Spiced Latte Killer: Book 10 in The INNcredibly Sweet Series

by Summer Prescott

  “How are you feeling?” the doctor asked, flashing a light into Janssen’s eyes.

  “Thirsty. When are you gonna pull these wires outta me so that I can get going?” he grumbled as the doctor listened to his breathing.

  “We’ll do some labs to make certain that the infection is entirely cleared up, we’ll get you gradually back on solid foods, and then we’ll give you one last physical to assess your condition overall. Should only be a few days,” he assured him.

  “A few days? I’m ready for solid food now. Spence, order me a pizza, man.”

  “Not happening. You were in bad shape, gotta listen to the doc on this one,” Spencer grinned.

  “You just wait ’til I get out of this bed,” he groused, then took the straw that Spencer offered, drinking refreshingly cool water.

  “Not too much at first,” the doctor warned. “We have to proceed slowly, your body’s been through a lot.”

  “Compared to being trapped in a cage in the desert, I’d say this wasn’t so bad,” Janssen muttered.

  “You were younger then,” the doctor tossed over his shoulder as he left the room. “Remember, you’re being monitored.”

  “Big Brother is watching,” Spencer added, chuckling and holding Janssen’s cup near him so that he could continue to sip.

  “Indeed,” the doctor closed the door on his way out.

  Janssen drank deeply, and Spencer put the cup on a table across the room.

  “Benedict Arnold,” the scarred Marine grumbled.

  “Just following orders,” Spencer replied.

  “Since when have you ever followed orders?”

  “Since my invincible buddy almost got taken out by infected wounds,” he sobered. “You had a close call, man. I was worried.”

  “Well, there’s no reason to go all mother hen on me,” Janssen smiled faintly, clearly feeling better after the water. “Shoulda known I’d make it, I always do.”

  “I think you’ve used up about seven or eight of your nine lives right about now,” Spencer gave him a pointed look.

  “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop doing what I do,” he shrugged, wincing a bit at the pain in his arm.

  “At least now you’ll have a choice.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Janssen’s eyes narrowed.

  “We’ve got documents from Command. They cut us loose, permanently. They can ask us to volunteer for missions, but if we refuse, they leave us alone. We’re free, buddy. We’re finally free,” Spencer’s voice trailed off to a whisper, and Janssen stared at him in disbelief.

  “You got it in writing?”

  “Yep, the Big Man came down here personally,” he nodded.

  “So when I leave here…”

  “You can go wherever you want to go. No more running, no more hiding. You can even have your own name back if you want it. They’ll reinstate our identities. I’ll wait until you’re able to travel before I head out of here. You have any idea what you want to do?”

  Janssen nodded, his throat working. The toughened and scarred Marine’s eyes inexplicably filled with tears. “I’m going home,” he husked. “I’m finally going home.”

  ***

  Spencer walked into the bus station more slowly than he normally would, because Janssen still had a significant limp. It would be gone eventually, but the Marine still had some healing to do. Janssen bought his ticket, and Spencer teased him for it.

  “You know, with what you got from the good old USA and Beckett Holdings, you could afford to charter a plane to get back home.”

  Janssen shifted his backpack over his good shoulder and nodded.

  “Yeah, I know, but this’ll give me time to get used to being around people again, and to work up the guts to go home.”

  “Have you called her?” Spencer’s eyes were grave.

  Janssen shook his head, his eyes pained.

  “Nah. If I do this, I’m just gonna show up. See if she still wants to see me,” he said softly, looking vulnerable for probably the first time in his life.

  “Of course she’ll want to see you. What are you talking about?” Spencer chastised him lightly.

  “I’m not like I was. I let her think I died over there, so she wouldn’t get hurt by the guys who were trying to hunt me down. I lied to her by not coming back to her, and then I show up out of the blue, looking like this,” he swallowed hard, looking away.

  Spencer tilted his head back to the ceiling and took a deep breath, trying to get his emotions under control, then decided, for both of their sakes, to lighten up a bit.

