Forgotten Son Page 14

  The kiss went on and on as each of them held nothing back. They stretched out in the hay and Eli’s hands slipped beneath her blouse, caressing, stroking. Her hands were also at work, feeling the heavy muscles of his shoulders and back. The world spun away as they found pleasure in the basic, most simple needs.

  Sam barked several times before they heard him. Eli pulled his lips away and buried his face in her heated neck. “He thinks we’re fighting,” he said in a ragged tone.

  “Silly dog.” She stroked Eli’s back.

  He lifted his head and she saw the torment in his eyes.

  “Caroline, what are we doing?”

  She arched an eyebrow. “Did you need me to draw you a picture?”

  “No.” He rolled to the side and sat up. “Friends don’t do this and we shouldn’t, either.”

  She reached out to smooth the wrinkles on his forehead. “We kissed. That’s all. We admitted back in my apartment that something’s happening between us. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

  He didn’t answer, so she went on, “Like I told you earlier, I’m feeling my way back to a normal life right now and you feel very good to me. I’m not sure why that is. Maybe it’s gratitude. Maybe it’s the pangs of a broken engagement. Maybe it’s something more. Only time will tell. So stop feeling guilty every time you touch me. We’re adults and we can handle this.”

  Eli wasn’t so sure. He could handle just about anything in this world, except talking to his brothers and letting another woman into his heart. Both these things seemed to be closing in on him at once. He stood and stretched out his left hand, pulling Caroline to her feet.

  “Time to get you back to the city,” he said.

  During the silent drive to her apartment, Caroline could feel a tension building between her and Eli. When they arrived, he got out and walked her to the door. She found her key and let them in to the dark apartment.

  “See?” she said, flipping on a light. “I turned the lights off.”

  He stood just inside the door. “That’s good. How about the night?”

  “I’m going cold turkey—no lights.”

  “If you need me, just call.” Why did he say that? He didn’t want her to need him.

  Her eyes narrowed on his face. “And you’re hoping I won’t.”

  He took a step farther into the room. “I don’t want you to be afraid.”

  “It’s hard not to be afraid every second of every day, but I’m managing.”

  Those words tightened his gut unbearably, but before he could say anything she added, “If I do feel the walls closing in, I’ll call Grace. She’s dying to mother me. So don’t worry.”

  “Okay,” he said, and hesitated. Why couldn’t he just leave?

  She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, and his skin almost ached from the contact. “Thank you for a wonderful day. I’m taking pictures again and now I can go back to work. That will help a great deal.”

  “Yes. I’m sure it will.”

  She tilted her head to one side. “You have to be the nicest man I’ve ever met. I didn’t think there were men like you in this world.”

  He wasn’t good with praise so he said the only thing he could. “Good night, Caroline.”

  “Not so fast, Ranger Coltrane.”

  He stopped, his eyes puzzled. “What?”

  “We have a deal, remember?”

  He couldn’t help but smile, because he knew exactly what she was talking about. “I don’t think you can hold me to that. You tricked me.”

  “I had self-defense classes in college.”

  “You’re a lot like Pa,” he said. “He was a high school boxing champ and he failed to mention that when he challenged me.”

  “A deal is a deal and you’re a man of your word, right?”

  “Right.” He agreed, reluctantly. “Caleb ask me to speak with Jane Doe, so I’ll be seeing him in the morning.” He paused. “I’ll bring up the subject.”

  “Good.”

  He turned to go, then swung back as a thought occurred to him. “Would you like to go with me? I think it would be good for her to speak with another woman.”

  “I’d love to go and thank her for helping to save my life.”

  “I’ll meet you at the entrance to the hospital about nine. Is that okay?”

  “Yes. Good night, Eli.”

  He walked to his car with a spring in his step. He wasn’t angry that he’d have to speak with Jake and Beau. It was time to bury the past. It was time for a lot of things.

  THE PHONE STARTED TO RING as Caroline took her purse and camera bag to the bedroom.

