License to Love: Holiday Box Set (Contemporary Romance)

by Kristen James

  Cora did not want to hear about any of it. The awful feeling in her stomach had turned into real nausea.

  “I have to go with plan B since I don’t have my million dollars.” He shook his head, tisking at her. “You only hurt yourself by turning that money over to Keith. I was saving it for you, but we still have a small house outside a tiny town. A nice, quiet place.”

  It was possible Jerry that knew about it. Someone might. She had to believe there was still hope in order to keep her sanity intact.

  “So what about Angela?” she asked, suddenly remembering his possible affair. “Just leaving her in the dust?”

  “She served her purpose, and now I no longer need her.”

  Cora stared at him with such revulsion that he couldn’t ignore her glare. When he glanced her way, however, he merely shrugged.

  “And what happens to me once I’ve served my purpose?” As the words left her mouth, she suddenly shivered, wondering why on earth she had asked in the first place.

  “Oh, I’m keeping you.” His voice dropped so low and quiet, it seemed to vibrate in the car. She shivered again, her stomach churning. He drove on a curvy country road, and she started to feel sicker. Maybe she’d get her wish and puke all over him. Cora focused on that thought, trying not to feel how afraid she was, trying not to picture where Nick was. She pulled in deep breath after breath, but it didn’t help. Sweat broke out all over her. Her vision narrowed to a pinpoint of light.

  She was so sick that Alexander noticed. “There’s a small campground up the road. I’ll stop for you.”

  The car pulled in and she stumbled out, leaning with both hands on the car and breathing in the country air. Please, please, don’t hurl in front of him.

  He kept his eyes on her like a hungry hyena waiting for its turn to eat. Her knees tried to give out, making her realize she had to pull it together. Remember Jerry. Remember Nick. Alexander was smart, cunning, and evil, but she could do this, somehow.

  He pulled out a cigar and lit it as she brought her face up in disbelief. He laughed, but walked back a few steps to finish his smoke.

  A few minutes passed and his sickening smoke hadn’t come her way. Leaning over, she put her forehead on the cool surface of the car roof. Okay, she wasn’t going to throw up. There wasn’t anything in her stomach, to tell the truth. She closed her eyes and listened, but she didn’t hear a river. The only sound around was the light wind teasing the oak trees in the park. Not even the noise of an engine.

  She opened her eyes to look around. There was a green outhouse off in the trees.

  “Do you mind if I go to the bathroom?”

  “You don’t want to go in there.”

  No, she didn’t. That was the last place on the planet anyone would want to be sick, but she had a plan. “Please, I don’t want you to see me sick.” Still somewhat ill, she hoped she looked sick enough to gain his pity.

  “I won’t watch, but you’re not going in there.”

  “Fine.” She kept her head down, waiting. Her entire chest thumped with each forceful heartbeat. Her vision blackened slightly but she pushed back. Go, go, go! Shoving herself off the car, she sprang into a full speed sprint toward the trees.

  The park’s low branches were cleared, but she went straight for the brush and let the twigs whip and cut her.

  “CORA!”

  She stumbled several times over sticks, but didn’t slow down. Logs turned into hurdles from her races in high school. She flew, not caring when her feet landed awkwardly and pain jolted her ankles.

  “I’ll shoot!” His yell was a ways back.

  The ground rose and she turned to follow it, watching as a gorge appeared to her right. The dried riverbed grew deeper and wider. It was about five feet across, maybe ten or twelve as it widened. She used to jump that, and farther, in track. She could do it.

  She veered left to put some space between her and the gorge, but only for a few seconds. He yelled behind her. She turned sharply, faced the gorge, and raced toward it.

  She leapt, willed herself across, kept her limbs back, snapped her legs and arms in front of her in perfect long jump form, and then crashed onto the ground on the other side. Scampering on all fours, she hugged the dirt to avoid the bullets overhead while she scrambled away.

  “CORA! CORA!”

