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  She kept on wriggling and finally threw herself off the cot. The fall knocked the breath from her for a second, the torn dress hampering her movements as she tried to roll toward the table. It was a rickety old table. Can I knock it over? Lying on her back, she kicked the table’s leg with all her might. Nothing happened except it shifted a few feet. She continued to kick at the leg until finally, a candle fell to the floor. But it was as she’d feared, the flame went out as soon as it hit the floor. The next time she kicked, the bottle fell off. It didn’t break. Desperately, she scanned the floor for something, anything that could cut through the cord. With only one fast-fading little candle flame, it was quite dark. Rolling along the wooden floor, chafing her breasts, her legs and belly, she suddenly spotted an old saw blade. It was quite small and rusty, but maybe it could work.

  Working her way toward it, she managed to grasp it with her numb fingers and wriggled it up between her wrists. She couldn’t apply much pressure, but she managed to move the blade up and down. It was only her adrenaline, her determination to free herself that kept her from sinking into hypothermia. She had no idea how long she moved the blade back and forth, but finally she felt it cut through something. The cord slackened. She wriggled her wrists but it wasn’t enough. Manipulating the small blade was hard. She managed to get it situated again and hacked at the cord. Her fingers were so numb from cold, she could barely feel the blade, but she doggedly continued. She hissed as the blade moved and she hacked her wrist. Blood seeped onto her hand. She could feel its sticky warmth. Suddenly, the blade cut the last threads and her hands were free.

  Using her hands, she sat up and with shaking fingers untied the gag. Gulping in big breaths of air, she struggled with the knots of the cord that bound her ankles. One of her shoes was missing. She kicked off the other one. They would hardly keep her feet warm anyway.

  Survival instinct took over. Her legs shaky at first, she stood, took off what remained of her panties, threw them on the cot and looked around the shack again. This time she saw a potbelly stove in the corner. Wood, she needed fuel for it. Grabbing a chair, she lifted it and brought it down on the floor as hard as she could. Like the shack, the chair was old and rickety and it broke easily, its seat shattering into small planks. There were dried leaves all over the floor and bits of straw. She scooped as much of it as she could. At first, the little door of the stove wouldn’t open until she angrily yanked it hard and it gave way. She stuffed the leaves and straw inside. Paper, she needed something, anything. There was a pile of garbage just behind the cot. Gingerly, her hands and fingers stiff from cold, she sifted through the mess of old pots crusted with moldy leftover food, old metal plates in the same condition, some tin cups and it was just her luck, she found a broken cardboard box. It was brittle so it was easy to tear into pieces. After stuffing that into the stove as well, she picked up the fallen candle stub and lit it from the still-burning stub on the table. The wood from the chair hardly fit inside the stove. She had no way of breaking it, so all she could do was stand the planks up straight and hoped it would burn.

  Fuel. Glancing at the bottle on the floor she noticed there was still a bit of whiskey left in it. She poured a little on the pile of leaves and cardboard, then held the candle close to it. The little pile burst into flame. Holding her cold hands in front of the open door, she felt them slowly warm. Praying desperately that the wood would burn, she waited anxiously. And it did. It wouldn’t heat up the shack, not with a broken door that let in the cold, but if she stayed close to it, she’d at least survive the night.

  As her hands slowly stopped shaking, she untied the leftover cords from her wrists and saw the nasty cut on her right wrist. Picking up the bottle, she poured a little onto the cut. It stung like hell, but she hoped it would stop any infection. At least she’d had a tetanus shot not long ago when she’d stepped on a rusty nail.

  Slowly, the warmth from the stove warmed her. Her wrists and ankles were sore from the tight cords. Massaging them, she gathered her thoughts.

  She needed to cover her naked body. After taking off the remains of her gown, she looked at it in the dim light emanating from the fire in the stove. The skirt was very full. The dress was ruined, so it didn’t matter if she tore it apart. Not that she’d ever want to wear it again. Picking up the blade, she sawed at the waist until she could rip the skirt from the bodice. Then she wound the long length of fabric around her body like a toga. And all she could do now was to wait till daylight and work to keep the fire going.

