Highly Compromised Position (11 page)

“I can't do it. I don't like staying here now. I miss the city and everything about it. I even miss the traffic. This is too quiet, too dull.”

“I've got houses in cities and houses in the country. When this is over, I'll show you where I live when I'm not in Texas.”

“I know you said you have several houses. Where do you live most of the time?”

As her fingers combed slowly through his thick black hair, he shrugged a muscled shoulder. “I have a home in San Francisco, an apartment in New York and a home in Colorado. I keep an apartment in Paris and I have a villa on the coast of Spain.”

“What kind of life is that for a child? You can't drag a child from place to place.”

His eyes narrowed as he studied her. “I don't have to live in those places. I don't even have to work if I don't want to, but I prefer to. Where would you like to live if you had your choice?”

She knew she was doing something dangerous by discussing homes with him when she hadn't changed her mind on marriage, but she had been with him enough now to face the fact that she liked being with
him, even aside from the physical attraction. Was she falling in love with him? she wondered. She tangled her fingers in his thick mat of chest hair and felt his heart beating.

“I've never lived anywhere except Texas,” she replied. “I used to want to get away. I never felt about the farm like Nita does. Nita is a daddy's girl and has always liked what our father liked. My mother didn't care for the farm, and I guess she influenced me. I couldn't wait to get away, but I never needed to get far and I've come home often. I love my family and appreciate them more than ever. I just wanted city life for my daily routine.”

“You can have an urban life with me,” he said solemnly. “Whatever metropolis you want.”

“You're saying I can part of the time. And part of the time, it would be ranch life, right?”

He raised up on his elbow and gazed down at her, running his finger along her jaw. “I'm thinking about that one,” he said so solemnly she was taken aback.

“You're really considering giving up your ranch?” she asked, stunned that he might do such a thing to get her to marry him. “You might regret it later. Especially if love doesn't really blossom between us.”

“I think our attraction is on the verge of transforming into love, more so every day we're together,” he replied. He lay back beside her and pulled her close, and she wondered what was running through his mind. She couldn't believe he would give up his ranch—not someone as strong-willed as Tom—but he sounded as if that was exactly what he was considering.

Some of the barriers around her heart fell away, and she kept her own silence, contemplating a future with
Tom, acknowledging that she wanted him more every day she was with him.

After a time she thought about the rumor they had started. “Tomorrow ought to be the day the killer makes his or her move, don't you think?”

“Probably. It'll be before Wednesday afternoon,” Tom replied. “One thing I know for certain—you're in a lot of danger. I don't know any more about what will happen than you do, but the killer can't be far away. And everyone in the county wants to believe in a hidden treasure.”

“Daddy thinks it really is here on the horse farm.”

“So does the killer,” Tom replied. They were both quiet for a time, taking comfort from their embrace. “Ah, Rose, this is great,” he said, turning and pulling her close against him. “Move in with me. It'll be better than you ever imagined. Give us a chance.”

Without answering, she lavished kisses across his chest, but she gave consideration to all he had said to her.

As dawn spilled through the windows, she showered and dressed and went to find Tom, who was waiting in the kitchen with coffee before they went to the main house for breakfast.

“I'm ready. We'll still be on time—” Abruptly she broke off her words and placed her hand on her stomach.

“What happened?” he asked, frowning.

She smiled. “I felt the baby move. It's the first time.”

Tom looked at her slightly rounded tummy. “Our baby. It's a miracle, and I haven't grown accustomed to it yet.”

She took his hand and placed it on her stomach and in seconds she saw his chest expand as he inhaled. His gaze met hers. “Our baby, Rose,” he said with so much
awe in his voice, she could only stare at him, surprised by the depth of his reaction.

“I thought you'd want to feel the baby move,” she said, starting to walk away from him.

He took her arm and turned her to face him, then framed her face with his hands. “A baby is a miracle, and you in my life is another marvel I want.”

Her heart thudded as she looked into smoke-colored eyes that held her breathless.

“There's a lot that's good between us, Rose,” he reminded her.

“I know there is,” she replied, still held by the desire she saw in his expression. Her racing pulse accelerated when he wrapped his hand in her hair and leaned down to kiss her hard. It was another one of his devastating kisses that plundered and demanded her response, that fanned desire to a searing blaze.

In seconds she was melting, returning his kisses, running her fingers through his hair.

He released her so abruptly, it took a moment to catch her breath. She gazed up at him.

“Give it thought, Rose, and give us a chance.”

“I am giving it thought.” Wriggling out of his embrace, she took his hand. “We'll start even more gossip with my family if we don't show up for breakfast. We've got to run. If you want to see real trouble, just be late for a meal. We have two minutes to get over to the main house.”

