Chapter Thirty
“Is the threat over?” Sarah asked, almost breathless. She sat up straighter, plumping pillows to lean against the wooden headboard.
“Maybe,” Ben said, setting his phone aside. “Kemper was arrested in Idaho, a neighboring state to Montana. We don’t know yet if it was actually him doing those things in Mountain Wood or someone else.”
“It must be him. Who else would do such a thing?”
“All kinds of crazy people,” he answered. “The world is full of wackos.”
“Does this mean I can go home, Ben? I really want to participate in the Rhubarb Festival celebration.”
“Not a good idea,” he said. “The Idaho authorities need to interrogate Kemper and determine where he’s been this month since he went AWOL.”
“But he’s in custody, right? He can’t get at me now.”
“Sarah, listen. We don’t know for sure if your stalker was Kemper. It would be stupid to let down our guard.”
“Ben, I can’t stay here forever.”
He looked at her for a long moment. “Do you want to leave me?”
“No.” She flushed. “But Mountain Wood is my home. Not that I’ll be there much longer.”
“What’s that mean?” He tilted his head.
It didn’t matter now if he knew. “I’ve pretty much decided to return to New York, to modeling. My agent says the designers are looking for me.”
His brows rose. “I thought you were done with that life. So superficial, you said. So shallow.”
“It’ll only be for a year or two. I really want to honor the pact I made with Mira and live on the ranch. Frankly, I need the money. Turns out I gave away a little too much.” She let out a weak laugh. “Now, I don’t have enough for my feed barn.”
His gaze didn’t waver. “How much?”
“What?”
“How much money do you need? I’ve got cash saved up.”
Appalled that her admission had prompted him to make the offer, she rushed out, “Oh, no. I’d never take money from you.”
“Why not?”
“I have to do this on my own. It’s my dream. Something I want to do. I wasn’t angling for a loan.”
“It wouldn’t matter to me if you were.”
Suddenly, it seemed he wasn’t listening to her. She curled her fingers around his biceps. “Ben, I need to work for the money. As far as leaving you, of course I don’t want to. Especially not after...” She let her fingers flutter between them. “Not after this.”
“But?”
“But I want to be a part of the town’s annual celebration. Back with Jim and Milly.” She squeezed his arm and blurted, “And I want you there. Come with me, Ben.”
He uttered a rough sigh. “If you’re hellbent to be there, then I’m going with you,” he said.
“But this time for damn sure not without help. I’ll bring a team.
If you insist on hanging out in a crowd, we’re going to make a show of force.
If that guy threatening you is still around, he’ll have to go through us. ”
“A show of force?” Sarah exclaimed in horror. “That might intimidate the townspeople. You can’t do that. I’ll be fine. Kemper is in lockup. He can’t get me now.”
“Sarah, one more thing.” He took a lock of her hair and smoothed it between his fingers.
“Yes?”
“You’re my woman now.” He let his hand slide over her chest to cup her breast. With his message clear, he met her gaze levelly. “You’re mine.”
Her heart felt like it was melting. “You’ve said that to me before. The day we met.”
“After this weekend, it’s even more true. That means you won’t be dating others. Not Donovan Sinclair.”
“I never really wanted to lease his building. Now, I can’t anyway. After I start making money, I’ll be able to do what I’d originally planned and buy property, build my own store.”
“And no more dinners with Travis Butler,” he warned.
“He’s only my neighbor.” She laid her cheek on his chest. “You don’t have to be jealous. I don’t want others. Only you.”
He wrapped his arm around her, pulled her close. “We’ll leave for Montana day after tomorrow. I need that long to line out the new men, give Rio a couple more days to rest up and start working regular hours.” He kissed her hair. “Besides, I want more time with you. Here. In my bed.”
“Okay,” she said, snuggling into his side. “Day after tomorrow, then. I’ll call Milly.”
“Maybe later,” Ben said, and reached for her.
****
Once again Ben chartered a private plane to fly them to Billings.
His handpicked team included Franklin, Simmons, and another man named Jones.
On landing, Ben rented a big SUV and drove them to Mountain Wood, where they picked up food supplies.
Sarah planned to cook for them all and she’d need a number of staples.
Big Jim had agreed that the team would sleep in the bunkhouse.
Sarah had made Ben swear there’d be no show of force, and although sharp-eyed and well-armed, the men would try their best to mingle and be friendly. For the usually dour Franklin, however, that might be difficult.
