Intercepted by Love: Part Six: A Football Romance (The Quarterback's Heart Book 6) (8 page)

The entire panoply was so beautiful and detailed, she couldn’t decide where to start. She put her camera in panoramic mode and swiveled to her left. She heard footsteps when she was almost finished matching the circles. It was probably Sylvia back with Cade’s robe, but she couldn’t turn around. Not until she’d gotten the last portion.

A large hand yanked her arm and someone covered mouth. What the heck? Who was playing a prank on her?

Andie turned and glared at the intruder and gasped, fear spiking through her veins. The man looked familiar, but she couldn’t place him. It wasn’t Devon, the guy who killed Cade’s father. That much she knew. But could this be the other guy, Cade’s former agent? Her heart jackhammered, and a shot of pain seized her womb. Even little Bonnie froze inside.

“Let me go.” Andie’s voice was muffled by the hand. She raised her hands to fend off the attacker, but he shoved her against the wall and held her still with his hard body as he gagged her with a cloth smelling like stale wine.

“It’ll go easier for you if you cooperate,” her attacker hissed before slipping a hood over her face. “Let’s go.”

She resisted, using her weight and sitting down, but the man was too strong. She was dragged and partially lifted from the theater and pushed into a waiting car.

C
ade showered and dressed quickly
. If Devon and Rob were on their way to Itasca, he’d better alert Andie’s parents. He started to call them, but hung up before it connected. It’d be better if he told them in person rather than panic them on the phone. He needed to persuade them to go into hiding until the two convicts were captured. Since he and Andie had helped put them behind bars, they would be eager for revenge.

Ten minutes later, Cade pulled up to Andie’s parents’ modest home in Itasca. The sun was on its way down, and his stomach grumbled. Pam always cooked more food these days since he hung around, and Cade was looking forward to one last meal before leaving town.

He texted his new security consultant, Tyson Jewell, to prepare a safe house for him, Andie, and her parents. Even though the wedding was a few days away, he’d have to cancel it. Andie would be sorely disappointed, but he had to take precautions to protect them. That was the responsible thing to do, and he’d never forgive himself if harm were to come to Andie because he’d been careless.

Woof, woof. His dog, Red, barked a sharp greeting as he made his way to the door. The aroma of roast beef and gravy wafted through the open window, along with the sounds of Pam and James chatting.

Cade let himself in, since he had a key, and the two dogs, Gollie and Red, mobbed him.

“Andie?” he called after patting the dogs. James was sitting on the couch feeding Bret, and Pam came out of the kitchen, wearing hot mitts.

“You’re in time for dinner, as soon as the girls return,” she said.

“Oh, they went somewhere? I thought Sylvia was fitting Andie’s gown here.”

“They left. They probably didn’t want you to see it,” James said. “Bad luck.”

“Oh, posh.” Pam wagged her hand. “It’s bad luck to see the groom on the day of the wedding. It’s still three days away.”

“The longest three days,” Cade muttered. The fact that Devon and Rob could be here in three days of nonstop driving had his heart pounding against his tight chest.

“What’s the problem?” James pushed a loaded spoon into Bret’s mouth, barely missing it being knocked onto the carpet. “You’re getting cold feet?”

“Me? No. I wish I could marry her today, or yesterday, or the day before, but you know girls. They want to have that grand affair.” Cade stamped down his anxiety, without success. “How long ago did they leave?”

“Before I started dinner,” Pam said. “Although I had the pot roast going in the slow cooker.”

“Maybe an hour or two?” James wiped Bret’s chubby cheeks. “I bet they’re going over every bauble and frilly piece.”

“Let me call her.” Cade pushed the speed dial. Her cell phone rang and rang, then rolled over to voicemail. He left one. “Andie, Cade here. Honey, I miss you. At your place with your parents. Coming home soon?”

“She’s probably out somewhere without a signal,” her father said. “You know how it is lakeside. Tower coverage is spotty in some areas.”

“Where did they go?” Cade’s heartbeat ratcheted up a notch.

“The Lakeside Theater,” her father said. “Apparently the wedding tent from
The Love Lives of King David
movie set was shipped there.”

