Protection

by Linda Rettstatt

  Moonlight sent a bluish glow through the window and across the quilt at the foot of the bed. Bailey had begun to stir and would waken in minutes, ready for a diaper change and feeding. Shannon sat up, propped against two plush pillows. She ran a hand over the soft floral-patterned sheets that had to be Egyptian cotton and at least eight hundred thread count. The sheets, along with the rest of the cabin’s décor, hinted at a woman’s touch, yet there was no evidence a woman lived here.

  Bailey began to whimper. Shannon picked her up and laid her on a towel on top of the bed to change her diaper, shushing her so as not to waken Jake. She snapped up the one-piece sleeper and lifted the baby, heading for the stairs. After preparing the bottle, and with Bailey’s demands growing louder, Shannon settled into the large comfy leather recliner. Bailey grabbed the nipple and sucked hungrily, staring up at her wide-eyed.

  This was really all that mattered. She let the chair wrap her in an embrace, and watched her baby drain the bottle. With Bailey lying on her chest, asleep again, Shannon lifted the footrest and stretched out in the oversized chair, closing her eyes.

  She startled when something covered her. A man hovered over her, reaching for Bailey. Instinctively Shannon reacted, swinging her right foot up hard, directly into his crotch. The man groaned, fell back onto the floor, and curled into a fetal position. Not until the light streaming from the kitchen shone on his face did she recognize her host.

  “What are you doing?”

  Jake groaned. “Covering you.”

  Bailey whimpered and Shannon struggled to her feet, soothing the infant. She stared down at Jake. “You scared the life out of me. Are you okay?”

  He grimaced, his face ashen. “I will be,” he choked. “Just…give me a…minute.”

  She watched as he gasped and fought to get his breathing under control.

  Jake rolled over and struggled to get to his feet. Once standing, he bent, palms on his knees, breathing deeply.

  “I’m really sorry. I woke up and you were standing over me. I forgot where I was.”

  He straightened slowly. “I was just covering the two of you with a blanket. It gets chilly at night.”

  “I came downstairs to feed her and we both dozed off. Something I should not do when holding her.”

  Jake nodded. “I guess I don’t have to worry about you being able to protect yourself.” He walked gingerly toward the kitchen. “I came down to see if you found everything you needed. I think I’ll have a drink since I’m down here. I don’t have to work tomorrow, so I’ll see what I can do with your car.”

  “Thank you.” She headed for the stairs. “I feel terrible.”

  “Don’t. I’ll be fine. You need anything?”

  “No. Thanks.” She climbed the stairs, feeling like a total idiot.

  Shannon tugged her nightgown from the overnight bag and laid it on the bed. She pulled her tee shirt over her head and removed her bra, then slid her jeans down and kicked them free. The nightgown slipped over her head and down her body. After checking Bailey once more, Shannon slid in between the soft sheets, sinking into the pillows.

  She had just kicked a complete stranger in the groin for trying to help her. All of her life, she had been trusting, never in a situation where she had to question everyone’s motives. Now she could trust no one and had to keep an eye behind her at all times. She wondered how far would be far enough to run before she would start to feel safe again.

  *

  Jake removed a bottle of bourbon from the cabinet above the refrigerator and filled a small juice glass. Pain still radiated in his nether region and he gingerly adjusted himself. He took a gulp of the whiskey and felt its burn in his stomach. He’d only been kicked in the nuts once before and that was by his nephew while they were wrestling. His heart became heavy, as it usually did when a memory of his former life rose to the surface. Charlie would be ten years old now. Jake wondered if the boy was playing baseball. It had been his passion the last time Jake saw him. But that was three years ago.

  Downing the rest of the whiskey, Jake rinsed the glass and set it in the sink. He wondered if his sister and brother-in-law had the second baby they were planning at the time. He wondered if his father had finally moved out of his house and into a senior apartment. They had discussed the matter just a few months before his life as Steve Avery shattered and Jake Garber came into being.