Because the afternoon was quickly waning, she wouldn’t have time that night to prepare dinner, so before heading to the ranch, they stopped at Milly’s Diner for a quick meal.
Waiting for them, Big Jim jumped from a chair and embraced Sarah warmly.
Ben introduced his men, and they took seats at adjoining booths.
Coming from the kitchen, Milly rushed at Sarah to enfold her in a big hug.
“So glad you’re safe at home,” she said.
She wore her usual apron and black and white checkered tennies.
Her hair was pulled tight into a bun, leaving a few gray wisps to float about her face.
“I’ve been so worried. I’m glad that guy is caught.
Looking for him was like looking for a needle in a hayride. ”
“Haystack,” Sarah corrected softly. “Anyway, it’s good to be home.”
Milly took a nub of a pencil and a ticket book and looked at the men expectantly. “Now, what can I get you gentlemen?” She took their orders to the kitchen and Sarah got up to follow.
Keeping out of the way of the cooks, Sarah waited beside the big refrigerators. After Milly posted the order, Sarah pulled her aside. “I haven’t forgotten about your makeover. Let’s start tomorrow. I want you looking like a million bucks for the Rhubarb Festival.”
“I don’t know,” Milly said uneasily. “Just not sure about a lot of changes. I don’t want to look like a made-up doll.”
“Don’t be silly. We won’t change you at all. We’ll just play up your best features.”
Milly looked lost. She stuffed her ticket book into her apron pocket. “What are my best features?”
“You have beautiful blue eyes, Milly. And a voluptuous figure.”
“Just say it. I’m fat. Wish I was tall and willowy like you.”
“Milly! You’re shapely and curvy. Men love that. Now, let’s get you a nice haircut. Maybe even a few blonde streaks.”
“Blonde! I can’t do that. You’re the blonde. I’m a brunette.”
“Okay, no streaks.” Sarah patted her arm. “We’ll find you some nice dresses. And...” She gestured at Milly’s feet, covered with checkered high-tops. “Some nice shoes.”
Grumbling, Milly argued, but Sarah was determined.
Back home in the evening, Sarah and Ben first checked on Willie’s progress on the chicken coop and found it finished. Inside, a dozen different colored chicks happily pecked away at a feeder. “It’s all done,” she said.
Ben muttered agreement as he tested the strength of the coop’s construction.
Taking an apple she’d bought in town, she gave it to her favorite horse, a stabled gelding. Reluctant to leave the peacefulness of the barn and the animals, at last she said to Ben, “Okay, I need to get the food put away before it spoils.”
Sarah stashed food into the refrigerator and ran the washing machine.
In the living room, the men settled with Ben. On a pad of paper, he drew a schematic of the town square, and they discussed the best possible security positions.
Sarah listened with only half an ear. She no longer felt the creeping dread she’d lived under the past month. It must have been Ridley Kemper doing those evil things, and he was caught now, no longer a problem for her or others.
Big Jim turned in early and the men headed for the bunkhouse. Ben and Sarah retired to her bedroom. On her dresser, Ben laid out his Glock and K-bar knife. In his arms, Sarah slept snug and dreamlessly.
****
Arriving in town early the next morning, Sarah, Ben, and his team found the place had kicked into high gear.
The parking lot in the center of the town square had been completely cleared of vehicles, and people were setting up booths and carnival attractions.
The Lions Club was building a temporary stage, and The Shriners were partitioning off the parade route.
Maintenance people were sweeping, and the sounds of swinging hammers and shouted orders rang in the air.
Two farmers in overalls and their children spread straw around an animal enclosure. A slender girl of around eleven called to her. “Miss Sarah? Will you come and see my goat tomorrow? I want to win a ribbon.”
“Of course I will,” Sarah said. “I’ll be back here to root you on. I bet you get a blue ribbon.”
The girl beamed.
Her father touched his hat shyly. “Thank you, Miss Sarah. My little Emily is a big fan. It’d mean a lot if you could stop by. Just for a minute.”
“I wouldn’t miss Emily’s goat. See you tomorrow.”
Ben’s men fanned out and Sarah immediately pitched in.
She helped Milly roll into the street the commercial barbeque grill they kept in the alley, where Milly’s fry cooks would be transformed into pit masters.
They’d expertly grill whole chickens, ribs, and brisket.
She hand-lettered signs advertising their food and prices.
Ben helped her do everything, and his team walked the short parameters of the town, getting to know the lay of the land, as Ben put it.
“Ben, please tell them to blend in,” she said. “Be unobtrusive.”
“They know,” he said.
