Lacy (The Doves of Primrose) (27 page)

“It’s just the sound of my heart.” She reached down and
brought his hand up to her breast. He felt the hard nub on his palm and she pressed herself against him.

“Lauren, you have to stop this. We’re co-workers. It isn’t right.”

She reared back with a fiery glare. He wriggled, trying to get through the doorway where more thudding and a distinctive “
Help!
” rang out.

Lauren railed at him while following him into the study and
slammed the door. “How dare you refuse me! After the years I have spent fetching your coffee, highlighting your scripts, squelching every single scandal the media tried to pin on you, all in the hopes of your appreciation!”

He glanced back at Lauren while searching out the source of the noise.
“I do appreciate you! Everything that you’ve done for me I’ve appreciated.”

“Liar!”
She lunged at him and he quickly spun to the left successfully placing a chair between them.

Another call for help and a pounding came from somewhere by the fireplace. Frustrated, Kyle clamped his hands on the back of the chair.

“I spent all that time trying to be different than the hussies you insisted on chasing after.” She ripped at her hair. “I wore buns and twists, addressed you properly, did
everything
you asked me to do and more things that you didn’t and
for what
?!” She darted to the side in an attempt to catch him. He anticipated and dodged, keeping the chair as a barrier.

“Lauren, I didn’t know. I swear.” He held his hands up hoping it would pacify her, but she was a madwoman. Her hands were clamping open and closed, her eyes were dilated and frenzied. “You should have said something. You know how dense I am. I have to have everything spelled out for me.”

That seemed to trigger something inside her. “You are not. You’re wonderful.”

He relaxed his shoulders a bit, praying her hysterics were over. “Thank you.” He took a steadying breath. “Can I please find out where that noise is coming from?” Kyle had a sick fee
ling in his stomach. He knew someone was behind that wall and he was almost certain he knew who and why.

Lauren twisted her head and stared at him. “Why do you care?”

Her eyes glazed. Kyle was frightened by the set of her shoulders and the detached aura about her. He backed away from the chair, glancing at the wall where the pounding and yelling were coming from.

“Because
she needs help.”

Lauren let out a screeching, ear-splitting scream.
“
She!”
She clamped her mouth and marched to the fireplace. “
She
is getting what she deserves! She’s not good enough for you! She’s just another hussy!” Lauren snatched up the old oil lamp from the mantle and smashed it over the wood stacked on top of the grate.

Kyle charged forward to stop Lauren from throwing the match she was
lighting, but he was too late. He locked his arms around her, securing her hands at her sides a split-second after she flicked the match, igniting the wood in a whoosh of flame. Panic surged in his chest. He didn’t know where Lacy was in the wall. He tossed Lauren aside and started pounding on the wall, screaming Lacy’s name. He managed to get his fist through the plaster, intent on ripping the wall down with his bare hands.

Pain exploded at the back of his head.

**********

Smoke was gathering in the tiny closed
-off area Lacy was stuck in. Now more than ever she wished she would have fixed the leaky fireplaces. They hadn’t been lit in years; the wood was strictly ornamental. But somehow a fire had been started and she was in trouble.

Bricks and debris were blocking both ends of the passageway. She had been working on shifting them from behind the portrait but hadn’t made much progress before she heard Kyle arguing with Lauren. She had hoped someone would hear her pounding on the wall and yelling for help in between moving debris. Finally, she heard Kyle hammering on the wall and hollering her name, but he was on the wrong side of the debris. Even if he had broken through he would have had to remove the barrier before he got to her.

She was more frantic for escape with the heavy smoke filling
the space, making her cough. She looked helplessly from one end to the other, trapped in indecision. Which way should she go? Maybe she could lift the damper and release some of the smoke. She tried with all her might but her arm was too short and the heat was too intense to get it to release.

Committing to the portrait end, s
he clawed at the bricks, ignoring the scrapes and gashes on her hands, so scared she would die trapped in this wall. Lacy understood the moment she came to what Lauren’s objective was; to get rid of her. Why she hadn’t just done it when Lacy was unconscious and completely vulnerable she didn’t know, but she was sure grateful for it. Lacy’s ribs were on fire from the exertion and her head felt like it was ripping in two but she worked past it. She was desperate for escape.

