by Chloe Lang
“Sounds like fate to me, Kaylyn. You two were destined to meet each other.” Something in Jaris’s tone didn’t sit right with her, but she couldn’t figure out what. “So you trained Annie?”
“I did. She was one of my best.”
“You know the drill, Jaris. Kaylyn requires new owners to stay an entire week before she releases the dogs to them.”
“Back then, I only trained one dog at a time, unlike now.”
“So you and Chance were alone during that week?”
It seemed like Jaris wanted this conversation to go a certain direction, and that was suddenly making her uncomfortable. “We’re friends. Good friends. That’s all.”
“Really? I think it’s deeper than that with both of you.”
Was he playing matchmaker? Why? She’d been down that road before and her heart had been broken. “Let’s change the subject.”
Jaris leaned forward. “No, Kaylyn. We almost lost you today. You and Chance shouldn’t be willing to let things that need to be said go unspoken anymore. I’ve been around you two for some time. I know what is really going on. I know how you feel about each other even if you haven’t been able to say it aloud.”
She felt tears well up in her eyes. The truth was too painful. “Jaris, please. I know this has been a terrible day for all of us, but—”
“Hold on, Kaylyn. Chance, are you willing to keep silent about how you really feel about her? After today, I can’t imagine you would. You’re my friend and I know you’re not a fool. You have a beautiful woman here that means so much to you. Tell her how you really feel.”
“Jaris, you’re wrong.” Chance’s words destroyed her.
She closed her eyes and the tears ran down her cheeks.
“Wrong about what?” Jaris asked.
“Wrong about me not being a fool. I have been a fool. I’ve been one for a very long time. No more.” Chance squeezed her fingers and brought his hand up to her face. “Kaylyn, do you remember that time we kissed under the mistletoe?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes. I will never forget.”
“Neither will I. I don’t want to lose you, but I can’t hold back how I feel about you any longer. You are my friend, my best friend, but damn it, I want more. I’ve always wanted more. I haven’t told you because I realized that night at the Christmas party that you didn’t think of me as anything but a friend.”
She was shocked by his words. “What? But I thought—”
He placed his fingers to her lips. “Please let me finish before you say anything. I’ve kept silent all these years, fearing I would lose you. Being close to you, even if it was just as friends, has been the best thing in my life. You make me happy every day.” He ran his fingers over her face, seeing her with his touch. “You’re beautiful. You’re smart. Kind. Generous. And so much more. I don’t deserve you, but I do want you. I love you, Kaylyn. Even if you don’t feel the same about me, I had to let you know. Jaris was right about that. I couldn’t let it go unsaid a second longer.”
She wrapped her arms around Chance. “I love you, too. I always have.”
“You love me? Really love me?”
“Yes. I love you with all my heart.”
He pulled her in closer, pressing his lips to hers. She melted into him, as the years of longing were finally over.
“Chance, your words could’ve been mine. I thought you didn’t have the same feelings for me that I had for you.” She kissed him again, feeling so happy. “Jaris made this possible for us. He saw through our walls and got us to open up.”
“Yes, he did.”
“My work here is done.” Jaris sighed. “I think it’s time for me to make myself scarce. I’ll stay in the guest bedroom, if you don’t mind. Good night.”
“Jaris, wait. I…want…”
He turned back.
“I just want to thank you for this.” Why am I holding back again?
He nodded, and before she could say a word, he left with Sugar.
Should she have confessed her feelings for him, too? Being so open and filled with joy, it would’ve been so easy.
Her mind spun with questions, but when Chance kissed her again, everything seemed to quiet, sending her into a place of utter bliss.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she confessed.
He ran his fingers through her hair. “Me either, but I’m so happy it is, Kaylyn. I love you so much. Knowing you feel the same about me has made me the happiest man in the world. I can’t wait to make love to you.”
She giggled. “Not before Doc releases me, right?”
He smiled. “Right.”
