Untamed (16 page)

Grannie shook her head. “My family does not speak with me, Ellie. I couldn’t call upon any of them.”

“Why?”

Grannie turned to face her. “Because your mama married a Whitehorse.”

Ellie felt her own mouth drop open. “They didn’t like my Papa?”

“No, they did not. He was…he was not one of us, child.”

“What do you mean not one of you?”

“He was not of our… tribe.”

“Well what difference does that make?” Ellie jumped up, spilling her bowl of beans. “Alice’s mother is Catholic and her dad is Baptist and their families don’t hate each other. And Denny’s dad is part Cherokee and his mom is from Scotland and that doesn’t matter. That’s stupid and mean.”

“It is our way, child. We do not mix blood. Particularly not with one such as him.”

Ellie was shocked to hear such words emerge from her Grandmother’s lips. “What do you mean such as him? What was wrong with him? You said mama loved him, that he was the love of her life.”

“Yes, she did and he was. But it was a forbidden love and the payment for their love was that we were— cut out of the family.”

Ellie’s anger turned to worry when she saw the first of the tears that escaped her Grandmother’s eyes. “I’m sorry, Grannie!” She ran to her Grandmother and hugged her tightly. “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to make you sad.”

“It’s not your fault, child,” Grannie hugged her in return and kissed the top of her head. “Your mama knew the price as did I. We both knew and we agreed that her love for Michael was worth it.”

She pushed Ellie to arm’s length and smiled at her. “And we were right because here you are— the result of that love. My beautiful Elana.”

“Whitehorse,” Ellie added. “I’m a Whitehorse, like my Papa. You’ve told me before— that I’m my father’s daughter.”

Grannie pulled Ellie to her with force and embraced her tightly. “I was wrong, Elana. If the gods smile on us, I was wrong.”

Ellie felt herself being pulled out of the dream and struggled against it. What did Grannie mean by that? She needed to know. But consciousness was taking the memory from her, making it fade like fog in sunlight.

The moment she was conscious fear flooded her. Where those men still standing over her? Her eyes flew open and confusion set in. Where was she?

“Hey, you’re awake.” Cam’s voice came from beside her.

It was that moment she realized he had her hand in his and she was gripping it like lifeline. She turned her head and saw him.

He had circles under his eyes, looked like he hadn’t shaved in several days and his shirt was wrinkled, as if he’d slept in in. “”Hospital?” She asked in a voice that sounded raspy even to her own ears.

Cam moved to the bed and gently settled on it beside her, still holding her hand. “Lily got your call. She called 911 and then me.”

Ellie cleared her throat. Her mouth felt dry and sticky and her tongue strangely thick.

“Here,” Cam picked up a cup from the table by the bed that had a straw in it. He helped her and she drank a few swallows of water.

“Oh god that was good. Thank you. How long have I been here?”

“Three days. You had a pretty bad head injury— sixteen stitches and a cracked rib. Lots of contusions and bruises but the worst… they had to operate Ellie. You had a ruptured spleen.”

As scary as that sounded, Ellie couldn’t help but feel grateful. She was alive and when she was lying on that kitchen floor, she didn’t think she was going to be.

“You can live without a spleen,” she said. “I’m just happy to be alive. To wake and…” She realized she was about to spill her guts and looked away.

“And?” He asked.

She looked back at him. “And find you here.”

“Ellie.”

In all her life, she’d never heard her name spoken that way. It was the sound that emerges when someone prayed, the sound that comes from a deep emotion inside that finds vocal expression.

“Cam?”

“I’m so sorry,” he said. “I promised to protect you and—“

“This isn’t your fault!” She insisted and tried to sit, but ended up gasping at the sudden stab of pain and falling back on the pillow.

“Are you okay, do you want me to call the nurse?”

“No, I’m fine, I just moved too fast. You have to listen to me, Cam. None of this was your fault. Someone wants my property. And they want it bad enough to try to beat me into selling. You couldn’t have known that would happen. And we both are smart enough to know that if someone wants to get to you bad enough they’ll find a way.”

“Not again they won’t.” His voice took on a rough edge. “Never again. I promise you that.”

“Cam.” God, how did she say what needed to be said without giving away the fact that she was falling in love with him? If he knew that it might make him feel obligated and she didn’t want that. But she also didn’t want to try to dodge the truth. Had it not been for Lily’s swift action, she might have died and never had the chance to tell Cam how she really felt.

“What?”

