Chapter Eighteen
Jack halted his cruiser behind Declan’s vehicle, stepped out into the crisp air, and scanned the area for any sign of him. His eyes soon caught Declan emerging from the dimly lit barn, accompanied by Tank. Declan approached Jack.
“Jack, any luck?” Declan’s voice held a touch of frustration.
“None,” Jack replied, shaking his head. “It’s like he vanished into thin air, but I know he’s out there somewhere.”
“I think so too. Sometimes I feel like I’m being watched.” Declan nodded, scanning the open fields around them. “We can’t find him anywhere else, and what better place to hide than right under our noses?”
“I agree,” Jack said, his tone serious. “Be careful out here, Declan. If you need me, just call. I’ll be inside.”
“Okay. Have a good evening,” Declan responded, nodding as he guided Tank around the perimeter of the barn, the dog’s nose close to the ground.
Jack exhaled a weary sigh, made his way up the steps to the porch, unlocked the door, and stepped into the house. An unsettling silence greeted him, causing his heart to plummet as he walked toward the living room. Relief washed over him when he spotted Randi, peacefully asleep on the sofa with a blanket over her, and her soft breathing barely audible in the quiet room.
He removed his hat and crouched down to gently touch her cheek with his fingertips. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing a gaze of warmth and affection, and a radiant smile illuminated her face like the sunrise breaking over a horizon. He leaned forward, the scent of the outdoors still clinging to him, and pressed a soft kiss on her lips.
“Hi,” he murmured, his voice a gentle whisper in the quiet room. “I’m sorry to wake you.”
“It’s fine,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of sleepiness. “It seems like all I do is sleep.”
“You haven’t been sleeping very well at night,” he reminded her, a note of concern in his tone.
“I hate those nightmares,” she whispered, a shadow passing over her features for a brief moment.
“You just remember I’m right there with you,” he reassured her.
“I do, that’s how I can go back to sleep.” She slowly pushed herself up to a sitting position, the blanket rustling softly around her.
“How are you feeling, otherwise?” he asked, searching her face for any sign of discomfort.
“I feel great. I hate that I can’t go anywhere but I understand. I’d be too afraid anyway. I’m afraid to even walk outside unless I see one of the deputies,” she confessed, her voice tinged with frustration.
“You can walk around a little, just let them know,” he suggested.
“That dog scares me,” she admitted, a shiver running through her.
Jack laughed. “He’s a pussycat.”
“That is one big pussycat,” she replied, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
“He’s very well trained. He’d never hurt anyone he wasn’t told to.” Jack shook his head. “I saw him take down a man about a month ago. Declan called for backup because a drunk driver refused to get out of his car. I showed up, and Dec had his weapon pointed at the car, but the guy still refused to move. Finally, the guy slid across the seat, jumped from the passenger side, and ran. Declan looked at me, sighed, then yelled he was going to release the dog.” Jack shrugged, recalling the tense moment. “The guy kept going. So, Declan opened the back door and Tank took off, tackling him before he got too far.”
“Does he bite the person?” she asked, her voice low with apprehension.
“Yes, Declan warns anyone that the dog will bite. Especially if they struggle a lot.”
Randi shuddered visibly, the thought sending a chill down her spine. “No way I’d want those big teeth to bite me.”
“He’d never hurt you. He’s a great dog,” Jack reassured her, his tone firm.
“If you say so,” she replied, her voice still holding a trace of doubt.
Jack chuckled. “I’m going to grab a shower, then get something to eat. Have you eaten?”
“Yes. Go shower, then eat. You look exhausted, Jack,” she said, concern evident in her voice.
“Okay, baby. I won’t be long.” He kissed her lips once more, then stood and moved toward the bedroom, his footsteps quiet on the floor.
