Duty To Protect

He laughed at that. “Oh, I still think you’re in trouble. This’ll just give me a few days to figure it all out.”

THREE

After hours of heavy snow and high winds buffeting the side of his rig, the wind finally slowed and Jake heard the approaching roar of a snowplow swinging up through the rest stop.

Wrapped in blankets and asleep for the past two hours, Emma didn’t even stir when the mammoth vehicle thundered by, its blade scraping and clattering and kicking up sparks against the asphalt. He studied the violet circles of exhaustion under her eyes and the lines of tension between her delicate eyebrows, and felt a pang of sympathy. She spelled trouble, no two ways around it.

But even without makeup and her short hair in disarray, she was still a pretty little thing, with those big hazel eyes and the dark crescents of her lashes resting on her delicate cheeks. She was far too fragile to be out here in the middle of nowhere, alone and defenseless. What if she’d stumbled into the wrong stranger’s vehicle and had ended up a bloodied statistic in some roadside ditch?

He had no business getting involved.

Not after the last phone call he’d received from Uncle Oliver, about more trouble brewing of his own.

But there was no way he could let her fend for herself, either, and Megan had promised to let him know if Emma turned up on any new warrants coming through. He’d keep a tight hold on his wallet and a watchful eye on Emma, and in just a couple of days he’d drop her off in Deer Lodge. End of story.

He’d turned on the truck every once in a while to ward off the bitter cold outside. Now, he took Maisie for a quick trip outside, and then he ushered her into the backseat, slid behind the wheel and headed back onto the freeway.

Patches of ice gleamed bare and dangerous between stretches of snow-packed asphalt. Intermittent gusts of snow obliterated the road ahead, threatening to fill in the swath of the snowplow, but at least he was on his way.

He glanced at the clock on the dash and sighed heavily. “Ma’am? You’d better put on your seat belt.”

The blankets stirred. He angled a look in Emma’s direction and saw her blink, then sit up in startled confusion. There was no mistaking that flash of fear in her eyes or the way she visibly reined in her emotions before she settled back against the seat and fastened her seat belt.

“Nice nap?” he drawled.

“Wh-where are we?”

“Heading for Denver, but it’s going to be a long haul in this weather.”

She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “How long will it take?”

“The sales arena is west of Denver, and my GPS says it’s four hours away. But that’s on a good day. Tonight? It could easily be double that. Maybe more.”

Her brow furrowed. “Will you get there in time for…for whatever?”

“The sale starts at nine in the morning. Cataloged horses have to be checked onto the grounds by 7:00 a.m. sharp.”

“If you’re late?”

“The sale barn rules say they’ll put us at the end of the sales lineup for the day. Which is just about the time most of the buyers have loaded up and started home.”

Her forehead furrowed. “That would be bad.”

He shrugged. “My guess is that there’ll be a lot of trailers pulling in late, and they’ll do the best to keep everyone happy. But if not, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

She eyed him thoughtfully. “You sound pretty philosophical. Some guys would be awfully upset.”

“No point.”

Her short laugh sounded bitter. “There doesn’t have to be one.”

He’d doubted her earlier story about an avenging ex-boyfriend and his cop buddy. Now, he wasn’t so sure. “When I started for Denver this morning I left in plenty of time, and there wasn’t anything in the forecast about snow.”

“Tell me about it,” she muttered, surreptitiously glancing at the side mirror outside her window.

“The owner of the horses ought to know that as well as I do. No sense ending up in a ditch trying to hurry.” The snow swirled up into a white wall ahead and he eased up on the accelerator until the visibility improved. “If you’re feeling edgy, you can probably relax. Even if someone passes us, they won’t be able to see you. Not at night.”

“I’ll just feel a lot better when there are a few hundred miles more between me and Ogallala.” She shifted uneasily. “Maybe that guy wrote down your license plate number. People can track down way too much information these days.”

“Oh?”

“Go online with a credit card, and you can find out everything about someone.” She twisted in her seat to look at him. “You seem like a nice guy. I never should’ve gotten you mixed up in my problems.”

