They went to a previously recorded clip of two young boys running across a front yard into the arms of awaiting law enforcement.
Everyone turned to Sally. They were Clay’s nephews.
***
“The man inside holding these people hostage has a violent temper. He’s unpredictable.” If anyone on earth understood unpredictable temper, it was Clay. He brushed his hand over his mouth, his patience wearing thin with the officer who he reminded himself a dozen times, was just doing his job.
“Yes, we understand, Mr. Saunders. If you could tell us as much of what you remember—how you got here, anything your sister might have said that could help us.”
Clay stood with an officer hidden behind the small moving truck he’d parked in the drive. He’d seen the rental car, but not seen Louis’s, which was in the garage. It wasn’t until he’d dodged a spray of bullets from the front window that he realized something was wrong. That’s when he called the police. “My sister, Julie, called me last night. She was frightened and asked me to come out and help her and the kids—my two nephews—out of the house. She said her husband had become more abusive, more violent recently.”
“Had she mentioned ever calling the police before today?”
Clay shook his head, doubting Julie would have attempted it, more out of fear of repercussion than anything. “I don’t know, she never said.”
“Are you aware if he owns a gun?” the officer asked.
Clay eyed the man. “He shot several rounds at me. My guess is yes.”
The officer patiently nodded. “What I meant by that is that had she ever mentioned him threatening her or anyone before with a gun?”
Clay blew out a breath. He wanted to do something. He felt helpless and helpless wasn’t one of his favorite things to be. “Not that I’m aware of. His weapon of choice with my sister was his fist.” Clay looked over the man’s shoulder and searched the side of the house, trying to remember if there were any windows that led to the family room in the basement. “Look, what can we do here? My friend and my sister—those boys’ mother—is still in there with that nut job.”
“Your friend? That would be ‘Hank’ that you mentioned earlier.” The officer flipped back through his notes.
Clay realized they were trying to establish a timeline, leaving no stone unturned. If it would put this ass away for a long time, he’d try to remember Julie’s dress size if necessary. “I got to the Billings airport hoping to get on stand-by. That’s where I ran into Hank Richardson, an old friend since…” Clay paused, doing the math. “Since college. He’d just landed, was coming in for a surprise visit. I told him the situation, and he offered to help me out. As soon as he gassed up, we took off and flew into Sacramento International. We rented a car and drove straight to the rental place to pick up the truck my sister had reserved by phone.”
Clay rubbed his forehead. He’d kicked himself a million times since agreeing to Hank’s proposal. “Hank offered to go on ahead and help my sister stage the boxes for loading.”
“Was there ever anything between Mr. Richardson and your sister?”
Clay looked at the man like he was daft, but his memory triggered back to the auction and the comment Hank had made. “Nothing even remotely recent. A crush, a very long time ago. Nothing since.” He didn’t add, that I’m aware of.
The officer spoke into the walkie-talkie attached to his shoulder. “Two hostages. Probable domestic violence situation. Possible third party involved. Relative of a female hostage indicates a past violent nature from the suspect, believed to be her husband. Apparently came home to find she was leaving him.” He glanced at Clay for verification of what he’d relayed.
Clay nodded. “Is there anything I can do? Talk to him, maybe?”
“Do you think he’d listen to you. Mr. Saunders?” the officer asked.
Given that Louis chose bullets instead of a handshake made Clay think no. He saw a gray truck stop down the block and watched as several men dressed in special gear began to fan out in the neighborhood. Television crews had been kept behind a police barricade two blocks away. It occurred to him that they were bringing in a SWAT team in the event that negotiation efforts might fail. The longer they waited, the higher the risk for all involved. They’d likely use tear gas. There might be collateral damage. He couldn’t stand by and watch this play out.
