by Linda Conrad
The windows were open, and fresh air filled the room with smells of spring—and maybe a little hint of cattle. It was not unpleasant to him; in fact, it was so ingrained in his life he hardly noticed anymore. But he didn’t have any idea what she would think of any of it—smells, cattle, ranch, him.
“The chair or the bed?” He really wanted her to opt for the chair but thought he’d better give her the choice.
“I’m afraid if I lie down I’ll fall sound asleep and Melody will never get fed. The chair, please.”
He eased her into his reading chair and fluffed the pillow at her back. “This going to be okay?”
“Fine, thanks. It’s really nice of you to offer your own room.”
The offer had been more of a shanghai. “Later…when you’ve rested some, we need to talk. My hospitality for your answers. Seems only fair.” He stood aside, wondering how fast he could disappear when the baby arrived.
“Fair? Yes, all right. Later.”
Maria arrived carrying the baby, and he backed out of his room at a world-record-setting pace. His mind was reeling not only with questions about these two lost souls, like where they came from and why they were running. But another question was why for the first time in nearly four years his libido was reacting to the mere sight and touch of a very attractive but totally unavailable woman.
Susannah opened her lids, pulling herself from a sound sleep, and for the second time today, she stared up into Nathan’s sky-blue eyes. “I must’ve fallen asleep.”
He nodded and sat opposite her on the edge of the bed. “Maria tells me after the baby was fed you had a bite to eat, too, and a little nap. She’s looking for something to use as a cradle so she can offer you the chance to clean up and take a shower.”
Leaning on his knees, he folded his hands between them and gazed over at her with questions in those terribly sexy eyes. “Feeling well enough for our talk now?”
“I guess.” Not really. She would much rather ask questions of her own, like whether or not anyone on the ranch was a Devotee and how far it was from here to the highway bus stop.
“I need to know who you’re running from.” He raised his eyebrows as if encouraging her to tell him everything.
When she didn’t answer, he volunteered a couple of possibilities of his own. “I guess you might be running from some kind of lawman. Did you bug out on the hospital maternity bill? Or maybe you’re running from the baby’s father? Maria tells me you’ve got a few cuts and scratches she’d like to tend. You get those from some bastard?”
She hesitated, trying to decide what to say.
“If it’s the law that’s chasing you, I have to know.” He looked so sincere and serious; she wanted to blurt out the whole story. “I’ll want to call the Cold Plains police chief. I’m sorry, but I can’t harbor any criminals on the ranch. This is a law-abiding place.”
She couldn’t let him call the Cold Plains police. That was the last thing she needed.
Deciding to go with a half-truth, she said, “The baby’s father got angry. He pushed me onto a bus heading east and said he never wanted to see us again. Then when the money almost ran out, the bus dropped us off. Melody and I got turned around, and we’ve been wandering in the woods looking for someone to help.”
Nathan bit his lip as if trying to decide about her story. “So you’re saying you walked into the forest on your own? No one chased you in?”
Well, it was half-true. “Yes. That’s right. And I kept getting scratched up by all the branches and dead tree limbs. But the baby is safe.”
“Uh-huh.” He didn’t look too convinced. “Okay, then. Where are you from? You have any other family we can contact for help?”
“We’re not from anywhere. We—the baby’s father and I—were just moving around the country. He…he’s a traveling salesman kind of guy.” This was pretty much all true.
“And there’s no one else?”
“No one.” If you took his question literally, she’d just lied. But in her mind and heart there was no one else—at least no one who would care to hear from her under any circumstances, especially not if she needed help.
Nathan stared down at the carpet, and she couldn’t tell what he was thinking. All she really wanted was a chance to rest the baby for a few hours and then get directions to the bus.
A knock sounded against the open door. “Nathan?” Maria stuck her head in the room. “Can I come in?”
