Chapter 14
The workday was finally over, and Jules couldn’t have been more relieved. Even though she hadn’t done much more than data entry and light administrative tasks, her body ached from head to toe. Her pelvis hurt, her shoulder ached, her legs throbbed, and a pounding headache threatened to split her skull. All she wanted was to go home, kick off her shoes, put her feet up, and order takeout.
As she stepped out of the clinic into the afternoon sun, her phone rang. Fishing it from her purse, she smiled when she saw the name on the screen—Zoe. She’d been trying to call Zoe for a couple of days, but the time difference made it challenging to connect. “Hey,” Jules answered, already feeling her mood lift.
“Hey yourself,” Zoe chirped. “How are you doing, sis?”
“Oh, you know … surviving. I just finished my first day back at work, which I consider to be a huge win.”
“Congratulations,” Zoe exclaimed. “I’m proud of you, sis. I know things haven’t been easy.”
She took in a breath. “No, they haven’t.” Not wanting to have a pity party, she changed the subject. “How’s Ireland?” Longing for her sister tugged in her chest. It had been tough going through this emotional and physical rollercoaster without Zoe.
“Well, it’s certainly green,” Zoe said with a laugh. “A lot greener than Texas, that’s for sure. And hilly. Tippin’s in his element. Every time we see someone singing or performing on a street corner, he has to join in like he’s auditioning for Riverdance . You know how he is. Not happy unless he’s acting like a goober.”
A low chuckle circled Jules’s throat. “I do. He’s completely off-the-wall, but that’s why you love him.”
“I do,” Zoe chimed, and Jules could picture her grinning.
As she talked, Jules spotted Brock’s SUV at the far end of the parking lot. She gave him a terse wave of acknowledgment. Two could play the game of being detached.
He gave a curt nod and started his engine. The poor guy was probably bored out of his mind from having to sit and wait for her all day while she was at work. Kudos to him, though, he was determined to stay close by in case she needed him. At least in body. She was getting really tired of him giving her the cold shoulder. She’d gone out earlier and gave him a run-through of everything Mindy told her. The tight set of Brock’s jaw let her know that the situation was escalating.
“How’s everything else going?” Zoe’s voice crackled with curiosity.
Jules hesitated, biting her lip. There was so much she wanted to share—so much she needed to say—but she didn’t want to ruin Zoe’s honeymoon. This was supposed to be a blissful time for her sister, not one spent worrying over Jules’s spiraling life. “The recovery’s a little slower than I’d like, but I made it through the day without crutches. That’s something.”
“Well, that’s always a good sign,” Zoe said brightly. “How’s it going with Brock? I talked to Mom, and she said Dad bought the house across the street from you so that Brock and his brother could stay there and keep watch over you.”
A cackle escaped Jules’s mouth. “You know Dad. Now that he’s got you married off, he’s back to playing matchmaker with me and Brock. Thank goodness he didn’t buy the house for Brock.”
“Watch out, or Dad might break down and buy Brock a guitar,” Zoe joked. “Depends on how desperate he gets … to get you and Brock together.”
“Ha ha,” Jules said dryly. “Dad insists the house is an investment, and Brock and Luke are just staying there while they help keep me safe.”
“Uh-huh,” Zoe drawled, clearly skeptical. “That’s Dad’s story, and he’s sticking to it, huh?”
Jules grunted. “For now.”
“Any leads on Steve Randall?”
“Nothing yet. It’s like he vanished off the face of the earth.” As Jules reached her car, she climbed inside, turned on the AC, and put the phone on speaker.
“What else? I know there’s something that you’re not telling me. What is it?” she pressed.
Jules sighed. It was useless to try to keep things from her sister. She had this uncanny way of sensing when something was wrong. It was like she had a radar on Jules. “I had a nightmare last week. In it, I was back in the accident. I was upside down in the car and saw a man coming towards me. I couldn’t see his face, but I saw the glint of metal in his hand and knew he had a gun.”
Zoe let out a harsh breath. “Oh my gosh. Did you tell Brock?”
“I did. Brock, Luke, and I jumped on a video call with Dad and Sutton Smith. He’s the head of the protection agency where Brock works.”
“I know who Sutton is,” Zoe said impatiently. “I’m married to Tippin, remember?”
“Anyway, they’ve hired a PI to find Steve Randall.” She hesitated as a shiver ran down her spine. Even though I didn’t see his face in my nightmare, I know it was him.” Certainty pinged through her as she voiced the words. Jules went on to share what she’d learned about Steve’s violent history, his confrontation with his boss, LouAnna’s slashed tires, and the threatening note Mindy found tucked in her dog’s collar.
