Holiday Hideout (3 page)

“Dylan?” That was the second time his name had mentioned. The doctor? She had a vague recollection of an unfamiliar doctor’s office and a man asking her questions. But all she’d wanted to do was go back to sleep.

“Dr. Dylan Seabrook,” Cal confirmed. “He’s got a small practice at the base of the mountain. He’s the one who got you on the antibiotics and flu meds.”

“I don’t really remember much about that.” She thought about the money she’d tucked away in her little hidden pocket. “I suppose I need to pay him something.”

Cal offered a soft smile. “No worries. We’ll make all that right later when you’re feeling better.”

Abby lifted a brow. What doctor didn’t want payment as soon as possible?

As though reading her mind, Cal laughed. “Welcome to Rose Mountain.”

And what a welcome. Abby couldn’t stop the shiver that shook her. While she felt safe for the moment, she couldn’t help but wonder how long that feeling would last.

Her glance landed on the window where the darkness pressed against the pane as though trying to get in. She wondered if Reese was watching this very minute. If somehow he’d managed to follow her out to this ranch.

The thought made her sick. His words rang in her ears. “This is your fault. You’ll pay for this. I’m going to make sure you suffer every day for the rest of your life.”

It looked like he was well on his way to keeping his promise.

THREE

S
aturday morning, Cal jammed the pitchfork into the pile of hay and tossed it into the nearest stall. In spite of the cold, sweat dripped from his forehead and he lifted an arm to swipe the liquid onto his sleeve.

Dropping the pitchfork to the floor of the barn, Cal slammed a fist into his palm, then turned to the punching bag hanging off to the side. He often worked out in the barn, letting off steam and trying to forget things that had a way of haunting him occasionally.

Like domestic violence victims.

Just the thought of someone trying to hurt Abby made his blood boil. He pounded the bag until the sweat started to drip into his eyes. Peeling off the heavy sheepskin coat, he draped it over the nearest stall and went back to pummeling until his hands throbbed.

“Boy, you better slow down or you’re going to pull something.”

Cal whirled to find Jesse Walker, the ranch’s resident horse expert, standing in the door, hands holding the reins to Teddy Bear.

Panting, Cal wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve. “Hey, Jesse, sorry. I just needed a good workout this morning.”

“No problem.” He paused and looked behind him. “You got company coming. I’m going to go give Teddy Bear here his own workout.”

Cal nodded and Jesse left.

Something nudged his shoulder and he turned to find Snickers begging for a treat. Cal felt his blood pressure ease off at the horse’s affection. Reaching up, he rubbed the stallion’s silky nose. “I couldn’t help Brianne, Snickers, but I can help this woman.”

The horse nosed his hand and tried to nibble. Cal reached into his pocket for the apple he always brought with him. Snickers made short work of it.

“Hi.”

Cal turned to see Abby standing in the door of the barn.

The company Jesse had mentioned.

She had her red curls pulled up in a ponytail. Dressed in a pair of black jeans, a black turtleneck and a cream-colored wool sweater under a heavy black coat she’d left unbuttoned, he thought she looked a hundred-percent better than she did yesterday. “Hey, what are you doing up?”

She shrugged. “I’ve been lying in that bed so long, I needed to get up. Fiona said you were in the barn.” She smiled as she took in the horses lining the stalls. “Wow, you have a nice operation here.”

“Thanks. It’s a family thing. We board horses. We also breed and sell them.”

Cal watched Abby wander over to Snickers and rub the horse’s left ear. Snickers threw his head up, then brought it back down like he approved. Cal let his eyes take in the sight of Abby again, thinking the horse had good taste.

Planting his fists on his hips, he watched her run her hands over Snickers, admiring the strength of the animal. “You’re comfortable with horses.”

She looked at him over her shoulder and nodded. “I grew up riding. Our neighbors had horses and they let me and my sister come over and ride anytime we wanted.”

