Wounded at the Lake

by Mitzi Pool Bridges

  She let Thor out. The minute he came over and nudged her leg, warmth crept into the cold space in her heart. “I missed you, big boy. C’mon. Let’s get a really good workout.”

  At her signal, he raced over to the exercise yard. Laughing, she followed at a more sedate pace. There was no way she could keep up with him, or with any of the other dogs for that matter.

  When she walked back to the pens, Dirk was taking care of the water. “I can do that.”

  “I’ll help. I’m not going in this early.”

  “But you’re going in?”

  He looked up at her with those beautiful blue eyes of his. “My case is as convoluted as Coop’s. There are some things I need to think out.”

  “Are you and Coop always this busy?”

  “Most of the time.”

  “You need more help with the dogs. I’m here and I’m learning more every day. I can do it. It’s no problem to give them food and water. I can put them through their paces for exercise as well.” Plus, she wouldn’t see so much of Coop.

  She exercised the dogs while Dirk gave their lessons. She watched him closely, mimicked the hand signals and whispered the German. She was getting better. Thor understood her and she was sure the others would as well.

  Finished, she pushed a wheelbarrow to a pen, let the dog out, and gave him the signal to sit.

  He obeyed instantly.

  Taking a shovel, she began to muck it out to get it ready for a good wash-down, something she’d seen the guys do at least once a week.

  Dirk came over, took the shovel out of her hands. “You don’t have to do this.”

  She took it back and continued working. “I want to. Maybe there are some things I need to work out, too.”

  Dirk chuckled. “Helluva way to do it.”

  “Good as any.” Maybe the physical labor would get her head straight. Coop had probably been embarrassed or at least taken aback by their kiss. Most likely, his absence this morning was due to the fact that he wanted to keep their relationship professional. Despite her errant thoughts, so did she. The trouble was Coop himself. No one had ever made her want the impossible the way he did. She knew that as sure as she knew she was standing here with a shovel in her hand.

  Lori jabbed, pushed, and swung the shovel with its less than enticing load, until her anger lessened. The anger wasn’t directed at Coop, but at herself.

  She knew better—knew how she should behave. Instead, she’d let her heart take her straight into his arms.

  Dirk started at the other end. An hour later the pens were clean, the dogs were exercised and had their lesson. Lori had not only worked up a sweat, but had also worked through at least part of her dilemma. She would keep her distance and treat Coop as she treated the rest of his family.

  She was strong. She could do it.

  ****

  Coop slammed his mug of hot coffee on his desk. A bit splashed on the paper he’d set it on. “Shit,” he muttered as he plopped into his chair. He’d gotten little sleep last night and should be helping Dirk with the dogs. Instead, he’d taken off for the office early enough to avoid seeing anyone. A quick call to Dirk to explain his absence was the only conversation he’d had. If possible, he’d keep it that way.

  Right now, he didn’t feel like fit company for anyone, including Shorty and especially, Lori.

  He’d felt something unexpected last night. That something drove him here at this ungodly hour and would probably keep him here all day.

  Why did it have to be Lori who brought his emotions to the surface? He’d never felt such longing or attraction to another woman.

  He rubbed a hand over his face. Why couldn’t he forget? He’d lived most of his life knowing how a woman could hurt a man. And child. He’d seen it firsthand when Dirk suffered through his mom’s desertion. Yet, here he was mooning over someone no one knew. She could be anybody, even a criminal. He shook his head. Impossible. Or was it? How the hell would he know?

  Yet, kissing her had blown him away. Why? Because Lori fit in his arms as if she belonged? Because for the first time in his life, he wanted a woman for more than a bedroom partner?

  He couldn’t do this.

  Not now.

  Even without his lifelong vow to remain a bachelor, Lori was an unknown. Yet, she pulled at him in a way he found impossible to resist.

  As a SEAL, he’d been in difficult situations before. Life-threatening ones. He’d been taught how to think straight and act accordingly.

  With Lori he couldn’t.

