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“Hurting?”
“All I remember is waking up in this paradisaical valley. Cade was there. I felt comfort and protection, but I also feared a witch was bearing down, that she would injure a little boy. My only purpose was to protect the child. That boy was you?”
“Yes.” Quaid’s voice was cautious. “Jace, I’m not sure how much to tell you. What if I cause more damage with how horrific our past is?”
“I don’t know, but this emptiness and the fear and questions are unhealthier. I think.” She looked into Cade’s eyes. “Do you have any idea, Cade? What should we do?”
Cade studied her, cleared his throat, and offered, “Shall we pray on it?”
Jacey was stunned and grateful and knew a better man than this one hadn’t been created. “Yes, please.”
“Thank you for the idea,” Quaid said on the line. “Do you mind if I offer it?”
“That would be ideal,” Jacey said.
“Yes,” Cade agreed.
She set the phone on the coffee table and she and Cade clasped hands. Quaid offered a short prayer, gratitude for Cade, a restoration of memory for Jacey, protection for both of them and for his Anna and the Colevilles, and for Catherine to be caught so she could not injure or kill anyone else.
They all said amen. She clung to Cade’s hands as Quaid said, “Jace. You and I have spent most of our lives trying to protect each other …”
Chapter
Ten
Cade studied Jacey’s beautiful face as she listened. Quaid very carefully told her scant details about their childhood. Their mother had controlled them, and everyone around her, with fear tactics, manipulation, blackmail, and mind games. Apparently if Jacey or their older sister Elizabeth didn’t perform their ‘Oliver responsibilities’ to perfection, Quaid was beaten by Catherine’s henchmen.
Based on what Cade had learned in the Army about psychological warfare and control, their mother was a world-class manipulator and master torturer. It was hard to listen to details, even sparse as Quaid relayed them, knowing this special soul had been the subject of her mother’s sadism and selfishness.
Jacey released his hands and leaned against the couch. Cade didn’t want to let her go. He wanted to cuddle her close and hope she cried healing tears.
She didn’t appear to have any lights go on or shout that she remembered, but she dealt with it all graciously. She asked questions, shed a few tears, thanked Quaid repeatedly for loving her.
The only time she faltered was when he told her about the ‘puppets’. Their father Benjamin and older sister Elizabeth.
Her smooth brow wrinkled, and she said, “I feel … they cannot be like Mother.”
“Who knows?” Quaid returned. “I think Dad is just a shell of a man, but Elizabeth has been groomed to be a senator, maybe president one day. She’s our mother’s shadow and has to be every bit as twisted and evil as Catherine at this point.”
“Hmm.” Jacey didn’t look like she believed that. “What do I accomplish?”
“Accomplish?”
“Am I Mother’s puppet as well? You said I sacrificed myself, stayed with Mother to protect you when you escaped to the Navy, until you squirreled me away to the Coleville’s ranch.”
“You did.” Quaid’s voice wavered. “Jace. You always tried to stand up for me, place yourself between Catherine and me because she, Dad, and Elizabeth were softer toward you. I’ll never be able to repay you for your sacrifice, helping me negotiate my escape to the Navy. I hate that you spent those years without me. If only I could’ve rescued you sooner.”
“Oh, Quaid. I don’t fully remember you, but I adore you. I would do anything to keep you safe.” Her voice caught.
“You did,” Quaid said softly, as if he didn’t trust his voice. “Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Thankfully you’ve been safe with the Colevilles for over a year now.”
Cade knew the Colevilles had been successful at protecting endangered witnesses, but the enormity of keeping Jacqueline Oliver under the radar hit him. Ironic that he and Clint had their blowup a year ago. If Cade hadn’t stupidly fallen for Sheryl, would he have come home injured from the Army, gone to visit the Colevilles, somehow seen Jacey, fallen in love with this perfect woman for him a year ago? They trusted him to care for and protect her now. Would they have shared her a year ago?
“I have no accomplishments or credits to my name?” Jacey asked again, shifting from Quaid’s regret at not rescuing her sooner. “Do I work, attend school, organize functions?”
Cade understood. She wanted to know if her life had been completely wasted. Sadly, it seemed like she’d only been able to do her mother’s bidding to keep her brother safe.
“You are very accomplished, brilliant, and well-spoken,” Quaid returned. “You attended Princeton and have a bachelor’s in international studies and a master’s in human communication.”
