Jake groaned at the intrusion.
“Jake, this is Michael Estes. Michael, this is Jake Lassiter.”
“What’s this about hurting Carrie?” Jake said.
“She hurt her shoulder trying to save me.”
Jake pulled back. His smile vanished, replaced with concern. “Carrie?”
She shrugged her good shoulder.
Jake carefully ran his hands up her arm and over her shoulder. “It’s out of socket. You have two options.” He held up his hand, one digit showing. “One, I can set it.” He raised another finger. “Or two, we can put you in a sling for now, until we get you to the hospital. I will say I’ve set shoulders before and that the longer it’s out of place, the more it will swell. It’s up to you. Do you trust me?”
“With my life.” Carrie said softly, lost in Jake’s gaze.
Jake gave her a grateful smile then shifted, focusing on the boy. “Hey, big guy, do you think you could help me?”
Michael nodded.
Jake dug into his pack and pulled out a plastic bag. He filled it with snow then pulled the collar away and press it against her injured shoulder. “We need to reduce the swelling before we proceed.”
While they waited for the snow to do its thing, Jake pointed to Michael’s wrapped appendage. “Mind if I look at your ankle?”
Watching Jake in action, she realized why Jake had such a difficult time coming home. He was needed, by his men and his country. She was amazed by the level of concentration and focus he poured into the care of the boy. He removed the bandage Carrie had wrapped around the boy’s foot, further cleaned the open wound, then wrapped fresh gauze around the affected area. He added a splint for stabilization. He made another bag of snow and set it on the new bandage.
She was so proud of Jake, and so ashamed of her behavior. She owed him an apology.
Jake glanced her way when the boy wasn’t looking, giving her an almost imperceptive shake of his head.
Carrie was immediately filled with anxiety and alarm but couldn’t voice a single question. They had to get off the side of the mountain, and fast.
“How are you doing, Sport?” Jake felt the boy’s forehead with the back of his hand.
Carrie followed suit.
Michael’s forehead was warm.
“It hurts, but the snow is helping the pain.” Michael smiled.
“Do you think you’re up to helping me with Carrie?”
Michael nodded, but there was a hint of panic on his face.
Carrie patted his hand. “Don’t worry. I know you and Jake will do your best. I trust you both.”
Michael seemed to relax. “What do you want me to do?”
“First we need to get Carrie to lay flat on her back.” Jake helped her into position. “What I want you to do is hold her hand.”
Michael picked up her good hand, petting her limb like she was a beloved pet.
“I’m not going to lie to you Carrie, this is going to hurt. I’m sorry.”
Jake’s face changed dramatically. Gone was the gentle man she knew and loved. Before her stood the man of honor, large and in charge, as he took her hand in his, interlocking their thumbs for a better grip. “Here we go. I’m going to pull on your arm, at an angle, creating traction, and it should slip back into place.”
Though he had barely lifted her arm, pain shot up her arm, into the joint, and stole her breath away. She began to sweat and gnashed her teeth. Carrie heard and felt the bones grind. She couldn’t help crying out, then didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when she heard the clunk as the bone on her shoulder slid back into its socket. Instead, she passed out.
When Carrie woke up, she found herself leaning against the rock face. Her arm was in a sling. Her shoulder throbbed.
She glanced over toward Michael, remembering Jake had come to their rescue.
Michael was chuckling.
Jake beamed.
The two guys were in the middle of a fancy handshake, when Jake looked over and saw Carrie was now awake. “Welcome back, Babe. How do you feel?”
“Like I rolled down the side of a mountain—oh yeah, I did.” She didn’t want to lie, because between the bitter cold and the pain, she was positively miserable.
“Now that you’re awake, I’m going to take Mike here up the side of the mountain. I want you to cover up and keep warm, while I’m gone. I promise, I’ll be right back for you.”
“I know you will.” She smiled bravely and believed him.
Jake dropped to his knees and kissed her. “By the way, I forgot something.”
“What’s that?”
“Would you do the honor of marrying me?”
Carrie teared up, blinked twice and said, “Of course I will. What took you so long?”
Jake chuckled then took her face in his hands and kissed her thoroughly and completely, and with so much passion.
When he let go, she let out an audible sigh. “Whew—you still got it.”
“Yes, I do—”
Jake set his harness, preparing for the ascent. He then fashioned a make-shift harness for Michael, out of one of the remaining ropes dangling down the side of the mountain.
Thirty minutes later, Michael was strapped onto a gurney. He had refused to leave the scene until Carrie was in the ambulance with him.
Jake helped Carrie climb in and sit next to the gurney.
Michael beamed at Jake, a clear case of hero worship in full bloom.
To Carrie he said. “I’ll meet you at the hospital. Boomer’s driving me.”
Without another word he leaned toward the boy and stuck his hand out.
Mike’s smile grew wider.
They whacked their palms as their hands passed then smacked the back of their hands together. Their hands clasped in a handshake, then slid their hands apart, tickling the tips of their fingers before yanking their hands back toward themselves, smoothing the hand over the top of their heads.