  She confounded him. Confused him. Deep down he knew what was right. One look at Lori and the lines blurred.

  He emptied his mug and went for a refill.

  He had to stop thinking of her. She was off limits in every way he could think of. Once her memory returned, he would ask her questions, find out who she was, why someone wanted her dead, and send her on her way.

  Feeling guilty for letting personal feelings interfere with business, he went back to the one clue Marshall had dug up on Christie’s case. Maybe it wasn’t a clue at all, but having the same corporation even remotely involved in both his and Dirk’s case couldn’t be a coincidence. Coop didn’t believe in coincidences.

  Going to a chalkboard, Coop drew a circle with Christie’s name in the center. From there, he drew a line and chalked in the sisters’ names. From the sisters, he drew another line and added the mall, as well as a line to Anie.

  Up in the corner, he made a circle for The Natane Corporation, added a line going to the Mall and the sisters, another to the attorney’s office where Dirk’s missing guy had worked, with a line from there going to Dirk’s missing person, Allen Harper.

  Stepping back, he looked at what he had.

  There was a connection. But he needed more facts.

  Everything started and ended with Christie and the sisters.

  He had to find them.

  The outer door slammed and Dirk walked in.

  “Took you long enough.”

  “Mucked and washed out the pens.”

  Coop looked at his watch. “You should still be there.”

  Dirk chuckled. “Not if I had a cute helper. Make that a beautiful helper.”

  “You don’t mean Lori? She isn’t the type to do dirty work.”

  “Ya’ think? She did an excellent job and did it faster than I ever could.”

  Coop shook his head. “What happened to the prim and proper lady dressed to the nines I found at the lake?

  Dirk shrugged. “Damned if I know. But I sure as hell like the lady she is now. Plus, she can bake. Do you think Shorty has any of those desserts left over?”

  “How would I know?” Coop snapped.

  “Just asking. Don’t be so grumpy.”

  “If you can get your mind off Lori and her desserts, maybe we can get some work done.”

  Dirk gave him the finger.

  Coop was still laughing when Matt walked in. It wasn’t unusual for the brothers to put their heads together on a Sunday morning and discuss their cases, except most of the time they did so at Coop’s office at the homestead.

  The three of them turned to the chalkboard and talked the case out from the beginning.

  “They’re connected,” Coop said.

  “Or not,” Dirk put in. “The Natane Corporation could be a fluke.”

  “I doubt it,” Matt said. “I’ll have my guys take a look.”

  “Marshall will get on it in the a.m.”

  They knew a lot more now than they had that first day, but they couldn’t make the connection they needed.

  After another two hours, they quit for the day and went to the hospital. If Christie was awake maybe they’d learn more.

  But Christie wasn’t awake. And her parents were still frantic.

  Ross saw them and hurried over. “Anything?”

  “How’s Christie?” Coop asked, ignoring the question.

  “We’re encouraged. Her eyes have fluttered a few times. Once she pressed my hand as if she wanted me to k
now she was there.” Ross’ voice choked and he couldn’t continue.

  Coop had no idea how it would feel to have a child kidnapped, hit by a car, and almost die. The thought gave him chills. However, this bit of news was a ray of hope. If Christie woke up, she could tell them where she’d been held as well as who kept her there.

  Putting an arm around Ross’ shoulder, Coop led the way to the waiting room.

  “Tell me you’ve found the person who did this.” Ross begged.

  “Not yet.”

  “What about the sisters?”

  The men sat in a corner of the waiting room. Coop and Matt told their friend all they knew, including how Dirk’s missing person could be involved in the case. When they were finished, Ross said, “You have to find them.”

  “We know. We have over a dozen pairs of eyes watching the young Asian girl. More are on the streets passing out flyers, and we have surveillance at the attorney’s office. Something will break.”

  Ross sat bent in his chair, his head in his hands. “Soon, I hope.”

  “We want this to end as much as you do. We’ll find the culprit, and once we do, I guarantee he’ll pay,” Coop promised.

