The Rancher's Return. Karen Whiddon

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СКАЧАТЬ 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. СКАЧАТЬ