by Laura Scott
“Your life was on the line, Jayme.” He didn’t show any remorse, and deep down, she was glad Sandra and Jake had cooperated with him. She just hoped they wouldn’t get into trouble over it. “And it worked because the moment I saw Adam K. Shepard’s name, I sensed he was the one. When I looked him up in the DMV database, the scar on his face was wrong, but I was still convinced.”
“The scar was fake; he used a rubbery putty-like substance to cover up his burn scars.” She shook her head. “I should have realized he was the Preacher. Although in my defense, I truly thought he was dead.”
“I know.” Linc lifted her scarred hand and kissed it. “I’m so glad I found you, Jayme. I only wish I’d gotten there earlier.”
“I kept him talking in an attempt to stall for time. I was hoping Mrs. Katz would notice something was off and call the police.” She was amazed at how easily he accepted her burn-ravaged hand when others had shunned the scars. “And I prayed, Linc, in a way I’ve never prayed before.”
“I know God was guiding me to you.” His gaze bored into hers. “I’m only sorry it took me so long to rescue you. But I didn’t dare shoot, not the way he was holding that lighter . . .”
“It’s okay. I completely understand,” she hastened to assure him.
“Jayme. I was so afraid I was going to lose you.” Linc’s voice was so low she could barely hear him.
“It’s my fault, Linc. I’m the one who insisted on helping out at the clinic.” She hated seeing him so racked with guilt. “I don’t blame you at all. I accept the consequences of my actions.” A smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “But I still prayed you’d find me in time. And you did.”
“I love you.”
She stared at him, wondering if she’d said those words or if he did. She didn’t think she’d said them out loud.
“I love you, Jayme Weston,” he repeated.
“But—your wife and daughter . . .” She trailed off, struggling to find a way to express her doubts. “I know they still own your heart.”
“They did, yes,” Linc admitted. “There’s a part of me that will always love them. But they’re in a much better place now, and God has kept me on earth because my work isn’t done yet.”
So he saw her as part of his work? It made sense, and she tried to ignore the shaft of disappointment. “But you don’t have to protect me anymore. I’m safe now that the Preacher has been arrested. And so is Caitlyn.”
“Yes, I know.” He frowned. “My attempt to keep you at a professional distance failed miserably. I fell in love with you. And I can understand if you don’t feel the same way, but I hope you’ll give me a chance.”
Maybe the smoke and kerosene had made her brain mush because she didn’t understand how he’d gone from the fact that his work wasn’t done to claiming he loved her. “Linc, we’ve been through a lot over the past few days.”
“Look, Jayme. I love you.” He looked impatient now. “I love you, and I want to spend time with you. Will you at least allow me to take you out for dinner?” He glanced guiltily at her bandaged feet. “Once you’re healed.”
“I’d love to have dinner, but I don’t want you to think of me as some sort of project you need to fix.”
“I don’t.” He fell silent for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, I’m an idiot.”
She burst out laughing. “I didn’t say that.”
“When I said God has a plan for me, that my work wasn’t done here, I meant that God wanted me to find you, Jayme. That God brought us together.”
Understanding dawned. “You really love me?”
“I can’t think of any more ways to say it,” he admitted. “I love you, and I want to be with you. I hope you’ll give me that chance.”
“Oh, Linc.” She couldn’t help but smile. “Of course, I’ll go out with you, because I love you too.”
“Praise God,” he said reverently. Then he jumped up to sit beside her, drawing her carefully into his arms. “I’d like to kiss you,” he whispered.
“I’d like that too.” She reached up and drew his head down to hers. Her heart soared at the mix of tenderness and passion in his kiss.
“Um, Jayme?” A female voice from the doorway made her break off from Linc’s embrace. When she saw Caitlyn standing there, with Devon and Annette behind her, she wanted to groan.
She loved her sister, but couldn’t she have waited a few more minutes? Maybe an hour? Or two?
“Sorry to interrupt.” Devon shot an apologetic glance at Linc. “But Caitlyn insisted on coming, and after hearing the news that Shepard was in custody, I figured she had a right to see her sister.”
