Chapter 11
Marlee sat in the recliner, her leg up on pillows. She and Colt had made love for the first time three days ago. The next nights had been just as amazing.
If it wasn’t for the threat over her, Marlee would have felt like she was on cloud nine. She knew she should be more cautious in giving her love to Colt, but she couldn’t seem to help herself. It felt like it was meant to be.
Now the question was, did he love her in return? She mentally shook her head. She should give him more time and not expect him to fall for her as fast as she’d fallen for him. It might take him more time—if he ever did actually fall in love with her.
She was going to drive herself crazy.
Her phone rang and she picked it up off the arm of the recliner, and saw it was her friend calling.
Marlee smiled. “Hi, Amy.”
“There’s a gas leak in your home.” Ann sounded panicked. “I opened the front door to go inside to check on things and the odor about knocked me on my ass.”
Marlee sat up straighter in her chair. “I’ll call the gas company.”
“I already did.” Amy hesitated. “After the gas company showed up and investigated, they called the police. Someone intentionally disconnected the gas line from the water heater. They’re taking care of it now.”
A cold chill raced down Marlee’s spine. “Intentionally?”
“Yes. The police will be calling you soon. I wanted to give you a heads up.” Ann’s voice shook. “Why would someone purposefully disconnect your gas, Marlee?”
Marlee’s hands trembled as she thought of Sally’s threat to make Marlee burn, but she didn’t want to get into an explanation. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”
“I hope you do, and soon.”
“Thanks for everything, Amy.” Marlee tried to breathe. If something had happened to Amy, she wouldn’t have been able to forgive herself. “Don’t check on the house in the future. I can’t risk the possibility of someone doing this again and you getting hurt.”
“All right.” Amy let out an audible breath. “I’m worried about you. If someone’s disconnecting your gas line, then what’s to say they won’t do something else?”
“I’ll be fine.” Marlee tried to interject calmness in her voice. “Don’t worry about me.”
A beep indicated she had a call on another line. She glanced at the screen to see a King Creek number, but one she didn’t recognize. “This might be the police calling, Amy. I’ll let you know if I find out anything.”
Amy disconnected the call and Marlee answered the other line.
“This is Detective Les Crowley,” a male voice said. “Is this Marlee Fox?”
“This is Marlee.” She blew out her breath as she spoke to the detective that she’d met and spoken to in the past. “Amy said you were going to call. I understand someone disconnected a gas line in my home.”
“That appears to be what happened,” the detective said. “Do you know who might have tampered with it?”
“I have an idea.” Marlee pushed her fingers through her hair. “Sally Farmer.”
“I saw she’s back in town,” Crowley said. “Why do you think she may have done it?”
“She alluded to something happening to me when she called Colt several nights ago.” Marlee shifted in her seat, feeling jittery and on edge. “I also received a threatening email, which I think she sent.”
“I’d like you and Colt come into the station so that I can take your statements,” Crowley said. “I’ll proceed with the investigation from here.
“I can’t walk due to a car accident,” she said. “I’ll have to wait for Colt to take me, hopefully this afternoon.”
After she disconnected the call, she realized she was having a hard time breathing. What could have been an idle threat had just become very real.
She called Colt’s number. After a few rings, he answered with, “Hi, honey.”
“I just spoke with Amy and then Detective Crowley,” Marlee said. “Someone disconnected the gas line from the water heater in my home.” She could hear the crack in her voice. “I think it was Sally.”
“Damn.” Colt’s voice sounded rough with anger. “I need to find Sally and get her to back off.”
“I don’t trust her.” Marlee fisted her hand. “What if she does something to you?”
“I can take care of myself,” Colt said.
“Detective Crowley wants us to go to the police station to take our statements about Sally’s call to you and the email I received.”
“I’ll be right home.” She could hear a horse’s whinny and the crunch of rocks beneath Colt’s boots as he spoke. “We’ll file for an injunction against her while we’re in town.”
“I’ll be ready.” Marlee disconnected the call and maneuvered herself out of the chair and onto her knee scooter. She made it back to the master bedroom, where she’d moved in with Colt after their first lovemaking. She brushed her hair and put on her athletic shoes.
Just as she finished, Colt entered the room. He swept Marlee into his arms and held her close. “The thought of anything happening to you is unbearable,” he said in her hair as he held her. “You could have been killed if you were home and there was an explosion. I could have lost you.”
