by Sommer Smith
“Ha! Yeah, you don’t know the half of it. We can still make it work.” He threw up his hands in a wild gesture. “She might seem like she’s not stable, but she makes it work. Her daddy never suspected. She should have been an actress.”
Lauren took the opportunity. While the gun was disengaged, she dropped her body like a limp doll, causing Romine to lose his balance. She then swung a leg around like a martial artist, knocking the gun from his hand. It discharged, and while Romine tried to recover, Grayson dived at him, pushing Lauren out of the way.
The two men rolled around on the ground, wrestling for dominance. Grayson worked to focus on his adversary, though he saw Lauren out of the corner of his eye. She was going for the gun.
Romine must have also noticed; he released Grayson and lunged for Lauren. Grayson grappled for him, swinging one leg out in a fierce kick to throw him off balance. Romine stumbled, but regained his footing, reaching for Lauren again. He managed to grab her arm, but she kicked the gun out of his reach. He released her to go after it and she fell back hard.
About that time, a shot rang out.
Romine’s right hand, which had been reaching for the gun, was suddenly hanging limply at his side. He howled in pain and shock. He wouldn’t be so easily defeated, though, and reached for her with his other hand. This time he was too slow. Grayson tackled him, rolled him over and cuffed him before Romine could get another surge of strength.
Wondering where the shot had come from now that it was over, Grayson swiveled his head around to locate the source of the gunshot.
Cole stood, unstable on one leg, several yards away. He gave Grayson a wink and a salute before collapsing into a heap.
* * *
“Cole!” Lauren yelled, seeing him collapse a few yards away. “Grayson, what happened to him?”
Grayson had already leaped to his feet and was running toward him, leaving the cuffed criminal facedown and protesting in the middle of the road. “The McLaren hit us on his side. I don’t know how badly he’s injured. Call for an ambulance.” He tossed her his cell phone as he ran.
She caught the cell phone in surprise and did as he asked, but as she got closer, she could clearly see that Cole’s leg was broken at the femur. Knowing the thighbone to be the strongest in the human body, she feared the severity of his other injuries. It was amazing no one else had been hurt from that impact. Cole had, unfortunately, taken the brunt of the force alone.
Lauren crouched beside Grayson. “I should call Shayla. That leg looks bad.”
Grayson appeared startled at her words. “Yeah. Is there anything you can do for him until the ambulance arrives?”
She tried to smile. “I’ll do anything I can.” She bent over Cole and began to examine his leg. “I don’t know how long it will take them to get here, but I can probably have it splinted by then.”
“I’ll call Shayla. You take care of Cole.”
* * *
Shayla almost beat the ambulance to them. She got out of the SUV as paramedics were checking Cole.
“Lily is in the car seat, safe and sound.” She tossed the words to Lauren as she collapsed beside Cole opposite the EMT bent over him. “What have you done?”
Lauren bit back a chuckle at Shayla’s words, but then ran for the baby. Having Lily safely in her arms again was the sweetest balm for her recent trauma. She breathed deeply of Lily’s scent as she cuddled her close.
“That was one of the bravest things I’ve ever seen.” Grayson’s words behind her poured over her like warm water, making her tingle from head to toe.
“I’m sure it looked kind of risky to you. But I was desperate.” She turned to look into his face, seeing so much emotion there her throat began to close.
“You couldn’t wait for me to save you?” There was a hint of amusement in his tone as he stepped a little closer.
She smiled. “How did you plan to do that?”
“I wasn’t sure. But I would have figured out something. I had to.” He put a hand on her cheek.
She tilted her head to one side. “Is that so?”
He nodded. “I’m going to kiss you now, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah, it is. But—”
“We’ll talk later.” His lips met hers, gently at first and then with the intensity of a man staking his claim. A little sigh escaped her. Lily lay silent in the shelter of their shared embrace. Lauren’s only regret was that she couldn’t put her arms around Grayson in return.
He pulled back. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
She laughed. “I’ll do my best, but no promises.”
“Speaking of promises—”
“Marshal Thorpe?” A man in a police uniform interrupted his words. “I need to speak to you about the arrest.”
He nodded at the man and looked back to her. “I guess it will be later.” He winked at Lauren before turning to follow the man.
Lauren watched him go, wondering about what he’d wanted to say to her. She hoped it wasn’t what she feared.
Now that they had Romine in custody, Grayson wouldn’t need her anymore. Air refused to enter her lungs at the idea of his telling her goodbye.
She wandered over to a tree and sat beneath it. Suddenly, the idea of waiting around to hear Grayson tell her goodbye was more than she could bear. She couldn’t do it.
What was she going to do? He had left her sitting alone and she couldn’t bear it. Her thoughts were consumed with Grayson, though, and all the things she had never told him.
Like how she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
The tears started and wouldn’t stop. How could she ever expect someone like Grayson to return her love?
She couldn’t. And the idea that she was about to have to let Lily go was also almost more than she could bear.
