He focused on the dirt road leading out of the ranch. Nothing was coming. He let go of the curtains and sat back in his wheelchair. Then he shoved his hurt down deep where it belonged. What mattered most was Haley. And her keeping Aria safe.

  He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer: Please God, protect Haley and the baby. Bring her and little Aria home to me soon.

  The past five days had dragged by, every minute testing Carson’s nerves. He wheeled himself into the living room. In two more days, the container would arrive at the port. He’d checked in with Jim several times, and the ranger had said that Haley was staying in touch, and she and the baby were safe so far.

  Landon had been home from the hospital for a while and was able to use crutches, although he was still in a lot of pain. He mostly stayed off his feet, either on the couch or in bed.

  Neighbors were feeding the stock for them, and he’d instructed them to drop round bales in the pastures first thing. The cattle could then be fed less frequently while he and his family waited to see if more trouble found them.

  Meanwhile, he kept the doors locked and an ear out for arriving vehicles.

  A knock came at the door. It was their neighbors, a father and son, who had been feeding for them.

  His mom answered. “You all come on in.”

  Carson wheeled his chair closer to the door and held out his hand. “Charlie, nice to see you. We sure thank you for your help.”

  Charlie and his son, Jess, each shook his hand.

  Charlie said, “Good to see you up and around.” As they walked farther into the room, Charlie glanced at Landon and his dad and grinned. “We had to stop by to check on the neighborhood gunslingers. Make sure you were okay.”

  His dad cracked up—and then grabbed his side. “Dang it, Charlie. Don’t make me laugh.”

  As Landon told them what had happened and why, the men’s faces sobered.

  When Landon finished, Charlie said, “My God, it’s like something on TV. You all are lucky to be alive.”

  “They sure are,” Debra said. “Would you all like a glass of iced tea?”

  Charlie shook his head. “No, we just wanted to come in and say hello. We’ll get out of your hair.”

  Carson watched from the window as they drove away, his thoughts returning to Haley. Would he have cut off all contact with those he loved if he were in her shoes? He didn’t know. He just hoped to God that everything turned out all right.

  Haley peered out the hotel window, checking for trouble for the umpteenth time that evening. Lights in the parking lot shone brightly. She never let her guard down, not even for a moment.

  The only good thing that had come from her flight from Texas had been the fact that she’d remembered much of her personal history.

  Flicking the curtains closed, she sat on the bed. She’d learned that she didn’t have any family out there worrying about her. She’d grown up in the foster care system, going from one home to another. Despite the challenges, she’d always focused on getting good grades, realizing from an early age that college was her only way out of poverty. She’d gotten scholarships to the university where she’d earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting.

  She’d remembered everything about her home in Houston and that she’d had a best friend named Chesley Gorman, whom she’d worked with. Unfortunately, Chesley’s contact information was on her original phone—which Haley now remembered ditching in a trash can at the Houston convenience store where she’d bought her first prepaid phone.

  She began to pace the room, leaving Aria lying quietly in her bouncer. The container had been due to arrive today. It should already be at the port.

  She texted Jim, asking for an update.

  He called her right back. “I’m at the port. We’ve located the container and have people watching it. I’ll update you when something happens.”

  “Thanks, Jim. I’ll wait to hear from you.”

  As time passed, her stomach filled with acid. Aria became fussy and, though she walked the floor with her, her daughter wouldn’t calm down. She stopped and chewed some antacids she’d bought several days earlier, hoping to relieve the pain in her belly.

  Time dragged by. She kept glancing at her phone, which only made her anxiety worse. She hadn’t eaten dinner yet. Her stomach had been too upset.

  Aria finally quieted and began to drowse. Haley’s heart slowed. She laid the baby in the bouncer, her arms aching from holding her for so long.

  As she sat in the only chair in the room, her phone rang. Her heart pounded as she recognized the ranger’s number. She went into the bathroom so that she wouldn’t disturb Aria. “Hello?”