Maria had told her she was the Pierce family housekeeper. But Susannah had been surprised by that and asked why Maria spoke to Nathan in a manner more like a mother or older sister than an employee. It seemed Maria had been with the family since Nathan’s mother died when he was only twelve. She thought of him and his brother as her family now.
“What’s up?” Nathan stood when Maria entered.
“I’ve rigged up a basket for the baby. I can bring the basket in here so Susannah can watch her and still take a nap and grab a shower while the baby naps, if that’s all right with you.”
“I need to go back to work this afternoon anyhow. Bring it on in.”
Maria nodded, then stopped to add something else. “Before you head out, will you make a stop at the front porch? A couple of men who say they’re from Cold Plains are waiting to talk to you.”
Susannah’s veins froze, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Oh, no. After all she’d been through, they were going to capture her and Melody now?
“Did they say what they wanted?” Nathan didn’t look particularly pleased.
Susannah had heard rumors amongst the Devotees that some of the locals hadn’t cared for them coming to their town and taking over. Maybe this was proof it was true.
Maria also wrinkled her face as if she’d tasted something sour. “You know I don’t talk to none of them Devotees unless I have to. They give me the creeps.” She turned and left the room.
Nathan followed Maria’s footsteps, also heading for the bedroom door. “You two have a nice rest this afternoon,” he said over his shoulder. “We’ll talk again.”
“Wait.” She had to say something to save Melody.
He swung back and stood waiting for her to speak.
“Don’t turn us in to the Devotees. Please, Nathan. I beg you for Melody’s sake.” The tears welled up, and the lump in her throat nearly choked the life right out of her.
Standing there staring at her, his jaw turned hard and his eyes went cold. “So there’s a different story you want to give me now?”
“Yes. Yes. Anything. Just please don’t tell them we’re here.”
Nathan stormed out of the room, madder than spit. He should’ve known—just another beautiful woman who lied. What the hell was the matter with him? Didn’t he ever learn?
He’d known her story sounded wrong, but those big hazel eyes had taken him in.
Susannah would have to wait. He had a lot to say to her. But in the meantime, he wanted those frigging Devotee devils the hell off his property.
He hit the front porch ready to go off on them like a rocket. “What do you want?”
The two men turned to his voice. Son of a bitch! One of these dudes was Jonathan Miller, who was absolutely the last man on earth he ever wanted to see again.
“Hello, Nathan.” Jonathan’s smile was greasy, which went perfectly with his hair. “Sorry to bother you. We were waiting to see your father. Is he in?”
Just the sound of his voice set Nathan’s nerves on edge. “No. He’s gone to Cheyenne to a breeders’ auction. I asked you what you want.”
If the Devotees thought they could get around him every time by going to his father, they were in for a big surprise.
“No sense being hostile.” Jonathan’s voice was smooth—too smooth. “The problems between us were over years ago. Things have changed. I’m the vice-mayor of Cold Plains now. We’re neighbors, Nathan. We want to be good neighbors and friends.”
He gritted his teeth and glared at the man. “What part of ‘what do you want?’
don’t you understand? I’m busy, Miller. Say whatever it is and get off our land.”
Miller threw a quick glance at the other man, and a chill went up Nathan’s spine. The guy had perfect hair, perfect clothes, a perfectly nonthreatening stance and glassy but eerily perfect crystal-blue eyes.
Damned Devotees. Maria was right. They gave him the creeps.
“We’re just here asking for a small favor.” Jonathan sounded earnest. “Nothing that should upset you. One of our members has disappeared, and we were hoping you would let us look around. We’re worried about her.”
“What’s this person look like?”
“She’s in her late twenties with long brown hair. Nine months pregnant, she’s within days of having a child. In fact, the birth may have already taken place, and that means there’re two of our people who could need help. We’re planning on forming a formal search party in the morning.”
“Don’t bother searching the ranch.” Nathan practically spat at the fool. “We’ll keep an eye out. If anyone here runs across something odd, I’ll be sure to give you a call.” The Devotees could rot in hell before he ever lifted one finger to help them.
