Chapter 5
Chapter
Five
She had no idea how long she sat in the bathroom, vacillating whether she should go fight by Cade’s side or stay hidden. It was long enough that her backside grew stiff and cold from the tile and she needed to use said bathroom. Did she dare? Standing carefully, she pressed her ear to the door and listened. Nothing.
Cracking the door oh so cautiously, she listened again. Nothing. If the men were still here, they must’ve gone outside.
She shut the door, locked it, and switched on the light. Using the toilet, she withheld a groan as she stood and her thigh and head both ached. She flushed the toilet, then fretted whether she should’ve. Instinct.
Turning to the sink, she gasped. Oh dear. Whatever was messing with her brain wouldn’t allow her to recall her own name, but she somehow knew this wasn’t the manner her face should appear. A horrific mess.
And Cade … that ruggedly handsome cowboy had almost ki ssed her. Was he a lonely, desperate man, or one of those saintly men who focused on the soul? He appeared to be the best man in the world to her.
Glancing around, she realized there were no beauty products available. Just a pedestal sink with hand soap and a hand towel. She didn’t require makeup or perfume; however, a sample of lotion or tube of Vaseline would be something to work with.
She washed her hands and face. Removing her shirt, she cleansed under her arms. She scrubbed her shirt with the nice-smelling hand soap. A vanilla and lavender mix. It was pleasing. At least she had that to work with.
She wrung the shirt out and slid it back on, grimacing at the snags and tears in the material and dirt smudges she couldn’t get out. At least it smelled better and was a dri-fit material that would dry before long.
Pulling her hair out of the ponytail, she secured the elastic on her wrist and then flipped her hair, shaking it out.
Throwing her head back, she looked critically in the mirror. Ran her fingers through her straight hair and fluffed it around her face. Marginal improvement. Hopefully she didn’t stink any longer. Cade emanated a musk, leather, and outdoorsy scent, the perfect cowboy accents if she had ever thought of that before. And she smelled like a high school locker room. No, a hockey locker room. Her nose wrinkled. How did she know what a hockey locker room smelled like?
Footsteps approached and she froze. While she had fretted about outward appearance and scent, there were men infiltrating Cade’s home. Danger had arrived. Cade appeared to be a loyal cowboy hero, but what if he’d sold her for a mess of pottage? A Bible reference. At least she remembered that.
She flipped off the light, and the bathroom plunged into darkness again. If the witch couldn’t see her, she couldn’t hurt her brother.
Brother. It was a brother she was worried about. Who was he? Where was he? Did the witch have him under lock and key?
A soft rap on the door. “Jacqueline?” Cade asked.
Jacqueline. Jacqueline? Was that her name? Was she French? It could be her name, but she had a negative feeling surrounding that name.
She pivoted and pulled the door open. The light from the windows in the main area spilled into the laundry room, highlighting the irresistible cowboy. His green eyes were concerned for her.
“Jacqueline?” she asked. “Something with that name … it’s off.”
He swallowed, and she was fascinated by his neck and that Adam’s apple and … was there anything about him that wasn’t appealing?
“Jacey,” he tried again.
She studied him and, similar to when she’d prayed, she felt comfort and the rightness of the name. “That is correct.”
He nodded. “It fits you.” His gaze trailed over her. Did he like that she’d attempted to clean herself?
She was grateful for him, his protection, and that he’d discovered her name. She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him. “Thank you for rescuing me and gifting me with my name.”
Sadly, all she could claim was a first name and an injured brother she was concerned about, but she had her cowboy Cade and that improved the situation and her outlook.
“Sure.” He seemed a little uncomfortable with her hugging him. What had changed? He’d almost kissed her earlier .
The people who’d arrived? They knew her identity and their visit made him leery. She didn’t hear movement. Had they retreated?
“You smell like lavender and vanilla soap,” he said. “I love that smell.”
“The lovely scented hand soap doesn’t fit our tough cowboy.”
