No Place Too Far

by Kay Bratt

  Her little boy had no idea that his entire future could be changed the next time he opened his eyes. And why should he have to face the possibility of not having a mom in his life? What gave Andrews the right to take that from her son? She had never encouraged him. Never led him on.

  She didn’t deserve it, and her son damn sure didn’t deserve it.

  No, Andrews hadn’t snapped yet, but who could say what he’d do if a SWAT team busted through? He was unstable. Angry at her one moment, then contrite. He was calm now, but anything could happen in the last moments. Was she really going to leave it up to him?

  Maggie felt her pulse racing faster.

  She breathed.

  Andrews was mistaken if he thought she’d allow some whiny lowlife like him to come between her and the things she loved. The anger began to boil inside her, causing her entire body to quake as she thought about how much power he’d taken from her before.

  But he didn’t see it. She wouldn’t let him.

  Not yet.

  “Are you coming?” he said, irritation entering his tone.

  She didn’t know what he had in mind, but when her eldest brother’s face flashed before her, she knew what she had to do. She actually had all her brothers to thank for the instincts she suddenly found. At one time or another, they’d all made sure that by the time she entered junior high, she had some smooth moves tucked away in her pocket in case she ever needed them. They took turns helping her perfect those moves all the way up to the time she left for college.

  She didn’t meet Andrews’s eyes. She didn’t want him to see what was brewing there.

  It might get ugly, but if he didn’t think she could take a punch or a roll around the floor, he sure hadn’t studied her enough. He should’ve thought that one through, because it was time to show him what a Dalton was made of.

  Maggie took his hand and let him use his equilibrium to pull her into a standing position, but at the same time, she brought her knee up and straight into his groin. She didn’t take it easy on him either—not like she had with her brothers—and she literally felt him cringe from the flash of agony as it entered his body.

  He folded forward like an accordion, dropping her hand to cradle himself and leaving his face wide open.

  Quickly, Maggie hooked two fingers into his nostrils and pulled up with all her might until the palm of her hand collided forcefully with the bridge of his nose.

  A flurry of profanity left his mouth, and he fell to his knees.

  “You bitch—what are you doing?” he screamed, one hand on his privates and the other on his nose.

  Maggie didn’t hesitate.

  When he curled into a protective ball, she pulled the syringe from her back pocket, yanked the top off with her teeth, then bent down and jabbed it into the side of his neck.

  He flounced around and tried to block her, but she hit the target.

  “Asshole,” she finished, pushing the syringe all the way down and draining it completely.

  He twitched a few times and then was still.

  Maggie didn’t wait to see if it was enough to keep him immobile. She pulled the syringe from his neck, leaped up, and ran into the hall and to the back door.

  “I’m coming out,” she shouted from beside the frame. “Don’t shoot!”

  She heard a loud sobbing and then was embarrassed when she realized it was coming from herself. She gathered her courage and moved into the open doorframe. The night sky opened up before her as she vulnerably faced the line of cars and uniforms below it, squinting at the beams of light shining directly into her eyes.

  “Drop your weapon!” a faceless someone shouted.

  She looked down at the bent needle in her hand.

  Her weapon.

  She dropped it and let out a long, ragged sigh.

  “Where is Andrews?” someone else shouted, his voice authoritative.

  “Incapacitated,” she shouted back. “Just through there and on the floor, but you’d better hurry before he wakes up.”

  A uniformed officer ran to her, and as Maggie moved closer, she saw Colby behind him.

  He reached her just as her knees felt weak and the adrenaline drained from her body.

  “I’ve got you, baby,” he said, his arms wrapping around. “That’s my girl. Just relax. You’re safe.”

  Their embrace only lasted a minute before she felt a pull on her arm and looked to find Quinn waiting, somewhat impatiently. Liam was beside her. The torrent of tears competed with the fear in her best friend’s eyes, pushing Maggie to wiggle loose.

