Guardian Angel

by Lise Fuller

  He cleared his mind. To save her, he had to focus on his investigation. He pulled out the clothes and laid them on the bed. Papers were scattered across the bottom.

  He pulled them out and read them. They were bank statements, some in English, and some, it looked to him, in German and French. The customer listed was Back to America. A smaller piece fell out from between the sheets and floated to the bed. Jake dropped the other papers and picked up the hand-written scrap. It was some type of computer code. But computer code of what?

  “I’ll take those.”

  Jake’s head snapped up from the bed toward the deep voice and the Beretta pointed at him. The sheriff in him narrowed his eyes. “I always thought you were quiet for a cowboy, Slim. Too quiet.”

  “Put ‘em up, Sheriff. I don’t want any trouble.”

  Jake raised his arms.

  Slim kept Jake beyond arm’s reach as he grasped the other documents. The cowboy slid one of the papers around and stared at it from his corner vision. “You know about these?”

  The cold anger in Jake’s eyes met the steel gleam in his. “Not yet. But I intend to find out.”

  Slim nodded at him and carefully reached into his back pocket. He pulled out his wallet and jerked the flap open then threw it face up on the bed.

  James T. Douglas

  Federal Bureau of Investigations

  The ID card and badge glared at him. Jake felt cold fingers closing in.

  Slim eyed him. “Jake Colder. Eight years U.S. Army, Special Forces. Divorced unfaithful wife four years ago. One child. No radical political affiliations. I’d bet the army’d still take you back if you’d let them.” Slim paused to gauge Jake’s reactions. “I’ve found you to be an honest man, Sheriff.” He emphasized the last word. “I need to know if you’re a man I can trust.”

  “I’ll do the right thing, if that’s what you’re asking.” Jake clenched his teeth. “I took an oath to protect and serve.”

  Slim raised the pistol and looked down the barrel at Jake. “Even if it means nailing your girlfriend?”

  Jake gritted his teeth. “Yes.”

  “Give me your word.”

  He bit the inside of his lip. “You have it.”

  Slim nodded. “Good. I’d hoped so but I had to be sure.” He lowered the pistol. “The snow’s delayed my backup and Ms. Taylor’s partner will be here soon enough. I may need more help than you’re willing to give.”

  “I’ll be there.” Jake lowered his arms. “How deep in this is she?”

  “Deep enough.” Slim saddled the gun in his shoulder holster. “I don’t know if she knew about any of this before she ran if that’s what you’re asking. She and her partner, Bill Martin, have been under observation for some time. I played hell tailing her. She wasn’t an easy woman to follow.”

  “Marie says she’s innocent.”

  Slim shrugged. “Maybe she is. But someone doesn’t steal a quarter of a billion dollars and the account manager not notice.”

  Jake’s heart twisted in pain. “That’s what these accounts are? Embezzled money?”

  Slim nodded. “Yeah. But I’d bet I’m more interested in that little piece of paper you’re still holding.”

  Jake held the scrawled memo out to him and Slim quickly snatched it. Reading it, the man’s face lit up like a floodlight.

  “This is it.” Slim reveled over it.

  “You mind filling me in?” Jake’s tone grew colder.

  Slim looked at him. “The stolen money was to pay for an armament shipment. A militia group—the Back to America Movement, very secret, very well protected—were buying high-tech weapons from overseas distributors. From what we can tell, they were going to use them to start their own private war. The scary part is that they’re well connected politically. We haven’t been able to get anything to stick against them—yet. This may be the first.”

  Jake whistled through his teeth. “And you think Marie’s involved?”

  Slim nodded. “Maybe. Either that or she fell into the hornet’s nest by accident. To her credit, she had no association with the Movement before Martin talked her into going into business for herself. It’ll be hard to tell until we nail ’em.” Slim gathered the papers together. “And until we do, your girlfriend’s a prime suspect.”

  Jake took a deep breath. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Right now,” Slim held the papers out to Jake, “put these in your evidence locker. You do have one, don’t you?”

  Jake nodded. “They’ll be safe enough.”

