Reagan's Redemption: Book Eight In The Bodyguards Of L.A. County Series
Page 44
“Of course it is.” Reagan smiled and held out her arms.
Chase took Faith, and Jenny rushed over, hugging Reagan tight as she sniffled. “I was real worried about you. Real, real worried.”
“I’m okay, sweetie.”
Jenny eased back, giving Reagan a once over. “You look all right.”
“I am—promise. I only have to stay over night.”
“What about you?” Jenny said to Shane, walking around to his side of the bed.
“I’ve got a headache.”
“You look a lot worse than Reagan.” She grimaced. “A lot worse. That’s some egg you’ve got on your head.”
“Gee, Hendley, thanks.” He gave her shoulder a gentle push.
She smiled. “I bet it’s makin’ you grumpy, huh?”
“Nah, I’m just a little sore.”
She hugged him more gently than she had Reagan. “I’m glad you’re okay.” She kissed his cheek. “I was worryin’ about you too.”
He held her tight, thinking of how the whole day could have gone down. Everyone in this room could’ve been victims of a few assholes’ greed. “Everything’s okay now. We’re all fine,” he told her as much as himself. “Tomorrow we’re going home.”
Reagan frowned. “We’re not flying.”
“No, we’re not. We’re extending the rental on the Pajero for all I care. I just want us out of here. Can you make that happen, man?” He looked at Chase.
“Yeah, I can make that happen. Get some rest.” He set the duffle bag on the small table to Shane’s side. “The ladies and I will be by to pick you up as soon as we get the word, and we’ll go.”
Shane and Chase bumped fists. “Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Reagan grinned, smiling at the baby. “Are you guys going to be okay tonight at the hotel?”
Chase and Jenny looked at each other.
“Sure. We’re gonna go to the store and pick out some travelin’ food and get everythin’ ready. I’m gonna take care of you two for awhile.” She hugged them, kissed their cheeks. “Don’t you worry about a thing.” She took Faith from Chase. “Come on, baby girl. Tomorrow we’re finally goin’ home.”
Reagan blew Jenny and Faith a kiss “We’ll see you in the morning. Thanks, Chase.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Bye,” Shane called as the door closed behind them. “You know, Jenny’s really got her head on straight.”
Reagan smiled. “Yes, she does. I can’t wait to watch her and Faith thrive—really thrive.”
“The adventure starts tomorrow.”
“We can wait.”
He shook his head. “No we can’t.”
“It probably wouldn’t hurt to give yourself another day.”
Traveling would suck, but getting the hell out of Kentucky was more important than being comfortable. “I need to take you away from here. I have to.”
She nodded. “Okay.”
He kissed her. “I hope they don’t think I’m leaving this bed.”
She kissed him back. “I’d like to watch them try and make you.” She settled in the nook of his shoulder, resting her head on his chest. “I love you, Shane.”
“I love you too. Let’s get some rest.”
“Okay. Goodnight.”
“Night.” He closed his eyes, counting his blessing as he held the woman he loved close, knowing his good friend was taking care of his and Reagan’s girls. In just a few hours he was bringing them all home.
Chapter Forty-one
The salty breeze tangled Reagan’s hair, and she laughed with Shane as her stomach lurched deliciously when the Ferris wheel started its ascent back into the darkening sky. Los Angeles twinkled bright in the distance, and the Pacific crashed against the sandy shores below. “This, Mr. Harper, is fun.”
“Good.” He grinned, kissing her forehead as he wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her impossibly closer against his side. “You’re not bummed that we blew off dinner?”
“Are you kidding?” She pulled back slightly. “The burger and fries were great.” Somehow they’d ended up on Santa Monica Pier instead of at the high-end restaurant in the city where Shane had made reservations. They’d ridden the rollercoaster and zoomed around in the scrambler, Shane wearing a button-down and slacks and she a little black dress with heels.
“This wasn’t exactly the ambiance I was going for on our first real date night.”
She glanced around at the blaze of colorful lights and listened to the screams and laughter of people enjoying the iconic California tourist stop on the surprisingly mild November night. “This isn’t our first real date night.” She grabbed his tie, inching his face forward, kissing him and smiling into his gorgeous green eyes, certain she couldn’t be any happier. “I believe we had that in The Gap.” She kissed him again. “And this is almost just as perfect.”
He chuckled. “You certainly don’t ask for much.”
“Not when I have everything I want and need.”
His eyes softened as he smiled. “I’m sorry it’s taken me almost a month to get around to taking my girl out.”
She smiled back. “We’ve been busy settling in.”
He cupped her face in his hands, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs, sending her heart racing with his tender touch. “I’m so glad you’re here with me, Reagan.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He pressed his lips to hers as the Ferris wheel stopped at the top, letting on more passengers. Moments passed as Shane deepened the kiss, slowly, sweetly, and she moaned, clutching at his shirt. He eased back when their seat jerked slightly and they began moving toward the bottom. “I think it’s our turn to get off this time around,” he said, nibbling at her jaw.
