Authors: Francis Ray
“I’m rude, but not dense.” She went to the door Richard was holding open. “See you later, and thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” He closed the door. “Were those bunny slippers she had on?”
“They’re her favorite.” Kayla forked in pancakes. “She’s going to buy me a pair, too, if she ever finds them again. She’s nice.”
“I think so.” Richard picked up his fork. “After school, why don’t you and your mother come to the clinic and visit the puppies. Later we can go to my ranch and watch some movies.”
“Can we, Mama? I bet the brown puppy has really gotten big by now.”
Richard was watching over them, and Naomi found she liked it. “I don’t see why not.”
* * *
“Reese’s credit card popped up yesterday at a gas station and this morning at a restaurant in San Antonio,” Luke said on the phone.
“About time.” Late Sunday evening, Richard paced in his home office. Naomi and Kayla were on the patio. One of Luke’s men had followed them to his clinic Friday after school. Richard had been with Naomi and Kayla since then. They’d spent the day at his ranch. “I’m not sure how much more of this Naomi can take.”
“Or you,” Luke said knowingly. “It’s hard when the woman you love is in danger.”
Richard didn’t even think of denying it. “She’s had a rough life.”
“Having you in it will make it better.”
For how long, Richard thought. She wasn’t thinking in those terms. “Thanks for the call. She and Kayla are outside. I’ll let her know he’s back in San Antonio.”
“But tell her to still be cautious. It bothers me that there was no activity between Amarillo and San Antonio,” Luke said.
Richard was instantly alert. “You think he’s trying to fake us out?”
“Could be. He certainly knows how to leave a trail if that was his intention. I have a guy there, trying to get a visual.”
Richard looked out the window to see Naomi and Kayla playing patty-cake. Darkness was fast approaching. “In the meantime, I’ll keep watch over them.”
“Thought you might. Someone will follow her from work tomorrow. I’m assuming you’ll take the night and the morning shift again.”
“I feel better if I’m with her and Kayla.”
“From what I’ve seen, they will as well. I’ll call you if and when I hear anything more.”
“Bye, and thanks.” Richard hung up and went outside. He hated the fear that quickly came into Naomi’s eyes. She’d known he’d gone inside to speak with Luke.
“Kayla, we can play hide-and-seek now if you want.” Naomi came to her feet, her eyes on Richard. “You can hide in the house.”
“I bet you won’t find me.” Kayla rushed inside.
“Tell me quickly.”
His hands clenched in impotent fury. “His credit card showed up twice in San Antonio yesterday and this morning, but Luke thinks it could be a trick. He wants us to remain cautious.”
Her eyes closed, then opened. She started past him. He caught her arm.
“I won’t let him near you or Kayla.”
“Kayla is waiting.”
His hand flexed, then loosened. He remembered too clearly the last time her husband had come for them in Santa Fe. Richard had offered his help and she’d refused out of fear for Kayla. It made his gut twist that she didn’t trust him enough to keep her safe, and there was nothing he could do to convince her.
* * *
It was all Naomi could do to keep standing and search for Kayla when all she wanted to do was sit down and bawl. She realized with a sinking heart that Gordon would never leave them alone. He’d come for them, and when he did this time, he’d come ready for trouble. Luke’s men had guns. Richard didn’t. If he tried to stop Gordon—
She stumbled. The thought of Richard being hurt while trying to protect her made her physically ill. She couldn’t, wouldn’t let that happen. She swallowed.
She heard giggling. How she wished she could always keep her daughter this happy.
“I hear a sound.” Richard had followed her. “Perhaps it’s a lion or maybe a tiger.”
More giggles, muffled this time.
Naomi tried to join in the game, but couldn’t. Richard’s understanding smile somehow made it worse. She had brought this danger to his door when all he had ever done was love them.
For him it had never been just about intimacy. Finally, she’d found the love she’d always dreamed of having, but the price was too high. Initially she hadn’t wanted to accept his love because of her fear for herself. Now the fear was for him.
“Naomi?” Richard took a step toward her.
If he touched her she wouldn’t be strong enough to send him away. She quickly stepped back. “I think it’s neither.” She started around his desk. “I think it’s Kayla Reese and here she is.”
Giggling, Kayla crawled from under the desk. “You found me, Mama.”
“Yes, I did.” She took her daughter’s hand and made herself look at Richard. Her heart twisted at the wounded look on his face. She’d done that.
