Her Lifeline: (A Romantic Suspense) (9 page)

"You bet."

She reached out and gave his hand a quick squeeze before going back to the house. Her dad was sitting on the couch, his head in his hands. It was so quiet that she could hear the second hand of the clock ticking above the TV.

"Dad? What's wrong?"

He didn't look up and shrugged his shoulders. "Not a good trip to town, hon."

Sitting beside him, Amelia's heart sank. "What happened?"

"I ran into the men I borrowed the money from."

Amelia felt as if someone had just punched her in the stomach. She didn't say anything, hoping that her dad would continue, but it took him a bit to get going. It took a lot to get the man flustered, and he clearly was rattled by whatever had happened.

"They said that they are needing a pretty hefty payment soon."

"Did they threaten you?"

He nodded. "Not in so many words, Amelia, but I think the shed fire was one of their subtle hints."

She stood up and began to pace. "You call that subtle?" She placed her hand on her brow and paused at the window, watching Nick and Noah play with the dogs. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster she was on. "I had a feeling that the explosion wasn't our fault." Looking back at her father, she said, "We gotta go to the police. We can't have someone threatening our family."

"And tell them what, Amelia? That I initiated this illegal transaction by going to an under the table loan shark? Yes, they damaged property, but we can't prove it. We've already had an investigator come and he pretty much ruled it inconclusive."

"He's threatening us, Daddy." She was on the verge of tears, but tried hard to control it. Noah could read her emotions like a book and she didn't want to upset him.

"We still don't have solid, concrete evidence."

"I have that letter we got in the mail." She walked to the shelf and dug it out of a book, extending it to him. "Doesn't that stand for something?"

He read over it again. "Yes, between the lines, it does seem threatening, but you know how cops are. There's no official business contact information or a clear threat. It'll lead right back to the fact that I went under the table."

Amelia grabbed the letter from him, feeling the moisture in the corner of her eyes. She quickly wiped the tears with the backs of her hands. "What in the hell are we gonna do? We don't have enough to make the payment they're wanting."

"We've made a little off of the hay that Nick has been working on. It's not as much as they're wanting, but maybe if we send something, they'll back off a little."

Amelia walked back to the window. As if things couldn't get any worse, her ex husband pulled up in the driveway. The dogs barked, drawing Noah and Nick's attention. She didn't answer her dad and went outside, hoping to divert John away from Nick.

Stepping out of his truck, he adjusted his cowboy hat and smiled. "Dang Amelia, you're looking good!"

"What do you want, John?"

He looked past her toward the bunkhouse where Nick and Noah were sitting on the porch. "Who's that guy?" Pointing, he waved at Noah. "Does my son wanna see me?"

"He's the new hand I hired. And you'll have to ask Noah yourself. I'm not sure if he'll want to or not."

"Well hell, hon, you know how to make a guy welcome. Come here, Noah!" He yelled toward the boy and at first, he hesitated. It made Amelia smile a little on the inside. "I'll go over there. Looks like he's busy with your new guy."

"No, it's okay." Before she could stop him, he was halfway to Nick. She wasn't sure why she was so leery to have them meet, but it would prove as awkward on several fronts. Following close behind, she shot Nick a quick glance, hoping he'd know what she was saying.

Before John could say anything, Nick extended his hand to shake his. "Hey, I'm Nick."

John returned the gesture and replied with, "John. Amelia's husband."

"Ex husband." Amelia quickly corrected him. "Ex."

"My apologies. I'm her
ex
husband and Noah's daddy." He reached down and tousled the boy's hair, but the kid quickly ducked to avoid his hand. "You seriously working the ranch? I can't imagine she's paying you all that well. You got some kind of ulterior motive being here?"

"John, that's inappropriate. You're here for Noah. How about you see if he wants to go with you and leave."

