Rancher's Refuge (Whisper Falls) (11 page)

Cassie, of all people, knew his reasons for not allowing people into his space, and yet, she seemed intent on forcing his hand. She was right about yesterday. He’d enjoyed the day, especially getting to know Davis and Creed better. Hanging out with Annalisa last night hadn’t been too bad, either.

He slid a glance toward her. She was watching him closely. Something he didn’t comprehend lurked in her blue eyes.

A tug-of-war engaged in his head. He was dealing with two issues and yet they ran together like colored sand, different but intermingled. He’d lost trust in God and mankind. Annalisa had lost trust in men and herself. She was a battered woman. His battered past would not only scare her, but it could also turn her soft gaze hard with speculation and suspicion.

Sticking to the plan was safer for both of them.

* * *

That afternoon, Annalisa returned to the ranch feeling lighter and better than she had in years.

“Awesome service,” she said as she and Cassie exited the car. “About how God can take something terrible, the way he did with Joseph, and turn it into something good.”

“Pastor Ed’s sermons are usually relevant like that. He hits you where you live.” Cassie reached back inside and took her Bible from the front seat.

The smoky aroma of grilled meat wafted across the yard. Annalisa lifted her nose to the air and sniffed. “Yum. Do you smell that?”

“My big brother has been busy.”

When the car doors slammed, Jet and Hoss streaked toward the women from the direction of the barn, tails swishing. Near the same general direction, Annalisa spotted Austin moving horses into a large, fenced lot.

“He must be getting ready for Davis and his kids,” Cassie said.

Annalisa watched him stroke a hand over an equine nose as he slid a halter over the massive head. The unmoving horse trusted him implicitly. A funny feeling, of yearning and hope and rightness, tingled along Annalisa’s skin. She couldn’t make sense of the emotions, nor could she stop watching Austin Blackwell with his horse. “He’s a good man.”

“Good to the soul. My brother pretends to be the big bad wolf, but he’s actually the woodsman, ready to come to the rescue if anyone bothers Little Red Riding Hood.”

Annalisa dragged her gaze back to Cassie. “Did he do that for you?”

“He did. When Darrell died—” Cassie paused, pursed her red, red lips while she gathered her emotions “—Austin took care of everything. Arrangements, me, Darrell. Everything. Our parents came up from Texas and wanted me to go home with them, but I couldn’t. I wanted to be here where Darrell and I met and fell in love, where he’s buried. Austin ran interference and convinced the folks that he needed me here on the ranch.”

“He does.”

Cassie laughed, but Annalisa saw the pain lurking behind the smile. “Oh, yeah. I’m such a great cook and housekeeper. And a dandy fence fixer. He couldn’t get along without me.”

“You’re a lot more than that, and you know it.” Annalisa looped arms with her friend. She felt good to have friends again, a woman to talk to, people in town who invited her places and a church to work in. The world had opened up the day James had pushed her out of his car. She’d thought it was a terrible day, but as Pastor Ed said, God had turned the situation for her good. She thanked Him daily that James was out of her life.

Cassie paused and turned back toward the barn lot. “Hey, brother, where’s our steak?”

Chapter Ten

A
ustin rubbed his too-full belly and stretched out in the lawn chair to let the sun warm his face. A gnat swarmed his nose. He swatted lazily and squinted one eye toward Annalisa.

Since he’d cooked, she’d insisted on clearing up. Not that he planned to let her do all the work, but he did want a break.

“Be back later, guys.” Cassie slammed out the back door, lipstick fresh and wallet in hand. “Sorry to leave you with the cleanup, but I promised Rusty I’d be there by two.”

Mayor Fairchild had called an impromptu meeting of the Pumpkin Fest Committee. Austin grumbled to himself, wondering if Cassie was the only member.

Annalisa waved her off. “Go. Enjoy. I can get this.”

“Need anything from town?”

“Not pizza,” Austin muttered.

As she started off the porch, Cassie said, “You’ll change your mind in a few hours.”

