Jake chuckled. “That’s rich, coming from you.” His tone, filled with kindness, combined with his words felt like the nicest compliment.
“After those calls, I received a couple back. First, I heard from Connor Talbot. He and Mel received word that Brody Carp was on his way toward Waco. They, of course, managed to pick up his trail and sounded more than a little concerned that he drove through Wacon and was, apparently, on his way toward Lusty. I assumed that I was their second call—Adam being the first.”
“You’re right, there. Adam called me a half-hour before you did.”
“And my last call, just moments ago, was from Kat. She wanted to let me know she was following another rather odious man by the name of Douglas Vance, who seemed to be coming this way as well.”
“You do love your little intrigues, don’t you?”
“Well…y’all did ask me to stick around home instead of traveling the globe a few years back, if you’ll recall. Did you expect I’d stay home and retire to a rocking chair?”
Jake shook his head, but he was smiling. They’d meandered through town—she wouldn’t nag him about driving so slowly—and were approaching the final stop sign before the roadhouse.
“Grandma Kate, if I ever see you retiring to a rocking chair, I swear I’d invent some excitement, just to get you moving again.”
“You’re a good man, Jake Kendall, and a good grandson.”
Jake eased his car into a parking spot. He raised one eyebrow when he noticed the sleek silver Tesla roadster. Then he met her gaze, one eyebrow raised.
“Full disclosure, then. Your brother-in-law Peter, as well as Joe Grant, are inside, as it was their shift to keep an eye on our Jenny. Marcus and Jeremy have taken up position, as well. I couldn’t not include them, all things considered. Angela and Ricoh should be enjoying a nice lunch, as are Cord and Jackson, who brought Parker and Dale with them. And, of course, soon to join us are three licensed investigators. And Adam, I’m quite certain, by now is very close by, his finger on the pulse, and will be ready to move as soon as everyone’s here.”
Jake sighed. “And, I will assume that you’re armed, as well.”
“Well, of course, I am. One or both of those men could prove to be dangerous. We have to be ready for anything.”
“Well, all right then. What am I worried about?”
“You really are a good man, Jake Kendall. Now let’s go have something to eat and watch everything unfold.”
* * * *
Jenny couldn’t help but smile every time she saw Angela and Ricoh together. They weren’t given to overt PDAs. But there was magic in the way they looked at each other and in the smiles—soft, subtle and, yes, sexy—that passed between them. And in how, like now, he reached over and laid one of his hands on both of hers.
That right there is true love. Jenny had heard some more of their story. She didn’t know if she could wrap her head around that kind of love. They’d been separated suddenly, even violently, had been forced to live apart for thirty years, had even been fed lies, and yet…
And yet. Love stayed. Love endured. Love waited.
Unable to resist, she took a moment to gaze at her men, sitting with Jackson and Cord, clearly deep in discussion. She tried to look at them objectively, but that was a waste of time. She couldn’t be objective when it came to Parker and Dale Benedict.
Who knew what surprises life held? Who could say that the reason she’d been born, the reason she’d lived, hadn’t been to meet these two men at this place, and at this time, and to begin to build a life with them?
Jenny knew she wasn’t alone in believing that life happened as it was meant to, that things usually turned out as they should, but she wondered if that was always the case. Or did fate sometimes require a boot in the butt or a gentle nudge?
She headed into the kitchen to pick up a couple of orders. Her plates were up, and Patrick was humming along to the music that permeated the roadhouse as he worked.
Their newest hire, Nancy, stepped out of the locker room, tying her apron on as she headed for the order terminal.
“Hey, welcome aboard! I know you’ve been on staff a few days already…”
Nancy grinned. “But it’s our first shift together.”
“It is. How’s it going so far?”
“I really like this place. Thanks for putting in a good word for me.”
Jenny didn’t think she’d done anything deserving of thanks. But she said, “You’re welcome.”
