"Hold on, Sugar. I'm coming."
"Mommy, who is that man?"
Big, scared blue eyes stared up at me. The bed Flynn was sitting on seemed to swallow my boy whole. Fighting back my own emotions, I reached down and grabbed Flynn's backpack, hoping that what I needed was still in there.
Somehow I'd managed to convince Drew to let me put my son in the bedroom while we 'talked'. As I rummaged through his bag, I tried not to show him how scared I was too. He needed my strength now more than anything.
"It's no one you need to worry about, baby." Relief filled me when I found the tablet and earphones I'd been looking for. I pulled up Flynn's favorite movie and dropped to my haunches in front of him. "I want you to put these on," I handed him the tablet and earphones. "Don't take it off no matter what, okay?"
My boy's eyes glistened and his lip started to quiver. "I'm scared, Mommy."
I had to bite back the sob stuck in my throat. "I know, my sweet boy. Right now, mommy needs you to be brave, just for a bit."
Nodding his head, Flynn covered his ears and tried to concentrate on the screen in his hands. I dropped a kiss to his head before I left the room and closed the door behind me.
With every step I took back to the living room, I tried to find the strength to fight back. I couldn't allow Drew to win this time. Just as I entered the small space, he came up to me and grabbed a fistful of my hair. With my strands in his grip, he dragged me to a nearby couch and shoved me onto it.
The woman I used to be would've kept her head down while she waited for whatever was to come next. I wasn't that woman anymore; I hadn't been for a long time. Reaching ahead of me, I snatched a small vase off of the table and hurled it at Drew.
Unfortunately, he saw the object coming and easily side-stepped it. The vase smashed into the wall, scattering pieces of glass everywhere. The look on Drew's face could only be described as murderous as he lunged for me.
Luckily for me, I was able to jump off the couch before he pounced on it. As fast as I could, I ran for the kitchen hoping to find a weapon of some sort there. I pulled open the first drawer and frantically began rifling through it. Just as my fingers curled around the handle of a knife, my head was forcefully slammed into the counter in front of me.
Again, my hair was used to drag me from one place to the other. I did have a little luck on my side though because Drew didn't see the knife I was still holding onto.
"You always have to make everything difficult, don't you Sarah?" He sneered when he shoved me back onto the couch. "I'm going to enjoy putting you back in your place."
"Screw you!" I spat as I waited for him to come within striking distance.
The laughter that bubbled out of him was nothing but evil, it gave me chills. "You've got quite the mouth on you. But that's to be expected with the company you keep these days."
Instead of coming closer, Drew moved to the windows and after he scanned the area outside, he closed the curtains. I kept my eyes on him as he moved to the door and secured the lock. "Tell me, Sarah, what do you know about this mechanic you so freely share your bed with?"
There was no way I was going to play this game with him. When I didn't answer him, he started to list all the things that supposedly made Logan a bad man—things I already knew. Things I didn't care about.
I kept my stare level as he continued to ramble on and on. "I bet he didn't even tell you that he can't father a child. You see, Sarah, no one can give you what I can." He must've seen a change in my features because that evil laugh was back. "Oh, this is too good. He didn't tell you."
I refused to take the bait and I could see Drew become more and more agitated. He was on me in two seconds, gripping my face in his hands, his fingers digging into my cheeks. "You think you're special, but you're just another notch on his belt. It's time you come home to a real man."
"Never!" My grip on the knife tightened and without over-thinking it, I jammed it into Drew's thigh. Cursing, he slipped to the floor. Both of his hands covering the spot where the steak knife was sticking out.
I scooted to the edge of the couch and pushed to my feet. "I'm never going anywhere with you again." I needed to act fast—get Flynn and get out. I started to run toward the hallway when a loud bang stopped me in my tracks. I glanced over my shoulder to see that Drew had his weapon trained on me.
"Go ahead, Sarah, take one more step. I dare you." Slowly, he got to his feet, the knife still lodged in his leg. "I have no trouble killing you and taking my son away from this place."
