And again. And again. His fist kept flying, pounding Ian’s face. Over and over. The skin on Max’s knuckles split and peeled away from the blunt force of the blows, but he was running on adrenaline and hardly felt the pain.
Instead of fighting back, Ian just laid there, grinning. Blood oozed from the cuts on his face, splattered all over the snow. But he just kept grinning. Son-of-a-bitch! He’d wipe that grin off the bastard’s face if it was the last thing he ever did!
“Now you know what it feels like to hate someone so much you want to kill them,” Ian hissed out. He spit out a mouthful of blood and grinned up at Max. “That’s what I wanted all along, for you to feel all the pain, all the hatred I felt when you stole my mother away.”
Max lifted his fist again, pausing as Ian’s words began to sink in. He sucked in another breath through his mouth. Yeah, he knew how it felt to hate someone so bad he wanted to kill them.
“Max, stop! Please. He’s not worth it.” Jennie’s soft voice came from somewhere behind him. The gentle sound of her voice soothed him, urged him to relax, to let go of the hatred.
He hesitated, his fist raised, while his vision slowly cleared.
He wasn’t a murderer.
“I didn’t steal your mother,” he whispered, staring down at Ian.
“Max!” Agent Miller shouted as he came through the trees. “You can stop now. I’ll take it from here.”
Max glanced back down at Ian’s bloody face and that damn cocky grin.
“What’s the matter?” Ian slurred, his gaze filled with mockery. “You scared to hit me again?”
Max wiped a stream of blood from his nose. He drew in several deep calming breaths. Jennie was right. Laura had been right. Ian wasn’t worth it.
Agent Miller reached them.
Max slowly rose from Ian while the FBI agent flipped Ian over and cuffed him. Ian didn’t fight. He just kept grinning at Max.
Agent Miller hauled Ian to his feet.
Max turned and spied Jennie waiting to the side, her eyes wide. Tears streaked down her cheeks. Gray sat beside her, her yellow wolf’s gaze steady on Max with what looked like appreciation. And respect. Lucky moved up to Max’s side and licked his bloody hand.
Max glanced down at his dog. He heaved out a sigh. It was over.
He jerked his gaze back to Jennie, raking her from head to toe. Was she all right? He noticed a bruise forming on her cheek. A new bruise. Blood oozed down her thigh. Had Ian shot her? Son-of-a-bitch!
He swung back around and pummeled Ian in the jaw. Ian toppled, then dropped like a rock. When he hit the ground, he didn’t move.
Agent Miller raised a brow as Max rubbed his throbbing hand.
“And that’s for Jennie.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Jennie’s father arrived at the hospital while Jennie was still in surgery. Max was sitting in a chair, holding an ice pack against his swollen nose when Steve Jones walked in. Max was fortunate that the bone hadn’t been displaced. The doctor had prescribed ice and pain meds until the swelling went down. He said the bone would heal on its own.
The sheriff had driven Agent Miller back to his vehicle and then taken Ian to jail while Max took Jennie to the hospital. Because Jennie’s injury wasn’t severe, they were able to treat her at the hospital in Sandpoint. But Max couldn’t leave her. Not yet. He planned to stay until she was out of surgery. Then he planned to tell her how much he loved her. She needed to hear those words from him. He’d waited too long as it was. Whether or not she would stay was up to her.
Steve Jones entered the waiting room, his big, stocky frame filling the doorway as his gaze sought and locked on Max. His expression became wary as he headed across the waiting room.
Max rose and shook the other man’s hand, lowering the ice pack.
“How’s she doing?” her father asked.
Max shrugged. “I don’t know if Agent Miller told you, but she was shot in the leg. The doctor said it wasn’t life-threatening. They’re removing the bullet now. She should be coming out of surgery soon, I think. She should be fine.”
Steve Jones nodded. “That’s good.” He hesitated. “I never thanked you for saving her life. So…thank you.”
