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They hung up and his mind circled back around to Jacey not wanting him, not loving him, not choosing him. She was leaving in the morning. He’d do his chores and then he could wallow and take a nap. Being alone hadn’t bothered him too much this past year. It’d been great therapy. He’d found himself and, more importantly, reconnected with his Savior. Now being alone loomed like a dark hole. Without Jacey, he would get sucked in and die there.
He was being dramatic. That wasn’t him.
Long hours passed. Five a.m. finally came. He debated doing chores but couldn’t stand to be away from her.
He showered quick, put on cologne, and dressed in a clean T-shirt and jeans. He was a smitten mess. And she was leaving. He’d known when her memory returned she’d realize she was eons out of his league and he’d been the one to stupidly stop kissing her and tell her he ‘couldn’t’. He wanted to explain he ‘couldn’t’ let down his guard right now, but he hoped she’d choose him when she was safe.
Good thing he hadn’t gotten the words out. He’d be more humiliated than Sheryl dumping him, and that had been viewed by the entire town at the Fourth of July celebration and the church potluck dinner and the rodeo crowd.
He was still a darn fool like he’d been a year ago.
A ding came on the computer. Staring at the computer and yanking out his phone, he could see two vehicles driving up the canyon. It could just be Sheryl again, but he wasn’t risking Jacey for anything.
His neck prickled and darkness swirled around him. It was similar to the times in the military when they’d been attacked without warning.
He raced across the hall. “Jacey!” he called, rapping hard on the door.
He waited, wasting precious seconds.
“Jacey!” He knocked again.
The door flung open. She stood there in a T-shirt and soft-looking shorts, her eyes cloudy and red-rimmed, her hair all over the place. She was beautiful. Had she been crying?
“Get some shoes and put some pants on.” There was no time to sugarcoat anything. “We’ve got to go.”
He turned and rushed back into his office. He zoomed in and studied the camera feed to the entrance of the canyon. Two SUVs that looked like they were CIA or Secret Service had come past the canyon entrance. They were moving fast, obviously not caring about ruining their vehicles or an uncomfortable ride.
He debated what to do as he pushed Clint’s number. It rang and rang. Had Clint fallen asleep? Cade would get Jacey in a secure spot and hopefully distract them. Clint should be getting alerts, but he’d keep trying to call. He typed in YouTube and clicked on the first video he saw, turning the volume up and confirming auto-play was on. Hopefully they’d hear the noise and come investigate, giving Clint time to assemble a small army. If he’d answer his phone. He dialed again.
Racing back into his master suite as the phone rang, he saw Jacey in the closet tugging running shoes on. He hurried in, bumping her in his hurry. His heart was beating high and fast. Breathing wasn’t easy. He was headed into battle but not with his highly trained unit. He was by himself, defending the woman he’d fallen in love with from a sadistic mother and an army of mercenaries.
“Sorry, sweetheart.” He really needed to stop calling her that.
Her lips were pinched and her face pale. “My mother?”
“I’m afraid so.” He handed her the phone. “Can you call Clint? He didn’t answer.”
He reached above her head and grabbed his Mossberg 590 shotgun. He already had his pistol strapped on. He grabbed extra magazines and ammo for the guns and tilted his head. “Let’s go.” If only he could hold her hand, hold her, reassure her.
She nodded and pushed Clint’s number and the speaker button as they rushed down the stairs. The phone rang and rang. He clicked on the TV and pushed play on the movie in the DVD player. Sweet Home Alabama. He wished innocence such as kissing Jacey anytime he wanted existed.
They ran through the great room. He flipped on a light in the bathroom and turned on the water. Anything to make them search the house longer and not find them. Should he cruise off in the Ranger or hide out in the garage?
Lights bouncing off the canyon walls made the decision. They were only five or six minutes out. They’d easily overtake the Ranger. How had they gotten here so fast?
Jacey gave a little cry seeing those lights. Clint still wasn’t answering. What was wrong?
“The barn,” he murmured.
She ran full out behind his house, the house giving them cover, then she wisely used the trees and went around the backside of the barn, using the rear entrance.
Cade looked around the darkened barn. The horses neighed greetings. What if they gave them away?
“Shh. Shh.” Cade tried to calm them, directing Jacey to the ladder and the hay loft. He’d have the elevated position and a great view of the small front door of the barn. He doubted they’d try to open the large overhead door. Too noisy and obvious.
She put the phone in her pocket and climbed the ladder quickly and easily. Cade shoved the ammo and extra magazines in his pockets as best he could and strapped the shotgun over his back.
He heard doors open and close in the distance. They were here. He scaled the ladder quickly, crouched next to where Jacey was kneeling, her body trembling. He needed to comfort her, but protecting her had to come first.