Tripping over the falling rubble, Lacy tucked her shirt over her mouth and nose
to try to keep the smoke out. She wiggled both hands into the middle of the pile and finally got some purchase. She pulled hard and fell backwards, wreckage toppling on top of her legs. She squealed in pain but pushed it aside and stood. She tossed aside more broken bricks, uncovering the lever. She slammed it down hard and burst through the opening. The monstrous portrait of her great-great-grandmother crashed into the wall as she fell onto the hardwood gasping for clean air.

Braced on all fours, she coughed and blinked the grit and tears from her eyes
. Through the brume she saw Kyle lying on the floor by the leather chair a moment before she was thrown to her side with a heavy foot and a scream.

“Why can’t you just die?!”

Lacy clutched her stomach and looked into the frenzied eyes of Lauren “What the hell is the matter with you?” Lacy gasped out. “You! You are what’s wrong!” Lauren picked up a fireplace tool. “You are the reason I’m here. Kyle just couldn’t let you go.” Lauren reared back and swung the poker down.

Lacy rolled fast
, narrowly missing its path. She sat up a moment before having to duck to avoid another attempt. “I’m sorry, Lauren!”

“You are
a pathetic little country slut!” Lauren swung the poker again, this time connecting with Lacy’s shoulder.

“Son of a bitch!”
Lacy leapt to her feet, rage fueling her strength. That was the last time that two-bit, high-strung, Botox-injected spider monkey was going to hit her. Her heart hammered in her chest and her fists clenched at her side. She hunched forward and rocked back and forth, ready for the next attack.

Both women snapped their attention to the banging on the door. Lacy knew it was only a matter of time before someone
crashed through that door either to rescue her or to assist Lauren in finishing her off. In a burst of energy, Lacy lunged forward, tackling Laure to the ground. She pinned her arms with her knees while Lauren grunted and yelled. With a vicious twist Lacy ripped the poker from her hand and tossed it aside.

Lauren bucked and
struggled beneath her while Lacy tried to subdue her, but she was one tough Barbie doll. “Sit still, you evil old harpy!” Lacy grunted.

An earsplitting snarl preceded an eruption of brute
force below her, sending Lacy flying onto her back. Lauren scrambled like a jaguar to pounce on Lacy. Lacy caught her and launched her to the side, then managed to roll to her feet, panting and holding her side. The moonlight through the curtains behind her cast a long shadow. The banging on the door was more rhythmic now, as if someone were using a battering ram.

Lacy winced with the slashing pain
spreading throughout her body and watched Lauren slowly rise from the floor. It was all slow motion to her. Lauren took off on a dead run, her once perfect hair matted and tangled, whipping with every step. Craziness lit her eyes. Lacy squatted and pivoted as Lauren blew past, unable to stop before she propelled through the glass window with a scream.

The fire was still crackling and smoking.
Lacy jerked the heavy wool blanket from the back of the leather chair and slapped the fire out while keeping her eye on the window, fully expecting another round with Lauren. It only took ten swings to extinguish the bulk of the flames. Exhausted and scared, Lacy shuffled to the window, dragging the blanket. She tucked herself into the corner, parted the lace and velvet curtains and peered out, bracing for an attack.

She sagged against the frame
, taking a deep breath of relief and sorrow. She wiped her face with the back of her hand, resting her cheek in her palm and closing her eyes. She lurched and cowered with panic when a hand touched her shoulders.

“It’s okay. It’s me.”

Lacy gasped and collapsed against Kyle’s chest. He instantly wrapped her in his comforting arms, stroking her hair. Tears leaked from her eyes, splotching his shirt. Her hands clutched him tightly, seeking his strength.

“Are you okay?” She leaned back to look at him. She spotted a patch of dried blood at his hairline. “What happened?” She ran her fingers gingerly over his face.

