Chapter Fourteen
Markie smiled when she saw Nate enter her office at the hospital.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” she asked as she pushed her chair back, stood, and walked around the desk to give him a kiss.
“I wanted to see if you wanted to have lunch.”
Markie looked at her watch. “I have fifteen minutes more before lunch.”
“I could wait for you at the diner.”
Markie grinned. “I’d love that. As soon as Tess gets back, I’ll be there.”
“Alright, darlin’.” Nate kissed her lips, then walked from the room.
“Doc Russ?”
Markie looked to see Jodi at the doorway. “Yes?”
“Would you mind picking up a salad for me when you go to lunch?”
“Of course not.”
“Okay. Thank you. Just stop at the counter and I’ll give you the money for it.”
“Will do.”
Twenty minutes later, Tess returned.
“I am so sorry. I got hung up at the pharmacy.”
“It’s fine. Is everything alright?”
“Oh, yeah. Genie has an eye infection. I had to pick up her drops.” Tess laughed. “She’ll just love those.”
Markie laughed. “Yeah, I bet. Well, since you’re back, I’m heading for lunch. I’m meeting Nate.”
“That seems to be going well.” Tess smiled.
Markie sighed. “I’m in love with him. Is it too soon?”
“Too soon for what? I fell in love with Sam almost from the minute I set eyes on him, but I couldn’t get involved with him.”
“You’re right. Love doesn’t have a timeline, does it?”
“No, it doesn’t. Go to lunch. I’ll see you when you get back.”
Markie nodded, picked up her purse, walked out of her office and headed toward the lobby. She waved at Jodi, since she was on the phone. She knew she was supposed to stop to get her money, but today’s lunch was on her. Jodi worked her ass off every day, and she deserved a free lunch once in a while.
As she walked along the sidewalk, she came to an abrupt stop when she saw Jarrett across the street, leaning against a street light post. He grinned, pushed off the post, and walked off, disappearing into the crowd. Her hands shook as she tried to find him, but he was gone.
Taking a deep breath, Markie entered the diner, looked around and smiled when she saw Nate sitting at the very end of the counter. She knew why. The place was packed.
After weaving her way through the tables, she finally reached Nate.
“I’m sorry. Tess was running late,” she said as she glanced around.
“It’s okay. I’m glad I found a stool to wait on.” Nate frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Uh, oh, nothing.” There was no way she was telling Nate about seeing Jarrett until she could find out why he was here. She knew Nate would go after him, and she didn’t want him to do that. Not yet. She glanced around. “Are we going to be able to get a seat?”
“Yes. Connie said once you got here, she’d put a closed sign on a table of someone who was about to leave.”
Markie smiled. “God love her.”
Nate stood. “Please. Sit.”
“I’m fine. I just got up from my desk. Please sit back down, Nate. You’re on your feet most of the day.”
Nate kissed her lips. “No, ma’am. I insist.”
Markie sighed and sat on the stool.
A few minutes later, Connie waved to them from a booth in the back. Markie grinned, took Nate’s hand and led him to it.
“Thank you, Connie. You are the best,” Nate said.
“I know. What’ll you have?” Connie grinned.
Nate looked at Markie.
“My usual is fine, and I need a southern fried chicken salad to go for Jodi.”
“Okay. Nate?”
After Nate gave her his order, Markie glanced around.
“Did you want to do anything this weekend?” Nate asked.
“I have a surgery Friday, and I’ll have to check on the dog all weekend.” She was glad she’d never shown her mother or Jarrett where she lived.
“Okay. I’m going to go to Dewey’s Saturday night with Rafe.”
“Alright. It would be best for me to stay home. I’ll have to run back and forth to the hospital.”
“Keep your phone on and with you.”
“I will.” She smiled. “I hope you have a good time, but no taking anyone home.”
Nate chuckled. “I can’t speak for Rafe, but I won’t.”
“Good thing, cowboy.”
“You never have to worry about that.”
“I believe you.”
Once their lunch arrived, they dug in and talked about their day. Markie mentally sighed. She was in so deep with this man.
