by Joleen James
He released her.
The second she was free, Tawney bolted for the door, running smack into Rick.
Startled, she could only stare.
"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes on hers. Then he looked past her into the room.
Rick set her from him and with a snarl, he attacked Fox.
Tawney screamed.
The two men toppled to the floor.
"He's got a gun," Tawney shouted. "Rick stop. He was just leaving."
Brandi charged in. "What's going on?" Her gaze bounced between Tawney and the men tussling on the floor.
Rick landed a solid punch to Fox's jaw.
"Stop it," Tawney yelled.
In a flash, she saw the gun in Fox's hand. Before she could react, Brandi picked up the discarded paperweight, bashing Fox on the head.
Fox went still.
Tawney looked at her sister. "Brandi."
Brandi dropped the paperweight. "Oh no. Did I kill him?"
Rick turned Fox over, feeling for a pulse. "No. Call the police."
Tawney did as he asked. Why did this keep happening to her? Why was Rick here? So many thoughts played tag in her head.
Rick got to his feet. His clothes were disheveled, but other than that he appeared fine.
"Are you okay?" he asked Tawney. He reached her, taking her face in his hands. "God, oh baby. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
He pulled her close, holding onto her so tightly. But she couldn't hug him back, didn't trust him enough to let him in because if she did, she knew she would crumble.
A siren cut through the silence. Police officers swarmed her house. They were separated, each of them giving a statement. Fox was taken away on a stretcher. Charges would be filed, but Tawney knew they would never stick. Fox's attorneys were too good. The most she could hope for was that he'd keep his word and leave her alone.
When at last the police were gone and only the three of them remained, Brandi said, "I'm heading home. I can't wait to fill Bud in on all of this."
Tawney hugged her sister. "Are you sure you are okay?"
"I'm good." Brandi smiled. "It was like an episode of a crime show or something, right?"
Tawney smiled. "Or something."
"I’m just glad you are okay, T." Brandi squeezed her tighter. "Take care of my sister," she said to Rick.
Tawney blinked in surprise. Brandi hated Rick. Why the change of heart?
He nodded.
The sisters parted and Tawney turned to Rick. More than anything she wanted to throw herself into his arms. She had so many questions for him, but pride and a broken heart kept her silent.
"We need to talk," he said.
"There's nothing left to say." She held the door open for him so he could leave.
He walked to her, but instead of leaving he closed the door. "I’m not leaving."
"It's been a long day," she said. "I'm tired. I can't do this right now."
"Why did you come back today?" he asked. "Why aren't you on the plane?"
Her chin came up. "Why are you here?"
"I never intended to leave permanently."
"Well, how am I supposed to know that? You didn't exactly call me and fill me in." She shoved against his chest with her palms. "I’m so angry with you." She pushed him again.
Rick took the hits. "I guess I thought that you would understand that I needed some time. Not time away from you, but time to come to grips with what happened in Seattle and what happened at the cabin."
"I did understand that, you jerk," Tawney said. "Leaving is your MO. I understand that, too."
"No," he said. "I know I should have called more, tried to make you understand. When I saw Joey holding a gun to your head, I lost it. All my doubts about protecting Angie, you, all rose to the surface. I was paralyzed with fear. I can't live like that anymore, Tawney. I won't. I felt unworthy of you. I talked to the department shrink in Seattle. For the first time, I was honest with her. She helped me come up with a plan, and I intend to follow through with that plan. You are the most important thing to me."
She shook her head. "No. It's too late."
"It's not too late." He reached for her, taking her face in his hands. "I love you."
She tried to twist away. "I hate you."
"I love you." He tried to kiss her, but she turned, his lips grazing the side of her face.
"I hate you," she said weakly.
He kissed her neck. "I love you," he whispered against her skin.
"No."
"I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you." He kissed her jaw, her chin, her mouth.
Tawney's anger dissolved. Love caused a physical ache in her chest. She kissed him back and it was as if her soul had come alive again.
"I love you," he said, his lips against hers.
"I love you," she said back, her arms going around him.
He took her face in his hands. "Marry me."
In his eyes she saw so much: respect, loyalty, love. Didn't she deserve all those things? He was her dream, her everything. If she didn't take a chance on love she'd regret it forever.
"Yes," she said. "I'll marry you."
"You won't be sorry," Rick said with a smile.
"Don't make me sorry," she said, a teasing note to the words. "My self-defense moves have gotten really good. Especially the one where I knee the guy in the—"
"I promise," he said quickly. "You won't need to use those moves on me."