She pursed her lips but decided not to say anything further. While she fiddled with a string of plastic flowers, he set up a ladder.
Annie Smith came out of the pharmacy, and when Sarah spotted her, she hurried over to take her hands. “Annie, how are you? I was going to stop in and see if you’re healed yet.”
“I’m getting better.” The other squeezed Sarah’s hands and then held up her arms, still lightly bandaged. She glanced over her shoulder. “I haven’t gotten past my fear of the alley yet. The pharmacist must take the trash out. That dark area back there freaks me out.”
“That’s where that horrible man attacked you, right? Of course you don’t like being there. I don’t blame you.” She bit her lip. “I still feel awful about what happened to you.”
“It’s not your fault,” Annie said.
“Well, I’m just glad you’re getting better.” She smiled. “So, are you excited about the Rhubarb Festival?”
From the corner of her eye, Sarah saw Franklin loitering at the end of the block. In this small town of country folk, with his bulk, full sleeve tattoos and bald head, he appeared as out of place as horns on a dog. So much for blending in.
“Yes, indeed,” Annie said. “This will be my first year to participate. They say a great country band will be playing. And there’s a parade?”
Sarah laughed. “Just remember, this isn’t the big city. There will be homemade floats carrying kids with their 4H pigs riding along, okay? Don’t expect a Hollywood Rose Parade.”
Annie laughed with her. “I won’t mind that. I like the small-town values here, where everyone knows everyone. It’s charming.”
“Our parade is charming, all right,” Sarah assured her. “Now, do you want me to hang some of these garlands over the pharmacy?”
“Sure! I’ll help.”
While they were putting up the garlands, Mayor Beekins waddled up, out of breath. In everything he did, he seemed to be in a hurry. “Sarah,” he said, straightening his vest over his rotund belly, “so glad you’re home for the festival.”
“Thank you, mayor,” Sarah said from the third step of a short ladder. On the ground, Ben steadied it. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”
“I heard you two ladies discussing the parade,” he said, clasping his hands behind him and rocking back and forth on his heels. “You’ll make the perfect parade marshal.”
“We’ve had this talk before, Sir.” Sarah knew he could be pushy. She’d just have to push back. “That’s your job. You’re the marshal. And a darn good one, at that.”
Ben leaned in. “Sarah will not be getting on any float. Too much exposure.”
“What are you worried about?” Mayor Beekins said. He spread his arms wide. “Everyone knows that horrible man who attacked her years ago has been apprehended by law enforcement. He wasn’t even in Montana.”
“Beekins, we don’t know who threatened Sarah or caused the other havoc,” Ben said impatiently. “We can’t safely assume it was Kemper. Until we’re certain, Sarah will remain under the radar.”
“But she’s safe here,” the small man argued, “among all of us. You must understand that our township prepares long and hard for this day. For months!” His face grew pink. “It’s our biggest retail opportunity of the year. The shopkeepers count on it.”
“Uh huh.” Ben was clearly unmoved.
The mayor appealed to Sarah again. “My dear, it’s not the time for you to be selfish.
Why, you’re a super star! The world knows you.
Loves you. If we could announce that you’ve accepted the title of marshal, and that you’ll be riding on the float where you belong, we’ll draw even more people.
They’ll come from all over the county. Maybe even from across the state! ”
Ben helped Sarah down from the ladder and faced the shorter man. “Sorry, mayor. Not gonna happen. As it is, I don’t want her here tomorrow at all.”
From down the block, Franklin observed Ben’s more aggressive posture and immediately started coming their way.
“Not here at all?” the mayor echoed, aghast. He tugged again at his vest. “That won’t do!
She’s our resident celebrity. People will expect to meet her, have her sign autographs.
We need her here.” Suddenly he noticed the big, intimidating man approaching and took an alarmed step back.
He pointed at Franklin. “Who—who is that?”
“He’s one of my men,” Ben said.
Franklin came to a halt a few feet away. With his height and sheer size, he resembled a hulking grizzly. In bear-like fashion, he let his head swing from Ben to the mayor. He pinned the small man with a fearsome glare.
The mayor swallowed hard. “He won’t be here for the festival, will he? We can’t frighten the women and children.”
“Don’t worry about Franklin,” Ben said. “He’s a teddy bear.”
The mayor’s jaw dropped.
Franklin’s glare turned into a glower.
Mayor Beekins reeled back. “Sarah, just consider what I’ve asked. If you are marshal, it will make our day a smashing success.”
With that, he turned and rushed away.