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  He read every letter he received and corresponded with several ladies for months as he slowly weeded out those who had no money and those whom he felt he couldn’t manipulate. Ruby made it through all his gardening and she became his main focus. Her need to be loved and her deep fear of being old and alone were evident in her letters and made her susceptible to his limited charms.

  After two years of constant letter writing, she felt she knew Frankie better than he knew himself. She knew he wasn’t capable of doing the things he was convicted of, and he was gradually able to convince her to help him in this desperate bid for freedom, so they could spend the rest of their lives in wedded bliss. Each time she showed any hesitation in following his directions, he feigned a fear that she didn’t truly love him. His act included a veiled threat that he had been hurt so many times by shallow love, that he just couldn’t endure another failed love. If she truly loved him, she would do anything for him.

  It was frightening when she had to go into the slums of Jackson to get some false identification for him, but when she was able to return home successfully, she felt brave and excited. It was like she was helping some James Bond character, except that this James Bond character loved her and wanted to marry her. For the first time in her life, she felt like a beautiful, desirable heroine.

  Now, as they settled into their married life, Ruby found that Frankie didn’t like to socialize with her friends or neighbors. He said he was worried that they might have seen pictures of him as a wanted man, but he was letting his hair grow longer and was growing a facial hair. Ruby really didn’t think anyone would recognize him. Even right after the escape, there hadn’t been a lot of news coverage of the event and as days turned into weeks, it had slipped from people’s minds. Gradually Frankie’s confidence grew, right along with his facial hair, and he began to accompany his wife out in public. However, he still refused to socialize with people she felt close to. He criticized those she made welcome at her home, to the point that she stopped inviting them over for fear he would become insulting to their faces. He complained that they were beneath her and made her look bad by maintaining such friendships. He accused them of only pretending to be her friends so they could use her. Gradually, Frankie pulled her away from everyone she had known and trusted.

  He began to tighten his control over his new wife. He braved going into the public to have his name added to all her financial papers. After all, they were married and committed for the rest of their lives. He used guilt to convince her that his doubts of her love for him would end if she loved him enough to include him in her wealth. Fearing she would lose him if she didn’t, Ruby did as he insisted. He was now co-owner of her entire inheritance.

  He purchased clothes, shoes, and anything else he wanted, in fact Frankie spent her money quiet freely. They were together constantly except when Ruby said or did something stupid and forced Frankie to slap some sense into her. Then she locked herself away for a few days until the bruises faded enough to be covered with makeup. Having never lived in a stable home, Ruby was convinced that it was her fault when Frankie found it necessary to help her learn to be a good wife. She even accepted it as normal when he took over completely controlling the finances. She never noticed when he opened an account at another bank in just his name and began to move money into that account.

  For five years Frankie had sat in a cell in that prison and dreamed of the day when he could get his hands on the woman who put him there. Ruby and this marriage was the means to fulfilling that dream. When the stress of forced patience got to be too much for him, Frankie could always find a reason to lash out at Ruby, but he would never lose sight of his goal.

  Days became weeks and Frankie and Ruby sat together and planned a long trip for a belated honeymoon. She was so excited she told her neighbors and those few other people that Frankie allowed to remain in her life about it. It would be so romantic! Frankie was taking her to see the Grand Canyon! She had always wanted to go there. They even began to take long power walks around the neighborhood to prepare them for the hiking they planned to do, on their trip. For the first time, Frankie began to allow some social interaction with Ruby’s neighbors. He was at his most charming and was always very solicitous of his beloved bride, always opening doors, holding her chair, supporting her with helpful hands, and making subtle gestures of affection when people were around.

  Together, Ruby and Frankie had concocted a story about how they had met. He allowed her to tell everyone how he had stopped to help her when her car had stalled while she was out shopping and the attraction between them had been so powerful that they had exchanged phone numbers and had spent hours on their phones for a few weeks before deciding that they simply couldn’t continue to live apart.

  Although some of her friends might have doubted the story, in the face of her apparent happiness, they accepted Frankie at face value; a strange, charming man who had brought fulfillment and happiness to Ruby.

  Frankie made it a point whenever they talked about the upcoming trip to emphasize that the destination was chosen to satisfy Ruby’s dream. He often stated that he would have preferred to visit New York and take in some Broadway shows, making sure that people thought he was very familiar with the Big Apple. He wanted to make sure that when Ruby and he didn’t return from this trip that anyone suspicious of him would look for him in that region of the country.

  Chapter Seven

  Jordan sat in the bank, facing the manager. “Yes, I know that’s a lot of money for a horse that I’ve never seen, Mel. I’ve been over this with myself probably a hundred times and I’ve talked to Mr. Roberts on the phone. I’m sure I want to do this.”

  Melvin Jenkins nodded. “You know that I’m just trying to look out for you, don’t you, Jordan?”

  She nodded. “Yes. And I’m grateful for that, but I’ve looked at all my financial papers and I can afford to do this.”