  Jake had lived in this secluded cabin in the Snoqualmie, Washington for the past two years. He’d come here with a new name, a new history, and a new vocation—carpenter. This was his one link to his past, a trade taught him by his father and grandfather. It was the only skill he had that he could use in the program and still maintain a low profile.

  He dragged fingers through his too-long dark locks. Some days he itched for a neat haircut, but knew that wouldn’t be wise. He still sometimes had to take a second look in the mirror in the morning to remember who he was now. A glance at the clock told him the sun would be rising in a few hours. He switched off the lights and headed up the stairs. He’d have to deal with Shannon tomorrow.

  Hell. This would complicate things if she had nowhere to go. He couldn’t just toss her and the baby out. Besides, her car was going to require a lot of work to get it running again, if that was even possible.

  What was Shannon’s story? And there had to be a story. A single woman traveling with a three month old in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. She’d been vague about where she was headed and offered nothing about where she was coming from. Maybe he wasn’t the only one in this house with secrets.

  Chapter Three

  Shannon opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling. It took a few minutes to piece together the events of the night before and remember where she was. She pressed a finger lightly to her left eyebrow and felt the swollen tender lump.

  After changing the baby, she pulled on her jeans and a tee shirt and went to the window. In the driveway below, Jake examined her wrecked car. From her vantage point things didn’t look optimistic. He straightened and walked to the garage, disappearing inside. She used the bathroom, then carried Bailey downstairs to prepare her bottle.

  While the bottle warmed, Shannon spied the half pot of coffee. She rummaged for a mug and filled it, then added milk from the fridge. The first savory swallow almost made her groan out load. Once the bottle was ready, she sat on one of the cushioned oak chairs at the farmhouse-style dining table and fed Bailey. The baby ate with enthusiasm, making little sucking noises, all the while her eyes locked on Shannon’s face. Sometimes she gazed down at her daughter and the amazement that this child was hers overwhelmed her.

  The gravity of their situation once again struck and tears stung Shannon’s eyes. What could she do now? She had taken a circuitous route of back roads, deliberately avoiding interstates where her car could more easily be spotted by State Police or from the air. She truly hadn’t a clue exactly where they were. She had turned off the GPS in the car for the very same reason she had disposed of her cell phone. Tracking. Would Governor Corinne Baker Hastings track her this far?

  “Good morning.”

  Shannon startled.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He stopped on his way to the coffee pot and stared down at the baby. “Does she ever cry? She seems so content.”

  “Oh, she cries. I tried to head her off at the pass last night. I didn’t want her to wake you.” She tried not to glance at his crotch as she asked, “Are you…okay?”

  He poured a cup of coffee and sat down opposite her, studying her face. “Probably better off than you are. That’s quite a shiner you have. How are you feeling?”

  “Like I went five rounds with a pro boxer. I stole some Aleve from your medicine cabinet.”

  “Take what you need.” He sipped his coffee. “I’ve given your car a once over. The radiator is shot. One headlight is broken. The hood’s bent, and I’m pretty sure some hoses and belts will have to be replaced. And the front bumper is destroyed. You’re
lucky all you got was that bump on your head. I know a guy in town who can give you a better estimate of the damage. I’m sure he’ll come out and look it over.”

  “Town?”

  “Yes, the town you drove through to get up here.”

  She felt a rush of heat to her face. In the dark and the fog, she’d completely missed the name of the town. “What town was that? I was kind of lost.”

  “Snoqualmie.”

  “Are we near Seattle?”

  “We’re about twenty-eight miles east. Was your GPS broken or were you just sightseeing? Not many people drive through here. Most folks would have stayed on I-90 to Seattle and up I-5 to Lynden.”

  “I…uh…got off I-90 and then got lost. I figured as long I kept heading north, I’d be fine.” She lifted the baby onto her shoulder. “Is there a motel anywhere nearby where you could drop us?”

  “Sure, but there’s no reason you have to leave. You’re welcome to stay here until your car’s repaired. I promise you, I’m not a serial killer.”

  She grinned. “What are you then?”

