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Love and family make the most precious gifts!

Daddy’s Christmas Miracle

Three all-new stories to warm your heart this winter from favourite authors Rebecca Winters, Marie Ferrarella and Shirley Jump

Daddy’s Christmas Miracle

Santa in a Stetson

Rebecca Winters

The Sheriff’s Christmas Surprise

Marie Ferrarella

Family Christmas in Riverbend

Shirley Jump

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Santa in a Stetson

Rebecca Winters

About the Author

REBECCA WINTERS, whose family of four children has now swelled to include five beautiful grandchildren, lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the land of the Rocky Mountains. With canyons and high alpine meadows full of wild flowers, she never runs out of places to explore. They, plus her favourite vacation spots in Europe, often end up as backgrounds for her romance novels, because writing is her passion, along with her family and church. Rebecca loves to hear from readers. If you wish to e-mail her, please visit her website at www.cleanromances.com.

Dedicated to the Smart family,

who never gave up or lost hope. You and your

courageous daughter are an exemplary model

in faith for the rest of us.

Chapter One

“The bus is coming. Bye, Dad. Don’t forget I’m going to Jen’s house after school for a sleepover. Her mom is driving us all home tomorrow so you won’t have to worry about it.” Allie leaned across the front seat of the truck and gave him a hug.

“I haven’t forgotten anything, but I think your cold’s worse,” Colton Brenner said. Throughout the week, her congestion had become more noticeable. “Maybe you’d better give this party a miss and have an early night.”

“I can’t! It would ruin the whole weekend!” She sounded so upset he was sorry he’d said anything. “We’ve made too many plans, but I promise not to stay up late. The decongestant pills you gave me are in my purse.”

“If you’re not improved tomorrow, I’m taking you to the doctor.”

“Everyone has a cold right now. It’s not a big deal.” Her warm brown eyes slid away from his. When they did that, it signaled she didn’t want to get into a heavy discussion with him.

“But not everyone is my daughter.” He kissed her cheek. “I love my children.”

“We love you, too.” She opened the door and got out.

“Later!” his son called from the backseat.

He turned. “Bye, Matt. I’ll be at your wrestling match at three o’clock.”

“Don’t forget it’s in Livingston.”

“Would I do that?” They high-fived each other before he jumped down. “We’ll go for pizza after.”

“Cool!” Matt shut the door.

Colton—Colt to his friends—sat back in the seat, eyeing his fifteen-year-old twins as they waited for the school bus that would drive them into Bozeman eight miles away.

Every morning he brought them down to the entrance of the Circle B to make sure they got off safely. The family always ate breakfast together and talked over the day’s plans. His housekeeper Noreen picked them up at the same spot after school. It was a ritual he’d started years earlier and had never deviated from.

When their mother had pulled her permanent disappearing act, he’d made it his mission to be there for them in every possible capacity. He loved them more than life.

This morning their breath curled in the invigorating air. Twenty degrees above zero wasn’t bad for mid-November in the Bridger Mountains of Montana. He could remember other Novembers at twenty below. Unfortunately the weather couldn’t be good for Allie’s cold.

More snow wasn’t forecast until tomorrow evening. With a lull between storms, this was the best time for him and his foreman to ride up to the north forty with some of the hands and finish repairs on the fencing. If he left with them now, he’d be able to get in a good six hours of work before he had to leave for Livingston, twenty-six miles away.

Now that football season was over and Matt’s team had lost in the playoffs, Matt had joined the wrestling squad. His school’s first preseason match was today. The boy was shooting up, but he wanted to get more buff. Colt smiled. He remembered wanting the same thing at Matt’s age.

After his children boarded the bus, he waved to the driver before heading back to the ranch house three miles up the mountain. His eyes took in the blanket of snow covering evergreen forests and copses of aspens. He loved it all, from harshest winter to the glory of summer, when wildflowers filled the alpine meadows. Every season highlighted different aspects of the ranch’s beauty and brought him renewal.

Thanks to his Scottish ancestors who’d emigrated here in the late 1800s, the setting of the Brenner cattle ranch was the most beautiful mountain spread this side of the Continental Divide. He counted his blessings.

The one thing missing from his life hadn’t mattered to him in years. He’d long since put the pain of his travesty of a marriage behind him. Though everything else had failed during those nightmarish twelve months of supposed wedded bliss, he and his nineteen-year-old bride had made perfect babies together. Matthew and Allison … nonidentical brunettes who came with their own individual spirits.

Loving his children, working the ranch to leave them a legacy for the future, was his reason for living.

THIRTY-YEAR-OLD Kathryn McFarland had the distinction of having been kidnapped from her parents’ mansion on South Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah, and lost to them for the first twenty-six years of her life. The people at Skwars Farm, Wisconsin, who’d taken her in had called her Anna Buric. Her origins were a mystery to everyone. Then one day a miracle happened.

She was found!

In an instant, she’d become Kathryn McFarland. And like the pauper who’d suddenly been thrust on the throne as the Prince of England, she inherited lands, titles, wealth and a loving, illustrious family eager to embrace her.

That was more than four years ago. Yet every time she let herself inside her penthouse condo at the McFarland Plaza in downtown Salt Lake, she experienced alternating waves of gratitude and guilt—gratitude because she’d been united with the most wonderful, generous parents imaginable and guilt because she needed her own space.

She knew it seemed unfair to her family that after waiting twenty-six years to get their little baby back, Kathryn had returned a grown woman who needed her family desperately, but secretly needed her independence, too.

They’d lost all that time with each other. So had she, with them. It was only natural for her to live with them and bask in their love, but it couldn’t go on forever.

Kit Talbot McFarland, Kathryn’s sister-in-law, knew exactly how Kathryn felt. She, too, had been kidnapped as a baby in the same bizarre case twenty-six years earlier, and had been found a few months before Kathryn. But in the process she’d met Cord, one of Kathryn’s two older brothers. It wasn’t long before they were married and now had a little girl and another baby on the way.

From the beginning Kathryn shared a unique bond with Kit. She, too, suffered untold guilt for not spending more time with her birth parents and family, who lived in California. Kit and Kathryn were painfully aware that both sets of parents, the McFarlands and the Talbots, had suffered “empty arms syndrome” for more than two decades.

To some degree, Kit’s two-year-old daughter helped satisfy that ache in the Talbots’ lives, but Kathryn had no husband or children. She wasn’t even close to starting her own family. Which was why Kathryn’s parents couldn’t understand why she wouldn’t continue to live with them in their home in Federal Heights, only a few miles from the plaza.

They didn’t outwardly pressure her. It was more the pleading in their eyes, the unspoken message, hinting they wanted her with them. All those silent hopes played havoc with Kathryn’s guilt.

Thank heaven for Maggie!

There weren’t enough words to describe Kathryn’s love for her older sister Maggie McFarland, the mother of a one-year-old boy. She, along with her husband, Jake Halsey, had been the ones to find Kathryn in Wisconsin and bring her home.

Soon after their family reunion had made headlines in every newspaper in the nation, Maggie and Jake married and built a house in upper Federal Heights. When they were settled, Maggie insisted Kathryn move into the penthouse where Maggie had been living in order to have some breathing room.

Their mother’s fear of another kidnapping had made her so overprotective, she’d almost suffocated Maggie at times growing up. Now that Kathryn was finally home, Maggie could see the same thing happening to her sister and told her she needed to get out of the house and on her own.

“There needs to be spaces in your togetherness,” she’d whispered to Kathryn at her wedding.

“Listen to Maggie,” their oldest married brother Ben concurred in a low voice. “She knows what she’s talking about.”

Cord nodded. “We’ve all lived with horrific guilt for twenty-six years because no one heard the kidnapper come into the house and steal you away. Now that you’ve been found alive and are home again, everyone needs to get on with their lives. No more guilt. No more looking back.”

With those words, Kathryn understood her siblings were her best friends and allies. Between them, they took care of the move and got her settled on top of the McFarland Tower. Every window looked out on a superb view of the Salt Lake Valley and the mountains encircling it.

From the kitchen, she had an eastern exposure and could see Mount Olympus, covered in snow. This morning while she’d been working with Cord, he’d told her there was fresh powder up Little Cottonwood Canyon in Alta, where he and Kit lived.

They’d made plans to ski tomorrow. Their first outing of the season. She couldn’t wait. Cord was a fabulous skier and had given her lessons every winter. Kathryn was getting pretty good at it, if she said so herself.

Cord was the true mountain man of the family. In that regard, they were soul mates—like the first McFarland who’d claimed a lot of land in the Albion Basin for his own before the turn of the last century.

She’d seen it for the first time in summer, when the meadows were a riot of wildflowers. A euphoric Kathryn had thought she loved that season best until fall arrived and the trees turned to gold and flame everywhere she hiked.

Then came the majesty of winter, so white and gorgeous. She hated to see it go, but when spring followed and the primroses poked their pink heads out of the melting snow, the signs of new life filled her with indescribable yearnings for the changes yet to come. After living in a flat part of the country so many years, she couldn’t get enough of the Rockies and was a constant visitor to Cord’s mountain home.

When she heard her iPhone ring, she’d just taken a bite of peach yogurt. It was probably her brother making final arrangements for tomorrow. She clicked on and said hello.

“Hi, Kathryn. It’s Bonnie Frank.” The woman worked at North Avenues Hospital in the patient advocacy department funded by the McFarland Foundation.

