Jacob raised an eyebrow. “She is? Caleb hasn’t mentioned anything about it, but I guess the circumstances haven’t exactly been great for him to make an announcement. He must be thrilled. He always wanted a family.”
“Did you ever want children?” she asked.
“I thought about it once, but things didn’t work out.” He leaned back in the chair and stifled a yawn with the back of his hand. “It was a long time ago and I was a different man then.” These words were spoken with an edge of bitterness in his voice that invited no further questions.
“Why don’t you take a nap while I make us some lunch,” she suggested.
“That sounds like a plan,” he agreed. “And for dinner tonight you and I will eat at the café.”
“Why do I suddenly feel like a minnow?”
“Layla, you know I won’t let anything happen to you, but I think maybe Tom is right. Both of us need to be seen around town. Maybe if we flaunt our presence in his face, he’ll get so angry he’ll show his hand.” His eyes suddenly went black. “Let’s just hope we don’t push him so hard that those women wind up dead before we catch him.”
“That’s not going to happen this time, Jacob,” she said fervently. She knelt down next to his chair and laid her head on his upper arm. “This is going to have a better ending.”
“You promise?” he asked softly, his voice already filled with imminent sleep.
Before she could reply she knew he’d fallen asleep. She rose from his side and watched him for several long moments. His chest rose and fell in a slow, deep rhythm and once again she thought of what it would be like to be held in his arms. She found herself wondering what it would be like to be loved by a man like Jacob.
Irritated with this kind of thought she left him and went into the kitchen to prepare some sort of lunch for them. Within minutes she was engrossed in putting together a quick sauce for spaghetti.
So, there had been a woman, she thought. Things didn’t work out, that’s what he’d said and that implied there had been a relationship once.
Whoever she was, Layla suspected she had broken his heart. Once again Layla found herself wishing she’d connected with Jacob sooner, before the woman, before The Professional.
She chided herself inwardly. The last thing she wanted to do was develop any real feelings for Jacob. She didn’t want to feel that heady rush of emotions, the hope that somehow she’d find her soul mate. She’d been disappointed so many times in the past and didn’t want to go through it again.
It was easier to not involve her heart, to go through the motions of a relationship without expecting, without hoping for anything other than a few laughs and a couple of nights. Loving Jacob would be the worst thing she could do.
It took her nearly an hour to get the sauce and spaghetti ready. She made a salad and broiled some bread with a little butter and garlic topping, then set everything on the table.
Satisfied that it was ready to eat, she stepped into the living room and froze. Jacob wasn’t in the recliner. Her gaze shot to the bathroom door. It was open and it was easy for her to see that nobody was inside.
Don’t panic, she told herself, but when she checked the bedroom and didn’t find him there, a sweeping anxiety overtook her. Where had he gone?
On wooden legs she walked to the front door. His coat was no longer hanging on the hook next to hers. She looked outside, but saw no sign of him.
The anxiety blossomed into something stronger. Had he tired of her? Had she pushed him too hard with personal questions, talked too much and driven him crazy?
Or had he somehow gotten a clue who The Professional was and gone after him without the support of his brothers, with only his rage to back him up?
No, she didn’t believe he’d done that. She’d sat in on the conversation that had taken place around the kitchen table. There was no way Jacob could have gleaned the identity by that conversation.
It was more likely she’d driven him crazy, with her talk about shoes and children, with her endless nervous chatter about everything under the sun.
She remained at the door, staring outside as a new emotion shoved up in her chest. A weary resignation filled her. She shouldn’t be surprised if he’d left for good. Even with the threat of death hanging over her head she couldn’t keep a man at her side. It was just like her daddy had always told her.
Jacob made his way through the thick woods near the cabin, wondering what in the hell had possessed him. But he knew. Layla. She had possessed him.
He knew this land as well as he knew the sound of his own breathing. During the last six months of isolation he’d often walked these woods at dusk, thinking about the past and the part he’d played in the deaths of The Professional’s first victims.
Somehow over the last couple of days rational thought had sliced through the fog of despair that had settled over him since he’d arrived back in Black Rock.
He no longer carried the weight of those deaths in his heart. Layla had been right when she’d told him that the women were already dead the moment The Professional had taken them. Jacob also suspected The Professional had meant to make Jacob feel responsible when he’d claimed Jacob had pushed him over the edge. The killer was already over the edge and his words to Jacob had just been more of his manipulation and game-playing.
At least there had been no report of any other woman missing. Tom’s press conference had put the women of Black Rock on notice. There was a killer among them and care should be taken not to be out alone.
Of course, Jacob still believed that Layla was the chosen fifth victim and The Professional wouldn’t be happy with anyone else, but the problem was he wasn’t sure. He couldn’t anticipate anything when it came to this particular serial killer.
