Loe raamatut: «Safety in Numbers»

To Rhonda, my other daughter who drives me crazy!

Prologue

He stood beneath the awning of Marsh’s Hardware Store and watched the tall, dark-haired woman as she crossed the street. A rush of adrenaline filled him as he noted the long-legged, loose-hipped walk more appropriate for a runway in Paris than for crossing a dusty street in Cotter Creek, Oklahoma.

She looked more like her mother every day. He closed his eyes for a moment, remembering the beautiful Elizabeth West. She’d been like nothing this little nowhere town had ever seen. She’d bewitched him, haunted his days and nights until he knew if he didn’t have her he’d go insane.

Narrowing his gaze he watched Elizabeth’s daughter until she disappeared through the café; doors. He drew a deep, shallow breath, fighting the surge of adrenaline that coursed through him.

It was as if fate was giving him a second chance. If he could possess Elizabeth’s daughter it would be almost like having Elizabeth. The thought sent a shiver of sweet anticipation through him.

Yes, fate was giving him another chance, and this time he wouldn’t screw it up. It had ended badly with Elizabeth. He’d lost his temper and she’d wound up dead.

He’d do things differently this time. He’d get her to want him and he’d try, he’d really, really try not to lose his temper.

Chapter 1

She felt it again, that creepy-crawly feeling at the nape of her neck, like somebody was staring at her. Meredith West sat up straighter in the booth and glanced around the café; as a chill walked up her spine.

It was the usual lunch crowd, locals seated at booths and tables sharing conversation along with the Sunny Side Up Café; fare. Nobody suspicious lurked in the corners to give her the odd feeling.

“What’s wrong?” Savannah Clarion asked.

Meredith flushed, feeling ridiculous but unable to dismiss the sense of unease that had struck her at odd times of the day and night for the past couple of weeks. “Nothing,” she replied. “I guess I’ve just been a little on edge lately.” There was no way she could explain to anyone the feeling she had of impending doom, of her life exploding out of control.

“Gee, I wonder why?” Savannah smiled wryly, the gesture causing her freckles to dance impishly across her nose. “It wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact that we’ve just uncovered a huge ugly conspiracy right here in Cotter Creek, would it?”

As usual, Savannah didn’t wait for a reply, but continued, “Everyone is more than a little on edge lately. I can’t wait until those FBI agents wipe these dusty streets with the bad guys’ behinds.”

Meredith laughed and smiled at the red-haired woman across from her. How nice it was that her brother Joshua had fallen in love with Savannah, who was Meredith’s best friend.

The strange sensation that had momentarily gripped Meredith eased somewhat. She picked up a fry and dragged it through a pool of ketchup, then popped it into her mouth and chewed thoughtfully.

Maybe it was all the craziness in the town that had her feeling so off center. It had only been a couple of weeks since Savannah had almost been killed after discovering that somebody was working with a corporation to buy up as much of Cotter Creek, Oklahoma, land as possible.

The MoTwin Corporation had conspired to obtain the land to create a community of luxury condominiums and town houses. With the help of Joshua, Savannah had uncovered a plot that involved the murders of half a dozen local ranchers. The investigation was being taken out of the hands of local law enforcement and the FBI was now conducting the case.

Meredith frowned. “I can’t believe they only sent two agents.”

Savannah shrugged. “I don’t care how many there are as long as they get the job done.”

Meredith smiled. “Have you seen them yet? They’re sure not going for subtlety with their suits and ties. They look as much out of place as a palm tree would look growing out of our stables.”

Savannah leaned back in the booth and eyed Meredith. “I see you’ve been cutting your hair again.”

Meredith raised a hand to her bangs and touched them self-consciously. “I just did a little trim.”

Savannah laughed. “What did you use? A buzz saw?”

“There are times I don’t find you half as amusing as you find yourself.”

Savannah laughed again, then sobered. “I don’t know why you don’t take time to go to the Curl Palace and get one of the ladies to give you a real haircut and style.”

Meredith stabbed another fry into her ketchup. “And why would I do that? I’ve got no reason to fancy myself up.”

“If you’d fancy yourself up just a little you’d have all the single men in Cotter Creek vying for your attention.”