  Now that she had warmed up, she felt terribly drowsy and fought against it. She couldn’t afford to fall asleep. The fire would go out and she’d be vulnerable to the elements.

  Tears welled and though she fought to stop herself from crying, she couldn’t help it. The evening had been so wonderful and the extra attention Chad paid her had warmed her heart and soul to him even more. She knew for sure now that she’d fallen in love with the Douglas men, each one of them and that for the life of her, she wouldn’t be able to pick one over the other. How can a woman fall in love with three men all at once? How do they feel about me? Was it just desire that fueled them? Or did they, in the short time she’d been on the ranch, develop feelings for her, too?

  For the first time, she looked at her watch and was glad they hadn’t stolen it. Probably because it wasn’t an expensive watch. At least two more hours to daylight. Once the sun rose, she could go outside and see where she was and maybe try and make her way back to civilization.

  “Chad, help me,” she whispered and then repeated it over and over in her mind, conjuring up his face, hoping he’d somehow sense her plea. After she pushed the wood further into the stove and looked around for more items she could use for fuel, she lay on the floor in front of it and pulling the cloth around her while she curled into a fetal position.

  Chapter Nine

  The guests, after receiving their gifts, were finally allowed to leave the Douglas ranch, except for Rachel and her parents. Some of them were disgruntled, though still intrigued by the sudden adventure of the evening. When Chad talked to the sheriff, he was told they’d detained only a few suspects, one of them Rachel.

  “Why on earth would you suspect her?” he asked. “Although I must admit I thought she might have something to do with it, but only to make Topaz leave.”

  “I found it curious Rachel quoted the same words supposedly spoken by Topaz to her that were written in the note. How would Rachel know what is in the note? Now, I’m not supposed to discuss this stuff with you, Chad, so keep your mouth shut.”

  “If I can leave the house, I’m going to do some investigation of my own.”

  “Fine. If you find anything, tell me?”

  Chad left the study and returned to the kitchen where an anxious Johnny was pacing the floor and Sam sat at the table drumming his fingers. Corky was busy at the sink. Normally, she would have retired for the evening, but he knew she was worried about Topaz as well. “Guys, I’m going outside to see if I can find any clues. The sheriff said it was okay. Want to help?”

  “Yes, of course,” Johnny said eagerly.

  “Yup,” Sam agreed.

  “Good. Get some flashlights then and let’s scout the grounds.”

  The first place Chad thought to look was in front of the house where the cars usually pulled up. He didn’t find anything. He walked to below the balcony of the master bedroom and shone his flashlight up and around. Nothing. Until he aimed the beam of the flashlight at the ground and saw telltale marks of hooves on the lawn from more than one horse. Not only that, but the beam of light also picked up a small black object. He picked it up. It was a shoe, a flat shoe. One that would fit Topaz’s tiny feet. A dart of pain shot through his heart. What did they do to her? He turned off the flashlight and ran back into the house. The sheriff was still in the study with Rachel and her parents. “Sheriff, I need to talk to you. Now.”

  “Keep an eye on them,” the sheriff told his deputy.

  He followed Chad out of th
e study and closed door behind him. “What’s up? Find something?”

  Chad pulled the shoe from his pocket. “Her shoe, just below her balcony and there are hoof marks on the grass. Whoever kidnapped her, took her out of here on horseback. I’m going out there to look for her. You can join me, or you can stay here, but I can’t just sit here and do nothing.”

  “Chad, you need to calm down. If this is for ransom, you could be putting her life in danger if you take this on by yourself.”

  “I’ll be careful. Are you coming along?”

  “Yes. I’ll leave a deputy to keep an eye on the Moore family.”

  “Fine. I’ll go and get my brothers.”

  The sheriff went back into the study. “Zack, you come with me. Harry, you stay here and keep an eye on these people. They’re not to leave, you understand?” Chad heard him say as he strode off to find Sam and Johnny.