  She weaved through the trees, keeping up her speed. She was almost certain that Alexander couldn’t jump the gorge without stopping and backing up. She risked one glance back. Dust flew up where he was skirting down the side.

  The noise of air rushing in and out of her lungs filled her ears. She kept her direction straight until she reached a patch of blackberry briars, where she then steered to the right. Another small hill sloped upward and when she reached the top she fell to her knees. She tried to control her breath as much as possible while she hid in the Scotch Broom bushes.

  She didn’t hear anything. There were endless trees blocking any possible view of a road. She’d made it away from him!

  Then she heard a noise.

  Alexander?

  Cora held her breath, listening, and she realized the noise was growing louder. A motor? A log truck; she heard a logging truck! Springing to her feet, she bolted down the hill, dodged more trees, and ran toward the noise. The trees cleared as she neared the road, and she saw the semi truck roaring toward her.

  She waved her arms, jumping, and heard the tires trying to stop in the gravel. Alexander could be coming so she ran to the other side of the road, to the passenger side of the truck, and waited while the truck slowed down the rest of the way. The trailer almost fishtailed at the sudden stop. The door swung open as the driver stepped half way out and began cussing and yelling.

  Still dragging in gulps of air, she yelled back, “I need your help, please. Stay inside and shut the door!”

  Instead of waiting for an answer, she climbed up into the cab. “A man is chasing me. I think I lost him, but I need to get out of here. Please.”

  “No need to plead.” He got the truck going as quickly as possible while she tried to get her breath back. She half expected to see Alexander run out of the trees or shoot at them but nothing happened.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Cora Evans. I’ve been missing for a week.”

  “Let me call for help.” He picked up his CB and put out a message. “This is a 911 call.”

  Her body hadn’t been prepared for that jump or crazy run, and now she felt the pain in her muscles and ankles, and the burning scratches on her face, arms, and legs. The man pulled out a tissue for her, and she saw in the mirror that several cuts were bleeding.

  “Are you hurt other than those cuts?” he asked.

  “I don’t think so.” She wasn’t sure, and her mind was busy contemplating whether or not Alexander could be behind them.

  The truck driver gently patted her hand. “You’re all right. We’re only thirty minutes out of town, you weren’t too far out. It’ll be okay.”

  It’ll be okay. Half an hour wasn’t close enough for Cora, but she didn’t spot Alexander’s car anywhere. Finally, the town appeared around the corner and four police cars were waiting in the small parking lot of a convenience store. The truck barely had room to maneuver onto the side of the road. Several officers hurried to her door and helped her down.

  “Medic!” One called, as Cora saw the ambulance parked near the side of the store. She grabbed one of the police officers when her ankle didn’t hold her weight, and he eased her arms over his shoulders to help her.

  She looked back to the driver, who nodded at her silent thank you. An officer approached her and asked, “Remember me?” The man looked familiar. “Officer Nickels?” He prompted.

  “Oh, yes, from the hospital.”

  “If you’re okay, we’d like to take you back to Eugene.”

  While she nodded, Cora watched a fire red Mustang screech to a stop on the side of the road. Nickels followed her gaze and spotted Nick sprinting across the pavement towards them.<
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  He ignored everyone while he ran to her and pulled her up into his arms. Nick. He was alive, safe, and holding her. Just as quickly as he had scooped her up, he gently set her down, asking, “Are you hurt?”

  She shook her head without speaking. She stared into his eyes for a minute before laying her head against him, breathing in his scent and feeling his strength all around her. She’d stay right here forever. His strong, yet gentle, hands carefully held her arms as he inspected her cuts. She just wanted to be held and tried to pull her arm back.

  “Wait…what is this from?”

  She looked down at a scratch that wasn’t fresh like the others. “It’s nothing. It’ll go away in a few days.”

  “I’m talking about the bump right here. Feel. It’s not much, but it feels like something in your skin.” He was bent over looking at it.

  Nickels stood close by, but he stepped even closer. “Let me see.” He looked up at Cora’s face and then quickly to Nick’s. “You didn’t know about this GPS chip?”