Nick stood up and she could tell he was trying his best not to say something sarcastic by the way the edges of his eyes squinted and how he was fighting off a smile. "It was nice meeting you, John. I've got some work to get done." He walked toward his truck and Amelia felt horrible for John's inquisition.

"Where'd you find that guy? He's not from around here, is he?"

Amelia looked down at her son. She could tell he really didn't want to hang out with his dad. She'd let him decide. "Noah, do you wanna go with dad today?"

He shrugged and was unable to look at John. "I don't know."

"I figured we'd go into Austin and do something. What do you say? Maybe to the Alamo Draft House and catch a movie? C'mon, kiddo! I haven't seen you in like a month!"

"I wanna stay here and help with the chores."

Poor Noah. It was obvious he didn't want to go but didn't want to upset his father either. "Noah, if you don't wanna go, you can stay here."

"Like hell, Amelia! You get him all the time! I thought we had joint custody!" John raised his voice and stepped closer. "Now, Noah! Get in the truck! It's my turn to see you!"

"I think you need to go, John. The court ruled that I could give you visitation whenever Noah agreed to it. He doesn't wanna go with you right now. We don't need to talk about this in front of him anyway."

John grabbed her arm. The anger in his eye was scary, and Amelia was reminded of the number one reason she had asked for the divorce. "He's my son too! I'll get a lawyer and we'll go back to court!"

"Let me go. You're hurting my arm!" She tried to jerk away, but he proved to be stronger. "Ow, John! Please let me go!"

"I think you need to let the lady go!" Nick's voice echoed off of the porch. "Let her go like she asked."

John's grip loosened, but he didn't completely release her. Eyeing Nick, he let out an arrogant laugh. "And who the hell do you think you are, coming in here and acting like you're the stud dick of this ranch?"

Nick swiped the back of his neck with his hand and took a few steps closer. "You're hurting her. Stud dick or not, at least I know better than to put my hands on a woman. Let her go."

"And what are you gonna do if I don't?"

Amelia was embarrassed. She didn't want Nick to ever witness what she had to put up with when it came to John, and now he was right in the middle of a domestic dispute. At the same time, it was comforting knowing that he was there to stand up for her and protect her. John would've never had the backbone to do it.

Getting closer, Nick balled his fists. "You don't wanna know, John. You need to leave and come back when you've cooled down."

Finally, John let her go. "You're a damn ranch hand. What was your name again? Sam?"

"Nick." His voice was stern and his gaze could've burned a hole straight through John.

John began to back up toward his truck, staring him down as he shied away. "This isn't over, Nick. You can't just march in here like you own the place. I've got more of a connection with Noah and Amelia."

Nick didn't respond. Instead, he took Amelia's hand and led her toward the porch. Sitting down between him and Noah, she couldn't fight off the tears any longer. They fell like torrential downpours. Looking up, she was a bit relieved when John sped down the driveway in a cloud of dust, finally giving them peace. 

"I'm so sorry, guys. I forgot he was supposed to come today."

Nick put his arm around her, pulling her in for a hug. "Are you okay?" His breath was warm on the top of her head and she leaned into his comforting body.

"I'm fine. Noah, are you okay?" She checked on her son who was sitting quietly, petting Nick's new dog.

"I'm sorry I didn't want to go with him."

"You don't have to be sorry. You're old enough to make your own decisions. Your dad has a temper. He'll eventually get over it."

Nick looked at her arm and winced. "It's gonna bruise." Standing up, he said, "I'm gonna make you an ice pack. I'll be right back."

Amelia patted Noah on the shoulder and forced a smile through the moisture on her face. "Hey. You're a good boy for standing up for yourself. You didn't wanna go. That's okay."

Nick came back out with a towel and a plastic bag full of ice. Placing it on her skin, it was almost instant relief from the soreness she was feeling. "There you go. I hope that helps some."

"It's fine, Nick. Thank you."

