Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
SHAW
We were granted a brief reprieve from the rain for the rest of the afternoon and into the night, so I spent the evening showing Monroe around the ranch. Sharing more details about my dreams for when I’m fully up and operational as a special needs/therapy ranch.
Her eyes lit up with excitement, and I think that’s the moment I fell in love with Marilyn Monroe Kingsley. Without hesitation, Monroe happily offered ideas of what some of the kids might like, and much to my surprise—given that she’s never been on a ranch before—they were solid notions.
The suggestion to build a cheering stand, just like at a sponsored rodeo or horse show, was one I’d thought about but hadn’t solidified yet.
But now that she’s said it, it will be one I incorporate.
A therapy wall was another thing I really liked.
A wall wholly dedicated for kids to draw and paint on.
Providing visitors with a better-suited atmosphere is something unique I haven’t seen in other facilities that I’ve toured.
“You’re good at this stuff,” I murmur into her hair as she feeds another blade of grass to Mari.
She shrugs. “Not really. Your passion inspired mine. What you’re planning here will change so many lives, Shaw.”
Spinning her to face me, I lean forward and drop a tender kiss on her lips. When she follows me as I move to pull away, I can’t hide my smirk. Monroe is as addicted to me as I am to her.
The sound of a vehicle pulling up draws us apart. Unadulterated fear enters Monroe’s eyes again and sets me on edge. “Go inside,” I tell her. She doesn’t blink before running in the back door as I pull the gun from my waistband and slowly edge along the side of the house.
Relief hits when I see Draven and Nina walking up to the porch. “Hey,” I call out as I holster my gun.
While the danger isn’t as great as I’d originally thought—what with recognizing the mother’s involvement with Monroe's stalker and his identity—what worries me is the fact that the man has become obsessed.
“I tried calling,” Draven scowls at me.
“How you doing, Nina?” I ignore my friend.
“I’m good, Shaw.” I lean down for her to kiss my cheek. The woman can be deadly, but she’s sweet as hell with me, and it drives Draven crazy.
“We lost our tail on Alton this morning.” That grabs my complete attention.
“Where?”
“The airport.” My ears buzz at his words.
“The fucking bitch told him where Monroe is,” I hiss. There’s no way he isn’t coming here. That’s what I would do.
“She sold me out?” Monroe’s disappointed voice carries from the front door, and I spin to find tears streaming down her face.
“Darlin’.” I can’t stand when she cries. And she does it too fucking much because everyone around her has thoroughly betrayed her in the worst fucking ways imaginable.
Rushing to her side, I pull her into my arms. “I won’t let the bastard touch you.”
“I know.” She sniffles. “It’s just, why would she do that? I’m her daughter. Isn’t she supposed to be as fiercely protective of me?”
“Monroe.” Nina walks up the steps and takes her hands in her own. “When Lorie called me, shocking as it was, I knew at once you were someone special. Your mother doesn’t deserve you. She never did.” Monroe can only nod. “Now, that’s not the only reason we came.”
I look up at Draven, and he affirms it. “Let’s go inside to talk.”
Leading everyone into my living room, I sit next to Monroe as Nina begins to speak.
“I have an old service friend who now tracks missing people down for a living. He’s not perfect, and he isn’t always right; however, I believe he’s found your father.
He’s getting a DNA test first to confirm it, but we’re 99 percent certain it’s him. ”
Damn. I wasn’t sure Nina and Draven would be able to find him.
Glancing down at Monroe, I can see she’s in shock. “How can you be sure it’s him?” I ask when Monroe stays silent.
“Court records mostly. But when he was questioned about family, he mentioned Monroe by name. Even using her preferred name. We could always be wrong, which is why the DNA test. But our investigator said the loving way he spoke about you leaves little doubt as to his identity.”
“And once it’s confirmed, then what?” I ask.
Still nothing from my girl.
“We give Monroe the information, and it’s hers to do with as she pleases. The man has no idea we are working for her, and it will remain that way unless she wants assistance with first contact.”
“What about my mother?” Ahh…there she is.
“What about her?” Draven frowns, as annoyed as I am that the woman is even a concern for Monroe at this point.