  “You said you’d call when you got back.” Grace came right to the point.

  “I just got in.”

  “Then you took some photos?”

  “Yes. I used up a lot of film today.”

  “Oh, Caro, that’s great. Why don’t I rent a movie and come over?”

  “I’m exhausted,” she said. “I’m going to make a sandwich, develop some film, then go to bed. Let’s do it another night.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  After a bite, Caroline went to her darkroom. The film she’d taken today turned out better than she’d expected. The pictures of Eli were awesome. She stared at them for a long time, noting with wonder that she’d caught his sensuality, his strength. She couldn’t take her eyes off this man—a man who was suddenly the center of her world.

  While the photos were drying, she took a shower, then crawled into bed—with the lights on. She’d turn them off in a minute. First, she applied lotion to her arms and legs, then grabbed a novel she wanted to read off the nightstand. The book didn’t hold her interest. In a minute, she’d turn the light out.

  She’d just spent an hour in her darkroom, so she could do this. She’d done it last night, but Eli was here. Just another minute…

  The phone rang and she almost jumped out of her skin. If that was Grace, she was going to give her an earful. “Hello,” she snapped into the receiver.

  “Caroline, is that you?”

  Eli. She sank back against the pillows. “Yes. It’s me.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I…ah…”

  “Are the lights on or off?”

  “On.”

  “Turn them off and I’ll talk to you for a while.”

  “Okay.” She got up and flipped off the overhead light, then the bedside lamps, feeling like a little girl needing someone to tell her what to do. But she was a big girl with a big problem. She curled up in bed with the phone to her ear. “They’re out.”

  “Talk to me until you feel safe enough to go to sleep.”

  “I had a great time today and the photos are really good. I’ll make copies of the ones of Sam and Dee. Tuck will love them.”

  “I’m sure he will.”

  “Eli.”

  “Hmm?”

  “Thanks for calling.”

  “Go to sleep, Caroline.”

  She went to sleep with his voice enveloping her. She’d never felt so safe in her life.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  ELI WAITED FOR CAROLINE at the entrance to the hospital. When he saw her coming up the walk his heart skipped a beat. She was dressed in tan slacks and a cream, fitted blouse that showed off her full breasts and long arms. Her blond hair bounced around her shoulders. She smiled when she saw him.

  “Good morning,” she said.

  He fought an urge to take her in his arms and kiss her.

  “Did you sleep good?”

  “Yes.” Her smile broadened. “I hope I don’t have to talk to you every night for the rest of my life.”

  She’d said it in a humorous way, but he wouldn’t mind talking to her every night. The thought was tempting, taking him down a road he’d been detouring for a long time—one of love, commitment and marriage. He would like someone special in his life, someone like Caroline. But he had to take it slow—for both of them. She was confused and needed time to get ov
er her ordeal with Buford. Eli was helping to investigate the case, which complicated matters further.

  They went through the automatic doors. “I’ve already spoken with Caleb,” he told her, punching the elevator button. “He thinks it’s a good idea, too, for you to speak with her.”

  There were several people in the elevator and Caroline moved closer to Eli. She liked being near him, touching him. She liked everything about him. Grace had challenged her feelings for Eli, saying they had grown from gratitude. Caroline kept waiting for those feelings to change, but so far they hadn’t. If anything, they were growing deeper.

  They got off the elevator and walked down a hall where they saw Caleb McCain walking toward them. Even though Caleb was lean while Eli was muscled, they both had the same chiseled features, straight nose and dark hair. They were definitely brothers.

  Eli and Caleb shook hands. “Ms. Whitten.” Caleb tipped his hat to her. “I’m glad you came. I’m not getting anywhere with her. She might open up when speaking with a woman, especially one who has been through a similar experience.”

  Caleb was dressed in the usual Texas Ranger outfit—white shirt, tie, slacks, cowboy boots, light-colored hat, gun and badge. Eli was, too, except he wore Wrangler Riatas and his light blue shirt matched his eyes.

