Forever a Hero--A Western Romance Novel Read online

  Kelly was in over her head this time, and she knew it, but she had too much riding on this deal to give up without even trying. She was up for a promotion of life-changing proportions, with some heavy-duty perks, such as profit sharing and stock options, access to company jets, opportunities to work overseas, six-figure bonuses and more than double her present salary.

  The equation was a simple one: no deal, no promotion.

  Lasso the moon, or crash and burn.

  Bruised and scraped, dazed by pain meds and good old-fashioned exhaustion now that the adrenaline rush had subsided, Kelly closed her eyes. Sighed again.

  She could worry, or she could sleep.

  She chose the latter.

  CHAPTER TWO

  WHEN KELLY OPENED her eyes again, morning was in full swing, and bright sunshine had replaced yesterday’s rain. She took a few minutes to orient herself—she was in a hospital room in Mustang Creek, Wyoming. There were three other beds, all empty.

  She performed a brief mental scan of her body.

  A mild headache.

  A few aches and pains.

  In other words, nothing major.

  A nurse’s aide appeared, carrying a breakfast tray and sporting a cheery smile. Her name tag read Millie.

  “If I were you,” Millie began, deftly maneuvering the bed table into place and setting down the tray, “I’d go out and buy myself a lottery ticket. Considering what could have happened, you’re a lucky woman.”

  Kelly smiled. “Maybe I’ll do that.”

  “How do you feel?” Millie asked, lifting a metal lid to reveal a plate of runny scrambled eggs, limp toast and two strips of transparent bacon.

  “Much better,” Kelly answered, eyeing her breakfast with a wariness she hoped wasn’t too obvious. Until about five seconds ago, she’d been hungry.

  Millie chuckled, evidently the perceptive type. “First we patch people up,” she joked, “and then we confront them with hospital food. Ironic, isn’t it?”

  Kelly grinned, picked up a slice of toast and nibbled at the edge. Her headache was already beginning to subside; this woman’s mere presence was a tonic. “I don’t suppose you know when I’ll be discharged?” she ventured.

  Millie sighed, though her smile didn’t waver. She removed the plastic lid covering a cup of coffee. “Can’t say,” she replied. “The doctors are making their morning rounds, though, and I’m sure one of them will have an answer.”

  With that, she headed for the door, nearly colliding with a tall, dark-haired man in jeans, a long-sleeve white shirt, boots—and a badge. He smiled down at Millie, took off his hat and stepped aside to let her pass before entering the room.

  “Ms. Wright?” he asked.

  Kelly nodded, set down her coffee cup.

  “My name’s Spence Hogan,” the man said, “and I’m the chief of police. Mind if I come in?”

  Kelly was only half kidding when she answered. “Not at all. Unless you’re here to arrest me for leaving the scene of an accident, that is.”

  His smile was the kind that probably caused a seismic shift every time it flashed across that tanned, rugged face. “You’re in the clear, Ms. Wright,” he said, crossing the room to stand a few feet from her bedside. “I’m here to take a statement, that’s all. And, unfortunately, to tell you that your rental car is a total loss.”

  “I figured it would be,” Kelly said, wondering why he’d come to the hospital personally rather than sending a deputy or someone from the office.

  Clearly, he’d guessed what she was thinking, because there was a spark of amusement in his eyes. “I came by to look in on a friend who’s recovering from an emergency appendectomy. It made sense to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak, and pay you a visit, too.”

  “Oh,” Kelly said.

  He took a smartphone from his shirt pocket and tapped an icon. “I just need a few details about what happened,” he told her. His voice, deep and laconic, reminded her of Mace’s, a fact that both jangled and soothed her nerves. His eyes were clear and direct as he met her gaze. “First, though, I have some news. The rental car people have been notified, and they’re sending a replacement from Jackson. Should be here by the end of the day.”

  “That’s good.” Kelly hesitated, almost afraid to ask. “My things—my handbag and laptop and suitcases—were any of them recovered?”

