Arms of Shelter (New Edition): Wyoming Arms, #1

By Tessa Carr

What does a young woman do when someone threatens her life?

 

Maddie runs.

 

But has she run to safety?

 

Or has she run to the one place on earth where he can find her?

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tessa Carr
• Release date: Dec 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223584421

Tessa Carr

 I so hope you've enjoyed reading "Danger in Shadow", in the Shadows of Council Creek series. Book One, Faces in Shadow, is also available at your favorite vendors both as an ebook and a paperback. And if you love the series, book three is in progress and will be available soon! Meanwhile, here are other books you might enjoy: The Cape Danger series: The Blue Lion Danger Comes in Amber Shadows of Green Ancient Gold Secrets, Lies and Lavender Then,  The Wyoming Arms series Arms of Shelter Arms of Courage (written but not released yet) Also, I write Historical (and some contemporary romantic suspense) under the name Pippa Greathouser in case you'd like to check me out there. Thank you so much for spending your time with me. I love you all! ~Tessa

Book preview

Chapter One

Madison looked out the window of the Boeing 737, jerking as the plane encountered turbulence. She kept her elbows inside the arms of the seat, trying to crowd herself near the window. The man next to her was tall and forced to lean over the arm by the passenger in the aisle seat who kept putting his elbows outward.

She’d be glad when they arrived.

A message came from the pilot over the intercom. Ladies and Gentlemen, we are encountering some turbulence; please make sure your belongings are secured in the compartments above, and your seatbelts are fastened.

Maddie hugged her carry-on to her more tightly as she looked up to see the flight attendant in the aisle, one of several who were now shoving bags into the upper compartments.

Your bag, ma’am? When she noticed Maddie’s hesitation, she reached for it. It’ll be safe up here, I promise.

Maddie sighed and handed it over.

The man next to her grinned. I won’t run off with it.

If he was joking, she didn’t find it funny. Everything important she had was in that bag.

The plane took a sudden dive, and she gasped as the man next to her grasped her hand.

It’s all right, sweetheart. This isn’t unusual on this trip.

Maddie glared at him and pulled her hand away. I’m not a child.

Amusement crinkled around his eyes. I wasn’t aware I said you were.

I don’t know you. And don’t call me ‘sweetheart’.

This time there was censorship in his eyes. A brow rose, and his voice seemed to have dropped an octave.

Pardon. I was under the impression you were frightened.

I’m… not scared. Not at all, she said. Defensiveness clouded her voice; for a brief second she wished she hadn’t sounded so defiant.

As the thought crossed her mind, however, the plane hit another rough patch. She grabbed for his arm, closing her eyes and holding on tightly until the flight smoothed out. When she opened them again, it was to find him gazing at her, his mouth lifted on one side.

Um, excuse me. Her face was flaming; she could feel it. I didn’t mean… She turned away. How could she grab onto the arm of a total stranger out here in the midst of nowhere, especially one she’d just berated for trying to comfort her? Turning her face toward the window, she viewed the darkness outside. In the distance she could see flashes of lightning. Her chest grew tight. What if they went down in the midst of the Cascade mountains?

As if sensing her fright, the man put an arm around her and drew her closer to him. Before she tried to protest, he spoke in her ear.

Listen to me, young lady. When we reach our destination, you can leave and never have to see me again. Right now, you’re scared and I’m here. So behave yourself and be still.

Maddie gulped. She was willing to do as he asked. His surrounding arm was strong and comforting.

And besides that, he added, if the man next to me takes up any more room I’ll have to move into your seat and put you in my lap.

The thought was so absurd; she let out a giggle, and he tucked her head under his chin as they hit another rough patch.

Not the only passenger to cry out, she was amazed at the fear in her own voice.

Sorry, folks. It was the captain’s voice. Hang in there. We’ll be reaching our destination in about thirty-five minutes.

Maddie let out a whimper. She wasn’t sure she could do this for thirty-five more minutes. On top of that, her stomach was beginning to protest.

Shh, sweetheart. I’ve got you.

This time, she ignored his endearment, and only glanced up. However, she decided it was time to warn him.

I think I’m going to be sick.

The stranger surprised her by reaching into the back of the seat before her and retrieving a bag, opening it with a flick of his wrist. Here. Lean on me. Breathe deep, in through your nose, out through your mouth.

Maddie closed her eyes, barely aware that his arm supported her shoulders and his hand was holding back her hair to keep it out of the way. She tried to concentrate on following his instructions, but it was hard with his muscular body so near. Swearing to herself never to get on a plane again, she closed her eyes and let herself lean into his embrace.

He was right, after all; once they landed, she’d never have to see him again.

Jude Barrington held the small young woman against him, holding back long thick chestnut curls from her face and waiting for her to make use of the barf bag he held for her. But when she finally began to breathe slowly, at his prompting, her nausea seemed to lessen. He watched her as the plane took a few more bumps, wondering if she’d arrive without losing her socks.

He was supposed to meet a girl at the airport, but he wasn’t exactly sure which plane she’d be arriving on. Ginny, the old friend who ran the bed and breakfast at the ranch, had hired her for the summer to help. She’d given him the girl's name, but for the life of him, he couldn’t remember it. Written in his notebook and stuffed into his pocket, there was no way he could get to it right now.

Ginny and Earl were the most kind-hearted people he’d ever worked with. Hiring this girl, whom they’d never met, was just another example of their generosity. He hoped it didn’t turn out to be a disaster; it usually did. He’d tried to talk them out of it this time, but Ginny assured him the girl should be dependable. There was a history of assault, and she’d been afraid to leave her apartment for months. She just needed some respite.

Yeah, he thought, don’t they all? The long list of rescues by Ginny and Earl seemed to each come with their own set of ready-made problems. They not only had disasters; they were disasters.

He glanced down at the girl just under his shoulder. She was dreadfully pale. Her eyes were still closed; her lashes rested against cheeks that had a faint sprinkling of freckles. She looked like the typical girl next door. If they’d been driving, he’d have made her open her eyes and look at the road ahead. But hurtling along at two hundred eighty knots in the dark was not exactly going to help.

She drooped forward, suddenly, and he repositioned the bag just in time to catch the contents of her stomach when she lost them.

Maddie took a deep breath as she straightened, finished. "Oh dear God," she whispered, pushing away tears. She looked up to see the flight attendant leaning forward with a wet paper towel and nodded. The stranger next to her reached for it and wiped her face.

Better? His voice was gentle.

She shook her head. No. I think I’m going to die.

Close your eyes again and relax. We should be there in a few minutes.

She let her eyes drift closed, wanting this awful feeling to go away. She hadn’t been this sick since she threw up on the Tilt-a-whirl at 8 years old.

Somehow, resting against this man brought her comfort. She’d been rude to him earlier; perhaps she should apologize for that. Perhaps… later. She drifted off to sleep, breathing more deeply as she followed his instructions and relaxed.

Sweetheart? We’re here. Are you capable of getting off the plane? His voice spoke once again in her ear. Maddie looked up