by Kathy Ivan
“Bro, I’ve got my twenty-two gauge in my truck. I’m going to run and grab it, just in case. I’ll be back in position before you make it down the hall.” Rafe nodded and squeezed Brody’s shoulder.
“Be careful. We don’t know if they’re armed.”
“You, too.” Rafe disappeared into the shadows, and Brody raced to his truck and grabbed the twenty-two-gauge shotgun he kept behind the seat. Growing up on a ranch in Texas, he didn’t know anybody who didn’t own and carry guns. Too many critters, both four and two-legged, kept a man on his toes. Snagging the gun and a handful of shells, he jogged back and got into position by Tessa’s classroom window once again.
He eased his hand between the aluminum casing of the window and the window’s frame, tugged it open another couple of inches, stopping only when it gave a squeak of protest. Checking to assure the shotgun was loaded, he slid the barrel through the small opening, his stare zeroed in on the people inside the classroom. The twenty-two probably wouldn’t kill either man, but they’d be in a world of hurt, and it would give Rafe the break he needed to get Tessa outta there.
Tessa and both men stood near the front, between her desk and the blackboard. The classroom door was ajar, enough he’d be able to see Rafe when he got into position.
Now, all he could do was wait—and pray they escaped unscathed—because if anything happened to Tessa, he wasn’t sure his big brother would survive it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Tessa watched Evan’s face turn a mottled shade of red. If he didn’t calm down, he was headed for a stroke or a coronary. Not that she’d cry about it—not after his threats to hurt Beth and precious Jamie. He could rot in purgatory, as far as she was concerned. Of course, Trevor’s continual egging him on didn’t help matters. When had these two become so buddy-buddy? The entire time she’d dated Trevor, he’d acted like he couldn’t stand Evan, going so far as to cancel whenever she made plans for them to spend time with Beth and her husband. Yet here they stood, apparently working together to steal something belonging to her family.
I need to stall, figure out how to get away from these lunatics. I can’t give them what they want, or tomorrow morning I’ll be the headline of the local news, early edition. Teacher’s body found in classroom. Film at eleven.
“Tessa.” Trevor took a step closer. The maniacal gleam in his eyes sent a jolt of fear ricocheting through her. Her heartbeat thumped in her chest, faster and faster, until she thought it might explode. Another step backward, and her legs bumped against her desk. She hadn’t realized she’d taken a step for every one he’d taken toward her. Like a cornered animal, she fought the urge to lash out. From the feral look in his eyes, he’d retaliate. “Don’t be like this, baby. Give Evan what he wants, then you and I can walk away—be together like we’re meant to be.”
Has he lost his mind?
“Why should I?”
Evan stood silent, his gazed fixated on her, without a single emotion present on his face. He reminded her of a snake who’d cornered his prey, toying with it, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike the killing bite. She’d never been afraid of him before. Then again, he had never given her a reason to fear him. Now? His façade of civility disappeared, peeled away layer-by-layer, and true evil shone in his eyes. A shiver skittered down her spine and chill bumps spread across her skin.
“Stop wasting time, Tessa.” Evan’s voice echoed in the empty classroom, cold and hollow, the words filled with an almost tangible menace. “You said you’d take me—us—to the bond. We’re here.” His hand whipped out and gripped her throat, faster than she could move. As his fingers tightened, the breath caught in her chest, and she struggled for each breath. Little black dots appeared before her eyes, and she wondered if her next breath would be her last.
With a sound of disgust, Evan pushed her away, and Tessa gasped for air, her hand touching her throat. Time was up. She couldn’t stall any longer. But she wasn’t ready to die. There was too much to live for, so much she wanted to experience. Her life had changed since moving to Shiloh Springs, in the best way possible. It couldn’t end now, not before she had a chance to tell Rafe she’d fallen in love with him.
“Ms. Maxwell, is everything okay here? I saw the lights on and thought I’d stop by and check.”
Rafe! Rafe was here.
