“Yes, thank God. I have no need for a bunch of shoes and fancy party dresses out here.”
Her change in priorities surprised, and more than pleased him. He lifted her suitcase into the back of his newly acquired truck and padded over to passenger side to let her in.
“Whose truck is this?” she asked as she climbed up onto the passenger seat.
Jack closed her inside quickly, and took the long way around the back of the truck to give him a few extra moments to compose himself. He opened the door and slid in behind the wheel, leaning across the seat to kiss her softly and hold her hand.
“So, whose truck is this?”
He smiled. I should have known she wouldn’t forget she’d asked me.
Jack closed the door and turned his key in the ignition, bringing the new vehicle to life. “It’s our truck. You’re going to see a few changes to the old homestead. I thought it was high time I conformed to modern society and indulged in a few of life’s niceties.”
“Such as?” She looked sideways at him.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” He knew she was still looking at him, but he didn’t trust himself to face her.
“I hope you didn’t spend a ton of money you don’t...” Her hand covered her mouth. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply...”
Jack brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “You didn’t imply anything. I never said I didn’t have money, I just chose not to spend it on things like this truck and... Well, you’ll see soon enough.”
For a short distance, they drove in amiable silence. If he could read minds, he’d bet money she was trying to figure out what he was up to. He totally sucked at keeping a lid on things.
“You’re acting a little weird. Is there something going on I should know about?”
He flicked his high beams on outside the city limits. “You know, you really need to learn how to have a little patience.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m just so damned worried about Angel. You can’t begin to imagine the horrific dream I had about her on the way here.” Her voice cracked, and she turned her head to cough into her hand.
“Try not to worry, Jenna. I promise you she’s okay.”
Shit. Way to go, like she isn’t going to be even more suspicious with a promise like that.
He chanced a look her way. Even in the dark, he saw the confusion that lined her brow and clouded those beautiful green eyes.
“Let’s just get you home. We can sit down, and I’ll fill you in on everything that’s going on.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Okay?”
Jenna nod, and managed the slightest of smiles in response. She turned and gazed up at the star-filled sky.
A short time later, he turned onto the new gravel road leading home.
“We have a road now? That must have cost a fortune."
He immediately saw the regret in her expression.
“I’m so sorry, Jack.”
“Stop saying you’re sorry. How were you to know I had a few bucks tucked away?” He winked.
“I’d say more than a few.”
Jack laughed. “God, it’s good to have you back.”
“So, are you going to tell me what changes you’ve made to our place?”
Our place.
A sense of well-being encompassed him, and he knew without a doubt Carly would approve of what he was about to show Jenna—how he’d spent the insurance money. He slowed to a stop and put the truck in park.
“Why did you stop?”
“I want you to be surprised.” He took a scarf from his jacket pocket. “I’m going to cover your eyes.”
“Is that really necessary? I mean, it’s pitch black outside.”
“Humor me, okay?”
Jenna shrugged, and closed her eyes. “Okay, if you insist.”
Jack covered her eyes with a bandana and tied it at the back. He put his mouth close to her ear. “I promise you, everything will make sense in just a couple of minutes.” He kissed her cheek. It took everything in him not to laugh out loud.
She’s going to freak out…in a good way...I hope...
Though Jack’s excitement was highly contagious, Jenna couldn’t help feel guilty for enjoying this while her sister was still out there...enduring God knows what. She tilted her head, having heard the click of headlights being turned on and off.
Is he signaling someone? Who could it be, and why?
The truck came to a stop and shut down. The silence that followed brought goose bumps to her skin, and she shivered in anticipation. Jack got out of the truck without speaking.
What’s that? She strained to hear. Is that what I think it is? A horse whinnied in the distance. Did Jack buy us horses? Is that my surprise?
Her door opened. She kept what she heard to herself, not wanting to ruin things for him.
“Take my hand.”
She did as asked, and he helped her out of the truck. “Can I take this thing off now?” The mounting excitement was driving her crazy.
“We’re going to walk a few steps and then up three stairs.”
After the three stairs, he walked her a few more steps and turned her to the position he obviously wanted her. “Sit here.”
The sounds of breathing made it very clear they weren’t alone. In fact, more than one person was sharing in the surprise.
“Are you ready?” Jack asked from behind her.
“How in the hell should I know?”
Several people joined in Jack’s laughter, but one in particular caught her attention. Her mouth went dry, and her pulse raced.
I’d know that laugh anywhere.
“Jack? Is Angel here? Take this thing off of me.” Jenna pulled the blindfold down.
All she saw was Angel, clapping her hands excitedly.
Her sister lunged forward and wrapped her good arm around her. “Surprise!”
Jenna cried softly into her hair. Oh my God, she’s really here. She looked past her sister at Jack who now stood in front of them. “What is going on?”
Angel stepped back and stroked Jenna’s hair—her other arm still in a sling. “Don’t cry, Sister. Aren’t you happy to see me?”
Jenna huffed. “You have no idea how happy I am.”
A whimper drew her attention downward, to a smaller version of Sasha at her feet. “Who do we have here?”
Angel knelt. “This is Chubby, and he’s all mine!”
