Her Christmas Protector (13 page)

“We’re not going anywhere,” he stated and sat beside her, his warmth reaching her without his even touching her. She opened her eyes to study him. His hair had grown since that first day and now showed signs of curling. The brightness of his blue eyes held her. She tried to decipher what emotions lurked in those liquid pools but couldn’t. Maybe she was too tired and overwhelmed, or maybe he was just that good at hiding his feelings.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

“The doctor said I was.” She reached out for his hand. “Thank you for what you did.”

His fingers closed over hers, warm and reassuring.

“Here we go.” Dottie returned, carrying a tray with a teapot and three cups. She set it on the coffee table and poured them each a cup.

Faith didn’t want to release her hold on Luke to take the offered cup, but had no choice. She held the warm mug in her hands and tried to allow calm to seep through her.

Dottie sat in her recliner. “Luke, honey, I hate to ask, but would you be willing to take the pies we made to the church by noon? I called Sally and asked her to let them know we wouldn’t be coming today, but they could still use the pies.”

Luke inclined his head. “I’ll see if Leo can drive them out.”

“That would work.”

“You two can still go,” Faith said. She didn’t like that her situation was preventing Dottie from doing something she’d been looking forward to.

“Nonsense.” Dottie waved away her words. “Why don’t we see if there’s a Christmas movie on TV.” Dottie picked up the remote. “I just love that one with Jimmy Stewart and the angel.”

Thinking she’d found two earthly angels of her own right here, Faith smiled. “I do, too.”

Luke stood. “As much as I want to join you, I have some calls to make.”

Faith watched Luke stride from the room, taking his warmth and energy with him. She set her mug down and settled back as Dottie flipped through the channels.

For a moment Faith stared at the television, the flicker of shows hypnotic. Sleepiness overtook her. Her eyelids drooped. The doctor said she should rest, that her head would hurt for a while but she would recover.

Recover enough to leave.

But deep inside, she knew her heart would never recover once she left Luke behind.

Luke sat at his desk and waited on hold while the operator connected him to Roger’s direct line.

“Tumble,” Rog answered, his drawl unmistakable.

“Rog, it’s Luke.”

“Hey, how ya doing?”

“I’ve been better,” Luke replied, then told Roger all that had happened.

Roger whistled. “You have had a lot going on. How can I help?”

“I don’t know that you can. I wanted to check on that paperwork.”

“It’s coming your way. I have good news on another front. George Peterson has stepped up to the plate and is doing a great job leading the fellowship studies. He’s even talked with the guys from the Promise Keepers and is moving forward with your plans. I figured you’d be okay with it.”

Luke sat back. He hadn’t expected that news. And he wasn’t sure how he felt about it. Regardless, he said, “That’s fine. Hey, I’ll give you a call later. I’ve got to go.”

“Sure. Let me know if I can do anything.”

“I will.”

Luke stared out of his office window at the mountain range and tried to make sense of all that was happening. He couldn’t.

His old life didn’t seem to be waiting for him.

He should be grateful that someone was following through with his plans but…

He fought back hard feelings. He’d developed the program; he’d spent countless hours building the Bible study. He should be the one to see it grow, to see his plans fulfilled. He shook his head, disappointed in himself for feeling…jealous.

It wasn’t his plan or his Bible study. It belonged to God. He’d started it, yes, but because God had called him to it. And now Luke wanted the glory?

He hung his head in remorse. “Forgive me, Lord.”

Taking a deep cleansing breath, he scrubbed his hands over his face. Now what? What plan did the Lord have for him now?

The phone rang, jarring him out of his thoughts.

“Hello?”

“Matt here. Sally said you all weren’t coming into town today. I was hoping to talk with you. I have a proposition for you.”

“Can it wait until next week?”

“Not really. I just need an hour. Could we meet at the diner?”

Luke drummed his fingers on the desk. He was going to have Leo run into town, but…he’d just make sure the guys kept a vigilant eye out. “Yeah, that’d be fine. I have to take some pies over to the church at noon, so how about we meet at twelve-fifteen?”

“Sounds great. Thanks,” Matt said and hung up.

When Luke entered the living room, Faith was fast asleep on the couch. She looked so vulnerable and sweet. His heart spasmed with a wellspring of tenderness. He grabbed a blanket from the closet and laid it over her.

He whispered to his mother, “I’ll be taking the pies into town.”

