Lookin' for Trouble (Honky Tonk Angels Book 6)

by Ciana Stone

  Now, she'd heard from him what she had never dared to dream. She wanted to tell him what the words meant but how could something so enormous be expressed by a combination of syllables. It was just too big.

  It came to her, and she swiped at her eyes. "Walk the wind with me, JD."

  "What?"

  She stood and offered her hand. When he took it and stood to face her, she took his other hand. "I don't know if I can make it happen, but if I can I want you with me. Please. Let me give you this."

  He hesitated a moment then nodded. Jolene turned her face to the sky. The light from the moon was like a lover's kiss on her skin. The longer she stared, the more she felt it, the more she heard the wind, and the songs hidden within it.

  She felt the wind's embrace, holding her close as a mother holds a child to her breast, safe and warm. Then the wind took her. One moment she was on the ground and the next, she was part of the sky.

  Jolene could feel JD with her. She could feel his wonder and knew when that moment of oneness touched his soul. For that space of time, they were together, one with the sky and the earth, walking the wind and feeling its song inside them. It bestowed knowledge and with knowledge came compassion and understanding.

  Then it was over.

  JD looked down at her with amazement clear in his eyes. "That was… was that real?"

  "I don't know. It felt real."

  "Yeah, it did. Jo, can – do you think we can start over?"

  "I think we already have."

  He smiled and she thought she'd never seen anything more beautiful in her life. "Do you have any idea how drop dead gorgeous you are when you smile, JD? You really need to do that more often."

  "Maybe now I have more of a reason to." His smile disappeared. "Jo, what happened –that man. Do you know who he is? What happened?"

  As much as she hated to leave the beauty of their moment behind, she knew it was necessary. "I guess he clonked me over the head and knocked me out. I woke up in that shed back there." She pointed across the back yard and then told him what happened.

  "So do you know him?"

  "No, but I think I know a way to find out. What he said about his brother. I remember the article. It was a freelance piece I wrote for a newspaper. But I don't remember much about the family of the guy. I think I still have the information backed up on cloud storage. I can get online and search for it."

  "You need to do that. We need to tell the police."

  "Okay. But I lost my phone."

  "I have mine. And we need to tell Cody you're okay or she'll have my head."

  Jolene grinned. "God, I love that girl."

  JD laughed. "Yeah, me too. Come on. Let's head back. It'll be light soon and there are a lot of people worried. You’ve been missing over twenty-four hours and— “

  “No. It was just— “

  “A day ago?”

  Jolene shook her head. That would mean she’d been unconscious for nearly a day. “But I just woke up tonight.”

  “Then we better get you checked out at the hospital before we go to the police station. And like I said, we need to let people know you’re okay.”

  Jolene needed to make light of it, she couldn’t let herself go back to the fear. "Thanks. I bet Mrs. Nellie Mae has me being taken by the Indians – no wait, I am the Indian. Oh wait, I know, I ran off with the rodeo clown to Vegas. Or—"

  JD wrapped his arm around her shoulders and steered her toward the truck. She was safe now with JD, but she didn't think the man would give up on his revenge. Which meant she had to figure out who he was before he could make another move.

  *****

  By the time Jolene was cleared at the hospital and she and JD finished at the police station her energy was running out. They left the police station and climbed in his truck. "You want me to take you Nellie Mae's?"

  Jolene grimaced. If she was honest, Nellie Mae Baker's house was the last place she wanted to go. She mentally kicked herself. Mrs. Baker might be a nosy busybody, but she was a kind woman and Jolene was sure that if Mrs. Baker hadn't sounded the alarm no one would have known Jolene was missing until the first of the week.

  Still, she didn't relish the idea of Mrs. Baker's questions, of which Jolene was sure there would be in great supply. She looked over at JD. "Well, I am paid up and that's where my stuff is, so I guess the answer is yes."

  He reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. "Don’t worry, I'm not gonna drop you off on the sidewalk."

  "No?"

  "Nope. I'll see you safely to the door."

