Chase: (Contemporary Western Romance) (New Horizon Ranch Mule Hollow Book 3)

by Debra Clopton

  That wasn’t helping Amber at the moment. After few minutes she hung up and finally met Chase’s gaze. He’d pulled the truck over on the side of the road next to a pasture full of cattle. He’d been silent after she hadn’t answered his first question. Now however, his eyes bore into her.

  “Talk to me.”

  Amber couldn’t sit still. She couldn’t explain the mixture of emotions that drove her from the interior of the truck. Pushing open the door she exited the truck. The tall grass on the shoulder of the road reached her calves as she stalked to the end of the truck and moved to the edge of the pavement. She kept on walking, too frustrated to think straight.

  “Amber, hold on.” Chase jogged to catch up. “Stop. Talk to me.”

  She spun around. “Talbert broke into the call office and tore up my desk area. He took the calendar that I’d written the ranch address on and the date. He knows I’m here.” She ran both hands through her hair, trying to process in her own mind that this man was really willing to ruin his life to get at her. “I guess I’ve been in denial. This man has lost it. And he really hates me.”

  Rage hardened Chase’s eyes as he took the information in. His voice was steady when he spoke, “We’ll go see Brady again. This is going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Amber took a deep breath. She wanted to say she could take care of herself but she held back because at the moment she was in such shock that the guy was really stalking her that she wasn’t convinced she could take care of anything. “I, I’m fine.”

  “You don’t look fine. You’re white as a sheet.”

  “I just need to process this.”

  Chase was standing close to her and suddenly he reached out and pulled her into his arms and just held her against him. She went, needing the feel of his strong arms and not even realizing how much until she was there. She trembled and her arms slowly lifted and went around his waist. She just held on.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He nodded against her hair. “You looked like you could use a hug.”

  “It doesn’t mean I’m going to fall apart. This is as apart as I’m going to go,” she said, her voice muffled against his shoulder. He smelled so good, so masculine. She let her defenses down and for just a moment let him take all of her burden while she just held on to him.

  They didn’t move for the longest time as if he understood she needed only his support.

  And then he kissed her temple. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you, Amber,” he said drawing her to look up at him.

  Their faces were so close and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her...

  Chase’s heart pounded as he looked down at Amber. His arms tightened and he lowered his head—just before his lips met hers he stopped himself. What was he doing? She needed encouragement and support right now.

  “Amber, you’re a strong woman. You’re going to get past this and Talbert’s going to be behind bars for a very long time.”

  “I hope so, not just for myself but for his girlfriend—ex-girlfriend.”

  “Right. Are you alright now?”

  She nodded. “Thanks for your support.” She let go of his waist and stepped out of his arms. “I’m a little shook up. I’ll admit it. I’ve never had a stalker before and I’m not a big fan but I’m done having my meltdown.”

  He grinned, loving the grit in her words. “There you go. Let me see that spunk.”

  “It’s not that I’m afraid—I mean, I know I can take care of myself. But I’m also aware that I’m not superwoman.”

  Chase gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “Let’s go see Brady and Zane. Both are extremely good at their jobs. This lowlife might come to Mule Hollow but I can assure you it won’t be exactly what he’s expecting. I want to make certain they know there might be trouble and it might be soon. Everything is going to be alright. I promise.”

  She nodded and his heart squeezed tight as he made himself head toward the truck...what he wanted to do was pull her back into his arms and explore the feelings that were tangled inside of him. But that would come later.

  Right now he had a promise to keep.

  Brady had been a cop in LA and Zane had been a Texas Ranger. Both had opted for a small town life with the women they loved. Mule Hollow had benefited from their choice by now having one of the finest law enforcement divisions around. Amber was impressed with the information that Chase had given her on the way back into town. She knew that informing her of their credentials was his way of quietly reassuring her, without just blurting it out, that she needn’t be afraid. She was in capable hands.

  That was the thing…she’d never thought she was in bad hands because, after all, Chase was watching over her and she’d learned through watching everything else that he did that Chase Hartley was capable in every sense of the word.

  “We have a picture of him,” Brady said a few minutes later after they’d entered his office and told him what they’d learned. “I just got off the phone with the detective working your case.”

  Zane, who had been introduced, had his arms crossed and one shoulder leaned against the wall as he listened. He was a very attractive man in a rugged way with chiseled features and a powerful build. “He’s coming, we know that. He wouldn’t have taken that calendar, we don’t believe, if he didn’t have plans to at least check you out. From a distance or for an altercation of some manner. Either way, we don’t plan to let him get close to you.”

  “Chase,” Brady said. “You’re planning to stay close to her, right?”

  “I plan on it. He’ll have to come through me to get near her…and that’s not going to happen.”

  The look of concern…of care in Chase's gaze had her pulse spiking, but the gravel in his voice tugged at her heart like nothing she’d ever experienced. He was standing up for her as were Brady and Zane but she could tell that for Chase this had turned personal…and that put Amber into territory she’d never been before.

