by Lori Foster
Activity erupted all around. The deputy was speaking to the ambulance, Joe issued orders—and Chili came around. He saw the chaos and tried to creep away. He hadn’t gotten farther than a foot or two when Bryan kissed Shay’s cheek and said, “Hold on, honey. I’ll be right back.”
Chili was on his knees now, holding his injured arm, almost into the thick tangle of bushes that lined the creek. His glasses were gone and blood from his nose smeared the left half of his face.
Grinning, Bryan stepped over him, then crouched down. “Give me a reason, you bastard. Any reason.”
Chili cowered.
Grabbing him by the shirt, Bryan hauled him to his feet. Chili kicked and struggled, but he was no match for Bryan. Finally, he tried to lurch free and run.
Bryan said, “Thanks.” And hit him hard in the gut. Wheezing, Chili slumped over, but Bryan held him upright by his shirt.
Joe glanced up. “You probably shouldn’t have done that.”
“Probably not.”
“I’d have been happy to do it for you.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Neither of the men acted like anything out of the ordinary had happened, while Shay felt nauseous and cold and shaken to her core. Never in her life had she felt so ineffectual. Her knees were so weak, she either had to kneel down or collapse.
Bryan frowned at her, then just let Chili drop. He reached Shay in two steps. “Hey.” He knelt down by her. “You okay, baby?”
Barb had stopped crying and now just stared at Joe with wide-eyed awe. Joe crooned to her, reassuring her as he kept pressure on her wound, and Shay could have almost sworn she heard Barb sighing.
Shay didn’t realize that tears were tracking her cheeks until Bryan pulled her into his lap and brushed them away. Loudly, he said, “Tell her you’re all right, Barb.”
“I’m…I’m okay.” Barb winced. “Really.”
“There, you see?” And to Barb, “Hang in there, kiddo. The ambulance is on its way.”
Barb nodded, never once taking her gaze off Joe. Or rather, Joe’s chest.
Shay shook her head in wonder. Even a wounded woman was gaping at Joe Winston. “She tried to help us, just as Jamie said she would.”
“Yeah.” Bryan pressed his face into her neck and rocked her gently. “God, I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
Shay started. “What?” He hadn’t been frightened. Mad, yes, but not scared.
Suddenly he had her shoulders in his hands and he looked fierce again. “Damn you, don’t you ever pull another stunt like that, do you hear me?”
Shay blinked at him. He was shouting so loud, no doubt everyone for a mile heard him.
“You could have been the one shot.” He shook her. “The next time I tell you to run, you damn well better run.”
Strangely enough, his loss of control helped her. The shock faded. It became easier to breathe. “There won’t be a next time,” she reasoned. Surely this was the end of it. They deserved peace and quiet and happily ever after now. “Besides, I couldn’t leave you alone with him….”
“I wouldn’t have been alone. I knew Joe was there.”
“You did?” How had he known? Shay hadn’t heard or seen a thing. Joe was damn sneaky, as far as she could tell.
“You didn’t?” He sounded incredulous.
Shay shook her head.
“Well, I heard him. I saw him. That’s what I do, Shay. And I’m good at it.” He pulled her close and kissed her hard. “For the rest of your life, for the rest of our lives, you will trust me.”
The evening felt very cold to her now and she curled in against Bryan’s chest, seeking his warmth and the comfort he always gave. Giving him some comfort as well. “I promise.”
Like steel bands, his arms tightened on her. “Ah, damn, Shay. What am I going to do with you?”
She had a few suggestions. Like love her. Maybe marry her. Be a father to her children…
The ambulance screeched into the yard. One man ran to Barb, and with Joe’s help, put her on a stretcher. Her voice was weak with pain, but still, in typical Barb fashion, she began to complain.
Chili was louder and whinier. The deputy knelt down beside him. Joe had already filled him in on the phone, and he began reading Chili his rights.
Shirtless, his powerful chest lined in moonlight, Joe sauntered over to them. “What now?”
Bryan stood and, amazingly enough, kept Shay in his arms. She wasn’t exactly a dainty little thing, and his strength never ceased to amaze her. “We’re going to the hospital with Barb.”