“We’ve waited this long. I guess we can wait a little longer. But first thing in the morning we’re going to Doc’s office. He’ll give me a release or I swear I’ll punch him in the face.”
He laughed. “That’s one of the things I love about you, Kaylyn. You’re feisty.”
“Once I get back on my feet, you’re going to really find out how feisty I can be, Mr. Reynolds.” She leaned her head into his muscled chest.
“If I have anything to do with it, you won’t be on your feet, baby.” He kissed her again, and she felt her heart swell.
Her dream had come true. Chance was holding her, kissing her, confessing his love to her.
Chapter Six
Jaris clicked the remote, flipping through several channels, trying to keep his mind occupied. Even though he couldn’t see the television in the guest bedroom, he thought the noise would help lull him to sleep.
It hadn’t worked. Neither had the bottle of wine he’d brought with him from the kitchen. He’d drunk the last drop over an hour ago, and still all he could think about was Kaylyn.
He wanted her to be happy. He wanted Chance to be happy. They belonged together. He knew it deep down in his heart, but that didn’t make it any easier for him.
Leaning over the side of the bed, he rubbed Sugar on the head. “You’re the only one for me, girl.”
His eyes were open, but—like all his days and nights had been for over a year—there was only blackness.
Some would look at his life and think it had all been blackness, but they’d be wrong.
Sure, his mother had abandoned him when he was seven and it had been hard, but his dad had remained.
Dad. The man was his hero to this very day. Like Jaris, his dad had been a cop with the Chicago PD. They’d actually been on the force for a couple of years together, though Jaris had been a green rookie and his dad a seasoned cop.
Jaris had been on patrol across town when he’d learned about his dad’s heroism and death on the police radio. His father’s partner had been hit and was on the ground. They’d come upon a shootout between rival gangs. His dad had covered his partner with his own body, and ended up taking several shots. His father’s partner had survived, though his dad had not.
Losing his dad had been the worst day of his life.
Everyone had known Peter Simmons to be a fun-loving and wonderful man. Thinking Jaris needed a mother, he’d remarried three times, all of the marriages ending in divorce after a couple of years or less.
On Jaris’s sixteenth birthday, his dad asked him what he wanted. Jaris had answered he didn’t need anything, including a new mother. “You’re the only parent I need, Dad.”
His dad had given him one of his big bear hugs and had choked back a few “uncommon for him” tears. “Women don’t make it with old cops like your dad, son. It’s a hard life. Being a cop destroys relationships.”
When Jaris had told him that he wanted to be a cop, his dad had asked him to reconsider. Of course, he hadn’t. Being a policeman had been in Jaris’s very DNA. When he’d graduated from the police academy, his father had smiled with pride.
Losing his sight had been another hard day for Jaris. He couldn’t be a cop anymore. Everyone had expected him to go into a deep depression, but he hadn’t. He’d found a new life in Destiny. Like his dad, he didn’t get bogged down when things turned dark. As his dad had
always said, “Never focus on what you can’t change, son. Just keep pushing forward. Things will get better.”
For the first time in Jaris’s life, his dad’s words didn’t apply.
Things weren’t going to get better. While he’d been a cop, Jaris had never dreamed of having a permanent relationship with a woman. Given the track records of the men in his family with women, being single had suited him just fine. But that was before meeting Kaylyn. Now, his entire world was upside down. Trying to remain positive was impossible.
Kaylyn could never be his. She was Chance’s. Chance was hers. That was how it was. That was how it should be. Chance was his best friend in the world. He needed to be happy for his friend, and he was, but he was also sad that he would have to love Kaylyn from afar.
I’ll always love her.
“Sugar.” He swung his legs over the bed, feeling for her lead. Sugar was right there, where he needed her to be. “I need another bottle of wine, and I bet you wouldn’t mind having another treat.”
He stood and headed into the kitchen, doubting even more wine would help him sleep.