“Hey, Bonnie. How are you?”

“Ask me tomorrow morning when I haven’t been on my feet all day.”

Kathryn chuckled. “I hear you.” She took some more bites. “What’s going on?”

“The E.R. just contacted me. A teenage runaway was admitted a few minutes ago after collapsing on a downtown street. Nancy Isom was the head nurse on duty and she couldn’t get any information from the girl, so she called my office asking for you. I know it’s dinnertime, but do you think you could drop by the hospital sometime this evening and interview this one? I’ve gotten absolutely nowhere with her.”

“I’ll come now.” The sooner she dealt with the problem, the sooner she could get to bed. A day of skiing gave her a real workout and needed to be fortified with a good night’s sleep.

“You’re an angel. I’ll let them know you’re on your way.”

Kathryn rang off before freshening up in the bathroom. After making sure she had a McFarland Foundation brochure in her purse, she put on her parka and left the condo.

The private elevator took her to the underground car park where the security guard waved to her. She got in her Jeep and took off for the hospital, located a mile away. She phoned her parents en route to see how their day had gone.

After all those years, when she’d wondered if she had a mother and father who were even alive, it seemed miraculous that Kathryn could call them up whenever she felt like it. She adored them.

THERE WAS ONE SLICE of pizza left in the pan. Colt glanced at Matt. “Do you want to wrestle for the last piece?”

He screwed up his face. “That’s all right, Dad. I want to live to see another day. You can have it.”

Colt laughed. “I liked that reversal you came up with before the ref blew the whistle. Good job.”

“Thanks.” Matt reached for the pizza, as Colt knew he would, and made short work of it.

The waitress came to refill their glasses, but Colt shook his head. After she walked away, he pulled out his wallet and left a couple of bills on the table. “Shall we?”

They both got to their feet at the same time and shrugged into their parkas before heading for the entrance to the pizza parlor. “Hey, Dad, want to see a movie?”

“Sure. With your sister gone, we’ll make it an official guys’ night out.” They walked into the frigid air. “What’s playing?”

“The latest vampire film.”

“I thought that was a chick flick,” he teased.

“It is, but Marcus was talking about it at the match. He said it was pretty good.”

“I guess I can stand it if you can. Allie can’t seem to get enough of the Twilight series.”

Two hours later Colt said, “Believe it or not, I liked it.”

“Me, too!” Matt blurted, eager to talk about it as they left the theater.

Halfway to the truck, parked around the corner, they heard, “Hi, Matt! Hi, Mr. Brenner! Where’s Allie?”

He glanced around, surprised to see Carrie and Michelle, two of Allie’s good friends. Colt would have thought they’d be at the sleepover, but evidently they hadn’t been invited. Allie had given him the impression it would be a big group. It appeared somebody must have hurt somebody else’s feelings. Diplomacy was called for.

“She made other plans. Did you two like the film?”

Michelle smiled. “We loved it.”

“Did you?” Carrie asked Matt.

“It was okay,” he answered in a quiet voice, hiding his enthusiasm.

Colt got a kick out of his son, who acted like a typical male around girls. At that age, shyness hadn’t been one of Colt’s problems. His ease around girls had probably facilitated his early marriage. Would that Matt took a little longer to grow up before he made a commitment that would change his life.

They reached the corner. “See you girls later. Don’t let any vampires bite you tonight.”

The girls broke into laughter. “Bye, Mr. Brenner.”

“Bye, Matt.” Carrie again.

His son said something indistinct before they parted company and headed for the truck.

On the way home he turned to Matt. “This morning on the bus, did your sister say anything about a quarrel with her friends?”

“No.” He darted him a curious glance. “Why do you ask?”

“Because I thought all Allie’s friends were going to be over at Jen’s tonight.”

Matt shrugged. “I don’t know, but she was kind of quiet on the bus.”

Her cold could account for that, but Colt still wasn’t reassured. An uneasiness had crept over him he couldn’t explain, but she’d hate it if he phoned her at Jen’s. No teenager liked to be checked up on at a party.

He rubbed his jaw where he could feel the beginnings of a beard. “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow after she gets home.”

“Dad?”

Did Matt know something after all? “Yes?”

“I think something’s wrong with Blackie’s hind leg.”

“He needs reshoeing,” Colt murmured, his mind still on his daughter. “In the morning we’ll get it taken care of before we load up more hay to take to the west pasture.” He drove up to the side of the ranch house and turned off the motor.

“After that, is it okay if I go skiing with Rich? We’ll buy a half-day pass.”

“Sounds fun.”

They both got out and walked around to the back. “You want to come with us?”

“I’d like to, but Noreen says the kitchen disposal is having problems. Since Ed’s arm is still in a cast, I promised I’d take a look at it. If it needs to be replaced, that could take some time.” For a variety of reasons, Colt wanted to be on hand when Allie got dropped off. “Let’s go skiing next Saturday. Maybe Rich’s dad will want to come, too.”

“I’ll ask him.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Colt followed him to the back porch. They stomped the snow off their cowboy boots before entering the house. Ten minutes later they both said good-night.

Colt checked with Noreen, who lived in the older house on the property with her husband, Ed, Colt’s ranch manager. Noreen hadn’t heard from Allie. Not that he expected her to call, but when he entered his study, he knew he wouldn’t sleep until he’d talked to his daughter.

Without hesitation, he called her cell phone. Her voice mail came on. He asked her to call him back when she could, then rang off.

Frustrated when another twenty minutes passed with no response, he looked up the Wagners’ number in the phone directory. Even though it was ten-thirty, he called them, but their voice mail came on, too. He left the message that he’d like Allie to call her father, then he hung up.

Maybe the Wagners had taken the girls to a movie or ice skating. The thought that they were all out together should have relieved him. Colt was probably obsessing for nothing, and yet …

His thoughts flew back ten years to the time when he’d gotten a strange foreboding about his grandmother. It had been early morning. Though he’d just arrived in the upper pasture with some of the hands, he turned right around and galloped home to discover his grandfather weeping over her body. “Her heart stopped beating a half hour ago, Colton. She’s gone.”

Unnerved by the memory, he decided he couldn’t sit around waiting for the phone to ring. He hurried down the hall and took the stairs two at a time to Matt’s room. His son was listening to his iPod.

When he saw him, he sat up in bed with a jerk. “Dad?”

“Get dressed and come with me to Jen’s house.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Maybe nothing. I just need to make sure Allie’s all right.”

“Okay.” He slid out of bed to put on his clothes. “I’ll meet you at the truck.”

ON HER WAY INTO THE E.R., Kathryn glanced around the lounge filled with friends and relatives of the patients. The place had never looked busier. She approached the desk and spotted Nancy, who was simultaneously talking on the phone while she entered information on the computer. The two women had become friends while Kathryn was getting her RN degree.

As soon as she saw Kathryn, she flashed a smile of relief and hung up. “Thanks for coming so fast. Our uncommunicative runaway is down the hall in the isolation area, Room Six. Her tests just came back. She’s got the H1N1 virus.”

“Is she coherent?”

“Oh, yes, but she won’t tell us how long she’s had symptoms. I think she’s been sick for a while. When they wheeled her in, she was very upset about being brought to the hospital. She told us to let her go. If she’s refusing to talk, it’s because she’s terrified about something. When the ambulance picked her up, she had no ID on her.”

“Where was she found?”

“Down near the Rio Grande Café. A pedestrian saw her collapse and called 911.”

One of the homeless shelters was near there. The airport, the Greyhound bus depot and the Amtrak station were all close by, and it seemed possible she’d come in from out of town.

“Did she speak with an accent? You know—Alabama, Boston, Texas, New Joysey?”

Nancy laughed at her imitation and thought for a minute. “Nothing stood out. I’d say she’s from somewhere in the western states, but no central Utah drawl if you know what I mean.” They both smiled.

Good. That narrowed the field a little. “You want me to tell her about her condition?”

“Yes. I’m hoping that when you do, she’ll break down and open up to you. See what you can get out of her, will you?”

“Sure.”

Kathryn went around to a back room where she shed her parka. After removing the brochure from her purse, she stowed everything in a locker, then washed her hands. Donning a surgical mask and lab coat, she then slipped a small notepad and pen in her pocket along with the brochure and found her way down several halls to Room Six.

They’d hooked up an IV to the pretty brunette lying there in a hospital gown with her eyes closed. Before she did anything else, Kathryn opened the girl’s locker and took her bag of clothes out in the hall to examine.

She’d been wearing a North Face parka, navy jeans, a red, long-sleeved pullover sweater, Nike Air Morgans with hook-and-ladder fasteners, and tube socks. Everything higher end and clean. No smell of smoke. All items could have been purchased in a major department store anywhere across the nation.

After Kathryn returned the bag back to the locker, she walked over to the computer and brought up the police report first.

Jane Doe. Age 14–16. Caucasian. Picked up at 4:10 p.m., Friday, Nov 19. A pedestrian, Ronald Ewing, 50, Grantsville, Utah, saw her slump onto the sidewalk at 300 south, fifth west, Salt Lake, and called emergency on his cell phone. Approx height 5’5?, weight 115 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes, teeth in excellent condition. No evidence of alcohol. No needle marks. No sign of drugs hidden on her body or in her clothes. No purse or wallet. No money. No injury marks, no sign of assault, rape or foul play.

