by Ciana Stone
At that moment JD walked by. He looked at Jayce and then at Jo. She heard Jayce talking, but her eyes were focused on JD. She didn't realize Jayce had stopped talking until he turned her around. Then he leaned in closer. "No worries, darlin'."
She snapped back to attention and pulled back to look at him. "What?"
"You and JD. There's something there and I'm not asking you to explain, but it's pretty clear there's something. He's been like a penned up bull ever since you got here and he can't walk by without your eyes following him."
Jolene was a little embarrassed that it was so obvious. "I'm sorry. I really like you, Jayce and there was a time when having a little fun was all I wanted too. But – but then – then I met JD and he changed that."
She was horrified at the words that came out of her mouth. Why had she told him?
"When did you meet?"
For a split second she considered telling a lie. Jayce would never know the difference. She could pretend she'd only met JD when she came to Cotton Creek. However, the idea of lying rankled her. She had no reason to run from the truth and had done nothing she was ashamed of.
"Three years ago. The weekend his wife killed herself."
Jayce's eyes widened. "Oh, okay, now things are making sense."
"Pardon?"
"He called the first day of the auction and said we weren't even in the running for that bull and he hadn't seen anything else of interest so he thought he might just head on home. But he didn't. He stayed and when Pop called and asked why he said he had his eye on something real good. That was you, wasn't it?"
"I didn't know he was married, Jayce. Hell, I didn't even know his name was Justice Weathers. All he said was that his name was Dylan and…"
"And you were with him that whole weekend."
"Yeah, until he left before I woke, without saying goodbye."
"Ouch."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Not so easy on the ego."
"Or the heart?"
"Especially not the heart. That was my last hook-up, I'm afraid."
"You got it for him bad, don't you, darlin'?"
"Am I that obvious?"
He shrugged. "Maybe or maybe I'm just that perceptive. Whatever the case, it's cool."
"So you're not upset with me?"
"For what? I've had a real good time dancing with you, and it goes without saying that having a beauty like you in my arms ups my rep as a world-class woman magnet."
Jolene laughed in relief and hugged him. "God are you ever."
When she drew back she kissed him softly. "I think I love you, Jayce Weathers."
"Just not like that."
"Yeah."
"Well, I think I love you too, girl, but it's time for you to get. If you don't go catch up, big brother's gonna head on home and have himself a lonely night drinking."
"You sure?"
"That I am."
"Okay. Thanks Jayce – for everything."
Jolene searched the crowd and after a moment spotted JD, making his way toward the edge of the parking lot. She hurried to catch up with him and was only five feet behind him when someone grabbed her arm, jerking her to a halt.
She wrenched her arm free and glared at the heavyset man barring her way. "Excuse me." She tried to sidestep him and was shocked when he slapped her and sent her stumbling backwards.
"You fucking bitch."
Anger reared its head like a stepped on snake and she squared off at him. "I'd suggest you step aside Mister. I don't know you and—"
"You fucking well do. You fucking ruined my family with your lies, bitch."
Jolene was taken aback by his words and apparently so where the people around them because everyone was moving away to give them berth. Obviously, the man was drunk and had mistaken her for someone else. "I don't have a clue what you're talking about. I've never met—"
"Liar! You did that goddamn thing about my brother and ruined my whole fucking family with your lies. I swore I'd get even if I ever laid eyes on you bitch and that day is now."
"I don't think so."
Jolene had been so focused on the threat she hadn't seen JD walk up behind the man. Now she felt a swell of relief. He towered a good four inches over the man, with eyes narrowed in a way that promised trouble.
The man whirled around to face JD. "This ain't none of your fucking bidness."
"I'm making it my business and advise you to apologize to the lady and move on."
"Or what?"
"Or you and I are going to have a problem and trust me, you don't want that."
The man eyed JD for a moment then backed away, pointing at Jolene. "Don't think this is over bitch. I'll get you." When JD took a step toward him, he turned tail and ran.
Everyone around them was watching when JD took Jolene's arm and steered her through the crowd. Neither of them spoke until he stopped in front of a white pickup truck. He didn't release her but turned her to face him. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, thank you."
"What started that? Do you know that guy?"
"I don't know and no, but he said something about me doing something about his brother."
"You have any idea who the brother is?"
"Not a clue. Is he not a local?"
"Never seen him before, but with all the renovations going on in town and the Pursell’s gearing up for the rodeo there are a lot of new faces around."
"Well, with luck I'll never see him again."
"You sure you're okay?" Using his free hand, he reached up to stroke the side of her face where she'd been slapped. "You might be sporting a bruise tomorrow."
She might be. Her face hurt, but the pain was nothing compared to the feelings his touch inspired. Longing filled her. For this moment he was the man she knew he could be. Caring and kind, the hero who would step in to save someone in danger.
"I'll be okay. It could have been a lot worse if you hadn't stepped in."
"Couldn't just stand there and let him hurt you, Jo."
"No?"
"You know I couldn't." His hand stayed on her face a moment longer and then fell away as did the softness in his tone. "You need a ride?"