Jack shrugged. “Like I could say no.”
Jenna wanted to sob in relief and dance with joy, but she had to rein in her emotions, not wanting to upset Angel if she didn’t understand her confused reactions. Her jaw dropped as Jack moved aside to reveal a line of people.
Charles and Twyla, John and a man she’d never met before, and Dr. Gilmore, grinning sheepishly, his hands rest on precious, Sweet Pea’s slight shoulders.
“What are you... How did you all... Why are you all here?”
She spotted someone peeking out from behind Charles. “Buffy? I don’t know whether to hug you or strangle you to death.”
Jack stepped between them. “Before you start swinging, there’s more.”
Her hand flew to her chest. “I don’t know if my heart can take much more.”
“Are you ready, Angel?”
“Ready!” Her voice came out of the darkness.
“One…two…three!”
Bright lights momentarily blinded her. She squinted, and as things came into focus, she gasped. “What have you done?”
Jack pulled her to his side. “Jenna, I saw your struggle—thinking you had to choose between me and Angel. I had already started making some changes when the whole Meed fiasco went down. I thought to myself, why not bring Angel to live here, with us? One thing led to another, and before we knew it, we’d come up with a plan to keep everyone together…and happy.”
“Is it true? Angel is really going to live here with us?” Jenna struggled to wrap her head around it all. “Charles? Did you know about all of this?”
He
grinned. “Yes, and I’m sorry I had to tell a couple of white lies. Shortly after you found Angel, Jack came to me with a plan to create all of this. I was sworn to secrecy while we figured out if we could actually make it work. We didn’t want to get your hopes up until we knew, without doubt, we could pull this off.”
“What about Daniel? I saw his signature on Angel’s release form.”
Jack snickered. “Once we confronted Daniel with the evidence we had against him, he was only too happy to oblige. We had him sign a waiver, handing Angel over to us, and step down as CEO of the ranch. He also agreed to move away and never take a job in the same capacity. If he tries, we’ll happily hand him over to the police.”
“What about Howard? I wouldn’t put it past him to try and take Angel from me. We can’t let our guard down, not even for a second.”
“Relax. You don’t ever have to worry about that man ever again. I guess you could say we gave Howard Meed a taste of his own ‘blackmail medicine.’”
“I don’t understand. What blackmail?”
Angel returned with Chubby dancing around her feet.
Jack pulled Jenna closer to his side. “We’ll have plenty of time later to go over all the details, okay?”
“So, what you’re saying is, it’s over. Angel is really here to stay, for good?” She briefly closed her eyes, struggling to keep it together.
“Actually, we’re all here to stay.” Buffy added. “That is, if it’s okay with you?”
Jenna looked at each of them in turn. “I don’t quite know what to say?” Her attention was drawn to the spot where the shed they kept the pups in had been. In its place, a proper stable painted red and white, the carbon copy of the one at the ranch, undoubtedly done with Angel’s transition in mind. Off to one side were several cabins in various sizes and stages of completion. The beautiful, wrap-around porch she stood on, substantially bigger than the step up into the cabin as before. She couldn’t fathom what she’d find on the other side of the new door.
Jack lifted her chin to gaze into her eyes. “This can be a safe haven for people like Angel and her friends back at the ranch. Of course, we’ll have to start small, and eventually take on more residents.” He wiped the tears from her face. “So, what do you say? Are you in?”
Jenna took in the group now gathered around her. How blessed she was to have such amazing people in her life. “Are you sure about giving up your solitude?”
He kissed her softly before he held her face in his hands. “My life changed forever the day I uncovered my angel in the snow. You opened my heart to love again. I no longer wish to hide away from the world. I want to participate in life, a life with you, and everyone who loves you as much as I do.”
Jenna threw her arms around him. “I love you, Jack Davis.”
The porch erupted in cheers. Angel squealed in delight as she ran down the stairs with flashlight in hand. She stopped next to something covered by a large tarp.
Jack gave her two thumbs up, prompting her to grab hold of one corner of the cover. She stood proud. Spotlights in the ground shone up on the covered object.
“I’d like to welcome you all to our new home.” She pulled the canvas off of a rustic wooden sign. Inset in the upper half’s center were glass angel wings, and burned in the heavy wood beneath them...
Safe Haven
Where Angels Fly
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adelle Laudan lives in Southern Ontario with the last of her four children still under her wing. She is keeper of one little diva dog named ChaChi who always manages to make her smile. Adelle is a multi-published author, spanning many genres.
Adelle invites you on the many twists and turns of being a published author. Be sure to fasten your seatbelt, as it’s sure to be a ride you won’t soon forget.
“If I can evoke emotion from my readers, whether it be laughter or tears, I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.”
www.adellelaudan.com
Adelle’s Books
Iron Horse Rider Trilogy
In Your Eyes
Heart of Steele
Killer Scents / Scent of a Killer
Angels In Red
Short Stories
Crucified
Serenity
Free Reads
Solidarity
Timeless Encounter
Women of Strength Series
Juliana
Rosa
Shani
Kat
Grace
Dani
Eva
* * * Adult Reads* * *
She Rides
Mystified
Angels In Red Page 26