“Let's get going,” he said.

 

After breakfast they returned to the guesthouse. Tom went outside to get tools from Connor and work on a broken porch rail, while she headed to her computer to work.

Rose saw little of Tom that morning, but they ate lunch together and it turned into a long, leisurely lunch while they talked about a myriad of topics, and she knew the bond between them was growing hour by hour.

That night they lay wrapped in each other's arms again.

“We went through a whole day and most of tonight and nothing's happened,” she remarked. “Maybe we all figured wrong about the killer coming after me.”

“I have mixed emotions about it,” Tom replied, playing with her hair while she drew circles with her finger on his bare chest. “I'm relieved that no one has tried anything. At the same time, there's a bit of disappointment that we haven't tricked the murderer into giving himself away.”

“I'd think you'd feel more than a bit of a letdown,” she said. “Y'all will have to have another meeting and make different plans. I told you, let me go into town.”

“No way. End of discussion.” At Rose's silence, Tom said, “I'm not kidding, Rose. Neither Connor nor I will agree to you going into town now.”

“I can't stay here indefinitely,” she said, propping her head on her hand to look down at him. “I'll be more of a target if I'm out of the house.”

“I can stay here forever,” he said in a husky voice, trailing his fingers along her throat. She lay down again beside him and he pulled her close.

His bare legs were entangled with hers and he turned on his side, combing his fingers through her hair. Contented, she gazed up at him while she ran her index finger along his firm jaw and felt the stubble on his chin.

“You're a very handsome man, Tom Devlin. But then, you've probably been told that too many times before.”

Grinning, he trailed kisses across her temple. “If so,
I don't remember. It wasn't important until now, but I'm glad you think so.” He raised his head. “You're beautiful, Rose.”

“Sweet talk. Seductive words,” she said, only half teasing. She wondered how sincere he was and how much he did or said something to get what he wanted from her.

Suddenly a flash of brilliant yellow light illuminated the windows and the room. Shattering the quiet, a window-rattling, earth-shaking explosion rocked them.

Rose gasped with shock. As she sat up, fear for her family gripped her.

“That's dynamite!” Tom rolled out of bed and tugged on his jeans.

F
lickering orange light danced over the guesthouse, and Rose's heart plunged, turning to ice when she rushed to the window to see a stable burning. “The horses!” she cried, snatching up her clothes.

Tom grabbed her arm roughly, stopping her. “Don't go out there,” he ordered.

“I have to!” she cried. “I want to call Nita and see if they're all right.”

“Yeah, but first call the fire department while I phone Gavin,” he said. “You're not going to fight the fire or get away from this house. Using you for bait may have worked all too well.”

Startled, she stared at him. “I didn't even think of that.”

“I damn well did. I think our killer has made his move.”

“What good will a burning stable do him?” As quickly as she had the words out of her mouth, she knew her answer. “It gets you away from me.”

“It gets everyone on the place away from you. Rose, you stay right here and get Jane to come watch the fire with you. Or if your Dad's out by the stable, you go up to the main house with Jane, okay?”

“Our stable is on fire—”

“You're pregnant. You can't fight the fire, and the most dangerous thing you can do is stand outside, alone and in the dark.”

“You're right,” she said. Frowning, she seized the phone to call the county volunteer firefighters to help.

Tom yanked on the rest of his clothes swiftly, and the moment she replaced the receiver, he turned to her. “Promise me that you'll either stay here with Jane or be up at the main house with her. Otherwise, I can't go help at the fire. I'm not leaving you here alone.”

“I promise,” she said, knowing that he was right. “Don't worry about me. I'll call Jane right now.”

“Good,” Tom said and turned to run out of the room.

Before calling Jane, Rose dressed quickly, pulling on expandable jeans and a T-shirt. As soon as she slipped on shoes, she called the main house, hoping to get any of them. Connor would already be outside and her daddy might be trailing out after Connor. She couldn't get an answer, but as she replaced the receiver, the phone rang and Rose saw that it was from her father's cell phone.

She answered to hear Jane's concerned voice. “Nita and Connor have gone to the fire,” Jane said. “I've been trying to call you, but your line was busy. Are you all right?”

“I'm fine. I've been trying to phone you.”

“Don't you go help, honey. You stay away from the stable. Will said there weren't any horses in this one tonight, so don't worry. Everybody in the county will be here soon to help. They can get along without you.”

“I'm not going,” Rose said. “I promise. I'll come watch the fire with you. I figure Daddy hobbled out there. Or is he staying in the house?”