  They were still combing the gardens. “Johnny, Sam!” Chad called out to them.

  “What’s up, bro? Find something?” Sam said when he caught up with Chad, followed by Johnny.

  “Yes. I found Topaz’s shoe below her balcony and the grass was trampled. Horses and I suspect more than one. Whoever took her is on horseback. I’m going to look for her. The sheriff is coming with me.”

  “I’m coming,” Sam said.

  “Count me in,” Johnny followed.

  “Good. Let’s get going. Too much time has been wasted already.”

  “We really need someone who can track. Want me to get Jimmy Whitewater? Indians are good at tracking. Jimmy has a good track record.”

  “Good thought, Johnny, but hurry up.”

  The sheriff and one deputy joined them and Johnny soon returned accompanied by Jimmy. “Master Chad, I’ll do anything to help. Ms Topaz has found her way into our hearts the way she was at our party today.”

  “Okay, Jimmy. We need to start below her balcony. That’s where I found hoof marks in the grass.”

  “I hope Ms Topaz is gonna be okay,” Jimmy muttered as he rode off toward the balcony.

  As do I, Chad thought. Dammit, I know my brothers have fallen in love with her and now I think I have, too. Or maybe I have been all along and couldn’t admit to it or was too bull headed to see it happening. Father was right.

  “And that I am, son.”

  Chad startled at the cloud of cigar smoke that surrounded him suddenly and the voice resonating in his ears. “Dammit, Father, not now,” he said very softly from between clenched lips.

  “I can help you. She’s in a shack in the mountains near the Mexican border.”

  “And how the hell would you know?”

  “I’ve been keeping an eye on my adopted daughter. Just follow my lead. Let Jimmy guide you. He knows what he’s doing. He’s an old hand at this.”

  “What are you saying, Chad?” Sam asked. “You’re mumbling.”

  “Never mind. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. Just follow Jimmy. He knows what he’s doing.” He could have sworn he heard Topaz’s voice. “Help me, Chad, please.” Is it my imagination? He had to admit to himself she’d left an imprint on his soul, his heart. How is it possible? He’d thought himself still in love with Rachel, yet the feelings he felt for Topaz were so different, so much stronger, so fierce. He wanted to love her, protect her, be her strong arm, to hold her in his arms and have her be there forever. He hardened his heart against these feelings remembering how she came to be at the ranch. But almost as soon as the thoughts entered his mind, he erased them just as fast. After all, she was an innocent victim in all of this—his father leaving her his estate, which she didn’t even know he had. No way in fucking hell did he want her blood on his hands. The inheritance had caused all this and it was up to him to save her from whoever had done this to her, although he was almost sure of Rachel’s hand in it. But that’s as far as it would go. Any other feelings he had for her he had to bury. He was still determined to fight the will and it would cause nothing but hard feelings between them. Things could get nasty in court. And who knows, the PI could still come up with something they could use against her.

  “The tracks lead to the mountains, boss.”

  “Thanks, Jimmy. Anyone know of a shack in those mountains?” Chad asked, looking at his brothers and the other men.

  “There’s a couple of old shacks in those mountains, boss. Why do you ask?”

  “Just a psychic hunch.”

  And a psychic hunch it was. A hunch his dead father had just told him. But how can I tell the men that? “A shack in the mountains near the Mexican border,” he told them gruffly. He noticed Jimmy looking at him curiously. It was as if the old Indian farmhand knew.

  “There are a few there. That’s a couple of hours’ ride, boss.”

  “Fine. Let’s get moving.”

  After riding for nearly two hours, Jimmy fell back and rode next to Chad. “Boss, you’re right. The tracks all lead to an old shack I know of.”

  “When I get my hands on the bastards who—”

  “Boss, have you considered she may not be alive?”

  “Why would they want to kill her? If this is for ransom—”

  “Boss, no fuckin’ ransom. Everyone knows she’s the rich one now. Unless she dies. Then you and your brothers inherit everything. You know news spreads fast around these parts. This kidnapping was organized by someone who wants her out of the way. Just believe my gut instincts.”

