A sore and emotionally wounded Lily reached for her. Brook mumbled something prayerful and embraced her daughter. "Juan, she is safe!"
Juan Sanchez walked around to where his daughter and wife were standing. Biting his lip, a tear escaped and dripped down his cheek. He turned to Brent.
"Thank you, Son. Thank you for bringing back my daughter."
Brent nodded and gave Juan a sturdy pat on the back. Juan walked off with his family to their carriage.
The Rangers met at the sheriff's office for debriefing.
Jones and the wounded from his entourage were transported to the infirmary where they would get medical care and then be transported to jail in Houston. Jones would be charged with kidnapping and his entourage would be charged with accessory to criminal behavior.
Jones would face charges and would be going to trial where he would hopefully get the jail time that he deserved. Reality of the situation was that he was a man with money and he could possibly fight his case to not end up with jail time.
Maria's life story was moving. As a young girl, she lost her parents. She packed what little she had and left Mexico to come and live in the states. With no more than a dollar to her name, she found work as a maid for an elderly woman. The woman treated her nicely and although the pay was not much, Maria had a roof over her head and food in her stomach.
The woman died and no one in her family had need for a maid. So once again, Maria was on her own. She was at the market, stealing fruit from a vendor when Lawrence Jones caught her. He promised not to turn her in to the authorities in exchange for her coming to work for him as his maid. At that point, she felt like she had no choice but to take his offer.
Moving in to the ranch with Jones at first seemed ideal. Maria told them that Jones never laid a hand on her, but he had paraded an endless amount of women, that were not unlike her, through the home. None of the women were there more than six months. Maria had no idea where the women went when they left.
As far as she was concerned, Jones treated her fairly and she had a warm place to lay her head at night and food to eat. The issue was that when she tried to leave, Jones flexed his muscle and let her know that leaving was not an option. He showed her all of the money that he said she owed him for the food and shelter and said that he would take legal action if she tried to leave. It was not until recently that she understood that she was really an employee and that he owed her so much more than he had supposedly given.
She had been saving what little money she earned from him and selling off little trinkets that he would not miss so she could save the money to leave. That's when Lily was brought to the house.
Maria recounted the day that she found out that Jones had another 'suitor' at the ranch. Usually, the women arrived crying and disheveled. There were a few that arrived arrogant and full of themselves boasting that they were a guest of Lawrence Jones. Those women looked down on her and Maria would just laugh because she knew that they would not last there long.
When Maria met Lily, she was taken by her. Not only did they look a lot alike, Lily and Maria had the same spirit. A spirit of survival and the ability to fight through whatever life sent their way bonded them. Lily was the first woman that Maria felt sympathy for. She wanted both of them to be able to leave safely, so she encouraged Lily to stay calm, keep a level head, and told her that one day, they would be leaving soon.
They kept each other encouraged and kept each other company over the few weeks that Lily was there. Maria appreciated Lily's independent spirit, but she knew that they needed to make Jones feel like he was in control and not spook him. Maria's plan was to leave in the middle of the night and use the money that she had saved to get as far away as possible. They did not have anyone helping them, but they were motivated and determined to leave the ranch.
Maria was awake the morning the Rangers showed up. She watched from her room as they took cover and surrounded the house.
When they were rescued, Maria was beyond relieved.
"It was a dream come true to see you all. I knew that we were going to be safe."
"Are you sure Jones did not assault or hurt Lily?" Ranger White asked. He had taken over the reigns of the investigation while the Sheriff was being tended to at the hospital.
"I kept an eye on Lily myself. Besides being afraid and homesick, she was fine."
Brent busied himself trying to think of something else. Thinking of what Lily was going through being holed up at Jones' ranch made him hot under the collar.
The fact that she was so close and in danger made Brent feel like he had failed her. If he could just hear straight from her own mouth that she did not blame him and that she was alright, it would give him some sense of peace.
They all turned around when the door opened.
"I was fine. Really."
Lily entered the office and stood there before them. She looked a bit downtrodden and a bit broken in spirit, but considering what she had just been through, it was amazing that she was even standing there at all.
Brent rushed over to her and took her by the hand. "Please, have a seat."
One of the Rangers stood up so that she could have his seat.
"No, I am fine. I just wanted to come by and thank all of you and let you see for yourself that I am okay."
Maria hopped up from her seat. "When all of that gun fire started, I just knew that Jones had forced you in harm's way."
Maria touched Lily's hair, her face, and examined her hands. "Are you sure you are okay?"
Lily smiled. "I am. And mostly because of you. I thank you my friend. Thank you for your encouragement and support."
She gently touched her hand to Maria's face and the two women embraced. Everyone understood the gravity of the moment. They had both survived and gotten out alive, just as they promised each other.
"And to all of you, I offer my sincere appreciation. My parents told me that all of you risked your lives to save me. There is no way that I can repay you for what you have done."
