donnacrocker.webs.com

Allison doesn't know who is stalking her or why. She has been getting strange gifts and hang up calls for weeks. She has no choice but to go on the run. She calls a friend and hides out in their mountain cabin. Her friend Nathan comes with her. Allison thinks that he will be able to save her, but she is wrong. Allison falls in love with Nathan only making things more complicated. She thinks that she is safe until she is kidnapped and taken to a place that she has never seen before. Will Nathan save her? Find out how this story ends.

Chapter one

The lightening was crashing and the thunder was rolling as Angela Thompson stood on that bridge looking down at the river below. She wouldn't believe that he was gone. Police cars were blocking the road and the lights were flashing. She could see the railing that Mathew's car had crashed through. The witnesses said they saw him stomp his brakes and turn his wheels to mss hitting a deer. Angela couldn't help but think about how Mathew would always go out of his way to save an animal.

“Miss. I 'm sorry to be the one to tell you this, but there's no way that he could have survived that crash. The water is extremely cold and the current is too swift for him to swim after that kind of crash.” The officer in charge told her.

Angela fell to her knees with the tears coming down like the rain. “I won't believe this. He's out there. You have to find him. You don't understand what a great swimmer my Matty is. Please don't stop looking just yet.”

The officer looked at her with a serious look. “I'm sorry, but he's gone. Let one of my officers drive you home.”

Angela didn't even remember going home or getting into bed. She was awakened by the knock at the door. When she opened the door she saw her mother standing there with tears in her eyes.

“Oh, Angie.” she said as she ran to her and put her arms around her.

Angela started crying in her mother's arms for what seemed like an eternity. “Mama, you didn't have to come all this way. I'm fine.”

“I'm not going to let my only daughter go through this alone. What kind of mother would I be.” She asked.

“I love him so much mama. He just can't be gone.” she cried.

The days went by with hope slipping away. Angela had no other choice but to give Mathew a memorial service so that his friends could say their good byes. That was the hardest decision she had ever had to make in her life. How could she say good bye to the man she loved? They had many plans that they wouldn't get to do now. Their wedding was planned for the fall. Angela thought that maybe she shouldn't have waited to marry him. Why did she plan a fall wedding? She should have married him the day that he asked.

“Angie.” her mom said. “I hate to leave you, but I have to get back to the ranch with your father. Why don't you think about moving back home for awhile. You shouldn't be here alone.”

“No! I can't. This is where Matt will be coming home. I gave his friends their memorial, but I will never believe that he is gone.” She was adamant about that.

Angela stood in the middle of her living room looking at all of the boxes. The movers would be there any minute. She couldn't believe that three years had passed since Mathew's accident. It was time for her to move on with her life. She decided to move back home to Texas where she could busy herself on the ranch. Mathew had left her plenty of money so that she didn't need to work, but she did need to do something. She couldn't stay there alone and sad anymore. Her mother was overjoyed with her decision to come home and her father couldn't wait for his only child to get home. She took one last look around the house. With tears running down her face, she walked out the door to start her long journey back home. She had missed her family and the ranch since moving away. Mathew's job had taken them to Rhode Island. He was in advertising. Angela loved the ocean, but nothing could compare to the ranch. She couldn't wait to get out there on her horse and ride for hours.

As she drove the long open road, memories flooded her of her past. She decided to drive instead of fly because she was in no big hurry to say good-bye to Matt. Even though she had come to peace with the fact that she would never see him again, it somehow made it more real as she had walked out of the door. Now she had to figure out what to do with her life. She knew that she couldn't sit around all day doing nothing. She wanted to talk to her father about getting back into horse training. The trip didn't take as long as she thought. She was pulling into her parent's drive after a couple of days of driving and sightseeing. Everything looked exactly the same as she left it. It had been awhile since she had been there. She remembered her last trip very clearly. She had brought Matt for the weekend to take him to his first rodeo. He was amazed at how well trained the horses were and the fact that Angie had trained most of them herself.

Angela got out of the car and walked to the house. She didn't see any signs of her parent's being home. When she opened the front door, she saw a note on the counter.