So bad did she want to kiss him, but she wasn't quite ready to have Noah witness their relationship, or whatever it was that they were sharing. There was nothing more attractive than a man who stood up for a woman. He sat back down beside her and she leaned back against him, enjoying his comfort in the midst of all of the drama happening with her and the family. It was a quick escape in the grand scheme of things, but she had never felt closer to another human being than she did right at that moment.

Chapter Nine

After his encounter with John, Nick felt like he needed to blow off some steam. He could feel the start of another flashback, so after making sure that Amelia was okay and had calmed down, he decided to take a quick trip into town. It had been several days since he had been off of the ranch, and with everything that had transpired in just a few hours, he needed to process it all. He also needed to deliver some hay to a buyer, so it was a good reason to go.

He had so much on his mind, the most important being the fact that he had made love to Amelia. When outlined, any other person looking in would tell him he was crazy for letting it happen. He barely knew the woman, but at the same time, he had learned so much about her. He felt like he had known her for years. The deed was done and he felt no regrets. There was nothing residual causing any type of guilt. In fact, he couldn't wait for the next time, if she'd have him again.

He pulled his truck up to the bar. He wasn't a big drinker. Only recently had he gotten drunk, right before he had landed the job on the ranch. Now, he was just needing a quick beer to relax. There was no harm in it. The place wasn't too busy when he walked in, but then again, it was only four in the afternoon. Maybe service would be good.

Sitting at the bar, an older bartender approached him, a towel slung over his shoulder as he waited for Nick's order.

"I just need a beer, please."

The man poured it from the tap and scooted it across the wooden surface. Nick took a quick sip, savoring the smooth flavor. Looking around the bar, he noticed a few others and what he was guessing were regulars. A woman looked his way and he nodded before diverting his attention away.

There was something bothering Amelia. Even before John had come around, he could tell she was carrying the weight of something around. He didn't want to pry, but he wondered when she might open up to him. Was it their situation? Did she really feel guilty about the feelings they were sharing? If that were true, he'd back off. It would be hard, but he'd give her space if it meant that it'd put her at ease.

Closing his eyes, he took another sip of the beer. Just the brief encounter with John made him tense. He thought about his brothers in the army. Why was it making him think about it? Was it the heated exchange? He saw the kid strapped to the bomb and let out a gasp, his eyes shooting open. The bar tender stared back at him, un-amused at his random outburst. No one else seemed to have noticed.

Pulling his wallet out of his back pocket, he threw some money to cover the beer and a small tip and left, not even finishing the beverage. The fresh hair relaxed him and he took a deep breath.

"Well hell, who would've thought we'd meet up here, and so soon?"

The voice was familiar, but Nick wasn't sure who it was. Turning on his heel, he saw John standing to the right of the entrance, puffing on a cigarette.

"Amelia know you took a detour to have a drink? You on the clock?"

Something inside told Nick to ignore him. Pulling his keys from his pocket, he started for his truck, but John's footsteps were loud as he approached him.

"You ignoring me?" He grabbed Nick's arm, turning him around. "You don't have the comfort of the ranch to protect you now. I didn't want to hit you in front of my kid, but he's not here, is he?"

John's stale breath was strong, and it was obvious he already had too much to drink. "You're drunk, John. Go home and sleep it off." Nick tried to pull away, but John dug his fingers into his skin. "And I'd advise you to let go of me."

"You're not going anywhere, ranch hand." Just as John said that, two other men walked up, one cracking his knuckles as a grin spread across his lips. "Meet my two brothers. They don't take kindly to others messing with family, and believe me, I've let them in on what happened."

"That's very brave of you John, to have three men gang up on one," Nick said, knowing immediately he'd regret it.

The man to the right sent a quick punch, hitting him right in the stomach. Nick doubled over in pain, feeling the remnants of the beer churn deep inside of him. Gagging, he tried to get over the discomfort, but wasn't quick enough. Another bout of pain hit him when someone else's fist impacted his face, sending him backward. He fell against the concrete, face up to see the three men hover over him like vultures. He licked his lips and tasted the metallic flavor on his tongue. The blood was thick and he coughed as he swallowed some of it.