She leaned back and put a hand on the side of his face, his stubble rough against her palm. “Nothing happened and we’re going to put a stop to it.”
“I’m going to.” He settled his hands on her hips. “You’re not doing anything but staying here safe with me.”
Anger burned hot in Colt’s gut. Sally took a perceived threat to a whole new level. He had to track her down and make sure she knew she could never go near Marlee or her home again.
At the King Creek Police Station, Colt helped Marlee out of the truck and gave her the crutches. They made their way inside the station and were taken into a room, and Detective Crowley came in fifteen minutes later. Colt and Marlee gave and then signed statements and answered his questions. After that they went to the courthouse and filed for an injunction against Sally Farmer coming in contact with Marlee. They arranged to have a server present the injunction to Sally as soon as possible.
When they were finished with the courthouse, Colt took Marlee to her favorite Mexican restaurant, Ricardo’s, for dinner and they sat a booth in the back.
“This whole thing is surreal,” Marlee said to Colt after they had placed their orders with the server. “I can’t believe it’s happening.”
Colt reached across the table and put his hand over hers. “Everything will be fine, Marlee. The police probably already brought her in for questioning. She’s on their radar now, which will do a lot to keep her away from you.”
Marlee pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes. “I hope she stays away from both of us.” She opened her eyes and met Colt’s gaze as she rested her hand on the tabletop. “She could harm you just as much as she could do harm to me.”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be okay. She’s not going to do anything to me.”
“I wish I could be as sure as you.” Bells at the front door jangled and Marlee glanced in that direction. Her face went pale.
Colt followed her gaze and saw Sally Farmer walk into the restaurant. The woman took in the place and a murderous glare darkened her features as her eyes rested on Marlee and Colt.
Marlee shot Colt a look. “Unless the injunction server got to her already, she wouldn’t know about it.”
Colt got to his feet as Sally stormed directly toward them. He put his hand up to halt her. “Sally?—”
“You went to the police,” Sally hissed as she looked from Colt to Marlee. “You blamed me, but I didn’t do anything.”
“I just filed an injunction of harassment against you, Sally.” Marlee’s face looked calm. “So back off.”
Sally balled her hands into fists as she fixed her furious gaze on Marlee. “You’ll be sorry.” She glared at Colt. “Both of you.” She whirled and stalked out of the restaurant.
“Wait here.” Colt glanced at Marlee. “I’ll be right back.”
Marlee’s lips parted as if to say something, but he turned away and headed after Sally.
Colt’s long stride brought him to the woman at the same time she pushed through the restaurant door and into the light beneath the restaurant sign. The darkness shrouded the night beyond. The door closed behind him as he caught her by the shoulder, and she wheeled around.
A startled expression crossed her features and for a moment she looked at him as if trying to decide what tack to take. She was a beautiful woman, who could easily turn heads everywhere she went.
Not his, not by a long shot.’
She shook off his hand and fixed her gaze on his. “What is your decision, Colt?”
He frowned. “What are you talking about?”
Sally braced her hands on her hips. “Marlee or me? Make it fast.”
“Sally, you had better not come near Marlee.” Colt kept his gaze steady. “Not only is there an injunction against you, but you’ll also have me to deal with.”
Sally tossed her long, red hair over her shoulder. “So, you’ve chosen Marlee. Pity. You’ll miss her.”
A cold ball of anger settled in his gut. “Don’t you dare go near her, Sally. You’ll have me to deal with if you do.”
“And what?” Sally took a step closer to him. “What will you do to me?”
“You don’t want to find out.” He narrowed his gaze at her. “Keep your distance.”
He turned away and grasped the door handle to head back inside the restaurant.
“Watch your back, Colt.” Sally’s icy-cold voice caused a chill to roll down his spine. “I’ll be coming for you, too.”
Colt turned to face her, but she was walking away, into the darkness.
“Stay away, Sally,” he called after her.
She raised her hand and flipped him the bird but didn’t turn around. He watched as she climbed into a car, but he couldn’t make out the make and mode in the darkness as she drove out of the parking lot. He’d be on the lookout for a white vehicle, but considering how many white cars locals drove, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to know for sure.
With a low growl in his throat, he turned to the restaurant door, walked in, and made his way back to the table.
Marlee looked at Colt as he walked up to the table. She frowned at his expression. “This isn’t over by a long shot, is it.” It wasn’t a question.