Then she was gone and he was left alone with Annalisa. Other than last night, they’d not had much time alone here at the ranch since she’d taken the job at the Iron Horse. He’d figured that was for the best, considering the way he couldn’t get her out of his head and the idiotic zing of energy he got whenever he looked at her.

Still, today was good. He liked talking to her, watching her in his house, with his dogs. Maybe later they’d walk down to the pond and toss in a hook.

“You like to fish?” he mumbled, hands clasped over his chest, eyes barely slits. A snooze wouldn’t be too bad right now.

“I used to. Grandpa took us.” Plates clinked as she stacked them together. “I don’t like to clean them, though.”

“Who does?”

“I guess that’s true.” She balanced their water glasses on top of the plates and added the silverware.

“Leave the rest. I’ll do it.”

Ignoring him, she carried the dishes inside. The kitchen sounds of dishes and refrigerator and cabinets drifted out onto the porch. The afternoon was warm and pleasant and if that wretched gnat would buzz off... He drifted, relaxed and full and more content than he’d felt in a long time.

Inside the house, the telephone began to ring. Austin struggled up from the near sleep. The back door opened and Annalisa stuck her head out. “Want me to get it?”

“Sure.” The word came out garbled and slurred. She snickered and shut the door.

Austin forced himself to sit up and shake out the cobwebs. The caller was probably Davis, ready to bring Nathan and Paige for their first rides. Better get moving.

He shoved out of the lawn chair, grabbed the steak sauce and butter from the patio table and headed into the house. Cleaning the grill could wait.

As he set the condiments on the kitchen counter, he heard Annalisa’s soft murmur from the living room. He wiped his hands on a dish towel and threaded the soft cloth through the oven handle, waiting for her to call him to the phone.

“Please, don’t.” Annalisa’s pleading tone raised the hairs on the back of his neck. Realization struck like a sledgehammer to the skull. James. That could only be James.

Knocking over a chair in his haste, Austin rushed into the living room. Annalisa was perched on the edge of the couch, receiver against her ear, face whiter than Davis Turner’s teeth. At his entrance, she lifted anxious eyes to his.

His heart slammed against his rib cage. This was his fault. He should never have let her answer the phone.

“Who is it? James?” he demanded, reaching for the receiver. Nodding, she drew away. The action cut him to the bone. Did she want to talk to the creep? Had James convinced her to return to California?

“Please, James,” she begged. “Just leave me alone. I’m sorry—”

The fear of losing Annalisa was almost as great as the fear of James hurting her again. Austin’s temper flared. He yanked the phone from her fingers and growled into the mouthpiece. “Don’t ever call this number again.”

Then he slammed the phone onto the cradle. “Are you all right?”

She stood, trembling. Tootsie hopped from the couch and stood by her, worried and still.

“No.”

He knew it. Without considering all the reasons he shouldn’t, Austin pulled Annalisa against his chest, wrapped one arm around her shoulders and cradled her head with the other. She came willingly to rest her cheek against his thundering heart. Her hair was silk and her scent was roses. She felt soft and small in his arms.

“He wants you back.” He nearly choked on the statement.

“Yes.”

Austin’s heart plummeted. “Do you want to go back to him?”

“No!” She pushed against his shirtfront and lifted her face. Tears shimmered on the lids. “Never.”

Relief slammed through him, stunning in intensity. “What did he say?”

She shook her head, golden hair swishing across his chin. A pulse beat in her throat and he fought the urge to touch it, kiss it. Kiss her and promise everything would be all right.

Austin clenched his back teeth. This wasn’t about him. Nor was it about his ridiculous male need to kiss a beautiful woman. It was about protecting Annalisa.

He captured her lowered chin and raised it. “Talk to me.”

She swallowed, nodded. “He knows where I am. He said—” She blew out a breath and turned her head slightly to the side.

Austin brought her attention back to him. Her irises shimmered with unshed tears. The fear he saw in the blue depths started war tom-toms pounding in his brain. Even though he wanted to growl and snarl, he kept his tone gentle. “What did he say?”

“He said I’d be sorry. That no woman was going to make a fool of him and get away with it.” She started to tremble again.

“You believe him?”

Her face was grim. “James doesn’t make empty threats.”