“I guess all good things have to come to an end.”
“So I’ve heard.”
Their bucket came to a stop in front of the man who opened the safety latch and let them out.
“Thanks,” Shane said as he took Reagan’s hand. “So, what do you want to do next?”
“I don’t know. I think we’ve been on all of the rides.”
“How about a walk on the beach—or would you rather go home?”
She wavered, the pounding surf just yards away tempting her, but Jenny had her hands full at the house with pre-Thanksgiving preparations. “I think we should probably head home.”
He glanced at his watch and nodded, walking with her toward the parking lot. “So, Doc, I didn’t get much of a chance to hear about your first day at work.” He slid his arm around her waist as they made their way to his Mercedes. “You were too busy screaming on the kiddie rides.”
“I didn’t scream.” Grinning, she bumped his hip playfully.
He looked at her, his eyebrow raised.
“Okay, maybe I screamed once on the Pacific Plunge.”
He groaned. “I might’ve screamed too.” He patted his stomach. “I’m glad we went on that before we ate.”
She laughed as he chuckled.
“Tell me about work,” he said next to her ear.
“It was good. Amazing, actually.” She grinned with the rush of excitement, thinking of her new position as part-time physician at Southern California Teen Outreach.
“Amazing.” He nodded. “Not a bad way to start new employment.”
“I really think I’m going to love this. And working three days a week is pretty great.”
“It’s a good gig if you can get it.”
She nodded her agreement, thrilled that she could work and make a difference and still have plenty of time for Jenny and Faith. “I saw six new patients today. Four of the young ladies are pregnant. I’ve scheduled appointments with them for next week. We’re going to sit down with a counselor and make sure they understand that they can still finish school.”
“You’ll do a hell of a job.” He pressed on the key fob and opened her door for her.
“Thanks.”<
br />
“You’re welcome. They’re lucky to have you.”
“I guess so.”
“I know so.”
It would take time to completely rebuild her confidence as a physician after Mable and her time in The Gap, but someday she hoped to be as sure of herself as Shane was. She smiled. “Thank you.”
He winked. “Any time.” He kissed her again before she sat down. “All set?”
“All set.”
He closed her in and hustled around to his side. Getting in, he turned over the ignition. “Okay, tell me more,” he said as he fought his way into traffic.
“Let’s talk about you. How did it feel to finally be back in action at Ethan Cooke Security in a non-concussed, non-paper-pusher capacity?”
“Good.” He took her hand. “Busy—just the way I like it, but I liked it better knowing that when I got off the plane from San Francisco this afternoon I was coming home to you and the girls.”
“Mmm.” She brought his knuckles to her lips. “I liked seeing you pull in the driveway.”
“Speaking of driveways, ours will be crowded soon. Stone thinks he’ll be finished with Jenny’s new car by Christmas, easy.”
She grinned. “She’s going to be so excited. She’s doing so well, Shane.” Her eyes welled with pride. “She’s just taken off—she and Faith both.”
“They’re great kids.”
“Did you see her face yesterday when she deposited her first paycheck? The pride?”
“I did.”
“I think two days a week is working out well for her.”
“Agreed. I’m glad she’s decided to go for her RN.”
“Me too. Just think, come spring semester our girl will be on her way.” She sighed. “Everything’s finally settling into place.” And tomorrow the four of them would spend their first Thanksgiving together—along with dozens of Shane’s co-workers at the Cookes’ home.
A long silence filled the car while she enjoyed the pleasure of utter contentment.
Shane gave their laced fingers a gentle squeeze. “So, I heard from Detective Reedy this afternoon.”
She looked at him, sitting up straighter. “You did?”
He nodded. “I didn’t want to ruin our date, so I thought I would wait to tell you.”
She tucked her hair behind her ear with the small stirrings of tension. “What did he say?”
“Well, Officer Swift went home this morning. His infections cleared up, and he’s expected to be back at work by the first of the year.”
“Thank God for that.”
“They’ve figured out who was sending Doctor Schlibenburg’s article to The Gap,” he said as he took a right toward the quiet neighborhoods of the Palisades.
“Oh yeah?”
“One of Schlibenburg’s former assistants had copies of his work and the data from the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Apparently Doctor Schlibenburg called him hours before he died and said if anything happened to him he wanted you to have the information.”
She sighed. Doctor Schlibenburg’s useless death still bothered her. “I just wish it would’ve helped.”
“Oh, it’s helped. Doctor Hargus has lost his medical license and is facing criminal charges right along with the McPhee’s, Jacobson, and his brother. And Doctor Yancey, the guy from Nashville—”
“I know who Doctor Yancey is.” She smiled. “I reached out to him for help.”
“Right. He contacted Detective Reedy yesterday and shared that he and his wife’s lives had been threatened when they got back from their honeymoon, which only adds another nail to all of the bastards’ coffins.”
“I should give him a call.”
“Doctor Yancey’s going to get together with some of the other physicians in the region and start attacking black lung head on.”
She lifted her brows, intrigued. “Really?”
