Rescued by the Ranger (11 page)

The Taylors had made reservations to stay through the early bear hunt, which started next week, and they were chatting animatedly with Peg and Garrett. Same as last night, the only seat left open was between him and Jonathan, but she stepped around the table without hesitation. Funny how her opinions had changed literally overnight.

She searched Garrett’s face as he stood to pull out her chair. “Did you tell her?” Her voice was low and meant only for him.

He nodded indiscernibly and leaned closer to her ear. “You were right. I
must
be the favorite. They’re a little upset with you, though.” He chuckled as he pushed her chair in and took his seat.

Rachel wanted to laugh in the worst way—to shake off the pall of gloom and anxiousness that dogged her steps and really enjoy herself. It had been a while since she’d felt that free, probably not since Amanda died. It was Garrett who’d given her something to smile about—something to look forward to . . . if she were staying. As quickly as the realization came, an ache settled in her chest. He was forbidden. His smile, his touch, his kiss . . . as dangerous as they were enticing.

She knew what she had to do. Her plan was set. In a few hours it wouldn’t matter one way or another. If she could just get through this dinner. Choke down this food. Forget that Jonathan would be hurt by her sudden disappearance. That Peg would no doubt blame herself.

And Garrett? The man with the easy laugh, scruffy good looks, and hard, muscled body that begged to be touched—what would
he
do? She’d wanted him to stay and help Peg, but under the circumstances, he would be much safer if he hightailed it back to California and counted himself lucky that there hadn’t been anything here to hold him.

Rachel forced herself to join in the conversation that Alan and Linda were having with Garrett. Not that she knew much about cattle ranching and raising hay, but that’s what she loved about these dinners—learning about other people’s lives beyond Cougar Ridge. Now that she was moving on, maybe some of the information she’d gleaned over the years would come in handy.

“Say, I heard there was some excitement around here this morning. Someone trying to break in or something?” Alan grinned, obviously pleased with the gossip and its effect on the group around the table.

Peg choked on a bite of food and raised her napkin to her mouth, darting a glance toward Jonathan. She couldn’t have looked guiltier if she’d tried. Jonathan, usually calm, cool, and professional, pushed his plate back and offered a dark scowl that no doubt would have silenced anyone who didn’t already know what a soft-hearted tough guy he was.

Rachel swallowed a lump in her throat and concentrated on Alan Taylor’s curious expression instead of the dread that the memory evoked. “Nothing so dire, I assure you. Probably just one of the area residents cutting through the property on their way back to town.”

“But I heard he ran. Why would he run unless he was up to no good?” Alan’s brow furrowed in confusion and, possibly, regret that there wasn’t more excitement to the story.

Garrett leaned forward, resting on his elbows, his arm brushing against hers. “I understand there’s quite a lot of poaching in these mountains. Our visitor probably
did
have something to hide, but I doubt the lodge was the target of his misconduct.”

Rachel glanced at him and, as their eyes met, something subtle passed between them. Earlier, he’d told her he thought they’d make a good team. She hadn’t realized their first collaboration would involve lying to a guest.

“I hadn’t thought of that. You’re probably right.” Disappointment was obvious in Alan’s expression for the space of a heartbeat, and then his familiar teasing grin appeared. He turned to his wife. “That’ll teach us to listen to gossip at the diner, honey.”

“You heard someone talking about our trespasser in town today?” Garrett studied Alan, obviously paying closer attention.

She sensed Jonathan bristling on her other side, too. With good reason
.
No one but the three of them and Peg knew about the incident. She and Garrett had left town without filing a police report today. The only other person who could know was the intruder himself. An involuntary shiver cascaded through her.

Garrett leaned back and dropped his arm beneath the tabletop, finding her hand where it rested in her lap. He squeezed it lightly, and the warmth of his touch grounded her.

“Yes. We were having lunch. I stepped up to the counter for some mustard and overheard a couple of guys talking. They looked like locals, but I’d never seen them before. Had you, honey?” Alan draped his arm around Linda’s shoulders.

“I didn’t really get a good look at them, dear.” Linda smiled apologetically.

