Prey (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Mary Lou George

  “Now that’s just old news. Can’t you come up with something better than that?”

  She stood in front of him. He pulled her to him roughly and kissed her quick and hard.

  He lifted his head. “How’s that for better?”

  She smiled. “Not bad, Trust Fund.”

  He walked with her to the barn and helped her get the horses and Erick back into their stalls. She warned him about Erick’s escape habit, but he didn’t seem concerned.

  “If they’re happy here I don’t imagine there’s anything to worry about.”

  Sam may not have had been gifted with Jade’s ability, but he was pretty good at understanding animals anyway. “Just the sight of you and your friends here helped to cheer me up.” He knelt and cuddled Dodger a moment. “I spent the better part of the day at the crime scene with the medical examiner.”

  “How’d that go?” Jade cringed, dreading the details.

  “He’s a very unimaginative scientist, eager for retirement, and I don’t think he’s ever watched a single episode of CSI…in any city.” He straightened, keeping a hand on Dodger’s head. “He’s not going to be much help. He’s looking for the easiest explanation.”

  “But Dodger’s off the hook now, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah, I guess so.”

  Frowning, she nudged him. “You don’t sound convinced.”

  “Well, Dodger wasn’t crated last night. He walked about freely. It’s a huge stretch, but the Mayor is Gumby when it comes to explanations.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry, Jade, Dodger’s not in the clear yet. But don’t worry it’s absolutely ridiculous to suggest any dog is responsible for this kind of carnage, and I can back it up scientifically. I just have to do the tests.”

  “Well, get to it, Sam.” She pulled him towards the lab. “I’ll hold down the fort. You get the job done.” He went along with her willingly. “Has there been any word on the woman who was attacked?”

  Sadly he shook his head. “I think she’s still hanging on, but it’s touch and go right now. She was badly torn up.”

  Jade faltered and looked down. He came to a full stop beside her.

  With a hand on her shoulder, he tipped her chin up with his finger. “Stop it. This is not your fault. You have every right to survive.” He pulled her into his arms and whispered, “Thank God you survived.”

  Chapter 22

  They gathered at Gillian’s for dinner. She didn’t plan an elaborate meal, but what she did supply was comforting. They spent most of the time talking about the case and what little progress they’d made.

  When Jade told them about Pita’s revelation Gillian nodded in agreement.

  “That’s it! That’s exactly what Henry felt from the creature. It wasn’t starving, but it was satisfying some kind of hunger. I couldn’t figure out what that feeling was, but as soon as you mentioned it the whole thing made sense to me.” She looked relieved. “The creature felt a sexual release from the carnage. Finally! I was going crazy trying to put my finger on it.”

  Travis said, “So I guess that makes this thing male. Add it to our description.”

  Reggie shook her head, “Probably, but not necessarily, Sheriff. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever known, so anything is possible. It hasn’t had to conform to the laws of nature in any respect so far. Who’s to say it will in this.”

  There was silence around the table.

  Travis frowned at Reggie. “Okay, but let’s say for the sake of argument it’s male. It’s been coming after Jade. Maybe it knows she can communicate with animals and that ability makes her uniquely qualified to be its mate.”

  Chase said, “That makes a twisted sort of sense.” He turned to Jade, “Are you sure you don’t want to go to Italy?”

  Jade knew he was joking, so she didn’t bother to form a reply. She just rolled her eyes at him.

  Sam said, “The poor woman last night, how is she, Travis?”

  “Still unconscious. They don’t want her to wake just yet. She’s in a drug induced coma. The pain of her injuries would be too much to bear.” Reluctantly he turned to Gillian.

  She ignored him and addressed the rest of them. “He doesn’t want me to do this, but he hasn’t got a choice, I’m going to sit with Kristen tomorrow and see if I can pick up anything. It couldn’t hurt. My specialist, Dr. Smythe, will be there too. He’ll watch over us.” Her enormous dog Hank whined, and Jade knew he was worried about Gillian.

