by Tara Sue Me
Did he look guilty?
“I need you to understand where I’m coming from,” he started. “You recently, and by that I mean within the last year, have left an abusive relationship. The man you were in that relationship with was released from jail, after telling you before he went in that he wasn’t letting you go. Since he’s been out, we know he got you laid off of your job, but that’s all we know. We’re not sure where he’s at presently or where he’s been staying. The police don’t know. Kelly doesn’t know. He could be anywhere. The only thing we’re almost certain about is that he hasn’t left the country.”
She gasped. “He’s skipped parole?”
No way. Panic grabbed her lungs, and she closed her eyes and forced the air in and out of her lungs. She was safe, she reminded herself. With both Orson and Kelly nearby and watching over her, she was safe. Two more deep breaths and she somehow kept the panic at bay.
“Yes, he has,” Orson said. “Maybe we should have told you, but Kelly and I talked and decided it would be better for your mental health if you didn’t know.”
“Wait a minute.” She held up her hand. “You and Kelly have known Randy skipped parole, and you didn’t tell me?” It was difficult enough to see Orson doing something like that, but she’d have thought it impossible for Kelly to have kept such information from her.
“I can see now that might have been a mistake on our part.”
“Might have been a mistake on your part?” Anger boiled within her. “Ya, think? Since when do the two of you have the right to decide what’s best for my mental health? I don’t remember giving either of you that authority.” Not only had neither of them told her, but they’d conspired together to do so.
“At the time, we thought it was the best thing to do. We didn’t see the need to upset you when we could keep you safe.” He paused for a second, but she was too pissed to speak, so he continued. “When the snake incident occurred, we saw we needed to be more vigilant. That’s why I’ve insisted on you staying inside unless someone is with you. We don’t know where he is. On the off chance he knows you’re here, and is hanging around somewhere, it’s best to have you angry inside and safe as opposed to happy outside and in potential danger.”
“Even if that is the case, why the hell wouldn’t you just tell me?” she asked. “I don’t get the secrecy. Seriously. How long did you think you could keep this from me? Did the two of you really think I wouldn't find out?”
“To be honest, we thought he’d be back in custody before now.”
Before now?
“What the hell?” She took more deep breaths, trying her best to keep her anger in check. “How long has it been since he disappeared?”
“Nine days.”
“Nine days?” she repeated, unable to process in her mind how it was possible the two people she trusted most in the world kept something of this magnitude from her. Unwanted tears prickled her eyes, pissing her off even more. God, she hated it when she angry cried, because anyone watching when it happened thought the tears were from sadness.
“Kiara…” he said, reaching for her.
“Don’t.” She jumped off the bed. “Don’t fucking touch me.”
He jerked his hand back as if burned. “Kiara,” he tried again, keeping his hands to himself this time.
But she’d had enough. She shook her head. “Not right now. I can’t talk you right now. I need to be alone.”
He sighed. “I still can’t let you go outside by yourself.”
“Contrary to popular opinion, I’m not an idiot. I wasn’t planning to go outside. I’m going to my room.” The one she’d claimed the first day she moved in, but hadn’t slept in since she’d started the fling with Orson.
“I don’t think — ”
She cut him off. “I don’t want to hear it right now and I don’t want to see or speak to you either. The best thing you can do is not to stop me from going to my room.”
Without giving him a chance to argue, she took off for the door of his room, nearly running to her own down the hall.
Chapter 22
Orson
Orson didn’t make too many mistakes, but he had to admit when he fucked up, he fucked up big. The decision not to tell Kiara about Randy, though, might be his biggest fuck up to date. When Kelly approached him with the news about Randy missing his latest meeting with his parole officer, it’d made perfect sense not to tell Kiara. Now he couldn’t remember why that had seemed like such a good idea.
The look in her eyes when she realized what he and Kelly had been keeping from her… Fuck, but that look had slayed him. The combination of hurt and betrayal. He tried to remember a time a look had struck him so hard and he couldn’t. That expression of hers would stick with him for a long time, possibly forever.
He only hoped it possible one day he’d earn both her forgiveness and her trust. He didn’t care how long it took or what he had to do. Anything. He’d give anything to never see that look on her face again. For her to smile at him once more, as if he held everything she ever needed in his hands.
Orson didn’t have a lot of experience with women, especially in the relationship category. He’d had disagreements and arguments with women he’d gone out with, but Kiara was different. What he felt toward her was unlike anything he’d ever felt with anyone else. No one else even came close. Never before had anyone gutted him with a mere look.
He didn’t even know how she felt about him because they’d never talked about anything after his cast came off. Why was that? Why had he not been able to bring up the fact that he was falling for her in a big way? That he wanted much more with her than what they currently had? And for much longer than the handful of weeks they had left?
Every way he turned, the only things he saw were different ways he’d messed up with Kiara. Worse, he had no idea how to make it right.
