All Is Calm: A Lonestar Christmas Novella Read online

  He opened his door and got out. She waited until he slammed his door, hit the key fob to unlock all the doors, then lunged forward and hit the lock button on the backseat door on the driver’s side. While he fumbled for his key fob to open it again, she opened the door on the other side and threw herself out of the truck. Her feet hit the rocky dirt, but she didn’t wait to get her bearings before racing away from the truck.

  He shouted after her, then something zinged off a rock by her feet. He was shooting at her. She put on another burst of speed, but her left foot hit a rock and she went sprawling. A bolt of pain shot up her arm.

  Before she could regain her feet, he grabbed her arm and yanked it behind her back. She struggled to get away as he tied her roughly with rope he pulled from his belt loop.

  He hauled her to her feet and marched her toward a rocky hillside. “You’ve caused me a lot of trouble, Lauren.”

  “What are you going to do with me?”

  “Me? I’m not going to do much of anything. It’s just a shame you wandered off and got lost, then died out here. Course it happens out here in Texas.”

  She didn’t point out the obvious fallacy of his plan. An autopsy would show chafe marks on her wrists. But as long as he left her alive, there was hope. She stumbled along with her hands tied behind her back as he dragged her near the rocks. He shoved her to the ground beside a metal stake attached to a chain and a metal ankle cuff.

  She stared at the chain and realized what he planned. Her pulse throbbed in her throat, and she scrambled to her feet, then turned to run. He grabbed her and shoved her back down, then snapped the ankle cuff around her right ankle.

  She lay on the hard ground and stared up at him. “Don’t do this, Gary. Just let me go.”

  “I’m not going to prison.”

  She struggled to her feet. “Please, Gary. I can see you’re not a violent man. You’re a hero—you took in your wife’s family. You’re good people. Just let me go. Do the right thing.”

  “The right thing? That would be disastrous for me and my wife. For my family. Think of Carly. Don’t you think it’s better she never knows what really happened to her parents? No, you have to die. But not by my hands.” He started down the hillside, his boots sliding a bit as he walked away.

  She shouted after him, then gave up. If he killed Katrina’s cousin, he wouldn’t think twice about killing her. And he didn’t even have to get his hands bloody. Once the truck pulled away, she tugged on the metal chain and tried to yank the stake out of the ground, but it was awkward to pull with her hands behind her back. She sat on the ground and tried with her legs, but when the metal cuff bit into her skin, she stopped to regroup.

  There had to be a way to get loose. It was unlikely her abduction would be noticed before morning. And even when Brendan realized she was gone, he’d have no idea where to look. Even though she’d mentioned her suspicions about Gary and the fire before she went to the barn, he wouldn’t have any reason to put the two things together. The fire didn’t seem connected to the attacks on her.

  She would have to figure this out on her own.

  Something rustled off to her right, and a mournful wail lifted into the night sky. Two eyes glowed in the darkness. They were joined by more. A coyote pack. Under ordinary circumstances they tended to be cowards, but she was chained with no weapons. No defense. She couldn’t even throw rocks.

  Rick peered out the window. “I think this is the lane.”

  Brendan turned his truck left at the crossroad, careful not to throw the horse trailer behind him too much. The road quickly changed to dirt. He stopped the vehicle and got out. Leaving his door open for the light, he knelt and examined the tracks. “Looks like a truck was through here recently.” The fact encouraged him. Maybe they’d find her. Maybe she would still be alive.

  He’d prayed hard all the way out here. Rick and Allie were praying as well. Surely God wouldn’t let him find the one woman he could love only to let her die. But that was naive. He’d seen plenty of worthy men die in the line of duty. Life had a way of turning you on your head. He sent up another prayer, shook away the fear, and got back into the truck.

  “I think it’s only about five miles in now,” Rick said.

  Brendan nodded and gunned it. The truck bounced hard over the ruts left by flash floods and blistering heat, but he didn’t care if he destroyed his pickup. Getting to Lauren was all he cared about. Hopefully, Angel was enduring the ride all right too.