“That's one reason I've been trying to call you. Now don't you get worried. He went out to look and fell over a hose.”

“Oh, no!” Rose felt caught in a nightmare and wished she could wake up and the trouble would vanish. “How is he?”

“He insists that he's okay. I think he is, but Connor got him into the pickup and I'm taking him to the hospital emergency.”

“You're sure he's all right?” Rose asked, worry for her father's welfare wiping out concern about the fire. “You're not just telling me that so I won't fret, are you?”

“I promise you, I'm not just saying that. You can talk to him yourself.”

“Hi, Rose,” Will said. “I'm fine and I don't know why all the fuss or Jane's insistence on taking me to the emergency. I need to be at the fire, but everyone got in a dither over my fall.”

“I'm glad you're going to get your leg checked,” Rose said, relieved to hear her father's strong voice and certain he was telling her the truth. “Please call me from the hospital when you've talked to the doctor and let me know how you are.”

“I can tell you right now that I'm fine. If I'd done anything to hurt my leg, I'd be in pain galore. You stay at the house and away from the fire. I don't want to have to worry about you all the time I'm gone. Tom's with you, isn't he?”

“No, he went to the fire because he thought I'd go to the house with you and Jane.”

“Dammit, we'll come back home.”

“Daddy, I promise you, I'm all right. I'm staying at our house and no one is far from me. I'll lock myself in and switch on the alarm. I want you to go to the emergency.

“You lock up, Rose. This fire may not be an accident.”

“Daddy, let me talk to Jane for just a second, please.”

“Here she is,” Will said and then Jane said hello again.

“Jane, do you need me to meet you at the hospital in Royal?”

“Not at all,” Jane replied firmly. “But what about you? We thought Tom would be with you.”

“He expected me to go to the house with you and Daddy, but I promise you, I'll stay inside,” she said, repeating what she had told her father.

“Your daddy wants me to turn the car around and come back.”

“Jane, if Daddy has injured his leg, it won't heal right. You take him to the hospital.”

“All right, but you take care.”

“I will. Please call and let me know how he is when you find out.”

“We will. Now don't worry about us.”

“You both take care.” Rose broke the connection. She locked the house, switched on the alarm and tried to find a window where she could watch what was happening.

After twenty minutes she wanted to go out on the porch where she could see better. She thought she would go look for just a few minutes and then she would come back inside.

She stepped out to see bright orange flames shooting high, sparks dancing above the burning stable. A thick column of gray smoke boiled skyward and spread into a dark cloud.

What had exploded? Had someone set the fire or was this an accident? She walked to the end of the porch to peer at the burning building. She could hear shouts and see men running around. There were men tossing water on the fire and a pumper truck was pouring a silver stream of water on the hissing blaze.

The men were dark silhouettes against the brilliance of the flames. When she heard the wild whinny of a horse, she prayed the animals were safe. All the lights on the grounds were on.

Standing in the porch light, she gazed beyond the expanse of darkness between the guesthouse and the burning stable.

A horse galloped past. The men would hunt it down tomorrow and bring it back unless it returned on its own. She wondered if they had turned the horses out of the other stables.

Had one of their men unintentionally set the blaze? If the fire wasn't a mischance, who was doing these terrible deeds?

Were these incidents really about the old treasure, which she believed was a myth, a Texas tale handed down through the years?

If that legend motivated these acts, then someone really believed that Jessamine's gold existed and that Rose knew where it was hidden. She shivered and rubbed her arms.

As firefighters battled the blaze, neighbors were arriving to provide more and more help.

This latest deed might again point to the Devlins as suspects. She wondered what her father's feelings toward Tom would be after tonight.

Rose moved to a different place on the porch, where
she had a clear view of the stable. She knew in minutes they would have to give up on saving the stable and concentrate on keeping the fire from spreading to the adjacent buildings.

Glancing around the yard that was filled with shadows, she realized her new position left her exposed. How safe was she? Should she go back inside?

She lifted her face to the wind, feeling a slight breeze that caused another fright. She realized the wind was blowing the sparks toward the main house. She looked at the home she loved bathed in bright orange light.

They couldn't let the house burn! Wanting to join everyone fighting the blaze, she paced the end of the porch, staring at the fire. She knew Nita would be in the thick of the struggle. With a catastrophe like the fire, every hand would help. At the same time, Rose had promised Tom, Jane and her father that she wouldn't. She should lock herself inside right now, but she could see better out here. Only a few more minutes and she'd go back inside.

Behind her she heard a scrape and turned.

A dark shadow moved across the porch, then a man's silhouette was black against the brightly lit window as he ran at her.