“Angie,

We had to make a trip to the horse sale. We will be back in two days. We're sorry that we missed you but we couldn't reschedule this trip. If you need anything ask Landon. He will help you.”

Angela knew that Landon had worked on the ranch for her father for about five years now. She had never met him, but she had saw pictures. Her father really loved him. He always had nice things to say about him. She knew that she would meet him later, but for now she was starving. She started taking out some turkey and cheese to make herself a sandwich when she heard somebody come in the door.

“Martha. Rick. Is anyone home?” The voice from the other room asked.

“Hi. You must be Landon. I'm Angie. You missed my parents. They left for a sale and won't be back for a couple of days. Can I fix you something to eat?”

He looked over at her. “Yeah, sure. By the way I'm Landon Anderson. I've heard a lot about you over the years. It's nice to finally meet you.”

Angie smiled. “It's nice to meet you too. Have a seat and I'll get you a sandwich.”

Landon walked over and sat down at the table while he waited for his sandwich. “I hear that you have moved back home. Your mother is very excited about this.”

“Well, she has been wanting me to move home for a while now.” Angie told him without wanting to get into too many details about her past. She didn't think that he would want to know all about Mathew and her loss. More to the point, she didn't need another person saying the same old I'm sorry that she had heard a thousand times before.

Landon took a drink of ice tea that Angie had poured him. “It's great here. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.”

“Oh do you live here with my parents? They didn't say anything about that.” Angie wondered.

“I live in the small cabin over there.” he pointed out the window at the small cabin that Rick had built years ago.

“I always loved that place. Dad built it for my grandma after my grandfather died. He didn't want her to have worry about anything. I used to sit over there for hours with her listening to stories about her childhood. Things were so different back then. I wish that she could have met......” Angie's voice trailed off with a sadness.

“Who? If that is too personal then forget I asked.” Landon wanted to know what had made her so sad. He could see it in her eyes.

Angie wiped a tear away from her eye. “I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I guess thinking back brought up a lot of emotion. I was just thinking that my grandma would have loved Matt. Did my parents ever tell you about him?”

Landon heard about the accident and now he wished that he hadn't taken the conversation there. “Yes. I heard about his accident. I'm sorry to hear about that.”

Angela gave him a smile. “I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It was a long time ago and I have tried to move on although I don't think anyone can fully move on from the death of a loved one.”

“I think you are right. Well thank you for lunch, but I better get back to work. Maybe we could get together and do something. Dinner or a movie or anything that you want.” He said as he stood to walk out.

“That would be great.” Angie answered.

The next two days went by fast and Angela waited the return of her parents. She wanted to tell them that she knew what they had tried to do. She wasn't crazy. She knew that they had intentionally stayed away so that her and Landon would have to meet. They were always trying to get her to date since Matt died. Angela worked on a big dinner all day. She wanted to surprise her mother when she got home. She had a pot roast cooking all day in the crock pot with carrots and potatoes and she baked some bread. She made an apple pie for dessert. Her parents would be home any minute. She wanted to take a quick shower before they got there, and then maybe make an apple pie. That was always her father's favorite dessert.

Angie went upstairs to jump in the shower. The hot water felt wonderful as it touched her skin. She lathered up the shampoo and leaned her head back in the water. The only thing better than that would have been filling the bathtub full of hot water and bubbles and relaxing until the water went cold. She didn't have time for all of that right now. She had to finish with dinner so that it would be ready when her parents came home. Just as Angie finished setting the table she hear a truck pull in, but it wasn't her father's truck. She looked out the window to see Landon coming across the porch. She didn't know why, but it brought a smile to her face. She quickly looked away as she wondered what he was doing there. She had made plenty and he was welcome to stay, but she hadn't actually invited him. She walked to the door to let him in just as he knocked.

Opening the door, Angie said. “Hi, Landon. What are you doing tonight? I just finished getting dinner on the table. My parents should be here any minute. You are welcome to stay if you would like.”

Landon smiled at the thought of spending more time with Angie. “I would love to stay for dinner. Thanks.”

