Protecting Her Daughter (Wrangler's Corner) Page 8

  “I don’t think you’re safe staying here, and I don’t have the manpower to spare to protect you like you need it out here on the farm.”

  “So what are you saying, Clay?” Aaron asked as he repacked his supplies in the bag.

  “I’m saying I think she needs to leave here. Go somewhere it will be easier to keep an eye on her. We can do this here at the ranch only on a short-term basis. If this situation is going to stretch out for any length of time then we need to come up with a better solution.”

  “Like what?” Aaron said.

  “And where would I go?” she asked. “What about the animals?”

  “I’ve already thought about the animals,” Clay said. “We’ll simply move the horses to our parents’ ranch. There are plenty of hands to help take care of them. However, I don’t think it’s wise to take you and Sophia out there.”

  “No, of course not. We’d just bring trouble down on your family.”

  “It’s not so much that as it is there’s no place to put you. Mom and Dad have started renting out the cottages on the property again and they’re all occupied right now—especially with Thanksgiving just around the corner.”

  “So what did you have in mind?” Aaron asked.

  “Well, there are two options. One is Sabrina’s grandmother’s bed-and-breakfast. But that might be an issue if someone tried to get to Zoe there.”

  “No.” Zoe lifted her chin and looked him in the eye. “I won’t put any more innocent people in danger. You and Aaron and Lance are bad enough but at least you know how to defend yourselves.”

  He nodded. “I had a feeling you might feel that way. The other choice is also a place in town, right off the main street and across the street from the B and B. It’s also near the sheriff’s office. It’s a small house, two bedrooms and one bathroom, but it’s vacant. I recommend you and Sophia move there for now.”

  Zoe swallowed and looked at Aaron then back to Clay. “All right. If you think that’s what we need to do, then we’ll do it.” And when she could think again, she’d see if she could figure out another place to run to. A place far away from Wrangler’s Corner and the men who wanted her dead.

  EIGHT

  It had only taken Clay a matter of hours to get everything set up, but it wasn’t until the next morning that they’d made the move. Clay had been fairly certain all of the activity at the Updike ranch would keep any would-be intruders away from the place for the duration.

  He’d been right. Zoe had packed while Aaron got his folks’ agreement to take the horses. The other lower maintenance animals would be fine as long as the weather cooperated and someone could come out once a day to care for them. Aaron would do it himself if he had to.

  Now Zoe and Sophia were as comfortable as they could possibly be after having been held hostage, chased through the woods, shot at and then uprooted from their home away from home.

  Two days after the incident, Aaron sat next to Lance in the cruiser and watched the front door of the house. The yellow home with green shutters and the wraparound porch was perfect according to Zoe. The only thing that made him slightly nervous was the door. It had a wood frame but was glass from top to bottom. And behind that door were two people he was coming to care for. Two people he had no business thinking about as much as he was. “It’s been quiet,” he said.

  Lance nodded and took a bite of the sandwich Aaron had brought over to him. “I like it that way.”

  “I do, too, but it makes me nervous.”

  “I know what you mean.” Lance glanced at him. “You’re taking quite a bit of time away from your practice.”

  “Nah, I’m just making a few more house calls than usual. Nate’s back from vacation and covering the office.” Nathan Godfrey, his partner. “He and Jill had a fight so he’s working extra hours to stay out of the line of fire.”

  Lance’s jaw tightened. “Running away from your problems in a marriage won’t do it much good.”

  Aaron nodded. Lance had been in a troubled marriage a couple of years ago. His wife had made a lot of rotten choices and had eventually died because of them. “I’ve never been married, but watching my parents and my siblings, I know that’s the truth.” He shrugged. “They’ll work it out eventually.”

  “Whatever happened to that woman you were seeing a while back? I haven’t noticed her around lately, but haven’t had a chance to ask you about her.”

  Aaron winced. “Darla? She moved away about six months ago.”

