Hunted: Hawkins Ranch Series - Cody's Story

By Beverley Bateman

Maggie McGonigal isn’t as concerned about staying alive as she is about protecting her son.
After seven years in witness protection in Seattle someone is once again trying to kill her. She’s forced leave Seattle and go to Victoria, BC in Canada. She contacts the man she never wanted to see again. She needs to convince him to take his son back to the Hawkins ranch in Duster, Montana, where he’ll be safe.
The hired killers are not after her son. They want to kill her as payback. As long as Matt is with her, he’s in danger. She believes the farther he’s away from her, the safer he’ll be. The one glitch is Cody Hawkins doesn’t know he has a son. After she manages to explain that to him, she’ll figure out how to keep herself alive.
Cody Hawkins comes running to Victoria, BC when the woman he wants to forget calls him for help because someone is trying to kill her. It’s been seven years since Maggie walked away from Duster. Why has she contacted him after all this time? Who would want to kill her? Can he help her and then walk away from her?
Cody meets Maggie in the bar of the hotel. She asks him to meet her son and take him back to Duster. The Witness Protection has failed them and the hired killers have found her.
Cody agrees to come back to her hotel room and meet Matt, her son. While there, someone shoots at her through the window. Maggie is shot in the arm. He agrees to take Matt back to the ranch, but wants Maggie to come back with him, so he can protect her and her son.
When she refuses to leave with him Cody waits until the medication the doctor gave her knocks her out. He kidnaps her and explains it to Matt.
Cody lives in the Hawkins ranch house with his parents, Sam and Anna Hawkins, as well as his brothers, Gabe and Ky. Luke, his other brother, is the town doctor and lives next door.
For the next few days, back at the ranch, everything appears normal in town with no further attempts on Maggie’s life. They hop

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jul 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9780991874804

Book preview

Sixteen

CHAPTER ONE

Maggie McGonigal scrunched herself into a ball on the mezzanine floor to prevent being seen from the lobby below. She peered around the marble pillar into the reception area of Victoria, British Columbia’s grand Empress Hotel. Because wealthy international tourists flooded the hotel every year, she hoped to hide in the crowd from the unknown killers.

A man in a dark suit and hat paused on the gleaming gray marble floor under the nineteenth century crystal chandelier and stared up at the mezzanine.

She held her breath. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest. Was he looking for her? Could he see her? Was he the person who’d been hired to kill her? She had no idea what the shooter looked like as she stared down at the man.

A woman standing a few feet from Maggie waved her hand wildly.

The man smiled and waved back.

Maggie slowly released her breath. Not him, but any one of the tourists below could be the one who wanted to kill her.

The hundred-year old ornate Empress was one of ten railroad hotels built across Canada. The stone structure stood guard over Victoria’s inner harbor amid beautiful English gardens and the bustle of tourism. Horse-drawn carriages, street artists, carts selling various souvenirs and docks for departing whale watching tours added to the charm. Her hope was that it would also stand guard over her and her son, Matt.

She’d chosen it because of the layout and hoped the large number of tourists who swarmed through might give her the cover she needed. Also, it hadn’t taken that long to get there, just a ferry ride from Seattle.

No one would pull out a gun in the middle of this crowd and shoot her, would they? The possibility of dying right here on the mezzanine sent a shiver reverberating through her body.

She’d visited the hotel a few times and loved the setting and the atmosphere, but she’d never stayed here before. Way too much money, but she had splurged on their high tea once.

Extra towers and wings had been added over the years. This time, she’d spent the money on a cheaper room in a back wing, across from one of the towers. Her life and Matt’s might depend on it. It would only be for a day or two, if her plan worked.

Sweaty fingers pressed against the cool marble of the pillar. She rested her forehead against the column, waiting.

Life had thrown her a few curves over the years, some from bad decisions on her part. She should have never left Montana, but Cody hadn’t given her much choice. At least, that’s how she’d seen it back then. Now she had to face him, if he came. Her stomach roiled like the ocean waves outside the hotel door.

It had been almost seven years. She’d been in hiding more than six of those years, and she wasn’t that small town Montana girl any longer. Cody probably wasn’t the same cowboy, either. Would that make any difference in her feelings about him?

Maggie checked her watch. She didn’t know which was worse, the waiting or actually seeing him again if he showed up.