  "Which one?"

  "Pardon?"

  "The front door or the door to my room? It's a long way from that front door to the back of the house."

  He chuckled. "With Nellie Mae on your heels, I can imagine, so yes, the door to your room."

  "My hero." She gave him a smile then leaned back and closed her eyes as he started the truck.

  Jolene didn't realize she'd fallen asleep until she felt JD's hand on her shoulder, shaking her gently and his voice calling her name. "Jo? We're here."

  She opened her eyes and blinked a few times. "Sorry."

  "Don't be." He got out and walked around the truck to open her door. When she got out he put his arm around her and she gratefully leaned in on him. He walked her to the door and stopped. "You have the key?"

  "Oh crap. No."

  JD tried the door. It was unlocked. "Thank god for small towns." Jolene led the way through the house to her room. Once inside she closed the door and leaned back against it.

  "Are we okay now, JD?"

  "I think I'm the one that should be asking that question."

  "Yes. I am, anyway."

  "Just forgive and forget? Is it that easy?"

  "If you want it to be. Do you?"

  They stood there in silence for a minute, just looking at each other. Finally, he answered. "Yes. I do."

  Jolene pushed away from the door and walked over to him, putting her hands on his chest. She pushed him back until his legs were against the bed and then gave him another push.

  JD grabbed her as he fell back, taking her with him. Jolene sat on him, looking down at his face. "I'm not naïve or stupid. I know there's water under the bridge and maybe I still carry some hurt because you walked out on me. On the other hand, if I'm fair, there were never any promises made, so I can deal with my damaged pride. What I can't handle is anything other than truth between us now. If you want something with me, say so and I'll meet you more than halfway, but if there's no chance then please walk away now because I don't think I can take having my heart broken by you."

  "I'm right here, Jo. And I'll never hurt you again."

  "How can you be sure?"

  "Because of how I felt when you disappeared. I walked away from you once and regretted it every day since. I won't make that mistake again."

  "Then is it too soon for this?" She leaned down and kissed him softly.

  His arms went around her, pulling her down firmly on him. At almost the same moment, Jolene heard a noise. A creak in the floor. She jumped up, put her finger to her lips to keep JD quiet, and snuck over to the door. In one motion, she turned the knob and yanked the door open.

  Mrs. Nellie Mae fell face forward into the room. JD sat up on the bed as Nellie Mae worked to get to her feet. Jolene didn't offer to help. She crossed her arms over her chest and waited until Nellie Mae was standing. "Would you like to explain?"

  "Explain?" Nellie Mae huffed, still a little out of breath. Her hands fluttered to her hair, patting it and then the front of her blouse. "Well, missy, I'm thinking you're the one who has some explaining to do."

  She gestured toward JD. "Just look at this. Half the town worried about you and you drag up like a stray after a night tom-cattin' and take this man straight to your bed. You should be—"

  "You're gonna want to stop right now, Mrs. Nellie Mae." JD was eye-level with her, even sitting on the bed.

  "Don't you be telling me to hush in my own home, JD Weathers. Do you h
ave any idea how many folks been worried about that girl? Here we thought she'd been abducted and god knows what done to her and you drive up like nothing ever happened."

  "So you saw us drive up?"

  "Well, yes. I was next door."

  "And it never occurred to you that Jo might want some privacy, which, by the way, includes not having someone standing outside her door, eavesdropping."

  "I did no such thing. I was simply—"

  "Jo!" Mickey and Ron burst into the room. "Thank god. We called the state police and the network was going to call in the FBI."

  "Jo's back?" Malachi appeared at the door, with Sam and Steve on his heels.

  Everyone started talking at once, asking questions and wanting to know what happened. Nellie Mae's voice grew louder and shriller until Jo thought her head would explode.

