Chapter Twenty Three
Mac escorted Delaney to the living room where the women yelled, “Surprise.”
Her mouth gaped open as she held a hand to her chest. “What did you do?” she exclaimed as tears flowed down her cheeks.
“We can’t let you have this baby without a welcoming party from his or her new aunts,” Rachel said, hugging her.
“You didn’t have to do this,” Delaney said, as Mac led her to the seat of honor.
“Have fun, ladies. Julio and I will load the truck when I pick her up and take everything back to her cabin,” he said stiffly.
Delaney glanced at him and appeared as if she might start crying. Mac turned and left, leaving her with the women.
“We have mini sandwiches, fruit, and an array of sides. Can I fix you a plate?” Rebecca asked, rubbing Delaney’s shoulder.
“Thank you. I appreciate it,” Delaney murmured before turning to Caroline.
“I’m happy to see you, Caroline. We spoke about you the other day, hoping you’d visit us.
I haven’t gone out much lately. Rebecca and Julio put me on maternity leave, and I already have everything for the baby set up.
I’m twiddling my thumbs and waiting impatiently. How are you?”
“I’m fine,” she assured her. “I’m spending time with my father and his friend, Nancy. They’ve made me feel welcome.”
“Good,” Delaney said, smiling. “Tell me you’ll start visiting us more often. I heard Victoria paid you a visit.”
“Yes, she taught me a lot,” Caroline confirmed. “Do you know the baby’s sex, or did you decide to leave it as a surprise?”
Delaney rubbed her protruding tummy and glanced down. “I don’t want to know. If everything goes as planned and the baby comes out healthy, I’ll feel relieved.”
“I agree,” Caroline said, moving out of the way for Rebecca, who passed Delaney a plate of food. “I’ll fix my plate, and then we can chat later. Will you be staying for the barbecue?”
“For a little while, I get tired easily these days,” Delaney said, appearing sad. Not wanting to pry, Caroline left the expectant mother to her thoughts.
Riley smiled as she approached with an older woman. “Caroline, meet Ann, Kara’s mom. They live on a farm here in Embers, and her husband, Jared, works with Garrett and Jameson.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said, shaking Ann’s hand.
“Oh, Caroline, it’s lovely to meet you. Jameson thinks highly of you.
He told me about how you protected the young women.
I hope more ladies like you exist out there.
My Kara suffered as one of them, and I hope the others have someone to watch after them.
I’m sorry if you find me rude for speaking my mind.
I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. ”
“Oh, wow. Thank you. I didn’t do anything special,” she said, brushing off the compliment.
“According to Jameson, you’re the bravest woman he knows,” Ann said, smiling. “It’s known he has a bit of a crush on you.”
Rebecca touched Caroline’s shoulder, “Excuse me, can you get me more ice from the kitchen?”
“Oh, sure,” she said, relieved to have Rebecca intervene. Entering the kitchen, she stopped short, seeing Jameson drinking a glass of tea. He sheepishly shrugged his shoulders and grinned.
“I didn’t want to interrupt you, ladies. Megan fell asleep, and Julio took her to her room,’ he said, holding up his glass. “I thought I snuck in without getting noticed. You caught me.”
“Rebecca sent me in here for some ice,” she explained. “Otherwise, I’d say you did a half-ass job of getting caught for a SEAL.”
Jameson’s eyes sparkled. “If you keep talking smack, I may have to throw you over my shoulder and find a place where I can tickle you until you say uncle again.”
“Again? I don’t recall saying it for the first time. I guess you’re getting old,” she said, opening the freezer and taking out a bowl of ice.
Jameson moved closer, his scent of leather, horses, and hay tickling her senses. His gaze never left hers as he brushed her cheek with his thumb. Caroline nervously licked her lips as her gaze dropped down to his mouth.
“You doing all right in there?” he whispered. “Say the word, and I can have us out of here in no time.”
“Will you use your super SEAL moves?” she teased, whispering back.
