Rodeo Queen

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  “A female officer similar in build and coloring. She wore a disguise here. You’ll wear the disguise out. Just in case.”

  “They haven’t caught him?”

  “Not yet. But his prints are on all six letters and envelopes, so we’ve got a positive ID.”

  “What if they arrest him tonight?” She knew all of her panic echoed in her tone. Did he realize how desperate she was to escape spending any time with him?

  “We’ve got an APB out on him, but his last known address is abandoned. We may not catch up with him quickly. He knows you can identify him, so he’ll probably lay low.”

  “But surely he has enough sense not to hang out at the hospital.”

  “How sensible was he when he attacked you? And he may need medical attention after you stomped his arm.” Mitch set a duffel bag on the chair near the foot of her bed. “Here, put these on. Get your mom or Natalie to help so you don’t put too much weight on that leg. I’ll be right outside.”

  “But why are we still going to Medina when he could be arrested any minute?”

  “Until that jail cell clangs shut behind this guy, you’re in danger.” Daddy helped her stand and gave her a big hug. “You’ll be fine, pumpkin. Mitch will keep you safe.”

  She blinked away tears and resisted the urge to cling to him as she had when she was a little girl.

  Worry shone bright in Daddy’s eyes as Mitch ushered him from the room.

  Natalie dumped the contents of the bag on the bed. A short, curly gray wig and a shapeless housedress.

  “Really?” Caitlyn shook her head.

  “It’s for your protection, Caitie.” Mama held the dress out for her. “Nobody will recognize Ms. Cowgirl Couture in this. That’s for sure.”

  “This is so not necessary.”

  “We think it is. Two against one.” Natalie gathered Caitlyn’s hair into a ponytail and plopped the wig on her head.

  “And you— I’ve got a rhinestone to pick with you.” Caitlyn jabbed a finger at her sister.

  “I didn’t break my promise.” Natalie held up both palms. “All I did was tell Bob because I wanted you safe. He called the police. Not me.”

  “That’s a technicality.” Caitlyn rolled her eyes and settled on the side of the bed to wriggle the dress over her shorts and T-shirt. “And now I’m stuck with him.”

  “But you’ll be safe. That’s all that matters.” Mama helped her find the sleeves. “Nattie did the right thing.”

  The bright zippered dress pulled a moan from Caitlyn. She’d never wear something like this in a million, trillion years. Maybe if she pretended to be an elderly grandmother she could deal with five hours in the car with Mitch. She shook her head as his chiseled jaw came to mind. No, not even imagining herself as an old lady would save her now.

  * * *

  Mitch scanned the hospital corridor. No one suspicious. No Stuart Stevens. Salvo was stationed outside Caitlyn’s door.

  The business suit fit perfectly, but he sure was glad he didn’t have to wear one on a daily basis. Especially the tie. His fingers flexed, longing to tug it looser. The fake beard and mustache itched. His head felt downright naked without his cowboy hat.

  His cell buzzed. Headquarters. “Warren here.”

  “It’s Timmons. I forwarded you a picture of Trent Stevens’s mom. You’ll want to see it. I pulled up Caitlyn’s head shot on the Cowtown website. The resemblance is amazing.”

  “Thanks.” Mitch opened his email and tapped the attachment.

  A sad-eyed Caitlyn stared back at him. His jaw dropped. The woman looked so much like Caitlyn, they could be sisters. Could there be a family connection to explain the resemblance?

  Beside the carbon copy of Caitlyn was a heavy-lidded man with dark blond hair. A younger Stuart Stevens. He’d follow up on who the woman was later. Right now, Caitlyn’s safety was his only concern.

  As he headed toward Caitlyn’s room, Salvo scanned Mitch, put his hand on his holster and blocked the door. Recognition dawned in his eyes and he stepped aside. “Had me there for a minute.”

  “Good job.” Mitch clapped him on the back and knocked on Caitlyn’s door. “It’s me.”

  “Come in,” Natalie called.