“She hit me with something. I’m fine.” He clasped her hand in his. The heartrending look he wore as his eyes ran over her nearly broke her heart. “I’m so sorry, honey.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, apologizing when she groaned.

Kyle was looking out the window, rubbing her back tenderly. She wasn’t certain what he was thinking.

“Is she--” he swallowed, “dead?”

Lacy turned. Lauren was lying on her back, her limbs
bent and arched in an unnatural formation. Her flowy white dress was stained with dark blood. The sharp metal gnomon from the sundial had impaled her chest when she fell from the window. Lacy shuttered at the sight of the woman’s half-open eyes and mouth. She buried her head in Kyle’s neck. “I think so,” she whispered against him. The couple shook with shock when a limestone head crashed through the top of the study door, breaking off and hitting the floor. Marcus stuck his head through the hole, scanning the room. When he finally found Lacy and Kyle, his shoulders drooped. He turned to the group behind him, nodding his head and panting, then turned back. “What the hell is that door made of?”

Lacy let out a small chuckle. “Oak. My great-
great-grandfather didn’t skimp on anything.”

Marcus nodded and ran a hand over his hair.
“Everybody okay? What the hell happened? I heard screaming and came running.”

Lacy and Kyle looked at each other and answered yes in spite of their injuries.

“Sorry about the statue. It’s the only thing I could find.”

Lacy rested her head against Kyle
, unable to let him go. “That’s okay. I’ll just add it to your bill.”

The three of them started chuckling but it quickly moved into laughing. The
welcome release of the stress was cleansing. Lacy was safe in Kyle’s arms and she knew she would never let him go. They had come through hell and emerged on the other side.

Chapter 25

Lacy sat on the porch swing enjoying the light afternoon breeze with her feet propped on Kyle. He kept them swaying gently while playing with her bare toes. She had never been more content. Two days had passed since the ordeal and Lacy was still having nightmares. She didn’t know if she would ever be able sleep comfortably again without feeling suffocated or seeing Lauren’s crazed eyes and dead body.

Having Kyle with her helped.
He would rub her back or hold her until she fell back asleep. She knew that he felt guilty about what had happened even after she explained it wasn’t his fault. How could he have known that Lauren was
Silence of the Lambs
crazy? She had been a faithful assistant to him and never done anything that would have sent up red flags. Being in the country and out of her element must have sent her over the edge.

Kyle had told her of the phone conversation he had had with his investigator friend. Mike had found out
Lauren had been in a mental facility when she was younger for an antisocial personality disorder. She had become unnaturally infatuated with a teacher and lashed out when he didn’t reciprocate by sabotaging his career, attacking his wife and cutting the brake lines of his car. She had been a minor so the records were sealed and she was released after her treatment.

“Beautiful day.”

Lacy opened her eyes. Kyle was staring out over the lawn. His cut was healing nicely, only needing six stitches. His brow was furrowed.

“Yes
, it is.” She placed a hand over his. “What’s the matter?” He dragged his eyes from the view and she smiled at him. She loved him so much.

“Nothing.
I’m just enjoying spending the day with you.” His smile didn’t reach his beautiful baby blues.

Lacy grunted and held her broken ribs
as she adjusted her position.

“Don’t do that. I told you I would help you.”

She scowled at him playfully. “Don’t worry about me, I’m not a baby. I can move myself.”

“The tough girl doesn’t need anyone
That’s new.” He puckered his lips.

“I need you.” She met his skeptical pout. “I do. Just not to wait on me hand and foot. I’m not used to that.”

She could see that he was still upset about not protecting her from Lauren. He had practically broken down over it while she was in the emergency room getting fixed up. He wouldn’t let the nurse touch him before he was satisfied that Lacy had been fully tended to first. He went on with apologies for being knocked unconscious and his complete stupidity. It was all very sweet and annoying. And very un-Kyle like. She missed her strong, confident cowboy. But she knew that he would come back to her once her bruises and bones healed. It was just still too fresh.

“Did you hear from the authorities today?
”

The faraway look took hold of him
again. He rubbed his upper lip. “Yeah, they called when you were taking a nap.”

