Seth sat with Nora until his eyelids began to droop. She was curled on her side, breathing regularly, so he decided a cup of coffee was in order. Though he didn’t want to leave her unattended, he reminded himself there was an officer at the door. She would be safe. Besides, he needed a shot of caffeine. Maybe it would supply an extra jolt of energy to keep his mouth in line. She needed help? She reminded him of thistles? What’s up with that, Seth? Maybe it was seeing Nora thrown in the explosion. Maybe the trauma had jiggled loose something in his brain.
He’d fallen into the helper role before, with Tanya, only to be dumped for an edgier guy. Her boss. The same man whom he’d actually heard suggest to Tanya once after their breakup that she change to a more flattering outfit. Seth had spoken up, only to get a “stay out of it” glare from Tanya. She hadn’t wanted his interference.
And neither did Nora, he reminded himself. Though it went against his grain, he had to remind himself not to overstep.
With a last glance to the sleeping Nora, he stepped out of her room and nodded to the cop at the door, then walked to the vending machine at the end of the hallway. Finding it out of order, he tracked down another in the opposite wing. Minutes later, when he finally returned to her room, he got the jolt he wanted. But it wasn’t from the caffeine.
Both Nora and the cop were gone.
He set down the coffee with a thud, spilling half of it, and spun on his heel, sprinting back into the hallway. Now he caught sight of the cop at the nurse’s desk exchanging information with another officer who had arrived to relieve him. But there was no sign of Nora. His eyes scanned the corridor. She wouldn’t have snuck out, would she? Worse, had the bomber come back and taken her?
“Where...?” he started to ask, until in his peripheral he saw her getting into an elevator. He called to the cop, who realized his assignee was gone, and they both charged after her, but the doors closed before they reached them.
“I was only gone for two minutes,” the cop explained.
Two minutes was plenty for an intelligent and resourceful woman to enact a plan.
“Where’s she heading?” the cop demanded.
“Likely to her friend on the third floor. She probably figured out when you’d be switching with the other officer.”
Seth beelined for the stairs. The cop jogged behind. After taking the steps two at a time, Seth emerged on the third floor in time to catch sight of Nora talking to the cop stationed outside Felicia’s room.
When they caught up, she looked more defiant than chagrined, wrapped in a robe Kitty must have brought her.
“Before you start,” she said, holding up a palm, “I got onto the elevator with plenty of other people. I did not lurk in empty hallways or use the ladies’ room. Public areas the whole time and I stayed well within camera range.” She pointed to the camera mounted above the third-floor nurses’ station. “See? Safety precautions.”
Seth drew in a calming breath. He should have known Nora was too smart to put herself in danger unnecessarily. But she had to realize someone still wanted her dead and whoever it was, was still at large.
The panting cop braced his hands on his gun belt. “You shouldn’t have snuck out in the first place. You timed it to bolt during our shift change, didn’t you?”
“Not bolting, just a quick visit. I have to see Felicia for myself.”
“Her mother went home to change clothes,” the cop at Felicia’s door offered. “I think Ms. Tennison is asleep right now. She’s been sedated.”
“It will only take a minute,” Nora insisted. “Please.”
“No, you need to return to your room,” her assigned officer insisted. “Right now.”
Nora shook her head. No belligerence or disrespect, but plenty of determination. Seth could have told the officer that issuing orders wasn’t going to garner any results with Nora.
Seth looked at both cops and shrugged. “She went to all the trouble. A minute with her friend won’t hurt, right? With you two standing guard at the door?”
The doctor who was going about her rounds approved a quick visit. Both cops stood on the threshold and Nora and Seth went inside. He, too, was anxious about Felicia’s condition.
Felicia lay on the bed, hooked to an IV and all the usual monitors. Her pulse was steady, blood oxygen good. One eye was swollen shut and one hand and arm was swathed in bandages. Half of her neck was bandaged as well, and the visible skin was red and crisscrossed with angry marks. Clumps of her hair had been burned away in the blast.
Nora gulped, clutching her robe around herself. Seth removed his jacket and draped it across her shoulders. She nodded her thanks but he could tell she was struggling not to cry as she leaned over the bed and touched Felicia’s shoulder with a fingertip.
“Hey, Felicia,” she squeaked then cleared her throat and tried again. “It’s Nora. I had to see you for myself. I... I hope you’re not hurting too much.”
Felicia stirred and her eyelids flickered.
“She can likely hear you,” he said. “But she may not be able to respond.”
Nora stroked the burned clumps of Felicia’s hair. “When we get out of here, you’ll be able to get that short pixie cut you’ve been flirting with for years. It’s gonna look chic on you.” When there was no reply from Felicia, Nora looked around, her gaze landing on a bouquet of yellow carnations, their scent competing with the disinfectant. Seth followed her gaze and read the tag affixed to the stems.