  “Of course you can.” Jenkins chuckled, winking at her conspiratorially. He was very aware of the money she had inherited from her parents and from her husband’s insurance policy. “You can afford to do pretty much whatever you want to do. I just don’t understand why it’s a horse in Idaho?”

  Jordan knew that Melvin Jenkins was a kind man and she trusted him to invest and handle most of her money, but she also knew his interest ran deeper than just her financial wellbeing. He had been trying for years to date her, but she just couldn’t see the two of them having anything in common except her money. She would never allow it to get beyond business.

  “Mel, it’s not just a horse from Idaho. It’s that specific animal. If she were in Alaska, I’d still want her.” Jordan was losing her patience. “Just transfer the money. I’ll call Mr. Roberts and let him know it’s on the way.”

  “I don’t understand why you don’t get on a plane and fly out to look at the horse before you invest in it, but it’s not up to me.” Jenkins nodded and pushed back his chair. “Let me get the papers ready for your signature. Would you like some coffee or a soda to drink while you wait?” He knew when a client was determined. Over the past few years, he’s set his sights on Jordan Lanier. He knew that having the right man beside her would replace this obsession she seemed to have for horses and he felt sure he could be the right man.

  Jordan shook her head negatively. “No, I’m fine.”

  However, he’d also learned that she was a determined person. He’d tried to dissuade her from remodeling the barn three years ago, but she was insistent. He had though; made sure the contractor who did the remodel knew that he, Mel Jenkins was the man who wrote the check out.

  It was well known at the bank that Jordan was Mel’s personal client. He made it a point to know when she came to the bank and it was always Mel who tended to her business, even if it was just to cash a check.

  Twenty minutes later Jordan was in her truck, headed to the feed store. Mel had made the money transfer and assured her that anything she ever needed was in his power to provide. When she left the bank, he walke
d her to the door and held her hand a little longer than necessary while saying good-bye. Jordan thanked him for his help and reassured him that she sincerely appreciated all his help.

  She talked with one of the girls who worked at the feed store until she was sure her feed was loaded. After David’s death, she made a point of never making small talk with any of the male employees where she did business. In her head, she knew that Lambert’s fixation on her was not her fault, but the guilt of her husband’s death ran deep.

  Back at her place, she unloaded the feed and swept through her chores with Bhrandii at her heels. “I wish you could handle a pitchfork. You’ve watched me do this often enough, I wouldn’t even have to teach you how, and I sure could use the help,” she told the dog. His tail wagged. She had probably said that to him at least once a week since she first accepted him from Mac’s arms, a squirming, whining bundle of red/brown fur. She stretched out her hand and rubbed his broad head. “You get tired of hearing that, don’t you?” His tail wagged again. She laughed at herself as she put away the pitchfork and went to one of the stalls to get a colt that was due to be ridden.

  She led the colt to the crosstie in front of the tack room and began the regular ritual of grooming and saddling. While she worked, she couldn’t help going over the conversation with Clay Roberts, in her mind, when she called to tell him the money had been transferred to his bank.

  He was happy to know the filly would belong to her. He felt sure the two of them would fit each other well and it pleased him to know that the filly would have a career in the show ring.

  “I know there are people who are in the horse transportation business, but they charge too much, if you know what I mean,” he told her.

  “You’re right about that, but right now, I don’t see any other option. I have horses in my barn and commitments to my clients to ride them, so there is no way I can drive to Idaho to get her.” Jordan was quick to explain.

  “Well,” Clay said, “If you can give me a few days, maybe a week or so, I’ll see what I can work out. Maybe there is someone around here who is going at least part of the way that I can send her with. That should save some money.”

  Jordan shrugged her shoulders. “I appreciate that, but that would mean that I would owe you board in the meantime.”

  She heard a deep laughter that put her at ease, even though it came from so far away. “Don’t be silly, young lady. If I can’t work something out in a month, then we’ll get a horse hauler to bring her there. Until she’s at your barn, she’s mine anyway and that includes the expense of getting her to you. I’m just….frugal. Are you willing to let me see what I can do?”

  Shocked by his generosity, Jordan nodded, even though she knew he couldn’t see her, then spoke. “Well, sure, but I don’t expect you to pay for her transportation.”

  Again his warm laughter eased her mind. “Just let me see what I can do. I know a lot of people.”

  She pulled the cinch snug on the bay gelding she was preparing to ride, and then turned her attention to the bridle. She heard Bhrandii growl softly and looked at him. He was looking toward the front of the barn so she did too.

  A tall, heavyset figure was silhouetted against the bright light framing the entrance of the building. She hadn’t heard a motor or a door slam and was surprised that she had been so engrossed in her own thoughts. Just for a second her heart lurched in fear, then she recognized the movement of the individual and smiled a greeting. “Hey, Sheriff John. How are you?”

