Stolen Moments. B.J. Daniels

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СКАЧАТЬ a vacation now, before the holidays, before he declared, because who knew when they’d have time together after that.

      “This just doesn’t seem like the time for you to leave, Jim,” Whitt said.

      “Whitt’s right, Uncle Jim,” Robin echoed. “There is so much to be done. But it was a nice idea. Remember when the three of us went to Big Bend National Park?” That was right after Robin had come to live with them, not long after her father had been killed.

      Levi felt her father’s gaze on her and looked up to meet it. Did his reason for lying to Sheriff Richards have anything to do with this sudden vacation for the three of them?

      “You’re right, of course, Whitt. You too, Robin.” Her father looked disappointed. Or was it worried?

      She stared at him, her mouth dry and her eyes burning. What was going on? Something. And damned if she wasn’t going to find out. Right after dinner was over, Thanksgiving or not.

      Mary served pumpkin pie with whipped cream, offering her two cents worth as she joined them again at the table.

      The short, plump redheaded cook had been with the McCord family since before Levi was born. Catherine Olivia McCord had died when Levi was three. James’ Marshall had never remarried. Mary had been like a mother to Levi, and later to Robin.

      “You have to announce your candidacy before the New Year,” Mary said with authority. “Give the people of this country something to look forward to in the new millennium.”

      “If the world doesn’t come to an end,” Whitt offered with a laugh.

      The conversation around the table went quickly back to politics and when the senator should declare. Levi pushed pie around on her plate, feeling a distance that frightened her.

      “Daddy, I need to talk to you,” she said the moment the meal was finally over.

      “Sure, sweetheart.” The phone rang. He frowned. “Oh, Levi, I forgot, Whitt and Robin and I are expecting a conference call,” he apologized. “Can it wait until later?”

      Levi started to say “No.” Something inside her feared it couldn’t wait, but she told herself she was being silly.

      “Sure. I’m going to give Natalie a ride home,” she said, touching her father’s broad shoulder, feeling a strength that reassured her. “I won’t be long.”

      He smiled and covered her small hand with his large one as he gazed down at her. His eyes suddenly shimmered and, quite without warning, he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. “Trust me, Levi, everything’s going to be all right,” he whispered so softly she was afraid she hadn’t heard him right. “I love you. Remember that always.”

      She clung to him, more afraid than ever. “Daddy—”

      He pulled back. Whitt called from down the hall to say they were waiting for him. “I have to go.” He gave her a reassuring smile. “Drive carefully. No, drive skillfully,” he said over his shoulder as he strode down the hall.

      Levi watched him go. Although James Marshall wore a prosthesis in place of the leg he’d lost in Vietnam, he seldom let it show in his gait. Only when he was tired or upset did he limp. He was limping now, she noted.

      He stopped at the doorway to his den and turned to look back at her. “Great to see you again, Natalie. Sorry to hear your car broke down, though.”

      Levi watched him disappear into the room and close the door behind him as she fought the ridiculous feeling that she might never see him again.

      “Are you all right?” Natalie asked beside her. “You’ve been acting weird today.”

      “I’m worried about Daddy,” Levi said, thinking that when she got back to the ranch, she’d check with the foreman about a cut fence before she spoke with her father. She desperately wanted to be wrong. Or at least, if not wrong, get some answers that would make her feel a little less frightened.

      “Don’t worry, he’ll make a great president,” Natalie said.

      “Yeah?” So why did she feel that might not happen? Was it a premonition? Or just wishful thinking? “What if I don’t want to be a president’s daughter?”

      Natalie slipped her arm around her friend. “Just think of the men who’ll want to date you.”

      They both laughed. It felt good. “You want to call a tow truck for your car before we leave?”

      “On Thanksgiving? No way. I’ll get it towed tomorrow. Come on, I’ve been dying all day to tell you about this guy I met at work.”

      They crossed the wide veranda, the afternoon mild and scented with the fragrances of fall in the Texas Hill Country.

      * * *

      THE MOMENT LEVI PULLED OUT of the ranch road and headed down the two-lane county road that led into San Antonio, she picked up two vehicles tailing behind her instead of the usual one. She watched for a moment in her rearview mirror. Had her father increased her private security?

      Levi sped up, then slowed. Both cars stayed the same distance behind her. The increased security could just be a precaution as the time neared for the senator to announce his candidacy for president. Or it could validate all her fears.

      “What is it?” Natalie asked, turning to look back.

      “Just more big, strong men paid to protect me,” Levi said. “Can’t wait until I have Secret Service following me everywhere.”

      “Oh, you’ll love all that attention.”

      “Sure, wait until we double-date.” Her father had hired the full-time security guards for her over a year ago, right after he received a death threat at the ranch. While it had turned out to be nothing, he’d kept the security guards on as a precaution. “You hang around me and we’ll both be old maids.”

      “Remember that one time?” Natalie said, laughing. “That really cute bodyguard your father hired?”

      Levi only half listened as she checked her rearview mirror again to see that both vehicles were still behind her. She had to admit that normally she resented the intrusion in her life, but today the security guards reassured her. They made her feel everything really might be all right, because she knew others like them were guarding the ranch right now. Guarding her father.

      “Can you believe my new car broke down?” Natalie bemoaned as they passed the Mustang convertible parked on the edge of the road. “It’s a good thing Robin came along when she did.”

      “Your car just quit?”

      Natalie shrugged. “I told you we should have taken auto mechanics in college.”

      “Or at least date someone who knows how to fix cars,” Levi suggested. “So tell me about this guy you met.”

      They talked and laughed on the way to Natalie’s house, the cool night air blowing in the windows. It wasn’t until later, long after Levi was on the county road headed back home, the day dying around her and an approaching thunderstorm darkening the sky, that she happened to glance into her rearview СКАЧАТЬ