The Rangers nodded and tipped their hats and offered that gratitude for her appreciation.
Lily then walked up and took Brent by the hand. "Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Brent looked around. Everyone else was busy and he knew that he had to spare a moment for Lily.
"Of course."
They stepped outside alone.
Lily closed her eyes and squeezed Brent's hand. "I had no clue if I would ever see you again."
She threw herself into his arms and relaxed in their embrace.
"I never want to let you go." Once the words escaped his lips, he did not regret it.
"Once you went missing, there were so many things that I did tell you. I worried that I would never get the chance to tell you how much I love you."
Lily looked up at him. "Those words are music to my ears. I love you too, Brent. I thought of you every day."
She nuzzled her face in his chest and inhaled his scent.
"I believe that everything happens in divine order and it all leads us exactly where we are supposed to be."
Brent looked at her. "Are you saying that you were supposed to be a victim of this crime? Jones was a sick individual and you did not deserve that."
Lily smiled. "I was not a victim. And I know that I did not deserve what happened. But sometimes you have to be taken away from what you have to know and appreciate how much you love what you have."
What she was saying made perfect sense. He knew from the moment he saw Lily that he loved her, but when she was snatched out of his life and he did not know when and if she would come back to him, he knew then that she was well worth any sacrifice and that she was all that he wanted. And he also knew that he would never waste any time again telling her that he loved her. He promised that if he ever reunited with her, he would make sure she knew every day that he adored her.
"Lily, you are my light. I've never thought I would find true love again. But every time I'm near you, my heart skips a beat, I get tongue t
ied, and I can't picture my life without you."
"I knew you would come for me, Brent. I knew in my heart that you would come and rescue me. I held out hope that I would see you again."
His lips touched hers and the spark was lit. Lily melted in his arms.
"I will never leave you, Lily."
Lily smiled. "I know. I was betting on that."
*
By the evening, everyone was exhausted. Sheriff was released from the hospital and Brent promised Sarah that he would bring Sheriff home in one piece. As soon as they arrived at Sheriff Dyer's home, the door swung open and both Sarah and Adam ran outside.
"Samuel, I should kill you for giving me such a scare!"
"Oh my Darlin', I am grateful to be back home in your arms."
The couple embraced. "Be careful there. I'm a bit sore."
"Oh no, let me see." Sarah worried over the sheriff and she took him inside.
"Papa, I am so happy you are home." Brent scooped Adam up into his arms. He hugged his boy so tightly, he was sure he almost squeezed the breath out of him.
"Stay right here," Brent told Adam. He walked into the sheriff's house.
"I just want to make sure you are settled in, Sheriff."
He was sitting in a rocking chair relaxing.
"Shh. I think he is asleep already." Sarah whispered because she did not want anyone to disturb the sheriff.
"Okay," Brent whispered. "Thank you so much for keeping Adam. I really appreciate it."
Sarah walked Brent to the door. Once outside, she spoke in a regular volume. "You always say that. It is my pleasure. I am truly happy to help. And Adam is such a good boy. He keeps me busy, and I appreciate that."
She patted Brent on the hand. "So it seems like you two caught the bad guys."
He shrugged. "Something like that. Hopefully making things a bit more comfortable around here for the citizens of Owen's Bluff."
"You have done a great job since you've been here, Brent. A widower with a small child, moving thousands of miles away from your family in order to get a different quality of life. That is admirable."
"Thank you, Miss Sarah. It has been hard, but I know it was the right decision. We will see you tomorrow."
Sarah disappeared into the house and Brent took Adam home. Rest and recuperation for the evening was in order.
Once Adam was in bed, Brent went to the living room to have a seat. His mind was racing way too much to sleep. Sitting in the chair in front of the fireplace, Brent replayed the day's events. It was something out of an adventure book. Living in South Carolina, he would have never experienced something like that.
There were times when he questioned his move. Was it good for Adam? Were they going to be alright living here in Owen's Bluff without family? What would life be like outside of living with his family?
His younger brother Ben had been his inspiration to move. He was now in San Francisco, married with twins. Life had worked out well for Ben so Brent felt as though taking a chance on life would be in order for himself as well.
He was happy with the way things had worked out. Adam was happy. He was enrolled in school and made some new friends. He also loved being with Miss Sarah and sang her praises all day long.
Sarah was a God send. She cared for Adam as if he was her own. When Brent prayed for help with Adam, he could not have asked for a better support than Miss Sarah. Sheriff Dyer had turned out to be more than an employer. He had taken to Brent and Adam and looked out for them as if they were family.
He closed his eyes for a second when fatigue set in. He was awakened by the sound of a knock at the door.
It was getting late and he had no idea who could be calling on him at this time. Brent opened the door slightly to find Mr. Sanchez at the door.
"Mr. Sanchez. Come in."
Lily's father entered the house. "I don't want to make this a long visit. My wife and I want you to know that we are forever indebted to you for saving our daughter. If there is anything that we can do for you, please let us know."