Cal wondered at the flicker of grief he’d seen flash in her eyes. Then it was gone, and he decided he’d imagined it.

“Well, there are plenty of places to ride out here.” He pointed to his left. “In that direction, there’re trees that back up to the main road. The river on this property runs right under it.” He pointed right. “That way is land for about as far as you can see, but at the end of it, you can see the highway.” Pride filled him as he let his gaze wander the land he called home. He loved it and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. “The three houses make a triangle. The main house, where mom lives, sits up on the hill overlooking the rest of the land. You can see the other two houses from it. My house is that way and you know where Fiona’s is. We all live within a mile of each other. When you feel up to it, I’ll take you for a ride over the land, show you the rest of the layout and tell you all about it.”

Life filled her green eyes for the first time since he’d met her. “That would be lovely.”

“We’ll plan on it, then.”

She smiled and he felt his heart thud an extra beat in anticipation of spending time with her. She nodded to the wall. “You collect weapons?”

He nodded. “Well, my dad did. He died from a massive heart attack last year.” Grief still filled him when he thought about the man. “He was a big collector.” Cal jabbed the pitchfork once more, then leaned it against the wall as he stared at the weapons. “I’m sure you noticed the wall in the little apartment.”

At her nod, he said, “Those were Dad’s, too. I guess one day, I’ll take them down and store them, but for now…” He shrugged.

Her sympathetic look said she understood. For a moment he just stood there, staring at her, taking in her beauty, unable to look away.

“Hi, Uncle Cal.” The little girl’s voice grabbed his attention and he swung around to see his mother standing in the door of the barn holding Tiffany’s mittened hand.

He smiled. “Well, hey there, kitten.”

“I’m not a kitty,” Tiffany protested with a giggle. “Who’s her?” She pointed to Abby.

Abby smiled and stepped forward. “I’m Abby.”

“I’m Tiffany,” the little girl said. Cal shook his head. That kid would talk to anyone. It was kind of scary in this day and age. Tiffany let go of his mother’s hand and walked to Snickers. “I wanna ride him.”

His mother laughed. “Not today. And not him. He’s too big for you.”

Tiffany planted tiny fists on her hips. “I’m big, too.”

Cal squatted to look her in the eye. “Give me some time and I’ll take you on a ride soon, I promise. If you can do that, I’ll let you feed Snickers another apple.”

She screwed up her nose and squinted at him. Then shrugged. “Okay.” She held out her hand.

Cal gave her the apple and helped her feed the delighted horse.

He heard his mother ask Abby, “How are you feeling, dear?”

“I’m better. A little weak, but that’s to be expected. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me.” Then she grimaced. “Speaking of feeling a little weak, I think I’d better go lie back down.”

Immediately, Cal went to her and grasped her hands. “What’s wrong? What hurts?”

He saw the surprise in her eyes—and a new warmth as she looked at him. “I’m all right, really. Just still trying to recover. A couple hours of sleep and I’ll feel like a new person.”

Relieved, Cal nodded. “All right. Come on, I’ll walk you back to the apartment.”

“And I’ll just take Tiffany back to the house,” his mother said. “She was antsy and needed a little outing. I thought the barn might be a good place to start.” The barn sat about midway between Fiona’s and his mother’s houses.

Cal flushed as he realized he’d forgotten all about his mother and Tiffany. His mother’s knowing look deepened the red he was sure was prominent on his cheeks.

As his mother led Tiffany back toward her house, Cal and Abby walked the gravel path back to Fiona’s. She asked him, “How many acres do you have?”

“About three thousand.”

“Wow!”

He smiled. “I know. It’s a lot of land for this little town. But we all pitch in to take care of it.”

“That’s nice that you all live near each other and get along.” Her soft voice held that wistful sadness he’d seen in her eyes earlier that made him wonder about her family and what kind of situation she was running from.

