Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #2 (3 page)

She took a breath, let it out slowly. “I finally had the idea to just go limp right before I passed out. He must have let go immediately, thinking I was dead. One of my brothers, Grant, found me and got me to the hospital.”

“And this psychopath is walking around free?”

Seth's outrage soothed some of her panic. “He went to jail but didn't stay there long. I've been hiding from him ever since. I have minimal contact with my family. I don't even want them knowing where I am.” As she said the words aloud, an ache formed in her throat and tears rose to the surface. How she missed her big wonderful family. “I don't want them in danger. He threatened them once, almost killed Jacob, my youngest brother. I won't give him a reason to go after them again.”

Seth held out a hand and she walked over to take it. His warm fingers wrapped around hers. “What are you going to do now that he's found you?”

“Run.”

“You can't do that,” Seth blurted out. His immediate desire to keep her close surprised him. Just like in the ambulance. He hadn't wanted her to leave then, and he didn't now. He frowned, wondering at the strangeness of his feelings. She lifted a brow and he waved a hand. “I mean, of course you
can
, but I don't want you to.”

Tonya tilted her head and stared at him. “Well, what other choice do I have?”

“Fight him. Call the authorities. Tell them he's stalking you—harassing you—and you want it stopped.”

She sighed, walked to the door to peer out one more time, then came back to sit on the edge of the bed. He drew in a deep breath, drinking in her scent. Vanilla, strawberries, something else. All mixed in with the smell of horses and leather. And possibly sweat and dirt. He loved it. She'd gotten most of the clown paint off her face, but she'd missed one spot on the side of her nose.

She looked down at her hands. “I wish it was that simple.”

“Why isn't it?” He struggled back into a sitting position. His leg twinged, but the sharp tearing pain from earlier was gone.

She leaned over and helped adjust the pillow behind him. Her nearness nearly caused his heart to explode. Her tender care, her gentle touch, set his pulse to pounding.

He liked the way she did things almost without thinking. She'd noticed he could use a hand and offered one. He had to blink to focus on her words and resist the desire to pull her close.

“Because he's clever,” she said. “No one ever sees him do anything wrong. In public he's in control, the nicest man you'd ever hope to meet. He could charm a bird out of a tree.” She hesitated and he could see her fear escalating with whatever memories were going through her mind. “I've worked with the authorities before, to no avail. It took me almost dying to get him finally jailed.” She shook her head. “I can't go through that again,” she whispered.

He couldn't resist anymore. She'd offered him comfort just by being there with him. He grasped her upper arm and pulled her close. She tensed and he stopped, wondering if he was being too forward. Then something seemed to snap inside of her and she leaned into him, wrapped her arms around him and rested her head against his shoulder.

He held her and she let him. “I haven't said thank you.”

She pulled away and he wished he'd kept his big mouth shut. She sniffed and grabbed a tissue from the box near his bed. “For what?”

“You saved my life today and I haven't even thanked you.”

“Oh. You're welcome.”

He laughed. “You say that like it's no big deal.”

Tonya flushed. “Of course your life is a big deal.”

“I didn't mean that. I meant you act like what you do, the risks you take, is not a big thing. It's crazy and admirable and dangerous.”

She shrugged. “I don't think about the danger so much. I mean, I know I could be seriously hurt one day, or even killed, but I'm good at what I do and I'm careful.” She paused and tilted her head. “And I pray a lot.”

“I know you're careful. I've seen you work, Ms. Rodeo Clown of the Year.”

She flushed again. “Stop.”

“It's impressive. You want to get to the NFR this year, too, as one of the barrelmen, don't you?”

“Of course I do, but you know as well as I do that's a long shot. I work in a man's world where the good-ol'-boy system is alive and well.” He knew what she meant. Peers voted for whom they thought deserved to go to the NFR and work in the arena. Only three went. And the men tended to stick together when it came down to the voting.

The knock on the door startled them both. Tonya stood as the doctor walked in. “All right, Mr. Starke, you're good to go. The nurse will be by with your papers shortly. Are you allergic to anything?”

Seth shot the orthopedist a sour look. “You mean besides the apparent newly acquired allergy of bull riding?”

Dr. Mobley smiled. “Yes.”

“Then that would be a no.”

“Excellent. I've prescribed you some painkillers in case you need them. You'll probably be able to walk, but it won't be comfortable. We'll get you a wheelchair to get you out of here.”