Terror gripped me. What would become of Flynn if he was left to Drew's mercy? Raising both my hands above my head, I turned to face the monster that had been haunting my nightmares for years.
Drew's smile broadened when my surrender registered. "I knew you'd see reason." He dropped onto the couch and placed the gun on the armrest before he tried to pull the knife from his leg. After a few grunts, he patted the spot I'd just vacated. "Now, be a good girl and come sit down." I tried to think of some other way to get out of this situation, but nothing short of fighting him for that gun would secure our safety.
I closed my eyes and sucked in a much-needed breath as I prepared to walk back to Drew. A loud, splintering sound had me opening them just as fast. When the cause of the sound became clear, I couldn't help the relief that spread through my bones.
I had no idea how he knew where to find us, but somehow Logan had not only figured out we were gone but he'd just kicked in the door standing between my and Flynn's freedom.
The same relief I felt registered on his face when we locked eyes from across the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Drew reach for the gun but Logan was already charging for him.
Within seconds they were on each other. I could hear punches being thrown but I honestly couldn't tell you who was hitting whom. Panic-stricken, my gaze flicked between the two men grappling on the floor. I had no hope of figuring out who was winning, I just knew I couldn't let Logan fight this man alone.
Scanning the floor, I started to search for something I could use when I spotted Drew's gun. It must've fallen. I lunged and scooped it up. With shaky hands, I aimed and waited for a clear shot.
When I had Drew in my sights, I squeezed the trigger. The loud bang caused my ears to ring. To my dismay, he was still raining down punches on Logan, I must've missed. Taking a deep breath, I aimed and fired again.
When Drew slumped over, I dropped the gun to the floor and rushed over to where Logan was also sprawled out. Nothing could've prepared me for seeing him with his eyes closed and a big, wet, red spot staining his white t-shirt.
My heart beat fast and loud. Did I really just fire a gun? More importantly, how badly did I injure Logan? I picked up the weapon, in case Drew came to and dropped to my knees next to Logan. With my heart in my throat, I lifted his shirt to see where the blood was coming from. I found the source when I saw the small hole just to the left of his collarbone.
I couldn't imagine why such a tiny wound would leave him out cold though. At a loss for what to do, I slapped his face…hard. Hoping it would rouse him, I slapped him again. "Wake up, dammit!" My palm connected with his cheek one more time before I collapsed onto his chest. "Wake up, you idiot!" I sobbed while I thumped my balled up fists on his torso. "I need to tell you that I love you."
Closing my eyes, I wrapped my arms around Logan and just bawled. Maybe it was a combination of the adrenaline wearing off and the very real fear that I might've killed the man I loved, but I just couldn't stop crying. My body shook with every sob that left it.
In the back of my mind, I knew I had to try and find a phone and call for help, I was just so terribly tired. I allowed myself a couple more seconds of wallowing before I started to push off of Logan's chest. As I moved to get up, I felt a tug on my shirt. Looking down, my heart leaped when I saw those warm whiskey-eyes staring back at me.
Without thought, I threw my body onto his and just held him. When he started to cough I realized I was crushing the poor man. Quickl
y pulling back I cradled his face in my palms.
"So…" his voice was soft and wheezy. "You love me, huh?"
Through the tears still rolling down my face, I started to laugh and nod my head furiously. "So much!"
Logan's lips lifted into a weak smile and after a few coughs, he said, "Good…That's good." His expression turned serious. "Flynn?" That single word was filled with so much fear and one of the reasons why this man meant so much to me.
Honestly, how could I forget about my boy? I ran to the room in which Flynn was to make sure he was still okay. I was never more proud of my son. There he was, sitting in the middle of the bed with the earphones still on his ears and his eyes trained on the screen in front of him.
Tears spilled from my eyes as I rushed to him, hugging him so furiously that the earphones slipped off his head. "We'll be going home soon," I promised. "Mommy needs you to wait here just a bit longer, okay?" I cupped his little face in my palms and tenderly kissed his forehead. "I'm so proud of you, my brave little man."
