Along Came Merrie Read online

  “How can you tell?”

  “The way they were dressed.”

  That didn’t make a lick of sense to her but she really didn’t care. All that mattered was the fact that the bikers were going one way and she was heading in the complete opposite direction.

  They drove for a while but she couldn’t stop shaking. She sensed Leo’s concerned glances and finally he pulled over onto the shoulder of the road. He drew her into his arms, holding her tightly, and the dam on her emotions finally broke. She cried out her fear, cried out the terror that had never left. She’d bottled it all inside, thinking she was over it and what she’d been through, but she’d only been fooling herself.

  She’d almost died! There was still a possibility that Axe would find her, hurt her and finish the job he’d started. How could she resume her life with that hanging over her head? No matter how far she ran, it would always be in the back of her mind, and she’d be constantly looking over her shoulder.

  Leo rocked her, pressing his lips in soothing kisses along her hairline. After a while, her sobs quieted then eventually died, leaving her feeling emotionally drained. She just wanted to lie down, close her eyes and sleep until tomorrow.

  “Are you all right?” Leo asked softly.

  “No. Yes.” She sighed. “I guess for now I’m all right. Thank you.”

  He tightened his arms around her. “I’m here if you need me, even if it’s just for a shoulder.”

  “It feels nice,” she admitted, pulling back to look up at him. “I’ve never had someone let me borrow their shoulder. I’ve only ever had myself.”

  “Merrie,” he whispered. “You don’t have to be alone anymore.”

  She bit her bottom lip. “What does that mean, Leo? Because I’m starting to feel…something…for you and Braden. And that’s… Shit, that’s so wrong. Isn’t it? I mean, you rescued me. You’ve been so nice. How do I know it’s not just… I don’t know…gratitude?”

  “I guess we just take things day by day,” Leo replied. “May I ask something of you, Merrie?”

  “What?”

  “May I kiss you?”

  Excitement zipped down her spine and butterflies erupted in her stomach. She gave a nod and watched as Leo bent his head toward her. At the last second, she closed her eyes and his lips settled on hers.

  Leo moved his lips gently over hers, soft and incredibly hot. He traced her bottom lip with his tongue and she opened her mouth on a surprised sigh. He immediately deepened the kiss, sweeping his tongue in to dance with hers. For several long moments, he kissed her over and over, each time possessing her further and longer. At first, she was content to let him take the lead, but after a while, she grew bolder, twining her arms around his neck and pressing herself closer to him. She loved how he bent her back until she was almost lying on the truck bench, dominating and passionate.

  When he finally ended the kiss and straightened, she stared at him through half-lowered lids.

  “Wow,” she murmured. “You’re a great kisser, Leo.”

  “Yeah? Maybe it’s because I had a wonderful partner.”

  She took a deep breath and settled into his side. He tightened his arm around her as he drove the rest of the way to the ranch.

  Chapter Eight

  The next morning dawned bright and early, and Merrie had a hard time not bouncing around in her excitement to start work. Leo had left before dawn on an emergency call but he was expected back soon to show her around the office. As she was in the kitchen brewing coffee, a knock sounded at the door. Braden told her to stay out of sight and opened the door.

  “Hello,” the man said. “I’m Detective Clark Christianson from Cheyenne. I’m looking for Mr. Braden McClintock.”

  “That’s me,” Braden answered.

  “Hello, Mr. McClintock. I work in organized crimes and my captain brought your report of a biker gang related attack to my attention. May I come in so we can talk?”

  “Of course,” Braden said.

  Merrie moved into the kitchen archway to look at the man. He didn’t look like a cop. He certainly didn’t look like a cop who could handle the biker, Axe, either. He was of average height and build, balding. Bags drooped under his eyes, giving him a tired look, and the brackets by his mouth hinted that he clenched his teeth a lot.

  “It’s okay, Merrie,” Leo gestured for her to come and sit next to him. “He’s from Cheyenne.”