He lifted a shoulder. “I’m not too concerned.”

“But—”

“If you turn out to be a felon, I’ll deal with it.”

“I’m not.”

For the first time in three years, he felt an old, familiar surge of adrenaline, and realized he’d missed the excitement and danger of his old career. “Then if some bad guys are after you, I guess I can handle that, too. No worries.”

“For you, maybe,” she retorted drily. “But thanks.”

Despite a few hours of sleep at the freeway rest area, Emma still felt bone tired. But with the truck bucking and swaying through growing snowdrifts and the terrifying shimmy when she felt the wheels lose traction across an icy patch, her attention stayed riveted on the road ahead.

By the time they reached the grounds of the horse show arena at nearly five in the morning, the snow had stopped and the highways were clear. Jake pulled to a stop in front of the main entrance of vast building with Horses painted above the doors. A single outdoor security light blazed above the sign, though the rest of the parking area was pitch-dark.

He slumped against the seat and angled a look at her. “I’ve got stalls here, reserved under the horses’ lot numbers. Once I find the stalls I need to get them bedded down and the horses settled, then I’ll park the trailer and drop you off at a motel.”

The last hours of battling bad roads and poor visibility had consumed her thoughts, but now she felt a renewed frisson of unease slip through her. “There’s one close by?”

“A few miles.”

“What about you?”

He wearily rolled his head against the neck rest to look at her. “I need to be here in a couple hours anyway. I’ll just doze in the truck and set my cell phone alarm.”

“I might as well stay here, too.” She shifted uncomfortably. “It’s not worth getting a room for such a short time.”

“Go ahead—there’s nothing for you to do here, and maybe you can sleep till noon or so. I’ll pay for two nights so you won’t have to check out.” A corner of his mouth kicked up into a tired grin. “If the motel I’m thinking about has a room available, you’ll find a dollar store a few doors down.”

His thoughtfulness surprised her. Most of those stores carried basic clothing and toiletries, and just the thought of a long, hot shower and clean clothes was pure bliss. “Let me help you here. Can I carry anything?”

“I’ll bring in the horses and feed. But if you want to grab a couple of water buckets out of the trailer, I’d appreciate it. I’m sure there must be spigots inside the building.”

Pulling her hat down over her ears, she zipped up her jacket and stepped out into the cold. After finding the buckets in the dressing room of the trailer, she followed Jake, Maisie and the two horses into the building.

It was wonderfully warm inside, pungent with the rich scents of hay and horse and leather. Dim lights glowed from up in the rafters. Horses already in the stalls stirred, rustling their bedding and nickering as Jake led the mares down a long aisle, the metallic four-beat clip-clop of their shoes echoing in the cavernous space.

“This place is huge,” she whispered as she watched him snug up each mare’s blanket surcingles and put her in the appropriate stall.

“There are indoor and outdoor arenas on the grounds, one of the biggest sales barns in the country, and five hundred stalls here in the horse barn, I think.”

The sharp angles and planes of his jaw, darkened by five o’clock shadow, gave him the air of a rugged, handsome hero on the Western reruns she often watched late at night, and there’d always been something about a confident, skilled and easygoing man that had appealed to her…maybe because nothing in her life had ever been stable.

Watching Jake stirred feelings that had no place in her life right now, and she struggled for a moment, trying to recall the conversation. “So this is a horse palace.”

The corners of his eyes crinkled. “Not quite. You oughta see some of the horse operations in Texas and Oklahoma.”

“And where you come from?”

He laughed at that. “Where I come from, things are just a tad more rustic.”

“But beautiful, I’m sure.”

He gave her an odd look. “You’re sure you want to go someplace where you don’t know a soul?”

“I may know…someone. But it’s been many years, now. I’m not even sure I can find her.” Or if I dare. Bringing trouble to her sister’s door after all this time was the last thing she wanted to do. “So, where do I find water for these buckets?”

He nodded toward the end of the aisle. “Go down there, take a left. I think there are faucets just around the corner. I’ll go back outside and get the grain, hay and ground feeders.”