Joe glanced up at the moon. “I’ll hang around till everyone is loaded up, just to help you keep an eye on your little friend.”
Remembering the look on Chili’s face made Shay’s stomach lurch. “He’s insane. He’s sick.”
“He’ll be locked up soon as his arm heals,” Bryan promised.
“Probably gotta let his nose heal now, too,” Joe added. And he grinned.
With Barb loaded into the ambulance and Chili in restraints in the back of the car, the deputy joined them. He started to hold out a hand to Bryan, saw he had his arms full, and frowned instead. “Bryan,” he said by way of greeting.
Bryan nodded. “Scott, this is Shay Sommers. Shay, Scott’s the local law around here.”
“Ma’am,” he said, and actually tipped his hat. Charmed, Shay noted that he was a handsome man with sandy brown hair and gentle blue eyes, and he looked very nice in his uniform. “Sorry I didn’t get here sooner. Joe likes to act first, and call me second.”
“But I did call ya,” Joe reminded him in good humor.
Scott looked aggrieved. “You know, Bryan, it’s bad enough when this jackass”—he tipped his head toward Joe—“brings all kinds of trouble with him. Don’t you start, too.”
Joe laughed. “Hey, I’m a happily married domestic man now. My trouble is all at an end.”
“Right.” The deputy gave him a long look. “Does that mean your sister won’t be back?”
“Ah, you mean that trouble.” Joe chuckled. “You know, I think Alyx said she’d be visiting again next week.”
Scott propped his hands on his hips, dropped his head forward and groaned. “God help me.”
Shay looked at Bryan. “His sister?”
“A female Joe, actually.”
“Hey!” Joe said, “That’s my baby sister you’re maligning.” But he grinned, too.
The paramedics were ready to go. Joe slapped Bryan on the back. “I’m heading home. The wife will be waiting.” He walked off, a man without a care.
Incredible.
Scott eyed the protective way that Bryan held Shay. “Does she need medical attention?”
Shay shook her head. “No, she is fine. And Bryan can certainly put me down now.”
But he didn’t. Not until he set her inside his car, buckled her in and kissed her forehead. He was treating her like fine china, and for the moment, Shay didn’t mind.
It meant he cared. How much, she didn’t yet know. But he had mentioned the rest of their lives. That sounded like a fine place to start.
Chapter Fifteen
Scott gave them an escort to the hospital. Trailing the deputy with lights and sirens blazing, they made good time. During the drive, Shay used Bryan’s cell phone to call Bruce to let him know they were all right.
His first reaction was, “Thank God.” Then, with wry relief, “I guess I can slow down to a more reasonable speed. I never did understand the thrill of racing.”
“Don’t speed,” Shay agreed, “but I have some bad news, too.” She hated to say it out loud, but they needed to know about Barb. She told what she knew, explaining that Barb had been shot, but it appeared she’d be okay. Bruce felt the same as Shay did. He wanted to see Barb for himself, and he wanted to be with her, to let her know she still had friends. The extent of his giving had no boundaries.
Amy, especially, thought she could empathize with Barb. Their ETA was still a few hours away.
Bryan and Shay arrived at the ho
spital right behind the ambulance. Barb couldn’t quite meet Shay’s gaze, and it wasn’t until some hours later, after the doctor had treated her and she’d been admitted for the night for observation, that Shay really got to speak to her.
Shay sat beside her bed and reached for Barb’s hand. As usual, Barb was uncomfortable with being touched, but she didn’t pull away. “It’s going to be okay.”
Barb stared at the far wall. “You always say that, even when you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
It was so nice to have Bad Barb back and in fighting form, that Shay chuckled. That startled Barb, but she ended up grinning, too, then quickly sobered. “I really, really am sorry. I was stupid. Chili kept telling me…” Her hand tightened on Shay’s and she shook her head. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter now.”
But Shay couldn’t let it go. “He made you think you didn’t deserve friends.”
Covering her blush with a black frown, Barb said, “And I don’t. I helped him try to drive you away just because I was afraid you’d take my place. I ratted out Leigh just to keep him happy. I’m a…a miserable person.”