  Jim spoke quietly. “SWAT’s in place near the container, along with two FBI agents. A large panel truck arrived beside it few minutes ago. Two men are approaching as well. I’m quite a bit farther back with several other agents, and I have a clear view of what’s going down with night vision binoculars.”

  Pulse racing, she said, “Thanks for calling. I know how dangerous this must be for you.”

  “Your life depends on the outcome here, Haley. If we don’t take down this operation, you’ll never be safe. You deserve to know what’s happening.” Then he added, “Besides, we’re far enough away that calling you doesn’t put me in danger.”

  Before she could answer, he said, “Hold on. They’re opening the container.”

  He paused, then said, “Our guys are holding back.” After a few seconds, he went on, “They’re removing boxes, but they’re not putting them in the van.”

  After that, he was quiet for a couple of minutes. She sat on the toilet lid, her nerves wound tight.

  Then he said softly, “Damn! You were right.”

  Her heart pounded. “What? What’s happening?”

  “It’s women!” And then, “SWAT’s moving in. Damn! They’re exchanging fire! Two traffickers are down.”

  “And the women? Are they safe?”

  “I hope so. Three of the guys with me went to check. The women all ran when the shooting started. I think most of them are still in the container, anyway.”

  She felt all shaky inside. Jim was silent, and she didn’t ask him any questions. He obviously needed to concentrate on what was going on.

  “They’ve cuffed the two remaining traffickers. One of the SWAT team has gone inside the container.”

  After a couple of minutes, he said, “Haley, they look bad.”

  Weighed down by this latest information, she couldn’t answer. How could those men have done that to the poor women?

  “I count nineteen women. There may be more inside who didn’t make it,” Jim said.

  She shuddered. And this shipment happened every two months? How many women had lost their lives to these hateful traffickers?

  “Listen, I’ve got to get over there. We’ll be interrogating the two men we’ve arrested. I’ll call you when we’ve got this all worked out, Haley. Just hang tight. It won’t be long now.”

  “Call me, no matter how late it is. I’ll be up all night,” she said, her voice trembling.

  “I will.”

  She sat without moving as the minutes ticked by, thinking about the trafficking victims and her own situation.

  Was she free to go back to Texas now? Her heart leapt. If only she could see Carson again. She was sure he was furious with her.

  When Aria woke up, she fed her, then ordered dinner to be delivered to her room. By the time Jim called back, she was a desperate wreck.

  “What have you found out?”

  “One of the men was higher up the food chain than we expected. He gave us a lot of the answers we were looking for. Haley, it’s safe for you to go home.”

  “Oh, thank God!”

  “Arrests within the company are imminent, and we don’t believe you’re in any danger anymore.”

  She’d been standing at the window, but now her legs felt weak. She sank down on the bed. “Thanks for everything you’ve done for me, Jim. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this without you.”

  “I’m just glad you got through this safely, Haley. Take care.”

  Before another moment passed, she called Carson.

  He answered on the first ring. He sounded groggy. “Haley, is this you?”

  Tears sprang to her eyes at the sound of his voice. “Yes, and everything’s all right now. I can come home!”

  “My God, I’ve been so worried. Where are you?”

  “I’m in Oklahoma. I’ll start home in the morning. Just a minute. I’ll check to see how long the drive is. I might have to make it in two days because I have Aria.”

  She entered the information in her phone. It was a twelve-hour drive—and that didn’t include stopping to feed the baby. “Yeah, I’ll need to stop for the night somewhere, but I’ll keep you posted on my progress.”

  “I’ve missed you so badly,” he said, his voice breaking. “I imagined the worst and had no way to do anything about it.”

  “I’m so sorry, Carson. If there had been another way to keep you safe, I wouldn’t have left.”

  He started to say something, then cut it off. “Well, you’re safe now. How’s Aria?”

  “She’s handled all the traveling amazingly well. I’ll be glad to get back, though. This living out of the car and in hotels is for the birds.”

