Chapter 27
27
The moment they stepped into the warmth of the ranch house, Landon wasn’t surprised to see Margaret gently ushering Tad and Penny upstairs, her voice soft but commanding as she fussed over them. He could hear her words of comfort, promising clean clothes and warm showers as she called for the housekeeper to tend to their laundry. Her maternal touch seemed to envelop the children, offering them the security they hadn’t felt from their mom.
Standing nearby, Thurston extended a firm, heartfelt handshake to Landon, then turned to Noel, his gaze filled with gratitude that words couldn’t quite convey. Landon noticed the same raw emotion in Thurston’s face that he’d seen in Stan’s back at the airport—a profound, unfiltered relief mixed with something unbreakable, a kind of respect and quiet awe.
“I can’t thank you enough,” Thurston said, his voice thick with emotion. He cleared his throat, trying to steady himself. “Please, come into the study. Stan and I need to hear everything—without the chance of the kids overhearing.”
Landon placed a gentle hand on Noel’s lower back, guiding her in front of him as they entered the study. He glanced around, finding it exactly as he’d expected—a sanctuary of warmth and dignity. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with worn volumes, each one likely holding its own history in this house. A large window framed a view of the vast ranch, stretching endlessly under the Montana sky. The wood floors, softened by thick green-and-maroon rugs, grounded the space, while a comfortable sofa against the far wall seemed to invite honest conversations. A double desk sat between the windows, a sturdy piece that had clearly served both Stan and Thurston for years.
Stan indicated they should take the sofa. He and his father turned the two cushioned, wooden chairs from in front of their desks to face the couch. Once settled, Margaret entered. She smiled, and then her gaze landed on Thurston. “I had our cook prepare something light to eat for everyone. Do you think you’ll be long, honey?”
“Why don’t you ensure the kids eat once ready? We’ll have something when we’ve finished.”
Her lips tightened as she blinked several times, then quickly wiped at an errant tear. Thurston jumped to his feet and wrapped his arms around her. “Now, now, Margaret. The kids are home safe.”
She exhaled shakily, brushing away a tear that had slipped free. Her gaze turned to Noel, a look of both strength and vulnerability in her eyes. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to speak with you later, to learn what I can do to help Tad and Penny through… all of this.”
Noel nodded, her voice soft but steady. “I promise we’ll talk before I leave. I’ll make sure you know everything I can share to help them.”
Landon stole a glance at Noel, taking in the exhaustion etched on her face and the subtle tension in her shoulders, yet still seeing the compassion and determination that drove her. Despite the toll of the past few days and the physical and emotional exhaustion weighing her down, she was still here, willing to give more of herself. A surge of admiration welled in him, mixed with something deeper—an ache he wasn’t ready to name. He simply took her hand in his and squeezed it gently, letting her feel his quiet support.
As soon as Margaret left, Stan leaned forward, his voice low and firm. “I want everything,” he said, his words filled with an urgency he could barely contain. “I need to know what my children went through, what happened, what their mother did—or didn’t do. Leave nothing out. Please.” His gaze flickered between Landon and Noel, a man ready to face whatever truth they brought to light, no matter how painful, because his love for his children demanded it.
Landon looked over at Noel. “I’ll let you speak about what all happened, and then I can add my thoughts and conversations with Pamela, Tad, and Penny.”
He nodded, then faced Stan and Thurston. “Most of this information you know from LSIMT keeping you in the loop with everything we encountered once we arrived at the resort where Pamela had a house. I will say that she appeared distraught?—”
“Hmph,” Stan grunted.
Landon didn’t acknowledge the interruption but continued. “We questioned her, the housekeeper, Horticia, and Roger?—”
“Goddamn fuckin’ leech,” Stan snarled.
“Stan, they’ll get finished a helluva lot faster if you keep your comments to yourself,” Thurston chastised.
Stan nodded, but before Landon could continue, Noel said, “Mr. Fugate, I know this is so hard for you to hear. But, at that moment, I can truthfully tell you that Pamela was very upset. Now, what other emotions was she feeling? I can’t be sure. But she was desperate for the kids to be safe.”
He nodded, then mumbled, “I’m sorry. Please continue.”
“We waited until our people could ping the call that came in and comb through the CCTV footage in the area. Since they were taken from the beach and immediately walked through the jungle to get to their vehicle, we didn’t want to waste time. Once we had the area and knew the storm was coming, Noel and I went after them. They were held about twenty miles away from the resort.”
“You went, too?” Stan asked Noel, his eyes wide.
“I thought being there when Landon rescued them was important.”
Stan winced, pain lacing his face as well as his tone. “Thank you. Jesus, thank you.”
“Goddamn,” Thurston muttered.
Noel twisted her head slightly to catch Landon's eye, and she nodded. Beginning again, he said, “Noel and I made it to where the children were being held. There were a few buildings, two uninhabitable, and I identified the one they were held in. They were upstairs, the three men downstairs." He could see Stan and Thurston barely hanging on, so he pushed past the details. "The men were dealt with quickly and efficiently, and we got to the children. They were frightened but unharmed.”
