Saved by the Rancher

by Jennifer Ryan

  “You’ll regret this, Jenna. My lawyer is here so you can sign over the shares. If you do, I’ll leave you alone.”

  “No. You wouldn’t leave me alone just for the shares. I know that. I’ve known that from the beginning. You enjoy hunting and hurting me. You’ll keep coming back for more. I won’t allow it. I will destroy you, David. You’ll see.”

  She didn’t see the slap coming, should have anticipated his instinctive reaction to lash out and hurt. Her head snapped to the side from the blow. She held her ground again.

  “You can’t threaten me,” he said outraged. “There’s nothing you can do to hurt me. I’ll be seeing you soon.”

  “You’re wrong. I can hurt you, and I will. You’ll see. This time, I’m coming for you.”

  She’d never been able to shake him. The worried look on his face gave her some satisfaction.

  David moved toward the door, but stopped in his tracks at her final statement.

  “That’s the last time you’ll ever lay a hand on me, David.”

  He walked out without looking back.

  Jenna’s heart pounded against her aching ribs. Despite the fact she was shaking, it was a powerful feeling to have stood up to him. The guard looked in, she gave him a half-hearted smile to let him know she was okay and he closed the door.

  She shuffled back toward the bed, grabbed the phone, and dialed.

  “It’s Rabbit. I need Ben,” she told the receptionist.

  Ben came on the line within seconds.

  “Rabbit. Please tell me you aren’t on the run. I talked to Sam earlier, he said you were putting your plan in action and you were due to die today.”

  “Not anymore. Make sure the story about my death doesn’t go out. David just stopped by for a visit. We can’t go with that plan now. He’ll know it’s a hoax. I need to know if Mike finished my project.”

  “David was there. He actually came to see you. Did Jack kill him?”

  “Jack wasn’t here. I spoke to David alone. He threatened me.”

  “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?”

  “Just a parting slap to make me understand he can get to me whenever he wants and it doesn’t matter where we are.”

  “Oh, Rabbit. Are you okay?”

  “I’m okay. Did Mike finish my project?”

  “Yesterday. After this last incident, we finished the last push to get it done. I have all the papers ready for your signature. We’ll turn all the corporations that hide the assets into your name.”

  “Great. Get on a plane and meet me at the ranch. Bring everything, including my murder book.”

  “You want me to come to you? I’ll actually see you in person?”

  “Yes. It’s time to end this. Since my death plan didn’t work, we need to go back to the original plan. I hate to expose myself like this, but I have no choice. I hope Jack won’t mind seeing my pictures splashed across the front pages.”

  “I get to see you in person.” He’d wanted to meet her for a long time. He’d offered so many times to come and get her and protect her from David.

  “Ben, keep up here. Get everything ready. Oh, what is the name of that paper I own?”

  “It’s called—get this—The Daily Dirt. I have no idea why you wanted me to buy a rag like that.”

  “You’ll see. Bring the murder book and all the papers. Hire a private jet if you like and get here ASAP. You’ll be away from your office a few days. I’ll see you at the ranch.”

  “A jet. Really? Cool.”

  “Yeah, Lily thought so, too. Hurry up. Get moving. The board of directors meeting is in a few days and we need to get ready. I’m going to San Francisco.”

  She hung up with Ben completely drained. In too much pain, she didn’t have the energy to climb back into the high bed. She put her back to the wall and slid to the floor. With her head against the wall, her legs outstretched, she waited for Jack, Summer, and Sam to come for her. She barely registered the stream of blood running down her side and pooling on the floor.

  Chapter Fifty

  * * *

  SAM’S HEAD SNAPPED up as Summer burst into Doctor Weber’s office panting. “Where the hell have you two been?” she demanded of him and Jack. “He’s here. He’s in there with her.”

  “Who’s here?” Sam asked.

  “David Merrick. He’s with her right now.”

  Jack and Sam bolted to their feet and ran for the door. Summer stopped Sam. “You need to call off the press release. He won’t believe she’s dead now, he’ll know it’s a trick.”