  “Well, it’s not like you were that great looking to start with, man,” he teased, swallowing the lump in his throat.

  Before Janssen could answer, the loudspeaker blared that it was time to board. The two men stood looking at each other for a long moment, then Spencer stepped forward and wrapped his brother-at-arms in a bear hug.

  “I’m gonna miss you, not even lying,” he ground out, unashamed of the tears in his cobalt eyes.

  “Right back atcha, brother. I’ll always have your back, count on that,” Janssen replied hoarsely, hugging him back fiercely, despite the pain in his arm.

  They clapped each other on the back a couple of times and broke apart, wiping their eyes, because that’s what men do.

  “Take care, Janssen,” Spencer’s jaw flexed as his heart broke, wondering if he’d ever see him again.

  Unable to form a reply, Janssen bumped his fist over his heart twice and turned away, the doors of the bus closing behind him.

  Spencer didn’t stay to see his face in the window one last time… he couldn’t. He barely made it to his car before breaking down and letting out the sobs that he’d been keeping inside for far too many years. This was the end of an era, and the beginning of his new life.

  CHAPTER 16

  Echo saw Spencer slip into the back of the Wedgewood Parlor at the Inn, where Grayson and Sarah’s wedding ceremony had just begun, and beckoned him to come sit by her. Kel was on her left, and Joyce, her store manager, was on her right. When Spencer ducked into the row, Joyce scooted over so that he could sit between her and Echo.

  The bride was radiantly beautiful, and Grayson looked handsome, if slightly uncomfortable in his dove grey tux. The ceremony was heartfelt, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room after the bride and groom said their handwritten vows to each other. Petaluma sat in the front, and she had actually managed to get Loud Steve into a tie. Missy and Chas sat across the aisle from them in the front as well.

  A few rows back sat a clearly introverted Timothy Eckels, escorted by his lovely assistant, Fiona, who had worn pink, as Sarah had requested in the invitation. Almost every woman in the room wore pink, and the appearance was that of a festive bouquet. Petaluma’s dress was neon pink and covered in sequins, ending way above the knee, which Steve caressed throughout the ceremony. Missy and Chas had flown Grayson’s entire staff up from Louisiana as a surprise, and there were several police officers in attendance as well, because Missy loved any chance to throw a great party and figured the more the merrier.

  After Spencer had gratefully accepted hugs from Echo and Joyce and shaken Kel’s hand, all without disturbing the ceremony, he faced the front and immediately saw the back of a head that he would know anywhere. Izzy. She looked beautiful in pink, and almost as if she felt his presence from across the room, she glanced back and saw Spencer, her mouth falling open in surprise for a moment. She raised her hand in greeting and he returned the small wave, not knowing what to think when she turned back around. His heart beat fast in his chest. He’d forgotten that Izzy might be at the wedding, and hadn’t prepared himself emotionally for seeing her again so soon.

  After the ceremony, the bride and groom were whisked away to take pictures on the lovely grounds and on the beach. Missy caught sight of Spencer and made a beeline for him, dragging Chas behind her.

  “Oh my darlin’ boy, I’ve been so worried about you,” she cried, throwing her arms around the Marine. “I can�
�t believe you’re back. Are you staying? Are you okay? Do you need anything?” she peppered him with questions, her head on his chest.

  “Sweetie, let him breathe for a second,” Chas chuckled, and Missy stood back with a laugh.

  “I’m sorry, sugar, I’m just so glad to see you,” she wiped her eyes. “Land sakes, at the end of this day I’m not going to have any mascara left at all.”

  Chas looked at Spencer and wordlessly enveloped him in a hug.

  “You good?” he asked in a low voice.

  “Yes sir, for the first time in a long time, I’m good,” the Marine replied.

  “Good, then let’s head to the bar and get you a drink,” the detective grinned, spiriting the young man away.

  “That’s the best idea I’ve heard all day,” Spencer agreed, falling in step.

  “Good lord, who is that fine young thang?” Petaluma drawled when he passed by her, drawing a kicked-puppy look from Steve.