The mezzanine allowed her to position herself so she could see him when he walked through the lobby door. She hoped Matt and the sitter were doing okay. Maybe she should have told them stay in the hotel room, but Matt had wanted to see the boats.

She closed her eyes. Her only priority was to keep Matt safe. The killers weren’t after him just her, so if Matt wasn’t with her, he’d be out of danger, which was why she’d contacted Cody. That was the only reason, after all this time, to ask for his help.

Would he come? Of course, he would, but a niggling doubt caused surf-sized waves to crash in her stomach. Maybe after all this time, he’d moved on, married Cathy and had children. What if he’d forgotten her? What would she do then?

The tourists bustled through the hotel, a background of brilliant colors. The cacophony of their multiple languages occasionally intruded into the life and death issues on her mind. She brushed her hair away from her face with nails she’d chewed to the quick. Once Matt was gone, she should probably cut and dye her hair before going into hiding again. A mousy brown would be less noticeable than her flaming red color.

Where would WITSEC send her this time? Not that it mattered, as long as her son wasn’t with her.

A woman stopped just below Maggie and pulled a metal-like object from her purse. She glanced up at the balcony.

Wriggling back from the edge of the balcony Maggie held her breath. Could the shooter be a woman? She peeked back around the pillar.

The woman held the camera out to her partner and stepped back toward a table with a huge floral arrangement.

Maggie needed to get out of here. It wasn’t safe. Maggie realized that now. She had no idea who the shooter might be, which gave them the advantage. If they followed her across the border from Seattle, they could be anywhere. They might not shoot her in the lobby, but they would find some place to assassinate her, even here.

What if Cody ignored her message? Maybe he was still back in Montana chasing cows. With that possibility, she really needed to come up with a Plan B.

Please Cody, hurry up and take our son. Once he’s safe, I can contact Donald and run for my life.

She’d arrived half an hour early in case he arrived ahead of time. Cody had a habit of doing that. At least, he used to do that. He could have changed. She stretched her legs, shrugged her shoulders and wondered if he had married. Maybe his wife hadn’t wanted him to come all this way to see another woman. One more thing she hadn’t considered. Her mind swirled. She should grab Matt and run, but where?

She chewed what was left of her finger nails. The tension tightened her neck muscles into a knot. What if he didn’t come -- but then again -- what if he did? How would she get him to accept a son he didn’t even know about?

How would he have reacted if she’d told him six years ago? After then there’d been no way she could contact him to tell him, until now.

A cowboy with shoulders the size of Montana entered the lobby through the revolving door. Tall, dark and still damn good-looking, he strode through the lobby in his black t-shirt, tight jeans, his black Stetson shoved back on his head as the heels of his boots clattered across the highly polished floor.

Maggie’s heart pounded louder with each step. Excitement rifled through her body. Cody had come. And he was early.

He approached the front desk and the female receptionist almost tripped trying to yank away the closed sign from her station.

She purred up at him. A group of chatty tourists passed by the reception desk, so Maggie didn’t catch the words. She bent forward between the pillars. Even then, all she heard was the hum of the woman’s voice.

Cody flashed his heart-stopping grin at the blonde. She looked like she might faint right then and there.

The same warmth Maggie remembered from years ago spread inside her chest. It always happened to her when he’d looked at her like that and grinned. He’d made her feel special, even when she was a teenager.

His dark hair curled around the base of his neck when he removed his battered Stetson and laid it on the counter. She’d run her fingers through those curls that last night they were together.

He leaned in to talk to the girl. A shard of jealousy stabbed through Maggie. Come on, girl. He never really cared about you or he wouldn’t have been with another woman as soon as he got back from that cattle drive.

She wouldn’t have contacted him if the mafia hadn’t found her, but he had to meet Matt, get to know his son, and take him back to Duster. If Matt stayed with her, his life was in danger.

Cody glanced at the woman’s nametag. Thank you, Louise. I’m looking for Miss Johnson, Jane Johnson.

Maggie’s closed her eyes, letting the sound of his deep drawl float up and wrap around her. Most of the people moved past the reception desk allowing Maggie to hear the conversation.

Louise fluttered her eyelashes. Certainly, let me check that for you.

Mr. Hawkins?

Cody nodded.

