Chapter 7
7
A s the rain drenched their world and lightning crashed around them, Hardy allowed himself to only focus on one thing, and that was getting the woman sitting next to him to safety.
Stephanie looked half frozen in fright, scared of him, nervous about the way he was driving, and was obviously not a fan of raging thunderstorms in the middle of the night.
All he could afford to care about was that she was alive. If she was breathing next to him, he was doing his job.
Which, come to think of it, he hadn’t heard her even so much as gasp in quite a while.
“You okay?” he murmured.
“I don’t know.”
“Take a deep breath, okay? Just keep breathing.”
He almost smiled when she did just that. “Good job.”
To his surprise, she let out a small, shy laugh. “You almost sound like you’re used to things like this.”
“I wouldn’t say that,” he replied as he took a curve, slowing as the entrance to the Russell property neared. “I have been through some things, though. I can keep you safe.” She looked doubtful as he slowed, then her eyes widened when he drew to a stop in front of the guardhouse. All visitors had to check in before whoever was on duty opened the black electronic gate a few feet beyond.
“Where are we?”
“We’re at the Russell Ranch. You’re not going to be safe enough in Marion, Stephanie. You need to be someplace more secure,” he said as he rolled down the window and pressed a button. A loud buzz sounded, followed by Foster’s signature rasp. “Name.”
“Foster, hey. It’s Hardy.”
“Hardy? I didn’t think you were going to be back on the property until tomorrow.”
“I know, but the situation’s changed. I’m coming in.”
There was another buzz as the gate opened. He drove the truck through the gate. After the gate shut behind him, he stopped to talk to the guard on duty. “I’m about to call Carter, but I want you to meet Stephanie. She’s going to be staying in one of the cabins on the property.”
As expected, Foster’s voice turned even more serious. “Mr. Russell know about this?”
“That’s not your concern. I’ll call him in a while. We’re coming in hot, though. I need to get her on through.”
“I’d think about cabin three. It’s stocked.”
“Sounds good.” He nodded to Foster through the window of the booth, and as they left the guardhouse, Hardy reached for Stephanie’s hand. “Almost there, Stephanie. Hang in just a little bit more for me, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good job.” He squeezed her hand gently. “When that gate is closed behind us, we’re as safe as we can be.”
“You sound so sure.”
“I am. The Russell Ranch security is second to none. Everyone on staff takes it seriously. Someone mans the gate 24-7. If it’s not Foster at the controls, it’s one of the other two people Carter has on staff. In addition, there are cameras stationed along the perimeter and around the main house and some of the outer buildings. They can be viewed from both the guard booth and in the basement of Carter’s house. No one is going to get on this property without us knowing.” He tapped the brakes, hoping the knowledge would give her a sense of relief.
But by the look in her eyes, it didn’t help one bit.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen now,” she whispered. “Do you?”
There was no way he was going to lie to her. “No.”
“What is cabin three?”
“It’s exactly what it sounds like. A cabin on the property. There will be some food there. A shower. A bed so you can catch some sleep.”
“What about you? Where will you be?”
“I’ll be in one of the cabins nearby,” he said as he drove down the lane and over a cattle guard, and then took the right fork in the road.
Feeling the wariness emanating from her, he added, “I’ve promised to look out for you. I promised my sister. I’m also putting my boss and good friend in the thick of this mess that you’re in. I don’t do any of that lightly. Do you understand?”
“Jah.”
She wasn’t looking at him, though. Instead, she had folded her arms around her chest and was looking down at her lap. She’d curved in around herself. As if she was afraid to let anyone in. Even the person who’d just sworn to keep her safe. “Hey, I know this is hard. You’re dressed like an Englisher, you’re far from your family and running scared. But Stephanie, if you are willing to do anything at all, I hope you’ll be willing to take a chance on me. I only want to help you. You don’t have a thing to fear from me.”
She said nothing as he slowed their speed into a crawl, the crunch of the gravel under the tires mixed with the sound of the pouring rain against the truck’s cab.
When she released a ragged breath, an unknown need to help her made him start talking. If for no other reason than to fill the void that was beginning to feel soul sucking in the truck’s cab. “The Russell Ranch stretches across the hills and valleys of southern Crittenden County. There’s a main house, three barns, an employees’ guesthouse, and a number of small cabins spread out across the area. Like I told you before, the entire area is surrounded by a fence that is both barbed and electric. Both entrances are gated, illuminated, and continually monitored. One has a full-time guard. In addition, the Marion police and the county sheriff’s department are on speed dial. I can’t think of a safer place for you to be.”
He felt rather than saw her skepticism. “Do you have any questions?”
“Nee.”
They passed another cabin, then headed down a small, sloped hill until they came upon a bend on the left. Five minutes later, he pulled into the driveway of cabin three.
The cabin was illuminated. Even in the dark, it looked as pretty as a picture. Near the road was a small mailbox. It was mainly for show. When Carter had some of his fancy guests in town, he’d sometimes have his assistant make a small goody basket to welcome them. Just below the mailbox was a lockbox with the cabin’s key.
“Wait here a second,” he said as he climbed down from the cab and punched in the code on the lockbox. When a key fell into his hand, he felt another burst of satisfaction. Once again, every control and safety protocol put into place was working properly.
Getting back in, he said, “Stephanie, when we park, I want you to stay in the cab until I come around and help you down.” She nodded. Minutes later, he did exactly what he’d said he would. “Here. Take my hand,” he said after opening her door.
When she slid her hand into his, he felt a zing of tenderness wrap through him. She looked so innocent and scared. Taking care not to grip her hand too tight, he guided her to the ground, grabbed her backpack and small suitcase, and walked her to the door. Instinct had him placing himself between the world and Stephanie.
After opening the door, he turned on the lights, then closed and secured the door behind them. “We’re here.”
Stephanie looked around with wide eyes. “Oh! It’s pretty.”
“I’ve always thought so too. They’re all small. Usually folks only stay here a night or two. There’s a bedroom, bathroom, small living area, and a kitchenette. We’ll get what you need for food, but there should be a few things here already.”
“Where will you be?”
“I’ll be close. Like I told you, I’ll be in the next cabin over.”
She didn’t look relieved by that in the slightest. “But I’ll be here.”
“Yes. You’re safe, Stephanie. I swear on everything I hold dear that that’s the truth. No one’s going to get on this property without me knowing.”
“Oh. All right.”
She didn’t sound relieved, though. If anything, she sounded even more worried. That didn’t set real well with him, but he didn’t know what else to say. It wasn’t like he’d made these plans. All he was doing was trying to help Bev out.
He wasn’t without compassion, though. “Hey, try not to worry. I know you’re scared and hurting, but you’re going to be okay now.”
Stephanie was facing him with wide eyes filled with pain, and it seemed like an overwhelming sense of loss was emanating from her body. “Nee,” she said in a tone filled with emotion. “I am not going to be okay anytime soon.”
As much as he ached to prove her wrong, Hardy knew that he was no fortune teller. He sure wasn’t privy to all she’d gone through in the last day.
So, she might be right after all.
But what could he say to that? His sister had asked for his help, and now he knew Stephanie was in danger. He couldn’t change the past and he couldn’t change her present situation. Not without some planning and some help.
“How about I show you where you can rest, then?” He turned and walked toward a pair of doors just beyond the kitchenette. “The bedroom is down this way,” he said. He knew she was right behind him.
After all, there was nowhere else to go.