She squeezed his hand. “Okay, this might be a big mistake, but life of late has shown me that nothing is guaranteed so I’m just going to be honest. I didn’t want to come to Florida. Didn’t want to have anything to do with what my father left me. But I didn’t have any other options.

“And then I found you here and that changed things. You changed things. I… you were the first boy I loved and maybe I’ve loved you ever since. I came here and saw you and… well damn, you’re like a wet dream so I was attracted to you. But I realized that despite all the time that’s passed I still like you. You made me feel safe and made me feel like there was… was maybe something more in life for me than just struggling to keep a roof over my head and food in my belly. You made me want more.

“I… god this is hard. I think I’m falling in love with you and right now the last thing I can take is you feeling that you have some responsibility or obligation to protect me from the snakes because I can’t do it myself or because I’m some poor charity case or because—“

“How about if I just want to take care of you?” he interrupted.

“But why?” she asked. “Why would you want to saddle yourself with my problems, Cam? I mean you’re… you’re you. You’re smart and strong and the sexiest man I’ve ever seen in my entire life and you could have any woman you wanted with one smile, so why in the world would you want to have to put up with all this—“

“I love you, Ellie.”

That interruption shocked her right into silence. At least for a few moments. Then disbelief loosened her tongue. “No. No, you don’t. You can’t.”

“Oh, I think I can.” He gave her a smile. “Maybe a part of me always has. And maybe a week ago I might have agreed with you. Yeah, I’m attracted to you and I like you but love? Hell, I don’t even know what that is. I haven’t loved anyone since I was a kid. Until now.

“When I heard what happened to you… I’ve never felt that way ever—except when my dad died. That sick, I want to change reality feeling that takes you over. I felt that and I’ve felt it every minute since until you opened your eyes.

“And that’s not obligation or responsibility. It has to be love. I don’t want to think about life without you in it. So, yeah, I am making a promise. I won’t let this happen again. I will protect you, Ellie.”

“From the snakes,” she said and brushed at the tears that streamed down her face.

“You got it, honey.”

She smiled up at him, suddenly overcome with fatigue. “And frogs,” she said as lassitude started to claim her. “Don’t forget the frogs. Those ugly gray…”

Cam smiled as she drifted off to sleep in the middle of her sentence. She was going to be okay. That was all that mattered. That and making damn sure that whoever did this to her got what was coming to him.

Chapter Nine

Ellie walked outside onto the landing of the garage apartment. Sunrise was minutes away and the sky was streaked with lines of pink and gold. Already she could hear voices coming from the direction of the barn.

Lily and Clint would be tending to the horses, as would Cam. He’d left the pillow and wadded blanket on the couch and had she not already been awake, she’d not have known that he had dressed and left an hour ago.

It was strange living here on the Marsh ranch. She’d been here nearly three weeks. In that time, she’d healed. Well, for the most part. She could get up and down the stairs by herself, yesterday she’d gone for a short run, and while her time hadn’t been great, she hadn’t suffered any great pain from it, just the normal soreness you have when you haven’t used muscles in a while.

She knew it was time for her to go home.  Despite being thrilled to be with Cam whenever he wasn’t working, it didn’t feel like home to her. She felt like a guest, albeit a very pampered one, but still a guest.

And then there was the problem of the admitted feelings between her and Cam. They’d indulged in a few make-out sessions but he hadn’t pressed for more. He said she needed to heal and she was grateful for that. But it didn’t stop her from wanting him, and wanting something as bad as she wanted him and not be able to satisfy the need was making her cranky.

And then there was the mystery she had to solve. She’d spent the last three weeks thinking about it, looking at the images on her tablet, remembering the house they’d found hidden on the property and remembering the dreams she’d had of her father and grandmother.

There was more to Michael Whitehorse that she’d imagined.  She needed to get inside that house and find answers. The answers just had to be there.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Cam called up to her from the foot of the stairs. “Didn’t expect to see you up so early.”

“I like watching the sunrise,” she said, appreciating the view of him climbing the stairs much more than watching the sky.

“I like seeing you standing there waiting for me,” he said as he mounted the landing in front of her.

She smiled at him. “I could make you some breakfast.”

“I ate at the main house and I’ve got to get ready for work.”

“Oh, okay.”

“But I could do with a cup of coffee when I get out of the shower.”

“I’ll put on a pot,” she offered.

Cam gave her a soft kiss then opened the door and held it for her to enter. “Give me ten minutes.”

“It’ll be waiting for you.”