  A collective gasp escaped the women when they saw him.

  “Relax. It’s me.”

  The blue hair in the granny dress surrounded by Caitlyn’s family barely resembled Caitlyn. But he’d know that blush anywhere.

  “Let’s get you home, Granny.” Mitch offered his arm. “Doc says you’re on the mend.”

  Her face went crimson. She slapped his arm. “Stop it.”

  “Just playing my role.” Caitlyn looked cute, even dressed up like an old lady. He could happily grow old with her. He shook his head. Focus on keeping her safe.

  In a few minutes, he’d hold in his hands the life of the woman he’d loved since high school. God, help me keep her safe.

  Twice now. He’d acknowledged God’s existence twice in one day. For the first time in a year.

  “Are you driving all the way tonight?” Daniel checked his watch. “It’ll be midnight by the time you get there. You must be tired.”

  “I grabbed some shut-eye and tanked up on coffee. I’ll stop at a hotel if I get too tired. Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”

  “You’d better.” Daniel nodded. “Sorry I was kind of gruff with you earlier.”

  “You were worried.”

  “Me, too.” Natalie looked at the floor. “I was downright rude.”

  “The least of my problems.”

  “Can we have a minute with Caitlyn?” Claire asked.

  “Sure. I’ll wait outside.”

  The door opened and a nurse entered with a wheelchair. “Release papers.”

  “Thank you.” Caitlyn accepted them.

  “I know your young man is relieved.” She turned her smile on Mitch. “He’s barely left your side.”

  “He’s not...”

  “I’m a cop.”

  “Oh. I could have sworn you were a man in love. Silly me.”

  Mitch’s ears heated and he glanced at Caitlyn. Their gazes met, but she quickly looked away. A stranger could see straight through him, but Caitlyn didn’t see it or didn’t care. Probably the latter.

  “I’ll be right outside. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

  Two weeks to change her mind.

  * * *

  Caitlyn tried to fasten her seat belt, but she couldn’t see around the huge dress to find the buckle. When she turned sideways, the bandage on her shoulder pulled. She winced.

  “Let me help you.” Mitch’s hands grazed hers then worked at her hip.

  By the time the belt clicked into place, his nearness had turned her into a bundle of nerves. “Why do old women wear this stuff?”

  “Once we get down the road and I make sure no one’s following, you can slip it off.” He started the engine.

  “And the wig?” She scratched at it.

  “Patience.” He grabbed her hand. “We can’t be too cautious.”

  “I wasn’t taking it off.” She jerked her hand away. “It itches.”

  “So does my beard.”

  She inhaled the new-car smell of the Jeep. “Is this yours?”

  “No. Belongs to the department.”

  Concentrate on the situation instead of him. “Tell me about the break in the case. Who is this guy?”

  “Official business.”

  “Isn’t the victim entitled to know about her attacker?”

  Mitch checked his rearview mirror and merged into interstate traffic. “His son is working with us to help us find him.”

  “Wow, trying to get his own father arrested?”

  “His dad beat
his mom for years. She left twelve years ago and he turned his rage on his son. The son finally turned him in and his dad spent time in jail.”

  “She just left her son there?”

  “This guy threatened to kill them both if she tried to take the kid.” He checked his rearview mirror and covered her hand with his. “Her name is Cammie.”

  “Cammie. Camille.” Caitlyn’s insides quaked. “What’s the man’s name?”

  “Stuart Stevens. The kid, Trent, had a picture of his dad and mom from fifteen years ago. She’s a dead ringer for you.”

  “So why can’t I go home?” She moistened her suddenly dry lips.

  “You know they have no idea where he’s been staying or where to find him.”

  “But if they catch up with him tonight, what then?”

  “Then I’ll drive you home tomorrow. Like it or not, you’re stuck with me, Caitlyn. At least for the night.”

  But she did like it. That was the problem. She enjoyed having Mitch near.

  And his family. She’d always loved them like her own. “How is your family? I don’t see them much since they sold the ranch and moved to Denton.”

