Texas Kidnapping Read online
Page 4
“I’m so sorry.” She got to her feet. “You obviously have to go. Can you recommend a place for me and the baby to stay tonight? I don’t want to be here after what happened and I don’t know the area.”
“Pack up a few things. You can come home with me and stay at the guesthouse on my family’s ranch.”
Renee wasn’t quite sure she’d heard Cash right. “I’m sorry. What did you just say?”
“You said yourself that it’s not safe for you to sleep here. Where else are you going to go with a baby?” Those steel-gray eyes pierced her.
Well, when he put it like that it didn’t sound so crazy. But she didn’t know the man. “Thanks for the offer—”
“This is a practical solution. Besides, I don’t know how long we’ll be searching for my father. Everyone around here and in town knows who he is and people will most likely storm the ranch to help find him until he comes home or is found. I can’t leave you and your daughter unprotected. There’s a motel about twenty miles from here on the highway, but I’m pretty certain they rent rooms by the hour.”
She must’ve made an awful face because he said, “That’s exactly right. So, I’d like you to come to my family’s ranch. We’re good people. Several of my brothers and I work in law enforcement. The ranch has everything you could possibly need and you’ll be safe until we can arrest the jerk who broke into your house or get a permanent solution for your window and install an alarm. Think about it while I board up the window in the baby’s room. My brother is sending a deputy to gather evidence.”
He glanced around.
“Any chance you have supplies anywhere around?” he asked.
“There’s a shed in back.”
She followed him outside, locking the door behind them. He found a few supplies in the shed and then brought them into the house.
Renee wouldn’t normally agree to stay at a stranger’s house. She glanced down at her now-sleeping angel and then back at Cash several times as he worked. Because of him, her daughter was calm and sleeping. His job was to enforce the law. His family owned a ranch with plenty of room and, apparently, a guesthouse.
A few warning flares fired when she looked at that man because she’d never felt an attraction this fast and hard, or this strong. But this was the best plan to keep her daughter safe for the night until Renee could get someone over to repair the window and put in an alarm.
Renee could scarcely believe she was about to accept an invitation to stay with a practical stranger. The “old” her might have dug her heels in and tried to stick it out for the night in the new house just to prove a point. There was never a doubt in her mind having a baby would change her. She figured this was just the tip of the iceberg. Abby would always come first. Renee’s pride would gladly take a back seat to ensure her child’s safety.
It didn’t take him more than ten minutes to hammer in a few nails and secure the bedroom. The deputy arrived while Cash worked and dusted for prints. He took the evidence that had been collected so far before thanking Cash and expressing concern for his father.
Once they’d seen the deputy out, Cash put the hammer down in the hall closet before turning toward her and asking, “Have you made a decision?”
“Thank you for the invite,” she said to Cash. “I accept.”
Chapter Four
Renee’s eyes widened as Cash pulled onto the paved driveway of a massive ranch after a forty-minute drive. Even this early in the morning, the place was well lit. It was huge and grand and completely unexpected.
After being waved in by a security guard, Cash continued onto a paved road toward a massive white house. Before they got anywhere close, Cash turned onto a smaller road.
“The guesthouse is this way. The opposite direction leads to the barns where Pops keeps his offices. There’s a bunkhouse over that way.” His tone was much more somber now, his concern for his father evident. The emotion hit Renee harder than she wanted it to. All she could think was how much she respected his family for being so close. “Stacy is my parents’ right hand.”
“Was she the person you called before we left my house?” The forty-minute drive to the ranch went by in a flash with a sleeping baby buckled in her carrier that doubled as a car seat. Conversation had been light and interrupted often by calls from Cash’s brothers that came over the speaker.
Cash nodded. “She made sure you’ll have all the supplies you need for your little one. Fridge is stocked.”
“She did all that in forty minutes?” Renee had packed up bottles and formula along with an overnight bag for herself. Feeding time should hit soon.
Looking down, she realized she’d fisted her hands. She flexed her fingers, trying to release some of the tension of being in new territory and feeling ill-equipped to handle it. None of this felt great but every day spent figuring life out on her own was going to be better than the last few years with Jamison.
“This place runs like a well-oiled machine because of the team my parents put in place. I have a cabin—”
“Hold on a minute. You’re not staying the night in the guesthouse with us?” Renee wasn’t trying to be forward or take Cash for granted. He was the only person she knew in the whole town.
“I’d planned to join the search for my father.”
“Oh, right. I’m sorry.” She pinched the bridge of her nose to stave off the raging headache forming along with a very real dose of fear that this motherhood gig might be biting off more than she could chew. Renee took in a breath and mentally shook off the negativity. She’d figure this out with Abby. No one could possibly want to do a better job at being a mother than her.
“I can send someone over to help until I get back after we find him.” Those last few spoken words faltered. He tried to hide his emotions by clearing his throat.