Jack pulled his shirt from the waistband of his jeans, tugging it over his head without bothering to unbutton it, and tossed it into the wicker hamper in the bathroom corner. His hand reached into the shower stall, twisting the knob until the water cascaded down, steam quickly enveloping the room in a warm, misty embrace. Stripping off the rest of his clothes, he stepped into the stall, relishing the soothing sensation as the hot water pounded against his weary muscles, drawing a deep, satisfying groan from him. Swiftly, he lathered shampoo through his hair, rinsing it out before soaping his body, the day’s tension washing away with the suds, before turning off the water.
Reaching for a soft, plush towel, he vigorously rubbed his hair until it was merely damp, then slung the towel over the top of the shower stall. With a fresh towel in hand, he dried his skin, feeling the comforting warmth spread through him, before wrapping it snugly around his waist. He padded to the sink, wiping a clear path on the fogged mirror, and began shaving, though his exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Phillips needed to be caught soon, or Randi would never have a peaceful moment.
Finishing the last stroke, Jack whisked the towel from his waist, hung it on a rack and stepped into the dimly lit bedroom, only to halt abruptly at the sight of Randi sprawled across the bed, her skin bare and inviting.
“Hi,” she greeted with a sultry smile, her eyes shimmering.
Jack cocked his head slightly. “Are you ready for bed?”
“I’m ready for you,” she replied, rising to her knees, her voice edged with longing. “I’ve missed you so much, Jack.”
He moved closer, stopping at the foot of the bed. “I’ve missed you too, darlin’, but I don’t want to hurt you.”
“I’m healed, Jack. The doctor said I could resume all activities. All of them.” Her grin widened, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
Jack returned her smile, shaking his head. “That’s good to hear.”
“Yes, so why are you just standing there?”
“Hell, if I know,” he murmured as he clambered onto the bed. His lips met hers, tender yet fervent, as he gently eased her onto her back. The kiss deepened, charged with an electric intensity, as he nudged her legs apart with his knee and settled between them. “Get a condom.”
“No. I’m on birth control. I don’t want anything between us ever again.”
Jack groaned softly. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Please.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he whispered, his lips tracing a path down her body. He lingered tenderly on her scar, pressing soft kisses, before moving back up to her breasts and put his mouth over a nipple until it hardened, then he moved lower, his mouth finding its destination between her legs. He placed his mouth over her clitoris, sucking gently, eliciting an arch of ecstasy from her as she pressed against him.
Randi’s breath hitched as Jack’s tongue teased her. She moaned and caressed his hair, urging him to continue. As he licked her clitoris with his tongue, she gripped his hair tightly, her body arching off the bed in the throes of pleasure.
Jack groaned, loving the way she responded to his touch.
“That’s it, baby,” he growled between kisses. “Let it out.”
Randi cried out, her orgasm hitting her like a tidal wave. She arched against Jack, her body trembling with the force of her release. He continued to suck at her sensitive flesh, bringing her back down from the crest of her pleasure.
Finally, he rose up and looked into her eyes. She was flushed and glistening with sweat, a look of complete satisfaction on her face. He couldn’t resist any longer; he needed to be inside her.
He positioned himself and pushed his cock into her with one powerful thrust. Randi let out a sharp gasp, but Jack could feel how wet she was; she took every inch of him with ease.
He began to move, pounding into her with a force that matched his untamed lust. Randi wrapped her legs around his waist, urging him to go deeper. Their skin hitting together in a primal rhythm as they journeyed toward the peak of ecstasy once again.
Jack groaned against her lips as he came, then they collapsed in a sweaty heap on the bed, their breathing ragged. After a few moments, Jack rolled off her and lay beside her, one arm looped around her waist. Randi snuggled closer; her head nestled on his chest.
“That was amazing,” she whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”
Jack kissed the top of her head and wrapped his other arm around her. “I’ve missed you too, baby. We’ve got a long road ahead of us, but we’re in this together.”
“You never did tell me what you meant by wanting me here.”
“I want you to move in with me.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.”
“I’d love to, Jack.”
