Crashing Into Jake

by Sara Blackard

  “Gosh, Jake, look at this view.” She leaned against the basket and took it all in, glad she’d thought of hanging her camera around her neck before they took off.

  The trees along the creek that weaved toward town had tiaras of sparkling snow on their black branches. The rainbow colors of the balloon reflected off the dark blue creek that snaked through snow-covered fields. She adjusted her settings for the light and snapped photo after photo.

  “Are you ready for some real fun?” the pilot asked with an enormous smile.

  “This isn’t fun enough?” Chloe asked over her shoulder.

  His smile widened as he shook his head. “Hang on.”

  The furnace blew loud above them in a steady stream of fire, and the balloon rocketed into the air. She squealed as her knees turned to jelly, and her stomach fell to her toes. This was absolutely amazing. She clung to the basket and laughed as the ascent slowed.

  “Again!” she hollered at Ted and leaned on the wall.

  Hanging her head out of the basket with her arms spread wide, the rush of the balloon rising had pure joy bubbling up and over her cup. She wobbled, and Jake’s arm wrapped around her, anchoring her to the woven structure. With his strength holding her, she leaned out even farther, flying high like the sun.

  The blasting of the furnace halted, and silence settled over them. When she straightened back into the basket, her head rested against Jake’s shoulder. Wow, he’d had to get close. She could get used to this whole bodyguard thing.

  She tilted her head back to look up at him, and something other than joy bubbled inside her. “Thanks for anchoring me.”

  Was her voice really that husky? She tried to calm her racing heart. With the way he stared down at her, she failed. He nodded, then stepped away. Chloe regretted the loss of his heat immediately.

  She shook her head and turned to the pilot. “I think I’ve changed my mind.”

  “You ready to go down?” Concern laced the question.

  “No. I don’t think music is my future.” She spun in a circle. “I want to be a hot-air balloon pilot when I grow up.”

  He tipped his head back and laughed. She turned back to the mountains jutting up from the valley with a sigh. She hoped Piper had gotten over her fear to enjoy this. To Chloe’s way of thinking, this beat carnival rides hands down.

  With the crisp air kissing her cheeks and the magnitude of creation spread before her, the hymn of flying away fell as a whisper from her lips. She’d sung that hymn a million times while lying in the hospital bed. It’d brought her comfort when the end looked near, a hope of a life in heaven with no sickness or pain. One day, she would fly away to glory, but she’d been blessed with a second chance at life. One she wouldn’t waste. The hymn that had once seemed imminent now felt more a future promise. As the sun bathed her face in morning light, she closed her eyes and let the song soar out.

  Eight

  Jake scanned the restaurant again before sitting next to Chloe at the large table. The Back Door Grill had a great small-town vibe with money hanging on the walls and cheerful chatter filling the place to the corners. The thick aroma of fried food permeated the air and made Jake’s mouth water. Relief eased his muscles when the greeter led them to the table in the corner. With how this place had tables crammed at all angles, it’d be hard to keep watch if they’d been seated in the middle.

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you could fill in at such short notice,” Mr. Franklin, the festival’s director, gushed at Chloe.

  “I’m happy we didn’t have something booked.” Chloe twisted the menu in her hand. “Steamboat has been a wonderful diversion from the Texas winter. We don’t have the beautiful snow and crisp air that really screams the season.”

  “We moved up from Louisiana about twenty years ago, so I know what you mean.” The man chuckled as he opened his menu. “Nothing beats Colorado any season. Steamboat most of all.”

  This man reminded Jake of a captain they once had that promised the base in Afghanistan was the best out there. The sand trap ended up the worst base they’d ever had to launch from. Jake caught Rafe’s eye and smirked. Rafe, for once, pressed his lips together and tucked his head to read the menu.

  “What do you suggest, Mr. Franklin?” Piper asked as she scanned the menu.

  “Everything here will get your mouth to watering. They make the best hamburgers in the state.” The man wiped his hand across his mouth like he drooled at the mere thought of the food. He snagged the waitress as she passed their table. “Hun, do you think you can get us a Quadruple Bypass, Mac and Cheese Bites, and Tater Tatchos started before we order?”

