Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
The moon rose into the sky above the Dawson ranch, providing a soft glow to the night and silvering the pasture grass.
The corral railing gleamed white, making the lone horse it contained appear otherworldly.
Leaning against the top rail to watch the horse, Maren couldn’t believe the day she’d had.
Despite her worry over her sister and Mia, Maren had loved being here on the Dawsons’ ranch, and they’d stayed longer than expected.
Maren hadn’t laughed so much in, well, she couldn’t remember the last time.
Over the last few months, ever since Opal’s supposed drowning and since joining the task force around the same time, she’d been running on high alert and had not taken any time, until tonight, to ease the stress of loss and concern driving her.
Everyone at the ranch had been so friendly; the food was delicious, and the whole evening a wonderful distraction from the heartache of not knowing where Opal was, even though she and Colt both continually checked their burner phones for news from their bosses, the US Marshals and Eva.
But thus far, their phones remained quiet after the one call about the van.
She glanced sideways at Colt, who stood next to her at the rail fence to the corral.
Haven and Rusk lay quietly at their feet.
They were the only remaining guests, as everyone else had left.
The lone horse trotted in a circle, whining every time it passed Colt.
Or maybe the horse was protesting the presence of two unknown observers.
“Beautiful horse,” Maren said. She hadn’t understood why Colt had led her away from the house after everyone else had gone home, until he’d brought her to meet his favorite horse. A black stallion with a white star centered on its forehead.
“Meet Titan,” he said.
“Are Haven and I upsetting him?”
“No, he’s high-strung all the time,” Colt replied. “He and I have won a lot of competitions together over the years.”
She would have liked to see Colt competing. “Maybe he’s happy to see you.”
“I ride him every Sunday afternoon,” he said. “I’m sure he’s confused why I’m here on a Saturday.”
She thought it sweet he’d believe the horse could tell the passage of time. “We’ll have to come back tomorrow so you can exercise him. Maybe you could teach me,” she said impulsively.
He laughed, a deep enjoyable sound. “I can teach you to ride, but not on Titan. We do have some geldings that are very docile that would be great for a beginner.”
She wanted to bristle at the suggestion she couldn’t handle the big black horse, but he was right, she couldn’t. This horse was a champion. A newbie like her needed a plodding horse that wouldn’t mind an inexperienced person on their back.
A yawn escaped her. “We have a long drive ahead of us,” she said, though she was loath to leave the safety and peacefulness of the ranch. Guilt pricked her for the thought. Her sister wasn’t safe. A shiver of dread mingling with the cool night air raced along her limbs.
“You’re cold,” Colt said. “I’ll go grab a jacket.”
Colt hustled toward the house before she could protest. Rusk stood but stayed in place.
Rubbing her arms, Maren gazed at the wonderful display of God’s handiwork, admiring the twinkling stars.
Being here was like stepping into some kind of alternative reality where nothing from the outside world existed.
There was only this moment in time. The worry for her sister and for Mia hovered close, though, dimming her enjoyment.
Staring up at the sky, she had to trust that God would keep both women in His care until they were found.
Movement in her peripheral vision snagged her attention. At the same time, Haven growled, clearly sensing the danger. Rusk also let out a warning howl, which turned into a low growl.
She glanced toward the shadowed side of the house. A dark figure moved along the edge of the wall toward the back.
A jolt of adrenaline had her heart pumping. Colt was in danger.
Knowing they’d both locked their sidearms inside the vehicle’s built-in safe, she contemplated making a run for the SUV. But there was no time.
“Haven, Rusk, Attack.”
The Doberman took off like a rocket. Rusk raced after her.
Maren followed at a run.
Floodlights came on, illuminating the outside of the house. An alarm blared.
The sound of a fight came from the backyard.
Concern and dread pushed at Maren as she rounded the corner.
Colt and the intruder were on the ground, wrestling for control of a gun.
The dogs barked, growled and snarled as they lunged at the assailant dressed from head to toe in black, with only his eyes revealed through the slits of a ski mask.
The alarm ceased and the back door opened. Joe, wearing lounge pants and a T-shirt over his barreled chest, rushed out with a rifle at his shoulder. “Colt!”
Maren jumped into the fray, helping Colt to secure the weapon and subdue the intruder. They managed to force the man to his stomach.
Colt yanked the man’s arms behind his back while Maren grabbed the Glock. “Joe, do you have any zip ties?”
“Would duct tape do?” the older man asked.
“Yes, Dad,” Colt said.
Joe hurried inside as Dottie came out in a robe belted at the waist. “The security system alerted the police. They’ll be here soon.”