Once the earphones were back on Flynn's ears, I retraced my steps back to the living room; back to the man I loved.
"He's fine," I jerked my head toward the hallway. "Safely tucked away in one of the backrooms."
For the second time, I saw his features relax as relief spread through him. Maybe it was stupid to be making conversation with Drew passed out just a few feet away and Logan in obvious pain, but for some reason I couldn't bring myself to leave his side, not even to find a phone.
"How did you find us?"
Again his lips curled into as big a smile as he could manage. "Told ya, Sugar-" cough, cough. "-two steps behind you. Always."
Just then I heard the crunch of tires over twigs and car doors slamming shut, followed by what sounded like hurried footsteps. My heart started up again as I stared at the open front door of the cabin. I honestly didn't know who or what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't Sheriff Jackson—with his weapon drawn—and Daisy Jackson not far behind.
"Heavens," Logan's mom pushed past her eldest son and rushed over to me and Logan. Over her shoulder, I saw Eli holster his weapon and check on Drew. Daisy dropped to her knees ran her hands over her son's body before kissing him. Then she hugged me tight. She held on for what felt like minutes, but in reality were just a few seconds, before she pulled back a little. "Are you hurt, child?"
Apparently, I still hadn't cried enough because thick, hot tears slid down my face again as I shook my head. "I'm fine," I sniffled and then looked at Logan. "He needs an ambulance, though."
Daisy smoothed her hands over my hair a couple of times before palming my cheeks, "They'll be here soon." Her gray head swiveled as she scanned the disorderly space. "Where's little Flynn?"
"He's-"
"She shot me!" An irate Drew spat. His face was red and the bulging veins in his neck looked they were going to burst any second. "The little bi-" His tirade was cut short when Eli's fist connected with his jaw.
My eyes were huge and my jaw slack when all I could do was stare at the oldest Jackson brother. With a slight lift of his shoulder, he said, "He was yapping too much."
In total disbelief, I shook my head and laughed. Clearly, my emotions were all over the place. It wasn't long before we heard the distinct sound of the ambulance arriving. After I told Daisy where Flynn was, she promised to take my boy home while I went to the hospital with Logan.
While the doctors worked on him, I was being checked out in the emergency room. I hadn't even noticed the cuts on my feet until the nurse started tending to them. There was a small laceration on my forehead and a few bruises on my body too. I didn't mind any of them because I knew that not only was Drew never going to hurt me again but this time I actually fought back.
With a small smile, the nurse turned to pull back the curtain just to be startled when she came face to face with Lizzy and Chase.
My friend wasted no time, she side-stepped the nurse and beelined to where I was sitting on the bed, wrapping me up in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry, Harper. I didn't know." She mumbled into my hair.
I aimed my frown at Chase who was standing a few feet away. He just shrugged and shook his head. "Didn't know what?" I finally asked.
Lizzy let go of me and jumped off the bed before she started pacing, refusing to make eye contact. "The mystery man I was seeing…well…" she stopped pacing and gave me a pained look. "It was…Drew…Harper, I swear, I didn't know."
If my friend thought that I would blame her or be angry with her, she was dead wrong. "Liz," I said. "None of this is your fault." With a sob and a nod of her head, Lizzy wrapped her arms around me again.
"I don't mean to interrupt," The nurse was back. "Mr. Jackson is asking for you."
I couldn't help the smile that formed on my lips. After a quick goodbye hug from both Lizzy and Chase, I followed the nurse as she led me to where Logan was. My pulse started to race when we entered the room and I spotted him sitting on the bed with his arm in a sling.
The fact that he'd been in a fight was evident by the bruises on his face. But even with a black eye and a busted lip, he was still the most beautiful man I'd ever seen. The way his eyes smiled along with his mouth when he saw me standing there felt like a tender touch to my heart.
The nurse gave my shoulder a gentle squeeze, "I'll give you guys a minute." With that, she silently left and closed the door behind her.
