Winds of Wyoming (A Kate Neilson Novel) (25 page)

The smell of Brut fused with bad breath and booze made her choke.

“You owe me, Neilson.” Nose to nose, he railed at her. “You killed my baby and got me fired. I’m taking you back to Pennsylvania to make more Ramseys.”

To make more Ramseys?
She glared at him. “You’re a deranged imbecile.”

He straightened. “I told you not to fancy talk me.”

She would not let him have the upper hand
.
They were no longer at Patterson.

“Imbecile means
fool
—that’s a little four-letter word. It also means
idiot
, which is a big five-letter word. Do you get the picture,
imbecile
?” She spat the word at him.

He backhanded her. “Shut your stupid mouth.”

She jabbed her fingernails into his wrist with one hand and tried to pry the call box with the other. He jerked away, but she held on, ignoring the throb in her leg.

“My, my, my …” The voice was masculine. “What do we have here?”

Ramsey cursed and ripped his wrist from her grasp.

Kate dropped onto her pillow, call box in hand.

Three ramrod-straight men, one in a dark-blue uniform, and two in tan, stood just inside the doorway, hands on their guns.

Dread seeped through her like an oil spill—coating, suffocating, drowning every fiber, every cell of her being. They’d take her to prison in a wheelchair.

The man in blue hooked his thumbs in his belt. “If it isn’t our good buddy from Pennsylvania. Now we can add assaulting helpless hospital patients to your list of offenses.”

Ramsey glared at him. “I ain’t done nothing wrong, Rhoades.”

Kate pushed herself upright.

One of the officers in tan turned to Chief Rhoades. “You know him?”

“Gerald Ramsey recently spent some time in our facility. When I saw his truck outside, I knew trouble was brewing. You after him, Deputy?”

“We’re here to question Ms. Neilson.” The deputy motioned to the other officer. “Cuff him, then read him his rights and take him to the car.”

Ramsey swore, grabbed Kate’s shoulders and yanked her in front of him.

She clawed at the sheets, trying to get a grip on something, anything. Then she saw the guns aimed at them and froze, not daring to breathe.

“Let her go.” The deputy’s growl made the hair on Kate’s neck rise.

“I’m walking out of here and taking her with me.”

Rhoades whipped a second weapon from a holster attached to the left side of his duty belt. “Ever been tazed, Ramsey?”

“No!” Ramsey thrust Kate aside and raised his hands. “Don’t taze me!”

Kate fought to regain her balance, remembering the night he’d snuck into her cell too upset for sex. His training that day had included a firsthand lesson on the power of a Taser gun. He evidently hadn’t forgotten.

“Place your hands on your head. Walk slowly toward us.”

Veins bulging from his forehead and neck, Ramsey stepped forward. He bumped the bed with his hip. “I’ll be back.”

The police chief followed the deputy and Ramsey out of the room.

Kate buried her face in her pillow. Freedom was worse than jail. She was forever running. From Ramsey, from the law, from her past. She’d never be safe. Suddenly she was crying harder than she’d ever cried in her life, the dam of her self-control irrevocably breached. Though she heard the sheriff call her name, she could not respond.

Then another male voice, Dr. Walker. “What are you doing to my patient?”

“Deputy Johnson and I discovered an altercation in progress. He removed the assailant. I stayed behind to get a report from Ms. Neilson.”

Kate felt a hand on her back and rolled away from it.

“It’s okay, sweetie.” This time she heard a woman’s voice. “He’s gone.”

Kate turned her head.

The nurse handed her a pill before pouring a glass of water from the bedside pitcher. “The meds will help.”

Kate choked down the pill and curled into a fetal position, her injured leg straight. Still crying, she pulled the blanket over her head.

The doctor sounded determined. “You’ll have to get your report another time. I can’t allow you to traumatize her any further. Please leave.”

“I’m not planning to traumatize her.”

Dr. Walker’s voice deepened. “Do you plan to lock up the attacker, or should we put the entire hospital on alert?”

“We’re jailing him.”

“Good. Now leave, so I can take care of my patient.”

***

Kate helped Manuel drag a gunny sack filled with squirming weasels into the forest, followed by Tramp. The bloody dog growled ferociously at the hundreds of yellow eyes that peered at them between the tree trunks. Then Tara stepped onto the path and threatened to tell Mike about their illegal activity just as Ramsey slipped behind Kate and squeezed her throat. But blood spurted from Trudy’s neck, not hers. The calf disappeared, and Kate found herself walking toward Pastor Chuck and Ramsey, wilted wildflowers grasped above her bulging belly.

