Nathan yanked her to the back of the brick shelter and covered her with his body. “You have your phone? Please tell me you have it.”
“Yes.” Her voice quivered on the one word and fury flooded him. She didn’t deserve this. And she didn’t deserve to have him kissing her when he wasn’t being completely honest with her.
“Call Clay.”
She shifted and he rolled, keeping her behind him while he faced the opening with his weapon aimed in the direction he thought the bullet had come from. She’d picked a great spot as far as cover, but as long as someone was shooting, they were definitely trapped.
“He’s not answering. I’m going to call 911.”
“Do it.”
Then her phone rang. “It’s Clay,” she said, and slapped the device to her ear. “Someone’s shooting at us on the ranch. Around back. We’re trapped and need help. Yes. Yes. Thanks. No, I won’t hang up.” She shivered. “He’s coming.”
Nathan nodded and let his eyes scan the area. Whoever was shooting at them was very good at hiding. And there were a lot of places to hide. Someone with a long-range rifle could pick them off easily if they left the shelter.
“He said Trent is out this way and should be here soon.”
“Soon. How soon is soon?”
She lifted the phone back to her ear. “Did you hear that?” She listened a minute then said, “Trent’s pulling onto the property. It’ll take him about a minute to get to the house.”
“I don’t see the shooter,” Nathan said. “There was only the one shot and then nothing.”
“He’s been watching,” she said, “just waiting for a chance to strike again. He knew your friends were here and he laid low, let me relax a little, get a bit comfortable with nothing happening for two straight days. He waited for your friends to leave and now he’s ready to pick back up in his attempts to kill me.”
“It’s a good theory.”
“I’m not relaxing anymore,” she said. “Not until this is all resolved.”
“I think that’s probably a good idea.”
“When Clay first asked me about running drugs, I was highly offended, of course.”
“Of course.” He continued to scout the trees beyond. If the guy moved and got in a direct line of sight with the opening of their little hideaway, it’s possible he could hit Nathan with a well-placed bullet. The thought made him highly uncomfortable.
Sirens reached his ears and he thought he saw a flash of a figure in the trees just across from where they hid. He followed the sight and heard the sound of an engine rev. A motorcycle?
Nathan gave a grunt of frustration mingled with relief. “He’s gone. There’s no way to catch him now.”
“Are you sure?”
“Pretty sure.”
Unless it was a trick to make him think the guy was gone. Only one way to find out. He rolled out of the hideaway and then back, waiting for the shot.
Nothing.
He did it again. Nothing. A minute passed. Then two. He heard the crunch of tires on gravel. Trent. “I think we’re good.” He turned to help Becca out. She rose stiffly, one hand on her lower back. “You okay?”
“Yes. Just my usual stiffness.”
“Is Clay still on the phone?”
“Yes.” She handed it to him.
“Clay?”
“I’m here.”
“The shooter just took off on a motorcycle. I’m sure he’s running the length of the property looking for a spot to hit the road that will take him back to town. Probably whatever opening he made in it to get out here. Look for the broken fence—and then let me know where it is because I’ll have to get it fixed ASAP.”
“Got it. I’ll put out a BOLO. Is Trent there yet?”
“Yes.” He could see the cruiser in the drive with the lights flashing.
“Good. Get Becca inside and keep your heads down. Keep me on the line until then.”
Nathan and Becca hurried toward the house. Trent met them and followed them inside and Clay hung up. “You two okay?” Trent asked.
“We’re fine,” Nathan said. “Have you got someone going after the motorcycle?”
“Yeah. I heard the BOLO come through. Everyone on duty is on the lookout.” The deputy shook his head. “Sorry about all the trouble you’re having, Becca.”
“Thanks. Me, too.” Her eyes widened. “That’s Zeb’s truck. Thought you said he left.”
“He did. At least I thought he did.”
“We should probably check on him.”
“I’ll do it,” Trent said. “Stay here.”
