from Reed’s voice. “What about invasion of privacy? As well as the harassment I mentioned earlier. This is getting really old, George. You’re going to have to get a search warrant.”

  At those words, the deputy sheriff dropped all pretense of pleasantry. “You know, since you’re out of town, you have no way of knowing what I do.” With that, George ended the call.

  As Reed stood there, heart pounding from an excess of adrenaline, he wondered exactly how stupid the other man might be. He knew if George did break into his house, he’d make sure and destroy as much as possible. After all, what could Reed do? Call the police?

  Furious, he paced from the living room to the kitchen, trying to get himself under control.

  “So it begins.” Kaitlyn’s voice washed over him like a soothing salve over a festering wound. “Though I hate it, I’m glad you got me this disguise.”

  “Yeah.” Looking at her, with her ridiculously awful hairdo and frumpy, oversize clothes, he felt some of the tightness leave him. “Though George has been hassling me ever since I got out. I imagine he’s thrilled to have a new reason.”

  She nodded, her expression serious. “What else did he say?”

  “They’re looking for you. You were right about Anniversary being the first place Alex would look.” Clenching his jaw, he glanced away. “George is a bumbling idiot and he doesn’t really suspect anything. Even if he did, no one in town knows about this place, so we ought to be safe for now.”

  “Then maybe this disguise isn’t really necessary.”

  She sounded so hopeful he almost smiled. “Better safe than sorry. And I’ll tell you honestly, from that news story he’s put out about you being abducted, the FBI is probably already working the case.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Crap.”

  This time, he nearly laughed out loud. “It’s okay. That’s why you look nothing like yourself.” He’d never tell her, but he’d been stunned to realize that, despite everything he’d done to make her appear ordinary, he still found her shockingly beautiful. “Except of course, you still have those blue eyes.”

  “We need to get those colored contacts,” she said. “I don’t want to take a chance on them recognizing me.”

  “I agree.” Even with the awful haircut and the dull hair color, her amazing cornflower-blue eyes still blazed from her heart-shaped face. That and her creamy skin, high cheekbones and a mouth made for kissing.

  No. Time to cut those thoughts off immediately. Apparently, he couldn’t keep from finding her attractive, but he did have enough willpower to keep from acting on it.

  Or so he hoped.

  His cell phone rang again. Brock McCauley, his old high school buddy and one of the few people who’d not only visited him in prison, but had stood by him ever since he’d been out.

  “Did you see the news?” Brock asked. “Tim’s old girlfriend has been abducted. I didn’t even know she’d taken up with Alex Ramirez, of all people.”

  Before he could help himself, Reed snorted. “I saw that. I’m not surprised. Kaitlyn Nuhn was nothing but trouble.”

  Next to him, Ka
itlyn made a soft sound of protest, which Reed ignored.

  “Maybe,” Brock conceded. “But she always was pleasant to me. Zoe liked her, too.

  “And she never cheated on Tim,” Brock continued. “Even though he was always fooling around behind her back and bragging about it.”

  Reed refused to acknowledge the slow flush of guilt. He’d had three long years to regret what he and Kaitlyn had done. Somehow he’d managed to forget the way Tim always managed to have a girlfriend on the side.

  “Do you think she knew?” Eyeing the subject of their discussion, Reed was suddenly glad she couldn’t hear both sides of the conversation.

  “About Tim? I doubt it.” Brock sounded contemplative.

  “Hey, I really called to see if you wanted to come to dinner tomorrow night. Zoe’s making lasagna, and she knows how much you like it.”

  “Like it? That’s the understatement of the year.” Grimacing, Reed declined. “But I can’t. I’m not in town. I’m out at the ranch right now.”

  “Even better,” Brock laughed. “You know I’ve been wanting to show Zoe that place. How about we drive up there tomorrow after I close the feed store? We can bring the lasagna, too. We could spend the night.”

  Reed winced. Not only was Brock one of the only people who knew about the ranch, they were good enough friends that he didn’t think twice about inviting himself over.

  “Not right now,” Reed said. “I have company.”

  “Company?” Brock’s voice sounded surprised, and Reed couldn’t blame him. Brock knew Reed didn’t socialize much. Brock also knew that Reed didn’t lie.

  “Yeah.” Taking a deep breath, Reed braced himself for his friend’s reaction. “I have, er...a lady friend with me.”

  “That’s great!” Brock plowed on. “We’d love to meet her. Unless it’s a first date?”

  The question sort of hung there, waiting to be answered. Reed inwardly cursed as he sorted through a possible response that wouldn’t be an outright lie. “It’s too early for anyone to be meeting her. It’s not a date at all, actually. We’re just...hanging out.”