by Dana R. Lynn
But he had a job to finish. He needed to see that Alexander was put behind bars and the people at the clinic gave their statements so that the killer would stay in prison for a long, long time. Then Gavin would be able to go to ask for Lexie’s pardon and finally work on putting them on the right path to a future together.
* * *
The first voice she heard was the intercom calling for Dr. Spencer. Alexa wrinkled her forehead. Her head throbbed where Damien had struck her. Then he’d shoved her into the trunk. The memory of the dank, closed-in space overwhelmed her for a moment before she was able to shrug it off. She wasn’t in the car anymore, thankfully. Gingerly, she opened her eyes. Then slammed them shut again as the glare from the fluorescent light hit them. She was in the hospital.
Alexa squished her eyelids together as she fought to keep back the memories of everything that had occurred since Damien Alexander had forced her from the clinic. A shudder ripped through her, hard. Even her teeth chattered.
The vision of Gavin falling, blood dripping on the white tiles, swallowed her up. He’s okay, she reminded herself. He came to save you.
Or did she dream that? No. She couldn’t have. The memory of him jabbing the glucagon injection into her leg was too clear. As was his voice, deep and rugged with pain, telling her to fight. Not to give in.
And she hadn’t. His voice had been her anchor. She’d followed it back from the dark place she’d been in and struggled to keep her eyes open. To keep his beloved face in her sight. She’d tried to get her mouth to move to tell him she loved him. Her swollen tongue wouldn’t obey. She wouldn’t let the next opportunity pass her by.
If there was one. Would he come to see her? After all they’d been through, she couldn’t—wouldn’t—believe that she was only a case to be solved to him. She’d heard the emotion in his voice, felt the care in his touch. That had to mean something. It had to.
And what about Damien Alexander? She shivered as she considered the man who’d stalked her and been responsible for so much death and grief. What about Sam? And the others? She recalled the way that Gavin had thrown himself in front of the gun, taking the bullet for his brother. Even as she flinched remembering, warmth blossomed in her chest. As hurt and betrayed as he had felt by what had happened in the past, he still risked his life for his brother. Maybe there was hope there.
Maybe she should hand the whole situation over to God.
God can heal them. Yes, God could. Please, Lord. Help Gavin repair his relationship with his family. Every prayer came easier. God had already proved that He was on her side. Even when she was near death, He had let her know that He was there and that she was loved. The peace that had filled her was unlike anything she’d ever experienced before.
But she hadn’t died. She was alive. Taking a deep breath in through her nose, she held it in her lungs for a moment before letting it out. After being in the trunk, taking a deep breath was a luxurious sensation.
She felt almost human again. Well, except for the IV in her arm. And the monitors surrounding her. Anything was better than the alternative. For a brief moment, she was back in the trunk of the car. The memory of the closed-in space and the light-headed sensation as her blood sugar bottomed out caused her to shudder.
“I nearly died today,” she said aloud, shivering at the stark words. “Thank You, Lord. Thank You for protecting me. Thank You for bringing Gavin to me.”
“It’s my fault he took you.” Gavin’s voice reached out to her from the doorway. She jerked her head toward the door. The anguish in his voice was mirrored on his face. None of his normal confidence was in evidence. Instead, the pain she saw blatantly displayed seared straight through her to her heart. “Because of my stubbornness, I could have lost you.”
Unable to bear his agony, she reached out her hand, the one unencumbered by the IV. He slowly moved into the room. She was afraid he wouldn’t take her hand. He did. She sighed. Then winced. His grip was tight. But she wouldn’t complain. He was here, and he needed her.
“Gavin, you’re not to blame. How could you even think that?” He was still too far away. Patting the bed next to her, she urged him to sit. He hesitated. Then gently, he settled himself on the edge.
Reaching out a hand, he brushed her hair off her forehead. His warm fingers lingered on her cheek. She turned her head slightly into his hand. All too soon, his arm dropped.