She left a message for you to meet her in the bar. It’s up one level on the mezzanine floor and around the corner to your right.

Thank you, Louise. I appreciate your help.

Anytime Mr. Hawkins, if you need anything else, let me know.

Cody nodded before he strolled across the lobby.

When he turned toward the stairs, Maggie stood up and slipped out from behind the pillar. She didn’t want to be caught spying on him like a teenager. That would be a great way for him to find her. She brushed a few specks of dust off her jeans and straightened the camel jacket she’d worn over her t-shirt before scurrying toward the bar. She wanted to be sitting when he walked into the room. It would give her more control over the situation, and she needed all the control she could muster right now.

Inside the bar, she picked a chair facing the entrance. Her heart pounded like a jungle drum, her mouth felt parched.

Cody was here.

***

After all this time why did Maggie want to see him? And what the hell was she doing in Canada, fer chrissake?

Cody took the stairs to the mezzanine two at a time.

Damn her anyway. It had been seven years since she’d walked out on him. He’d searched everywhere, but she’d dropped out of sight. How could anyone manage that so completely? Not a word for years until now, and why here? This fancy hotel lobby was no place for a Montana cowboy. It was big, cold, and full of foreigners.

What was she up to? Would he even recognize her? And why the hell was he here?

But Cody would recognize her. He’d never forgotten her.

Where had she been all this time? Why had she left without a word? Those unanswered questions had filtered through his life for years, along with the pain. Now he would get answers.

Until that last night together, he’d tried to be like a big brother; there to protect her from accidents and mistakes and boy problems. That night he’d made a disastrous mistake, his second biggest one. He’d let his emotions override his common sense and made love to her.

He remembered her sweet vanilla scent. Her skin had been smooth, like a well-oiled saddle. No other woman, before or since, had stirred any of the emotions that surged through his body when he thought of Maggie McGonigal.

He’d planned to tell her he loved her and ask her to marry him when he got back from the cattle drive. Then he’d made his number one mistake. He had so totally screwed-up. When he sobered up, he had no idea what to tell Maggie when he got home. The biggest mistake of his life ripped his gut open.

But she’d been gone. Initially, his reaction had been relief. He’d have time to figure out how to resolve the situation before she returned. But she hadn’t come back. No one would tell him where she’d gone. Desperation clawed at him every minute. Even if he couldn’t marry her, he couldn’t live without her. Finally, he’d convinced her parents he had to find her. They’d shared the little information they had.

The next day, he’d driven to Great Falls. But she’d left there. No one, not even her parents, heard from her after that, until now.

As soon as he got her message, he’d left Duster. He couldn’t refuse when she asked for help. After all, he was big brother Cody, always there if she needed him. He was also still in love with her.

He’d told his family. They’d said to go. Maggie had been part of their family, too, spending half her time on the ranch. He’d driven all night and part of the day to get here, crossing the border into Vancouver at the Peace Arch and then catching the ferry across the Georgia Strait to Victoria. He had no interest in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city and the uniqueness of the hotel. All he could think of was Maggie. Had she changed?

Cody found the Old English style bar complete with tapestry hangings and subdued lighting. Pausing at the entrance, he saw her. She sat right in front of him, her mass of fiery red hair surrounding that heart-shaped, freckled face he loved. Her pouty lips twitched nervously. She wore a green and blue t-shirt that brought out the color of her emerald green eyes, which were focused on him.

She hadn’t changed. She was still Maggie, still beautiful. If anything, she was even more attractive. The pain he’d carried for years eased slightly, but he struggled with two opposing emotions. One wanted to grab her, hold her tight and kiss her. Damn, he’d missed that woman.

The other emotion wanted to shout at her and shake her. She’d spent a night with him and then disappeared. She’d left him alone all these years, feeling hurt and confused. Had that night meant nothing to her?

They stared at each other for an eternity before he finally crossed to the table, a finger hitched in his belt.

As he approached, her vanilla scent wafted across the space between them, causing his gut to tighten.

She walked out on you, remember.

Tossing his hat on the table, he glared down at her. I’m here. After seven years, this better be good.

***

Hey, there, Cody, it’s nice to see you, too.

Damn, he smelled good; a mixture of oak, saddle oil and Montana’s fresh air.