As she walked back to the office, she constantly glanced around. Why was he here? Shaking her head, she knew why. He was here because he probably blamed her for her mother tossing him out and wanted to scare her. Well, it was working. She wasn’t sure exactly what he could be capable of.
After entering the lobby, she placed the bag containing Jodi’s salad on the counter.
“On me,” she said with a smile.
“Oh, thank you so much, Doc Russ,” Jodi said, smiling.
“You deserve it. I’ll be in my office.” Markie smiled then headed for her office. Hopefully, she’d be busy enough to forget about seeing Jarrett.
Saturday evening, Markie sat on the sofa, idly stroking her cat as she waited for the time to check on the dog who had recently undergone surgery. She couldn’t help but smile as Socks purred contentedly on her lap.
“I miss Nate tonight, Socks,” Markie whispered to the feline. “I hope he’s having a good time. After I check on the dog again, I’ll send him a text.”
The timer on her phone went off, jolting her out of her thoughts. It was time to administer pain medication to the recovering dog. Markie carefully placed Socks back onto the sofa and made her way to the door. As she stepped outside, she pulled the door closed, locked it, and ran down the stairs. She stopped at the bottom when she thought she heard something, quickly brushed it off as paranoia and continued to the back entrance of the hospital. Jarrett couldn’t know she was coming down to the hospital, even if he had found out where she lived. She shivered at the thought.
After unlocking and entering through the back door, Markie turned off the alarm system and made her way toward the recovery room. The faint scent of antiseptic lingered in the air. Then with a sigh, she realized she hadn’t locked the door behind her.
She turned the corner and came to a stop when she saw Jarrett standing inside the door, grinning at her. He reached behind him, turned the lock and took a step forward, but Markie turned and ran back along the hallway. She quickly entered an exam room, and tried to close the door, but he grabbed it pushed it hard, making her fall onto the floor.
Jarrett walked inside the room, closed the door and laughed.
“Well, well. Look what we have here.”
“Get out,” Markie shouted.
“I don’t think so. First thing you’re going to do is take me to the room where the medications are kept—”
“How about no?”
“Then, you’re going to give me all the opioids that you have—”
“You can go to hell,” Markie said as she got to her feet, but backed up when Jarrett strode toward her and trapped her against a counter between his arms. Then he touched her hair, making her jerk away from him. “Don’t touch me.”
“Oh, Markie, I’m going to do more than touch you. You’ve done nothing but tease me for years. Wearing short skirts or shorts. Shaking your ass anytime I was around. You wanted your mother to divorce me because you wanted me, and now you’re going to get me. All the times you’d tell me no, or push me away, was just a tease.”
“I wasn’t teasing. You are fucking delusional,” she snapped.
Jarrett laughed, making her feel sick. She had to get away from him. Damn it! Why hadn’t she set the alarm? Then a thought came to her.
“I didn’t turn off the alarm. The sheriff’s department will be here soon.” She saw his eyes widened, then he grinned.
“Liar. They would have been here by now. You opened the door, Markie. If you hadn’t turned off the alarm, it would have gone off. You didn’t even lock the door.” Jarrett’s hand wrapped around her throat. “Did you have that fucking cowboy on your mind so much that you forgot?”
Markie grasped his wrist, trying to hang on to her sanity as he choked her, then he suddenly let go of her.
“I want to have too much fun with you to do that... yet.”
“I will fight you every step of the way.”
Jarrett grinned. “Just the way I like it.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun. “Move. You’re going to take me to that room.” Markie shook her head but jumped when he shouted. “Now!”
Markie’s heart raced as she tried to think of a way out of this situation. Jarrett had been a constant thorn in her side for years. And now, he seemed more dangerous than ever.
“Move. We’re going to the dispensary,” Jarrett said with a glint in his eye.
“No way in hell,” Markie spat, trying to push past him.
“You brought that cowboy to Idaho to make me jealous. And now, I’m finally going to take what you’ve been offering.”