  “Shit! No wonder the agents helping me haven’t been able to find him. He’s been here the whole time.”

  He grabbed the phone and canceled the press release. As Sam issued orders, Summer left the office, running after Jack back to Jenna’s room.

  JACK BURST PAST the guard and into Jenna’s room. The empty bed set off a wildfire of panic through his system, squeezing his heart, nearly stopping it cold. He rushed further into the room and found her sitting against the wall next to the bed. Head back, eyes closed, her whole body trembled.

  Relieved beyond measure, he exhaled and the fear washed away. He kneeled in front of her and put his hand to the red outline of David’s hand imprinted on her cheek. He bent and kissed it gently.

  “Jenna?”

  She didn’t respond.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I stood up to him. I told him I’m going to destroy him. He thinks I’m bluffing. I’m not. I will end this. Ben is on his way. Take me home, Jack. I want to go home.”

  “Come here, I’ll help you into bed until we can get you checked out of here.”

  He helped her stand, noticing for the first time her blood-soaked gown and the blood running down her leg. He didn’t panic. He’d seen a lot worse, but he hated seeing her hurt. It did something to his heart that he felt echo through his whole being.

  “Jenna, you tore your stitches. You’re bleeding.”

  “Will you fix it?”

  “I’ll get the doctor to stitch it for you. I’m not poking you with needles anymore. It hurts me too much to do that to you.” He cupped her cheek and brushed his thumb across her soft skin.

  “I love you. You’re so sweet.”

  “That bastard comes in here, slaps you, threatens you, and you still try to make me feel better. I’ll kill him. And the guard for letting him in.”

  “I told the guard to leave. As for David, you don’t need to kill him. I’m going to take away the one thing he can’t live without.”

  “You already left him.”

  “Not me. I’m taking the company away from him.”

  “Can you do that?”

  “I couldn’t before, but I can now.”

  “Whatever you need, I’ll help you. I know I haven’t done a very good job protecting you . . .”

  “Jack, stop. Just stop it. You haven’t let me down, and none of this is your fault. You’re the best thing in my life. If you keep blaming yourself for what’s happened, I don’t think I can take it. I need you to take care of me. Do that, and I’ll be happy.”

  “I love you so much. When Summer said he was alone with you, I thought I’d lose you forever. I was so afraid he’d take you, and I’d never find you again.”

  “Don’t. Don’t think about it anymore. I want to go home, now. We have a lot of things to prepare for, and I want to be with you in our bed tonight.”

  “I’ll get the doctor to stitch you back up.”

  Summer came barreling through the door. “Jenna, he hurt you,” Summer said, disbelieving what her eyes saw. “You’re bleeding. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have left you.”

  “It’s okay. I tore my stitches. Don’t feel bad. I made you leave. I couldn’t have the press release go out. Did Sam stop it?”

  “Yes, I think so. You’re okay, really?”

  “I will be once Jack gets me home.”

  “Sis, get the doctor. I’m not leaving Jenna.”

  Summer left the room just as Sam came rus
hing in, a pained look on his face. Jenna pointed a finger at him and said, “You did not let me down, so stop thinking that. Did you stop the press release?”

  “How did you know what I was thinking?” Sam asked surprised. Jack laughed.

  “Because you and Jack are exactly alike. He’s feeling guilty, and now so are you. Stop it, both of you. The press release?”

  “Canceled. Now what are we going to do?”

  “He never makes anything easy,” she complained. “Looks like we do things the hard way. It’ll be more dangerous, but it’s the only way. I’m taking over the company.”

  “Whatever you want, I’ll take care of it,” Sam said, and squeezed her foot to reassure himself she was okay.

  “We’ll make all the arrangements when we’re back home. Go away, Sam. Jack’s going to kiss me, and I want to be alone with him.”

  “Kiss me. You’ll never know the difference.”