She picked up her order and used her back to open the “out” door. The young couple sitting at the back of the dining room, a couple of tables away from her guys, were engrossed in their conversation. A folded area map lay on the man’s right.
“One loaded nachos, one burger and fries.” She set the meals down. “Do you need anything else?”
The man gave her a slight smile. “Is there any chance I could have some vinegar for my fries and sweet green relish for my burger?”
The roadhouse had enough tourists from all over the world pass through that there were a few condiments Angela routinely ordered in, especially with those tourists in mind.
“Yes, sir. I’ll fetch them for you now.” There were two opened boxes in the beverage service area—one of each of what this guest requested—in individual little cello packets.
Jenny grabbed three of each and took them to her guest.
“Thank you!” The man appeared happily surprised to receive those condiments. Angela knows what she’s about.
A young woman sitting at the next table, eating a sandwich and reading a book, looked over at the couple and smiled in response to the man’s enthusiastic pleasure as he put the green stuff on his burger. He made a happy-tummy sound when he bit into it.
Note to self. One of these days I’ll have to give that green stuff a try.
Jenny turned and saw that two men had entered the roadhouse. One of them she’d met just the day before. Jeremy Bishop, Ari Benedict’s half-brother, had surprised his sister when he arrived and said he was staying in town. Jeremy’s partner, Marcus Jessop, brother to the docs, the firemen, and Rebecca was with him. The two men stood for a moment, looking around the dining room, and then took a seat along the windows not far from the door.
They’d settled themselves in Nancy’s section. Jenny gave a discreet wave to Jeremy, who had his back to the door. He smiled in response. She went to the serving station in the corner and started a fresh pot of coffee. Then she scooped up the sweet tea pitcher and made the rounds to refill glasses, starting with Peter Alvarez-Kendall and Joe Grant.
“Hey, guys. Can I get you anything else?” She knew their main purpose for being there at the moment was to act as her bodyguards. She did her best not to let them see how guilty she felt about that. She’d already been told by numerous Benedicts, Kendalls, Jessops, and Parkers—the last being the family Joe was a proud member of through marriage—that this was what Lusty was all about.
“No, we’re good, Jenny. How are you holding up?”
Peter’s question didn’t surprise her. She knew him to be a sensitive man. “I’m doing fine. You know, the usual. Just working. Making cow eyes at my guys whenever they look in my direction.”
Peter and Joe both chuckled. “Not nearly as often as they’re making cow eyes at you,” Joe said.
“Jenny, we know you’re having difficulty believing that trouble might find its way to you.” Peter met and held her gaze. “Just follow the protocols we discussed, and hopefully this won’t last much longer.”
Jenny nodded. She had no intention of interfering in this “operation,” even if she suspected she didn’t know all of the behind-the-scenes details. Maybe these men deserve more than a nod from you since they’re giving up their family time to protect you. Jenny sighed. “You’re right, I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it all. But I’ll do everything you tell me to do. Trust me, if trouble comes bursting through that front door, I’m not going to step up and go all G.I. Jane in his face.
Whoever the hell ‘he’ turns out to be.”
“You know, with the right training, you could probably do just that,” Peter said.
“He’s right,” Joe said. “The minimum age to join the Bureau these days is twenty-three. In addition, you have to have a four-year college or university degree and a driver’s license. You meet all those requirements. Come to Houston and put in an application. Within just a few years, you could go all G.I. Jane in some asshole’s face, if you wanted to.”
Jenny chuckled. She knew Joe was teasing her because his smile told her so. But she also knew the information he’d just given her was true.
“Actually, I had thought at one point I might be interested in a career in law enforcement. I even took some self-defense classes, including some martial arts training for the first couple of years I was in college. But I came to know being a cop just wasn’t me. I like what I’m doing. I not only never know what each day is going to bring, I get to meet and hang out with the best people.”
Both men smiled that kind of smile she’d come to recognize that told her she’d made them feel just a touch better with her compliment. My work here is done. She headed on to the next table, chatting, pouring tea, taking note of who was drinking other beverages. When she’d covered the restaurant offering tea, she returned the pitcher to the service area and picked up the fresh pot of coffee.
