Her Christmas Protector (9 page)

“I don’t remember. I’m not your secretary,” Reva groused.

Faith inclined her head to acknowledge that. “Well, uh—thanks.”

“Aren’t you going to open it?” A thread of impatience vibrated in Reva’s tone.

Faith didn’t want to. A sense of foreboding invaded her senses. First the phone call, now this?

Sliding her fingernail beneath the seal, she slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the folded piece of paper. Her hand shook as she unfolded the note. The words, written in bold, black ink, were in stark contrast to the white paper.

You can’t hide from me.

Dizziness clouded Faith’s vision, forcing her to lean against the fence for support.

“What is it?” Concern laced Dottie’s voice.

“Yes, what is it?” Reva echoed.

Faith’s mind worked to come up with a plausible explanation. “It’s—just—hmm—personal.”

She hated dodging Dottie, but she couldn’t tell her the truth. The note was meant to scare her and it was doing a good job. But the note and the phone call wasn’t Vinnie’s style. He wouldn’t give her a chance to run, he’d show up unexpectedly.

It had to be from the private investigator.

Maybe he thought he could flush her out with the note. She glanced down the road. There were no cars visible, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t be out there somewhere, waiting. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow. She had to leave tonight.

Anxious to get back inside and plan her next move, Faith turned to Dottie. “Would you mind if we go back in? I’m feeling a little tired.”

“Of course not, dear.” Dottie hovered over Faith as if she were the invalid. “We’ll get you to your room so you can lie down.”

“Oh, yes. You do look a little under the weather.” Reva smiled sweetly before walking away.

“That woman has no heart,” Dottie muttered, taking Faith’s arm.

Faith shrugged and let Dottie lead her back to the house. After hanging up their coats, Faith asked, “Do you wish to go upstairs?”

“Yes, I think I’ll take a rest, as well,” Dottie answered.

Faith settled Dottie in her room and turned to leave.

“Whatever it is, Faith, tell Luke.”

Stunned, Faith gaped. “I—don’t—what?”

With an amazingly strong grip, Dottie took her hand. “Honey, something’s got you scared. First, that phone call this afternoon, and now this note. You’re pale, and you’re shaking like a leaf in the breeze. You don’t have to tell me, but tell Luke. He can help you.”

Faith closed her eyes. Everything inside screamed for her to do as Dottie suggested, but she couldn’t. It wasn’t his problem to solve. She kissed Dottie’s cheek. “Goodbye.”

“Excuse me?” Dottie’s anxious expression tore at Faith’s heart.

“I mean I’ll see you later.”

She went to her room to plan. She’d have to make do with the little money she had until she could get to a bank.

Now, if she could just get out without anyone questioning her. Her mind kicked into overdrive. Reva would be leaving the ranch to return to her own home soon.

Fleetingly, Faith contemplated asking Reva for a ride, but discarded the idea. It would be better if no one knew how or why she left. That way when Vinnie did show up, they could honestly say they didn’t know what had happened to her. She couldn’t leave until dark and when no one would miss her right away.

Once Dottie was upstairs and settled for the night, she’d leave. Luke would be with the llamas or the horses as he always was after dinner, so she’d have to be careful going down the drive.

She’d be leaving the Circle C Ranch tonight and leaving behind a part of her heart.

F
rom the corner of his eye, Luke saw movement.

He sank back into the shadows and waited. The light of the moon reflecting off the snow illuminated a figure scurrying behind his Bronco. A second later, the person emerged from around the front.

Adrenaline pumped through his heart, energizing him. On quiet feet, he moved through the shadows, closing the gap between him and the mystery person. Approaching from behind, Luke judged the person to be of medium height and slight of frame.

He couldn’t make out the face, obscured from his view by a dark cap pulled low over the collar of a dark jacket. The person’s pace accelerated, soft tennis shoes crunched slightly on the packed snow on the edge of the gravel drive.

With grim determination, he closed in on his target. No one tried to make off with something from the Campbell ranch. Then he recognized the suitcases.

Confused, he frowned and grabbed Faith by the scruff of the neck and turned her around. “What are you doing?” he demanded.

Faith dropped the bags and squeaked, “Luke.”

“For crying out loud, Faith.” Apprehension tightened his chest, making his voice gruff. “Where are you going?”

Her chin came up in a defensive gesture that set his teeth on edge. “I don’t have to answer to you.”

“Oh, yes you do.” He grabbed the bags. “We’ll discuss this inside.”

“Give me my luggage.” Faith struggled unsuccessfully to take the bags from his grip. Finally, she fisted her hand. “You have no right to stop me, Luke Campbell.”

Anger and an odd sense of hurt flashed within his chest. Had the friendship they’d begun to build mean nothing? “Oh no? I think I have every right. As your employer, I deserve two weeks’ notice.” He thought she might be on the verge of tears, but he couldn’t tell for sure.

“I don’t have two weeks!”

Her exclamation left him more bewildered and he softened his tone. “As your friend, I’d like to know what’s going on.”

She turned away from him and the moon’s glow lit her features, exposing her drawn, scared expression. That did it. He would get answers out of her tonight, even if he needed to throw her over his shoulder and carry her inside.