  Jade said, “Be careful, Gillian. What Kristen went through is unimaginable and it’s probably best left that way. Once you feel what she felt you’ll never be able to get that out of your head.”

  Travis jumped on Jade’s words of caution. “Thank you, Jade! I’ve been trying to tell her the same thing.”

  But Gillian disagreed with them both. “I’ve made great progress controlling my gift. I think I can pick up details of what she experienced without actually feeling it myself.”

  “You think. That’s the operative word.” Travis was persistent.

  “Dr. Smythe will be there, so will you and Hank. That’s plenty of backup.”

  Reggie and Gillian exchanged a meaningful look and Reggie said, “Let her do it, Travis.” Her voice was authoritative and sure. Jade realized that she’d been speaking as a Guardian. There was no more discussion of it.

  Sam spoke up. “There was deer blood at the crime scene this morning.” He nodded. “I think you’re right, Travis. A deer must have interrupted the attack and the thing attacked it too.”

  Jade felt sad for it. “Where’s the poor thing now? Has anyone found its body?”

  Travis shook his head. “The trail of blood just peters off and the tracks end. It doesn’t help that it snowed today.”

  “I don’t think I can take much more of this. Why don’t we set a trap?” Jade looked around the room knowing her next words would initiate an even hotter debate. “I can be the bait.”

  Right on the money, the room erupted as they all rejected her idea immediately, some more vehemently than others.

  * * * *

  That night, Sam insisted Jade stay at his house with him. Her suggestion had rattled him, and she felt a little guilty for making him worry so much. Just before going to Gillian’s for dinner Sam had enlisted Jade’s help in picking out a Christmas tree. This time when she visited Maynard’s the results were very different. She still had to decorate for own tree and had intended on doing that after dinner, but she figured it could wait. Instead, she ended up helping Sam to decorate his.

  “We’ll do your tree tomorrow night. Okay?” He knew her so well.

  Jade liked the way he assumed there would be a tomorrow night for the two of them. She’d deliberately avoided thinking about their relationship and where she stood with him. It was so much easier just enjoying the moment, but she knew that some day soon she’d have to confront her fears and talk honestly to Sam about the future. For now she just wanted to celebrate the holiday season.

  Sam worked hard to put Jade at ease. He lit a fire, provided hot chocolate and played Christmas music. She joined him in song and bossed him around unabashedly. When it came to Christmas decorations, his taste bordered on the garish, and Jade shuddered at some of the gems he brandished with pride. He simply had no artistic sense. She had to keep a close watch over him.

  “What were you thinking when you bought this one?” In horror, she held up a brightly colored miniature outhouse.

  “I liked the colors. I thought they were pretty,” he said sheepishly.

  She laughed and put it in a prominent place on the tree. “Okay then, you bought it. I’m going to make you see it every day. I want you to suffer for your art.” She giggled. The thing really did look ridiculous, but his boyish excitement was contagious. He didn’t seem to mind her teasing criticism and broke into a boisterous rendition of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”.

  She interrupted him. “I can’t believe you. Where did this propensity for ugly decorations come from? You’re the best dre
ssed person I know. You dress so well you make it seem effortless. You’re GQ all the way, yet your decorations are Homer Simpson meets Elvis. Not the sexy black leather Elvis, we’re talkin’ sequin-caped Vegas Elvis.”

  He laughed. “I guess since I was never allowed to decorate a tree as a kid, I’m channeling my inner bingo player.”

  She wanted to laugh, but instead she looked at him deadly serious. “I happen to like bingo.”

  He paused. “There’s bingo every Wednesday night down at the seniors’ residence. I’ll take you some night.”

  “Maybe we’ll see Ernestine there.”

  He vehemently shook his head. “No way, Ernestine’s been banned. They say she alters the trajectory of the bingo balls and wins too often.”

  * * * *

  The night she spent at Sam’s house decorating the tree and teasing him was heartbreakingly domestic, and Jade loved every minute of it. She couldn’t help wishing it was forever.

