Jake

by Harmony Raines

  “I don’t know…” Lana began.

  “She would love to,” Donald said abruptly.

  “Dad!” Lana’s brow creased and she looked mutinous as she turned toward her father.

  “When was the last time a man asked you out to dinner?” Donald asked.

  “That’s not the… I can answer for myself,” she protested.

  “And that answer would be no. But you don’t always know what’s best for you.” Donald’s expression softened. “It’s okay, I’m sure Tad and Heather can babysit me while Max and Josephine babysit Sula.”

  “It’s a date then.” Heather stood up. “We should get the kids into bed or else they will be grumpy tomorrow and I want them to enjoy their pony ride.”

  “My old bones certainly need their bed,” Donald agreed. “I’ll help you round up the little ones.”

  “I’ll help, too.” Max followed Donald, leaving Jake and Lana alone at the table.

  “We should all get an early night.” Lana caught Jake’s eye and held it for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Goodnight, Jake.” Before she walked away, Jake caught hold of her arm.

  “You don’t have to come to dinner with me tomorrow night. Not if you don’t want to. I didn’t mean for you to be pressured into agreeing.” The irony was not lost on Jake. How many times had he pressured other people, businesses, and CEOs into agreeing to his terms even if they didn’t want to?

  “I want to. Honestly, I do.” She gave a wry smile. “I warn you I am out of practice.”

  He gave a sigh of relief. “That makes two of us but I’m sure we can muddle through together.”

  “You don’t date?” Lana asked in surprise. “I’d have thought a man like you would be fighting the women off.”

  He shook his head. “I haven’t dated in a while.”

  “Why?” Lana studied him closely. “Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?” His expression darkened. “Or to make yourself more appealing.”

  “No.” He held his hand up. “Nothing like that.” He gave a bashful smile. “This is going to sound idiotic, but I’ve been holding out for the right woman.”

  Lana pointed to herself. “Are you saying the right woman is me?”

  “Is that so hard to believe?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she replied firmly. “Especially since you know a little of my history. You know how much baggage I’d bring to any relationship.”

  “I’m strong. I can carry all the baggage you need me to.” He willed her to believe him.

  Lana chewed the inside of her cheek as she studied him. “I don’t get it.”

  “Have you ever taken a leap of faith?” Jake asked. “Have you ever just trusted your gut?”

  “I don’t have much faith in anything right now,” Lana admitted. “And I’m certainly not looking for a relationship.”

  “You didn’t answer my question.” Jake stood firm as Lana squirmed.

  “Yes. I have taken a leap of faith before. But that’s what got me pregnant,” she said in a hushed whisper. “I thought what I had was true love.” She sighed and folded her arms across her body. “But, if I’d trusted my gut, I would never have gotten pregnant. So there is the conundrum.”

  He gave a small smile. “Your leap of faith gave you a child. And a grandchild.” He arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t that the most wonderful gift in the world?”

  “You’re right. I took a leap of faith and hooked up with the man I thought fate had picked out for me. We were so perfect for each other. At least through the eyes of a young, naive woman.” Lana took a long shuddering breath. “It was my gut that told me I was being foolish. It was my gut that let me walk away and not fight for him even when I found out I was pregnant.”

  “And what does your gut say about me?” Jake asked with hope in his heart but fear in his head.

  “My gut tells me to risk everything and take one more leap of faith with you.” She shook her head as tears misted her eyes. “But I’m scared. I can’t move on or move past what happened to Kiki. So I can’t take that leap of faith or listen to my gut.”

  “But if you found out the truth? If you found Kiki?” Jake asked.

  “Then maybe… Just maybe…I could let you in.” She tapped her heart with the flat of her hand and then turned around and walked away. He watched as she bent down and coaxed Ursula into her arms with promises of a bedtime story and a good night’s sleep before she went riding on the ponies. As he watched, he imagined this same scene playing out each night for the rest of their lives. Ursula would grow bigger and one day would be too big to carry to bed.