“Half the men in town grew up thinking of me as a little sister, the other half were scared to death of my brothers. I don’t want their attention. Just because you’re madly in love with Joshua doesn’t mean it’s your job to see that I find a man. All I need right now is work.”

“Joshua has been complaining about how slow things are at Wild West Protective Services right now,” Savannah said.

Meredith nodded. “Things have definitely been slow. It’s been over a month since I’ve had an assignment.”

Wild West Protective Services was the familyowned business that provided bodyguard and protection services around the country. Meredith worked for the business along with her five brothers.

“I’m not used to so much downtime. It makes me nervous,” she said.

And maybe that was what was causing her feeling of unease, she thought. Too much downtime. Or perhaps her disquiet was because of the dreams she’d been having lately, dreams of her dead mother.

She glanced around the café; once again, then focused back on Savannah. “I’m thinking about asking Sheriff Ramsey to reopen the investigation into my mother’s murder,” she said.

Savannah stared at her in surprise. “Talk about a cold case. It’s been what…twenty years?”

“Twenty-five. I was three years old when she was murdered.” Meredith shoved her plate aside, her appetite gone. “I’ve been having dreams about her.” She frowned thoughtfully. “It’s like she can’t rest in peace until I find out who killed her.”

“After all this time I’d think the odds were pretty poor that you’d discover who was responsible.” Savannah eyed her friend worriedly. “You’re right, you have too much time on your hands at the moment.”

Meredith flashed a quick smile. “Maybe, but I am going to talk about it with Sheriff Ramsey.”

Savannah’s gaze shot over Meredith’s shoulder. “You won’t believe the hunk that just walked in the front door.”

“Does Joshua know you talk about other men like that?”

Savannah raised a copper-colored eyebrow. “Honey, I love your brother, but I know a hunk when I see one.” Her eyes widened. “And this one is coming our way.”

The words were barely out of her mouth before he appeared at the side of their booth. In her first glance, Meredith registered several things. He was a tall drink of water, topped by sandy-colored hair, with ice-blue eyes that pierced rather than gazed.

Even though he was blond and blue-eyed there was nothing of a pretty boy about him. His face was lean, all angles that combined to give him a slightly dangerous aura. A faint white scar bisected one of his eyebrows. His presence seemed to fill the room with a pulsating energy.

“Meredith West?”

She jumped in surprise at his deep, smooth voice. “Yes? I’m Meredith.”

“My name is Chase McCall. I’m a friend of your brother Dalton. He sent me over here to find you and ask if you’d be kind enough to take my mother and me to the ranch. This is my mother, Kathy.”

It was only then that Meredith realized he wasn’t alone. Next to him stood a short, white-haired woman with blue eyes and a sweet smile. “Hello, dear. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said. Despite the snowy hair on her head, there was a youthful sparkle in her eyes.

Meredith vaguely remembered Dalton mentioning something about friends coming to town, but at the time he’d mentioned it she hadn’t paid much attention.

“And I’m Savannah Clarion,” Savannah said. “Is it business or pleasure that brings you to Cotter Creek?”

Meredith wasn’t surprised by Savannah’s question. As Cotter Creek’s star newspaper reporter, she had a healthy curiosity about everyone.

“Strictly pleasure,” Kathy McCall replied, her eyes twinkling with good humor. “We decided to take a little trip together, you know mother/son bonding time, and Chase had heard so many things from Dalton about the charming Cotter Creek. So, here we are.”

A flash of impatience shot across Chase’s features. “We’ve had a long bus ride to get here and we’d really like to get settled in.”

“You came by bus?” Meredith looked at him in surprise. Neither of them had any luggage.

“Somebody thought it would be a great idea,” he said tersely.

Kathy’s smile made her look like a good-humored cherub. “It was lovely to see the scenery without worrying about Chase getting a speeding ticket or two.”

“Where’s your luggage?” Meredith asked. She’d been in the bodyguard business too long to simply trust the word of two strangers who had appeared at her booth in the local café;.

“We left it over at the office with Dalton,” Chase replied.

Meredith stood and grabbed her coat and purse from the booth. As she did she couldn’t help but notice that Chase’s gaze swept the length of her, then he glanced away, as if dismissing her as not worthy of his attention.

She’d known the man less than three minutes and already something about him made her want to grind her teeth. She fumbled with her wallet for money to pay her lunch tab.