There were a lot more things Kathryn could add simply by looking at her. Aside from the fact that she had the flu, she was the picture of health and excellent hygiene. Her nails were well cared for, her shoulder-length hair had a gloss to it.

The hospital stats indicated a fever of 101.4 when she was brought in. No vomiting or diarrhea. They were hydrating her and giving her medicine to bring down her temperature. Since the last check of vital signs, there’d been a drop of one degree. That was good news.

She was someone’s darling.

Kathryn snagged a stool and sat down at the side of the hospital bed. “Hi, Anna. I’m Katy.”

The girl opened her eyes. They were velvety brown. Lovely eyes. Anxious.

“Don’t let the mask scare you. It’s a protective measure because you’re fighting the H1N1 virus, but judging by the progress you’re already making, it’s not such a serious case. Unless I made a lucky guess, I know your name isn’t Anna. I gave you my old name. The one I was given after I was kidnapped. It’s as good as any.”

Anna blinked. If Kathryn didn’t miss her guess, she’d gained the girl’s attention.

“I brought a brochure with me. My family had it printed when I was taken from them.” She pulled it out of her purse. “Let me show you the picture of me at the top.” Kathryn held it up so she could see it. With her other hand, she pulled down the mask so the girl could see they were one in the same person. Then she put it back in place.

“It was taken four years ago. You’ll notice what it says beneath the picture. ‘Kathryn McFarland, lost for twenty-six years, has been FOUND!’ You’re probably feeling too tired to read it, Anna, so I’ll read it to you.” Kathryn continued to read.

May 3 marks the twenty-sixth anniversary of the abduction of our fourth child, Kathryn McFarland, from the McFarland home in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born April 2, she was only a month old at the time she was taken.

Soon after the kidnapping and community search, the Kathryn McFarland Foundation was founded and now honors Kathryn’s memory by finding missing children, and preventing them from going missing in the first place.

When Kathryn was kidnapped, our community and many others joined together to help us find her because there was an immediate recognition that she was everyone’s child and that we are all in this together.

Child abductions across our nation since its beginning have highlighted the need for legislation to enhance our ability to protect our children from predators of all types. When a child is kidnapped, time is of the essence.

All too often it is only a matter of hours before a kidnapper commits an act of violence against the child. That is why we’re pleased that the U.S. Senate has acted to pass legislation creating a national AMBER Alert system, which galvanizes entire communities to assist law enforcement in the timely search and safe return of child victims.

Since its inception, the foundation has assisted approximately seventeen thousand families and law enforcement agencies in their searches. We have seen over eight-five percent of those children returned home safely. This is what continues to give us hope.

Kathryn put the brochure down on the bedside table. “Someone out there—somewhere—is dying inside because you’re missing, Anna. I don’t know how long you’ve been missing, or why. I don’t know if you were kidnapped and let go, or if you left home of your own free will.

“What I do know is that a beautiful young woman like you is very lucky not to have been exposed to serious danger. I also know that anyone who loves you is in agony right now, fearing the worst.”

The girl’s eyelids fluttered closed, but they couldn’t hold back the trickle of tears.

“My family went through so much agony, they would have died if they hadn’t decided to do something positive with their pain. Did you hear those statistics? Seventeen thousand families assisted. That figure has changed since four years ago. It’s now twenty-three thousand, with an eighty-five percent rate of success.

“I have parents, two brothers and a sister who’ve dedicated their lives to helping children unite with their loved ones. Now that I’ve been found, I’ve devoted my life to helping someone like you get the help you need.

“Consider me a friend who’s going to make certain you get well and are safe. My brother runs Renaissance House, a shelter for homeless women to assist them in getting reestablished. It’s only a mile from here. After you’re released from the hospital, I’ll take you there. You’ll like it. The big, beautiful mansion was my home before I was kidnapped. After that, my family moved. They couldn’t bear the pain of living in a place where I had been stolen right out of the nursery during the night. Since that time, my brother turned it into a halfway house. He did it because he hoped that one day I might walk in.”

Suddenly the girl broke down crying. Kathryn stood up to lean over her and smooth the hair from her temples. “I didn’t tell you all this to make you cry. I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone. Sleep now, Anna. I’ll stay right here and take care of you. I’m a nurse who did my training in this hospital. You’re among friends here.”

After a long silence, “My name’s Allie.”

Joy.

“I like that name much better.” She handed her some tissues. “Go ahead and blow your nose, Allie. You must have been congested for a few days now.”

The teen nodded and blew hard. Kathryn handed her a receptacle. “I’m going to get you a cold drink. Fruit punch, Sprite, root beer, Coke, you name it.”

“Fruit punch, please.”

She had manners, too. “Coming right up.”

Kathryn hurried down the hall to the desk. She pulled her mask down again. “Her name’s Allie. She wants some fruit punch.”

A beaming Nancy lifted her head. “I knew it! You have the magic touch. Be back in a tick.”

In another minute, she returned with two cans. Kathryn thanked her and joined Allie, who’d reached for the brochure on the side table and was reading it.

“I’ll raise your head so you can drink without choking. Say when.”

Before long Allie had drained her drink. Kathryn took the empty can from her. “Better?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Shall I lower your head now?”

“Not yet. Where did that kidnapper take you?”

Kathryn sat down on the stool once more. “New York, then Wisconsin.”

Allie’s red-rimmed eyes studied her in fascination. “How did you find your parents?”

“I didn’t. My sister and the man she’s married to now found me. When my family came into my hospital room to see me for the first time, we all looked so much alike there was no question I belonged to them.”

She blew her nose again. “You were in a hospital, too?”

“Yes. I’d been in a car accident and had broken my leg. Because of my cast, everyone had to be very careful when they hugged me, especially my dad. To this day, I don’t know which one of us squeezed harder.”

“My dad can squeeze hard.”

“That’s one of the great things about having a father. It still makes me cry to think how many years I lived without my parents.” Kathryn’s throat swelled with emotion. “I love mine so much, you can’t imagine. My dad’s incredible.”

“So’s mine. That’s why—” She suddenly stopped talking and tears gushed from her eyes.

Unable to stay seated after realizing how upset the teen was, Kathryn stood up and clasped Allie’s free hand. “The longer I live, the more I realize that none of us is exempt from pain.” She handed her more tissue. “How long have you been sick, Allie?”

“I’ve had a cold all week. After I left the bus station I started to look for a taxi, but then this man on a bike grabbed my purse and rode away. It had all my money in it. That’s when I got dizzy and fell down. Then another man walked by. He saw me and called the police. I begged him not to because then Dad would find out.”

She grabbed hold of Kathryn’s arm, staring at her with imploring eyes. “Dad doesn’t know I came here. He thought I was at a sleepover. I planned to be back home by tomorrow so he would never find out. He can’t find out!”

“Why not?”

“If he knew the reason, it would hurt him too much.”

Oh, darling girl …

Chapter Two

Not two seconds after Colt parked in front of the Wagners’ house, their car pulled into the driveway. Reed was with his wife. No one else was in the car.

Colt got out and walked over to them. Wendie rushed toward him. “It’s good to see you.” She gave him a hug and said hello to Matt, who’d trailed him.

“Hey, Colt.” Reed broke out in a broad smile. “To what do we owe this honor?”

“Matt and I just got out of a movie and thought we’d come by to see how the sleepover’s going before we drive home. Allie had a bad cold when she left for school. I almost didn’t let her go and wanted to see if it was worse.”

Both of them looked surprised. “What sleepover?” Wendie asked.

The question was like a punch to the gut. “Obviously there wasn’t one. I thought something was wrong when I saw Michelle and Carrie at the movie. Did Allie come home with Jen after school?”

“No. I picked her up and took her to the orthodontist. Tonight she’s been tending Chelsey and David so we could go to a wedding.”

An icy sensation crept through Colt’s veins.

“You haven’t seen her since she left for school this morning?” she asked.

“No.”

Matt shot him a worried glance.

“Come into the house,” Reed urged. “We’ll find out from Jen where she is.”

The four of them went inside. Reed called to his blonde daughter, who came into the living room dressed in army fatigue pajamas. The second she saw Colt, she froze.

“Hi, Mr. Brenner.” She didn’t look in the least happy to see him. It was very unlike her.

“Pumpkin?” her father inserted. “Do you know where Allie is? She didn’t come home from school today.”

Jen averted her eyes so fast that it reminded Colt of his daughter when she’d told him her cold wasn’t a big deal and she didn’t want to talk about it.

Wendie put an arm around her. “If you have an idea where she is, tell Colt so we won’t have to phone everyone we know. It’s late. We’d hate to have to disturb people who might be in bed by now.”

Jen kept her head bowed. “She made me promise not to tell.”

“Tell what?” Colt asked, trying to remain calm.

“Yesterday she told me she wouldn’t be at school today. She said she’d be back the next day and asked me to do her a favor, so I did.”

“What favor?”

“When our homeroom teacher took roll this morning, I—I told her Allie was in the restroom and would come in with a late pass,” she stammered. “That’s why the school didn’t call you.”

“Jennifer Wagner!” Reed exploded.

“I know that was wrong, Dad. I’m sorry, Mr. Brenner. Allie said that in case you called here, I should get Chelsey to tell you all the girls had gone to a movie. But Allie was positive you wouldn’t phone.” Her voice wobbled, producing another moan from her parents.

Colt’s body shuddered in reaction. “You have no idea where she went?”