  “Has she said anything?” Eli asked.

  “Only that she doesn’t know anything and for me to leave her alone.”

  “Maybe she’ll talk to Caroline.” Eli placed his hand on the door to open it.

  “I spoke with the hospital administrator and had her name changed to Belle Doe. It’s not so impersonal,” Caleb said. “She seems pleased with it—it gives her a bit of an individual identity. So please call her Belle.”

  “I like it, it’s much sweeter then Jezebel or Jane Doe,” Caroline said, and they entered the room.

  Caroline saw her immediately. She was sitting by a window in a hospital gown and robe. Her head was bent and her long, dark brown hair fell forward, covering her face.

  “Belle.” Caroline spoke her name softly, not wanting to startle her.

  The woman raised her head and Caroline saw her eyes. They were black and spoke plainly of the pain she was in. Caroline felt a deep sadness for what she had been through.

  Belle stared blankly at her.

  “Hi. I’m Caroline Whitten.”

  The dark eyes widened. “You’re alive.”

  “Yes.” Caroline smiled at her. “Thank you for helping Ranger Coltrane. It saved my life.”

  Belle bent her head again.

  Caroline glanced at Eli, unsure of what to do. It was clear Belle didn’t want to talk to anyone.

  Eli walked to her. “Belle. Do you remember me?”

  She didn’t move a muscle.

  Eli pulled a chair forward and sat facing her. “Belle, look at me.”

  “Go away and leave me alone.” Her voice was deep and sultry, like her eyes.

  “My name is Eli Coltrane. I’m a Texas Ranger and I met you at Amos Buford’s camp. Do you remember?”

  Belle didn’t answer.

  “Do you remember me?” he asked again.

  She nodded.

  “You gave me a clue to help find Caroline. Why did you do that?”

  “They were going to… Please go away. I can’t say anything.”

  Eli looked at Caroline and nodded.

  “It’s okay, Belle,” she said. “You’re safe now. I am, too.”

  “It was so awful,” Belle whimpered, so low that Caroline had to strain to catch the words.

  “I know. I live with constant fear, but I’m trying to take my life back. It’s not easy and…”

  Eli saw Caroline was getting choked up, so he stepped in again. “Neither of you have to fear Amos Buford and his followers. They’re in jail and they’ll be there for a long time.”

  “They’re evil. They’re evil. They’re evil.” Belle jerked her head from side to side.

  “Yes, they are,” Eli agreed.

  “They said I was evil,” Belle whispered as she stopped shaking her head. “Since I had dark eyes and hair, they said my blood was tainted and I was a plague on society. They forgave me and said only hard work would atone for my sins.”

  Caroline moved back and Caleb knelt by Belle’s chair. “You are not evil.”

  “Please go away. They’ll beat me again.”

  Caroline caught her breath. Eli and Caleb exchanged a glance.

  “Belle, look at me,” Eli instructed.

  She raised her head.

  “No one’s going to beat you. I’ll make sure of that and Ranger McCain will, too. We only want to help you. Please try to understand that.”

  Belle didn’t say a word.

  Eli continued. “Look around you. You’re in a hospital and Ranger McCain is trying to find out who you are, but you have to help him. You have to tell him what you know.”

  “I don’t remember anything.” The words were barely audible.

  “Tell us what you remember.”

  There was a long pause.

  “Please, Belle. We can’t help you if you don’t talk to us.”

  “It’s okay,” Caroline said, sensing that Belle wanted to talk, but was so afraid. Caroline knew that feeling.

  Belle clenched and unclenched her hands, then looked at her. “I…I was walking the streets—so hungry—and a couple of men accosted me. A man with long hair and a beard told the men to leave me alone, and he said he would give me food and shelter. We traveled in a truck to their camp and that’s when he…”

  “Who is he?” Eli asked when Belle stopped.

  She blinked in confusion, but switched her focus to Eli.