“No, you’re not.” Bryan had been standing quietly near the door, but now he approached Barb’s bed and stood glaring down at her. “You made some bad choices, but no more, right?”
“Uh, right.”
“And you were unsure of yourself, but now you know that you’re needed at the safe house and that people care about you, right?”
She gave one small nod.
“Bruce wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Confused, Barb said, “Bruce?”
Bryan sighed. “Not a single one of us has been honest lately.”
“That’s right,” Shay agreed. “I lied to all of you.”
“For good reasons.” Barb attempted to smooth the ugly hospital gown, but the IV got in her way. And she didn’t seem inclined to release Shay’s hand. “You were sort of undercover.”
“Maybe.” Shay shrugged. “But you lied out of fear and, trust me, fear is as valid, maybe more so, as anything else.”
“I was undercover too,” Bryan said. “I lied to help my brother.”
“Your brother?”
“Bruce. The real preacher.” To Shay’s surprise, he told Barb all about the deception he and his brother had set up. As he spoke, Barb’s eyes bulged and her face went pale. “He should be here soon. Both he and Amy are very concerned about you.”
Barb stared at Bryan in disbelief. “There are two of you? No shit?”
“No shit,” Bryan promised.
Shay laughed. “Fun, huh?”
“Two.” Barb looked utterly boggled by the possibility. “A preacher and a bounty hunter.” She slowly shook her head. “That’s…well, I don’t know what to think.” Her brow furrowed. “But you did act awful strange, at least part of the time. The preacher sure never discussed underwear with us.”
Bryan laughed. “Yeah, that was me. Scintillating conversations you gals have.” He winked. “There was a time or two I would have gladly strangled Bruce.”
Shay punched his arm, laughing.
Suddenly Barb grew solemn again. “I can’t believe you’re both here, still talking to me after what I did.”
“You saved us,” Shay reminded her. “That’s what you did.”
“And we have to talk to you,” Bryan said. “If we don’t talk to you, how can we invite you to the wedding?”
Shay almost fell over. She didn’t move, didn’t even breathe. But inside she was reeling. Marry! He wanted to marry her?
Getting drowsy from her pain medication, Barb smiled. “So it’s like that, huh?”
“Exactly like that.” Bryan smoothed Barb’s hair with real affection. “You crazy broad. You fucked up, but you won’t do it again, right?”
Tears filled Barb’s eyes. “No, I swear.” She yawned. “Please tell the preacher that he can count on me, if he wants to maybe try giving me another chance.”
“You can tell him yourself.” Bryan glanced at his watch. “He should be here any minute.”
Shay was ready to start weeping again. “We’re getting married?”
Instead of answering, Bryan put his heavy arm around her, then nodded to Barb. “See ya in the morning. Be good and don’t scare the doctors.”
Barb snorted.
“And be nice to Bruce. He’s a good guy. An innocent guy. He’s not made of the same mettle that I am.”
Barb actually laughed. “Yeah, I’ll remember that. But you know you better hitch up quick, because once Patti finds out you’re not a preacher, she’s going to get grabby again.”
They were in Bryan’s car before Shay found her voice. Bryan was really starting to sweat it. She’d said she loved him, but that didn’t necessarily mean she wanted to stay with him forever.
Now all she did was yawn and say, “I’m so tired. What an unbelievable day.”
Primed, edgy, Bryan struggled to rein himself in. He felt like a starving junkyard dog, ready to attack a succulent bone. Shay epitomized everything good that he wanted to have in his life. Even her money didn’t bother him, since she wasn’t a snob about it.
She had to be damned upset after everything that had occurred. She wasn’t like him, wasn’t from his world where every other person you came into contact with had a weapon and was anxious to use it. Every time he thought of Chili aiming that gun at her, again and again, he wanted to shout out his rage. But Shay needed him calm, not furious. “We could stay with Joe and Luna tonight if you feel funny about going back to the—”
“No. I still haven’t seen the inside of your trailer.”
Bryan swallowed twice. He wanted to be alone with her, but he didn’t want her to suffer even a single second more of anxiety. “Whatever you want, honey.”
