Cheyenne (7 page)

The cathedral was closed; I shouldn’t have even come inside. But reliving the memories seemed like the right decision at the time.

I sighed and suddenly had the familiar unnerving feeling of being watched. The hair on the back of my neck rose, but after glancing around, I saw nothing. I opened the construction door with my heart pounding in my chest, afraid of being caught snooping without permission. But I just had to have a peek at the organ. I remembered my dad lifting me to the bench and allowing me to press the keys. This was a memory trip after all…

Walking down the corridor, I came across the gallery door housing the organ. The photograph inside my pocket seemed to tingle against my leg. I pulled it out, steeling myself.

The key to your future is hidden in the past. Don’t let what is stained deceive you. Music is your guide. GA

I exhaled loudly. Why wouldn’t this riddle leave me alone? Every step I took always led me back to it. But it still didn’t make any sense. Why would my parents hide a key? Why would they have never mentioned anything about it? Wouldn’t they have given me some clues over the years? And what was the key for? I shook my head. I was so going to look the fool if I got caught.

I stared at the organ, my mind still so jumbled.

My fingers traced the top panel and I stared at the keyboard before me. My heart was longing for my dad to be here and I sat on the bench my hands hovering over the keyboard.

Did I dare try and play? What if I was heard? I was already trespassing…

Heart racing, I pressed random notes. Nothing happened. Odd… Frowning, I tapped my fingers on the bench. Maybe they were refurbishing the old organ.

Determination sent in and I pressed the notes G and A together in memory of my parents, only this time a I heard a small click from the lower panel.

I ducked under the keyboard, searching for the source of the noise. There was a loose section in the lower left corner of the panel.

I gently pried the piece of ancient wood away. The hidden compartment contained a small box. As calmly as I could, I reached inside and opened the lid. My breath caught…a key! It looked like a key to a safe deposit box. Could it be?

How could I have not seen this clue before? I sighed. It was because my parents knew my memories would lead me here.

A shuffling noise echoed nearby, causing me to panic. Hurriedly, I placed the key in my front pocket and closed the small compartment. The noise was coming closer, and as I crouched under the console, a very real fear gripped me.
Was I about to be caught?
The shadows were lengthening as the sun retreated for the day, which worked to my advantage. If I could stay away from the light, nobody would see me.

The door creaked open, and my pulse began to thunder. Was someone looking for me? Did they see me come into the gallery? I leaned forward, desperate to take calming breaths. Blood rumbled in my ears, and for a moment I wasn’t sure whether the loud noises I was hearing were in my head or real.

The door suddenly closed as quietly as it had opened. I sat waiting for my heart to slow before I could move a muscle. I pulled myself up and then hesitated while my sweaty fingers gripped the doorknob.
What if they came back?
Long moments passed as I pressed my ear to the door. Whoever had been peering in was now gone. Opening the door, I slid through, glancing left and right. I all but ran to the main entrance, my eyes darting about. I allowed a small smile of triumph. I’d done it! My parents would be proud of me.

I should have been paying closer attention, but I was too caught up in my momentary victory. When I rounded the corner, I hit what seemed like a brick wall. My nose pulsed with pain, and the wind was pushed from my lungs. I rebounded onto the floor, banging my head on the tiles. What just happened? I looked up, dazed, as I struggled to catch my breath. My hand unconsciously rose to my head.

“
I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” a deep voice asked.

Suddenly I couldn’t speak and it wasn’t just from being caught. I didn’t know what to say. I felt so immature and childish. My eyes were too busy drinking this stranger in. Scruffy brown hair reached to the nape of his neck. The faintest hint of stubble shadowed his square jaw, and he had beautifully tanned skin and the most brilliant hazel eyes I’d ever seen.

I shook off my astonishment. I needed to focus. The twinge in my head suddenly roared to life.

“
Are you alright?” the man asked again, this time with more worry as his fingers stretched out, offering to help me up. “Can you get up?”

I took his hand, hesitating as I fought to regain control of my wits. “Yes,” I said faintly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.” I blinked a couple of times, fighting back the blazing pain as I bit my lower lip. How was I going to get out of this one?

“
No problem,” he replied. He grasped my elbow as he held me steady for a few passing moments. His hand was warm, strong, and rough against my skin. I took in his towering frame; he was so tall and so handsome.

“
Are you in a hurry?” There was worry as he eyed me. “You came running down the corridor. Is everything okay?” He scanned the hall behind us, as if he were expecting someone chasing me.

I opened my mouth to answer, but it turned to a grimace as the headache decided to up the volume. I couldn’t even come up with a lousy excuse…His voice was becoming like a stampede in my ears. I needed to get back to the Jeep and lie down.

“
Um, yes, I’m fine,” I answered his second question first, trying to buy myself time. He thought I was in a hurry, why? He noticed I had been running and looked to see if he saw anyone. Was someone there? Did he or someone else open the gallery door? I tried to gather my thoughts together. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have come in here.”

“
Oh,” He nodded.

“
I’ve got to go.” The words nervously rolled from my tongue. I stared at the marble tile. “I’m sorry. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be on my way.” I scooted around him and made my exit of the cathedral. I was in no condition to carry on a conversation, especially after the embarrassment I had already caused myself. I didn’t glance back.