  She had to force herself to focus and reaffirm her own strength, to stand up for herself and be counted. “I’m here, guys,” she said rising from the chair she was sitting in and moved across the room and faced them. She couldn’t let them take over. She had to be a part of her own protection. “I thank y’all for what you are doing, but I’m in on this too. I have a say in what happens to me.”

  They all looked at her with what…curious expressions maybe? She frowned. “I do know self-defense which means I’m not helpless and I refuse to be treated as if I am.” She was beginning to sound like a broken record but doggone it they weren’t listening. And at this point she needed to remind herself that she was not helpless. Though she kept thinking about Chase’s arms around her and she had to admit that it felt good to know he was determined to take care of her, she still had to remain true to herself.

  “And that’s a great thing,” Brady said. “But you also have to remember that this is our town. Our county. We’re responsible and Zane and I plan to keep you and everyone in our jurisdiction safe. That makes this and you our business. So you’ll just have to bear with us.”

  “Of course I will and I appreciate what y’all are doing for me. I can’t believe this guy would take the time to come after me like this.”

  “Some people can’t be figured out,” Chase said.

  “You’ve taken something this man valued,” Zane added. “He might have abused his girlfriend but you helped her leave, so the question is how upset has that made him? A lot if his tracking you is an indication and he’s extremely dangerous.”

  “I’m feeling kind of dangerous myself at the moment. I’ll make a stand and draw this man out before I have my life disrupted much more.”

  All eyes were on her. Her stomach churned and her palms itched, but it was true. “I will not let this bully keep me in hiding for much longer.”

  “I’m going to go stir crazy if I have to sit around too long,” Amber informed Chase as they drove back to the ranch.”

  She�
�d been quiet most of the ride and he’d been preoccupied with thoughts of securing the ranch, which was pretty secure with all of his partners and the ranch hands too. Once he alerted everyone to the threat he felt reasonably certain she would be safe, but he wasn’t taking anything for granted. He’d make sure everyone knew what Ned Talbert looked like and Brady was doing the same in town with a handful of people he knew would be on the lookout. That included Norma Sue, Adela and Esther Mae. But it also included Sam at the diner and App and Stanley. Those two sat in the front window of the diner from daybreak till sometimes after lunch playing checkers, poking jabs at each other and anyone who’d listen as they kept tabs on everything going on around them. If Ned stepped foot in Mule Hollow when those two were around he was toast. On that end Chase believed he could relax because those two and Sam also took being retired vets seriously. They’d be on a mission to keep Amber safe and he knew it. So did Brady and Zane.

  And he wasn’t ever going to think about what the women were going to do. Lacy and Sheri over at the salon would be alerted too. He told Amber this and she gasped.

  “They’ll help?”

  “Sure they will. They’ll have your back. That’s what Mule Hollow folks do. You’re not in this alone.”

  “I don’t want anyone getting hurt. Do you think it’s wise to show them his picture? We know what he’s capable of.”

  “They’ll be fine. They run in packs,” he grinned despite his worry for her. He could tell she was alarmed but she wasn’t letting it paralyze her. She was fighting back and he liked that but he also worried that it could get her into trouble. And on a personal note he knew he didn’t want that to happen.

  If he got any more distracted by her he might have a problem…but everything about her distracted him. The way she looked, the way she smelled—a soft low profile scent of sweet that was starting to drive him a little nuts. The way her jaw stiffened when she was feeling challenged—he liked it and it made him smile as he glanced over at her.

  He liked her concern for others over herself.

  She was staring out the window and her knee was moving as she tapped her foot on the floorboard. He had a feeling she wasn’t even aware she was doing it and he wondered if it was nerves or that she did it when she was deep in thought. Either way, it was a sign that things had shifted and she knew she was facing something serious.

  He wasn’t kidding himself, he knew he had his work cut out for him keeping her close. She truly believed she could take care of herself and maybe she could...he just didn’t plan on finding that out. He wanted Ned taken care of before he got anywhere near Amber.

  Chapter Sixteen

  The wind was out of the north as they drove toward the benefit that evening and Amber hoped it didn’t get too cold and mess the evening up.

  Lilly and Cort Wells were horse trainers who lived on the other side of Mule Hollow. Along with their horse business they held retreats for youth groups and worked with many organizations on introducing kids to ranch life who wouldn’t normally have access to country life, cattle or horses.

  Tonight they were hosting the Thanksgiving Reunion for No Place Like Home and making their ranch available to those whose life had been touched and helped by the refuge. Those who supported the home were also invited. Amber had been thrilled when Chase hadn’t tried to keep her from coming.

  “I’m sticking to you like glue,” he’d said. “But I can’t think of a safer place other than our ranch for you to be. Everyone will be there.”

  He’d been right. The place was packed as they drove through the gates and parked along the driveway. Amber could see the house and the stables a good distance up the lane and felt a sense of excitement as she exited the truck and met Chase on the driveway. This was going to be fun.

  She was startled when a small gray donkey came trotting down the middle of the driveway. The little donkey or burro had huge brown eyes that were lit with curiosity.

