Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 (16 page)

SEVENTEEN

T
hursday morning found the sun breaking through the clouds as though eager to get the day started. Tonya couldn't say she felt the same, but her middle-of-the-night resolve hadn't wavered. She was still determined to do this. But the knowledge that her family was going to be there terrified her. She called Grant and told him not to come.

“Too late. And if you're still in danger, this time we're all fighting back.”

Uncertainty tried to wrangle its way in and she shoved it aside. Security was tight enough for a presidential visit thanks to Clay and his Nashville resources. It would be all right. She almost smiled at the thought. Seth's optimism was starting to rub off on her.

She and Seth arrived at the arena early. Staff was working hard, setting up and getting ready for the first event, which would start at six o'clock that evening. Some vendors had already shown up and gotten started on the setup, parking their motor homes and RVs and fifth wheels in the large lot behind the arena.

Tonya stepped from the truck and ran her already sweaty palms down the front of her jeans. She could do this. She
would
do this. Her eyes searched the growing crowd and fell on a familiar face just as the woman bent to fill her cup with water from the jug. “Mia!”

Her friend paused for a brief moment, then turned from the water station, her eyes wide. “Tonya? I thought that was your voice! What are you doing here?” She set her cup on the table and closed the distance to grab Tonya in a bone-crushing hug. “Are you all right? Where've you been? I want to hear everything. Tell me!”

Tonya gave a breathless laugh and extracted herself from her best friend's grip. The tall dark-haired beauty looked tired and stressed, but Tonya was so glad to see her. “I'm fine. I'm okay. At least for now. How are you? You been sleeping okay?”

Mia waved a hand. “It's been a stressful few days. But forget about that. What about that guy that was stalking you? Hank?”

“They caught him. He's in jail. I think he's supposed to be transferred to Nashville sometime today.”

“Oh, wow. That's crazy. I'm so glad you're okay.” Mia gave her a quick hug. “Still, you'd better watch your back.”

“What do you mean?”

Mia grimaced. “Glory's here.”

Tonya nearly wilted in relief. “Oh. Okay. Thanks for the heads-up.” The last person she was worried about was Seth's ex-girlfriend. She didn't necessarily want to go to lunch with the woman, but she could be civil if she happened to run into her.

“Well, I gotta go,” Mia said, glancing at her watch. “I've got to walk the dogs and make sure I'm ready for tonight. They're letting me do an abbreviated version of one of my shows.”

“You'll be great. I'll see you later.”

Mia rushed off in the direction of the motor-home parking and Tonya turned to see Seth in deep conversation with Clay. Her heart thudded that extra beat as it always did when he was around. He looked amazing in his rodeo attire. Chaps covered his jeans, and his plaid shirt was tucked in, showing off his trim waist. His hat sat cocked at an angle, revealing his strong features. Features that looked strained. She moved toward the men. “What's going on?”

Seth held up a rope. “Jake brought this to me. It's the one I used the day I fell last week. Mia said she hung it in the storage area for me to pick up when I could, but Jake said it wasn't there when he went to get it. He said he looked around but finally had to give up and get on the road. At the last minute, he decided to clean the trash out of his truck—” At Tonya's raised brow, he nodded. “Yes, he was really going to do that. Anyway, he drove around to the Dumpster and found this lying on the ground next to it.”

“Someone tried to throw it away?”

“Someone in a hurry. They missed.”

“But why?”

He grabbed two pieces and held them out to her. “To get rid of the evidence. See anything wrong with this?”

She gasped. “Part of it's been cut.”

Seth's heart still pounded in his chest as his gaze swung between his brother and Tonya. Her face had gone white and Clay looked ready to use his weapon on the person who'd cut the rope. Assuming he could find him. The rope had been sliced almost in half. The bucking and rocking of the bull and Seth's tight grip had been enough to break it the rest of the way.

Tonya stared at him, her blue eyes shimmering with fear. “Who could have done such a thing? You put that rope on yourself.”

“I don't know. It's crazy sometimes when I'm getting ready to get on the bull. People hanging over the fence, holding the rope so I can tie my hand.” He shrugged. “I can't remember all the people there. Jake and Monty and—” He blew out a sigh. “I just don't know. I wasn't paying attention. I was trying to keep my focus on the ride.” And his stomach from losing what little he'd eaten that day.