When Joe returned, Colt used the duct tape to secure the intruder’s hands behind his back. Then he slipped the mask off the man’s head.
Recognizing him as one of the men who’d attacked her at the river and then managed to make bail after being arrested, she couldn’t keep the anger out of her voice as she asked, “How did Shadow know we were here?”
“I want a lawyer,” the man said with a smug smile.
Gritting her teeth, she found it took all her restraint not to topple him over and tell Haven to attack again.
Shortly the police arrived and did a perimeter sweep to make sure the man had been alone. Not finding any more bad guys, the police took statements and hauled the assailant off to jail.
No doubt to be released on bail again. The burn of frustration had Maren rubbing her temples as she entered the house.
They gathered in the kitchen, and Dottie handed out mugs of hot chocolate. They all needed a moment to let the adrenaline from the intruder’s presence ebb.
“How did Shadow’s man know we were here?” Maren asked Colt. She sat at the counter and wrapped her hands around the mug, needing the warmth to chase away the cold seeping into her bones despite the moderate temperature of the house.
“We could have been tailed from the hotel,” Colt replied. “Though I kept an eye out.”
The self-recrimination in his tone had her touching his arm. “This isn’t your fault. Did you tell anyone you were coming? Or maybe one of the people at the party unknowingly let slip to someone in Shadow’s organization that we were here.”
“Only Emmett and my boss knew we were coming,” Colt said. “I’d hate to think anyone we know might have ties to Shadow.”
With a sigh, Maren turned to Dottie. “I’m sorry. We had no idea this maniac would attack here.”
“Don’t blame yourself, dear.” Dottie put down her mug and gave Maren a hug. “Bad people will always find a way.”
Unfortunately, there was truth in her words. Maren set aside her full mug. She couldn’t take anything in at the moment.
“Well, now we know to be more cautious,” Joe said. “I’ve reset the security system. Monday I’ll have the security company put in sensors farther out on the property.”
“I’m exhausted,” Dottie said. “I’ll take care of the dirty mugs in the morning.”
“We should stay the night,” Colt said. “Just in case more of Shadow’s associates show up. I can’t leave you unprotected.”
“I agree,” Maren said. They were both exhausted and worried. Staying the night seemed like the right thing to do.
After doing another perimeter check with the dogs, Colt and Rusk walked Maren and Haven to their room on the second floor. The soft cream carpet masked their steps. Wall scones threw an amber glow on the cream-colored walls.
“You okay?” he asked as they halted outside of the room.
Her natural tendency to balk at any hint she wasn’t okay rose, but she tamped it down. His concern was genuine and warranted. “I will be once we find my sister and bring down Shadow. I hate that we brought trouble to your parents’ house.”
“I hear you,” he said. “And we will succeed.”
Taking solace in his confidence, she put a hand over his heart. “Thank you for bringing me here. For sharing your family. And for having my back.”
He covered her hand with his and brought her knuckles to his lips. He placed a soft kiss against her skin and a shiver of delight spread through her. “My pleasure.”
She felt a nudge at the back of her knee. Startled, she glanced down to see Haven had wedged herself between Maren and door. Was the dog pushing Maren toward Colt?
The thought was ridiculous. Yet, Maren swayed toward him. Suddenly wanting, no needing, to take a leap with Colt. Before she could talk herself out of giving in to the yearning rising through her, she slid her arms around his neck and drew him closer.
His arms came around her and pulled her flush against him.
Their lips met in a tender caress. He tasted of chocolate and yearning.
He deepened the kiss, and she groaned as longing ignited deep in her heart.
Affection flooded her veins. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had kissed her so thoroughly.
She matched his intensity as her pulse raced and emotions swirled.
His hands smoothed down her back. She tangled her fingers in his thick hair.
The kiss slowly eased and they drew apart. She couldn’t catch her breath. Her heart felt too big for her chest.
He dropped his forehead to hers. “Good night.”
With that, he released her and strode down the hall and took the stairs, disappearing from sight.
She touched her lips, felt the warmth of Colt lingering on her skin, and a gentle fondness spread through her.
What had she done?
Kissed him.
And she wanted to again.
Taking a shuddering breath, finally filling her lungs with air, she stared down at Haven. “I blame you.”
Haven stared back, her brown eyes warm and completely unrepentant.
Maren dropped her head to the door. She was losing it if she thought Haven had somehow orchestrated that kiss. No, Maren had wanted to kiss Colt, and she had. Now she just needed to figure out how to deal with the burgeoning emotions crowding her heart.