"Would you please have a drink with me, Mr. Sanchez?"
"Yes, and please call me Juan."
The two men sat around the fire, drinking whiskey and talking. Sanchez shared a bit about his life and told Brent some of the back story on how the rivalry between himself and Jones began.
"I never thought that it would get to this point. Up until recently, all of Jones' aggression was focused on me. For him to turn that aggression toward my daughter is unforgivable. And to think that he was willing to sell her like she was livestock. It just makes my blood boil."
Brent polished off the last of the liquor in his glass. "Mine too. I just thank goodness we were able to get to her in time. And I am also thankful that we were able to save Maria as well. When we began looking for Lily, it never crossed my mind that another person could have been involved and at risk."
"Well, I thank you my friend. Our lives will forever be connected."
Juan rose from his chair and started toward the door.
"Juan, if you have another second, I would like to run something by you."
"Sure thing."
It took a moment for him to say that words that were on his mind.
"After all that has happened today, this may seem like the wrong time. I know that we have not known each other long, but I am in love with your daughter. I would like to have her hand in marriage."
A huge smile spread across Juan's face. "Son, I thought you would never ask."
Chapter 10
It was a while before Lily was back to the market. Her mother told her that she no longer had to go back and work and her father expressed desire to build her a workshop where she could work without having to go to the market.
Lily, being the strong woman she was, did not want to let the situation defeat her. With Jones in jail in Houston and his henchmen in jail or dead as well, she felt that she did not have anything to fear. Besides, she had the protection of Brent and that was all that she needed.
She spent every waking moment thinking of him, wanting him. When she was with him, he lit up her day. Since Lily was rescued, she spent time with family and spent time getting to know Adam. He was a sweet child and Lily felt like they gelled together naturally as a family.
When Brent was not out on Ranger duty, he came to call on her. Some days he would have flowers, sometimes candies or small trinkets. What made her feel most adored was the way that he paid her attention and the look in his eyes when he was with her.
Their love grew out of the most obscure circumstances. She loved the way he would steal kisses and grab her hand as they strolled through town.
That was the other thing that made her fall for him. He was not afraid to show everyone that he loved her.
Brent showed up to take Lily on a walk.
"Brent, come on in." Brook opened the door and let him in.
"Brent, so good to see you my friend." Juan met him at the door and the men shook hands.
Lily came in to the room. She eyed her beau. He was gorgeously rugged, tall and handsome. And he was all hers.
"You look amazing," he said with stars in his eyes.
"You two look so in love." Brook held on to her husband tightly as she gazed at the young lovers.
"Thank you, Mother. Brent, I think we are ready to go."
"Yes. Mr. Sanchez, I will have her back at a decent time."
"Just bring her back happy is all I ask."
The couple left.
"You and my father are talking to each other as if you both have a secret."
"Really? No. Your father is a good man. I respect that."
"Where are you taking me?"
"Surprise my dear. I can't tell you."
As they began their stroll, Brent presented her with a single white lily.
"Brent, you are always so sweet. Thank you."
"If you will let me, I would like to give the world to you."
She inhaled the scent of the flower and smiled. For the f
irst time in life, she was truly happy.
Their stroll led them to the lake. "I have a little something waiting on us over here."
Leading them through the clearing, they stopped at a blanket that was comfortably laid out.
"You have something else for me?"
"Yes, sit down."
She took a seat as she was asked and took a look around. There was a soft blanket laid out with a wicker basket and a small vase of wild flowers on top of it.
"Brent, what are you doing?"
"Just trust me."
She sat down on the blanket, looking out over the sparkling water of the lake. Everything on this day was peaceful and serene. She could not have asked for more.
Inhaling the salty air, she closed her eyes and felt the sun warm her.
"Ever since you brought me out here, to the lake, I have been in love with the place. It is so quiet and peaceful. When I am here, I feel like a part of you is here with me. I came here almost every day that I could when you were gone. I had to do whatever I could to be close to you."
Lily smiled. "That is endearing. I love that you love something so intimate about me. I never really shared my secret space with anyone else."
"I appreciate the fact that you shared it with me, Lily. And I hope that you trust me that much more that you will share more with me."
She stared at him, wondering what he was getting at.
"I told you everything that happened when I was kidnapped. At least everything that I want to tell. I would really like to close that chapter of my life and move on."
Brent took her hand. "I would never ask you to relive any of that. I want you to feel safe and feel loved and that means that we need to leave all of that behind us. It is over and I want nothing more than to move on."
"Me too." Lily was happy to know that they were on the same page.
"Let me pour you a bit of libation my sweetheart."
He searched in the basket for the glasses and the liquor and poured them each a glass.
He posed a toast. "Here's to a wonderful life together."
She raised her glass and then paused it in midair. "Wait…"
Stolen Kisses (Leap of Love Book 2) Page 8