  When they went up to bed he made slow sensuous love to her as if worshiping her body. In the middle of the night she woke him looking for more, and he took her so swiftly it thrilled her.

  In the morning, he told her to stay in bed while he showered and made breakfast. She gladly acquiesced. She remembered Travis teasing Sam about the thread count in his sheets and smiled. Snuggling under the incredibly smooth and soft sheets, Jade tried to fall back to sleep. She failed. Sam’s phone rang and from the shower, he called out to her,

  “Can you get that please, Jade?”

  Feeling a little awkward, she picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

  There was a pause on the other end of the line. Then a woman’s cultured tones were heard. “Good morning, Michelle dear. Oh so sorry, I’ve done it again, haven’t I? I always seem to interrupt you two. Could you please put him on for me?”

  Jade recognized the voice. It was Sam’s mother, Shannon Daniels. Crushed, Jade didn’t bother to correct her. She obviously didn’t think it unusual to find a woman answering her son’s phone first thing in the morning.

  Jade had trouble pushing sound through her throat. “Just a moment.”

  She put the phone down, gathered her things and popped her head around the bathroom door. She could see the outline of his taut lean form through the shower door. Her chest tightened, and her voice came out like a croak.

  “It’s your mother. Look, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll eat breakfast at my place. This is my day off, and I have so much Christmas shopping to do. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She didn’t wait for his response. She gestured to Rags and hurried from the house and into her car.

  Nothing had been said about exclusivity. If anything, she was the one avoiding the topic, but Jade was too afraid to talk to Sam about what was happening between them. An affair like theirs wasn’t new to him but to her it was entirely virgin territory. What would she end up revealing should they examine the situation?

  Jade hadn’t lied to him. She did have a lot of Christmas shopping to do. She knew she wouldn’t have breakfast though. She couldn’t. Her stomach wouldn’t let her. Refusing to wallow in her unhappiness, she made her way home. Once there she resolutely took a quick shower and kept her word. She went shopping.

  New Crescent had a number of unique little boutiques lining both sides of Main Street. She started there. Hesitating in the square, she looked on as three men adjusted the lights on the huge Christmas tree. Tonight was supposed to be the tree lighting ceremony. Jade had forgotten. It was a tradition in New Crescent. People from miles around came to town to see the tree light up. It was a night Jade had always looked forward to as a child. With determination she decided not to let anything spoil her Christmas and vowed to attend the event. How she’d avoid Sam she didn’t know but that was something she could deal with a little later. Stepping back, she turned to head towards the west end of town. She collided with someone. He groaned as if she’d hurt him, but she couldn’t figure out how.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry.” The bag he was carrying slipped and fell to the frozen ground. She bent to retrieve it and recognized Gridlock, Tom Weatherby’s dog. She greeted the fully recovered canine and looked up at his companion.

  “Tom, I didn’t see you there. I guess I should look where I’m going.”

  Her grinned a little tightly then cleared the tension from his smile and looked genuinely pleased to see her.

  “Hi, Jade. It’s good to see you.”

  “But you didn’t want me to run you down.” She laughed. “It’s nice to see you too. Are you Christmas shopping too?”

  With a masculine grimace he nodded. “I’m looking for gifts for the school office staff. It’s impossible. They are all women, but they range in age from twenty five to fifty five. I thought some soap maybe?”

  She laughed at his feeble expression. “Now that’s just intentionally lame. You’re positively transparent. I’ll help you.”

  “You’re a lifesaver. I’ll buy you lunch.” He looked so relieved Jade couldn’t help smiling with genuine pleasure even though she knew she’d have no appetite.

  Despite it all, Jade enjoyed the day she spent with Tom and Gridlock. She got a lot of shopping done as well. She was even able to eat a salad for lunch. Tom was good company and very solicitous of her. He slowed his pace to match hers and walked on the part of the sidewalk closest to the street. He was a gentleman. Tom offered her a pretty good distraction. Her chest didn’t tighten to the point of pain when he looked at her and she had no inclination to spend all day sitting in his lap. She managed to get through the day admirably. She even agreed to go to the tree lighting ceremony with him and Gridlock later that evening.