Seth scowled. “No wheelchair. I'll be fine. The fact that I can walk is better than any drug you've got.”

“All right, then. All the best to you.”

“Thanks.”

The nurse entered shortly after Dr. Mobley left. Seth signed the papers. “Do you need anything for pain before you go?”

Seth gave his leg a test move and stood. He gasped and gritted his teeth but was able to stay upright and keep the weight on it. Mostly. Relief pushed aside the pain. “No, the other drugs are just starting to wear off. I don't need anything else right now.”

The nurse nodded, pulled her copies from the stack and handed Seth the others. “Take care of yourself.”

“Right.”

She looked at Tonya. “We haven't seen the man you told us about. I think he may have left.”

“Good.”

Seth turned toward her. Tonya's face was pale and frightened, but she lifted her chin up a notch. “Are you sure you're all right?” he asked.

She drew in a deep breath. “I will be.” He took a step and hissed at the lightning that shot through his thigh. “What about you?” she asked.

“It hurts, but I'll make it.”

Tonya stepped up beside him and wrapped an arm around his waist. “Lean on me if you need to.”

Her offer melted something inside him. When was the last time—discounting his family—someone had genuinely wanted to do something for him?

Just because. Not as an expectation that he would do something in return. He couldn't remember. “I'd squash you.” But he wasn't going to argue about the close proximity. Quite frankly, he relished it.

She frowned. “I'm stronger than I look.”

He settled her under his shoulder and took another deep breath. “All right, let's go.”

“Just one thing.”

“What's that?” he asked, looking down at her upturned face.

“I want to go out the back. I know I saw Hank here and I know he's waiting on me to walk out the way we came in.”

THREE

H
er heart trembled when Seth nodded and, without another word, led her toward the back exit. His limp was pronounced, but at least he was on his feet. She kept her head tilted toward him but her eyes bounced off each face she passed.

They exited the back of the ER into another part of the hospital. “Did you see him?” Seth asked.

“No.” But it didn't mean he wasn't watching. Just waiting for her to step outside the hospital, where she would be an easy mark. “He was in the emergency department,” she said. “I know it was him.”

“How do you think he got back there?”

“I told you. He's charming.”

“How did he even know you were here?”

She swallowed and paused. Seth stopped and leaned against the wall to take the weight off his sore leg. Tonya noticed his ruggedly tanned cheeks were about two shades lighter than normal. “Hank saw me get in the ambulance. I spotted him and that's why I wanted to hitch a ride with you.” She bit her lip. “I'm sorry.”

Realization dawned. “Ah. So all he had to do was call around and ask if I was in the ED. Pretend he was my brother or something and was looking for me.”

“Or simply follow the ambulance if his car was nearby.”

His lips quirked up in a half smile. “So, you weren't so concerned about me—you were just trying to get away from him.”

Stricken, she grasped his hand. “Of course I was concerned—”

He placed a finger over her lips. “I'm just teasing, Tonya. I'm glad you hitched the ride with me. To tell you the truth, it was good to have you there.” She saw his Adam's apple bob. “I didn't feel so alone.”

Tonya blew out an unsteady breath and glanced back over her shoulder as his words resonated within her. She had been concerned, downright
terrified
for him. She closed her eyes and willed her heart to slow its racing beat.
Don't be attracted to him. Don't even think about it. Haven't you learned your lesson with Daniel?
The harsh mental reprimand didn't slow her heart rate, but the memory of Daniel's death allowed her to put some emotional distance between her and Seth. She took a step and glanced over at him. “I think we should go.”

“How? We don't have a car.”

“That's why God invented cabs. Or we can call Jake. He offered to clean out his truck for you.”

Seth wrinkled his nose. “No way. I'll take the cab.” They started walking again—or rather, she walked while Seth limped along beside her. Tonya's gaze bounced off each person within eyesight. She finally drew in a steady breath and decided maybe Hank had given up and left. She didn't fool herself into thinking it was a permanent absence, but as long as she could get Seth home safe, that was all that mattered right now.

She pulled out her phone and looked up the number for the cab company. Seth shifted and a low grunt escaped him. “You should have taken that offer of the wheelchair,” she murmured.

He shot her an insulted look. “Not this buckaroo.”

Tonya rolled her eyes, then tapped the number that popped up onto her screen. Within seconds she had a cab on the way. “I'm going back to my RV and pulling out,” she said softly.

“Where are you going to go? What about your job?”