“No reason to worry. I’m sure Garrett and Rachel are correct in their assessment.” Peg patted Linda’s hand reassuringly. “I’ll impose upon Jonathan and Garrett to have a look around before they turn in tonight. We’ve never had any trouble here, but we do have an alarm system that we could set after everyone goes to bed if that would make you feel safer.”

“No, no. We’re perfectly comfortable with the way things have been. You’ve always taken good care of us.” Alan raised his glass in a toast to Peg.

Rachel’s heart pounded with a new worry. What if Jonathan and Garrett stood watch tonight? What if she couldn’t slip away unseen? She was still fretting over the possibility when the Taylors said goodnight and took their unfinished wine with them to their room.

Peg barely waited for their guests to hit the stairs. “Garrett, in light of this new information, are you sure it wouldn’t be wise to file a report with the sheriff?”

“The sheriff and I didn’t exactly get off on the right foot, Aunt Peg. I don’t think he’s going to care about anything I have to say. Maybe you or Jonathan could speak with him the next time you’re in town?”

A smile slowly worked across Peg’s features. “So much like your mother.”

Garrett’s visage brightened. “Really? How so?”

“Amanda was forever forming first impressions about new people from which she’d decide whether they could be trusted or not.”

Garrett laughed softly. “Yeah? How’d that work for her?”

“She was never wrong,” Peg said.

“That’s a good thing, right?” Garrett cocked an eyebrow.

Peg nodded and pushed her chair back. “That’s a very good thing.”

Rachel shoved her chair out and stood as soon as Peg and Jonathan headed for the door. “I’m going to help Dory with the dishes and then go to the office.”

Garrett stood and placed a hand on her arm. “Are you sure I can’t help? I’m a mean typist.”

Dread lay heavy in her stomach. “Thanks, but no need. It’ll actually go faster on my own.”

“Have it your way. I’ll have a look around outside before I turn in tonight.”

“Maybe it’s not necessary. It could really have been one of the locals.” She searched his face hopefully.

Garrett stepped toward her and cupped her jaw, one thumb tracing her lower lip. “It wasn’t. We both know that. Anyway, it won’t hurt to have a look around. Would a goodnight kiss be out of the question?”

“Suddenly you’re asking?” Rachel raised her eyebrows, then tensed with anticipation as the warmth of his breath on the side of her face turned her legs to rubber.

A soft brush of his lips on hers and a quick kiss on her cheek was all she got, but it was enough to start her heart beating erratically. When he straightened in front of her again, he grinned as though he knew he was leaving her wanting more.

“My room, in the morning. Don’t forget, or I’ll come looking for you.” He winked and strode away.

Rachel’s heartbeat reverberated in her ears. He could look for her all he wanted. He wouldn’t find her. That thought initiated a pain in her chest and made it hard to breathe. She shook her head. It wasn’t important. She had dishes to do and a phone call to make. Then she would go to the office long enough to finish the letters she’d promised to send out welcoming the guests who’d made reservations for the season. It wouldn’t take as long as she’d led Garrett to believe.

Then she would pack . . . a few belongings. Not much would fit in one bag, but she didn’t have a lot. It had always been in the back of her mind that she’d have to run again so she hadn’t accumulated material things. The nearly eight thousand dollars she’d saved was more critical.

She went through the motions, doing her chores, saying goodnight to Dory and Jonathan before she climbed the stairs to her room. Pretending that it wasn’t the last time she’d ever see her friends was the hardest thing she’d ever done, but there was no other way to make it through this. Once alone, the first thing she did was call Sally. Her friend was the only person who knew the whole story about Jeremy, and there’d never been a doubt in Rachel’s mind that Sally would help her disappear, no questions asked, and keep her whereabouts quiet. She was that kind of friend. Rachel was going to miss her like crazy.

“Rachel? I’m so glad you called, but it’s kind of late. Is everything all right?” Sally’s bubbly greeting slowly faded to worry.

Rachel glanced at her bedside clock, wishing she could reassure Sally, but her friend knew her too well. Rachel would normally never call her after 10:00 p.m., knowing that Sally’s daughter, Jen, would likely be sleeping. “I need your help, Sally, and you can’t tell anyone.”

Heavy silence stretched into seconds. Finally Sally sighed. “What do you need, Rach?”