"What kind of moves will I need?" she asked, her tone serious now.
Rick's eyes took on a predatory glow. Without warning, he lifted her up into his arms and bore her to the bedroom.
Tawney smiled against his neck. Everything was going to be all right now. Whether he liked it or not, Rick was her hero, today and for the rest of their lives.
EPILOGUE
Tawney opened her front door. "Hey, Star. Welcome back, we've missed you around here. Come in." She pulled Star inside, giving her a hug. "How was the honeymoon?"
"Fantastic. The best." Star's face glowed, her eyes bright.
"Where's Cade?" Tawney asked, peering around her sister.
"He saw Rick out front and headed over to see him." Star removed her jacket, hanging it up.
"Ah." Tawney shut the door. "Good, that gives us a few minutes to get caught up before everyone arrives and this engagement party gets started."
"What the heck has been going on around here?" Star asked. "Brandi filled me in some on the phone, but you've been silent."
Tawney shrugged. "Drama. Too much of it."
"Tell me everything." Star took a seat on the sofa, patting the cushion beside her.
"Where do I start?" Tawney laughed.
"First of all," Star said, "with you and Rick."
"Look." Tawney held up her left hand, showing Star the gorgeous, tasteful diamond ring Rick had given her the day after his proposal. She still had trouble believing she was going to marry Rick. The diamond winked at her, a visual reminder that this was real.
Star took her hand. "The ring is breathtaking. Classic. So you."
"I know." Tawney admired the ring. "I was so relieved that Rick chose a round cut, not a big square one."
"Like the emerald ring," Star said. "Brandi told me Fox brought the ring back here."
"He did," Tawney confirmed. "I'm hoping that ring is gone for good."
"So he was arrested?" Star asked, her eyes worried.
"Yes, but he was released soon after. All they had on him was breaking and entering. And although he pulled a gun on Rick, Fox claimed it was self-defense—which, technically it was. Rick attacked Fox, but he had good reason. The whole thing was twisted. I'm not pressing charges."
"Why?" Star asked.
"I want Fox out of my life. I don't want to go to court and see him looking at me. I don’t want to make him angry. I just want him gone. Fox didn't press charges against Rick or Brandi. It was as if he decided he was done with me. I'm afraid to believe that after everything he put
me through he really has just walked away, but that's how it seems. I think it had something to do with Mom. Fox seemed to respect her."
Star leaned back against the cushions. "Wow, who knew that Mom would come to your rescue on this one."
"I know, weird, right?"
"So Fox is back in Vegas?" Star asked.
"Yes, Rick's partner Phil has confirmed it."
Star reached for Tawney's hand, squeezing her fingers. "I'm so relieved for you. And what about Harry?"
"Still in jail. No bailout for him." Tawney blew out a breath. "He has a whole slew of charges against him. I'll have to testify at some point, but I'm okay with that. And Mel has apologized to me for giving me such a hard time. I think he's afraid of me now, or maybe he's afraid of Rick. I'm not sure."
"I'm so sorry that happened to you," Star said. "You are a strong woman."
"Thanks to Rick." Tawney smiled. "If not for the shooting practice and the self-defense moves he taught me, there might have been a different outcome."
Star shook her head. "Thank God for Rick."
The now familiar warmth filled Tawney's heart. "I love him so much, Star."
"It's so good to see you happy, T."
"It feels good to be happy." And it did feel good, like a bright light had been turned on inside her. "My life is really coming together, not just romantically with Rick, but professionally, too."
"How so?" Star asked.
"Liv is cutting back, doctor's orders. She's asked me to be a partner at Karma Fitness."
"That's wonderful, honey."
"I know. It's a dream job for me, right here in Seward."
"So you and Rick will stay on here?" Star asked, a hopeful note in her voice.
"Looks like it. Rick's applied to join the police force here."
"This is a whole new life for you," Star said. "I'm so glad that the three of us are here, you, me, and Brandi. Now if only we could get Ruby up here."
"Wishful thinking," Tawney said.
"I know. Hey," Star said, "let's go and find the guys and get this celebration started."
"Sounds good to me." Tawney stood. "I'll get the champagne."
The door opened and Rick and Cade came inside.
Tawney's heart lurched at the sight of Rick and she wondered if Star's heart beat a little faster when Cade entered the room.
"What, no champagne yet?" Rick asked as he removed his jacket. He grinned at her.
"Just heading that way," Tawney said, going to him.
He kissed her, his arms circling her. She inhaled the scent of fresh air on his skin. He'd always been the one for her, and he always would be.