“No. I’m really sorry. I shouldn’t have agreed to help her.” She started crying.

“It’s not your fault, Jen. My daughter put you in an impossible position. For that I’m sorry.”

Matt’s stricken expression set off another alarm bell. “Maybe you should call the Greyhound bus depot and find out if she got on a bus this morning.”

For his son to tell him that … “What do you know about this?”

His gaze didn’t flinch. “Nothing, but last week when Rich and I went to the Bozeman Bowl after school, I thought I saw her going in the bus depot. Rich said I was just seeing things because a lot of girls wore North Face parkas. That night I asked her about it. She said she hadn’t been downtown, but she got mad about it. I thought that was kind of weird for her to be upset about a simple question.”

Colt whipped out his phone to call information. The minute he was connected to the depot, he told the person who answered to put him on with the manager. “This is an emergency.”

“Just a moment, sir.”

He felt as if someone had just sucked all the air out of his lungs.

“This is Mr. Padakis, the manager. How can I help you, Mr. Brenner?”

“My daughter’s been missing since seven this morning. I thought she went to school, but I now believe she may have taken a bus today, probably this morning. Her name is Allison Brenner. She’s fifteen. Before I call the police, can you find out if she purchased a ticket? Any information you can give me would be helpful.”

“I’m sorry to hear this. Give me a moment. I’m looking in the system now. Yes, here she is. A. Brenner, Circle B Ranch. She bought a round-trip ticket to Salt Lake City.”

Salt Lake? Allie didn’t know anyone there. They had no family there.

“The bus left at 7:40 a.m. She’s due back tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.”

He gripped the phone tighter. “What time does that bus start back to Bozeman?”

“Let’s see. 8:30 a.m.”

That made it an eight-and-a-half hour trip. He checked his watch. She would have arrived in Salt Lake by four today. It gave her fifteen, sixteen hours to do whatever she planned to do in that amount of time. The stone in Colt’s throat made it nearly impossible to talk.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Padakis.”

“I hope everything’s all right.”

“So do I,” he whispered in shock and hung up. In the next breath he reached blindly for Matt and hugged him hard. “You weren’t wrong. She went to Salt Lake on a bus this morning.”

Matt’s head flew back. “You’re kidding.”

“I wish I were, but that gives the police something to go on.”

A dozen questions filled Colt’s mind.

The Wagners looked pained. “What can we do to help?” Wendie asked.

“Thanks for offering, but this is a matter for the police. I want them to find out how many other passengers on that bus were headed for Salt Lake. Maybe she has a boyfriend who talked her into going.”

“No.” Jen shook her head. “She would have told me.”

“I thought she told me everything, too, Jen.” Colt’s features turned grim. “The fact that none of us, including her own twin, knew her agenda, let alone that she asked you to lie for her, tells me my daughter has some deep-seated problems. Come on, Matt. Let’s go home. I’ll phone the police on the way.”

The Wagners walked them out to the truck. Colt gave Jen a hug before he drove off with Matt and made the call. He didn’t hang up with the chief detective until they’d reached the ranch.

As he shut off the motor Matt turned to him. “Are they going to look for her?”

Colt nodded. “They’ll make inquiries, but he told me not to be too worried since she bought a round-trip ticket. The Salt Lake police will be at the bus depot in the morning when she shows up, so he told me it would be a waste of my time to fly there.”

“But we’re going to go anyway, right?”

He’d never loved his son more than at this moment. “Right.” They walked around back and entered the house. “We’ll have to leave for the airport at five. That’s not very far away. I’ll wake you in time.”

“I don’t think I’ll be able to fall asleep.”

“Try. We’re going to need all our energy tomorrow.”

Matt paused at the foot of the stairs. “Your birthday’s a week after Thanksgiving. Maybe she went to Salt Lake to get you a special present.”

He rubbed the knot in the back of his neck. “Don’t I wish that were the reason.”

Matt’s expression closed up. “Why do you think she went?”

Since Mr. Padakis had first mentioned Salt Lake, Colt didn’t want to admit—let alone put a voice to—an uncomfortable thought working its way through his psyche. “I don’t know, Matt.”

And because he didn’t know, he wasn’t about to speculate about something that could destroy the world he’d created for his children. He’d always believed he’d raised them in a happy emotional environment.

But if Allie’s disappearance, even for a forty-eight-hour period, had anything to do with what he was thinking, then it meant he’d built his house on sand and it was too late to hold back the dreaded flood.

Matt started up the stairs. Colt watched him go. There’d be no sleep for either of them tonight.

He wandered into the living room, gravitating to a picture of his daughter on her first horse. The image blurred.

Did I fail you, Allie?

Was that what this was about?

“KATHRYN?”

“Hi, Cord. Sorry to phone you this late, but the hospital called me in on a teen runaway case. I’m going to have to cancel our ski plans for tomorrow.”

“I won’t pretend I’m not disappointed. I’d rather ski with you than anybody.”

“I feel the same way about you. But since Kit’s expecting again, she’ll be thrilled to have you all to herself. Give her my love.”

“I will. When you get a chance, I want to hear about your case.”

“Of course, but not tonight. Get a good sleep.”

Kathryn rang off, then made a call to Maggie. The moment she answered Kathryn said, “Forgive me for calling you so late. I’d like to ask a favor of you, but first I need to know your plans for tomorrow afternoon.”

“Jake and I were going to stay home and play with Robbie. Kamila might come over with Jared. Why?”

“I need to take a missing teen back to her family. She’s in the hospital getting over the flu and can probably go home tomorrow. But she lives in Bozeman, Montana, and—”

“You’d like me to fly you there?” she finished for Kathryn. “That’s not a long flight. I’d love to do it. Meet me at the hangar at twelve-thirty. I’ll have you there by two. Robbie will nap while I’m gone.”

“You’re the best, Maggie,” Kathryn said. “I’ll call you in the morning if the doctor decides she should stay in the hospital another day. Otherwise, plan on it.”

“Sounds good. Do you know something?”

“What?”

“You’ve become a workaholic. That’s how I used to be before I met Jake.”

“Yeah, well, we all can’t be as lucky as you.”

“You could have married Steve.”

“I could have, but he only proposed to me because he couldn’t have you.”

After a long silence, Maggie said, “What are you talking about?”

The time for honesty had come. How strange that this was the moment. “Kit’s brother was already clerking for you when I arrived on the scene. It was you he loved. You were the reason he left California. When he asked me to marry him, I told him I was flattered, but I didn’t want to be your substitute. He got all red in the face, but he didn’t deny it.”

“I had no idea.” Her sister sounded shocked.

“Of course not. That’s because you were so in love with Jake, you didn’t know if you were coming or going. I can’t say I blame you. Jake Halsey’s the kind of man who is so attractive he gives every woman a heart attack. Unfortunately, there’s only one of him. If I didn’t love you so much, I’d scratch your eyes out.”

Maggie laughed, then sobered. “Honestly, Kathryn, I love him so much, it scares me.”

“Steve saw it, too. That’s why I told him that until he went back to California to get away from you, he’d never be happy.”

“So that’s the reason he suddenly left.”

“Now you know the whole truth. When I told the family I couldn’t marry him because I loved him like a brother, I meant it.”

She heard Maggie clear her throat. “Your turn’s coming, Kathryn.”

“No. I’ve had plenty of possible turns, but I’ve discovered I’m not the marrying kind. I crave my freedom too much. Maybe being a captive at Skwars Farm for twenty-six years made me claustrophobic over the whole institution. My psychiatrist says we need to explore it, but that’s for another day. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you.”

After she hung up, she left the empty isolation room and crossed the hall to check on Allie. The teen was asleep. Her long bus ride and the flu had left Allie on the verge of exhaustion when she’d left the depot.

Whatever had caused Allie to leave home had worn her out, physically and emotionally, but her vital signs looked good. She could be released tomorrow, but would have to stay in bed at home for another night at least till the flu had left her system.

Without wasting any more time, Kathryn slipped back across the hall to make the most important phone call of the night. It was quarter to twelve. If Allie’s father suspected nothing and still thought his daughter was at her best friend’s house enjoying a sleepover, then he was in for a huge shock.

But if he’d discovered she was missing and was frantically looking for her, then it was past time to end his anguish.

Allie had painted a picture of a loving family. Like Kathryn, Allie had put her father on a pedestal no other man could hold a candle to. She was an exceptional girl. It meant she had an exceptional father. There’d been no mention of a mother.

Kathryn reached for her note pad where she’d written down the phone number Allie had given her and punched in the digits.

WHILE COLT WAITED for the detective in Salt Lake to call him back, he went up to Allie’s bedroom. He’d already given the police a description of what she was wearing when she’d left for school, including her backpack. Colt hoped that a thorough search of her room might reveal a clue to help him out. Anything …

She always stashed her money from odd jobs and babysitting in a drawstring purse hanging in the closet. None was there. Naturally she’d used it to buy her bus ticket. To his dismay, he found her cell phone in the bottom drawer of her dresser. She’d turned it off, killing that one glimmer of hope she might call him.

His daughter had been planning this for a long time. The pit in his stomach yawned wide.

Expecting to hear from the detective, he was ready to answer when his cell phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and clicked on. “Detective Martinez?”

“No,” sounded a female voice. “Are you Mr. Brenner?”

He blinked. “Who’s this?” Colt knew he sounded terse, but couldn’t help it.