  “The prophet—he told me those things. He said they were Christians and they would help me. I cooked, did laundry in the creek and worked the fields. At night I was exhausted and they let me sleep in the kitchen area on the floor. They gave me a worn old blanket. It was so cold and once I made a fire in the cookstove. They beat me ’cause they said I had to suffer. It was my fate in life. I never made a fire again for heat, but they beat me to drive the demons from my body. I…I…”

  Belle began to tremble and Caroline had to close her eyes to keep the tears from spilling out.

  “It’s all right,” Eli said in a hoarse voice. “You will never have to endure that again.”

  Belle hung her head and the room became silent.

  “How did you know I was looking for Ms. Whitten?” Eli asked softly.

  Belle looked directly at him. “At night when everyone was asleep, I watched you from the window, hoping you might take me out of that place. But I was afraid to approach you. Then I saw you get up and search around. I knew you were looking for the woman they’d brought and I knew you’d never find her.” She placed her hands over her ears. “I can’t say any more. I can’t. I can’t. Please go away.”

  “It’s all right,” Eli said, and Belle wiped her eyes.

  Caroline saw how Belle had responded to Eli. He was kind and understanding—just as he was with her. It was hard not to respond to that. Oh God! Suddenly she could see what Grace was trying to tell her. After what she’d been through, she needed that kindness. And she had turned it into something more when all the while Eli had just been doing his job.

  He was that kind of person. No wonder he didn’t want to take their relationship any further—he didn’t care for her in that way. He was just too nice to say so. She had to get away from him so she could sort this out, but before she left she had to thank Belle again. Without her help, the outcome could have been very different for Caroline.

  Eli stood, pushing back his chair and Caroline took a step closer.

  “Thank you, Belle, for being so brave.”

  Belle’s eyes flickered. “I’m glad you’re alive.”

  The three of them walked from the room, leaving Belle in the company of a nurse. In the hall Caleb said, “That went well. She’s said more today than she has so far.” He looked at Caroline. “She seemed to connec
t with you. Thanks for talking to her.”

  It wasn’t her, Caroline thought, it was Eli who Belle responded to. Caroline knew that feeling very well. She had also shared things with Eli she hadn’t shared with anyone else. She had to get away right now, before she made a complete fool of herself.

  “How bad was she beaten?” Eli asked Caleb.

  “The doctor said her back is covered in welts and scars that are never going to go away. He said it was probably done with a rope or board. Some of the cuts were deep and left jagged wounds. I don’t know how she survived it. I hope they put Buford away for the rest of his pitiful life.”

  Caroline couldn’t listen to any more. “I’ve got to go. I have an appointment I can’t miss.”

  She hurried down the hall, but Eli caught her before she got too far. “I’m sorry you had to hear that.”

  “No. I needed to.” She forced herself not to cry. “I have an appointment at a magazine for a shoot. I don’t want to be late.” She walked away before he could stop her, taking the stairs all the way to the ground floor. Her chest was tight and she was panting when she stepped out into the fresh air. Sucking air into her lungs, she rushed to her car.

  Amos Buford had inflicted so much pain on Belle and on herself. He would not do this to her. She refused to be a victim of her own fears and would deal with the fear in her own way—without help from Eli.

  Resting her head on the steering wheel, Caroline tried to shake off all the doubts and insecurities inside her. She’d always been a strong person, standing up to her father and living her life the way she wanted. Now she had to find that strength again—and work was the answer. If she immersed herself in her job she wouldn’t think about Eli and how she’d made a fool of herself.

  She drove to the magazine and accepted an assignment. A writer was doing a story about the Alamo and how young people saw it today. The editor didn’t want to pull an old photo for the article, she wanted something fresh, with young people in the shots. Within an hour Caroline was back in her apartment, packing for a trip to San Antonio.

  She called Grace to let her know she’d be out of town for a couple of days, then she was on the road, putting miles between her and Eli.