He dragged his hand down his face. “I’ll deal with this, Marlee.”
“Maybe we should have Ricardo’s pack up our food to go.” She settled against the cushioned seat, her features drawn. “I think I’d rather have a quiet dinner alone at home with you.”
“Good idea.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Give me a moment and I’ll be right back.
Even though Sally had left, Colt didn’t like leaving Marlee alone. He had to remind himself that she would be fine waiting for him in the booth.
He got a hold of the server who said she’d have the food boxed up to go. Colt paid the bill and returned to wait with Marlee.
Fifteen minutes later, they headed out of the restaurant to Colt’s new truck. He helped Marlee into the passenger seat and put her crutches on the back seat with the bags holding their dinner, before heading around to the driver’s side. Smells of warm Mexican food filled the cab.
The inside light dimmed and extinguished as soon as he turned the ignition key and the dashboard lights illuminated Marlee’s features in an amber glow.
“I’m so angry.” Marlee met his gaze, her features tight. “This woman comes out of nowhere and threatens my life. Something needs to be done about her.”
“I agree.” Colt grasped her hand. “I’ve just got to figure it out.”
“I have a head on my shoulders, too.” Marlee pushed her hair over her shoulder in a frustrated move. “But I have no idea where to go from here.”
He gave her a gentle smile. “You are an incredibly intelligent woman. I would never discount that. I just want to keep you safe, Marlee.”
“I appreciate that.” She squeezed his hand in return. “I’m just frustrated.”
“That makes two of us.” Colt released her hand and put the truck into gear before pulling out of the parking spot and guiding the vehicle onto Main Street.
“We can’t let this rule our lives.” Marlee sat up straighter in her seat. “I’m not going to let it.”
The light ahead changed from yellow to red. Colt pressed his foot on the brake.
The brake pedal went all the way to the floor. The truck didn’t slow. Instead, it gathered speed down the street that was at a decline.
“Hold on, Marlee.” Colt worked to keep control and to not scare her. “We’ve lost the brakes.”
“What?” Her voice rose two octaves. “The brakes are out?”
“Call 911 and let them know where we are and what’s happening.”
He hit the vehicle’s emergency flashers and focused on the upcoming stoplight as the truck rolled faster.
In the background, he could hear Marlee on the phone, but kept his focus on stopping or slowing the truck.
He downshifted and the truck’s speed decreased but it continued forward at a rapid pace. He pulled the parking brake up gradually. The tires squealed and the truck slowed, but it didn’t stop.
He clenched his jaw as he eased the truck into the right lane, looking for something like bushes or a guard rail that would help slow the vehicle. It was too dark to tell, and he didn’t want to risk slamming the truck into something that could kill them.
At the intersection, a car turned into the right lane, directly in front of them.
The truck barreled past the red light. Thank God no one drove through the intersection from the left, but he was almost on the car that had pulled in front of him.
Colt swerved into the left lane, shot past the car, then pulled into the right lane again. The truck was in first gear, the parking brake was on, and yet the vehicle continued to roll faster.
He had to find a way to slow down and bring the truck to a stop before they ended up in an accident. He had to get them out of town.
One more light. The truck rolled faster and faster, and he prayed the light would stay green. No such luck. It changed to yellow then red much too quickly.
The traffic was heavier here. Colt laid on the horn and flashed the headlights. A vehicle approached from the left. A car pulled into the intersection but came to an abrupt halt when he saw Colt’s truck wasn’t slowing.
The truck ran the red light just as a car came to the intersection on the right. The car’s brakes squealed but didn’t stop fast enough.
Marlee cried out. Colt’s truck connected with the front end of the car in a sickening crunch. The truck slowed then continued. Colt tried the brakes again and again, but they were gone.
His heart beat faster as they approached the turnoff to get onto the highway. He couldn’t see any way to slow or stop the truck without endangering themselves and others.
When the truck came closer to the highway, he saw it looked clear in both directions.
The sound of sirens approached, and he realized Marlee was still on the phone with the emergency dispatcher, giving updates on their location.
He pulled the truck onto the highway and eyed the field to the right. In the darkness it would be hard to make sure they avoided slamming into mesquite or cattle. He’d seen the field a million times since he was a kid, so he had a good idea where to go. He just prayed no cattle were in the field.
“Hold on, Marlee.”
From the corner of his eye, he saw her grab onto the “oh, shit” handle above the door.