“From Zane,” he said.
“That’s going to make your cheeks go pink when you wake up,” Nora said to Felicia.
Felicia didn’t answer.
Nora stroked Felicia’s unbandaged arm. “I wish you could tell me what you’d found out. Then maybe whoever did this...” She swallowed hard.
Felicia stirred, her brow furrowing.
“Are you waking up?” Nora said eagerly.
Seth held his breath as Felicia’s body began to move, her legs twitching. He’d seen dozens of different reactions as patients emerged from a medicated state. His sister Mara had told him that he’d been agitated, angry almost, when he’d first woken in the hospital after being shot.
“She might—” he started, but Felicia’s eyes cracked open.
“Felicia,” Nora said. “I’m here. I’m right here.”
Felicia’s lashes fluttered and she grabbed Nora’s wrist, her nails digging into Nora’s flesh.
“It’s okay,” Nora reassured her. “There was an explosion, but you’re going to heal up just fine.”
Felicia’s eyes opened wider, one more than the other, and she looked wildly from Seth to Nora.
“Nora, this isn’t a good idea,” Seth said.
But Felicia was still clinging to Nora, her legs and arms now thrashing in agitation.
“No!” Felicia wailed. “No, no!”
“It’s okay,” Nora called, desperate.
But Felicia’s low moans increased in pitch until Seth’s ears throbbed. Her pulse rate began to climb on the digital readout.
He stepped toward the door. “Get a nurse,” he told the cops, one of whom hastened off. Then he went to Nora’s side and tried to ease her away, but Nora was imprisoned by Felicia’s grasp, staring helplessly at her friend.
“Felicia,” Nora cried. “What is it?”
“Where is he?” Felicia rasped.
“Who? It’s just Seth and Nora here right now.” Nora’s face pinched with concern. “You’re safe, honey. I promise.”
“No!” Felicia screamed, the blankets bunching up around her. Her expression was wild, unfocused.
“Felicia,” Seth said firmly. “No one is going to hurt you. Breathe in and out slowly, okay?”
A nurse rushed in and urged them all away from the bed.
Felicia’s cries subsided into whimpers. She stopped thrashing.
“You both need to leave now please,” the nurse said. “The doctor is on the way.”
Seth took Nora’s arm, noting the cuts where Felicia’s nails had broken the skin. “Let’s step outside.”
“What just happened?” she whispered to Seth, her gaze still locked on Felicia as they approached the door.
“I’m not sure, but the doctors will calm her down. We’ll talk to her later.”
As they were almost over the threshold, Felicia craned to see around the nurse, staring straight at Nora. “He came back,” she murmured.
Nora looked as though she was about to ask who when Felicia’s words exploded across the room.
“He’ll kill us,” she hissed. “He’ll kill us both.”
The words hung in the air like a poisonous mist.
He came back... He’ll kill us both.
Nora felt Seth take her elbow and steer her out of the room as the nurse and doctor hurried in. Her body was trembling. Seth scooped her close and rocked her from side to side. She breathed in and out, letting the embrace chase away some of the shock. If she could only stay like that, listening to the steady beat of Seth’s generous heart, everything would be all right.
The elevator doors opened and Jude got out, carrying a large ziplock bag with a black object inside. Seth released Nora as Jude flicked a look at them. “What are you two doing here? What’s wrong?”
At the same moment, Olivia turned the corner, took in the group and her daughter’s cries and sprinted toward them. A police officer stopped her at the door to Felicia’s room.
“The doctor is with her now. Please stay here, Mrs. Tennison.”
She turned and without warning ran at Nora, shoving her back against the wall. Nora was paralyzed by shock, grateful when Seth put his body between her and Olivia.
Jude pulled Olivia away. “That’s enough,” he said.
Olivia deflated, sobbing. “I don’t want her around my girl. Never, never again. Why isn’t it you lying in a hospital bed?”
The hatred left Nora breathless. She couldn’t summon any words to defend herself.
“Mrs. Tennison,” Jude said. “What happened here was assault and I have grounds to arrest you if Nora presses charges.”
Seth eased aside but kept his arm around Nora’s trembling shoulders.
“No,” Nora managed to choke out. “No charges. She’s just...upset.”
Olivia glared at her. “Don’t pretend you’re magnanimous. I know what you are. If you touch my daughter again—”
Jude backed her farther away. “No more threats,” he said, his voice like flint.
The doctor stepped out and spoke to Olivia, but Nora overheard.