She groaned. He had a good point. As of today, her reputation on the circuit was stellar. If she left now, her name in the industry would suffer. Was she willing to let Hank do that? He'd already taken away just about everything she cared about. Was she going to let him take this, too?

She lifted her chin. Seth was right—she had to finish the show. Then she could disappear. “Okay, then. As soon as the rodeo's over, I'll leave.” And cancel her other obligations until it was safe to surface again. She bit her lip as they continued their slow progress toward the lobby, where the cab would pick them up. “I can cancel the contest I was going to compete in next weekend.”

“You're winning quite a few of those, aren't you?”

She shrugged and smiled. “It's a way to earn some extra money and I like them. The element of danger isn't quite so nerve-racking.” Her smile slipped back into a frown. “But what am I going to do about Hank? What if he shows up at the rodeo tomorrow?”

“When we get back, we'll move your motor home to another spot on the grounds. We'll talk to rodeo security, make sure they're keeping an eye on your place. We'll also be up-front and honest about the fact that you have a stalker.”

They reached the lobby of the hospital and Tonya kept her back against one of the walls while she watched for the cab to pull up in the circular area.

When it did, she slipped an arm around Seth's waist. He allowed her to help support him without a word. Which said a lot to her about his pain level. And stubbornness. His breath warmed her ear, threatening to shatter her composure.

With a steadying breath, and a refusal to acknowledge her rapid pulse, she helped him into the backseat of the cab then went around to the other side to get in behind the driver.

“You're strong,” Seth said.

“I have to be.” He knew that, but she could see it still surprised him. She turned in the seat to look out the back window. No sign of Hank. But she knew that could be deceptive. She'd thought he was gone from her life at one time and he'd shown back up with a vengeance. Fear shivered through her. What was she going to do? The thought of facing him down terrified her.
Lord, show me what to do.

She gave the driver the address for the rodeo grounds. Seth leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Tonya started to reach for his hand and stopped. She couldn't let herself care for him any more. She couldn't develop any feelings for him. Or depend on him. Not just because she was leaving, but because he could break her heart.

But she silently admitted she'd always liked Seth, thought he was one of the cowboys who just had a special quality about him. She'd heard the rumors, of course, about his girlfriend leaving him after he broke his leg. That he'd been devastated but more determined than ever to make a comeback.

And he had. He held the fifteenth spot and she had no doubt he would continue to move up the list as he kept winning rodeos. He would be riding the NFR and she wouldn't be around to see it. The thought made her inexplicably sad.

Exhaustion swamped her, but she still had a long night ahead of her. She glanced at her phone. Mia had called four times. She called her friend back.

“Are you okay?” Mia demanded. “Where are you?”

“I'm fine. I went to the hospital with Seth.”

“That was some crazy move you did over that fence.”

A small smile curled her lips. She felt relieved she had a reason to actually smile about something. “I suppose I should thank my parents for all of the gymnastics classes in my youth.”

“Is there anything you need?” Mia's voice had lost its edge, softening now that her worry was eased. She could picture her best friend's forehead creased with worry. Mia's tall, lanky build disguised her ability to move with speed when faced with an angry bull. Her friend's agility in the arena was amazing and she had fans who came from all over to watch her perform.

“No, I'm on the way back with Seth. The bull bruised Seth's leg, but we're grateful it wasn't broken again.” She paused. “Mia?”

“Yeah?”

“You know that man I told you about? Hank Newman?”

“Hank Newman? No... Wait. The guy who tried to kill you in college? The one you said stalked you?”

“Yes.”

“What about him?”

“He was there today. At the rodeo.”

“
What?
Are you sure?” Mia's skepticism came through loud and clear.

“I'm sure.”

“But...why?”

“I think we know why.”

“Did you call the police?”

Tonya sighed. “No. Not yet. I haven't had the chance. But, I mean, what's the point in calling them, anyway? If past experience is anything to go by, it's not like they can do anything. All he's done is come to a rodeo. That's not against the law.”

“Surely the fact that he tried to kill you before would hold some weight in what they could do, wouldn't it?”

Tonya thought about that. She was still so shaken that Hank had found her, she wasn't thinking straight. “I don't know. Maybe. I'll have to find out.”

“I think you really should. Be careful, Tonya. You never know what he might do.” She paused. “Actually, you do know what he might do. Best to avoid that.”

She hung up with her friend and closed her eyes.

“You okay?” Seth asked.