Yeah, whatever. Jane Johnson?

She shrugged.

When his electric blue eyes met hers, the shock waves almost made her gasp for breath. Clenching her fingers together under the table she tried to control the emotions she’d hoped had lessened over the years. They hadn’t. It’s been a while.

Seven years, next month.

Uh huh, she nodded, taking a deep breath to show a confidence she didn’t feel. You look good.

He pulled out a chair, dropped into it and stretched his legs out under the table. What are you drinkin’?

A dry white wine, please.

He motioned the waiter. White wine and a pint of whatever’s on tap, Bud’s fine. He turned back to her.

The waiter stared at him a second before heading to the bartender.

A smile skirted Maggie’s lips. They probably weren’t used to Montana cowboys who snapped orders. You never were a man to waste words.

Nope. It’s been a long time Maggie. I haven’t heard a word from you in all these years. Nobody in town’s heard anything from you, including your parents.

She gnawed her lower lip. I know.

You hurt a lot of people, and then out of the blue you want to see me. It’s a long drive. This ain’t social. What do you want, money?

Oh, God, no, it’s nothing like that. This wasn’t going like she’d hoped. His coldness stabbed through her.

Why was he so angry? He was the one who had left her for another woman.

How’s your father?

Sam? He’s okay. He still runs the ranch.

Are you and your brothers living there or have you all moved out? She tried to read his expression. He might be acting like a jerk, but for the first time since the shootings had started she didn’t look over her shoulder.

Yep, we’re all still there, except for Luke.

Right, he was at university. My parents -- have you seen them? How are they?

They’re well. Your father still runs the hardware store. He had a little problem with his heart, but I understand he’s doin’ okay now. They’ve aged since you left. You should call them.

I know. I will, when I can.

Okay Maggie, you didn’t ask me here to chit chat about our families. You wanna tell me why you left like that?

You should know.

Cody drew his eyebrows together and stared at her. Huh?

Look, I don’t want to start a fight or rehash the past. I’m just trying to break the ice, make some small talk, find out what had happened back home. I’m nervous. It has been a long time. She ran her tongue over dry lips, wishing she’d applied more lipstick.

You were the one who left and dropped out of sight. Cody drank from the beer the waiter had placed on the table. You could have checked in at any time to see how everyone was.

No, I couldn’t. It’s a long story.

I’ve got the time. He kept his eyes focused on her.

I… Not now. There’s someone I want you to meet first.

You have a husband?

Her shoulders sagged. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked him to come. This was worse than she’d expected. She might feel safe with him, but it was Matt who needed to be protected, not her. She sipped her wine.

Wait a minute. He was the one who wanted someone else after that night. He was the one who couldn’t wait to get Cathy in his arms. No way was he going to lay a guilt trip on her. It hadn’t been her choice. He’d made it for her.

And that choice had changed her whole life.

She sat up straighter and pulled her shoulders back. No, I don’t have a husband. I know it’s been a while, but I hoped we might be able to handle this civilly. I have a problem. I need your help. If it wasn’t serious, I wouldn’t have bothered you, believe me. The person I want you to meet is my son.

Your son? I see. His face remained expressionless. What kind of problem?

I’ll get into that later. It’s part of why I couldn’t contact anyone all this time. Matt will be back in our hotel room in a few minutes. Will you meet him, or are you going to take off again?

Cody took another long drink of his draft.

She met his gaze and refused to look away. Her hands balled into fists.

You got it all wrong, Magpie, he said softly. You walked out on me.

That’s not how I saw it, but it’s not important now. Staring into the eyes of the man she had loved, since she was ten years old, her heart pounded. She may have walked away, but he had chosen another woman.

You’re wrong. It’s damn important.

Not at the moment. Are you going to help me?

I came, didn’t I?

Yes, you did. Thank you. Finish your drink and I’ll introduce you to Matt. He’s with the sitter I hired to watch him while I was gone.

Matt, he’s your son? How old is he?

Just over six years old.

Cody downed his beer, stood up and tossed a couple of bills on the table. You didn’t waste any time did you?

She flinched.

Hang on, he doesn’t know. You never told him, remember.

Okay, let’s meet your son. Then you can tell me why I’m here and why this cloak and dagger stuff.

