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  “I want you, too, more than you can imagine. However, next month, next year, we’ll both be in different trucks at four in the morning. What’s nice is we’ll be able to wrap our arms and legs around the next person we have a crush on.

  “But I’ll be honest with you—” She kissed the end of his straight nose because his mouth had formed a grimace. “I’ve had a fabulous time this morning. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

  “One day years from now, I’ll be able to tell my children I took a spin around the track with Lucky Hawkins. It was only one lap, but it contained enough thrills and chills to last me a lifetime.

  “Good night, Rick. Thank you for helping me get my mind off the tornado. Your strategy worked, big-time.”

  She reached for her crutches and got to her feet. Within seconds she’d made it to the door of his room, which was shrouded in darkness.

  He’d let her go too easily.

  He didn’t mind that she’d left him.

  The guy had done his duty, no doubt at Pam’s urging. Now he craved much-needed sleep.

  Rick had been the one who’d witnessed the tornado. Audra had been too much of a coward to watch. After his rather extraordinary experience, he was exhausted.

  This was how the end of her relationship with Boris had started. He’d slowly distanced himself from Audra without her catching on. When she’d asked him how soon he wanted her to join him in Cannes, he’d told her it wasn’t a good time. But he’d be in touch.

  Audra would never give Rick the opportunity to say, “My racing schedule won’t permit me any free time for a while, but I’ll probably see you at Christmas when the fam—”

  Her thoughts were cut off by a loud crack and the sound of glass shattering. It came from her bedroom. She cried out in surprise.

  Quick as lightning Rick joined her in the hall. “Tom sent you a message with that phone call tonight,” he said in a low voice. “Enraged by the way you dealt with him over the air, he has now resorted to using a rifle to make certain you get the point. Don’t move, Audra.”

  “Please don’t go in there,” she begged. “You can’t take on all three of them in your condition.” But her words were wasted on him.

  It was a surreal moment as she watched him get down on his haunches and disappear into the room. To her heartfelt relief he came back in the hall a minute later carrying one of her chairs.

  Without saying a word, he took the crutches from her and forced her to sit down. “The hall is the safest place for you until the police get here. What’s your address?”

  In a dazed state she gave it to him, then he was talking to the 9-1-1 dispatcher.

  “An attempt was made on Ms. Jarrett’s life. There’s a bullet lodged in her bedroom wall. We don’t know if the gunman is still out there. He could be family.”

  Before Rick rang off, he’d given the dispatcher the names of her cousins, along with a description of the boys’ trucks and cars. Considering what Rick did for a living, it shouldn’t have surprised her he knew the make, model, color and year of each vehicle.

  “The police are on their way,” he told Audra before she heard him relating everything to his father. Pretty soon he was on the phone to his brother, but he walked into his bedroom during their conversation.

  It wasn’t long before three officers arrived at the bungalow. At this point, Rick was off the phone and let them in the living room. While one of them stayed in the hall to get statements from her and Rick, the other two went into her bedroom. Another one was outside the house.

  Soon Pam and Clint arrived. A detective and a crime scene team followed them inside. By now the sun had come up.

  They congregated in the living room so Audra could elevate her leg on the couch.

  The detective spent a good hour collecting information from them.

  “I’ll give you the number at the radio station,” Audra said. “The manager tapes every program. Tom was the last caller before I went off the air last night, though he introduced himself as Mark.

  “The producer will give you the tape. If the call came from a pay phone, that’s one thing. But it could have originated from Tom’s work phone, his house phone or his cell. Do you want those numbers?”

  The detective nodded and jotted them down. He lifted his head and looked at each of them. “Is there anything else?”

  “Yes.” Pam sat forward. She looked as ill as Audra felt. “One of our big concerns is that the new owner of the ranch, Edwin Torney, was supposed to fly in yesterday with his son, Hal. Because of the tornado, I don’t know if they made it to Austin or not.

  “I think for the Torneys’ welfare, Edwin needs to be made aware of the problem we’re facing here.”

  “Definitely. If we’ve got someone who’s not dealing with reality, they could be a target.”

  “I’ve written down Mr. Torney’s phone number and address in Cleveland, Ohio.” She handed the piece of paper to him.

  Clint said, “You’ve got the number of our attorney, Mr. Cutler. He can provide you with copies of our depositions.”

  While he was talking, the other officers and crime scene team went back outside. The detective got to his feet. He left a card on the coffee table.

  “Call me if anything comes up no matter how trivial it might seem. We’ll stay in close touch.”

  Rick let him out and shut the door before turning to his father. “I think it would be best if Audra slept at the ranch house with you and Pam tonight. Tomorrow you can all drive to Austin and get a hotel room where Nate and Laurel will be staying.”

  Audra bristled. “I resent being treated as if I weren’t even in the room, Rick. The point is, if I’m vulnerable, so are you.”

  His gray eyes darkened from emotion. “Without you on the premises, I’ll be fine.”

  “You can’t stay here,” she cried before she realized how upset she sounded.

  “If I leave,” he retorted in a calm voice, “then Tom has won this round.”