Max nodded and looked away. He pressed the ice pack against his throbbing nose.
Her father cleared his throat. He motioned to Max’s face. “Looks like you took a nasty hit. I hope the other guy looks worse than you.”
“He does.” Max assured him, though he couldn’t deny he wished Ian was dead.
Steve Jones nodded. He hesitated. “I’m taking her home with me, you know. She’s my baby girl. I haven’t seen her in a year and a half. I miss her. I want her back. Surely you understand.”
Max’s throat closed up. He swallowed hard. Of course he understood. Steve Jones was her father. Her only family. Jennie belonged with him. She would want her old life back. She wouldn’t want Max.
Max fought his insecurities. But it was useless. Why would she want him when she could go back to what she’d had before?
But he loved her. So damn much.
“I understand,” he said quietly.
Steve Jones eyed him a moment. “Do you love her?”
Heat crept into Max’s face. He cleared his throat. “More than anything.”
Her father nodded again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I don’t want to give her up.”
Max drew in a deep breath, let it out slowly. “I know.”
Would he feel this way when Emily found a man who loved her? Hell yeah, he would. He’d have a hard time letting any man get close to his little girl, especially after what had happened to her. He understood more than Jennie’s father knew.
But dammit, he loved Jennie. He couldn’t just walk away. He wouldn’t be able to live without her.
But he didn’t deserve her. He wasn’t good enough for her.
The door opened and the surgeon entered the room. His gaze landed on Max, then Jennie’s father. He approached.
“Surgery went well,” he told them. “No complications. Her leg will be stiff and sore for a while, but she’ll be fine. The nurse will come out and let you know when you can see her.”
“Thank you.” Max shook the doctor’s hand and watched as the man walked away.
Steve Jones turned to Max. “Well then,” he said, “I guess we understand each other, right?”
Max nodded. Now that he knew Jennie was fine, he could leave. Her father was here now. Max turned away, started walking down the hallway. Jennie didn’t need him. She had her father. She could go back to her old life.
There was nothing Max could say, nothing he could do, that would convince her father she was better off with him.
Because the truth was, Jennie was better off without him.
No matter how much it hurt, Max had to let her go.
* * *
“Dad, I don’t want to argue about this anymore. I can’t go back to that life.”
Jennie set her empty coffee mug in the kitchen sink and turned around to face her father. “What we did was wrong and you know it. It was dishonest. I’m not that person anymore. From now on, I’m only going to use my telepathy for good things. If you want to keep training horses, you go right ahead and do it. The only horses I want to train now will be my own.”
“I can’t change your mind?” Her father took a step toward her, eyeing her sadly.
“No.” Jennie was adamant about her decision. The old Jennie no longer existed.
It had been over three weeks since she’d come home. She’d gained back most of the weight she’d lost during her time as a captive. Her leg was now mostly healed. The doctor had removed the bullet without incident. Now that she was able to walk without limping, without pain, it was time to go her own way. Start her own future. She’d already packed the few things she would need.
Her father sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. “Fine. But why don’t you want to live here anymore? You can’t help save the ranch and then just leave.�
�
“Yes, I can. I’m almost thirty years old, Dad. I need a place of my own. This is your ranch. It belongs to you.”
“And you,” he insisted. “It’s yours too.”
Jennie groaned. She rubbed her throbbing temple. Her father had nearly lost his ranch during the year and half she’d been held captive. He’d spent all his money on alcohol instead of paying his mortgage. Fortunately, Jennie still had money in her bank account from her horse training days. She used it all to pay off the mortgage for him. Now the ranch was safe. Jennie was done with her previous life as a clinician and horse trainer. She just hoped her father learned how to lay off the booze. He’d once been a very talented and well respected horse trainer. She wanted that for him again. It would give him something to live for. No one could replace her mother, but it was time for her dad to let go of the past and learn to move forward.
Just like she’d done.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I have to go. I’ll come visit soon. I promise.”