“Providing us with a safe roof over our heads for a day or two until we can get everything straightened out at home is more than enough.” The idea of an extra set of hands and possibly someone with experience caring for a child was almost too good to pass up, but she didn’t want to impose. He was doing more than enough for her makeshift family as it was. And he’d received unsettling news about his father.
“It’s no trouble and you might be able to get a few hours of shut-eye.”
She was already shaking her head before he finished his sentence. There was no way she would ask that of him, no matter how tempting the offer. Abby needed stability in her life and that came with having a consistent caregiver. Renee was more than ready for the job and had been getting by okay for the past month despite plenty of moments that might make her feel otherwise.
“I’ll manage okay. I have to get used to lack of sleep and taking care of her on my own, right? It might be scary but it’s also the best job I’ve ever had.” Her half smile was rewarded with a chuckle that sounded like a deep rumble from his chest. “Thank you, though. Your hospitality is above and beyond. It’s more than appreciated.”
“Your ‘welcome to town’ up to this point hasn’t exactly been stellar. I’m hoping you’ll see we aren’t all bad.” His cell had been buzzing like crazy for the past twenty minutes or so. He parked in front of a cottage and palmed his cell. “It’s a one-bedroom but the rooms are good size.”
Before she could unbuckle her seat belt, he’d exited the vehicle and come around to her side. As she reached for the handle, the door opened. Turned out, chivalry wasn’t dead. Jamison had never displayed this kind of southern charm despite being from a Dallas suburb. She thanked him again as she climbed out of the seat.
Cash was already liberating the car seat from the buckle in back. Did he have a family? He seemed to know his way around children. Of course, a man as intelligent and hot as him would have someone waiting at home. Was that the reason he’d taken her to the guesthouse instead of his place?
“I hope I don’t get you in any trouble with your wife—”
“Oh. Okay. Just don’t let me keep you.” Renee had always known she wanted a family. Despite her parents’ endless arguments, she’d convinced herself that she would somehow magically get marriage right. She’d worked briefly at a preschool while finishing her basics at community college and loved the energy of having lots of little kids around.
Jamison was no doubt the wrong person for her but her confidence in finding the “right” person took a huge hit after everything that happened with him. After learning about his betrayal, marriage didn’t seem like the best requirement for starting a family. He’d been reaching out to her a lot recently and getting frustrated with her lack of response to his frequent texts. What could she say? She was done. He had a baby on the way. He might regret his choices but his actions had consequences.
“I’ve got her. You want to grab the diaper bag?” Cash asked. “I can come back for the suitcase once you’re settled.”
“Yeah, sure.” She couldn’t help but notice the ease with which he handled her daughter. Curiosity got the best of her. “You’re not married, which doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have kids.”
He laughed as he balanced the carrier in one arm and slid the key in the lock with his free hand. The door opened and he flipped on a light. “I have nephews. A set of twin boys who just celebrated their first birthday. I’ve learned to pitch in to help my brother. He’s raising them on his own.” He shot her a warning look. It wasn’t so much the words as the way he’d said them that told her more discussion of the topic was off limits.
Changing the subject seemed like a good idea as Abby stirred. She had to be hungry by now. “You can put her down anywhere. I need to get a bottle ready.”
True to form, the fridge had all the basics of milk, eggs and a couple of what looked like precooked homemade meals in ready-to-heat containers. She was even more impressed. The interior of the cottage was beige and white with just enough Tiffany blue to be considered feminine. The place was decorated to perfection, looking like something out of a magazine. She should’ve expected this but for some reason was surprised by the level of detail.
“It’s beautiful in here.” She set the bottle of formula on the wooden coffee table on top of a coaster. “Do people stay here often?”
“No. You’re the first.”
She would feel special if she hadn’t picked up on a note of sadness in his voice. Figuring it was another off-limits subject, she picked up her baby and then settled into the deep couch adjacent to the fireplace.
Cash excused himself before bringing back her suitcase and taking it into the bedroom. He fished out his cell from his front pocket and frowned when he got a good look at the screen. It took a few seconds to scroll through all the messages he’d received in the last hour. Drawing his brows together, he shook his head before looking at her. When he did, he was distracted and she imagined there was more bad news about his father. Her heart went out to him. Cash O’Connor seemed like a decent man. One who didn’t deserve what was happening.
“What’s your cell number?” he asked.
She rattled off the digits. A second later, she heard a buzzing noise coming from her purse.
“Don’t worry about it. I’m calling so you’ll have my number in case you need anything.” His buzzed again. He issued a sharp sigh after checking the screen and walking toward the door. “There’s a spare set of keys hanging on a hook on the kitchen cabinet next to the garage door and a car should you need to use one. I texted you Stacy’s number in case I’m not around or not getting cell coverage. It’s spotty here on the ranch and especially in remote areas.” He stopped short of crossing the threshold but his hand was on the knob. “I’ll lock this on my way out. Not because it needs to be locked, but because it’ll make you feel safer. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Renee smiled. It had been a very long time since anyone had had her back. Before she could thank Cash again, he darted out the door. The snick of the lock, as promised, allowed her to finally exhale.
