Champagne & Chaps (12 page)

“I agree.” Sabrina shifted her rod to her right arm and took Wyatt’s free hand in hers. She nearly melted when he looked down at her and smiled. “Thank you,” she said.

They loaded their gear in the truck then drove to a location where they could carry lawn chairs to the shore and lay out in the sun to dry off and just talk and be lazy. Sabrina and Carly were treated to two exquisite bare male chests when the men took their shirts off and Sabrina was happy to rub suntan lotion on Wyatt while Carly took care of Mike. The men returned the favor.

Sabrina watched as Carly flirted with Mike and found herself still concerned about Mike’s heart. Carly was just that, a flirt, and for her to get serious about someone was going to take a special man.

When they were well toasted, they drove the truck back to the cabin, which was more like a shack. However, it did have an outdoor grill. While Carly and Mike got fired up the grill, Sabrina helped Wyatt clean the fish. Or rather she let him clean the fish while she watched.

They grilled four trout and ate them with the corn on the cob and potatoes they had sliced, put in foil with butter and seasonings and cooked in the coals. Wyatt had even thought to bring her favorite wine.

When dinner was ready, they sat in the lawn chairs and took in the scenery. They could see the lake in the distance as the sun set behind the mountains.

“Arizona sunsets never cease to amaze me.” Sabrina breathed in the clean, fresh air.

“It’s so beautiful here,” Carly said.

Sabrina turned to Carly. “When you invited me to stay, I had no idea how gorgeous this part of the state is. I love it.”

Carly’s lavender eyes met Sabrina’s. “That’s why I stayed.” Carly usually didn’t talk much about her reasons for ending up in Patagonia. As strong as Carly was, Sabrina knew that the end of her relationship had stunned and hurt her.

“You must get a lot of writing done,” Sabrina said.

Carly smiled. “It is the perfect place to write. Peace and quiet. I’m able to focus here better than anywhere I’ve lived.” She turned to Wyatt as she changed the subject. “This trout is incredible. You are one fine grill specialist.”

“It certainly is wonderful,” Sabrina agreed.

Carly gave Mike a teasing look. “Good thing I came. We would be eating a vegan diet tonight if I hadn’t caught all the fish for our share.”

Mike shook his head and grinned. “That’s only because you hogged the pole all day.”

“Excuses, excuses,” Carly said with a laugh.

“Is the farmer’s market on Sunday?” Sabrina asked. “I was reading something about it and I want to get a couple of things from the 4-H kids.”

Carly nodded. “I can take you.”

It was dark by the time they were ready to pack it up and head home, the four of them in Wyatt’s red king cab truck.

As they drove, Sabrina kept having the strange feeling that they were being followed. Maybe she was a little paranoid because of the men who had followed her and rolled her vehicle not that long ago.

When they reached Carly’s house they unloaded and then Mike said goodbye and headed back to his ranch in his truck.

Wyatt took Sabrina aside.

“Are you sure you need to go?” he asked.

She nodded. “I see my mom the same day every week and tomorrow’s not going to be another exception. I’ve already missed one week thanks to the accident.”

He stroked her hair behind her ear. “I’m picking you up the day after and keeping you to myself for a while.”

She smiled. “What about Carly?”

“Carly’s a big girl.” He brushed his lips over hers. “Besides, I don’t think she minds.”

True. Carly had been excited over how well Sabrina and Wyatt’s relationship had been developing.

Sabrina took his hands. “I just hate to abandon her when I came to stay with her in the first place.”

“You’re not abandoning me.” Carly’s voice came from behind them and Sabrina looked to see that her friend had just stepped onto the porch. “Just as long as you come back and visit me and don’t be a stranger, then all’s good.”

“Of course.” Sabrina smiled.

“Do you want some authentic homemade margaritas, Wyatt?” Carly asked. “About to make some.”

“I’ve got to get back to the ranch,” Wyatt said. “Thank you for the offer.”

“No problem.” Carly turned back to head into the house and looked over her shoulder. “Those margaritas will be ready when you are, Sabrina.”

“Yum,” she said right before Carly closed the door.

“Be careful driving to your mom’s.” Wyatt drew her attention back to him.

“I will.” She gave him a kiss. “I always am.”

“Promise no more packages,” he said, his tone light.

“That is one promise I’m happy to keep.” She glanced at the house. “Unless it’s another package of Carly’s cookies for Mom. In that case I have to make an exception.”