“Everything’s fine, Sheriff Boudreau.” She emphasized his title, following his lead. Evan’s almost imperceptible flinch when she mentioned his name was quickly hidden when he took a step toward Rafe, his hand outstretched.
“Sheriff, I’m Evan Stewart, Tessa’s brother-in-law. It’s nice to meet you. My associate and I are in Texas on a business trip. Tessa’s sister, my wife, would have my head if I didn’t stop and check on her.”
“That’s right,” Trevor added, coming to stand next to Tessa and he grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers. He gripped it hard enough she almost let out a yelp, biting her lip to keep from making a sound. “Tessa and I have a long history together. I couldn’t let my best girl miss me too much.” He brushed a kiss against her cheek, and nausea writhed in her belly, threatening to make its way out. She squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the urge to upchuck all over his shiny shoes. “I’m trying to convince her mow much I’ve missed her.”
Rafe’s eyes swept over each of them, and Tessa silently prayed he’d figure out she was in trouble. Even if he did, she couldn’t see a way out of this without violence. She’d never seen Evan like this, acting like he had nothing to lose.
“I, um, thought I’d show them my classroom, since I spend so much of my time here. Evan can tell my sister about my life here, how I’m not fitting in, and how much I want to come home.” Please, Rafe, get the message. You know I love it in Shiloh Springs. I’m happy for the first time in a long time, and I don’t want Evan or Trevor to ruin everything.
“I understand. I know things haven’t worked out the way you’d planned.” Rafe turned his attention to Evan. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to speak with Ms. Maxwell for a moment—in private. We’ll be right over there. It’ll only take a second.” He pointed toward the back of the classroom. Evan looked back and forth between the two, his mouth set in a mulish frown, before he finally nodded.
Tessa jerked her hand free from Trevor’s and wiped it along her thigh. His every touch made her skin crawl, and she’d need a gallon of bleach to get rid of the sensation of him touching her.
“Rafe, I need to tell you something.” She kept her voice low, barely a whisper, but she knew he heard her.
“I know. Brody saw them hustle you out of your place and into their car. I’m stalling long enough for him to get in place before I make a move. Are you alright? Did they hurt you?”
She shook her head, wrapping her arms across her chest. Every nerve in her body felt like it was on high alert, wound tight as a spring ready to pop. “I’m fine, just scared. Evan has a gun. I’m not sure about Trevor, but he probably does, too.”
“Everything’s going to be okay, I promise. Any idea why they’re here, why they’d risk kidnapping you? Seems pretty risky, taking a chance on somebody seeing them. It was pure luck Brody happened to spot them when he did.”
“It’s a long story, but I have something they want. Evan thinks it’s worth a lot of money. I can’t let him get his hands on it.” She lowered her voice to a bare whisper, and he leaned in, close enough she could smell the masculine scent that was his alone. “Rafe, I think he’s insane. He threatened to kill Beth,” she didn’t add the threat to her own life, “and take Jamie.”
“You almost finished, Tessa? We’ve still got a lot to talk about.” Evan walked closer, and Tessa’s hands started shaking. Rafe had said Brody was here somewhere. Where was he? Time was running out, and Evan’s patience with it.
Rafe gently took her elbow and led her back to the front of the classroom. “I think we’ve covered everything. Tessa, I’ll speak with Mr. Sanchez, and see if we can get you out of your contract. Shiloh Springs will find
another teacher to take over. No one wants you to be unhappy. If going back to North Carolina is the answer, I promise I’ll make it happen.”
“That’s great, Sheriff—Boudreau, was it?” Trevor grinned like he’d been given the biggest Christmas present under the tree. “You’ve made me very happy, letting my gal come back home. Where she belongs.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Boudreau. I can’t wait to leave Shiloh Springs. Being away from my family, it’s been tougher than I expected. Leaving the kids will be hard, but they’ll adjust. They’re young and adaptable. It’ll be fine.” Tessa hated lying. She loved the kids in her class. They’d built a rapport and trusted her, participating in the classroom, excited about the new books and stories Tessa had introduced. Some of the kids had started bringing her little treats to brighten her week. She’d never leave them, not like this.