His cell phone rang. He ignored it.
“Maybe it’s Luke again,” she said, hoping they’d located her ex.
“It’s the ring tone for the answering service,” he said.
“You gonna go help a sick animal, Dr. Richard?” Kayla asked, going to stand in front of him. “We have to help them get better.”
He stared down at Kayla for a second longer, then answered the call. “Dr. Youngblood.” His gaze went to Naomi, then back to Kayla. “Call Anderson.”
“You’re not going?” Naomi asked.
“You and Kayla will always come first,” he told her, the words sinking deep in her heart and soul. She understood because Kayla and he would always come first. “Excuse me, I need to find my purse. Kayla, you and Richard can play another game. I bet you can find a real good hiding place.”
“I bet I can, too.” Kayla took off and Naomi went to find her purse. She’d protect her daughter and Richard.
* * *
Late Sunday Richard pulled up in front of Naomi’s apartment and turned off the ignition. He’d barely opened the door before Jake Creed, one of Luke’s men and the one who had followed Naomi and Kayla from school Friday, was there.
“Good evening, Dr. Youngblood, Mrs. Reese, and Kayla,” he said, touching the brim of his black Stetson. “Just wanted you to know I’m here. Mrs. Reese, you have my cell if you need to call.”
“Thank you,” Naomi murmured and got out of the truck.
Richard was supposed to have the night shift. For Creed to be there Naomi must have called Luke. She didn’t trust him enough to protect them. He clenched his jaw to maintain control.
They were barely inside before Naomi said, “Kayla, please go to your room. I’d like to speak to Richard in private.”
Kayla looked from Richard to her mother and began to giggle. Obviously she thought they were going to kiss. “Come on, Teddy. Let’s go play.”
“You trust me that little,” he asked when Kayla was out of sight. He could hardly get the words through the constriction in his throat.
“I trust you that much. You’d do anything to keep us safe, including putting yourself in danger.” She swallowed. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”
The tight band around his heart eased. He pulled her into his arms. “I can take care of myself. More important, I can take care of you and Kayla. He’s not getting near you again.”
He believed that. She wasn’t so sure. “I won’t let him win by being afraid. The doors are solid with good locks. We’re inside. He can’t get in easily except through the windows, and that would give Kayla and me time to get into the bathroom and call Creed. So go take care of the emergency. We’re safe.”
“I don’t want to leave you,” he protested.
“Help me to be strong,” she said, trying to smile. “I don’t want to be afraid any longer.”
“That’s not fair.” His worried gaze never left hers.
“When I called Luke at the ranch tonight while you were playing with Kayla, he said he and Catherine would stop by later. We’ll be well protected.” She kissed him, then stepped back. “Go do what you do best.”
He shook his head. “Loving you and Kayla is what I do best.”
She trembled because she realized it was the truth. No matter what, he’d always be there for them. Tears crested in her eyes. She and Kayla were safe. She had to make sure he was as well.
He stared at her, almost as if expecting her to say something, and when she didn’t, a shadow crossed his face. Then he was gone.
Naomi stared at the door. He’d wanted her to say she loved him. She loved him to the depth of her soul, yet had been afraid to say the words. If she had, he wouldn’t have left.
“Where’s Dr. Richard?” Frowning, Kayla came farther into the living room.
“He had to leave,” Naomi passed Kayla on the way to the bedroom. “We need to get you ready for bed.”
“But since you started dating, he always helps tuck me into bed if he’s here. Maybe he hasn’t left,” she reasoned.
“We forgot, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” Naomi held out her hand to her daughter.
A light knock came at the back door. Kayla took off running. “I knew he wouldn’t leave.”
Naomi ran after her. “Kayla, wait!”
She didn’t listen. She quickly unlocked the door and swung it open. “Dr. Ri—”
Her word abruptly stopped. She stood frozen as Gordon rushed inside, almost knocking Kayla over.
For a split second, Naomi didn’t recognize him. He’d lost weight, looked slovenly when he’d always taken pride—too much at times—in his neat appearance. The baseball cap shadowed his whiskered face. He’d always been clean-shaven.
Naomi put herself between her ex and Kayla. “Get out!”
“You don’t tell me what to do. I own you.” His mean gaze cut to Kayla. “You better keep that brat quiet if you know what’s good for her.”
