by Robin Perini
Visions came back to him. A little girl holding Laurel’s hand, so small and scared. Then outside, in the darkness, an AK-47 pointed at her. “Molly?”
“She’s safe. You saved her.”
“Fiona?”
Laurel’s face went cold. “Dead.”
“Good.” His eyes closed. “You’re all safe.” Everything went black and this time he didn’t fight it.
* * *
LAUREL SAGGED IN the chair when Garrett lost consciousness again.
The doctor strode in.
“The nurse said the patient moved.” The man’s voice was skeptical. “He looks pretty out of it now. What happened?”
Laurel stood. “He woke up. He spoke to me. He knew me. He remembered some of what happened the night he was shot.”
“I didn’t expect that much, so it’s a good sign. He’s been unconscious for two weeks, so don’t expect him to go dancing anytime soon.” The neurologist leaned over Garrett and checked his vital signs, then his bandages. “The bullet wounds to his chest are healing nicely. His latest MRI showed the swelling has gone down.”
“I knew he’d come back to me.”
The doctor smiled at her. “Family often knows best. The more you stayed and talked to him, the more you kept his brain stimulated. He may not have known what you were saying, but even in a coma, there is some level of communication happening, especially among loved ones. Your dedication has been important to his recovery. You’re going to make him a great wife.”
Laurel gulped. She’d never cleared up the misconception that Garrett was her fiancé. The hospital staff never would have let her stay as often or as long as she had.
Legally, she and Garrett weren’t family, but in every way that mattered, Garrett had become an integral part of her life. So much had happened. She prayed he’d still want her when he awoke and he could make different choices than the ones she hoped he would.
A short time after the doctor left, Laurel gripped Garrett’s hand. If what the doctor said was true, had Garrett heard all the times she’d told him she loved him? There hadn’t been time before. But she could no longer imagine life without this man.
“Laurel?” His eyes fluttered open again. With the lights off and window shades drawn, he was able to keep his eyelids somewhat open. “I thought I dreamed—”
His voice gave out and Laurel quickly gave him another ice chip. Several more, spread over the next five minutes, finally allowed him to speak without too bad a rasp to his voice.
“Did James make it?” he asked, watching her warily.
She smiled. “Yes, but he’s hurt badly. The burns were...” Laurel stopped, unable to speak further.
“Is he still in the hospital?”
“No. Not this one, anyway. The authorities took him away for a debriefing. I don’t know when I’ll see him. Your friends at CTC are working on it.”
“I’m sorry. You haven’t heard anything?”
“Nothing specific, other than that they’re angry that he lied about you under oath. It will take time for him to win back anyone’s trust. At least my sister’s evidence cleared you both of the treason charges. The story has been all over the papers. You’re a hero.”
“Yeah, right. I almost got you all killed.”
“No, Garrett,” Laurel insisted, “Fiona almost got us all killed. I’ve been afraid to take any chances ever since my mother died. My father drilled into Ivy and me that we were only to rely on ourselves. Not anyone else, and sure as hell not him.” Laurel hesitated. “Yet a few weeks ago I found myself relying on a man I didn’t even know, and every time you proved yourself worthy of trusting.”
“You mean when I wasn’t lying to you or sneaking out without telling you.”
“Yeah, well, we can work on that.”
“It was always for your own good,” Garrett said.
“Like I said, we’ll work on it. Don’t push your luck, Sheriff. I was giving you the benefit of the doubt, and you’re blowing it big-time.”
“Come here.” He pulled her gently toward him.
Laurel closed her eyes and leaned forward on the bed. Afraid to jar the wound on his chest, she rested her head gently on Garrett’s arm. She longed for those arms to surround her again; she longed for him to hold her close and just talk, just to hear his voice tell her again that he loved her. She wanted to hear him sing that silly ant song once more to Molly in his deep voice. The one that made her feel safe down to her soul.
He stroked her head with his hand. “Why didn’t you leave? You didn’t have to stay watching over me.”
Had he changed his mind about her? She couldn’t stop the tears from falling down her cheeks. “I didn’t have anywhere else to be,” she said. “I figured hanging out in a hospital with you would be a good way to spend Christmas. It’s already decorated for the holidays and Molly’s having a wonderful time at Daniel and Raven’s. The I-want-a-puppy hints are coming fast and furious. I think a dog is even beating out the princess palace she asked for all year.”
Garrett blinked. “Wait a minute. Back up. It’s Christmas?”
“Not quite, but close. It’s next week.”
His eyes went wide. “How long have I been out?”
“Thirteen days, seven hours and twenty-three minutes, but who’s counting?” she said, trying for a nonchalance she did not feel.
“You should have left me here,” he said. “Molly’s so afraid Santa won’t be able to find her this year. She needs some normalcy back in her life. She needs you.”
His words pierced her heart. Laurel pulled back. “You don’t want me here?”
Garrett swallowed and looked at her. “I...I want what’s best for you. And Molly.”
“You are what’s best for me. Can’t you see that?”
“I didn’t protect you,” he said. “You could have died because I didn’t plan well enough ahead.”
