by Lara Sweety
She shook her head. How could this man still tug at her heart so easily?
“Sweetheart, what happened between us was a long time ago. I’m sorry for the way I handled things. I was a kid.”
“Don’t you ever call me that! You walked away from me. I’m not your sweetheart,” Laurel choked out.
“I was under incredible pressure from my father. I couldn’t give you a life at that point. I couldn’t do that to you, to our...to our son.”
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“You gonna quit trying to run off to nowhere?” Adam McClain asked his captive as he escorted her into her room.
“I’m a police captain for one of the largest cities in the United States,” she fumed. “You really think they aren’t going to miss me?” Jen Delaney had just about enough of Adam MacClain’s overbearing shadowing.
Adam chuckled, “This is a SEAL operation, baby. You could be gone a year and they wouldn’t miss you.”
“Right, SEAL op—got it,” she said mockingly. She strained against the handcuffs again.
“Hey, you’re surrounded by guards, in a heavily armed compound, in the middle of the ocean. This will all be over soon enough. Can I get you to enjoy the vacation so I can leave off the cuffs?”
“Whatever. Undo me. Please?”
Ever since she’d been put in his charge, he thought he might enjoy her undo—ing. Please? He was finally getting somewhere. He grinned behind her back and removed the heavy steel handcuffs. She rubbed her wrists where the cuffs had dug marks.
“I’m sorry about those. I just have to keep you here and out of harm’s way. The details are above your, ummm, pay grade.” He ribbed her and it backfired.
Jen gave him an unlady-like snort. “Hah, I’m quite sure I make more than you do!”
“Damn woman, I was just trying to be funny. You always talk to men this way? Maybe that’s why you’re single!” He fired back.
As soon as the words were out, he wanted to reel them back in. Damn. She had a way of pushing his buttons.
“You’re an ass,” she said flatly. Then quietly, “How did you know?” The “single” statement had cut her. Her parents and her friends were always pushing her to slow down, get married, and have kids.
“Power of observation. No ring mark. Pretty good indicator,” he lifted her left hand gingerly for a second look. “Truce, okay?” He pleaded with her; head cocked, flashing a handsome sideways grin.
“Won’t work on me, buddy,” she spat.
He threw up his hands and turned to walk out. “Suit yourself, baby.”
“I’m not your baby,” she spat.
“We’ll see about that,” he said quietly, smirking as he walked out the door.
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The colors of the night blended in shades of silver, gray, black, and indigo. Laurel was staring out the door, down the path to the water, now glistening in the moonlight. Jake caught her as her knees buckled, and he moved her slowly to the bed. She sat at the edge, motionless, the thick terry robe barely covering her thighs. She didn’t care; he’d seen it all before, even if it had been a much younger version.
The words barely came, “You knew.”
“Yes, damn it, I knew and I was scared shitless. Scared of losing you, of you hating me forever because I couldn’t make a good life for us. My sister had overheard the argument I had with my father. By the time I got to town to see you, her mouth had run wild. Everyone had already heard I was going to marry Sue. Shit travels fast. I tried a hundred times to walk in that door. I couldn’t do it after I saw you with him. I had nothing to offer you. I watched you walk out the door with him!” His voice was hard, strained. He paced in front of her.
“Jahn.”
“Yes, Jahn. I knew he could take care of you.” He stopped and stared at her hard.
“So you let us live a lie to cover your ass?” She looked at him weakly, tired.
“No—no damn it! Laurel it’s what I thought would work. I didn’t want to see you struggle. I had nothing to offer you, or at least that was what I thought. No one ever saw in me what you did.” He rubbed his face with his hands in frustration.
“Jahn and I were always confused as brothers in school. Same height, build, similar face, just different hair and eyes. I knew he had a thing for you. I thought no one would figure it out. Seeing you together, I figured it would all work out, and you would be happy. He had a future. I was a punk, a bad-boy, and was good for nothing, according to a lot of people. I knew he could take care of you. His parents had money. I had nothing. I couldn’t handle watching him with you. I went to college and joined the Navy.”
“But you married her. HER!” Laurel struggled, choking back her anguish. “You didn’t give me a choice! You just walked away from everything we had. I loved you!”
“She wouldn’t go away after the rumor started. We had dated a few times. You were with Jahn. It just happened. I was a kid for Christ’s sake!”
“You knew and you did nothing. That amazes me, Jake. Jahn knew right off and didn’t walk away. He just wanted to take care of me, he said. Nobody asked any questions. We were crazy about each other. You and I were over, that’s all I knew.” Her pain was evident, her arms wrapped around herself in a self-protective hug.
“You have no excuses to make, Laurel. This is all on me. I know you loved him and he loved you. That’s why I never interfered.” He took a deep breath and continued.
“When I found out you were pregnant for sure, I went crazy. I was crushed. He was living in my dream, our dream. I focused on school and the Navy and life went on.” Jake choked back heavy emotion.
“You knew. As far as I knew, my secret was kept perfectly. How did you know Adam was yours?” Laurel stared at Jake bewildered, eyes welling with tears once more.