It took him only minutes to find what he was looking for. Using the ax he’d brought with him he cut down the small evergreen tree. He’d also brought with him a bucket perfect to fill with dirt to stand the tree upright.
He had no idea how long he and Layla would be cooped up together in the cabin. It was possible they would be there through the holidays and she was missing the Christmas season, so he’d decided to bring a little of it into the cabin.
With the tree set in the bucket he picked it up and headed back and his heart felt lighter than it had in a very long time. He had no Christmas decorations for the tree, but he had a feeling Layla was creative enough to make a purse out of a sow’s ear.
When he reached the porch she flew out of the door, her face pale as she trembled with something that looked very much like anger.
“How could you?” she demanded and slapped her hands against his chest. “How could you just disappear like that and not tell me where you were going?”
“I thought I’d surprise you,” he offered, aware that it had been a mistake on his part not to tell her he was going out. He’d been alone too long and it had been thoughtless. “Get inside before you catch cold.”
She turned on her high heels and stomped back through the door. Jacob followed her, aware that he owed her an apology. “I’m sorry,” he said as he set the tree down next to the fireplace. He shrugged out of his coat and hung it up.
“I just thought you’d left, that maybe I’d driven you away because I talk too much.” Her voice trembled slightly.
“I hate to admit this, but I’m getting used to your chatter,” he said with a small smile. “You’d mentioned a couple of times that there was no Christmas here, so I thought I’d bring you a little.” He sat on the sofa next to her. “Layla, I’m not going to leave you until this is all over, until I know for sure you’re in no danger. Again, I apologize for scaring you. And now I smell something delicious so let’s eat and then you can figure out how to make this little evergreen tree into a Christmas tree.”
She could have held a grudge. God knew Sarah had been able to hold a grudge for hours, even days, over some perceived slight. But, Layla was back to herself as they ate lunch, chattering about the holidays and asking him about fa
vorite Christmas traditions from his youth.
“Aluminum foil stars,” she said suddenly. “That’s how we can decorate the tree. And popcorn.” She jumped out of her chair and went to the pantry. “Got it,” she exclaimed triumphantly as she pulled out a box of microwave popcorn. “This will be so much fun,” she said as she returned to the table. “We’ll spend the afternoon creating a stunning masterpiece.”
“Whoa, the tree was a project for you. I’ve got other things to do this afternoon,” he protested.
“Like what?” she demanded. She leaned forward and grabbed his hand across the table. “Let it all go, Jacob. For just a couple of hours let it go and let’s have fun.”
Fun? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d allowed himself that. Staring into her hopeful eyes he realized he wanted a little fun with her. He wanted those couple of hours of not thinking about danger and death, of not allowing The Professional to enter his mind.
“You’re going to have to teach me how to make aluminum foil stars,” he replied.
She smiled in delight. “I’d be happy to.”
Within thirty minutes they had finished the meal, cleaned up the dishes and were seated at the table with a box of aluminum foil while the scent of freshly popped popcorn filled the air.
“Christmas was never any big deal when I was growing up,” she said as they worked the foil to create stars. “Once I left my father’s house I made it a big deal every year. I usually decorate my house like the North Pole, bows and ribbons and holly everywhere.”
“Christmas was a big deal at home when I was a kid,” he replied. His head was suddenly filled with the memory of those days when his parents had been alive and all his brothers and his sister were beneath one roof.
He’d loved being part of his family unit and at that time had promised himself that when he got older and married he’d fill his house with children and laughter.
He’d not only done a disservice to himself, but also to the memory of his parents by closing himself off from his family the last six months.
“Mr. Whiskers loves Christmas, too,” Layla said, pulling him from his thoughts.
“How long have you had Mr. Whiskers?” he asked.
“Two years. I got him as a kitten because I felt like I needed something living and breathing in my house besides myself. I wanted something to come home to, something to take care of and Mr. Whiskers was my answer.”
He nodded, but in her words he sensed a depth of loneliness that was belied by his perception of Layla West. She was vibrant and beautiful and he couldn’t imagine a woman like her ever being lonely.
“Maybe you need a pet,” she said and smiled at him. “Have you ever considered getting a dog or a cat, something you could take care of? Something that would love you unconditionally? You know studies say that pets are good for your mood and good for high blood pressure.”
He laughed. “What makes you think I might suffer from high blood pressure?”
“I don’t see how you wouldn’t have high blood pressure considering the job you chose.” She set aside the star she’d just finished. “Did you like your work…I mean, before The Professional?”
He stared out the window where a false twilight had fallen despite the fact it was only four o’clock. He felt as if he’d been in the middle of a false twilight for months.
