Within five minutes the three of them had gathered the most important items and clothes and put them in the trunk of Kit’s car. Amy called Kit’s name and he paused long enough to kiss her before settling her into her car seat with some of her favorite stuffed animals.
While the two Rangers went back into the house, Natalie sat next to her daughter to comfort her. “Kit will be right back. We’re going on an adventure,” she said, trying to calm her own pounding heart. They had to be in grave danger for him to burst into the house the way he had.
When he came out to the car, he was alone. He pressed the remote, then backed out onto the street. She noticed that the surveillance van had gone.
Kit talked Ranger business on his phone as he drove. Wherever he was taking them she’d find out when they got there. Amy chattered the whole time, excited to be doing something different. Without Kit around, Natalie realized she and her daughter had been going stir crazy in the house.
“We’re home,” Kit announced. They’d come to the area called Chimney Corners, not far from where Natalie lived. He pulled into the driveway of a town-house condo complex and drove into the garage.
They entered one of the units through the kitchen where he deposited the high chair. As he helped her get her things inside, she looked around the living room, spying some framed pictures of Kit and his family on the end tables. He’d brought them to his home. She’d wondered where he lived, never expecting to see the inside of it.
He set up the playpen so she could deposit Amy with some toys. “For the time being she can sleep in the playpen while you sleep on the couch. It’s amazingly comfortable, I promise. I’ll get you sheets and quilts. I’m afraid I only have two bedrooms upstairs and I use one as my office. It’s a small place, but perfect for me until I buy a home with horse property.”
She darted him a glance. “You think we might have to be here for a while?”
“I can’t predict.” He disappeared up the stairs and brought down bedding and pillows. “You can use the bathroom near the foot of the stairs. The fridge is stocked, so feel free to help yourself to anything.”
Natalie took Amy’s snacks and jars of baby food into the kitchen. Before long everything had been organized.
She went back to the living room where she found Kit playing with Amy. He’d taken her out of the playpen and was stacking blocks with her. The little girl loved the attention of the tall, handsome Ranger.
So do I, Natalie thought.
“Can you tell me what’s going on now, Kit?”
He looked over his shoulder before gravitating to one of the chairs. “I was called into the jail earlier. Juanita decided she wanted to make her confession in the hope the judge would go a little easier on her. She explained that her brother killed your husband because he’d double-crossed him.”
“That was your theory all along.”
“The confession substantiated it, but my blood chilled when she said Alonzo is convinced the money is still hidden in your house, and that he’s willing to kill you in order to get to it. Because Juanita’s arrest was publicized, she’s certain he’ll go back for it any time now.”
Natalie felt a shiver run down her spine.
“While you’re here, a surveillance crew will remain outside the condo for your safety. Cy will be at the house, waiting for Alonzo to break in, no matter how long it takes.”
“I’m sure Juanita’s brother isn’t working alone.”
“You let me worry about that.”
She sucked in her breath. “Won’t he see you letting yourself into my house?”
“That’s not the plan. One of the guys will drive a car with a real estate logo and put up a For Sale sign in your front yard with a number to call. After he leaves, we’re hoping Alonzo will think you’ve been frightened off. Believing that the house is vacant, he’ll come for the money. The ruse might work, but it might not. In any case Cy will be inside wait
ing for him. I’ll provide backup.”
“Where will you be?”
“In the big tree growing in the backyard on your neighbor’s property. On the first day I came to your house through the back, I noticed it would provide the perfect perch.”
Oh, Kit...
She opened the Little People Farm that Kit had grabbed for her to bring. Amy loved it and started arranging all the animals.
“I need your cell to call Mr. Farbes. He’ll have to put off his visit until Alonzo is captured.”
Natalie had forgotten all about the attorney. She reached for her purse and handed him the phone. While they talked, she got up and went into the kitchen to put some milk in Amy’s sippy cup in case she was thirsty. As she turned to go back to the living room with it, Kit was right there.
“Oh—sorry. I didn’t see you.” She would have run into him if he hadn’t steadied her shoulders with his hands. The contact shot darts of awareness through her body. “How did Mr. Farbes take the news?” She could hear her voice shaking.