  "Enough." Jolene barked loud enough to have everyone in the room falling silent. "Please." Jolene lowered her voice. "First, guys I'm okay. Just a bump on the head. I'll tell you everything but not now. I'm exhausted. And Mrs. Nellie Mae, don't you cast blame on JD. He came for me. Someone took me. Right here in front of the house. Hit me over the head. I came to tied up in an old shed. I thought – never mind. What's important is that JD found me and brought me back so please don't be rude to him. He's a hero, not a villain. And I'm really tired. Please, please just let me be so I can shower and go to bed."

  "Oh you poor thing." Nellie Mae's tone changed in a flash. "Of course, honey. This is your home. Let me fix you something to eat. You must be starved."

  "Thank you but I'm too tired to eat. I need to talk with JD now, so if you all could give us some privacy? Once I've rested, I promise I'll tell you everything."

  "Well of course. A hero. Lord child, what an ordeal. How about some breakfast? I know it's past time but nothing soothes like a hot breakfast."

  "No, thank you. You're so kind, but I don't want to eat. We'll talk later. I promise."

  "Well all right, sugar. But I'm not keen on you having – relations in my house."

  "I wouldn't think of it."

  "Okay then. We'll talk later."

  "Yes ma'am."

  "JD." Nellie Mae cut him a haughty look.

  "Mrs. Baker."

  "You sure you're okay Jo?" Malachi asked.

  "I am. Just give me a little time okay?"

  "Sure, whatever you want."

  Jolene closed the door after everyone left and walked over to stand in front of JD. He put his hand on her hips. "Are you sure you want to stay here?"

  "Well there aren't a lot of options."

  "Come stay at the ranch."

  "With you?" The suggestion shocked her.

  "No. Sorry, it's not that I don't want you to, but my boys—"

  "I completely understand."

  "You can stay with Pop. I know he'll say yes and he has room."

  "I can't, JD. My crew is here and I need to be with them to work."

  "They can come."

  "No, no that's too much, JD."

  "I need to know you're safe, Jo."

  "I will be. All my crew is here and—"

  "That's not good enough."

  "What if I promise not to go anywhere alone?"

  "What about tonight?"

  "I guess I could get one of the guys to stay in here with me."

  "Oh hell no. I'll come stay with you."

  "What about your boys?"

  "They can stay with Pop."

  "JD, no. They don't know. About us, I mean. They won't understand."

  "It's more important that you be safe."

  "I will be. I'll be careful. I promise."

  "Okay, but I'll be back this evening to check on you. Right now, get clean and get some rest."

  "I will."

  He pulled her to him and held her tight. The feel of his arms around her filled her with determination. She would find the man who abducted her and make sure he didn't get a chance to try again. For the first time in three years, she felt there was hope for her to have what she wanted most of all. A chance with JD.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jolene finished reviewing the footage. She had interviewed Jayce and Bryson this week and was sure she'd never laughed so much. They were both out-going men who took what they did seriously, but never passed up an opportunity to laugh. She found it amazing that either of them was single. Particularly now with the family curse dispelled.

  She didn't imagine either of them would stay single forever. Not only were they fun to be around, but both were exceptionally handsome. Jolene had taken a lot of photos of the family, the ranch, and the projects they were working on. In many of the images, Bryson and Jayce would rival the most sought after models.

  She would talk with Bronson and Jasper next week. After that, it was JD and maybe his sons. Things were still up in the air on that and she wasn't pushing. True to his word, since the night he'd found her, he showed up at Nellie Mae's almost every evening to check on her. He had not formally declared them as "dating" to his sons, but Briggs and Dawson were spending more time hanging out with her and the crew while they were at the ranch. They'd even started dropping by on their way to or from football practice.

  Jolene had learned more in the last two weeks about JD than she'd ever imagined. Now she saw him for who he was, and not simply the fantasy she'd clung to for so long. Sure, she still lusted over him like a crazy woman, but what she felt went way beyond lust now. She knew without question she was truly falling in love with him.

  The only thing marring her happiness was the business with the man who abducted her. Jolene had found a copy of the article she'd written. It was nearly seven years old and the subject of the article, Johnny Willis had been found guilty for drugging and raping eight women. He was sentenced to fifteen years for his crimes.