“I'm scared,” she admitted without opening her eyes. “I can do high-wire acts, let someone springboard me out of a cannon and face down ornery bulls, but the thought of coming face-to-face with Hank Newman paralyzes me with a fear I don't know what to do with.”

She felt his hand close around hers with a gentleness that disguised his strength. The instant comfort she felt surprised her—warmed her. “We'll go to the police if you see him again.”

“At first I didn't think going to the police would even matter. But Mia pointed out the fact that he has been jailed for trying to kill me, so maybe...”

“We'll get a restraining order.”

She sighed. “Like I already told you, I've done that before. And I'll do it again, of course, but he doesn't care. It didn't stop him from tracking me down at work the day he got out of prison, and I'm afraid it won't stop him now.”

“My brother is a sheriff's deputy in Wrangler's Corner. I'll ask his advice.”

“Okay. Thanks.” She'd let him do that but didn't hold out much hope that it would help. After all, she'd already been down that road once before. She knew it led only to a dead end.

* * *

Seth's leg burned with an ache that kept him tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable position on the mattress. He finally threw the sheets off and sat up.
1:40 a.m.
He sighed and debated about taking a pain pill. He hadn't bothered filling the prescription the doctor had given him earlier, but he had a few left from his first fall.

If he was honest, it wasn't really his leg that was bothering him as much as it was what he'd learned tonight about Tonya Waters. Someone had tried to kill her—and apparently that someone was back. He shook his head. There were some crazy people out there.

During the cab ride back to the rodeo grounds, he'd gathered his strength and called Jake, whose trailer was right next to Seth's. After Seth explained the situation, his buddy had agreed to swap sites with Tonya.

“That's way too much trouble,” Tonya had protested.

“What if I need something during the night? What if something happens and I need you to come help me out?”

She'd narrowed her eyes, clearly not buying it and knowing as well as he did that Jake would be there for him if he needed it. But she'd sighed and shrugged. “Okay, you win.”

“It's not about winning, Tonya—it's about making sure you're safe. And besides, security is close by, as well as some of the other bull riders. If anything happens, you'll have help.”

She'd bitten her lip and nodded. Then fought the tears he'd seen gathering in her pretty blue eyes. “All right. I'm not going to be stupid. Thank you.”

The process had taken a grand total of thirty minutes. One thing about living on the road: buckaroos and bullfighters had the art of moving down to a science.

Now Tonya was tucked in her motor home next to his.

And he still couldn't sleep.

He walked into the kitchen to grab a cup of water. Standing at the window, he studied Tonya's motor home. She had one she drove—a Class C. Seth looked around his fifth wheel. Space-wise, his was larger, roomier than Tonya's, but he had to haul his behind his truck. But he didn't mind. When he wasn't on the circuit, he was home in Wrangler's Corner, his fifth wheel parked in a space on the property where he could hook up and have his own privacy. One day he'd build a house there.

A house for his wife, his family.

He couldn't help glancing at Tonya's motor home one more time. The light was still on, the brightness peeking around the edges of her pulled curtains.

He'd heard the rumors, of course. That after Daniel's death, she'd closed herself off from any romantic entanglements with those in the business. He sighed. He understood it. He felt the same way. After Glory's betrayal, he'd vowed that he'd make sure a woman loved him for himself, not his name or the money in his savings account. He grimaced and massaged the muscles above the bruise on his sore leg. Why was he even pondering these things? He was being silly.

No. He was lonely. He wanted a wife, a marriage. One like his parents'. They'd been married thirty-seven years. They'd had good times and bad, but they'd stuck it out and stayed together. Which was exactly what he was looking for.

Too bad the women he seemed to be attracted to didn't feel the same way. Except maybe Tonya.

“Enough.” He swallowed the last of the water in his glass and headed back to bed. If he was going to ride tomorrow, he needed to sleep.

* * *

Tonya jerked awake, heart pounding, blood rushing. She shoved into a sitting position on the couch where she'd dozed off and rubbed a hand down her face. She hadn't meant to fall asleep. She couldn't sleep until she was in a safe place. Right now Hank knew where she was. He might have to hunt a little to find her motor home, but she had no doubt he'd find her. She'd just bought herself a little time with the move. But how much time?

Tonya got up and grabbed her laptop. She opened the lid and powered her phone on to use as a hot spot for the internet.

Once she had her search engine up, she typed in
Hank Newman
. Several options came up. The newspaper article detailing his arrest record, the police report, the restraining order. Nothing she didn't already know.