Abandoned (5 page)

And that was saying something. Allison was a city girl, born and raised in New York City. She’d never spent more than a week at a time vacationing in quieter rural areas. After a few days
,
the silence would eat at her. And after a year alone in a cabin with only one other living being around for company—her keeper—she yearned for the city. The one thing she’d craved more than anything else over the past year was noise.

Natalie handed her a glass. “Well there’s plenty. So enjoy.”

Allison closed her eyes as she savored the first sip. Not just any lemonade but the real kind made from lemons and sugar. “That’s delicious. Thank you.”

“My husband says your parents will arrive this afternoon. I’m sure you’re anxious to see them.”

“I am. I’ve spoken with them many times in the last twenty-four hours. I don’t think my mother can believe it’s really me.”

“I can’t begin to imagine what she must have gone through, dear.” Natalie handed Ashley and Evan each a glass of lemonade on the love seat and settled into an armchair.

“It’s so quiet here.” Ashley said.

Allison glanced around, feeling the opposing sensations of calm and comfort mixed with the need for chaos. She gripped her glass tightly, wondering what on earth was going on in her head. After a year in captivity
,
she was out of sorts.
It’s understandable. You’re okay
.

Natalie chuckled. “Not usually. I have four sons and one daughter-in-law, so this place is a madhouse. But I shooshed them all out the door for the morning. They’re in the barn checking on the horses right now. They’ll be back in a while
,
and then you’ll find out how not quiet it can be around here.”

Evan leaned forward, setting his palm on his mate’s knee. “We understand this is a dude ranch and you’re used to a full house.”

“Yes. We have ten cabins spaced along the periphery. And a dorm-style building we use when children are visiting. There’s a cafeteria in the dorm, but each cabin is fully equipped also. Our guests can choose whether they want to eat in the cafeteria or cook for themselves.”

Allison curled her feet beneath her. “And horses?” She’d never seen one up close.

Natalie turned to her. “We have eighteen right now. They’re all very docile. The children we keep one week a month are challenged in various ways, so riding is therapy for them
,
and we have to know they will be safe on our horses.”

“I’ve never ridden.”
And I don’t intend to
.

“You’ll love it. It’s so freeing.” Natalie leaned on the arm of her chair. “Where are you from originally?”

“New York City.”

She smiled. “Not many horses there. You’ll find this ranch to be the polar opposite of life in New York.”

Allison glanced around the room. She could tell Natalie ran a tight ship
,
considering how tidy the place was with four boys and a husband to contend with. The furnishings were all done in browns and blues. Everything had a western feel. “How old are your boys?”

“They aren’t kids anymore really, well except the youngest. Jerrod is twelve. But the others are all grown. The oldest is Drake; he’s twenty-nine and lives in his own cabin just up the road on the property with his mate, Kenzie, and their new baby, Aaron. Daniel is twenty-six. He also has his own place just down the road. And then there’s Scott. He’s twenty-four. He still lives here in the house. Somehow they all make it here when it’s time to eat
,
though. And I’m so blessed.”

“Sounds like it.” Allison fidgeted. She had slept all the way there through the night, so she wasn’t tired. She was more antsy than anything else.

The back door opened and she twisted her head sharply to see who was coming up behind her.

A vibrant woman with a huge smile entered the room carrying a baby. She had to be the oldest son’s mate. She kissed Natalie on the cheek and handed her the baby before nodding at Ashley and Evan and then turning to Allison. “Welcome. I’m McKenzie, Drake’s mate. Call me Kenzie.” She extended a hand and sat next to Allison as she clasped her palm in a gentle grip.

“Nice to meet you.” Allison glanced at the baby and then the beaming smile on her grandmother’s face.

“That’s Aaron. Don’t let him fool you. He sleeps about ten minutes at a time and then wails for several hours.” Kenzie giggled, but when Allison looked at her face
,
she could tell the woman hadn’t slept well in weeks. Dark circles under her eyes told their tale.

“He’s adorable.” Allison returned her gaze to the sleeping infant, wondering if she’d ever be a mother to anything that precious.

“Would you like me to show you around? I thought I’d leave the baby here and take you and Ashley on a tour. This is Ashley’s first time visiting us also.”

Allison unfolded her legs. “That would be lovely.”
And maybe it will alleviate some of my anxiety
.

Ashley stood. “Perfect.” She kissed her mate as Allison and Ashley stood. Ashley turned to Natalie as they headed for the door. “If he wakes up, just give him to Evan. He needs the practice.” Ashley quickly opened the back door and stepped out on the porch
,
giggling before Evan could respond.

Allison smiled at the lighthearted nature of their exchange. It had been so long.

Kenzie led them away from the main house and turned around to chat as she walked backward. “The ranch is the most efficient place I’ve ever been. I couldn’t believe it when I first came here. You’ll love it.”

Allison looked around. Land extended in every direction as far as she could see, huge corrals, wide pastures. And across from the fenced areas stood quaint cabins. Allison decided to fess up. “I don’t ride horses, but it’s beautiful.”

“I didn’t ride
,
either
,
until I met Drake and moved here. I can’t even remember what it was like before I had so much proximity to nature. I hated not riding for the months I was pregnant.”

Allison cringed, but she didn’t comment.

“I’ve never ridden
,
either,” Ashley admitted. She patted her belly. “And it’s not going to happen on this visit
,
either. Evan would have a coronary.”

Allison stared across the pasture at the cabins. She held her hand up to shield her eyes. “They look like a picture. Perfect little log structures placed precisely among the trees.”

“They do.” Kenzie turned to face them again. “Come on. The first one is for you and your family. I’ll show you the inside.”