  While she and Braden settled on the couch, Detective Christianson sat on the recliner. He pulled out a notebook and pen.

  “Why don’t you start from the beginning?” the detective offered.

  Braden took her hand in his and gave her an encouraging nod. She took a deep breath.

  “I was lost and didn’t have a signal on my cell phone,” she said. “I saw a bar and figured I’d call the police for help, so I circled around back where I found a payphone. When I got out of my car, two men were talking and shaking hands. Then…the man with the goatee, whom the other man called Axe, attacked me. He…hit me. When I told them I was lost and was only going to call the police for help, the other man—the one with a long gray beard—said Axe had to clean up his mess and make sure no one found my body.”

  Braden tightened his fingers around hers. When she glanced at him, fury blanketed his face. She used her thumb to sooth the back of his hand.

  “Please, go on,” Detective Christianson murmured.

  “He punched me and I blacked out. Sometime later, I came to and realized I was in the back of my car, heading somewhere. I got out of my bindings, jumped from the car, and I ran into the woods.”

  The detective arched both eyebrows.

  “I found her on the dirt road south of here, the one separating my land from the Hamilton’s,” Braden said.

  “Are you usually out on that road?”

  “Sometimes. The Hamilton’s buy horses from me.”

  “Did you go to the hospital, Miss Walden?”

  She shook her head. “The man—Axe—said the cops were in his pocket. I didn’t want to chance going to the hospital in case the police were looking for me.”

  “So no one knows you’re here? Who put the cast on your wrist?”

  “My brother,” Braden answered. “He’s a veterinarian. Hold on. We took photos.”

  He got up and headed toward his office then came back out a moment later with his digital camera. He turned it on and brought up the pictures of Merrie. He handed it over for Detective Christianson to look at them.

  The detective scrolled through each frame slowly. Occasionally he’d flick his gaze to her as if he were comparing the photo from then to how she looked now. His mouth flattened in to a grim line. When he was done, he turned off the camera and sat it on the coffee table.

  “Is it possible to have those pictures?”

  “I can email you a copy,” Braden offered.

  The detective nodded. “I’d appreciate that. Was Axe driving your car?”

  “No. It was some other man. I didn’t get a look at his face but he had a snake tattoo on his right forearm.” She drew in a shaky breath.

  Braden slipped his arm around her and she relaxed into his warmth.

  “Snake tattoo?” Christianson looked at the two men. “Have you seen a man with a tattoo like that?”

  Braden shook his head. “We don’t really associate with that crowd.”

  Christianson nodded. “It was a brave thing you did, Miss Walden, jumping out of that car.”

  “If I’d stayed in it, I’d be in an unmarked grave right now. Braden and his brother Leo rescued me.”

  He leaned forward and looked her straight in the eye. “The way I see it, you rescued yourself. Do you have any clue why they targeted you?”

  She shook her head. “None. Although Braden and Leo think it might be some type of initiation to get into their club.”

  “The club on Route 18, right? The Demon Devils?”

  “Yes,” Braden confirmed.

  “I know the club well. They’ve b
een on our radar for some time. Unfortunately, they’re very good at evading the law.” Detective Christianson stood. He pulled out two cards and handed one to her and the other to Braden. “I’ll start my own investigation into this Axe character, as well as the local police. Just stay here out of sight and don’t talk to anyone until I say otherwise. Understood?”

  Braden stood as well and held out his hand. The two men shook firmly then Braden escorted him out of the door.

  * * * *

  When Clark Christianson slid behind the wheel of his rental car, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed the number to his brother’s burner phone.

  “Did you find her?” Axe asked, forgoing a greeting.

  “Yes. You did a fucking number on her, you shit.”

  “Obviously not enough. She’s still alive.”

  “They have pictures and there’s more than enough to arrest your sorry ass.”