  Chad felt a knife twist in his heart. Picturing her, that beautiful innocent face, her gorgeous body and then a picture of her dead, suffocated, covered with blood entered his mind and a shudder shook him.

  “She’s alive, son, but you need to hurry before she takes off into the forest and succumbs to the cold.”

  “Who?” Chad asked softly. “Who did this to her?”

  “The answer to that is in your heart. You already know. The men involved left her in the shack to die. But she’s a strong one, my Topaz. Now hurry. And mind my words, you treat that little gal with…”

  His father’s voice faded. Even though the voice had drifted off and almost drowned in the sound of the horses’ clip clop, Chad didn’t miss those last words. Yes, he’d ease off. Hadn’t I already? But that didn’t mean he could give in to his growing feelings, the insane desire for her that now ate at him with savage intent. Johnny rode up beside him.

  “I’m afraid for her, Chad. What if we’re too late?”

  “She’s alright.”

  “How can you know that? It’s been hours. They could have done anything to her by now. Jimmy says it wouldn’t be for ransom.”

  “I just have a feeling she’s okay.” How can I tell my brothers about Father talking to me? Both his brothers would declare him crazy. Only people with mental conditions heard voices. Vaguely he remembered Corky sometimes talking about the voices of the dead. Corky would believe him, he was sure of that.

  If they killed her, surely they’d bury her? His father said she was in a shack—that meant she was still alive. Or did it? Vaguely the thought entered his mind that if she were dead, the estate would automatically go to the three of them. He squashed that thought right away. He didn’t want the estate that way. I’ll fight for it, yes, but to inherit it at the cost of her young life? No. A shiver ran down his spine that he could have even vaguely considered that thought. No, he wanted her back in one piece. He needed to feel her in his arms, to smell her sweet breath, to kiss those delectable lips. What if they raped her? A rage now settled in his gut, started to eat at him, a rage so fierce he was ready to kill, to rip the kidnappers apart piece by piece. The thought of anyone touching her, of any man defiling her, made him see red. He spurred his horse on and yelled at Jimmy. “How much farther, Jim?”

  “We’re getting close, Boss. It’s just beyond this hill.”

  “I smell smoke,” Sam said, joining Johnny and Chad.

  “Yes, so do I.” Chad sniffed. “Smells like a wood fire.”

  “If I remember right, the shack we’re heading for has an
old wood stove, Boss.”

  “That means whoever kidnapped her is still there.”

  They reached the top of the hill and waited for the others. When all were gathered, they planned.

  “The shack is just beyond these trees, down a bit in a valley,” Jimmy said.

  “Okay. We’ll have to approach with caution and on foot. We’ll leave the horses,” Chad said.

  Once they approached a clearing, the shack was clearly visible. Smoke spiraled from the old chimney. “I don’t see any horses,” Sam said.

  “They could be behind the shack, Boss.” Jimmy got off his horse and tied the reins to a tree branch. The others did the same.

  “There’s, also, no light. Would they be sitting in the dark? I’ll go first,” Chad said. “Cover me.”

  The men took their positions, guns ready. Chad ran to the far side of the cabin. Stealthily, he walked to the back of the cabin and saw no horses there. Quickly, he ran back to the front of the cabin and waved at the men that all was clear. Not waiting for them, he ran to the broken door and peered inside. It was dark inside the shack. He saw no sign of anyone. Are we too late? Not hesitating, he ran to the door and inside. An almost burnt-out candle still flickered on the table beside an overflowing ashtray. Chad saw no sign of anyone or Topaz. Then he heard a soft moan coming from the far corner. Peering into the dark, he saw the stove now and burning wood sticking out of it. Near the stove was what looked like a pile of rags, but as he rushed over, he saw the rags were the color of Topaz’s dress she had worn last night. Movement. He bent down and pulled the material away to expose a naked, sleeping Topaz. He shoved the wood into the stove. It could have fallen out at any moment and set her on fire.

  “Chad?” Johnny and Sam rushed to Chad’s side. “My God, is she alright?”