“It’s time for me to move on. I need you to pick me up by the lodge sign on the highway. If anyone comes looking for me after I’m gone you have to tell them you haven’t seen me in weeks. Can I stay at your house tonight?”

“Of course, but where are you going?”

“I can’t tell you, hon. You’ll be safer if you don’t know.” The silence again, but Rachel pushed on. “Can you be here by midnight?”

“Sure. I’ll arrange for Jen to stay with one of her friends,” Sally said.

“That’s a good idea. I can’t thank you enough.”

“You don’t have to. You know that. I’ll be there at midnight.”

Rachel held on to the phone long after her friend was gone, wishing things could be different. As the silence settled around her, the immensity of what she was doing crashed over her, leaving her breathless and vacant except for a lump as hard as stone in her chest.

Leaving without saying good-bye to Peg would be devastating . . . for both of them. She tried to keep herself busy, not willing to give in to self-pity. There’d no doubt be plenty of time for such pursuits later.

Forcing her sadness to the back of her mind, she jerked her satchel off the top shelf of the closet and opened it on the bed. Just one pair of shoes and a few clothes followed by her favorite picture of her with Peg, Amanda, and Jonathan two summers ago on the dock at the cabin nearly filled the bag. Lastly, she took a shoebox from the very back of one of her drawers. Inside was the .38 special she’d bought before leaving Texas along with a handful of extra shells. She’d been so embarrassed when Jonathan had found the gun helping her move in. Somehow he’d known that she hadn’t had a clue about guns, and he’d shamed her into learning how to use one. As she loaded the cylinder, pocketed the remaining ammunition, and laid the weapon on the top of her clothes, she was immensely glad he had.

Finally, she retrieved a sheet of stationery from her desk drawer and sat stiffly, penning the hardest words she’d ever had to write. She meant it to be for all of them, but upon rereading, it sounded as though she was talking to Garrett. Damn him for getting inside her head and messing with her preconceived ideas. She’d have been better off if she’d continued to hate him. Now, she would miss him and always wonder what might have been.

But nothing could ever have come from her association with Garrett. As long as Jeremy was alive, the danger was very real that Garrett would end up dead if she let herself get too close. And it would be her fault because . . .
hadn’t she been warned?

She glanced at her watch again. A deep breath came hard as the minutes ticked by. If she hesitated now, she’d never leave. She slipped into a dark-colored jacket, slung her bag over her shoulder, tiptoed down the stairs, and slipped out of the lodge.

A full moon illuminated her path as she followed the gravel road across the bridge, through the meadow, and down the drive. She’d never been afraid walking in these woods, but tonight the shadows swayed with an eerie presence, and the hairs prickled along the back of her neck as she glanced over her shoulder at every sound. Her hand rested on the .38 special at the top of her bag, and she kept walking.

Ten minutes later as she neared the highway, she heard a car’s engine. It was nearly midnight, and the narrow mountain roads didn’t see much traffic after dark, but she stepped into the shadow of the trees anyway. It would be best if no one saw her leave. She couldn’t take a chance that someone would mention to Peg or Jonathan that they’d seen her—not until she was far away.

As soon as she recognized the old gray Ford Explorer, Rachel stepped back onto the roadway, into the light from the oncoming vehicle.

The Explorer came to a stop and the front passenger door opened. Rachel strode forward, deposited her bag on the floorboard, and slid into the front seat opposite a petite brunette who studied her rearview mirror before glancing over.

Rachel leaned toward her, giving her the briefest of hugs. “Thanks for coming, Sally.”

The woman behind the wheel looked Rachel over, misgivings apparent in her expression. “You call . . . I come, but are you sure about this, sweetie?”

Rachel shook her head. “I don’t have a choice, Sal. I think Jeremy may know where I am. If I don’t leave, a man I only met yesterday will end up dead, and I’m not going to let it happen this time.”

Chapter Nine

F
RUSTRATION PROPELLED
G
ARRETT
down the stairs, the lavender-colored envelope and sheet of paper half-crumpled in his fist.
Damn stubborn woman!
Rachel owed him an explanation—one he needed if he was going to figure out why that Jeremy character scared the shit out of her. She’d agreed to come to his room this morning. When she didn’t show by 8:00 a.m., he’d gone looking for her and found the note in her room.
Her good-bye note!
Why couldn’t she see that she was safer here than out there . . . alone?

