She Waits (11 page)

We walked the horses for a while longer. Enough time for me to think about the intruder again. Something wasn't right and it was nagging at me. What in the world was it and why the hell couldn't I think of it? I rubbed my forehead and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"Okay, you're doing that thinking thing and you haven't heard a word I've said. What's bothering you?"

"I don't know. Something about the intruder last night that I can't put my finger on. I know I'm no Wonder Woman, trust me, but if he hadn't hit me in the head, I honestly think I could have subdued him. Something"--I ran my fingers through my hair again.

Then as we walked, a gentle breeze blew and Maggie's perfume wafted over my way. I looked at her and sniffed. I stopped as it dawned on me.

"Perfume! That's it!" I said.

She looked at me. "What, my perfume? I'm glad you like it."

"That's it!" I exclaimed triumphantly as I leaned over and stupidly sniffed her neck.

"What in the world?" Her face reddened as her hand instinctively went to her neck.

"What a colossal idiot!" I exclaimed while looking at Maggie, who glared at me. "Oh, no, no, not you. Me, I'm the idiot. That's what I couldn't remember. The minute I smelled your perfume, it occurred to me--the intruder was wearing perfume as well. Geez, I can't believe I didn't think of that before. My father is rolling over in his grave right now," I said and shook my head. "God, it was a woman."

"Are you sure?" she asked amazed.

"Positive. Let's get back."

We saddled up and headed back toward the house. Maggie suddenly pulled her horse to a stop.

"What's the hold up?" I asked.

She said nothing. I eased my horse up next to hers. Maggie was staring into the woods, so naturally, I followed her gaze. I didn't see anything.

"Maggie?" I asked, ignoring my quick shiver. "What's wrong?"

"I-I thought I saw someone in the woods, over there." She pointed in the direction we were looking.

"Are you sure, Maggie?" I asked.

"Maybe not. Let's get out of here, though."

The uneasiness in her voice had me looking once again. Then I saw something move.

Deep in the woods, a woman was standing alone. She was dressed in white that made her stand out against the dark woods. She stood so still, it was unnerving.

She was watching us.

I looked at Maggie, who had obviously seen her now, too. I grabbed her arm to steady her, or to steady me. Maggie leaned into me.

"Do you see?" she whispered.

Is she nuts?
"Yes, I do. Why doesn't she move?" I asked. We were talking in whispers. "Is she looking at us? Who is she, can you make her out?"

"I can't tell. The trees are in the way. Kate, I'm frightened. We just can't sit here."

"Okay, let's go introduce ourselves," I said, not wanting to do any such thing.

I had a feeling Maggie felt the same as I saw the fear flash across her face. She then nodded.

As we started in her direction, the woman abruptly turned and faded into the woods. We stopped and looked at each other.

"Okay, did you see that?" I asked. Maggie nodded quickly and shivered.

"Let's see where she's going," I said.

We went off the path and rode in the direction the woman appeared to have gone. We were getting deeper and deeper into the woods.

All of a sudden, Maggie's horse reared and took off. As she galloped into the woods, I could see Maggie faltering, almost falling off the horse. She was pulling on the reins, trying to stop her horse.

I chased after, but soon lost sight of her. I stopped, listened and heard nothing. I suddenly realized I was completely turned around. I had the horse canter slowly while I looked for any indication of Maggie's direction.

I had to raise my arms defensively to fend off branches that seemed to come alive as they grabbed for me. I made my way through the heavy brush to a little clearing. I stopped and called out, to no avail. Just as I was about to call out again, an inner voice stopped me.

Leaves rustled to my side, and I turned to look. There was nothing.

Though it was still afternoon, the massive pine trees gave the woods an ominous darkness, allowing only a few rays of late sunlight through. I waited, straining to hear something, anything. As soon as the horse slowly started to lope, I heard the rustling to my right, once again. I stopped, and the rustling stopped. I continued, and the rustling continued. The woods and I were doing some kind of a macabre two-step.

Someone, something is walking right by me, I thought as I frantically strained my eyes to see. The sun had gone behind the clouds and the woods took on an even more menacing darkness.
Okay, don't panic. How far can she go?