“So why would someone want to sabotage your ride?” she asked. It was a rhetorical question. She knew the answer as well as he did; he could see the knowledge in her eyes.

His jaw tightened and he answered it anyway. “Because I'm winning a lot of money and I'm going to the NFR in December. If I get injured and can't go, someone else gets to take my place.”

“But who? I can't believe it.
Who?
”

Clay stepped forward. “Who stands to gain the most if you don't ride in the finals, Seth?”

“Whoever would slide in my spot should I fall off the list.”

“That would be Jodie,” Tonya said.

Seth shook his head. “Actually, I think it's Monty. Jodie's at number seventeen. Monty's at number sixteen.”

Clay nodded. “I'll find him. And if you insist on riding today, you better make sure you've got a good rope on there and people you trust around the pen.”

“I'll be on the alert.”

“I've got a prisoner to get ready for transport, but I'll be back later this afternoon,” Clay said.

Seth nodded and his brother headed to his cruiser, climbed in and drove away.

Tonya stared at him. “Are you still going to ride?”

Seth narrowed his eyes. “Not only that, but I'm going to win.” At her blink, he softened his stance. “I know this ride isn't going to be about the money or the finals. It's about the principle of the thing.”

“I understand.” She placed a hand on his arm. “Seth, someone was in the barn last night,” she reminded him. “Could that person have been looking for some of your gear to try and sabotage you again?”

Seth froze. She was right. “My initials are all over my gear,” he said. “It wouldn't take much to figure out what belonged to me. But someone dropped the pen near the storage room, not the tack room, where I keep my gear.”

She shrugged. “I don't know, but you need to be real careful.”

He nodded and frowned. “We both do.”

“Tonya? Honey?”

Tonya whirled at the familiar voice. She hesitated less than a second before she hurled herself into the familiar arms. “Mom.” Tears leaked, then streamed. She pulled back and looked the woman full in the face. “You haven't changed a bit.”

“Oh, sweetheart, you're such a liar. Missing you has aged me considerably.”

“Well, maybe it's because I can't see through my tears very well, but you look exactly the same to me.”

Her mother pulled her back into a hug and just held her while they both cried.

“Hey, Clown. Enough of that crying stuff. I need a hug, too.”

Tonya looked up to find her brother Grant and her father, Doug, standing off to the side scuffing their feet and peering at her from the corners of their eyes. She hugged one, then the other, relishing the reality of their presence. Finally, she sniffed and scrubbed at her face with the only thing she had available: her shirtsleeve.

Her mother stuffed tissues into her hand. “I came prepared.”

Tonya gave a shaky laugh. “Thanks.” She mopped up her face as best she could. And remembered Seth. She turned to find him watching the whole thing with a smile on his handsome face. And was that a tear in his eye? She held out a hand and he stepped forward. “Seth, this is part of my family. Mom, Dad, Grant, this is Seth. I've been staying with his family. If you've talked to Clay, that's his brother.”

Tonya's mom moved forward to hug Seth. “Thank you for keeping her safe.”

Seth flushed and hugged her back. “It was my pleasure, ma'am. I've grown pretty fond of...uh... Clown?”

Tonya turned a glare on Grant, who feigned a duck. “Don't let her hurt me.”

Tonya shook her head and scowled. “You're the one who should have the nickname Clown.”

Tonya's father stepped forward for another hug. “We know you're busy, baby, but we couldn't wait to see you. I talked to Deputy Starke this morning and he said Hank was going behind bars for a long time.”

Tonya bit her lip and nodded as reality intruded. “Yes. Yes, he is. I'll have to testify again, but he won't be getting off as easy. He planted a bomb that could have hurt a lot of people. Apparently that's more serious than trying to strangle someone, but that's all right—I'll take it.”

Tonya's mother held her arms out for another hug. “We drove the motor home, so we'll be there resting while you get ready for tonight. We'll see you soon, okay?”

“Perfect. I'm so glad to see you all.”

“Us too, honey, us too.”

Her family walked away and it was all she could do not to bolt after them, touch them, hug them, talk to them. Just to make sure they were really there.

“Come on,
Clown
. We have a rodeo to get ready for,” Seth said.