  “Get out, Sam. She’s all mine.” Jack wrapped Jenna in his arms and kissed her softly. He held her close and they lost themselves in each other. Jack was the best medicine, and she drowned in a huge dose of his love.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  * * *

  JACK STAYED WITH Jenna while the doctor repaired her stitches. She held his hand, eyes locked on him while the doctor worked. Long looks, a touch here, there, a soft kiss. Connected.

  Jack helped her get cleaned up and dressed. Summer brought a loose sheath dress and button-up sweater for her to wear. The dress accommodated Jenna’s wounds without pressing on her back or ribs. Jack brushed her hair, and while she was enjoying the closeness, he draped something around her neck.

  Jenna looked down at the gold chain, her diamond engagement ring hanging from it.

  “Your hands are still swollen, but I wanted you to be able to wear your ring. The doctor told me how upset you were when they had to remove it.”

  “I thought I’d lost it,” she said and held the ring up, letting it catch the light and sparkle.

  “I’d buy you a dozen more if it meant you were always safe.”

  “I don’t deserve you.”

  “It’s me who doesn’t deserve you. But I’m selfish and I’m keeping you.”

  “I’m keeping you, too. We need to get married soon. I want to wear a nice dress, and since you gave me two wonderful gifts, I don’t know how much longer I’ll actually fit into a dress. I’ll need a tent in another few months.”

  “You’re beautiful now, and you’ll still be when you’re round carrying my babies. I don’t care what you wear as long as you say ‘I do’.”

  “I do.” She liked how that sounded. “Take me home. I hate hospitals and Ben will arrive soon.”

  “Let’s go.”

  JENNA LEANED INTO Jack, his arm wrapped tight around her while she rested against his shoulder with her eyes closed in the back seat of the car. Sam drove and spoke with his friends at the FBI, setting things up for their trip to San Francisco. He’d already increased security at the ranch. He wasn’t taking any chances. They’d underestimated David’s ability and determination to get to her for the last time.

  They arrived at the ranch house. Jack traced lines up and down her forearm with his fingers to get her attention. “Jenna, wake up. We’re home.”

  “That’s the best thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  “Just wait. I have a surprise for you.”

  “A surprise? Really?”

  She turned from the car and glanced at the front yard for the first time since she and Lily had planted the flowers. Beautiful, the house truly looked like a home. Then the memories of everything that happened came flooding back again. She remembered how close David had come to Lily, how he’d stabbed Sally, and how he’d looked when he came after her. She couldn’t take it. She needed time to adjust.

  She turned away from Jack and Sam and limped to the barn. She wrapped her hands around her middle and kept her head down as she made her way along the gravel drive, her every step a painful reminder of what David did to her.

  “Jenna?” Jack called.

  She didn’t say anything, just kept walking, trying not to be upset that Sam had three men following behind her. That they were necessary.

  “Where’s she going?” Sam asked.

  “To see Blue. I don’t know if bringing her back here was such a good idea. Did you see her face? She couldn’t even go inside the house.”

  “Give her time. Let her get her bearings back. Who is Blue?”

  “You’ll see. She’ll be out in a minute.”

  Jenna walked out leading Blue by a rope, the three guards following. Blue sidestepped and nearly knocked down one of the men.

  “You let her ride that stallion. Are you crazy? He’ll kill her.”

  “Watch. That horse is the meanest sonofabitch I’ve ever put into that barn. He’s bitten just about every ranch hand on the spread. Given a chance, he’ll kick the shit out of you.”

  “And you trust him with your pregnant fiancé?”

  “Patience,” Jack said and smiled with pride.

  Jenna stopped just outside the doors and stood in front of Blue and rubbed a hand down his long nose. He bent his head and rested it between her breasts and down her chest and belly like he did every time she came to see him. She rubbed his ears and his face.

  “Oh my God. She just turned that big, giant stallion into a puppy.”

  Jack’s pride swelled. She was amazing. “Just watch, Sam.”