Jake let out a protracted sigh and chuckled quietly. “Laurel have you forgotten?” He half grinned and drew a breath, “Have you forgotten that I knew every inch of that lovely body of yours? We didn’t spend much time apart that spring. I remembered the condom that broke and how we laughed about it, that it would be a happy accident. I was excited beyond belief when I figured you’d missed. But—I wanted the surprise to be yours to tell when you were ready.”
Laurel grabbed at the bed trying to keep the room from spinning.
“Grandma Maralee was the only one that knew, or ever said they knew. She never told a soul. Jahn was a good daddy. Adam was always his. You can’t take that away from him.”
Hot tears fell in big drops on her chest.
“I know. I made sure things were always okay. I saw you when you didn’t see me. Jahn was a good man, Laurel. He took good care of you. I know that. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. So sorry. There hasn’t been a day in my life that I didn’t think about you. Not a day when I didn’t wonder about my son, our son. I wanted the two of you to have a future, please understand.” He pleaded with her. “I will never attempt to take Jahn’s place. I know the two of you loved each other. I watched you—in the creek, the hay field, the back pasture. He always loved you. Always a hug and a kiss. It made me sick with jealousy. Look, I’m not him. I know that. But I will always love you. I always have. I always will. I’m only asking you to let me take care of you. I can do that now. Please Laurel, I owe you that much.” He’d said his piece. The rest was up to her.
After a long silence, she nodded. The emotional rollercoaster ride needed to end. She was completely drained, and the prospect of letting someone else run the show for a while was inviting.
She slumped as if a weight had been lifted from her straining shoulders. The fight was gone from her. She stared emotionless at the floor. Jake realized she’d had enough, and rose to pull the covers back for her. He patted for her to crawl in. She swiveled, and ducked under, sinking into the fresh linens. Laurel pulled the coverlet up tight around her in an attempt to shut the world out. With no resistance left, she accepted the kiss Jake planted softly on her forehead, and she fell into a deep, res
tful sleep.
Jake closed and latched the full-glass bulletproof doors. He looked back at her as he pulled his tie loose and walked toward the door removing his cuff links. He stopped, released his grasp from the hall door handle, turned, and took a place on the sofa in the suite’s sitting room, grabbed a pillow, and covered his shoulders with his jacket.
Chapter 11
The next morning found Jake LeGrande sitting in the dark of the island’s central command. Business first. Then, he was going to see if he could get Laurel to talk to him and enjoy herself a little.
The satellite images of the island and other areas constantly refreshed on the screens on the wall in real time. Relayed sonar images consistently checked the ocean for intruders, radar images checked for air traffic and weather. Blue, red, green and yellow lights shown everywhere like Christmas lights. State of the art surveillance included face and voice recognition software. From his vantage point, Jake could easily see Laurel and Jen moving toward the beach.
He was proud of this installation. Nothing had been left out of the command center he’d help design—intuitive, ingenious and the right people to man it. He’d been responsible for much of the final implementation as well.
The whole purpose of the island compound was protection. It had seen its share of dignitaries, both foreign and domestic. It had seen its share of high profile prisoners too. In use for training and available to him with his connections, it was perfect for Jake’s use: protecting Laurel.
“Lieutenant, I’ll be on the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Inform me immediately of any new developments.”
“Aye, aye sir,” came from his intel officer.
Jake was pretty sure no one would come looking for trouble there. The place was almost impossible to detect from air or sea. It would take sophisticated equipment to find the installation since they were off grid. He was on a Department of Defense approved Special Ops training mission as far as anyone knew. If the enemy was going to stir something up, they were going to have a hell of a fight on their hands.
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Laurel’s late lunch had company. “Sit down, Jen, honey,” she directed.
Not seeing another choice for company or food, Jen complied stoically, sitting in the same position as the evening before.
“I’m not honey or babe or whatever. I’m a damn police captain and I earned it,” she retorted.
“Ewww weee, what a mouth! You need someone to call you those names, sweetie. Hey, since you and I are the only unattached females on the whole damn island who aren’t working, what do you say we keep each other company?” Laurel ran on as she usually did, covering more than one subject at a time.
“Fine,” Jen agreed, hoping to get her current companion to shut up.
“Now, I’m hungry. How do we get some food in this place?” Laurel might be the only one who could help her piece together the puzzle of why she was on the island; Jen figured she would have to endure. Guards watched over them as they ate.
__________________________
Much to Laurel’s surprise, she’d arrived with a wardrobe of her own clothes and several gifts. Flip-flops, swimsuit, sunglasses, a sarong, and plenty of suntan lotion, had been placed in a dresser drawer. She was impressed, but especially with the swimming suit—Ocean blue bottoms, and matching tank with a deep V, that showed off her ample cleavage.
Jake. Her wardrobe had to have been put together at his direction. He always liked her in blue. She donned the suit and sarong. Gathering her things, she headed to the hall to find Jen Delaney.
At the same time Laurel exited her room, Jen opened her door across the hall.
“There you are.”
This is going to get old quick, Jen thought. She kept her emotions in check, her face expressionless. They proceeded down the wide hall and made their way to the cabanas on the shore.
