by Angi Morgan
The headlights were buried in hay, creating an eerie effect. Avery jumped to the hood of the car, waiting for Snake Eyes to get closer. She had the stock of the shotgun raised and ready to hit the back of his hooded head.
Then the fight changed.
Snake Eyes locked his arms around Jesse’s midsection and started moving the knife closer to his throat. He absorbed Jesse’s elbow that repeatedly hit him in the side. The murderer ignored the pain he must have felt because of the shotgun blast. With his other hand, Jesse kept the knife inches away, holding it at bay.
The madman’s grip around Jesse’s middle had him pinned. Jesse threw his head backward, connecting with the man’s nose. Then Snake Eyes spun him and shoved him into the car trunk, backing away. He pulled his mask off his head, sniffing at the blood coming from his nose.
“Avery, Avery, Avery,” Snake Eyes chanted. “Here I am. Can you see me?”
She could barely make out the outline of his face. She didn’t have to see his features to know the man had experienced a psychotic break. He spun around like a child watching snowflakes fall.
Jesse roared like a lion, shoving away from the car and throwing his shoulder into Snake Eyes’s belly. He tackled him to the ground like a linebacker sacking a quarterback. Snake Eyes just wouldn’t stay down. He fought like a crazy person who needed a straitjacket.
The glowing contacts made spotting Snake Eyes easier. A punch caught Jesse in the chin, momentarily shooting him backward, but he returned with three quick jabs.
Get the guns! Avery jumped from the hood, determined to find them inside the car. She could end this with a loaded weapon in her hand. Snake Eyes would be forced to stop. But when her feet hit the dirt, she caught the attention of their attacker.
He raised the knife with a maniacal cry and sliced into Jesse’s uncovered arm. Jesse staggered. Snake Eyes was on her so fast she couldn’t react. He shoved her back against the car, holding the knife to her throat.
“I wanted to play with you, Avery. We all did.”
His rancid breath choked her after the sweet-smelling hay. The edge of the sharp blade held her where she was. She could see the dust floating in the buried lights. She would have been as crazy as Snake Eyes if she hadn’t been frightened.
But she wasn’t crazy. She had reason for hope. Jesse was slowly approaching.
“See the special eyes I have for you?” Snake Eyes took two rocks from his pocket and pushed her face to the hood. They were cool against her cheek where he set them.
As the blade moved from her neck to the corner of her eye, she asked, “What...what color did...did you choose for me?”
He seemed excited that she was curious. She didn’t really want to know. Ever. She was trying to stall to give Jesse time. Still holding the shotgun, she wanted to club Snake Eyes with it but couldn’t.
If she moved, the knife point might take out her eye. Jesse was close. She shoved the knife away from her face and kicked the shotgun to him. Snake Eyes turned to face Jesse. She rammed the crazy man in the back, causing him to stumble forward, away from her.
Jesse brought the butt of the gun straight up, hitting Snake Eyes’s chin. The man lost his balance when his head snapped back. Jesse hit him again in the gut. The knife fell to the ground and Avery kicked it under the car.
Snake Eyes fell near the hay and stayed there. He didn’t get up. Finally. She could no longer see the contacts that haunted her dreams.
“You didn’t leave,” Jesse panted between inhaling deep breaths. He shut off the car.
The world was strangely silent.
“You’ve got my back. I’ve got yours. That’s the way it works.” They walked toward each other.
“Next time—”
“There isn’t going to be a next time.”
“Point taken. But if we’re ever in a...situation...try to remember I can handle the bad guy on my own.” He tugged her close into the circle of his arms and kissed her quick, hard and possessive. “Your gun?”
“Should still be in the front seat.”
“If he moves...”
She had the shotgun poised and ready to knock him for a loop again. “Got it covered.”
Jesse found her Glock, picked up the cell from the ground and handed it to her. “Can you make sure those guys haven’t missed the turn? Garrison should have been right behind me.”
“Sure.” With one hand she called Major Parker, who said they estimated that they were two minutes out. With the other she kept the crazy man they’d fought at gunpoint. Injured or not, she wasn’t allowing him any freedom.
The Snake Eyes Killer’s side was soaked red from the buckshot, and the wound on his head had left a streak across his uncovered face. Jesse used the shirt he’d fended off the knives with to slow the man’s bleeding.
She was proud of Jesse for being such a good man. She wasn’t certain she would have helped the monster who had nearly killed them.
“There’s more wire and tape in the trunk. Get it. We can’t let him hurt anyone else.”
Instead of going to the back of the car, Jesse pried the shotgun from her fingers. “Go sit down. I’ll watch him.”
“He deserves to be tied to where he can’t move. We shouldn’t have to think about him ever again.” She wanted to secure him just as he’d tied her, but that wouldn’t happen. Wire around his wrists should be enough. She’d make certain two rangers escorted him to the hospital and kept him handcuffed.
“He’s not going to hurt anyone again. It’ll be okay, Avery.”