  “Moved? As in permanently?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Me, too.” He glanced at the house again. “At least I was. I don’t think about her much anymore.” Of course if he consciously thought about it, he clearly remembered the sting of her betrayal. The heartache he’d felt when he realized she’d used him. And the anger. He never wanted to feel that kind of heartache again. Lance followed his line of sight. “She’s a pretty special lady.”

  “You think?”

  “I think you think so.”

  Aaron looked away. “Maybe.” No maybe about it. Zoe was special. But he’d already decided he didn’t want to get involved. Okay, correction. He did want to get involved, he wanted to take the time to explore the feelings she evoked in him every time he was around her, but he couldn’t shake the fear of getting his heart broken again when she returned to her life in Knoxville. He simply wouldn’t do it. And he wasn’t sure he was open to a long-distance relationship. Maybe, though…if that was what Zoe wanted.

  “What happened? Why’d she move away?”

  “She didn’t like living in a small town. She wanted to be in the city with the bright lights and,” he said with a shrug, “I didn’t.” But he’d thought about it. Especially when she’d announced she was leaving town. In the end, she’d left and he’d stayed right where he’d always wanted to be. Home. With family and helping the good people of Wrangler’s Corner. But Zoe was different. Could he put all that aside and follow Zoe to Knoxville? He wasn’t sure. And she hadn’t asked so he didn’t know why he was even thinking along those lines anyway.

  Ginny Garrison walked out the front door of the house and gave them a wave. Aaron climbed out of the cruiser and walked up the front steps to meet Ginny. “Is she ready?”

  “Almost.”

  “Are you okay staying with Sophia?”

  “Of course. She’s a great kid.”

  “Thanks,” Zoe said from behind Ginny. “She likes you, too.”

  Ginny smiled and backed up to let Aaron inside. He took in Zoe’s appearance and felt his heart thud an extra beat. She looked beautiful if still a bit pale. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

  “I’m sure. It’s my left arm that was hurt. I’m right-handed.”

  Yesterday, she’d requested a trip to the shooting range to brush up on her skills. She had a concealed weapon permit for the state of Tennessee but it had been awhile since she’d gone shooting.

  Aaron hadn’t been so sure the trip was a good idea, but he couldn’t discount her reasons for wanting to do it. He led her to the cruiser. While Aaron was occupied with teaching her to shoot, Lance would be their eyes and ears on the surrounding area.

  She slid into the backseat and Aaron took the front next to Lance. Lance glanced in the rearview mirror. “You used to shoot a lot?”

  Aaron turned to see her nod. “Trevor and I used to go on the weekends to the shooting range. We used to try a lot of different guns. I’ve always enjoyed going to the range and have missed it since Trevor’s been gone.” She shrugged. “I just haven’t had the heart to go.” Her jaw firmed. “But I need to do this for Sophia and myself. I appreciate everything you all are doing, but I really need to be able to protect us.”

  No wonder she’d been so comfortable with the Winchester rifle at the Updikes’.

  Small talk filled the car for the next hour until Lance turned onto a gravel drive that led to the parking lot of the shooting range. When Lance parked, Aaron climbed from
the car and opened the door for Zoe. She slid out and he hustled her inside. Lance followed at a more sedate pace and Aaron knew he was checking out the surrounding area, watching the passing cars to see if any of them slowed or looked suspicious.

  “Aaron, long time no see, man.”

  Aaron looked up to find Keith Nance, the owner of the place, behind the counter. “Hey there.” Aaron led Zoe over and shook Keith’s hand. “Good to see you.” Keith was in his midsixties and still worked out an hour every day at the gym he’d built behind the shop. His bulging muscles attested to his dedication. “Keith, this is Zoe, a friend. She has her concealed weapon permit.”

  “But I need a little practice before I’ll feel comfortable carrying again.”

  “You have a gun?” Keith asked her.

  “No, I’ll need to purchase one.”

  “That’s not a problem. Do you have one in mind?” He reached under the counter and pulled out a stack of paperwork and a pen.

  “Something small and easy to carry in my purse or pocket, but one with a safety like the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9 mm. I have a child so I need the safety.”