“I’m Katy McFarland.” Katy was the nickname she used with young people. “The first thing you need to know is that your daughter Allie is fine, but she’s asleep right now. She gave me your phone number so I could call you.”

Adrenaline gushed through his veins. “Where is she?” he cried out. “Who are you?”

“I’m a medical caseworker for North Avenues Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was called in when your daughter was brought here around four-thirty this afternoon. She became dizzy after getting off the Greyhound bus. A passerby saw her on the ground and called 911. There was no ID on her. An ambulance picked her up and brought her to the E.R. Your daughter has the H1N1 virus, but it’s not a serious case.”

Colt staggered to the bed and sank down.

“She’s really all right?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you, but I have to tell you her biggest fear is that you won’t be able to forgive her for what she did. In case you didn’t know it, she worships the ground you walk on, so that makes a girl nervous to disappoint the most wonderful father in the whole world.”

She’d imitated Allie’s way of speaking to perfection, charming Colt, who was close to speechless at this point. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

“You just did, so don’t think about it anymore. We’ve got her on an IV to treat her flu symptoms. If she continues to improve, she can probably be released tomorrow provided she gets nursing care at home for another day.”

Colt jumped to his feet. “My son was the one who figured out she’d taken the bus somewhere. The police are attempting to locate her in Salt Lake right now. Matt and I will fly to Salt Lake on the earliest flight out of Bozeman in the morning. We want to be with her until she’s out of the woods.”

“You don’t need to do that. To be frank, your daughter didn’t want to stay here tonight. She has begged me to let her go home tomorrow. In the event that she’s well enough, I’ve made arrangements through the hospital to fly her to Bozeman by private charter in the afternoon. I’ll accompany her and take care of her for another day until she’s up and around.”

“I can’t let you do that.”

“It’s my job.”

“No one has a job like that,” he argued. “No wonder our hospitals are in financial trouble.”

“The patient advocacy department is funded by a private donor, so it’s not a concern. More importantly, your daughter made a deal with me. She would tell me your name and let me call you if I nursed her till she was better. We shook on it.”

Good grief.

Allie, Allie. What was going on inside her? After a certain age, she’d only wanted Noreen around and Colt hadn’t hired another nanny. Yet in her vulnerability today, she’d reached out to a stranger. Why?

Colt wanted to ask this woman if she knew what had driven Allie to do what she did, but now wasn’t the time. It was enough to know his daughter was safe in a hospital, getting treated for the flu of all things.

He took a deep breath. “How soon can I talk to her?”

“As soon as she’s awake. Housekeeping has brought me a cot so I can stay with her tonight. If she should wake up, I’ll let her use my phone to call you. Otherwise, call my number in the morning and I’ll put her on.”

He pursed his lips. “I may phone you before that to find out if you’re real or if I’m having an out-of-body experience.”

She laughed quietly. A husky kind of laugh that resonated inside him. “There’s nothing more terrifying than not knowing where your child is. Until you can hug her and kiss her, I know you won’t quite believe you have her back.”

Whoever this woman was, she could read minds. It gave him goose flesh. “Ms. McFarland?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“You’re welcome, Mr. Brenner. We’ll talk in the morning. Good night.”

She hung up first, leaving him dazed.

When he gathered his wits, he left the room and walked down the hall past the guest bedroom to Matt’s room. His son had fallen asleep, but after what they’d been through, he decided to wake him up.

“Matt?” he called softly to him.

He made a sound and turned toward him. “Is it time to go?”

Colt sat down on the side of the bed. “We don’t have to go anywhere. Your sister’s been found.” In the next few minutes, he told him about the phone call.

Matt reached over and hugged him. “Do you think I’ll catch it?”

He hadn’t seen that question coming. “I don’t know. Let’s not worry about that now. Go back to sleep.”

“They’re really going to fly her home?”

“That’s what the nurse said.”

“Whoa. Well, good night, Dad.” Matt laid back down and punched his pillow to get it in the right position.

Colt eyed his son for a moment. The biggest care on Matt’s mind now was whether he would come down with the virus. Would that the flu was all that plagued Colt. Unfortunately for him, this new knowledge was only the tip of an enormous iceberg.

After leaving Matt’s bedroom, he headed for his study again. He called both detectives and left messages that Allie had been found. Following that, he e-mailed the Wagners to tell them the good news. There was no one else to inform.

Wired and restless, he went to the kitchen to make himself some coffee. Caffeine was the last thing he needed, but it was the only drink he wanted.

His premonition that something was wrong with Allie had borne fruit. Two times he’d experienced this. Both times there’d been bad news. He dreaded the thought of it ever happening again. His heart might not be able to take it a third time.

Noreen was going to be surprised when another woman besides herself would be waiting on Allie. Colt had gotten the surprise of his life when a Ms. McFarland, rather than the detective, had phoned to let him know his daughter was in hospital. Sick, but safe.

The woman had sent an essence through the phone line he couldn’t describe. He had to confess that his curiosity had been aroused. For several reasons, he knew it would be a long time before tomorrow afternoon rolled around.

Colt wasn’t sure he could wait. If he talked to Allie in the morning and didn’t hear improvement, then he’d fly to Salt Lake with Matt as planned.

KATHRYN HAD SET her watch alarm for six-thirty. After she got up from the cot, she checked her patient’s vital signs. Everything looked good. Her temperature was down to ninety-nine. While Allie still slept, she stepped outside to use the restroom and freshen up. She ordered breakfast trays for both of them, then put on a new surgical mask.

As she reached the room, the E.R. doctor was just coming out. “She’s doing fine. Keep her on the IV until you’re ready to transport her.”

“I’ve arranged it for this afternoon.”

He nodded his approval before walking away.

Kathryn went back in the room. “Good morning.”

Allie looked happy to see her. “Hi.”

“The doctor said you’re coming right along. Let’s get you up to the bathroom, then you’ll feel even better.”

“I’ve never had to go so badly.”

“That’s what an IV does to you.” She raised the head of her bed, then helped her get up and walk to the bathroom while she rolled the IV stand. “Do you feel dizzy?”

“Not really.”

“Good, but I’m still going to stay right outside the door. If you start to feel funny, just tell me.”

“Okay.”

When Allie came out again, she said, “I feel ten pounds lighter.”

Kathryn laughed. “You probably are. Need help getting back to bed?”

“I don’t think so.”

To her relief, Allie made it without support. “Do you feel any nausea this morning?”

“No. I’m hungry.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” She helped ease her back on the bed. “Our breakfast should be here in a minute. While we wait, why don’t you call your father. I promised him you would.”

“I’m afraid to.”

Kathryn made a face. “Afraid? Of the most wonderful father in the whole world?”

“By now I’m sure he knows I asked Jen to lie for me. I think Dad hates lies more than anything else.”

“But he loves you more than anything else, Allie. Once you tell him the reason behind this incident and let him know you’re sorry for not being honest with him, he’ll understand and love you all the more.” She pulled out the phone and pressed his number. “Here. It’s ringing.”

With reluctance Allie took the phone from her. Almost immediately she said, “Hi, Dad. It’s me.” Whatever he answered in response caused the tears to roll down her cheeks. “I miss you, too. I’m so sorry for what I did.”

Kathryn slipped out in the hall to give them privacy. The trays eventually arrived. She took them in the room and put them on the table that slid over the bed. Propping herself on the stool, Kathryn reached for hers and devoured her toast and eggs. In a few minutes, she heard Allie saying goodbye.

“I love you, too. Here she is.” She extended the phone to Kathryn. “Dad wants to talk to you.”

She took it from her and put her empty tray on the side table. “Good morning, Mr. Brenner.”

“It is now.” His voice sounded deeper.

“Are you grounded yet?” she teased.

He chuckled. “Almost. Like you said, it will take hugging her to convince me completely.”

“The doctor says she can go home. If all goes well, we should be in Bozeman by two.”

“That’s even earlier than I’d hoped.”

The man couldn’t wait to get his daughter back. “She can’t get home fast enough either. We’ll be coming in on a Cessna CJ2.”

“All the comforts of home for my daughter. I’m very grateful.”

“I’m thrilled she’s doing this well. Before we hang up, there is one thing. Allie stowed her backpack in one of the lockers at the bus depot, but the receipt with the access code for the computer was stolen along with her purse. I’m afraid you’re the only person who can authorize someone to open it.”

“I’ll take care of it right now and ask them to ship it back to us.”

“Hopefully by the time she’s ready to return to school, it will have arrived. See you in about six hours.”

“I’m counting down the time.”

The comment made her smile. She hung up.

“Katy?”

Bemused by his comment, she was slow to flick her gaze to Allie. “What is it?”

“I’m glad you’re going to be taking care of me.”

“You are?”

She nodded. “People die from the H1N1 virus.”

The poor thing had been so frightened to tell her father what she’d done, she was only now realizing the state of her health.

“Well, it’s not going to happen on my watch. While you graze the TV channels, I’m going to go home and pack a few things. Then I’ll be back. I expect your breakfast to be gone.”

“I want to eat.”

“Good. You know the button to press if you need a nurse to help you to the bathroom again. Can I get you anything else before I go?”

“No. Just hurry.”

“I promise.”

Nancy had gone off shift when Kathryn approached the desk. Sue was on duty. Kathryn caught her up to speed on the Brenner case, then she left the hospital for home.