“Don’t worry about it,” Savannah said. “I’ll get it this time. You can get it next time.”

Meredith flashed her friend a grateful smile, then straightened and looked at Chase.

“Shall we?”

As she exited the café; she was acutely conscious of the man following her. Handsome men weren’t anything new to Meredith. She’d been raised with five brothers who most women considered unusually attractive. But in that first instance of laying eyes on Chase McCall, uncharacteristic butterflies had flitted erratically in her stomach. Meredith wasn’t used to butterflies.

Kathy fell into step beside her as they walked toward the Wild West Protective Services office just down the street. “We thought we’d be staying with Dalton, but he said we’d be much more comfortable at the ranch,” she said.

Meredith thought of her brother’s one-bedroom apartment in town. “Dalton’s place is pretty small and not real welcoming to guests. The ranch is much better,” she agreed, although she wasn’t at all sure she liked the idea of sharing her home space with the tall, silent man who walked just behind them. “We’re used to company at the ranch.”

As they entered the Wild West Protective Services office, Dalton stood from the desk. “Ah good, I see you found her,” he said to Chase.

“Your description made it easy,” Chase replied, a whisper of amusement evident in his voice.

Meredith turned to look at her brother. “And just what kind of description did you tell him?”

Dalton’s cheeks reddened slightly as a sheepish grin stole over his lips. “It doesn’t matter now,” Chase replied smoothly. “We found you and that’s all that’s important.” He picked up the two suitcases by the door and looked at her expectantly. For somebody who was on vacation he didn’t look particularly eager to have a good time.

“Unfortunately I’m expecting a phone call that I need to take, otherwise I’d drive you to the ranch myself. But Meredith will get you settled in, then I’ll see you this evening at dinnertime.” Dalton smiled at her. “Take good care of them, sis.”

She smiled at Dalton, but as her gaze fell on Chase McCall, the strange feeling of disquiet swept through her once again, making her uncomfortable and, oddly, just a little bit afraid.

Chase McCall sat in the back seat of the fourdoor sedan, leaving the two women in the front to chat. As Meredith drove she talked to Kathy about the town and the unusual cold snap of weather and the family ranch.

“You’re here just in time for the Fall Festival,” she said. “There’s a parade on Saturday afternoon, then a big dance Saturday night.”

He stared out the window at the passing scenery, wishing he were anywhere else. He couldn’t think of anyone who needed a vacation more than he did, but this wasn’t a vacation and he was here under false pretenses.

He glanced up and in the rearview mirror he caught Meredith West gazing at him. As he met her gaze, she quickly looked away and he looked back out the side window.

She’d been a surprise. Dalton had talked a little about his sister. In the days that Dalton and Chase had spent together, Dalton had talked about all of his family. He’d told Chase that his sister was tough, committed to her work as a bodyguard and preferred the company of her horse to most people.

But there was a wealth of things he hadn’t mentioned about Meredith. Dalton hadn’t told him she had eyes the color of an early-summer lawn or that her legs were long and lean beneath her tight jeans. He hadn’t mentioned that her hair was dark mahogany or that her skin was flawless.

In that first moment of seeing her, a quick electric shock had sizzled through him; a shock of physical attraction he hadn’t felt for a very long time.

It reminded him just how long it had been since he’d held a woman in his arms, felt sweet satisfied sighs against the crook of his neck.

He suddenly realized the women had gone silent and Kathy had turned her head to look at him expectantly. “Did I miss something?” he asked.

Kathy looked at Meredith and smiled. “You’ll have to excuse my son. He sometimes forgets his social skills. Meredith asked you what you did for a living, dear.”

Again those green eyes flashed in the mirror. Not warm and welcoming, but rather cool and wary. “I’m a Kansas City cop.” It was the first of many lies he’d probably tell over the next couple of days.

“And is that where you met my brother? In Kansas City? she asked. The eyes disappeared from the mirror once again.

“Yeah, he was working the Milton case last year and we coordinated with him. Dalton and I struck up a friendship. We’ve stayed in touch through e-mail since then.”

“When Chase decided to take his vacation time and mentioned he was coming out here, I just insisted he bring me along,” Kathy said. “He stays so busy we rarely have quality time together.”