  Her shoulders slumped slightly, though she pasted on a smile. “Sure thing, Mr. Franklin, just as soon as I deliver this food.”

  Jake scanned the menu for the items the man had ordered. His eyes widened. Did the guy think he was feeding an army or what? He peeked over the menu at the plump man. Or maybe just himself.

  Jake’s lips pinched as he read the rest of the menu. There wasn’t much here that Chloe could eat. He wondered if she could order the burgers without a bun. What must it be like to have a menu this big but only a few things safe to eat?

  He leaned over to her where she scrutinized the menu. “Is there anything you can eat?”

  Her smile didn’t reach her eyes when she turned to him. “I’m going to have the chili.”

  “Is th—”

  “Chloe, I’ve arranged for you to go to Ellie Smithton’s house after we finish here.” Mr. Franklin interrupted Jake, and Chloe leaned over and pointed to the little square with a GF in it next to the chili on the menu. “When her dad complained about the other artist dropping out to his family, that little girl begged until she was blue in the face for you to be the replacement.”

  “I’m excited to meet her.” Chloe beamed across the table. “Hopefully, I can encourage her.”

  “I’m sure you can, darling.” The man rubbed his hands together as the waitress approached for their orders. “That girl never leaves her house. It’ll be good for her and her parents to see how you get on in the world, seeing as you have the same affliction and all. They just need to stop babying her and move on.”

  Chloe tensed as the obnoxious man turned to the waitress to order. Piper slammed her fist onto the table and looked hotter than a lizard in the desert. Jake understood the feeling as he clenched his hand on his leg. Chloe shook her head violently at her cousin and pointed her finger. Chloe pasted on a smile as the waitress turned to her.

  “I’ll have a bowl of chili, please.”

  “Mandy, sweetheart, make it extra special.” Mr. Franklin rubbed the waitress on the arm.

  She shifted away. “Sure thing, Mr. Franklin.”

  Mandy continued to take their orders. When she came to Jake, he hesitated. He’d never worried about what he would order before, but he saw the food in a different light.

  “I’ll take the chicken tacos.” That seemed safe.

  They all nodded politely as Mr. Franklin spouted on and on about nothing. He paused only to give lingering hugs to women patrons that walked by. When the appetizers arrived, Chloe shrank from the table now laden with wheat-covered food. Jake couldn’t wait to get this meal done and over with. This man rivaled for the most arrogant man alive award.

  When he didn’t grab a plate and dig in like Rafe, Chloe leaned over to him. “You don’t want any?”

  “Nah.” He shook his head and looked into her concerned eyes. “I’ll wait until my meal gets here.”

  He didn’t want to tell her he worried about getting her sick. The other night she’d said kissing a guy who’d drunk a beer could knock her out. He hadn’t known what that meant, so he googled celiac. Not that he thought about kissing her. Well, thought about it much.

  After reading several articles online, he had the fear of God thoroughly embedded into his soul. Was she so sensitive to gluten that even touching it could make her sick? What if he ate a deep-fried pickle, then needed to grab her hand t
o get her out of here? That minuscule contact could put some celiacs in bed for days. No, until this assignment finished, he’d stick with safe foods and not risk it.

  Their meals arrived, and his eyes bulged at the size of their portions. Piper’s bright green salad looked tempting piled high in the bowl. Rafe’s and Mr. Franklin’s sandwiches were both so thick Jake doubted they could get their mouths around them. He glanced at Chloe’s chili as the waitress set it in front of her, and scowled. Chopped up mozzarella sticks covered the top.

  Chloe put her hand on her neck and cleared her throat. “I’m really sorry. I guess I didn’t read the menu right. I have celiac and can’t eat the chili with these on top.”

  Mandy looked at the soup, then glared at Mr. Franklin.

  Chloe continued, pulling the waitress’s attention back. “I’ll pay for this bowl, since I made a mistake, but is it possible to get a bowl without those on it?”

  “It’s not your fault, ma’am. I’ll go get you another bowl right away.” Mandy threw one last glare at Mr. Franklin, who gleefully stuffed his face, and rushed to the kitchen.