“Hey, bro, everything cool?” Brody’s voice came through loud and clear from the open window. Evan and Trevor spun toward the new threat, and Rafe reached forward, pulling Tessa behind him, whipping his gun from the back of his waistband.
“Yeah, I’ve got it covered.”
Evan spun around and spotted the gun in Rafe’s hand, and froze, hand halfway toward his own gun. Rafe shook his head slowly, and motioned for him to put his hands up. Trevor’s gaze darted between Evan and Rafe, before looking at Tessa with a hate-filled glare.
“This is your fault!” Trevor’s bellow of rage echoed off the walls of the classroom. “You ruined everything.” With an unintelligible roar, he rushed toward Tessa. The sound of a gunshot reverberated loudly, and Trevor fell to the ground, clutching his thigh. Blood pooled beneath his fingers, and he started wailing, screaming for a doctor.
“Tessa, tell the sheriff this has all been a misunderstanding. Nobody needs to get hurt.”
“You’re right, nobody else needs to get hurt, if you keep your hands where I can see them.” Rafe glanced to the window. “You okay, bro?”
“Better than that fellow on the floor. I already called this in and backup should be here any minute.”
“Thanks, Brody.”
Tessa collapsed against the doorframe, her whole body trembling from the adrenaline rocketing through her bloodstream. Trevor’s screams had faded down to pitiful cries, accompanied by him rocking back and forth. Blood pooled onto the floor beneath his thigh, and he blubbered like a three-year-old with a boo-boo. Evan’s eyes darted between her and Rafe, dead and lifeless like a shark studying its prey. She prayed he didn’t do anything stupid. Before tonight, she’d never have thought him capable of violence. Now, she wouldn’t put anything past him. Underestimating him would be a mistake.
“My brother’s still at the window, with a shotgun pointed at you, Stewart.” Rafe held the pistol in his hand in a steady grip. “You’ve heard what they say about Texans, haven’t you? We tend to shoot first and ask questions later. Sometimes we don’t even bother with the questions. I’d suggest you don’t try anything stupid. Turn around slowly and put your hands on top of your head.” With a muttered curse, Evan complied. Rafe walked forward slowly until he stood right behind him. Reaching forward, he pulled the gun from Evan’s waistband and tucked it into his own. “Get down on your knees, and keep your hands atop your head.”
Within seconds, Rafe had cuffs on Evan, and sat him against the wall. Trevor rocked slowly, cradling his thigh, tears streaking his face. Tessa heard sirens in the distance, and her body slumped with relief. It was over. Beth was safe. Little Jamie was safe. She gave a watery smile at Brody, who stood outside the classroom, his rifle still pointed at the two men who’d caused so much trouble.
“Are you okay?” Rafe watched her, studying her face intently. With her shaky nod, he pulled her into his arms, holding her close. His hand cradled the back of her head. She felt him draw in a ragged breath, and wrapped her arms around him, resting her forehead against his.
“I can’t believe you saved me.”
“I will always save you, sweetheart. I gotta admit though, I hope I don’t have to ride to the rescue too often. I’m getting too old for this.” His teasing grim drew an answering smile from Tessa.
“You know I didn’t mean anything I said back there? I love it here. Shiloh Springs, the kids.” She desperately wanted to add his name to the list of the things she loved, but didn’t. She was afraid. A coward. Her feelings were too new, too raw. Soon, she’d tell him soon, but for now being held in his arms, knowing the danger was over had to be enough.
First responders poured through the open classroom door. They immediately went to Trevor, and went to work on his gunshot wound. Dusty yanked Evan to his feet none-too-gently, and escorted him from the room, reciting his Miranda rights as they walked away.
“I’m going to have to go to the sheriff’s department and get these two booked. You’ll have to make a statement. Are you up for that, sweetheart? It can wait until morning, if you need time.”
“It’s okay, let’s get this over with.” She closed her eyes and drew in a shuddering breath. “I’m wondering what to tell Beth. This is going to destroy her.”