  Rick rolled his window down and leaned his head out. “I hear coyotes making a ruckus. That way.” He pointed to the left.

  Brendan’s hands tightened on the wheel. The coyote pack could be fighting over carrion. The grisly thought left his mouth dry and his heart pounding out of his chest. That didn’t mean it was Lauren’s body they were fighting over. But it could.

  Rick looked over at him. “I know what you’re thinking. It’s not her.”

  Brendan gave a curt nod, then reached into the console beside him and pulled out his handgun. “You need a piece?”

  Rick shook his head. “I’m carrying.”

  Neither man spoke as the truck ate up the last miles to the mine. The coyotes were yipping and snarling as Brendan stopped by a battered sign. The name of the mine had long worn off, but the M and E were still recognizable. He threw the gearshift into Park, then leaving the engine on and the head-lamps glaring, leaped out of the truck.

  It was a good two miles from here and impassable except by horse. And Angel would want to find her as much as he did. He got Angel and Rick’s horse out of the trailer. They were already saddled up and ready to go.

  Angel snorted and tossed his head as if he sensed Lauren was in danger. Brendan ran his hand along the horse’s neck. “Easy, boy.” He put his foot in the stirrup and mounted.

  Rick quickly mounted his horse. “This way.”

  The horses’ hooves ate up the rough and rocky distance to the mine. Angel went from a canter to a gallop as if he sensed the urgency. He snorted as the sound of the coyotes grew louder, but he never faltered in his forward lope.

  Brendan pointed at the battered wooden opening to the mine. “There it is!”

  The coyotes scattered at their arrival. He dismounted and scanned the area. He cupped his hands around his mouth. “Lauren!” He carried his gun up, just in case.

  Was that a shout or the wind? He took off toward the mine, his boots slipping a bit on the rocks. “Lauren!” This time he was sure he heard a cry, and he put on another burst of speed to climb the path to the mine.

  A snort came from behind him, and he barely got out of the way before Angel galloped past him, headed in the direction of the cry.

  Rick loped to his side. “I’m sure that’s Lauren.” He pulled out his revolver.

  Brendan rushed up the slope after Angel and around a large rock. He stopped when he saw Lauren perched as high on a rock as she could get with the chain attached to her ankle. Angel kicked at a coyote nipping at Lauren’s shoes, and the animal yelped and lurched off, then wheeled around for another go at her. Brendan shouted and fired his pistol in the air. The coyote turned and yipped, then ran off into the dark.

  Angel snorted and rocked his head as if to say he’d sent the coyotes packing. He sidled closer to Lauren’s perch.

  Brendan raced to the rock and stuffed his gun into his belt, then held up his hands. “Let me get you down from there.”

  She scooted closer to the edge and dropped into his arms. He pulled her close and inhaled the sweet scent of her hair. “I thought I’d lost you.” Reaching behind her, he untied the ropes from her wrists.

  As soon as she was free, her arms came around, and she clung to him with ferocity, even when he tried to pull her away to look into her face. “It was Gary Foreshaw. He killed the Jacobsens. He saw my expression change at the Christmas party and knew I’d remembered.”

  He pressed a kiss against her hair. “I know. Tonia told me he hunted near this mine. If not for her, I wouldn’t have had any id
ea where to find you.” He finally managed to pull her away long enough to stare into her face. “You’re not hurt?”

  She shook her head. “Though those coyotes would have gotten me any second if you hadn’t arrived. I’d barely managed to beat them back by kicking them, but they were getting bolder.”

  He still couldn’t believe he had her safe and sound. “I need to get this cuff off you.”

  Rick jogged toward them with an ax in his hand. “Found this in the bed of your truck. Hold on.” He lifted it over his head and brought the blade down on the chain, which snapped instantly. “We’ll have to pick the lock when we get you back to Bluebird.”

  Lauren leaned down to rub her ankle under the cuff. “I’m just so thankful you got here. I kept praying and praying, and God gave me a calm spirit to deal with the coyotes. I didn’t panic at all. I knew you’d find me.” She turned to look at her horse. “And Angel brought you right to me.” She reached toward the horse, and he shuffled closer and nuzzled her hand.