  “Good.” Slim stuffed the papers back into the bag. “And keep Ms. Taylor close. I don’t want her running again.” Slim smirked and paused to look at him. “I don’t suppose you’ll have a problem with that?”

  Jake’s eyes narrowed. “I’ll see she stays put.”

  “Good.” Slim’s caustic grin vanished as he zipped the bag. “If it’s any consolation to you, Sheriff, I think Marie simply got caught up with the wrong crowd. If I can prove her innocence, I will.” He put his hands in his coat pocket. “But so you know, when this goes down, I’m taking her in.” The hard features of the man’s face set as he pierced Jake with a glacial stare. “I expect you’ll do the same if needed.”

  “I understand,” Jake returned. “But if you want my help, you explain one thing.” He paused a moment to give the words their full effect. “Who put the bullet hole in Marie’s window?”

  A look of regret flitted over the man’s face. “It wasn’t me, Jake. Or anyone in the Bureau.”

  “You know more than you’re telling.”

  Slim pursed his lips. “I all ready told you too much. Keep in mind, I wouldn’t have told you anything if I wasn’t concerned about my backup. The snow’s screwed everything.” He paused. “This is a small town, Sheriff. I expect you keep this to yourself. I don’t want your deputies knowing yet either. We’ve worked too hard on this. I don’t want my hand revealed too soon.”

  “I will.” Jake clenched his jaw. “How close is Martin?”

  Slim glanced at his watch. “I don’t know. He’s supposed to call in an hour. We got enough time to get the evidence secured.”

  Jake’s shoulders drooped. His mind whirred with thoughts, searching to find an answer. Slim patted him on the shoulder. “Sheriff, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  Jake merely stared at the man.

  “Katie likes her too.” Slim hoisted the bag over his shoulder. “You know, I could be wrong about Marie.” He took a deep breath. “Besides being incredible, there’s one thing I can say about Miss Kate.” He put a hand in his coat pocket. “She’s a damn good judge of character. And she thinks a lot of Ms. Taylor.”

  Jake frowned. “So what do I call you?”

  The man tilted his cowboy hat back with the press of his index finger. “Slim. Used it when I herded cows in Texas. It fits.”

  Jake nodded. “Well, we’d better get.”

  Slim’s cynical smile unnerved Jake. “I’ll follow you to the station,” the agent said. Then he strode out of the room.

  —

  Marie’s temple pounded. Another sign that her world had taken a turn for the worse. She felt the shove again.

  “Marie?”

  Jesse’s voice reached her somewhere in the dark void.

  “Here, put this on ’er head,” an older, crusty voice whispered, and she felt small hands put a cool, damp washcloth across her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open. “Jake?”

  “He ain’t here yet, Miss.” It was Cal. “I only stopped in tuh bring Jesse back.” The older man bent over her, his face riddled with concern. “Not that it’s any o’ my business, Miss Taylor, but I wouldn’t be drinking any of that rotgut at the saloon anymores.”

  Marie would have laughed except when she tried her head pounded harder. “Thanks, Cal,” she murmured hoarsely and rubbed her temples. She sat up and looked into a younger pair of Jake’s blue eyes. Jesse gawked at her with a grin as broad as the Missouri River. “Hi, Marie. Whatcha doin’ in Dad’
s bed?”

  “Ohhh.” Her blood vessels thumped behind her eyes in protest. “Jesse, honey, I came in to borrow your dad’s robe.”

  “Why?” His brows furrowed which, in turn, highlighted the innocent look on his face.

  “Well,” she rubbed his arm then held his small hand, “because I needed something to wear.” Her head hurt too much to fathom an explanation.

  His smile slowly returned. Mischief replaced the question in his eyes. “You’re going to be my new mom, aren’t you? Yes.” It seemed more a statement of fact than a question. He threw a punch into the air and did a jig in the room. “Dad always said if I ever found a woman in his bed, it’d be my new mama.”

  Marie groaned and clutched her stomach. She thought she would be sick. Cal rushed to her. “Okay, Jesse, that’s enough. Cain’t yuh see Marie ain’t feeling good.” He got down on his knees and felt her head with the back of his hand. “Ma’am, you okay? Should I call Jake and tell ’em to hurry?”