“But…” Jonathan acted like he seldom was refused anything.
Too bad. “I got your message. Now leave.”
“You’re not being very neighborly, Nathan. We only wanted…”
“Listen, Miller. If I see any of your people on our property, I’ll shoot first and ask questions later.” He folded his arms over his chest and took a threatening step forward. “Get out. And don’t come back.”
The two men turned and walked toward their car without another word. But Nathan had a feeling they weren’t about to give up.
He’d call Mac in another minute to escort these two bums off the property. He didn’t trust them. In fact, he seldom trusted anyone anymore. It was a hard-learned lesson, one he thought he’d learned well.
So why had one pretty woman who looked lost and alone been able to get under his skin so quickly? Ah, hell.
Regardless, he wanted that Devotee and her child off his ranch and out of his life today.
Chapter 3
Dressed in a borrowed robe while Maria washed her clothes and tried to mend the tears, Susannah awoke from a two-hour nap when a loud knock rapped on the bedroom door. Without waiting for an answer, Nathan banged the door open and came right inside.
“Shush,” she told him. “The baby’s still sleeping.”
He threw a guarded glance toward the basket sitting on his wide dresser top. “I see,” he said in a stage whisper. “But we’re going to have that talk now.”
His face was a mask of stern consternation—big trouble. However, she wouldn’t let him run over her. She’d done enough of that in her life. This time, her child was what mattered most.
Pulling the robe tighter around her, she carefully sat in the easy chair. “Talk, then. But quietly please.”
“I’m not talking. You are. Why’d you lie? And if you’re in with those damned Devotees, why didn’t you want them to find you?”
She could see the veins sticking out on his temple as his jaw tightened. He was furious. Her hands started shaking. She didn’t deal well with anger…never had.
Taking a deep breath, she tried to find a way to explain without making him madder. “Please calm down, Nathan. I’ll tell you the truth, why we left Cold Plains, and then Melody and I will leave the ranch. I promise I wasn’t trying to take anything from you. We just needed to rest. We were lost. Really.”
He drew a breath, too, sat at the edge of the bed like he had earlier and let his mouth relax. “Go on.”
“The part about my boyfriend kicking me to the curb when he learned about the baby is true. He did put me on the bus. But that was six months ago. When I ran out of money in the middle of nowhere, I thought I would end up as a street person.”
“While expecting a baby?”
“Yeah, that’s not such a great picture, is it? The thought scared me to death. But I got lucky for once when Samuel Grayson found me and brought me back to Cold Plains. He made a place for me. He gave me a job and somewhere to live. I’d never been treated so well in my entire life.”
Nathan’s expression turned hard again. “I can understand that he became like your safety net. I guess you had no choice. But why’d you stay?”
“Seriously? Have you seen the place recently? Everything is wonderful and clean. I’d never lived anywhere as colorful or where the people are so kind to perfect strangers. My life had been full of lots of gray and mostly rude people up to then. I loved it there.”
“Did you…did you become one of them?”
“Well, if you mean, did I take their seminars and try my best to be like them? You bet I did. Samuel Grayson is the most amazing person I’ve ever met. He can make you feel, well, like you’re somebody.”
A tick appeared at the side of Nathan’s mouth when she’d mentioned Samuel. “If you love him and his kind so much, why’d you leave?”
All of a sudden it occurred to her what she’d been feeling during this whole conversation—trust…for Nathan. She barely knew the man but felt sure he would not hurt her or turn her over to the Devotees if she told the whole truth. It was weird to trust someone this quickly, but she went with it.
“Melody. She’s the reason we left.” Her eyes started to fill again, but she fought the waterworks. “My friend, the midwife named May Frommer, told me all about the rumors and made me see the light. She helped us get away.”
“I know May. She’s a local. What rumors?”
“About how babies who aren’t perfect don’t last long in Cold Plains. Look at Melody. She’s wonderful and I love her beyond measure, but she isn’t perfect.”
