Cameron, Paige - Commando Cowboys Desire Their Queen [Wyoming Warriors 8] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Polyromance) (10 page)

Her assistant, Cindy, must be working. Pearce had met her a week ago when he’d come into town. She was a pretty blonde with a nice smile. It was almost lunchtime. He’d ask her to dine with him.

The bell over the door rang as he came in. Cindy had been dusting the large showroom. She turned and smiled when she saw him.

“Welcome. You’re back. I bet you’ve come to buy the turquoise ring you were studying last week.”

“You’re right. It’s lovely, and the ring will make a nice gift.”

“Your girlfriend will be pleased.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend. I like to treat my family.”

“How nice.” She crossed the room and got the ring, then she went to the register. “Would you like it wrapped?”

“Please.” He watched as she took out two rolls of paper.

“Red or green?”

“Red.”

When she’d finished wrapping the jewelry box and rang it up, he deliberately glanced at his watch. “It’s lunchtime. Would you join me? I hate to eat alone. I thought I’d drive out of town to a small fish place I spotted the other day.”

“You must mean Charlie’s restaurant. The food is good. I have to be back in an hour.”

“We can make it.”

“All right. I’ll close up, and put the
gone to lunch
sign in the window.”

Pearce led her to his car. He had to move slow, but she’d do fine. He’d start working at getting into her head today. Such an open, unsuspecting person should be a piece of cake to turn to his way of thinking, especially if she thought he loved her.

* * * *

Kira walked to her car. Seeing Gala die had been unsettling. She’d smelled the scent of evil around her. Whoever her partner was, Gala had been correct in calling him the devil. Any innocent person would be vulnerable to him.

She got into her new truck and headed out toward Sahale’s. She needed time to meditate and think. The prairie spread out wide around her, and the wildflowers of all colors made for a beautiful scene. Her radio was not on the level of Hakan’s sound system, but she found a station that played soft jazz. Gradually the tension in her body eased.

As she drove across the bridge she saw Nanna’s little cabin and smoke was coming out of the chimney. On impulse, she slowed and parked in front of the porch.

Nanna came to the door. “Come in, welcome to my home.”

“I hope I’m not disturbing you. I’m on my way to Sahale’s cabin. I saw the smoke coming out of your chimney.”

“I always love company. Will you join me for a cup of tea before you continue on your travels?”

“Thank you, I’d love to.” When Kira entered the house, she noted it fit Nanna. The air smelled of cinnamon and spice. The polished wood floors glistened in the sunlight. Lace doilies covered the tops of tables. Nanna led her into a bright kitchen with yellow and white curtains. Outside the window a buck stood at the river, his head and antlers held high as he sniffed the wind for danger.

“Your home is like a picture postcard.”

“Many people say that. It is my home and reflects me. Sit, I’ll pour us a cup of tea and cut a slice of my just-baked orange bread.”

“Sounds delicious. When did you come home? I thought you were still at the main ranch house.”

“Mitch agreed to have me flown home yesterday on the helicopter. It’s such a thrill to ride on it.” Her aquamarine eyes sparkled like a child’s when they’d experienced a special treat. “And it makes coming and going so much easier for my old bones.”

“Here’s your tea.” She handed Kira a yellow mug.

“This smells like roses and a touch of lemon.”

“You’re right. A new mixture I’ve concocted for relaxation and clearing the thoughts.”

“You knew this was what I needed.”

“I did.” She put a plate with a slice cake in front of Kira. “Enjoy. I’ll get mine and we’ll talk.”

After Nanna had sat at the table, Kira told her about Gala. “It hurt to see her dying and to know the guilt and sadness Gala suffered for her deeds. We all believe Phillip preyed on her love for him and cast a spell on her as he had done on others.”

“She wouldn’t have been able to resist him. Poor thing. But who do you think is the devil?”

“I thought you might know.”

“No. By coming home, I hoped I might see his face or think of a person on the ranch who might fit the description. I’ll meditate and see if I can bring forth a picture or name.”

“Perhaps if we meditated together, we’d have better success,” Kira suggested.

“What a good idea. After we finish our snack, we’ll go in the living room by the fireplace and see what we can conjure.”

Kira took her time sipping the delicious tea. Warmth filled her body, and she felt more centered. The orange cake with a drizzle of icing satisfied her sweet tooth.

When Nanna stood and took their cups and plates to the sink, Kira knew it was time to try and see the evil person behind the poisonings.

Nanna put two cushions on the floor by the fire. They sat, and she reached out to Kira. “We’ll join our hands and close our eyes. Then try to visualize who this person is or something about him.”

As soon as their hands came together, Kira felt the bolt of energy flowing between them. She closed her eyes. At first a rush of darkness swept across her. In the distance, she heard Nanna humming an old chant. Every once in a while she admonished the darkness to clear and let them see the evil.