  “No.” The queasiness in her stomach subsided. “I don’t understand.” She looked at him. “I only had two glasses of wine.” Her equilibrium returned slowly.

  “You eat before you went?”

  “A little. But why would a few glasses cause me to hallucinate? I didn’t even finish the second one. You…you don’t think…?” Her unease made her question if one of the miners had dropped something in her drink.

  “Hallucinate?” Cal squinted his eyes at her. “’Bout what?”

  “Oh…” She pulled her fingers through her hair then rested them on the back of her neck. “Jake’s grandfather kept appearing from nowhere in front of me.” She shrugged and her throat went dry.

  “You met Gramps?” Jesse’s eyes were like the proverbial saucers.

  She forced a weak smile. “The first time I met him was at the fort. He’s a very sweet old man, Jesse.” She brushed the boy’s cheek then looked at Cal, who gazed at her strangely. She crinkled her brows. “Maybe a little odd.” She glanced over Cal’s head and mumbled to herself. “Pretty young-looking to be Jake’s grandfather, don’t you think?” She felt tipsy as she cocked her head and looked into Cal’s crinkled face.

  The man’s jaw dropped. He bobbed his head. “Go grab a lasso, Jesse. Jake’ll be fit to be tied.”

  Jesse giggled.

  “It was late one night after work. I’d decided to take a walk and he appeared from…nowhere…again.” The pounding in her temple returned as Cal and Jesse looked at each other. “Don’t tell, Jake.” She frowned. “Gramps made me promise not to tell him.” She hugged herself then glanced into thin air. She spoke as if no one was in the room, which seemed to fit with the mood she was in. “The last time I saw him he took his head off and held it under his arm.”

  “Whew.” Cal let out a long whistle. “Lie down, honey. I’m calling Jake.”

  She settled into the pillows and closed her eyes. “Don’t bother him, Cal. He’ll be home soon.” She didn’t know why she knew that but she did. Then she closed her eyes.

  —

  “All right, Gramps.” Jake turned in circles in front of the Officer’s Quarters. The snow fell at his feet. “Come on out. If you’re going to help, do it now.” The cold wind blasted against him. “Dammit, old man. For once in my life, I need you.” Jake felt the salty warm wetness in his eye make a track across his cheek. He brushed it away.

  “Gramps…” His throat closed on him. “Please.”

  He felt the cool comfort of a hand on his shoulder and spun around. Gramps looked at him soberly. “You don’t have much time.”

  Jake sighed in relief. “I know. Talk to me. Tell me what you know.”

  “She didn’t steal that dang money.”

  “Then help me prove it.”

  “Cain’t. Where’d you put her papers?”

  “In the office safe.” Jake frowned at him. “What do you mean you can’t?”

  “You got all the evidence you need locked up.”

  “The papers?”

  “Yep.”

  Jake paced the old porch. “There was nothing in there but bank statements and instructions for an arms deal. And don’t think about getting into them.” Jake pointed a finger at him. “Did you know Slim was with the Feds? His real name’s Jim Douglas.”

  “Aw, I knew he carried a badge. He seemed decent ’nough. Why?”

  “He’ll arrest Marie, that’s why. Unless we can prove she knew nothing about the crime.”

  “Hell, Jake. She thought she kilt the sonofabit—well, yuh know what I mean. That Bill Martin guy.”

  “Who put a bullet in her car?”

  “The men what that Martin feller had working for ’em. Jake, he’s gonna kill her.” Gramp’s steely glare left Jake cold.

  He pulled off his Stetson and slapped it against his leg. “Dammit, Gramps. Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

  “’Cause.” The old man spat a wad of chew. “You’re as hardheaded and stubborn as your great-great grandmother, Lord rest Josephine’s sweet soul.” He removed his hat and held it to his chest for a second, rolled his eyes skyward, then plunked the cap back on his head. “And don’t cus’ me, boy. I’m your elder.”

  “Gramps, I know how you feel.” Jake held his hands up to plead. “I love you. You’ve been like a father to me since Dad died. But I don’t want to spend the rest of eternity like you, waiting for the woman I want to live forever with.”