He eased back and smiled. “My mom has stock in Bath and Body Works.”
“Truly?” His mom? What about the rest of his family? What about hers? Her mind raced with questions as they conversed about soap.
“Nah. She loves it. I get hand soap and body wash and body splash for every occasion.”
No wonder he smelled tantalizing. He had a kind mother who gifted him scented soap. She didn’t believe she had a nice mother.
“Why are you all wet?” he asked.
She flushed, but shrugged. “I … smelled poorly.”
“You didn’t.”
“I looked horrific.”
“Not possible.”
She smiled. They stood there, staring at each other. The fact that he didn’t believe she’d stunk or looked awful made her heart swell. Then all the worries crashed into her. She needed answers and a multiplicity of help.
“Those men? Are they still here? Why did they come for me? Are they waiting out there? Is the awful witch aware of my location? My brother. He needs me.” She grabbed his arm. “Can you help me, Cade?”
He nodded very seriously. “Yes. ”
“Thank you.” She wanted to hug him again but didn’t want him to stiffen and not respond to her embrace.
“Why don’t we go make some breakfast and talk this out?”
“I don’t know if I can stomach nourishment,” she admitted. “I trust you, and I’m grateful you sent those men away. Were they … underhanded?”
“No. Some really good guys, actually.” It seemed to pain him to say that. “One is our sheriff. They want to protect and help you.”
“Oh. That’s … thoughtful of them.” She tried to wrap her mind around her feelings and then explain them. “I’m terrified of the witch coming for you and my brother.”
“I can understand that.”
He believed her about the witch?
Cade directed her out of the laundry room and into the kitchen. Pulling out a couple barstools, he waited until she sat and then settled into one himself. “Doc thinks your memories will come back soon. He believes you have dissociative amnesia, which can result from trauma or stress. You had both. You got some bad news right before your fall. An evil woman escaped from prison, and I’m sure you’re afraid she’ll hurt your brother again.”
She stared at him, wishing she could remember. His explanation didn’t spark anything. Who was this evil lady? The witch? She had injured Jacey’s brother. Jacey loathed that lady. Why would the witch hurt him, and who was she? Was she coming?
“Doc says you might get your memory back in hours or days. Rarely does this type of amnesia last weeks.”
“That’s positive news.” At least something.
“Yeah. And he said it won’t hurt you if I tell you your name and answer questions you have, but not to give you too much information. Plus, I don’t want to scare you.”
She licked her lips. “The witch is coming for me, or is she searching for my brother?”
“She’s escaped prison. I doubt she’d dare go after your brother. He’s famous, a former special ops soldier, and has powerful friends.”
“That’s wonderful news. What is his name?”
“Lieutenant Quaid Raven is the name he goes by. He was Thomas Oliver as a child.”
She waited, hoping the names would ring a bell like Jacey had, but all she felt was concern. This witch would hurt her brother and her.
“You generously offered to help me.” She worried her lip. “Is this situation too burdensome? Should I accept the protection of those men, the sheriff? It is his job to protect. I don’t want to expose you or your perfect home and valley to this evil witch.”
“Do you want to leave me and go with them?” Cade’s green eyes became piercing. “It’s your choice, Jacey.”
The last thing she wanted to do was leave him. He was safe, thrilling, kind, and appealing. She adored hearing her chosen name from his fascinating lips.
“I choose you,” she burst out with.
Cade’s grin took her breath away. “Thank you, Jacey,” he said softly. “I will take care of you, protect and shelter you. Only you can choose to leave me.”
Jacey’s jaw went slack. Was his declaration only about protection, or did he want her to stay … longer? “You are an incredible man and an enthralling cowboy, Cade Miller.”
“Thank you.” He looked embarrassed by her praise .
He wouldn’t push her away or let anyone else take her. That meant a lot. She hoped he was prepared for a female house guest. She was safe, happy, and she wanted to stay here. Why would she ever choose to leave?