An irritated grumble escaped in spite of his efforts to rein in his simmering temper.

As Garrett’s feet hit the landing halfway between the lobby desk and the front door, he glanced around. “Jonathan?” Where was everybody? Faint voices drifted in from the dining area, and he scrunched the lavender paper tighter as he started that way.

Without warning, the lodge door swung open. A tall, broad-shouldered hulk of a man with dark brown hair, cut military short, stepped across the threshold. His ready smile crinkled his boy-next-door face and revealed matching dimples that he’d been teased about unmercifully all of his life. Garrett skidded to a stop.

“Luke!”
He never could set eyes on his younger brother’s happy-go-lucky mug without giving up a grin of his own, no matter how black his mood.

“Hey, bro. Don’t look so surprised. You told me to haul ass.” Luke cocked his head. “Here I am.”

Garrett closed the distance between them and grasped Luke’s outstretched hand, then pulled him in for a hug. Damn, it was good to see him.

Releasing him, Garrett stepped back. “You’re just in time. I’m going to need your help.” He ignored the quizzical expression he received in return and resumed his march toward the dining area as Luke fell in beside him.

They no doubt seemed a formidable pair, filling the doorway, because Jonathan and Aunt Peg both rose and stared at them. The Taylors weren’t in attendance yet, which Garrett was thankful for. The fewer people present the better when he demanded Aunt Peg tell him what the hell was going on. Before he could say anything, though, she emitted a small gasp, and her hand flew to her throat.

“Luke?” She glanced at Garrett. “This
is
Luke, isn’t it?” Her gaze flitted back to his brother as her shoulders slumped, and she grabbed for the edge of the table, her eyes rolling back in her head. Garrett leaped forward, Luke close behind him, but it was Jonathan who caught her before she hit the floor.

With a black scowl drawing his brows into one, he scooped her into his arms, carried her out the door and up the stairs to her room, leaving Garrett and Luke nothing to do but follow. Jonathan laid her gently on the handmade quilt that covered her bed and rounded on Luke with contempt in his eyes.

“Well, you Harding boys are living up to your fucking reputation today, aren’t you? First him,” he said, jerking a thumb toward Garrett, “now you. Have you
ever
given a thought to another human being in your fucking life? Spoiled . . . thoughtless rich kids . . . it’s all about
you
, isn’t it?”

Luke threw up his hands and backed away from the fury that radiated from Jonathan as he moved ever closer, but Garrett knew his little brother would only back so far before his training and his natural inclination to defend himself kicked in. Garrett had seen people try to bully Luke before, fooled by his easygoing nature and those damn dimples. That meant Garrett had about ten seconds to restore order before all hell broke loose. Remembering the paper in his hand, he held it up and stepped in front of Luke.

“Jonathan, I understand how much you care about Aunt Peg, but you’re overreacting. You need to get a grip. Neither of us knew she would respond by fainting, least of all Luke. Let’s make sure she’s okay, and then we need to find Rachel.” Garrett extended the lavender paper toward him and saw him flinch for the first time, as though coming back from somewhere far away.

His gaze pierced Garrett’s and dropped slowly to the paper before any cognizance appeared in his eyes. “What do you mean—find Rachel?”

Rustling from the bed behind him seemed to indicate that Aunt Peg was regaining consciousness, and Luke skirted around both of them to reach her side. She’d pushed up on her elbow, so Luke pressed her back down gently and knelt beside the bed.

“You must be the Aunt Peg my big brother said he’d found. I don’t remember you, but I’m pleased to finally meet you.” Luke took her hand between his.

Jonathan whirled around, watched the two for a heartbeat, then started toward them. Garrett grabbed his arm, hoping that this confrontation wouldn’t come to blows right here in Aunt Peg’s room. Jonathan stopped, but if the glint of warning he turned on Garrett was any indication, no danger would ever get close enough to touch her if he had anything to say on the matter.