  Quinn’s arms were around her instantly, and she whispered through her hair.

  “You scared me senseless.”

  Maggie took a deep, heaving breath. “I think I did the same to myself. But, Quinn, you should’ve seen me take him out. My brothers would be proud.”

  “Thank God you’ll be around to tell them,” Quinn said. “I can’t imagine if I’d lost you, Maggie.”

  Maggie’s heart swelled. If felt good to be so loved.

  But it didn’t quell the earthquake of adrenaline that still had her visibly shaking.

  “Let us have her,” the cop said, trying to separate them. “We need to move her to safety so we can take Andrews into custody.”

  “I’ll move her to safety,” Colby said, stepping in front of the officer. With one swoop, he lifted Maggie into his arms and carried her through the band of lights to just beyond the line of cars.

  She wanted to struggle. She needed to walk on her own. But it felt so good in his arms. So safe. And so damn right.

  “You did it, Maggie,” he murmured into her hair. “You absolutely did it, you badass fiery woman. I knew you would.”

  He knew she would.

  That told her he had faith that she could stand up for herself. That she was independent and strong. That he didn’t doubt her.

  And for Maggie, that was enough. She could finally lay her armor down.

  “Take me home to Charlie,” she said.

  “Damn right I will, Mags.”

  She heard the ragged sob in his voice and let her body relax against his, laying her head on his shoulder and breathing in the familiar intoxicating smell that was her Colby. This time she accepted his strength and acknowledged that for once, she needed him. Ironically, with that concession finally embraced, it was the strongest she’d ever felt.

  Chapter Thirty

  Maggie accepted the glass of champagne from Colby. He hadn’t left her side during the last eighteen hours. He hadn’t even put up a fuss when she told him he had to change into some nice pants and a button-down shirt for the event at the inn if he was tagging along.

  He looked handsome as hell in it too.

  But she still preferred his jeans and boots. He was a Georgia country boy through and through—and best of all, he was her country boy.

  Woodrow flanked her other side, and Maggie felt completely protected but thoroughly drained. While Quinn and some of her employees ran around to finish putting the last touches on everything for the vow renewal, Maggie got to reenact her evening of trauma repeatedly. Everyone wanted all the juicy details, and she hoped this was the last time she had to tell them.

  “And then what did he do?” Kira asked.

  Maggie was surprised to see Quinn’s sister there, especially without her husband. Hopefully it meant her anger at her parents had subsided.

  “Not what you think,” Juniper said, winking at Maggie.

  “He held his hand down to help me up, and I thought about Charlie,” she said, then instantly blinked back tears at the mention of her son. She looked over to where he was sitting at a table with Kira’s children, happily adding another block to a precarious-looking tower.

  “Then she kicked his ass up one side and down the other,” Juniper said, nodding proudly as though she’d been Maggie’s manager in the corner of the ring, cheering her on.

  Kira laughed. “I so wish I could’ve seen that.”

  “Oh, me too,” Colby said.
“But I got to see his face when they brought him out. Remind me not to start any more arguments with her. Charlie and I don’t want to see her in motion.”

  Maggie smiled. Thankfully her traumatic evening wouldn’t be a memory that Charlie would have to deal with. By the time he’d woken up the next morning, Maggie was there to be the first person he saw, and he never had any idea what had transpired or how close he’d come to losing his mama.

  “Good thing for your brothers, Maggie,” Kira said. “But I don’t recall Quinn saying she learned any self-defense from them.”

  Maggie laughed. Someday soon she’d tell her brothers everything and give them the accolades they deserved—once she was sure that Andrews was secure so they couldn’t kill him.

  “They thought Quinn was too girlie to teach. But as it turns out, accountants aren’t really fighters either. Maybe a few years behind bars will teach him some moves.”

  The Hawaiian trio of singers started in to a new, mellow song, and Colby swayed to the music as though he was enjoying it. It was a far cry from the country and western stations he listened to at home, so she found his interest amusing.