  His love for Lana would also grow. Their love would strengthen and become deeper as they got to know each other. Although his love for Lana was already strong and deep.

  But for Lana to give us her heart we need to find a way to do what we failed to do for Sally. We need to find out what happened to her and give Lana the answers she needs.

  The difference this time is that we are not alone. If we can persuade Lana to work with us, then we can bring closure for her and her daughter. One way or the other.

  Of this Jake was certain. Lana had been brought into his life for a reason. It was time for them both to take a leap of faith and trust their guts.

  And what does your gut say? his bear asked.

  My gut says that whoever Lana is meeting tomorrow has the answers. But he isn’t here to give them to her. Not without a little persuasion.

  Chapter Twelve – Lana

  “I don’t need you to come with me,” Lana told Jake for the tenth time as they watched Ursula dismount Nimble and lead him toward the barn under Tad’s close supervision.

  “I will keep out of the way. I just want to be there for you.” Jake wasn’t taking no for an answer. Which was making her dig her heels in and give no as her answer.

  “I don’t need a bodyguard,” Lana insisted as Ursula waved at her nana. Ducking under the fence rail bordering the barn, she walked across the dirt path toward the barn. Jake didn’t follow.

  “Did you see me? Did you see me riding Nimble?” Ursula asked excitedly.

  “I did. You are a natural.” Lana hunkered down and held out her arms to Ursula. “Can I have a hug?”

  “Not until I’ve put Nimble in his stall,” Ursula told her nana in her most grown-up responsible voice.

  “Sorry, I’ll wait.” Lana watched with an amused yet proud expression on her face as Ursula led her pony into the stall.

  “I’ll give you a hand taking off his tack and then you can give him a brush down.” Tad helped Ursula, who was determined to do everything herself. “She is a natural.”

  Ursula beamed as Nimble began eating his hay then she leaned forward and kissed his shoulder. “I wish we lived here so that I could ride Nimble every day.”

  “How about that hug now?” Lana asked as Ursula came out of the stall carrying the saddle and bridle.

  “I love you, Nana. Thank you for bringing us to Bear Creek.” Ursula kissed Lana on the cheek and wrapped her small arms around her nana’s neck.

  “I love you, too.” She held Ursula so tight the little girl gasped for air. “Sorry.”

  “Are you okay?” Ursula asked, looking into Lana’s face with her big, wide, innocent eyes.

  “Yeah. I’m okay.” She patted her granddaughter on the head which was still encased in a riding helmet. “I have to go out now for a little while. Tad will watch over you, but Grandpa is in the kitchen if you need him.”

  “Okay.” Ursula nodded and turned to walk back to her pony, but she stopped and swung around to face Lana. “You are coming back, aren’t you?”

  “Of course I am.” Lana stood back up and went to Ursula and hugged her one more time. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours. I just have to go and meet someone.”

  “Is it a bad man?” Ursula asked and Lana found she had no answer for the small child who had already lost her mom and who had never known her dad. Lana was the only person who could look after Ursula, if anything h
appened at this meeting, anything bad…

  “I’ll be okay.” Lana turned to face Jake. “Jake is coming with me. He’s tough enough to take care of any bad men.”

  Ursula peered past her nana and stared straight at Jake, who was leaning on the fence staring out at the mountains. “Tad told me Jake saved them from being split up.” She looked up at Lana. “He’ll look after you, too.” She lowered her voice. “He likes you.”

  “Jake likes all of us,” Lana told her granddaughter.

  “Not in the same way.” She smiled at Lana, showing off the gap in her teeth. “He likes you the same way as a prince likes a princess.”

  “Is that so?” Lana took a sideways glance at Jake, glad he couldn’t hear what they were saying. “I will stay safe and you will have fun with Bella and Zack.”

  “And Milly.” Ursula looked up at Lana through her lashes. “When you find Mommy, do you think I might get a new brother or sister?”

  “I don’t know, honey. I’ll just be happy to find her.” Lana hugged her granddaughter one last time. “You know I’m doing my best to do that, don’t you?”