Sickened by the gleam of triumph on Ramsey’s face, Kate awoke in a panic. She couldn’t, she
wouldn’t
marry him. She turned onto her side, bunching the pillow under her neck. But if she didn’t marry him, he’d do everything in his power to ensure she returned to prison, possibly for the rest of her life. Both options were worse than death.

Chapter Twenty

KATE FELT SOMEONE TOUCH
her cheek. She opened her eyes. “Oh, hi, Dymple.”

“Hello, Katy.” Dymple squeezed her arm. “Sorry to wake you.”

Kate yawned. “These afternoon naps are becoming a habit.”

“That’s okay. You need sleep to heal.” The elderly woman settled into a chair beside the hospital bed. “Sorry I couldn’t come sooner. I was in Colorado visiting my sisters.” She lowered her eyebrows, a stern look in her eyes. “I hear you’ve been living on the wild side lately.”

Kate grinned at her friend’s fresh crop of chin hairs. Must have forgotten to pack her tweezers. “I suppose you could call it living on the wild side. I’m ready for a few days—a few months—of boredom.”

Dymple brightened. “Well, I’ve got just the ticket for you.”

“You do?”

“Yes. Life is boring at my place. Come stay with me after the doctor releases you.”

Kate smiled.
Release
still had a wonderful ring to it. “That’s very sweet of you.” Using the control buttons, she raised the upper portion of the bed, adjusting the bedding. “But I’m planning to get a motel room here in Rawlins, so I can use the computers at the library to apply for internships.” Maybe she could borrow a little bit of money from Aunt Mary to survive until she found another position.

Dymple frowned. “You’re not returning to the ranch?”

“I’d just be in the way.”

Dymple’s steely stare unnerved her.

“Even if I wasn’t in the way, there’s another issue that could keep me out of the office.”

“You mean the missing money?”

“Laura told you?”

“Didn’t have to. The whole valley knows.”

Of course. No secret was safe in Copperville.

“You can apply for internships from my house. Remember, I have that fancy new Chihuahua.”

Surprised, Kate lifted her head. “You have a dog now?”

Dymple clutched the arms of her chair and leaned forward, chin out. “What did I say this time?”

“You said you have a new Chihuahua.”

The older woman snorted and sat back. “Computer. I meant to say
computer
. Mike set me up with satellite service, so I can use the Internet. That’d help you search for another job, wouldn’t it?”

“It would.” Kate thought for a moment before she nodded. “Thank you. I would love to stay with you.” The perky woman’s indomitable spirit intrigued her. Staying with Dymple for a few days would be a great learning experience. “I’ll be glad to pay you for room and board.”

“You’ll do no such thing. This is my idea and my chance to get to know you better.”

Later, when Dymple stood to leave, she asked Kate if she could bring her anything.

Kate cocked her head. “Actually, I’ve been wishing for two things, but they’re silly.”

“Whatever you want, sweetie—within reason, of course.”

“I’ve been craving Ritz crackers. Plus, I’d like a good novel to read. The hospital has a small library, and I’ve read a couple books from there. But they weren’t the best. Would you mind picking up a bestseller for me? I’ll pay you back.”

“Be glad to.” She patted Kate’s hand. “I don’t think it’s a strange rhinestone at all.”

“You are too kind, Dymple-with-a-Y Louise Forbes.”

***

Two days later, exhausted by the trip from Rawlins to Dymple’s house, Kate leaned against a pile of pillows on the guestroom bed. Her new book lay on the nightstand, but she didn’t have the energy to read it. Or to think any more about her conversation with the sheriff’s deputy before she left the hospital. They’d researched her history. Found her fingerprints on Laura’s desk.

She watched the lace curtains flutter in the breeze from the open window. She couldn’t have asked for a more pleasant recovery room. If it wasn’t for Dymple, she’d be all alone in a dark, musty motel room.

The telephone rang. Moments later, Dymple called to her. “It’s for you.”

Kate wasn’t sure she should pick up the phone. If it was Ramsey—the only person who could locate her whereabouts so quickly—she didn’t want to talk to him. No one else could possibly know where she was staying. Except the sheriff.

