Redemption Rains (4 page)

Elizabeth could not believe what she
was hearing. Not see her family! If this Servano knew who she was
already, then he would surely know that she had a family. This
brought a frightening thought to her mind, realizing the danger she
had unknowingly put her mother and stepfather in. The fear
reflected in her eyes as she instinctively turned to Detective Kane
and grabbed his arm.

“They’re already in danger, aren’t
they?” she shook his arm. “What if something has happened to them?
What if this man has wasted no time and taken his vengeance out on
my family?” Fear had pushed her beyond the edge as tears ran down
her face.

“This . . . this is all my fault!” She
stared up at the detective with huge, tortured blue eyes. “I have
to go . . . I have to go and make sure they are . . . they are . .
. all right,” this last was released in a whisper.

Trying to turn and leave the office,
Elizabeth found herself blocked by detective Kane. She was too slow
and before she could side step him and escape, he wrapped his arms
around her pinning her arms to her sides and causing her face to
slam into his chest knocking the wind from her. Gasping for breath,
Elizabeth fought for her release but her efforts were useless. His
strength over powered her.

“Elizabeth,” was that his voice that
whispered her name? She stilled against his chest.

“Elizabeth, you have to calm down,”
yes, that was him speaking to her in soothing tones.

He lifted his hand to her hair and
massaged the nape of her neck. Shock waves radiated down her spine
as his long fingers expertly rubbed the fear and tension away.
Tentatively, she laid her cheek against his chest. She could feel
his steady heartbeat, calming her. She breathed in his masculine
aroma, tangy from some aftershave but mixed with a scent that was
only his. She relaxed into the embrace. She released a sigh as she
felt his strong body support her softer one. Rock hard thighs
pressed against her, causing little shock waves along her nerve
endings.

“We have already sent someone out to
your family,” Captain Dye’s voice was like a bucket of cold water,
splashing her back to consciousness. “They are fine and will have
protection around the clock.”

She jerked back, stepping away from
the warmth enveloping her. Suddenly embarrassed for her reaction,
she eyed the detective through her lashes. His hands that had been
so soft and soothing were now shoved into his pockets. She looked
up at his face. Jaw clenched, his lips were pulled into a thin
line. She was startled to see his dark eyes boring into her full of
contempt. She repulsed him, she was sure of that. Trying to control
her raging emotions, she directed her attention to the
captain.

“I am thankful that you have taken
care of my family Captain,” her mouth lifting at the corners in a
smile which did not reach her haunted eyes. The need to see her
family grew stronger.

“If there is a guard already watching
my family there will be no harm in my going to the ranch,
collecting a few things and seeing them,” it was more a demand than
a statement.

She tucked her trembling hands into
the folds of the blanket. She would not back down. This could be
the last time she saw them and she was not going to let the
detective stand in her way.

“But you are wrong Miss Windsor,” the
detective said. “You going to your family will only endanger their
lives more and make it harder to protect you.”

“No!” Elizabeth lost control. “You are
wrong Detective Kane. You do not dictate my life. I have some
rights here and I am going to enforce them or you get nothing,”
during this speech, Elizabeth had walked up to the detective
squaring off in front of him. “I will go to the ranch, I will get
my things and I will see my family. If I have to go out there and
steel a patrol car, I am going.” She raised her finger and poked
him in the chest to clarify her meaning. “Not even you will keep me
from doing this!”

CHAPTER 4

Standing in front of the full-length
mirror in her old bedroom, Elizabeth looked at her reflection. She
had chosen a straight skirt in navy blue that fell just at her knee
and a creamy silk blouse that tucked into the waist and buttoned up
the front. It was an old outfit that her mother had bought her
several years ago as a present. As with all the clothes her mother
tried to push off on her, Elizabeth had never worn either the
blouse or the skirt before. Elizabeth preferred more comfortable
clothes, long broom skirts usually topped with a big, bulky sweater
or an oversized blouse, but all of her favorite clothes had been
destroyed in the fire. Now she was forced to pick from the dozen or
so outfits she had left behind at the ranch when she had moved. The
whole ensemble was too tight for her comfort. She had never been
comfortable wearing these kinds of clothes and now she looked at
herself with criticism. She did not see how the skirt hugged her
hips with the belt cinched at the waist bringing attention to her
voluptuous curves or the way the cream of the blouse accentuated
the flawless skin of her face and long neck visible where she had
swept her hair up into a knot.

All she saw were the bulges that
stretched the material too tight. How in the world was she going to
sit down in this? Shaking off the question, she searched through
her closet for a pair of navy flats to go with her navy stockings.
She turned to her suitcase, which lay on the bed and threw the lid
shut. She would just have to be happy with her selection until she
had a chance to stop and buy something more appropriate.

Elizabeth took one last look around
her room for any forgotten object she might need. In a few short
hours her fate would be decided, sadness filled her heart as her
gaze came across the picture of Samuel. This was her favorite photo
and she kept a copy of it in a frame next to the bed. The original
had been lost in the fire.

How happy she was the day it was
taken. She was seventeen and Samuel was twenty-four at the time.
They had just come in from riding in the fields when her stepfather
snapped this picture. Life was so good then. When she was with
Samuel, she never worried about her weight, or what she looked
like. He would never have looked at her with contempt or disgust as
Detective Kane had done. Mad at herself for letting the detective
interfere with her happy memories, Elizabeth grabbed the photo in
its gold frame and stuck it in her carry all bag. She had been told
too only get essentials. This was essential to her; it reminded her
of a life that was happy.