“All right,” he said, pulling her close for a fierce hug. “But don’t you forget about your lonely old daddy living here all by himself.”
Jennie drew back. She wiped at a tear. “You don’t have to be so alone, Dad. I’m sure there’s plenty of pretty ladies who’d love to get to know you better.”
Something flickered briefly in his eyes, then was gone. He lowered his head. “Naw. No woman worth having would want an old drunk like me.”
Jennie grabbed his hand, patted it. “Then give a woman something worth loving, something worth having. I know you have it in you. You can do it if you really want it. You know you can.”
Tears filled his eyes. He drew in a deep breath.
“I have faith in you, Dad.” Jennie smiled as she headed for the door with her bags. “I gotta go now. I promise to call soon. We’ll have to have dinner sometime.”
Jennie reached the door and turned back to him.
“Are you going to see Max?” her father asked.
Jennie drew in a breath. Her heart squeezed painfully. “He doesn’t want me,” she said quietly. “He didn’t even wait for me to get out of surgery before he left.”
Her father looked away as shame crossed his face. He pursed his lips. “He was there. He waited until you were out of surgery. He would have stayed longer, but I made him go.”
Jennie’s gaze flew to his. Her heart kicked to life in her chest. “Why?”
His face darkened. “Because I didn’t want to give you up. You’re my baby girl.”
Jennie had been so hurt when she’d discovered Max had left. Now she understood why. But whatever her father had told Max, she decided she wasn’t mad at her father. And she wasn’t angry with Max. He’d been through so much already. She was the one who’d told him she would never leave him. And then she’d stayed away for more than three weeks. He probably thought she was never coming back.
Jennie groaned.
She may have screwed everything up. She needed to go to Max. Now.
“I understand,” she said quietly. “But you need to realize I’m not a baby anymore and I have to live my own life. I have to go to him. I love him.”
Her father nodded sadly. “I’m going to miss you.”
She smiled. “I know, Dad. I’ll visit soon. I promise. And when I do, I hope you’ve found your own happiness.”
His expression changed. For the first time in as many years as she could count, she witnessed what could only be described as hope in her father’s eyes. Hope and something else.
A strong determination.
“I plan to,” he whispered.
It was all she needed to give her the courage to do what she had to do.
Jennie opened the door and stepped out, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
For the thousandth time, Max berated himself for leaving the hospital without telling Jennie how much he loved her. Why had he left? Why had he let his insecurities get in the way?
He was done hiding. Done letting his fears rule his actions. He loved Jennie. And he needed to tell her that. If she turned him away…well, that was just something he would have to deal with. Jennie deserved the truth.
Ian was in jail, awaiting trial. It was unlikely he’d ever be free again. Which was just fine with Max. He didn’t want his stepbrother anywhere near Emily, or Jennie, ever again. Beating the hell out of Ian had sure felt good. It had helped Max find closure and come to grips with the guilt that had plagued him for years. He hoped Laura forgave him.
Glenda had been devastated when she’d learned the truth. But she seemed to be holding up well under the circumstances.
Emily turned from the stove, her eyes wide, when Max strode for the coat closet.
“Dinner’s almost ready, Dad. Where you going?”
“Out. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”
Emily’s eyes grew even bigger. “But you can’t leave! I made your favorite dinner.”
Max pulled his coat on. “I’m sorry. I’ll be back. There’s something I have to do.”
The doorbell rang.
Lucky barked. The dog’s claws clicked across the kitchen floor as he raced toward the front door. Outside, Gray’s answering howl echoed across the forest. Though the wolf preferred to stay outside, she and Lucky seemed to share a rare connection. One canid always knew where the other one was. And when the two canines were together, they acted like the best of friends, frolicking in the snow, bouncing around the yard. Max suspected the two beasts shared a telepathic communication, much like Jennie shared with the animals.