She swallowed—
help me, God
—and retrieved the handset from the nightstand. “Hello.”

“Hey, Kate, what’s the deal? I finally get a chance to visit you in the hospital, and you’re gone.”

Her frenetic heartbeat settled into a tap dance. “Hey, yourself, Mike. How did you find me?”

“Mom told me you were planning to recuperate at Dymple’s place, and the hospital told me you were discharged this morning. I did the math.”

“Brilliant deduction. But I’m sorry you drove all that way for nothing.”

“Do you mind if I stop to see you on my way home? I have some news that might interest you.”

“I’ll tell Dymple you’re on the way.” Evidently, Mike and the sheriff had not yet crossed paths. He sounded happy.

***

Dymple greeted Mike with a kiss on the cheek. “My favorite adopted grandson. I’m glad to see you again, even if you didn’t come to see me.”

“Oh, but I did. I have something to tell
both
of you.” He grinned at Kate, who sat with her back against the arm of the sofa and her legs stretched across it.

Kate returned the smile. Mike was in such a good mood, it had to be positive news, for a change. She readjusted her position.

“Would you two care for some iced trapper?”

Mike glanced at Kate. “Uh, sure. Iced tea sounds great.”

When Dymple left the room, he handed Kate a bouquet of wildflowers wrapped in wet paper towels and a plastic bag. “These are from Mom, with apologies for not being able to come today.”

“I understand. I know how busy she is. Please give her my thanks.” She buried her face in the blossoms. “These are beautiful, and they smell delicious.”

He motioned toward the far end of the couch. “Mind if I share the cantaloupe?”

She snickered. “Have a seat, Mr. Duncan.”

Dymple returned carrying a tray of tea and scones. “How’s your puppy dog doing?” She set the tray on the coffee table.

“I talked with the vet this morning. He said it took Tramp a couple tries, but he managed to stand and stagger around his kennel yesterday, which is progress.” He reached for a scone. “These look great. Smell great, too.”

Dymple took the flowers from Kate. “I’ll find a vase and put these in your bedroom.”

“Thank you, Dymple.”

Mike rubbed his thumb across Kate’s foot. “I hope you’re feeling as good as you look.”

His caress sent a shiver through Kate, who couldn’t stop her foot from jerking.

He laughed and picked up two glasses of tea. “So, Ms. Pittsburgh is ticklish. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I’m sure you have more important things to remember.” Kate tried to ignore the tingle in her arch.

He handed her a glass slick with sweat beads.

When she took it from him, their fingers touched. She ducked her head, feeling her cheeks warm.

Dymple returned to sit in the chair across from Mike. She took the remaining glass of tea. “How’s your mom doing, Mike?”

“Okay, considering how crazy things have been lately.”

“I’m praying for her and for you, knowing God cares about what’s been going on at your ranch.” She plunked the glass down. Tea splashed onto the tray. “I promise—based on his Word—that he will bring good out of evil at the Whispering Pines.”

For a moment, Mike sat silent, swirling his ice cubes in the glass. “Thanks, Dymple. I needed that reminder.”

Dymple folded her hands. “So, what’s this news you talked about?”

He brightened. “You remember Matt?”

Dymple’s creased features softened. “I could never forget your sweet brother.”

He turned to Kate. “Remember when I told you about him?”

She nodded. How many times had she relived that evening?

“I kept thinking about what you said and finally got up the courage to search the Rawlins newspaper archives after I stopped by the hospital.” He looked at Dymple. “You probably knew the specifics of the accident I had with Matt, but I didn’t.”

Her forehead furrowed. “What do you mean by
specifics
?”

He scratched his head and blew out a puff of air. “All this time, I thought I caused the accident.”

“Oh, you poor dear. How did you ever get that notion in your head?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it was because nobody talked about it. Not my parents, not my friends, not my teachers or our pastor. Nobody.”

Kate leaned over to set her glass on the coffee table. “What did you learn at the newspaper office?”

“I learned that a neighbor pulled onto the highway from a side road and hit us as we passed by. I don’t remember another vehicle, but the articles all said it was a pickup, and the guy was drunk. A highway patrol officer found us, said the other driver was still inside his overturned truck, passed out but not seriously injured. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison. Might still be there, if he didn’t get out early.”