The officer focused on speaking to another never saw Clay slip away, ducking low as he ran along the side of the house. He knew the layout. He’d gone over everything in his mind and deduced that they were likely in the front room. Given the number of shots fired—up to ten if his memory served, and most into the side of the truck—he guessed probably a universal gun, used for home security, likely a Glock 19. If so, that meant he had roughly five rounds left at the most—less, if he’d used any before Clay arrived. He put that thought aside as he rounded the back corner of the house, delighted to see that the sliding glass door to the deck was open. Thank you, Julie for your obsession with fresh air. Clay crawled under the railing and inched his way to standing beside the door. He heard Julie inside, pleading with Louis and his heart twisted with fear.
“Louis, you need to let me get this man some help. He’s bleeding.”
Clay noted one of the SWAT team circling behind the house next door. He held up his hand, identifying himself as friendly.
“Louis, please, you don’t have to do this. We can sit down and talk this out.”
“Talk? You were planning to take the boys away from me, Julie. I can’t… I won’t let you do that.”
“They won’t have either of us, Louis, if you hurt me. There’ll be no one to care for them.”
“Not even that gimp brother of yours?”
Clay had had about as much as he could handle. He spied the team member signaling to another man. In their hands, a black object—likely tear gas.
“Clay is a good man, Louis,” Julie said.
“And I’m not, is that it?” he demanded. “And who is this guy? Is he a good man, too, Julie?”
“I didn’t say you weren’t a good man, Louis. I didn’t mean that.” Weariness laced her voice.
Praying the kitchen wall would serve as cover, he peeked around the curtain and saw Louis with his back turned. Quietly lifting the screen off the frame, he slipped inside and ducked down behind the kitchen island. He saw Hank slumped against the wall. Blood soaked one shoulder. His skin was pasty, had a sheen. That wasn’t good.
“What’s going on out there? It’s too quiet,” Louis said as he hid behind the front curtain and eased it back with the gun.
Seizing what he felt might be his only chance, Clay sprung forward and tackled the man from behind. The gun slipped from his hand and slid across the floor. He held the struggling man in a firm chokehold. “Julie, yell to them it’s safe. The suspect is secured.”
She complied and soon after several officers stormed through the front door.
Clay stood to relinquish his hold on Louis, holding his hardened gaze as they led him away.
“That was brave, Mr. Saunders. Stupid, but brave.” The officer who’d interviewed him eyed him. “Army, I’m guessing.” He smiled then. “I’ll find a way to dismiss interfering in police procedure.”
“Thanks,” Clay said, and shook his hand.
A medical team had Hank on a gurney wheeling him out of the house. He looked up as Clay walked up next to him and took his hand. “You’re going to be okay.”
Hank gave him a weary grin. “Just do me a favor.”
“You got it.” Clay leaned down to hear him.
“Don’t ever ask me to help you move again.”
Clay squeezed Hank’s hand and got from the team where they were taking him. The bullet had gone through clean, missing the bone. He’d lost a lot of blood, but he’d fully recover. He went back inside to where Julie was talking to officers.
She rose to greet him, putting her arms around his waist, she buried her face in his shirt. “It’s over, Julie. You and
the boys are safe.”
He nudged her to look out the window and she ran out the front door meeting the two boys on the front lawn. Dropping to her knees, she embraced them. Only one thought entered his mind as he watched them—
God, he missed Sally.
Realizing how long it’d had been since his last communication he pulled out his phone to see the number of missed calls and texts that she’d left him. If she’d seen any of this on the news, she must be in a world of worry.
He checked the time and knew she’d be getting ready for bed about now. God, how he wanted to be there. He dialed her number, his heart at peace when she answered.
“Clay?”
“It’s me, I’m so sorry. My phone was turned low and, well, it’s been a little nuts out here.”
“Are you all right? I saw the news. There was a gurney—”
“That was Hank.”
“Hank? Hank Richardson?”
“Long story, Sally. God, it’s good to hear your voice. I have definitely missed you.”
“You’re not hurt?”
“I’m good… fine.”
“Julie, the boys?” she asked.
“All safe, doing fine.”
“Well… I’m not fine,” she blurted hysterically.