  “A carpenter. I do contract work for a number of home builders and some specialty work that’s sold through a few home stores in Seattle. I have a workshop in the garage.”

  She sipped her tepid coffee and grimaced.

  Jake stood and picked up her cup. “Let me get you a fresh refill.”

  “Did you always live here in Snow…?”

  “Snoqualmie. No, I’ve lived here for a little over two years. It’s a great small town and I love the woods, the mountains, the people. How about you? Where are you from?”

  She hesitated. If she said Missouri, she’d give away one piece to her puzzle. Then she thought of the small town where her mother had grown up. “Uniontown, Pennsylvania. Ever heard of it?”

  “Can’t say I have.” He paused, then asked, “Do Shannon and Bailey have a last name?”

  “Chase.” The irony of the name she’d chosen hadn’t been lost on her.

  He opened the refrigerator and removed a carton of eggs and a package of bacon. “You’re not a vegetarian, are you?”

  “Oh, no. But you don’t have to cook for me.”

  “Might as well. I’m cooking for myself. I haven’t eaten yet. Since Bailey’s the only one with a full stomach, I figured it was our turn.”

  Shannon nodded. “I’m going to take her upstairs and change her clothes, give her a sponge bath. I need a shower, too. You go ahead and eat.”

  “No rush. If you need anything, let me know.” He continued to pull a skillet from a cabinet beside the stove and turn on the griddle.

  *

  Jake listened to Shannon’s footsteps as she ascended the stairs. He reminded himself to be careful about asking too many questions in case he had to answer those same questions in return. That would be problematic. He dumped the remaining coffee and prepared a new pot to brew, then set the table for two, staring for a moment at the unusual setting. In his two plus years here, he’d only had a guest twice for a meal and never one that stayed over. Particularly not a woman. He knew there were folks in town that stared and whispered and wondered about the hermit-like stranger in their midst. A few of the guys he’d worked with locally and joined for a beer now and then called him Choirboy. They rarely heard him swear and noted his efforts at avoiding the women who occasionally threw themselves his way. He was sure a few of the guys and several of the women thought he was gay.

  He was about ready to crack open the eggs when he heard the shower upstairs. Setting them aside, he toasted two English muffins and waited.

  Shannon padded down the stairs with Bailey in her carrier. The baby kicked her chubby legs and blew bubbles through her tiny bow-like mouth. Shannon’s dark hair, still damp from her shower, curled around her heart-shaped face. Her skin glowed, much better than the sallow look she had the night before. “I didn’t mean for you to wait.”

  “Eating alone gets old. It’s nice to have a guest. This’ll be ready in a few minutes. The coffee’s fresh if you want another cup.”

  “Thanks. I think I will. It’s my one addiction.”

  She wore a pair of knit pants topped with an oversized tee shirt. She was barefoot. And she was beautiful. Years ago, he’d learned not to notice the way a woman smiled, the way she tilted her head or toyed with her hair when she spoke. He’d learned not to see her womanliness, only to see her as an other. But here in his kitchen, in the early sunlight, fresh from a shower and looking so fragile and vulnerable, he saw Shannon.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

  “No, I was just thinking. Nothing’s wrong.” He turned back to tend to the bacon and scrambled eggs on the stove top. Without work to do today, he’d have to keep himself busy in the shop. He needed to get some distance, get a grip. Living between two worlds had been easy as long as he lived alone. Bringing someone else into his world, someone who resurrected feelings he’d long forgotten, created a dangerous game.

  Silence hung heavy between them as they sat opposite one another and ate.

  “Are you going…?” Shannon began.

  “If there’s anything….” Jake said at the same time. He grinned. “Sorry. What were you going to ask?” The flush that colored her cheeks made her eyes look almost turquoise. It fascinated him how her eye color could change from an ice blue to the waters of the Caribbean.

  “I was wondering if you were going into town or near a store. I’ll need to get more baby formula soon.”

  “We can go after breakfast and stop by Herb Hightower’s, arrange for him to come out to look at your car.”

