The Rancher's Return

“So you’re ashamed of us, then?” From the slight lilt in his voice, Reed realized Brock just might be enjoying this.

“You know better. It’s just too early. Next time, maybe.”

“Okay.” Brock laughed. “It’s incredibly promising that you know there will be a next time. I can’t wait to meet her.” Brock ended the call before Reed could respond.

Slowly, Reed replaced the receiver, startled to realize his palms were sweating. Eyeing Kaitlyn, he shook his head. “That was Brock McCauley,” he said.

Her smile lit up her entire face. Trying to ignore the way that smile affected him, he scratched his head. “He just invited us to dinner tomorrow night. And when I told him I was at the ranch, he wanted to drive on out.”

Her grimace told him what she thought of that. “That’s what you meant when you said you didn’t think that was a good idea.”

“Yep.”

She froze. “Are they coming here? Because even with this disguise, one or both of them is bound to recognize me. I’ve known them for years.”

“I agree. But no worries. I told him now wasn’t a good time. I think he’ll respect that.”

“You think?” Eyes huge, she appeared visibly shaken. “Just in case, maybe you should call him back and tell him you’re sick, or I’m sick. Both of us, with something contagious, like the flu.”

Slowly, he shook his head. “I don’t lie.”

Her eyes widened even more. “Ever?”

“Ever. Not if I can help it.”

He wondered if she knew how kissable she looked like that, with her face tilted up and her mouth pursed in mutiny. As his body reacted, he turned away. “Get some rest. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”

Reed didn’t think he’d sleep much, but the instant his head hit the pillow, he was out. Sunlight streaming through his window woke him. Stretching, he wondered why he felt uneasy, especially since he didn’t recall any of his dreams. And then he remembered.

Kaitlyn. Alex Ramirez, Tim’s death, and the way the past had managed to catch up with him. Ignoring his arousal, he pushed back the sheet, got to his feet and padded into his bathroom. From past experience he knew a shower, fresh clothes and a cup of steaming hot coffee would do wonders to help him think.

Chapter 4

For a man used to living alone, it was a shock to get out of the shower and step into your kitchen to find one of the most beautiful women in the world sitting at your table, reading a book and drinking coffee. The baggy T-shirt hinted at the luxuriant curves underneath and the short, shaggy hairdo only enhanced her perfect features and lush lips. It didn’t help that Reed was still half-asleep despite the hot shower, or that he’d woken aroused. Desire slammed into him like a sucker punch to the gut.

He stopped, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, and wished there was a way to grab his cup of coffee without having to speak.

He made it halfway to the coffeemaker when she looked up from her book and smiled. That smile stopped him dead in his tracks.

“Good morning,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I made coffee.”

Mouth dry, he struggled to speak. “Thanks. I thought you’d be sleeping in.”

“Nope. I never do. I’m a morning person,” she said. “In case you can’t tell.”

Clearing his throat, he settled on a brusque nod and went past her. Hopefully, the awkwardness would fade with time. With time? How long did he expect her to stay with him anyway?

“What’s on the agenda for today?” she asked, her voice far too cheerful for so early in the day. He had to wonder if her relentless happiness was a coping mechanism of sorts. After all, she’d just escaped her own prison. Maybe she was afraid if she let go and thought about it, she’d lose control and reveal exactly how much trauma she was dealing with.

Or perhaps he just overanalyzed everything.

He shrugged and took a long drink of his coffee, hoping the caffeine would send a jolt and help with his brain fog. “I’ve got to talk to my foreman and get an update. I also want to take a quick drive around the surrounding area and see if anything looks out of the ordinary. After I get back, I thought I might take a ride around the ranch.”

She nodded. “A ride as in horses? Or in your truck?”

“Horses.” And just like that, a memory came slamming into him. Tim and Kaitlyn and Brock had gone riding, out on Brock’s family land. Tim and Brock had gone on ahead, leaving Reed and Kaitlyn to bring up the rear.

She’d chattered happily and he’d listened, too enthralled by the way the sun lit up her beautiful blond hair, and the gentle sway of her body with the horse’s movements to pay much attention to anything she’d said.