Jake leaned in and kissed Carrie. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Always have. Always will.” Carried hugged her sore arm as Jake exited the ambulance.
Chapter Ten
Christmas Eve 2019
An organist played the Hallelujah Chorus which echoed through the church thanks to the acoustics.
The altar was adorned with greenery, draped with a cascade of holly and ivy. There were several large arrangements of enormous white Japanese spider Chrysanthemums and Turk’s Cap lilies. The spicy fragrance of red carnations and Poinsettias highlighted the holiday decorations.
Carrie took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and was filled with emotion as she stood at the front of the church, cradling a squirmy Avery, flailing her arms in the antique lace christening gown. The tiny sprite of an infant might have weighed as much as a sack of sugar, but she was one heck of a fighter.
Avery gripped her finger and her heart. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for the precious baby. Carrie’s vision swam with unshed tears, remembering that the last couple of months, both babies had been fighting for their lives. Her chest shook as she sucked in a deep breath.
She let her glance slide to her right, to Jake standing beside her.
Gazing down, he gave her a brilliant smile. He looked so natural holding a sleeping Hunter nestled in his arms, wearing a similar gown to his twin. Hunter was attached to a portable oxygen supply. The precious little boy was the mellower of the two.
Erica and James stood to her left of the priest beaming with pride. Erica swiped at a tear that trickled down her cheek.
James put his arm around his wife, hugging her close.
The priest stepped forward, made the sign of the cross. “Let us pray. Almighty, everlasting God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, look graciously down upon these children—”
As their Godparents, Carrie and Jake declared their readiness to take on the responsibility to sponsor both children. They acknowledged their faith and vowed to protect Avery and Hunter, to assist their parents in raising the children before
the entire congregation, family and friends.
When the ceremony was completed, the priest signing the forehead and breast of each child with the sign of the cross. “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Peace be with you.”
Carrie and Jake handed the babies to their parents.
Jake turned to Carrie. “Are your sure you’re ready to do this?”
“I am. I’ve been ready since the day I first laid eyes on you.” Carrie’s heart was filled, ready to explode from sheer happiness and bliss.
Jake nodded to the priest.
Father Casey cleared his throat. “Excuse me. Please remain seated as Carrie and Jake would like to take advantage of your presence and invite to you to remain while they exchange their wedding vows.”
Gasps and whispers filled the air.
Boomer chuckled. “About damned time.”
Erica elbowed him for swearing in church.
Laughter echoed around them.
Their vows were simple: they promised to love, honour, and cherish one another before adding a few words of their own.
Holding hands, Carrie said, “In your eyes, I see love and know I’ve found a home. In my heart, I know I will always be safe in your arms. Our souls have fused making us one. You make me laugh and cry. You’re my every breath and every heartbeat.”
Jake sniffed.
Carrie continued. “I promise to listen to your advice, and occasionally take it. I promise to never take score…even if I’m totally winning. I promise to always admire your determined heart. And, I promise that I will love you, even when you’re being a jerk.”
The audience chuckled.
Jake snickered, then it was Jake’s turn. “Carrie, you know me better than anyone else in this world and for some crazy reason I don’t understand, you still love me. You are my best friend. There’s a huge part of me today that cannot believe I’m the one who gets to marry you. I’m afraid someday soon you’ll wake up and realize you’ve made a mistake. I see these vows not as promises but as privileges. I get to laugh with you and cry with you, care for you and share with you. I get to run with you and walk by your side and build life with you. I promise to listen no matter how long as it takes for you to feel heard. I promise to watch in awe as you kick ass and take names. I promise to be your sounding board and cheer you on while you make things happen. And I promise I will always love you no matter how mad you are at me.”
They exchanged rings, then Father Casey smiled and said, “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I pronounce you husband and wife. God help us all.” He made the sign of the cross. “Kiss your bride.”
Jake reached down and wrapped his arms around her waist, lifted her up, so she was dangling over a foot above the carpeted floor and kissed her soundly before he set her back on the ground.
The congregation laughed even harder.
Holding hands, they padded their way to the back of the church to the resounding clap of those present.
While they still had a few moments alone, Carrie tugged Jake into the nearest confessional. There was no better time to share her news.
Carrie threw her arms around Jake’s waist and gazing up at him, said “Remember when you were taking such good care of me after I got out of the hospital?”
He nodded.
“Well, looks you did a little bit more than either of us expected.”
“What do you mean?”
She couldn’t believe she had to explain. Instead, she cupped her stomach, then placed his palm over her tummy.
Jake’s eyes flew open wide. “Wh—what? You’re kidding?”
“Would I kid about a thing like that?”
Jake picked her up and kissed her soundly.
When the kiss ended Carrie said. “Merry Christmas.”
“I am the luckiest man on the planet.” He kissed her again.
“We both are.” She rested her forehead against his, noses touching
This was their time. Time to let go of the past. Time for their mutual losses to begin healing. Time for more than just a wedding.
It was time for the most precious Christmas miracle of all. One they would truly celebrate when their bundle arrived in a little over eight months.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Deb Julienne is a USA Today Bestselling Author of multiple novels and anthologies.
