Santa in a Stetson Page 15

  At seven, she received a call from her Donna. “I thought I’d phone in case there’s anything you need before you take off.”

  “No. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Good. The Salt Lake County sheriff’s chief deputy just phoned for verification that things were lined up on our end. I told him we’d sent our brochures and a video clip to the conference chair a week ago.”

  “Bless you, Donna. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Talk to you later.” She hung up and fixed herself a cup of coffee and some toast before getting in the shower. After arranging her hair in a French roll, she phoned her mother. At five to eight, Kathryn could count on her being up.

  “Mom? How’s Dad this morning?”

  “Other than a sore bump on his forehead, he’s fine. You know him. He’s already eaten breakfast and showered. Now he’s dressed and wants to go home.”

  “I bet you didn’t get any sleep.”

  She laughed. “No, but I didn’t mind. They’ve taken such wonderful care of him, it’s a relief.”

  “I’m glad. Has the doctor been in?”

  “Not yet, but when he comes, I’m sure he’ll release him. Ben and Cord will be here to drive us home. How soon will you be coming to the house?”

  “I have a conference at ten. My part will be over by noon.”

  “Which one is that?”

  “The Great Salt Lake Valley Metropolitan Area Kidnapping Summit. My talk follows the keynote address.”

  “Now I remember. It’s the first one ever to be held in Salt Lake. They’re lucky to have you on the program. I know you’ll be wonderful!”

  “Thanks, Mom. Expect me before one. If there’s any different news about Dad, call me no matter what. Love you.”

  Kathryn had an hour before she needed to leave for the hotel. Though she disliked calling Colt this early, she suspected he was already out on the ranch working. In his message he’d asked her to phone him when she found a minute, so hopefully he wouldn’t mind.

  To her disappointment it rang several times and went to his voice mail. All she could do was let him know she’d called and would try again later. In a restless mood, she left the kitchen and walked back to her bedroom to get dressed and do her makeup.

  With the kind of media coverage this meeting would get, she decided to wear her black wool suit. The tailored two-piece with the long sleeves was simple, yet sophisticated. A strand of pearls with her pearl studs would add the right touch.

  While she got ready, she kept her cell next to her in case Colt phoned, but by twenty after nine he still hadn’t returned her call. After putting on her closed-toe black pumps, she slipped into her knee-length camel-hair coat and called for a limo.

  It didn’t take long to reach the hotel. After turning off her phone, she got out and had to face a barrage of photojournalists on her way in to the conference room. Dozens of security people had converged because the governor and one of the state senators had arrived before her. As all of them were friends with her and her family, they got up to give her a quick hug and ask about her dad’s accident.

  FBI Special Agent Larry Forsythe, the keynote speaker, and other law enforcement dignitaries she knew clustered around her before the meeting started. The room had filled to capacity with local police and federal agents. There were even some CIA. Jake had planned to come, but she hadn’t seen him yet.

  Once the chief of police had helped her off with her coat, she sat down and tried to collect her thoughts. It was difficult because she kept checking her voice mail to see if Colt had sent her a message yet. So far, nothing.

  As soon as the meeting got under way and all the dignitaries were recognized, she put the phone back in her bag and concentrated on Larry’s speech. His thoughts echoed the same cry heard from the political arena. He urged local police and federal agents who investigated kidnapping cases to work together and not let bureaucratic red tape slow them down.

  In summation, he said, “Utah and Idaho have had arguably the nation’s two most high-profile kidnapping cases in half a century. The courageous woman on the stand needs no introduction. Twenty-six years after being kidnapped, she was returned alive to the Senator Reed McFarland family of Salt Lake City.

  “May I present Kathryn McFarland, who now runs the McFarland Foundation, a cause established by her parents in her honor to help fight the terrible crime of kidnapping.

  “For the past four years this remarkable, selfless woman has been giving our community everything she possesses in terms of self, time and money to protect our children from suffering her fate. In the coming year she has agreed to be a part of this summit conference as we take it to the western states. She will now address you.”

  Kathryn rose to her feet accompanied by a thunderous ovation. When it finally quieted down and everyone was seated, she looked out at her audience. “That lasted so long I felt embarrassed until I realized something. Your outpouring came from the joy of knowing that law enforcement was triumphant in cracking my particular case, cold though it was for a quarter of a century.”

  A hush fell over the audience.

  “My circumstance and that of my sister-in-law Kit, who was also kidnapped and lost for twenty-six years, were unique. Though today we have the technology in place to catch these godless criminals faster than ever before, it still requires good old-fashioned police work.

  “We need more cable news channels that will run whole hour feature programs and get the pictures out there. Our communities have the manpower, but it needs to be harnessed into an army of volunteers who will assist law enforcement in doing house-to-house searches, combing beaches, mountains and forests.

  “Unfortunately we have a problem. As Agent Forsythe just warned, we must get rid of the red tape and share every bit of information possible if we’re going to do better. To that end you’ve been given a brochure the foundation puts out. We’re trying to work with every hospital, soup kitchen, school, law enforcement agency and media outlet to battle this evil force together. Our goal is to get the citizenry actively involved.