“So long as I get some, too.” He lowered his head and kissed her.

She adored his kisses. They had made love several times in the two days she’d stayed with him and she could never get enough of him.

“I’ll see you day after tomorrow.” Wyatt touched the tip of her nose with his finger. “I’m not waiting longer than that.”

“I’ll be waiting,” she said. “Next time I’ll spend a few days more with you before coming back to see Carly and going to Tucson to see Mom.”

“Are sure you’re going to be okay driving alone?” he asked.

She didn’t hesitate when she said, “I’ll be fine,” but inside she did hold back. The thought of traveling on an isolated stretch of road by herself made her feel tense and a little unnerved after what had happened a week ago. She was still sore in places, reminders of the trauma.

He frowned. “Are you sure?”

She put on a smile. “Absolutely. I have to get back on the horse and better sooner than later.”

“Watch out for Harper.” Wyatt’s expression went grim. “He’s a loose cannon. Can’t tell what he might do next.”

“Don’t worry.” She leaned up against him. “I’ll keep the door shut and avoid him at all costs.”

Wyatt caught a lock of her hair and tugged on it. “I love you, Sabrina Holliday.”

“And I love you, Wyatt Cameron,” she whispered.

He kissed her hard one more time before going to his truck. She stood and watched him leave, giving a little wave as he pulled away from the house.

The trip to her mom’s house had been a good one, the drive thankfully uneventful. Sabrina was grateful to be back and off the road for now. She felt a little spooked, like something was going to go wrong and she didn’t know why she was feeling that way.

Carly was gone to Sierra Vista and Wyatt wasn’t due to arrive for another hour, so Sabrina wandered around the house while she waited. Her legs and arms were tanned from their day at the lake and she had a little bit of sunburn on her shoulders.

She stuffed her cellphone in her pocket in case either one of the called. She picked at a thread on her white shorts then made sure her navy blouse was tucked in before she settled on the couch and daydreamed.

She smiled to herself as she thought of Wyatt and the activity they were most likely going to indulge in first thing when they arrived at his ranch. She wondered if they’d ever do it someplace crazy like in his barn when the men weren’t working.

A knock came at the door earlier than she’d expected and she slid her feet into navy and white sandals before hurrying to the door. She flung the door open, a brilliant smile on her face.

Her smile fled. Derrick Harper was on the doorstep. An angry, mean light was in his eyes. But something else was there, too. Fear?

She tried to slam the door in his face but he put his hand up and blocked it.

Her heart pounded. “Get out of here, Derrick.”

He snatched her purse from her the end table closest to the door. “Is the money in here?”

A burst of anger overcame her. “Give me back my purse.”

He turned and tossed the purse behind him. “Check it out,” he said. “Maybe you’ll find something.”

Someone was with him?

She swallowed and tried to sound firm. “Wyatt’s going to be here soon and you know he won’t like finding you here.”

“Then it’s a good thing we’re leaving.” Derrick grabbed her wrist and jerked her forward. She stumbled toward the door and tried to reach for something to hold onto. Her hand found the glass lamp on the end table but it slipped out of her fingers and crashed onto the floor and shattered.

He dragged her through the door then came to a stop.

Two men were at the bottom of the porch steps. Both of them looked hard and mean. One was about five-eleven, the other five-six. The taller one had blue eyes and blond hair while the other had dark hair and brown eyes. The blond had her purse and it was open like he’d been riffling through its contents.

It was the look in their eyes that had terror slicing through her. She turned and tried to fight her way back through the open door, but Derrick had a firm hold on her. She struggled and he raised his hand and slapped her hard.

Stars sparked behind her eyelids and tears of pain wet her eyes. “What do you want?” she shouted.

“I want the money, bitch.” Derrick jerked her arm hard and she slipped as he dragged her down the stairs. The only reason she didn’t fall was because he caught her around her waist and practically carried her the rest of the way down.

“Is it in her purse?” Derrick asked the blond.

The blond man’s eyes remained cold. “Two hundred is all she has.”

“Get her in the car,” the shorter man said.

“No!” Sabrina started to scream but Derrick clapped his hand over her mouth. If they got her in that car it was possible she’d never get away.

She bit Derrick’s finger as he shoved her into the backseat of an older model maroon Cadillac. He shouted and slapped her again.