He could ask Evan for advice. Of all the men who worked on the ranch and were married or in a serious relationship, Evan was the one he was closest with. Plus, it helped that he was Orson’s business partner. If Evan had been an employee, that had the potential to make for an awkward conversation. Unfortunately, Evan wasn’t a viable option. Not to mention the whole “I’m going to kick your ass” speech Orson was certain he intended to make good on.
Nope. Evan was not the right person to call for advice.
With a sigh, he ran his hand through his hair. Maybe he should just bite the bullet, tell Kiara he was a sorry pile of shit, promise never to do anything similar again, and beg for her mercy and forgiveness. Yes, that sounded like a good plan.
But would it be enough? What if she thought he was only sprouting words in an effort to get back in her good graces? Heaven only knew many times men had given her empty words. He’d told her he wasn’t like other men. Now he needed to prove it.
Her bedroom door was closed, and he lifted his hand to knock, but then thought better. Now wasn’t the right time. She needed space, and more importantly, for him not to invade that space. It hurt inside to know she needed space away from him. While he was a proponent of open communication and talking things out, he realized he’d dropped quite a bombshell on her. She had to process that before they could discuss it further.
His mind knew all those things and agreed wholeheartedly with them, but his heart wanted to sit beside her, and hold her hand until she believed him. Forgave him. Whatever it took, he’d make sure they discussed it. Not only that, but he wasn't one to give up and he wouldn’t stop until she’d heard everything he needed to say.
If she wouldn’t forgive him, so be it, but he’d make sure she listened.
The ringing of his phone caught him off guard. He walked away from her door, looking at the display.
Evan?
He couldn’t imagine what his business partner needed at the moment. “Hello?”
“Hey, man,” he said. “I hate to bother you but we have a situation and I need your help.”
Part of him thought Evan had called to tell him he was on h
is way over to make good on his ass kicking promise. Hell, Orson wouldn’t even have argued. He deserved anything Evan gave him and then some. Not that he’d volunteer that information. “What’s happening?”
“The fence between the ranch and Jedidiah’s property has been compromised. Kelly’s looking into it, but no one can get in touch with Jedidiah. I’m working with his cattle, and I sure could use a hand.”
“That’s good, because I only have the one hand to offer.” Damn his broken arm, and what the hell was up with Jedidiah? The fence had always been vulnerable along that section. He and Evan had discussed replacing it. Looked like there wasn’t a choice now.
Evan groaned at his horrible pun. “I didn’t mean it like that.”
Orson gave a chuckle he didn’t feel. “I know. Just picking on you. Tell me exactly where you are.”
After getting the location information, Orson told Evan he’d head out at once, and disconnected. With a resigned sigh, he went back to Kiara’s door. No noise came from the other side, but he knew she was inside. If she was asleep, he didn’t want to wake her, but if she was awake and heard him leave… Well, she might not like it if she thought he was ignoring her. He’d always told her before when he left the house. No need to change protocol now.
He rapped his knuckles against the wood. Still nothing from inside. “Evan called. I have to go help the crew with a fence issue. It shouldn’t take too long.”
She didn’t respond. Not that he expected anything else. If she was awake, at least now she knew he wasn’t ignoring her or being rude.
Chapter 23
Kiara
Kira listened for the sound of Orson’s truck driving away. She probably should’ve spoken to him before he left. If nothing else, to let him know she heard him say he had to help outside. Should have, but didn’t. All because she was still angry. Deep inside, she knew that if she was mad at Orson, she had to be equally mad at Kelly. After all, they’d both decided together to keep the truth from her.
But more than being angry, she was scared, and that made her more angry. While being at the ranch, and especially since being with Orson, she’d gone so long without being scared. Or at least it’d felt like a long time, though truly it’d only been a few weeks. For the last few weeks, she hadn't feared or been scared of anything. To have fear back in her life now shook her. She didn’t know what to do with the fear.
She hadn’t realized until that moment the amount of time she'd gone without thinking of him showing up or doing something. The last few weeks had been surprisingly freeing in that regard. And how had she not recognized how much better she felt physically not having the stress of All Things Randy on her?
To have her safe place, for all intents and purposes, ripped away, left her feeling raw inside. If she was honest with herself, what should have surprised her wasn’t how long it’d been since she’d been scared of Randy, but how long she’d been living scared of him period.
If anyone deserved her anger, it was Randy. He was the real asshole, not Orson or her sister. What they did came from wanting the best for her, not from wanting to control her. They had meant no harm with their actions and thought they were protecting her. And isn’t that what they had done? If she’d known Randy had gone underground, would she have been able to enjoy the last week the way she had? Or would she have spent the time with her head looking over her shoulder?
Could she really be angry with them because they wanted her to experience what normal life was like? Maybe she should be, but she couldn't find it within herself to hold on to the anger any longer.
Suddenly, she couldn’t wait to see Orson again and to watch his expression when she told him what she had to say. Just thinking about it made her smile. He would be so shocked. Maybe she should wait for him naked?