Once the door shut behind him, Becca sank into one of the kitchen chairs and dropped her head into her hands. She sat that way for a full minute before looking up. “I have to do something.”
“What?”
“I don’t know. Set a trap for this person, something.”
Nathan rubbed his chin. “That might not be a bad idea.”
* * *
Trent stepped out of the barn and called for Becca to come in.
She hurried inside and found Zeb kneeling next to Pete. He had the horse’s front left hoof propped up on his knee and was examining it.
“What is it?” Becca asked.
Zeb looked up. “Hey.”
“I wasn’t expecting you today. What are you doing?”
“I just wanted to take another look at his abscess. I thought it might be getting infected the last time I looked at it and treated it. But it’s healed up real well.” He lowered the horse’s foot to the ground and stood.
“Did you hear the gunshot?”
“Yeah. Everything okay?”
Nathan frowned. “You weren’t concerned enough to investigate?”
Zeb shrugged. “No, why? Gunshots are so common around here that I didn’t think much of it. Was it a snake or a wolf?”
“Definitely a snake,” Becca muttered. “Or a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
Zeb’s frown deepened. “Why do I get the feeling I should have paid more attention and been a little more concerned?”
“Someone shot at us,” Nathan said.
“What?” His eyes went immediately to Becca. “Why? Are you sure? Are you okay?”
“Pretty sure. And yes, I’m fine.”
“I am, too,” Nathan said. “Thanks.”
Zeb flushed and Becca wanted to slug Nathan for his dry comment.
Nathan ducked his head, then looked up as he cleared his throat. “Anyway, I don’t guess you saw anything else.”
“No, I checked the heifer, then was in here with the horses.”
“All right,” Clay said. “Let’s wrap this up. Becca, you and Nathan go inside. Trent, come with me. We’ll see if we can find the bullet.”
An hour later, Becca sat at the kitchen table while Nathan and Clay discussed where to go from here. Clay had found the bullet buried in the brick wall that had protected Becca and Nathan from the gunman. “I’ll get this to the lab in Nashville. Hopefully, it won’t take forever to get some information back on it. I don’t know who this guy is, but he’s leaving evidence that can be used against him when we catch him.”
Becca sighed. “Soon, I hope.”
“I know it seems like it’s taking a long time to figure this out, but it’s only been a few days—and there’s not much to go on.”
“I know.”
“Anything on Larry Bowen?” Nathan asked.
“Yes. He was next on my agenda to discuss with you. Looks like a troublemaker. Has a few priors for possession. We’re trying to track him down but haven’t had any success thus far. I’ll keep you updated on that as soon as I know anything.”
“Good,” Nathan said.
Clay stood. “All right. You stay put. Stay inside as much as possible.”
“Clay—”
He held up a hand. “I know. I get it. I understand your arguments, but the fact of the matter is, the more you’re outside, the more danger you’re in.”
Becca rubbed her forehead. “I know that, Clay. I promise I’ll do my best to stay behind some kind of protection. In the barn or in the house or...” She waved a hand. “I don’t know. I’ll try, though.”
“I guess that’s as good as I’m going to get. And I promise to send a patrol around as often as possible.”
“Thanks.”
Becca was grateful but wasn’t going to hold her breath. She sat in silence with Nathan until she heard footsteps on the porch again.
Nathan bolted to his feet and Becca straightened.
“It’s just me.” Clay stepped back inside, holding a vest in his hands. He walked over and set it on the table. “It won’t protect you from a head shot, but it’ll keep you a lot more safe than wearing nothing.”
Becca swallowed. “Okay. I’ll wear it.”
He looked surprised. “Good.”
Clay made his way out the door once again.
A few seconds later, the sound of an engine pulling up outside caught her attention, and she went to the window to look out.
Nathan joined her and she jolted at his nearness. That kiss was still very fresh in her mind. And on her lips. “Who is it?” he asked.
“Brody Mac’s dad.”
“What’s he doing here?”