The island’s U-shape formed a beautiful, protected cove; the deepest part was the center of the island. Its inner part ran wide and deep with mountains rising behind, forming the inner haven. A camouflaged runway was the only division between the lush tropical forest that met the mountainside and the manicured grounds of the compound that surrounded the cove.
__________________________
Not having any excuse not to, Jen had put on the black bikini that she’d found in her dresser. Wow! She admired her shape in the mirror. She wasn’t thin, but fit and strong, shapely. Her breasts filled the cups of the top easily. Nice, she thought—wonder who picked this out?
The bottoms didn’t cover much. Walking through the white sand, she wondered how she could look that good and there be no one to enjoy it with her. Maybe Adam MacClain? Maybe she needed to chill out a little and let someone get close to her for a change.
__________________________
“So, who are you, and exactly why are you so important that all this is warranted?” Jen had gotten right to the point as she started to drill Laurel.
Laurel took a long, cool drink from her glass, considering the question, “I’m just a widowed farm wife from Missouri.”
“Come on, the charges we had you up on—prostitution and money laundering—there has to be something going on. You’re obviously never going to grace the inside of a courtroom, so how about a confession so I can at least justify being knocked out cold and drug off to an island in the middle of nowhere.”
“Middle of the Caribbean, I’m pretty sure. Ms. Delaney, I’ve done nothing wrong. I’ve loved some wonderful men, but never done what you are accusing me of.” Laurel peered at her over her new sunglasses.
“What about the new truck? The large diamond studs you wear, the new tractor, and all the other high ticket items you have given and received over the past few years?”
“Gifts. Some for me to pass on, some for me to hang on to. Did you pay attention at dinner? Each one of these men and their wives have a strong connection to me. I love them and they love me. You met my son, Adam, and Jake’s son-Jess, and Seth. All the others have come to work on my farm over the past ten years or so since Jahn died. They were all over eighteen, willing to work and stay. I have never sold myself. The gifts? The gifts were all no strings attached. No one has a vested interest in the farm except Shannon, Adam, and I. Well, and Derrick. He’s the executor. Derrick is named on a life insurance policy as part beneficiary, too. My choice. He owns the stallion that stands at the farm, Big. I gave him to him as a gift years ago. Derrick lived with me for about six months and has looked out for my interests ever since. His wife Kate is my attorney.”
“Well that would explain how you know the ADA, but why is Derrick so important to you that he’s on your life insurance?” Jen pried.
“Nosey lil' thing, aren’t you? I just got through telling you most of my private business, and now you want details? Derrick is a story for another day. Tell me about you. Who is Jen Delaney, police captain?” Laurel redirected not wanting to give intimate details to someone she barely knew.
Who is Jen Delaney? Had she lost herself somehow?
“I don’t know,” she replied quietly. Whether it was the circumstances, lack of sleep or loneliness, she didn’t know why she had cracked, her guard threatening to drop altogether.
“Well let’s find out. Race you to the water!” Laurel jumped up and Jen met the challenge. Jen wasn’t one to back away from a contest and this one was a sure thing she figured. Running full tilt into the sparkling blue water was too appealing not to participate. The splash of the cool drops felt good on her hot skin. Both women pushed out to deeper water so they could sit up to their shoulders. Laughing like children, they splashed and played, throwing water on each other.
“Ohhh, this feels so good.” Laurel let out a long sigh of satisfaction. ”I’ve wanted to do this for so, so long.”
“I admit it feels great.” A smile crept back in. “Oh wow, look at the fish!” Jen’s face lit up and a moment of pure joy beamed radiantly on her face.
Just as quickly, her face fel
l, and she was serious once more. “I’m adopted.”
It was as if someone had flipped a switch. She wouldn’t face Laurel, but looked out toward the end of the cove where the protected waters met the ocean. Bubbly and smiley were quickly replaced by her previous cool, unflinching demeanor. “You asked me to tell about myself.”
“And?”
“And, I lost both my biological parents to a hit-and-run driver when I was seven. No relatives except an alcoholic aunt who was in prison. My adoptive parents are great people. I love them very much. I have a sister, too.” She stopped, and considered them for a minute.
“But—they are all driving me crazy.”
“Why?” Laurel wasn’t about to get that much and not push farther.
“They want me to settle down. The corners of her mouth started to turn up and the smile gave way to a snicker. “Like that’s ever going to happen!”
Laurel laughed with Jen until they both sat silent staring into the water.
“Why?” Laurel turned her head and looked at Jen.
“Why what?” Jen asked.
“Why can’t you see yourself married with a husband and babies?” Laurel posed the question gently.
Still sitting in the water, Jen hugged herself tightly as the water treated her bent legs like islands, water surrounding them. She laid her head on her knees and gazed off into the distance.
“None of them ever understand me or they can’t handle my success or my schedule or something.”
“Judging from the tough shell you retreat into, it’s gonna take one hell of a guy to crack that safe, sweetie. Give them a chance. I’m not saying that you don’t deserve your career. I’m just saying it isn’t your only choice.”