“What do you suppose he means to do?”

“With James you never know. That’s what makes him so scary.”

“Do you think he’ll come here to Whisper Falls?”

He could see she hadn’t had time to think the situation through because his question brought a fresh glimmer of tears. “I pray he won’t, but—”

“He very well could.”

“Yes.” The pulse beating in her throat pounded faster. She was terrified of the jerk.

Austin’s jaw tensed as he stared at her sweet, kind face and made a vow. “If he comes here, he won’t like the reception. Trust me on this, Annalisa. I will not let him hurt you again.”

She touched his cheek with shaky fingers, the feel of which shook him to the soles of his boots. “You don’t know James. Maybe I should leave, move on, go somewhere else. You don’t deserve to be dragged into my problems.”

Austin’s gut clenched. The thought of letting her go cut like a surgeon’s knife. “The only way I’m letting you run is if you want to leave. Do you?”

“No. No. I told you.”

Austin shivered as her fingers stroked his cheek in a touch he could only describe as affectionate. Did she feel this same warm, wonderful, terrifying tenderness?

“Then you’ll stay. You can’t run from a bully.”

“I don’t want to cause problems for you and Cassie.”

“You let us worry about that. We’ll figure out something.” He smiled, although the effort was wobbly. Holding her this close, with her face full of hope and fear had a bizarre effect on him. “Come on now,” he encouraged. “Where’s my Super Trash Girl? The one who says God has a plan, that He works everything for our good?”

He had a hard time believing the verses, but as he spoke, hope buoyed up that they were true.

Lips quivering, Annalisa tried to smile. With a tiny nod, she stepped back, breaking contact. Austin’s heart sank. He wanted her in his arms, against his chest, the smell of her hair and perfume strong in his nose.

To keep her safe. To protect her. That was his responsibility as a man. He wanted her close enough to protect.

“I should have known he’d call again.” He clenched his fist, angry that he hadn’t seen this coming.

Annalisa stilled. “Again? What are you saying? Has James called here before?”

Austin raked an unsteady hand down his face. “Yeah, I think so.”

She came at him, betrayal and shock in her expression. “Why didn’t you tell me? How could you keep that from me?”

“The caller didn’t give his name. I wasn’t positive he was James.”

“But it
was
him. He knows where I am, and he has for a while. You should have told me.” She wrapped her arms around her chest, staring toward the window and the vast wilderness around the ranch. “He could have walked right in without warning, and I wouldn’t have been on guard.”

Every muscle tense enough to snap, Austin blurted, “I would have been.”

Her mouth opened and closed as his words sank in. Awareness dawned. “That’s why you came to the Iron Horse every day, and why you insisted on driving me everywhere, isn’t it? And all this time, I thought—” She shook her head and left the sentence unfinished.

Austin knew what she’d thought. Like Miss Evelyn and Uncle Digger, and even Cassie, she’d thought he was falling for her. Resisting the urge to take her in his arms again, he knew she’d been correct, a situation as dangerous for him as James was for her.

“Would you consider taking out a restraining order?”

Her lips curled bitterly. “I’ve tried that trick. A cop walks right through them, undeterred. He lies about me, and his buddies cover for him.”

Austin’s heart stopped in his chest. “Cop?”

She must have heard the stunned tone. She tilted her head and looked at him with curiosity. “I thought I’d told you. James is a police captain. I worked for him.”

Austin’s head roared with the information. He fought to clear the noise and think straight. A cop. Her ex was a cop.

The roar in his head became the strobing lights of a cruiser and the wail of sirens.

Annalisa wasn’t the only one tempted to run.

If a cop came calling, what on earth would he do?

Chapter Eleven

“I
hate this. I hate it!” Annalisa squeezed her fists into balls. Ever since the phone call from James, she’d been looking over her shoulder constantly. Every noise made her jump.

Whenever she was alone in the snack shop, she braced herself for war each time the door opened, and then let out a shaky breath when one of the townspeople ambled in. Uncle Digger had noticed and asked what was wrong. She’d said nothing and didn’t intend to. These sweet old people who’d given her a job didn’t deserve the worry. James wanted to punish her, no one else.