The tug of attraction hadn’t been new. The emotion attached to it had shocked him. He’d realized in that instant that she could be the ruin of him, which would destroy him and his brother’s relationship. As soon as the thought hit him, he’d spurred his horse ahead to catch up with the other men, leaving Kaitlyn alone behind him.

After that, he’d taken great pains to avoid her. Until he hadn’t, and wound up in prison with his brother dead. Those internet pundits hadn’t been kidding. Karma really was a bitch.

“Horses?” Kaitlyn asked, her husky voice full of quiet wonder, bringing him back to the present. “Do you mind if I come along? Riding was one of the things I missed most when I was locked up.”

Her choice of words brought him another realization. In a way, they’d both done time. While her cell might have been more luxurious, the other things she’d endured made her imprisonment a whole lot worse.

“Sure,” he managed, hoping like hell no sympathy showed on his face. He was better off if he considered Kaitlyn a predator of sorts. As in, if he displayed the slightest weakness, she’d pounce.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, a marked difference to the squeal of excitement he’d half expected. Of course, that would have been the Kaitlyn of the past.

They’d both changed. Circumstances and life had forged new personalities.

“Are you okay?” She tilted her head, the thick fringe of her bangs shifting with the move. Mentally, he swore, thinking he should have given her a more masculine cut or something. Anything, to stop the embers that ignited inside him every time he looked at her.

He grimaced. Who was he kidding? With her bone structure, she’d probably look even more beautiful with her head shaved.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “Eventually, maybe you can take me into town and show me around the area. I don’t want to become a prisoner here, like I was with Alex.”

Though even hearing the other man’s name made him clench his teeth, he managed to keep his tone civil. “You haven’t been here long enough to consider yourself a prisoner,” he replied.

“And yes, that is the point of your disguise, but I’m not taking chances. The nearest town is about the same size as Anniversary, and people talk. Once I know the situation in town, I can make a better decision.”

She eyed him in silence, considering. “I have to admit you make sense. Hopefully, we’ll figure out a way to get Alex arrested so I can get out of your hair.” She pushed herself up from her chair and headed to the coffeepot for another cup. He couldn’t help but watch the enticing sway of her hips as she moved.

Furious with himself, Reed took that opportunity to beat a hasty exit back to his room.

Later, having showered and dressed, he decided to return to the kitchen for a second cup of coffee. As he opened his door, he inhaled the mouthwatering scent of bacon. In the kitchen, Kaitlyn still sat in the same chair, finishing up a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon.

“I made you some, too,” she said, pointing toward the counter, where she’d covered a plate with a paper towel. “If it’s cooled off too much, you can warm it in the microwave.”

The small kindness surprised him. “Thanks,” he said, pushing away the tangle of emotions swirling inside him.

Shoveling the food into his mouth so he didn’t have to talk, he knew he’d have to figure out a way to convince himself he no longer craved her.

Only he’d be lying to himself. And since he didn’t believe in lies...

After cleaning his plate, he carried the dish to the sink. “Thanks again,” he said, managing a smile. “I’ll be back in a few hours and then we’ll go for a ride.”

Unsmiling, she nodded. “While you’re gone, do you mind if I wander around, maybe check out a few of the horses?” She bit her lip, drawing his gaze to her lush mouth.

“How long has it been since you’ve ridden?” he asked.

Her gaze darkened to midnight. “Years.”

“Are you sure you remember how?” Dragging his hand through his hair, he forced himself to meet her gaze directly. “I don’t want you to take a chance and get hurt.”

“It’s like riding a bicycle.” She shrugged, a thread of anger running through her voice. “It’s just something I looked forward to every single day while I was his captive.”

Her flippant tone did little to disguise her pain. Studying her, he realized her wounds ran deep, too. As deep as his, or maybe even more.

“Where is it?” He should have asked this question before. “Alex’s place, where he kept you locked up?”

“Near Austin. Maybe an hour’s drive west from there.”

“Good to know.” He thought hard, swallowed and then gave her the truth. “I’m glad you made it out safely.”

“Thank you. I was very lucky. No matter what you see on TV, Alex Ramirez is a horrible man,” she told him. “But then again, I guess most psychopaths are. If he finds out you helped me, he won’t just kill you. That’d be too merciful. He’ll torture you, make sure you suffer before you die.” Her blue eyes had gone cloudy, full of miserable memories. He had a flash of an urge to comfort her somehow, but managed to push it away. Somewhat.