  Aaron blinked. She knew her weapons. Keith appeared to be impressed, as well. “You’ve shot one before?”

  “Yes.”

  “They’re hard to keep, but I actually have one of those in stock. Got a shipment in two days ago.” He went to the vault behind him and opened it.

  He disappeared inside and Zoe looked at Aaron. “I left Knoxville so fast, I didn’t think to get mine.” She shook her head. “You would think that would have been the first thing I’d have gone after, but all I could think of was getting Sophia away, getting somewhere safe. I hadn’t looked at that gun since Trevor died. It’s still in a safe in the bedroom.”

  “It’s understandable. You were probably in a state of shock, scared, not thinking straight.”

  She gave him a tremulous smile. “Yes. To all of the above.”

  When Keith came back, he held the small gun. “Here you go.”

  *

  She nodded. “Perfect. Now, I just need an ankle holster and I’ll be all set.”

  Zoe knew she’d surprised the men with her weapons knowledge, but Trevor had been an enthusiast and she supposed it had rubbed off on her. Then again, growing up on a small farm in the middle of nowhere, she’d handled rifles and pistols on a regular basis. One never knew when a rattlesnake might decide to take up residence in an empty barn stall or a wild wolf come looking for some lunch in the chicken coop. She’d been around guns her entire life.

  Once she filled out the paperwork, she paid for the gun with her credit card. No sense in worrying about being traced by it. The bad guys already knew where she was. And maybe if they saw she’d purchased a gun, they’d think twice about coming back.

  She doubted it, but one could hope.

  Aaron led her back to the range, and Zoe was relieved they were the only ones there. She drew in a calming breath as she realized what she was doing. Preparing herself to defend herself and Sophia. Planning to shoot at someone if she had to. Shooting at targets was easy but could she really shoot at another human being? She prayed she wouldn’t have to find out.

  Zoe held the gun while Aaron opened the box of ammunition. He watched as she expertly loaded it. “I don’t think you’re going to need much practice.”

  She gave him a slight smile. “Probably not, but it’s been over a year since I’ve handled a weapon.”

  He pressed the button to bring the target holder in. He clipped the paper with the black silhouette onto the holder and set it out about fifty feet. She slipped on the protective eyewear and inserted the earplugs.

  He did the same and nodded. She lifted the pistol with her right hand, her left hand coming up to add support. She felt the stitches tug, but the pain was tolerable. Zoe closed one eye and focused on the target in front of her. Then pulled the trigger. Then pulled it again and again and again.

  When she finished the last shot, she lowered the weapon. Aaron pressed the button to pull the target in close. Zoe’s lips tightened as she studied it.

  “You did great,” Aaron said.

  “A few wild shots, but a few center mass, too,” she said. “Not too bad. Once I got the feel for the gun it all came back to me.”

  “Nice. Want to go again?”

  “Sure.”

  Within a few minutes, she was back at it. With each round, her circle of holes in the paper got tighter and tighter.

  “That’s some good shooting, Zoe,” Aaron said. “I’m impressed.”

  Zoe set the gun on the small bench in front of them and pulled her earplugs out. She could hear him okay, but he sounded muffled, like he was far away. She stared at the latest target with the holes. “I don’t think I could shoot someone, Aaron.”

  “If it comes down to his life or yours, or his or Sophia’s, I think you could.”

  Tears filled her eyes and she glanced up at him, not caring if he saw the wetness. “Yes, I could for Sophia.” She sniffed, and a tear traced down her cheek. He lifted a hand and thumbed it away, but left his palm cupping her cheek. She drew in a sharp breath.

  “Clay will figure out what’s going on. The man in the hospital will wake up eventually, and Clay will get him to talk.”

  Zoe closed her eyes against the lovely sensation of his touch. She had no business feeling an attraction for him. Not when she was fighting for her and Sophia’s lives. She opened her eyes and met his. “Aaron, I appreciate everything you and your family and friends have done for Sophia and me, but I think it’s time for us to run again.”

  “How is that going to help?”