  How could that fool be so insensitive? He’d even mentioned Chloe’s celiac. Jake couldn’t stand people like him, who had little regard for others.

  “That looks good.” Chloe’s soft words drew his eyes to her. “I’m not sure how I missed that on the menu.”

  “You can eat these?” Jake studied his tacos.

  She leaned in to scrutinize them. “They’d probably be okay. As long as the meat and tortillas weren’t warmed on the same place the buns were.”

  “Do you want one?” Jake picked one up and extended it to her, glad he’d made a choice that wouldn’t kill her.

  Joy filled her eyes as she smiled. “No, thanks, but I’ll take a bite.”

  Instead of taking the taco from him, she leaned close and opened her mouth. He gulped as he moved the taco to her mouth. She took a bite, her lips skimming his fingertips. His heart took off like hummingbird wings.

  She put her hand over her mouth and moaned. “That is so good.”

  “Do you want the rest?”

  “Nah, chili’s fine. But thanks for sharing.” She lifted her smile to the waitress who placed a fresh bowl of chili on the table.

  Jake tore his gaze away and focused on his own plate. He ripped a bite off of his taco, allowing the spicy flavor to jolt him back to reality. Just because Chloe attracted him like a bear to honey meant nothing. She was sweet and generous, nothing like how he pictured a celebrity to be.

  It’d be plain stupid to let his attraction go further than that, though. She laughed at something Piper said, and the sound wove into his stomach and settled, just like her song had the day before. He creased his forehead and peeked at her. She’d been through just as much as he had and had come out the other side with joy. Could she be one who would understand his struggles, maybe be willing to come alongside him as he healed?

  When the meal of torture finished, Chloe politely thanked Mr. Franklin for joining them for lunch. She had hardly eaten any of her meal, and Jake worried she felt sick. Piper pulled Chloe close as they left the restaurant, whispering in her ear. Good, they were easier to protect bunched together like hens. With Rafe guarding the rear, Jake rushed them outside to the vehicle.

  The SUV doors had barely slammed shut before Rafe jumped into it. “Man, that guy was a grade A jerk.”

  “Oh no, he’s passed the jerk level.” Piper’s voice seethed with anger.

  Rafe twisted in his seat to look at her. “Pipster, I thought I was gonna have to wrap you around the waist and haul you off. You looked ready to pummel the man.”

  “It’s a good thing I practice restraint.” Piper punched her hand in her palm. “Otherwise, he’d be black and blue and not have use of those hands he likes to get all touchy-feely with.”

  Jake peeked in the rearview mirror at Chloe. She smiled but stared out the window. Did he need to take her to the hospital? He shouldn’t have offered her a bite of his tacos. What if they made it on the griddle with the gluten products?

  “Chloe, you hardly ate any of your chili. Are you feeling okay?” Jake’s gaze connected with hers in the mirror.

  Her cheeks turned pink as her eyes bounced to everyone in the car. “I’m fine. Chili just isn’t one of my favorites. I had to eat a lot of it when I was in the hospital.”

  “Chili, broth, and plain, dry chicken.” Piper pretended to gag. “We got so sick of those for a while neither of us could even look at them without wanting to vomit.”

  “Davis kept me updated when you got so sick. We both felt bad we weren’t around to help when it got bad.” Rafe rubbed his neck, his voice thick with regret.

  “You two were doing more important things, like playing hero to the world.” Chloe leaned over and gave Piper a side hug. “Besides, I survived, and all because of this amazing woman who refused to leave my side for a minute. She even snuck me contraband.”

  “I wasn’t going to let you go through that alone.” Piper laughed. “Besides, it was the perfect opportunity to live out my fantasy of snagging a doctor.”

  Rafe turned in his seat, his forehead furrowed. “You fantasize about hooking up with a doctor?”

  Piper’s face turned bright red as she stared Rafe down. “Among other things.”

  Whoa, the tension zinging between those two had become tight. Davis would flip. Jake smiled, wondering if he should drop Davis an email and ruin Rafe’s fun. He glanced at Rafe. Jake shook his head. Nah. Rafe knew the sister code.