Sniffling again, she tried to steady her voice. “Have you heard the rumor that Devotees may be stealing children who aren’t perfect and selling them? May says so. May also mentioned a basement place where anybody who isn’t totally perfect is kept hidden. Do you think that’s true?”
“I’d believe anything about those creeps. But are you telling me that because your daughter has a simple birthmark you think she’s less than perfect?”
“Not me. I think she’s terrific. But, well, I couldn’t take a chance that the rumors are true. Could I?”
“Suppose not. So you’ve given up on Samuel Grayson and his philosophy, then?”
“Oh, no. I’m sure Samuel can’t know about any of this. It must be a few bad people in the Devotees who are using the group as a cover for doing terrible things. And, besides, what’s wrong with believing you can become the best you?”
Nathan stood and started pacing the room. “How soon can you get the baby ready to leave? I want you out of here by nightfall.”
The bedroom door opened wider at that moment, and Maria stepped into the room. “I heard that, Nathan. What’s wrong with you? These two can’t leave the ranch yet. Where’re your manners? The child is still not healthy. Something’s wrong with her, and she needs a doctor. And also there’s at least one cut on Susannah that requires stitching.”
Nathan ran his hands through his hair. “Hell. Why can’t you sew her up? You take care of the rest of us and our little cuts and bumps on the ranch just fine.”
“Nothing I’ve tried has helped the baby. She needs a doctor.”
“Who’re we gonna call?” He sounded frustrated, and his voice was growing louder. “Old Doc Jones quit making rounds through Cold Plains a year ago. And don’t say you’ll call one of those Devotee people to come out. Not on this ranch.”
Susannah’s whole body grew tense. “No, please. No doctors.”
Maria came over and bent to smooth a hand over her hair. “There’s a new man, sugar. Just came to town a while back. Don’t know it for a fact, but local people claim he doesn’t belong to the group. He’s supposed to be a good doctor without ties to them. Or at least he don’t spout that crud like the rest. I think we need to try. For Melody’s sake.”
She wasn’t t
hrilled to hear Maria bad-mouthing the Devotees’ philosophy. What was so wrong with becoming a great new person? But the idea that her daughter needed medical attention was the central most important thing to her right now.
Looking to Nathan, Susannah pleaded, “Please help my baby. I know you won’t let any of the Devotees take her from me. But Melody needs a doctor. We have to call this new man now.”
“I’ll call. But afterward, you remember what I said.”
“Of course. We’ll leave as soon as Melody can travel.”
“The child shouldn’t travel for at least ten days.”
“What?” Nathan barked at the doctor. “Why not?”
Before he’d called the man, Nathan had dialed up May Frommer for a recommendation on the doc and also for a brief discussion of his current uninvited guests. May had said it was still up in the air as to whether Dr. Rafe Black was secretly a Devotee or not, but her best guess was he was not. And then she went on and on about how Nathan should be gentle with Susannah and the child—as if he was ever too rough on any woman. He simply wanted her gone.
“The baby seems lethargic because she’s dehydrated,” Dr. Black answered and brought him back to the moment. “I’ve given her electrolytes, but this kind of thing takes a toll on infants. Babies take cues from their mothers. In this case, the mother is anxious and exhausted, so the baby is, too. Stress can kill a child that small.”
Hell, he was no ogre. He couldn’t throw them out now.
“Have you treated the mother yet?” He wondered what Susannah would have to say about the doctor’s orders. “Have you talked to her?”
“Not yet.” The doctor picked up the second case he’d brought into the house and looked ready to go back into the bedroom.
But he turned first and asked a question of his own. “Is this woman a Devotee? She looks familiar, like I’ve seen her in town. But Devotees don’t often come to me.”
“She was a Devotee for a few months. Having the baby seems to have changed all that.” Nathan hoped to hell that what he just claimed would turn out to be the truth.