Fatal Reunion

by Jessica R. Patch

Now for the hospital to administer healing to their physical wounds.

  In Piper’s words, he was sick of hospitals.

  EIGHTEEN

  Luke had been released after a two-night stay at the hospital. Bone hadn’t been shattered, but the muscle in his thigh had some damage. Doctors removed the bullet and were positive that he’d fully recover and could return to active duty. He’d been in and out for those two days, but he was pretty sure in his fuzzy awake moments, Piper had been sitting with him.

  But she hadn’t been there when he left the hospital. Eric had. Was here with him now, snoozing in Luke’s recliner.

  Kerr had lured Eric from his post that night, clobbered him on the head—enough he had a concussion—and the doctors said it could have killed him. Eric could blame it on a hard head, but they both knew God had been protecting all of them.

  When Eric had come to, he’d phoned in backup and figured out Kerr had sent the Durango with a passed-out Eric down the ravine, across from Harmony’s, trying to make it appear as if he’d hit his head in a car accident. He found his way into the woods. And in the nick of time. Thank God.

  Luke closed his eyes and settled on the leather couch. He’d been given the promotion. Found out this morning. After his display of courage and closing out not one case but two, he was well on his way up the ranks, but Piper was going back to Jackson.

  After the episode in the woods, it was obvious Piper was on the mend without any help from him. When he wasn’t on pain pills, he’d prayed about whether it was the right time for another chance with Piper. Now that he didn’t want to fix her and she knew whom to look to for her strength.

  He couldn’t get back the past ten years, but they’d grown, matured. It was time to start a new life. If that meant transferring to Jackson, starting out as the new guy, then he’d do it.

  For her.

  Because the time was right. But the fact Piper hadn’t been there when he’d been released from the hospital needled him. Had she already gone back to Jackson? Did she think leaving without saying goodbye would be easier for her? For him? He’d talked himself out of calling. When—if—she was ready to talk to him, she would. He hoped. It had to be ideal for them both.

  A knock sounded on his door, and Eric jerked awake. “I got it. Don’t try to get up, man.” He rubbed away the sleep from his eyes as he stumbled to Luke’s front door.

  “Hey, hey, it’s Kung Fu Piper. You bring food? I’m starving.”

  “Actually, I did.” Piper handed him a pack of Twizzlers and smirked.

  “I could kiss you,” he teased.

  Luke cleared his throat. “I think you better not.”

  Eric winked at Luke and wrapped Piper in a brotherly hug.

  Then she set those eyes on Luke. He lost his breath, and his heart tripped. Good thing he couldn’t stand for the bum leg; he’d gone weak in the knees.

  “Hi,” she whispered.

  * * *

  Piper swallowed hard. Luke’s unruly hair and few days’ worth of growth on his cheeks and chin only made him appear that much more rugged. Blue-green eyes beamed; a lopsided grin covered his face. Her stomach backflipped.

  “Hi,” he said through a husky voice.

  “Well,” Eric said and clucked his tongue in his cheek. “I’m feeling some zings in the air here, so that’s my cue to take a walk. Seeing as I have two legs, I actually can.”

  Luke rolled his eyes, and Piper chuckled.

  “Hey, before I go, I heard you went all Tarzan on that piece of dirt—seriously, jumping out of trees. Nice. So I got to thinking, you got real skills. You oughta come over to our side. It worked for Steven Seagal. He’s even got his own reality show. Going all cop in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Think of it, me on TV—I mean you, you on TV. Roughing up bad guys.”

  Piper smothered a laugh and stared him down with a disapproving glare.

  “No?” Eric shrugged. “Maybe it’s the concussion talking. You know, the one I got saving your life...so think about it. TV.” He tousled her hair and winked, then shut the front door behind him.

  She sighed. “He never quits, does he?”

  “It’s his way of saying he cares about us.”

  “He could just say he cared.”

  Luke flashed a brilliant grin. “Come to me.”

  Piper’s insides quivered as she made her way to the couch. He scooted closer to the back, giving her room to snuggle up next to him. He smelled like fabric softener and a clean-scented body wash. She crunched down on her bottom lip, her mouth turning dry.

  Piper had needed a few days to think. As she sat by Luke’s bedside while he slept from surgery, listening to his mumbling, applying a damp, cool rag to his head during his fitful sleep, she’d prayed. Prayed more than ever before. Prayed for Harmony, who was recovering from her injuries, praying mercy on her. Consequences were coming.

  She’d prayed for Luke and Eric, for Mama Jean. And now she was here, after some time alone without seeing Luke or smelling him. She didn’t want anything to sway her prayerful thinking.

  “I missed seeing you when I left the hospital.” Luke laced his fingers in between hers. “I was afraid you’d gone without...without telling me goodbye.”

  Piper rubbed his thumb, callused at the end. “I needed to see Mama Jean, and I had to make a few calls to Jackson. Checked in with Ms. Wells.”

  “How’s Tootsie?”

  “Still pooping in my yard, I’m sure.”

  He laughed, and then his eyes turned solemn. “And to call your Realtor?”