  “It’s just me,” Chas joked, still walking.

  “Twenty years ago, maybe,” was the saucy reply.

  The two men ordered their drinks and stood off to the side of the bar, tasting their first sips.

  “You back for good?” Chas asked lightly.

  “If you’ll have me. Did you hear from Chalmers?”

  The detective nodded. “I’m kind of surprised that you’re staying with us when you could literally go anywhere in the world and do anything you like. I’m grateful, just surprised.”

  “I have a purpose here. I’m needed. And you guys are family. Why would I walk away from that?”

  “I’m glad you feel that way, Spence. Our door is always open to you,” Chas raised his glass, and Spencer clinked it with his own.

  “Thank you sir.”

  “Stop calling me sir.”

  “Yes sir,” he grinned.

  Izzy had just gotten a drink from the bar and approached the two men like a shy doe.

  “Hi. I don’t want to interrupt,” she said softly, staring at Spencer.

  “Not at all,” Chas replied smoothly. “I was just leaving to go find my wife, but I’m sure this young man will talk your ear off.”

  He shook Spencer’s hand, smiled at Izzy and went on his way.

  “Hi,” she said again.

  “Hi.”

  “Can we talk for a minute?” she asked, visibly trying not to fidget.

  “Sure,” the Marine nodded, taking another swig of his Manhattan.

  “Do you… that is, can we… ?” she gestured vaguely to the French doors which led to the patio.

  “Uh, yeah, I could use some fresh air,” Spencer replied, gallantly giving her his arm.

  She looked beautiful, but he was certain that she was unaware of it. Whenever he saw raw beauty in her, she noticed stray hairs, a wrinkle in her blouse, and flat feet.

  “Do you want to sit?” he asked, gesturing to a bistro table which had been set up for wedding guests who wanted to spend some time outdoors.

  “Umm… no, let’s go stand under the trees, in the shade,” Izzy suggested, pointing to an area far away from any other wedding guests.

  “Lead the way.”

  They stood under the tree just looking at each other for a moment before Izzy spoke.

  “I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes moist.

  “About?”

  “About… the way I treated you, the way I acted… how I sent you away. I was awful to you, and I’m sorry about that,” she bit her lip in that way that he’d once found so endearing.

  “It’s okay. I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for you. I’m sorry that you got wrapped up in that whole mess. It was my fault, I should have known better than to get involved with anyone.”

  “Well… that’s what I wanted to talk with you about, actually,” Izzy took his hand.

  “What?”

  “I had made up my mind that I was not going to deal with all of the drama that you brought in to my life, that I wouldn’t put up with a man who made me concerned for my own safety all the time, even if it wasn’t exactly his fault… I had written you… written us… off. But then, when I came home and you weren’t here, I missed you so much, and I realized that… I really do love you, and I’m willing to be there for you, even in spite of the bad guys who break into my house and kidnap me,” she grinned wryly. “Spence, I want to try again. We can do this.”

  Spencer gazed into those beautiful hazel eyes, then squeezed her hand gently and let it drop.

  “Izzy… you wanted to know about my past… and I never told you everything. I told you mostly everything, but not everything. One of the things that you didn’t know, is that I was very much in love once, a long time ago. She was an amazing woman who loved me with all of her heart. She stood by me through thick and thin, and put up with things that no one else ever had, or ever would. She held me when I woke up screaming in the night, and welcomed me home when I’d just disappear without a trace for a few days. She showed me unconditional love, and I walked away from it, because I wanted to protect her. I was wrong to do that. She didn’t want me to protect her, she just wanted to be with me, but I couldn’t handle it, for whatever reason, and I walked away.”

  “Oh Spencer, I’m sorry,” she whispered, touching his suit jacket. “What happened to her?”

  “She married my buddy, they had a kid,” he gave a humorless laugh.

  “Oh gosh, I’m so sorry, but I’m so glad that you shared that with me. I think it’s a good start. You can just tell me about things from your past whenever you’re ready. One thing at a time,” she squeezed his arm through the jacket.