As they drifted off to sleep, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of contentment and gratitude for each other. They were ready to face whatever came their way, together.
****
Randi jerked awake, her heart pounding, not sure what had disturbed her slumber. The room was cloaked in shadows, the kind that seemed to press in from every corner, and she scanned the dark, searching for any sign of what might have jolted her from sleep. She looked at the clock to see it was almost two in the morning.
“Did you have a nightmare?” Jack murmured softly, his voice a comforting rumble beside her.
“No. I don’t know what woke me up,” she replied, her voice a whisper in the stillness.
“Well, something did.”
Jack shifted beside her, the bed creaking slightly as he sat up. He reached for his sweatpants, the fabric rustling quietly as he pulled them on. His phone cast a faint glow as he picked it up, illuminating his face in the darkness. He opened the drawer on the nightstand, removed his gun and cocked it before walking out of the room.
“Jack?” Randi called, a thread of unease threading through her voice.
“I’ll be right back. Stay here,” he assured her as he came back into the room, his tone firm yet gentle.
“You’re scaring me,” she confessed, her unease growing.
“Miranda, please. Just stay here.” His voice was steady, but there was an edge to it that made her heart race.
“Alright,” she agreed, sitting up and drawing the blanket up to her chin, seeking its warmth and comfort as she sat in the dark.
Through the silence, she could hear Jack’s footsteps as he walked through the house, each step echoing in her ears. He returned to the bedroom, his silhouette framed in the doorway as he removed his sweatpants and swiftly donned jeans and a shirt.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
“I’m going to check outside,” he replied, his tone resolute.
“Declan is out there,” she reminded him, hope mingling with apprehension.
“I know.” Jack sat on the edge of the bed, pulling on his boots before picking up his phone again. “I’m going to text him.”
The screen cast a pale light as he typed, his fingers moving quickly.
Dec? Is everything alright? He focused intently on the screen, waiting for a response.
Something’s off. Declan’s reply flashed back.
I’m on my way.
“Shit,” Jack murmured under his breath.
“What?” Randi’s voice held a note of rising panic.
“He thinks something’s off. I’ll be right back. Do not, under any circumstances, leave this room. Lock the door behind me,” Jack instructed, his voice firm.
“Jack…”
“Miranda, please don’t argue with me,” he implored, opening a drawer in the nightstand with a soft scrape and removing a gun. He handed it to her. “If anyone other than me or Declan comes through that door, you shoot them. All you have to do is pull the hammer back and squeeze the trigger. Do you understand?”
“Jack, I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice trembling.
“I know you are, darlin’, but you’ll be safe here. I’m going to find Declan.” He leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her lips. “I won’t be long.”
“You’d better come back to me, John Gregory Lawrence, do you hear me?” she insisted, trying to sound braver than she felt.
“Yes, ma’am.” He kissed her once more, then stepped out of the room, closing the door with a quiet click. “Lock this,” he instructed through the door.
Randi hurried to the door, her fingers fumbling as she turned the lock, then quickly scrambled back to the bed. She picked up the gun and held it in her lap, its cold presence both reassuring and terrifying. She’d never used one before, not even the day she went riding, but she hardened herself to do whatever was necessary if Phillips dared to come through that door.
****
Jack moved cautiously through the quiet house and slipped out the back door, every step echoing his inner tension. He swiftly sent Declan a text:
I’m here, right behind the house.
Almost instantly, Declan replied: I’m in the barn. Tank’s growling toward the back doors.
“Damn it,” Jack muttered under his breath as he pressed his body close to the side of the house, pausing at a darkened corner. He surveyed the yard under the glow of the dusk to dawn light hanging over the open doors of the barn, the low beam of light barely illuminating the path toward the barn. He trusted Declan’s sharp gut feelings, if something felt off, it surely was.
I’m heading for the barn. Jack texted.
Okay. Came Declan’s reply.
