This Cowboy of Mine--Includes a Bonus Novella Page 20

  Thinking about those lovely days brought a smile to her lips. Though she would have to say goodbye to her dreams of living here, at least she had her memories. No one and nothing could take them away from her. Not her cousin, who had never warmed to her. And not a bank consumed with the business of making money.

  This had been the most amazing place to grow up. A child’s playground. Horses and cows, tractors and trucks. Half a dozen elderly ranchers and their families who accepted her and her uncle with the open arms of friendship. Nights under the stars up in the hills with the herd. Unexpected trips to town with a stop for a burger and fries and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries on top.

  She walked around the corral to wander across a field no longer planted. Instead of neat furrows where crops had been harvested, there was just flat land dusted with snow.

  She trudged up a hill to the meadow where the herd would spend their summers grazing on the lush grass that grew there. An area that had once been black with cattle was now empty.

  She stood and looked around, remembering it as it had been in her childhood. How long had her uncle struggled to keep up with the never-ending work of ranching, while trying to stay one step ahead of the debts? From the looks of things, it had been too overwhelming, even for a Superman like Frank Regan.

  With a sigh she walked down the hill. An aged tractor, its parts strewn about it, lay behind the barn, growing rusty from being abandoned out in the elements.

  She circled around to the front of the barn. The huge door protested loudly as she leaned her weight into it. With an effort she managed to force it open.

  Inside, it took her a moment to adjust to the gloom. The stalls, which used to be filled with stock, now stood empty.

  In a corner of the barn she caught sight of a vehicle. Walking closer she realized it was a newer-model truck. Odd, she thought, that it looked a lot like hers.

  Curious, she pulled open the driver’s side door and let out a gasp of shock and surprise.

  It didn’t just look like hers; it was hers. There in the cup holder was the red, white, and blue mug she’d brought with her from DC. On the passenger seat lay the pretty yellow scarf she’d discarded.

  For a moment she could do nothing more than stare, while her mind tried to process what she was seeing.

  No wonder the authorities hadn’t found her stolen truck.

  How did it get here? How long had it been here? Had the thief exchanged it for one of her uncle’s vehicles?

  No matter. She reached into her pocket and withdrew her phone. As she began scrolling through her contacts for the police chief’s number, she felt the cold steel muzzle of a gun against her temple. Behind her, a man swore loudly and fiercely, before growling, “Stupid bitch. You had to come in here, didn’t you? Being nosy just sealed your fate.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Casey Merrick, you’re one damned fine vet.” Buster Mandel walked beside Casey as he made his way to his truck. “I figured that old cow was so sick you’d have to put her down.”

  “She’s got plenty of years left, Buster.” Casey tossed his black bag in the truck before turning to offer a handshake. “I’ll be back to check on her in a couple of days. In the meantime, if she’s not able to join the herd by tomorrow, you call me.”

  “I will.” Buster pumped his hand. “I’m going to start calling you the miracle worker.”

  Casey laughed. “The miracle is in the drugs.”

  He climbed into his truck and waved. As soon as he left Buster’s ranch, he reached for his cell phone and called his grandmother.

  “Casey.” Meg answered on the first ring. “How are Buster and Trudy?”

  “They’re good, Gram Meg. They said to say hi. And the cow’s on the mend. She’ll be good as new in no time.”

  “That’s good. About the cow, I mean. But ever since Trudy’s fall, I worry about her.”

  “She said not to worry. Now that Avery’s got her on the right track with her physical therapy, she’s feeling even better.”

  “Oh, I’m so glad. I’ll pass that along to Avery.” There was a smile in Meg’s voice.

  “I’m going to head on over to the Regan ranch to be with Kirby, in case she’s feeling down.”

  “I’m glad. My heart broke for that sweet thing, traveling alone to say goodbye to her uncle’s ranch. You’ll be sure to bring her back here in time for supper?”

  “Count on it.”