He glanced down at Emily. “You want to get the door? I’ll be back later.”
“But Dad!” Emily raced after him. “Can’t you wait until after dinner?”
Max paused halfway down the hall and turned back to her. “No. I’ve already waited too long as it is.”
The doorbell rang again.
Max knew it couldn’t be his family at the door. They’d all gone home last week, giving him and Emily much needed peace and quiet. Though it had been nice to see them all again, nice to know they all still loved him, he’d been relieved to finally shut the door behind them.
“It might be someone with an injured pet,” Emily said. “Everyone knows you’re back in business again.” Which was true, since the vet in town had retired a week ago and referred all his clients to Max.
Max had not regretted his decision to reopen his veterinary practice. While Emily studied online for her high school education, she helped him run the clinic. But he needed an assistant to help with all the new clients he was getting, so he’d placed an ad in the paper about a week ago. He would start scheduling interviews next week.
Emily was only about a year away from graduating, and then she would be off to college. She’d informed him a few days ago that she wanted to be a vet like him. His chest filled with pride whenever he thought about her decision. She would make a fabulous vet. He was damned proud of her.
Emily raised a brow at him. “Dad? Are you going to get the door?”
Max frowned. He didn’t want to. Sighing, he continued on down the hallway toward the clinic. He thought he heard Emily giggle from the kitchen, but he wasn’t sure.
He opened the door.
A woman stood on his front porch. She was bent at the waist, exclaiming softly as she patted Gray who rubbed against her in excitement.
Max stiffened. Gray was shy and stayed away from strangers. Always.
Lucky raced outside, bouncing excitedly around the woman. She giggled and stroked Lucky’s fur, her soft laughter music to Max’s ears. Then she rose and turned to face him as Lucky and Gray bounded off into the snow.
Max sucked in a breath as he stared at the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Big blue eyes the color of a clear winter sky, fluffy, luscious blonde hair bouncing about her slender shoulders. She wore makeup, though not heavily, just enough to enhance her delicate, feminine features. She’d put on weight in the past few weeks.
Her face was rounder, her cheekbones less pronounced. Her lips seemed fuller. Sexier.
Was that lipstick?
He swallowed. What was she doing here?
“Hello,” she said softly. “My name is Jennie Jones. I’m here to apply for the vet tech position you advertised in the paper.” She held out a piece of paper. “That’s my resume. It’s legit. I have my vet tech degree from Brown Mackie. I never used it, though, since I became a horse trainer instead. But now…” She shrugged. “I think I’d like to put it to use.”
Max stared at her, speechless. She had a vet tech degree? Why didn’t he know that?
Her smile faltered. “Don’t you want to look at my resume?”
Max cleared his throat. He took the paper from her, but he didn’t really look at it. He didn’t care. She’d come back. She was here. His pulse skyrocketed.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a vet tech degree?”
“I never got the chance,” she whispered. “And when I woke up in the hospital, you were gone.”
Shame washed over him. He should have stayed there, been there for her. Instead he’d fled, letting his insecurities get in the way. Max changed the subject.
“What are you doing here?” His voice sounded strained.
“I…” A nervous expression flickered across her face. “I told you. I came to apply for the position. I need a job.”
“You need a job?” he repeated.
“Yes.” She lifted her chin a notch, held his gaze. “I told you I wasn’t going back to my old life.” She paused. “You know what else I need?”
He shook his head, waited breathlessly.
“A man who will love me, cherish me, the way I love and cherish him.”
Max swallowed hard. Was she saying what he thought she was saying?
She stepped forward. “Max,” she whispered. “Please say you want me. I don’t think I could bear it if you turned me away. I gave up everything to be with you.”
“Everything?” His heart thundered to life, crashing into his ribs. She was here. She’d come back.
She must have seen some type of encouragement in his expression, because she came even closer, tipping her head back and gazing up into his eyes.
Abducted (Unlikely Heroes Book 2) Page 28
