My hands trembled as I barely got his name past my lips.
I WAS SHOCKED listening to Liza try to tell me what had happened. She was crying so hard that Whitley ended up taking the phone and telling me everything. I ran my hand through my hair and fought like hell to keep my emotions at bay.
“Whitley, I’m heading to the airport right now,” I said.
I glanced up and saw my father walking up to me while he was on the phone. Layton had called Whitley at the same time I’d called Liza. When Layton had told my father what was going on, he’d jumped on the phone and called the private investigator.
“I know it’s late, but I have to try and get home to her, Whitley,” I said as I watched my father and Layton. “Please don’t let her out of your sight.”
My father said something to Layton.
“Mother fucker!” Layton said. “How?”
Whitley’s voice faded out as I tried to concentrate on what my father was saying.
“Yeah, um...may I speak to her again?” I asked.
“Walker? I’m so scared. He’s still out there.” Liza’s said, her voice shaky.
“Baby, you’re going to be safe. Whitley said Jase is having a bunch of guys come out the ranch. He’ll keep you safe until I get there. I’m heading to the airport and getting on the first plane home. I promise, I’ll be there as fast as I can.”
“O—okay.”
Closing my eyes I thanked God that she was okay. “Try to keep calm, baby.”
Liza sniffled. “Jase is ready to go. I need you to be here. I need to be in your arms.”
My heart broke more with every plea. “I need you to be in my arms, too. I love you, Liza.”
“I love you, too, Walker. Be careful.”
The line went dead and I turned to Layton and my father.
My father looked stricken. “He lost Keith hours ago.”
Anger raced through my blood. “What? How the hell did he lose him?”
“Traffic. He doesn’t think Keith knew he was being tailed. They got caught in a traffic jam due to an accident. Somehow Keith was able to navigate through it faster and the P.I. lost him. He’s been camped out at Keith’s house. He hasn’t returned home yet. He’s got a friend checking to see if Keith went to the airport.”
“We need to get back home,” I said. “I’m heading to the airport.”
Mr. Robertson got up from where he’d been sitting, taking this all in. “I have a private jet. Let me call and get it ready to go.”
Layton walked over to Mr. Robertson and put his hand on his shoulder. “Rich, are you sure? I’ll buy the horse. Hell I’ll buy three of them for this.”
Mr. Robertson’s horses were the reason we’d made this trip. He was probably one of the best-known breeders in Tennessee.
He smiled. “Layton, let’s just get y’all home. We’ll talk business over the phone later this week.”
LIZA LEAPT INTO my arms the moment I walked into the house. There were two of our old buddies from high school at the front gate and another guy at the front door of the house. Until we caught Keith, I wasn’t planning to leave Liza’s side.
Liza pulled back and frantically kissed all over my face. “Thank God you’re home.” She said as she finally landed her lips on mine.
I was acutely aware that our parents were right there. I put her down without breaking our kiss. When I pulled back, tears were streaming down her face. I wiped them away with my thumbs.
“I’m here. I’m not going to leave, baby.”
She smiled slightly, and I could sense her body relaxing. Layton came over and Liza walked into his arms. He held her for a while before placing his hand on her cheek.
“We’ll find him. I swear to you.”
Liza nodded. “I know you will, Daddy. I know.” Liza turned to me with a weak smile. She had dark circles under her eyes and her face was pale.
My mom must have noticed as well. “Liza, now that Walker’s here, why don’t you go get some sleep?” She looked around. “I think we could all use some sleep.”
Whitley nodded. “Reed, Court, take the guest bedroom.” Turning to Jase she said, “The guys can go home, Jase. Or they’re more than welcome to camp out in the foreman’s house.”
Jase nodded. “I’ll tell them. Since it’s late, I’m sure they’ll just crash here for a bit.”
I took Liza’s hand in mine as she said goodnight and gave everyone a kiss on the cheek. We headed upstairs to her bedroom. My parents were staying in the guest room next to Liza’s.
Crawling into bed, I pulled Liza close. Her breathing was slowing down, becoming deeper. “I hate him, Walker. I hate him for scaring me like this. Why is he doing this?”
My body was so fatigued. Every muscle felt like it weighed ten times what it should.
I took a shaky breath. I’d do whatever I needed to do to protect Liza and our child. I whispered, “I don’t know, Liza. But I swear he won’t get near you again. I promise you.”
IT HAD BEEN almost two days since the incident happened at our house. The police where done gathering evidence, and they said that whoever did this had covered his or her tracks. Liza was curled up on the sofa next to my mother, both reading a book. I smiled as I watched both of their faces change as they read.
My father tapped me on the shoulder. “Take a walk with me?”
I shook my head. “Nah.”
Liza set her book in her lap. “Walker. You’ve been next to me since you got back from Tennessee. I promise I’ll be okay. Your mom is here. Go get some fresh air, baby.”
I did need to get out and clear my head. There was still no word on Keith’s whereabouts. When the P.I. stopped at Keith’s parents’, his mom had screamed to leave her son alone and then slammed the door in his face. The police had already been by to question them. Apparently, they were very angry and had accused Liza of slander.
I stood up. “Please don’t leave her side mom.”
Liza smiled and my mother gave me a wink. “Since my car is in the shop,” she said. “I don’t think we’ll be going anywhere. Go on, honey. Go get some fresh air.”
Walking over, I leaned down and brushed my lips against Liza’s. I knew that, if I kissed her, I’d want to take her up to my room and make love to her like I had this afternoon when she’d finally woken up. We’d all eaten a late lunch at Layton and Whitley’s before coming back here for the night.