* * *
THE FIRST LIGHT was rising against the night sky. Normally, Cash would stop long enough to appreciate the multicolored canopy that contained a mix of the most beautiful orange and blue hues. Texas had always felt like home and always had been. And yet there was something extra special about the land at KBR, something that fed Cash’s soul.
Today, all he could think about was Pops.
Walking into the kitchen of the main house, Stacy made a beeline for him and nodded toward the back door. Cash turned and stepped onto the screened-in porch. He folded his arms across his chest as she joined him.
“Where is everyone?”
“I’m sorry, Cash.” Those words dropped a lead anchor of dread in the pit of his stomach. “I thought it would be better to talk to you out here rather than have your mother be forced to rehash the details again.”
“Has Pops turned up?” Even though Cash had a solid two inches of height on Finn O’Connor, the man would always stand eight feet tall in Cash’s eyes. Not only was he a great father and husband, he was a great man. The thought of anything happening to Pops tightened the screws in his chest.
“Yes.” Stacy studied the rug like her next words might be found there. When she looked back up at him, he could see water gathering in her eyes. Instead of speaking, she shook her head.
Cash knew exactly what she meant and yet his brain couldn’t fathom anything happening to a strong man like Finn O’Connor. Since Stacy looked ready to crumble, Cash brought the older woman who’d been like an aunt to him into a hug. Sobs wracked her shoulders as disbelief cloaked Cash. There wasn’t a world where it made sense his buck-strong and healthy sixty-eight-year-old father was suddenly gone.
Stacy pulled back and wiped her eyes, apologizing profusely.
“It’s okay. You’ve been just as much a part of this family for the past thirty years as I have.” His words seemed to strike a chord with Stacy. She managed a weak smile through her tears.
“I’ve been trying to hold it together for your mother. I didn’t mean to unleash on you.” Dark circles cradled her eyes, outlining her stress, and her rounded shoulders seemed even heavier now.
“You’re doing all right.” He was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact his father might be gone. He’d seen the same look of shock and disbelief more times than he could count on victims’ faces. The brain seemed set on a delayed timer when it came to unfathomable news. Cash probably had that same look on his face now. He wanted to go inside to get more details, figure out how this could’ve happened and be a comfort to his mother. Stacy had been part of the family for as long as he could remember. There was no way he’d abandon her.
She twisted her fingers together. “It’s all happening so fast. I mean, we knew he was sick but we just thought he’d magically pull through somehow. You know your father. The man was strong as an ox.”
“Who knew he was sick?” Cash had been told about a couple of recent doctor’s appointments. There’d been no serious illness news.
Stacy brought a hand up to cover her mouth. “I’m sorry. Your mother asked me not to say anything to any of the boys about his diagnosis.”
Cash must’ve given her quite the look because she quickly added, “Aortic aneurysm.”
“What is that exactly?”
“It’s a bulge in a blood vessel that carries blood away from his heart. The doctors measured it and it fell within the guidelines. He was supposed to go back soon and have it rechecked.” She shook her head and her voice was weary. “It must’ve grown faster than expected and ruptured. He collapsed on the property and Slim found him near Bridal Pass.”
Slim Jenkins was ranch foreman. Cash bit his tongue. This s
houldn’t be the first time he was hearing about an issue with his father’s health, but it wasn’t Stacy’s call to make. Pops would want to keep this information under the radar. Even though his children were all adults, he’d see the need to protect everyone. It was surprising that Pops had gone to the doctor in the first place. “Where’s my mother?”
“She’s inside in her bedroom.” More tears spilled down Stacy’s cheeks.
“And Pops?”
“An ambulance transported him...” A few more sobs wracked her as she tried to finish her sentence. She apologized again even though it was wholly unnecessary. There wasn’t much Cash or his brothers wouldn’t do for their family friend and ranch manager.
Reality started to sink in as Cash heard more details about his father’s condition. His brain still rejected the fact that Finn O’Connor was anything but alive. Cash needed to see the rest of his family and yet his boots were rooted to the floor. He swiped a hand across his face, realized it had been a few days since he’d shaved. “Who’s here?”
Stacy seemed to know exactly what he referred to when she started rattling off a few of his brothers’ names. “Colton left with the ambulance and I haven’t been able to reach Garrett.”
“No surprises there.” As sheriff, Colton would see it as his job to accompany the body and ensure there’d been no foul play. Garrett had a convenient habit of letting his phone run out of battery. He liked to disappear with no explanation, leaving their mother to worry. He’d always needed more space than the others. Between marriages, separations and divorces, the O’Connor men had been preoccupied lately. “How long did Pops know about his medical condition?”
“Since last year,” she admitted.
“And no one told us?”
“He said it wasn’t a big enough deal to worry the family over. Your mom fussed at him, told him the boys deserved to know what was going on. He wasn’t having it. He told her that he’d speak up when there was something worth talking about.” She blew out a breath. “I don’t have to remind you how stubborn your father could be.”