  “Mom and Dad are enjoying early retirement. But I think they miss the peacefulness of Aubrey. They’re thinking about moving to Medina and helping Grandpa with his ranch. Tara and her fiancé are still in Dallas and Cody’s still riding bulls on the circuit.”

  “Mr. Never-Grow-Up-and-Settle-Down—that’s your brother.”

  “You’ll love Medina. Very small town. A lot like Aubrey. No crime. You’ll be safe.”

  Safe with Mitch. She could get used to that way too easily.

  * * *

  Lightning flashed, thunder boomed and Caitlyn slept.

  Mitch gulped another swig of coffee and kept driving. Whatever they’d given her was obviously working. Just a few more miles and he’d arrive at the ranch.

  Wind whipped at his SUV. Why did it have to be hurricane season? Medina never got storms except when he needed to see to drive at midnight.

  All these years and his feelings hadn’t changed—they’d grown stronger. Obviously not the case for her. Her main intent seemed to be avoiding him.

  The rain intensified and he turned the wipers up to full blast.

  Okay, he’d hurt her. He’d refused to give up his dream of following in his grandfather’s footsteps to become a Texas Ranger. Why couldn’t he have his dream and Caitlyn, too? Why couldn’t she see that after ten years in his chosen dangerous profession, he was still here?

  Sure, there’d been a few scrapes over the years. His stomach turned. On and off the job. A year ago, it should have been him in that coffin instead of his partner. He’d often wished it had been.

  But if it had gone down that way, he wouldn’t be here to keep Caitlyn safe.

  Mitch focused on the slick road and tried to clear his mind. Another torrent of water slammed the windshield. He almost couldn’t see the yellow line, but with no other cars on the road, he crept along. His turn should be coming up.

  Lightning flashed and he caught a glimpse of the iron gate. He almost missed it but managed the turn at the last possible moment. He rolled down the window and punched in the combination.

  The electric gate slowly slid open. Caitlyn didn’t stir as he drove down the narrow gravel drive to his grandfather’s ranch. Dark shapes of cattle were barely visible past the fence lining both sides of the drive. There was something in his path ahead. His breath caught. A huge tree lay across the narrow road. He hit the brakes and slid in the muck.

  Caitlyn screamed.

  Chapter 4

  The Jeep slid into a ditch. Caitlyn jostled back and forth until they slammed to a halt, with the bumper lodged in an embankment.

  “You okay?” Mitch turned toward her in the dim glow of the dash light.

  “Fine.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Just scared me.”

  “Rough way to wake up. Sorry about that. There’s a tree blocking the road and I didn’t have it in four-wheel drive.”

  “Where are we?”

  “My grandfather’s ranch, but we’ll have to walk from here. It’s not far. I’ll carry you.”

  “I can walk.”

  “I’m sure you can. But Doc said to take it easy on your leg and keep it dry. Conditions aren’t good for either precaution. Sit tight. I’ll come around and get you.”

  Caitlyn opened her door and stepped out. Her foot sank in muck up to the ankle. She didn’t care. Mitch would not carry her.

  “Hey, wait up.”

  Within seconds, she was soaked through. Her bad leg had sunk deeper in the mire.

  His hands settled on her shoulders.

  “Please don’t carry me.” Her voice sounded small and vulnerable to her ears.

  “At least lean on me.” Mitch sighed. “Hop on your good leg.”

  His arm came around her shoulder, hers around his waist. Still too close. She hopped, expending much more energy than she had.

  “You’re splashing mud all over the place.” He scooped her up before she could protest.

  “No.” She pushed against his chest with both hands.

  “Don’t fight me. It’s not far.” Mitch stepped over the fallen tree as if she weighed nothing.

  Unshed tears singed. She was in Mitch’s arms again. The way he would have carried her over the threshold if they’d gotten married. She pressed her face against his shoulder and let the tears roll.

  “Shh, it’s gonna be okay. I promise.”