Angie heard her parents pull in the drive and she started getting excited. She hurried to finish getting everything on the table. The kitchen smelled wonderful from the roast. Angie gave the table one last glance before she ran to the door to greet her parents.

“Mama, you finally made it.”, she said as she hugged her mother tightly.

Martha hugged her daughter just as tight. She was overjoyed with her decision to move back home. It wasn't good for her live all alone so far away. “Angie, I'm so glad your here. Oh look, Landon came for dinner.”, she said smiling as she looked into the living room at Landon.

Angie gave her mother one of those looks that told her she knew what she was doing. “Mama, you should be ashamed of yourself. Staying gone an extra couple of days.”

Martha smiled at her daughter. “What ever do you mean, my dear.”

“Oh, please. I'm on to your tricks. I will let you off the hook tonight though. I have fixed you a big dinner. Let's eat.”

Angie started putting food on the plates as Landon and her parents started sitting down. Martha poured tall glassed of iced tea and they all began to eat. They all talked and laughed about old times. It felt very nice to Angela to be back home again. She knew that she would never be completely over Mathew, but it was time for her to move on with her life. He wasn't coming back, and she needed to face those facts so that she could have a life again.

“What are your plans for tomorrow, Angie?”, Martha wondered.

I think I am going to saddle up one of the horses and check out the ranch. I have been wanting to do that since I first pulled in the drive. I just haven't got around to it yet, but I'm going to tomorrow.” Angie was getting a little excited just thinking about it.

“Landon, why don't you go with her.”, Rick said. “I don't want her out riding by herself.”

“Daddy, I will be fine. I'm sure that Landon has more important things to do that babysit me.” Angie knew that her father was only trying to help her mother fix the two of them up.

“I won't take no for an answer. Landon will go with you. I don't need him before lunch anyway.”

Landon couldn't help but laugh at the way the two of them argued back and forth. “I don't mind, Angie. I would love to go riding with you.”

Bright and early the next morning, Angela was full of excitement. She had tossed and turned all night long with troubled dreams about Mathew. It had been three years and she was full of guilt because of her fading memories of him. She had been looking forward to seeing Landon that morning for their ride.

As she stood at the window awaiting Landon's arrival, silent tears where falling. It was just a ride on the ranch she didn't have anything to feel guilty about. As she watched his truck pull into the drive, she looked up and said. Please forgive me Mathew. I promise to never forget you.

She turned to walk downstairs to meet Landon. She opened the door to greet him, but the words wouldn't come out. He was standing there in her doorway looking more handsome than any other man she had ever seen. He was dressed in blue jeans, and a white tee-shirt that hugged his tight chest and broad shoulders. His bare arms were a golden bronze tan from hours in the sun. Angela snapped out of her lustful thoughts for a moment.

“Hi, Are you ready to get started. Keep in mind it's been years since I've rode.” she warned.

“Don't worry. It's like riding a bike. You never forget how and if you fall off, I'll catch you.” he offered with a smile.

As they rode in silence, Angela gazed out across the endless miles of land in front of her. She remembered all of the happy years that she had spent on the ranch. She glanced over at Landon as they rode side by side. Her chest tightened as she thought about how much she wanted him. Why were her memories of Mathew leaving her? She had promised never to forget him, but that promise was turning out to be harder to keep as time went by. Angela sat there deep in thought with pain and sadness written all over her face.

Landon watched her, wanting to take her in his arms, but he knew that she would probably stop him. He dreamed of having someone love him that much and knowing that they would still cry for him three years after his death.

Angela forced herself out of her thoughts. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. When I get out her in these fields on this horse, I kind of leave this world for a little while.”

Landon smiled over at her. “You've got nothing to be sorry for. I can see that you loved him very much. It'll take time, but you will love again.”

Angela shook her head sadly as the tears started coming down her face. “No. I won't. I'll never love again. The pain of losing somebody that I love is too hard. I felt as though I died too when Mathew's car went over that bridge. I never want to go through that again.”

Landon stood there saying nothing. He didn't know what to say that would make her feel better. He had never had anyone, which meant he didn't know how it felt to lose anyone. He knew that he wanted to take her mind off of her worries at least for the day.

