Free Secluded With the Cowboy by Cassie Miles Page B

attention. She’d barely been able to tell her family the sketchy outline of what she’d endured. Having her story displayed in the media would be devastating. “Please, Carolyn. I don’t want my photograph next to the check-out line in the supermarket.”
    “There’s no reason for you to feel bad. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
    “You heard her,” Dylan said. “Give them a ‘no comment.’ That’s all.”
    “If that’s the way you want to play it, okay.” Carolynstalked toward the door. “I won’t say one word about the kidnapping. But I’m not passing up the chance to talk about Carlisle Certified Organic Beef. National publicity won’t hurt our bottom line.”
    Nicole returned to the chair facing the computer screen. The live feed showed a very nice lodgepole pine.
    “How about this one?” MacKenzie asked.
    Following her instructions, he circled the tree and knocked a dusting of snow from the branches. Her gaze was distracted. Though she tried to recapture her former mood of fun and celebration, the bubble had popped.
    “The tree is great,” she said. “Chop it down.”
    She heard a shout from Dirty Tom. The camera bobbled.
    Dylan snapped, “What’s going on?”
    “We got company,” MacKenzie said.
    “Don’t take chances,” Dylan ordered. “Draw your weapons. Be prepared for an attack.”
    The camera swung around, giving them a snowy view of what was happening. She saw Dirty Tom aim his rifle. The other man rode downhill. Melting snowflakes smeared the lens.
    Over the cell phone she heard more shouting. This could be Nate, moving in for an attack. His threats focused on Dylan, but she wouldn’t put it past him to go after other employees at the Carlisle ranch. Nobody was truly safe until he was taken into custody.
    Gripping the arms of the chair, she felt her body tense and the blood drain from her face. The only way to stop Nate was to obey him. He’d told her to get a cell phone and call him, but how could she? How could she betray Dylan?
    “Tom got the drop on them,” MacKenzie said. “It’s two guys. What do you want us to do with them?”
    “Turn the camera around,” Dylan said, “so I can see them.”
    Through the lens they saw two men in parkas and stocking caps. One of them had a shoulder-mounted camera. The other held a microphone.
    “Reporters,” Dylan muttered. “Go ahead and shoot them.”
    Before MacKenzie took the boss at his word, Nicole jumped in. “Escort those gentlemen off our property. Don’t talk to them.”
    “One of them says we can be on TV.”
    “Listen to me,” Dylan said. His voice was harsh. “The first man who talks to the media is fired. Is that clear?”
    “But we’ve got to say something.” MacKenzie sounded confused. “How are they going to know what to do unless we—”
    “Talk about the weather. You can tell them your life story. Hell, you can whip out a guitar and sing them a song. But don’t talk about the kidnapping. Got it?”
    “You bet, boss. We’ll get rid of these guys and come back for the tree.”
    The live feed went dead, and Nicole slumped back in the chair. Her heart was beating fast. Though she was free of the chains Nate had used to keep her prisoner, she was still under his control. As long as he threatened, she couldn’t forget him or pretend that he didn’t exist.
    When Dylan touched her shoulder, she flinched.
    “Are you okay?” he asked.
    “I thought it was Nate. That he was coming after MacKenzie and the other guys.”
    “They’re okay, darlin’. Everything’s going to be fine.”
    If only I could believe him .
    “Dylan, I need a cell phone.”
     
    A FTER LUNCH , the Christmas tree was set up in the living room, the boxes of decorations had been brought down from the attic and Nicole was in the kitchen with Polly Sanchez and Andrea. There were gingerbread cookies in the oven and hot cinnamon punch on the stove.
    Trying to absorb the festive spirit, Nicole inhaled. She wanted to see the day through