“Actually, if you two don’t mind holding onto Bret, I’m going to drive out there.” Spikes of anxiety jittered over Cade’s scalp.

“And ruin the surprise?” Andie’s mother wiped her hands with a dish towel. “You can bet those two want you to be impressed. The bridal gown itself belongs in a museum.”

“The amount of detail in such a short period of time,” James said. “That girl, Sylvia, is a genius.”

“Yes, and I rather like her. I hope she stays year round. Andie couldn’t have a better friend.” Pam put her hand on Cade’s arm. “Relax. They’ll be back soon. You don’t want to go all overprotective on her.”

“Actually, I’m worried. She could be in danger.” Cade took a deep breath and swallowed. “Have you watched the news?”

“No, why? Is there a serial killer in the area?” James leaned over and grabbed the remote, switching on the TV.

“I didn’t want to worry you earlier and just blurt it out,” Cade said. “But Devon Davis and Rob Cash escaped from San Quentin yesterday. There’s a manhunt going on in California.”

“Oh, my, that’s horrible,” Andie’s mother said. “Certainly, they’d catch them easily.”

“Not if they had inside help. They disappeared in the back of a supply van.”

Andie’s mother clutched her throat. “You think they’re headed here?”

“I don’t know, but I want to be extra careful. It might be best if we all left town.”

“But, the wedding,” Pam said. “Andie’s looking forward to it. Our extended family’s flying into town in the next few days.”

“Can you not hire extra security?” James added. “Besides, wasn’t Mr. Silver and his company going to provide a decoy wedding to trick any paparazzi?”

“These guys aren’t jokes,” Cade said. “And yes, I’ve contracted Tyson Jewell, Personal Protection Specialist.”

“This sounds serious,” Andie’s mother said. “Maybe we can all go to the theater, find Andie and get you two married right now. I can call the pastor and have him meet us there.”

“I’m ready.” James handed Bret to Cade. “Watch me walk her down the aisle. I’ve been practicing.”

“Then, let’s do it,” Pam said. “Let me put the roast in a warming pan and call Pastor Stewart. We’ll have a reception for the rest of the family after you two go into hiding.”

“Great idea. Let’s get this done.” Cade rubbed his hands together. “But after the wedding, we all have to get out of town.”

Everything was happening at warp speed, and Andie might be upset at him jumping the gun.

But then again, Andie would be his wife tonight, and not a moment too soon.

R
ough hands strapped
Andie with a shoulder and lap belt to the inside of a car. No one spoke, but there were at least two attackers, since someone drove while the man who’d captured her held onto her, pinning her to the backseat.

Pain enveloped her womb, sometimes sharper and other times dull. Her mouth was gagged by a cloth smelling like rotten grapes or stale wine.

“Sylvia,” she mumbled. “Sylvia.”

There was no answer, and no other movement as she bumped along over what was probably a rutted dirt road. Who’d captured her, and where were they taking her?

Andie closed her eyes and concentrated on deep breaths. She had to stop the contractions or poor Bonnie would be born in the kidnapper’s car. Why weren’t her captors speaking? Was it because she would recognize their voices? She’d spoken to Rob Cash once before, during the sting operation in Vegas. Did this guy sound the same or different?

The car turned from the asphalt onto what felt like a rutted dirt road. Where were they taking her? The bumps jostled her body, tightening her womb. Andie let out a moan when a particularly vicious one grabbed her.

Cold sweat popped over her forehead, and the ache deep in her belly grew. She couldn’t stop moaning. Would these criminals take pity on her? From the whiff of perfume coming from the driver’s area, at least one of them was female.

But they might not care if she was in pain. What if they were monsters intent on killing her and her baby? Or maybe it was the baby they were after. Cade’s baby. To kidnap for ransom, or to kill?

Oh, God. Please help me
, Andie prayed.
Don’t let this baby come now. Let me marry Cade first. I should have listened to him and had a simple wedding. Please let Bonnie be okay.
Another contraction dragged a loud, shuddering moan from her throat.