Lauren put her head down and let the tears flow. Maybe it was the anticlimax of being in a hostage situation and nearly being killed that made it so bad. At least, that was what she told herself. But it was more about losing Grayson and Lily. She knew that, even if she didn’t want to admit it.
Suddenly, Grayson was kneeling in front of her. “Lauren, are you okay?”
She sniffled. “I’m fine. It’s just—everything. It’s too much.” She gestured around her, but his expression said he wasn’t buying it.
“What’s really going on, Lauren? You’ve been crying. Have you changed your mind? Wish you hadn’t mouthed those words to me back at the barn?” He ran a gentle finger along her cheek, trying to tease a smile out of her. But it wasn’t working.
She couldn’t stand it. “I’m not ready to tell you goodbye. I love you.”
She’d blurted the words out so quickly that Grayson sat back in shock. Then he laughed.
“Well, don’t laugh. It isn’t funny.” She was a little angry that he thought her emotions were so unimportant.
“It is funny, because I have no intention of letting you tell me goodbye. I love you, too. I can’t stand the idea of letting you go.”
“But you said we needed to talk about some things. You said—”
He put a finger on her lips. “We do need to talk about some things. I was going to ask you to marry me. I just couldn’t get an opportunity.”
“To...marry you? But before, you said—”
“I know what I said. But I don’t want to live without you.”
“Really?” Her eyes filled once more.
“Really. So let me do this right.” He pulled her to her feet and then got down on one knee. He took her hands in his. “Lauren Beck, would you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She pulled one hand away to put over her mouth. “Yes! Oh, yes! I would love to be your wife, Grayson Thorpe.”
He kissed her then. A long, slow and sweet kiss. When she looked up, her eyes were clouded once more.
“Oh
, Grayson, what about Lily?”
He grinned. “I have something to tell you about Lily.” He kissed her fingers. “Something I think you’ll be happy to hear.”
“Well, what? Just tell me.”
“It seems Senator Reid has decided it would be in Lily’s best interest to be in WITSEC. Before we set up the meeting, he opened up to me a little bit. I didn’t want to mention it until I knew how things would go. But... He doesn’t want to give up his own high-profile life, but he thinks it would be best if Lily Reid disappeared.” Grayson smiled.
“But how does that work? Who will be her legal guardian?” Lauren didn’t know what that meant for Lily’s future.
“She’ll be adopted under another identity,” Grayson explained.
“Oh. Well...good for Lily. I pray she gets a loving home and parents that truly adore her.”
“Oh, she will. I believe, since I am already a marshal and would stand a good chance of having her under my protection anyway, that they might allow us to adopt her.”
“What? Oh, Grayson! But will the senator know?”
“It will be secret. I’m sure he will have a good idea, but he wouldn’t ever jeopardize her safety by telling anyone. It might take a little while, though. Paperwork and all that.”
“He’s sure he wants to give her up?”
“We had a long talk. He thinks it’s in her best interests to be raised elsewhere, in light of the situation. He’s realized it might be better for her to be raised by two loving parents.”
“That’s generous of him. It couldn’t have been an easy decision for him to give up his grandchild.” Lauren looked away, blinking furiously with emotion.
“There were a few things he noticed that helped convince him. I might have elaborated on a few of them.” Grayson grinned at her.
“Like how much I adore Lily? You’re so amazing.” Lauren kissed him again.
“You’re pretty amazing yourself, Lauren Beck.”
Her heart was overflowing as she settled into his perfect embrace.
EPILOGUE
Today was the second-happiest day of Lauren’s life.
They were bringing their baby girl home to stay as their official daughter, and though it was a tight race, this day fell slightly behind the day she had married Grayson Thorpe as the happiest.
To protect her identity, Grayson and Lauren had decided to name her Riley Elizabeth Thorpe, and though the new name had taken some getting used to, it seemed to fit the happy little girl perfectly.
Everyone was waiting at their home when they arrived with Riley. Lauren’s mother, sister, all of Grayson’s brothers and, of course, Shayla and Cole.
Britlan, having immediately fallen in love with Riley, had received news of a transplant shortly after meeting her. She had undergone surgery and was recovering well, now focusing on becoming Riley’s favorite aunt. Lauren’s mother, Donna, couldn’t have been more excited about her new granddaughter and had brought in frilly pink dresses galore for her.
Grayson’s tough brothers, also eager to make fools of themselves over the tiny critter, talked to her in silly voices and argued over which one of them she liked more.
Grayson had recently resigned from the US Marshals Service but had received a prestigious job offer as an adviser for White House security. They had both decided the new job would be in Riley’s best interest—if anyone ever came looking for her because they would be expecting her to be under the protection of a marshal.
Lauren kept her job in the NICU at Grace Memorial, but contrary to her fears of not being eligible for promotion, she’d been offered a position as a nursing supervisor and happily changed to daytime hours. Things were working out better than she had hoped.
