Chasing a Dream (2 page)

She heard the rasp of his pants zipper and cringed. The beatings were bad enough without humiliation heaped on top.

Tess searched for answers, prayed for guidance. She knew she had to leave, had to get away from Randall somehow. She’d find the conviction and courage to do what she should have years ago. Her mind set, she began planning her getaway.

CHAPTER
ONE

Tess clutched the steering wheel with a death grip and checked the rearview mirror once more. Her escape seemed flawless, yet she knew better than to relax. Randall would come after her.

Fear clawed at her, accelerating her pulse. Nudging the gas pedal, she urged her new Jimmy to eat up the miles of Texas highway just a little faster. The farther she got before Randall discovered her flight, the safer she would be.

She worried her lower lip and sighed. “Safe” was a relative term, and she doubted she would ever consider herself truly free of danger. Randall never forgot a betrayal.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, eclipsing the late morning sun. Driving rain obscured her view and made the interstate treacherous. But she pushed on.

Her survival, her sanity depended upon fleeing the parameters of Randall’s power and influence. She needed to fade into the sweet obscurity of the American populace. Without any specific destination in mind, she headed across the plains of South Texas, leaving behind a nightmare beyond anything she’d ever imagined.

She’d had to act quickly. Too quickly. Spontaneity had never been her strong suit, but under the circumstances, she couldn’t afford the time extensive planning would involve.

Her affronted ethics had compelled her to act. Panic had guided her escape. Desperation now led her quest for seclusion and anonymity. Certain only that she had to make a new life for herself, Tess plotted her next move while she drove.

She’d avoid large cities where Randall could have contacts. A newcomer in a small town would draw too much attention as well. Someplace about the size of—

Thunk!

Tess gasped. The loud bump and pull on the steering wheel jerked her out of her deliberations. A gunshot? Her gaze flew back to the rearview mirror. A fresh surge of adrenaline swept through her. Her heart thudded against her ribs, and her hands shook.

The steering wheel slipped in her sweaty palms, and the Jimmy listed to the right. In her distraction and in the blinding rain, she must have hit something on the road and damaged a tire.

“Oh, no.” Her chest tightened with dread as she eased to the shoulder. Not only would changing a flat tire waste precious time, but stranded along the side of the interstate, she became a sitting duck. She’d be an easy mark for one of Randall’s lackeys who had no compunction about using her for target practice.

Sucking in a deep breath, she fought the swell of panic rising with the taste of bile in her throat. The swishing windshield wipers kept time with the steady cadence of the June rain on the car roof while Tess quieted her jangling nerves. Pressing the heels of her hands against her closed eyes, she curled her fingers into her hair and counted to ten.

You can do this. Just stay calm and think clearly.

After cutting off the engine, she glanced around the floor and realized that, in her haste to change vehicles, she’d left her umbrella in the BMW she’d traded for the dark blue Jimmy.

Digging her cell phone from her purse, she turned the device on to call a tow truck. Then hesitated.

With a groan, she discarded the idea. She had to learn to take care of herself, survive alone, and she might as well start now. Besides, the less attention she attracted, the better.

From the glove box, she withdrew the owner’s manual for the Jimmy she’d owned for less than two hours. Hands trembling, she studied the instructions for changing a tire then tossed the manual on the passenger seat.

With a heavy sigh, she opened the door and stepped out into the torrent. The warm summer rain dripped from her hair and nose. After retrieving the jack and lug wrench from the storage space in the back of the truck, she set to work.

Having positioned the jack under the car frame as the instructions in the manual described, Tess threw all of her body weight into loosening the lug nuts on the tire before levering the truck. Within minutes her muscles ached from fighting the stubborn nuts, which refused to budge. When the wrench slipped in her wet hands and clattered to the pavement, she growled her frustration. She dropped onto the ground and, despite the puddles she sat in, leaned back against the truck.

Surrendering to the tears that stung her eyes would be easy. Though distraught, discouraged and drenched, she mustered enough strength in her quivering muscles for another try.

Giving up was not an option. Quitting now meant certain discovery, defeat, even death. She didn’t delude herself for a minute by hoping that Randall would forgive her flight, ignore the damning things she’d learned about him, and allow her to live.