At the flicker of surprise in his mother’s eyes, he added, “I’ll make sure Leo knows I won’t be here. He’ll look out for you two.”

Dottie patted his hand with approval.

Luke found his most trusted hand with the baby llama.

“Hi, boss,” Leo greeted him.

“Hey, I have to run into town. Can you keep an eye out?”

“Sure, thing. Glad to see that young girl back safe and sound.” He shook his head. “Still can’t get over Mac being so rotten. Makes for a strange Christmas.”

Luke gave a dry laugh. Very strange indeed.

After talking some more with Leo, Luke left the barn to load the pies in the back of his truck. Brandy whined when he wouldn’t let her in the back with the food.

“You’d eat them for sure, girl.”

She barked as if to deny the accusation.

When Luke opened the driver’s side door, Brandy leaped inside and sat in the passenger seat. Her normal spot when he took her with him.

“Hey, girl, not this trip,” Luke said. “Come on out of there.”

Brandy laid down in response. Her paws hung over the edge of the seat and her tail thumped against the door. She stared at him with big pleading eyes.

“Stubborn dog,” Luke muttered and climbed in.

After dropping off the pies, he parked outside the diner, cracked the window for Brandy and headed for the door.

He sat at the counter and immediately Ethel set down a steaming cup of coffee. Nodding his thanks, he sipped from the strong brew, aware of the waitress’s steady regard. Raising his brows, he asked, “Is some thing the matter?”

“Well, I don’t rightly know. That investigator fellow was back here this morning and he had a friend with him this time.”

Coffee sloshed onto the counter and Luke set the cup down. A horrified feeling settled over him, making his voice rough. “What did his friend look like?”

Ethel tapped a finger against her chin. “Well, now. Thin, average height, sort of slick. You know, city type.”

Pressure throbbed behind his eyes. Luke’s hands fisted on the countertop. “What did they want?”

Ethel narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure, but Reva was cozying up to them, and if you ask me, that bodes trouble for sure.”

Apprehension slithered across Luke’s flesh, causing bumps to pucker his skin. He stood. “How long ago were they here? Any idea where they were headed?” Luke couldn’t keep the urgency from his tone.

Ethel’s worried expression matched what Luke felt. “They left an hour ago. Didn’t hear where they were going. But Reva’s working at the General Store now. You could go ask her.”

“Call Sheriff Bane and tell him to send a car to the ranch.” He was practically out the door before he thought to call over his shoulder, “Thanks, Ethel.”

“Anytime, honey,” she said as the door closed behind him.

The General Store, so called because it carried everything from groceries to hardware, sat a block down Main Street. Luke entered the store and headed straight for Reva. She stopped stacking the cans of soup to smile at him.

Luke backed her into a corner and growled, “All right, Reva. What kind of game are you playing?”

Her smile faltered for a brief second. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t toy with me, Reva. I know you were talking with that private investigator. What did you tell him?”

“Why, just the truth.” She stepped around him and continued stocking the shelves.

Luke clenched his fists in an effort to control his rising temper. “And what truth would that be?”

“Oh, just that Mr. Palmero’s
wife
could be found at the Circle C.”

Wanting nothing more than to shake her until her tongue rattled loose, he ground out between gritted teeth, “Do you know what you’ve done?”

She stared at him, the picture of innocence. “I just steered a husband to his wife.”

“She’s his ex-wife, Reva. And what you’ve done is put Faith and my mother in danger.”

Anger and fear raged in large waves to the forefront of his consciousness. He’d promised to protect Faith and again he wasn’t there when she needed him. “Are they on their way there now?”

“I suppose.” Reva’s brows drew together. “You don’t really think he’d harm them, do you?”

“Your concern is a little late.” Disgusted, he whirled away, but was stopped short by Reva’s voice.

“If only she’d gotten scared and left, this wouldn’t be happening and you’d still be mine.”

Without turning back around, he asked, “What do you mean?”

“If she would have just run like she was supposed to. I mean, how stupid to stay when she was warned to leave!” Bitterness cloaked her words, making her sound petulant and petty.

He turned to stare at her. “The note and the phone calls. Those were your doing. You lied to the sheriff when he asked you about them.”

“I was losing you, Luke. I had to do something. Those weren’t my ideas, they were Mac’s.” She stepped toward him, her hand reached out beseechingly.

Luke shook his head in disbelief. He’d never have thought her capable of such treachery. “You never had me, Reva.”