He tried to sit up and get a few blows in, but John kicked him, sending him right back into the pavement, his head slamming against the asphalt.

"No sir, don't get up."

Nick's vision went blurry for a second and he tried to fight the vertigo. Blinking, when he finally came to, John was kneeling down beside him, the same arrogant smirk on his face that he held the entire time.

"You're really overstepping your boundaries, ranch hand. Let me ask you something." John looked up at his brothers and laughed. "Let me ask you this. You trying to get in Amelia's pants? I mean, let's be honest. She's pretty damn hot, and she's an animal in bed. I can at least say that from experience."

Nick grit his teeth and balled his fists. He was outnumbered, but he didn't care. "Stop being disrespectful to her. She's a good woman." He spat more blood, cringing at the metallic flavor.

"Well hell, how would you know if you're just her employee? While we're being honest, Nick, has she told you about the huge debt that she's in with that place? That's right. She's in the red pretty bad, but I bet she not once has told you, has she?"

Nick felt as if a wall had toppled over on him. His head pounded and his stomach was killing him, but the news John had just said hit him blindside. No, he couldn't take him seriously. He could be lying just to get a reaction. He wasn't going to take it seriously. The man was lit up and angry. People said things in those situations they didn't mean.

He balled his fists up again and tried to get into a position that wasn't obvious to his attackers. This guy needed to pay for how he was treating Amelia and Noah, even if it really wasn't Nick's business.

"Oh look, I think ranch hand here is getting ready to attack me! That wouldn't be very smart, seeing as you've already gotten your ass kicked!"

"Three of you, one of me. All I care about is you, John." He fought his body's warnings and lunged forward, tacking John. Every ounce within him screamed to stop. He was so dizzy, but he ignored all of the negative feelings and tried to get in as many punches as he could before John's family pulled him off. His fist cracked against John's cheek and it seemed to be the only blow that affected the other man.

He was suddenly dragged off of the nuisance and hurled against the wall. One of the brothers had hold of him at his collar. "Big mistake." The man kneed Nick right in the chest, sending him the most excruciating pain he had felt during the whole altercation. Doubling over, he fell to his knees and onto his stomach. He was waiting for the brunt of whatever they had for him next, but when he finally was able to look up, the three men were getting into their truck. Groaning, he rested his head on the ground a few seconds, feeling the heat reflecting from the sun.

He hurt so bad, but the hot pavement was going to do even more damage if he didn't get up. Forcing his torso up on his hands, he clenched his jaw and fought through the discomfort and stood up. There was a small puddle of blood where his face once was. How bad were his injuries?

"Mister, are you okay?" Nick looked over his shoulder. The bar tender was standing at the entrance to the bar. "Do you need me to call an ambulance?"

Holding his hand up, Nick shook his head no. Big mistake. It felt like his brain was slamming against his skull. The sunlight wasn't helping it at all.

"No, thanks." His own voice rumbled in his head and he was finally able to pull himself up to a standing position. Ambling to his truck, he climbed in and waited a few seconds before he turned the key in the ignition.

Leaning into the steering wheel, he rested against it, closing his eyes. He'd stay like that a few minutes, then he'd get back to the ranch. Explaining it to Amelia was something he couldn't think about at that very second.

***

Amelia was finishing up the final touches of supper when she saw Nick's truck pull up. She was relieved to see him. He had been in town a few hours, and usually a hay delivery didn't take that long. Her overactive imagination made her worry, but she kept having to remind herself that he was an adult - if he wanted to stay in town for something, he was allowed to. She wasn't his mother, or is wife, for that matter.

Watching him through the window, she stirred the spaghetti sauce. He staggered from the driver's side and she had to take a second glance to make sure what she was seeing was true. Was that blood on his shirt? He kept his head ducked, but he was definitely limping. Instead of heading toward the house, he was going to the bunkhouse.