Her mind spun as she was thrust across the seat. Derrick sat next to her and the other two men climbed into the front seat.

Terror caused her to tremble as they pulled away from the curb. Derrick gestured to the blond. “That’s Tom. He pointed toward the shorter man. “That’s Pablo.”

Pablo turned in his seat so that he could study her. “This dick said you stole our twenty-five grand.”

She shook her head as the car passed through town. “We think some people forced me off the road and took it after they rolled my SUV.” Her voice shook as she spoke. “All I know is that it was on the floorboard of my vehicle and then the next thing I knew I was waking up, my SUV upside down with me in it. No one found the package in the wreckage. The police said they looked.”

Pablo narrowed his gaze at Derrick who looked as terrified as she was.

“I think she has it.” Derrick’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he spoke. “She’s lying.”

“I’m not lying.” She braced her palms on her bare thighs. “I didn’t even know there was money in the package. I don’t know what was in that first package because I didn’t open it and I had no idea I was carrying that kind of money on my way home.”

“How could you be that stupid, Harper?” Pablo shook his head. “You gave the drugs to a woman you don’t know and let her transport back the money. I don’t do well with idiots.” Pablo continued, “We’re going to show you what happens when someone screws with our money “We don’t know which of you is telling the truth so we’re going to have to get it from you.”

Sabrina’s fear grew and she cut her gaze to Derrick. His lips were dry and his eyes filled with terror.

Pablo spoke in rapid-fire Spanish to Tom who responded in kind. Because she was fluent in Spanish she understood every word the two men spoke and more sick sensations went through her belly.

“They’re going to kill us,” she said to Derrick, “starting with you.”

He licked his lips. “Just give them the money.”

When she looked back at him, Pablo was staring at her with his frightening dark eyes. “We want our money. Give us what belongs to us and you can go back to your life.”

She felt more and more panic as Tom drove them out into an isolated part of the valley.

“But I don’t have it—” she started.

Pablo raised his hand like he intended to punch her. The look in his eyes was fierce. “The only words I want to hear from you is you telling us where to find the money that one of you stole from us.”

Pablo kept looking at her, ignoring Derrick. “We can always take the interest out on her,” Pablo said and turned to Tom with a sickening smile.

Sabrina’s throat closed off and she didn’t think she’d be able to speak again as terror filled her. These men could rape her and kill her thanks to Derrick and his damned packages.

They left any sign of civilization behind as Tom drove to an isolated location in the Harshaw Mountains.

The farther they went the more she was afraid that she’d never see Wyatt, her family, or Carly again. She closed her eyes and fought back a tear that wanted to escape. She caught a smell, like the stench of fear, coming from Derrick.

Something started vibrating against her leg and for a moment she couldn’t think straight enough to place it. But then she realized it was her cell phone. She’d set it on vibrate. If she slipped her hand in her pocket and turned it on—

Pablo waved a handgun in her face. “Get out.”

She looked out the window to see they’d stopped off the main road, near a large outcropping of rocks.

Sabrina’s body felt like lead as she forced herself to get out of the car. Were these her last minutes on earth?

As her sandals hit the ground, she thought about running. But the men had guns. Bullets were a lot faster than she could run.

She wrapped her arms around herself shivering even though the sun reached her through the trees.

Pablo held the gun on Derrick as they walked into a clearing. Tom opened the trunk of the car as Pablo kept an eye on Derrick and Sabrina. She jumped when she heard the trunk slam and an ice-cold wave washed over her as Tom returned with a lead pipe.

Derrick looked from Tom to Pablo, terror on his face. “I’ve been telling you the truth. I don’t have it.”

“This is what we do to assholes who fuck with our money.” Pablo gave a nod to Tom.

Tom swung the lead pipe at Derrick and slammed it into his face. Derrick dropped to the ground, howling in pain.

“Get up,” Tom ordered him and the moment Derrick was to his feet, Tom dropped him again.

Sabrina thought she was going to throw up. She started to turn away but came face-to-face with Pablo. She hadn’t even realized he’d gotten that close to her.

He pressed the gun against her temple and he said, “Watch.”

Her entire body shook as she watched Tom beat Derrick with the pipe. Derrick was covered with blood, his skin split, his eyes starting to swell shut and his lips were puffed and cracked.

“That’s enough.” Pablo nodded to Tom to back off. “Now get up, Harper. On your knees.”