Maisie followed at Jake’s heels as he strode back toward the entrance. Emma walked down the aisle, listening to the sounds of his fading footsteps as she passed another dozen horses in stalls, six on each side of the aisle. Most were dozing, heads low and a hind hoof cocked, or laying down. A couple of them moved up against the vertical bars at the front of their stalls and eyed her expectantly, as if hoping for early breakfast.

Beyond those horses was a long stretch of empty stalls, the stall doors open, the interiors shadowed and dark as the mouth of a cave. She felt a prickle of unease crawl across the back of her neck as she passed each one.

The barn had seemed warm and welcoming when she’d first arrived, alive with the peaceful presence of the horses. Back here, anything—or anyone—could be lying in wait for her.

But of course, that was ridiculous.

No one from Chicago could’ve predicted that she would be here. The man she’d seen back in Ogallala would’ve had to battle the same tough winter conditions if he’d tried to follow, and with such poor visibility he would’ve had to second-guess every exit, wondering if Jake might’ve turned off and headed for parts unknown.

Until she and Jake reached the Denver metro area, she’d never even noticed any headlights in the rearview mirror, other than those of a few semis that had crawled slowly past. And she certainly hadn’t heard anyone enter the building since they’d arrived here.

Taking a deep breath, she reached the end of the aisle and turned the corner. Sure enough, there was the water spigot a few yards ahead for filling buckets. “Just a few minutes more, and I’ll be in some nice comfy motel,” she muttered under her breath. “Door locked, nice and safe.”

Warm, stale breath fanned across the back of her neck. Or did it?

A hand clamped down on her shoulder, the fingers digging painfully into the hollow above her collarbone. The cloying order of cheap aftershave filled her nostrils.

“Stop right there.”

She froze as panic raced through her.

“I wouldn’t make a sound, if I were you. Now drop those buckets, nice and easy, and start walking. We’re going to make a phone call and take care of you, believe me.”

Her heart lurched. All of the lights were off in this section of the barn. The shadowy aisle ahead faded into complete darkness. It was the last direction she dared go—yet her attacker behind her stood between her and possible safety with Jake.

Jake.

What if he was…what if he was already dead?

She forced herself to take a step. Then another, her thoughts racing, her knees weak with fear. Two things were clear. Cooperation would leave her dead. With an escape attempt, it was just a strong possibility.

“Please—just let me go.”

The grip on her shoulder tightened as the man behind her forced her to walk faster. “Shut up.”

His voice grated across her skin. She edged a hand into her jacket pocket, praying that her car keys were still there. Fought back the shivers racing through her as she judged her surroundings. “You’ve got the wrong person. Honest. I—”

“You’ve caused enough trouble already,” the man snarled, giving her shoulder a sharp jerk.

She surreptitiously unzipped her jacket a millimeter at a time, offered a fast, silent prayer, then she slashed at his fingers with the jagged edge of her car key and let her knees buckle.

“Hey!” He clawed at her loosened jacket, his grasp broken. She spun around. Rammed her elbow into his side. He swore, flailing his arms as he stumbled sideways and fell, but he was at her heels in a split second, grabbing for her collar.

She struggled. Slipped free of the jacket. Then she raced back toward the way they’d come, screaming Jake’s name, skidding on the smooth cement as she rounded the corner, her heart thundering and her lungs raw.

Somewhere ahead, she heard Maisie break into furious barking, the sounds coming closer. The dog burst into view around the corner and Emma dared a glance back.

In the next heartbeat she slammed into a solid wall of muscle. Powerful arms surrounded her. Maisie anxiously danced at her feet, whining and jumping up against her.

Emma screamed, fought to escape.

“Emma.” Her captor loosened his grasp. “Emma, it’s me. Listen to me.”

It was Jake. Relief flooded through her, followed by another wave of fear. She threw another wild glance over her shoulder and saw only an empty aisle behind her. “Th-there’s a man. He’s back there. He—he grabbed me.”