  He rang off and headed down a dusty road. In less than an hour he’d be with Kirby. Maybe that was why his heart felt so light. If the time was right, he intended to tell her how he felt about her, and what he hoped for their future.

  Their future.

  Before meeting her, his future had seemed, like his past, to be centered around his family, the ranch, his career as a veterinarian. Not a bad life at all. But ever since Kirby walked into that cave, everything had changed. He couldn’t imagine a life, a future, without her in it.

  He hoped and prayed he didn’t spoil everything by springing this on her. It certainly wasn’t the best timing for a soul-baring confession. He knew her life was in turmoil right now. But he wasn’t willing to wait. Especially after their time alone in the hills. He was already missing her with an ache that couldn’t be soothed with a kiss or an occasional tumble in bed. He knew now that he wanted what he’d never dreamed of. He wanted it all. Marriage. Kids. Maybe someday their own ranch nearby, close enough to lend a hand and ease the burden of endless chores on his dad and grandfather and great-grandfather, but far enough away to give them a life of their own.

  Like the old Butcher ranch his father had bought when they were kids. Before the fire.

  It was so long ago, it no longer brought the pain of loss, as it did to his father. In fact, the thought of the old ranch house had him smiling. He could vaguely recall nights with his parents spent around the big old fireplace in the parlor, with Gram Meg and Grandpa Egan, and Ham and Aunt Liz, all gathered for Sunday supper. Though that life had ended abruptly after the fire that took his mother, the images were indelibly inscribed in his mind.

  He wanted that with Kirby.

  With an air of anticipation, he turned up the radio to sing along with Rascal Flatts about life being a highway. And wasn’t that the truth?

  More than anything, he wanted to ride it for a lifetime with Kirby by his side.

  “Move it.” The gunman had Kirby’s arm in a viselike grip as he dragged her to the ranch house.

  With a gun to her head, she didn’t fight him.

  Inside the kitchen he bound her hands and feet so tightly the rope cut into her flesh, leaving her wrists and ankles numb with pain.

  “If you even try screaming, I’ll finish you off. Got it?” He stuck his face closer. “Got it, bitch?”

  She managed to nod her head.

  He kicked her legs out from under her, sending her sprawling on the cold linoleum floor of the kitchen. With her hands bound, she couldn’t stand, or even sit up.

  When he turned away, she struggled to calm the terror that had her by the throat, threatening to choke her. She could hardly catch her breath.

  She’d never been so afraid in her life. The minute she’d seen this stranger she’d known he was the escaped convict they’d dubbed Killer Keller, recognizing him from when his image had been plastered all over the TV.

  All those leads the authorities were following, from Wyoming to clear across the country…and yet, here he was, within miles of where they’d been searching.

  Practically in their backyard.

  Oh, why hadn’t she run the minute she’d spotted her truck? If even half of what they’d said about him on the news was true, he would have no reason to spare her life.

  She watched as he tossed her phone onto the kitchen counter before stirring something on the stove.

  He glanced over at her. Seeing her watching him, he said, “There’s only enough here for me. Not that it matters. The dead don’t eat. And that’ll be you as soo
n as it’s dark enough to haul your ass to that old well out back.”

  Something perverse made her say, “What’s the matter? You don’t want a bloody mess here in the house?”

  He smirked then, and she realized he looked even more evil than when he frowned. The smile gave him the chilling look of the devil himself. “That’s right. When I finally leave here, nobody will be the wiser. Once they stop looking for me under every leaf, I’ll disappear forever. As for you, you’ll just become another missing female who’s never found.”

  She felt a shiver convulse through her body, knowing it was true. Her cousin would never miss her. Her boss would file a missing person report, but he would soon replace her. And Casey? Her heart took a heavy bounce. Casey would be half mad with worry and try to move heaven and earth to find her. But in the end, he would be forced to move on with his life.