“You don’t sound very patriotic,” he said, narrowing his eyes. It made him appear dark and dangerous.
“I’m happy to support our troops. I’m sure they’ll always have a few people who tend to be slower than the others,” she said, arching her brow at him and grinning.
Jameson nearly choked with laughter as he pulled her closer. His forehead rested against hers.
“Have you started drinking?” he asked. “Because the Caroline I dropped off bit her nails and worried about coming. You don’t seem the least bit shy.”
“Maybe I needed friends to give me a different perspective,” she said softly, enjoying the feeling of his arm wrapped around her waist. “Where will you be during the shower?”
“I’m stopping at the cabin for a few changes of clothing, and the guys plan to head to the farmhouse. We’ll stay out of the way until Rebecca calls us,” he informed her.
Her hand slid up his arm, taking in the bulging muscles. A shiver went through her when she assessed how much damage they might inflict if he grew angry.
Guessing what she must be thinking, Jameson leaned down to her ear. “Some men use them to hurt people who seem weaker than they are. I’d rather hold a beautiful girl in mine and protect her at all costs.”
“How do you know what I’m thinking?” she asked, gazing up at him.
“Because I’ve seen the same expression on your face when you made Cain angry. I vowed if I ever got the chance, you’d never wear it again.”
“I’d better get back,” she said, stepping from his hold and heading toward the party, when she stopped and turned.
“Jameson?”
“Yes, Honeybee?”
“I…changed my mind. May I stay at your cabin with you?” she asked, gazing at the floor, not wanting to see if he changed his mind or took pity on her. Before she knew it, his finger lifted her chin to meet his eyes.
“It’d be my pleasure,” he assured her.
“Rebecca took me to unpack my luggage at the cabin. It’s standing by the door. I’ll need to pick it up before we go to yours.”
“I’ll take care of it. Enjoy the party,” Jameson said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
She smiled at him before returning to the party. Butterflies tickled her stomach, and her pulse raced. Her new friends encouraged her to go with her heart. Sticks and stones already broke her bones, but she prayed his name would never hurt her.
Jameson entered the farmhouse, unable to stop the smile from spreading across his face. He heard the other men in the living room, and he headed toward their voices.
“I thought you planned to follow me over,” Julio said, handing him a whiskey.
“I made a pit stop. Caroline left her luggage in the cabin. She asked me to pick it up,” he explained as he sat on the couch.
“Did you decide against staying for the barbecue?” Matthew asked. “The women hoped it might help Caroline come out of her shell. Rachel said she’s turned down their invitations.”
“No. We’re still attending as far as I’m aware. She’s staying with me at my cabin,” he informed them.
Mac chuckled. “Does this mean you’ve left martyrdom and come to your senses?”
Jameson shrugged. “She asked me. I’ve gotten her to relax, but I still see the uneasiness in her eyes. Caroline has become more playful and has let her guard down. I’m trying not to read anything into it. She may want to stay because she feels safer with me than at the cabin by herself.”
“Let her determine where she wants this to go. It’s no secret you care about her,” Julio advised. “But Caroline has suffered a traumatic experience. It’s not like she can flip a switch and forget the last six years. You don’t want to set her back.”
Taking a long sip of his drink, Jameson nodded. “I’ll go as slow as she needs, no matter how long. I feel the same way you did about Rebecca.”
“Then be prepared for the tough days. I know Caroline has seemed rather matter-of-fact about her kidnapping and living with her father. At some point, she has to let it all go. Rebecca called me about Terry,” Julio said.
“Mac escorted her off the ranch, paid her severance, and reminded her of her NDA. We don’t align with her opinions.
Everyone here earned a fresh start, and they’re getting one. ”
“I appreciate it, brother. I nearly drove to her cabin and wanted to shake her for telling Caroline that nonsense,” Jameson said, staring at the amber liquid. “Who knows what else she told her? At least over the past two weeks, Victoria’s stuck around, and she’s given her a new mindset.”