 

Along with men who worked on the farm, Tom and Connor beat at flames with wet gunnysacks. Nita had one of the hoses hooked up and was pouring water on the barn.

Connor's face was a thundercloud, and Tom couldn't blame him for being angry. Connor knew as well as Tom did that a bomb had exploded and caused the fire.

With Connor and Tom both living on the farm, with
all the lights and alarms, someone still had managed to get into the barn and plant a bomb. And the person had escaped before the explosion, Tom was certain.

The pumper truck with its big stream of water wasn't stopping the fire that roared and crackled. Heat poured over Tom and smoke made him cough.

Jake was staying well back from the smoke but giving directions because this was his specialty. His profession had been fighting oil-well fires until he'd hurt his lungs too badly to continue to be active.

“Connor!” Jake called, and Tom glanced over his shoulder. “A couple of people should get up to the roof of the house and wet it down. With the wind blowing, a spark may catch the house.”

Tom glanced in that direction. At the first threat of fire there, they would have to get the two women out. He had an uneasy feeling about leaving Rose, but he reassured himself that she was with Jane. Rose had promised and she knew she couldn't help out here.

Connor handed his wet sack to one of the men and ran toward the house. To Tom's relief, the wind blew away from the guesthouse.

He knew the Windcrofts had water wells and several spigots outside the stable which gave them water, but the fire was too big now to extinguish with streams of water.

A loud crack startled him. “Get back!” Jake shouted at the men nearby.

Tom rushed a few yards farther from the stable and then turned to watch the last timbers of the roof crash.

While a myriad of sparks shot skyward, flames lapped up the wood. Once again moving closer to the burning stable, Tom beat at the flames and glanced over his shoulder.

“Thank goodness Rose is staying away,” Nita said as Tom moved near her.

“One of the firefighters told me that so far no one and no horses have been hurt,” Tom said.

“We had the horses out of this stable,” Nita said loudly enough to be heard over the roar of the blaze. “Two nights ago would have been a different matter because we had at least six horses in there.”

“Watch yourself, Nita. The fire is from an explosion,” Tom said. “If you see anything suspicious, let someone know. Don't go in the darkness by yourself.”

Nita frowned and Tom clamped his mouth shut.

“We had a small butane tank stored in there,” she told him.

Tom didn't answer because it was too difficult to make himself heard, but he knew the explosion was not caused by a small butane tank. Something bigger had created the blast because one end of the stable was completely gone and flames had already engulfed the remaining structure when Tom had arrived on scene.

His muscles ached as he swung the wet gunnysack, but it was a relief to do something physical. Even if the stable was beyond salvation, they had to contain the fire. It was frustrating in every way, impossible to douse, difficult to control—and had started right under their noses. How had anyone gotten that close without someone seeing him? Tom wondered again.

Tom was certain their suspect was a man. A bomb was more of a man's weapon than a woman's, and a man most likely had dug the holes that had tripped Will's horse.

Tom spotted Gavin holding a hose and suspected a lot of club members were trying to help. He knew neigh
bors were present and he had spoken briefly to his uncle and his cousins.

He looked around the circle of men battling the fire and wondered if the arsonist was among them. Grimly Tom realized that the killer could be in the crowd that was increasing steadily as more and more men came to help. He was tempted to leave and go stay with Rose, but she was with Jane, locked in the house, and as long as the house didn't catch fire, they should be safe.

Tom coughed while heat blasted him in waves and sweat poured off him.

“Nita!” Tom yelled, holding out his sack. “Wet it down and spray that hose on me.”

As soon as the cold water washed over him, he turned back to beat at the flames, swinging the sack with all his strength, wishing he had the person who had done this.

His hands ached and smoke filled his lungs. How many hours before they would have the fire under control? he wondered. How long until it was completely doused?

“Tom! Water?” someone asked, and he turned to see the Windcroft foreman, Jimmy Bradley, holding a yellow thermos with paper cups and a trash sack.

Tom filled a cup and gulped the water down, refilling it and drinking half and pouring the other half over his head. “Thanks, Jimmy,” he said as he tossed the cup in the trash sack.

While Jimmy turned to move to the next person, Gavin appeared to get water. When the sheriff saw Tom, he walked over to him.

“You better go stay with Rose. The stable's a loss anyway. They're moving to the house and other stables to try to protect them.”

“Rose is with Jane. I don't know whether they're in the guesthouse or the main house—”

“She's not with Jane, dammit,” Gavin snapped. “Jane left to take Will to the emergency.”

“What are you talking about?” Tom asked, turning to ice and tossing down the gunnysack. “I saw Will when I first came out.”

“He fell. I helped get him into the pickup so Jane could take him to town.”