Derrick moaned and moved, his arms cradling his head, his face to the ground.

“Get up,” Pablo said as he lowered his gun from Sabrina’s temple and pointed it at Derrick.

Derrick got to his knees as if he was barely able to move. Dirt was stuck to the blood on his face as he looked up at Pablo.

Pablo waved the gun. “Turn around, hands clasped behind your head.”

Derrick started sobbing. “Please, no.”

Sabrina felt her phone vibrate in her pocket again. It might be Wyatt trying to reach her. Maybe she could let him listen in and perhaps he could find her before something happened. Before they killed her.

She slipped her hand into her pocket and pressed the answer button.

“Pablo, please don’t kill Derrick,” she said as loud as she could, hoping whoever was on the other line would hear the man’s name. Maybe it would help law enforcement if the person was able to get help. “Isn’t beating him up enough?”

Pablo gave her a long, cold look. “This will teach you a lesson as well as him.”

“Hasn’t Tom already taught Derrick a lesson by beating him with that pipe?” Her voice shook as she spoke, using the other man’s name so that the caller would hear—if that caller was still there.

“Shut up, bitch.” Pablo walked up behind Derrick and put the gun barrel up to the back of his head. Pablo looked at Tom. “Make sure she watches.”

Derrick started crying and begging as Tom walked up to her and held the pipe in one hand and smacked it against his other hand as he looked at her.

Her face flushed hot and cold and she forced herself to look at Pablo as he started to pull the trigger.

She didn’t know how she managed to keep her eyes open save for the terror of being beaten with the pipe like Derrick had been.

Pablo pulled the trigger.

Sabrina screamed.

* * * * *

Wyatt pulled his truck up next to Sabrina’s rental car and he parked. Carly’s Jeep was gone. He’d tried to call Sabrina’s cell number a little earlier, but no answer. He’d forgotten to charge his phone and it was almost dead. He’d wanted to let her know that he was running late this morning.

They’d discovered why Derrick Harper had been on his property and had been cutting the fence line. The idiot had apparently had a drug stash in the small canyon there, hidden behind an outcropping of rocks. He’d probably figured the last place law enforcement would look was on Cameron property.

Wyatt had called the sheriff’s department and the deputies had been certain that the package of white substance that they’d found in the crevice was cocaine. They’d found fingerprints and now the sheriff’s department was in the process of checking the databases and tracking down Harper.

Wyatt had missed Sabrina like hell and it had only been day before yesterday that they’d been out on the lake together. It was crazy how the woman affected him but he wouldn’t change a thing about it.

“Sabrina?” he called out as he reached the porch and saw that the front door was wide open. He went up the steps came to a full stop. A lamp was shattered on the floor in front of the door.

His heart started pounding. “Sabrina?” he shouted as he ran through the house. “Carly? Is anyone here?”

No answer.

He pulled his cell phone out of its holster on his belt and redialed her number. He took a deep breath, praying that nothing had happened to her. The phone rang and rang and then the call connected.

A moment’s relief went through him but then his body went stone cold as he heard Sabrina speak.

“Pablo, please don’t kill Derrick.”

“This will teach you a lesson as well as him,” a man replied, probably Pablo.

“Hasn’t Tom already taught Derrick a lesson by beating him with that pipe?” Sabrina said, fear obvious in her voice.

“Shut up, bitch.” A pause and then, “Make sure she watches.”

Fainter, Wyatt could hear a man begging for his life.

A gunshot and then Sabrina’s scream.

Terror for Sabrina and rage at the men who had her ripped through Wyatt as he heard her sob.

“Good. She watched it,” Pablo said. “Now she’ll know what will happen to her if she doesn’t give us the twenty-five grand that belongs to us.”

Wyatt’s phone started to beep.

He cursed to himself, praying the battery wouldn’t die.

“I’ve told you, I don’t have your twenty-five thousand.” Sabrina’s voice trembled. “I don’t know what happened to it.”

“Save the bullshit,” another man said. “We want our money. And if you don’t have it, it’s your turn to pay in other ways.”

The “in other ways” held a meaning in it that was all too clear. Wyatt wanted to yell that he’d pay anything they wanted. Maybe they’d hear him.

“Wait.” Sabrina rushed the words. “I have my own money that I’ve saved up. Thirty thousand. You can have all of it. There’s a bank—”

Wyatt’s phone went dead.