Chapter Fifteen

Tag followed Nikki and the deputy to the squad car and opened the passenger door for her. “I can go with you and send someone for my motorcycle.”

“I’m fine,” she said, but her voice shook.

“Just follow us,” the officer said.

“I’ll be right behind you, Nikki. Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head. Define hurt, she thought as he closed the door. It didn’t always mean bruises or cuts. Sometimes it went way deeper than that and couldn’t be put into words.

“I didn’t hear you answer Tag,” said the gray-haired deputy as he took the same route back to town that Nikki had driven. It seemed like hours instead of only minutes.

“He didn’t physically hurt me, but he kept a gun pointed at me for the last five hours,” she said in a thin voice that she hardly recognized as her own.

“I’m sure that was scary,” he said.

Nikki was glad that he didn’t have any more questions because she didn’t want to answer them. Tears welled up, but she refused to let the dam loose. She’d been strong right up to the end, and now she might get fired for having a record. That stunt with the gun might get her charged with assault with intent to do bodily harm—which was the God’s honest truth.

The deputy pulled into a parking spot and got out of the car. Nikki reached for the door handle, but before her hand even touched it, Tag opened it and said, “I’m going with you.”

With Tag on one side of her and the deputy leading the way, they went inside the police station. Nikki took a deep breath, sucking in the smell of cleansers. After inhaling beer and nasty burps all day, she wanted to sit down on the tile and enjoy the scent for hours.

The deputy led the way into an office with his name on the door. “The sheriff is on the way. Can I get you something to drink, Miz Grady?”

She shook her head. “I just want a shower.”

“All in due time. Tag, you can wait outside now. This won’t take long.”

“I’d rather stay,” he said.

“There’s a chair out there.” The deputy pointed.

“I’ll be waiting, Nikki,” he said.

The sheriff entered the room and motioned for Nikki to take a seat across the desk from him. “Can you answer some questions for me?”

She nodded.

“I will record your interview.” He set a recording device on the edge of the desk. “You still look pale. Do you need a few minutes to collect yourself?”

“I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with,” she answered.

“You are a strong woman, Miz Grady. I admire your strength,” the sheriff told her, and then pushed a button on the tiny recorder. “This is Sheriff Lester Roberts taking Nikki Grady’s statement. Now tell me what happened today. Don’t leave out any details.”

His comment about her strength gave her the courage to start talking. “I was kidnapped at gunpoint.”

  

Matthew carried a second folding chair down the hallway and set it up beside his brother. “You okay?”

“Another thirty minutes and I wouldn’t have been there,” Tag said. “I caused this mess. I needed to be there for her when she got out of that car.”

That the two cowboys were related was evident by their clear blue eyes and dark hair, but that’s where the resemblance ended. Matthew wasn’t as tall as Tag, and he’d always been the serious one of the three Baker boys. Tag was the rebel. Hud was the quiet twin. Matthew was the responsible son. Right then Tag wished he had a helluva lot more Matthew in him.

“Is she going to be all right?” Matthew asked.

“She’s tough. Had to be coming from the family she did. It wasn’t like ours.” Tag removed his hat and laid it on the floor beside him. “Crazy mother. Father who left her after her brother died. She was fourteen when all that happened, and she’s made her own way since she was eighteen.”

“Then I expect she’ll be fine. Did he…” Matthew paused.

“I hope to hell not.” Tag took a bandana from his pocket and wiped sweat and dirt from his face. “I really like her, Matthew, but now I’ve got to back away from her for her own safety. Dammit!” He slapped his knee.

“What?” Matthew asked.

“I need to call Emily. She’s been worried sick.” Tag jerked his phone from his pocket.

“I talked to her on the way here. Also talked to Mama and Dad. Now all you’ve got on your plate is her,” Matthew told him. “Never saw you like this over a woman.”

Tag shrugged. “And now I’ve ruined it with my past mistakes.”