  “You’re not going to arrest me. Otherwise, I’ll be singing how you’ve always looked the other way when it comes to your baby brother. Now, where is she?”

  “Like I’m going to fucking tell you. I’m still a cop, Axe.”

  “Don’t screw around, Clark!” Axe yelled over the line. “Tell me where the girl is so I can get back to business.”

  “And what business is that, Axe? Unlike the clueless girl I just interviewed, I happen to know why your panties are in a twist. I work in organized crimes, remember? And outlaw motorcycles clubs fall under that jurisdiction. What’s the angle?”

  “None of your business. And if the cops come snooping around or if I get fucking arrested for this petty shit, then I’m not the only one going down in flames. Got it, brother?”

  Clark clicked off the call and tossed the phone onto the passenger seat. Two weeks. Two fucking weeks and he got saddled with his brother’s fucking mess. He started up the car and wondered how he could string this along until his retirement day arrived. Then he could write this off as a bogus investigation and go fishing.

  Chapter Nine

  When Leo got home about twenty minutes later, he and Braden sat to talk about Detective Christianson while Merrie made breakfast. It might be sexist, but she liked the feeling of taking care of the two men, cooking their breakfasts while they talked at the table. Her broken wrist wasn’t as much of a hindrance as she’d thought it would be. She still had use of her fingers. She served their plates piled with eggs, bacon and toast, and set cups of piping hot coffee and glasses of orange juice next to them. Braden sat at the head of the table, Leo to his right and she took the seat on Leo’s left.

  For a moment, she just watched both men eat. She couldn’t help the feeling of contentment that came over her, as if she had found the place where she belonged. All of her life she’d been looking out for only herself but deep down she’d always wanted a home and loved ones—family.

  The rush of emotions the thought evoked gave her a sense of vulnerability and she bowed her head to eat. Her left hand was becoming stronger the more she relied on it, making little things like using a fork a lot less cumbersome.

  “You think we can trust this Detective Christianson?” Leo asked, as he pushed his empty plate away.

  “I don’t see that we have a choice,” Braden replied.

  “We have choices. We can send her to Florida to your parents.”

  “We could—”

  “No.” Merrie slapped her fork down. “If you want me gone, I’ll go. But you can’t send me to your parents.”

  “Calm down,” Braden said, patting her hand. “We won’t send you to Florida. Leo’s sense of humor is warped.”

  “I’m just saying we have options—and Merrie, I don’t want you gone. I just want you to have peace of mind.”

  “I just wish that Axe would go away.”

  She rose and picked up her dish, although she wasn’t finished eating. She had lost her appetite at the thought of Axe. At the sink, she gazed out of the window as she put the dish down on the counter. The lush green fields rolled behind the house like thick carpet. Barns rested in the distance, as well as the majestic mountains jutting into the sky. Everything was beautiful. Perfect. Except for the dark cloud hanging directly over her head.

  “I’ve got this, Merrie,” Braden said, distracting her from her thoughts.

  She nodded her thanks and dashed out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

  In the bathroom, she splashed water on her face. As she patted the moisture away, her reflection was anything but self-assured and bold.

  “Forget about him,” she told herself. “Don’t give him the power over you. You are strong.”

  The pep talk helped stamp down her insecurities. Once upon a time, all she’d wanted to do was run away, but not now. The ranch was quickly becoming her home.

  When she walked back downstairs, Leo waited for her by the front door.

  “Ready to begin work?”

  She nodded.

  “Are you sure?” Braden asked, touching her shoulder. “You can rest a few more days.”

  “I’ve been resting for five days, Braden. I want to earn my keep.”

  Both men shared a frown.

  “You don’t have to earn your keep, Merrie,” Braden told her. “You’re our…”

  She looked between him and Leo, waiting.

  “I’m your what?” she prompted, her heart pounding expectantly. Hopefully.

  “Guest,” Leo finally said.