It was cold and cloudy, but no storm was pending yet. For Allie’s sake she hoped there’d be little turbulence on the flight to Montana.

Once she’d reached her condo, she packed a suitcase, then took a shower and washed her hair. After she’d blow-dried it, she slipped on fresh underwear and walked over to the closet.

She gave a few outfits consideration, then made her choice of a pair of camel-colored wool pants and matching cashmere sweater with a crew neck. She toned it with a dark brown suede blazer she’d picked up with her family in Rio. The suede boots in the same tone were comfortable, yet dressy. Her topaz studs added the right touch.

The clothes she’d worn at the farm had been nothing like the outfits Maggie wore. Her sister, with her long legs and slim figure, looked like a fashion model without even trying. With her sense of dress, she’d helped put a wardrobe together that suited Kathryn. Their family’s local and national prominence dictated that they be ready for the camera whenever they went out in public.

Both sisters were blonde and five foot eight, but Kathryn’s figure was a little fuller. Sometimes from farther off, people thought the two of them were twins. But once they got up close, the differences in their facial features became evident.

Kathryn had a wider smile and naturally dark-fringed eyes. Since becoming a mother, Maggie wore her hair shorter, the way Kathryn had done at the farm. Now they’d reversed things.

She rummaged through her accessories drawer and pulled out a chiffon scarf in a geometric design of leopard-skin colors. Once she’d caught her shoulder-length blond hair at the nape with it, she applied a pink frost lipstick, sprayed herself with her favorite wild-flower scent and was ready.

Before she left the condo, she phoned her parents. Her mother answered. “I’m so glad you called, darling. Come on over and have lunch with us.”

“I wish I could, but I’m on a case and won’t be home for a few days.” Her mom understood what that meant. Any lost child took top priority. Thanks to her psychiatrist’s suggestion, Kathryn found that if she took the time to explain things to her mother, she didn’t get so upset if Kathryn couldn’t be with them.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m taking a teenager home to her family in Bozeman. Her name is Allie Brenner. She came down with the H1N1 virus, but it’s a light case. Maggie’s going to fly us there in a little while.”

“Was she a kidnap victim?”

“No. She came to Salt Lake for a reason, but didn’t tell her father where she was going. He thought she was at school.”

“Oh, dear.”

“When she got off the Greyhound bus she became dizzy. Someone called the police and she was taken to the hospital without any ID or money. She wouldn’t tell anyone anything. That’s why I was called in.”

“The poor child.”

“My feeling exactly. Something’s going on with her, Mom. I have no idea why she came here, but she finally trusted me enough to let me contact her father.”

“He must have been out of his mind with grief.”

Kathryn would never forget the way he’d answered the phone. Talk about a terrified parent. “He was … and so grateful for the call.”

“Of course. No one knows better than I what that phone call was like when Maggie told us she’d found you!” Her mother broke down weeping.

Afraid it would get her started, Kathryn said, “Allie’s frightened, too, and for some reason is clinging to me. Since she needs watching, I decided to see her back safely.”

“Well—” her mother sniffed “—you and Maggie take care. Call us when you get there.”

“I promise. Love you, Mom.”

Chapter Three

The gleaming white-and-blue Cessna with gold striping stood out from the overcast sky as it descended and made seamless contact with the runway. Colt had been given permission to drive his Xterra as close as the rules allowed to pick up his daughter.

Matt whistled. “Sweet. How would it be to own one of those?”

Colt agreed, but right now he’d focused his gaze on the door, waiting for it to open. The second there was movement, he started forward.

“Allie!” he cried when he saw her in the aperture wearing her parka.

“Hi, Dad!”

He took the last steps to reach her and pulled her into his arms. She gave him a squeeze that almost knocked his hat off. “Do you have any idea how happy I am to see you?” Without letting her go, he carried her the small distance to the car. Matt opened the rear door so Colt could help her into the seat. He kissed her forehead. “Are you all right?”

“Yes, but I’m glad to be home.”

“Amen to that.” In a second he had her strapped in. “I’ll be right back.”

When he started for the plane again, his breath caught at the sight of the stunning blonde woman who’d just stepped out on the tarmac. Impressions of caramel swirls among vanilla cream flew at him like reflections off a glacier sparkling in the sun.

She was the epitome of feminine elegance, the kind of trait a few women were born with that had nothing to do with what they wore. Although what she was wearing was perfect down to the shape of her slim waist shown off in a suede jacket. It drew his attention to her womanly hips and long legs. A white parka lay over one arm. She held a small suitcase in her other hand.

“Whoa,” his son murmured behind him. Matt was old enough to appreciate the sight of a truly gorgeous woman.

His comment said it all, jerking Colt back to his senses. He reached for her suitcase. “Welcome to Montana, Ms. McFarland. I’m Colton Brenner. This is Allie’s brother, Matt.”

Her startling blue eyes shifted to his son. “How are you, Matt?” She shook his hand. “Did anyone ever tell you that you and Allie look a lot alike? Except you’re the handsome one.”

While Colt chuckled, a warm blush spread over Matt’s face. “Call me Katy.”

For some reason she didn’t look like a Katy to him. “Matt? If you’ll help her in the front seat, I’ll stow this in the back. Let me have your parka.”

“Thank you.” As she handed it to him, their arms brushed. He could smell her fragrance. All of it was unexpected, increasing an unbidden awareness of her. Colt didn’t like it. He’d never experienced such a strong reaction to a woman before, not even when—A grimace marred his features. Just don’t think, Brenner.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw her climb in the backseat next to Allie. She had a mind of her own. It was just as well. Now she wouldn’t be seated next to him to provide a distraction he didn’t need while he took them home.

He walked around and got in behind the wheel. As he drove away, he could see the Cessna taxiing out in preparation for takeoff. “You people have provided an amazing service for our family. You’ll have to tell me where I can send a contribution.”

“That’s very generous of you, but the patient advocacy program is in place for that very purpose. The only thing of importance is that your daughter is back with you safe and sound.”

And troubled.

He glanced over his shoulder at Allie. “I was worried about your cold, honey. We should have done something about it a few days ago.”

“A lot of my friends have had one. Do you think they’ve had the H1N1, Katy?”

“Probably. We might not have known about you if you hadn’t taken that long bus trip. It exhausted you and caused your temperature to spike.”

Colt turned onto the highway headed toward the ranch. “Next time you’re sick, I’m not waiting to get you in to see the doctor.”

“I’m sorry about everything. Hey, Katy? Do you think Matt will catch it?”

Colt’s eyes met their guest’s amused gaze through the rearview mirror. It was only a moment, but he felt a connection. The same kind of feeling he’d experienced with her over the phone. He gripped the steering wheel tighter.

“Tell you what. If he gets a cold, your father can take him in to be tested.”

“I’m not going to get it,” Matt grumbled.

Time for a change of subject. “Noreen is fixing your favorite dinner. I hope you’ll be able to eat a little of it.”

“Breakfast tasted good, and I ate part of my lunch.”

“Sounds like your appetite has picked up. I don’t think you ate a solid meal all week.”

“That’s because my throat was sore. Do you like enchiladas, Katy?”

“I adore them. In fact, I could live on Mexican food.”

Matt leaned forward. “That’s what you always say, Dad.”

Colt stepped on the gas. The sooner they reached the ranch where they weren’t all trapped together, the better.

“Is it hard learning how to be a nurse?” Allie asked.

“Only if you have trouble with math and chemistry.”

“I guess you didn’t,” Matt said.

“But I’m a klutz at logic. My last boyfriend showed me his LSAT books. I took some of the sample quizzes and failed them.”

“What does LSAT mean?”

“It’s a test to see if you can get in to law school.”

“I didn’t know that. Give us an example.”

“It’s hard to think of one.”

“Try.” To Colt’s astonishment, Matt was being amazingly persistent.

“Okay. Let’s say a person in a cold climate buys a stylish coat, even though it doesn’t keep him warm. You assume this person will sacrifice comfort for appearance, right?”

They both said yes.

“So then you have to read five different situations to see which one the same assumption applies to. But it’s hard and tricky. For example, an acrobat asks the circus to buy him an expensive outfit to impress the audience. Do you think that’s the same thing?”

Silence reigned. Finally Allie said, “I don’t get it.”

“Neither do I. Did you, Dad?”

“Well, let’s think about it. The guy in the cold climate needed some kind of a coat, warm or not. The acrobat didn’t need an expensive outfit. Any kind of outfit would have worked.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Neither do I,” Katy assured him. “My brain doesn’t work like your father’s or Steve’s. As I said earlier, trying to do his homework was worse than figuring out a Chinese puzzle.”

Both his children laughed and kept on chatting with her.

Steve. Her latest boyfriend out of how many? What was she? Mid-twenties? Her age was hard to tell.

She was a catalyst, stirring up conversations they’d never had, prompting them to ask questions they wouldn’t have thought of. Disturbing the peace and tranquility of his well-ordered life.

KATHRYN NOTICED her host let his children carry the conversation the rest of the way to the ranch. They traveled under a low ceiling of clouds. She was glad they’d beaten the latest storm front.

At the entrance to the Circle B, he turned off the main road and they began the climb through a mountain fairyland flocked with snow. It spoke to her heart of hearts.

She felt it happening again. That spurt of adrenaline racing through her body.