Before he could ask, hoofbeats sounded behind him. He turned to see Zane Dodson gallop up. Reining in the mare, the man tipped his cowboy hat to Abby, but focused his attention on Cal. “We got a fence down in the northwest quadrant. Fortunately, we’d already moved the horses, so we’re good in that area. Just need to fix the fence and find the yahoo who cut it. I’ve got Donny and Mike up there working on it right now. But you might want to come check it out.” The look in the man’s eyes made Cal’s nerves sit up and take notice. Only one kind of downed fence would put that expression on Zane’s face.

“You sure it was cut?”

“Yep.”

“Be right there.” Cal looked at Abby. “This is Zane, my right-hand man on the ranch. Zane, this is Abby, a guest here.”

“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” He was polite, but Cal could tell he was itching to get back to the fence.

“Where are the rest of the horses?”

“I’ve got ’em corralled over in the south pasture.”

“We missing any?” That would be a problem.

“Nope.”

Relieved, Cal nodded. “Can you ask Jesse to saddle up Snickers for me?”

“You bet.” Zane galloped off toward the barn and Cal placed a hand on Abby’s back. “I’ll just see you back to the apartment, then go see what’s going on.”

“I’ll be fine,” Abby reassured him. “That sounds urgent. Go ahead.”

Cal looked to the barn, then back to Abby. It wouldn’t take Jesse long to have the horse ready. “All right, if you’re sure.”

She smiled, her eyes kind, encouraging him to go. “I’m sure.”

“I’ll see you in a little bit.”

He took off, worried what the cut fence might mean. Trespasser? Or possible horse thief? It didn’t happen often in Rose Mountain, and he was going to do his best to make sure it didn’t happen to the horses he was responsible for.

To be on the safe side, he’d stop by his house and grab his rifle.

Abby entered the apartment and went straight for the bed. She was still weak and the long walk after being so sick probably hadn’t been the best idea. But she’d felt smothered, claustrophobic in the small bedroom and getting out had been the best medicine she could have prescribed.

Her mind went to Cal McIvers. A tall man, compassionate, welcoming. Gorgeous blue eyes and a smile to die for.

And a cop.

She swallowed a sigh and rolled to her side as she felt sleep come over her. Thoughts of Cal would have to wait. Her body needed healing.

The baby’s wail brought her upright in the bed with a gasp. She blinked and rubbed her eyes.

How long had she been asleep?

A quick glance at the clock showed she’d rested for a little over an hour. Sitting still in the middle of the bed, she listened, ears straining.

Had she been dreaming?

And yet there it was again. The faint sound of a baby’s cry.

Had Fiona had her baby early?

By herself?

Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, Abby stilled her panicked thoughts and found her boots. Pulling them on, she paused when she heard a horse’s whinny outside her window.

Had Cal come back? Her heart thudded at the thought of seeing him again and she took a deep breath. The man had definitely made an impression on her. He had her interest for sure. Was it because he was incredibly good-looking or the fact that he’d caught her when she passed out? Or because he was one of a dying breed? A man who took care of his family and had compassion for strangers?

Or was it that when she was with him, she didn’t think about the trouble she had on her tail?

All of the above, probably.

She walked to the door and pulled it open. Another wail rent the air and Abby felt her knees lock. Grief pierced her and she almost doubled over to stop the pain. Every time she heard a baby cry, it felt like sandpaper scraping across her heart.

A gust of cold wind buffeted her and she shivered even though she still had on the warm wool sweater from earlier. Ignoring the grief roiling inside her, she focused on the sound.

With the door open, she stood still and listened. Another rising cry came from around the corner of the house. Heart in her throat, Abby rushed toward the sound. Had someone left a baby out in this cold?

Surely not!

“Hello? Is someone there? Do you need help?”

She rounded the corner and confusion filled her. A recorder? But why?

She looked around to see who could have left it there.

Nothing. The strategically planted trees swayed in the wind. Brown leaves rustled.

A shuffling sound came from behind her.

Before she could whirl to see who was there, a hand with a sweet-smelling cloth slapped over her mouth and nose.