She looked up and saw Nancy waiting on Jeremy and Marcus. Look at the way Jeremy is focused on her. Since the guys were likely going to become regulars, it would be interesting to see if anything developed there. She’d learned from Ari that the men were both bisexual.
Jenny decided she would chat with her bestie the next time she saw her and ask her what she thought of the possibility of a little matchmaking in the future. Nancy looked like she could use a couple of good men in her life.
She poured coffee for the two lone women—one sitting next to the green relish hamburger man and the other at a table by the window between two couples who appeared to be tourists and in the process of finishing up their lunches. They’d already been given their checks. Each of those couples signaled her, so she stopped and settled their bills. They got up to leave as she headed to Benedict central.
“More coffee, guys?” She stood beside Parker. He wrapped his arm around her, and she executed one of her favorite maneuvers. She swooped down, bussed his lips, then straightened again.
“I’ll have a bit more, thanks,” Cord said.
“Me too, sweetheart.” Dale grinned at her. “Just a few more hours.” And he raised his eyebrows twice in quick succession in a way designed to make her think he was thinking lusty thoughts.
Of course, he was thinking lusty thoughts. Jenny shook her head and blushed, and then she filled the two cups, executing a diving kiss on Dale as well.
“Jenny, when you get a second, would you stop by that table up there and let my brother-in-law know he and Marcus are welcome to join us?” Jackson gave her a smile to go with his request.
“I will do that.”
The door opened, and another two men entered, these ones strangers. Both were middle aged, looked in good shape, and took a moment to scan the interior. Then they headed to a table midway back, against the windows. One of the two looked at her, and for some reason, she shivered.
Nancy’s section. That thought was a relief. And because it was, she’d try to keep her eye on how they treated Nancy. Something about the guy who’d looked at her gave her the creeps. If he tried to hassle Nancy, she’d let Angela know.
The door opened again, and Mel Richardson and Connor Talbot came in. Both men looked tense. They, too, scanned the interior, nodded to Peter and Joe, and then sat at a table in the center of the room.
My section.
I’ll go up to the front, deliver Jackson’s message, grab a couple of menus, and swing on back, drop them off, and then unload the pot. Jenny mentally nodded to herself. One thing serving had taught her was the wisdom of step economy.
The door opened again. Grandma Kate and Jake Kendall came in! They stopped for a moment at Angela’s table. Ricoh got to his feet and gave Grandma Kate a hug and shook Jake’s hand. Jenny detoured around the bar, passing the kitchen door, so as to avoid the sudden traffic jam in the main aisle. My goodness, this place is getting really busy. Usually at this time of the day, the roadhouse quieted right down. I’ll keep an eye out that Nancy doesn’t get overwhelmed. She hadn’t seen the woman at work yet, though Bailey had mentioned she could handle herself.
Then Jake escorted Kate toward the back of the restaurant. Even he must know about Benedict Central because it looked like that was where he and Grandma Kate were headed.
Jenny grinned, grabbed up four menus—she might as well drop two on the table of the two men in Nancy’s section, giving her a head start when she gave the other two to the P.I.s—and directed her steps toward Jeremy and Marcus.
The door opened behind her, and before she could take another step, an arm snaked around her waist and jerked her back, hard.
Something cold and forbidding pressed against the side of her head. Chairs scraped and toppled as men and women shouted and screamed and surged to their feet.
Then a voice, angry, frustrated, and raspy sounding assaulted her ears as the man who’d grabbed her delivered his ultimatum.
“Give me Marissa Jayne Featherstone right now, or this bitch dies!”
Chapter Eighteen
In slow motion, Jenny saw people move. Several of them had guns aimed at her—no, not at her, at the man who’d grabbed her. Her gaze snapped to her men. She’d heard their voices, their shouts of anguish, and saw the way Cord and Jackson held them back. She’d dropped the menus she’d been clutching in her left arm, but the fingers of her right hand still curled around the handle to the half-full coffee pot.
