Chapter Eleven
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Driving back to Cade’s ranch Karen felt deeply and profoundly grateful. Though she was sure Gino Stallone had no idea where she was, when she’d seen the flashlight through the downpour she’d experienced a ripple of panic. The moment had shone a spotlight on her deep fear of the danger she might be in.
“Thanks for asking me over,” she said softly, finally finding her voice. “You’ve been so great about everything and we barely know each other.”
“I know enough,” he replied, shooting her a smile. “Besides, I don’t like the idea of you bein’ alone on that property. It would be different if Helen’s parents were there.”
“But I shouldn’t impose on you any more than I already have, and I’m sure after the storm I’ll be fine.”
He didn’t respond, and she wasn’t sure what to say to break the sudden awkward silence, but Jack did it for her, pushing between the seats and trying to crawl into her lap.
“Oh my gosh! Jack, what are you doing?” she exclaimed, laughing as she spoke. “There’s not enough room for you.”
“Apparently he’s thrilled to see you, and we’re home now so he can jump all over you when we get inside,” Cade remarked as the garage door rolled up.
“I didn’t realize you had an attached garage.”
“It’s the angle. You can’t see it from the road because of the trees, and you have to drive around the house to get here. It’s in an odd place,” he continued as he came to a stop. “This used to be just a work shed, but the people who built the house left it where it was and turned it into a garage. Okay, you two, I know you’re excited but wait for us to get out first,” he said, looking at the excited dogs.
Karen climbed out and Jack quickly followed her while Diane stayed with Cade, then bounded ahead of him as he entered a short hall and made his way to the kitchen.
“Karen, are you hungry? Did you have dinner?”
“Uh, no. I didn’t have much of an appetite and I was too tired to rummage around for anything.”
“I had a bite at Annie’s but I’m still hungry. How about I rustle us up a couple of hamburgers. I bought them fresh from the butcher the other day and I need to cook ‘em up.”
“That sounds great, thanks.”
As he turned on his griddle and waited for it to get hot, he fetched tomatoes, lettuce and cheese from the refrigerator and a couple of hamburger buns from the pantry. Watching him, Karen felt her heart swell. He didn’t know it, but he’d become her hero.
* * *
Cade was glad he’d swung by the Rutherford estate. The moment Karen had opened the front door it was obvious she’d been scared. Now she was relaxed and smiling, and the fear he’d seen in her eyes was gone. But as they settled at the table he found himself needing to know the real reason behind her visit to Smoky Hill. It was possible Annie had been right, and Karen was scared of an angry ex-boyfriend. But for reasons he couldn’t quite understand, Cade sensed something else going on. Rising to his feet, he moved to the refrigerator, grabbed two beers and brought them to the table .
“Do you need a glass?” he asked, popping off the caps.
“No, thanks. There’s something about drinking from the bottle and eating a hamburger that works.”
“You got that right” he replied with a grin, then lowering his voice he added, “Karen, you can tell me to mind my own business, but I get the feelin’ there’s more to your visit here than just takin’ a break. Am I right?”
“Kind of,” she muttered, lowering her eyes.
“You don’t have to talk about it you don’t want to, but tryin’ to deal with whatever it is by yourself must be tough. Maybe I can help.”
“Cade…it’s…not so easy.”
“What? Tellin’ me or dealin’ with it?”
“Both,” she mumbled as a deep frown crossed her brow, then taking a bite of her hamburger, she chewed it slowly, then took a long swig of the beer. “For starters, I’m not even sure if you’d believe me.”
“That’s a strange thing to say. Why would you think that?”
“Because it’s not your average, every day, run-of-the mill problem.”
“Like I said, it’s up to you, but I’m happy to listen. Sometimes just talkin’ can help.”
“Maybe you’re right. I—uh—I overheard something I shouldn’t have, and I’m pretty sure the person involved is…I don’t know how I can explain this.”
“The person involved is what?” he pressed. “Is this about an ex? Was he sayin’ something about you?”
“Oh no, nothing like that,” she replied quickly. “I’m sorry, Cade. I do want to tell you but I don’t want to put you in any danger.”
“Danger?”
“Yeah, like, real danger,” she said, staring at him intently, “and I’m not being dramatic. ”
“Karen, I think you’d better give me the whole story,” he said solemnly. “There’s only the two of us here, along with Jack and Diane, and they won’t be tellin’ anyone.”
Taking a breath, she turned her eyes to the dogs, then abruptly picked up her beer and took a drink. But as she put the bottle down he saw a single tear trickle down her cheek.
“Hey, it’s okay,” he said, lowering his voice.
“But it’s not, and I don’t know if things will ever be okay again.”
“Damn, girl, what’s goin’ on?”
“I’m scared, really scared, and I don’t know what to do,” she sputtered as more tears followed.
“Start by tellin’ me why, and we can take it from there.”
“My father owns race horses, and his trainer, Gino Stallone, is one of the top men in the country,” she began, her voice trembling as she spoke. “My parents are out of town and I decided to stop by the racing stable to see the horses. It was late, and when I got there the place seemed empty. I didn’t really think about it and I was walking past Gino’s office when I noticed the door was cracked open. I was about to poke my head in to say hello, but I heard his voice and I didn’t want to interrupt. That’s when I realized what he was talking about. He’s involved in illegal betting and fixing races, and he was threatening someone. And I mean, really threatening.”
“Oh no,” Cade muttered, immediately understanding her fears.
“I swear, my heart stopped and I sort of froze, then I started sneaking away. I had reached the nearest exit when he came out and called my name, but I was scared and I ran into the parking lot and drove straight back to my place.”
“What makes you think he knows you overheard anything?”
“At the time I wasn’t sure, but I wasn’t about to stick around and find out. Then I realized he knows where I live and he’s seen me in my Lexus. I didn’t feel safe, not at all, so I called Helen to see if I could come out here for a few days, then I rented an SUV and had it delivered. When I came out of the garage I saw two guys in a Mercedes parked in the guest area. They were just sitting there. I’m sure they were waiting for me. So, yeah, I’m sure Gino Stallone knows I was listening,” she sniffled. “I may not know what to do, but one thing I do know—he wants to make sure I never tell anyone what I overheard.”