“Lexie, my uncle died because I missed his phone call. Today, I thought it was going to happen again. I thought you were going to die because I wasn’t there for you.”
“Hush. You can’t always control what happens, Gavin.” How could she get through to him? “When I was stuffed in that trunk,” she began, ignoring his wince, “I realized something. I knew that no matter what happened to me, I was in God’s hands. I wasn’t alone. He was with me. Gavin, I can’t explain it, but at that moment, all I could do was trust. I know it sounds weird, but it was a huge moment of grace for me.”
He lifted his eyes to hers. “I’m glad. So you don’t blame me?”
“I don’t blame you. I blame Damien Alexander. He’s the one responsible for everything that happened.”
“Yeah. Before I forget, your brother and his family are on their way. I found your cell phone in Damien’s possession. I hope you don’t mind, but I looked up Allen’s number in your contacts. I had to call him. He was very concerned. He really loves you, you know?”
Tears filled her eyes. She blinked them back, nodding. “I know that now.”
Gavin scratched his head.
“So.” He drew out the word, suddenly awkward. “I was wondering, that is, I was hoping that maybe now that you’re safe, we could go out on a real date. You know, like a normal couple.”
A smile stretched her lips. If it looked the way she felt, it was probably a goofy one. She didn’t care. “I know exactly what I want to do. I want to go get a Christmas tree. I want to celebrate. Will you help me pick it out?”
That casual grin she loved so much flashed across his face. “Absolutely! We can decorate it together. The first Christmas of many together.” His face darkened with doubt. “Unless you don’t care for me that way.”
Oh, that man! That strong, sweet stubborn man! After all they’d been through, he still wasn’t sure of her feelings for him. It didn’t matter. She loved him. And she needed to tell him. Sucking in a deep breath, she braced herself for his reaction.
“Of course I care for you. Gavin Jackson, whether you feel the same or not, I love you.”
She let the words hang in the air between them, waiting.
At first he didn’t react. She felt a little panicky. Then, a slow grin bloomed across his face. That familiar, confident smile that took her breath away.
“Yeah?” he said, his voice smooth, reaching out and capturing her hand in his.
A wave of emotion swirled over her. She had to swallow to speak around it. “Yeah,” she responded.
“Well, I’m glad to know that, Alexa Grant. ’Cause I’m in love with you. Completely.”
She could do nothing about the smile that spread across her face.
The door swung open suddenly. A nurse bustled in, concern etched on her face. Her face smoothed out, and a knowing smirk took its place as she saw Gavin and Lexie sitting together.
“Your heart rate sped up, honey. Are you feeling all right?” The twinkle in her eyes suggested she already knew the answer.
“I’m fine, Zoe.”
The nurse grinned at her and strolled back toward the door. As she opened it, however, she paused and tossed Alexa a wink over her shoulder. Had Gavin seen that? Cutting her eyes to him, she saw the wide smile pasted on his handsome face. Oh, yeah, he’d seen it.
“Bye, Zoe,” Alexa said pointedly. Zoe stepped out and closed the door. Her laughter drifted back into the room.
Alexa was too happy to be embarrassed. The bed shook. A g
lance over at Gavin explained why. He was laughing silently, his shoulders jerking.
“Hey, you shouldn’t laugh.” She pointed at him accusingly. She didn’t mean it, though. Happiness bubbled up inside her and gurgled out in a trickling laugh.
“Lexie,” Gavin murmured, moving closer. “I love the sound of your laugh. I hope to hear it every day from now on.”
Her breath caught in her throat at the warm look he bestowed on her.
“Oh?” Was that husky voice hers? She cleared her throat. Her heart was thudding wildly in her chest. “I’m good with that.” He leaned in closer. His warm scent teased her nostrils. “We should seal this agreement properly,” he said.
“How do we do that?” she breathed.
“Like this.”
He closed the remaining distance between them and kissed her gently.