Memories of his rage the night she’d confronted him with the truth knotted her stomach and persuaded her to struggle to her feet for a second attempt with the stubborn lug nuts. Grasping the wrench with a grip as firm as her resolve to rid herself of Randall’s menace, she jammed the tool in place and tugged with all her might.

“Looks like you’re having a little trouble.”

Tess’s heart slammed against her ribs at the sound of the male voice. Her hands stilled. A pair of muddy hiking boots appeared in her peripheral vision. She eased her gaze over to study the man’s shoes while her mind raced.

Was he one of Randall’s men? Should she run? Could she defend herself with nothing more than the lug wrench?

As she raised her head, her gaze traveled up a pair of long legs, clad in blue jeans, and past slim hips to a broad and imposing chest. Though not what she’d call muscle-bound, the stranger’s torso, clearly delineated beneath a clinging, wet T-shirt, looked strong and capable of inflicting harm if he so chose. Her 110 pounds held no chance against his brawn.

Gulping a breath, she dragged her gaze to his face, shadowed under a black cowboy hat, and she searched for her voice. “I—I can handle it.”

The man squatted beside her, his long legs splaying wide. “Are you sure? I don’t mind giving you a hand if you want to get out of this rain a little quicker.”

On eye level with him now, she surveyed the stubbled cheeks and square jaw of the man she estimated in his late twenties. “I’m already soaked, so . . . I . . . thank you anyway.”

Bright blue eyes stared at her from under the dark rim of his Stetson, and his mouth curved in a lazy grin. He reached for her, and Tess shrank back with a gasp. The fingers that curled around her grip on the wrench felt surprisingly warm as he gently pried the tool out of her hand.

“I’m afraid my rearing won’t allow me to take ‘no’ for an answer. My mama would tan my hide if she found out I’d let a woman change a tire in the rain when I could’ve done it for her.”

She lifted her chin a notch, grabbing for the wrench again. She needed it for a weapon if nothing else. “Well, I won’t tell your mother, if you don’t.”

His grin blossomed, lighting his face with a handsome smile that caused a flutter in her pulse. He put a hand under her elbow and stood, drawing her to her feet as well.

“Come on. Stand back. I’ll take care of this.”

The idea of locking herself safely in the car appealed to Tess enough to let him slide the lug wrench from her hand. “All right.”

Stepping away from him, she wrapped her arms around her chest to ward off the chill of the rain and the nip of apprehension that shimmied down her spine. She watched him remove his hat long enough to push wavy hair, as black as his Stetson, off his forehead.

He moved into position beside the flat tire and fit the wrench in place. She heard him grunt as he tugged until the lug nut gave. While he continued working, his attention riveted on the task, she rounded the front bumper to take refuge in the driver’s seat.

Locking her door, she then searched for something to dry her hands and face but didn’t find anything. Nothing short of a hair dryer and a complete change of clothes from her hastily packed suitcase would do her much good anyway. She surrendered to the idea of being wet and closed her eyes, leaning against the headrest.

She focused on relaxing her tense muscles and gathering her wits. The car jostled while the dark-haired cowboy finished changing the damaged tire. The full-sized spare that came with the car proved a fortunate option she’d taken for granted when she picked a Jimmy from the dealer’s lot. Basic transportation, something Randall wouldn’t recognize, had been her only concern when she’d switched cars that morning.

A rap on her window pulled her from her musings, and she opened the window a crack to speak to the man who stood by her door.

“All done. Where do you want me to put these?” He held out the jack and lug wrench.

“I’ll take them.” She lowered her window enough for him to pass the tools in to her. Relief that she could now get back on the road mingled with gratitude for the tall, handsome cowboy who’d come to her aid. She fished some money from her purse, and a smile found her lips as she met the man’s blue gaze. “Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means to me.”

You may have just saved my life.

Waving off the money, he flashed her a warm smile. “No problem.” He stepped back then paused, narrowing his eyes. “Can I give you a little advice?”

She eyed him suspiciously. “Excuse me?”