  They looked at each other as her mouth fell open. That clued Nickels in. He explained, “It’s just like the chips some pet owners use to track down their dogs.”

  Cora immediately began scratching at it. Both Nick and the officer said, “Hey!” Nick grabbed her hand while Nickels called a paramedic over.

  “You want it out, right?”

  The paramedic numbed the area and removed it, although Cora didn’t want to wait for it to numb. She just wanted it gone. So it hadn’t been some evil magic that helped Alexander find her. She met Nick’s eyes and tried to hide her fear. It was over, but… Alexander was still out there.

  “I will keep you safe, I swear.” Nick kissed the top of her head and her forehead, and then he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Cora thought she felt him shaking and realized he was choked up with tears.

  “I’m okay,” she breathed into his ear, tears now streaming down her own face. She couldn’t believe how much she needed him. This had started as overwhelming mental, emotional, and physical attraction, but it had grown into love. It was lightning fast but it was real nonetheless.

  “Cora,” Nick said to her. “Everything worked out. There’s a warrant out for Keith’s arrest for his drug trafficking. Alexander will be charged with attempted murder and kidnapping as soon as he’s brought in. The FBI cleared us of any charges. It’s going to be okay.”

  Seventeen

  Cora’s stomach flipped back and forth as she walked, with the help of crutches, though the hospital corridors. Everyone insisted she get medical attention for her cuts and ankle sprain, but Cora was more than anxious to see her father. Nick understood. Even now, he smiled at her every few seconds, feeling the same high.

  His phone buzzed in his pocket. It’d buzzed quite a few times and he had ignored it until now.

  “That could be important.”

  “Nothing is as important as this time with you,” he said easily. She raised an eyebrow at him, laughing, and he pulled his phone out. He added a sigh, although it sounded more endearing than anything else. They continued walking at a slow pace, both because he was on the phone and because her crutches slowed her down.

  The conversation was rushed, with Nick mostly listening. She didn’t like the dark look coming into his eyes. All the panic and fear from the last few days jumped right back into her stomach.

  He ended the call and shook his head at her. “It’s not… bad. Well, not…”

  “Nick, tell me.”

  “The police found Alexander’s car at the park, just like you described, with him inside…dead. They’re not sure if it was a real or staged suicide yet.”

  “But he’s dead?”

  “Dead as dead can be. A bullet through the head. I personally think Angela just might be that ruthless. I know Keith is.”

  She wouldn’t have to run anymore. Even though she valued life, it was a fitting end to an evil man. “It’s all over now.”

  “Exactly.” Nick stopped to wrap his arms around her and bury his face into her hair yet again. In unison, they breathed a deep sigh of relief. He lifted his head to meet her gaze with that warm, I only see you, look. “Are you okay?”

  “Let’s see, I’m holding onto you and going to see my father again.” A smile sprung onto her lips. “I’m doing great.”

  They continued until they reached the right room number and she stepped in. “Dad?”

  “Sweetie!” He held a hand out to her. “Come here, give me a hug.”

  “Oh, Daddy.” She gently leaned over him, but he didn’t act like a wounded man. He squeezed her tightly, and she understood that he needed to have her close.

  “I’m so sorry I put you through all this.”

  “Don’t worry, Dad, good things came of it.” She smiled toward Nick. Jerry held out his hand, but Cora saw flickers of uncertainty in Nick’s expression.

  “Nick, I don’t know what I should say, or how I can ever thank you.”

  “It’s all good, sir.”

  Now Jerry smiled and said, “It’s not some little thing. From what I hear, you saved her life, and mine. Thank you.”

  “Actually, she saved mine several times.”

  She swatted him. “We helped each other quite a bit.” What a crazy story. They looked at each other, transfixed and happy. Jerry wiped at his eyes and gestured to the nearby chairs. Cora saw the beginning of good things to come.