The only thing that made her day better was when Austin arrived. Faithful as the morning, he’d mosey in and take up residence on one of the bar stools, sometimes two or three times a day.

She knew he had work to do and was neglecting the ranch for her sake. As guilty as that made her feel, she couldn’t ask him to stay home. Not yet. Not while James’s phone call still echoed in her mind.

This particular day, Uncle Digger was in the museum polishing Betsy, as he’d named the engine, and Miss Evelyn had bustled off to make last-minute preparations for this weekend’s Pumpkin Fest. Six customers scattered over the small shop with their snacks, but even their presence didn’t settle her nerves.

The door opened and she tensed, relaxing when Austin entered. He crossed to a table and spoke briefly to another rancher—Kale someone. She was still learning names. Then he nodded toward the other customers and came to the bar.

Suddenly, her world felt safe and right. “Hey, cowboy.”

He removed his white hat and placed it on a stool. “Hi.”

She leaned her elbows on the counter. “Coffee? Tea?”

He shook his head. “Can’t stay long. I have a sick cow. Just ran in to pick up some medicine from the vet.”

Hiding her disappointment, she said, “Will she be okay?”

“Should be.” He reached inside his jacket and took out a box. “Bought you something.”

A tingle of pleasure shot up her arms. He’d bought her a gift? Curious, she reached for the small white box and opened the flap.

“A cell phone? I can’t accept this. It’s too much.”

“You need one. Don’t argue. I want to be able to call you and know you can call me if necessary.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. For a moment, she’d thought the gift meant something other than securing her safety. She’d thought—well, it didn’t matter what she’d thought. She’d been wrong.

She removed the phone from the package, taking note of the touch screen and numerous apps. “But this is expensive, a fancy smartphone. You don’t own one of these yourself.”

“Don’t want one.”

“Are you always this stubborn?”

“Always. So accept the phone and stop arguing. It gives me peace of mind.”

Having a cell phone would do the same for her, but she wasn’t quite ready to capitulate. “You could have gone basic.”

He shrugged. “You deserve the best.”

Her heart lifted. Austin Blackwell had a way about him. “So do you.”

A tiny grin played at the corner of his mouth. He stared at her for a few seconds before saying, “I’m working on it.”

She had no idea what he meant by that.

He jabbed a finger at the new telephone. “My number is on speed dial and also programmed by voice. Say my name and you got me.”

She was tempted to say his name. “Cool.”

“You might want to program in Cassie and Police Chief Farnsworth just in case.”

Just in case James came calling. Just in case the sweet peace and happiness she’d found in Whisper Falls fell apart. Just in case her cowboy wasn’t around when she called.

Her cowboy. The thought lingered. Was she crazy to want another man after what James had done?

Crazy or not, she thought about Austin Blackwell a lot. Beneath his terse demeanor, he was tender and thoughtful and caring. The cell phone was just one example, and in the few weeks she’d known him, she’d seen plenty more. The handsome cowboy would probably run like a racehorse if he had an inkling that his houseguest had feelings for him.

But he didn’t know, and she planned to keep her feelings to herself. She could be wrong about Austin Blackwell just as she’d been about James. In the matter of men, she no longer trusted her own judgment.

Uncle Digger appeared from inside the museum as a young woman with five small children entered the Iron Horse. Annalisa recognized the auburn-haired woman as Haley Blanchard from church. Even though she didn’t patronize the snack shop often, Haley always brought an entourage of children. From Cassie, she’d learned that the children were in foster care, a fact that made Annalisa’s heart ache.

“Hi, Haley.”

The young red-haired woman looked up in surprise. “Oh, hi. Annalisa, isn’t it?”

“Yes, we met at church. What can I get for you and the children?”

“I think the consensus, as unhealthy as it may be, is corn dogs and soda. We’re celebrating Thomas’s win in the third-grade spelling bee.”

“Congratulations, Thomas.”

A little boy with big glasses and a cowlick grinned and ducked his head.