  “He’s right, Audra,” Clint concurred.

  “I don’t care if he wins. Not if it means your life’s in danger.”

  “Danger’s my business, isn’t that what you’ve been telling me?”

  She looked away, embarrassed for her cousin and Clint to be witness to things better kept private.

  “You heard the detective,” Rick said. “It will be better if you don’t do your show tomorrow night. Let Tom think you’ve caved in and we’ve vacated the premises. Your producer can broadcast one of your old shows like he did when you went on tour last year.”

  Her body froze. “So you’ll remain here and wait for the three of them to hurt you or worse?”

  His smile had an icy quality. “I won’t be alone. My brother’s coming tomorrow morning. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. This is the weekend your uncle is moving into his condo, and the boys know it.”

  “What does one thing have to do with the other?”

  “After the moving van shows up for David’s things, we’ll arrange for the men to drive over here and pack your belongings, too.”

  Her heart dropped to her feet.

  This stolen week alone with Rick was over, just like that.

  She bowed her head. One shattered window and the boys had brought about a convenient way for Rick to distance himself from her.

  Nothing held him here.

  What had he said when she’d told him it was just a crush on her part?

  I like the way you think.

  Of course he liked it. He was a no-strings guy.

  Another week and he’d be functioning well enough to get in his car and drive away.

  “If the boys are watching,” he continued, “they’ll congratulate themselves for giving you such a fright you left the bungalow before your cast came off. One of them will listen to your program and find out it’s a rerun. That will send another false message.

  “Knowing the family will be gone for a big portion of the weekend to help with the move, your cousins won’t real
ize we’ve set a trap until everything’s a fait accompli.”

  “What kind of a trap?” Pam didn’t sound any happier about it than Audra.

  “I have a plan. Nate will help me. I feel in my gut things are going to go down this weekend. If I’m wrong and nothing happens, we’ll work out a different strategy, even if it means hiring you a bodyguard, Audra. The important thing is, if you and Pam are in Austin, the boys won’t have access to you this weekend.”

  Pam studied her cousin with anxious eyes. “Did you get any sleep last night?”

  Audra shook her head.

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll come by after dinner and get you.”

  Rick stared hard at Audra. “Why don’t you lie down on my bed right now where you’ll be comfortable.”

  “That’s a good idea, honey,” Pam agreed with him.

  Audra knew she was beyond exhausted or she wouldn’t have rejoiced that she wouldn’t be leaving Rick until tonight. The prospect of separation from him was too painful to consider.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “HOLT REALTY. How may I help you?”

  Clint had just driven off with Pam. Rick stood on the porch of the bungalow and watched until he lost sight of his car.

  “This is Rick Hawkins. I’m trying to reach Jed Holt. In case he doesn’t remember me, I played golf with him and Brent Marsden a couple of weeks ago.”

  “He’s in a sales meeting. Let me see what I can do, Mr. Hawkins. I’m going to put you on hold.”

  “Thank you.”

  After a minute the receptionist came back on the line. “He’ll be with you in a moment.”

  While Rick waited, he went inside the house to check on Audra, who appeared to be asleep at last. Too many shocks since yesterday had taken their toll. He could only hope she wouldn’t have a nightmare.

  “Rick Hawkins?” sounded an enthusiastic voice. “To what do I owe this great honor?”

  A smile broke out on Rick’s face. He headed for the living room. “I need a good Realtor. Brent says you’re the best.”

  “You’ve made my day. Are you calling from Arizona?”

  “No. I stopped in Texas to visit my father and ended up in the hospital with a broken collarbone.”

  “Uh-oh. How did that happen?”

  “A horse fell on me.”

  “You wouldn’t be joking with me?”

  Rick chuckled. “No.” After he’d explained about the snake, he said, “During this period of recuperation, I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on my career. The bottom line is, I’m due for a change.”

  The other man’s silence said plenty.

  “This is just an idea, mind you, but I’m thinking of establishing a racing school for drivers interested in Formula One, Indy racing. I need a place to put a building, plus an indoor and outdoor track. Somewhere halfway between Copper Mountain and Denver off I-70.”

  “What an exciting idea! I know several pieces of property along that route with easy access to the freeway. Let me do some research and I’ll get back to you. Give me your phone number.”

  Rick complied. “Do me one more favor?”

  “Of course.”

  “Don’t mention my name to anyone, and not a word of this to Brent.”

  “Understood. What time frame are we looking at?”

  “ASAP.”

  “In that case, expect to hear from me within twenty-four hours.”

  “Good. Thanks, Jed.”

  “Thank you.”

  He hung up and went to the kitchen for a cola. With that phone call, he’d taken his first step away from the world of competition and toward a different realm.

  It felt right. He could tell by the sense of exhilaration that swept through him.

  While his mind reeled with the exciting prospect of running his own business, he saw a blue Honda Civic pull into the driveway. There was a brunette at the wheel.

  It was Sherry, Jim’s wife. She’d come alone.

  He tossed the can he’d drained into the wastebasket and dashed through the house to intercept her before she rang the bell and wakened Audra.