Savannah Reid had recovered from her gunshot wound only to be tried and convicted alongside Arnold Romine and several of his gang members. She would spend life in prison. Her father hadn’t even tried to lighten her sentence. US marshal Peter Finney had suffered the same fate, to say nothing of his humiliation for being labeled a traitor.
Grayson’s mission had been a complete success.
“Congratulations!” Shayla hugged her and oohed over how much Riley had grown since she’d seen her last. Cole grinned as he shook Grayson’s hand and patted him on the back. They talked quietly for a few minutes, giving Shayla a chance to hold the chubby Riley, who was now an active, squirmy little thing.
“We don’t want to encroach on your happy day, but we have something to tell you.” Shayla smiled broadly.
“Not at all. Please do tell,” Lauren urged, glancing at her husband with a hopeful smile.
“Well, Cole and I are getting married.” Shayla beamed as she held up her ring for all to see.
“Wow! Congratulations, you two!” Lauren hugged Shayla again and winked at Cole. “I knew you’d come around.”
Grayson echoed her congratulatory remarks. “Looks like it’s going to have to be Little Mrs. Sunshine soon.”
“Ha ha. Very funny, Grayson.” Shayla laughed even as Cole turned pink.
“There is someone I’d like you both to meet before you leave.” Grayson was all seriousness now.
A pretty woman in her midfifties stepped out from behind him, and Lauren clasped her hand as Grayson made the introductions.
“This is my mother, Lena.”
Lauren and Lena greeted each other with shy hellos, and after Lauren finally reached in with a hug, the woman smiled, beginning to show some signs of feeling more at ease.
At Lauren’s urging, Grayson had reached out to his mother after finally locating her. Now a widow, Lena had been afraid of rejection from him and his brothers after leaving and not coming back. But once she had explained the whole story, they had eventually forgiven her.
When Lena had been released from prison, for stealing prescription painkillers, the boys’ father had refused to let her see them. Even though she had gone through extensive rehab, he had gone so far as to obtain a court order against her. Sadly, he had never forgiven her before he’d died, and she had been afraid her sons wouldn’t, either.
The Thorpe men were still trying to work out their relationship with their mother, but it was at least improving.
Riley, however, had won them all over instantly and was currently thriving as the center of attention.
As Lena took the baby into the living room to encourage all of the guests to have cake, Grayson leaned in to give Lauren a kiss.
“Have I told you lately how happy I am that you are my wife?”
“Not since this morning, so please feel free to tell me again.” She leaned into him.
Shayla poked at them both. “Come on, you two. Plenty of time for that later. Right now, there’s a new baby girl to celebrate.”
Cole lifted his glass. “To Riley Elizabeth Thorpe and her happy family.”
The guests echoed his sentiment. “To Riley Elizabeth Thorpe.”
Lauren looked at Riley and then back at Grayson, thinking she couldn’t be happier. As she looked around at their precious extended family, there was only one thought on her mind.
They were going to have a wonderful life.
* * *
If you enjoyed Attempted Abduction, pick up this other thrilling story by Sommer Smith:
Under Suspicion
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.
Keep reading for an excerpt from Rescue on the Run by Jaycee Bullard.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for joining Lauren and Grayson on their journey to protect Lily. They just happened to find love along the way. Isn’t it great how God does that for us sometimes? I wanted to see Lily find the happy family she deserved. Lauren had a deep need to protect the innocent child, and while Grayson was initially leery of the newborn, Lily found her way into his heart.
I believe taking care of newborns in the NICU, as Lauren did, would be a rewarding job. Though Grayson had a job to do, he had to use quick thinking to complete the task. He feared his own efforts would not be enough. It was only later that he discovered how much he needed to turn it over to God.
I hope you enjoyed the story. My email is [email protected], and I love hearing from readers!
Blessings,
Sommer Smith
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Rescue on the Run
by Jaycee Bullard
ONE
All day long, a stiff west wind had been swirling together the worst of January weather—snow and sleet and damp cold. Winter in North Dakota. Time for curling up by the fire with a good book and a warm cup of tea. Not for standing in front of the locked doors of Keystone Bank, hands clenched into tight fists.
Abby Marshall had just about decided to give up on waiting and head for home when her cell pulsed against her hip. She fished it out of her pocket and checked the screen.
Department of Children and Family Services. Her heartbeat quickened. It had to be her social worker, calling with news about the adoption. She fumbled with her gloves as footsteps crunched on the path behind her.
“Have they closed already? It’s not even five.”
The voice was familiar, and so was the oversize boot planted next to her on the stoop. Both belonged to Cal Stanek, Sheriff of Dagger Lake County, and, according to some, the best-looking bachelor in the tristate area.
An uncomfortable silence passed between them. Almost from the day Cal arrived in town, well-meaning friends and acquaintances had been trying to set the two of them up. Which made it awkward whenever she and Cal ran into each other at city hall or the bank or the checkout at the market. It didn’t help that, beneath a façade of cheerful indifference, the sheriff often seemed to be sizing her up through narrowed, vaguely disapproving eyes.