Alexa allowed her eyelids to drift shut. She kissed him back. It was kiss of tenderness and healing. A kiss that said she was cherished, she was worthy.
She was loved.
EPILOGUE
“Isn’t it time yet?” Gavin glanced at the clock on the wall for the fifth time—11:40. Four minutes later than the last time he’d checked.
“Jackson, relax. It’s almost time.” He could hear the eye roll in Parker’s amused voice.
Parker was standing near the window he’d just opened to let the slight breeze in. Gavin could smell the roses that bloomed directly outside the window. Parker’s gold band, which had been there since his own wedding in April, glinted in the sunlight. One more blessing. After five days of solid rain, the August day had dawned clear and sunny.
“Sure, it’s fine for you to laugh. You’ve already done this.” Gavin narrowed his eyes at Parker, but he wasn’t really annoyed. His friend’s presence helped keep him from totally going insane as the time until the beginning of the wedding ceremony continued to drag on.
Parker laughed. He made no bones about the fact that he was a happily married man. Gavin could hardly believe how anxious he was to be married. Married to Lexie.
Gavin had always prided himself on being calm and steady. Not today. Today he was so nervous that he’d dropped the small square velvet-covered box twice. Which made him even more nervous. He could only imagine meeting Alexa in front of the church and explaining to her that he didn’t have her wedding band because he’d lost it.
Her wedding band. Awe filled him. He was getting married today. He glanced at the clock again. Married in ten minutes. After resigning himself to a solitary life, God had moved in and changed his life. Changed his heart.
“Easy, bro. You want me to hold that box for you?” Sam placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder.
Another wonder. Gavin hadn’t thought he and Sam would ever be able to move past what had happened. Seeing a gun pointing at his brother, though, had opened his eyes to what was really important. It had taken time, but in the past eight months, Sam and Gavin had made great strides in healing their relationship.
Enough so that Gavin had asked his brother to be his best man.
“Guys, let’s get this show on the road,” Parker said, slapping his hands together and rubbing them. Gavin couldn’t agree more.
After today, he’d no longer be alone. No more solitary life.
Gavin allowed a small smile to escape as he appreciated God’s sense of humor. He’d planned on being an island, yet in spite of himself, he’d forged strong friendships with a group of exceptional men and women. No longer did he want to be alone.
Excitement zinged inside him, building until he felt like he would burst from it.
“I’m ready. Let’s do this.”
The men filed out of the room. Within minutes they were standing at the front of the church. Gavin’s throat grew tight as he watched Sergeant Miles Olsen escort his mother to her seat, his father following behind them. His mom looked lovely in a silver and lavender dress. From where he stood, he could see that her smile was tremulous. He rolled his eyes, his heart filled with affection. She was already crying.
As he looked over the church, he could see his other friends and colleagues in the pews. Jace Tucker sat with his wife and daughter, and next to him was Chief Kennedy and his family. The boys looked like little men in their suits. Irene was holding their new baby girl, Anya, against her shoulder. Despite the doctor’s concerns, her baby had been just fine. Her name was actually Antonia, but Irene’s younger son, Matthew, didn’t like that name and shortened it.
Irene’s boys been thrilled to be adopted by Paul. AJ, the older boy, asked Paul if that meant they could call him Dad. Gavin remembered how an uncharacteristically emotional chief had relayed the conversation. Apparently, AJ and Matthew had decided that it would be okay to call their stepdad Dad since their real father would always be Daddy. In that way, they were able to keep both men separate and special.
Miles moved to take his seat next to his wife, Rebecca, who was holding their three-month-old son. Elise Parker sat near them, holding Elise’s squirming nephew, Mikey, whom she was raising. He grinned at the child’s antics. That little boy was a bundle of energy. He was a joy to watch. Gavin knew that Parker was in the process of adopting the child.
Dan Willis was there with his family, too. The twins, Rory and Siobhan, were almost six. They sat still between Dan and his wife, Maggie, but Gavin could see that mischief was alight in their eyes. Their two-year-old son, Jack, was asleep on Dan’s shoulder.