His gaze darted to hers several times. “That’s what he said.”
“That’s wonderful.”
He clenched his jaw. “I, uh, I wasn’t sure if you would want to head back out to Kentucky to help.”
She shook her head. “I’m staying right here with you and the girls.”
“Good.” He expelled a deep breath of what could only be relief.
“I’m home, Shane. I’m home,” she repeated, stroking his hand.
He nodded. “I got some other news.”
“What’s that?”
“Terry’s looking at two to five years, so we won’t have to worry about him for awhile.”
She closed her eyes in relief. “I would have to say everything’s just about perfect.”
“You did a lot of good in Kentucky, Doc. A lot of good. None of this stuff would’ve happened if you hadn’t stood up for the people there.”
“It was my job.”
He shook his head. “You went way above and beyond. You’re a damn good woman, Reagan.”
“Thanks.”
He pulled into the driveway next to her new car. “Here we are.”
“Here we are.” She smiled, staring at the sweet little California ranch they were making theirs together.
“Are you ready?”
The lights glowed warm and inviting through the big picture windows. “Yes. I imagine Jenny could use a hand with the pies.”
He got out, and she met him at the hood of the car. “Come on.” He took her hand and walked past the front door to the latch on the fence.
“What are we doing?”
“I wanted to show you something.”
“Oh, okay.” She moved with him through the small backyard and stopped short, staring at the new porch swing swaying slightly and the candles burning in prettily decorated paper bags set around the brick patio. “What have you done?” she smiled.
“I thought we could use a swing. What do you think?”
She laughed. “I think I love it.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
She nodded. “Definitely.
“Let’s go test it out.” He tugged on her hand.
“Okay.”
They sat down and he cuddled her close.
She kissed his cheek and settled her head on his chest. “This is perfect.”
“Kind of like The Gap.”
She shook her head, taking in the winking stars and quiet whoosh of cars driving by in the neighborhood. “This is so much better.”
He slid his palm up and down her arm. “This was one of the best parts of being in Kentucky—sitting with you out on the porch listening to you share all of those fascinating thoughts in that big brain of yours. I missed it when I left.”
“Mmm,” she agreed, snuggling closer, never wanting to be without him again.
“So it only seems right that I should ask you to be my wife right here.”
She sat up slowly as his words sunk in.
He opened a small box, revealing a stunning band of silver and diamonds. “Will you marry me, Reagan? Will you help me raise our girls and grow old with me right here in our house?”
“Shane,” she whispered as tears spilled down her cheeks and she stared into his kind green eyes. “Yes.” She threw her arms around him. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He wrapped her up, kissing her neck. “I had no idea that when I pulled into that Podunk town I was going to find everything I’ve ever wanted.” He eased back. “I love you.”
She sniffled, pressing her palms to his cheeks. “I love you too—so much.”
“Let me put your ring on you.”
She held out her left hand and watched him push the jewelry on her finger. “It’s beautiful.”
“I—” Shane glanced up and grinned. “We have an audience.”
Reagan looked over her shoulder toward the window in the kitchen, where Jenny held Faith. Laughing, she gestured for her to come on out.
Jenny rushed outside. “You said yes!” She bounced Faith. “Reagan said yes, Faithy!”
Faith smiled.
“Congratulations.” Jenny beamed at them
and hugged them both.
“Thank you,” Reagan smiled, certain she might never stop.
“Do you like your new swing?”
“I love it. You two certainly surprised me.” Reagan tugged on Jenny’s arm. “Come sit down with us and give it a try.”
Jenny sat sandwiched between them in her casual designer clothes, standing Faith up on her thighs as the sweet baby cooed, staring at the flickers of candlelight.
“How’d the baking go?” Shane asked.
“Good. Two apple crumb and two cherry pies are coolin.’ I can’t believe we’re goin’ to the Cookes’ for Thanksgivin’.”
“It’ll be one hell of a show.”
“You’ll get to show off your new ring.” Jenny rested her head against Reagan’s shoulder. “When do you think you’ll get married?”
“As soon as possible,” Shane and Reagan said at the same time.
They looked at each other and laughed, linking their fingers on the back of the swing as they gently rocked their little family in the peace and quiet of the warm Los Angeles night.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Cate Beauman is the author of the best-selling series, The Bodyguards of L.A. County. She currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, two boys, and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
www.catebeauman.com
www.facebook.com/CateBeauman
www.goodreads.com/catebeauman
Follow Cate on Twitter: @CateBeauman
THE BODYGUARDS OF L.A. COUNTY
Morgan’s Hunter
Book One: The story of Morgan and Hunter
ISBN: 978-0989569606
Falling For Sarah
Book Two: The story of Sarah and Ethan
ISBN: 978-0989569613
Hailey’s Truth
Book Three: The story of Hailey and Austin
ISBN: 978-0989569620
Forever Alexa
Book Four: The story of Alexa and Jackson
ISBN: 978-0989569637
Waiting For Wren
Book Five: The story of Wren and Tucker
ISBN: 978-0989569644