“Come on, Faith. We’re going in.”

He could tell by the tightening of her lips that she wanted to protest. Giving her no chance, he turned on his heel and carried her bags toward the house. He let out an exaggerated sigh when she didn’t immediately follow, but when he heard her quiet footfalls behind him, he released a quick breath of relief.

Bossy, controlling, arrogant.

Faith couldn’t come up with enough names to silently yell at Luke’s retreating back.

Didn’t he realize she had to go for his sake?
No, of course not, you dolt.
He didn’t know what lurked out there, waiting to pounce. She hadn’t told him.

She stoically followed him into the study. The overhead light came on bathing the room in a yellow ambient glow. He went around the wide walnut desk and set her bags down on the muted sage green carpet before seating himself in his black leather captain’s chair.

“Please, shut the door.”

His tone made her think of the one time she’d been sent to the dean’s office in prep school for talking in class. Luke had that same reasonable look on his face that Dean Snoddgrass had had, and it made her feel small and insecure. But she was a grown woman, not a child.

And she’d vowed after Vinnie, she would never cower before a man again.

Drawing herself to her full height of five-feet, eight-inches tall, she closed the door and moved to sit on the striped cushioned divan by the window. Looking at Luke, she clasped her hands in front of her and waited.

“You do that when you’re nervous.” Luke leaned forward, his look intent.

“Do what?”

“Clasp your hands together until the knuckles turn white.” He nodded toward her hands.

Abashed, she looked down and realized her knuckles were indeed turning white. Unhooking her fingers, she spread her hands, palms down, on her thighs.

“So tell me,” he said.

Biting her lip, she hedged. “Tell you what?”

For a long, silent moment he closed his eyes, and when he opened them she knew he’d reached the end of his patience. “Tell me what’s really going on.”

“I don’t have to tell you anything.” Surprised at herself for baiting him, she steeled herself for his reaction. Her heart told her Luke was a man who had control of his temper, yet when his palms landed on the desk, making a loud noise, she flinched.

“I can’t help you, Faith, unless you tell me what you’re so afraid of. And don’t tell me it’s investors or charitable organizations,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Who said I wanted your help?” Though that was exactly what she wanted.

She wanted to break down and let him take care of everything. It was so hard to be strong and brave. And alone. But she cared too much about him to continue to risk his safety.

He came around the desk, moving slowly and deliberately. She tensed, steeling herself as old fears rushed headlong into her mind. Was she wrong about him? Would he be like Vinnie and use his physical power to bend her to his will?

Luke knelt down beside her and took her hands in his. Relief swept through her and burning tears gathered at the back of her eyes. He’d proven himself gentle and self-controlled before. She was ashamed for doubting him.

“Whatever your burdens are, God can help you. Tell him. And if I can help you, I will.”

Each word he spoke was a plea to her heart. She could feel the tears gathering steam and fought them with all her might. God wouldn’t help her. What right did she have to put Luke in danger? What right did she have to his help? She tried to speak. “I—I don’t—”

“Please, Faith.”

The tenderness of his voice battered down her defenses and she broke, like a water pipe bursting. Large, wet tears streamed down her face and sobs racked her body. The brave front, the unyielding control she’d kept herself under, shattered like crystal hitting the floor. Jagged edges of pain and fear cut into her, leaving her wounded and bleeding inside.

The past had caught up with her, the uncertainty of the future stretched out before her and the world seemed more cold, more desolate than before.

Luke gathered her into his arms and suddenly warmth enveloped her, a soothing balm to her tattered soul. The embrace was comforting and the pressure secure. His hand stroked down her back in a calming tempo. The rhythmic movement continued until the tide of tears ebbed and the flow dried up. She lifted her head from his shoulder and their gazes locked.

The air around them seemed to shift and change, the embrace became a caress and heat scorched her palms where they rested against his hard chest. Faith took a shuddering breath, unsure what she should do.

Luke’s smile was as intimate as a kiss and the effect left her off-kilter.

Gathering her strength, she sniffed. “I don’t usually cry on men’s shoulders.”

“No, I don’t suppose you do. I would imagine you don’t let anyone close enough.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, the gesture raising goose bumps on her skin.

“I’m sorry.” How she hated that sentiment. She’d sworn to herself she wouldn’t say those words anymore. For too many years those little words spared her some pain, but not humiliation.

Luke shook his head. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

Everything was turned upside down. Her strength deserted her. “You don’t understand.”

“Make me understand.” His words caressed her.

“Where do I begin?” she whispered, her voice raw.

“Start with tonight. Why were you leaving?”

A sense of the inevitable overwhelmed her and her head dropped to his chest. Luke’s finger under her chin brought her gaze back to his. From deep inside she dredged up the courage to tell him. “He’s coming.”

“Who?”

Taking a deep breath, she blurted out the truth. “My ex-husband.”

Instantly, an oppressive weight lifted from her, making her light-headed. And just as quickly, she felt guilty for her utter selfishness. Her motivation for telling him wasn’t to protect him and his family but to lighten her own load.

