“Then get some rest.”
“What about you? You’re tired, too.”
“I’ve gone longer without sleep. I’ll be fine.”
* * * *
Rachel fell asleep almost immediately. Her lashes formed dark crescents against her pale cheeks. Kane glanced over now and then, and his stomach churned. Listening to her halting description of Dawson’s hands on her had made him sick. He wasn’t certain he could put it behind him. He’d killed again. Not that he’d had a choice, but this one had been personal. Which might make getting past it even harder.
Except this time he had Rachel to help him mend. His grip on the wheel eased.
The woman he couldn’t live without woke just as they entered Vine Haven.
He spoke softly. “Almost there.”
She gave him a sleepy smile then turned to gently shake her daughter awake. “Lark, we’re close to home.”
She stretched, hitting the back of his seat with her knee. “Do you think everyone will be at our house?”
“I’m counting on it.” Rachel smiled. “When I spoke to Susan, she said their flight landed at ten o’clock. They should all be home by now.”
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ll be glad to see Jade and Ivy.”
“They’ll be happy to see you, too.”
The driveway was filled with cars. Kane maneuvered the Jeep into a parking space behind Will’s Volvo and helped Lark climb out of the back.
The front door burst open. Jade and Ivy flew across the lawn straight into Rachel’s arms.
There were tears and hugs and relieved smiles. In the midst of the homecoming, Chet pulled Kane aside. Lines of strain were deeply etched in his face.
“I want the truth. Did that bastard rape my daughter?”
Kane shook his head. “No, Rachel did an amazing job of keeping the situation under control before we got there.”
Some of the tension drained from the older man. “I was afraid she wasn’t telling us everything. I was afraid she was trying to protect us from the truth.”
“She might try to do that. Your daughter believes in protecting the people she loves, but she didn’t need to lie.”
He didn’t mention the hours Rachel had spent alone with Curt Dawson. No one needed to know about them. If she woke up in a panic, reliving those moments, he’d be there to hold and comfort her. Let her know she’d be just fine.
After talking to Rachel’s father, Kane kept to the fringes of the yard full of people. Rachel tried several times to draw him into the gathering, but he was content to watch from the sidelines. When Grace approached him, he couldn’t avoid talking to her.
“You’re not acting much like a hero.”
“Probably because I don’t feel like one.”
“You saved my sister and my niece. That seems pretty heroic.”
“They saved themselves. I just finished the job.”
“Don’t beat yourself up over shooting Curt Dawson. The way I hear it, you didn’t have a choice.”
Kane raised a brow. “Did Rachel tell you? I know the police haven’t released any details to the general public.”
Grace smiled. “Rachel didn’t have to tell me. I’m an investigative reporter. I have my sources.”
“Should I worry about reading this conversation in the paper tomorrow?”
“Nope. You’re practically family. Rachel told me you two intend to make your relationship work. My sister isn’t the only one who protects the people she loves.” Grace gave his arm a pat. “You should remember that. We’re all on your side.”
Kane stopped her before she could walk away. “I’m not proud of what I did, but in the same circumstances, I’d do it again.”
She gave him a long look. “Maybe that’s what’s bothering you most.”
* * * *
It was several hours before people began to leave. Susan went home with her parents, and Grace announced she’d decided to drive back to the city.
Rachel touched her arm. “Are you sure, Gracie?”
“I’m positive. Anyway, you need some time alone with Kane and the girls.” She hugged her tight. “Talk to him. I think he needs you as much as you need him.”
“I will. Drive safely and tell Nolan I said hello.”
“We broke up.”
“Grace! You two were good together. I thought you were going to make it work with him.”
“He was getting too serious, hinting around the m-word, so I cut him loose. I cared about him, but he wasn’t the one.”
“How do you know?” She fisted her hands on her hips. “You didn’t give him a chance.”
“I never looked at him the way you look at Kane. Don’t worry about it, Rachel. I’m good with the decision.”
“But I want you to find the kind of love I have.”