Markie’s blood boiled at his words, and she struggled against him. But they both froze when they heard her cellphone buzz from her pocket. She started to reach for it, but Jarrett shook his head.
“Don’t even think about it.”
“It could be an emergency, and I am the only vet on call this weekend. If I don’t answer, they’ll call Tess, and she’s in Kalispell.”
Jarrett stared at her, then put his hand out. “Give it to me.”
“No.”
He stepped forward and put his hand around her throat again. “Give it me,” he snarled.
Taking a deep breath, she removed it from her pocket, handed it to him and saw Nate’s name and number on the screen. She saw Jarrett clench his jaw, then he dropped the phone to the floor, and smashed it with the heel of his shoe. Markie’s breath caught in her throat. Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a plan. She couldn’t let him have access to all those drugs.
****
Nate perched on the worn barstool, his fingers tracing the condensation forming on his cold beer bottle. The crowded bar pulsed with energy, the lively band playing from the stage adding to the buzzing atmosphere. But despite the good company and entertainment, Nate couldn’t help but miss Markie tonight.
“Your mind is elsewhere,” Rafe commented, taking a sip of his own beer.
“Yeah, sorry,” Nate replied.
Rafe chuckled. “Man, you’ve got it bad.”
Nate grinned. “Yeah, I can’t deny it. I’m ready to settle down.”
“Again,” Rafe reminded him with a playful smirk.
Nate nodded and took a swig of his beer. “Again. I loved Erin, but what I feel for Markie... it’s different.”
“Have you told her?”
“No.”
“What the hell are you waiting on?”
“I’m not sure how she feels.”
“Well, I hope she does feel the same. You deserve a good woman.”
“And you don’t?” Nate asked teasingly.
“Oh, I do, believe me. I just haven’t found one worth spending more than a night with,” Rafe replied with a shrug.
“Does Maggie still come around the ranch?” Nate asked curiously.
Rafe’s expression darkened slightly. “Don’t even go there.”
“Why not? She’s a beautiful woman,” Nate prodded.
“Her husband was an abusive prick. I’m sure she has some serious baggage,” Rafe said bitterly.
“He was an ass. Maybe she needs someone to show her that not all men are like that. And if she does have baggage, you can help her get rid of it,” Nate suggested.
Rafe hesitated before shaking his head. “I don’t know. It’s complicated. And besides, we don’t talk much.”
“Why not?” Nate pressed. “You’re never shy around beautiful women, Rafe. You have them at your feet.”
Rafe chuckled wryly. “Like you don’t? Or didn’t. But now, you only have eyes for Markie.”
“I do,” Nate admitted with a smile.
Their conversation was interrupted by a sultry female voice. They turned to see a stunning redhead standing in front of them. Rafe touched his hat politely while Nate couldn’t hide his amusement.
“I can’t decide which one of you is more handsome,” she purred, flashing them a flirtatious smile. “So maybe I could take both of you home with me.”
“No thanks, honey. I have no desire to see his bare ass,” Rafe deadpanned, making Nate burst out laughing.
“Right back at you,” Nate shot back, raising his beer bottle in mock salute. “I’m flattered, ma’am, but I’m currently involved with someone. However, my friend here is as single as they come,” he said with a friendly slap on Rafe’s shoulder.
“Fuck you,” Rafe muttered good-naturedly, making Nate laugh harder.
The woman’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “Oh, okay, then how about just you?” She directed her attention toward Rafe.
Rafe looked at Nate with an amused expression. “I don’t know whether to be honored or offended.”
Nate laughed again, looked at the woman, and shook his head.
“Can’t help you.”
The woman shrugged and sauntered off, her hips swaying invitingly as she made her way toward a table where two other cowboys sat.
Nate couldn’t help but feel a mixture of amusement and curiosity. “I wonder how many others turned her down before she got to us?”
Rafe grinned knowingly. “God only knows.”
“Hey, I’ll be right back. Just need to step outside and text Markie again. I didn’t hear back from her yet,” Nate said suddenly, gesturing toward the door.
“Sure, I’ll be here,” he stated nonchalantly before turning his attention back to the bustling crowd.