  Disappointment shot through her, and some of the euphoria for finally being able to work died too. She didn’t want to be their guest. A guest implied forced attention and a tendency to be underfoot. A guest was supposed to leave and Merrie didn’t have anywhere to go. Also, she didn’t want to leave. She’d been at the ranch for only five days but she loved the big, beautiful house and the view of the sweeping meadows. She delighted in hearing the horses whinny as they greeted each other. The place was paradise on Earth and the last thing she wanted to do was leave it.

  But that wasn’t up to her, she supposed. This was Braden’s and Leo’s home, not hers, and that fact sucked. She gave them a sunny smile, pushing her dismay down deep.

  “I like working,” she said. “I like keeping busy. Come on, Leo. I want to help you out.”

  Then she swept past them, across the porch and down the steps, heading over to Leo’s truck to wait for him. Braden came out onto the porch and watched them leave.

  * * * *

  “I don’t really set appointments,” Leo said as he turned off the alarm to the office and flipped on the light. “The only time I do is for vaccines and various shots and that’s because I don’t want owners to become lazy and forget. Most of the time people just bring their pets by. All my on-call appointments are usually for herd animals.”

  Merrie looked around the waiting room. A wall divided two sections, one for cats and the other for any other animals. The décor was simple and easy to maintain, which was probably crucial for any accidental animal messes.

  “Interesting way you’ve divided the sitting room,” she said.

  “Many cats spook easily, especially when they’re in a carrier,” he explained. “Giving them a little privacy from leashed dogs seemed like the right thing to do.”

  The reception area was behind a low counter. It held a phone, a computer, a copier and a fax and nothing else. Very Spartan but very efficient.

  “No files?”

  He shook his head. “I went paperless. I work with a tablet then back up my data every night to the server. The server is then backed up with another company.”

  “Very eco-friendly,” she said.

  “Yes, and the way of the future. You don’t have to learn any of that. Mainly what you’ll do is answer phones and make appointments in my calendar for pets needing various shots. Oh, which reminds me, let me take out those stitches later. I don’t want to leave you with railroad marks.”

  “Okay,” she said. “They’re starting to itch anyway.”

  Leo showed her how to lead the patient to
an exam room then how to send him a message on his tablet about who his next patient would be and their location. Just before he left the reception, he pointed to the computer. “It can get boring here so you can browse the Internet. I don’t mind.”

  “Thanks,” she said.

  She didn’t have time, however, to play much on the Internet because the first patient came in, a woman carrying a very fat Chihuahua. At ease greeting the woman, Merrie led her back to an exam room. She typed a quick email to Leo just as the door opened again.

  It stayed fairly busy throughout the morning. She didn’t know how Leo had managed without his assistant, a woman by the name of Patty, who was off celebrating her one-year anniversary. There were several pictures of her and her husband on their wedding day sitting around the computer, making Merrie a little envious of the happiness on Patty’s face.

  Merrie took several messages, mainly people wanting Leo to stop by when he had a chance to look over a sick cow, horse or goat. She made a few appointments. And although she was new to the veterinary world, she immediately fell in love with it.

  * * * *

  Over the next couple of days, she, Braden and Leo fell into a comfortable pattern. She’d cook breakfast every morning, head to the office with Leo, have lunch with him and Braden, then cook dinner at night. The men would clean up and afterward, they would watch the news before heading to bed. Sometimes Leo was called away for an emergency and sometimes Braden came home late from the barns, but Merrie had never felt more at peace in her entire life.

  The only disturbance in her happy little world was the fact that the specter of Axe hung in the back of her head. Her one and only trip to the outside world had terrified her and she hoped the men never asked her to leave.

  Each night she dreamed of them. The dreams were always filled with erotic images and desires. Sometimes she was sandwiched between them, both men filling her at the same time, loving her until she was breathless with desire. Sometimes it was one then the other. She’d wake up with an ache between her thighs that wasn’t satisfied by quick masturbation sessions.