* * * *
Chance sat in Doc’s office with Kaylyn, keeping hold of her hand. She was in the wheelchair next to him, and Annie was on the floor on the other side of her.
Jaris had gone over to the sheriff’s office to find out what had been discovered about the shooter and the missing dogs. Lyle was taking care of Kaylyn’s other dogs up at the Boys Ranch.
Kaylyn squeezed his hand. “I’m so anxious to talk to Doc. What’s taking him so long?”
He smiled. “That’s the fifth time you’ve asked that since we got here. Remember, patience is a virtue.”
She giggled. “It’s been ten minutes. Punctuality is a virtue in my book. I guess I’m anxious about everything, Chance. Our dogs are still missing. I want Doc to get this over with and release me. Then we can join Jaris at the sheriff’s office and find out what has been discovered.”
Chance doubted she would get a total green light from Doc. She likely needed another day or two before he would release her fully.
The door opened.
“Would either of you like a cup of coffee?” Paris asked.
“Not me, but thanks,” he answered. “What about you, honey?
“I’m coffeed out. Paris, how much longer until Doc comes in?” Kaylyn wasn’t holding back her frustration. Not surprising, since she and Paris were close friends.
“Dustin is on the phone.” Paris was one of the few residents of Destiny who sometimes referred to Doc by his given name. “He’ll be in here any minute. Sorry for the delay.”
“It’s okay.” Kaylyn’s tone softened. “I’m just worried about my dogs. It’s put me on edge.”
“Jason will find them. He’s got the whole town looking.”
“That does make me feel a little better. Thanks. Chance and I are going over to Jason’s office. Jaris is already with him.”
“Let me see if I can hurry Dustin up.” Paris left.
She was a good nurse and a warm person. Even though he was blind, Chance knew that Paris belonged with Doc and Mick. He just wasn’t sure what was keeping them from taking the final plunge.
Who am I to talk? Look how long it took me to confess what I felt for Kaylyn.
Kaylyn sighed. “Do you believe there’s something troubling, Jaris?”
He didn’t want to worry her. “You do have a lot on your mind this morning.” The only thing Jaris was focused on was finding that fucking guy who shot Kaylyn, the same thing that was on his mind, too. “What makes you think he might?”
“Nothing I can put my finger on, but he just seemed a little distant to me.” She sighed. “Maybe it’s just all in my imagination.”
He grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You okay?”
“I’ve never been happier, honey.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I love you.”
Last night had been incredible. She’d fallen asleep in his arms, and he’d stayed awake for a little bit longer than she had, enjoying the feel of her body next to his.
He heard the door open again.
“Good morning,” Doc said. “How are you feeling today, Kaylyn?”
“I’m fine. I have some questions for you.”
“Let me take a look at your leg before we get into those, okay?”
“Fine.”
Chance grinned, knowing how impatient she could be.
“Excellent. Looks great. You and Jaris did good taking care of my patient.”
“Our pleasure, Doc.”
“I’ve got to sing tonight at the opening ceremony for Dragon Week. Can you give me a release, please?”
“I’d like you to keep completely off your leg for the rest of the day. After that, it’s okay to walk and do normal activities, but absolutely no working with dogs.”
“What? That’s my job, Doc.”
“Not for at least a week it isn’t.”
“That’s impossible. I have things I must do. Sammie is about to deliver pups. I have dogs halfway through their training that need to continue. And I still must find my other four dogs.”
Chance could hear the anxiety in her tone. “Sweetheart, Lyle is taking care of Annie and the other dogs. Jason hasn’t stopped looking for Rex, Blue, King, and Rosie. He won’t stop until they are found. There’s nothing you need to do but listen to Doc.”
“Fine, but I don’t have to like what he has to say.”
Doc laughed. “No you don’t. If any of your dogs jumped on you and opened your wound, we’d be back to square one. About your performance tonight, as long as your band lets you sit onstage, I don’t see a problem with it.”
