Loving Lauren (28 page)

“I don't know, but let's get you back to the house so we can have you checked out.” He pulled out his pocketknife and began slicing through the ropes around her wrists with a quick motion. “I'll kill them for this,” he mumbled as he cut through the thick ropes.

“If I don't get to them first.” She pushed her hands free and stood when he helped her. Her head spun quickly and she reached out to grab Chase, but it was too late, the darkness had taken her again.

The next time she woke, it was to light streaming in her window. When she opened her eyes, she saw Haley and Alex staring down at her, smiling.

“You scared us to death.” They both looked like they'd been crying. She sat up and opened her arms so they could both engulf her together.

“I'm so sorry,” she cried as they held onto her. “I should have told you about marrying Chase.” She cried as they held her tight. “I should have let you guys help out more. I didn't mean to be such a…such a…”

“Control freak?” Alex pulled back and smiled down at her as tears streamed down her face.

“Well, yes.” She laughed. “I'm sorry.”

“We're sorry,” Haley said as she sat next to her on the bed. “We should have carried more weight around here. We didn't know that you had such a large debt to repay. We would have—”
 

“Don't.” She shook her head. “Let's not regret anything anymore.” She reached up and wiped her sister's tear from her cheek. “I love you two so much, and I'd gladly do it all again to protect this place and you.” She blinked a few times and looked around. “Where is Chase?”

Her sisters stilled and looked at each other.

“Alex?”

“He disappeared shortly after the doctor came and told us that you were okay. The sheriff and deputies went with him. They took a couple horses and men.”

“Jimmy stayed behind,” Haley said, looking down at her hands.

She closed her eyes and when she took a deep breath, she started coughing.

“The doctor says that's normal after inhaling all that smoke. The cabin is gone, but the fire was contained. Here.” Alex held up a glass of water. Lauren took a large drink and felt the icy coolness soothing her sore throat.

“Any chance I can get a shower?” She looked down at herself. They'd pulled off her ruined clothes, but the grime and smoke was still embedded in her skin and hair.

“Sure, but I think a bath would be better. You've got a twisted ankle.” Haley pulled back the covers to reveal a large white wrap on her left ankle.

An hour later, she felt more alive. Her sisters had propped her up on the front porch with a glass of lemonade and her cell phone. She'd tried calling Chase five times and had text him several times. So far, she hadn't heard anything back. Even the sheriff’s office hadn't heard anything yet.

Alex sat with her while Haley cooked dinner.

“You know, I've given a lot of thought to what you said about Travis. I don't know if he's right for me, but I do know that I want to try and make our relationship work. It's the only thing I have going for myself at the moment.”

“Alex…” She didn't know what to say. Then the memory came back to her.

“Alex, you're a rancher. We're a dying breed. We're made of strong stuff, stronger then you will ever know. You have the power to do whatever you want in life and don't ever let anyone tell you different.” She took her sister’s hand and watched a tear escape her eyes. “All I ever wanted, all our parents ever wanted for us was the same happiness that they felt. If Travis gives you that happiness, then I will welcome him into this family with open arms. But don't settle for anything or anyone less than you deserve. Just remember that.”

“Does Chase make you feel like that?”

“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “There is no doubt in my mind that I married the right man seven years ago. And as soon as he gets back here, I plan on telling him and showing him for the rest of our lives.” She smiled at her sister, then pulled her close for a hug.

It was just after noon the next day when the group came upon the camp. They'd left the horses a few yards back, knowing that they needed to be as quiet as they could.

When the sheriff motioned for Chase and Grant to stay behind, Chase followed anyway. He thought he heard Grant a few feet behind him, but he was too focused on getting to Larry and the others to care.

He finally reached the clearing and he could see Larry, Hewitt, and a short Mexican man in his early forties. The three of them were arguing about a large box that sat on the ground. All three of them held rifles.

“Damn it, you should have stuck to just smuggling the cargo. No one would have been the wiser. But you had to start shooting at anything that moved.” Larry turned to Hewitt. “I brought you into this operation for a reason.” He looked between the men. “I've been controlling the flow for almost ten years now and you had to step in and ruin everything. Now we might have just lost our cover at Saddleback Ranch.”

Larry spun and started pacing. Chase looked over at Sheriff Miller who was glaring at him fiercely. “Don't move,” the older man mouthed to him.

Chase nodded in agreement. After all, the sheriff and his men were armed. They’d made sure he was not when they'd agreed to let him and Grant tag along. He wasn't stupid. He wasn't going to go running into a group of trigger-happy smugglers who were armed to the teeth. But he wasn't going to go hide under a rock, either. He wanted to make sure the men who'd almost killed Lauren were caught.