  Brendan pulled her close again. “Let’s get you home.”

  EPILOGUE

  CHRISTMAS MUSIC PLAYED OUTSIDE THROUGH SPEAKERS RICK had rigged. Christmas Day. Lauren sat in the swing with her head on Brendan’s shoulder and the puppy in her lap. It had snowed overnight, a light, miraculous dusting that would be gone by noon. The crisp air added to her sense of contentment.

  “I have news,” he whispered into her hair.

  She sat up though she didn’t want to. “Gary Foreshaw’s been captured?”

  He nodded. “How did you know?”

  She elbowed him. “The satisfaction in your voice.”

  He grinned. “I so love to see the bad guy brought to justice. Especially in this case. They caught him just across the border into Mexico. He’s being extradited back to the U.S.”

  Her smile faded. “Tonia called me and begged me to help get her out of jail. There’s nothing I can do though.”

  His brown eyes clouded. “She made her choices. And I’ll let the authorities know she helped me find you in time. Maybe that will count for something. And if she gives the names of her hired thugs, that will go a long way too.”

  “I hope so.” She looked off into the distant purple mountain peaks, then leaned against the back of the swing again.

  They swung gently for a few moments in silence. The rest of the household would be up soon, but these next few minutes were theirs alone. Lauren wanted to hold on to them as long as she could. As far as she knew, Brendan would be going back to his dangerous job in a few more days. She knew she loved him, and he loved her, but the future was unclear. What if he forgot all about her once he was back to work and flying all over the world? What kind of relationship could they build then?

  The calm she’d sought suddenly seemed elusive again. But no, she wouldn’t let doubt fill her. God had led them this far. She could rest in his care. And she knew Brendan well enough to know he wasn’t the kind of man to proclaim his love and then turn around and desert her.

  He shifted. “Come here a minute.” He pulled her onto his lap and tipped her chin up.

  She met his kiss with one filled with every bit of love in her soul. His fingers tangled in her hair, and he deepened the kiss until she lost herself in a sense of wonder and rightness. This was where she belonged. They could make it work.

  He broke the kiss, then cupped her face in his hands. “I have one more piece of news,” he whispered.

  The expression on his face made her pulse skip. “What kind of news?”

  “News I think you’ll like. I’ve accepted a medical discharge.”

  She gasped and searched his expression. “What does that mean?” She was afraid to hope. He’d have to tell her.

  “I’m staying here. Rick needs a partner, and I’m buying into Bluebird Ranch. We’re going to expand it, minister to even more kids. And you and I . . .” His lips found hers until he pulled away again. “Well, we can explore our relationship. I already know I love you, Lauren. We’ll take our time, but I want to spend my life with you. Let’s make sure this is right. But I want you to know where I stand.”

  Her pulse fluttered and she blinked, almost afraid to believe him. Could it really be true? She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you too, Brendan. You’re a decisive man. I think I like that about you.” All she wanted to do was kiss him again—for his declaration of love and for the space he was giving her.

  He rubbed his thumb over her lip. “There’s one more bit of news.”

  Her throat was so tight, she didn’t know if she could speak, but she forced the words out. “I don’t know if my heart can take any more.”

  “It’s about Carly. I’ve applied to be her foster parent. I think I can be a good dad to her, and I know you love her already too.”

  “Oh Brendan! Now you’ve gone and made me fall in love with you all over again!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. The puppy yipped in her lap as if to remind her that she’d forgotten him.

  He smiled. “We’ll wait to tell her once we know what we’re doing. But make no mistake, Lauren. I mean to court you properly and marry you. Speak now if you want to opt out.”

  She leaned in close and slipped her fingers into his hair. “That sounds good to me.” Her fingers wrapped in the puppy’s soft fur. “I think we’re going to have a houseful of kids and dogs.”

  When he lowered his lips to hers, she knew she’d finally found her safe place, her sanctuary. In the most unexpected place.