He drove the truck off the road and into the tall grass right before he hit the barbed wire fence.
Sparks flew and the truck thrummed over the fence line and bounced on mounds of earth as they rushed through the grass. In the darkness, everything seemed to come at them fast and furious.
The truck’s momentum slowed, and they finally came to a stop in the middle of the field.
Colt turned off the engine and slumped in his seat, adrenaline coursing through his body.
“Thank God.” Marlee sagged back, her breath leaving her in a rush. “You saved us, Colt.”
He blew out his breath as a truck with a sheriff’s department logo pulled up and a King Creek Police Department SUV came in from opposite directions and drove up to the fence line. Clearly, the two separate departments were dispatched since Colt had driven through King Creek to outside city limits.
Colt blew out his breath. “She’s escalated, Marlee.”
“Sally is the only logical reason this could have happened.” Blue and red lights from the emergency vehicles illuminated the truck’s cab and flashed across Marlee’s face. “Things just went from bad to worse.”
“Yep.” He grabbed the door handle. “Since your ankle isn’t going to let you leave the truck, why don’t you give Brady a call and ask him to come and get us? We’re sure not going anywhere in this thing.”
“Will do.” Marlee picked up her cell phone from her lap. “If he’s not available, I’ll find someone else.”
Colt climbed out and approached the officers, one of whom held up a flashlight. Colt shaded his eyes with his hand to cut the glare.
“Colt?” Mike Bailey called out as they neared and moved the flashlight from Colt’s face.
“Hi, Mike.” Colt lowered his hand and saw that the other man was Sheriff’s Deputy Calvin Martin, another childhood friend. “Hey, Cal.”
“Howdy, Colt,” Cal said. “What the hell happened?”
Colt dragged his hand down his face. “Marlee Fox is with me.” He gestured to the truck before turning back to the officers. “We have a stalker, and we think she’s taken things to a whole new level.”
“I heard about your stalker from Crowley,” Mike said.
“I haven’t.” Cal frowned. “Explain.”
Colt did and went on to describe what had happened with the brakes. “I think we’ll find out it was deliberate, and I believe it was Sally Farmer’s doing.”
“That’s a heavy accusation,” Cal said.
It occurred to Colt that Sally was Cal’s cousin. “Have you seen Sally since she came back to town, Cal?” Colt asked.
“Just heard yesterday that she’s returned.” Cal shook his head. “She always was a little odd.”
Mike snorted but didn’t say anything.
“That’s one way of putting it,” Colt said to Cal.
Mike nodded in the direction of Colt’s vehicle. “Called in for a tow truck. Should be here soon, I’d wager.” He rested his hands on his utility belt. “Since you hit that car on the way out of town, and that’s where you believe your brakes were tampered with, we’ll have you come in for a statement and KCPD will handle the investigation.”
“That’s fine, but keep me informed.” Cal eyed the downed fence line and turned to Colt. “You’ll call Old Man Foudy about mowing down his fence?”
“Yep.” Colt shoved his hands into his front pockets. “I’ll call a couple of my brothers and we’ll get it back up before Foudy’s cattle can get out.”
Cal clapped his hand on Colt’s shoulder. “Good luck. I have a feeling you’ll need it.”
“Thanks.” Colt gave a nod, knowing that Cal hadn’t been talking about Foudy’s cattle.
Cal extended his hand and Colt took it. “I’ll be at the event coming up at your ranch.” Cal released his grip. “Hopefully things will be better for you by then.”
“You and me both,” Colt said.
The sheriff’s deputy turned and headed back toward his truck.
Colt moved his gaze back to Mike. “Are the people in the car I hit all right?”
“We’ve got officers at the scene.” Mike shifted his stance. “Before I left my vehicle, one of them radioed in that the two occupants are shaken up with no visible injuries. They’ll be taken to King Creek General.”
Colt gave a slow nod. He hoped like hell they’d be fine.
The yellow flashing lights of the tow truck appeared. Colt and Mike started walking in that direction.
“Come back to the station in the morning and Crowley will take your statement.” Mike offered his hand when they got to the road. “I’ll file my report tonight.”
“Will do.” Colt gripped Mike’s hand, then they parted, Mike heading back to his department SUV and Colt moving toward the tow truck that had just come to a stop.
Colt looked over his shoulder at the now beat-up truck. Thank God, they’d made it. He’d never get over it if anything ever happened to Marlee.