Taking a deep, steady breath, Jack sprinted across the dew-slicked yard and slipped into the shadow-cloaked barn. Moments later, he texted again.
Where are you?
Declan’s reply came swiftly: Close to the haybales. Tank is still fixated on the back doors, growling. You need to approach from outside, circling around is the best shot.
Got it. Jack responded and exhaled slowly. He then crept out of the barn, holding his weapon in front of him, moving with deliberate silence along the rugged exterior wall, every step measured and cautious. When he reached the corner, he paused, his eyes straining into the darkness. Slowly, he peered around the edge and spotted a lone figure clad entirely in black. In that instant, Jack knew it was Phillips, and he must have assumed that Declan was alone outside while Jack remained hidden with Randi. Rage burned through him.
“Son of a bitch,” Jack whispered, clenching his jaw as he raised his weapon, ready to neutralize the threat. But his moment of aggression halted abruptly when he heard Declan’s commanding shout.
“Stop! Put your hands up and do not move!” Declan commanded from inside the barn, his voice echoing.
Jack watched Phillips’s head snap around nervously, and hesitated before stepping fully into view, his own weapon now trained on Phillips.
“Do what he says, Phillips,” Jack yelled, his voice rough with determination. Reluctantly, they both held their ground as Phillips began to retreat slowly, his weapon still raised in defiance.
“If you don’t drop your weapon, I’ll let the dog loose and you will get bit,” Declan warned, his tone edged with a lethal promise.
In a split second, Phillips raised his weapon and fired. Jack reacted instinctively, diving behind the barn for cover, his eyes witnessing Phillips dash into the shadowed woods behind the barn.
“Declan!” Jack shouted, but his call was swallowed by the dark, and Phillips was already out of sight.
“I’m alright. You?
“I’m good.”
“Take him, Tank!” Declan ordered.
Jack saw Tank bolt into the woods after Phillips. A sharp crack rang out; a gunshot echoing under the night sky.
“That son of a bitch better not have shot my dog,” Declan growled, already running off into the darkness with Jack close on his heels.
They paused amidst the quiet of the woods, exchanged a quick, knowing glance as the sound of Phillips’s panicked screams mingled with Tank’s low, menacing growls. In that charged moment, both men allowed themselves a wry grin.
Declan simply shrugged and said, “I did warn him.”
Jack nodded. “Yeah, you did. Let’s get this bastard.”
“I’ll call it in,” Declan replied, as they prepared to confront the unfolding chaos.
A few minutes later, as Jack led Phillips from the woods, and Declan held on to Tank, they heard sirens in the distance.
“I’ll put him in the back of my cruiser,” Jack said.
“We could put him in mine, with Tank,” Declan said with a grin.
“That dog bit me,” Phillips yelled.
“Yeah, what’s your point? I told you he would.”
“I’ll sue you.”
“Good luck with that.” Declan put Tank into his cruiser and closed the door as Jack did the same with Phillips.
“I need to let Randi know it’s over,” Jack said as he walked toward the porch.
“Alright. I’ll be here. Sirens are getting closer. They’ll be here any minute.”
Jack nodded as he entered the house and made his way along the hall to the bedroom.
“Randi? It’s me, sweetheart. You can open the door. It’s over. We got him.”
The door swung open, and she jumped into his arms. He held her close as she cried.
“I was so scared when I heard the shots.”
“Phillips shot at us, then at Tank.”
Randi gasped. “Did he hit anyone or Tank?”
“No, he missed. Tank didn’t though. Phillips has a good-sized gash on his arm.”
“Good.” Randi’s arms tightened around Jack, and he held her close.
“I have to go out to meet with the other deputies.”
“Can I come too? I want to see him in the back of that vehicle.”
“Yes, ma’am. Get a robe on.”
Randi tugged her robe on, slipped her feet into her slippers, then Jack took her hand and led her outside. He walked her toward the back of his cruiser and opened the door. The interior light came on and he heard her sigh when she saw Phillips sitting there in handcuffs. She nodded at Jack, and he shoved the door closed.