By this time, Uncle Digger had turtled his way to the newcomers. “Corndogs are on the house, Annalisa. This boy’s a credit to Whisper Falls. Why, we’re in the company of a champion!” To the boy, he demanded, “Spell
corn dog
.”

Thomas sat up straight as an arrow. “Corn dog.
C-o-r-n d-o-g
. Corn dog.”

“See what I mean?” Uncle Digger marveled. “A champion indeed. Corn dogs on the house!”

The five children giggled and lit up like a small unmatched set of Christmas lights. Uncle Digger patted Thomas on the shoulder. “I got free train tickets, too. For you and—” he looked over the group gathered around the table “—five others. Why, look here, Thomas. Just the right amount for all of you to take a ride on my train.”

“Corn dogs coming up.” Feeling warm and fuzzy from Uncle Digger’s generous offer, Annalisa went to get the order. As she passed Austin, who had turned to watch the children, he handed her the phone she’d left on the counter.

“Keep this in your pocket.”

“Will do, boss.” She slid the sleek new device into her apron. “Thank you. And don’t worry.”

“I’d feel better if you’d let me apprise Chief Farnsworth.”

Her fear that James’s influence was as far-reaching as the Whisper Falls Police Department might be irrational, but it was real. “Things are better this way.”

He sighed. “Still planning to attend Pumpkin Fest on Saturday?”

Her pulse kicked up. “Yes.”

“Alone?”

“Not sure yet. Maybe with friends from church. A few of the singles have been talking about hanging out together.”

“Oh.” He nodded, slid off the stool. “Okay.”

“Why?”

He took up his hat and crimped the edges with strong fingertips. “I don’t like the idea of you going alone.”

Then go with me, you dolt.
“Neither do I.”

“But if you’re in a group, I guess you’ll be all right.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“All right, then. I guess that settles it.” And he shoved the hat onto his head and walked out.

* * *

Austin wasn’t happy about Annalisa going off to the Pumpkin Fest without a single one of her friends knowing she could be in danger. He read the papers. He’d heard of men who, out of spite and rage, chased down their exes, hauled them into a dark corner and murdered them.

He shuddered at the macabre thought. Death was a companion with which he was far too well acquainted. He was not going to let James Winchell get close to Annalisa, even if he had to follow her around the busy festival the way Jet and Hoss followed him around the ranch.

“You’re certainly in a snit,” Cassie said as she tossed a plastic grocery bag onto the table next to her purse and cell phone.

“I hope you didn’t bring pizza,” he grumbled.

She jacked a snarky eyebrow at him. “You’re in luck, grouchy. Annalisa wants to cook. Why else would I tote in grocery bags?”

He closed the three-ring binder filled with his cattle records and shoved the ledger to one side. “Where is she?”

“Ah, so that’s the problem. Your sweetie is out of your line of vision and that makes you cranky.”

“She’s not my sweetie.”

“Whatever you say.” She thumped a package of chicken breasts onto the counter with a little more force than necessary.

He ambled to the grocery bags and took a peek. “Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Where is she? She’s supposed to ride home with you. You’re supposed to keep an eye on her.”

With mild reproof, she said, “She’s a big girl, Austin. She doesn’t need us to keep an eye on her.”

Austin didn’t agree, but he kept his mouth shut.

“Miss Evelyn will drive her home later. They had some things to do in the snack shop in preparation for Pumpkin Fest.”

“She’s working tomorrow?” He’d never considered that, but he liked the idea. She’d be in an easily contained space, and he could hang out at the Iron Horse without appearing too obvious. Looking out for her at the crowded festival was a problem—unless he was with her.

He didn’t want people getting ideas about that, either. Especially his sister who seemed determined to create a romance between him and Annalisa. Regardless of how he felt, love was a risk neither he nor Annalisa could take. And with Annalisa’s ex-boyfriend being a cop, Austin’s big fat can of worms could spring open at any given moment. A real romance killer right there, if ever there was one. To keep his shame firmly in the past, he had to keep his attraction to Annalisa under wraps.

“Just for a couple of hours,” Cassie said. “She’s working through lunch while Miss Evelyn runs the parade and Uncle Digger gives train rides.”