Couldn’t hold that against the man. Didn’t Garrett feel the same sense of responsibility toward Rachel? “Aunt Peg, I dropped in out of the blue on you day before yesterday, and then Luke blasted in today with no warning. Jonathan was right—I showed no consideration for you, and I’m sorry.” Garrett included Jonathan in his apology and received a curt nod in return.

“I’m sorry too, Aunt Peg.” Luke added his charismatic smile to the moment as he brought her fingers to his lips.

Aunt Peg leaned toward him, sliding her fingers free so she could hold his face in her hands as she studied him, a soft smile relaxing her face. “Your mother always said you were a charmer.”

Garrett again pushed the paper toward Jonathan. “Rachel’s gone. I found this note in her room.”

“What?” Another gasp from Aunt Peg and a frown from Jonathan made Garrett wish he’d taken this outside the room. On the other hand, she might know something that could help him find Rachel.

Shit!
Was he overstepping his bounds? Without conscious thought, he’d taken on the task of finding her. He’d met her only two days ago. If she wanted to move on . . . who was he to say she was making a mistake? Yet he couldn’t rid himself of the niggling sensation that she hadn’t run solely because of that asshole Jeremy, but rather because Garrett had answered her phone and spoken to the bastard. That’s what had put the dread in Rachel’s eyes—almost as if she was afraid of
him
.

That was unacceptable. Hell yes, he’d find her and convince her that she
could
trust him, and he’d use everybody in this room, and then some, to help him do just that.

“Okay, Aunt Peg. You can sit up, but let’s take this one step at a time. We don’t want you fainting on us again.” Luke stood as she swung her feet to the floor.

She focused on Garrett. “How do you know Rachel left?”

“We were supposed to meet this morning. When she didn’t come, I went to her room. I found this note addressed to all of us.” He motioned to the note clutched in Jonathan’s hand.

“What does the note say?” Her strained whisper told Garrett she’d just asked a question she didn’t really want the answer to.

Damn, he wished he didn’t have to be the one to break her heart. He stepped to Luke’s side, took Aunt Peg’s hand in his, and helped her up on unsteady legs. “She said the years she spent here were the happiest of her life. That she considers you all her family. She’d hoped her past would never catch up with her here, but after yesterday, she thinks it might have. If that’s the case, to stay would place you all in danger, and she won’t allow that to happen.”

Jonathan cleared his throat before he started to read aloud.
“I’ll miss you all like crazy. Please don’t try to find me. I can’t come back.”
He lowered the hand that held the note and let it fall to the floor.

Tears shimmered in Aunt Peg’s eyes as she looked up at Garrett. “What happened yesterday?”

The steadfastness in the woman’s expression told him she wasn’t going to let him off the hook, so he dived in. “Well, there was the trespasser yesterday morning. She didn’t seem that bothered by the incident. But . . . Riley and his two brothers met us out in front of the sheriff’s office, and Riley said something to her that I didn’t catch. Whatever it was, it hit home. I could tell she wasn’t quite the same after that. Then on the way home, she offered to show me the cabin where you and my mother lived when you first came here.” Garrett allowed himself to relive the moment when he kissed her, the feel of her lips on his, and her body trembling under his touch . . . until her phone rang.

“She got a call that she didn’t answer, but it put that same scared look in her eyes.” Garrett shrugged. “So, when Rachel was in the bathroom, and the phone rang again with the same number on the screen . . . I answered it. It was some guy named Jeremy. He’s evidently been stalking her for God knows how long, and he’s not above issuing threats of violence. Rachel clearly has reason to believe he’ll make good on those threats. She had a meltdown when she saw what I’d done.”

Aunt Peg’s wistful smile instantly made him feel guilty. “Well, you
did
invade her privacy, dear. But why wouldn’t she confide in us?” She glanced at Jonathan, then turned to face him. “Did you know anything about this?”

He straightened and shrugged his massive shoulders. “She told me that someone was looking for her, and that if he ever showed up here she’d have to find a new place to hide. I pressed her for details, but she wouldn’t budge on that. Said I’d be in danger if I stuck my nose in. So I taught her how to use that old revolver she always carried and made up some warning signals that she could use if she was ever in trouble, and that seemed to make her feel safer . . . up to now.”