Nate nodded in response, slipping off his stool and navigating through the sea of people toward the exit. He stepped onto the sidewalk outside, making his way over to the bench that sat across from the bar. The night was still warm as he sat down and pulled out his phone, tapping out a text to Markie.
He knew she had wanted to spend tonight at home, anyway, having performed surgery on an injured dog yesterday. Tess and Sam had gone to their cabin in Kalispell, leaving Markie to handle any potential emergencies. Despite being off on weekends, there was always a chance for something unexpected to arise.
Hey baby. He typed out and hit send, awaiting a response. When none came, he sent another message. I suppose you’re checking on the dog. Get back to me when you can. I’d love to see you.
As he waited for a reply, Nate sighed and decided to head back inside before some other woman tried to catch Rafe’s eye. He shook his head with amusement at his friend’s effortless charm with women. He just needed one as good as Markie.
Nate made his way back to the stool and chuckled when he saw two women chatting up Rafe. Standing beside them since one was perched on his stool, Nate caught her eye, and she widened hers before looking at Rafe.
“Is this your friend?” she asked.
“Yes, this is Nate.”
“Well, hello there,” she purred in Nate’s direction, causing him to raise an eyebrow in surprise. “We thought when he said he was here with a friend, one of us would get stuck with the ugly one.”
Nate glanced at Rafe and saw the mischief in his eyes before turning back to the woman. “He should have told you that I’m involved with someone.”
“Oh, he did,” she waved off his comment with a dismissive wave of her hand. “But we don’t care.”
“They don’t care,” Rafe echoed, and Nate could see he was struggling to contain his laughter.
“Well, I do,” Nate stated firmly. “Could you please get off my stool?”
The woman scowled at him but quickly hopped down, allowing Nate to take his seat.
“Did you get a hold of Markie?”
“I sent her another text but no response. She’s probably checking on the dog,” Nate replied as he ordered another beer from the bartender.
“Yeah...” Rafe trailed off, glancing over at the two women. “Sorry ladies.”
“Whatever,” one of them huffed before they walked away.
“Damn, Marshall, you’re on a roll tonight; pissing off three women in one night,” Nate joked, taking a sip of his drink.
Rafe shrugged casually. “I’ve got a knack for it.”
Checking his phone once again, Nate couldn’t help but feel a pang of worry as there was still no response from Markie.
“Shouldn’t she have answered by now?”
“You’d think so,” Rafe agreed, taking a swig of his beer. “She lives above the hospital; how long does it take to run down the stairs, check on the dog, and go back to her apartment?”
“Maybe she had to replace the bandage or something,” Nate suggested.
“Maybe,” Rafe nodded in agreement.
“But something just doesn’t feel right.”
“Should we go check? I’ll follow you.”
“Yeah, I want to make sure she’s alright. My gut is rarely wrong.”
“I know. Let me get the tab and we’ll head out.”
“I’ll meet you outside.” Nate removed a twenty-dollar bill from his wallet, handed it to Rafe, then moved away from the bar, through the crowd and outside. He strode toward his truck.
His gut was telling him something was wrong. Markie never took long to answer him, even if she was checking the dog, she kept her phone with her.
Nate leaned against his truck, waiting for Rafe. He saw him come out of the bar and head toward him. Nate couldn’t help but chuckle when another woman approached him, but Rafe shook his head.
“Make that, four women,” Nate called out and grinned when Rafe shook his head.
“Let’s go.” Rafe opened his truck door, and Nate got into his.
They drove out of the parking lot and up Main Street to Clifton Animal Hospital. They pulled into the alley and parked. Nate hopped out and saw Rafe doing the same. They met at the back of Nate’s truck, and he looked up the stairs.
“Let me go check. If she doesn’t answer, we’ll check the hospital.”
“Do you have a key to her apartment? Maybe she went to bed early.”
“Yeah, I have one.” Nate walked toward the stairs, then ran up them.