  “The purse and the laptop came through all right—evidently, they were thrown from the car while it was rolling down the hill, because my deputy found them on the bank.” Spence Hogan paused, winced humorously. “I’m afraid everything else went up in smoke when the rig exploded.”

  Kelly gulped. “The car exploded?”

  “Yes,” Hogan answered, solemn now. He was probably thinking how easily Kelly herself might have been blown to flaming pieces; she certainly was.

  “But it wasn’t burning when Mace—Mr. Carson and I left. And the rain was really coming down hard.”

  Hogan raised one shoulder slightly, lowered it again. “Must’ve been some kind of delayed reaction. It happens.”

  A shudder ran through Kelly. She felt herself go pale and, for one awful moment, she thought she might throw up.

  Concern furrowed the chief’s brow, and he slipped the smartphone back into his pocket. “We’ll talk about the accident later,” he decided. “Do you want me to call a nurse or a doctor?”

  Kelly swallowed hard, shook her head, attempted to smile. “I’m okay,” she said.

  And she was. Thanks to Mace Carson.

  Talk about déjà vu.

  She’d come to Mustang Creek to see Mace again—but not for personal reasons; she was on an important mission for GGI, and he was a vintner with a flair for innovation. She was here on business, in other words.

  The opportunity to reiterate her gratitude for his help ten years ago was a bonus.

  Chief Hogan took a business card from the same pocket housing his phone and laid it on the bedside table. “When you’re feeling better, give me a call.”

  Kelly, busy breathing her way through the what-might-have-been scenario splashing across the screen of her mind, promised she’d be in touch. Hogan excused himself and left.

  Five minutes later, Dr. Draper, a titian beauty with shadows of fatigue under her eyes, arrived. “Hello, Kelly. Remember me?”

  Kelly smiled. “Yes. You were on duty in the ER last night, when I came in.” She paused. “Was that a test?”

  Dr. Draper laughed quietly. “It wasn’t, actually, but I would’ve been pretty concerned if you’d said no.” She came to stand beside the bed, took Kelly’s pulse. “How are you feeling today? Any double vision? Pain?”

  “No double vision,” Kelly replied, as Dr. Draper put the earpieces of her stethoscope in place and listened to her patient’s chest. “I had a slight headache when I woke up, but it’s gone now.”

  Dr. Draper nodded, tugged the stethoscope free of her ears and let it dangle from her neck like a strand of pearls. “Any dizziness?”

  “No,” Kelly answered.

  “I’m going to release you, then,” the doctor said. “I strongly suggest you see your own physician in a week or so, and obviously, if there are symptoms in the meantime, you need to seek medical assistance right away.”

  “Okay,” Kelly agreed. This woman wasn’t much older than she was. What was it about doctors, whatever their age, that made a successful, confident adult feel like a five-year-old?

  “Is there someone who can pick you up?” Dr. Draper asked. “I’d rather you didn’t drive for a day or two.” When Kelly didn’t answer, the doctor went on. “Some of the local hotels provide car service, or we could arrange for a cab.”

  “That won’t be necessary,” a familiar voice said from the doorway.

  Kelly’s heartbeat quickened when she saw Mace standing there, looking fabulous to the infinite power in an ordinary cotton shirt, jeans and boots. His dark blond hair was still damp from a recent shower, and a fashionable stubble accented his strong chin. Like Ch
ief Hogan, he held a Stetson hat in one hand.

  Dr. Draper turned toward him. “Mace Carson,” she said wryly. “What a surprise.”

  He smiled guilelessly. “Just being neighborly,” he said. “I figured the lady would need a ride to her hotel.”

  The doctor looked back at Kelly. “Does that arrangement work for you?” she asked.

  Kelly blushed like a teenager. “Yes,” she answered.

  Dr. Draper nodded. “All right, then,” she said. “I’ll sign you out, but you’ll need to stop by the business office before you leave.”

  Mace saluted the doctor as she approached, and she gave him a shoulder bump as she passed, which made him laugh.

  A brief silence fell.

  Kelly broke it a minute or so later. “I have to get dressed,” she said, and immediately felt lame for stating the obvious.