“I know, baby. I know. It’s all over now and I’m looking forward to getting back to life in that sleepy town. That’s not true—I’m just looking forward to holding you while you sleep. Have I mentioned that I love you?” He heard her swallow. “Just a couple of days, okay?”
“Okay. Drive safely.” There was a pause, as though she had more to say. Concerned that she wasn’t sure of how to tell him what was on her mind, he nudged her a bit. “Sally, is everything okay?” His heart thudded in his chest. She hadn’t responded with similar endearments. The past crept up and taunted his brain.
“Everything is good, Clay. I’m so relieved to hear you’re okay and no one was hurt badly. I just miss you. Please, drive safely. Let me know if you’re stopping. I miss you like crazy. Does that sound silly?”
Clay smiled. “It sounds like heaven to me, sweetheart. I’ll be home soon.”
***
Home. Clay thought about it on the drive back to Montana, about how effortlessly the word had rolled off his tongue. Now, within a few miles of the turn-off to the ranch, the reality settled peacefully in his heart. It was just after four o’clock. Barring any unforeseen issues at school, he hoped to find Sally waiting at the ranch. Seeing his turnoff—a new metal arch that spanned the entrance with the new logo of a horse head and the words ‘Last Hope Ranch’—he flipped his signal on to alert Julie, behind him in a rental car, to follow.
Hank had been kept an extra day at the hospital and was to be released for flying tomorrow. He intended to fly into Billings in the next couple of days just to check in on everyone. Clay knew that Hank’s real concern was for Julie.
She’d hired a lawyer before they left and filed for divorce. She wanted nothing from him, with the exception of child support. Her lawyer, while trying to suggest otherwise, finally told Julie she would handle everything and would be in touch. Julie wasn’t sure of her plans yet, but she was determined to make a better life for her and the boys.
Clay guided the truck down the asphalt drive, past the main house, and pulled in near the entrance of the two-bedroom cabin just a few doors up from his cabin. He climbed from the cab, stretched his arms and raised his brows as he saw the Kinnison clan—including Michael and Rebecca—coming out of the cabin.
“Hey guys,” he called out.
Sally ran into his arms and hugged his neck.
“I’m so glad to be home,” he said, pressing his face into the warm curve of her neck. He couldn’t remember a time in years when those words truly made me happy.
“Listen,” Aimee said, walking toward Julie. “We’ve got supper up at the main house, thanks to Rebecca and Betty, who sent down some casseroles that we just put in your freezer.” Aimee put her arm around Julie’s shoulder. “It’s been a long drive. “Let’s go get a glass of wine and relax while supper is finishing up. These guys can unload the truck.”
Julie looked over her shoulder at Clay as she walked up the path surrounded by women of the Kinnison ranch. Emilee and the boys wasted no time scrambling to sit on the fence and watch the horses grazing in the corral.
“Five minutes, Em,” Dalton called to her, “then you all go get washed up for dinner.”
“Yes, sir,” she responded.
Rein slapped Clay on the shoulder, then pulled him in for a hug. “Heard about what you did out there. Course, it was Hank’s ‘version’. You should probably enlighten me. Why don’t you guys go on up to the house. We’ve got this.”
Clay tugged Sally’s hand as they approached the back of the barn. “Do you mind if we take a detour through the barn? There’s something about—”
“The smell, right?” Sally interjected. “I’ve always loved how—”
“Peaceful it feels,” Clay finished. They walked hand-in-hand through the barn, the gentle sounds of the horses greeting them. “I missed these guys about as much as I missed you.”
“Understandable.”
He led her to the old storage box where he’d first kissed her. It seemed like a million years ago and just yesterday—it puzzled him. But how he felt about Sally… that was forever. “Remember this place?” He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.
“I do. It’s where you first kissed me,” Sally said.
“Wait, I kissed you?” He frowned. “I seem to remember it being the other way around.”
Sally eyed him with a smile. “Your kiss was much better, as I recall.”