  She felt a sudden rush of tears at the realization that she hadn’t even said a proper goodbye to the Merrick family. She’d accepted their amazing hospitality and had walked away this morning, blindly assuming she’d be back with all of them tonight.

  Worst of all, she’d been cool to Casey, dismissing his offer to come with her if she’d wait until tomorrow.

  Tomorrow.

  Her heart sank as the truth dawned.

  There would be no tomorrow. Today was all she had left. And she had squandered it.

  Ray Keller ate directly from the pan of canned stew he’d heated on the stove. While he ate, he glanced at the woman lying on the floor across the room.

  “I got you to thank for finding this place.”

  He saw her eyes widen. When she didn’t respond, he went on as though it didn’t matter one way or the other. “I found a bunch of papers in your truck.”

  “My truck? What makes you think the truck is mine?”

  “I saw your picture in that miserable apartment in Devil’s Door. A crummy place, by the way, but I figured I’d find something of value.” He chuckled to himself. “Having a GPS is the same as having a map that says, ‘Hi there. Here’s where I live. Come on over and take whatever you want.’” He chuckled again at his little joke. “So I did. When I stumbled on that truck up at the lookout, I saw you just disappearing over a hill and figured I had a couple of hours at least before you’d return and realize it had been stolen. That gave me plenty of time to use the GPS to locate your place and help myself. That picture on the night table showed you standing next to your brand-new truck, looking like you just won the lottery. I wish you had. That place wasn’t worth risking a drive to town. It was slim pickin’s.”

  He paused to take a bite of his stew. “When I didn’t find any cash, I knew I’d have to look elsewhere. Reading through those papers, I put two and two together and realized this ranch was your family’s place, so I decided to see what I could grab. I figured it would be an easy matter to get rid of anybody living out here in the middle of nowhere. But when I found it deserted, I realized it would make the perfect hideaway. There’s plenty of food in the cupboards. A choice of beds. Change of clothes. Everything I need until the authorities give up and stop looking for me. When that happens, I plan on heading out, then ditching your truck. I’m sure I can hitch a ride with some stupid rancher, dispose of his body, and make it across the border.

  “So.” He mopped up gravy with a piece of bread. “What were you doing here?”

  When she remained silent he growled, “I spotted you as soon as you drove up. Watched you walking around like you owned the place.”

  Kirby shivered at the creepy knowledge that he’d been watching her the entire time she’d been here. She’d been so caught up in her memories, she hadn’t had a clue. If she’d left before entering the barn, she would be safely away now, and on her way back to the Merrick ranch.

  “So, was I right? This is your family’s ranch?”

  She swallowed down her tears and refused to give him the satisfaction of an answer.

  “Okay. Keep your secrets. Doesn’t matter.” He thought a minute before saying, “Was the old codger in all those pictures your father or grandfather?”

  “Old codger?” The words were out of her mouth before she could think.

  “Got your attention, did I?” He laughed. “I guess the only way to get you to talk is to insult some old geezer who means something to you.”

  “That old codger was my uncle. He was the kindest man in the world.”

  “Yeah? Where is he?”

  “Dead.” She nearly choked on the word, and the reality of it was like a blow to her heart.

  Uncle Frank was gone, and the ranch he loved would be sold to a stranger who wouldn’t have a single memory of the life that had been lived here. And someday, years from now, someone would discover bones in the old deserted well, and the mystery of her disappearance would be solved. But it would be too late for any sort of justice.

  “So that’s why this place is abandoned. But if this ranch belongs to your family, why did you move to a cheesy walk-up in town instead of living here?”

  “It isn’t mine.” Another blow to her heart. Just saying the words out loud made it seem more real, and had tears burning the backs of her eyelids.

  “Well, it’s mine. At least for now.” He spooned up more stew. “Now we just wait until dark and have us some fun.”

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Kirby watched as Ray Keller paced around the room, his eyes darting often to the clock on the wall, then out the window, then to Uncle Frank’s gun lying on the counter beside her phone.