  “I’ll be at the nurses’ station.” Mace started to turn away, then turned back, a question dancing in his eyes. “You need any help?”

  “No,” Kelly said too quickly.

  Mace grinned. “I’m sure one of the nurses would be glad to lend a hand.”

  “Go away,” Kelly snapped, her cheeks burning again.

  The grin broadened. “Give me a shout when you’re ready,” he said.

  And then he was gone.

  Half an hour later, after dealing with her insurance company online, she was riding in Mace Carson’s truck again, headed for the resort.

  Kelly still didn’t have her purse—which contained her phone—or her laptop, and the clothes she’d packed so carefully for the trip had been reduced to the particle level. After a moment’s mourning for her Armani pantsuit, which had set her back a month’s salary, she shifted her focus to what really mattered. She was alive and in one piece.

  When Mace spoke, he caught her off guard. “You were Kelly Allbright, not Kelly Wright, when I knew you,” he said without looking her way.

  “You remembered,” she said quietly.

  “Yeah,” Mace responded. “I didn’t make the connection until I checked my schedule this morning and saw that my assistant had penciled you in—without mentioning it to me. Wanda is part-time, and she tends to be forgetful. Anyway, when I realized we had an appointment, I went online for some background info.”

  Kelly smiled, somewhat dreamily. She was okay, she really was, but she was still drifting from last night’s drugs. There’d been a series of tests, she thought, but she couldn’t be sure. “Sorry I missed the meeting,” she said.

  “No problem. I’m pretty flexible.”

  “Impressive, for a superhero.”

  “I’m just a man, Kelly. I did what anybody else would do, ten years ago on campus, and last night.”

  Memories of her near-rape, a decade before, circled Kelly like wolves. She’d been walking back to her dorm after a night class when, out of nowhere, she was attacked. She’d screamed and struggled, certain she was going to die. And then, suddenly, Mace was there.

  He’d hauled her assailant off her, flung him aside. Called the police while keeping one booted foot on the guy’s throat.

  She’d scooted backward, a low, continuous moan shredding her throat.

  “It’s over,” Mace had said. “You’re safe now.”

  You’re safe now.

  “Did I ever thank you?” Kelly asked, as they made the turn onto the road leading to the resort.

  “About ten thousand times,” Mace said, not unkindly.

  “I wasn’t sure. I was so scared that night.”

  “I know,” he told her sadly.

  “You disappeared.”

  “I graduated,” Mace stated. “Went to Napa to work with my grandfather. He owns a vineyard there.”

  She nodded. “Yeah, you told me about your family back then. When you were in LA for the trial.” She paused. “Did you ever wonder what became of me? Afterward, I mean?”

  He didn’t reply, merely shrugged.

  “I was married for a while,” Kelly told him, aware that her end of the conversation was a bit disjointed. “After I graduated, I mean. It didn’t work out.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” The resort came into view, sprawling and elegant.

  “Did you get married?”

  “No,” Mace answered.

  “Why not?”

  “I was busy,” he said.

  “I appreciate what you did, Mace. Both times.”

  “I know about a hundred guys who would have done the same thing.”

  “I don’t,” Kelly told him. “Thank you again.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said gravely.

  They’d reached the portico in front of the resort. Mace brought the truck to a stop, and an attendant trotted over, smiling.

  “Welcome,” he said.

  “Thanks,” Kelly responded, strangely dazed.

  “Ms. Wright has a reservation,” Mace explained to the young man.

  The attendant nodded. “Yes, Mr. Carson,” he said.

  “Mr. Carson?” Mace shot back, softening his brisk tone with a grin. “Chill, Jason. I’ve known you since you were in diapers, remember?”

  Jason smiled. “I remember,” he confirmed. “But we’re supposed to call everybody either ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am,’ no matter who they are. It’s in the manual.”

  Mace shook his head as if disgusted, but Kelly noticed the slight twitch at one corner of his mouth. “Fine,” he said, opening his door. “I’ll be out of here as soon as the lady’s settled in. Mind if I leave the truck with you for a few minutes?”