“That’s awful,” Zoe uttered. “They’ve got to catch this guy.”
“I know.” She swallowed hard. “I’m trying not to panic, but it’s hard.” Jules tightened her hold on the steering wheel, making a concentrated effort to focus on the road. The last thing she needed was another accident. She needed to be vigilant at all times.
“Okay, that’s it,” Zoe snipped as if reaching a sudden decision. “Tippin and I will come home immediately. We’ll catch the first flight out.”
“Oh, no you won’t,” Jules interjected. “You’re on your honeymoon, and you’re gonna stay on it. Brock’s here, and he’s handling everything.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” she punched out.
Zoe paused before agreeing. “Okay.”
“Okay,” Jules repeated.
“So … how are things going with you and Brock?” Zoe asked carefully.
“It’s complicated.” She gritted her teeth.
“Y’all were so perfect for one another.”
Moisture filled her eyes. “Yeah,” she sighed, “we were, but it’s over.”
Zoe continued, “Even when I had my own drama going with Nico Ventura, I saw how you lit up when you were around Brock. What the two of you have is rare.”
“Yeah, I thought so too, but then he broke up with me.” Her sister knew this already. She was pointing out the obvious. A few seconds later, she stopped at a red light. Shudders went through her as she thought about how she’d been sitting at a red light when Steve Randall barreled into her. Suddenly, she was blazing hot, and her throat started to close. Get a grip , she willed herself. She looked at the cars waiting at the intersection to her left. They were staying put. No danger here.
“Jules, are you okay?”
She took in a deep breath, hoping it would clear away the fear crowding her brain. “Yeah, I’m okay. Where was I?”
“You were talking about how Brock broke up with you.”
“Oh, yeah. That’s right. I was going to say that I had words with his ex-wife.”
“What?” Zoe screeched. “You had words with her?”
“Oh yeah. She’s something else. Manipulative and vicious. Poor Brock’s got his hands full.”
“Then why not give him a second chance?”
“I don’t know if I can,” she said, her voice low. “I need someone who will choose me. Brock’s a great guy, but he’s divided. He’s trying to do right by his son, but Adrian—his ex—still has a hold on him.”
“Really?” Zoe sounded doubtful. “I’m not so sure about that.”
“Well, I am,” Jules snipped.
“According to Dad, Brock didn’t even want to be paid for protecting you. He offered to do it for free, but Dad insisted on paying him.”
Her eyebrows shot up clear into her hairline. “So you and Dad have been talking about this?”
Zoe let out a sheepish chuckle. “Maybe a little. Look, I know how you feel about Brock.”
Jules tried to say something, but Zoe spoke louder and faster, cutting her off. “No relationship is perfect. Brock has a past life, but that doesn’t mean he can’t have a future with you.”
Hope sprang in her chest. She immediately snuffed it out. False hope was dangerous. “Look, I really don’t want to talk about this right now.”
“Because you know I’m right. I’m your big sister, so you have to listen to me.”
Jules rolled her eyes. “Don’t go pulling the big sister card. I can appreciate what you’re saying, but I’m not in a position to entertain a relationship right now.”
“Baloney.”
She bunched her brows. “What?”
“You heard me. I hope you’ll think about what I said. What if I’d taken that approach when I was in danger? I wouldn’t be with Tippin right now. Maybe this is fate’s way of bringing you two back together. All I’m saying is that you should at least keep yourself open to the idea.”
“Okay,” she relented. “Can we please change the subject? Tell me about Ireland.”
They talked for several more minutes before Zoe let out a yawn and said she needed to get to bed. “Oh, before I hang up, did you get my postcards? I sent you a couple of them.”
“I haven’t checked the mail.”
“Of course you haven’t,” Zoe teased. “You’ll let it pile up for weeks.”
“I’ll check today,” Jules promised.
“Make sure you do,” Zoe sang.
“I will,” she replied in a similar tone.
“Love you, sis.”
“Love you more.”
Concern sounded in Zoe’s voice. “Please stay safe. Let Brock protect you, okay? Don’t fight him on this.”
“Okay,” Jules promised. “I won’t.”
Good timing. She was home. As she pulled into her driveway, she glanced in the rearview mirror. Brock was following behind her. Despite her conflicting emotions about him on a personal level, she was grateful to have him here.
She got out of the car and limped to the mailbox. Just as she pulled out the mail, Brock crossed the street.
“Hey,” he said with a grin that caused her heart to do a flip. “You survived your first day back to work.”