“And equipment to go over with a fine-tooth comb.”

“Ma'am?”

Tonya turned to find a large man in a Tennessee police uniform standing behind her. “Yes?”

“Are you Tonya Waters?”

“I am.”

He held out a hand. “I'm Officer Richard Abbott. Clay asked me to make sure you have security with you at all times.”

“A bodyguard?” she asked.

“Something like that.” His smile revealed even white teeth in his tanned face. “Clay explained what was going on with you. I'm going to hang near but won't interfere with anything you need.”

Her gaze bounced between the officer and Seth. “I'm really not sure I'm the one who needs the bodyguard anymore. I think Seth is the one who might need the extra protection.”

Seth shook his head, crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest. “I'm fine. I'm going to check out my gear and make sure it's good to go. And then I'm going to recheck it minutes before I'm supposed to ride. He stays with you.”

She hesitated, still unsure, then nodded. He would be smart. And so would she. “All right, Officer Abbott, let's go find the dressing room.”

EIGHTEEN

T
he work progressed pretty quickly. Seth ended up helping Aaron distribute the gear to those who'd shipped it or dropped it off. He had help, but it was never enough and no one was about to turn away his extra pair of hands. Time passed and he finally caught sight of Monty. Anger bubbled beneath the surface at the thought that the man could do something so underhanded. Then again, he didn't have proof that his buddy had actually done it. Seth would hold his tongue until something was proved.

Before he knew it, the afternoon was gone and he was starving. He hadn't seen much of Tonya since she'd left with the security guard, but every once in a while she would wave at him while on her way to do whatever task she had to get done. Her police-officer bodyguard trailed faithfully behind, staying close enough to ease Seth's mind. And every time he saw someone from the rodeo last weekend, he couldn't help but wonder if he or she was the one who'd dropped the pen in the barn.

“Hey.”

Seth looked up to find Tonya standing next to him and the empty truck bed. “Hey yourself.”

She held out an aluminum-wrapped burger. He snagged it. “Aaron's gone to get us some food, but this will make a nice appetizer. Bless you.” He opened the burger and took a huge bite.

“Guess I should have gotten three or four.”

“Nah, I'll have to wait to eat a real meal until after I ride. Don't want to embarrass myself out there.” He took a closer look at her pale face. His hunger faded. “What's wrong?”

“Clay just called. He tried you first but couldn't get you.”

Seth patted his belt where he usually carried his phone. He'd stuck it on the front seat of Aaron's truck so he wouldn't catch it on anything. “What is it?”

“Hank escaped.”

* * *

Tonya heard the words leave her lips but almost couldn't process what she was saying. Seth's jaw went tight and his eyes narrowed. “What? How?”

“He had help. They were on their way to the Nashville prison. Clay said Ronnie and Lance had him in the car when, about ten minutes outside Nashville, Hank started vomiting. They pulled over and got him out of the car. Someone started shooting at them and Ronnie was hit. He's in the hospital, but he's alive and will be all right. Lance fired back, but Hank managed to crawl away while whoever was helping him kept Lance from doing anything.”

“They didn't have him cuffed?” Seth's shock echoed through the barn. The other men had stopped and were listening.

“Yes, of course, but that didn't stop him from slithering away like the snake he is. He even managed to get Lance's gun on his way to freedom.” Seth heard the bitterness in her voice and didn't blame her. She shook her head. “I should have known,” she whispered. “We've thought all along he was working with someone. Now we know for sure.”

Seth ran a weary hand over his brow. “And now he has a gun.”

“Yes.”

“And he's on the loose again.”

“Yes. Which means he's probably heading this way.”

Seth glanced at his watch. “The rodeo starts in thirty minutes. Clay will have notified security here. You've got Officer Abbott here on you. I've checked my gear and all is fine.” He took a deep breath. “I think we'll be all right. Everyone will be on the lookout for Hank. He'll lie low for a while.”

Tonya pursed her lips and studied him. He could see her thinking. She finally gave a slow nod. “All right. You could be right. Let's not let the possibility of him showing up ruin this. Let's trust security to do their jobs so we can do ours.”

“Deal.” He hugged her tight and placed a kiss on the top of her head.
God, please don't let anything happen to her.
“Now, let's go win some money for some Li'l Buckaroos.”