“Jayme, I’ve been so worried.” Caitlyn stepped closer. “You sounded upset during our earlier call.”
“It’s all been a bit overwhelming,” Jayme admitted. “But as you can see, I’m fine.”
“How long will your feet need to be bandaged?” Caitlyn asked.
“A few weeks, but they’re only first- and second-degree burns.” Jayme smiled. “The doc mentioned something about the shoes melting around my feet from the fire, which didn’t help. I’m blessed the injuries weren’t worse.”
“I can’t believe the Preacher didn’t die in the cabin,” Caitlyn said. “All this time, we assumed he was dead.”
“He escaped out the bedroom window and somehow managed to avoid all of us hiding in the woods.”
“How did he find you?” Caitlyn asked.
“I’m thinking he knew Jayme’s real last name and found her through the physical therapy clinic,” Linc said. His comment made her wince. It had never occurred to her to change her name. “She’s listed as an employee.”
“But there’s no need to worry,” Jayme insisted. “He’ll never hurt anyone again.”
“I’m glad.” Caitlyn’s smile was lopsided. “I used to have nightmares about him.”
“I know, me too.” Caitlyn had suffered with the rest of the fosters for two years. As much as Jayme had tried to protect her, she couldn’t erase all the memories from the past.
But she had done her best to provide new, happy memories.
“Hey, we should go back to the hotel so your sister can rest,” Devon said.
“The hotel?” Jayme glanced at Linc. “The girls can probably head back to their apartment now that the danger is over.”
“They could, but we already paid for the room.” Linc shrugged. “Why not let them stay one more night? Devon can drive them to class in the morning.”
“Okay.”
Caitlyn came over to give her a hug, and Jayme held her tightly for a long moment.
Then they were gone, leaving her and Linc alone.
Exhaustion weighed on her, and she ended up falling asleep. The nursing staff checked on her throughout the night, and each time, Linc remained by her side. He gave her privacy when she needed to go into the bathroom but then resumed his position in the chair.
“You should go home and get some rest,” she told him.
“Tomorrow, if you’re discharged.” He yawned. “Until then, I’m staying.”
Stubborn man, she thought fondly.
The doc came in bright and early to do her dressing changes. She insisted on watching, although Linc had looked a little sick at seeing her injuries.
“They’re looking good,” the doc said. “I’ll send you home as long as you continue changing the bandages and putting on more burn cream twice a day.”
“I can do that,” Jayme agreed.
“I’ll help,” Linc bravely added.
“All right then, I’ll put through the discharge paperwork.” The doc smiled and left.
The entire process took longer than it should, so it was almost three hours later before Jayme was placed in a wheelchair and pushed outside.
Instantly, a mob of people rushed toward her. “Ms. Weston, Ms. Weston! How do you feel about the role you played in getting Mr. Shepard behind bars?”
Jayme glanced up at Linc. He winced. “Reporters,” he said in a low voice. �
��You’ve been big news these past few days.”
She looked around in shock. She’d had no idea. “I’m glad he’ll spend the rest of his life behind bars,” she said. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go home.”
“Jayme?” A familiar voice caught her attention. She turned and felt as if she’d been punched in the chest when she saw a man that looked like a grown-up version of Sawyer.
Not just Sawyer, but all of them. A few feet from the reporters she saw them all. Hailey, Darby, Sawyer, Cooper, and Trent.
A rush of emotion hit hard. Her foster siblings were alive!
Chapter Fifteen
Linc tightened his grip on Jayme’s wheelchair, but he needn’t have worried. A group of young adults rushed toward Jayme who was crying and laughing at the same time.
“I can’t believe you’re all here,” Jayme said as they all took turns hugging her. “How did you find me?”
“It wasn’t hard the way your face has been plastered all over the news,” a guy with short dark hair said wryly. “The moment we learned you were here, we all banded together to come and see you.”
“Oh, Sawyer.” Jayme sniffled. “I haven’t watched any television, so I had no idea I was on the news.”