“Don’t worry about that, Doc,” Chance said, putting his arm around Kaylyn. “We’ll make sure she follows all your orders.”
“Tyrants.” Kaylyn laughed. “Fine. What about sex, Doc? How long do I have to wait before I have sex?”
Chance grinned but wanted to know, too. One thing about Kaylyn, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.
“You’re free to have sex but just don’t put pressure on your leg.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” Kaylyn’s excited tone made him happy.
He could feel his cock begin to stir. “Doc, I’ll make sure of that, too.”
* * * *
“None of this is adding up.” With Sugar at his feet, Jaris sat across from Jason Wolfe in his office. “The fucker shot Kaylyn, Sheriff.”
“Yes, he did.” Wolfe was a good lawman. He’d found the shooter and had him and his buddies in custody. The bastard, a Dr. Leland Potter from Salt Lake City, was just down the hall in a cell, not thirty feet from where he and Jason were now. “Potter acted shocked during the interrogation, though I’m not buying it. All five of them said they didn’t realize they were on private property.”
“Bullshit. I know that the Stones have their property clearly posted everywhere.”
“There are a lot of roads into their land, Jaris. It’s one of the largest ranches in Swanson County. Nicole checked out the cattle guard the doctors claimed to have driven through. The sign was missing.”
“Did you check their trucks for the sign?”
“We did. Nothing. Each of them passed the breathalyzer test, too.”
“So they want us to believe that five doctors went on a coyote hunting trip together to bond with each other, and just accidently ended up on Stone Ranch, and somehow got lost, and Potter’s gun accidently went off, and Kaylyn got shot, and none of them saw her, or us, or our missing dogs? Bullshit. I’m the one who’s blind, not those fuckers, right?”
“All good points, Jaris. I don’t believe Potter and his buddies were hunting coyote, but I don’t have any proof. Being physicians, they have a team of high-paid lawyers who have already contacted me. The slimeballs are already on their way to Destiny to make sure their clients get released ASAP. Even though they were trespassing, I don’t have enough to hold Potter’s buddies, but I can keep hi
m in the tank until his attorney arrives. After that, I will have to release him, too. All five will have to go to court, but Ethel has set Potter’s court date for next week, so he will have to remain in town even if he makes bail. A small consolation, but it’s all we have at the moment.”
Jaris heard the door open.
“Hey, Kaylyn,” the sheriff said. “How are you doing?”
“I’m much better, Jason. Do you know anything about my four dogs?”
The sound of her voice warmed Jaris all over. Listening, Jaris heard the squeak from Kaylyn’s wheelchair and the footsteps of Chance with Annie. He’d left them alone again this morning. It was the right thing to do, though it had felt like a punch in the gut.
They belong together, Jaris. Don’t fuck things up. You care about both of them.
He took a deep breath, trying to push down his pain.
“Still no sign of them, I’m sorry to say.”
“Honey, it’s going to be okay.” Chance placed Kaylyn’s wheelchair between Jaris and the empty chair. Chance took the seat, keeping her between them. “What about the shooter?”
“I was just filling in Jaris about what we know so far. We have the man who shot you in custody. Him and his friends.”
The sheriff repeated what he’d already told him about the five doctors.
“My dogs couldn’t have just vanished into thin air.” Kaylyn’s voice trembled slightly with worry and frustration. “None of this makes any sense.”
“I agree, and so does Jaris.” Sheriff Wolfe had one of the toughest jobs in the entire state, and yet he continued to be there for the citizens of Destiny in every way. “My gut tells me that Lunceford has something to do with this whole thing.”
“I know the creep is after Belle, but I don’t know why he would want me shot. And what do my dogs have to do with anything?”
“That’s what I intend to find out, Kaylyn.”
The more time Jaris was around the sheriff the more he liked and respected the man. “Jason, those four dogs have been highly trained. If they weren’t dead or injured, they would’ve returned to the ranch. Someone took them. Chance and I did hear them yelp.”
