Colorado Abduction - By Cassie Miles & Marie Ferrarella Page 0,24
on delivery of their stock, even when we don’t have payment from the end purchaser.”
She took off her hat and smoothed her black hair into a ponytail. Though she looked like a cowgirl, she’d gone into high-power executive mode. She was an impressive CEO, no doubt about it.
And yet, she’d wept in his arms. Normally, he didn’t respond well to tears, but he’d been relieved when Carolyn had her outburst. Even when vulnerable, she was strong. The only woman he had ever loved had been formidable—a law professor—tough, independent and intelligent. Sexy as hell.
Much like Carolyn.
“My attorney,” she said, “is working through our Denver bank to get the cash. He’ll charter a helicopter and deliver the ransom after lunch.”
“A million dollars is going to make a heavy package.”
“I’ve thought of that,” she said. “The money will be placed in one of those giant mountain-climber backpacks.”
“Sounds like you’ve handled every detail.” Though she didn’t look like the strain had affected her, he purposely lightened the mood. “Here’s what I think. We should take that backpack and hike to the top of a fourteener. We unzip the pack and we throw all that cash into the wind.”
She gave him a puzzled look. “Why?”
“Greed is a prime motivator in crime. From kids stealing hundred-dollar sneakers to million-dollar ransoms, it’s all about greed. Get rid of the money and you’ll cut down on crime.”
“For a fed, you have some strange ideas.”
“Haven’t you ever thought of what it would be like to live on a deserted island without a penny to your name? Surviving on coconuts and berries.”
“My fantasies run more toward riding off into the sunset and never looking back.” Finally, she grinned. “Just ride forever. No more spreadsheets, stock quotes, negotiations and conferences. A simple life.”
He’d like to give her that peace of mind. He wanted to see how she acted when she wasn’t under life-and-death stress. Would she laugh when he made jokes? What was her favorite food? More importantly…what was she like in bed? Though he had no right to think about her that way, his imagination formed an immediate picture of Carolyn stretched out naked on satin sheets, her black hair fanned out on the pillows, her arms reaching for him and her toes pointed.
He shook his head to erase that vision. After this ordeal, she’d never want to see him again. His mere presence would be a reminder of this terrible chapter in her family history.
“We need a plan,” he said.
“For what?”
Her full lips parted. Her eyes were warm and expectant, as if waiting for a kiss. Instinctively, he leaned closer to her. His voice lowered. “A plan for when we get back to the ranch. If the kidnapper has an inside man, we need to be sure he doesn’t overhear any of our strategy. For example, we don’t want him to know you’ve arranged for the ransom.”
“I get it.”
“Good.” He was pleased with himself for reining in his fantasies and sounding rational.
“But I need to tell Dylan. He needs to know about the inside man. And the ransom.” Her fleeting grin was replaced with renewed tension. “You’re right about throwing the money away. If we weren’t rich, Nicole would never have been kidnapped.”
“True.” Kidnapping was a crime that affected the privileged. “But if you were poor, you’d have a whole different set of problems.”
Her lips were pinched. “As soon as we get to the ranch house, I’ll tell Dylan we have to talk in private. I’ll take him upstairs to my bedroom. You meet us there.”
AS THEY ENTERED THE RANCH house, they put their plan into effect. While Burke briefed his men and dispatched Agent Smith to assist the sheriff with his forensic investigation at Miller’s house, Carolyn pulled her brother aside.
Grabbing a mug of black coffee, Burke headed upstairs to join Carolyn and her brother. He climbed halfway up the polished wood staircase and looked down. A husky cowboy whose name he didn’t recall sauntered through the front door. The newly hired MacKenzie bounded past him, talking nonstop into his walkie-talkie. From the kitchen, he heard Polly giving instructions to her cooking crew who grumbled back at her. Too many people had access to the ranch house; finding the traitor wouldn’t be easy.
He continued up the staircase. The dark green carpet runner muffled the thud of his boot heels. On the landing he hesitated. He and his men were housed in guest rooms at the north end of the upstairs hallway. Carolyn had told him that her