She sat up wit
hout thinking and gasped in pain, making Kyle wince and curse. “I knew I shouldn’t tell you. ”She held her breath until the wave subsided. “Kyle McClintock, you should know better than that. I’m worse off not knowing. So tell me.”

He was on the verge of refusing but she gave him a look that informed him to reconsider. He heaved a sigh. “Brice is being transported back to Alaska where more than likely he will spend the next ten years of his life in prison.”

That news was bittersweet for Lacy. He still hadn’t signed the divorce papers and his noncompliance meant that getting it would take longer, and she felt sorry for his wasted life. “Who knew you could still get arrested for claim jumping?”

Kyle nodded. “
Apparently it’s still a major crime and one they don’t tolerate. With the new rush of miners there, the police said that it was a frequent occurrence.” Kyle shrugged and rubbed her leg. “I’m sorry.”

“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. You weren’t the one who married him and you weren’t the one who called him to come back here and try to win me back or distract me. Whatever Lauren’s intention you have no responsibility in it. She was the one who came up with the plan and she was just tricky enough to pull it off under our noses.” She laced her fingers through his and he lifted her hand to kiss it.

“I still can’t believe that she spent all that time in the passageway without us knowing it. I heard things a couple of times and so did Scarlett.” She scoffed and tilted her head to capture his eyes. “We were beginning to think the old ghost stories about this place were true.”

He wagged his eyebrows. “Maybe they are.”

She leaned back against the pillow, a drowsy smile curving her lips. If she slept for the next two weeks it might be enough to recover from the past few days. It was nice that Marcus had allowed Kyle to take a few days off from filming. Besides, they had to repair the study for the scenes that would be shot inside the house. Lacy smiled with the memory of Marcus replacing that ridiculous fake statue he had broken getting through the door with a marble one twice its size. An authentic bust of Frank James would be delivered today and proudly displayed on the table in the hall in honor of his ties to The Dove House.

Kyle nudged her leg just before she dozed off. “What do you think of me staying here for a while?”

“You already are.” She peeked at him under heavy eyelids.

“No. I mean after we’re done filming. I’ve
been wanting to take a break and I want it to be here. With you.”

She was awake now, her heart lifting from her chest.
“Hmmm. I’ll have to think about it. How much are you willing to pay for your room and board? You know this place isn’t cheap.” She met his gleaming eyes with a grin. “Of course if we were to share a room, that would significantly decrease the cost and if you were willing to serve as my bodyguard for say, oh, the next fifty years or so, that would help too.”

Kyle bent over her and planted a kiss on her willing lips. She
returned it with all the love in her heart.

“I think we can work something out.” His lips brushed against hers as he spoke. “I love you
, Lacy Weston.”

She smiled, inhaling the spicy scent of his aftershave. “I love you, to
o.” She had no trouble saying it, no hesitation.

“It’s about damn time.”

She burst out in gusty laughter that made her hurt but she didn’t care. He was worth any pain she had to endure. He was here and he was hers.

“Okay you two, break it up.”

They both turned to see Scarlett and Emmylou coming up the stairs. Lacy’s spirit bloomed a million times. The three people she loved most in the world were with her and they were all safe.

“No way.
We have time to make up for.” Kyle nuzzled her neck but rose quickly to Lacy’s disappointment.

Her two best friends sat in the wicker chairs next to the swing. The screen door rattled open and Marcus stepped out onto the porch.

“How are you feeling today, Lacy?”

“Better. Thank you,
Marcus.” She sobered and met his lavender gaze. “Really, thank you.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Lacy saw the pink rising in Emmylou’s cheeks with his presence. Marcus leaned against the house next to her chair.

“Hi.” His smile was sweet.

“Hi.” Emmylou shifted in her seat.

Lacy smiled and looked at Kyle who was staring at her with his crooked
grin. The one that showed his adorable dimple. With an overflowing heart she looked to the prairie basked in autumn sunlight, the breeze sweeping over the grasses and the doves cooing in the trees above. It wasn’t possible to have it any better than this.

Look for the continuing story

E
mmylou
.

Coming soon.