“Don’t worry,” he heard himself say. “He won’t find out. And if he does, I won’t get caught.”

“You don’t know that.” Anguish rang in her voice. “He has a lot of enemies. Several of them have tried to get to him. So far, no one has succeeded and a few have ended up dead.”

He shrugged. “Then I’ll be the first. We’ll work out a plan. Meanwhile, for now, stay off the horses. We’ll ride together when I have time.” And then, without waiting for an answer, he took off before he got himself into any more trouble.

The meeting with his ranch foreman Boyd, an older, taciturn man Reed had known all his life, went exactly the same way it had every other time Reed had come out to the ranch.

“Everything’s fine,” Boyd drawled, just as he always did. “We got plenty of hay and the new crop of cattle should fetch a pretty penny. No one’s quit, and I’ve even had to hire a new hand.”

Reed nodded. “If there’s anything you need...”

“I won’t hesitate to let you know.” Grinning, Boyd slapped him on the back and sauntered off. Reed shook his head and watched him go.

As he walked to his pickup, he found himself wondering how Boyd and the other ranch hands would react to Kaitlyn. He had a pretty good idea. If he wasn’t careful, she’d be a major distraction.

As she had already become for him.

On the drive into town, he called himself all kinds of fool. Having her at his farm could be a colossal, mistake. Of course, he’d be damned before he’d let Alex Ramirez harm one hair on her pretty little head.

He’d been to Breckenridge when he’d gone to Walmart to pick up Kaitlyn’s disguise. There were no other large-or even medium-sized towns close to the ranch, so he drove about ten miles out and rode the dirt roads. This part of West Texas, with its dry, arid landscape and twisted trees, called to him even more than the treed, more scenic area of Anniversary. Hardscrabble, he thought. Like him.

After a good forty-five minutes of driving, he headed home, satisfied that no one suspicious had come to this part of the state.

Yet.

When he passed a little barbecue joint, he impulsively pulled in and got a couple of chopped beef sandwiches.

As he pulled from the dirt road into the long drive leading toward his ranch, he felt confident. Kaitlyn wouldn’t be discovered here. There were no strange vehicles anywhere to be seen and the house looked exactly the same as it had when he’d left it.

Safe. A perfect hiding place. He smiled as he parked his truck. But the instant he killed the engine, the back door flew open. Kaitlyn hurried over, visibly shaken.

His stomach clenched. “What’s wrong?”

Running a shaky hand through that awful haircut of hers, she inhaled. “I just watched the afternoon news. Now Alex is claiming that my supposed kidnapper has sent him a ransom request.”

Again suppressing the urge to comfort her, Reed shook his head. “It’ll be okay.” Handing her the two foam boxes, he got out.

“What’s this?” she asked, sniffing. “Whatever it is, it smells wonderful.”

“I picked up lunch. Barbecue.”

At first her eyes narrowed. He could have sworn a flash of suspicion crossed her face. Holy hell. He realized maybe Alex Ramirez had even used food as a form of torture.

“It’s just a sandwich.” He held it out, careful to hide his anger. “No strings. I remember you used to like it.”

Finally, she rewarded him with a wobbly smile and accepted the bag. “I do. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Chest a bit too tight, he followed her into the house. He realized that although she’d escaped, she wasn’t entirely free. Nor would she be, not until she learned to deal with her inner demons. One more crime for which Alex would need to pay.

“What about Alex?” Kaitlyn asked, almost as if he’d spoken the name out loud. “What do you think he’s doing? Why make up a story as elaborate as that?”

“I don’t know. I’m guessing he thinks if he can get everyone stirred up and have not only the FBI but the general public help him hunt you, he’ll find you that much easier.”

“Even if his story is proven to be false.”

“Right. I’m guessing whatever friends he has inside will make sure that story dies a quiet death after he finds you.”

Panic flashed in her eyes. “Don’t say it like that. As though him finding me is a given.”

“Sorry. You know what I mean. Come on,” he prodded gently. “Sit. Let’s eat.”