Even unconscious he was dangerous. Everyone needed to know that. “He’s crazy treacherous. They need to be warned.”
“Yeah, babe. We know. He’s not going anywhere while I’m watching him. I promise, he’s still out cold. Let me get this off of you.” He twisted the knots of wire from her neck and dropped it on the ground. Then tipped his head toward the road.
Multiple vehicles were turning, and leading them all was a lone motorcycle. She had a few seconds at most. There was no telling how long it would be before they were alone again. There’d be statements and debriefings and whatever else the state needed for their case.
“Jesse, I just want to say that— Well, you know I’m grateful. Thanks for finding me. I couldn’t have gotten out of this one.”
“Sure you would have, Avery. You were always smarter than him.” He tucked her into the fold of his arm and kissed her forehead.
This man was everything she’d ever wanted. When was he going to realize they needed each other? More and more of the team arrived, shining headlights and flashlights on them and the scene. They suggested they sit in a car, offered them first aid and asked them to move away from Snake Eyes. But they didn’t.
They stood with their arms around each other, sort of in a daze. She didn’t know about Jesse, but she didn’t really hear what they were saying. She took a bottle of water, and Garrison pried her free when the second ambulance arrived.
The guys said it was shock. The logical side of her agreed they were right. The emotional side of her watched Jesse from the gurney. There was no going back to the way things were before. They’d reached a turning point.
It was over. Everything was over.
Chapter Twenty-Five
The last time Avery had sat at a picnic table, both she and Jesse were barefoot. She’d had a shock collar around her neck. And she was wondering if they’d really get away from Thompson Grove alive.
No one had found her boots. Just an everyday pair she didn’t mind replacing. Jesse’s had been found on the feet of Scott Sutter. He didn’t take them from the young dead man. Horrible to think no one took responsibility for him. They hadn’t found any family yet.
“Enough about that.” She checked her watch one more time. “He is late. So late.”
She saw th
e white hat before anything else. Her heart literally skipped a beat in anticipation. But it wasn’t Jesse. Her brother had been in the building and now was heading toward her.
“Clearly you don’t need me coming to your rescue any longer. Looks like you can take care of yourself,” Garrison admitted.
“Took you long enough to realize that and to find us in that field.”
“I was sent for the cavalry. That takes time.” He compressed his lips as if he wanted to say something.
“Where have they been hiding you?”
“I can’t say, for obvious reasons. And they’ll move Kenderly soon anyway. But it wasn’t far from where they set up your sting. That’s how I got there before they really knew I was gone.”
“Makes sense.”
Garrison pulled her close, squeezing her in a bear hug. “Avery,” he whispered. “I’ll always come to help whether you can fend for yourself or you find someone to help with that job. You’re my sister. You’ll always be my sister. I just came because I love you and would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
“I love you, too. And that’s exactly how I felt when you were in trouble.” She let him go and he stood protectively with his arm around her for a few seconds, gave her another squeeze and moved.
More men—rangers in white hats—walked to a car in the lot. “I’ve got to go.”
“Sure.”
“He’s a good man.” Garrison walked backward, pointing at her. “You need to give him a chance.”
“What are you talking about?” But she knew. Jesse must have said something to him.
Blurting out that they’d slept together had put Jesse in an awkward position. And regarding her sex life, her brother treated her like an old-fashioned overprotective father would. Of course, he wanted them to get together.
Well, he’d get over it.
Now that she knew she was good enough to be a Texas Ranger—that she’d almost been one—it was a little awkward sitting in the park behind the headquarters for Company F. But she was over it. Dalhart might be on the edge of Texas—almost New Mexico, almost Oklahoma—but it was where she belonged.
Her home and friends were there. All but one of them...
Jesse walked up with a picnic basket. Officially in his white hat, his white shirt, jeans, new boots and his badge hanging over his heart.
“Thanks for having lunch with me before you head home to Dallam County.”
“The least I could do for the man who saved my life. How’s your arm?”
“Good. Stitches. They said there would be a scar.”
He’d always have a reminder from that crazy night and crazy man.
“So I guess I’ll see you again when it’s time for Buster ‘Snake Eyes’ Hopkins to go on trial. It might be a long time. It seems he’s gone pretty crazy.” She tucked her bangs under a Stetson her mom had given her.
“Nice hat.” He unpacked sandwiches in plastic bags, homemade potato salad.
Recognizing his mother’s handiwork, her mouth watered a little for the picnic dessert... Yes, there they were—two individual servings. “It’s been ages since I had your mom’s banana pudding.”
“She made a batch this morning. One of the reasons I’m late.”
Avery helped him with the rest of his mother’s basket supplies. An official picnic with cutlery, plates, wineglasses...and food.
“The hat was Dad’s. It’s a little big.”
“Doesn’t look like you’ll have trouble fitting it. I think he’d be real proud of you, Deputy Travis.”