  Before the moment became any more awkward, Jake focused back on Chloe. “Do you want me to stop somewhere and grab you something to eat? There’s a health food store close.”

  “How do you know that?” Her eyes lit with curiosity.

  “Google.”

  Her smile widened, and Jake had to work to focus on the road and not her. “I’m fine, Jake. I have a stash of food in my purse if I get hungry.”

  Jake nodded, and his neck heated. He needed to worry about getting them to her fan’s house safely, not whether or not Chloe would starve. His job description did not include dietician. He pulled into the driveway and scanned the street as he opened the door for Chloe. When he closed the door, she stepped up close to him and placed her hand on his arm. It tingled where she touched and raced to his shoulder, causing all his hair to stand on end.

  “Thank you for worrying about me.” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed his scarred cheek, the tingles multiplying by the power of a hundred.

  A whoop on the other side of the vehicle had Jake pushing Chloe between him and the SUV. He needed to stay vigilant, not get distracted by pixies. Chloe’s laughter behind him relaxed his muscles.

  “Piper, you okay?” Chloe asked through her giggles.

  “Yeah.” Piper’s wry reply caused Jake’s mouth to twitch upward.

  “Careful, it’s slick.” Rafe’s voice held a tone Jake had never heard from his friend before.

  Jake glanced to the other side of the vehicle, but the dark windows kept him from seeing anything. He placed his hand around Chloe’s small waist and led her up the walk. They just needed to get inside, get the meet and greet over with, and escape to the safety of the house.

  The squealing of a teenage girl broke into his thoughts with a jolt. A young woman stood at the house’s door, her trembling hands covering her mouth as tears ran down her face. Chloe pulled out of Jake’s arms and rushed up the walkway, wrapping her arms around the crying girl.

  “I’m so glad to meet you, Ellie,” Chloe said as Jake stepped up behind her.

  “You have no idea what this means to me.” Ellie sobbed into Chloe’s shoulder.

  “I think I have a pretty good idea.” Chloe turned to Jake, her tears hanging on her lashes.

  Jake’s heart pinched, and he cleared his throat. “Why don’t we go inside?”

  The next four hours, Jake spent listening to more girl talk than he’d ever heard in his entire life. He found out more about Chloe�
��s struggles with celiac as she encouraged Ellie. Chloe even talked the Smithtons into allowing her to hire her own celiac specialist to help Ellie.

  Chloe hugged Ellie tight at the door as they left. “You have my number. Call or text me anytime. I’d love to hear from you.”

  Ellie nodded and sniffed. “Thanks, Chloe, for everything. Life doesn’t seem like it will totally suck now.”

  Chloe’s smile blinded him as Jake guided her by the elbow to the SUV. Man, she really blew his mind. She wrapped her arm around his and squeezed.

  “That was the most amazing thing ever.” Her cheery laugh made him smile.

  “I bet that feels good, helping others like that.” Jake wrapped his arm around her when they got to an icy patch.

  “Imagine, using your weaknesses to help others get over theirs. Nothing beats that.”

  He looked down at her as her voice trailed off.

  She trembled against him as she stared at the SUV. He followed her gaze, his gut hardening at the sight of a paper tucked between the wiper and windshield.

  “Rafe,” he barked out, pushing Chloe up against the house so he could search the vehicle.

  With Rafe protecting the women, Jake methodically checked every inch of the SUV. When he found nothing, he opened the back hatch and pulled out the Eyes Beyond invention June had provided them with. He didn’t want to take any chances. As he scanned the vehicle for inconsistencies, plans ran through his mind. The need to get Chloe safe went beyond just doing his job, cementing into his very fiber. He pushed the thought aside, not willing to let the anxiety that image brought freeze him.

  Nine

  Chloe stood frozen against the house as Jake searched the vehicle. She tried not to think about what he might find, but the image of him blowing up from some kind of bomb kept her heart pounding viciously in her throat. The white paper waved in the wind, mocking the bravado she’d cloaked herself in.