My shoulder started aching horribly. I was tired and scared and wanted to go home.
Nothing better happen to that brat.
I looked in every direction. I heard nothing, only my own labored breathing.

"Where did she go, boy?" I asked the horse.

Moving along slowly, I kept my senses alert for any indication of where she might have gone. Then I saw the brush moving and heard a muffled cry. Maggie's horse bolted through the woods, about fifty feet or so in front of me. I started in that direction, but quickly stopped when I saw Maggie lying on the ground.

Literally leaping off my horse, I knelt next to her, laid her head on my lap and held her. I looked around, hoping her horse would come back, but it was long gone--probably back at the stable already.

The woods were silent, too silent. I looked down at Maggie. Her long auburn hair was full of leaves and branches. She looked very much like Medusa. I picked the leaves out of her hair and whispered her name. Finally, she stirred and opened her eyes. She seemed confused and disoriented for a moment as she tried to get up.

"Easy," I said.

"What happened?" she asked, clutching my arm and pulling me close. I had no problem with that. I was petrified.

"I have no idea. Can you get up?"

"I think so," she said sitting up and rubbing the back of her neck. "I couldn't stop. She reared and I couldn't stop her. I think I hit a tree limb." She still looked a little groggy.

"Okay, let's see if you can stand," I said.

As she stood, her legs buckled. I put my arm around her waist to steady her and she stood still for a minute or two with her hands resting on my shoulders, her head against my chest. We stood there for a moment or two longer.

"Your heart is beating fast there, Miss Ryan," she whispered and looked up into my eyes.

"You scared the hell out of me, Miss Winfield," I said, hearing my voice tremble. I looked down into her blue eyes. For one ridiculous moment, I thought of kissing her.
Good grief, Ryan, she's nearly knocked for a loop, you're scared spitless, and your only thought is...
"Look, can you walk? I think we should get the hell out of here."

We walked to the horse. I had my hand under her elbow to steady her because she was definitely wobbling.

"Let's get you up on the horse," I said feeling as if the woods themselves were coming alive around us.

I steadied the horse and helped her up. I was trying not to panic and I felt very vulnerable in these woods.

Then I got my foot in the stirrup and got on behind her. I put my arms around her waist and held on tight. The last thing we needed was for both of us to fall off. I started in the direction of the house.

"This is like something out of a movie," she said as she leaned back against me.

"Yeah, an Abbott and Costello movie," I grunted and kicked the sides of the horse.

"My head, Kate. I'm sorry I think I'm going to pass out," she whispered.

"Maggie, stay with me. Are we going in the right direction?" I asked.

She lifted her head and nodded.

"Okay, hang in there--we'll be at the house in a few minutes."

God, please don't let me fall off the back of this stupid horse.

I rode, slowly, not wanting to jar her. Then, ahead of us, a man on horseback came into view. My horse got a little skittish and I steadied him.

"What in the world?" He looked at Maggie, clearly shocked. "Young woman, what are you doing?"

"Her horse reared and bolted. I lost sight of her and I guess he threw her. Who are you?" I asked.

"I am this woman's uncle, Dr. Nathan Winfield." He brought his horse closer. It was then I noticed the resemblance to Hannah.

Odd that he would show up at this time. Maggie was coming around but still had her head against my chest. He reached over, checked her eyes and felt her forehead.

"Okay, let's keep her where she is and get back to the house." He turned and trotted ahead of me, leading the way.

Hannah was standing on the deck in the back when we came through the clearing. Teri and Mac were standing behind her.

Nathan jumped off his horse, took Maggie from me, and helped her upstairs.

"What in the world happened, Kate?" Hannah asked, obviously worried as she looked at me, then in the direction Nathan had gone, clearly at odds as to where she should be.

"Dammit," I said disgusted with myself. "Her horse bolted through the woods and threw her."

Teri and Mac stood close by. "Are you all right?" Teri asked.

"I'm fine, Ter."

I explained what happened. Hannah put her hand on my arm. "You saw someone in the woods. I knew it. Someone
is
out there."