She laughed incredulously. “Garrett, I’m the one who contacted Fiona. If I’d trusted you—”
He gripped her hands. “If we’d trusted each other.”
Laurel rose from the bed slowly. “Is this really where we are? Fighting over something this stupid?” She stepped closer. “I am going to give you an ultimatum. Answer it wrong and I will walk away forever.”
He struggled to sit up in the bed. “Wait. What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about us. I love you. Do you hear me? No doubts, no questions on my side. You once told me the same thing, but you thought you were going off to die.”
“Laurel—”
“I am not done, mister. Not by a long shot. Derek Bradley’s name has been cleared, so if that’s the life you want, you can go back to the clandestine, lonely life you led before. But you have a choice. The mayor of Trouble says that you can continue as the sheriff.”
Garrett sat staring at her. “The mayor? The mayor hates me because I’m onto his tricks.”
“Oh, Daniel had a little talk with that mayor, and he resigned. Hondo took over the job, and he said you can be sheriff as long as he’s in office.”
Garrett chuckled, then turned serious. “Is that the end of the options available to me? Because it’s not a hard choice.” Laurel could barely breathe. “Do you think I’d choose anyone or anything but you, Laurel? Where’s your faith?”
She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across her face.
“Say the words. When guns aren’t blazing and you’re not running off to certain death. I need to hear it.”
Garrett met her gaze, unwavering, serious. “I love you, Laurel McCallister. I will always love you.”
She quivered against him and laid her head on his chest. “I won’t ever let you go.”
Epilogue
Garrett sat on the floor and placed the last fake flower in the garden of Molly’s princess palace.
Laurel walked up to him and handed him a cup of coffee. “You shouldn’t be drinking this.”
“I won’t tell the doctors if you don’t.” He took a
sip of the dark brew and nearly groaned in pleasure. “Some assembly required? That’s what the box said. How long have I been at it?”
“Six hours.” Laurel chuckled.
“I just hope she likes it. Molly needs some joy.”
Laurel knelt down beside him. “She feels safe with you, Garrett. And loved. That’s all she needs.”
The chime of the clock sounded through the house.
“It’s six o’clock.”
Garrett struggled to get up off of the floor. Laurel held out her hand to steady him. “Take it easy,” she said, putting her hands on his waist. “I just got you back.”
He kissed her lips, drinking in the taste of her. He stroked his hand down her cheek. “Have I told you lately that you’ve made my life wonderful?” Her cheeks flushed. “I’m serious. You didn’t just love me—you brought Christmas back. You brought joy into this ranch house.”
“I could say the same about you, Garrett Galloway.”
Laurel wrapped her arms around him, taking his lips. Garrett let himself get lost in her touch. If it weren’t for the fact that this was Christmas Day, he’d drag her back to their bedroom and stay there all day long.
A soft knock forced him to raise his head. “Who is that?”
Garrett walked to the door, pulling his Beretta from atop the refrigerator. Slowly he opened the door.
A thin man in a red suit stood on the steps.
“Santa?”
Molly’s sleepy voice came from just outside the living room.
The man walked inside.
“Dad?” Laurel whispered.
“Grandpa!” Molly raced to her grandfather.
He swung her up in the air with a grimace. “Molly Magoo!”
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tight. “Grandpa, I thought you were gone to heaven like Mommy and Daddy. And Matthew and Michaela.”
James hugged Molly and met Laurel’s and Garrett’s gazes. His eyes were wet. Molly touched one of his tears. “It’s okay, Grandpa. They’re watching over us all the time. Aunt Laurel and Sheriff Garrett said so.”
“I know.” The old man cleared his throat. “Hope there’s room for an old man on Christmas morning.”
“It’s Christmas!” Molly wiggled until James put her down. She looked around the room, past the princess palace. Her head dropped. “My letter didn’t reach him.”
Laurel knelt beside Molly. “Look at the beautiful princess palace. Santa knew exactly what you wanted.”
“It’s beautiful,” she said, tears streaming down her face. “But I wanted to change my Christmas wish list.”
Molly’s tears broke Garrett’s heart. “What do you want, sugar?” he asked gently.
“I want a family,” she said, her voice small. “I know my mommy and daddy can’t come back, but I don’t want to be alone.”
Garrett picked Molly up into his arms. He kissed her temple. “I think I can do something about that wish.” He walked over to Laurel. “Wait right here.”
He walked out the door and within minutes returned with a wrapped gift the size of a bread box. “Sit on the sofa, Molly. You, too, Laurel.”
Garrett’s nerves were stretched thin. James stood in the corner, a satisfied grin on his face. The old spy knew too much.
With his hand bracing himself, Garrett eased himself down on one knee. “Open the box, Molly.”
She lifted the lid and peeked inside. A smile lit her face. A russet-and-white puppy poked its head out.
“For me?”
“You need a friend on this ranch, don’t you think?”
Molly hugged the puppy to her. The mixed breed licked her face. “What’s his name?”
“Whatever you want it to be, Molly.”