“Do either of you know where she might go?” Garrett looked back and forth between them.

Jonathan shook his head. “Not for the long term, but I don’t think Rachel would leave the area without saying good-bye to Sally Duncan and her daughter, Jen. It’s anyone’s guess how long she’ll be there, but I’m betting she’ll make a stop in Huntington—twenty miles to the north.”

Garrett nudged Luke’s arm. “I’m taking off as soon as I get my dog from my room.”

“I’m going with you,” Luke said.

Jonathan started from the room. “Somebody has to show you city boys how to find the place.”

Garrett sought Aunt Peg’s chocolate-brown eyes and found the corners of her mouth turned up in a weak smile. With a huff, she pulled her hand from his grasp. “If it’s me you’re worried about—don’t. I’ve been taking care of myself for a while now. Dory is here, as well as two groundskeepers and a river guide. I think even the Taylors will be here most of the day. Besides, I’ve got my old Winchester behind the counter.” She wagged her finger at him and Luke. “You just find Rachel and bring her home.”

Five minutes later, Garrett, with Cowboy by his side, met Luke and Jonathan in the parking area. After some discussion, they decided to take Luke’s rental, a nearly new Chevy Tahoe, which would afford them more room than Garrett’s Jeep. Jonathan rode shotgun with Luke since he supposedly knew a shortcut, and Garrett and Cowboy spread out in the backseat.

The sun shone brightly, the brilliant blue of the sky tempered by thin wispy clouds. The temperature was already in the seventies with the sunrise only a couple of hours old. The pristine air rolled through the open window Cowboy’s head was stuck through, whipping Garrett’s short hair onto his forehead.

The Tahoe lurched to the left suddenly, and Cowboy slammed into Garrett’s chest before he caught his balance. Garrett glanced through the windshield at the road up ahead. Actually,
road
was a fairly optimistic term for the one-lane, overgrown trail they followed, chiseled from the side of a cliff. Luke apparently had the pedal to the floor as they barreled along with a river on their right.

As his head turned to take in the river, Garrett could see Luke was enjoying himself. Pushing the envelope was what his little brother did best. He thrived on it—just as Garrett had before he was wounded.

He was glad to see that Luke and Jonathan were talking. Between the engine and the airflow, he couldn’t hear what they were saying, but they both seemed relaxed and amiable. That was good. It would’ve hurt Aunt Peg if there was bad blood between them.

Damn, he hoped Jonathan was right about Rachel going to see her friend, and that she was still there. If they missed her, he’d likely never see her again. Something clenched in his chest as the possibility took root.
What the hell?
His concern for the shapely redhead seemed inflated considering he’d known her not quite two days and most of that time they’d spent sniping at each other. Nonetheless, there it was. She’d gotten under his skin, and now he itched for want of her.

This was a good place. He’d felt more at home here than he had anywhere for a very long time. He could start over here—maybe start a family. That thought immediately brought Rachel back to the forefront. Why he cared was anyone’s guess. So far she’d kicked him out of her bar, told him she despised him and wanted him out of Peg’s life, and then lied to him. She’d never intended to explain who and what Jeremy was to her. Her delaying tactic was just that—until she could get out of town and never have to face him again.

Garrett wasn’t going to let her out of his sight again until she told him what the hell was going on, even if it meant staying with her 24/7. Except that scenario brought up images of a totally different kind, and the tightening in his groin warned him to think of a safer topic—such as finding her.

A few minutes later, the vehicle slowed, and Garrett reached to steady Cowboy before he lost his footing again. When he glanced out the front, they were on a paved street surrounded by small, older, well-kept houses. Garrett sat forward in time to hear Jonathan instruct Luke to make a right turn. Another right, then a left, and Luke pulled the Tahoe to the curb beside a yellow two-story home with a big front lawn and a stereotypical white picket fence.

Jonathan pointed to an older, run-down, concrete-block house across the street. “That’s Sally’s place.”

No fence. That was good. No trees, either. Not so good. Nothing to hide their approach and keep Rachel from dashing for the back door as soon as she caught sight of them. “Cowboy and I will take the back. Give me two or three minutes. Then knock on the front door.”