Jack watched as she walked toward Declan and hugged him. He seemed surprised but hugged her back.
“Thank you so much, Declan, and you can thank Tank for me.”
Declan grinned. “You’re welcome and you can thank Tank yourself.”
He opened the back door, and Randi stared at the dog. “Can I pet him?”
“Yes.”
She rubbed his big head and laughed when he licked her. “Thank you, Tank. I’m buying you a big steak.”
“I told you he was a pussycat,” Jack said.
“You wouldn’t know it by his size.”
“He’s a good dog. Just don’t punch Declan.” Jack laughed.
“I would never do that anyway. I can’t thank you all enough.” She looked at Nevada and Logan. “Including you two.”
“I’ll take him in, Jack. You get some rest. I called Sam, so he should be here anytime to talk with you,” Logan said.
“Alright.”
Logan opened the back door of Jack’s cruiser, pulled Phillips out, then loaded him into the back of his SUV cruiser. He gave them a nod, got into the vehicle, and drove off with Nevada following him.
As they disappeared down the driveway, another cruiser appeared, and Jack knew it was Sam.
After he and Declan told Sam what had happened, he told them to write a report tomorrow and everyone get some sleep.
Jack led Randi back inside and they headed to bed. For the first night in a long time, they both fell into a deep, restful sleep.
****
Randi sat at the kitchen table, her fingers absently caressing the edge of a well-worn envelope. The paper’s delicate texture echoed the weight of her troubled thoughts, and as she gazed at it, her breath hitched with silent apprehension. Just then, Jack stepped into the kitchen, his presence filling the air with comforting familiarity.
“Are you going to read it or just stare at it?” he asked playfully while preparing a cup of steaming, aromatic coffee that sent wisps of the rich scent curling around them.
“I’m afraid to read it,” Randi admitted, her voice tremulous, as if the mere possibility of the words inside could shatter her fragile peace.
Jack set his cup aside, pulled a chair close, and sat beside her, his eyes filled with concern.
“Why?” he prompted gently.
Swallowing hard, Randi murmured, “What if she said she never wanted me?” The question hung in the quiet room, with both sorrow and fear.
Jack’s brow furrowed. “Why would she write a letter telling you that? She didn’t have to spell it out,” he reasoned, his tone laced with disbelief.
Randi managed a small nod, accepting his words, “That’s true,” she conceded.
Jack leaned in and asked quietly, “Do you want me to read it?”
“Will you read it to me?” she pleaded, her voice a tender whisper that blended vulnerability with hope.
“Of course. Open it,” he encouraged, his hand reaching out as if to bridge the distance between her past pain and her present strength.
With shaking fingers, Randi tore open the envelope, the crisp rustle of paper echoing in the stillness of the room. She pulled out a neatly folded sheet and handed it to Jack. His eyes scanned the handwritten lines slowly, absorbing every nuance of the painful confession. When he finally met her gaze, his expression was a mix of sorrow and resolve.
“Ready?” he asked, his voice a quiet invitation for her to step into her past.
“Yes,” she whispered, preparing herself for the cascade of memories and emotions.
Jack cleared his throat and began to read aloud:
“My daughter, Miranda,
I can never tell you how sorry I am for leaving you, but I knew, deep in my heart, that I would never be able to care for you. I was sixteen and petrified by the idea of becoming a mother. My parents, with their steady hands and kind hearts, were simply the better option for you. Not a single day passed without thoughts of you haunting my mind, yet I realized that returning to your life wouldn’t have been beneficial for either of us. In my desperation, I turned to drugs at seventeen, resorting to any means necessary to fuel that dependency. I am not proud of those actions, but they were the grim reality of my existence.
I wandered the streets for years, each day a reminder that I could never find my way home again. My departure shattered my parents yet leaving you in their care perhaps provided them with a meager solace amid their sorrow. They would have protected and nurtured you far better than I ever could.