  Dirk and Matt nodded in agreement. “Now, let’s take a look at that beautiful daughter of yours.”

  Ross led the way to Christie’s room where her mother sat beside her bed, holding the little girl’s hand and talking to her.

  The child was beautiful. Pale, almost white hair spread across the pillow. Her porcelain skin had a shine only the very young could claim. Her body was perfect, small-boned and dainty. If she were to open her eyes they would be sky-blue.

  Just the type of child a sex-slavery ring would look for.

  Coop’s blood ran cold.

  They said their goodbyes and left.

  “We can’t let this happen to another child,” Coop said as they walked down the hall. “The child sex-slavery business is dirty. It degrades and humiliates. Most kids lose their real selves. How could they not?”

  “Maybe that’s not who took her,” Dirk said.

  “It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  “She could have been taken to be some nut-ball’s sex object.”

  “Whichever way it turns out, we have to find who did this.”

  Matt cleared his throat. “There are more and more youngsters being kidnapped every day. Not just from this country, but from all over.”

  “Damn them. Damn them all.”

  Coop could tell his brothers’ hearts were as heavy as his as they left the hospital.

  Chapter Eleven

  The next week flew by.

  Lori became so adept at exercising, feeding, and watering the dogs that the guys left her to the job.

  She loved the time alone with no one but the dogs for company. With Coop around she was wary of her feelings. He was like a magnet pulling her toward him in ever increasing waves of desire. She had to stay focused on her recovery, not moon over the man who had saved her life.

  She tried not to think of her amnesia, letting each day unfold in a rhythm she thoroughly enjoyed. Doc had told her more than once to relax and her memory would come back on its own. She was trying her best to do so.

  Lori had left Shorty putting the finishing touches on her Christmas decorations. There were garlands on every door, deep red candles on the mantel, and Santas everywhere.

  It felt weird to be so involved in the holiday spirit and not know if the mother and best friend she knew were out there even thought of her. The fact that she hadn’t been reported missing made her wonder just what the heck she’d done. And it made her sad. Was she missed? Did someone yearn for her presence? Evidently not.

  She knew Coop and his team were doing their best to uncover the mystery of her missing identity, but getting nowhere.

  If she thought about it too long or too hard, it made it difficult for her to function. It was another reason she loved working with the dogs. The attention she gave them kept her mind off her problem. More and more, she felt at home here. That couldn’t be good. At some point, either she’d get her memory back or Coop would uncover her past and she’d have to leave. The thought of not seeing Coop, his brothers, and Shorty again, was a pain in her heart.

  Both Coop and Dirk were on the field giving a lesson. They waved and kept at it.

  Lori walked up to the pens. The dogs yelped in pleasure. Going to each pen, she gave them hugs and kisses, then let Thor out to walk beside her.

  Some mornings, when no one was around to stop her, she took Thor to the training field to practice hand signals and the German commands. It wasn’t easy, but she was learning. Every time Thor obeyed she wanted to shout with joy.

  She gave Thor the signal to go to the exercise field. He took off like a bolt of lightning.

  Whether she was getting better or Thor was that smart, she didn’t know. But there was tremendous pleasure in using her hands and voice and having him respond instantly. She wasn’t brave enough to take the newbie out for practice, but at some point, she would. Maybe Dirk would teach her. She didn’t want Coop involved. It was hard enough to have him there for training and dinner. Those times were both miserable and exciting. Just seeing him made her hot all over. She would long for the warmth and safety of his strong arms for hours afterwards.

  Why did this have to happen at this particular time, and with this man?

  She didn’t want the thoughts and dreams she was plagued with. But she couldn’t deny Coop was in her head all day, every day. Another reason to put distance between them. She stole a look at him as he worked and ignored the swift kick of attraction. His hand motions were swift and sure. Would hers ever come so natural?

  Tomorrow was Saturday. An entire week had gone by and the guys were no closer to solving Christie’s case and nothing had shown up about a missing woman of her size and description.