“You need to leave the past in the past and move on to the future,” Matthew said.

Tag shook his head. “I’m trying but it keeps coming back to bite me on the ass.”

“Give it a chance. Things will take on a new light when you get back to your ranch.” Matthew patted him on the shoulder.

Tag drew in a long breath and let it out in a whoosh. “I’ve got to talk to her.”

“I’ve got a solution. Ride home with her and leave that damned motorcycle here,” Matthew said.

“If she’ll let me, you can do whatever you want with the cycle. If I ever got on it again, all I’d be able to think about is the fear and anger that had a hold on me the whole way from the ranch,” Tag said.

“Aww.” Mathew grinned. “My baby brother is growing up.”

“Go ahead and say it. I deserve it,” Tag said.

“About damn time.” Matthew chuckled.

“I’d say it’s past time.”

“Looks like Lester is finished talkin’ to her,” Matthew said, and pushed up out of his chair.

Tag settled his hat on his head and got to his feet.

Sheriff Roberts came through the door and extended his hand to Matthew. “Thanks for your help today. We didn’t know what we might get into out there. Didn’t expect to find them all asleep or for it to be so easy. I sure felt better knowin’ you was up there on that little hill with your rifle. Thought for a minute there we might have a killin’ on our hands.” He turned to face Tag and shook hands with him as well. “I hope you’re makin’ better friends over in Montague County.”

“I assure you I am,” Tag said. “Can I talk to Nikki now?”

“Yes, but right now she’s in my bathroom getting cleaned up. Here are her car keys and wallet. I gave her a set of orange scrubs to change into.”

“Was she”—Tag swallowed hard—“hurt?”

“She said Billy Tom threatened her in all kinds of ways but that’s all,” the sheriff said. “You wait right here. She’ll be out in a few minutes.”

“Thank you.” Tag sat back down.

“Matt, I think I owe you a cup of coffee,” Sheriff Roberts said. “And maybe a piece of apple pie.”

“With ice cream?” Matt asked.

“Only way to eat it is with two scoops of ice cream. See you later, Tag, and I sure hope it’s never like this again,” he said as he and Matt started down the hallway.

Then Matt turned and came back. “Here, brother, trade keys with me. I’ll take that cycle out to the ranch. You drive my truck to the motel. I’ll make arrangements with the detailer to have Nikki’s car fumigated and cleaned up for her by tomorrow morning. Just call me and tell me what motel she’s in so we can deliver it to her.”

“Thank you,” Tag whispered.

“Hey, family takes care of family.”

  

Nikki threw her clothing into the trash can as she undressed, including her flip-flops. She adjusted the water to the right temperature and then stepped into the sheriff’s shower. First she let the hot water run through her hair and down her back. Then she picked up the soap and a white washcloth. She soaped her whole body down three times and still didn’t feel clean, so she gave it one more lathering. After that she picked up a small bottle of shampoo and squeezed the whole thing into her hair. It didn’t matter if it wasn’t her usual special volume-building product. It could have been pure lye soap and she wouldn’t have complained.

When she finished, she dried herself off with one of the two towels that the sheriff had given her. Her skin was red when she got through, but the well-worn scrubs were soft. She didn’t have a bra or underpants, but there was no way she would ever touch those things in the trash can again. She wasn’t sure she could even get into her car until all that stuff from the backseat was gone and it had been scrubbed.

With her hair still damp, she went back out into the sheriff’s office to find it empty, but the door leading out into the hallway was open and there was Tag. His hat was in his hands and her wallet was on the chair beside him. He stood up when he saw her, but he didn’t open his arms like before.

She walked, barefoot, right up to him, went on her tiptoes, and put her arms around his neck. Tears began to flow down her cheeks. “I was mad and afraid, but I kept telling myself you’d find me.”

His arms encircled her, drawing her so close that their hearts beat as one. “I was terrified I wouldn’t get there in time.”

“I can’t get in my car,” she whispered.