“I don’t know. I was just getting ready to find out. Clay and Trent are getting ready to leave, as is Zeb. They’re all at their vehicles watching MacDougal. I think it’s safe to step outside.”
He handed her the vest. “Not without this.”
“Right.” Nathan helped her put it on and adjust it.
“It’s heavy,” she said.
“That’s the point. You want it to stop any bullets that might come your way.”
“Right.” She pulled her heavy coat over it and then walked out onto the porch. “Hello, Mr. MacDougal. What can I do for you?”
“I came to get Brody Mac.”
She frowned at him. “I’m not sure where he is.”
“Then go find him.”
She crossed her arms, then dropped them when the bulk prevented her from doing so comfortably. “You know, it’s awfully convenient for you to show up just now.”
He rubbed a dirty hand over his chin. “What’re you talking about, girlie?”
“Someone just took a shot at Nathan and me out behind the house. You know anyone who’d want to do that?”
“A shot at you? What are you saying?”
What a thick-headed man. “That someone just tried to kill us.”
He frowned. “Probably someone you were too interfering with. Now where’s my boy?”
“Your concern overwhelms me, MacDougal,” Clay said. “And you don’t have any reason to keep Brody Mac from being here.”
“You stay outta this. This ain’t none of your concern.”
The sound of a moped reached Becca during their exchange and she saw Brody Mac heading down the drive.
His father didn’t seem to notice.
“Why are you so intent on keeping him away from here?” she asked. She’d stall and let Brody Mac get as far away as possible.
“Because you got drugs on this place! I don’t want him caught up in that mess.”
She stamped a foot. “I don’t have drugs here! And you’ve been harassing him about not coming here long before those rumors got started, so why don’t you tell the truth for once?”
His face turned red and she thought she saw a few tendrils of smoke curl from his ears. He started toward her and Nathan stepped forward. “That’s close enough.”
Becca pulled Nathan back and faced the man who’d stopped at Nathan’s words. But he pointed a nicotine-stained finger at her. “You need to stay out of other people’s lives. You’re messing with my family and I won’t stand for that. If you keep putting your nose where it don’t belong, you’re going to regret it!”
“What are you going to do? Shoot at me?”
“I just might, girlie, I just might. Now you keep to yours and leave mine alone.”
He climbed back in his truck, and with a crunch of tires on the gravel spun around the drive and headed away from the ranch. Her head started to pound. The stress of the day was definitely catching up to her. She raised her hands to massage her temples.
Clay sighed and shook his head. “Sorry, Becca. I can’t arrest him just because he’s got a loud mouth.”
“I know.”
“You handled him well,” Nathan said. “Stood up to him and let him know he’s not going to run over you. Nice.”
And he hadn’t interfered in her handling of it except for the one protective move when he’d stepped in front of her. All three men had let her deal with the irascible father. But she knew they would have had her back if she’d needed them.
They were true friends. She swallowed the sudden lump in her throat. “Thanks, guys.”
Nathan nodded to Clay and Trent. “Do y’all have time to come back inside for a minute? Becca said something that got me to thinking.”
“What’s that?” Clay asked.
“Maybe a way to catch whoever’s got it in for her.”
“I’m willing to listen to that plan, sure.”
They all returned to the den area. Trent and Clay settled on her sofa while Nathan took the wingback chair near the fireplace.
Becca fired up the gas logs and a warm glow filled the room. She didn’t use the logs often because it could get expensive, but right now, she was cold and needed comforting. And since Nathan’s arms weren’t available at the moment, she wrapped the fleece blanket around her shoulders and settled into the matching wingback chair opposite Nathan’s.
He cleared his throat. “Becca said something about setting a trap to catch whoever’s been trying to kill her. I don’t know about a trap, per se, but what about if we make it look like no one is here at night? While Becca has to be here during the day, she can leave at night while we keep a constant vigil on the property. Someone awake at all times, which means sleeping in shifts. I think it might be a good idea as long as we can keep her safe.”