This was bad. Real bad. What if she never saw Cade again? What if she and precious Bonnie were to die? The air was already stale and dank with the gag over her. She could pass out any minute.
Oh, Cade. I should have put you first. This stupid
David Betrayed
wedding was selfish and foolish. I’m the one who was betrayed. I’m so, so sorry.

“
T
here’s
Sylvia’s rental car,” Andie’s mother pointed to the lone car sitting at the Lakeside Theater. The sun had gone down and since the theater was not in season, no one else hung around.

“Why isn’t she picking up?” Cade grumbled, staring at his phone. “You guys wait here. I’ll go check it out and find the easiest way for you to come down.”

“Yes, we’ll wait for Pastor Stewart. Had to call him away from dinner,” Pam said. “I told him it’s an emergency.”

Cade lowered his head and hunched his shoulders. A chill skittered down his spine, feeling like footsteps over his gravestone. He rushed to the entrance. It was locked. He tried the back. Still locked.

He called Andie again. No answer. He called Sylvia. It went straight to voicemail.

“Hello in there,” he cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled. “Andie, Sylvia, is everything okay?”

Nothing.

He rushed around the perimeter, but couldn’t find an open door. The lights were off inside, and the place looked abandoned.

“What happened?” Andie’s mother met him at the front door. “Where are they?”

“Don’t know. We have to call the police.”

Andie’s mother took out her cell phone. A text message chimed. Her mouth dropped and she turned pale.

“What is it?” Cade asked.

She showed him the message.

Andie is safe. Do not call the police. Cade, Pam, and James only are to proceed to the Tall Duck Winery. No police, or you’ll never see Andie and the baby again.

M
ercifully
, the car pulled into a gravel parking lot and slowed. Andie blew out breaths to keep her contractions at bay. Bonnie seemed to be calming down and was back to her rolling movements rather than the troubled tumbling and kicking she did whenever Andie was agitated. But the contractions kept occurring at regular intervals, although less painful now that she wasn’t being bounced around over the dirt road.

The car stopped and the engine was cut. The driver stepped out, and his or her footsteps receded. Andie was still gagged and her face covered with the hood, so she sat still until the man who’d kidnaped her tugged her out of the car onto the gravel parking lot.

He finally removed her hood as he dragged her toward a spooky Victorian-era farmhouse, tall and imposing against the darkened sky. She studied the kidnapper, but didn’t recognize him. He was tall and well-built, with long, stringy hair. Two other figures approached her from the doorway of the house and stood on the porch. One was a young woman, thin and willowy, and the other seemed to be a middle-aged woman.

“Bring her in,” the older woman said. “Why is she gagged? Is that any way to treat the bride?”

Andie’s heartbeat lurched, almost stopping. It was Barbara Prescott, Cade’s mother. She’d know that voice anywhere. Even though it was too dark to get a good look at her, Andie had no doubt Barb had somehow evaded authorities and was up to something—possibly no good.

The man removed her gag and spat. “I didn’t want her screaming for help.”

“Untie her hands,” Barb ordered the man. “This here’s my son’s bride.”

“Barb?” Andie muttered. “Does Cade know you’re here?”

“He will, soon.” Barb hugged Andie, enveloping her with warmth and a cloud of cigarette smoke. “It’s so good to see you again.”

“But, why here? What’s going on? I thought you fled the country,” Andie sputtered, feeling dizzy and nauseous. Now that she’d gotten a look around, she realized they were at the Tall Duck farmhouse. But the man who kidnapped her wasn’t Ambrose. Had they been done away with or were they in cahoots with Barbara?

“Shhh … We’ll talk inside.” Barb stubbed out her cigarette on the wrought iron rail, hooked her hand around Andie’s elbow and led her up the steps of the wraparound porch. “Welcome to my house.”

“Your house? I thought the Tall Duck farmhouse belonged to the McCallister family. I was just here for the tour.” Andie swallowed and endured another contraction, but no one seemed to notice.

“I know, I saw you and your parents. Bret, too.” Barb smiled, opening the ornate oaken door. “Technically, they live here and operate the winery, but I own the mortgage on the house. By the way, a word of advice, they don’t know I’m a crook.”

