The Rancher's Return. Karen Whiddon

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СКАЧАТЬ words, but she deserved them. Dipping her head, she knew she couldn’t tell him how many times she’d tried to break things off with Tim, and how badly Tim had reacted. She’d realized early into the relationship that it wasn’t working, and not just because of Tim’s substance abuse issues. Because all along she’d wanted someone else.

      She’d wanted Reed. From the instant she first laid eyes on him she’d realized she’d chosen the wrong brother. She’d believed they were meant to be together forever. What a foolish, naive woman she’d been.

      She’d paid penance for that indiscretion during her captivity. She’d survived what Alex did to her body, but she knew it would be a long time before she could let anyone touch her that way again. Even Reed. Especially Reed.

      “Go ahead and get settled,” he said.

      “Thank you.” She exhaled, for what felt like the first time in years. “This is very nice.”

      “I’m glad you like it.” Looking satisfied, he snatched his truck keys up off the coffee table. “I’ll be right back. This place is pretty isolated, so I’m going to run into Breckenridge and hit up the Walmart there. Wait here.”

      “I’d like to go with you.”

      “You can’t. I’m sorry, but we haven’t got your disguise yet. We can’t take the chance that you’ll be seen.” He pointed in the direction of the kitchen. “Make yourself at home. There’s plenty to eat and drink, if you’re hungry. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”

      Defeated, she nodded quickly. She couldn’t fault him for being thorough. Even though the chance of running into one of Alex’s people might be virtually nonexistent out here, as long as a possibility existed, they couldn’t risk it. She’d have to wear a disguise when she wanted to leave, and she would.

      One last quick glance to make sure she understood, and Reed left. He locked the door behind him on the way out. The sound of the dead bolt turning made Kaitlyn tense up again. She was all too familiar with that sound.

      More shaken than she cared to admit, she began exploring. Though she didn’t want to be intrusive, she couldn’t help but check out the place where she’d be staying for a little while. Hopefully not too long. She knew she couldn’t really begin healing until she’d left everyone and everything from her past behind.

      Trying to settle her tension, she wandered the compact house. She wasn’t hungry—her nerves had taken care of that—so she once again checked out the other rooms.

      The guest room where she’d spent the night looked a bit utilitarian, with the sofa sleeper for a bed and a small dresser. It had the look of never having been used, as if Reed didn’t have a lot of visitors out here in the back of beyond. She guessed she might have been the first to stay there.

      In the guest room, she inspected the wide oak desk and computer and wall-to-wall bookshelves, packed floor to ceiling with books. She moved closer, checking them out. Everything from classics to modern thrillers, nonfiction to horror stories by New York Times bestselling authors.

      Thrilled despite herself, she found several titles she’d been meaning to read and, eyeing the overstuffed chair in one corner, knew she’d spend a lot of time in this room during her stay. She’d never pegged Reed as a reader, but then she’d never really gotten to know him.

      Except for that one night, when passion had exploded between them and they’d made a mistake that would impact both of their lives forever.

      Again, the past. Resolutely, she pushed the memories away.

      Next she moved down the hallway toward what had to be the master bedroom. She felt oddly nervous about venturing in there, but also felt Reed’s most personal space might give her the most insight into the man she’d just agreed to trust with her safety.

      After all, she’d already made enough missteps to last a lifetime.

      At the doorway to his bedroom, she paused, taking it all in. In typical masculine fashion, the comforter was dark, a pleasing combination of browns and maroon. Several framed photographs hung on the wall, black-and-white landscapes, making her wonder if he’d taken them himself or simply purchased them.

      Either way, they were beautiful, in an eerie, haunting way. She stood, absorbing each one before moving on to the other. Something about them called to her, and for a brief, glorious second she felt connected to the man who’d hung them. Her chest tightened and her throat stung, even as she realized her own foolishness. She could no more afford to indulge in romantic fantasies about Reed than she could expect to emerge from a confrontation with Alex unscathed.

      And then she saw it. A familiar sight, as Alex had several in various locations all over his house. A gun safe, one of the larger ones, with a keypad locked entry.

      Stunned, she stared. A rancher would need guns, right? Just because Alex had used his for nefarious purposes, didn’t mean Reed did.

      Still, she backed away from the gun safe, her heart pounding.

      Back in the living room, trying to calm her pulse, she clicked on the television. The five o’clock news had just begun, and she was startled to see a photo of herself, with the words Possible Abduction underneath. Listening in disbelief, she realized Alex had made up a story about an intruder, and even doctored surveillance video to show her—actually someone playing the part of her—being taken forcibly from her bed, clearly unconscious, and carried out the side door.

      “Authorities are on the lookout for a woman matching this description—five-two, 110 pounds, long blond hair and blue eyes. Caution is advised since the man who took her may be considered armed and dangerous. If seen, please contact your local authorities.”

      She stared at the screen, not even noticing that the program switched to another story. When she finally roused herself to click the off button on the remote, her fingers were shaking and she couldn’t catch her breath.

      Aware that if she kept hyperventilating she’d pass out, she forced herself to slowly inhale and then exhale. Deeply, striving for calm. While she’d known Alex would go on the offensive, she hadn’t expected him to take it public right off the bat. In her mind, she’d guessed he’d send a few of his goons out snooping around before taking a chance with the media.

      Proof she’d been wrong. How could she have forgotten the rock-solid confidence Alex placed in his ability to manipulate everyone and everything?

      Still feeling dizzy and jittery, she pushed to her feet and began to pace. The sooner Reed returned with her disguise, the better she’d feel. Or so she hoped. Good thing she’d listened and hadn’t gone with him to the store.

      Her stomach growled. She remembered Reed telling her to make herself something to eat. Even though she wasn’t sure she could, she welcomed the distraction. A quick search of the refrigerator revealed nothing she could use to put together a salad, but a loaf of bread, sliced cheese and cold cuts would enable her to make a sandwich.

      She checked the cupboards and found a can of creamy tomato soup—her favorite. As soon as the soup was hot, she ladled out a bowl and carried it to the table to eat with her sandwich. The announcer’s words kept playing over and over inside her head: armed and dangerous. Which made it even worse for Reed. A crooked law enforcement officer like George could say he felt justified for shooting Reed on the spot. Thank goodness they’d gotten out of Anniversary.

      Still, СКАЧАТЬ