  “Oh my goodness,” Amber exclaimed spying the curious burro as it pranced toward them. When it was just a few feet away it halted, sat down on its hunches, rolled its huge protruding lips back, exposing big white teeth as it studied them with inquisitive eyes.

  “How adorable, she’s smiling at us.” Amber just wanted to run over and give the funny animal a hug.

  Chase grinned. “Amber, meet Samantha the most mischievous donkey you’ll ever meet. I’m assuming she is the welcoming committee tonight. She loves the activity that goes on around here.”

  As soon as he said it a group of young kids came running down the driveway, their cheeks red from running and playing.

  “Samantha,” they called, and giggles erupted as they reached Samantha.

  Amber laughed when the donkey tossed her head back and let out the most awful he-haw in the history of the world. “Oh my,” Amber chuckled. “She’s got a set of lungs on her.”

  “Hey, lady,” a young girl with red pigtails said, scrunching her face as she spoke. “You mind if we get Samantha to play with us. She likes to play hide and seek.”

  “I don’t mind but I think you need to ask Samantha that question. It looks like she does what she wants to do.”

  The girl got a very serious look on her face. “Yes, ma’am,” she said then turned to the other three kids behind her and held up her hands. “We need to ask Samantha,” she said in a very adult voice. All of them nodded and turned toward the donkey who was now relaxing on the opposite hip than she had been and somewhere during the conversation she’d plucked a piece of grass from the ground and was now chewing on it. Big brown eyes laced with long fringe eyelashes looked back at the kids. She flopped her tail, the fringe on the end of it slapping soundlessly on the drive.

  “Samantha,” the girl said. “Would you wanna play?”

  Amber glanced at Chase and he winked at her, sending her stomach fluttering. She pulled her gaze away from his and back to the kids.

  Samantha leaned forward and gently nudged the little girl’s shoulder making her giggle. At that moment the other kids started giggling too and clamoring close so the donkey would nudge them. Giggles erupted as each received a nudge and then like lightening Samantha sprang to her feet, let out a gosh-awful sound and pranced back toward the barns with the kids trailing her.

  Amber’s hand automatically went over her heart as she laughed. “That was great.”

  “Yeah, I forgot to mention the number one attraction is Samantha the donkey. That little gal lights up anybody’s day.”

  “I love it. Oh, Chase, I’m truly excited about tonight.” She started walking and Chase fell into step beside her.

  “It should be fun. They’ve got games and hayrides planned and a campfire. Then there is some supervised horseback riding in the round pen too. And I think more but that’s what I can think of. And of course Samantha.”

  She smiled. “It’s such a great idea. I’ve been trying to figure out all afternoon why I’m so thrilled to be here and I’ve finally understood. I don’t ever get to see this side of a family’s journey from abuse to happy. Those children’s happy faces did my heart good. So good.”

  She paused and let the thought sink in. Chase halted too.

  “That would be hard I would think. Helping all those families but never seeing the journey after your initial contact.”

  “I never really thought about it a lot until recently and it’s been on my mind some ever since learning about reunion. I totally get it being a Thanksgiving Reunion.” Her eyes teared up.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I am. I’m…just a little overwhelmed.”

  “You’re going through a lot right now. Most people would be falling apart, Amber, and you’re rock solid. Too rock solid. I worry. It’s okay to let your guard down you know.”

  He’d taken the conversation back to Ned. Back to her being stalked. “I don’t want to go there right now, okay. I want to go see these families. I want to see the end result of what I’ve worked so hard at for all these years. I want t
o see happiness and freedom from the abuse and hardship these families found after they made that call.”

  Chase draped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close for a quick hug. “I have a feeling you may be smiling more than the kids tonight.”

  His strength and support flowed through her. “Chase, thank you. I’m glad I came with you.”

  His eyes crinkled at the edges. “Believe me it’s my pleasure.”

  Amber forced herself to move away from him and start toward the house. If she wasn’t so excited about the reunion she could have stood there all evening. Maybe forever…

  The thought blindsided her.

  A northern had moved in making the evening really pleasant. Chase watched the kids running from huge jumping toys to stick horse races. He’d spent a lot of the evening moving around visiting with friends and trying to not hover around Amber. He stayed close but tried to give her some room. Brady was there and they talked some more as both of them remained alert, ready for anything.

  When Chase spotted Tobb playing with a group of boys he was pleased to see the kid having a good time. Almost automatically his gaze shifted back to Amber.

  It took a special kind of woman to dedicate her life to hearing these stories and helping them leave to find safety and happiness.

  He wanted to talk to her more, find out everything about her. He wanted to find out more about how she felt, how she endured and what drove her to get up every day and hear more sad stories. What from her past drove her, because he felt certain there was something.

  “She sure is a purdy little gal,” App boomed behind him and Chase very nearly jumped out of his skin.

  “Hey, App, you need to give a little warning before you sneak up on a man.”

  App’s wrinkled face lifted in a grin. “I wouldn’t get to see you jump if I did that. You were so caught up mooning over Amber thar you wouldn’t have seen me if I’d walked straight up to you.”