  “No, sir,” Jason said. “I’ll keep an eye on your ride until you get back.” As he spoke, he opened Kelly’s door, helping her out.

  “I can take it from here,” she said.

  Mace didn’t listen.

  Neither did Jason.

  She allowed Mace to escort her inside.

  Her purse and laptop were waiting for her at the main desk.

  “Ms. Wright,” the receptionist said, tapping away at her computer keyboard. “Here you are. We expected you last night.”

  Kelly reached for her damp, mud-streaked purse, rummaged for her wallet, extracted her company credit card. “Something came up,” she said.

  Oddly, the clerk, a college-aged blonde, glanced questioningly at Mace before accepting the card.

  “Just give the lady a room,” he said.

  Kelly was confused, but she didn’t ask any questions and continued to hold out her credit card.

  The clerk accepted it, swiped, handed it back. “How many key cards would you like?” she asked Kelly, with another look at Mace.

  Kelly was mildly annoyed. “One,” she said pointedly.

  “Certainly,” the clerk said, beaming. She handed over the key card. “Enjoy your stay.”

  “Thank you,” Kelly said, realizing she sounded ungrateful.

  “Do you have luggage?” the young woman asked.

  “No,” Kelly answered, holding the other woman’s gaze. “It blew up.”

  Beside her, Mace chuckled.

  “Oh,” the clerk said, looking baffled. Then she brightened. “We have several good shops right here on the premises. Clothing, makeup, toiletries—whatever you need.”

  “I’m glad,” Kelly said, not sounding glad at all. What was the matter with her? This poor woman was trying so hard to be helpful. There was no reason to be testy.

  And yet she was.

  She felt unsettled, out of her element in this place, with this man.

  Which was crazy on two counts. One, she’d stayed in fine hotels and resorts all over the world and fit right in, thank you very much. And, two, she couldn’t think why she found her reactions to Mace Carson mildly disturbing. He was attractive, sure. He’d saved her life, not once, but twice.

  And she was grateful, of course.

  Then what was bothering her so much?

  She didn’t know.

  She stepped away from the reception desk, key card in hand. She craved a hot shower and a room-service meal,
but first, like it or not, she’d have to visit one or more of the resort shops, find something to wear, buy basic grooming supplies. Her linen pantsuit, the outfit she’d traveled in the day before, was wrinkled, and there were stains on the knees from crawling out of the rental car while Mace held the door, and landing on the wet, muddy pavement.

  Caught up in practicality, Kelly was startled when Mace gently took her elbow.

  “Let me know if you need anything,” he said.

  “What about our meeting—”

  “We can reschedule,” he replied. “I’ll be in touch.”

  With that, he turned and walked away.

  Kelly was relieved—she needed to think, and that was difficult to do with Mace Carson around—but part of her wanted to call out to him, even run after him, get him to stay, cling to him.

  Cling to him. Like a drowning swimmer or some fragile, needy creature, afraid to be on her own.

  Well, Kelly reminded herself, she was none of those things. She was smart, sophisticated, successful. She was strong. Thanks to therapy, a loving family, good friends and a lot of hard work, she’d long since put the trauma of the attack behind her. She’d made mistakes along the way, marrying Alan Wright—among other, lesser poor choices—but so what? Everybody screwed up once in a while, didn’t they?

  She turned resolutely and headed for the first of a series of small, eclectic-looking shops.

  Twenty minutes later, she was in her room, a spacious minisuite with a balcony and a spectacular view of the Grand Tetons, looming snowcapped in the distance. They were a comforting reminder, those mountains, that the world was a solid place.

  She tossed the bags containing her purchases onto the bed, scrounged in her soggy purse for her cell phone and peered at the screen. The familiar icons were there, although the battery was nearly dead.

  She thumbed Contacts, found her boss’s name, pressed Call.

  Dina answered on the first ring. “Kelly? Oh, my God, where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday afternoon—I must’ve left a dozen messages!”

  Kelly drew a deep breath and filled Dina in as succinctly as possible, feeling more exhausted with every word.