  “Yes.”

  “I need to tell you something, Piper.”

  She pressed a finger on his lips. “Me first.”

  He nodded and kissed her finger. A thrill raced up her arm. “I know I’ve done a lot of things throughout the years to lose your trust. To hurt you. We’ve both been hurt. And you were right when you said that you couldn’t fix me, that if we were together you’d try and fail. That I’d be disappointed in you.”

  Piper swallowed down the anxiety. “But I can’t go back to Jackson, Luke.” Tears burned the backs of her eyes. “I can tell you that God is doing some things in my heart, but I’ve lied to you before, and I don’t want you to think I’m just saying that so we can be together.”

  “Pip—”

  “No.” She held her hand up. She had to get this out while she had the strength. She’d prayed intently about this and believed it was the right thing to do. “Let me finish.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “But it is true. So, I talked to my Realtor and I leased a place. Yesterday. Drove down and signed the papers, but Braxton is going to run it.”

  Luke’s eyes grew wide. “And where are you going?”

  “Home. Here. Mama Jean agreed to the assisted-living center, finally. It’s really nice, too.” She cleared her throat. “I’m gonna start house hunting in the meantime and look for a building to lease. Start a second dojo.”

  She closed her eyes, opened them. “And I’m praying over time you’ll see that I’ve placed my trust in God. Not me. Not you. You were right—I’m not invincible. I have the bullet wound to prove it.”

  He kissed the back of her hand but said nothing. Good, she wasn’t done yet.

  “And when you believe it, when you know it in your heart, then I want to start fresh. If you can. If seeing me won’t remind you of pain and heartache.” A tear pooled in her eye and she blinked, letting it roll down her cheek.

  Luke scooted up, wiped it away with the pad of his thumb. “Piper, you don’t have to do all this for me, to show that you’ve changed. I know you have. I know God is healing you. I saw it when you gave Harmony mercy.”

  He had? What did this mean?

  “I was going to decline the promotion and tell you I was coming to Jackson. It’s not as important to me as y
ou. I love you, Piper. Since the moment you blew out the flame on my lighter. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you. You’re my world.”

  Piper laid her forehead on his. “You’re mine,” she whispered.

  “Hold that thought.” He struggled to sit up. Piper slipped off the couch as he took his crutches and winced.

  “Where are you going?”

  He hobbled across the living room, down the hall and back, then eased onto the couch, tugging Piper down with him. “I’ve been looking at this a lot lately. Took it out of my dresser drawer the day you stormed into Mama Jean’s hospital room.”

  A black velvet box rested in his hand. “I had this in my pocket that night at Ellen Strosbergen’s.”

  He was going to propose that night? Piper’s lip trembled. She refused to feel guilty. Some regret, yes. But she’d been forgiven for the past. And she’d forgiven herself. No more condemning thoughts.

  Luke opened the box. A princess-cut diamond twinkled on a thick gold band. Another band of diamonds nestled behind it. “Piper Regina Kennedy, will you marry me...finally?”

  Piper brushed her finger over the diamond. “Yes. Yes, I will.”

  Luke slipped the engagement ring on her finger, closed the box and ran his fingers down her battered and bruised cheeks. “I love you,” he whispered.

  “I love you, too.”

  Sliding his hand through her hair to the back of her neck, he gently led her to his lips. His kiss revealing his tenderness toward her and renewed trust as well as the declaration of his devotion, his loyalty. Even his vulnerability. All poured out with a sweetness that brought fresh tears to her eyes.

  God had given her far beyond anything she deserved. A merciful God with so much more tenderness, loyalty and devotion toward her than even this man thrilling her with a slow-burning, glorious kiss.

  And she was ready to keep discovering this divine love for her. As well as the enduring love from her future husband.

  Luke broke the kiss. “Piper?”

  “Hmm.” Her heart hummed and sputtered.

  “Happy birthday, my love. I didn’t forget. I just wasn’t sure where you were or where we stood.” He brushed a soft peck to her nose. “Now will you tell me what you wished for all those years ago?”

  Piper savored his scent; a longing tightened her stomach. She was home. In so many ways. “I wished for you. For the rest of my life.”

  He hooked her chin with his finger, a sparkle in his eye, an impish grin turning her inside out. “I told you every birthday girl deserves a wish. Aren’t you glad you made it?”

  “I’m about to make another one.” She leaned down, pressed her lips to his. “I wish for a big family.”

  “And a dog,” he murmured.

  “I thought this was my birthday wish.”

  Luke chuckled. “Fine. We can do this all over again in three months when it’s mine.”

  Piper sighed and nestled against Luke’s chest, listening to it beat, embracing the moment.

  And thanking God for unending mercy.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from THE LITTLEST WITNESS by Jane M. Choate.

  Dear Reader,

  I hope you enjoyed Luke and Piper’s story. Piper made a lot of poor choices at a young age, even though she’d given her heart to God. Instead of letting Him heal her from the brokenness, she turned to karate for strength and support. But that didn’t work, did it? She had to learn to trust God even when everything around her crumbled and when one frightening thing after another happened. I think many times we, also, try to rely on ourselves instead of God. In the midst of scary circumstances, we fear He can’t be trusted or He’s angry at us for things we did in our past. That’s why this book is so near to my heart. I wanted to show just how much God loves us, even when we stray from the life He wants us to live. I’m thankful God offers forgiveness freely.