She stroked his soft fur. “I love him, Sheriff Garrett.”
“What do you think, Laurel?”
Her eyes were wet with tears. “I love him as much as I love you.”
“Then maybe you should check out what’s around his neck?”
Laurel grabbed the squirming bundle of fur and looked at his collar. A ring swung back and forth. She stilled. “Garrett?”
“I love you, Laurel. I love Molly. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” Molly shouted, hugging Garrett around the neck. “We want to marry you. Right, Aunt Laurel?”
“Right.” Laurel’s voice was thick with emotion. “I do.”
“So we’re going to live here forever and forever. You, me and Aunt Laurel. And Pumpkin Pie?”
“Who?”
“My doggy. His name is Pumpkin Pie. He told me.”
“Yes, sugar, we’ll all live together. Sometimes here, but sometimes in town. In Trouble, Texas.”
Molly grinned up at them. “I think my daddy and mommy in heaven would like that. They told me almost every day that I was an angel always looking for trouble.” She flung herself into Garrett’s arms. “And we found it.”
Garrett met Laurel’s gaze over Molly’s head. “Okay with you? If we’re a family?”
She slipped the ring on her left hand and kissed his lips gently. “A family for Christmas is the best present ever.”
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from WITNESS PROTECTION by Barb Han.
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Chapter One
A clink against the back door of the bakery sounded again. Sadie Brooks lost her grip on the twenty-five pound sack of flour she’d held. It struck the floor and a mushroom-shaped cloud of white powder formed over the bag’s lip.
Creek Bend, Texas, was a far cry from Chicago, she reminded herself. No one from her past knew where she was. No one could hurt her. No one cared. And she was no longer Laura Kaye.
It was four-thirty in the morning in a town that rolled up the streets by eight. The noise was most likely a cat rummaging through trash. No big deal. Nothing scary.
“Only you and me are crazy enough to be up this early,” she said to her two-year-old rescue dog, Boomer, while forcing air in and out of her lungs. He didn’t so much as crack an eyelid. “And I think we both know I mean me.”
Working when everyone else slept suited Sadie just fine. She’d had very little use for daylight or people ever since she’d been kidnapped two years ago.
Yes, she still flinched at every noise. Constantly checked over her shoulder at the slightest peep. But she was always ready. Always expecting the worst. Always on guard. And yet, the past year had been peaceful. There was no reason to believe anything would change save for the all-too-real feeling in the pit of her stomach screaming otherwise.
Being constantly on alert felt a lot like parking and then leaving her high beams on. Pretty soon her battery would run out.
Boomer whined in his sleep. Her protector? Now that was funny. She’d rescued a big dog for protection. She got the Scooby Doo of golden retrievers. All he wanted to do was eat, and he wouldn’t scare away a cat. But he did make noise and his low-belly bark sounded fierce. Sadie figured it was good enough to make anyone think twice.
As she bent over to pick up the sack of white powder, another noise sent a chill skittering across her nerves. Boomer’s head cocked at the unmistakable snick of a lock. Her heart drummed against her chest.
Using the lock was good, right? That meant someone with a key was most likely standing on the other side of the door. She thought of Claire, her very pregnant boss who wa
s her only friend. With her baby due any day, she would be asleep right now.
Boomer, shackles raised, stalked toward the stockroom to investigate.
“It’s okay, boy.” She scoured the area looking for a weapon just in case. Was there anything she could use to defend herself? To protect Boomer? She moved toward the nearest counter.
A sparkle caught her attention. Light reflected from the blade of a knife. Her fingers shook as they curled around the black plastic handle.
Then everything went dark. No lights. It was too much of a coincidence to think the breaker could’ve been tripped. This blackout was on purpose.
Boomer’s low throaty growl nearly stopped her heart. It was the same noise he made when a stranger approached the lake house. Boomer had found an intruder. And they weren’t familiar.
His barks fired like a machine gun, rapid and ear-piercing.
Sadie’s adrenaline kicked into high gear. Her fight, flight or freeze response jacked through the roof. Every instinct inside her screamed, “Run!”
But she couldn’t.
She wouldn’t leave Boomer defenseless. Could she signal to him without giving away her location? No.
What about help? Her cell? Good luck finding her purse in the pitch-black.
She crouched and felt her way behind a rack filled with pastries. A hand covered her mouth. Her fingers, which had been curled around the knife handle, flexed cold air. She had been disarmed with frightening ease.
“Shh. Don’t say a word or they’ll hear you. Be very still.” A second ticked by before she recognized the voice as Nick Campbell’s. Why in the hell would a radiologist show up at the bakery in the middle of the night?
The last time a man took her by surprise she ended up spending two weeks in the ICU with facial lacerations and cracked ribs.
Determined to break free this time, she ignored the shivers running up her arms and bit Nick’s hand.
“I said, ‘be still,’ and don’t do that again,” Nick said. His deep, quiet tone was different. Dark and dangerous. Experienced. And she knew instinctively not to push him.
With a total stranger somewhere in front of her and Nick’s big frame behind her, she was trapped.