  “In view of this, my dear mother and father, who’ve been the life force of this great cause, have pledged more funds to augment existing law enforcement funds and payrolls already in place in the Salt Lake Valley to fight this war. Together we can win.”

  She walked back to her seat while the whole room exploded in cheers. Agent Forsythe went back to the podium and waited for the din to subside. “If you’ll all make your way to the banquet room, we’ll eat lunch while we hear from the governor.”

  Kathryn put her coat back on and left through the same exit with the other dignitaries. A few yards off she caught sight of Jake and another dark-haired agent, equally tall and well honed, dressed in a charcoal suit and tie. She assumed he was CIA, too, until her gaze lifted to his hard-boned face. Her legs went weak as jelly.

  Colt!

  “Well done,” her brother-in-law whispered, giving her a hug. “Maggie’s waiting for me. Your dad just got home. I’ll see you at your parents’ house later.” He disappeared into the crowd, leaving her alone with Colt.

  His stare was fiercely intense. “Do you have to attend the lunch here?”

  Her heart throbbed in her throat making it hard to find her voice. “No. My part’s done. In fact, I was on my way out. Come with me.”

  “Kathryn?” Agent Forsythe interrupted. “I’ll see you at the conference in St. George on Friday?” She nodded. “Without you, we could never have assembled such a huge crowd. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  As he walked away, Colt cupped her elbow and ushered her out of the hotel past half a dozen journalists with cameras.

  “Sorry about that,” she said once they were safely inside the limo. She told the driver to take her to her parents’ home, then said, “For someone as private as you, this kind of thing must feel like a huge intrusion on your life.”

  His gaze swept over her features. “You handle it like you don’t even see them.�
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  “I’ve had four years to deal with it. You get used to it.”

  “The camera has to love you. You look very beautiful today. Cool, like a mountain stream.”

  So cool she didn’t seem touchable to him? What had happened to the man who’d kissed her senseless the other night? Colt sounded so far away just then she shivered.

  “Thank you. When you’re a public figure, everyone wants a piece of you. It’s a facade I’ve created to distance myself.”

  “Your speech was inspiring, but then so is your whole life. When I think what you did for Allie, yet she’s only one of the many you’ve helped in the same way.”

  “Careful, Colt. You’re giving me a swelled head.”

  His sober expression alarmed her. “Not you. You’re the antithesis of a narcissist. Someone with a destiny like yours doesn’t think of herself.”

  Why did she get the impression he was backing away from her? What had she done? Pain made her daring. “I see no sign of the Montana rancher today. How come?”

  He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Obviously my facade doesn’t ring true.”

  “Colt?” she cried softly. “What’s wrong?”

  “Why, nothing.”

  The tension was palpable. “We’re almost to the house. My father said he’d like to meet you and see your gold buckle up close.”

  “Before I left home this morning, Matt asked if he could wear it to school.”

  “Did you say yes?” He nodded. “Your son idolizes you. Your daughter, too, but you already know that.”

  He didn’t respond, leaving her more empty than ever.

  The limo turned and drove up the winding drive to her parents’ Tudor-styled home. It stopped behind the cars parked in the courtyard.

  She needed something clarified before they got out. “Why didn’t you phone and let me know you were coming?”

  “I had to call Jake last night about something important and he suggested I fly to Salt Lake. By the time I made arrangements, it was too late to reach you. He thought I might find the conference of interest. Maggie drove us straight from the airport to the hotel so we wouldn’t miss your talk.”

  “I see.” She clasped her hands in a death grip. “Can’t you tell me what it is before we go in?”

  “I’d prefer to wait until you’ve seen your father and know he’s all right.”

  His shield had gone back up. Sensing something ominous, she scrambled out of the car before he could come around to help her.

  Chapter Ten

  An hour later, after a delicious lunch, Kathryn broke in on Colt’s conversation with her brother McCord, whom everyone called Cord. The two of them had been talking horses and rodeos, subjects it turned out were close to both their hearts.

  She’d put her coat on, looking too gorgeous to be real. “I’m ready to leave when you are.”

  Cord grinned at her. “What’s the hurry?”

  Colt didn’t give her a chance to answer. “If you’d heard your sister at the kidnapping summit, you would know she has a list of things to do most people couldn’t accomplish in a lifetime.”

  Her brother hugged her. “That’s our Kathryn. She’s so busy these days, she hasn’t even been skiing with me.”

  “I’m afraid that’s my daughter’s fault, Cord, but Allie is fully recovered from the flu now and understands Kathryn’s attention is needed elsewhere.” He shook Cord’s hand. “It’s been a privilege to meet you and your family.”

  “The pleasure was all ours, believe me. How soon are you going back to Montana?”

  “My flight leaves at five. The twins have plans for us.” He looked across the living room at the family seated around Kathryn’s parents. Exceptional, gracious people, all of them, but she was definitely the shining star in their family tree. “I’m glad your father is on the mend.”

  “Thank you. So are we. None of us is ready to lose him yet, especially not his baby girl who wouldn’t be able to handle it after only recently finding him. She’s his favorite,” he teased his sister.