  ***

  The smell of coffee, and warm light streaming through the curtains, woke Cora the next morning. She was snuggled down under Nick’s covers, still warm from where his body had pressed against hers just a while ago. They’d come back to his rented house and fallen into bed, exhausted beyond belief. It’d felt like heaven to sink down into his covers and fall asleep with him, one of his arms under her head and the other wrapped around her. She didn’t think they moved until after the sun came up, and then their closeness had awoken the passion in both of them. It’d been a nice way to start the day.

  She stretched and smiled now, seeing Nick enter the room holding two mugs of coffee. It even smelled good now that she wasn’t running for her life and feeling sick. He grinned when he spotted her in one of his white shirts.

  He handed her a mug and settled in against the headboard. “I would have stayed in bed with you but Adam called. He brought that CD over so you could read your file.”

  “I forgot about that.” Apprehension fizzed up in her stomach, but she took a deep breath and was able to stop it. Whatever was on the CD, she could deal with it. “Was there any information on there that the police needed?”

  “Yup, this information put the nails in Keith’s coffin. You were smart to save it.”

  “Did you read my file?”

  He shook his head, surprised. “No, that’s for you. Do you want to see it? I’ll bring my laptop in.”

  She nodded, knowing she needed to know what it said before doing anything else. He quickly retrieved his laptop and set it on the bed for her. “The CD is already in.”

  She opened the CD, scanned the file names, and opened the one marked “Cora.” A letter opened before her.

  “Dear Cora, if you’re reading this, I guess I finally had the guts to explain things to you.”

  So he did steal the money? Why did Nick and Adam feel she needed to know that?

  “I hope things have come to light by now, I hope Keith’s behind bars. I’m not sure what you’ll know when you read this, so here’s the entire story. About a year and a half ago, I was approached by the FBI to help infiltrate Keith’s operation. They figured I should have earned his trust by then, as I had already been working there for three years. They also hoped I knew what was going on and didn’t approve, or didn’t want to rot in jail with them. They’ve been running drugs a long time. They grow and make the stuff and also sell it to kids. The plan to expose and arrest them wasn’t so complicated at first, but the further I got in, the harder it got to back out. I thought Alexander Pierce was a good guy, despite what
he was doing for Keith. Well, he’s ripping the guy off, big time, and I don’t know how to keep myself from looking guilty. Keith knows we’re friends. As I write this for you, I can only hope the FBI can wrap up their investigation and we can bring him in. I can’t stay involved much longer, especially since you might someday be put in danger because of my job here and what I’m doing for the FBI. If I’m left high and dry, blamed for wrongdoing, or whatever the case, I pray I get a chance to explain things to you. You’re my baby, and I did everything for you. I want you to have a happy life, not one like I ended up having. You’re the sun in my day, the reason for my smile, Sweetie, and I’ll always be thankful for you. Love, Daddy.”

  Cora could hardly read through her tears. Not only was Jerry innocent, he was a hero. She felt so thankful that they had each other and that now Nick could know Jerry as well. She wanted him to read it so she turned the screen toward him.

  A few minutes later, he looked up, his own eyes shiny. “Jerry’s a good man,” he whispered solemnly. “Look what a wonderful daughter he brought up.”

  “I can’t wait for you to get to know him.”

  “Me, either.”

  They both recognized they were two people adrift before, but not anymore. His warm brown eyes waited for her, full of love and promise.

  Nick’s finger teased her lips as he said, “I want you to marry me and live here. I want today be to the first day of forever for us.”

  Tears choked her and prevented any verbal response, but she nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  She swallowed hard and said, “I don’t want to be a Holloway.”

  Nick surprised her with laughter. “Neither do I. We’ll find a new name for both of us.”

  He couldn’t help but kiss her.

  “I love you, Cora, and I always will.” His husky voice tickled her neck. In a hoarse voice, she tried to tell him she loved him back.

  “I know, baby, I know.”

  Maybe he understood that she had loved him before she even realized it, before she pushed her fears away and took hold of what they shared.