  Jolene had her researchers digging up everything they could find on Johnny and his family, but thus far nothing had surfaced on the mystery brother.

  Her phone rang and she smiled when she saw the photo that popped up on the screen. "Hey Cody."

  "Hey yourself. Got your message. What's the news, girl?"

  "The network based us here for the next six months."

  "Seriously?"

  "Yep. It will take another month to finish up everything on the Weathers family and their people in the Carolinas. Then I have two other pieces lined up so they sprung for us to find a place."

  "Hell yeah."

  "Yeah, I was pretty excited. And that's partly why I called. The guys have opted to stay here at Nellie Mae's. She babies the hell out of them, you know. But I need to get out of here and I was wondering how you'd feel about having a paying room-mate for a while."

  "Jo I already told you that you're welcome to stay here. I wouldn't charge you."

  "Well it's not my money. The network will pay two thousand a month without blinking."

  "Two thousand? Are you shittin'?"

  "No seriously. It would cost more than that to stay at a hotel."

  "Well in that case, when can you move in sistah?"

  "I was thinking this evening if you agreed."

  "Works for me. I have to go in and check on the bar but should be home by six."

  "Perfect. How 'bout I pick up some dinner from the steakhouse?"

  "No. I know you're busy and—"

  "It's okay. I need to get out for a while and I promised Annie I'd meet her at the library at three. She's doing research for a new novel and wants to pick my brain some more. Apparently her new heroine is a journalist."

  "Okay, if you're sure. But, hey, Jo, I have to ask. What about JD?"

  "What about him?"

  "Well, I mean, I know things are better between the two of you, but that guy that nabbed you is still out there and – well, JD is kind of a papa bear if you know what I mean."

  "I need to get out of here and he can check up on me as easily at your place as he can here. And I won’t have to be monitored every second by Nellie Mae. Honest to god, it's like being a teenager and havi
ng a chaperone."

  Cody laughed. "I can imagine. And girl you know I'm not gonna guard dog you."

  "I figured as much. So we're good?"

  "You bet'cha. See you at six?"

  "I'll be there with the food."

  "And I'll bring the beer."

  "Done. See you then."

  Jolene was smiling as she ended the call. Cody's acceptance of the offer was perfect. She got to stay in Cotton Creek for six months, and she had a place to stay that didn't involve a nosy landlady. As far as the man who'd abducted her, well the police now knew who he was.

  He hadn't been seen and Wes Pursell had sworn that he wasn't on their payroll. JD wasn't convinced and was dead set against her attending the rodeo this weekend, but she wasn't about to miss it. She had a big surprise set up for his father.

  Jesse Nash was coming down for the rodeo and would be something of a celebrity at the event. Wes Pursell was footing the bill and had offered Jesse lodging at the Pursell ranch, but Jo had talked Jesse into holding that option open in case Jason invited him to stay on the ranch.

  She was excited about it. Jason talked a lot about getting to know his nephews and this would be a great surprise for him. Jesse's wife would not be able to make it, but that would give Jason more time with his nephew.

  No way was she going to miss that. In fact, she was working it into the show.

  Jolene saved her files, closed her laptop and started gathering her things. Ten minutes later she was packed. She slung the strap of her messenger bag over her shoulder and grabbed a luggage handle in each hand.

  She'd just reached the front room of the houses when Briggs and Dawson rapped on the door.

  "Come on in." She called out.

  "Hey, Jo." Briggs greeted her as he entered. "Is dad here?"

  "No, I haven't seen him today."

  Dawson looked at the luggage. "Where are you going?"

  "To Cody's."

  "Cody Sweet?"

  "Yeah. The network based me here for six months, so I needed a place to stay and she said I could stay with her."

  "You don't like it here?"

  "Well, yes, I like it, but –"

  "You don't like Mrs. Baker?"

  "No, I like her but the place is kind of crowded with all of my crew here and I just needed somewhere that it a little less crowded and Cody offered."