  “You weren’t scared walking out there to a full brigade?” Lani asked.

  Maggie nodded and laughed. “You bet your ass I was scared! I screamed that I was coming out and not to shoot.”

  “But you shot Andrews up!” Kira said.

  “She sure did. Straight into his neck,” Juniper said.

  “Wow,” Lani said. “You could’ve killed him.”

  Maggie shook her head. “No, the big stuff is behind lock and key. Dexdomitor is kept on the crash cart and used for a short sedation. Enough of it was perfect for the few minutes I needed to get away. He had a nice little nap and didn’t wake up until he was in the ambulance already cuffed.”

  “It’s good you thought of it,” Lani said.

  Maggie shrugged. “Honestly, I was kind of hoping I’d give him enough of the drug that he would never wake up. But one, we don’t keep that much on the cart, and two, deep down I didn’t want to kill him. I don’t need someone’s death on my conscience.”

  “I hope he rots in there,” Colby said, suddenly angry again.

  Maggie touched his arm and he settled.

  “Oh, he will. Just the escape will add on ten years, not to mention kidnapping,” Juniper said. “And a charge of animal cruelty.”

  They’d all heard about how Andrews had sprayed Woodrow in the face with bleach and then nearly strangled him. Luckily the sweet pup was fine and seemed no worse for wear.

  Maggie nodded, but she didn’t feel angry at Andrews any longer. She’d kept nothing but fear and bitterness in her heart since she’d met him and wasn’t going to give him any more of her headspace. She’d chosen to forgive, because that’s what her mama taught her and what she knew would bring about her own peace. The penal system would make him pay enough.

  Kira and Lani began telling a story of someone they grew up with who was stalked. Maggie zoned out, not really caring to hear any more on the subject for a while. Across the way, she noticed Quinn’s parents. They stood together, nearly attached at the hip they were so close. They were definitely what she’d consider relationship goals. The way that Noah looked at Jules was something every woman dreamed of and hoped for. And Jules was still gorgeous, even in her fifties.

  Maggie envied Quinn and her genes because she was going to look just like her mother when she reached that age.

  Jonah caught Maggie’s eye and smiled. He looked so different in this setting, all slicked up, that she barely recognized him. She gave him a little wave and wondered who his guest was. It was a pretty young woman, and Maggie envied the boho bag that sat at her feet, a vibrant pattern covered in frogs that contradicted the elegant dress she wore.

  Helen was there too. Other than the black pug, Cinder, that she had agreed to foster, she sat alone. She kept one hand on the dog’s neck, her fingers rubbing gently as she watched everyone interact around her, especially Jules.

  Maggie felt sorry for her. She’d been a wicked old lady in the past, but you could see that she wished she could be more a part of her daughter’s life.

  Jules was one of the kindest people Maggie had ever met, and she wasn’t exactly cold to Helen, but you could tell that they still hadn’t completely mended their mother-daughter relationship. Maggie doubted they ever would, honestly. Helen had played the biggest part in separating Jules from her first daughter, and although they were getting a second chance now, they’d lost thirty years. How could that ever be truly forgiven?

  Maggie’s thoughts were diverted when she saw Joe coming toward them. He saw her, too, and smiled big.

  “Maggie. Colby. You both look great,” he said, leaning in to kiss Maggie on the cheek.

  Juniper came in closer to stand beside Joe.

  “Joe,” Maggie said, “I’m so glad you came. I wanted to tell you again how sorry I am that hiring me brought you so much trouble.”

  “No, Maggie,” he replied. “Don’t say that. It’s not your fault, and hey—I wanted to remodel anyway. The back area is going to be state of the art when I get the insurance to pay out. I’m just so glad you weren’t hurt.”

  “Except for my tailbone,” Maggie said, laughing.