  “Do you think he’d buy it for parts and maybe I could find something cheap to get me to Lynden?”

  “I…uh…don’t know. You might want to wait and see what the damages are first. If you’re worried about being in the way here, you’re not.”

  Bailey screwed up her face and flailed her tiny fists. “Uh-oh. About time for a diaper change.” Shannon stood and carried her empty plate to the sink. “Leave the dishes and I’ll clean up after I change her.”

  Jake sipped the remainder of his coffee. Another piece to the puzzle of Shannon Chase that didn’t add up—her eagerness to dispose of her car without even knowing the extent of the damage. Again, he had to remind himself not to delve too deeply into her personal life. Leave the boundaries where they were. Help her get her car repaired so she could be on her way to Lynden. Hell, he’d drive her there himself if need be.

  By the time she returned to the kitchen, he had already washed the dishes and was finishing up the frying pan. “All done here. Ready to go?”

  “Is there a way to attach her car seat into your truck?”

  Jake nodded. “It’s an extended cab with a back seat.” He picked up his keys from the hutch next to the refrigerator and held the door for Shannon to move past him with the baby. The mixture of her fruity shampoo and Bailey’s baby powder made him momentarily lightheaded. It was as if this woman had been dropped into his life to shake loose all of the senses he had worked to secure away. Hopefully, Herb could get her car running in the next day or two and get her on her way.

  Again a strained silence accompanied them on the ten minute drive into town. Jake pulled into the parking lot of the IGA. “I’ll come with you. I need to pick up some things, too.”

  Inside the store, Jake was aware of stares following them as he accompanied Shannon and carried the baby carrier. His appearance with an attractive young woman and an infant would no doubt be fodder for the gossip mill before they were back in the truck.

  “Hey, Jake. It’s been a while.”

  He turned toward the voice. Carlie Hawk had pursued him long and hard within weeks of his arrival in town. She still kind of lit up around him, even though she was now engaged. “Hi, Carlie.”

  She smiled and shifted her gaze to Shannon, studying the black and purple bruise around her eye, and then to the baby in the carrier Jake held. “And who’s this?”

  “Th
is is a friend who…uh…stopped by on her way north. Shannon—Carlie. And this is Bailey.” He lifted the carrier slightly.

  “Cute.” She glanced at Shannon, then turned her full smile back to Jake. “The baby, I mean. It was nice to see you, Jake.” She nodded toward Shannon. “See you around.”

  Jake watched as Carlie pushed her shopping cart to the end of the aisle and turned from his line of sight.

  “Old girlfriend?” Shannon asked.

  Jake felt the heat creep up his neck. “No, but not for lack of trying. On her part.”

  “I could see that. She’s still trying.” Her mouth quirked up at the corners.

  The heat threatened to consume him. “She’s engaged. Something she seems to forget now and then.” He cleared his throat. “Did you find what you need?”

  “The formula. Yes.”

  “Good. Let’s hit the produce and we’ll need something for dinner.” As soon as the word was out of his mouth, he wanted to draw it back in—‘we.’ “Do you like steak? I can cook them on the grill.”

  “Yes, but I’ll pay for some of the food. You’ve been so kind.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t make it easy.”

  Color drained from her face. “What do you mean?”

  “Nothing. It’s just… I’m trying to help you here and you keep apologizing and insisting on paying your way.”

  Now the color returned to her face full force. “I’ve always paid my way.” She reached for the baby. “I’ll take her while you finish your shopping.” Taking the carrier, she brushed past him and walked ahead.

  Jake exhaled heavily. He hadn’t wanted to offend Shannon or come across as patronizing. If he were to be honest, what he wanted to do was put an arm around her, reassure her she was safe from whatever she had fled. He wanted, for some inexplicable reason, to take care of her and Bailey. He sighed again and headed for the meat counter. After purchasing two better cuts of steak at a price he rarely spent for dinner, he caught up with Shannon in the produce aisle. She had found a basket and was selecting apples. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”