  Ursula hugged Lana and nodded. “I miss her.”

  “I do, too.” Lana took hold of Ursula and pushed her away just enough so she could look at her beautiful innocent face. “And I know she misses us.”

  So why hasn’t she come home? The small voice in Lana’s head had repeated the same phrase as a mantra for weeks, months even. If Kiki could come home, surely, she would have. Or at least sent word she was okay. Lana had heard nothing. Which was why she suspected and expected the worse.

  She just didn’t let herself think it. Or ever say it.

  “Now, you go brush Nimble and I will see you later.” She dropped a single kiss on Ursula’s head and then let her granddaughter go.

  Ursula skipped off back toward the ponies but slowed her pace to a walk when she suddenly remembered the ‘no running around horses’ rule. She was a bright kid and Lana was incredibly proud of her. Her mouth tugged up at the corners, but she couldn’t force the smile onto her face, her heart was too heavy. As she turned to walk away from Ursula and toward Jake, the weight of loss was almost too much to bear.

  “Are you okay?” Jake asked gently as he turned to walk with her toward the house.

  “Yeah.” She rubbed her fingers under her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?” he asked as he opened the gate leading from the barn area to the back yard.

  “Pushing you away. I’ve been doing it for so long now it’s become a habit.” She breathed deeply, trying to pull on her professional mantle, if she went into this meeting blubbering like a baby, she would get trampled underfoot of whoever had the information she needed. Lana had to be strong.

  “It’s hard to pull down the walls we put up to protect ourselves. It’s hard to let people in and see you vulnerable.” He glanced sideways at her. “I have walls. Walls that are high enough and wide enough to keep most people out.”

  “When this is over, I’d like to tear them down.” She was serious. Lana wanted to see the real Jake Harrison. She wanted to trust her gut and take a leap of faith into the unknown holding his hand.

  “They’ve already started to fall down, Lana. The cracks started to show the moment we met. Now they are crumbling.” They reached the house and he opened the door leading into the kitchen and they went inside.

  Lana grabbed her keys, not sure how to answer Jake. When she came to Bear Creek, she was hoping to find information that might lead her to Kiki. She certainly hadn’t expected to find love. If that’s what Jake was offering her. He wasn’t the only one who was out of practice at dating.

  “Can we deal with the informant first?” Lana asked as they headed back out of the door.

  “Of course. I don’t want anything to get in the way of you finding Kiki. But I also won’t hesitate to step in if this guy is only here to jerk you around.” Jake was totally serious, and a little scary.

  The woman in her appreciated having him by her side. The reporter in her was concerned he would scare off her informant. “I need you to take a back seat in this.”

  They walked across to her car. Jake didn’t argue and insist they go into town in his Porsche which surprised her. Men always seemed to want to drive, she’d always figured it was because they liked to be in control. “I can do that.” He slid into the passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt. “We should have a sign.”

  “A sign?” Lana asked as she swung the car around and drove away from the house.

  “Yes. You know, a sign to say you need me.” He was being serious, and he might be right.

  “What kind of sign?” Lana asked.

  Jake shrugged. “Something natural, but not something you often do. Flicking your hair back off your shoulder? Or stretching your arms out in front of you.”

  He played out the actions which made her giggle. “I’ll flick my hair like this.” She took a hand off the steering wheel and flicked her hair from her right shoulder and then her left. “Does it look natural?”

  Jake nodded. “Natural enough.” He stared at the road ahead for a moment. “Do you have any information on the guy you are meeting?”

  “No, only that he will meet me at a bar in Bear Creek. The Happy Bear Club. Do you know it?” Lana asked. “I put the address into my GPS, but I haven’t had a chance to research it online.”

  “I know it, but I’ve never been inside. It’s a biker bar on the outskirts of town.” His expression grew troubled. “We’re not exactly going to blend in.” He looked down at his jeans and a casual shirt. “I bet they all wear leather pants and biker jackets.”