  She looked around at the pens, the dogs she’d come to love, and watched Thor run the course. His speed never ceased to amaze. Reflecting on how content she was here, she knew in her heart she had been anything but content in the past.

  For a moment, she wondered what would happen if she never remembered her past. Would she stay here? As much as she loved the space and everyone here, she knew she couldn’t. Would she start a new life as Lori? Lori who?

  She wouldn’t think about it today. She had too much to do.

  Dirk had whined and begged until she’d agreed to do the desserts for his bash the following night. He’d told her in such a pitiful voice how he bought his desserts at the grocery store that she’d laughed and agreed to prepare them.

  Calling Thor off the field, she went to get Ajax. “You did good, Thor.” She ran a hand down his back. “You’re as smart as you are beautiful.”

  Lori thought dogs had to be a bit like children, praise went a long way. When the hardworking animals finished their morning exercise and were fed and watered, she went back to the house. The guys were still on the field engrossed in their lesson. She didn’t think they even saw her leave.

  Dirk had pushed a handful of bills into her hand for groceries. She’d have to make a list and ask Shorty to go to the store.

  The thought made her stop in mid-stride. She wanted to be able to go to the store if she wanted. Buy her own clothes. Make decisions. Grow up. Mostly, she wanted to stay as free she felt here.

  If she didn’t care so much for Coop it would be much easier. But she was afraid her feelings had gone beyond caring a while back. What made him so special? He took his job seriously. Did a great job with the dogs. No matter what he said, he loved them. It must hurt to let them go.

  Although he seemed to have made little progress on his cases, he was diligent and determined. At some point he’d find Christie’s kidnapper and uncover Lori’s real identity. Would he want her around once he did?

  Motioning for Thor to follow, she walked into the house.

  ****

  The crew was gathered at the office for the daily briefing, Matt with them
. Coop had watched Lori in his peripheral vision all morning. Besides being beautiful, she was a natural with the dogs. Not being able to touch her was driving him nuts.

  He glared at Matt. “What do you mean your guys haven’t found anything?”

  Matt calmly looked at his brother. “We have the same info you do. I can’t produce what isn’t there.”

  “There has to be something more.”

  Marshall exchanged a glance with Matt. Matt shrugged.

  Coop knew he was being unreasonable, but couldn’t contain his frustration. Another full week of scouring Houston hadn’t turned up a single sighting of the sisters or the missing husband. The sisters could be anywhere by now: south of the border, in Asia, anywhere. Maybe Matt was right. Maybe Coop was wasting his time and money.

  As if that wasn’t enough, Lori’s identity was still a mystery.

  Little wonder he thought he was going slightly crazy. He slept little at night because his thoughts circled around Lori. How she looked. The job she’d taken on with the dogs. The way his body responded to her kiss—her mere presence.

  He fought the attraction with everything in him, but it was still there.

  Maybe she should stay with Doc. At least that way he wouldn’t see Lori every day and make himself miserable. He’d never been like this in his entire life. Was he losing it? They’d never before had a case take this long to solve either. Counting Lori’s, they had three.

  Matt went to the blackboard, took the chalk, and drew a line from Allen Harper’s name to The Natane Corporation.

  Coop crossed his arms and felt the frustration build. “What does that tell us? That Harper was involved with them? That he is part of this—whatever the hell this is?”

  For the first time, Dirk spoke up. “He doesn’t fit the profile.”

  “To hell with the profile. They can’t always be right.”

  “What if he came across something he shouldn’t have? What if the big, bad, corporation found out?” Dirk suggested.

  “Then what? They took him out? Put him in a cellar somewhere?”

  “You’re not thinking straight,” Matt warned Coop. “Cool it a bit and let’s figure this out.”

  “We’re playing guessing games. In the meanwhile, human trafficking and child sex-slavery is alive and well. Other children will suffer a fate as bad or worse than Christie’s and we sit here and pretend to know what we’re doing. We’re as much in the dark as we were when we started.”