  No, it would never be okay again. In two short days, Mitch had reawakened all the feelings she’d ever had for him—reopened the wound she’d worked so hard at healing. A wound that ran a lot deeper than the one on her leg.

  * * *

  Mitch could handle a lot of things. Dead bodies, crime scenes, bullets flying, but Caitlyn’s tears weren’t on the list. He cradled her against him. Heat surged through his chest. He’d rip Stuart Stevens apart with his bare hands.

  “It’s okay. We’re here now.” He climbed the porch steps.

  “Put me down.” She swiped at her eyes and pushed against him.

  “No.” He knocked on the door.

  “I look like a drowned rat. At least let me walk in on my own two feet.”

  In the glow of the porch light, her hair hung in wet rivulets, her makeup mostly gone, her eyes red and swollen. Beautiful. His gaze settled on her lips. What he wouldn’t give to kiss her.

  She struggled against him.

  “Stop wiggling.” He tightened his grip. “I’m not putting you down until we’re inside and dry. That leg’s had enough trauma already.”

  “You’ll feel the trauma if you don’t put me down.”

  The door swung open. His mother scanned them both and her eyes lit up.

  “Mitch. Caitlyn.” Mom clasped her hands together. “She’s your surprise guest. You finally married her!”

  “Mom.” His voice cracked. A wave of heat swept up his face. “No.”

  His mother’s face fell. “Well, you’re carrying her over the threshold.”

  “Caitlyn’s hurt.”

  “What happened?” Mom stepped aside.

  “I’ll explain later.” He strode into the foyer. Rain puddled at his feet on the hardwood flooring.

  “If you don’t put me down, I’m gonna hurt you,” Caitlyn said with a note of warning in her tone.

  Gently, he set her down, keeping his arm around her for support.

  “Oh.” His mother frowned. “I guess from the sounds of things, y’all aren’t back together?”

  “No, Mom. But don’t tell anyone Caitlyn is here.”

  “I’m sorry, Audra.” Caitlyn pushed wet strands of hair away from her face. “I should be more grateful for Mitch
’s help. It’s nice to see you again. I’d hug you, but I can barely stand and I’m all wet.”

  “Of course, dear, let’s get you settled and dry. I put new sheets on in the guest room.”

  Caitlyn hobbled beside him, clinging to his waist. At least she needed him.

  As they neared the staircase, she stopped. “Upstairs?”

  “Sorry, the only bedroom down here is Grandpa’s.” His mother wrung her hands. “I didn’t know you were hurt. We can move Grandpa upstairs.”

  “No, really. It’s fine.” Caitlyn limped toward the stairs. “It’ll be good exercise for me.”

  “The only other option is my cabin.” Mitch bore her slight weight with each step she took. “We could stay there.”

  “No.” Her refusal came quick.

  “Then let me carry you.”

  With a sigh, her shoulders sagged. “Tonight. But after that, hands off.”

  “Deal.” He scooped her up to find her stiff this time, not soft and clingy as she’d been outside. And as soon as he hit the top step, she pushed against him.

  “Need me to help?” His mother called up the stairs.

  “I can manage,” Caitlyn called back. “Go on to bed. Sorry to keep you up so late.”

  Unwillingly, he set her down. “It’s right here. First door to the right.”

  They made halting steps with Caitlyn leaning on him again in slow progress to the guest room. “So your mom has no clue what’s going on?”

  “No. I thought it would be better to fill them all in once we got here rather than take the chance that Stuart Stevens knows how to hack into cell phones.”

  She shuddered. “You think he might?”

  “There’s nothing in his file to suggest it, but it never hurts to be too careful.” With each step, she leaned more heavily against him. “I got you a new cell and one for each of your family members, all under accounts with fake names. That way, you can call them without having to worry. And keep tabs on your store through Natalie. I know that’s important to you.”

  Caitlyn looked up at him. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” They finally made it to the guest room and he helped her settle in a chair.

  “Need Mom to help you change?”

  “I think I could manage if I had something to change into.”