  Jenna kept rubbing and talking to Blue. Blue raised his head and rested it over Jenna’s shoulder and down her back as if giving her a hug. She wrapped her arms around his head and neck. He raised her right off her feet. He put her down gently again. She whispered into his ear and walked to his side. She pulled on the lead rope indicating she wanted him to go down to the ground, and he happily obliged.

  Sam watched in astonishment as the stallion literally kneeled on the ground with his front legs and allowed Jenna to mount him. Still very high off the ground, even when kneeling, but Jenna managed as if she’d done it a hundred times. Then she gave him a tap in the side with her heels and the horse stood up.

  “Amazing,” Sam said. “That horse is in love with her.”

  “Yes, I know. I hate to admit it, but sometimes I’m jealous.”

  Jenna turned to Jack and pointed to the pasture, then made a circle motion with her arm. She gave Blue a gentle nudge and they walked to the pasture.

  “Where’s she going?”

  “To take a walk around the field. She needs time to think. Normally, when she’s trying to work something out in her head, she’ll take off at full speed and let Blue have a good run. She likes the speed and the freedom. Today it will be a nice walk. Her ribs can’t take the run. And I imagine she knows it wouldn’t be good for the babies. Blue will take care of her, and she’ll feel better when she gets back.”

  Sam raised his hand, indicating the three guards watching Jenna to follow. He indicated, much the same way Jenna had, for them to spread out and circle around the pasture to keep her in site. The pasture beside the barn wasn’t that large and the guards took positions like a triangle around her. She and Blue walked in wide circles.

  The sun warmed her face. Thanks to the full skirt of her sundress, her legs stayed covered as she rode. Blue read her mood and kept the pace slow and steady. She took in the trees, the grass, and finally the house with the garden out front. She was home.

  She returned Blue to the barn and Pete, who would take care of him for her. She walked out of the barn and couldn’t help but smile at the two men in the driveway. Identical down to the way they stood, both men leaning over the engine of the Camaro Jenna had given to Jack a few short months ago. She made her way up to them.

  “I’m going inside to take a nap before Ben arrives. Will you come with me?”

  “Yeah, honey. I still have a surprise for you.”

  “Oh, God. I forgot. I’m sorry. I needed to—”

  “I know,” he interrupted and pull
ed her to him and hugged her. “It’s okay. Let’s go inside.”

  Sam slammed the hood of the car and they all walked up the front walkway into the house. As soon as Jenna stepped inside the front door, the quiet and something else hit her. The house didn’t feel right.

  “Jack, there’s something missing.” And then she figured out what was bothering her. “She’s gone and now the house is empty. I’m sorry. He killed Sally, and it’s all my fault,” she cried, taking in the empty house.

  Jack stood in front of her and cupped her face in his warm hands. “Nothing is your fault. This house could never be empty. It’s ours, yours and mine, and soon it’ll reverberate with the sounds of babies. This house has a family, our family.”

  “But Sally. She was more than just a dog to you, to me.”

  “Come upstairs with me. I have a surprise I think you’ll like.”

  Jack led Jenna to their bedroom door. He pushed the door open and let her go in first. Beautiful. He’d redecorated to reflect them both. Before, the bed had a blue comforter, but now a beautiful amethyst silk quilt accompanied it along with matching pillows. He’d added an antique dresser for her. On top sat a beautiful set of glass perfume bottles and a huge crystal vase full of Stargazer lilies. Their sweet scent filled the room. Between the bed and the large window sat an antique cradle lined in pale green fabric with a small white ruffle.

  “Jack, it’s beautiful. You didn’t have to change the room for me. I liked the way it was, even if it was a little single-guy blue.”

  “Single-guy blue? That some new weird color name?”

  “No,” she laughed. “Why did you add purple?”

  “Because it’s our room, and I wanted you to feel at home. You like to wear purple and it looks good on you. I figured it must be one of your favorite colors, and, well, it went well with my blue.”

  “It does make a nice compliment.”