She began to say something, but decided against it. She rose and hurried out of the bar. The elevator creaked slowly to the third floor. Maggie stood stiffly beside Cody, acutely aware of his lean, muscular body, careful not to touch him. She moved to one side. Thoughts of their last night together flashed across her mind.

He looked even better than he had that night. He’d matured and developed more muscle, probably from working on the ranch. She closed her eyes, aware of that same cowboy scent she’d never forgotten, horses and oak. The last time she’d enjoyed that all-male scent, she’d been lying naked in his arms. Over the years she’d held out a sliver of hope that her dream of their being together might come true. The present situation, as well as Cody’s attitude, emphasized the total impossibility of that happening.

The elevator bounced to a stop causing Maggie to bump into Cody. Jerking quickly away from his hard, muscular chest when the doors opened, she stepped out and turned left. Footsteps were muffled on the thickly carpeted hall. If someone wanted to stalk her, she’d never hear them. She stopped in front of one of the antique wooden doors. Cody braked right behind her. The heat of his body, inches from hers.

When she opened the door, a small body shot across the room, grabbing her tightly around her waist.

Mommy, you’re back. Maria and I went to the harbor and we watched a ferry boat coming in. I want to go on a ferry boat, can we, Mommy?

We’ll see, honey. She ruffled his dark hair. A lump in her throat kept growing, despite her efforts to swallow and shrink it. This could be one of the last times she’d be with him.

A young woman with dark brown hair and a friendly smile followed Matt across the room. Her eyes focused on Cody. Matt is a great kid.

Maggie fished in her purse. Thank you, Maria. Maggie handed the woman some money before opening the door.

You’re welcome. You have my number if you need me again. Maria continued to smile at Cody as she backed out of the room.

Maggie closed the door and shrugged out of her jacket, tossing it on the bed. Cody Hawkins, I’d like you to meet my son, Matt.

Hi, there, Matt, how are you? Cody stuck out his hand.

Matt stuck out his hand, which completely disappeared in Cody’s. I’m fine, thank you, Mr. Hawkins. Mommy said you have a ranch in Montana.

Yes, I do.

Do you have horses? And cows?

Yep, I have both.

Wow. Can I come and visit you?

Cody smiled. Well, now, that’d be up to your mother.

Can I, Mommy? Mr. Hawkins said it would be okay.

We’ll see. She hugged her son. Honey, can you get Mommy a glass of water from the bathroom, please?

As Matt left the room, Maggie looked across at the cowboy she’d loved for so long. She’d had his son. Somehow, she had to find a way to tell him that, but first she had to protect Matt.

Will you to take my son back to Montana with you and look after him for me?

CHAPTER TWO

Cody felt like he’d been sucker punched.

Clutching his Stetson in front of him he glanced from Maggie to the bathroom. What the hell are you talking about?

This dark haired boy with intense blue eyes, a missing front tooth and an infectious grin looked like a nice enough kid, but… You want me to what?

Maggie lowered her voice. Shh, not so loud, I need you to take Matt back to the ranch and keep him safe.

Have you lost your mind? Why would you want me to do that?

Because I need someone I trust to keep him safe. If Matt stays with me, he’s in danger and could be killed.

You don’t just send your kid away with a stranger.

Sometimes you do, but you’re not a stranger. You protected me growing up. I just need you to protect him, now. I’m sure my parents will help look after him.

Protect him from what?

Here, Mommy. Matt handed her a glass. The water sloshed onto Maggie’s shoes and the carpet.

Thank you, honey. She took the glass and gave him a squeeze. Why don’t you turn the TV on? You can watch cartoons for a few minutes.

Yippee. He raced across the room to the bed, bouncing onto it.

Cody stared at her as she watched Matt grab the remote and turn on the TV. When the TV screen came into focus, Matt flopped down on his stomach and clicked until he found a cartoon channel. His chin on his hands, he stared intently on the program.

Okay, Maggie, give. What the hell is this all about? Cody lowered his voice.

She sipped the water. Can I get you a drink? There’s a mini bar.

Beer, please.

Placing her glass on the dresser, she bent down and opened the door, exposing her well-formed butt.

He jammed his hands into his jean pockets to keep from placing them on her provocative posterior. She was driving him crazy with her sexy body and her refusal to explain why she wanted him to take her son back to the ranch. Protect him