She took a seat at the kitchen table and opened the bag. Head bent, she removed the wrapped sandwiches, bags of chips, plastic cutlery and napkins. Crossing to the refrigerator, he snagged a couple of cans of cola for them.

“There.” He dropped into his chair, wishing he could figure out a way to stop feeling a weird sort of kinship with her. “We’re all set.”

Though messy, the barbecue tasted delicious. They ate in companionable silence, which made him feel a bit restless.

Since he finished before her, he sat quietly and watched her while she ate. Instead of picking up the sandwich and taking bites, she attacked her food, using her plastic fork and knife with gusto. Only when she’d cut several small pieces did she eat a few. After that, she ate a couple of chips and took a sip of cola. And then she started the process all over again, focused and intent. As if by regulating this, she regained some measure of control over her world, however small.

Again the twinge of sympathy. He’d caught himself doing similar things when he’d been in prison.

Finally she finished, and looked up. “That was wonderful,” she sighed. “Thanks again.”

He nodded, turning away so she wouldn’t see desire or warmth or whatever the hell it was he was feeling on his face. “No problem.” He gathered up the wrappings and chip bags and carried them to the trash. Once he had his expression and his body under control, he turned to face her. “Now tell me exactly what you saw on the news earlier.”

Just like that, her expression changed, making him realize she’d relaxed and he’d unthinkingly ruined it. With the tension back in her posture, even her features seemed sharper.

“Basically, what I said. It was the opening story for the noon newscast. Prominent and respected politician Alex Ramirez has now been contacted by the kidnappers who abducted his girlfriend. According to Alex, they’re demanding a ransom of several million dollars.”

He frowned. “That doesn’t make sense. The feds are going to be all over this now. Why would he do that?”

“I’m sure his inside people are helping him.” The bitterness in her voice matched her flat expression. “He probably plans to pay himself and use this as a way to launder money or something. He’s always talking about having to find creative ways to do that without anyone catching on.”

Astounded, Reed swallowed. “You know a lot about his business, don’t you?”

Her chin went up. “Yes. Even if I didn’t know about the murder, I know enough to put him away for a long, long time.”

“So it’s not just that you witnessed him kill Tim that makes you valuable to him. It’s all the other information you could use against him.”

“Exactly.” She looked down at her hands, which she’d begun wringing.

“But now that everyone knows about you, if he got you back, he could no longer keep you locked away.”

“No.” She never looked up. “Which is why he won’t stop until I’m dead.”

The bleak despair in her voice made him ache to comfort her. “You don’t need to worry about that. He isn’t going to find you. Plus, he’s going to dig his own grave with these lies,” he said. “Sooner or later, someone’s going to catch on and his honesty will be called into question.”

“Since he has a lot of law enforcement people on his payroll, I doubt it.”

Reed considered his next words carefully. “I’m guessing he’s doing this to keep the case fresh in the public’s eye. The more people hear about you, the more likely someone will spot you and report to the FBI.”

“And then to him.” She grimaced. “Anything’s possible, where Alex is concerned. It even makes a kind of twisted sense, though I don’t like it.”

“Of course not.” Again he had to fight the urge to touch her. “Me, either. That settles one thing, though. Until I have a handle on who we can and cannot trust, you’re definitely going to have to keep a low profile. Even though we’re out in the middle of nowhere.”

“Thank you again for helping me.”

He waved her thanks away. “Do you still want to go riding?”

“Yes.”

“Great.” Considering her shapeless dress, he carefully avoided meeting her gaze. “Why don’t you put on some jeans and meet me at the barn? I’ll get the horses saddled and ready.”

Without waiting for her to answer, he grabbed his cowboy hat and headed outside.

* * *

Watching out the window as Reed sauntered down to the barn, Kaitlyn tried to get a handle on the complicated emotions roiling inside her. She’d known she’d have some lingering trauma after what she’d been through with Alex, but she hadn’t expected to cringe every time he moved too fast. Luckily, so far she’d managed to keep all her flinching inside. As far as she could tell, Reed had no idea.

Which was good. The last thing she wanted from him was pity.

Despite the abuse she’d suffered, being around Reed again, even after all these years, made her want things she’d never thought she’d be able to want again. In fact, after the way she’d been treated, she’d come to believe she’d never feel attracted toward a man again.