“She’s resting comfortably now,” the doctor said. “But there are indications of internal bleeding. We’re getting her into surgery right away.”
Nora held back a whimper, but Seth must have sensed it since he tightened his hold. “It’s okay,” he said into her ear.
Bleeding. Surgery. The words blurred into a haze of fear.
Jude turned to Nora and spoke in a low tone. “Look. You can’t be around Felicia, do you understand? I know you love her and this is hard for you, but no more. No one sees her but Olivia. Not you, or Zane, or anyone. Am I clear?”
His tone was firm and she could only nod. Her breathing was ragged, and she was still trying to hold back tears. Had her visit to Felicia sparked an outburst that worsened her condition? She couldn’t stand to even think it.
As she tried to calm down, Seth told Jude what Felicia had said.
Jude frowned. “She said ‘he came back’?”
“Yes,” Seth said. “And I’ll go ahead and say that it sounds like she’s talking about Kai.”
“Could be. But why would Kai care about Felicia and Nora? If his motive was to punish Zane for inheriting, or kill him to take the farm for himself, the women have nothing to do with that.”
“Unless he’s hoping to terrorize his brother into giving up the property.”
Jude hesitated. “Or maybe Felicia saw Kai somehow and can testify to his criminal behavior. She’s made someone scared or angry, that’s clear. But I don’t get why that would put Nora in the crosshairs.”
Nora froze. He’d called her Nora, respected her decision to take her middle name. She should be pleased, but she felt cold and sick and small.
“We found a burner phone tossed in the shrubs near Olivia’s place. Likely it was used to trigger the explosion. I doubt we’ll get prints, but you never know. We also found this.” Jude held up the bag. “I was bringing it to Olivia to see if she recognized it. Do you?” He raised the bag he carried so Nora could see what was inside it.
Nora shoved her hair back with a trembling hand and peered close. The cover was burned and one of the corners was missing, the pages badly warped. But she recognized it right away. “It’s our high school yearbook.”
“It was in Felicia’s backpack that we recovered at the scene. Unfortunately, it’s badly damaged. We’ll go through it as best we can, page by page, and see if she made any notes or marks.”
“Can I look too?” Nora said. “I want to help.”
“Not right now. First the techs need to do their thing. It could be the lead we need.” He shrugged. “Or it might have nothing to do with the explosion. Maybe she simply wanted to relive some good times. But Zane indicated he thought she wanted to meet to discuss Kai.”
Nora chewed her lip. “I think she did suspect Kai. But there’s no proof he’s in the area, right?”
Jude didn’t answer for a moment. “It’s a big desert,” he said finally.
The reply made the hairs on the back of Nora’s neck prickle.
“Go on back to your room, Nora,” Jude said. “I’ll talk to Olivia and check in on you before I leave.” He hesitated as if he wanted to say more. Instead he walked away.
Nora turned her head toward Felicia’s room, but Seth eased her to the elevator with a guiding hand. She was still shivering and he snuggled her to his side, his body lending some warmth to hers.
“I...” she started then stopped.
“What is it?” he said as the elevator took them down.
Her first instinct was to clam up and retreat behind the safe bunker of silence. Instead, she gave words to the ache that filled her heart. “Like Olivia said, I’ve hurt Felicia. Maybe this is somehow my fault. I’ve damaged people in Furnace Falls, my family, Olivia...”
He turned her to face him.
“Nora, none of what happened to either of you since you hit town is your fault. There is a bad person out there—maybe Kai, maybe someone else—who almost killed both of you today. It’s his fault, no one else’s. Olivia is reacting out of pain and fear, looking for someone to blame. That’s all. People need someone to target when their emotions get too big for them to handle.”
She tipped her head and before she realized what he was doing, he suddenly pulled her close and kissed her cheek. Her heart beat a faster tempo, but just as quickly he released her and once again nestled her to his side. The sensation of his lips and the comfort of his embrace confused her. She wanted to surrender to the feelings he called up, but there was no place for emotions right now, she told herself, not for the first time. She simply had to get to her room and count the minutes until the day was over. Maybe she’d awaken and find out it was all some sort of a hideous dream.
A nightmare in which someone wanted her dead.
As the elevator descended, Seth berated himself for the kiss.
She needs you, but she doesn’t want you. Two different things, remember?
Tanya had needed him, too, needed the stability of his presence through thick and thin, until she’d found someone she really wanted. This time, he told himself grimly, with this exceptional woman, he was not going to confuse need and want. Need made people stay close for a while. Want was the thing futures were built on.
Need, not want, and no more kisses, he told himself.
He and Nora didn’t say anything further until they reached her room and she climbed back into her hospital bed with a wince. He knew her sore ribs were to blame.