“And of you, Ranger Ryder.” She took a bite of the pimento-cheese sandwich...also her favorite. Then waited while he poured the fruity wine she liked. In fact, everything on the table was her favorite. “What’s going on, Jesse?”
“Just trying to be nice.”
“Are you forming words in your head? Looking for the right way to say something?”
“No. Why don’t you go ahead and eat. You’ll have plenty of time to get to the airport.”
The situation made her a little tense. They could have stopped anywhere and grabbed a burger. He’d gone to a lot of trouble to make sure she had a pleasant picnic that included her favorite plain ruffled potato chips.
“I was about to say that I think my father would have been proud of you and Garrison.”
“Are you still upset that you don’t work here?” he asked.
“Not anymore.”
“Still upset with me or am I forgiven?”
“We’re friends for life, Jesse. I was mad for that long.” She held her finger and thumb about an inch apart. “I was never going to stay that way. Eat. I’ll need to get on the road soon.”
His eyebrows rose, ready to ask her something. She responded with all her attention while raising a wineglass to her lips.
“Did you consider taking a later flight? I know your mom would like you to hang around awhile.”
“Sorry, I have to get going. The guys have been covering for me long enough. I got a text from Bo that he needs a night out.”
“Yeah. That makes sense. You need to work.”
“Jesse, what is the matter with you?”
“I just thought we might have a stress-free evening together.”
“No can do, my friend.” She was really hoping that she’d pulled off the whole friendship thing. No matter what happened between them, she wanted to stay on good-enough terms to talk to each other.
After Garrison told her that he’d met the one, it looked as though she and Jesse would be standing up for them. Garrison said they’d be getting married as soon as the trial was over.
The first trial date for Tenoreno to face a jury was in September. So that meant she had to remain all friendly smiles and shoulder punches with Jesse through at least October or November.
The truth was, she didn’t want to say goodbye to Jesse. Leaving before had been completely different... They weren’t speaking. This time, would he call or text or message her? What would it be like to be his friend after sleeping with him?
Food finished, she put the last chip in her mouth and crunched to get Jesse’s attention. He was staring off toward the football stadium. Working up his courage?
Talking himself out of something was more likely. She could see the cogs turning one by one.
“Avery, I wanted to ask... I mean, we never got a chance to hang out and catch up.”
Brilliant man, but would he ever learn to just say what he was feeling? Probably not.
Hypocrite.
“There’s no catching up necessary. Hey, that looks like my ride.” She moved to his side of the table and awkwardly hugged him.
“I thought I was taking you.”
“Sorry again. Mom and Aunt Brenda asked and I couldn’t say no. Like you said, they hardly got to see me.”
“But you didn’t finish. What about your pudding?” He grabbed the bowl.
“Thanks. Tell your mom I’ll return the container next trip home.” She took hold of the container and he pulled her hand, forcing her to stumble a little toward him.
Jesse met her halfway, wrapping her in his arms, smashing his lips to hers. Their kiss sent shivers throughout her body to all the right exciting places. And the second, then the third did the same.
If he kept kissing her like this, he didn’t have to say anything at all.
“I’ve got to go.”
“I wish you wouldn’t.”
“It can’t be helped.” She backed away, tripping on an oak root but catching herself before landing a face-plant in the dirt. He tipped his hat, acknowledging that she was leaving. She couldn’t stand the sadness that crept into her heart. So she ran to her mom’s car.
“My goodness, Avery. My, my, my,” her aunt said.
; “How long has that been going on? I thought you were upset with Jesse before this little episode,” her mom lectured a bit.
How her mother could categorize two attempted murders on her daughter as a little episode was probably how she dealt with both her children serving in law enforcement. Someday it would be a bump of excitement that happened way back when. When the trial was over, she might tell her mother everything that had happened.
“I was a little,” she mumbled as the car pulled away and Jesse picked up their lunch. “And I wasn’t upset very long.”
“Why in the world did he kiss you like that?” the sisters said sort of together.
“Because I...I’m pretty sure he was about to ask me to marry him.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Three weeks later
The ring in Jesse’s pocket had been on the tip of his finger so many times, it would have stretched if that had been physically possible. He fingered it constantly. Every time he’d spoken with Avery on the phone, he pulled it out to look at it.
Proposing had been on his mind for a long time. Now it seemed possible.
This was it. He pulled up in front of the tiny house, heart and hat in hand. Either a final chapter or the start of the rest of his life.
“Hey there.” Avery sat on the porch. Cutoff jean shorts, black spaghetti straps across her shoulders, black hat on the crown of her head and a shotgun next to her hip. “You’re late.”
“Hit some construction north of Fort Worth.”
“Everybody good at home?” she asked, extending him a beer.
He took it, nodded yes to her question and tapped the bottle neck against hers. “Nice shotgun.”
“Saved my life once.”
She’d taken him off guard again. All he could think about were the long legs wrapped around him instead of resting on the top of those steps. And the top she had on had one of those built-in bra things, so it wasn’t much of a challenge.