“Our place is just ahead,” Meredith said as she turned off the road and down a lane. Chase once again looked out the window with interest. He knew the West family was one of the largest landowners in the county.

He’d researched their entire clan before taking the assignment. Red West, the patriarch, had come from California to Cotter Creek as a young man and had begun his business, Wild West Protective Services. The business had grown along with his family.

He and his wife had six children before Elizabeth West was murdered. Since her death, Red had worked to establish Wild West Protective Services as one of the most reputable bodyguard agencies in the country.

On the surface the family looked for the most part like the American dream. But a couple of anonymous tips phoned into the FBI office said otherwise. His job was to dig beneath the surface and find any darkness that might be hidden, a darkness that might have led somebody in the West family to sell out an entire town.

“Here we are,” Meredith said as she pulled to a halt in front of a large, sprawling ranch house. It was impressive, the big house with its wraparound porch. As far as the eye could see were outbuildings and pastureland.

As they got out of the car and Chase got the suitcases out of the trunk, a tall man appeared on the front porch, a smile of welcome on his face. By the time they reached the porch another man had joined him. The short, gray-haired man had blue eyes that held a touch of wariness. “Welcome,” the tall man said and held out a hand to Chase. “I’m Red West.”

Introductions were made all the way around. The short older man was introduced as Smokey Johnson, head cook and bottle washer for the clan.

As Chase followed him through the front door, he had a feeling that Smokey Johnson was a man who might not be easily fooled. He and Kathy would have to be careful around the old man. But Chase didn’t expect any of the West family to be fooled easily.

“Oh my, this is just lovely,” Kathy exclaimed as they entered the living room. “I hope we aren’t putting you out.”

“Nonsense, nothing we like better than company,” Red assured her. “Meredith, why don’t we get them settled in their rooms, then we’ll have Smokey rustle up some refreshments. It’s a long bus ride from Kansas City to here.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Kathy said.

“We’ll put Kathy in the guest room and Chase can go into Tanner’s old room,” Red said.

For the first time since they’d stepped into the house, Chase focused on Meredith. She had the face of a beauty queen, but if her hair were any indication of the local stylist’s expertise then he wouldn’t be visiting any of the town’s barbers. Although a luxurious black, her bangs fell unevenly across her forehead and the left side of the shoulder-length locks was definitely shorter than the right side.

There wasn’t an ounce of makeup on her face, that he could see, and she was dressed in a pair of jeans and an oversize man’s flannel shirt. Once again a small ball of unexpected tension twisted in his gut.

Her gaze met his and her cheeks pinkened slightly. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your rooms,” she said.

She led Kathy to a room decorated in cheerful yellow with an adjoining bath. Chase set Kathy’s suitcase on the bed, then followed Meredith down the hall. Even though the flannel shirt struck her below the hips, it didn’t hide the sensual sway of her walk.

The bedroom she led him to was smaller than Kathy’s and had obviously been occupied by a male. The bed was a heavy mahogany covered in a navy spread. A chest of drawers stood against one wall. “Tanner? Which one is that?” he asked as he set his suitcase down.

“Tanner is my oldest brother,” she said.

“The one who married a princess.”

“That’s right. Anna.” Her chin rose a touch and she met his gaze. “Tell me, what description did my brother give of me that made me so easy to find in the café;?”

“He said to look for the gorgeous, sexy woman who looked like she’d had a close encounter with a Weed Eater.” He gazed pointedly at her uneven hair.

She raised a hand self-consciously, but before she touched her hair, she dropped her arm and narrowed her eyes, obviously not pleased as she edged toward the door.

“The bathroom is just down the hall on the left. Feel free to head to the kitchen after you get settled in.” She slid out of the room as if she couldn’t escape him fast enough.

He pulled his suitcase onto the bed and opened it. He’d improvised a bit on what Dalton had said. Dalton had called his sister neither gorgeous nor sexy.

As he hung some of his clothing in the closet, he wondered how difficult it had been for Meredith West to be raised in a house filled with men. By the look of her she certainly didn’t seem to be in touch with her femininity. Not that it mattered to him. Not that he cared.

He wasn’t here to care about anyone. He was here to do a job. It was bad enough he was here to betray a friend’s trust; the only thing that could make it worse was if he also seduced his friend’s sister.