Chapter 1
Just what we need thought Charles Whitney wryly at the sudden onslaught of rain. There had been precious little rain in the weeks past causing many ranchers to worry about drought conditions.
The rain came down in torrents slowing Charles to a crawl in his white sports car. It was fortunate that he had because at that moment a figure ran out into the road causing him to slam on the brakes. He got out of his car swiftly and went around front to face the person foolhardy enough to run out into the road in this weather.
“What the …”. To his surprise he found a girl standing there who was now screaming hysterically for him to let her go.
“Let go of me,” she cried with pure terror sounding in her voice as she struggled to look behind her into the dark bushes from where she had just came.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Charles replied sternly.
The girl only fought harder when he tried to calm her down.
“Now listen here,” he said angrily only to become deeply shaken when the girl fell slump against him.
Charles picked her up and put her into the passenger side of the car. A thousand thoughts flew through his mind as he seated himself behind the steering wheel. Number one being who was this girl? He glanced at rhe unconscious girl beside him. She was shivering uncontrollably. Was it from the cold or was it from shock?
Charles picked up speed as he neared the Whitney Ranch. Miss Black heard Charles coming down the drive at an alarming speed and immediately knew something was wrong. She was ready with the door when he dashed into the house with the girl.
“Miss Black call the doctor and have him get over here right way,” barked Charles already carrying the girl up the stairs. “Then come and help me.”
Charles worked quickly. He lay the unconscious girl on the bed. She was shivering so hard her teeth chattered like castinets. He walked across the room into the bathroom grabbing some towels. The rain had soaked her clothing chilling her to the bone.
Sitting on the edge of the bed he gently raised the girl up leaning her head against his shoulders as he towel dried her hair and arms. I’ve got to get her out of these wet clothes he thought glancing around the room.
“The doctor’s on his way,” interrupted Miss Black.
“Miss Black, could you …”. Charles glanced helplessly down at the girl.
Like a woman who had weathered more than one emergency in her life Miss Black took over with sure hands.
“No sense in bothering everyone else. Mr. Charles fetch me one of your biggest night shirts then leave us alone.”
Charles promptly went after the requested night shirt only to be firmly ushered out of the door again upon his return. The girl was in capable hands.
Charles recalled with a grin the many escapades of his youth and the dark haired nanny who was always there to help.
Still what about the girl? What had she been running from? Charles retreated to his den. He had a few things to take care of.
Charles answered the door when the doctor arrived.
“Thanks for coming over so quickly Doc.”
“I was on another call in the area when I received Miss Black’s call. What can I do for you? Miss Black sounded kind of anxious on the phone.”
Dr. Arrow took off his rain gear putting it on a hook in the hallway.
“I’m not quite sure what the problem is,” replied Charles leading the doctor to the stairs. “I was driving home when this girl ran out into the road in front of me.”
“You didn’t hit her, did you?”
“No, but when I went to investigate she just went wild. She fought me like a wild cat trying to get away. She was terrified,” Charles paused. “She was terrified of something or someone. Then she just fainted.”
“Is she still unconscious?”
“Yes.”
“Let me take a look.”
Charles opened the door to the room where Miss Black was busily hovering over her charge.
“Miss Black,” greeted the doctor with concern in his voice. “How is she?”
“I’m afraid not to well. She has several bruises across her ribs and arms. Nothing broken as far as I can tell.”
“Hum.” The doctor laid his bag down on the bed beside the girl.
“Doc,” interrupted Charles. “She does have a very nasty bump on the back of her head.”
Charles breathed deeply as he remembered. With her head lying against his shoulder he gingerly toweled her hair dry. He winced as he recalled how his hand had brushed against the knot and the girl had cried out in pain. Just what has the girl gotten herself into? His call to the sheriff had provided little to no information. Turning abruptly Cjarles stormed out of the room.
The doctor gave the girl a thorough examination. In this part of the country he had to be very thorough and very sure of what he was doing. He was the only doctor for miles around and the nearest hospital was more than an hours drive away. With a final check of her pulse the doctor closed up his bag.
“Well Miss Black.”
“Yes, Doctor?”
The doctor smilesd He wished everyone could be as helpful as Miss Black.
“There appear to be no broken bones as you said. As far as I can tell there is no sign of internal bleeding or concussion. I want you to watch for any of these signs,” he said scribbling some words on a paper then handing it to her. “If any of these occur call me immediately. I doubt that she will wake up until morning. If needed give her this sedative. Now I will leave her in your capable hands Miss Black and I’ll stop by first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I’ll certainly call you if there’s any change, Doctor. Thank you.”
Miss Black pulled up a chair next to the bed. What had the poor lass gotten into she wondered. And where did Mr. Charles get off to in such a rush? That car would be the death of him. Miss Black shook her head and settled back for the long night ahead.