  Leaving the gelding cross-tied, she walked toward him, giving him a quick hug of affection as their steps brought them together. “I haven’t seen you in a long time, except at church.” As she smiled up at him, she realized he was in uniform. “Is this an official visit?”

  He returned her brief hug then kept one arm around her shoulders as they walked toward the office where she always met with clients. He had watched this girl grow up and what she had been through would have destroyed a lot of young women. He had developed a great deal of respect for her as she had struggled to overcome the tragic loss, first of her parents, then of her husband and to rebuild her life, but she had done it. He hated to tell her what had brought him here.

  “Yeah, Jordan, it’s official business that brings me here.”

  A ribbon of fear curled into a knot in her stomach. They were almost at the office now and she stepped ahead of him. She led the rest of the way, feeling that each step was leading her to a place she didn’t want to be. John Davis had been her father’s best friend and had been one of the strong shoulders she had leaned on when her parents died and when she returned home a widow. She knew he didn’t beat around the bush and from the look on his face, she knew this was serious. Her mind was racing in circles.

  He reached around her to push the door open and waited as the big Rhodesian Ridgeback dog pushed in ahead of him to be close to Jordan. She walked behind the desk and sat down, indicating the chair in front of the desk for him.

  “Alright, out with it. I’m ready.” She stated firmly.

  “I got a fax this morning from the prison where Lambert…was. He’s escaped.” He watched her closely as the news settled in.

  She felt as though someone had punched her in her stomach with an angry fist. “Es…. Escaped? How?”

  He shrugged. “They don’t know for sure. They think he had help.”

  “When?”

  Again he shrugged. “Last week. It took them a few days to track you to here. They’re all over this, honey. No need for you to worry. I’m sure they’ll pick him up anytime.”

  She shook her head negatively, her heart pounding with fear. “He’ll come. It might take a while for him to find me, but he’ll come.”

  “He won’t know where to find you. You’ve gone back to using your maiden name. You have no ties with people where you lived when it happened. You’re three states away in a little town that no one has ever heard of. He won’t know where you are.” Even as he said it, Sheriff Davis feared he could be wrong.

  Jordan felt disoriented, like someone coming down with a bad case of the flu. Panic was nudging at her and she suddenly shoved back her chair, raising herself to her feet and shrugging her fear off. She had vowed that fear would never control her again. “I think I’ve always known that this would happen. Let him come! I won’t run from him.”

  John saw the flash of fire in her brown eyes. He knew she had enough of her father in her to make her think she could fight Lambert. But could she beat him? He didn’t think so. Her husband had tried to fight him, and he was dead. He didn’t want to see something like that happen to Jordan.

  “I’ve got all my deputies carrying pictures of him and we are going to increase patrols in this area, but I want you to disappear for a few weeks.” He would do all he could to protect her.

  “No.” She said it firmly. “I’m not hiding from him. If he finds me, so be it. I have Bhrandii, I’ve taken some self-defense classes, I can out shoot most of your deputies and I will not hide.”

  Sheriff John was good at reading people and he knew there wouldn’t be much use in arguing with her. For now, he’d just set up some secret surveillance.

  Chapter Eight

  Even Daniel Chetan was surprised at the speed of his recovery once he was at the Roberts ranch. Feather doted on him and Clay and Sue did all they could to help her take care of him. He had been undercover so long that he had almost forgotten what it was like to live openly, with people who cared about him.

  Within a few days of arriving at the ranch, he was getting up early to help Clay with chores, even though Clay insisted Daniel needed to take more rest time. To begin with he was lucky to walk to the barn and back before he was shaking with exhaustion. Then he managed to push the wheel barrow loaded with feed. He knew that the more he did, the stronger he got and in spite of her desire to take care of him, Feather was elated to see his strength returning.

  They all found it difficult but made a real effort to call him Daniel, however, in his
heart he would always be Wolf. Soon he insisted that they resume calling him that too, and they agreed.

  The clean air and his improving health made it impossible for him to stay inside, and soon he was able to saddle his horse and ride. Then he almost lived in the saddle. When Clay needed anything done from horseback, Wolf was there and when there were no chores to do, Wolf and sometimes Feather loaded up the horse trailer and headed into the nearby foot hills. His horse that was only a green colt when Wolf went undercover was soon as well schooled as a seasoned ranch horse. Because of his ability to communicate with animals, Wolf was uniquely able to help the animal understand what was needed from him and the trust between horse and man grew quickly into a close partnership.

  Clay owned a two year old filly that Feather had been doing some ground work on that really caught Wolf’s eye. There was a sweet fire that burned in her and although she wanted to please her handler, there was a deep desire burning in her heart to do more and work harder.

  One evening after supper, Wolf called Feather outside. Together they leaned against a fence, watching some of Clay’s yearlings playing in the field.

  “We can’t stay here forever, you know.” He said simply.

  She nodded. “I know. I love it here and Clay and Sue are so good to us, but I miss us having our own place.”