“It’s okay, Kayla,” Naomi tried to soothe her. Kayla was holding her as tightly as she could. She wasn’t making a sound. She’d learned early that tears and words made things worse around her father.
“Because of your accusations, I lost my job as a policeman. The only job I could get after that was as a lousy security guard!” he shouted. “It’s your fault and the brat’s fault. My mother won’t even speak to me. Says she’s ashamed I let a woman destroy my life. I lost my friends on the force, my nice apartment, everything, because of you. It’s payback.” He pulled a small-caliber gun out of his pocket.
Icy fear shook Naomi to the core. She’d never been so terrified. Her heart raced. Her stomach clenched. He didn’t sound rational. With difficulty, she loosened Kayla’s arms and put her behind her. “I’ll do whatever you want. Just leave Kayla alone.”
“No, you’ll only do what I say if you’re scared for her. You never cared about me,” he snarled.
“I promise. I’ll do anything you say. Anything. I was about to cook. Let me fix you something to eat.”
“You owe me more than food.”
The implication made bile rise in her throat. “Let me take Kayla next door.”
“You think I’m a fool.” He aimed the gun dead center at her stomach. “You ruined my life and you’re gonna pay.”
“Please, Gordon. I’ll do anything you want. Just give me another chance,” she begged. He liked it when she begged. All she had to do was stall. Luke would be there soon, but then so would Catherine. She had to protect Kayla and Catherine. She had to get Gordon out of there.
“Please let me show you.” With unsteady hands she opened the top button of her blouse. “I won’t fight. I’ll do whatever you want. However you want, for as long as you want. We can go to your place.”
He licked his lips. The gun wavered. “You’re not so uppity now. You’ll be begging for it before the night is over.” A predatory gleam came into his eyes. “Let’s go.”
Trembling, Naomi turned to kneel in front of a terrified Kayla. “Remember what Mama—”
A cruel hand snatched her upright. “Let’s go unless you want her to come with us.” Sticking the gun back in his pocket, he reached for the door.
“Mommy and Daddy need to talk. Go into my room and watch a movie.”
“No,” Kayla cried, wrapping her arms around her mother’s legs, tears glistening on her cheeks.
“Be Mama’s big girl and do as I say. Stay here with Teddy.” Naomi wanted to hold her daughter so bad. One last time. There was no way she was going to let him touch her once Kayla was safe. Tears still falling, head down, Kayla left the room.
“Let’s go!”
His arm moved around her waist. To anyone else they would appear to just be a loving couple. They walked down the path people had made in back of the apartment as a shortcut to the small store on the highway.
She just prayed Kayla wouldn’t come after them, prayed she’d remember to call Catherine as Naomi had taught her if her father ever showed up, and thanked God Richard was safe. He wouldn’t have backed down from the gun.
Reaching his car parked at the end of the dimly lit parking lot of the store, Gordon roughly shoved her into the passenger seat and placed his hand over the pocket with the gun. “You can’t outrun a bullet, and then guess who’s next?”
“Let’s go.” Naomi closed the door.
“Anxious, huh? I knew that vet didn’t have what it took, but you’re gonna pay for letting him screw you.” Gordon went around to the driver’s side, got in, and pulled off with a squeal of tires.
Naomi folded her hands in her lap. Kayla was safe. That’s all that mattered. If she didn’t come back Richard would take care of her, because there was no way she’d ever submit to Gordon again. She’d fight until her last breath.
* * *
Richard had gotten a block away when he called his service and turned around. He couldn’t leave Naomi and Kayla. He wouldn’t be of any help to the animal with his mind someplace else. Naomi would just have to understand. Getting out of the truck, he started for Naomi’s door.
He answered his ringing cell without looking at it. “Hello.”
“Dr. Richard, he took Mama.”
Terror ripped though Richard. “Creed,” he shouted, running the few steps to the apartment door. “Let me in, Kayla.”
The door opened. He swept a crying Kayla into his arms. Knowing it was useless, he still yelled for Naomi and rushed to the back door. That was the only way they could have left.
“Call Luke. He must have had a car parked at the store.” Creed passed Richard at a dead run.
Richard was shaking so badly he could barely call. Kayla clung to his neck, her small body trembling. “I have you, Kayla. Luke. He got her. The bas—” He bit back an oath. “I’m taking Kayla next door. Creed thought he might have parked at the store in the back. They couldn’t have gotten far.”