  It started to snow as she drove home with her purchases. The fluffy white flakes landed on the windshield and Jade couldn’t help but notice their beautiful patterns before they melted away. Idly, she wondered why Tom wasn’t running with Gridlock anymore. The dog was completely recovered from his unfortunate experience with the porcupine and couldn’t understand why there had been no outings lately. The poor dog urged Jade to speak to Tom about it. She’d promised him that she’d bring it up with Tom later that evening. He was being too careful. Gridlock was fine, and he missed their daily run. Getting back to their routine would be good for him.

  Alone in her house, Jade couldn’t help but think of what had happened at Sam’s place that morning. When she checked her voice mail she noted there was a call from Sam. She wasn’t ready to listen to it, but she stared at his name on the call display for a long time. Rubbing her thumb over the screen she turned the phone off.

  Jade had met Sam’s mother many times. She was the sort of woman that went to “spas” on a regular basis and came back with fuller lips but looking just a little too pinched. Shannon Daniels had never had much time for Jade. In fact, Jade suspected that the woman wouldn’t even remember her name. She remembered Michelle’s name though and had sounded pleased when she assumed the beautiful woman was sharing her son’s bed.

  Jade felt sick. She’d been fooling herself. Sam told her himself. He was looking for his match. Jade had to admit that Michelle fit the bill perfectly. She remembered how perfect they’d looked together at Reggie and Chase’s wedding. They looked like a photo shoot.

  All along, Jade knew she’d been out of her league with Sam, but she’d been powerless to resist him. Well, he’d wanted her to understand what compelled a woman in love to do things that worked against her best interests. She’d certainly learned that lesson, but sadly she wondered if she hadn’t been better off blissfully ignorant.

  Chapter 23

  They lucked out. It was a beautiful night. Jade suspected the weather had very little to do with luck in New Crescent. This was a special night of course, so the weather just had to cooperate. The town square was filled with holiday spirited people. The school band played Christmas carols, and there were children and dogs everywhere. It was a charming sight that belonged on a holiday card.

  Jade had a little trouble spotting Tom, but Rags quickly found Grid
lock.

  “It looks like they’re almost ready to light the tree, Jade. You made it just in time.” He took her elbow and helped her to navigate the crowd.

  The mayor spoke, but Jade pretty much just tuned him out. He was a politician. She had very little patience for politicians, especially ones who insisted on blaming an innocent dog for brutal attacks despite all evidence to the contrary. He droned on endlessly. Bored, Jade looked through the crowd. She located her brother. He stood behind Reggie, his arms wrapped around her waist. They looked so happy it touched Jade’s heart. Snuggled together next to them were Travis and Gillian. Something he whispered to her made her laugh and she looked up at him with love in her lavender eyes. They made a perfect couple. Jade’s heart contracted.

  Moving her eyes to the people standing next to her friends Jade’s stomach dropped to the frozen ground and shattered. Sam stood beside Michelle. They too looked like the perfect couple. The beautiful woman was dressed in white fur. At first glance Jade judged the fur to be real. She shivered in revulsion and tried to blame her reaction on the fur. The sight of the three couples made Jade feel isolated. The six of them looked like one big happy family, and Jade had a hard time keeping her bottom lip from trembling. Where did she fit in? Why was she on the outside looking in?

  Desperately, Jade wished she’d never appeared at Sam’s door that night. Prior to her physical relationship with him, she thought she was happy. But Sam had taught her what happiness felt like, and now she couldn’t go back. She wanted more, needed more, knew she deserved nothing less. It was torture to see him with the stunning Michelle, and she couldn’t help but resent him for it.

  She would have to confront him soon. They had to work this out. She couldn’t hide from him forever. The sound of the crowd cheering startled her out of her musings. The brilliant tree lights lit the square, and it looked magical. This was the town she loved, the town she’d dreamed of returning to for so many years, and she’d ruined it by falling in love with Sam.