  She sighed. “Well, for one, it’ll give the authorities time to try and figure things out. But I can’t run without help.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I want you to help us disappear.”

  *

  Aaron stared at her. At this beautiful woman he’d only known for a few weeks and yet felt incredibly drawn to. Drawn to against his better judgment for sure, but still he couldn’t deny it. So once again he found himself falling for a woman who wasn’t planning on sticking around but didn’t mind using him to get what she needed. He was such a gullible idiot.

  He withdrew his hand from her silky skin and drew in a deep breath even as he berated himself for feeling a depth of hurt that he had no business feeling. “Fine. You want to run? Run. Clay and Lance will help you get everything together.” He grabbed her gun, made sure it was unloaded with the safety on and handed it to her. She stuffed the remaining bullets in her bag and shot him a troubled look.

  The hurt in her eyes pierced him and Aaron immediately felt guilty. It wasn’t her fault he had issues. “Ah, man. I’m sorry I snapped. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  “Aaron, what’s wrong? What did I say?”

  “Nothing.” He couldn’t get into it right here. The door opened and he tensed, but it was a young couple ready to take on the range. He and Zoe slipped around them and out into the store.

  Lance looked over his shoulder from his position by the door. He took in Zoe’s face then let his eyes connect with Aaron’s. The question there made Aaron grimace. He shook his head and Lance frowned, but didn’t say anything.

  Aaron waited for Zoe to get in the car. She didn’t look at him when he shut the door for her. Instead, she shoved the newly purchased weapon into her bag and clamped her lips tight. Aaron told himself not to let it get to him, but the hurt didn’t go away.

  “Is Sophia all right?” Zoe asked.

  Lance nodded from his position behind the wheel. “I just talked to Ginny about five minutes before you came out of the range. Ronnie came by, and the three of them are together. Ginny said something about sugar-free s’mores in the fireplace.”

  Aaron glanced back at her and noticed her jaw loosen slightly. “Zoe wants to run, Lance, and she needs your help to do it.” He forced the words out. If she wanted to leave, he’d help her. He wouldn’t like it, b
ut he’d help her. And then he might treat himself to a long vacation. Alone.

  Lance raised a brow. “Is that right?”

  “Yes,” she said with a troubled look at Aaron. He avoided her gaze in the mirror. “It’s the only thing I can think to do. I can’t keep tying up the sheriff’s department. Anyone who stays with us or is near us is in danger.” Aaron’s heart thawed slightly when her voice thickened. “I’m sorry, but I just don’t know what else to do.”

  Lance nodded. “I understand. Let me run it by Clay and see what he thinks.”

  “Thanks,” she whispered. Then closed her eyes and leaned her head against the window.

  Aaron rubbed his chin and fell into silence while he wrestled with his thoughts. Lance drove with a quiet confidence and alertness that made Aaron feel glad the man had come with them. “So, why would you want to kidnap a kid and get rid of her mother?” he asked Lance in a low voice.

  “Because there’s some advantage. Something the kidnapper gets. Money? Highly likely.” He grimaced. “There’s the whole human trafficking thing, of course, but this feels like something more. Those men at the house were waiting on something. They were communicating with someone.”

  “Speaking of which, I wonder if Clay had any success tracing the numbers from Pete’s phone.”

  “We’ll be sure to ask him.” He tapped his fingers on the wheel. “They didn’t want Sophia hurt.”

  “It sure seemed that way. So it’s someone who cares about Sophia, but not Zoe?”

  “No, Zoe’s obviously in the way.”

  “She said her sister-in-law offered to have them move in with her and her husband, but Zoe didn’t want to. You think she could be forcing the issue?”

  “It makes sense. Get rid of Zoe and get custody of Sophia—and get control of any money that might come with her.”

  “I don’t think the motive is money,” Zoe said.

  Lance grunted. “I hate to tell you this, but it’s almost always about money.” His phone rang. “It’s Clay.” He pressed the Bluetooth button on the radio. “Hello.”

  “Lance, where are you?” Clay’s voice filled the car.

  “Still with Aaron and Zoe. What’s up?”