  She knew without a doubt he was anxious for nightfall so he could finally dispose of her.

  Dispose. Such a simple word for the complicated mess she’d made of things. This convicted killer would use her own uncle’s gun to shoot her before dumping her body down an old, unused well. And though she’d fought the ropes that bound her until her wrists and ankles were raw and bloody from the effort, she hadn’t been able to budge them. She was tied tightly, and all she could do was wait helplessly to be killed.

  Helpless. Hopeless. Useless. The words played through her mind.

  The tears she’d shed earlier were now dry. She had no tears left. Now she was forced to admit the fact that only a miracle could save her.

  That knowledge burned like a hot knife in the pit of her stomach. She knew it was a slim chance, but her desire to live was so strong, she clung to it. While she was forced to lie silently on the cold floor, feeling desperately alone, she whispered a prayer that something would happen to change her fate.

  “What the hell…?” With a string of oaths Ray Keller rushed to the side of the window, drawing aside the curtain just a bit to peer out without being seen.

  Kirby strained to hear anything out of the ordinary.

  Gradually she heard the crunch of wheels on gravel, and the hum of an engine.

  Keller crossed the room and dragged her to her feet, using a knife to slice cleanly through the rope at her ankles and wrists.

  With a beefy hand around her neck he hauled her to the window. “Know this cowboy?”

  She saw Casey descend from his truck and look around before starting toward the door.

  She nodded her head, too choked up with emotion at the sight of him to manage a single word.

  “Now you listen and listen good. See what he wants and get rid of him fast. If you don’t, I have no problem putting a bullet through his head right where he stands.” He jammed the gun to the back of her head. “You understand me?”

  Terrified, she nodded.

  With the gun pressed firmly against her she could hear Casey’s booted feet on the porch. Every step brought him closer to death, and the thought of it had her heart beating a wild tattoo in her chest.

  At the knock on the door she jerked as though she’d been shot. Keller’s hand tightened, and he slammed the gun against the back of her head hard enough to have her seeing stars before whispering, “One wrong move and he dies.”

  There was no time to think. No time to plan. All she kne
w was that she had to get Casey to leave, or he’d be dead along with her.

  If she couldn’t save herself, at least she could do this one thing. She had to convince him to leave. Had to.

  Keller reached around her and opened the door no more than a few inches, allowing Kirby to remain hidden while revealing only her face to their visitor.

  Casey was smiling. “I saw the truck and was glad to know you were still here. I thought I’d try the house first. If you weren’t here, I figured I’d check the barn or out in the fields.”

  Her mouth was so dry, she wondered if she could get a word out. “Casey. I…wasn’t expecting you.”

  “I finished my work at Buster Mandel’s ranch, so I thought I’d drive over so you wouldn’t have to be alone.”

  Keller’s mouth was so close, she could feel the sting of his breath as he whispered, “Cut the small talk.”

  The press of the gun was enough to have her hardening her tone. “I told you I could handle this alone.”

  Casey’s smile faded. “Yeah. You did. But I wanted to be here for you. Especially now. I figured you’d welcome some company.”

  She had to blink hard to fight the tears that welled up, knowing the sacrifice he’d made to be here for her. Just for her.

  Not now, she thought. There wasn’t time for any tender feelings. Though it was tearing her heart to shreds, she had to get through this and force him to leave by any means possible. “Casey, you’re not listening.” She swallowed and, clenching her teeth, she said as harshly as she could manage, “Don’t you get it? I told you not to come. I don’t want you here.”

  He winced at her words.

  His smile was wiped away, replaced by a sudden frown. “Sorry. I guess I overstepped. I thought I could help lift your spirits.”

  She heard the hiss of fury from Keller’s lips. The gun was rammed so hard against her head, she could feel his hand trembling with the desire to pull the trigger. She realized he was at the end of his patience, and at any moment he would step around her and fire at point-blank range at Casey. He would die suddenly, violently, without any warning.