  During the crisis, she hadn’t felt the pain of being jerked down to the concrete floor, but it settled in afterward. Since then Colby had teased her relentlessly about the soft pillow she carried everywhere. But other than that, she’d walked away fairly intact—a miracle considering the shape that Andrews woke up in.

  “Don’t think that’s going to get you workers’ comp,” Joe teased.

  Colby was being quiet and when Maggie looked at him, he stuck out his hand to Joe. “Can we do this again? The last time I was a real shit, and my dad always told me to not shake a man’s hand unless I meant it.”

  Maggie hadn’t heard that Colby had been anything less than a gentleman to Joe, but she was proud of him now for making it right.

  They both laughed, and Joe took Colby’s hand. “No worries,” he said, giving it a firm shake before dropping it. “I can understand where your head was. A good man can’t think straight when someone he loves is in imminent danger.”

  “No, it’s not okay,” Colby said, suddenly humble. “I also want to thank you for giving Maggie a job. And for being her friend.”

  Joe nodded and met Maggie’s eyes for a split second before answering Colby.

  “My pleasure. She brings a lot of energy to the clinic. And hey—I heard you’ve never surfed? If you’d like a few lessons, I’ll be glad to take you out. Unless, of course, Maggie wants to teach you. She did pretty well herself first time up.”

  Colby smiled, and a silent message seemed to travel between the two of them. “I’d like that. Charlie can’t stop talking about you either. He’s showed me that shark’s tooth you gave him at least a thousand times already.”

  “Ha!” Joe barked. “Well, you keep Maggie nailed down until she’s fully ready to come back. Her job will be waiting. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d better do some schmoozing—get my name out there and all that, you know. Build some new business.”

  Juniper nudged him with her elbow. “I’ll join you. With your charm and my good looks, I’m sure we can drum up some new customers.”

  “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?” Colby leaned in and whispered.

  Maggie felt a jolt of electricity go through her when his lips grazed her earlobe. She shivered.

  “Cold?” he asked.

  “No, I’m fine. And yes, Quinn’s done an amazing job turning this into a romantic spot for David and Julianne.”

  Everywhere you looked there were candles lit, their flicker a lovely backdrop for the exquisite flowers placed throughout the venue. Arrangements were on the tables, and petals were strewn down the white carpet. Quinn had even had a special arbor set up at the end of the carpet with soft pink-and-white plumeria woven around it.

  “My stomach is going to
sue me for nonsupport if I don’t get something in it,” Colby said, rubbing his belly.

  Maggie heard it growling and laughed. “I’m hungry too. The smells coming from the kitchen are killing me. I can’t wait to dig in.”

  Woodrow thumped his tail, picking up on their conversation.

  Maggie saw David come from inside the inn and look around. Maggie knew he must be searching for Quinn, so she caught his eye and pointed toward the café entrance.

  He nodded and headed that way.

  “I think they’re getting ready to come out,” she said. “Maybe we should all sit down.”

  They scattered, finding their seats. Maggie noticed that Kira sat with her parents and sister, her husband nowhere in sight. Quinn had told her that Michael had admitted to contacting the media and planting the seed about her being the lost girl. All because he’d felt slighted that his business with Helen had become a family discussion. He’d asked for forgiveness and agreed to counseling.

  Colby put his hand on Maggie’s waist and guided her toward the front row, next to the reserved seats for Quinn and Liam. Charlie joined them, and they sat down. Woodrow made himself comfortable at their feet.

  Maggie leaned toward Colby. “Have you seen Liam?” She could see his mother and brothers, but he was absent.

  “No, not for a while. He’s probably helping Quinn out, don’t you think?”

  Maggie shrugged. “I wish we’d get started. I just want to go home and decompress.”

  He leaned back and put his arm around her. “I agree. This will be nice, but we’re still making up for lost time. Doing nothing with you and Charlie would mean everything to me right now.” He smiled and squeezed her closer. For the first time in a while, she didn’t want to be let go.