“Damn it! I knew I shouldn't have trusted someone like you.” Larry's anger was focused on Hewitt. “Miguel and I have been doing just fine up until now.” He pointed to the other man. “Maybe we should cut our losses.” Larry pointed his pistol at Hewitt's chest. “After all, when they find all this on you, they're likely to think you were behind her death and the smuggling.” Miguel smiled and pulled his weapon too.

Just then the sheriff and deputies jumped out from the bushes, screaming, “Sheriff's office. Don't move!”

Miguel dropped his weapon quickly. Hewitt backed up and tripped over the box, looking very stunned. Larry on the other hand started taking aim and firing in any direction.

The tree next to Chase exploded and he felt a sharp sting in his left arm. “Damn.” He fell down behind a large stump, trying to get better cover.

Three more shots rang out, then the sheriff called over. “Is everyone alright?”

“Yeah.” Chase stood up slowly and saw Larry facedown in the dirt, his arms behind his back as one of the deputy cuffed him. The other two were cuffed next.

Walking over, Chase watched as the sheriff leaned over and pried open the box. Small packets of pills and white powder filled the small crate.

“Smuggling. We're seeing more and more of it around here. They bring a drug haul up from Mexico and get it as far north as they can. These hills are perfect to hide out in.” The sheriff looked around and took off his hat and wiped the sweat from his brow. “Well, these boys will have the law to answer to now. Good job, Chase.” The man walked away after patting him on the back.

Just then Grant came up behind him. “Damn, Chase. You've been shot.” His friend looked at the blood oozing from his shoulder. He looked down and, seeing the blood, felt like laughing.

It took them a full day to drag the men back into town. By the time he made it back to the small ranch house, Chase was hot and tired and smelled ripe. It took all his energy to remove his clothes and pull himself into the tub as the water removed his soreness and pain.

He leaned his head back and closed his eyes as he felt every muscle in his body start to relax.

He must have fallen asleep, because a small sound woke him with a start. Looking up, he smiled at Lauren as she hovered over him, a breath away from his lips.

“Hello.” It came out as a whisper.

“Hi, how are you feeling?” He started to sit up, but she put her hands on his shoulders, keeping him where he was.

“I'm fine. How are you?” She reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Good. Better now that you're here.” He reached for her face and pulled it down to his for a light kiss. Then she leaned her head against his.

“I heard you were shot.” She pulled back and looked at his shoulder. He looked and saw the nasty scratch that went from his breastbone down to his upper arm.

“I wasn’t really shot. I just happened to be standing too close to a tree that
was
shot.” He smiled. “What'll it take to get you naked and in here with me?”

“Hmm…” She tilted her chin like she was thinking. “I'd say you’ve already earned whatever you've got coming.” She stood up slowly and started to pull her shirt over her head. His mouth went dry as he watched her peel off every inch of her clothing.

Then she stood there for a moment, as if trying to decide how it was going to work. “I'm not sure this is a wise decision.” She braced herself on the ledge and put one foot in. “I do have a twisted ankle. Oh, but it does feel good.” She smiled and stepped in with the other foot, straddling his hips as she slid down and sat on his chest. Leaning forward she kissed him as his hands roamed over her backside.

Sitting up a little, he gripped her hips and forced her all the way down on his desire as she moaned with pleasure. “No barriers this time, wife,” he moaned.

“No, never again.” She smiled as her hips started moving. The water splashed over the edge of the tub, sending water running over the floor and his clothing. Neither of them noticed as it lapped rhythmically as they slowly gained speed until both of them were panting and out of breath.

“More,” he said as his fingers dug into her hips. Her hands pulled his head to hers as she took the kiss deeper. He couldn't get enough. She was going too slow. He pulled her up and off, then stood and stepped out of the tub, then turned and picked her up and carried her to the bed. Laying her down gently, he covered her with his body and entered her quickly as her legs wrapped around him.

“More.” This time it was her who had demanded it. His thrusts grew deeper as he stroked her inner muscles. His mouth played with her erect nipples, causing pleasure to flow through every pore. When she leaned her head back and screamed his name, he was two seconds behind her in his release.

They lay there, breathing heavily until the air cooled their skin. He reached over and pulled the comforter over them both, enjoying the feel of her snuggling up to his chest.

“Chase.” She ran her hand lightly over his chest. “Back when I was locked in the cabin, I thought I wouldn't get a chance to tell you how I feel.” She leaned up and looked down into his eyes.

“I think you just did, darling.” He smiled at her and gently put a strand of her hair behind her ear, so he could see her face clearly.

She smiled down at him. “Yes, but I think you and I both need to hear the words.” She sighed as his other hand skimmed over her hip. “I love the way you make me feel. What you do to me when you look at me.” Her smile fell away. “The thought of not being with you scares me now. I want to be really married to you. To grow old with you and have children with you.”