Her eyebrow slid up. “What? Ice Man’s actually making conversation?”
He frowned. “Ice Man? Seriously?”
She propped a hand on her hip. “You’ve been doing such a great job at giving me the silent treatment the past few days. Why stop now?”
He gave her a challenging look. “If that’s what you want.”
“I didn’t say it’s what I want,” she snipped, “only that it’s what you’ve been doing.”
Something dark and brooding churned in his eyes as he leaned closer. “What do you want?”
Blood pumped faster through her veins. Why did he have to look so good? He was gorgeous, even in a gray T-shirt and jeans. She hated the attraction pushing through her like a freight train. “I guess I want to go back to how it was before all of the chaos.”
Myriad emotions battled over his rugged face. “I wish for that too.”
A thousand things that could’ve been said lay silent between them—the sleeping dragon that could rip them apart with its jagged teeth or burn them to a crisp with its fiery breath.
The corner of her mouth twitched. “I’m disappointed.”
His eyes deepened with regret. “I know,” he said.
Before he could offer up another apology, she went for the punch line. “You claim to have all these kick-butt skills, but you can’t even travel through time.” She tsked her tongue. “I guess Sutton Smith was wrong. You’re not the best of the best, after all.”
A startled laugh burst through his lips. “I’ll have to work on that.”
“I’ll hold you to that,” she teased.
Just like that, the tension vanished. “You’re probably grateful to be out of the SUV.”
“Oh, yeah,” he said heartily. “I thought I was gonna have to punch through the floorboard to make some more room for my cramped legs.”
She crinkled her nose. “I’m sorry that you had to cool your heels all day in the SUV.”
“It goes with the territory,” he said casually.
“That’s not true. You go way above the call of duty. Thanks for keeping such a close watch over me.”
The moment slowed. Her gaze went to his mouth as heat rushed through her. Everything about this man drew her in and drove her to distraction. She wanted to kiss him so badly that she could taste it, and yet she had to maintain her resolve. Her eyes traveled up to his thick head of hair, remembering how it felt to bury her fingers in it. She would especially enjoy doing so now that it was longer. Some distance, that’s what she needed right now. She stumbled back a step and then lost her footing. He had to steady her with his hand to keep her from falling.
Amusement circled through his eyes, turning them a warm, rich caramel. “You okay?”
A high-pitched laugh issued from her throat. “I’m good.” She wasn’t good. She was acting like a moron. He knew the effect he had on her and was clearly enjoying it.
She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “I’m starving. Wanna order some takeout? I was thinking Chinese.”
“Sounds good.”
She turned her attention to the items in her hands. As she thumbed through the mail, a bright green postcard caught her eye. She held it up for Brock’s inspection. “Zoe’s postcard. She was right. It came … at least one of them.” It was a stunning image of a rugged coastline, and Zoe’s note was heartfelt. She leafed through the sales flyers and bills, stopping at the plain envelope with no return address. Her name and address were printed in heavy black letters. A dart of foreboding went through her.
Brock immediately picked up on the change in her demeanor. “What’s that?”
“I don’t know.” She slid her index finger along the top edge of the envelope to open it. Her breath caught when she saw the photo. It was the one that Lisa Randall had asked Steve to take right before her surgery—the one of her and Jules. Lisa’s smiling face was X’d out in red ink. Above the photo, he’d scrawled:
You’re next
Her hands trembled. “Oh my gosh,” she whispered as a wave of dizziness overtook her.
Brock glanced around his expression that of a fierce warrior about to go on the warpath.
“Should we call the police?”
His eyes narrowed to slits. “It would be a waste of time. We’re gonna get this psycho, Jules. You have my word.”
Later that evening, Luke and Nikki returned. They’d spent the day at Eagle Mountain Lake, scouring the area and systematically knocking on doors of fishing cabins. They showed Steve’s picture, asking if people knew him. Unfortunately, they had zero luck, which was understandable considering that there was so much terrain to cover and lots of cabins.
Dinner passed in a blur. Jules picked at her food, hardly tasting a thing.
When Brock went to the restroom, she took that opportunity to slip out onto the front porch to get some fresh air. Brock was determined to stay right by her side, but she needed some solitude so that she could clear away the frantic clutter in her brain.
It was a nice evening—not too hot and not too cool. She sat on the porch swing and turned her face towards the gentle breeze, welcoming the kiss of the wind on her cheeks. The sky had deepened into a vivid violet, with the last thin strands of orange slowly getting swallowed up by the impending dusk.