The first time she’d experienced it was at the plane when she’d seen the tall rancher striding toward her wearing well-worn cowboy boots and a black Stetson. Rugged, powerful. She’d immediately thought, here was a man to match his mountains.

Over the years at Skwars Farm, she’d roomed with many families in a rotation. The last family she’d been with had a daughter, Nelly, close to Kathryn’s age. Nelly had a driver’s license and could take the family car into town. She always stopped at the library to bring back more Louis L’Amour books for Kathryn, who’d gotten hooked on High Lonesome years earlier.

Ever since Kathryn had been old enough to fantasize, she’d pretended to be Considine’s woman. Considine was the hard-hitting outlaw whose code of honor in the face of all odds helped him survive on the American frontier.

Talk about an out-of-body experience—just a little while ago he’d come to life in the form of Colton Brenner.

Fantasizing was a tool Kathryn had used to survive during her twenty-six years in captivity. Her psychiatrist couldn’t emphasize often enough that it played the key role in helping her cope during the years she was floundering.

But it had been four years since her family had found her and she still couldn’t shut off the mechanism that caused her to dream beyond the boundaries of reality. Staring at Colton Brenner, imagining he was the hero of her young girl’s dreams, wasn’t healthy.

Already she sensed this twenty-first-century family man had staked out his own territory a long time ago. Only a special few had entrée into his inner circle. Kathryn got the distinct impression she was an unwanted guest here, existing on borrowed time because of an unexpected turn of events involving Allie. If nothing else, his set boundaries guaranteed an end to her flights of fantasy, breaking the dangerous quarter-of-a-century cycle.

The car wound around one more curve in the road lined with walls of dense evergreens covered in snow. Suddenly they came upon a vale nestled between the mountains containing a fabulous western-style ranch house. Smoke curled from the chimney.

She picked out the barn, the bunkhouses and bungalows, another house, outbuildings, pens and corrals. In the far distance, she saw the stream that crossed the property and beyond it a herd of cattle.

“We’re home, Katy.”

“I can see that.” She squeezed the teen’s arm. “I’ve decided the name Circle B doesn’t do this place justice. It should be called something evocative like Cloud Bottom Ranch.”

Everyone in the car laughed, even the children’s father. He said, “Our ancestors started what was then called the Ayrshire Ranch on just six hundred acres and a little bungalow. They hoped to raise Ayrshire dairy cows, but the experiment didn’t last long.

“Each generation of Brenners that followed bought other small parcels of land and grew crops. It got renamed the Circle B after my great-grandfather brought in Angus cattle. No one could pronounce Ayrshire properly anyway. He wanted something simple and straightforward.”

She smiled, remembering the problems people had with names like her kidnapper Antonin Buric and the Skwars families. “Americans do have a way of slaughtering most languages.” Once again, the twins roared with laughter.

Through the rearview mirror, she felt their father’s gaze. “As the ranch began to prosper, the Circle B stuck, but I must admit your fanciful version captures its true essence. Interestingly enough, the Sioux and Shoshone had two names for this area depending on the season. In winter they called it ‘Walkway to the Clouds.’”

Kathryn felt a little shiver race across her skin. “How beautiful.” He nodded. “And summer?”

“Valley of the Flowers.”

Another Albion Basin. Just like home.

More stuff fantasies were made of, but she was through with those. Realizing the car had stopped, she undid her seat belt and leaned across to help Allie. “I bet bed sounds good about now.”

“It does.”

“I thought so.”

Matt opened the door for Kathryn while their father picked up his daughter and carried her around the end of the house. Kathryn alighted from the car with her purse. “Thanks, Matt.”

“Sure.” He opened the trunk to get her parka and suitcase. “Follow me.”

The two-story ranch house had been constructed of dark wood and local stone. At the back, there was a large covered veranda with picture windows facing an eastern exposure.

Matt showed her through the door into a room to wash hands and stow boots and parkas. He hung hers on a peg, then walked her down a hall that opened into a vaulted great room dominated by the rock fireplace. On either side were huge, tall picture windows looking out on the mountains. This had to be the heart of their home.

“I’ll take your suitcase upstairs and be right back, Katy.”

“Thanks, Matt.”

The comfortable brown leather couches and chairs with colorful woven throws invited her to curl up. Framed family pictures covered one wall. Her eyes wandered over the floor-to-ceiling bookcase filled with books, games and an entertainment center. Dark honey-colored hardwood floors not covered by oriental rugs gleamed in the firelight.

She gravitated to the fire’s warmth, eager to look at every photo and examine the titles.

“Welcome to the Circle B, Ms. McFarland. I’m Noreen Walters.”

Kathryn swung around. The older brunette woman was probably in her fifties. Hearty-looking. Attractive. “How do you do.” She shook hands with her. “From what I hear, nobody could get along without you and your husband.”

“That’s nice to know. How’s my girl?” “She’s going to be fine, but needs bed rest and liquids with her medication. I’m really superfluous, except for checking her vitals. The one thing we don’t want is to find she’s getting respiratory problems or see her temperature elevate. It’s been hovering between ninety-nine and a hundred since last night. I’m anticipating it will get back to normal by tomorrow.”

“That little monkey fought her father about her cold.”

“Isn’t that why they call it the terrible teens?” Noreen chuckled. “Do you have children?” “No. I’m not married. What about you?” A shadow marred her expression. “I had three miscarriages before we came to work for Colton.”

Kathryn felt her pain. “Now you have two remarkable children.”

The shadow disappeared. “Yes.” “I fear there are times when she thinks she has a stubborn third one.” Her host’s deep voice prompted Kathryn to turn around.

“You mean four,” Noreen quipped. “You forgot Ed.” He smiled, then said, “I think we’ll plan to eat dinner around six. That should give Allie time for a good nap.”

Noreen nodded. “If you’re hungry now, Ms. McFarland, I’ll send Matt up with a tray for you.”

“Thank you, but I ate before we flew here. And please … call me Katy.”

“I will,” she said before leaving the room.

“While we’re on the subject of names, mine is Colt.”

It suited him down to the last irreverent tendril curling against his neck.

Kathryn had discovered that without the Stetson, he had a head of shocking black hair whose ends wanted to wave. The arrangement of hard-boned features made him a striking man. Brows of the same black shade framed his eyes. They were the color of spring grass and looked translucent in the fire’s glow.

His eyes took swift inventory of her. She could hardly breathe.

Without conscious thought her gaze drifted over the rest of him. He wore a long-sleeved, plaid flannel shirt in blues and greens. The hem was tucked into jeans that molded powerful thighs. His hard-muscled physique revealed a man who kept fit in the outdoors.

There was an aura about him, a mental toughness and discipline she’d sensed beneath the male veneer. You didn’t trifle with a man like him.

Allie knew it. She’d been raised by him.

Kathryn no longer questioned why his daughter had been afraid to call him from the hospital. Yet her reason for disappointing him had to have been so compelling that she’d been willing to risk it.

Though the subject hadn’t been brought up by the twins or their father, Kathryn suspected this situation had everything to do with their mother. No one had talked about her or mentioned her, but it was clear Colt Brenner’s woman—whether she’d been his wife or not, whether she was alive or not—was the elephant in the room.

“I need to take Allie’s vitals. I’ll just get the things I need out of my suitcase.”

“The twins’ bedrooms are on the next floor,” Colt said. “The upstairs guest bedroom is between them. I’ll show you.”

She followed him to the foyer and up the staircase to the next floor. He moved with natural male grace. Aware her thoughts were too concentrated on him, she looked around her. The interior was an amalgamation of refined rustic and contemporary design. “You’ve created the perfect mountain home.”

“Thank you. We used to live in the original house on the property. Now Noreen and Ed live there.”

He opened the door to her room, which was decorated in earth tones with hardwood floors. She found her suitcase at the end of the queen-size bed covered with a patchwork quilt. After retrieving the bag inside it, she accompanied him to the bedroom on the left.

Matt was spread across the end of Allie’s queen talking to his sister. It reminded her of the way Kathryn’s brothers sometimes did that with her.

“Hi!” they said in unison. Matt stood up.

The sunny room with accents of blue and white delighted her. She moved to the side of the bed and sat down. “Shall we get this over with? Then you can rest.”

Kathryn listened to her lungs with her stethoscope. They sounded clear. Her blood pressure was normal. Her pulse was a little fast; that didn’t surprise her. Allie had expended extra energy for the flight.

She slipped the digital thermometer under her arm. After it beeped she read, “Ninety-nine!” Kathryn flashed her a smile. “You’re going to live.” She could tell her pronouncement relieved Colt.

Someone had put a pitcher of water and a glass on the side table. She got up and poured a full glass before handing her the pills she needed to take. “Drink all of it.”

“Okay.”

After she swallowed them, Kathryn asked, “Have you been to the bathroom?”

“Dad helped me.” Her brown eyes darted to her father. “Could I call Jen first?”

He shook his dark head. “She phoned earlier today and I told her you’d get in touch with her tomorrow.” In a surprise move, he reached into her bottom dresser drawer and pulled out a cell phone. “I’ll turn this on in case you need to phone me.” Colt put it on her side table.

If Kathryn wasn’t mistaken, Allie looked guilty about her phone. She’d obviously hidden it before leaving for Salt Lake. At least the thief hadn’t gotten hold of it when he’d taken her purse. “Is she mad at me?”

“I think it’s more of a case of her being mad at herself for going along with you.”

Allie averted her eyes. “I’ll apologize to her.”

