Chapter 15
Jaq trudged along, trying to focus her mind on what to do next. Amanda had clearly thought through her plan, even having a small carriage and horse hidden in a grove of trees near the big house. Jaq was instructed where to go, Amanda keeping her gun on Jaq.
She briefly considered trying to wrestle the gun away, but Jaq was terrified it would go off and she'd be shot. Jaq couldn't bear the thought of her son growing up without her. She'd do what she needed to until help could arrive. By now, someone had to realize Jaq was missing.
Jaq was beginning to recognize where they were headed. Jarrod had taken her to Isla del Cielo a month after they'd been married. He'd wanted to share with her all that had happened and felt it was important she see the area. They didn't get out of their carriage then, but just rode past briefly.
Amanda ordered Jaq to stop and to get down. Jaq thought about running but was still not fully recovered from Simon's birth and knew it would be fruitless to try and escape that way.
Jaq sent up a silent prayer that Jarrod would find her soon.
Jarrod rode back to the ranch at break neck speed and threw his reigns to Ciego as soon as he dismounted and ran into the house.
Victoria and Audra had returned and were waiting with Nick, Ashlyn, Heath, Elsa and the children in the parlor.
"What happened?" Jarrod asked.
"I came in from the corral. Was going to check on Jaq and Simon before grabbing lunch. Saw flowers on the bottom of the steps. Bent down to pick them up and was hit from behind. It was Amanda, Jarrod. Before I blacked out, I saw her," Nick explained. His head was bandaged, and Jarrod could see the pained expression in his brother's eyes.
Jarrod's eyes narrowed and grew cold. Everyone in the room saw the change instantly.
"I came to and Ashlyn and Elsa were here. Simon was up alone in your room. Jaq was gone."
Jarrod took a deep breath trying to calm himself. He saw his mother holding Simon and he went to her. He bent and placed a kiss on his young son's head.
"Do we have any idea where they could be?" he asked.
"Jarrod," Duke said. Jarrod hadn't noticed the Barkley Ranch Foreman before now. "We found tracks headed East. We think they are headed that way."
"Thank you, Duke."
"Thank Mrs. Elsa and Miss Ashlyn. Mrs. Elsa came to get me, and Miss Ashlyn is the one who got us organized. She instructed me to send someone for you, someone for Heath in the North pasture, and told me to divide up the rest of the hands between a search party and placing guards around the house."
Everyone in the room looked over at Elsa and Ashlyn. Neither lady wanted to be in the spotlight.
"I don't think we should take a large search party. We don't want to spook Amanda and cause her to do anything rash. I'm going to go," Jarrod said. He asked Heath to go with him and put his hand up as Nick protested.
"I want someone here with the ladies and children. You're in no condition to ride" Jarrod stated firmly. Nick knew Jarrod was right, but he was frustrated none the less.
"I'll go with you," Jarrod heard someone say. He turned around and saw Calvin Randall standing in the open doorway. Jarrod nodded and then he and Heath went to gather the guns they would need.
Several hours later, the family was in the dining room but the food in front of them largely remained untouched. Ashlyn listened to the conversation around her and felt as though she needed to excuse herself. No one thought much of it, but Nick could sense something wasn't right with his fiancée. He'd give her a few minutes and then if she didn't come back, he'd look for her.
Ten minutes passed and Nick excused himself. He didn't see any sign of Ashlyn upstairs near the bathroom, nor was she in the parlor. She wouldn't have gone into one of the bedrooms, he was sure. He didn't think she would have left without telling him goodbye. He stood in indecision in the foyer and realized he hadn't checked the billiard room. He walked in and found her sitting on the settee, shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly.
"Hey now," Nick said moving toward her quickly. He gathered her in his arms, and she grasped hold of him tightly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Ashlyn worked hard to get herself under control. When it came to urgent situations, Ashlyn was calm. She generally could figure out what to do and ensure people were taken care of and solutions were found. She set aside all emotion and remained steadfast. However, she would then need time to decompress and unfortunately, that involved a lot of tears.
"I'm sorry, Nick. I'm not trying to make this about me or pull you away from your family," she sniffed.
"You're my family and you aren't pulling me away from anyone. Why are you crying?"
"I've always been able to take charge of situations. I just don't allow myself to think about anything but getting the task done. But later, I need time to feel everything. And I usually cry," she said, tears welling up in her eyes again.
Nick was already planning to speak to her later privately and let her know how proud he was of how she handled everything. If it weren't for her, they wouldn't know what direction Amanda was headed.
"I'm so proud of you, Ashlyn. The way you took charge was exactly what was needed. I wasn't in any condition to think straight. You go ahead and cry if you need to. I'll just hold you if that's alright?"
Ashlyn lifted her face to Nick and put her hand behind his head. She pulled his face down until his lips touched hers. Normally, Ashlyn let Nick guide them in their physical contact but today she was feeling bold. She did what she'd felt Nick do in the past and deepened the kiss.
Nick was thrilled with her passion and held on more tightly. He would allow them to continue for just a few minutes more before he'd have to put a stop to things. He knew she couldn't possibly know the desires and urges she was bringing forth in him and he didn't want to frighten her.
Nick was just about to break off the kiss when Jarrod's voice was heard, yelling for someone to help.
Nick and Ashlyn rushed out to the foyer and they saw Jarrod holding an unconscious Jaq.
"She's been shot," Jarrod said.
Jarrod rushed his wife upstairs to their room. Dr. Merar and Heath arrived only minutes later, Heath having ridden for the man earlier. The doctor ran up the stairs quickly. Nick and Victoria met him in the hall outside Jarrod's room.
"Nick, Heath, get Jarrod and get him downstairs. Get a couple of glasses of scotch in him. Don't let him up here again until I say so. Victoria, I'm going to need your help."
Jarrod protested but Nick and Heath managed to get him to the billiard room. All they could do now was wait.