Jake held her at arm’s length and studied her face for a second, then looked over her shoulder. “Quiet.”

They both stood still, listening. All she could hear was the uneasy rustlings of the horses she’d just passed.

“He was back there,” she said urgently. “He was. He tried to make me go with him.”

“I believe you.” Jake frowned. “Where’s your jacket? You must be cold.”

“He was grabbing for me. It—it fell off back there.”

Jake reached for a cell phone clipped to his belt. “I’ll call the cops.”

That wasn’t a good idea, and now another kind of fear sped through her.

Too many questions, a deputy’s request to see her ID, and in an instant, her chance to slip into anonymity somewhere in Montana would go up in smoke. Being in police custody back in Chicago wouldn’t guarantee her safety. If the powerful Rodriguez family learned she was there, money could exchange hands and she’d be a defenseless, easy target.

Alarmed, she shook her head. “No—really. Let’s just leave. The sound of patrol cars coming would make that guy disappear into the night anyway. I’m not injured. There’s no proof of anything.”

“I’m taking you out to the truck. Stay in there with Maisie and lock the doors while I take a look around. Do you have a cell phone?”

This option was even worse.

“Don’t go back there. It’s not worth the risk. Please—let’s just go.”

“Don’t worry about it. Now, do you have a cell phone?” His voice was gentle, but laced with steel, and she knew there’d be no point in arguing.

She nodded once, hoping the prepaid, anonymous cell phone she’d bought at a drugstore still held a charge.

“Come on.” He took her hand and headed for the front door. At an electrical panel just inside the entrance, he studied the switches, then flooded the entire interior of the building in blazing lights. Horses whinnied. One of them kicked the side of its stall.

If her attacker had decided to flee the bright light in the building at this moment, any sound had been lost in the racket.

Jake settled her in the truck, with Maisie in the backseat, then he reached across her lap to put a key in the ignition and start the engine. “Stay warm. If you see anything, call 9-1-1, then start honking and keep at it. Nonstop. Don’t hesitate, understand?”

“Please, you’re not armed—what if something happens?”

A wry smile briefly touched his lips as he retrieved a gun from the glove box. “Then your friend will soon have second thoughts.”

She blinked. “But he could be hiding in the building, and he could get you before you even knew where he was. At least take your dog with you.”

“I want her here.” Jake rested a hand on her arm. “Now look at me.”

His voice was low, warm, compelling. She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his.

“I was a deputy for ten years. I’m not a careless man. But I’ve found it’s sometimes better to seek out a rattler instead of leaving it be. Understand?”

She nodded, too numb to answer.

“But don’t go calling 9-1-1 just because I’m not back right away. If I don’t show up in thirty minutes, drive to the nearest well-lit gas station and make your call then. Not before.”

He hit the lock button on the inside of her door and slammed it shut. And then he disappeared into the night.

FOUR

She’d wrapped herself in the blanket as soon as she got into Jake’s pickup, but she couldn’t stop shivering as the minutes ticked by.

Five.

Ten.

Fifteen.

Each interminable minute seemed like an hour, with her guilt and fear over Jake’s safety holding her heart in an icy grip. God, please watch over him. He seems like a nice guy. He doesn’t deserve to get hurt. Not over this. Not because of me.

She gripped her cell phone and peered out into the darkness. She already knew that her attacker was far stronger than she was. For all she knew, he was armed and dangerous, and if cornered might not hesitate to shoot. Getting out of the truck and going after Jake herself fell into the too-stupid-to-live category.

But even if Jake had made it clear that she shouldn’t call 9-1-1 for at least thirty minutes, who knew it would seem like this long? He could be lying on the cold cement floor in that barn, bludgeoned from behind or shot. No matter what happened to her if the police became involved in this, she couldn’t let another moment pass.

She started pressing the buttons. 9…1…

“Emma! It’s me.”

Startled, she look up and quickly scanned the darkness.

“Over here.” Jake stepped out of the gloom at the corner of the building. “And I’ve got someone with me.”