“Gettin’ in the truck while I was working . . . you could’ve made the truck fall off the jack.”

“Oh.” She stared at him blankly for a minute, until he stepped back from her window.

“Just remember that next time.” He gave her a wink as he turned away.

The tension in her chest eased, and she cranked the engine, eager to make up for lost time. When she checked her mirrors for a break in the traffic, she spotted the man on the shoulder of the road behind her car, hoisting a backpack and stooping to pick up a guitar case. While she watched, he turned and struck out along the side of the road, passing the passenger side of her Jimmy and moving on.

She’d been so preoccupied with worry and her suspicions of him that she hadn’t realized he had no car until that moment. Staring at his retreating back, Tess told herself all the reasons why she’d be crazy to offer him a ride. The risk she’d be taking by picking up a stranger didn’t outweigh the guilt of leaving him to walk in the rain. Common sense forbade her from anything as foolish as letting a strange man in her car.

But . . .

Compassion for the friendly cowboy with the lazy grin swamped her, battling with the voice of reason. Tess shook off the jab of tender emotion and shifted the Jimmy into drive. While she waited for a truck to pass and allow her room to pull out, she glanced again at the lonely figure of the man hiking along the side of the road.

He may have saved your life, but you have to look out for your well-being. You’re on your own now.

On her own. The thought stuck in her mind. She hated the idea of being alone, of being vulnerable. Randall’s men would be looking for a woman traveling by herself.

A woman traveling by herself.

Her breath caught. Her good Samaritan’s presence would provide a decoy, protecting her from the men looking for her. Her hands squeezed the steering wheel, and her head swam as she considered her options.

How dangerous could a man carrying a guitar be? Would a man with any intent to hurt her have bothered changing her tire? When he’d had a chance to harm her, he hadn’t. He’d proven himself a help, not a hazard. Having the cowboy riding beside her would help throw Randall’s men off her trail and aid her escape.

Her mind set, Tess blasted the horn and eased the Jimmy up beside the man.

He cast her a sidelong glance and slowed his pace. When she stopped and rolled down the passenger window, he stepped up to the Jimmy and ducked his head to peer inside.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“Would you like a ride?” She wondered if he heard the tremor in her voice. Clearing her throat, she squared her shoulders and added, “It’s the least I can do to repay you.”

Running a hand over his face to wipe away the rivulets of rain dripping from his hair, the cowboy tugged his mouth in a lopsided grin. “You don’t owe me nothin’. Glad to help.”

She knitted her brow and regarded him warily. “You don’t want a ride? But . . . but it’s raining and—”

“I never said I didn’t want a lift, just that you don’t owe me one.” Bracing a hand on the passenger door, he leaned down to meet her gaze more directly. “You sure you don’t mind? I’m awfully wet.”

Her cheeks twitched nervously when she tried to smile. “That makes two of us.” She licked her lips and nodded. “I’m sure. You can put your pack in the back.”

For several seconds he studied her. His piercing gaze sent shivers skittering through her, and she shifted uneasily. “Is something wrong?”

Her question snapped him from his daze, and he shook his head, his easy-going grin returning. “Naw.”

Moving to the back door, he slid the guitar case across the seat and unloaded the backpack from his shoulders with a fatigued sigh. She watched with interest as he pulled back the protective rain-flap at the top of his backpack and extracted a dry shirt. Next, he removed the plastic grocery bag he’d torn and draped over the top of the guitar case. Using the shirt, he wiped the guitar case dry then opened it to check the instrument. Apparently satisfied everything was all right, he snapped the case shut and closed the back door. Before climbing into the front seat, he removed his cowboy hat, shook the excess rain from it and tossed it on the backseat.

When he climbed in the passenger’s seat, he turned a kind smile to her and fastened his seatbelt. “Where you headed?”

“Where are you headed?”

“I asked you first.” His eyes brightened in good humor, and he flashed her a roguish grin.

Tess responded with a tight-lipped frown and a cool glance. Anxiety squelched her sense of humor and spawned uncharacteristic impatience in her. She glanced in her side mirror as she pulled back onto the road in front of a large camper that lumbered slowly toward them. “See that camper behind us?”