"Congratulations, Tawney," Cade said.
"Thanks." She smiled at her brother-in-law.
"Come on," Rick said. "I'll pop the cork."
A knock sounded, and Cade let in Brandi, Bud, and baby Will.
"Sorry we're late," Brandi said. "Will decided to take a long nap."
Tawney smiled. She'd heard about people who had perfect moments. Right now, at this exact minute, her life felt perfect. She had her sisters. They were all together. They'd all found true love.
Life didn't get any sweeter than that.
Also by Joleen James
Coming soon: Ruby's and Dane's story in the exciting conclusion to the Hometown Alaska Men Series: HOMETOWN HEARTBREAKER.
Hometown Alaska Men Series
by
Hometown Star
Hometown Hero
Hometown Heartbreaker
* * *
HOMETOWN STAR
Book One: Hometown Alaska Men Series
What happens when the Hometown Star is the girl of his dreams?...
Television production manager Starlene White has spent her life trying to overcome what she calls her “white trash” childhood. Born to a mother who changed husbands like most people change their toothbrushes, and after having raised her three younger siblings, she’s made a vow to never marry, or have children. For Star, family is overrated—big time.
Cade O’Brien has always wanted a big family. A widower, struggling to raise his three kids while running a bed and breakfast/charter fishing business, he has his hands full. When he sends Star a letter, asking her to empty out her aunt’s place, he’s surprised when she shows up. And he’s even more surprised by the guilt and regret he feels at the way he treated her when they were kids. Cade sets out to make amends with Star.
But old hurts die hard, and Star is slow to warm to Cade, and even slower to warm to his kids. Yet, Cade refuses to give up, especially when he knows in his heart that this hometown girl is the girl of his dreams.
* * *
LOVING GLORY
The citizens of Fortune, WA are shocked when former town bad boy Jace Stone buys the small town. Everyone wonders how Jace can come back, especially after getting Fortune’s golden girl Glory Moon pregnant, then leaving her alone to raise their autistic son. No one is more shocked than Jace when he discovers that Glory kept the baby she’d promised to give up for adoption ten years ago.
Seriously in debt, Glory and her son are one step away from food stamps and welfare. When Jace suggests a business arrangement--marry him and he’ll pay off her debts and get their son the finest medical care and private school money can buy, Glory has no choice but to accept his proposal.
But Jace’s proposal comes with a price, and love is never simple—especially when the heart is involved.
* * *
UNDER A HARVEST MOON
Among the grapes they discovered a passion for the land and a passion for each other...
Nico Delrosario will do anything to hold onto the vineyard he loves, even charm his new boss, a woman determined to sell the vineyard to the highest bidder.
For Danielle Whitney, selling the vineyard is her only option. Haunting memories of the past and worries for her son's future make it impossible to stay, even when she discovers she’s falling in love with Nico.
But the tables turn, and Nico, unable to resist Danielle, soon finds himself the victim of his own plan. When the truth shatters their fragile trust, Nico must win Danielle back, because to lose this game will cost him more than the land he loves, it will cost him his heart.
* * *
FALLING FOR NICK
It’s taken Clea Rose ten years to get over the one night she spent with bad boy Nick Lombard—a night of teenage passion that produced her son, and sent Nick to prison for murder. Now, with her life finally back on track, Clea’s about to marry a wonderful man and leave town for a promising career in New York. The last thing she expects is Nick’s return and the intense feelings he stirs within her.
Sent to prison for a murder he didn’t commit, Nick Lombard comes home to the tiny town of Port Bliss to attend his mother’s funeral, but he doesn’t count on running into Clea. Seeing her reminds him of everything he’s tried to forget, and everything he longs to remember. When Nick learns Clea is about to marry the man who sent Nick to prison, he knows he must stay and fight for the family he was forced to leave behind.
Against all odds, Nick and Clea must find their way back to the summer they were young lovers on the beach in Port Bliss, realizing that together their love is strong, strong enough to survive anything, even the web of lies that separated them ten years ago.
* * *
About Joleen James
Small town settings, ranch living, and quirky characters are all things that have long intrigued award-winning author Joleen James. For as long as she can remember, Joleen's been spinning stories centering around home, family, and of course, true love.
When she's not busy writing, Joleen can be found with her family on their party barge, traveling, or indulging in her hobbies of home decorating and recipe collecting. Visit Joleen James at www.joleenjames.com and on Facebook and Twitter.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
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CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
EPILOGUE
Also by Joleen James
About Joleen James