“Someday I will, and in the meantime I’ll enjoy looking.”
Rachel shook her head as Grace sauntered toward her car. Kane came up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist. “Did I hear Grace say she dumped Nolan?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Poor guy.”
“The last in a long line.” Rachel turned toward the house with her arm tucked through his. “Where’re the girls?”
“Ivy’s throwing a stick for Daisy in the backyard, and Jade ran next door to talk to her friend. I promised to tell you. She said she’d be home soon. I’m not sure about Lark.”
“That’s fine. I know I don’t have to worry about where they are every second any longer.” She held on to him a little tighter. “It’s a hard habit to break.”
“Life will get back to normal, but it may take some time to adjust.”
“I know.” She let out a sigh. “Olivia called.”
“Oh? Not Ford?”
“I talked to him, too. They were understandably worried. Olivia broke down when she told me how thankful she was Lark and I were both safe.”
“Not half as thankful as I am. No one is as thankful as I am.”
Rachel stopped and stretched up to kiss him before they entered the kitchen. Lark stood at the counter making dinner.”
“Wow!” Rachel pressed a hand to her chest. “Be still my heart.”
“It’s no big deal.” Her daughter glanced over. “I’m just heating up the leftover lasagna Grandma made.” She slid the pan into the oven then turned. “You’re probably tired.”
“I am. Thank you, honey.”
Lark’s blue gaze met Rachel’s. “It wouldn’t kill me to help out more around here.” She faced Kane. “I won’t give you any more grief, either. You were there for us when it mattered.”
Rachel opened her mouth then shut it and hugged her. “Thank you.”
“Hey, don’t get too used to it. I imagine the novelty of trying to be the perfect daughter will wear off shortly.”
Kane laughed and patted her shoulder. “Now that sounds more like the Lark we know and love.”
Ivy burst through the kitchen door with Daisy at her heels, and a minute later Jade walked in. The kitchen grew loud with talk about everyday topics as they settled into their usual routine. They ate her mother’s delicious lasagna and cleaned the kitchen together. When the dishes were done, Rachel took her time mixing up a huge batch of muffins then baked four loaves of banana bread.
When the girls said good night and went up to their rooms, Kane stepped up behind her. “Your mom would have done the baking for a while longer.”
She smiled at him. “I know, but I want everything to get back to normal, and baking for the coffee bar is my responsibility.”
“You can’t pretend nothing happened, Rachel.”
She squeezed out the dishrag and draped it over the drainer. “I can try. Dwelling on it won’t help.”
“Mom, Ivy and Jade are already in bed.” Lark stuck her head into the kitchen. “They want you to tell them good night.”
“I’ll head right up. I’m finished in h
ere anyway.”
Lark stopped her at the foot of the stairs. “It’s okay if Kane stays with you tonight. I don’t want you to be alone.”
“I’ll be fine, but what about you? Maybe you should bunk with one of your sisters.”
She shook her head and let out a deep breath. “That guy was really sick, wasn’t he?”
Rachel closed her eyes for a moment. “He was.”
“Let Kane stay with you, Mom.”
Rachel nodded and followed Lark up the stairs. She kissed the girls good night and was sitting at her dressing table, brushing her hair when Kane entered the bedroom.
“I let Daisy out to do her business, brought her back in then turned off all the lights. Are the girls asleep?”
“Yes, even Lark.” Rachel’s brow pleated, and her gaze met his in the mirror. “Do you think she’s really okay?”
“It wouldn’t hurt to have her talk about what happened with a counselor.”
“She’s been seeing one, anyway, but I’ll make an extra appointment for her while she’s still being so cooperative. I love my daughter dearly, but I can’t see this sweetness and light stuff lasting long.”
“Probably not. She’s concerned about you. I overheard your conversation with her.” Kane shut the bedroom door. Walking over to stand behind her, he rested his hands on her shoulders. “Is it all right with you if I stay here tonight?”
“Of course.”
