“You’re not thinking straight. Do whatever you want. I’m leaving.”
“The hell you are!”
“Then kill him now! Here’s the gun.”
In the silence that followed, Roce knew his life was about to end. Tracey’s name was in his heart and on his lips when he heard other voices.
A gun went off. Suddenly someone was kneeling by him, someone with the flowery scent he associated with the woman he loved.
He was incredulous. “Tracey?”
“Yes, my darling. We found you in time, thank God.” She removed the scarf so he could see her beautiful face. It was covered in tears. In the distance he saw clusters of headlights and heard shouting.
“I’ll have you untied in a minute. Your arms must be aching.” He could hear her low sobs. “There.”
Released at last, he rolled over and sat up, flexing his stiff, cramped shoulders. His wrists had rope burns, but at the moment he hardly felt them as he shakily drew her into his arms and rocked her, unable to believe this was happening. “I was afraid I’d never see you again.” Tears oozed from his own eyes. “I never prayed so hard in my life. And now you’re here.”
“I came up with Eli and Wymon.” She eased away from him long enough to start undoing the ropes binding his ankles. It took a few minutes, but she finally freed them.
Roce rubbed them before slowly getting to his feet with Tracey’s help. “Where did they bring me?”
“Rocky Point.”
He moaned. “So close to home. How did you know?”
“Sheldon was trying to help us when I asked if Wes had a favorite area on the dude ranch where he liked to hang out. That’s when I thought about the trail ride that day when Wes told us to get back on the horses.”
“So I owe my life to you.” Roce was in danger of kissing the life out of her.
“It was all of us working together. Eli found Mrs. Ellis unharmed, but locked in her basement. She described the man who entered her house with a gun. It was Ramon. He stole her car. She said he was drunk.”
“That’s true. I could smell his breath. He dragged me into the trunk after killing the pregnant mare. She was carrying twins. All three of them needed help and would have died, anyway.”
“How awful for you.”
“When a man is under the influence, he’s capable of doing a lot of things. Wes and Ramon should never have a drop of alcohol again. I still don’t think they’re killers, but they’ll need to be put in a serious rehab program for a long time.”
“When we knew you’d been kidnapped, we alerted the police and drove to the dude ranch to meet with John and his family. Everyone contributed, and now it’s all over. Really over.”
“It is, bro,” another person said.
His brothers came over and hugged him hard.
“As I’ve told you many times, you guys are the best.”
Eli smiled. “That works both ways. Do you know you don’t look that bad for someone who has been to hell and back?” They all laughed.
“The gun was shot out of Ramon’s hand, but no one was killed here tonight,” Wymon explained. “The sheriff has taken both of them into custody. They’ve been arrested and will be booked in jail before being taken before the judge. Our part here is done.”
Tracey hugged Roce harder.
“The sheriff will get statements from you tomorrow. Come get in the truck,” Eli urged. “We’ll drive you two back to the ranch, where your truck is parked.”
“I’ll drive us home from there.” Tracey covered Roce’s face with kisses.
He kissed her back. “Do you have any idea how good that sounds?”
An hour later, after phone calls to both sets of parents and Toly, letting them know all was well, they reached his house and went inside. Tracey walked Roce down the hall to the staircase. “Go on up and shower while I fix you whatever you want.”
“Breakfast.”
“Breakfast it is.”
He stood under the shower, savoring the soap and hot water. After toweling himself off, he threw on a robe. While he sat on the side of his king-size bed to rub some ointment into the rope burns on his wrists and ankles, Tracey entered his bedroom. It was the first time she’d ever been up there.
She’d laden the tray with crisp bacon, crepes, orange juice and coffee. All his favorites. Without saying anything, he took it from her and put it on the end of the bed. Then he pulled her into his arms.
“Before I need food, I need you.”
Their mouths met in a feverish conflagration. The desire to become one with her was fast taking over. “I can’t believe how close I came to never knowing this joy again.”
“Don’t think about it. I’m not going to. Our whole life is ahead of us, with no shadows. But Eli said it best—you’ve been to hell and back. I know you’re hurting and ravenous. Come on. Let’s eat before the food gets cold.”
She eased out of his arms and moved the tray to the middle of the bed before stretching out on one side of it. He took the hint. But when he propped himself to face her, he felt a pain in his ribs where one of the guys’ boots had connected.
“I heard that moan,” she said, and handed him a small bottle of painkillers. “Tomorrow we’ll visit the clinic in Stevensville and get an X-ray.”
“I’m the doctor around here and don’t need that kind of help.”
“But I’m your wife-to-be. Please do it for me.”
“How can I say no to that?” He took four pills immediately with his juice. Then he dug in. They were both starving and ate everything.
“Do you want more?”
Roce removed the tray and put it on the floor. After turning off the lamp, he got back on the bed and rolled her toward him. “I just want to hold you for a little while and count my blessings.”
* * *
TRACEY WOKE UP late the next morning, still dressed in the clothes she’d gone to bed in. She turned her head on the pillow. Roce was still sound asleep. Last night she’d planned to leave the room the moment he’d started kissing her, but at some point they’d both fallen asleep. After the nightmare he’d lived through, he would probably sleep half the day.