  READING GROUP GUIDE

  1. Lauren warned her cousin about Steve. Do you believe a womanizer ever changes?

  2. Do you believe in love at first sight? Why or why not?

  3. Have you ever been betrayed by a family member? How was it different from other betrayal?

  4. Have you ever had an injury that forced you to reevaluate your life?

  5. What do you do to make Christmas a calm, special time?

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR COLLEEN COBLE HAS written several romantic suspense novels including Tidewater Inn, Rosemary Cottage, and the Mercy Falls, Lonestar, and Rock Harbor series.

  VISIT HER WEBSITE AT WWW.COLLEENCOBLE.COM

  TWITTER: @COLLEENCOBLE

  FACEBOOK: COLLEENCOBLEBOOKS

  An Excerpt from Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

  ONE

  The constriction around her neck tightened, and she tried to get her fingers under it to snatch a breath. She was losing consciousness. A large wave came over the bow of the boat, and the sea spray struck her in the face, reviving her struggle. She had to fight or he would kill her. She could smell his cologne, something spicy and strong. His ring flashed in the moonlight, and she dug the fingers of her right hand into his red sweater. The pressure on her neck was unrelenting. She was going to die.

  ELIN SUMMERALL BOLTED UPRIGHT IN THE BED. HER HEART pounded, and she touched her throat and found it smooth and unharmed. It was just that dream again. She was safe, right here in her own house on the outskirts of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her slick skin glistened in the moonlight streaming through the window.

  The incision over her breastbone pulsed with pain, and she grabbed some pills from the bedside and swallowed them. In and out. Concentrating on breathing helped ease both her pain and her panic. She pulled in a breath, sweetly laden with the scent of roses blooming outside her window, then lay back against the pillow.

  Her eyes drifted shut, then opened when she heard the tinkle of broken glass. Was it still the dream? Then the cool rush of air from the open window struck her face, and she heard a foot crunch on broken glass.

  She leaped from the bed and threw open her door. Her heart pounded in her throat. Was an intruder in the house? In her bare feet, she sidled down the hall toward the sound she’d heard. She paused to peek in on her four-year-old daughter. One arm grasping a stuffed bear, Josie lay in a tangle of princess blankets.

  Elin relaxed a bit. Maybe she hadn’t heard glass break. It migh
t still have been part of the nightmare. She peered around the hall corner toward the kitchen. A faint light glimmered as if the refrigerator stood open. A cool breeze wafted from the kitchen, and she detected the scent of dew. She was sure she’d shut and locked the window. The hair stood on the back of her neck, and she backed away.

  Then a familiar voice called out. “Elin? I need you.”

  Relief left her limp. Elin rushed down the hall to the kitchen where her mother stood in front of the back door with broken glass all around her feet. The refrigerator stood open as well. Her mom’s blue eyes were cloudy with confusion, and she wrung her hands as she looked at the drops of blood on the floor.

  Elin grabbed a paper towel. “Don’t move, Mom. You’ve cut yourself.” She knelt and scooped the bits of glass away from her mother’s bleeding feet. Her mother obediently sat in the chair Elin pulled toward her, and she inspected the small cuts. Nothing major, thank goodness. She put peroxide on her mother’s cuts and ushered her back to bed, all the while praying that when morning came, her mother’s bout with dementia would have passed. For now.

  It was only when she went back to the hall that she smelled a man’s cologne. She rushed to the kitchen and glanced around. The glass in the back door was shattered. Inwardly.

  He’s been in the house.

  The neat plantation-style cottage looked much the same as the last time Marc Everton had been here. Seeing Elin Summerall again hadn’t even been on his radar when he pulled on his shoes this morning, but his investigation had pulled up her name, and he needed to find out what she knew.

  He put the SUV in Park and shut off the engine. Blue flowers of some kind grew along the brick path to the front door. A white swing swayed in the breeze on the porch.

  He mounted the steps and pressed the doorbell. He heard rapid footsteps come his way. The door swung open, and he was face-to-face with Elin again after all this time. She was just as beautiful as he remembered. Her red hair curled in ringlets down her back, and those amazing aqua eyes widened when she saw him.