He pulled her to her feet and took her gently into his arms. “I would understand if you needed some time to sort out your emotions.”
“I don’t.” She drew in a breath. “Does it bother you, knowing Curt touched me?”
“Hell, yes, it bothers me. I regret every second you spent with that sick pervert. I’m sorrier than I can say I wasn’t able to prevent it.”
“He made me feel dirty.” She stepped out of his arms. “I’d like to take another shower before we go to bed, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind.”
Rachel walked into the bathroom and turned on the water. When the shower door opened a few minutes later, she jumped. Backing up beneath the steaming water, she brushed ineffectually at the tears on her cheeks.
“You aren’t dirty.” Kane pulled her close. “You don’t need another shower.”
She leaned against his chest, the water pouring over them. Her shoulders shook as she cried.
“I hated having him touch me. I wanted to scream at him to stop, but I was so afraid. I was afraid Lark hadn’t gotten away yet. I was afraid he’d do something to her if I didn’t cooperate. I was afraid the result would be even worse for me if I didn’t play along.”
He kissed the top of her head and stroked her back. “You did what you had to do, Rachel. I don’t blame you for anything that happened. How could I?”
“I blame myself. I was so sure I was doing the right thing following his rules. I couldn’t risk Lark’s life by telling you or the police about the note. I thought I could handle either Curt or Bob all on my own. I was cocky and confident—and wrong.”
“You did handle him.” Kane squeezed her shoulders. “You made it possible for Lark to escape, and you kept Dawson from raping you. You were amazing, Rachel.”
“When I was a soap actress, men touched me and kissed me all the time. I thought it wouldn’t bother me when he did it.” She shuddered. “It wasn’t the same as acting. Having that pervert’s hands on me violated everything decent and right.”
He held her tight. “He might have touched your body, but he couldn’t touch your soul. You’re still the same beautiful, strong, loving woman you’ve always been. I love you, Rachel.”
“I love you, too.”
He turned off the water and ushered her out of the shower then gently dried every inch of her body. Slipping a nightgown over her head, he bundled her into bed then pulled her into the circle of his arms.
“In some ways, I can’t help feeling sorry for Curt. He really thought he loved me.”
“It wasn’t you he loved. It was Jordan Hale, and she didn’t exist anywhere but in his mind. He was sick and dangerous.”
“I know. I keep thinking about his family, and Tiffany.”
“Tiffany will recover.” The arms around her tightened. “It’s always tough on the family.”
“You had to shoot him, Kane. He would have killed you—or me—if you hadn’t.”
“I know. It doesn’t make it any easier.”
She touched his face. “We all make difficult decisions. I made one out of desperation and fear for my daughter. You made one out of necessity. You acted in self-defense.”
“You’re right, but I was filled with hate and vengeance. I wanted to punish him for hurting you and Lark. Those feelings weren’t professional.”
“Neither was the situation. It was personal for both of us. I wasn’t sorry you shot him. I wasn’t sorry you ended it. Am I a bad person for feeling that way?”
“Of course not.”
“Then give yourself a break.” She kissed his lips. “No one’s perfect, but you’re perfect for me.”
“If I promise to stop second guessing myself, will you do the same? Will you believe you’re still the same incredible woman you were the first evening we met?”
Held tightly in his arms, Rachel let go of the shame and regret. There was only room for love. She put the fear and pain behind her and looked toward the future. With Kane beside her, it was bright with promise.
“I can.” She gazed into his eyes and smiled. “Together, we both can.”
Meet the Author
Write what you know. Jannine Gallant has taken this advice to heart, creating characters from small towns and plots that unfold in the great outdoors. She grew up in a tiny Northern California town and currently lives in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband and two daughters. When she isn’t busy writing or being a full time mom, Jannine hikes or snowshoes in the woods around her home. Whether she’s writing contemporary, historical or romantic suspense, Jannine brings the beauty of nature to her stories. To find out more about this author and her books, visit her website at www.janninegallant.com.
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