“Is that a promise?”
His hands flexed on the steering wheel. “Yeah. Sure.”
“Then tell me you love me.”
He almost wrecked the car. Thank God they’d reached the trailer. Bryan pulled into the yard, and parked the car beneath a tall walnut tree. He looked at Shay in the darkness, could feel her attentiveness, and growled, “I love you.”
He got out and walked around to her door. Shay climbed out and smiled at him. “I like the sound of that.”
Any second now, he’d implode. “Come on. Let’s get you inside.” For the second time that night, he led her up the steps and then inside. He switched on all the lights and secured the door behind her.
Out of necessity, they stood close together. The trailer was cramped, filled to overflowing with a soft couch and easy chair, a television and a stereo. “The trailer is temporary,” he felt pushed to explain. “I’m going to build a house—”
“Can it be a ranch?” Shay edged around him and walked the length of the trailer, peeked into his john, peered at the double bed, then returned to the tiny kitchen. “With a wraparound porch so we can see all the beautiful woods no matter where we sit?”
He stared at her. She was planning a future he hadn’t been sure she’d accept. “A ranch?”
“You did just promise to give me anything.”
She looked so beautiful—scratched and bruised, with tangled hair and smudged makeup and dark circles under her eyes. But beautiful. “Yeah. Sure. A ranch.”
“A gazebo down by the creek would be wonderful, too. I want one of those.”
“All right.” Hell, he’d build her twenty gazebos all along the creek if it’d make her happy.
A bright smile lit up her face. She made a fist, punched it into the air, and shouted, “We’re getting married.”
There. She’d said it. Did that mean she agreed? “I want you with me forever, Shay.” And again, making damn sure she understood: “I love you.”
She threw her arms around his waist. “I’m glad. We’ll live here, okay? I’m going to put Dawn in charge of things back in Ohio. She’ll love it. Can you do your work from here?”
Just like Shay, to move at Mach speed. He could ba
rely keep up. “I dunno.” But he didn’t want to disappoint her, so he added, “Probably.”
Shay pulled his shirt out of his jeans, then up and over his head. Obligingly, he raised his arms. “I might just retire. Find something else to do.”
Her busy fingers went to his jeans. “Do you think we’ll both fit in that miniscule shower?”
Bryan caught her face in his hands. She wanted to shower with him? Now? “Shay, what are you doing?”
The smile faded. “I need you. I need to know that we’re both okay and healthy and that you really do love me.”
“More than life,” he promised.
Her hands opened on his chest, stroked up and over his shoulders, touching him, feeling him. “I need to show you how much I love you, too.”
His breath caught. His heart swelled. “Fuckin-A, we’ll fit in the shower.” Being loved by Shay had to be the biggest mind-blow ever. He’d need a lifetime just to get used to how right it seemed and how good it felt.
Epilogue
The wedding, which started out simple enough, given the fact that they’d organized it in less than a month, ended up being a gigantic party. Relatives, friends and neighbors all attended.
Bryan’s dad married them, and Bruce was the best man, with Scott and Joe as ushers. The bride’s side of the wedding party outnumbered the groom’s—not that anyone minded.
Dawn stood as Shay’s maid of honor, and Barb, Amy, Leigh, Morganna and Patti all made stunning bridesmaids. Shay’s sister, Brandi, also attended. Being nearly nine months pregnant, she was more comfortable sitting on her husband’s lap than standing through the ceremony.
Shay’s mother cried, her father beamed with pride, and they all claimed to love Bryan right off. After all, he’d done the impossible. He’d actually managed to snare Shay, when they all knew her as an unstoppable force.
Amy’s new boyfriend came with her, but the rest of the women were flying solo. Unfortunately Dr. Martin couldn’t make it. She sent her sincere apologies and a very large gift. Shay knew Dr. Martin seldom ever left the clinic unattended. She was too dedicated to her work.
Shay had picked out beautiful dresses for the ladies, classy and simple and altered to fit just right. Only the women didn’t care for the less-than-plunging necklines and knee-covering hems. So they did a few alterations of their own. As a result, Shay had the sexiest bridal party in the history of Visitation.