By the time I reached my thirties, I resolved to set my life on a straighter path. I recognize now that I should have reached out to you sooner, but I was convinced you’d refuse to welcome me. I abandoned you, so why would you ever invite me back? Never doubt that I loved you. It may be hard to believe, but I truly did, and that love endured.
I married a wonderful man who accepted all my faults, including the truth about you. It was his decision to revise his will, granting me the freedom to do as I wished with everything, so that I might prove my love to you. Everything I have is yours, apart from the inheritance I set aside for my parents and stepson.
If you choose not to claim it all, I ask that you donate what remains to charity or give it to my parents. As for my stepson, he is undeserving, a cruel man who merits nothing, not even a fraction of what I bestowed upon you.
When I say everything, I mean every tangible asset: all the funds in the bank, the cars, houses, and every cherished item within those walls. It is all yours, Miranda. Do as you wish with it, yet I hope you embrace it entirely, as it is the least I can offer to atone for my failings. May it ensure that you live a life free from want. To merely say there are millions at your disposal would be a profound understatement. Please, accept this gift, and always remember that I love you—forever.
Your mother,
Marla”
Jack folded the letter with deliberate care and looked at Randi. Tears glistened and streamed down her face, catching the light as if reflecting all the pain and love intricately woven within the words. He gently placed his hand over hers.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.
“She loved me,” Randi murmured, the simple statement trembling with complex emotions.
“She did. She just couldn’t manage everything she went through. And then that bastard stepson... he further broke her spirit,” Jack said, a half-smile tugging at his lips as he added, “I love that she only gave him a small amount, though a million isn’t exactly nothing.”
“True,” Randi responded, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the lingering gloom. “But what am I going to do with all of this?” She held the letter up.
Jack leaned closer, his voice a soft murmur. “That decision is entirely yours. Perhaps part of it could fund a beautiful wedding.”
“A… wedding?” Randi echoed, in a surprised tone.
“Yes,” he replied with heartfelt sincerity. “I want to marry you. I never want to be without you.”
“You just want me for my money,” she teased gently.
Jack laughed, a warm, hearty sound that filled the room with humor. “Damn. Busted.”
Randi joined in the laughter, the echo of their shared humor easing the tension. “I don’t believe that for a second. We could have a magnificent wedding and then embark on an unforgettable honeymoon.”
“Anywhere you’d like,” Jack promised.
“You’ll think I’m crazy, though,” she warned playfully.
“Why?” he prodded.
“Well, most honeymoons are set against the romantic backdrops of Italy or the sun-kissed shores of Hawaii. I dream of Switzerland, with its majestic peaks and crystal lakes.” Her voice softened, each word painting a vivid image in the quiet room.
“Then Switzerland it is,” Jack declared, a smile breaking across his face.
Randi continued, “I’m going to keep everything, Jack.”
“Good. I think you should,” he replied.
“The very first thing I’m going to do is pay off my loan for the shop and then your mortgage, and then we’ll plan our wedding,” she stated with a mix of determination and affection.
Jack responded lightly, “I don’t need you to pay off my mortgage.”
“Tough. I am. I love you, Jack. What’s mine is yours,” Randi said, her smile radiating warmth and commitment.
“I love you too, sweetheart,” he said.
“You could quit your job—” she began.
“No. I love my job,” he countered.
“But we could travel,” she suggested, her eyes sparkling with dreams of adventure.
“We can certainly travel on my vacations. For now, though, let’s travel to our bedroom,” Jack said with a hint of mischief.
He took her hand, helped her rise, and led her toward the bedroom, each step filled with intimacy and promise.
“I’d travel with you anywhere. Anywhere in the world,” she whispered.
“Same here, darlin’. Same here,” he replied. As he gently closed the door behind them, the outside world faded away, leaving only the comfort of their shared space. In that moment, they needed nothing else but each other, wrapped in the quiet embrace of their love.