“Let’s wait for the smoke to clear, and we’ll call her together. Okay?”
“Sure. I can’t believe Evan did all this for a lousy bond.”
Rafe leaned back and looked at her. “That’s right, you haven’t told me what they wanted.”
“Evan and Trevor came looking for a county bond. It’s been in my family for generations. A part of my family history. Nobody really thought much of it, but it’s a county bond purchased over a hundred years ago for five hundred dollars. My family wanted to help Crowley County grow; we were doing our part. Evan heard about the bond and did a little digging into the county records. Found out it’s worth a couple million.”
“Dollars?”
“Uh-huh. I hate to say this, but—I think Evan might have had something to do with my parents’ deaths.” Her words came out a croaked whisper. “I think he’s insane.”
“I’ll get in touch with the authorities, give them the information on what’s happened here, and maybe they’ll look a little deeper into what happened. Now, let’s get the paperwork done, so we can go home.”
Home. Such a simple word, but so profound. She’d found her home, here in Shiloh Springs, but more importantly in Rafe’s arms. Was it too much to hope he felt the same?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“What’s going to happen to them—Evan and Trevor?”
Rafe pulled her closer against his side, still reeling from the aftershocks and adrenaline rush from everything at the elementary school. After leaving the sheriff’s station, he’d driven them back to his place. Even with Evan Stewart and Trevor St. James behind bars, he didn’t want Tessa out of his sight, not for a second. He couldn’t forget the terror of almost losing her.
He smoothed a hand over her hair in a soothing motion. “They’ll both stand trial for multiple counts of attempted murder, including special circumstances of using a firearm, as well as kidnapping. If they’re smart, they’ll try to make a deal with the prosecutor. Texans doesn’t play around when it comes to cases like this. Chances are good they’ll spend the rest of their lives behind bars.”
“I can’t believe Evan did this.” She bolted upright beside him, a panicked look crossing her face. “What am I going to tell Beth?”
The sight of tears welling in her beautiful blue eyes nearly broke him. How could he not sympathize? Growing up with a dysfunctional and ugly beginning got turned around because of Douglas and Patti Boudreau. Life had taught him one valuable lesson. Family meant everything. Hugging her tighter, he rested his chin on top her head, and felt the slight tremble in her body. “You tell her you love her. That none of Evan’s actions are her fault. And you’ll be there for her and Jamie, because they’re going to need you, probably more than they yet realize.”
“It’s all so senseless. We never realized the bond was worth anything. My mom called it a reminder of our heritage, the Maxwell family helping establ
ish Crowley County. To us, it was simply a piece of history, a show of our family’s support for the county they loved. I can’t wrap my head around a simple piece of paper being worth so much money.” She blew out a breath, the puff of air rustling a tendril of hair that drifted across her forehead, and he reached up, gently brushing it back.
“People do crazy things for money, sweetheart. I guess what they say is true—the love of money is the root of all evil.” Leaning back, he propped his feet atop the coffee table, his muscles finally starting to relax. It felt right, having Tessa wrapped in his embrace, her body curled against his, her head snuggled against his shoulder. It was a feeling he wanted to relive every single day for the rest of his life.
“I have to go back. To North Carolina.”
Tension rolled through him, muscles bunching beneath his skin. Here it was. The inevitable, horrible black moment he’d been dreading since getting the phone call from Brody about Tessa being in danger.
“I understand.” Though he spoke the words, deep in his gut, every dream he’d built about the two of them together wilted and crumbled to dust. He’d let her go back to North Carolina, be with her sister and her niece, but inside, he died a little.
Like hell I will. I love her. I’m not giving up on her—on us.
He’d spent the last several weeks getting to know her, seen the way she fit seamlessly into his life and into his heart. If she thought she could walk away without him fighting for her, for them, she had another think coming.
“I have to call Mr. Sanchez. Let him know what’s happened. I need to be with Beth—she’ll need me. Beth and Jamie have so much to process. I need to be there, to help her through the shock.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he wrapped his arm around her, squeezing her tight.