But on second thought, that would be too easy, and she didn’t want to make it too easy. Maybe he should have to work for it a bit. Just because everything worked out fine this time, didn’t mean that would always be the case. He needed to learn this wouldn't be precedence. Besides, didn’t they say you valued something more, the harder you had to work for it? She wouldn't play hard to get, but she wouldn't throw herself at him either.
She walked outside to get the mail, her one allowed daily outside outing, and found a small pile waiting in the box. Her phone rang right as she turned to head back inside. She shifted everything around to grab her phone and smiled at the display.
Orson.
“Hello?” She answered like she didn’t know who it was.
“Kiara,” Orson said, and he sounded relieved, which made little sense unless he'd feared she wouldn’t answer if she knew it was him calling. “Where are you?”
“I’m at your house. Where did you think I’d be?”
“I didn’t know. I knew you were angry. There was a possibility you might have left. I wasn’t sure.”
“Our agreement was I’d stay with you until your cast came off. Not that I’d run away whenever you acted like a dick.” He didn’t think very much of her if he thought, even for one minute, she’d leave him in a bind like that.
“I know,” he whispered. “But I truly was a dick, and I wouldn’t have blamed you if had left." Kiara strained her ears to make sure she’d heard him correctly. Had he just apologized? He coughed. “We can discuss that later,” he said. “But for now, I have to tell you what we found.”
Her body turned to ice, and she stopped walking. Whatever it was he’d found wasn’t good. Based on his tone of voice, it was horrible. “Okay,” she said, but couldn't keep the tremor out of her reply.
“Humans, and not animals cut the compromised fence,” he said.
Okay, so someone cut the fence. That didn’t mean it had anything to do with Randy.
“You think it was him?” she asked.
“We also found a dead rabbit,” he said. “With its throat slashed. I remember he had the animal cruelty conviction.”
She wanted to argue with him and say that didn’t mean it was Randy. His animal cruelty charge stemmed from dog fights and drugs, not slaughtering animals, but that was a weak argument. Randy was the type of person who would use anything to intimidate her or to make her afraid.
“Where do you think he is now?” Her fingers clutched the phone as she looked from side to side, almost expecting to see him appear. Maybe it would be best for her to stay somewhere else for a few days. She hurried to get to the house. Just a few more steps.
“We don’t think he’s here now. The rabbit... the kill wasn’t fresh, and if he’d been around since then, we’d have picked him up on camera. I think he’s staying in Jedidiah’s caves. Evan's heading over there to talk with Jed. Kelly’s on the phone with the sheriff, and I’m helping walk the fence to make sure there aren’t any other surprises. I want you to stay inside and make sure all the doors and windows are locked. I’ll be there as soon as I finish here.”
They disconnected as Kiara stepped into the house and locked the door behind her. She still trembled. Mostly because of her own overactive imagination. The walk to the mailbox had taken no longer than four minutes. So why did her mind think it was possible for Randy to have sneaked into the house while she got the mail?
No matter how many times she told herself there was no way anything like that happened, she couldn’t stop thinking about it. Finally, she put the mail down and went to where to the security system hub resided and checked all the cameras for the last five minutes. Satisfied she was the only person in the house, she took a deep breath and went back to the foyer where she’d left the mail.
Most of Orson’s business mail went to the administrative building on the main campus of the ranch, but it wasn’t uncommon for a piece or two to find its way to the residence. Kiara went through the pile, putting to the side anything inadvertently sent to the house. Near the bottom of the pile was a blank envelope.
She frowned. That was odd. Without a stamp or address, it meant someone had placed it in the mailbox by hand.
R
andy.
It had to have been him. Her fingers shook, opening the envelope. Inside she found a single sheet of paper. There was no note or signature on the paper, only two Bible verses.
“ ‘I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritist to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.’ “ Leviticus 20:6
“ ‘A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.’ ” Leviticus 20:27
Kiara reread them, trying to figure out why Randy sent her Bible verses. Especially ones about witches. She wasn’t even sure he knew what a Bible was. Besides, he wasn’t a patient man. If he’d been close enough to put mail in Orson’s box, he wouldn’t bother with warning her with a note, he’d come straight for her. But if the note wasn’t from Randy, who was it from?
The only person she could think of was Lenora, but why now after all this time?
Because of the news story about the ranch and its pear harvest following Orson's accident? It was a possibility and made more sense than Randy.
If Lenora had cut the fence and killed the rabbit, she was likely nearby and watching, no matter how long ago she’d killed the rabbit. And if Orson was checking fence sections alone, she might surprise him and have the upper hand.
Kiara reached for her phone, not wanting to think about what might happen next in that scenario. She dialed Orson’s number and waited while it rang, mumbling under her breath, “Pick up. Pick up. Pick up.”
But he didn’t and his voicemail message clicked on. She looked out the window. He’d only told her to stay inside because he thought Randy could potentially be outside. Since that didn’t seem to be the case, it should be safe for her to venture outside.
God, she hated that mere thoughts of Randy had the power to turn into a quivering mess of indecisiveness. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, which did wonders to clear her head.