Lightning bugs had come out for the nightly show, popping out delicate flashes of golden light intermittently as if the bugs were performing to the beat of a song made for their ears only. She sat with her hands folded tightly in her lap, trying to quiet the storm raging inside her.
Steve Randall was coming for her … again.
She was lucky to be alive after the car accident.
But would her luck hold out the next time around?
An invisible net tightened around her. For one awful second, she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. Tears blurred her vision. What happened to Lisa Randall was a tragedy. Why couldn’t Steve Randall understand that getting revenge on those whose job it was to help people wasn’t going to bring his wife back? The crazy part was that Lisa’s death wasn’t even caused by anything that the medical staff had done. Steve Randall was unhinged. Plain and simple.
The front door opened, and Brock stepped out on the porch. Hastily, she wiped her eyes with the heels of her palms. He strode over and sat down on the swing beside her. “I step away for one minute to go to the restroom, and you try to escape,” he said with a droll grin. Then he saw her face and blinked.
Before she realized what was happening, he scooted close and slid his arm around her. “It’s gonna be okay,” he said with surprising gentleness.
She sucked in a shaky breath and then nodded.
“Keeping people safe is what I do.”
More tears sprang to her eyes. “When Zoe was going through the thing with Nico Ventura, I thought I understood what she was going through.” She barked out a short laugh. “I had no idea. It’s brutal.”
Lightly, he rubbed circles over her arm. His touch was both comforting and tantalizing.
“I’m sorry,” she said miserably, “you must think I’m a big baby.”
“Not at all. It’s normal to be afraid. That’s why you have me.”
She angled towards him. “Thank you for being here. It means a lot,” she finished softly, grateful that the iceberg that had been between them was now completely dissolved. She didn’t know if she could handle any more of the frosty treatment.
“There’s no place I’d rather be,” he said solemnly, his eyes brimming with such emotion that it melted through her like warm butter.
They sat in silence, the swing creaking comfortably beneath them.
She cleared her throat, wanting to get something off her chest. “There’s something I need to say.”
He stopped swinging, wariness trickling over her features as he turned to face her.
“After that video call with Adrian last week … well, I think I finally understand a little of what you’ve been going through.”
“It’s been rough.”
“I can tell, and I’m sorry.” There, she’d said it.
“Trevor’s my world. I just want to do right by him.”
“I know. You’re a good dad.”
His voice went low and ponderous as he stared into the distance. “When Adrian and I first met, she was beautiful and charming. I thought I’d found the perfect person for me.”
Jules winced, berating herself for being envious of the woman he’d once married. Of course he’d been taken with Adrian, or he wouldn’t have married her. It was dumb and pointless to be jealous of anything that had happened in Brock’s past. The problem was that he’d loved someone else, and she’d only loved him. He was the only guy who’d ever rocked her world … and then he shattered it.
He continued, “Even on the honeymoon, I knew I’d made a terrible mistake. The minute we got back, I went straight to Luke, bawling like a baby.”
“That’s awful,” she murmured, hating herself for feeling strangely relieved that Adrian wasn’t all that he’d thought she was. “Why did you stay?”
“I’d made a vow to Adrian and to God. I wanted to honor it, but she became intolerable—making impossible demands and then threatening suicide at the drop of the hat. Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. I told her I wanted a divorce. She begged me to give us one more month. I reluctantly agreed. She was supposed to be on birth control, but then she got pregnant with Trevor. I later learned that she’d stopped taking the pill six months earlier.”
Outrage boiled in her gut. “Figures,” she growled.
“She used the pregnancy to keep me in the marriage.”
She made a face. “Weren’t you angry?”
“Livid.” He paused. “But then when Trevor was born … well, he’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“Of course,” she said. “That doesn’t mean she didn’t manipulate you.”
He nodded grimly. “Eventually, I walked away from the marriage for my own sanity.” He worked his jaw as if trying to wrangle in his emotions. I’d given up on ever finding the type of relationship that I’d been longing for. And then I met you, and everything changed. You made me believe in love again. And I messed up.” His voice was raw and tortured.
Just as Jules opened her mouth to respond, Brock’s expression turned hard.
“What is it?” Tension pulled tight in her chest.
“Look to your right,” he muttered.
Down the block, an old, green pickup truck sat idling at the curb with its headlights off.
“I’ve seen that truck before,” he muttered. “Today, while you were at work. And a few days ago here in your neighborhood, parked in a different spot.”
Her blood ran cold. “Do you think it’s Steve Randall?”
Brock didn’t answer. Instead, he sprang to his feet and sprinted towards the street.
Before he could reach the truck, it peeled off, tires squealing.