Oh. So much for plan A.

“She still should have let me know she was staying late.”

Cassie struck a pose, hand on hip. “Brother, dear, for a man who claims not to be smitten, you certainly are possessive.”

“I have my reasons. You know what Annalisa was like when she first arrived. Battered, scared, bruised.”

“I know. I know,” she said softly. “Interesting how you didn’t want her here back then. Now you can’t bear to have her out of your sight.”

“You know why.”

“I’m beginning to think so.”

“Don’t go there,” he warned. Then to avoid more of Cassie’s troublesome line of conversation, Austin reached into a grocery bag and pulled out ground beef, mushrooms, peppers, onions and cheddar cheese. The menu was getting interesting. “What is she making?”

“Don’t know. I shop. She cooks.”

“And I eat.” He shoved the perishables inside the fridge and withdrew a pitcher of ice water.

Cassie’s red lips twisted into a smile. “Getting rather domesticated around here, aren’t we?”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

“And it’s all because of Annalisa.” She extended a drinking glass. Austin filled the tumbler, mulling on her comment as Cassie added, “She’s awesome.”

“Yeah.”
Awesome
was the word. Annalisa was easygoing and honest and hardworking, not at all the kind of person he’d judged her to be at first. If she’d lied, she’d done so out of fear, not because she was dishonest. His blood still boiled every time he thought about James’s abuse and the broken arm.

As if she’d read his thoughts, Cassie asked, “Do you really think her boyfriend will come after her?”

“Ex-boyfriend, and I hope not.”

“What if he does?”

“I don’t know.” He’d wondered the same thing many times. Mostly, he’d like to beat the cretin to a bloody pulp. Now that he knew James was a cop, though, he wasn’t sure what he would do.

“I’ve been praying about the situation,” Cassie said, “praying for her safety, praying for her to have wisdom.”

In the past, religious talk had made him uncomfortable. Not so much today. Not that he thought it would do any good, but if prayer would protect Annalisa, he was ready to pull an all-nighter.

“I’ve been praying about something else, too, Austin.” Cassie leaned a hip on the edge of the counter. “You should tell her about Blair.”

He clumped his drinking glass onto the table. “No.”

“Why not? You can trust Annalisa. She’s not going to bolt at the first sign that your life hasn’t been perfect.”

But he feared she might. “I don’t want her to know. There’s no point in her knowing.”

Cassie slid away from the counter and came to him. “Are you sure about that, big brother? Are you sure there’s no reason to open your heart? Are you sure there’s not something really special happening between the two of you?”

He stared into green eyes so like his own and saw the reflection of a man who’d come to a crossroads. And he didn’t know which road to take.

* * *

The morning of Pumpkin Fest dawned cloudy and cool with a definite autumn snap in the air. Austin shrugged into a warm jacket as he headed out to the barn to feed the horses and check on his sick cow. When he returned, Cassie had already gone into town to help align the floats for the parade. Annalisa had breakfast on the table, a fact that made him feel guilty. Cassie’s words had haunted him all night, enough to give a man indigestion.

“You don’t have to cook for me, Annalisa. I’ve told you that before.”

She looked sunny and bright in her pumpkin T-shirt and blue jeans, the results of a shopping trip with his sister. “I like to cook. It makes me feel worthwhile. That is, if you don’t mind.”

“Mind? I could eat your food all day and never get tired of it.”

The compliment brightened her face. “Good. Then, sit down and eat and don’t make a fuss.”

He did. And while he chewed fried sausage and fluffy, syrup-laden pancakes, he chewed on the Pumpkin Fest situation, too. The more he thought about it, the more he didn’t like the idea of Annalisa alone at the festival with people who didn’t know she could be in danger. In such a large gathering, no one would ever notice one more stranger. The fest was the perfect place for James to make good on his threat.

“I’m going to the festival,” he said.

“But you said you never go.”

“First time for everything.”

Annalisa slid into a chair across from him. Her plate, contrary to his, contained only one pancake topped with blueberries. She poked a fork tine into one blueberry. “Everyone says they have a great time. I’ve been looking forward to today.”