Jolene considered it for a moment. She could stay but the chance to spend a few more minutes with JD was more appealing. "I'd appreciate it. I rode over with Riley and Annie."
"Then hop in."
She climbed in the passenger side as he got in behind the wheel and started the truck. Thanks to the crowd, it took a few minutes to get out of the parking lot, during which time neither of them spoke. Once they were on the road, she screwed up her courage and opened her mouth.
"Thank you for coming to my rescue. I really thought he might hurt me."
"I wouldn't allow that." He looked over at her and again the longing seized her, so much that it pulled the words from her she'd wanted to ask since she first saw him in the diner.
"Why do you hate me, JD?"
"I don't hate you."
"Then why do you act like you do?"
His tone and his look were sharp. "You know why."
"No, I don't." Despite the hurt his words caused, anger took control. "What did I ever do to you?"
"What did you do? You can't be that dumb."
"No, I'm not dumb at all, which is why I'm asking. And don't say another word until I've finished. Yes, I was with you the night your wife died, but her dying wasn't my fault. I didn't even know you were married. It's not like you were wearing a ring and you sure as shit said nothing about it. Hell, you didn't even tell me your name – well at least not the one you go by. So, how is her dying my fault?"
He slammed on brakes and turned toward her. "If I hadn't met you I would have been there, could have stopped her."
She so wanted to hold onto the anger, but the look on his face melted it quicker than butter on a hot griddle. All that was left was the need to ease his pain. "JD, I'm sorry it happened. If I'd known you were married, I'd never have let you in my bed. Just like if I'd known that Justice Weathers was
Dylan, I would have given you warning before I showed up here. I have never and would never do anything to hurt you or your family. I hope you know that."
"Intentional or not, you did." With that, he put his foot back on the gas pedal and they finished the short drive to Nellie Mae's in silence. He pulled up in front of the house and stopped.
Jolene reached for the door handle then stopped and looked at him. "For what it's worth, I never forgot about you, JD. I don't think I ever will."
She took hold of the handle to open the door. That's when she felt his hand on her shoulder. At the pressure from his hand she turned toward him.
"Jo."
How was it that a single syllable, falling from his lips had the power to override whatever good sense she had left regarding him? He pulled her into his arms, their lips meeting in a kiss she remembered with heart-rending clarity.
Need and passion blended with desperation and pain in such complexity that distinguishing between the mix was impossible. It was an emotional brew that overwhelmed and consumed. It was a kiss that touched more than her lips, it struck at the core of her, whispering with despair. Save me.
When the kiss ended, she placed her hand on the side of his face. "Please stop punishing yourself for something you didn’t do. You're a good man, JD, and a good father. You've raised two remarkable sons who think the moon and sun rest on your shoulders. That kind of love and admiration isn't given without cause. You can't hold yourself responsible for what your wife did. That was her choice, not yours. And… and according to your father, it wasn't the first time she'd tried. There were two other times. You just were never told."
"No." He pushed her away. "That's not true."
"Yes, it is."
"I don't believe you."
"You don't have to. You should talk to your father."
He stared at her for a few moments before speaking again and when he did, the anger was back. "You need to get out. I have to go home."
"Yes, you do." She climbed out of the truck and stood watching as he drove away. When the taillights of his truck disappeared, she looked at Nellie Mae's house. She might as well go on in. She might be able to get in a couple hours of work.
Jolene pulled out her key as she walked up the sidewalk. Just as she went to insert the key in the lock she heard something behind her. Unfortunately, before she had time to turn and look, stars exploded behind her eyes.
Then everything went dark.
Chapter Ten
JD swallowed the last of his coffee, put the cup in the sink, and headed for the door. Just as he pulled his hat from the rack his phone rang.
"Yeah."
"Is this JD?" The high-pitched female voice had him moving the phone away from his ear.
"Yes."
"This is Nellie Mae Baker. I tried to call your brother, Jayce but I didn't get an answer so I'm calling you."
"Okay, what can I do for you Mrs. Baker?"
"You can find Jo."
"Pardon?"
"Jo. Jolene. Jolene Windwalker. My boarder. The television lady. She's missing."
"Missing?"
"Are you deaf or just slow JD? Missing. As in gone."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because her key is on the front porch but she's not here. She didn't make it into the house."
JD stopped cold. Fear lanced through him sharp and bitter. His mind went immediately to the man who'd accosted Jo. "Yes, she did."
"No, she didn't. I got home around ten and her key was laying on the porch and she wasn't here. And she never came in. I know because I was listening."
"Did you call the police?"
"Well, yes. I'm old, not stupid. But I know she's been out there at your place a lot and she was carrying on with Jayce last night, dancing and all. I thought maybe – well, you know, maybe she went home with him."
JD knew that wasn't true but hated that Nellie Mae thought it might be. "No. She didn't go home with Jayce. I gave her a ride to your place around nine-thirty."
"Call the Chief and tell him."
"I will, Mrs. Baker. Thanks for calling."