  Throughout the conversation there’d been total silence from Kathryn. Colt expected her cheeks would flush at her brother’s comment, but the opposite happened. She was acting so different from the warm woman who’d filled his arms the night they’d gone dancing.

  Cord walked them to the door. Kathryn hurried outside and got in the limo without waiting for Colt. When he climbed in behind her, she said, “If it’s all right with you, I’ve told the driver to take us to my condo. Whatever you have to tell me, I’d rather talk there.”

  In less than five minutes they reached the McFarland Plaza and rode the elevator to the penthouse. After they walked into the foyer, she looked over her shoulder. “I’ll only be a minute. Make yourself comfortable.”

  Once she’d vanished, he removed his suit jacket and tie. He walked through the rooms enjoying the sights of the valley from each angle. The fast-moving clouds made for fascinating viewing. When he reached the kitchen, he saw the poster of himself taking up the greater part of her fridge. He’d be a liar if he didn’t admit he was flattered.

  By the time he’d walked back to the living room, she’d joined him. Gone were the pearls, the fabulous black suit and cashmere coat, the black high heels. In their place she wore navy sweats and sneakers, but it changed nothing about her.

  The energy she brought into a room made everything around her pale. He’d never forget the way she’d kept today’s audience spellbound. It wasn’t just her looks. It was her spirit, that intangible life force unique to her.

  She sat down on one end of the couch, tucking her legs beneath her. “Whatever you had to tell me and Jake must have been important for you to have flown here this morning.”

  Colt moved closer to her without taking a seat. He put his hands on his hips. “Last night the twins asked me to put a stop to the search for their mother.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. She shook her head. “Why?”

  “I’ll quote my daughter the best I can. ‘Matt and I have decided we don’t want to see her or know her. If she’d been like Katy, she wouldn’t have left.’”

  Colt had the satisfaction of watching color seep back into her cheeks.

  “‘Even if you find her, Dad, she won’t want to see us, otherwise she would have come years ago. We don’t want her to come if it isn’t her own idea.’”

  Allie had said a lot of other things, too, but Colt chose to keep those to himself.

  Kathryn sat straighter. “Your daughter’s made a complete turnaround.”

  He nodded. “She’s done a lot of growing up over the past few weeks. Naturally I phoned Jake right away. It wouldn’t have been fair to keep him or you on the job another minute.”

  “My brother-in-law doesn’t look at life that way.”

  “It’s because he’s crazy about you.”

  She got to her feet. “Being Maggie’s sister helps.”

  Colt couldn’t reach her. “Nevertheless the Brenner family has intruded on the McFarlands’ time and generosity long enough. You all have your own busy lives to lead.”

  “You didn’t have to come to Salt Lake to deliver that message.”

  He took a deep breath. “You didn’t need to accompany Allie to the ranch.”

  Kathryn averted her eyes. “I told you my reasons. Why don’t you tell me yours?”

  “To thank you in person for what you’ve done for my kids, especially Allie. Your influence has helped her to resolve a problem that has caused her pain since her first recollections of life. For that I’ll be eternally grateful to you.”

  She shifted her weight. “Whatever small part I played, the real praise goes to you. After I met my father and lived with him, I thought there couldn’t be another father in the world to match him. All those years to have gone without, then I was handed the royal prize.

  “I was very smug about it. In truth, I felt sorry for everyone else who didn’t have him for their parent. Four years went by, then I met Allie. When she
told me about you, I realized I wasn’t the only person in the world who’d been handed the royal prize. It came as a stunning revelation, believe me. So you see, she was good for me, too.”

  Colt didn’t dare stay to listen to any more. He fastened his tie and slipped on his jacket. “We’ll never forget you. Now I’d better get going. I’m supposed to be at the airport an hour and a half before boarding.”

  She followed him to the foyer. “Have a safe flight home and give the twins my best.”

  “I’ll do that.” He stepped into the elevator. “I have no doubts your speech in St. George will have the same electrifying effect on law enforcement there.”

  KATHRYN WATCHED the door close.

  Something horrible had just happened to her world and she didn’t understand why. On autopilot she ran into the bedroom for her cell and called Dr. Morrow. She had to leave a message, which meant he was with a patient. “Please call me. This is an emergency!”

  With phone still in hand, she rushed over to the bedroom window. It looked out on South Temple. She strained to see if she could see Colt getting into a taxi, but she searched in vain for him. He’d probably used another exit out of the Plaza.

  Her body was in so much pain, she couldn’t move. When her phone rang, she saw that it was Donna. Though she didn’t want to get it, she had to.

  “Donna?”

  “Hi. Sorry to bother you, but since the conference at least twenty-five calls have come in on the hotline wanting you to phone them back. How shall I handle it?”

  Kathryn pressed her head against the glass. “Ask the volunteers to return the calls with the message that I’m temporarily unable to deal with any requests. I’ll talk to you later.” She hung up, too filled with anguish to function.

  What if she drove out to the airport to have a gut talk with Colt? Would he consider it an invasion of his privacy? Disgust him?

  Her inner voice screamed yes because Natalie was the only woman who’d ever managed to turn him from a bachelor into a married man and that was sixtee—