Running from the store, Luke headed for his truck. Speeding through town, he picked up his cell phone and dialed the house, but the phone only rang and rang. Fear and anger took turns seizing his gut. Brandy barked wildly, as if urging him to go faster.

Dear God, I can’t lose Faith. I’m begging You, protect my family. Don’t let me be too late.

If anything happened to his family, he didn’t know if he’d be able to stop himself from killing Vince Palmero.

B
undled against the crisp air, Faith stared in silent contemplation, her gaze taking in the snow-covered peaks and trees off in the distance but not really appreciating their beauty. From the back porch of the Circle C, the mountains looked as if she could reach out and touch them.

Her fingers fumbled with a ball of yarn and knitting needles as her mind tried to grasp what Dottie was saying from her seat beside her, but all she could concentrate on was not thinking about the official-looking letter lying on top of a stack of mail that sat on the little side table.

The seal said U.S. Army and Faith’s stomach churned. Was Luke being sent on a mission? Would he go, when he’d promised to stay until her problems were resolved?

Resolved? Ha! She doubted she’d ever see resolution. She’d always have the threat of Vinnie hanging over her head. He knew his way around the law too well.

Picking up the ball of yarn from her lap, she went back to practicing the stitches Dottie had shown her. She was trying to make a cap for Luke to give him tomorrow on Christmas Day. But she kept having to back stitch because she couldn’t concentrate.

“Well, well, well. If this isn’t a sight to remember. My dear little wife turned country bumpkin.”

The ball of yarn fell from her hands and rolled across the porch and disappeared off the side.

Faith looked up and the all-too-familiar sneer jarred her to the very core. Vinnie. Her worst nightmare had come true.

Under his long trench coat, his silk designer suit, usually sharply pressed, showed creases. His jet-black hair, normally slicked back with gel, fell forward in stringy strands. The prized Italian loafers were scuffed. She’d never seen him so disheveled or so desperate.

“Who are you?” Dottie demanded to know, her eyebrows slammed together in a frown.

Ignoring Dottie, Vinnie stepped onto the porch, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “No tearful greeting, Faith? I thought for sure you’d be ready to come home by now. This little rebellion of yours is getting quite tedious.”

Desperate to avoid the inevitable, Faith looked at Dottie and tried to tell her with her eyes not to antagonize him. The older woman’s narrowed gaze sent fresh shivers of alarm down Faith’s spine. Where were Leo and the other hands?

A fierce countenance replaced Dottie’s usually mild demeanor. It reminded Faith of a mama bear defending her cubs. “You’re not wanted here. Leave this instant or I’ll call the police.”

Faith laid a hand on Dottie’s sleeve and shook her head.

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll be calling anyone,” Vinnie gloated.

Dottie’s eyes widened and Faith turned to find herself staring down the barrel of a gun. Swallowing, Faith mustered all her bravado. The need to protect Dottie overcoming any tendency towards cowering, she met Vinnie’s gaze and held it without wincing.

His dark eyes danced with glee and his thin lips spread into a feral grin, making Faith’s stomach lurch.

“Put the gun away, Vinnie. You don’t need that.” Her voice trembled ever-so-slightly, giving away her inner turmoil. She wished Luke hadn’t gone into town. But then again, if he were here, he’d be in danger, too.

Anger burned hot in Vinnie’s eyes. “No one betrays me and gets away with it. Come on, Faith. Get your things and let’s go.”

Vinnie motioned for her to get up.

“Wh—what right do you have to order her about like that? We’re not alone here,” Dottie piped up, her voice angry. Yet fear underlined each word.

Annoyance narrowed his gaze on Dottie and he swung the gun toward her. “You mean the two men in the barn? They’ve been taken care of.”

Heartsick by the implication of his words, Faith’s stomach convulsed. She had to stay strong and not let her fear show. Wanting to bring his attention back to her, Faith stated quickly, “We are no longer married. I don’t belong to you.”

His attention once again zeroed in on Faith. Possessiveness lit his black eyes with a feral gleam. “You do belong to me.”

From inside the house the phone rang. Each ring stretched Faith’s nerves.

She took a deep breath, drawing on strength she’d learned from Luke. “No, I don’t.”

“What?!” His face turned a frightening shade of red and the vein at his temple pulsed into a squiggly, purple line.

“You heard me. I want you to leave.” Her voice wavered and she watched his face contort with rage.