The darkness swirled around them, and Nanna spoke the words of another spell to protect them from the evil. Kira had almost given up when the blackness turned to gray. Then a figure formed into a woman. She stood in the open, away from any house or building, and she looked confused. Her blonde hair shone in the dim sunlight, but gradually she faded to gray.

Suddenly, an unseen force thrust Kira and Nanna apart, and Kira fell backward from Nanna. “Keep out of my world, or I’ll destroy you both.” The words were spoken in a guttural and harsh manner. Yet Kira thought they sounded vaguely familiar. She opened her eyes and saw Nanna lying still on the floor. She rushed to her side.

“Nanna, Nanna.” She didn’t respond to Kira, but at least she was breathing.

Kira punched in the number for Hakan. Thank goodness, he’d put it in her phone yesterday.

“Hakan here.”

“Hakan, I’m with Nanna. She’s passed out and not responding.”

“Is she breathing?”

“Yes. We were meditating, but I’ll tell you later. Come quickly.”

“Lonato’s here with me. We’ll come in his helo and be there in minutes.” He shut off his phone.

She glanced back at Nanna. Her lips were turning blue, and when Kira touched her, Nanna’s skin felt cold. Kira ran into the bedroom and grabbed a pillow and blanket off the bed. She placed the pillow under Nanna’s head and wrapped the blanket tight around her. Then Kira lay beside Nanna and added her body heat.

“Please get here soon,” she mumbled softly to reassure herself.
I never should have let her take the chance of being hurt. I knew he was a powerful evil.
Guilt made her heart heavy.

She sighed with relief when she heard the helicopter landing. Hakan and Lonato ran into the house carrying medical bags and equipment.

Hakan gently pushed Kira out of the way. Lonato was placing an oxygen mask over Nanna’s nose, and Hakan listened to her heart.

“Tell us exactly what happened,” Lonato said.

“We were meditating, trying to see who Gala’s devil was and what he looked like. Nanna was chanting spells to keep the evil from us, but he got through and thrust against us hard. I fell back. When I got up, I found Nanna like that.”

“Damn, what were you thinking to let an old woman take such a chance.” Lonato snarled at her.

“Stop, Lonato.” Hakan frowned at him. “It wasn’t her fault. You know Nanna would have insisted and done it alone if Kira hadn’t agreed to join her. Then she’d be lying here without being able to get help.”

“And I am not an old woman,” a frail voice interrupted them.

“Nanna.” Kira knelt at her side. Tears ran down her face.

“It’s all right, my dear.” She touched Kira’s cheek. “I’m fine. Such occurrences do take a bit more out of me these days. But with some rest, I’ll be back to normal by tomorrow.”

“You’ll get the rest at the hospital, Nanna,” Hakan informed her. “And with lines attached to your chest to monitor your heart.”

Nanna frowned and stared steadily back at him. Hakan didn’t blink. Finally, a faint smile crossed her lips. “You were always a determined little boy and usually got your way without a fight. I will go for tonight, but”—she shook her finger at him—“Lonato will fly me home tomorrow.”

“No.” Kira took her hand. “It’s too dangerous for you to be here alone until this is over. You will stay at the main ranch house where he can’t reach you.”

“And what about you?” Nanna asked.

“I am the most able to take him down.” She saw Hakan and Lonato start to speak. “Don’t say a word. I have to do this.”

“Let’s get Nanna to the hospital.” Hakan waited while Lonato went to get the stretcher. “Where can we take you, Kira?”

“I’m driving to Sahale’s cabin. Don’t try to change my mind. I have to think and prepare. If I don’t win this battle against this evil monster, he will kill many of our people and soon.”

Hakan leaned forward and kissed her lips. “Try to be careful.”

“Always.” When she looked toward the door, she saw Lonato standing in the entrance with a forlorn expression on his face. Something about his expression pulled at her heart. She’d caught him in an unguarded moment. She got up and went to him. She cupped his hard, chiseled cheeks between her hands and kissed his mouth. “I’ll stay safe.”

He nodded and then walked around her to put Nanna on the stretcher. Kira watched as they loaded her onto the helicopter.

Nanna waved to her. “Lock up my house. I’ll be sending protection your way.”

“Behave, Nanna, and rest,” Hakan playfully scolded her. He and Nanna waved as the helo took off. But Lonato only looked at her silently before the helicopter zoomed off across the blue sky.

Kira did as Nanna said. She checked the kitchen, put the orange cake away, made sure the stove was off, and locked all the windows down. In the bedroom, she packed a case of clothes for Nanna. Then put out the fire and finally was ready to drive onward.

It didn’t take long to get to Sahale’s cabin. Kira took in the few items she’d brought with her and the small amount of food and drink. She checked the windows and locked the door then lay on the couch. Would he come at her while she slept? Nanna’s spells had not kept him away. Kira cast her strongest cover around her. She hadn’t thought it was needed with Nanna’s skills, but she’d underestimated his abilities.