She watched him head for the bathroom then busied herself tidying up the couch. She’d tried to convince him to let her sleep on the couch but he wouldn’t have any part of it. One night she’d talked him into sharing the bed, but things got heated between them and when he rolled over on top of her she’d cried out from the pressure on her ribs. That had ended any talk of sharing the bed, even just for sleep.

Ellie finished straightening up and on impulse went into the bedroom. She pulled her battered suitcase from the closet. Despite Cam offering to make space in the bureau she’d insisted on living out of her suitcase. Hurriedly she dressed, crammed her nightshirt into the suitcase then lifted it up and carried it to set beside the kitchen door.

She put on a small pot of coffee, packed up her tablet and when she heard the bathroom door open, she poured two cups of coffee and put them on the table. A couple of minutes passed before Cam walked in.

His eyes went straight to the suitcase beside the door. “Going somewhere?”

“Yes. Home.”

“I don’t think−“

“I know you don’t think it’s a good idea but I need to go, Cam.”

“It’s not safe, Ellie. You know that.”

“I agree. But I’m not going to that house. I’m going to the other one.”

He rounded the table to her. “I still don’t think it’s a good idea. I mean what if someone goes looking for you?”

“What’re the chances of that? Or that they’d find the house? I need to go there, Cam. I need answers.”

“To what?”

“You know what. To who my father was and why that place is even there.”

“Well, fine, but can you wait till I get off work and then I’ll take you. And I’ll stay there with you.”

“I can’t ask you to do that.”

“You didn’t ask.”

Ellie looked up at him for a long moment. “Cam I can’t keep disrupting your life like this.”

“Wait till I get off work and I’ll take you. Please?”

“Fine,” she agreed. How could she do otherwise? He’d been nothing but kind to her, taking care of her and giving up his bed to her.

“Thanks.” He gave her a kiss and a gentle hug, then snagged one of the cups of coffee. “I shouldn’t be late. I get off at four.”

“Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

“I know you’re getting tired of sitting around,” he said. “Getting restless means you’re healing and that’s a good thing. And it’s just today.”

“I know.” She moved to him and looped her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

He drew her closer and this time the kiss was not quite so chaste. In fact, it was getting downright heated when his phone rang. “Clint” he said just before he answered. “Yeah? Yeah, sure. I’ll tell her. Okay.”

“He and Lily are headed into town if you want to go. It’ll be mid-morning when they’re ready.”

“That might be nice,” she commented.

“Probably do you some good to get out of here for a while. Okay, I gotta go. See you this afternoon.”

She watched him leave and took a seat at the table. Nothing to do now but wait for Lily and Clint to get ready to head for town. With a sigh, she picked up the cooling coffee.

As seemed to be the case of late with so much time on her hands, her mind turned to the mystery of her father. She’d learned from talking with Clint and Lily that no one seemed to know how Michael Whitehorse had died, or what had happened to his body.

Ellie had not received any information from the attorney who contacted her about her inheritance and when she tried to call his office, the number had been disconnected. She found that both strange and troubling. There were too many questions and no answers when it came to her father.

And this mystery was starting to feel a bit ominous. She’d been threatened and attacked because she inherited his property. That should make her willing to sell out and high tail it back to the Carolinas.

Instead, it was making her more determined to get to the truth.

Whatever that was.

* * * * *

Simon Dansforth stood on the patio of his palatial home, looking out over the Olympic sized pool and the lavish landscaping that stretched for more than five acres. He was not at all pleased with the lack of progress being made in obtaining Michael Whitehorse’s property.

He turned his head to look at the west wing of the mansion. As expected, the drape at one of the windows fell back into place. Dansforth knew that his “guest” watched from the window, looking for an avenue of escape.

She would not find one. He’d acquired his guest more than two years ago. She’d shown up at the Whitehorse place. His Watchers had notified him immediately. Whatever happened between her and Whitehorse, the visit had obviously not ended on a happy note. She had left crying.

And was taken into custody before she hit the county line. Since that time, she had not left the suite in the west wing. In all that time, she had given him nothing of use.

An idea occurred to him and he went back inside, wound his way through the massive house and to the door of her suite. Two armed guards stood guard on either side of the door. Both nodded in deference to him as he keyed in the passcode and opened the door.

“Good afternoon.” He greeted the woman who stood on the other side of the room.

She did not return his greeting. Not that it mattered. He took a seat in one of the leather wing chairs.