Andie squinted at all the bright lights as she stepped into the house. Someone had set up the farmhouse like a photoshoot, with flood lights and umbrella lights. She turned to look at Barb, and her jaw hit the floor.

The Barb she knew had horrible teeth and a worn, weathered face. This one was transformed. Her face was devoid of wrinkles, probably botoxed, and her teeth were white and even with shiny caps. Of course, running off with a ton of money helped.

Barbara smiled. “You’re surprised, aren’t you? I’ve truly turned a new leaf. New face, new teeth, no more drugs, and a new investment.”

“I had no clue you were in Itasca this entire time.” Andie leaned closer and whispered, “How’d you get away from the FBI?”

“They’re looking for a junkie, not a business woman.” Barb smirked with a heavy-lidded wink. “And look at you. All dressed up for a wedding. What a unique gown. It’s beautiful.”

Andie pulled at the beaded shawl to straighten it. “I lost the clasp to this, thanks to that guy manhandling me.”

“You mean Donnie?”

“He’s Donnie? Cade’s other brother?” Andie pointed at the man who’d captured her, and was now standing there waving a gun. “You could have been nicer. You made me have contractions in the car.”

“You had contractions?” Cade’s mother rubbed her hand over Andie’s belly. “Are you feeling better? Joanie, get her some water.”

Of course. Andie recognized the willowy woman as Cade’s half-sister. She’d spoken to her once when she visited her in jail.

“Sure, Mom,” Joanie replied. “By the way, Cade’s on his way over. No police.”

Barbara rubbed her hands together. “No police. Good boy. I hope he’s dressed decently.”

“Wait, is this some kind of family reunion?” Andie accepted the glass of water from Joanie. “Where’s Sylvia, my friend?”

“Oh, that kook?” Donnie said. “Joanie locked her in the storage room.”

“What did you do that for?” Andie wanted to break away and call for help.

“Getting her out of the way. We don’t want anyone to ruin your wedding by calling the cops.”

“My wedding?” Andie patted her chest. “It’s three days from now. We have to go and let her out. She might starve in there.”

“Not anymore,” Barb said, perking to the sound of a vehicle rolling on the gravel. “Cade’s here.”

“Cade?” Andie’s stomach plummeted and her womb tightened. Cade would be so shocked to see his mother and brother, and angry if he found out Donnie and Joanie had kidnapped her.

“Whoohoo! They’re here.” Barbara clapped, bouncing up and down like a toddler on cotton candy. “Let’s get this show on the road.”

“Let me take you to freshen up,” Joanie said, tugging at Andie. “After all, it’s bad luck to see the groom.”

“Wait, I have to talk to Cade,” Andie argued. “He might be upset. I have to let him know I’m okay.”

“Sorry, can’t speak to him until after the wedding. Bad luck,” Barbara said. “Donnie, go get your brother ready. You’re the best man, don’t let him run off.”

She laughed at her own joke.

Something fishy was going on. Hadn’t Cade said being around his mother was dangerous? And wasn’t it true that dangerous kingpins could be after Barb, and she and Cade could be caught in the crossfire?

“Let’s go.” Donnie yanked Andie.

“No. Cade, help!” Andie shouted, but Donnie clamped a hand over her mouth.

“You better make my mom happy and go with the program.” He pushed the muzzle of a handgun to the small of Andie’s back and shoved her into a powder room.

“I’ll take it from here,” Joanie said. She stepped in and locked the door. “Time to pretty up for the wedding.”

Andie gulped a jagged breath and nodded. These people might want her and Cade to be married, but they were still dangerous criminals. One slipup and someone could get hurt. She’d better cooperate and hope everyone got out of this in one piece.

She held still as Joanie brushed makeup on her. She was still wearing the Israeli wedding gown and her jeweled sandals sparkled on her feet. She could do it. A private ceremony for Cade’s family on the lam, and then the
David Betrayed
wedding on the set in three days. She’d keep calm and everything would be okay.

If Bonnie cooperated.

“
Y
ou guys stay
in the car with Bret and let me check this out,” Cade cautioned Pam and James as he parked the car near the exit.