Clay leaned forward and clasped his hands. “That’s not a bad idea. How do you propose to make that happen and still make sure everyone gets enough sleep?”
For the next half hour the four of them outlined a plan to set into motion that night. Nathan wanted her completely gone from the property, but she shook her head. “No. Where would I go?”
“You could stay with Sabrina,” Clay said.
“Absolutely not. Somehow, he’ll know it. He’s watching me, following me, keeping track of my every movement. I don’t know how, whether he’s got some high-powered binoculars and is sitting in a tree somewhere or what, but I won’t put Sabrina and your children in danger. And that goes for the rest of the people you’re getting ready to name.”
Clay sighed. “What about a hotel room?”
“I can’t afford it and I’m not asking you to pay for it.”
Nathan scowled. “Then what if we make him think Becca’s gone? Let him think she’s left and not coming back for a while?”
“What do you have in mind?” Clay asked.
“Put her in a truck and drive her to the hotel. Make sure it’s obvious she’s checking in and then have her use the restroom in the lobby, don a disguise and then sneak out the back. I can be waiting with a truck our guy wouldn’t recognize.”
“Where will you get the truck?”
“I’ll find one.”
“He might not even fall for it and you all have gone to an awful lot of trouble,” Becca said softly.
Clay held his hands between his knees and spun it while he thought. “Might not, but we can plan to do this for the next few nights and see what shakes loose. I’ll try to take some time during the day to sleep and I’ll make sure Trent has the time off, as well. Nathan, you get the day shift around here. Our guy probably knows you’re the hired hand. He expects you to be here and working. If something happens at night, we’ll wake you.”
Nathan’s scowl didn’t lessen, but he didn’t argue the plan.
Something blipped in Becca’s memory. Someone in the barn. In the feed room. She could only see the back of him, but he looked familiar. “Hey, what are you doing in here?” she’d asked.
A sharp pain shot through the front of her head and she winced.
“Becca?” Nathan asked. “You okay?”
“Yes.” She blinked and tried to bring the memory back. “I’m okay. I just thought I remembered something about the day of the accident, but now it’s gone.”
Clay’s phone rang. “Excuse me for a second.”
He stepped out of the room to take the call and Trent excused himself as well, leaving her alone with Nathan.
And the memory of that kiss they’d shared.
And the realization that she wouldn’t mind sharing another one with him. At what point had he stopped being her former friend and newly hired hand, and started being someone she daydreamed about kissing?
She wasn’t exactly sure, but while kissing Nathan was certainly enjoyable, she needed to focus on who was trying to kill her. Or them. The person didn’t seem worried about collateral damage. The thought sent shivers dancing over her skin and dread straight into her heart. If anything happened to Nathan, she didn’t know how she’d be able to live with herself. If she actually lived.
“Earth to Becca.”
She jumped. “Oh. Sorry. Just thinking.”
“About what?”
Her gaze dropped to his lips before she could stop it. She jerked her eyes away. “Ah...it doesn’t matter.”
He eyed her and from the glint that sparkled for a brief moment, she saw he knew exactly what she’d been thinking—the kissing parts of her thoughts anyway. Then his eyes clouded over. “All right. If you’re going to be up most of the night, it’s time for you to grab some shut-eye. I’ll keep watch so you can rest easy.”
She stood. “Thank you.”
“How’s your back?”
“It’s hurting a bit. I’ll take something to take the edge off.”
Actually, it was killing her. All the jerking around and overusing it had her on the edge of tears. But there was no use crying about it.
And the fact that her mother still hadn’t returned her call had nothing to do with her weepy feeling.
Okay, yes, it did.
She turned the logs off and left Nathan in the den checking his email as she walked down the hall to her bathroom. After she took her meds, she got as comfortable as possible on the bed and closed her eyes. I miss you, Mom. She sighed. Please, God, let me live long enough to reconcile with my parents or at least my mom. I really don’t want to die without some sort of understanding between us all. Please.