Conceal, Protect - By Carol Ericson Page 0,47
she circled a hand in the air “—setback.”
“Listen.” He pulled his T-shirt over his head, and his hair stuck out all over. “I’d characterize getting stalked by a man who instills fear in every drug dealer and terrorist across the globe and then having that man come after your family members more than a setback. You do what you need to do to take care of yourself.”
He stuffed his arms in his flannel. “I’m sure you were doing just fine and had been well on your way to recovery, but this is a very special circumstance. Nobody’s going to fault you for backsliding under the circumstances—not your doctor, not me.”
“But Dr. Eliason can’t know the circumstances, can she? She’s going to think I failed, that I can’t handle everyday pressures.”
He strode around the love seat and grabbed her shoulders, giving her a little shake. “Stop that. She’s a doctor. She’s seen everything. She doesn’t make judgments like that. Besides, what do you care if she does? You know the truth. A lesser woman, one who hadn’t already had to deal with watching her husband murdered in cold blood, would’ve fallen apart by now.” He loosened his grip and placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. “You’re amazing.”
Of course he had to say that. And that closed-lipped, dry kiss was probably all she had to look forward to now. Why hadn’t she been paying better attention when her nude body had been sprawled beneath his nude body? When his hands had been exploring all her sensitive bits? When his tongue had been teasing her to unbearable passion?
She sighed. “Thanks. I’m going to lie down.”
She started for the bedroom, then the buzzing of her phone stopped her. She spun around and almost collided with J.D., reaching for the phone.
“Is it them? Are they calling back with their demands, with news of Ted, with a meeting place?”
She dived for the phone and checked the display, her heart hammering in her chest. “It’s another unknown number, a different one.”
“Answer it.”
She pushed the talk button. “Hello?”
“Hey, Noelle. What’s up? I finally got my phone.”
Staggering back a step and bumping against J.D.’s chest, she choked out, “Ted?”
Chapter Thirteen
Noelle swayed to the side, and J.D. caught her, lowering her to the nearest chair. Zendaris’s guys must be giving Noelle proof of life for Ted. They were allowing him to call to show her he was okay.
Let the bargaining begin.
“Ted, are you okay? What do you mean you got a phone?”
J.D. drew his brows together. They gave Ted a phone? He wiggled his thumb in the air, and Noelle turned on the speaker.
“You’re on speaker. J.D. is here. What happened?”
“Why is J.D. always around? Is that guy your shadow or something?”
Noelle turned wide and confused eyes on him.
Hell, he was just as much in the dark as she appeared to be. Why was Ted taking his kidnapping so lightly? Maybe he could get through to him.
“Ted, it’s J.D. Are you okay? What did they do to you?”
“Huh? What’s the matter with you guys? I know I don’t always follow through on my word, Noelle, but is it really such a big deal that I picked up a phone?”
“Ted.” Noelle put a hand to her head. “I got a call that you’d been kidnapped.”
Ted hooted. “Why would anyone want to kidnap me? I have nothing, and if they’re trying to get to you, I don’t think a few hundred grand in life-insurance money is enough to risk a kidnapping. What are you talking about? Is this some kind of joke?”
“It’s no joke, Ted. I got a call from some very serious people. They claimed they had you.”
Ted laughed.
Did Noelle’s brother ever take anything seriously?
J.D. cut across the laughter. “Has anyone approached you? Has anyone been following you?”
“Not unless you count the hot ski bunnies up at the lodge.”
Rolling his eyes, J.D. shook his head at Noelle. “Would you even know if someone was following you?”
“Believe me. I’ve had people on my tail before. I’d notice. What exactly did these guys want in exchange for my worthless life?”
“Never mind.” Noelle slumped into the chair. “Just be careful. There’s a lot of strange stuff going on in Buck Ridge right now.”
“Yeah, well, most of that strange stuff seems to be happening right there at the old homestead—not that it was ever my old homestead. Anyway, you have my new number, and I’ll let you know if someone tries to kidnap me.”
Noelle ended the call and then saved Ted’s number in her