She slid off the bed and took the tray downstairs. The knowledge that all the bad actors were now in jail made her giddy. Tracey took a shower and washed her hair. She picked out a pair of jeans and a Western blouse to put on. Once she’d pulled on her cowboy boots, she wrote a note that she’d gone over to his mother’s, and left it on the kitchen counter.
A partly cloudy sky greeted her as she hurried out of the house to her car. They needed their things back, especially Roce’s razor.
“Alberta...” She hugged Roce’s mother the second she opened the door, and they both shed tears of relief. But somehow Daisy got between them, causing them to laugh.
Tracey kissed the dog’s silky head. “I’ve missed you, too, and there’s someone else who can’t wait to see you. Come on and help me gather our stuff.”
It didn’t take long to carry everything out to her car. Daisy ran circles around her and jumped in the front seat of the vehicle.
“Look at that,” Alberta exclaimed. “Just like a person.”
“Daisy thinks she is.” The two women laughed again.
“Don’t be strangers.”
“Are you kidding? Your boys worship you, and so do I. You’ve raised the most incredible son in creation.”
“If I did any good, he’s proved it by choosing the loveliest woman in the world to marry. All my boys can’t say enough about you.”
“If they hadn’t known what to do, we wouldn’t have figured things out in time. I promise we’ll see you very soon.”
Excitement swept through Tracey as she drove to the house, knowing Roce was there and safe. She made two trips inside. On the first one, Daisy dashed
up the stairs. When Tracey came in the second time, she could hear Roce’s deep laughter. Someone was awake. The sound thrilled her heart.
She took his things up to his room so he could use his toiletries. Daisy had gotten up on the bed and was enjoying a good rub behind the ears.
“Well, aren’t you two the happiest pair I’ve ever seen?”
“I feel like a new man. All I need is a kiss from you.”
“I can do that.”
When she walked over to the bed, he pulled her down, but then moaned again.
“Uh-oh. It sounds like you have a bruised rib.” She kissed him briefly and stood up. “You’ve got to be more careful. I’m going downstairs to fix your breakfast. What sounds good?”
“Anything.”
“Okay. Come on, Daisy. You need your food, too.”
The mention of food did the trick. The dog followed her down and waited while she filled her bowls. With that done, Tracey got busy fixing Roce some French toast and ham.
“Roce?” she called to him. “Breakfast is ready.”
“Coming.” He walked into the kitchen looking drop-dead gorgeous in a silky burgundy shirt and tan pants.
“Wow.” It was all she could manage to say.
“That word describes my feelings every time I see you. Just don’t squeeze me too hard.” He put his arms around her neck and gave her a kiss that made her forget everything else.
“I don’t think I can restrain myself. Maybe we’d better sit down and eat.”
She poured coffee while he did her bidding.
“Life doesn’t get better than this,” she said as they tucked into the meal.
His eyes narrowed on her mouth. “Oh, yes it does. What do you say we get on a plane right now and fly to Reno to get married?”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about it since you almost threw me in the lake.”
“A funny thing happened to me before I could do that. It gave me time to rethink what it was I wanted.”
Tears made her eyes smart. She reached across the table to grasp his hand. “Our families are too wonderful for us to do something that won’t include all of them.”
He nodded.
On cue, the doorbell sounded. They both smiled in resignation. “I’ll get it.” Roce got up from the table. She and Daisy followed him into the living room.
“Sheriff Garson—come in.”
“I’m very relieved to see you up and uninjured, considering what you were put through, Dr. Clayton. All I need is a statement from you two and I’ll leave you alone.”
“Would you like coffee?” Tracey offered.
“I’d like it very much if you don’t mind.”
“I’ve got some hot. Do you want cream? Sugar?”
“Just black.”
Tracey poured him a mug and brought it in. They sat around the coffee table and answered his questions.
“I feel so sorry for the parents of these men,” Tracey said. “John and Sheldon tried so hard to give Wes a second chance.”
The sheriff nodded. “So did Dr. Cruz. We’re still trying to reach the parents of Simmons and Cox. Simmonds has been charged with breaking and entering and vehicular theft. Cox faces charges of assault with a deadly weapon and will be going to prison.”
Tracey groaned at the litany of charges.
“Ramon Cruz has been charged with drunkenness, kidnapping and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Dr. Clayton, Mrs. Ellis and on the pregnant mare, resulting in the death of three animals.
“Wes Hunter will face prison time for drunkenness, criminal contempt of court, kidnapping and assault and battery. It’s a very sad thing that four men, still in their twenties, have already ruined their lives. The good news today is that they didn’t ruin yours.”
Tracey leaned forward. “I can’t thank you enough for being there and helping us. And please, will you thank the forest service pilots for their help at Hidden Lake? Everyone played a part.”
“I certainly will.” He got to his feet. “Hopefully, when we see each other again, it’ll be for entirely different reasons.”
“Amen to that.” Roce walked him out.