His eyes slid over to where Lacey sat behind his parents. When he’d first seen her at Christmas, it had felt awkward at first. But he was glad to note that his bitterness toward her was gone. In fact, he felt nothing more than relief. That’s when he realized that his parents had been right. She had never been the right choice for him. She was a good wife for Sam, though.
His musings were interrupted by the beginning of the wedding march. His heart started pounding. This was it. His nervousness fled. In its place was anticipation. He barely saw the bridesmaids as Megan and Claire walked down the aisle. His eyes were searching the back of the church for the first glimpse of his bride.
Suddenly, she was there.
His breath got stuck in his throat. She was the loveliest woman he had ever seen. Her blond hair was upswept. It wasn’t her dress or her hair that held his attention, though. It was the joyful smile on her face, a smile that was just for him. It beamed out her joy and love as clearly as if she’d shouted it to him.
He focused on Lexie as she walked down the aisle on the arm of her brother, Allen.
Thank You, Lord. Help me be worthy of this woman You’ve blessed me with.
Lexie reached his side and placed her hand in his.
An hour later, they left the church, husband and wife.
Laughing, Lexie and Gavin held hands as they ducked and ran the gauntlet of well-wishers that lined up outside the church doors. The guests blew bubbles at the newlyweds as they dashed down the path and out to the limousine that was waiting to bring them to the reception hall. The uniformed driver held the door opened for them. Once inside the vehicle, they both sighed. The silence enveloped them softly.
Looking into Lexie’s eyes, Gavin felt like he’d just returned home after a long journey.
“I love you,” he whispered. It was no longer hard to say.
Her eyes softened. “I love you, too, Gavin.”
They leaned toward each other, meeting in the middle for a gentle kiss. His stubborn pride had almost cost him his brother. And more than that. He’d almost given up on finding a love of his own. He would have missed out on the devotion and care of this sweet woman.
Thank You, Jesus.
Lexie sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. The sweet, fresh scent of her hair tickled his nose. Inhaling, he smiled and kissed his bride on the top of her head.
He couldn’t wait to find out what the future held for them.
&
nbsp; * * * * *
Read on for an extract from LOST CHRISTMAS MEMORIES by Dana Mentink.
Lost Christmas Memories
by Dana Mentink
ONE
Tracy Wilson jerked to a stop in the decorated lobby of the deserted Mother Lode Equestrian Center as a scream died away. At first, she’d doubted her senses. Perhaps it had been the whinny of a horse she’d mistaken for a cry. Then came the thud.
Had someone fallen? A worker unloading boxes after hours? She ran down the hallway to the one open door. Pushing into the dark space, she stopped dead. A figure, tall and wearing black, leaned over a dark-haired woman, hands on her throat, squeezing. Tousled hair screened the woman’s face and her hands gripped convulsively, clawing at the fingers throttling her. The attacker was in shadows. Was it a man? Woman? She couldn’t tell, but the person looked up at Tracy just as the choked woman went limp, her hands falling away, the life draining out of her. Irises black with hatred locked on Tracy.
The scream of horror died in Tracy’s throat as the attacker let go of the victim and dived for her instead. Panic fueled her. She raced back into the hallway, intending to make for the exit, but her pursuer was right behind. In her frantic flight, she knocked over a Christmas tree, sending it to the floor, where it smashed into a mess of silver fragments and gold beads. It did not slow her pursuer.
Tracy knew at that moment she would never make it back to the parking lot. Who could help her? The center was deserted, the Christmas decor gleaming oddly in the dim light. Surely even after hours someone would be around, tending to the horses, the steers? Was there not a single soul to hear her if she screamed for help?
She threw herself at the first door she came to, an office, which was locked. The second door, a storage room, was her only hope. Pulse thundering, she shoved her way inside. There was only a flimsy lock, but she managed to ram a dusty chair under the doorknob.