He knocked on the door, but there was no answer, so Nate used his key, opened the door, and quietly stepped inside. The TV and lights were on, but he didn’t see Markie anywhere. Her cat sat on the sofa and stood up when he walked toward her. She meowed at him. Call him crazy but it sounded like she was asking for help.
Nate absentmindedly rubbed her head, then walked to the bedroom. As he passed the bathroom, he reached inside, flipped on the light, but it was empty. The bedroom door was open. He turned the light on, but she wasn’t there, and the bed was made. He glanced around, knowing she had to be at the hospital.
He made his way back toward the living room and looked around. Her phone was nowhere around, so she had to have it. Why hadn’t she answered him? He didn’t like this one bit.
He walked out the door, locked it, then jogged down the stairs, and strode to where Rafe stood.
“She’s not up there. The TV and lights are on, but she’s not there.”
“Then she has to be working in the hospital, right?”
Nate looked at his friend. “I hope so.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I don’t want to think it, but what if that prick is in town? If he is and hurts her…” Nate looked at Rafe. “I will fucking kill him.”
“I might just help you on that.”
As they made their way toward the door, Rafe suddenly stopped, and Nate turned to face him.
“What’s wrong?” Nate asked.
“I have a bad feeling about this,” Rafe replied with a furrowed brow.
“I know, me too. We have to find Markie,” Nate responded, his own anxiety rising.
They cautiously approached the door, each step heavy with trepidation. Nate reached for the doorknob, but it was locked.
“If she’s in there, she would have locked the door,” Rafe stated.
Nate nodded in agreement and searched for another way to enter. Then he remembered something Markie had shown him weeks ago when they were here. He reached out and pressed a hidden doorbell on the outside of the doorframe.
“How did you know about that?” Rafe asked in surprise.
“Markie showed me when we were here before. She had to check on a cat,” Nate explained quietly.
“Thank goodness she did. I’m going to stay in the shadows until we figure out what’s going on here,” Rafe declared, positioning himself out of sight.
Nate nodded in agreement and waited anxiously as he heard the lock turning from inside. The door opened just a crack, revealing Markie’s worried face.
“Nate? What are you doing here?” she asked in surprise.
“You weren’t responding to my texts, and I got worried,” Nate answered truthfully, trying to peer over her shoulder into the dimly lit hallway beyond her.
“I’m sorry, I’ve been busy with the cat ,” Markie apologized.
Nate knew she was trying to tell him she was in trouble. “Do you want me to wait for you upstairs?”
“No, no need. I’ll be fine. Just go home, Nate,” Markie insisted with a forced smile.
Nate clenched his jaw at her choice of words because he knew she really didn’t want him to go, and she should have said, ‘I am fine, not I’ll be fine.’
“Okay... I’ll head home then.” He shook his head to let her know he wasn’t going anywhere without her.
“Goodnight, Nate,” Markie said with a shaky voice before closing the door.
Nate stood rooted to the spot, his mind racing as he tried to come up with a plan. He was jolted back to reality when Rafe suddenly appeared next to him.
“That son of a bitch is in there, isn’t he?” Rafe seethed.
“Yes,” Nate replied through gritted teeth, his fists clenched at his sides.
“What do you want to do?” Rafe asked, ready for action.
Nate took a deep breath and looked at his friend. “You go home, Rafe.”
“No. I’m not leaving you alone. So, tell me, what’s the plan?” Rafe responded determinedly.
Nate’s eyes met Rafe’s, and they shared a silent understanding. They would not let Knowles get away with hurting Markie.
“We have to get in there some way.” Nate paced back and forth, while Rafe leaned against the building, with his arms folded across his chest, and his bootheel hooked on the brick.
“Shouldn’t we call the sheriff’s department?”
“And what if that just pisses Knowles off? What then?” Nate snapped, hung his head, then looked at Rafe. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
“I’m used to you trying to push me around,” Rafe said with a grin.
“Trying?” Nate chuckled, then sighed. “What should we do?”
“Are there any windows other than the one out front?”
“Yes. There are two on the wall under Markie’s stairs. Come on.” Nate and Rafe quickly walked back to the steps.