Tracey went back to the kitchen. While she was loading the dishwasher, her cell phone rang. It was her family. They all got on the line while she told them the details of their harrowing experience. Roce came in during the conversation and added his thoughts.
“Your daughter knew where I’d been taken. She was the one who found me. I owe her my life. Our wedding day can’t come soon enough.”
They spoke awhile longer before she hung up. Roce had already finished the dishes. She turned to him. “What can I do for you?”
“I need to check my messages and call a couple of patients. Then let’s give some thought to a honeymoon.”
“Can you take off that kind of time while you’re building your practice here?”
He put his arm around her shoulders and they walked down the hall to his office. “You only get one honeymoon. My practice will survive. I’ll ask Dr. Cruz to cover for me. Maybe extending my friendship will help us all to heal.”
“For you to do that makes you the most remarkable person I’ve ever known.”
“He’ll probably turn me down, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask.”
“I agree. Now tell me something. Where do you want to go after the reception?”
“I was hoping you’d tell me.”
“Really? How about flying to the Greek islands and chartering a boat so we can go wherever we want?”
“While I’m on the phone, why don’t you look up some websites and see what we can arrange.”
She shook her head. “Roce—I was only teasing.”
His expression grew serious. “No, you weren’t. As far as I’m concerned it sounds perfect.”
“You’re just saying that because you always put me first. I want you to be honest with me.”
He started to laugh and gripped her shoulders. “Are we having our second fight?”
Put that way, she felt silly, and laughed, too. “I love you so much, and I’m going crazy waiting for our wedding day.”
“You mean you don’t feel married yet, living with me?”
“No, because it’s not official.”
“That’s not the only reason, sweetheart.” Heat filled her cheeks. “But there’s one thing we need to do and can do today. If you’ll get ready, we’ll swing by the county courthouse to get our marriage license.”
Chapter Twelve
July 28
“Roce? I hate to bother you the day before your wedding, but this is an emergency only you will want to deal with.”
His stomach clenched. Since the kidnapping he’d known nothing but happiness. “What’s wrong, Luis?”
“It’s about Thunder. Come to the barn.”
Roce groaned. “I’ll be right there.”
He shot up from the chair in his office where he’d been working, and hurried through the house to the kitchen with his doctor bag. “Sorry, Daisy. Got to go. Tracey went to town to do some last-minute errands, but she’ll be back soon.” He gave her a treat before heading out the front door.
If Thunder was in real trouble, he’d have no choice but to call on Dr. Cruz’s help sooner than he’d imagined. He and the broken-hearted older vet had talked often since the arrest of his son, and had become friends. Arrangements had already been made for him to care for a couple of Roce’s patients while he was in Greece with Tracey.
Their agreement was reciprocal. When he needed to visit Ramon at the Montana State Prison, Roce would cover for him.
But knowing that something serious was wrong with his horse was like getting stomped on by a bull. Thunder was more human than animal. Roce would never forget that day at Hidden Lake
. Because of his horse’s intelligence, he’d been able to reach his rifle and fight off their sniper before he or Tracey had been shot.
He drove through the ranch entrance and up the road to the barn at full speed. Toly would be flying in later today. Roce had planned to drive to the Missoula airport with his brothers to pick him up, but he’d probably have to give that a miss.
By the time he reached the barn, he wasn’t in the best shape. Slamming on his brakes, he leaped from the cab and hurried inside to Thunder’s stall. Luis was standing at the opening, as if he didn’t want him to see what was wrong.
Roce swallowed hard. “How bad is it?”
Luis had never looked so anxious, filling Roce with dread. “Eli’s waiting for you in the tack room. I think you should talk to him first.”
He sucked in his breath before racing toward it. When he flew inside, the door shut behind him and he heard his brothers yell, “Surprise!”
For the first time in his life he came close to fainting. They’d just pulled off his bachelor party! So that was why Tracey had suddenly decided she needed to drive in to Stevensville.
When he realized there was nothing wrong with his horse and that all was well in his world, he wheeled around. Toly’s was the first face he saw. His brother had flown in early.
“Toly—you’re a sight for sore eyes.” They hugged hard.
“Glad to see you, bro.”
Two more powerful hugs from his brothers followed. It was a good thing his bruised ribs had healed or he’d be headed for the hospital.
Eli passed a sack of doughnuts around. They’d put sodas on the table in the corner. Wymon handed him an eight-by-ten-inch brown envelope. “We wished we could have done this in style tonight, but there’s not enough time. What we did do was get together with Mom and this is what we came up with.”
Roce downed two doughnuts before opening the envelope. He found two items inside. One was a plan of the Clayton property. A big circle had been drawn in red around the lower left half. The other item was a deed, made out to him.
He lifted his head in confusion. “What’s this?”
“Your portion of Clayton land. It’s all yours. You can build a big house for all the children you and Tracey are going to have, erect a state-of-the-art kennel for your surgery, construct your own barn for your horses, and anything else you want. Mom said this was Dad’s dream for you after you stopped competing in the rodeo.”
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