She expected him to recoil, to draw away from her, but he touched her cheek with the back of his finger, his voice soft. “He’s who you’re running from?”

She nodded.

“How do you know he’s coming here?”

“He called.”

It sounded ridiculous and it still didn’t seem right. It just wasn’t Vinnie’s style to give any warning. He usually struck when least expected.

“Are you sure the voice was his?”

Faith frowned. “I—the voice was muffled, but who else could it have been?”

Luke stood and began to pace. “What did he say?”

“Well—” She bit her lip in concentration. “If I remember correctly, he said, ‘I’m coming for you, Faith. You can’t get away. No matter where you go, I’ll find you.’”

“Could the call have been from someone else?” Luke sounded unconvinced.

“I don’t know.” Faith realized her hands were clasped tight again. Quickly, she separated them.

“The P.I., maybe?”

She shrugged. “I had the same thought, but why would he do that?”

Then she remembered the note. She pulled it out of her pocket and offered the folded piece of paper to Luke. “This was also delivered here.”

He took the note and read it in silence. His jaw tightened and the small scar on his chin blanched.

“You said this was delivered?” He looked up from the note and studied her.

She nodded.

“By who?”

“A boy.”

“When?”

“Sometime Friday.”

“What did he say?” The questions came like rapid fire.

“That some man paid him to ride his bike out and deliver the note.”

“You talked to the boy?”

He should have been a lawyer, she thought. “No, Reva did.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’ll talk with her tomorrow.” Stroking his chin, he seemed deep in thought.

This is it, she thought, he’s going to tell me to leave. What choice did he have? He had to do it to protect Dottie, himself and all the rest of them. Faith closed her eyes, confused why the knowledge hurt so much. She’d been on her way when he’d stopped her, so what did it matter?

It mattered because before it had been her decision, now it would be his.

“Why is your ex-husband looking for you? The money you were talking about?”

Opening her eyes, she met his intense stare. How did she explain the crazed mind of Vince Palmero? “No, not the money. He wants what belongs to him.”

Luke moved to his desk and leaned his hips against the edge. “Meaning?”

Faith stood and did some pacing of her own. She retraced her steps several times before she finally found it within herself to go on. “Meaning, he is a possessive man who never lets anything be taken away from him.”

Unable to face Luke, she continued her trek back and forth across the room. “You have to understand that I was his ticket to a life he’d only been able to view from the outside. Through me, he was able to enter New York society. When I left him it was the ultimate betrayal. To him, I am a possession. Nothing more than a showpiece, bought and paid for through marriage. The money is just a bonus.”

The ache in her tightly clenched hands barely registered against the ache inside. She faced Luke, not sure what to expect. His dark eyes were hooded and hiding any indication of his thoughts. Doggedly, she continued. “I am his property, Luke, and he won’t rest until I’m back in my gilded cage.” She shuddered. “Or dead.”

“Neither one of those things is going to happen, Faith.”

He sounded so sure, she longed to believe him. “He’s not going to stop looking for me. I should leave now while I can before he comes here. He’s unpredictable. I’m sorry I put you and your family in danger.”

Ignoring her words, he asked, “What have the police done?”

She lifted her hands in the air in a helpless gesture. “The police? Are you kidding? In New York, you have to prove abuse for a divorce to be granted on the grounds of cruel and inhumane treatment. So my lawyer filed for separation, and then a year later I was granted a divorce based on that. But in the meantime, Vinnie began stalking me.”

She gave a mirthless laugh. “Or I should say he had others stalk me. Again, for an order of protection to be granted, I had to prove
he
was stalking me. One officer I talked to had been sympathetic and suggested a bodyguard.”

She clenched her fists. Ineffectual rage at the system burned hot in her soul. “Brian, the bodyguard, ended up in the hospital with a bullet in his back. Of course, there were no witnesses and the police said they had no evidence implicating Vinnie. It was then I realized the only way to protect myself and everyone near me was to run. Unfortunately, that was the one night Vinnie decided to make his move. He must have had someone watching me because he showed up just as I was leaving.”

She hated even thinking about that night. “He—he hurt me badly. But I still got away. And once again since there were no witnesses, just my word against his and he had an alibi—his family—the police’s hands were tied.”

Nothing she said seemed to faze Luke. He still leaned motionless against the desk, his expression indecipherable.

She repeated her earlier words. “I should leave.”

Suddenly he pushed away from the desk, tension emanating from him in waves. He shook his head. “Running isn’t the answer. Just because there are no walls, you’re still in a cage.”

“But Luke, you don’t seem to understand. He’s coming
here
. I’ve put you and your family in danger. I have to go.”

A sinking feeling told her he wanted to play the hero and an image of Brian, on the ground, blood seeping from the wound in his back, skittered across her mind. “I couldn’t stand it if I were responsible for some harm done to you or your mother.”

“Nothing is going to happen to any of us, Faith.” He stood in front of the window and stared out at the black night.

“Do you honestly believe you can protect us from Vinnie?” She continued on even though he kept his back to her and didn’t respond. “You would tower over him, but what good is that when faced with a gun?”