I needed the refuge of my Jeep to escape my humiliation. As I hurried toward it, my eyes caught sight of a sandstone-colored pick-up truck parked at the far end of the parking lot. The windows were darkly tinted, but it was the height of the vehicle that caused me to stare. It was eerily familiar. In fact, it looked almost exactly like my dad’s truck. I tried to rationalize my déjà vu away: this really shouldn’t be too odd; it’s a mountain town. They need cars with four-wheel drive to get around during the winter months. I was really becoming paranoid!

I climbed in my Jeep with keys still in hand. It was warm outside, and I didn’t want to close the door yet—I needed the fresh air. As I sat, I began to feel the trauma of the day overwhelm me. During my drive here, I had been stressing about what the riddle meant. Why did my parents hide the picture? I also couldn’t keep my mind off the safety deposit box, and why it was kept a secret. What did it contain that my parents’ thought only I should know?

I was getting another one of my migraines. The majority of the time they came on slowly and I was able to manage them. Before my parents died, they were concerned, but we never visited a doctor. After my parent’s death, my headaches had seemed to evolve into something worse; black spots were now blurring my vision when they came.

I closed my eyes as the throbbing in my skull began to deepen. How was I going to drive like this? I hadn’t even gotten a motel room yet; I’d just have to find the closest one and hope it was clean.

I let my head lightly rest on the seat. I was hoping if I just sat and waited it out for a little while, it would subside enough to drive. The keys dropped into my lap, and I placed my fingers on the side of my temples, massaging them gently. I attempted to lift my head slightly and open my eyes, but I winced as I felt enormous pressure on my skull. I felt like it could explode at any moment. What was happening to me? I’d never had one this bad before.

The distant hum of cars on the road echoed as I sat in the parking lot. Suddenly a warm touch on my left forearm caused me to yelp. I tried to pull free, but the hand didn’t move.

“
Are you okay?” It was the man I had run into at the cathedral. He must have followed me.

“
You don’t look so good; you must have run into me harder than I thought…” he trailed off. “Do you need some help?”

I couldn’t open my heavy lids; the immense pain in my head was overwhelming. I could barely spit out the words. “No…I’m fine.” I tried to pull my arm back again.

I knew I wouldn’t be fine. I was totally incapable of doing anything at that moment except sitting there. I couldn’t even move. I knew I was getting to the point where I might pass out from the throbbing in my temples. Why was this stranger so interested in helping me?

“
Please let go of me.” For the third time, I struggled to pull my arm back and forced myself upright.

“
I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

It happened so fast I couldn’t react. I felt his grip tighten, so strong it surely left imprints on my wrist. Weakly I tried to fight back, but it was no use. Even if I was at full strength, I’d have been no match for him.

His hands slid around my back and grabbed my waist. Then I was tugged into the air, away from the driver’s seat, and lifted into his chest. He moved me to the rear seat of the Wrangler. The sensation of movement made me nauseous, and I moaned softly, praying I wouldn’t be sick. I struggled to flip open my eyes only to see blurry black spots; I closed them again.

I fought to release myself from the stranger’s grasp, but he only held on tighter. I struggled to use my legs to thrash around, but he must have seen it coming because he quickly moved and locked them down. I attempted to open my mouth in protest when his hand reached for my face.

“
It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you,” he said sympathetically. You have to calm down and quit struggling. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“
You’re scaring her,” another voice rumbled and my mind became even fuzzier.

“
We’re going to take you someplace safe…”

Other low grumbling voices reached my ears, but it was too difficult to find out who they belonged to. Suddenly my body fell limp, and everything faded to black.

I woke to the sensation of someone running their fingers through my hair, gently brushing my temples and forehead as they passed over them, jarred me into awareness. I was lying in bed. The touch seemed familiar. I must be dreaming that I was at home, Colt sitting next to me.

I heard the whine of a machine. My fuzzy brain told me I wasn’t dreaming. Where was I? My body went rigid, and the hands stopped moving.

“
Cheyenne, it’s okay. You’re safe.”

That voice! It was the sweetest sounding voice I could imagine. It was Colt! I tried to pry my eyes open, but they were so heavy. I tried to sit up, and he cupped his fingers around my cheek, making sure not to jostle me. A sympathetic grin rose on his lips.

“
It’s okay, just stay still,” he said.

“
Colt, you’re here…” My voice was filled with relief.

“
Of course I’m here,” Colt said. “I drove as fast as I could.”

I’m in the hospital? A sharp pain grew between my eyes and I pinched my eyes closed. Did the hospital call him? He was the only contact in my phone…A door opened and footsteps neared.

“
Cheyenne?” a voice said. “Can you open your eyes for me?”

My lashes fluttered. A woman in a white coat was leaning over me with a small flashlight.

“
I’m Dr. Dawson. You’re in the hospital, you’ve had an accident.”

I stared at Colt for a moment and thought back. The last thing I remember was that I was possibly being kidnapped…

“
What happened?” I muttered, my head hurting and fuzzy.

“
It seems you had a fall, you’ve got a good sized bump on the back of your head. Are you hurting anywhere else?”

“
No, I don’t think so…” A wave of nausea ran through me and I sank to the bed. “Just feel a bit sick.”

“
Understandable,” Dr. Dawson said. “But we’ve given you some medicine, it should kick in soon.” She fingered her stethoscope. “Do you remember what happened?”

I lowered my head. I didn’t want to admit I’d been snooping around a cathedral without permission.