  “I’ll bet you’re exhausted, honey.”

  She sighed and rubbed her forehead, realizing just how true that statement was. “I am. That’s another reason I need to take it easy on the way home. I don’t want to get sleepy while I drive.”

  “You’re right. Just take your time and be safe, sweetheart.”

  He lowered his voice. “I love you, Haley. Come home safely, you hear?”

  She smiled. “I love you too. More than you know.”

  Haley got on the road early, figuring she’d grab breakfast down the line somewhere. Aria was in a good mood after her bottle and rode quietly in her car seat all morning.

  Just before noon, Haley called Harbor Tech and asked for her friend Chesley’s extension. When she answered, Haley said, “Chesley, it’s Haley. I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch. Something terrible’s been going on.”

  “Haley! I’ve been so worried about you! When I couldn’t reach you and they said that you’d left work without notice, I was worried sick! That just wasn’t like you. Then I went to your house, and nobody answered when I rang the bell.”

  Her heart melted. Chesley was truly a wonderful friend. “Do you have time to talk? I’d like to tell you what’s been happening.”

  “Let me call you back. I’ll head out to lunch right now.”

  Haley had just stopped and fed Aria, so she was content in her car seat.

  Fifteen minutes later, her phone rang. Chesley said, “I’m at our favorite café. Tell me everything.”

  She remembered the little mom-and-pop Mexican café where she and Chesley often ate, and her mouth began to water. “Harbor Tech is in league with the Russian mafia, Chesley. I found out about it accidentally, and then they figured it out and came after me.”

  She went on to tell her about the human trafficking and that the company was involved in other illegal ventures as well.

  “My God, that’s awful. I just heard that several of the executives were arrested. I guess that’s why. And your boss was too.”

  “I figured. He had to know about the human trafficking. It wasn’t hard for me to spot.” They talked for another thirty minutes, catching up. She told Chesley all about Aria, and then about her amnesia and Carson and how she’d fallen in love with him.

  “He sounds like an amazing man, honey,” Chesley said when Haley was done.

  “He is—and he really loves Aria. He’s so good with her.”

  “I’m happy for you, Haley. You deserve someone like him in your life.”

  Haley smiled. “Listen, I’ll call you in a few days after I get back to the ranch and life settles down. It’s great talking to you.”

  “I’m just so thankful you’re all right. Thanks for getting in touch.”

  As she focused back on the highway ahead, Haley had the sense, for the first time, that her life was going to be all right. The puzzle pieces fitted together. She knew who she was, who she had been, and who cared about her. And tomorrow afternoon, she’d see the man she loved.

  Carson twitched the curtain closed, his heart hammering. Haley was pulling up in front of the house. He wheeled himself to the door and opened it, something he’d gotten quite good at. As she got out of the car, he called, “Welcome home!”

  She smiled and waved, then opened the car’s back door. A moment later, she emerged carrying Aria and the diaper bag.

  He ached to go to her, cursing his inability to walk for the umpteenth time.

  His mom came up behind him, then opened the screen door. “Come on in this house. You’re a welcome sight for sore eyes.”

  His dad asked from his recliner, “How does Haley look, son?”

  “Amazing,” he said, his eyes taking in every tiny detail of her appearance as she approached the door. Even though she appeared exhausted, he’d never seen her more beautiful.

  His mom stepped outside and held the door open as Haley entered.

  She said, “Hello, Debra. I missed you,” then bent and kissed Carson’s cheek.

  He wanted more, so much more. “How was the drive? Was Aria good for you?”

  As his mom hugged her and took Aria, Haley said, “She was better than I had any right to expect the whole time I was gone. She fussed a little along the way today, but she was really a champ. I know she’s ready to relax in her cradle now that she’s home, though.”

  His heart leaped to hear Haley call the ranch home. “Come in and sit down. We’ll worry about unloading later. Mom’s made supper, and we can eat in a little while.”