Linc was impressed to hear Jayme’s foster siblings had come all the way to Sevierville just to see her. It seemed they’d all found each other before and had only just now learned about Jayme. “Listen, we should get out of here, or the reporters will be all over us,” he warned.
“Where’s Caitlyn?” a woman with long, straight dark hair asked. “We thought for sure she’d be here.”
“She lives here in Sevierville, Hailey, but she has class today.” Jayme glanced up at him. “This is Linc Quade, my, er . . .”
“Boyfriend,” Linc supplied, secretly pleased when Jayme smiled, her cheeks turning red. The sooner she got used to hearing that, the better. “Listen, it’s really great to meet all of you, but we really need to get away from here.” The reporters were already watching the exchange with far too much interest. “Can you meet us at my place?” Linc rattled off the address.
Sawyer nodded. “Of course. We have our respective spouses with us so prepare for a crowd.”
“Everyone is welcome,” Linc said sincerely. “And we’ll bring Caitlyn over from the college too.”
“College,” a woman with short blond hair said, putting a hand on a boy who was roughly five or six. “That’s impressive.”
“Darby, who is this adorable little boy?” Jayme smiled at the shy child.
“My son, Leo.” Darby beamed. “I—well, it’s a long story.”
Linc had a feeling they all had a long story to tell. Including Jayme. “Let’s go, okay?” He wanted to ditch the reporters and fast.
“Ms. Weston! How badly were you burned in the fire?” one woman shouted as Linc pushed Jayme’s wheelchair to his rental.
“No comment,” he said tersely. He quickly lifted Jayme up and into the passenger seat, then slammed the door, effectively cutting the reporters off. He quickly slid behind the wheel and headed out of the parking lot, narrowly missing one of the cameramen who had chosen to stay in the middle of the road to keep filming.
“I can’t believe the fosters are here.” Jayme appeared dazed. “They all look so great, so grown up. I noticed Sawyer was wearing a wedding ring, and I think Darby was too. I didn’t have time to check all of them, but they look happy and healthy.”
“They did,” he agreed. “Very much so.”
“It’s surreal to realize that after all these years we’ve found each other.”
“God brought you together,” Linc murmured. “As soon as we get to my place, I’ll call Devon, ask him to bring Caitlyn over.”
“Thank you.” Jayme reached over to grasp his hand. “It was very sweet of you to offer your home as a meeting spot.”
“Jayme, I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but I’d like you to stay with me while your house is being repaired. In the guest bedroom,” he hastened to add. “I promise not to take advantage of the situation.”
“Are you sure?” Doubt laced her tone.
“I’m sure.” He wanted her to stay with him forever but refrained from saying the words. She’d barely admitted her feelings for him, he didn’t want to overwhelm her too much.
“Okay, thanks. I look like a wreck,” she said, threading her fingers through her hair.
“You’re beautiful,” he corrected. “Smart, brave, strong, and beautiful. Don’t forget that for one moment.”
“I’ll try.” She grimaced. “Although a shower would be nice.”
“You can’t get the bandages on your feet wet,” he reminded her.
“I know.”
He pulled into his driveway and quickly ran up to unlock the house. Everything appeared undisturbed since they’d left it last. Returning to the SUV, he swept Jayme into his arms and carried her inside.
“The doc said I could walk short distances,” she protested.
“Yeah, like to the bathroom and back. All other walking is off-limits. The more you stay off your feet, the faster you’ll heal.”
Once he had Jayme settled on the sofa, he called Devon. “Where are you?”
“Just got out of the shower, I have to report in to work at three o’clock,” Devon said. “Why? Did something happen? I thought you had Shepard in custody?”
“Everything is fine, he’s in custody and still at the hospital. I need a favor. Would you be willing to pick Caitlyn up from school and bring her to my place?” Linc asked. He poked his head in the fridge, glad to see he had plenty of bottled water and soft drinks.
“Yes, but why?”