  “That’s a stereotypical view of a biker bar,” Lana said as she followed the directions on her GPS.

  “I expect the people who drink at the Happy Bear Club have a similar idea of what a businessman like me wears and how he behaves. It’s human nature.” His jaw tightened as they neared the club.

  “You’re worried.” Lana could see why. The Happy Bear Club wasn’t just on the outskirts of town, it was tucked away down a dead-end road. If things went badly, they might be in trouble. Lana was glad she’d let Jake come along. Although she was certain she could handle herself.

  Ursula’s face flashed in front of her eyes as she indicated to turn into the parking lot. At least she wasn’t the only car. There were a handful of trucks beside around ten bikes all parked neatly along the front of the bar.

  “I don’t like going into the unknown. I’m used to being prepared with knowledge of all the facts.” He nodded toward the building, which looked well-maintained and trouble-free. From the outside at least.

  “Maybe you should stay here,” Lana suggested, which was met with a shake of the head from Jake. “If we both walk in there and we don’t fit in, then my informant is going to know we’re together and might get jittery.”

  “Then let him get jittery.” Jake unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the car door.

  “Don’t make me regret bringing you,” Lana told him bluntly.

  Jake’s eyes danced with humor. “It’s been a long time since anyone spoke to me like that.”

  “Get used to it.” She got out and stood watching him over the roof of the car. “Maybe we should do this a different way.”

  “How?” Jake asked suspiciously. He wasn’t going to like the idea of him staying outside. But Lana could not risk him frightening her informant off. Although it might already be too late. The guy might be watching through a window and already seen she had company.

  “I’ll call you and you can listen.” She held up her finger. “But no talking. We could come up with a code word I can say if I need you.”

  “I’d rather be able to see you.” Jake walked around to the driver’s side of the car. “I can’t have anything happen to you. Not now that I’ve found you at last.”

  She tilted her head on one side. “You really do believe in fate, don’t you?”

  “I really do,” he confirmed.

 
“Then you have to trust in it fully. Would fate have led us to each other just to tear us apart?” Lana asked.

  “What if fate wants to punish me?” Jake asked. “I’ve done some things I’m not proud of.”

  “Haven’t we all,” Lana replied dismissively. “And I don’t feel like being a pawn in fate’s plans. Do you?”

  “It’s the same fate I believe brought you to me.” Jake held out his hands and shrugged. “But I don’t think fate would punish you and Ursula. Or Donald. So go ahead. I’ll listen on my phone.” He nodded toward the building. “Maybe I can stand outside and watch.”

  Lana snorted. “Because that wouldn’t draw attention.” With that, she walked away from him.

  “Code word?” Jake called after her.

  “Fate,” Lana flung over her shoulder before she pushed open the door of the bar and went inside.

  Chapter Thirteen – Lana

  All eyes didn’t turn to look at her, which was a relief, as Lana walked toward the bar and set her purse down.

  “What can I get you?” a good-looking guy in his late forties, with a cute smile, asked as he placed clean glasses on a shelf behind the bar.

  “Will you laugh at me if I ask for a glass of white wine?” Lana asked as she scanned the room.

  “Nope.” He chuckled as he flashed his teeth and arched an eyebrow. “Any particular vintage?”

  “You are laughing at me.” She swung her head back around to face him.

  “I might be.” He leaned down and she noted his tight leather pants which hugged his thighs like a second skin. “Chardonnay okay? It’s a little dry for my tastes, but it’s cold and a decent label. I even have a long-stemmed wine glass to serve it in.”

  “Now you are spoiling me.”

  The guy winked. “Don’t tell my other patrons or they’ll all be asking for special treatment.” He held out his hand. “I’m Jason, by the way.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jason.” She looked up at the well-stocked bar. “Is this your place?”

  “It is. The Happy Bear Club.” He looked up at the wooden rafters. “The place was falling apart when I moved in. A couple of buddies of mine helped me renovate it.” A hint of sadness flickered across Jason’s face.