Lifting her suitcase, she headed out
the door and down the landing to the winding staircase that led to
the lower level and out into the foyer. As she neared the bottom,
she could hear her mother talking with the detective.

“I am so grateful that you took the
time to bring Lizzy out here,” her mother made Elizabeth sound like
a little girl who needed to be baby-sat. “It is so reassuring to
know that such a strong, capable man is taking care of her. She is
always getting in such messes.”

Elizabeth flushed as she speeded up
her footsteps, hoping to intervene before her mother could go on.
She came into the living room, steeling herself against what she
might find there. In her imagination she saw her mother lying on
the couch with a cloth over her head looking like a lady right out
of a Victorian novel. What she found when she entered the room was
actually worse than her imaginings.

Detective Kane was seated on the couch
sandwiched in between her mother and her sister. They were both
fighting for his attention. Mother had her hand resting on his arm,
talking incessantly and her sister, bolder as usual had a hand
resting on his thigh. Alexis looked adoringly up at the detective.
Gees! You think they had never seen a man before.

Elizabeth sat down her suitcases and
went to her stepfather who was resting one arm along the mantle
above the fireplace. He looked up from his drink as she drew
near.

“Elizabeth, you look so lovely. Have
you been able to find everything you might need?”

Edward took her into his arms in a
strong bearlike hug, giving her an extra squeeze. She loved this
man who had been more a father to her than anyone else. He was so
warm and safe and was always there when she needed comforting. What
would she do without his hugs? This thought brought tears to her
eyes. Trying to shake them with humor, she leaned back and looked
into his face.

“Now father, you know better than to
tell fibs,” she smiled up at him. He looked at her and shook his
head.

“Elizabeth, I never fib. You are my
beautiful girl; especially in that outfit.” Edward reached down and
gave her hip a little squeeze making Elizabeth jump and let a
little noise of surprise.

“I know Father, you are constantly
telling me to just shut up and take the compliment, thank you,” she
stepped away from Edward and toward the group at the couch.
“Mother, I guess I can finally say that I am thankful for all of
those outfits you bought me in the past, they will definitely be
put to use in this situation.”

Elizabeth braced herself for the
reproach her mother would send in her way. For once her prayers
were answered and no response was heard from her mother. Elizabeth
looked at Margery, noting the surprised look in her eyes. But her
sister could not seem to resist slamming her one time.

“Lizzy, are you wearing a girdle? I
can’t believe you fit into that outfit,” the vindictiveness could
not be missed in her sister’s voice.

Feeling her face grow hot with rage
and embarrassment, Elizabeth struggled for a response and found
none. Edward stepped up and took Elizabeth by the waist saving
her.

“
Alexis, don’t be hateful.
You are just jealous because you have never been able to pull off
an outfit like this without looking like a stick.” Alexis
gasped.

“Mother, you cannot let him talk to me
like that.”

Elizabeth was grateful for once
Margery did not speak up to defend her favorite daughter; instead
she directed her face toward the detective.

“Have I said how thankful we are that
you are taking care of our Lizzy?”

For the first time since entering the
room, Elizabeth looked directly at Detective Kane. His jaw worked
as his lips stretched into a thin line. Not being able to read
anything in his half-closed eyes, which were pinned to her,
Elizabeth looked away.

“I think you should say your
good-byes, Miss Windsor,” Detective Kane looked at his watch. “We
have a meeting to attend.”

With this said he turned away from the
women standing next to him, walked over, and picked up her cases
before narrowing his gaze once again on her.

“I will take these to the car. It was
a pleasure meeting all of you,” then he was out of the room and out
the front door.

“Well, I guess this is it honey,”
Edward reached into his wallet and pulled out a wad of bills and
handed them to her.

“Father, I don’t need your
money.”

“Nonsense,” Edward responded. “I will
not have my girl depending on the government for anything. No
telling where they might stick you, they are so cheap.” Elizabeth
reached to give her father a hug and then turned and hugged her
mother.

“Lizzy, please remember to try and
behave yourself and contact us when you can,” Margery’s attempt at
warmth was astounding and brought tears to Elizabeth’s eyes. Her
mother was not perfect, but she was the only one she
had.

“I promise to call or write as soon as
they have said it is okay.” Stepping back from her mother, she
looked around. “Please try and remember to be careful and listen to
what the police say. I don’t know what I would do if I knew there
was a chance of any of you being hurt.”

Elizabeth grabbed her purse off the
coffee table and headed toward the front door without looking back.
When would she see her family again? No one could answer that
question.

It was decided. Elizabeth would be
taken to an undisclosed destination, attended only by a “body
guard” until the time of the trial. The only hitch in the plan was
the bodyguard part.

“You cannot be serious about this
Captain,” Detective Kane’s reaction to the announcement that he was
the best man for the job. Elizabeth had looked up at him, startled
by the sudden show of emotion from the detective. Sure, he wasn’t
her first choice either, but you didn’t see her shouting at the
captain. After this outburst, Elizabeth was certain that the
animosity felt between her and the detective would not be good, so
she voiced her opinion, in a somewhat more calming
manner.

“Captain,” she began. “I think that
the Detective is needed here for the investigation more than with
me. I’m sure that you could find some nice police woman to take
this job,” she spied the detective out of the corner of her
eye.

He was standing rigid, with his fists
clenched at his sides. She rushed on with her explanation, wanting
to deter the anger that was emanating from the
detective.

“In fact, I would prefer a woman,” she
flicked her hand and lifted her shoulders edifying an air of
nonchalance, “I think that if this thing drags out too long, I
would be more comfortable,” with that said, Elizabeth took a deep
breath.