Mac set his drink on the table. “We need to keep an eye on Delaney. Ben Hughes has visited her twice. Each time, I’ve found her crying. She refuses to tell me anything,” he informed them.
“Her ex?” Garrett asked.
“Yeah,” Mac confirmed with a frown. “Shifty-eyed piece of shit. I heard them arguing and entered her house without knocking. He stood over her like he planned on hitting her. Delaney said things got heated, but he didn’t hit her. Something tells me there’s more going on than meets the eye.”
“We can limit his visits to her cabin and have them at the farmhouse,” Julio suggested. “Then Matthew can make his presence known and record him.”
Mac considered the idea before nodding. “I don’t want to intrude on her privacy quite yet. I do like the idea of her meeting him here. If there’s a problem, I want her to tell me.”
Jameson leaned forward. “Why did she move back to her cabin? You seemed to get along at yours. It’s apparent you two like each other.”
Mac pulled on his beard, appearing guilty.
“I’m older than her. She’s a single mama with a baby on the way and has enough on her plate.
Hughes seems to upset her, and I don’t want to add to it.
I’m not the kind of man to kiss and tell, but we enjoyed a lovely evening together, and I kissed her, making my intentions known.
The following day, Hughes showed up, and she moved to her cabin before I returned home from work.
Delaney used the excuse that newborns cry, and she didn’t want to disturb me.
She considers her pregnancy her problem and not mine to deal with. ”
“Did she not want this baby?” Matthew asked. “She’ll be a great mom.”
“It came as a surprise, and I have a feeling having Ben as the father didn’t make her feel any better,” Mac explained.
“When does the new hire arrive?” Jameson asked, sipping his drink.
“He’s coming to the barbecue. Rebecca thought it might be nice for Spider to get to know us in a more relaxed setting,” Julio said, getting up to pour another drink.
“He’ll arrive around the time the baby shower finishes.
Matthew will get him set up in his cabin, and then Spider will ride over with Rachel and him. ”
“We’ve spoken about everyone except you and Rachel,” Mac said, turning to Matthew. “Delaney says you two keep butting heads again.”
Matthew sighed. “She’s determined to drive me to an early grave. One minute, Rachel’s the woman I fell in love with. The next minute, it’s like a demon possesses her. I don’t know whether to get mad or be scared.”
The men laughed, picturing the two of them fighting.
“We have about an hour before the shower winds down,” Julio interrupted their fun. “I want to update you on what we’ve learned from the Feds.”
The men grew serious as Julio turned their get-together into a business meeting.
“They followed Cain to one of the ring leaders, who set up their operation in Denver. Tomorrow, they plan to raid the warehouse. As of this morning, they found twelve victims. We don’t have a number yet on gender or age. They’ve seen four women in total, guessing their ages around their twenties.”
“Do we plan to spin up?” Jameson asked, feeling disappointed.
“No. They have it covered. After the raid, Rebecca and I will fly with Dr. Greene and bring back the survivors. I’ve asked Matthew and Rachel to ready the cabins.”
“I know I’ve spent more time with Caroline than you anticipated. I can do the cabins,” Jameson offered, hoping to give Matthew time with Rachel to work things out.
“We have it. You’re making progress with Caroline, and it’s important you spend this time with her,” Mathew advised. “If the situation were reversed, you’d cover us in a heartbeat. Let us do the same for you.”
“Anytime,” Jameson said gratefully.
Julio glanced at his phone.
“It’s time to pick up Delaney, Mac. She’s tired, and Rebecca suggested she take a nap before this evening. Jameson, you can get Caroline settled, and I’ll let them know cabin four will be available for tomorrow.”
Jameson rose, taking their whiskey glasses to the kitchen and adding them to the dishwasher. His heart sped up at the thought of taking Caroline home. It’s as if she belonged here with him, even if she didn’t know it yet.