  “I’m going to change the baby’s diaper,” Debra said, picking up the diaper bag and heading back to Haley’s room.

  “Hi, Ken,” Haley said as she made her way to his recliner and hugged him. She sat down, leaning her head back with a deep sigh. “I hope it’s a long time before I get behind the wheel again. I’ve had enough of driving.”

  Landon came hobbling into the room on his crutches. “Welcome home, Haley. I’m glad you’re safe.”

  She got up and gave him a hug. “Look at you. I’m so sorry you’re on those crutches.”

  “Now, let’s not hear any of that talk,” his dad said. “It’s all in the past.”

  Landon sat down in the other recliner and raised the footrest. “Besides, we’re on the mend. It’s all good.”

  “That’s right,” his dad said. “You don’t need to worry about us.”

  Carson wheeled himself over to the couch. “Would you go outside with me? I’d like to talk to you.”

  “Of course.”

  He backed away as Haley rose. He hated how awkward he was. She opened the front door, and he bumped up and over the threshold and down onto the wooden porch.

  She took a seat in one of the chairs and looked at him expectantly.

  He’d been over and over what he wanted to say, and he desperately wished that he could stand and take her into his arms.

  “Honey.” He cleared his throat and started again. “Haley, I’d love this to be more romantic, but without being able to walk or drive, I’m left with this right now. I don’t want to wait another minute.”

  He caressed her cheek, looking into her eyes. “I love you with all my heart, and I always will. Haley, will you marry me, honey?”

  She smiled and broke into quiet sobs. “Oh, I love you. And, yes, I’ll marry you.” She rose and threw her arms around his neck. “I love you so much, Carson.” She cried quietly against his shoulder for a moment as he wrapped his arms around her.

  His heart was so full he couldn’t speak.

  After a moment, she whispered, “I’m so happy.” When she sat down, she said, “I’d like to go back to Houston someday soon to get some of my things.”

  “Of course, but I hope you’ll wait until you’re rested. And why don’t you leave Aria with us? I think maybe she’s had enough traveling for a while.”

  Debra poked her head out of the door. “Are you all ready to eat?”

  He glanced at Haley, and she nodded. “We’ll be right in, Mom.”

  His dad said a beautiful prayer before dinner, thanking God for Haley’s safe return to their family. Haley squeezed Carson’s hand, and he saw a tear roll down her cheek.

  As the food quickly made its way around the table, he made sure that Haley got her share. God knew what she’d been eating on the road, and he wanted her to have plenty of his mom’s good home cooking.

  When they were all settled down eating, he clasped Haley’s hand and said, “Haley and I have an announcement to make. I’ve asked her to marry me, and she’s accepted.”

  His mom clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful news!” She beamed at Haley. “Honey, I’m so happy.”

  “I’m overwhelmed with joy,” Haley said, smiling at everyone at the table. “I’m so thrilled that Aria and I’ll soon be a part of your wonderful family.”

  “Haley wants to get some things from her home in Houston,” Carson said, as they ate. “Of course, we’ll be living in my house here when we’re married. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of room there for what she wants to bring.”

  “I just hate it that we’re all so stove up that we can’t help,” his dad said.

  “I mainly just want to get clothes and some personal items. And also the other things I’d bought for Aria. I’ll take care of moving out later,” she said. “I’ll put my home on the market as soon as I can too.”

  “How soon do you two want to have the wedding?” his mom asked.

  Carson looked at Haley and raised his brows.

  She shrugged. “As soon as we can pull one together, I guess. I have a good friend back in Houston I’d like to ask to be my maid of honor. Other than her, I don’t have anyone to invite.”

  His mom smiled. “It looks like we have some planning to do.”

  “Oh, thank you, Debra. I’m so excited to have your help. I have no idea how to plan a wedding.”

  His mom reached across the table and clasped her hand. “We’ll do it together. I’m sure Beau’s wife, Dakota, will want to be involved too.”

 

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