The farmhouse in front of them belonged to the McCallister family, one of the founding families of Itasca. How could they be involved in kidnapping Andie? Did they know Rob Cash or Devon Davis?

Maybe he should have clued in the police. But it was too late. Andie was in there, and he’d risk his life to protect her.

“Andie, where are you?” he yelled to announce himself to the perps. It wouldn’t do to get shot sneaking into the house.

The farmhouse door opened and a regal female figure stepped out, her arms wide open. Her shape looked familiar, but it couldn’t be. Cade blinked and stared at her, trying to make out her features in the dark.

“Cade, my son, did you bring the in-laws? How’s Bret?” The woman marched toward him and wrapped her arms around him.

“Mom?” Cade’s knees went weak, and his heart clutched in his chest. “What’s going on? Is Andie okay?”

“She looks gorgeous. Joanie’s getting her ready for the wedding.”

“And I’m your best man,” his brother Donnie said, twirling his gun like it was a toy.

“I don’t get it.” Cade craned his neck into the brightly lit farmhouse. A sheet cake and a fruit platter were laid out on a long table, and a lectern stood at the head of the table.

Mrs. McCallister, whom he’d met when Andie and he ordered the food for the reception, stood beside the table, wringing her hands and blinking like she had sunscreen in her eyes. Whatever was going on, she was nervous.

Her son, Ambrose, sat in front of an old pump organ. He also looked miserable. As if reminding him of his place, Donnie waved the gun at him, and he quickly turned back to the sheet music.

Okay, so the McCallisters were acting under duress. Not good.

“Mom, what are you up to this time? Andie better be okay.” Cade lowered his voice and stared into his mother’s face. Somehow she was more beautiful than he’d remembered. Her skin was smooth and supple, and her eyes sparkled, alive and alert.

“Oh, she’s more than okay. She’s marrying you tonight,” his mother said. “Listen, I’m truly sorry for everything I put you through. I love you as much as I’m able to, and I couldn’t stay away from your wedding.”

What the heck? Had Andie put her up to this? But no, she wouldn’t have run off without telling him, and she’d definitely not have skipped out on the
David Betrayed
wedding tent. This had to be tied into the Rob and Devon prison break.

“Look, Mom, whatever game you’re playing, it’s over. I have security on the way, so give it up. Let Andie go before people get hurt.”

Barbara only smiled, plastic and calm. She looked over his shoulder. “I see Pam with Bret. It’s a perfect night for a wedding, isn’t it?”

“Okay, if you say so,” Cade answered. He didn’t see how they’d get married since no one was here to officiate, but he’d humor his mother and pretend to go along with it. Afterwards, he was turning her in to the FBI to face charges. With Rob and Devon loose, she’d be safer in custody. “Let me help James from the car.”

His mother rushed toward Andie’s mother, arms wide open. “How good to see you again. And how’s my Bret? Oh my, look how big he is. May I hold him?”

“Sure,” Andie’s mother said, her eyes locked on Donnie and his gun. She handed Bret to Cade’s mother.

“Donnie, put the gun away,” Cade ordered. “You’re making me nervous.”

“Gotta make sure you don’t run off,” Donnie said.

“I’m not going anywhere but to get Andie’s father from the car.” Cade clenched his fists and strode to the car where Andie’s father sat.

“What’s going on?” her father asked. “Are we safe here?”

“For now, my mother wants to play at having a wedding. I’m going to clue Tyson in on what’s going on.”

Cade called Tyson and gave him a brief overview of the situation. “Please stand back until after the mock ceremony. After Andie, Bret and her parents are safely away from the farmhouse, tip off the FBI. But only afterwards. I don’t want Andie or her family to be caught in the crossfire.”

“Got it. We’re tracking you with GPS and know exactly where you are. I’ll prepare the team,” Tyson said.

“Great.” Cade hung up. He turned to James. “Ready to walk your daughter down the aisle?”

“Absolutely.” The older man beamed and tugged on his jacket. “Bring me my walker. I don’t want to embarrass everyone by falling.”