“Angela, Why don't we go down by the creek so the horses can get a drink.”

Angela was happy to take her mind off of things. “Yeah. You lead the way and I'll follow.”

Angela took off after Landon racing across the pastures. They passed a hundred head of cattle along the way. Angela loved the feel of the wind hitting her in the face as she rode faster and faster. She stopped at the creek to let the horse drink. She jumped down from the horse laughing all the way.

“That was more fun then I've had in a long time.”

Landon was glad that she was smiling for a change. “Me too.”

“Tell me something about yourself.” Angela said as she sat down on a big rock.

Landon sighed. “Well my story isn't very interesting. I grew up in an orphanage never knowing my parents. They were killed in a car wreck when I was a baby. When I turned eighteen, I joined the service. It was when I got back from war that I met your parents. That was about five years ago. They gave me a job and took me in as one of their own. That's about all there is to my life story. I know, it's not that interesting.”

Angela was amazed at how he grew up with a bad childhood, but turned out to be a really great man. “No. Your story was great. Mine is the one that is boring. Nothing really happened in my life. I lived here on the ranch until Mathew's job took us away.” She her arms above her head to get rid of the stiffness from riding.

Landon walked over to her carrying a thermos and a bag. “Would you like some lunch?”

Angela looked over at him. “Oh, did you think of lunch. I should have brought you something. I didn't even think about it.”

Landon smiled at how flustered she had became. “It's no problem. I like to eat.” He said with a chuckle as he filled a cup of coffee for her. He handed her then coffee and then reached in the bag to give her a sandwich.

They sat down under the shade tree watching the horses drink water from the creek. They enjoyed their lunch together as they talked for hours before getting back on the horses.

Angela stood up to get back on her horse feeling the stiffness in her neck. It had been a long time since she had rode. It was going to take some getting used to again. She stood there running her hand across her horses hair while the horse continued to drink from the creek.

Landon got up and went to his saddle bags to get the horses some apples. He pulled out two red apples and cut them into pieces with his pocket knife.

Landon wasn't sure how long they had stayed there. It had been a very relaxing day, but seeing the dark shadows fall over the tree they were sitting under made him look up at the sky. What had earlier been a clear blue sky was now dark and green. He stood up and looked around then to find that the whole sky had changed colors.

He turned to Angela. “Let's get the horses ready. We should get going before the storm hit.” He didn't want to scare her, but he had seen skies like that a few years ago. They had the worst snow blizzard in forty years. He felt stupid that he didn't notice the change in the temperature or the color of the sky as they sat there. He had been distracted by Angela.

“Landon, What's wrong?”

“We might have a problem.” he said.

Angela could see the concern on his face. She gathered their things quickly and got on her horse. She could feel the temperature drop in the air. It was becoming very cold too fast.

Landon knew that they didn't have time to get back to the ranch before it hit. They had rode out for miles. How could he have been so stupid? Why did he have to take her all the way down by the mountains? He wanted their ride to last a while so he could get to know her. Now he had put her in danger. He knew that Angela's parents would be worried to death, but he knew they trusted him to take care of her.

The further they rode the harder the snow came down. Landon knew that he would have to find some kind of shelter for them. He couldn't see two foot in front of him by then. He tied the two horses together because he didn't want them to get separated. He headed off toward the mountains. He knew that there was a cave up there.

Landon turned to Angela. “We have to keep going. Don't stop for anything.”

Angela was getting more scared by the minute. The wind was blowing hard feeling like needles hitting her in the face. She could hardly see Landon in front of her. She was cold and frightened wondering what they were going to do next.

Landon yelled back at her. “Angela, we're here. Stay close and follow me. We won't be able to ride the horses all the way up. We will have walk and lead them the rest of the way up the mountain trail.” He jumped down off his horse and walked over to help her down. He knew that she must be half frozen, but she hadn't complained once.

When Angela jumped down off the horse, she was surprised to see that she sank down to her knees in the snow. She held on tight to the reins of the horse and she walked through the blizzard.