Logan beckoned me by scooting to the edge of the bed and patting the empty space beside him. I went without hesitation but instead of sitting down I chose to stand in front him. Unhurried, I lifted my fingers to the small patch on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry I shot you."
Gripping my fingers in his, he dragged my hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to my palm. "Sugar, this pain is nothing compared to the pain I'd feel in my heart if I ever lost you and Flynn."
The stinging behind my eyes warned me that those, stupid, tears were threatening to make their appearance again. I had to swallow several times before the lump in my throat went away. "We're not going anywhere."
Logan wrapped me up in his arms and pulled me to his chest. Standing there in his embrace, I knew without a doubt, not only was I safe, I was home too.
Leaning back in the chair, I brought my beer to my lips and guzzled. A smile spread across my face as I took in the scene before me. Molly and Flynn desperately trying to run away from Dozer. Eli and Chase arguing over how much wood was needed to keep the fire going. And then there were the two most important women in my life huddled over the salad table.
As if she could feel my eyes on her, Harper chose that moment to look over her shoulder and smile that smile that never ceased to stop my heart. With her left hand, she pushed her hair behind her ear, the precious stones on her finger glinting in the sunlight.
Yeah, she was going to be mine in every sense of the word. I wasn't going to ask so soon, but I wanted to replace the memory of going down to the jailhouse to see Drew for the final time with something better.
She didn't need to, but she wanted to be there in person when he signed the divorce papers and gave up his parental rights. The ink on the paper hadn't even had time to dry before I was slipping my ring on her finger and moving them into my house.
Never in my life had I thought I would find a woman who'd still want me after knowing I could never father a child—a parting gift from my former life—but it didn't even matter to Harper.
"Quite the birthday gift you received this year, son." Next to me, Pop took a big swallow of his drink.
A contented sigh blew over my lips, "Yeah, Pop. I couldn't ask for more."
Just then I spotted Harper and Flynn heading toward us, excitement causing our little boy to bounce rather than walk. Once she was within reaching distance, I grabbed my girl's arm and pulled her into my lap.
Leaning in, the scent of daisies enveloped me right before I pressed my lips to the tender skin behind her ear. "You two are looking mischievous, Sugar." I reveled in the little
bumps popping up all over her skin when I whispered in her ear.
"Flynn wanted to give you your birthday present." I still couldn't get over all the love I saw burning in her eyes whenever she looked at me.
Pressing my lips to her ear, I asked, "And what did you get me for my birthday, hmm?"
Her eyes grew wide as her gaze flicked between a confused Flynn and a very amused Pop. Smacking the back of her hand into my chest, she shook her head and whispered, "I'll show you later."
Oh yeah, I liked the sound of that.
"Can I give Logan my present now?" Toddler annoyance evident in his little voice.
I schooled my features and leaned forward so we were eye to eye. "What have you got for me, buddy?"
Flynn bounced on the spot before reaching behind him and producing a small brown envelope. With the brightest smile, he handed it to me.
I took the offering and gave Harper a questioning look, who in turn just shrugged her shoulders. I thought life couldn't get better, but I was so wrong because there in my shaky hands were adoption papers.
Harper snaked her arms around me. "He loves you almost as much as I do and he really, really wants you to be his dad."
I had no words to express what I was feeling, all I could do was wrap my family up in my arms and never let them go.
Acknowledgments
How lucky am I to have all these amazing people in my life?
Peter, you are so much more than just my husband! Best friend, plotting partner, proofreader, my shoulder to cry on - my everything! Thank you for encouraging me to keep reaching for my dream, without you I might've given up a long time ago.
I love you!
Sara: I never knew a friendship like ours. Blessed doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. You are always there with an encouraging word, ready to talk with me for hours. Always pimping me and talking me up. You are a wonderful person and I am so lucky to know you. Thank you for being such an amazing supportive friend! My life is richer with you in it.
Shattered (Willow Creek Book 1) Page 16