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“Call me old-fashioned, but yep, I’ll be pickin’ you up, and I’d also like to meet this woman who’s been givin’ you such a hard time.”
“I hope she’s around when you come over. I assume you know where the house is.”
“Sure do.”
“The gate code is 6116. When you drive in you’ll see a motor court. Go past that and you’ll run across a cabin a little further down. That’s where I’ll be. You can park right in front.”
“Will do. Ellie, before I go, I have some good news. I spoke to Kelly. She’s the jumper trainer I told you about. She and her husband own Lone Pine Ranch.”
“Yes, I remember.”
“I wasn’t sure if she’d take on a beginner, but she said she’d be happy to get you started.”
“That’s fantastic,” Ellie said excitedly, then lowering her voice, she added, “Noah, I keep thinking about that hay loft.”
“If you’re a good girl I just might show it to you.”
“Really? And if I’m a bad girl?”
“I’ll definitely show it to you,” he said with a chuckle. “Goodbye, Ellie.”
“Bye, Noah,” she replied, grinning happily, but as the call ended, Bethany’s scowling face flashed through her head.
If things had been bad with her before, they’d just escalated to a whole new level.
What would Bethany do next?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
When Ellie returned home, she held her breath as she drove through the gates, then let out a relieved sigh when she saw Bethany’s Ferrari wasn’t in the motor court. Walking quickly inside, she packed a small suitcase, and was hurrying back to her car when she ran into David. After he showed her the nailed blocks on the cellar door, and the padlocked electrical panel, a frightened shiver rippled through her body.
“Call me crazy, but I bet this is Bethany’s doing,” she said anxiously. “The woman wants to lock me away.”
“It’s impossible to say who’s behind it and why it’s been done. I’m going to show her and see how she reacts, but you’ll both be safe with Matt and me in the house.”
“I’m staying in my cabin for a while,” she replied, wondering if her father had been right when he’d told her to check into the hotel, “and about tonight, I’m sorry, something’s come up. I can’t meet you for dinner.”
“That’s okay. Maybe Bethany’s guard will be down if you’re not in the house and I can get her talking.”
“Will you let me know?”
“Of course, and whatever you’re doing this evening, enjoy yourself. Forget about all this for a while.”
“I intend to!”
Still rattled as she climbed into her car and headed to the cabin, she decided to work on her new project. The majestic horse flying over the lake. Though she brought in her shopping, eager to sketch, she left her small suitcase untouched by the door. Picking up her favorite pencil, she hurried to her canvas, and was soon bringing life to the images floating through her mind.
It soothed her soul, but when she glanced at the clock she realized she was running out of time. Covering the easel with a cloth, she moved quickly into the bathroom for a quick, hot shower. As the steamy water sprayed over her skin, she closed her eyes and thought about the night ahead. She couldn’t wait to see Noah, and lose herself in his strong, protective arms.
Toweling off, she slipped into one of her new shirts sporting a rhinestone studded collar, and was pulling on her new western riding jeans and boots when she heard his truck. Giving herself a last check in the mirror, she walked to the door and opened it before he had a chance to knock.
“Wow, you look terrific!” he exclaimed.
“These clothes are so comfortable. I can understand why they’re great to ride in.”
“You certainly look the part,” he said, stepping inside. “What a great cabin, it’s so much more spacious than it looks from the outside.”
“Thanks. It’s my hideaway.”