Cursing graphically, he stepped threateningly closer, the gun raised and pointed at her chest. “You’ve made me chase you all the way across the country, forced me to spend good money on flunkies, made a fool of me.”

“Leave, Vinnie,” Faith repeated, her bravado rapidly retreating, replaced by a gnawing fear. He was unpredictable. She shouldn’t push too hard.

“Oh, no, no, no. I’m not leaving here without you. You’ve caused me too much trouble, Faith, for me to let you go.” The black of his eyes took on a sinister gleam, the centers hollow, with no sign of a soul.

“She’s not going anywhere with you. My son will be back any second and he won’t let you take her away.” Dottie sounded so sure, so confident. Her belief in her son rang in every syllable.

For a brief moment, Vinnie’s gaze narrowed in speculation on Dottie, then swung back to Faith. His lips spread into a sadistic grin. “If you don’t want this old woman to die, you’ll pack your things and leave with me now.”

Icy talons of fear gripped her heart. She knew he’d shoot Dottie and walk away without any remorse.

“Don’t—please don’t do this.” Faith stood and placed herself in front of Dottie, using herself as a shield for Luke’s mother.

Fury consumed his demeanor. His face twisted and he lunged for Faith, knocking over the small table and kicking aside the chair she’d been sitting in. Faith raised her hands to ward him off, dreading the violence to come, but she resolved to protect Dottie. At any cost.

Vinnie’s thin hand closed around her neck and sent her backward with a hard shove. She landed with a painful thud in the chair Dottie had just barely vacated. Faith twisted around and caught a glimpse of the older woman—moving faster than she thought possible—disappearing inside the house. She prayed she’d call the police and not come back out.

The cold metal of the gun pressing into her temple brought Faith’s gaze back to Vinnie. His fingers dug into her neck and he said in a harsh rasp, “You’re mine, Faith. I’ll destroy this place and everyone in it, do you hear me?”

His grip tightened, choking her, and she could only nod as she gasped for breath. Darkness threatened to overtake her, but she fought the blackness. She had to stop him. She couldn’t let him hurt the Campbells. Praying the police were now on their way, she knew what to do. It’d always worked before. She forced the words out. “I—I’m s-sorry.”

The pressure on her neck eased slightly. Vinnie cocked his head and stared at her as if she were a cockroach he’d like to squash.

Heart rebelling against the scene they were about to play out, Faith whispered again the hated words that had saved her many times during her marriage. “I’m—sorry.” She knew that to him those two little words meant she was wrong and he was right.

Leaning in closer, his breath hot and sticky against her cheek, he whispered, “I can’t hear you.”

Desperate anger helped her draw strength from past experience and forced her voice to a louder octave, “I’m sorry.”

“Ah, that’s better. But what are you sorry for, Faith?”

Briefly she closed her eyes, hating him for finding her, hating herself for having been dumb enough to marry him in the first place. “For—running—away,” she ground out.

Abruptly, he pushed away from her and stood, his feet braced apart, the gun still aimed at her. “Tell me,” he barked.

She knew the drill. Everything inside her objected, but it was what she had to do. “I—shouldn’t have run away from you. You’re—you’re wonderful, Vinnie, you’re everything a girl could ask for. I was—was a fool not to see that. You were there when I had no one and—and I will always be—grateful to you.”

With lightning speed, his hand shot out and grabbed the front of her shirt, yanking her to him. “I don’t believe you. I think you like it here.”

Desperation clawed at her, this wasn’t the way it was supposed to go. Her stomach knotted in fear. “No, no—I—I don’t.”

“You’re lying to me, Faith. I don’t like it when you lie. You know how angry that makes me.”

Remembering his displeasure, the fear and humiliations that went with it, she cringed. “Yes. Yes, I know.”

“Let’s go.” He grabbed her arm and dragged her toward the porch stairs.

Mind working frantically to get past the overwhelming fear, she latched on to one thought,
stall him
. “Wait,” she screamed.

He ignored her and gave a vicious yank. She stumbled, going down hard on her knees. Pain exploded up her legs and wood splintered into her palms as she tried to break her fall.

“Get up,” Vinnie yelled.

Faith looked up and saw his raised fist. Reacting instinctively, she scrambled away. Behind her she heard his frustrated curse and looked back to see him stalking menacingly toward her.

Panic gripped her. Keep talking, she told herself. “V-Vinnie,” her voice came out a croak, so she tried again. “Vinnie, l-listen to me. You’re wrong, I don’t like it here.” The lie nearly made her retch.