Wary now, she twisted in the seat and tried to make out the features of the person limping beside him. The two of them made their way slowly to the side of the truck.

She hesitated, her finger poised over the window button on the inner door.

“I found your ‘attacker,’” Jake said quietly. “But Tom is a little worse for wear. And if you don’t want the police involved, I think you’d better talk to him.”

She blinked. Then lowered the window halfway.

The man next to Jake was a good five inches shorter and fifty pounds heavier, wearing a well-worn denim jacket and a heavy growth of salt-and-pepper beard. He glared at her as he rubbed his left shoulder with a bloodied hand.

“This—this is the man who grabbed me?” She resisted the urge to close the window and retreat to the far corner of the front seat.

“You were trespassing,” Tom snarled.

Jake rested a hand on his uninjured shoulder. “Apparently they’ve had considerable problems with theft from the barns here. So now they keep at least one barn hand on duty twenty-four hours a day.”

“He threatened me!”

“I wasn’t gonna let some thief get away, missy. I could lose my job.”

“I wasn’t stealing anything.”

“So you say. I needed to hang on to you and call for help. Only you slashed my fingers and made me fall, and if this ripped up my rotator cuff again, I’m going to call the police and press charges against you for assault.”

“Y-you work here?”

“That’s what your friend just said.”

Embarrassment started crawling through her. “Oh.”

“And you were sneaking around in the dark.”

“I was just getting some water. That’s all.” She bit her lower lip, wondering if she really believed him. But Jake apparently did, so she finally nodded. “I’m sorry that you got hurt.”

“Humph.” He scowled at her.

“No, really. I am. Is there anything I can do?”

“No. You’ll be gone soon enough.” Muttering under his breath, the older man hobbled back to the barn.

When he disappeared inside, she sank against her seat and watched Jake climb behind the steering wheel of the truck. “Well, that was embarrassing. Now you’re going to think I’ve been crying wolf all this time.”

“Could’ve been worse. He took a pretty hard fall, apparently.” He handed over her jacket. “I found this on the floor by the water spigot.”

“I was already jumpy, but then he came out of nowhere and clamped a hand on my shoulder. He scared me half to death.” She tried for a rueful smile. “He was like my worst nightmare. But now you probably don’t believe a word I’ve said.”

“About being threatened?” He glanced over at her as he buckled his seat belt. “Remember, I did meet your old boyfriend back in Ogallala.”

“About that….” She fell silent and looked away, uncomfortable with the lie she’d told. Unsure of what she could dare share with Jake now.

He turned on the ignition, then shifted the truck into drive and headed toward the field marked Trailer Parking that they’d passed when they’d first pulled into the grounds. “I don’t think you need to worry. Even if he did see my license plate back in Ogallala or at that truck stop and traced it, he’d have no idea that I was heading to this sale. And I don’t think we were followed.”

“I hope not.”

“We were both checking the rearview mirrors, and I sure didn’t see anything suspicious. Of course, once we hit the freeways in Denver, it’s anyone’s guess. One set of headlights in the dark looks pretty much like the others from a distance, and I wouldn’t even know what kind of vehicle to be watching for.”

“Me neither,” Emma said, trying to not sound as edgy as she felt. “But think about it. A guy who just happened to be in the barn at the moment we arrived? Ready to pounce on a lone woman who suddenly showed up in the middle of the night? Maybe that guy wasn’t really a barn worker at all. Maybe he just came up with that cover when you confronted him.”

“He looked nothing like the man back in Ogallala. And he also has a Colorado driver’s license.”

“You checked?”

Jake shrugged, a corner of his mouth lifting briefly. “A flashback to my cop days, I guess.”

But there could easily be others who had been sent after her—not just the man in Ogallala. And how could she explain that? It would hardly fit with the story about her troublesome ex-boyfriend.

Jake drove into a parking spot. She twisted in her seat and watched him unhitch the trailer, breathing a sigh of relief when he finally got behind the wheel again and turned toward the highway. “Maybe you should get a room at the motel, too. I don’t think it’s safe out here.”

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