She’d been wrong. Very wrong. Disgusted with herself, she ran her fingers through her ugly haircut and grimaced. All along in the back of her mind, she’d known her old crush on him might make her uncomfortable, but she’d thought she could deal with it. Right. What she hadn’t expected was this full-blown craving. Though she thought she’d been successful at hiding it, she trembled with the urge to get close to him every time they were in the same room.

She had to get past this. Her life was at stake after all. Since Reed had made it perfectly clear he didn’t feel the same way about her—how could he—she’d rely on him to keep her safe and help bring Alex to justice. Nothing more.

In fact, she wanted this over and done with so that she could move on to the next chapter of her life. So they both could.

Restless and unsettled inside her own body, she pushed through the kitchen door and headed down toward the barn. Dusk had settled on the landscape, though darkness had yet to envelope the farm. Nevertheless, a bright spotlight on the outside of the barn illuminated not only the yard, but the corrals. Reed stood inside a round pen, lifting a Western saddle up onto a beautiful gray horse.

A few feet away, she stopped. Her mouth went dry as she stood and watched, admiring the way the muscles in his arms worked while he hefted the bags. Again the desire, the raw urge, stunning her, shocking her. Once more, she managed to push it away.

He turned and faced her, dipping his chin in acknowledgment. “I got this gelding ready for you. He’s docile and well trained. You shouldn’t have any trouble with him.”

“Thank you.” Making her feet propel her forward, she took the reins. “Where’s your horse?”

“Inside the barn.” He held out his cupped hands for her to step into. “Let me give you a leg up.”

Just like that, her heart began hammering in her throat. She wasn’t sure she could bear his touch. As she stood staring at him, feeling foolish, she forced herself to move forward. Using his hands as a springboard, she jumped up into the saddle. Only when she’d gotten settled did Reed go and retrieve his own mount.

The sun felt warm, the horse’s gait smooth, and as they rode up a winding dirt road, Kaitlyn finally began to relax. She wished she could stop having the need to keep reminding herself she was safe here, and hated also the expectation that at any moment, she’d find out she wasn’t.

Maybe after she’d been free awhile she’d stop jumping at every shadow and her neck wouldn’t hurt from constantly looking over her shoulder.

This person she’d become, the woman Alex had turned her into, wasn’t who she wanted to be. But she wasn’t sure she even knew how to get back to her old self. Or even if she wanted to.

“Nice, isn’t it?” Reed rode up alongside her, sitting as easily on the saddle as if he’d been born on horseback.

Despite her sudden melancholy, she gave him her brightest smile. He had no need to know how damaged she’d become inside. “More than nice. This is exactly what I needed. I’d forgotten what it feels like to be this free.”

His expression changed, just a minuscule amount, but enough to remind her she’d again managed to bring her past in and ruin the moment. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, hating that she felt she had to apologize. “I’ve only been away a day. I’m trying to get used to the idea.”

“No need to be sorry.” Despite the kind words, Reed sounded grim. “Believe me, I remember how it feels. As if the sky is too big, too open, and you wonder if you could be crushed to death under the vastness of it all.”

Her heart leaped at his words. Of course he understood, and he didn’t appear to be ashamed to speak it out loud. “You’re exactly right.”

One quick jerk of his chin was his only response. As he spurred his horse into a jog, then a lope, he called back over his shoulder at her. “Come on, let’s ride.”

The afternoon passed much too quickly as far as she was concerned. They rode and rested, Reed taking time to point out various landmarks. She was glad the sky turned cloudy as she hadn’t thought to locate sunscreen.

“I think it’s time to head back toward the ranch,” Reed said.

Kaitlyn sighed. “Thank you again. I haven’t had such a nice afternoon in years.”

He barely glanced at her, his attention focused on the darkening sky. “We need to ride faster,” he said. “That storm out west is heading this way.”

When she looked where he’d pointed, she realized he was right. And now that he’d mentioned it, she could smell the hint of the coming rain on the breeze.

“Let’s go.” He slapped her horse on the rear before urging his own mount into a gallop.

Without looking she could feel the storm gaining on them. The wind picked up, carrying moisture. Thunder boomed, still off in the distance, but gaining.