Page 66 of Claimed by the Lawman

Chapter 22

TYLER LOOKED BACK at her resting father, glad to see he was better that morning. Taking her phone, she stepped out into the corridor and dialed her brother’s number. After three rings, voicemail picked up and she left a message. “Rogue, you were supposed to be here this morning. I’d like for both of us to be here when Dad wakes up. Where are you?”

Clicking off, she dialed another number and Roy answered. “Roy…I wanted to let you know that dad is doing better. The doctor said they’ll probably stop the sedatives soon. Yes…it is great news. Have you seen Rogue? No…he was supposed to be here…I guess…maybe he got caught up…I’ll try his phone again.”

She stared at the screen of her phone and sighed. This wasn’t like Rogue not to show up. And to not answer his phone.

Peeking in through the door and making sure her dad was still resting, she stepped out to the nurse’s station. “Merideth?”

“Hi, Tyler. Isn’t it wonderful news about your father? He’s a trooper that man.”

“Yes, it is. I’m just wondering if Rogue was here at the hospital before I arrived?”

Meridith thrummed her fingers on the counter. “I worked the night shift and I haven’t seen him.”

“Okay. Thank you.” She started back to the room, when another thought came to her. She went back to the desk. “Meredith, I’m going to need to step out for a bit. Can you call me right away if the doctor comes in?”

“Sure. I’ll call.”

Tyler wouldn’t rest easy until she made sure Rogue was okay. Instinct warned her that something wasn’t right.

Calling Kace, he didn’t answer, and his voicemail greeting wasn’t set up, so she hung up.

She was probably overreacting, and she’d find her brother had overslept. She’d be back to the hospital before anyone was the wiser.

Fifteen minutes later, Tyler turned onto the narrow, gravel road that led to the family ranch when up ahead she saw a stalled car in the grass. The hood was up. A woman with flaming red hair stood in the middle of the road, waving her arms frantically. Tyler pulled to the side and rolled her window down. “Car trouble?”

The pretty woman smiled. “I didn’t think I’d ever see another living soul out here.”

“You won’t see much traffic around these parts.”

Threading her fingers through her hair, the redhead took several steps toward Tyler’s car. “I’m not from around here and I took a wrong turn somewhere and, wouldn’t you know, the GPS isn’t working.” She fanned herself. “I don’t think I’ve ever sweated this much. I hate to put you out, ma’am, but could a girl ask for a ride into town?”

“Well…I—”

“I know it’s a lot to ask.”

Tyler worked her bottom lip. Although she’d been anxious to check on Rogue and get back to the hospital, she couldn’t leave the woman stuck in the middle of nowhere to fend for herself in three inch heels. “Sure. I can run you into town.”

Her smile grew by leaps and bounds. “I’ll grab my bags. It might take me a moment because I think I packed everything but the kitchen sink. You know how us women are.” She laughed.

“I can help. Are the bags in the trunk?”

“Let me pop the lever.”

“There’s a rental shop in town that should be able to get you some—” Tyler turned and the redhead was standing uncomfortably close. With a nervous laugh, Tyler said, “Oops. You scared me. What did you say your name is?”

“I didn’t.” The woman’s full bottom lip quivered.

Tyler’s heart kicked up in speed. When the woman shook her head, her large earrings clanked loudly and reflected the sun. Tyler blinked and lowered her gaze. The woman’s shirt had moved off her shoulder, revealing a puffy white scar. A brand. Tyler’s throat constricted and her knees weakened.

Taking a step back, she was too late. The woman now had pulled a gun out and pressed it against Tyler’s stomach.

“Now listen, bitch. I don’t want to shoot you, but I will. Just listen to what I tell you to do and everything will be okay. If you make one wrong move, I’ll put a bullet hole straight through that cute figure. Got it?”

“Wh-what do you want? Who are you? Why do you have the same brand that my sister had?” The back of Tyler’s thighs bumped the fender of the car.

She laughed. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Now get in the trunk.” She used the tip of the gun to motion.

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