“You don’t have to. I’m taking us to a motel in my brother’s truck.” He kissed her on the forehead. “You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” She picked up her wallet, took out all the cards and cash, and stuffed them into the deep pocket of her scrubs. Then she tossed her wallet in a nearby trash can.

They walked out of the building, hand in hand. Once they were on the hot sidewalk, Tag scooped her up like a bride. She laid her head on his shoulder, and for the first time since Billy Tom showed up at the cabin, she felt safe. He put her into the big black truck and buckled her in. She closed her eyes, and Billy Tom’s leering face appeared. She snapped them open and in that second decided she wouldn’t be a victim. She was strong like her daddy. She’d survived having a gun in her back for hours, and she hadn’t let Billy Tom intimidate her. The sheriff had said the bloody nose she’d given him was self-defense, as far as he was concerned. She wouldn’t have a record.

It wouldn’t be easy, but she’d get past the trauma—with Tag’s help.

“We don’t have a lot to offer in the way of hotels here in Tulia. You’d be more comfortable at my parents’ ranch,” Tag said as he fastened his seat belt.

“I’m not fit to be around people yet, Tag. You can drop me off at a motel and go on home,” she said.

“I’m not leaving you. First we’ll pick up some clothes for you and then some food. When did you last eat?”

“Not since breakfast.” She was grateful that he was taking charge because her brain was still in a fog, even if the sheriff had assured her that she was a strong woman.

He whipped the truck into the parking lot of a Family Dollar, the only place in town to buy clothing, and snagged a place right in front. “Look, that’s an omen if there ever was one.” He pointed to a cart filled with rubber flip-flops. “What size do you wear?”

“Ladies size five to six will do fine,” she answered.

“Color?”

“I’m not picky,” she said. “Anything just so that I don’t get thrown out.” She nodded toward the sign on the door that said NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE.

He dug around in the cart, took a pair inside the store, and returned to open her door. “Stick your feet out here, darlin’. You can be Cinderella.”

“Does that mean you’re Prince Charming?”

“I’ll be anything or anyone you want me to be,” he told her.

That was guilt talking, and she knew it, but it sounded good to her ears right then. She was surprised that no one stared at her when she entered the store. Then she saw another lady in there in orange scrubs.

“The nurses who work in the local nursing home wear orange,” Tag said.

She nodded and threw a package of panties into the cart. Then she sorted through a rack of jeans and tossed in two pairs. Tag stayed right beside her, and finding a couple of bras in her size was more than a little embarrassing. After that, they found T-shirts and a nightshirt and headed toward the shampoo and toothpaste aisle. When she’d gotten everything she needed and they were at the counter, Tag whipped out a credit card.

“You’re not buying my underwear,” she protested.

“Yes, I am. This is my fault and there’s no telling how much of your money you spent today. Your backseat looked like a trash bin and that suitcase of beer wasn’t cheap,” Tag said.

“Tulia’s not a big place,” she said softly. “Tomorrow, the fact that you were here with me and bought me clothes will be all over town.”

“Good.” He accepted the total, swiped his card, and put his signature on the screen. Then he carried the bags out to the truck and tossed them in the backseat with his duffel.

“Where’d that come from?” she asked.

“Hud packed it for me. Matthew put it in the truck when he took my motorcycle back out to the ranch. If you’ll give me a ride home tomorrow or whenever you’re ready to go, I’ll leave my bike here.”

That was a huge step for him to take, but she didn’t want that burden on her conscience. In six weeks or maybe in six days, he’d resent her for his decision.

“You sure about that? Don’t do it out of guilt, Tag,” she said. “If I’d gone home last night instead of drinkin’ moonshine, I wouldn’t have been in the cabin this morning. If I’d brought my purse in, I’d have had my gun. This isn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it is.” He drove away from the store and straight to a small motel. “Wait right here.” He ran inside and came back with a key. “It’s my fault because of decisions I made as a teenager. Duke might have approved of the crazy stunts that we pulled when I was a stupid kid, but my heart tells me it’s time to grow up.”