Tonya nodded. “Yeah. Let's do that.”

“We're one of the first events, so we're going to have to hurry.” Seth looked up to find Aaron coming toward him. “Hang on to that food. I'm going to need it before too long.”

His brother nodded and tossed the food bags into the front seat of his truck. “Don't fall off this time. It's only eight seconds.”

“I appreciate the concern and the support.”

Aaron turned serious. “I mean it.”

“I know you do.”

Aaron man-hugged him and moved away. Seth gave him a two-fingered salute and followed Tonya to the arena and around to the dressing room. “See you soon.”

“Yeah. Be careful, Seth.”

“Always.”

He locked his gaze on hers and swooped in for a swift kiss. “We're going to talk.”

“I know.”

“Okay, then.” He turned away and caught Officer Abbott's gaze. He nodded. The officer nodded back. Good—they understood each other.

Seth entered the men's dressing room and waded through the participants, accepting slaps on the back and
welcome home
s with a smile and words of thanks. But his mind was on Tonya, Hank's escape and the long eight seconds coming up.

* * *

Tonya rolled the barrel into the arena one more time. Monty had ridden first, then Jake. Now Seth was up. Mia had done her quick show with the dogs and the audience was still cheering for her. Now it was Tonya's turn to bull-fight for Seth. Mia would join her in seconds as soon as she had the dogs put up.

Her heart fluttered in her chest. Tonya knew she had to get her mind in the game and off the fear that Hank would show up instead of deciding to lie low. She glanced at the barrel and thought it felt a bit lighter than usual but didn't think anything about it as her gaze sought Seth. There he was. Already in the bull pen, getting ready to lower himself on the snorting, pawing beast. She closed her eyes and breathed a quick prayer for his safety.
Please, don't let him fall off.

She left her barrel in the middle of the ring and moved close to the pen where she would wait for the two other cowboys to pull open the gate. Mia raced out to join her on the opposite side. She watched Seth wrap his hand and test the rope. One pull, two. He looked up and met her gaze. He gave her a quick nod and she answered with the same. He was ready.

And so was she. She glanced at Mia, who nodded.

Tonya scratched her head under the wig and drew in a deep breath. Seth gave the signal he was ready. The crowd stayed silent. The gates opened and the bull shot out, bucking.

Seth held on. Tonya stayed out of the way but close by in case she had to act. Mia did the same, circling the bull, dodging the hooves. Tonya prayed while her adrenaline hummed. The bull spun, flinging Seth sideways, and still he held on, his gloved right hand gripping the rope, his left waving in the air. The time ticked down.

The crowd rose to its feet.

Three...two...one.

The buzzer sounded. The bull kept going, but she could see Seth had his hand free and was ready to jump. Mia backed away as the bull shot his legs into the air. When he touched down again, Seth leaped clear. The crowd roared their cheers.

Tonya sprang into action. Seth was still a good ways from the fence. The animal snorted and bucked his displeasure. His hooves crashed into the dirt and the air seemed to vibrate as he had his full attention on Seth.

Mia grabbed the red cloth and waved it at the bull. The two cowboys who'd opened the gate raced to Seth, who'd already rolled to his feet. The bull charged at them. Mia raced in front of him, flinging the cloth in his face. He stopped in his tracks for a brief second, then shook his head and came after her.

Tonya yelled and raced for the fence. Seth was safe, as was Mia, who'd made it to the other side. But the bull wasn't heading back to the pen as he was supposed to. He whirled and came after her. Tonya knew she'd never make it and bolted for the barrel. She threw herself inside.

And froze.

There were no handles. No aluminum frame. Just wood. Nothing that could stop the bull's horns should he decide to ram one of them. It would go straight through the wood and into her. Someone had switched the barrels. She was dead if she stayed inside, because no one on the outside would know that she wasn't protected. She popped up, terror racing through her. The bull circled her, ducked his head and pawed the ground.

Think, Tonya, think!

The bull charged. Tonya ducked and braced herself. The animal rammed his head against the barrel. Tonya slammed against the side, felt her world tilt, then roll. She heard the crowd's yell, their claps and more cheers. She had to get out.

Or she would be seriously hurt—or dead—within the next few seconds.