He continued toward her.

Beyond desperate now, she elaborated on the lies. “I—I don’t belong on a ranch, I see that now. I belong in New York with you. This hick town can’t compare with the excitement of the city and—and these cowpoke people mean nothing to me.”

She held her breath as Vinnie stopped and stared at her, mentally gauging her words. She could tell he wasn’t convinced, but she’d gained time.

Slowly, she stood and continued, the lies bitter on her tongue. “I—I love you Vinnie. It’s al-always been you, you know that. And you love me. You’re coming here proves it. I guess I—just needed to have this show of affection to realize how—much.”

The subtle change in his expression told her the words were starting to work. He was getting wrapped up in the lies. Dizzy with relief, she continued, hoping to keep him distracted long enough for the sheriff to arrive. “Don’t you know? I’d be nothing without you. I really am sorry for causing you so much trouble, though you hired some good detectives. That was very smart of you. You’re so smart, Vinnie.”

His chest puffed up at the praise. “Yes, I am.”

“Of course you are.” Bile rose in her throat at the awful sickness of it all.

From her peripheral vision, Faith saw a movement at the stairs. She turned slightly and widened her eyes at the sight of Luke stepping up on the porch. Quickly looking back at Vinnie, she hoped he hadn’t followed her gaze with his own.

But he had. The pit of her stomach dropped to see him whirl away from her and raise the gun. “You’re a dead man,” he shouted.

Faith reacted. Throwing herself at Vinnie, she used her fingers to claw at the gun in his hand. He shoved her away from him with a hand to her chest, sending her into the wall with jarring force.

Luke raised his hands in supplication, his expression neutral. Faith watched in horror, not believing Luke would stand there like an open target. Almost as if he dared Vinnie to shoot.

“Are you a cop?” Vinnie asked, sneering.

Luke shook his head. “No, this is my ranch.”

“So, you’re the wife-stealer. I ought to shoot you right now and be done with you.”

Faith struggled to keep from crying out.

Luke shrugged. “You could. But there’s no need. You can have her. I’m done with her. You heard her, she loves you. How can I fight that?” Luke inched forward, so slowly and carefully the movement was hardly noticeable.

Faith’s mouth dropped open. He couldn’t possibly believe the things she’d said to Vinnie, could he? Or had he figured out the sick game she was forced to play?

“You’re right, she does love me,” Vinnie postulated, his hawklike features settling into a smug expression. “Come on, Faith, we’re leaving.” Vinnie held out one hand while the other still aimed the gun at Luke’s chest.

Faith stared at Vinnie’s outstretched hand and then swung her gaze to Luke, who stared back at her, his blue eyes cold and remote. His stance was almost casual, as if they were doing no more than talking about the weather. How could he be so relaxed?

“Go on, Faith, your husband wants you to leave.”

Luke’s words sliced a gaping hole into Faith’s heart. I don’t want to leave you, she wanted to scream.

Faith stepped forward, but refused Vinnie’s hand. She heard his sound of disapproval, but ignored him. Holding her head high, knowing she’d escape again the first chance she got, she marched in front of Vinnie toward the porch stairs. Tears gathered in her eyes as she passed Luke, but she forced her gaze straight ahead.

Two steps down she heard a noise. She turned back in time to see Luke launch himself at Vinnie. The agility and grace of Luke’s body as he struck out amazed her. The rapid-fire movements of Luke’s limbs connected with Vinnie’s wiry frame, causing a yelp of pain.

She sagged against the railing in overwhelming relief. Luke wasn’t going to let Vinnie take her. He was living up to his promise. She felt shame for doubting him. Vinnie turned the gun toward Luke and in a blood-pounding moment her elation turned to terror. She cried, “Nooo.”

Unbelievably, Luke stepped in closer, his hands closing around the barrel of the gun. The two men moved in unison, their chests close together as they fell to the porch floor.

Faith covered her mouth with her hands. Fear for Luke washed over her in giant waves, making her nauseous.

The loud retort of the gun split the air, the acrid smell of gun powder burning Faith’s nostrils. Shudders ripped through her body at the thought that she might have lost Luke to Vinnie’s gun.

Her heart stopped beating.
Please, God.
Neither man moved for what seemed an eternity, then suddenly Luke rolled away and stood. In his hand he held the gun. Faith whimpered in relief.
Thank You.

She rushed to his side as he bent to check Vinnie’s pulse. “Is he—?”