JD didn't hesitate to press the End button and terminate the conversation. He placed the next call while heading for his truck. "Is Chief Wallace in? Yes, this is JD Weathers. Thanks."
Police Chief Lester Wallace came on the line as JD was climbing into his truck. "JD? Everything okay out your way?"
"Yes. I called about Jolene Windwalker. I drove her to Mrs. Baker's house last night around 9:30. She was at the thing at Billy's and some guy got in her face, shouting about her ruining his family's life with her lies. I backed him down and gave her a ride."
"So you saw her at 9:30?"
"Yes."
"Did you see her go into the house?"
Guilt reared its ugly head, making JD grimace. "No."
"So you didn't know the man who accosted her?"
"No."
"Can you give a description?"
"Yeah."
"Okay, I hate to interrupt your day, JD, but could you come to the station and do that this morning?"
"I'm on my way."
"'Preciate that. See you soon."
JD started his truck and pulled out. He shouldn't have left Jo standing there on the sidewalk. Especially not after what happened with that guy. What the hell was wrong with him? What if something awful had happened to her?
That thought had his body acting without conscious awareness. One moment he was driving along and the next his foot was on the brake and his truck's tires were screaming and smoking. When he came to a stop he just sat there in the road, his hands trembling in their white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel.
If something had happened to her, he'd never be able to make up for the wrong he'd done to her. He'd put the blame for what his wife did on Jo's shoulders when the truth was, she'd had no hand in it. He knew that. He'd always known it. It was just easier to try to make himself believe it was her fault than accept the blame himself.
Thinking that his wife had tried multiple times to kill herself had gnawed him all night. His father had confirmed it. JD had sat in Jason's kitchen and waited on him to get home. He confronted Pop with what Jo had told him and Pop told him the truth. His wife, Krissie tried a couple of other times to kill herself, both times with pills. Both times Pop had gotten her to the hospital in time and had hidden what she'd done from JD.
JD understood why Pop had hidden it from him. It was the same reason he'd hidden the real nature of Krissie's death from his sons. To spare them pain.
Jo hadn't caused what happened. She'd just been a convenient target for his anger and his guilt. Now he might not get to apologize to her for the way he'd treated her. More importantly he might not have the chance to tell her that the weekend he'd spent with her was the best of his life, and he'd regretted walking away every day since then.
He could lose her and he didn't know if he could bear that.
"No." He put his foot back on the accelerator. He would not lose her. He would find her. He'd give a statement and a description of the man to the police and then he'd find her. He had to.
*****
Jolene tried to force her eyes to open. She succeeded, but only for a second, then dizziness sent her spinning back into darkness. Several times she’d feel herself waking, but she couldn’t seem to fight her way out of the fog that clouded her mind. Twice she thought it was night, and then several times she thought it was day, but she couldn’t be sure. Not of anything. Something just kept dragging her back down into the darkness.
When she finally woke, she was disoriented. She didn't even remember leaving Billy's so how did she get home? At almost the same moment the question ran through her mind, she realized that she wasn't in her bed at Mrs. Bakers.
She wasn't in any bed. She was on a dirt floor, her wrists lashed together with rough rope. Fear had adrenaline surging through her body as she remembered. JD had driven away, and she'd walked to the front door of Mrs. Baker's house.
&
nbsp; Then pain exploded in her head and the lights went out.
So where was she? She struggled to her feet, fighting dizziness and nausea. It took a few minutes to get steady on her feet and then she began to investigate. There was little light, but she determined that she was in some kind of old shed. Rough planks formed the walls, and likewise the door which was apparently locked from the outside. Cracks between the boards allowed dim shafts of light from one wall.
Jolene pressed her face close to a crack, trying to see outside. Scrub brush and dry land was all she could see, along with a half-moon in the sky. Where the hell was she and who had put her here? Was someone coming back? What did they plan on doing to her?
Panic started to set in and she almost retched with fear. Suck it up. She couldn't let the fear take control or she'd be a blubbering mess on the ground. She had to escape but how?
She tried loosening the rope with her teeth but the position of the knot made it impossible. She needed something to pry or cut it.
Junk was piled along the walls. Maybe there was something she could use. She went through it and nearly screamed when she lifted an old burlap sack and uncovered a fat rat. It dashed under a pile of wooden crates and she returned to the search.
After several long minutes she spied an old potato rake popped in a corner. She got it and carried to the other side of the shed where light through the cracks slanted onto the dirt floor. Jolene sat on the rake where the metal head attached to the handle. She tried five times to catch the middle of the knot into one of the rake tines and failed each time.
She got up to search again, braving the stacked up crates and hoping not to see the rat or one of his rat buddies. Jolene almost cried with relief at the sight of the old hand saw. She snatched it up and headed back for the patch of light.
She kicked the rake out of the way and sat down, positioning the saw between her legs with the soles of her feet pressing against each side of the handle. She started raking her bound wrists back and forth over the blade, sawing at the rope. Within minutes she was sweating and breathing hard. Obviously, the things she'd seen in movies were way off the mark. This stuff wasn't easy to saw through. She'd made some progress but was nowhere close to having the rope cut.