While some say truth is stranger than fiction, her experiences run more along the lines of a slap-stick comedy. She makes her own Limoncello...enough said.
After the day job, she loves to play in the yard, with her grandkids, and in the kitchen concocting award-winning jams, jellies, preserves, and sauces (with alcohol of course).
Born and raised in San Jose, California, she now resides in her own little bit of heaven in the Sierra Tahoe National Forest Basin, with her husband of 38 years, their three sons and one daughter, and five very precious grandkids, plus a menagerie of animals: 3 horses, 12 chickens, and 2 goats.
Deb’s dream of being published came true with the release of her first book, SEX, LIES, AND BEAUTY AIDS, a romantic comedy, published by Kensington Books in March of 2014.
Find Deb at:
Website:
http://debjulienne.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Deb-Julienne/752399544824095
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/debjulienne
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/debjulienne/
A Moonlight
Wish
Alice Kay
Chapter 1
“Daddy,” Aidyn said, tugging on Deputy Sheriff Ben Dawson’s hand.
Ben, the newly hired law enforcement officer of Hopeful, Colorado, stood waiting with her as a bank teller opened an account for him in their new town. With the clerk busy at her keyboard, he bent down to listen to Aidyn.
“What’s wrong with that man?” she asked. Her head remained still while her eyes shifted to the man behind them.
Ben took a quick glance. There was only one other person in line, and not a man really, more like a kid, under twenty years old would be Ben’s guess. Shaggy hair and hunched shoulders gave him an unkept appearance. His agitated stance with a line of sweat beading over his lip and a baseball cap pulled low over his eyes made it worse. As his daughter had intuitively picked up on, something was off about the man. The man’s hand buried in the pocket of a heavy military coat clenched the idea. Was he holding onto something in that pocket? An overdraft notice which had him hot under the collar? Or perhaps something worse—like a weapon?
Aidyn had good reason to be concerned by the man’s shifty appearance although Ben wasn’t all that worried. What were the odds some loser would cause trouble in a bank with an off-duty Deputy standing at the counter? Better to be safe than sorry though when it came to his daughter. With Ben’s own unshaven, outdoorsy appearance, the dude had no way of knowing Ben was in law enforcement or he would’ve already turned tail and ran.
Ben crouched down to look Aidyn in the eye, keeping his back to the man and his voice low so he would not be overheard. “Nothing’s wrong, honey. But I want you to do something for me. I want you to go back to that store we saw, the one with the elves in the window. You wait for me there. Don’t go anywhere else.” He tapped her on the nose. “Can you do that?”
Aidyn nodded; her eyes wide. At seven years old, she knew far more about law enforcement than most kids her age. Ben had been a big city cop in Dallas long before he became a father and at times, he regretted that being in law enforcement meant his princess had grown up too fast. In his line of work, keeping shop talk away from little ears was an on-going challenge.
Ben gave Aidyn a swat on the bottom as if everything were fine. He stood up, his back kept toward the man in line even though it made his skin crawl. His daughter skipped off as if everything were fine and Ben’s heart swelled with pride. Aidyn was not only cute as a button, but she was also smart, observant, and a terrific little actres
s as well. None of which were traits she got from his ex-wife, except for maybe the cute thing; a trait he’d fallen for hook, line, and sinker back in the day. By the time he realized Joyce enjoyed spending time with his credit card as much as she did him, Aidyn was on the way.
Resisting an urge to pat the weapon hidden under his winter coat Ben tapped his foot, hoping to hurry up the transaction. The chatty teller’s Christmas themed reindeer ears bobbed up and down as she handed him papers to sign. Distracting him from his current line of thinking. She asked him how he liked Hopeful, possibly hoping for some juicy tidbit about the new Deputy to share with her friends, or so the cynic in him thought.
“Fine,” he answered, trying to keep the conversation short. If it wasn’t for the twitchy, perspiring figure behind him, he’d introduce himself and get to know the locals. He’d never forgive himself though if something happened to…he checked the nameplate on the countertop…Kerri Lyndall. He took a closer look at the woman, remembering the name if not the face. He’d gone to school with her niece. This was not the best time to go down memory lane. He’d have to talk to her about it later.
After finishing his transaction, Ben crossed the lobby to the table holding free coffee and a Christmas tree decorated in shiny red balls. He waited and watched as the nervous young man stepped up to the counter. When the dipshit pulled his hand from the pocket clutching a black handgun, Ben was ready to act. He took a running dive and knocked the loser off his feet. The two went down in a pile and the gun slid across the floor. Fake, Ben thought even as he wrestled the man flat on his stomach and placed a knee in the middle of the perp’s back.
“Call 911,” he shouted to the shocked teller. He dug in his own pocket for a pair of zip cuffs and fastened them on the man’s wrist.
“Thank God you were here, Deputy Dawson.” Kerri walked out from behind the counter. “I pushed the emergency button and I called 911. A patrol car is on the way.” Her flushed cheeks, disheveled gray hair, and tilted reindeer ears were the only signs a robbery had nearly taken place in the small-town bank.
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