“I’m sorry I snuck off to see Felicia,” she said. “I won’t do it again.”
“Perfect, because that cop is onto your wily ways now and so am I.” He kept his tone light, reassuring, with a dab of friendliness, nothing more. He checked his phone, surprised to find it was almost six.
“Bubbles needs to be fed,” Nora said.
Typical that she’d kept the animal’s schedule in her mind in spite of nearly being killed. “I’ll go take care of it.”
“She might not cooperate with you entering her corral.”
“I shall woo her with my cowboy charm.”
Nora arched an eyebrow. “And if that doesn’t work?”
“Then Levi will help me, but one way or the other, Miss Bubbles is gonna get her food and meds.” He paused. “Then I’ll come back.” As soon as he said it, he knew he’d blown it again. What was he doing appointing himself her bodyguard?
She diverted her eyes, studying the bunch of thistles he’d given her. “No need. The cops are here. The doctors might discharge me tonight anyway.”
He hid his doubtful look. “Sure, right. I’ll check in with you later.”
As he drove back to the ranch, he mulled over the last eight hours. The explosion, the violent confrontation with Olivia and Felicia’s wild screams.
He came back.
He’ll kill us both.
And the only thing standing between the bomber and Nora was a cop posted at her door. With a flash of determination, Seth decided that he was going to spend the night at the hospital, too, adding another set of eyes to the watchers. Nora didn’t have to know of his decision and that eased his mind.
Just helping. No strings attached.
Bubbles was standing quietly in the encroaching dusk, ears pricked, when he rumbled onto the Rocking Horse. She watched him warily and he took things slow, like Nora had, while he replaced her bedding and refreshed her water and vitamin-laced feed. She’d need an injection in the morning and he’d have to get Doc or Levi to assist with that. Clearly, the donkey didn’t trust him completely, but neither did she bolt to the other end of the corral.
Progress. At least he was better with donkeys than women.
Stopping in the kitchen for a sandwich, he found Levi drinking a glass of water. Banjo and Tiny snuggled on an old beanbag in the corner. Banjo thumped his tail at Seth but did not leave his warm spot. Bathed in lamplight, Levi appeared quiet and content, but he saw concern as Levi looked at him. “How are they?”
Seth filled him in.
“Is Nora coming back here when she’s discharged?”
“If that’s okay with you,” Seth said.
“I’m not sure. That bomb came pretty close.” Levi frowned. “Fine until Mara comes back. She’s staying with Aunt Kitty overnight, but then, I gotta be extra careful.”
“Extra careful?” Seth frowned. “Why...?” He suddenly remembered Mara’s bouts of illness, the nausea, the fatigue she’d experienced off and on lately. His mouth fell open. “Are you two expecting?”
“Yes,” he said with a smile.
Seth leapt from his chair and clasped his best friend in an awkward embrace that Levi deflected as quickly as possible. “All right then, simmer down,” Levi said.
But Seth was exuberant. “I’m gonna be an uncle again. I can’t wait.”
“Well, you’re gonna have to. Baby isn’t due until June. Meanwhile...” He went to the closet and pulled out a rifle with the trigger guard in place and held it out to Seth.
“No,” Seth said, “I’d rather not.”
“This isn’t about you anymore.”
“Levi...”
His jaw set. “Seth, someone tried to kill Felicia and Nora. There’s nothing to say they aren’t planning to try again. If you’re going to bring that situation onto this property, I’m counting on you to be prepared to protect the people who live here, my pregnant wife included.” The blue of his eyes shone iron-gray in the weak light.
“If you don’t want Nora to stay here, I’ll arrange for another place,” Seth said through the tightness in his throat.
Levi thrust the gun out further. “You’re half owner of this ranch and she’s Jude’s sister. She stays, but you do your part.”
His part.
Levi’s tone softened. “It’s time, man.”
Seth knew Levi was right. Time to face it. He took the gun, cold in his grip, and the trauma flowed in again, the bullet shattering the windshield, plowing into his skull, narrowly missing his sister Mara. A bright flash of pain and then nothing except the terror of waking up unable to walk, to talk, even to feed himself. Levi brought him back.
“You’re a crack shot, Seth. And you’ll do what you need to do to protect the people you love. Even if you don’t believe you can, I do.”
The ferocious need to protect Nora infiltrated his every nerve. He had only recently met her face-to-face, yet he felt a deep connection that he could not explain. She’d already faced an ATV attack, a letter bomb, and now an explosion. Would he be able to defend her if it came down to another attempt? A cog clicked into place, settling into position something that had been out of alignment since the day he’d been shot. His muscles relaxed as he hefted the rifle. He would ensure her safety and his family’s or die trying.