Turning to her son and her dad, she said, "Noah, go wash your hands. Supper is ready. Daddy, can you dish up your plates? I'll be back."

She went out the backdoor before she heard any refute from either of them and ran up to Nick, who at first, didn't even acknowledge she was there.

"Nick? What happened?"

He looked down at her and she finally got her first real glimpse of his face. There was blood from his nose to his lip, which was swollen. A dark bruise was already forming under his left eye, not to mention that it was bloodshot. His shirt wasn’t tucked in and there were several rips in it. He looked like someone out of one of those boxing movies.

"Oh my God, Nick. What happened?" she asked again, leading him inside.

He didn't say anything at first and plopped down on the couch, letting out a deep breath. She went to the kitchen and made him an ice pack. That seemed to be the theme of the day, only his injuries were much worse than hers.

Setting it against his eye, she ran her index finger over his cheek. "Let me get the first aid kit. I keep one in the bathroom."

He held her hand, hindering her from leaving. "You don't have to tend to me, Amelia. I've been injured worse than this before."

"Are you kidding me?" She got her hand free and found the kit in the medicine cabinet above the sink. Opening it, she grabbed some alcohol prep pads, cotton balls, and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. He moved the icepack away, giving her better access to his wounds. "Are you gonna tell me what happened?"

Nick hesitated. Why didn't he want to tell her? Was this where the truth came out about Nick Miller? Was he a bar room brawler?

"It was John."

She dabbed a cotton ball soaked in peroxide against his cheek, making him pull away. She should've been surprised by it, but she was more pissed than anything. Leaning in, she pushed the cotton ball against him, wiping up the dried blood on his nose.

"I'm so sorry, Nick." She didn't know what else to say.

"I stopped at a bar for a quick beer before I headed back. Him and a couple of other guys confronted me outside." He looked like he wanted to say more, but he winced when she cleaned the gash on his chin.

"Did you call the cops?"

"No. They drove off and I was just ready to get home." He adjusted his weight, cringing as he shifted. "They got some good hits in. " He smiled through the pain and it melted Amelia's heart. "He's an asshole, Amelia. It's not your fault."

"Where else did they hurt you?"

"Kicked me in the ribs a few times. You know, standard male fighting."

She should've laughed, but it wasn't a joking matter. He should be fleeing from her after this. It shouldn't have happened to him. She unbuttoned his shirt, scared of what she was going to see. To her surprise, his abdomen didn't look as bad as she had imagined. There was a bruise on his left side that she checked.

"Are you able to breathe okay?" She ran her fingers over it, but didn't press down.

"Amelia, I told you, I'm fine. I've had worse, trust me."

"We still need to clean it all up. Now's not the time to be prideful."

He arched his eyebrow at her comment. "I appreciate you helping me, Amelia." Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. "I'd go up against them again if it meant that it'd keep you safe."

Amelia gathered up the first aid kit and set it aside. It was so hard to read him. He looked like hell. Touching his hand, she kissed the back of it. "You shouldn't have to. He shouldn't even come around here."

It took him a few seconds, but he got up, letting out a groan as he did. How was she still finding him so attractive in the state he was in? Guilt coursed through her, but she couldn't keep herself from admiring him. He was her hero in so many ways.

He pulled her close, hugging her from behind. At first she didn't realize it, but they were nearing the bedroom. Turning the corner, he stopped at the threshold of the bathroom and began to pull his shirt off.

"I need a shower." His eyes spoke so much. How could he even be thinking about sex after getting beat up? "Help me get my mind off of what just happened, Amelia."

Rather than question it, Amelia helped in pulling his jeans down his legs, along with his boxers. He was already erect and the fabric clung on it. Kneeling, she was right in front of him. He was definitely well endowed, and she couldn't believe the size of him. From what she could tell, it was about the only uninjured part on him and judging by how aroused he was, it didn't matter. He was ready to go.