“All of her foster siblings have arrived in town.” Linc closed the fridge. “She won’t want to miss the impromptu reunion.”
“Wow, she has other foster siblings aside from Jayme?” Devon sounded surprised. “She never mentioned them.”
“Well, I get the sense Jayme and Caitlyn didn’t talk about their past to anyone.” Linc could tell the young man was hurt by the news that Caitlyn hadn’t confided in him. “It’s nothing personal, but as you know, the Preacher made their life a living nightmare.”
“Yeah, he did,” Devon agreed. “I’ll head over to get her, but she may want to wait until her class is finished.”
“The sooner the better,” Linc said. “Trust me, she’ll want to see them as much as they’re anxious to see her.”
“Got it.” Devon disconnected from the call.
A car pulled behind his rental, followed by another. A caravan of four vehicles, as it seemed each foster sibling had brought a significant other with them. Two couples got out of one car, the rest had their own mode of transportation.
Linc went over to open his door. “Come in, make yourselves at home.”
“Nice place,” Hailey said with admiration. “Thanks for hosting us all at the last minute.”
“Jayme’s family is important to me,” he replied honestly. “And Caitlyn should be here soon.”
The group of people trooped inside, gathering around Jayme. Some sat on the furniture, but many sat on the floor to be closer to her.
Linc took another minute to order several large pizzas of all different kinds of toppings, along with more soft drinks, fearing he wouldn’t have enough.
Then he hung back, content to watch and listen.
This was Jayme’s moment. Her time to be with her family.
He was happy enough to be a part of this momentous occasion.
“Jayme, I’d like you to meet my wife, Naomi Palmer,” Sawyer introduced her to a pretty blonde. “We live in Chattanooga.”
“And this is my husband, Gage, and our son, Leo,” Darby added. “We live in Knoxville.”
“So close!” Jayme was surprised at the news. “And don’t forget, you promised to tell me the story about that. Although I won’t put you on the spot here in front of everyone.”
“I don’t mind.” Darby turned and exchanged a smile wit
h her husband. “Everything we suffered through has only made us stronger in our faith, right, Gage?”
“Exactly right,” he agreed. “We’re blessed to be here, together as a family.”
Jayme was touched by his words, but soon Cooper caught her attention.
“Jayme, this is my wife, Mia. We live in Knoxville now too.” Cooper smiled lovingly at his wife. Jayme grinned at how handsome the guys were. Sawyer, Cooper, and Trent were all gorgeous without seeming to be aware of it.
“Nice to meet you, Mia.” She turned toward Trent. “Don’t tell me you’re married too?”
“We’re engaged,” Trent corrected. “But I hope to marry Serena very soon. We live in Nashville.” He held the pretty girl’s hand. “I’ve told her all about you and Caitlyn. And the others, too, of course.”
“Last but not least, this is my fiancé, Rock Wilson,” Hailey said. “We’re getting married in less than two weeks. I know you’ve been injured”—she glanced down with a slight frown at Jayme’s bandaged feet—“but I hope you’ll join us. We’re getting married in a church in Gatlinburg, where we live.”
“Gatlinburg is really close. I’d be happy to come.” Jayme was surprised they’d all ended up in Tennessee. She glanced at Linc who stood in the kitchen watching them with a smile on his face. “That is if Linc doesn’t mind accompanying me.”
“I wouldn’t miss it,” he assured her. “Oh, and I’ve ordered pizzas and more soft drinks. You’re welcome to have anything from the fridge.”
“Could I bother you for some water?” Jayme’s throat was still sore from the smoke she’d inhaled. She wanted to get up and walk over to get it herself, but not only was she surrounded by the fosters, she knew Linc wanted her to stay off her feet. She could already tell she was going to hate feeling like a burden.
“Of course.” Linc pulled several water bottles out and passed them around. Hailey handed hers to Jayme, then took another.
Jayme sipped her water, wondering where to start. The fosters had a right to know about the Preacher.
“Caitlyn’s here,” Linc announced.
“Where’s Annette?” Jayme asked as her sister came into the house.