Landon looked back at her. “Okay we're here.”

Angela looked through the snow, but didn't see anything. Her face and hands were as cold as ice. She couldn't even feel them anymore. She watched as Landon moved brush away from an opening to what looked like a cave in the side of the mountain.

Landon took hold of the horses reins and walked them inside. He only hoped that nothing else had taken up refuge inside. It was dark and he could barely see in front of him. He was just thankful that he remembered the cave was there. He had found it a couple of years back, but he never thought that he would someday take shelter in it. He felt around in the dark for something to start a fire with.

Angela hated standing there in the cold dark cave. She had always been afraid of small spaces. She could feel her body trembling with fear. Her heart was beating faster and faster. She knew she was on the brink of a panic attack. “Landon. Where are you?”

“Angela, I'm right here. I've almost got a fire started. Don't worry your safe. I won't let anything happen to you.”

Angela could hear him, but not see him. She had uncontrollable tremors going through her body and mind. “Landon. I have to get out of here.” She cried as she turned and started to run blindly out of the cave.

Landon had just gotten the fire started when he heard Angela running out into the blizzard. He jumped up and ran to her. He grabbed hold of her at the cave's entrance. “Angela, you have to calm down. You have to come back inside.”

Angela fought him slapping him over and over. “I can't go in there.” she cried.

Landon held on tight to her. “You have to Angela. You'll freeze out there.” He slowly lead her back toward the small fire he built. He held her tight to his chest as he sat them both down. “Angela, Your fine. I'm here with you.”

Angela was crying so hard making it difficult to hear him. She starred aimlessly at the fire without speaking.

Landon had his hand on her head slowly letting it go down her hair. “I'm here with you. Don't be afraid. I won't let anything happen to you.”

Angela could feel herself starting to relax a little as she snuggled closer to Landon's chest. She sat there in the cold dark cave thinking that she didn't mind it anymore. She looked at his silhouette on the wall of the cave. He was handsome and rugged all at the same time.

Landon got up only long enough to go to his saddle bags to get the thermos. He hoped that there was some coffee left in it from lunch. He also reached down and grabbed the small flask full of brandy. He never drank much, but he learned years ago that out on the range you always carried it because one day it might save your life. He poured the coffee in the small cap and added a generous amount of brandy to it. Then he walked over to Angela. “Here. Try this. It'll help.”

Angela looked up through the tears and took the cup with trembling hands. She had to hold the cup with both hands as she put the warm cup to her frozen lips. As the warm liquid glided down her throat, she could feel herself relaxing. She looked up at Landon with sad eyes. “I'm so sorry I hit you. It's just that I hate small dark places. I've always been afraid of them.”

“It's okay Angela. We'll be fine her tonight. I'll try to find some more wood so we can stay as warm as possible.” Landon only hoped he would be able to find enough to get them through. The snow was covering the ground as fast as it came down. It was getting harder to see anything. Landon got up and started toward the entrance.

“You'll be back won't you, Landon?” She asked him with a quiver in her voice.

Landon nodded. “Yes, I'll be back. You just sit by the fire and try to stay warm. I'll be back as soon as I can get enough wood.” He turned and walked out of the cave. He walked into the dark cold blizzard. The snow and wind almost took his breath away. He couldn't see where he was going. He had to get down on his hands and knees to feel around the snow for wood to burn. He knew he didn't have much time to gather wood before the temperature got too cold.

Inside the dark cold cave, Angela sat huddled up trying to stay warm. She tried to keep her fear at bay by singing. It always helped in the past, but she was never freezing when she tried it. The only song that popped into her head was Jingle Bells. She always loved to sing it when she was a child. She began singing as loud as she could. She was interrupted by the sound of a coyote howling in the night. Angela jumped with fear as she thought. Landon, where are you? What would she do if he was lost out there? What if it was too dark for him to find his way back? The sound of the coyote were getting closer. As she sat there by the glow of the fire, she heard a rustling noise by the entrance of the cave. Had the coyotes found her? What was she supposed to do now? She reached down and grabbed a small piece of wood to defend herself it she needed to.