“You should always listen to your heart.” She didn’t even have to wonder if she was talking to him or to herself.

“We can get something pretty quick at Sonic. That okay with you?”

Food suddenly sounded wonderful. “Burgers and a chocolate shake, and the biggest root beer they make. I’m sick of water,” she said.

“Fries?” he asked.

“Tater tots, double order, burger with mustard and no onions.”

He nosed the truck into a slot, rolled down the window, and pushed the call button. A lady’s voice asked if she could help him. He looked over at Nikki and said, “Are you serious about wanting that much?”

“If I don’t eat it now, I will before bedtime,” she said. “Want my credit card?”

He waved her away, ordered four burgers, two chocolate shakes, two Route 44 root beers, and a double order of tater tots and a double of fries. “And add two chicken strip dinners to that,” he finished.

“How long are we staying in that motel? You’ve ordered enough food for a week,” she said.

He turned to face her. “I paid for two nights, but we can leave earlier than that, or we can extend it as long as you want. This is going to hit you in a little while. I just hope you don’t hate me when it does.”

“This is still Tuesday, isn’t it?” In some ways, it seemed like the incident with Billy Tom had happened a year ago instead of only that morning. In other ways she felt like if she looked in the rearview mirror, she would see him sitting in the backseat grinning with food in his mouth.

“It is,” he said.

“Less than twenty-four hours ago, I faced off with my mother, and I thought that was the hardest thing I’d ever have to do,” she said. “I was wrong, Tag, but I refuse to be a victim in either case. That gives Mama and Billy Tom— Seems strange to say their names in the same sentence. Anyway, that gives them power over me, and I won’t let them make me a victim.”

“You have the strength of an elephant, Nikki.” Tag reached out and tucked a strand of damp hair behind her ear.

A young girl brought his order and he paid with cash, adding a couple of dollars for a tip.

“Now let’s get you to the hotel so you can eat and call Emily. She’s frantic to hear your voice.” He drove them all the way to the end of the motel and parked at the last room in the row.

“Food, then talk.” Nikki felt faint as she got out of the truck, grabbed the paper bags from the backseat, and followed Tag into the room.

Two queen-size beds with standard blue and green bedspreads took up one wall. A microwave sat on top of a small dorm-size refrigerator. The four-drawer dresser held a television, and there was a small green upholstered chair over in one corner. In the other was a tiny round table with two chairs. The bathroom had a shower above a tub. Looking at it, Nikki decided that she’d take a long, soaking bath before she went to sleep that evening. Maybe that would help her truly get the day out of her mind.

Tag set the paper bags of food on the table, left the door open, and went back out to the truck. He returned with his duffel bag. Kicking the door shut with his boot heel, he said, “Soon as we eat, I’d like to have a shower to get the dust off me.”

“Tag, you don’t have to stay with me,” she told him. “I’m a big girl. I might go to pieces, but if I do, I’ll get over it, just like I have in the past.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll take the bed closest to the door,” he said.

She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you.”

His phone rang and she stepped back.

“Hello,” he said cautiously.

“I’m calling because I just found your number along with the words HELP ME on a card in a convenience store bathroom,” a lady said. “Do you know what that means?”

The woman on the other end was practically yelling and Nikki was close enough to hear every word.

“Yes, ma’am, I do and it’s all taken care of now. My girlfriend is safe,” he said.

“Well, thank God for that. Y’all have a great day.”

“Girlfriend?” Nikki smiled.

“If you’ll have an old cowboy renegade like me,” Tag answered.

“You came to rescue me. I think that forgives the rebel part,” she said.

“If you’d disarmed him, we might have been rescuing him.” Tag took her by the hand and led her to the table.

“If I could’ve figured out a way to get that gun away from him, you’d have been burying him, not saving his sorry ass.”