Teri and Mac were understandably confused and I promised to fill them in later. We talked as we went upstairs to Maggie's room.

I watched Maggie while her uncle examined her. When he finished, he motioned us all out into the hallway.

"She's fine," he said. "She's got a good bump on the noggin. Keep it iced for twenty minutes or so. She's awake and coherent. Let's keep her still. With head injuries, you have to be careful. Try to get her to talk and focus, but keep her still. If she wakes and starts vomiting, call me immediately." He spoke in a soft, caring tone and put his arm around his sister. "She'll be fine."

"I'll go sit with her," I said.

"We'll be downstairs," Teri said.

I went into the room and stood for a moment, watching her. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to find Dr. Winfield with an icepack. He walked by and sat on the edge of the bed and gently placed the ice against the side of her head.

"She's got a hard head, it runs in the family. She'll be fine. Why don't you stay with her? Hannah is naturally upset. I'll go see to her."

We exchanged places as he left the room. I held the ice in place and gently ran the back of my fingers against her soft cheek. As she stirred and opened her eyes, I took my hand away.

She looked at me for a moment, as if trying to focus. She reached her hand up to her forehead and tried to sit even as I pushed her back onto the pillow.

"Hey, take it easy. You had a nasty fall," I said.

She blinked and looked at me. "I fell off my horse."

"Ya know, kid, you might want to find a better mode of transportation. This is twice since we've met that you've fallen off your horse. Of course, the fact I'm with you when it happens means absolutely nothing," I said with a grin.

She laughed and winced as I held the ice in place. "How do you feel? You scared the life out of me."

"Really?" She searched my face and smiled faintly. "Why?"

I looked down into her blue eyes for a moment. "Because I don't want to be the one to tell Hannah you broke your stubborn little neck, that's why."

"Oh. Well, I'm all right."

Did I hear disappointment in her voice?

"We did see a lady in the woods, didn't we, Kate?" she asked.

"Yes, we both saw her. I don't know who she was, but we saw her."

"I feel like an idiot, falling off my horse. Again."

I laughed slightly and avoided her glare. "Hey, the way your horse bolted, I'm surprised you stayed on as long as you did. However, if you like I can give you riding lessons some day."

She laughed, then winced, and put her hand to her head.

"Look, you need to keep quiet. I'll go downstairs and you can rest. Teri and Mac are here. You rest." I looked down into the blue eyes again. "Maggie I'm..." I had absolutely no idea what I was about to say.

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you weren't hurt too badly. Rest now."

Hannah, Nathan, Teri and Mac were sitting at the kitchen table drinking coffee.

"Did she come around?" Hannah asked.

"Yes, we talked and she seemed alert."

"Miss Ryan, Hannah has been filling me in on what's been happening. Thank you for helping out." Nathan said, drinking his coffee. I could tell his mind was elsewhere.

"I'm glad I could be here. Did Hannah tell you what I found?" I picked up the plastic bag that was still on the table.

"Yes, it's amazing. After all these years to have them turn up," he said.

"Dug up. Sorry, my insane canine went amok."

I searched his face--it revealed nothing. I glanced at Teri, who looked confused. I couldn't wait to fill her in. I handed the locket to Dr. Winfield. He took it and I saw a flash of sadness cross his face.

"This is Miranda's," he said. "I remember... when she wore this."

There was silence around the table for a moment. "Dr. Winfield, did you know your picture is in the locket?" I asked.

He took a deep breath and opened the locket. "This would be like Miranda. At one time we were close." He closed the locket and almost reverently placed it on the table. "To think they've been here all the time, all these years... Anyway, Miss Ryan, I understand you're an accomplished photographer
and
amateur sleuth."

I couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or not.

"Perhaps you think you can figure out who would break into Maggie's house and leave that note," he said absently looking at his coffee.

I was about to ask him about that very thing, when he abruptly stood and kissed Hannah on the top of her head.

"Well, I should be going," he said. "Make sure Maggie stays quiet for the rest of the day. I think she'll be fine--she's a healthy girl. See you tomorrow, sis. It was a pleasure meeting all of you."