“I think that better include her parents.”

“I bet they hate me.” Kathryn detected a tremor in her voice.

“Not their daughter’s best friend,” Colt assured her with a kiss on the cheek. “Sleep tight, honey.”

Kathryn gathered up her bag and the three of them left the room. Colt turned to her. “There’s an en suite bathroom in your room. After you’ve freshened up, feel free to come downstairs and watch TV or do whatever you’d like. I have work to do, but I’ll ask Noreen to make you coffee or tea, whichever you prefer.”

“If you have a cola, I’d like that.”

“I’ll get it for you,” Matt offered.

“Thanks. I’ll be down in a minute.”

The second she found herself alone and closed the door, her breath came rushing out. Until just now she hadn’t realized she’d been holding it. There was no one to blame but Colt Brenner for her body’s uncharacteristic reaction.

Afraid to dwell on thoughts of him, she put her bag down and reached for the phone to call her mother because she’d promised. When her mom didn’t answer, she left a message on her voice mail that she’d arrived safely.

After she hung up, she saw that she’d received several work messages and one from Maggie. Her pulse raced, fearing something might be wrong. Kathryn phoned her immediately, anxious to hear her sister’s voice.

“Kathryn?”

“Maggie? What’s happened?”

“Why nothing. I’m driving through Federal Heights right now, but couldn’t wait to talk to you.”

Kathryn frowned. “About what?”

“You know what. I was the one who opened the plane door. I stood right behind you when Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome reached for his daughter. My jaw must have dropped a foot. It’s a good thing Jake didn’t see my reaction.”

Heat crept into Kathryn’s cheeks.

“Cat got your tongue? I thought so. When you find it, call me back.”

Click.

Oh, Maggie. If only it were that simple …

He was spectacular all right, but there was layer after complicated layer to Colt Brenner, the man.

On the surface she understood the protective father and successful rancher, yet already Kathryn had picked up on negative vibes he sent out.

Her radar had been fine-tuned in Wisconsin. She was good at reading what was going on in other people’s heads. She’d had to be after having been passed around to different homes month after month, year after year.

No one had wanted the little girl who’d been dumped on them at the farm, but they did their duty. She’d been tolerated and taken care of, but she’d been the proverbial rolling stone, gathering no moss.

The same thing was happening to her now, only this time it was Colt Brenner doing his duty. For his daughter’s sake, he was tolerating Kathryn, taking care of her needs, but he didn’t like being dumped on. Allie’s behavior had placed him in an impossible position.

Allie had put Kathryn in an impossible position, too!

What Colt didn’t realize was that Kathryn didn’t like it, either, but she didn’t take his hostility personally. Through years of dealing with similar situations on the farm, she’d learned not to do that because she understood those families had no vested interest in her. She was a temporary encumbrance until the end of the month when she was happily shifted to someone else’s household.

Her only comfort had come from playing with the youngest children, who were more accepting of her presence in their lives. Unlike the adults, they didn’t see her as an intrusion. She knew Matt Brenner didn’t see her that way.

During the rest of her stay here, she’d befriend him. If he was still downstairs, she’d ask him to help her do one of those puzzles she’d seen on the shelf. Besides hard work and her fantasizing, books and puzzles had helped save her life growing up.

IT HAD GROWN DARK on the way back from the lower pasture. Colt had driven there to haul more feed, but as it turned out, the trip hadn’t been necessary. His stockmen had taken care of it.

He’d used the excuse of work to bolt from the house. Sixteen years ago, he’d been a naive twenty-year-old who’d gotten sidetracked by a woman’s magic and didn’t suspect the ugliness of what it masked until it was too late.

Never again.

The lights from the ranch house beckoned him. While he’d been gone, the wind had picked up. It brought snow flurries portending the storm that had moved in over the mountains. On nights like this, he always experienced a warm feeling of homecoming, but tonight he was aware of an added element because she was inside.

Colt ground his teeth. He wanted Ms. McFarland out of his house and off his land.

The scene that greeted him as he walked in the great room a few minutes later was so domestic and cozy, it caused an upheaval inside him.

“Hey, Dad? Come and look! Now that you’re back you can help us put my puzzle of Brett Favre together.” Favre was Matt’s hero. Allie had bought him the thousand-piece version of the pro quarterback wearing his Vikings jersey and helmet after his football banquet. Colt had planned to work on it with the kids this weekend.

Their guest’s hair gleamed like spun gold in the firelight. She seemed to be concentrating hard. In fact, she didn’t look up as he walked over to the card table Matt had set up in front of the fireplace. For some reason, it set off a rare burst of anger he needed to squelch. “First I need to check on Allie.”

“Katy did it a little while ago. She was still asleep.”

A pair of blue eyes flicked his way. They looked as hot as the fire, yet Kathryn’s response was degrees cooler. “You don’t need to be concerned. So far she’s holding her own.”

He took a fortifying breath. “That’s good to hear. I’ll let Noreen know I’m back so she can put dinner on.”

“Allie shouldn’t come downstairs before tomorrow. To save Noreen the trouble, maybe you and Matt could take a plate up to her room and eat with her?”

“What are you going to do?” Matt voiced the question on Colt’s mind.

“I’ll go up and get her ready, then I have some business to do over the phone. Later on, I’ll come down to the kitchen. But if it will put Noreen out …”

“Why would it?” Colt blurted before he realized he was sounding terse again. “While you’re here, treat this house as your own.”

“Thank you.” She got up from the chair. “I’ll help you finish this later, Matt.”

“Great!”

Colt tried not to watch her leave the room, but the way she moved on those long legs mesmerized him. It didn’t matter what she wore or the way she did her hair. She was a knockout, but he knew so much more lay beneath the surface of Ms. McFarland once you got past her initial beauty.

“She knows almost as much about football as a guy. She says her dad lives for the NFL games.” Was that a fact. “She likes college football better, though. The Utes are her favorite team.”

“Well, they would be, wouldn’t they? Coming from Utah?” He headed for the kitchen. Matt followed.

“Yeah, except she says a lot of people like the BYU. They hate each other, especially because the Utes made the BCS twice. Her dad took her to the game they won against Alabama. Isn’t that cool? She said her favorite player was Paul Kruger. He went to the NFL and plays for the Jets.”

Colt couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard his son this chatty. They found Noreen. “We’re going to eat upstairs with Allie.” He pulled three plates from the cupboard.

“What about Katy?”

“She’ll come down for something later,” Matt explained before Colt could get a word in edgewise. “She’s got work to do.”

“What kind of work?”

“I don’t know. She helps people.”

Noreen was waiting for a more substantial answer. Colt started serving up the enchiladas. “Ms. McFarland works for the patient advocacy program at the hospital in Salt Lake.”

“Imagine them flying her here with Allie. It’s a huge expense.”

Matt got some sodas out of the fridge. “She says she’s a specialty nurse, kind of like some people have their own sports trainer.”

Colt had trouble believing any of this had happened. “Have we got everything?”

“Yup. Let’s go. I’m starving!”

“Thanks, Noreen,” Colt murmured. “This looks delicious. Isn’t Ed eating?”

“He’ll be here in a minute. Let’s hope Allie’s hungry.”

Colt put everything on a tray. Matt brought the drinks and they left the kitchen. At the top of the stairs he saw light beneath the closed door of the guest bedroom. He had to give Katy full marks for doing her job and being unobtrusive.

When he walked in Allie’s room, she was sitting up in bed with the light on waiting for them. “Hi, honey. How are you feeling?”

“Good.”

“Ready for dinner?”

Allie nodded as the two of them proceeded to wait on her. Finally they pulled up chairs and everyone started to eat. Colt was glad to see Allie finish off one of her enchiladas and dig into her salad. She was definitely getting better.

“Dad? While Katy’s not in here, I want to ask you something.”

“Go ahead.”

“Thanksgiving’s only four days away. Would it be all right if I asked her to stay with us until the weekend?”

He stopped chewing. His daughter didn’t really just ask him that.

“Yeah, Dad,” Matt chimed in. “In case I get sick she’ll be here to take care of me. Besides, it’ll take that long for us to finish the puzzle.”

Putting down his fork before he made mincemeat of the rest of his enchilada, he said, “I’m afraid not, honey. Have you forgotten your uncle Bob and aunt Sherry have invited us to go to Butte for Thanksgiving? Your cousins are looking forward to it.”

“They won’t care if Katy comes. Aunt Sherry would really like her and she always has company stay over.”

“Not this time. We have to think of Ms. McFarland, who’s on loan from the hospital. No doubt she’s in her room right now making plans for her next case. We can’t expect to take advantage of her services like that, not after what she’s done to help you.”

His daughter’s face fell. “I don’t think I can eat any more.”

Colt groaned. His daughter could manipulate when she wanted to, but this was going too far. He refused to fall for it. “That’s all right. Tomorrow you’ll probably be able to move around and work up more of an appetite.”

In the silence that followed, he noticed his son had stopped chirping away. He’d chosen sides and had moved to Allie’s corner. Colt continued to finish his meal. Nip it in the bud. That motto had served him well in the past.

His gaze flicked to Matt’s plate. “Aren’t you going to eat your apple pie?”

“Maybe later.”

“Then I’ll eat it now so we don’t disappoint Noreen.” So saying, he finished it off. While his children eyed him soulfully, he got up and put all the plates on the tray. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”