  He’s faithful, even when we aren’t, and tender toward our hearts. In the same way He showed Piper mercy time and again, He longs to show us mercy, too. Before we were ever born, He knew the mistakes we’d make—the ones we made before we were believers and the ones we’ll make after. And yet even knowing them, He still chose to die for us. He chose to love us unconditionally, and He chose to never, ever give up on us. “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us!” (Romans 5:8 HCSB) My prayer is that you’ll trust Him to take care of you no matter what circumstances you find yourself in, and that you’ll lean into His strength and comfort.

  I’d love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me at jessica@jessicarpatch.com, join me on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jessicarpatch, for daily discussions, and visit my website to sign up for my newsletter, Patched In, at www.jessicarpatch.com. Also, take a peek at my Pinterest board to meet the characters and get an up-close view of the scenes from the book: www.pinterest.com/jessicarpatch/!

  Jessica

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

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  The Littlest Witness

  by Jane M. Choate

  ONE

  A muffled footstep awakened Caleb, setting him on high alert. There was no reason anyone should be here. No good reason, that is. Calmly, he slipped from the bed and stepped behind the draperies, just as an intruder entered the bedroom.

  Another man might have panicked, but Caleb Judd was not just another man. Instinctively, he clicked into Delta mode, a heightened sense of awareness overtaking him, his vision sharpening, his hearing growing more acute. His breathing remained regular, his pulse steady, courtesy of training from the United States Army.

  No one should have gotten in. Alfred Kruise had boasted about the state-of-the-art alarm system when he’d offered Caleb use of the guesthouse, insisting that both he and his nephew, Tommy, were safer here than they would have been anywhere else.

  Kruise had been wrong.

  The alarm system hadn’t gone off. Probably disabled.

  A pro.

  The stranger’s movements were nearly silent as he made his way toward the bed, his intentions clear. He wanted Caleb. But why? He had his share of enemies, but they weren’t personal. Fighting his country’s enemies was what he had been doing when he’d gotten the call about Michael and Grace’s murders.

  But now here he was in Atlanta, Georgia, eight thousand miles from Afghanistan, facing a gunman who clearly wanted to eliminate him. The only reason Caleb could think of was connected to his brother Michael, but that made no sense.

  With his own weapon packed in his duffel bag, he had no chance of going for it. If he were going to take the man down, it would have to be with his hand.

  Recognizing the disadvantages of his position, he relied on the faith that had sustained him through countless encounters with the enemy. It had never deserted him, even upon learning of the deaths of his brother and his wife.

  Caleb registered the assailant’s weapon held in a steady hand. A Walther. A good choice for an assassination. He’d probably appreciate it more if he weren’t the intended target. He stepped out from behind the draperies and kicked out, knocking the weapon from the man’s hand.

  The would-be killer, who had to be several inches taller than Caleb’s own six feet and weighed at least two hundred and twenty pounds, recove
red quickly and grabbed for the weapon. Caleb spun, delivered a roundhouse to the man’s chest, but fatigue and unrelenting grief had taken their toll upon him, making his effort lack its customary power.

  The man gave a loud whuff. Caleb rammed a fist into the assailant’s jaw. He must have had an iron jaw because he didn’t buckle. The intruder pivoted on one foot and slammed the other against Caleb’s chest.

  Caleb dodged the worst of it but couldn’t completely escape the punishing blow. He spun, presenting his profile, a smaller target for the next attack. The assailant had obviously had close-quarters combat training, since he didn’t move away from Caleb’s fists but, instead, closed in.

  Just as the stranger raised his fist, a look of consternation passed over his face. And then Caleb noticed it. The man was wearing earbuds. Someone, a handler probably, must have been issuing orders.

  After casting Caleb a look that promised retribution, the man took off. What had his boss said that had caused him to give up so easily? He feared that the man realized he had the wrong target and Tommy was the intended one.

  Caleb should have never left his nephew alone in the main house. Alfred and Irene Kruise had insisted it was best for Tommy, yet another instance where they had been wrong.

  Whoever had sent a killer after Caleb might have also sent another after Tommy. But why? The boy didn’t know anything. Fury built in his chest at the idea of anyone hurting Tommy. Smother the rage, Caleb told himself as he retrieved his weapon. He didn’t have the luxury of giving in to it. Not now. Not when Tommy needed him.

  Besides, there were bigger things he needed to concentrate on at the moment.

  Three nights ago, Michael and Grace Judd had been gunned down in their own home while Tommy had watched. Caleb still shuddered at the thought of what his young nephew had endured. It was no wonder Tommy hadn’t said a word since witnessing the shooting of his parents. Some grief was too deep for words.

  The next few hours were a blur as Caleb had made arrangements to leave his unit in Afghanistan and fly to Atlanta.