“It has been too long since we last spoke.” He said. “In fact, I do not believe we’ve had a chance to chat since your relative arrived.”

She didn’t respond but he saw the change in her expression. “I don’t believe you’ve met her. Elana Whitehorse.”

There. He saw the surprise in her eyes and then the way tension had her posture straightening. “She’s quite lovely. The resemblance to her father is remarkable. Same odd blue eyes and dark hair but she’s smaller in stature than most of your kind. I wonder why? Was the blood that diluted by her mother? She and Michael were, after all, from different… clans, is that the correct term?”

Again, no response, other than her watching him warily. He smiled and stood. “If there is anything you’d like to tell me, now would be a most opportune moment. It seems that Elana suffered injury from a recent break-in. While she is, by all reports, healing, it would be a shame to see another unfortunate incident occur.”

“If you hurt her, you will die.”

Those were the first words she’d uttered in more than a year. Simon did not fear that she would do him bodily harm. After all, she was under constant video surveillance, with armed guards around her night and day. No, she would prove no threat physically. But she was Whitehorse and that did send a niggle of unease through him.

They were, after all, not quite human and who knows what powers they would possess if their family’s abilities were returned to them.

This was why he had to insure that Elana Whitehorse was under his control. If there was power to be exploited, it was power he fully intended to control.

Without another word, he turned and left. Perhaps it was time to make alterations in his plan. Thus far, threats and bodily harm had netted him nothing. Perhaps it was as Bedelia had said, “the best knife is buttered.”

Time for him to butter his knife and trap Elana Whitehorse into giving him what he wanted.

* * * * *

Ellie got out of the truck and waited for Lily to slide out. “Clint and I have some things to take care of at the bank and then we’re headed to the tack shop down the street.” She pointed. “There, two blocks down. After that, he’s got a couple of things to pick up at the hardware store and then…” She looked at Clint as he rounded the truck to them. “Lunch?”

“Sure.” He said with a smile.

“So, you want to tag along or just wander around town?” Lily asked.

“I think I’ll wander. I’ve never been here and it’s pretty. Maybe I’ll look around some of the shops.”

“Cool. I’ll call when we’re done and we’ll meet… let’s see. How about Dolly’s?” She looked to Clint.

“Good by me.”

Lily put her hand on Ellie’s shoulder and turned her. “See the building on the next corner, across the street? Dolly’s is just on the other side, around the corner.”

“Okay,” Ellie agreed. “Go do what you need to do. I’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I know.” Lily said with a smile then took Clint’s hand.

Ellie watched them walk away then stood for a moment, looking up and down the street. A sign for an antique shop half a block down caught her eye.

There were not many people on the sidewalk but the few she saw smiled in passing. She opened the door of the shop and heard the tinging of a bell. Ellie looked up to see the tiny bell mounted on an arm on the top of the door.

“Hello there.” A man’s voice sounded behind her.

Ellie turned in the direction of the voice. “Hi.” She greeted the short, elderly man with a fringe of white hair ringing his head.

“I’m Sam Jones, the owner. Are you looking for something in particular?”

“Nice to meet you Mr. Jones and no, just browsing while I wait to meet some friends for lunch.”

“Then take your time and enjoy. If I can help you I’ll be up front here.”

“Thanks.”

It didn’t take long to make the entire circuit of the store. Ellie checked her phone. Nothing. She wandered over to where Mr. Jones sat on a high stool behind a long glass case.

Inside it was jewelry. Bracelets, necklaces, rings, pins, and even hair clips. Ellie wasn’t much into that sort of thing but looked from one end to the other. It wasn’t until she reached the end that she saw it. Through the glass, she could see a painting leaning against the wall behind the case.

“Excuse me. Mr. Jones?”

He got off his stool. “Something I can show you?”

“That painting. The one of the white horse. Is it for sale?”

He walked over to pick up the painting and place it on the top of the display case. “It’s lovely isn’t it? But not for sale. Well, it was— on consignment. But the owner died and—“

“I know. Michael Whitehorse. He was my father.”

The look on Mr. Jones’ face told her he didn’t believe her. She dug into her bag and pulled out her identification and the letter from the attorney that was still in its original envelope.

“See?” She put the items on the display case beside the painting. “I really am his daughter and I really want to buy this painting.”

Mr. Jones looked at her identification and then picked up the envelope. “May I?”

“Sure.”

He withdrew the letter, read it, and then returned it to the envelope. “Looks like you really are Mike’s daughter. And that being the case, I can’t sell you the painting.”