Allison fatigued as they walked. She kept looking over her shoulder as though this were all a dream and someone would jump out and snatch her again. She wasn’t strong enough yet to fight off an attacker.

Ashley tucked her hand under Allison’s arm. “You’re safe here,” she whispered. “I promise. And you’ll feel so much better when your parents arrive.”

“I know. I just can’t shake the feeling I’m being watched.” She shivered.

“I understand. I didn’t sleep well for months. Almost a year actually. Until I met Evan. The first night I agreed to give him a chance
,
he sat up all night next to me and I slept better than I had in five years. I still have nightmares now and then. But he’s always there to pull me back to reality.”

Allison smiled, but inside she wasn’t sure she’d ever reach that point. She’d slept in the car both the past two nights, the steady rumble of the engine lulling her every time she bolted awake, but the idea of lying down in a bed and not having to worry about what tomorrow would bring evaded her. And she didn’t have a mate to lean on like Ashley.

When they reached the row of cabins, Allison was glad hers was the first because her legs were threatening to buckle. Ashley helped her along, not releasing her arm. “You must be exhausted.”

“I’m just weak. I haven’t exercised in forever
,
and I never ate well.”

“You’ll be feeling more yourself in no time.” Ashley squeezed her arm tighter. “Promise.”

“Here we are.” Kenzie opened the door and motioned for Allison to enter.

Allison passed under her arm and stepped inside. The cabin was more than she’d imagined. Basic. Simple. Rustic. And so inviting. Even for a city girl, she had to admit she loved it. The cabin she’d lived in for the last year hadn’t been as equipped as this one. It was more of a run-down shack.

This place was small but had everything a person could need. The kitchenette had a small stove and oven combo, a microwave, a skinny refrigerator, and a table and four chairs. The living area was an extension of the kitchen with a fireplace, a plush beige couch
,
and two armchairs.

Allison followed Kenzie to the attached bedroom and peeked into the bathroom.

“It’s small, but it sleeps four. The couch pulls out.”

Allison smiled. It was pretty
,
and if she were any other person at any other time of life, she was sure she would love it. But she couldn’t imagine sleeping in the cabin even one night. She felt claustrophobic just thinking about it after all the time she’d been in the woods in the middle of nowhere Minnesota. Even the night sounds of animals and birds had made her cringe. Those same sounds would accompany this cabin
,
and she didn’t think she could stomach it.

What she longed for was the noisy bustle of city life. She needed horns and flashing lights to lull her to sleep and make her forget.

Kenzie headed back to the door. “Let’s go back outside. It’s so nice out today.” She must have sensed Allison’s unease.

“I’m sorry. I’m just…”

Ashley touched her hair. “You can be anything you need to be right now. It’s totally understandable. If the cabin makes you uncomfortable, you don’t have to explain yourself.”

Allison’s eyes watered. A tear escaped and trickled down her face.

Kenzie opened the door and light streamed in. Ashley led Allison out onto the tiny porch and helped her sit on the front steps. “I’m so sorry. I know it’s hard. I’m here for you in any capacity you need.” She sat next to her and stroked her hair.

“Thanks,” Allison managed to murmur. “I’m just overwhelmed
,
and I haven’t quite grasped that I’m not there anymore.”

“Of course.” Ashley hugged Allison’s shoulders. They sat like that for several minutes. Allison was grateful for the patience of her new friends. Both women were almost the same age as her
,
and she knew in another life, or maybe later in this life, she could be friends with them, but today she was still so shook up she could barely focus on their good intentions.

“Would you like to see the barn?” Kenzie asked.

Allison shook her head. “Not yet. I’m not up to adding large animals with hooves to my day.” She smiled, knowing it was weak.

Kenzie chuckled. “No problem. You must be exhausted. We could leave you alone if you want to nap. If not here, back at the main house or even my place.”

Allison turned toward the cabin and thought about their suggestion. Lying down sounded so inviting, but alone? In a small cabin? She didn’t think she could do that
,
either.

“Or maybe you’re hungry?” Ashley asked.

Allison grinned at her. “You’ve done nothing but feed me since I met you yesterday.”

“Well, you’ve been withering away for months.” She smiled back.

Allison shook her head. “I’m still full from breakfast on the way. But I might take you up on that nap.” She nibbled her lower lip. “Maybe if I left the door open so the outside air and light came in.”

“I’d be happy to sit out here on the porch while you sleep.”

“Would you?”

“Of course. My pleasure.”

Allison relaxed her shoulders. “I think I’ll take you up on that.” She pulled herself up from the step and turned to the cabin. “I’ll just lie on the couch where I can see the front.”

“Anything you want. Just yell if you need something.”

“I need to get back and feed the baby before my chest explodes
,
anyway. I’m sure the little guy is screaming. I’m surprised we can’t hear him from here,” Kenzie said.

“Thank you.” Allison blinked back tears, ducked inside, and headed for the inviting sofa. She wasn’t sure she could sleep, but she knew she could at least lie and relax her body and her brain.

The day was already growing hot, but she pulled the soft throw blanket from the back of the couch and curled up on her side facing the open front door. She closed her eyes and took deep cleansing breaths. She didn’t want to sob uncontrollably, but she was a ball of emotions. Her eyes wouldn’t stop watering. Partly from the relief of having been rescued and partly from the incredible outpouring of support she’d received from so many people.

For a few minutes she could hear Ashley and Kenzie speaking
,
and then Kenzie must have left. She watched Ashley sitting on the front step for a while until her eyes grew heavy and she fell into sleep.

•●•