Behind her, the man who clutched her breathed heavily. He smelled sour, like dirty sweat. He’d sounded desperate—as if he was at the end of his rope.
Jenny never before realized just how attuned she was to the nuances people gave out. She hadn’t even seen this man’s face, and yet she knew his mood.
Pay attention here. There’s nothing nuanced about this situation at all. This bastard is holding a gun to your head!
Nancy approached from her left, her gaze hard, focused, a deadly-looking gun held between her two dainty-looking hands. Nancy looks just like a cop or something.
The door to the restaurant opened once more, but quietly, and Jenny didn’t really think the jerk who’d grabbed her even noticed it had.
Then she blinked. Slowmo shattered, like the popping of a balloon, and reality flooded in. Her heart thudded heavily in her chest. She felt the man who had hold of her become even more tense, felt that he was shaking, and knew, in a heartbeat, she was done for.
Jenny didn’t think. She just moved.
Her right elbow spasmed, causing her arm to jerk up. Coffee sloshed out of the pot and onto the face of the man who’d grabbed her. She ducked away from his gun as he screamed, and some of that hot coffee hit her shoulder.
Marcus lunged, grabbed her, yanked her to the floor, and covered her body with his own.
Other sounds registered—a second scream from her assailant, several curses—and the thud of a something heavy hitting the floor hard really close to her.
Marcus sure is solid. Jenny was having a little trouble breathing, but at least she could breathe, and she hadn’t heard a gunshot, so she wasn’t going to complain.
“Clear!” The one word, strong and sure, sounded like Kat Lawson Jessop.
Marcus moved off her. Still sprawled on the wooden floor, Jenny could feel the vibration of so many feet, running.
Then she was scooped up and held in familiar arms. No thought was necessary now. She wrapped her arms around Parker and held on for dear life.
“Baby.” Parker’s one word, relieved, filled her heart. She wasn’t sure which one of them was shaking the most.
He sat down at one of the empty tables,
held her close, and when Dale enfolded her back, she sighed. Parker adjusted her position on his lap, and she sat up and turned to look over to where the man who’d grabbed her lay, apparently unconscious.
Standing over him were Nancy Drew, Kat Jessop—and Adam Kendall, who looked pissed as he divided his attention between the two women and the man on the floor.
“Now that, girlfriend, is what I call real girl power.” Kat grinned. “Jenny nails him with hot coffee, you kick his gun out of his hand, and I cosh him with the butt of my trusty Glock.”
Jenny blinked. “Nancy, do you and Kat know each other?”
“We do. And my name’s not Nancy Drew. It’s April. April Bixby, and I’m a private investigator. As soon as we deal with this mess, we’ll talk.”
Before Jenny could process that, another feminine voice spoke up. “Are you all right, sweet girl?”
Grandma Kate’s voice drew her attention. The woman stood on the other side of Parker.
“I’m okay, Grandma Kate. But I don’t know what just happened.”
Despite Jenny’s assurance, Kate reached out and gently touched her shoulder. Dale put his hand on the collar of her tee shirt and slowly eased it away from the back of her neck.
Jenny realized there was a growing discomfort on her shoulder and her neck. “Huh. I must have burned myself.”
The bedlam of noise and movement ceased. It felt like everyone turned to look at her. Into the quiet, Angela stepped forward.
“Bring Jenny into my office, boys.”
“I don’t get it. Where the hell’s Marissa Jayne Featherstone?”
That was a voice Jenny had never heard before, and the question resonated within her.
“That’s the woman that man wanted, but I’ve never even heard that name before. Is she his girlfriend or something? Maybe she ran away from him.” She looked down at the man who’d grabbed her. “Can’t say as I blame her one bit. That guy’s a flaming asshole.” And I wonder what made him think she was here in the first place?
Love Under Two Montanans [The Lusty, Texas Collection] Page 17