  He put his hand briefly over hers, then let it drop.

  “Izzy, I told you that to let you know that I’ve experienced unconditional love. I know what it’s like, I’ve lived it. I poured my heart out to you more than once, and you left me without a backward glance. I’m not saying that to accuse you, it’s just reality. When you left me at the airport that last time, a little part of me died, a part that I really couldn’t afford to lose. So, I put whatever I had felt for you into a little box deep inside and left it there until the feelings went away,” Spencer explained gently. “You’re a sweet person, with so much to offer to someone, but I’m sorry Izzy, that someone isn’t me. If you ever need anything, I’ll try my best to be there for you, but I’m sorry, there’s no going back this time.”

  He leaned over and kissed her forehead gently. As she stared into his eyes, he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand, then turned away, heading back toward the reception. She ducked between the bushes and ran from the Inn, dodging trees and shrubs in her haste to get away before the tears started. Spencer reached the doors to go inside, feeling as though a great weight had been lifted. Endings hurt, but they also led to new beginnings.

  Joyce Rutledge was standing just inside the French doors when Spencer came back in. She looked him up and down twice, nodding her satisfaction.

  “You look like a man who needs a good meal,” she observed, hands on hips.

  “I could eat,” Spencer nodded, glad for the distraction of her delightful company. Her bubblegum pink chiffon gown looked amazing against her mocha skin, and her smile lit the room.

  “Then come with me, handsome,” she commanded, grabbing his hand and leading him away.

  “Where are we going?” he grinned, allowing himself to be towed along behind her.

  “There’s a buffet over there that’s begging to be raided. We’re going to show ’em how it’s done, sunshine.”

  ***

  Echo and Kel were on the dance floor, swaying together and gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes, when suddenly all the color drained from Echo’s face and she looked terrified.

  Kel stopped dancing immediately.

  “What is it, love?” he asked, frowning with concern.

  “Something’s wrong,” she said, clutching her midsection. “I think I might be bleeding,” she whispered.

  With almost a sixth sense, Missy darted over
from across the room, and saw that her best friend was in distress.

  “You come with me, darlin,” she put her arm around Echo’s shoulders, walking slowly toward a fainting couch. “Kel, go get the car and send Spencer over here to carry her to it.”

  She needn’t have requested the second part. Almost as soon as the words were out of her mouth, Spencer and Joyce appeared at her side, their plates left half-empty on the table.

  “What do you need?” he asked grimly.

  “Kel’s bringing the car around, pick her up easy and take her out. I’ll be right behind you,” Missy instructed. “Joyce, go tell Grayson and Sarah what’s going on, but tell them not to worry and that they’d better not miss their flight tomorrow. I’ll take care of Echo,” she gave hurried instructions.

  “I know you will, I’ve got this,” Joyce assured her. “You go. And give her a hug for me. I’ll be at the hospital shortly.”

  Chas stayed, playing the role of an excellent host, until the last guest had gone. Grayson and Sarah were headed to the airport early in the morning, Petaluma and Steve had finally been coaxed into taking a cab home, and the detective headed for the hospital as soon as the door shut behind them. The caterer could clean up the Inn, with Maggie the Innkeeper providing oversight, so Chas joined Missy, Spencer, and Joyce in the waiting room outside the maternity ward.

  “What do we know?” he asked, handing each of them a cup of coffee from the cardboard tray that the hospital cafeteria had given him.

  “Nothing yet. Kel said that he’d come out and tell us what was going on once the doctor had seen her,” Missy’s eyes were red, and Chas sat down and put his arm around her.

  Spencer and Joyce sat side by side, him staring at the floor, her flipping through the pages of a magazine without seeing them.

  “What are we gonna do, Chas? Missy whispered against her husband’s chest, tissues clenched in her hand.

  “We’re going to wait,” he said softly, kissing the top of her head.

  Joyce sighed shakily and Spencer reached for her hand.

  Summer Prescott 2016