“Yeah?” Clay tipped her chin to meet his eyes.
“I liked it… a lot.”
“Me, too,” he said quietly before brushing his lips to hers. Like heaven on earth, her lips parted to greet him in the way he’d been dreaming of for days. “It’d probably be rude to skip supper, wouldn’t it?”
She skimmed her hand over the front of his shirt and licked her lips. “People would probably notice.”
That prompted another kiss. “Hey, Sally?”
“Yes?” Her voice had that sleepy, sexy tone he loved more than air.
“I think it’s time we took our relationship to the next level.”
She playfully bit his lip causing him to groan with pure pleasure. “I think we’ve already done that.”
“I want my nephews to be able to call you Aunt Sally.”
She leaned back and searched his face. “Wait, are you suggesting that it's not enough we have—what was it—off the charts sex?”
Clay thought a moment, then nodded, “Yeah, that’s it. Crazy as it sounds. It’s not enough. You love me, I love you. Hell, the other night I pulled up to your house and just sat there watching you through the kitchen window.”
“That’s a little creepy, to be honest.” She smiled.
“It made me realize that’s what I want.”
“To watch me in the kitchen every night?” She made a face.
“Sally, sometimes—you make me crazy.”
Sally held his face and kissed him gently. “Sweetheart, I do understand what you’re saying. There’s nothing that would turn me on more than to come home and watch you cooking in the kitchen. Does that help?”
He grinned. “I can do that.”
“Of course, and trust me, you will or we’ll likely starve.” She kissed him again. “Oh, just one more thing. As long as we’re throwing around labels like aunt and uncle, how do you feel about daddy?
Epilogue
“Did you hear that Kaylee moved in with Tyler Janzen?” Angelique told Sally at breakfast two months later. “I swear he has picked up every stray in a fifty- mile radius just as an excuse to drop by the shelter.”
“Twitter pated,” Sally said with a grin, then looked at Angelique. “My dad used to say people and animals got twitter pated in the spring. I think it’s a reference to Bambi or Th
umper—one of those.” Spring had indeed come in earnest to End of the Line. Sally welcomed the gentle rains that seemed to turn the world from a dull brown to a vibrant green overnight. She welcomed getting past a rugged bout of morning sickness and had managed—merely out of curiosity—to seek Emilee’s intuition, but only received a ‘it’s a girl or a boy’ from the gifted, but precocious youngster.
The demolition going on next door with the bakery renovations made talking a bit more of a challenge at the café these days.
Hank, his arm still in a sling, opened the café door for Julie, only to have her boys rush through to find a seat. “Hey, you two, back here and let’s try that again,” he said with a smile.
“Interesting,” Angelique commented as she slathered honey on her fresh biscuit.
Sally watched as the two boys ambled back outside and held the door for their mom, who hugged them immediately. It had appeared that End of the Line and a few weeks at the Last Hope Ranch had solidified Julies plans to stick around.
“Hey, Sally,” Julie leaned down to hug her. “Hi, Angelique. We came up to look at a vacant apartment upstairs. Betty thought it’d be great for me and the boys.”
Sally grinned. “I’m glad you’ve decided to stay.”
“The boys absolutely love it here.” She sighed. “The wide open spaces. Fresh air. And never mind Michael taking them on trail rides.”
“It’s a great place to raise kids, no doubt there,” Angelique offered.
“Okay, I’m ready, you guys want to see this apartment?” Betty stepped from the kitchen. “Look here, boys. These are kolaches. Sink your teeth into one of these, if it’s okay with mom.”
The pair looked at their mom, and received a nod.
“Come on, then.” Betty ushered them through a door behind the counter that led one way up the stairs to the apartment.
“You don’t happen to have another one of those?” Hank asked, sticking his head inside the kitchen.
“Help yourself,” Betty called. “New recipe. Testing it out.”
No Strings Attached (Last Hope Ranch Book 1) Page 16