  The ghost lowered his head and kicked some snow off the ground. “Hell, Jake.” He huffed then looked into Jake’s eyes. “Yuh woulda thought the worst if yuh knew upfront. I wanted you to git to know her first. The two ’o you were meant for each other.”

  Jake put his hands in his coat pockets. “I know that now, Gramps.”

  For a few moments, the wind ceased and Jake eyed the shadow of the man.

  “In that case, son.” The ghost clapped him on the back. “Let’s go catch us a thief.”

  Jake smiled. For once, he wasn’t at odds with his great-great grandfather.

  —

  Marie felt the warm, strong hand stroke the side of her head. She reached for it and snuggled against the firm wrist. It smelled like Jake. She murmured his name.

  “I’m here, Marie.” He brushed her hair from her face and kissed her brow.

  Her eyes fluttered open. Contentment filled her, knowing he was by her side. “Jake.” Her voice sounded thick, husky, probably as a result of the torrid dream she’d had of him. Her eyes focused as she looked around the room. “I fell asleep in your bed.”

  “I know.” He tilted her head and looked into her pupils to examine them. “Cal told me what happened.”

  “Tell me I’m not crazy, Jake.” She bit the soft part of her cheek.

  The pad of his thumb traced a circle against her temple. “You’re not crazy, sweetheart.” He kissed her mouth with a certain possession.

  She ran her hands up the front of his uniform shirt and relished the hardness of his chest. “I love you, Jake.”

  He gazed at her with a depth in his eyes Marie had never seen before. “Darlin’, I love you too. No matter what happens, always believe that.”

  Jake grasped her and held her tightly to him. His lips brushed her temple then his mouth claimed possession of hers.

  Her soft panting echoed between barely parted lips. Jake kissed her again and let his mouth travel down the delicate skin of her neck. Deftly, her hands explored the strength of his broad shoulders and the sinewy cords of his muscled back. “Jake,” she murmured breathlessly, “where’s Jesse?”

  He slipped off the robe she wore, took the tender flesh of her shoulder between his teeth and stroked it with the tip of his tongue. He lifted his hand then brushed the hair from her face. The midnight blue of his eyes fired with passion. “He’s with Cal. They’re feeding the herd.” His throaty voice stirred a chord deep within her.

  “Will they be gone long?” Her taut body hummed as she ran her fingertips around the inside of his belt to the clasp of his buckle.


  “Long enough.” The azure pools in his eyes were unfathomable.

  “Jake. Make love to me again.” It was a plea. She lifted her chin and let her lips taste his and her hand stroke his cheek. Jake groaned and Marie felt him swallow as her fingers skimmed his throat. She stopped at the first button she came to. “Please,” her breath whimpered against him.

  He held her savagely to him. “Are you sure you won’t get pregnant?”

  Her eyes misted. “I don’t care. I need you right now. More than ever.”

  “But—”

  She lifted a fingertip to his lips. “I want your children, Jake. All of them…if you’ll have me when I’m through telling you what happened.” Somewhere in the confusion of the morning, she had decided that she needed him more than anything else, and she was willing to risk everything to be with him. She would tell him the whole truth.

  He held her face and looked at her with hooded eyes. “I know what happened.”

  Her skin chilled. She licked her lips, afraid. “How?”

  “I’ll tell you later when we have more time but know that I love you, Marie.” He took her mouth with his. His work-hardened hand slipped between the folds of the robe and rested on the tip of her breast. “I have since I first saw you. And I always will.”

  Marie’s eyelids fluttered then closed as she moaned softly and forgot the concerns that had risen in her. She trusted him. The realization hit her hard. She had never trusted anyone like this before. She licked her lips, tasted the sweet remains of his kiss and unbuttoned his shirt.

  Jake nipped her neck, left a trail of soft kisses until he reached the tip of her bosom. He stroked the nipple with his tongue. A dizzying sensation flooded every one of Marie’s senses. Her desire for him burned.

  She floated in ecstasy being with this man. Reality lost all meaning as she somehow managed to unclothe Jake, desperate to hold his hard, warm body close to hers. Marie savored the skin of his neck as she took it into her mouth. She guided her hand over his chiseled biceps and raked her fingertips against him.