  When he opened the door, he hardly recognized her. She’d been crying. He could tell by her puffy face and swollen lids. One look at him and she didn’t try to reach the porch.

  “Sherry? What is it you want?”

  She shuddered. “I need to talk to Audra.”

  “I’m afraid she’s asleep. Will I do?”

  “No.” She looked anxious. “This is something between the two of us.” She started to turn away, when a familiar voice sounded behind him.

  “I’m awake, Sherry. I heard your car pull in. Come inside.”

  Rick wheeled around in surprise. Their eyes met. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”

  “Yes.”

  Once Sherry entered the living room, Rick shut the door. Audra invited her to sit down on the couch.

  “Whatever you have to tell me, you can say in front of Rick. We don’t have any secrets left. Things have gone too far for that.”

  Sherry bit her lip. “I agree. That’s why I’m here. After dinner last night, Greg called, then Tom. They talked for a long time in secret before Jim left in the truck and never came home.

  “When it got to be two-thirty in the morning and he still hadn’t shown up, I was frantic. To prevent myself from panicking, I turned on the radio to listen to your program while I waited for him to walk in the door.” She paused for a moment before adding, “I’ve never told you this before but I really love your show. You’re so fabulous.”

  Rick’s glance swerved to Audra, whose eyes looked suspiciously bright.

  “When I heard Tom’s voice—the things he said to you—I was outraged. Especially when I knew you’d asked Uncle David to call all of us to warn us about the storm.”

  Good for you, Sherry. It’s about time.

  “I’m ashamed for the boys’ behavior, appalled!” Tears poured down her pale cheeks. “When you talked about paying the community back for everything they’d done for you and Jim and the family years ago, it hit me that there’s something horribly wrong with all three of them.

  “Tom may be the ringleader, but Jim and Greg continue to go along with him. It’s got to stop!” She dabbed at her eyes before she poured out the rest of the story.

  “I had to make up a reason why Jim wasn’t at breakfast this morning so the children wouldn’t be upset. He never returned any of my calls. When I arrived at work, I phoned Diane and Annette. They’d left their answering machines on.

  “At that point I couldn’t concentrate and went back home. Jim was there.” She swallowed. “He refused to tell me where he’d been all night. We had a horrible fight. I warned him that if he didn’t tell me the truth, I was going to leave him.”

  “Sherry—”

  Audra’s compassionate heart was one of the things Rick loved most about her.

  “You were right when you accused me of being a fence-sitter. I’ve been thinking hard about that ever since the other night. I’m so sorry for the way they acted when they heard about Rick’s accident.”

  That was news to Rick. He’d get it out of Audra later.

  “I called Mom, and then I called the school to give my permission for her to pick up the kids and take them home with her. When I leave here, that’s where I’m going. She’s never really approved of Jim. When I told her everything, she said she wouldn’t let me go back to him, that I needed an attorney. We’re going to find one today.

  “If my husband wants to communicate with me, he’ll have to do it through a lawyer. For a long time I’ve told him he needs professional help to get over his anger. He has just ignored me. But he can’t ignore me now unless he wants to lose me and the children. I don’t want his hang-ups rubbing off on them. He’s an angry man. They’ve already suffered damage because of it.

  “Diane had a huge fight with Greg because he refused to take her to Pam’s wedding or let her go alone.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Audra muttered.
“I’m sure Pam doesn’t either.”

  “Both Greg and Jim forbade us to say or do anything. They wouldn’t even let us go near you when you were in the hospital after your accident, Audra. Because of the children, we’ve been afraid to move. It’s like being in a prison.” Sherry took a deep breath and wiped the tears from her cheeks with a tissue.

  “The children love you and Pam a lot. They don’t understand why all of this is happening. That’s the reason Diane took her kids and went to stay with her parents in Fort Worth for a week. She knows the boys’ treatment of you and Pam and Uncle David is totally sick. I can’t speak for Annette, but I believe deep down she’s terrified of Tom.”

  Audra nodded. “That’s what I think, too.”

  “I came here to warn you. I can feel the boys are up to something terrible, but I don’t know what it is.”

  “That’s all right,” Rick interjected. “We’ve got the police on top of it now.”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “The police?”

  “Someone shot out the window in Audra’s bedroom in the middle of the night.”

  Sherry’s face crumpled. She stared at her cousin-in-law. “Are you all right?”

  “We can thank providence she wasn’t in there at the time,” Rick answered. “I called 9-1-l. While the detective was here, we gave him the names of the parties we feel were responsible.”

  “I’m glad,” Sherry declared. “It looks like the law’s going to be the only way to put an end to their reign of terror.”

  “That’s what it’s been,” Audra said in a tremulous voice.

  Sherry got to her feet. “If there’s anything I can do, anything you need to tell me, just call me on my cell phone. I swear I’ll help you any way I can.”

  Audra looked up at her. “There is one thing you can do right now.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Stop at the main house and tell Pam and Clint everything you’ve told me. It will mean the world to both of them. And when you get to your mom’s, phone Uncle David and repeat everything to him?”

  “I promise.”

  “Sherry?”

  “Yes?”