Stan’s gaze shifted sharply from Landon to Noel, his eyes filled with worry and the need for reassurance. As Noel nodded, his shoulders relaxed, and he seemed to breathe just a little easier.
Landon kept his voice steady yet compassionate. “By then, we were in the storm, but we got back to our vehicle. A mudslide closed off the road leading back to the resort, and as we drove in the other direction, trees fell over the road. My people were able to locate a small shack that may have been used as a barn at one time, but it offered us a respite from the rain and wind. We spent the night there. It may not have been what the kids were used to, but Stan…” He paused, a note of admiration in his voice. “You should be very proud of them.”
Stan appeared to hang on every word.
“Noel talked with them, and again, despite being very frightened, they were also resilient. The four of us chatted, and then the kids fell asleep, and it wasn't long before we also slept. The following morning, we returned to the road but left our vehicle. We hiked down toward the mudslide because that's where my people who'd managed to fly in would meet us. Again, Penny and Tad were troopers during the entire time. They did everything we asked and were excited to get back.”
Silence fell, thick with emotion, as Stan absorbed Landon’s words, a profound gratitude evident in his expression. At last, he nodded, his voice catching slightly as he said, “I can’t express what this means to me, to all of us.” He raised a hand, stopping Landon and Noel before they could respond. “I know you’ll say it was just part of your job. But taking care of my children’s emotional needs, helping them feel safe—that’s above and beyond, and we’ll never forget it.”
“It was my pleasure to be able to help,” Landon said.
Noel leaned forward, her voice gentle. “I feel the same. Your children are wonderful, and I talked with them on the way to their mom’s house, again once we arrived there, and more on the airplane. I feel very comfortable with how they're dealing. I will strongly suggest that they receive counseling because there can be long-term reactions to the trauma, but I can discuss that with Margaret when she joins me.”
“You are right, of course, that we had been in constant contact with your boss, Logan Bishop, and our longtime family attorney, who’s a close friend. And we appreciate the calls you have provided between us and the kids. Again, the two of you have exceeded anything we could expect in such a crisis. What I need to know now is about Pamela. Not just what she knew and when she knew it, but how she responded to the kids when they were brought back.”
Noel looked at Landon, giving him a subtle nod to proceed.
Landon took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “By the time we arrived, Horticia had informed Pamela that the kids had been taken from the beach, but the local police were stretched thin, focused on preparing for the storm. The storm shifted north, sparing the island the worst, but it created chaos for them all the same. They handed the case over to me quickly.”
Stan and Thurston were listening intently, their eyes pinned on him.
“As Noel said earlier, Pamela was distraught, begging us to find the children. Since neither of us has any previous history with her, I cannot attest to her mental state or her actions. When we returned, she greeted the children and fussed over them but didn’t question them about what happened.” He offered a pointed glare. “Roger was interested in what the kids overheard. Horticia was there but in the background. My people discovered phone contact between Roger and Horticia from the last time Pamela had brought him to the island. Our suspicions were aroused.”
“Are you telling me that their mother’s fuck buddy was the one who had my children kidnapped?” Stan’s face was red and mottled as he roared his fury.
Landon maintained his composure and nodded. “Roger knew that half a million dollars was being brought to the island for Pamela. He convinced Horticia to find someone to participate for a cut of the money. Horticia’s cousins, along with a friend, must have easily agreed and took the children. Roger escaped and is now hunted by the Jamaican police, who have Horticia in custody.”
“He’s still out there?” Thurston asked, his eyes narrowing.
Landon lifted his arms with palms up. “With the tropical storm, the police are doing their best. But if he tries to come back into this country, he’ll be stopped and arrested. Our FBI has been contacted by the Jamaican police as well as my boss.”
“And Pamela?” Stan bit out.
“By this morning, Pamela was… distracted. She’d already attached herself to a new man she’d met… or perhaps someone she knew before. An older gentleman with a resort house nearby. She said goodbye to the kids, knowing there’d be no payoff, no papers to sign. When we left, she was with him.”
Stan’s expression twisted with a mixture of pain and anger. He ran a hand over his face, his jaw tight. “The only good things I ever got from that woman were Penny and Tad. Otherwise, she’s been nothing but a waste.”
Thurston leaned forward, his chest heaving with emotion. “And Mike?” He closed his eyes for a moment and shuddered. “Christ, I can’t believe Mike is gone. He was part of this ranch most of his life. Part of our family for that long.”
Noel glanced over at Landon, her lips pressed together and pleading in her eyes. He nodded and swallowed deeply. “Mike was good for the kids to see when they got back. They were excited, and it was evident he was relieved. He walked outside and a few minutes later had a heart attack. Noel saw him from a window and alerted the rest of us. I worked on him until the ambulance arrived. I received the call from the hospital not too long after that he had died.”
Stan rubbed his hand over his face, his eyes blinking back the gathered moisture. “We’re taking care of everything. His body will be sent to us, and we’re dealing with what needs to be done.”
“The kids were asking about that,” Noel said softly. “I gave them accurate answers without giving too much detail.”
“Thank you,” Stan said, then his shoulders heaved with a great sigh. “Seems like that’s all I say to you, but honest to God, you have my thanks.”
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the study, and Margaret peeked through the doorway. “I wanted to let you know that the kids are downstairs at the table having something to eat. As soon as you're finished, I'd love for you all to join us.”
Thurston stood, wrapping his arms around his wife with a gentle strength. “I think we’re finished here,” he murmured, his voice carrying a profound relief. “Sitting with the kids for a while will be good.”
Stan also took to his feet and thrust his hand out, once again shaking both Noel’s and Landon’s hands. “If you follow my mom and dad, we’ll be pleased to have you join us.”
As Landon and Noel rose to follow, Landon’s hand found the small of Noel’s back once again. At that moment, a silent promise passed between them, grounding her, anchoring them both as they stepped out to join the family, ready to share in the joy of being safely home.
Soon, they were gathered around the spacious, sunlit kitchen table, the atmosphere infused with warmth and the scent of freshly made food. The kitchen was modern but cozy, with soft wooden cabinets, polished countertops, and a large window that framed a stunning view of the backyard. Beyond, the sprawling ranch stretched out, with mountains towering in the background, casting their peaceful shadows over the land.
Even though he’d eaten on the plane, Landon realized how hungry he was. Margaret had prepared a perfect meal of roast beef and sharp cheddar sandwiches on homemade sourdough, creamy potato salad, vibrant fresh fruit, and slices of golden, flaky homemade pie. He devoured his plate, glancing up to see Penny and Tad doing the same, their spirits visibly lifting with each bite.
He sat across from Noel, initially disappointed not to be beside her, but now grateful for the view. She was eating very little, though she kept her smile bright, effortlessly drawing laughter from the children and calming Margaret’s frayed nerves. Still, he noticed the dark circles beneath her eyes, the occasional flicker of strain behind her smile. She was running on pure will, and he could feel her exhaustion in his bones.
He wanted to suggest they leave, but Margaret had requested a private moment with Noel after the meal. The kids, full and a bit more relaxed, begged to see their horses, and Stan invited Landon to join them on a short walk to the barn. He hesitated, reluctant to leave her even for a moment, but Noel looked up and gave him a warm, genuine smile. With a wink and a promise in his eyes, he turned and followed Stan and the children outside.
It was heartening to see Penny and Tad in their familiar surroundings, shedding some of the tension of the past days. But he was still restless, his thoughts always drifting back to Noel. After a short while, he saw her and Margaret emerge onto the deck, and without a second’s hesitation, he returned to her side.
Then came the farewells, filled with handshakes, tight hugs, and murmurs of gratitude. When it was time for Penny and Tad to say goodbye, both kids clung to him, their eyes misty with tears.
“Remember,” he whispered softly to each of them, “I couldn’t have asked for better companions on this rescue. One day, you’ll look back and remember your strength, not your fear.”
Tad managed a shaky smile, squeezing Landon’s hand with surprising firmness, while Penny wrapped him in a sweet, lingering hug. Noel had her own heartfelt goodbyes with each of them, her voice tender, her words comforting. Together, they walked toward their vehicles, flanked by the family who’d watched over them with pride and love.
Landon stood at her door once Noel had slid behind the wheel of her small SUV. He noticed her glance, a hint of something unspoken in her eyes. He leaned down and whispered, “Just follow me.”
They drove down the long ranch road, and as they reached the large wooden sign marking the entrance to Fugate Ranch, he pulled over, parking beneath the shadow of the sign. She stopped behind him, stepping out with a curious smile as he came around and wrapped her in his arms. They stood there for a long moment, silent, their embrace deep and wordless as they let the weight of the last few days melt away.
Finally, she leaned back, her eyes soft as she looked up at him. “I’m so glad you did this, Landon. I hated the thought of such a public goodbye.”
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. “Noel, no way was I letting you go without a moment alone.”
They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms, savoring the closeness, until he looked down, his gaze tender. “I know you’re exhausted, but you were incredible back there. Just what everyone needed. I hate that you have to drive home alone, as tired as you are.”
She shrugged, a hint of a playful smile returning. “You have a longer drive than I do.” She laughed, shaking her head. “Although, I have no doubt your stamina’s a bit better than mine right now.”
He resisted the urge to make a teasing remark about exactly how long his stamina could last with her. Instead, he let his thumb gently trace the back of her hand as he spoke his true intention. “I’m going to follow you back to your place.”
Her eyes widened slightly, surprise mixing with gratitude. “Landon, you don’t have to. I don’t want you to go out of your way?—”
His voice was gentle but insistent. “I just want to make sure you get home safe. Please, let me do this for you.”
She laughed, wrapping her arms around his waist, her smile lighting up her face. “If a gorgeous man I happen to like very much offers to see me home, I’d be crazy to say no.”
He bent down, brushing a soft kiss across her lips, savoring the simple, sweet moment. “Good to know.”
“I'll pull in front, and you can follow me.”
He continued to nibble on her lips, mumbling, “Can't wait to have you in my arms again.” With that, they climbed into their vehicles, and with a lighter heart, he followed her down the road.