“Yeah, I loved what I did,” he finally replied. He got up from the table and walked over to the window where he stared out unseeing. “I felt like I was doing something good, something important. I like law enforcement and I allowed him to take that away from me.”
He wasn’t aware that she’d left the table until she touched his back. It was a soft touch, meant to comfort. “You could go back, couldn’t you?”
He considered her words thoughtfully and then shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. It’s been too long and it wouldn’t be fair to the other agents who stuck it out.”
“Then what are you going to do? You can’t stay here, cooped up for the rest of your life.”
He turned to face her then. “To be honest I haven’t given it much thought. Maybe I’ll see if Tom could use another deputy here when this is all over.” He smiled then, hoping to take away the concern that darkened her beautiful eyes. “Or maybe I can set up a booth and sell aluminum stars.”
She smiled then, just as he suspected she would and the warmth of it sizzled through him, along with the memory of the kiss they’d shared.
He wanted to kiss her again. He knew it would be a mistake, but he didn’t care. He had scarcely moved a muscle before she was in his arms, her mouth locked with his in a kiss that took his breath away.
Someplace in the back of his mind he knew this wasn’t right, that there was no way he was willing to put his heart on the line again. But another voice reminded him that he’d made that clear to her, that she knew the score and it didn’t seem to matter to her.
Take what she gives, the voice said. Don’t overthink it, just go with the flow. The flow was in the sweet spill of her hair in his fingers, in the heat of her lips against his.
“Oh, Jacob,” she murmured against his mouth. “I want you. Take me into the bedroom and make love to me.”
His heart accelerated in rhythm as his body responded to her nearness, her words. But he had to be certain that she understood. He had to tell her again that she should expect nothing more from him than a physical connection that had no future.
“Layla.” He stepped back from her. “If we do this then you have to understand that it’s a one-shot deal and there’s no future with me.”
“I live in the moment, Jacob. Besides, I already told you I’m not the marrying kind.” She moved back into his arms, her eyes shining overly bright. “Just give me this moment with you.”
How could he deny her what he wanted most? Together they left the kitchen and went into the bedroom. Once there he kissed her again, the kiss quickly growing to a fever pitch.
He knew there were condoms in the bottom drawer of the nightstand. Throughout the last couple of years his brothers had occasionally entertained women in the cabin.
He broke the kiss once again, this time to remove his holster and set it on top of the nightstand. As he did that, Layla pulled her sweater over her head, revealing a black lace bra that nearly had him finished before he’d begun.
Yanking the turtleneck he wore over his head, his heart thundered. It had been so long since he’d enjoyed the pleasures of a woman’s body, so long since he’d felt this well of need.
She kicked off her high heels and then peeled off her jeans, revealing panties that matched the black bra. “You are so beautiful,” he said softly.
She smiled and slid beneath the quilt on the bed. “And right now I’m all alone.”
He was just about to unfasten his jeans when a bang of metal came from outside. Somebody was out there! Instantly he reached for his gun, all thoughts of lovemaking banished by a different kind of adrenaline.
Layla shot up to a sitting position, her eyes huge with fear. “Jacob?”
“Stay inside. Don’t open the door to anyone but me,” he said as he ran for the front door. His thoughts zoomed through his head. Who was outside? If it was one of his brothers they would have made themselves known.
Was it possible their hiding place had somehow been found? Was it The Professional outside seeking a way in? Even the reassuring weight of his gun in his hand couldn’t take away the chill of imminent danger that worried through him as he opened the door and stepped out into the shadows of pre-dusk.
Chapter 9
The minute Jacob left the bedroom Layla scrambled out of bed and pulled her robe around her. Her heart banged painfully fast against her ribs as she hurried toward the front door and peered outside. There was no sign of Jacob or anyone else.
Had The Professional found them? There was no question in her mind that he would kill Jacob to get to her. Tears blurred her vision as she gripped the door frame on either side.
Ja
cob! Her heart cried with fear for him. He shouldn’t have gone outside. He should have called for backup. He was just starting to live again and it wasn’t fair that he might die in his effort to keep her safe.
She should have grabbed her cell phone as she’d run from the bedroom. She was just about to go retrieve it and call for help when Jacob appeared at the door.
Quickly she unlocked it and threw herself at him. “Oh, thank God,” she exclaimed.
“It was a false alarm,” he said. “A stray dog was trying to find a meal in my trash can around back.” He patted her back. “It’s okay, you’re safe.”
“I wasn’t worried about me, I was terrified for you,” she confessed as she clung with her arms around his shoulders. She buried her face in his chest, his skin cold from his outing without a shirt. “I was afraid it was him and that he’d kill you.”
“Nobody is going to kill me if I can help it,” he replied, his voice lower than usual as he tightened his arms around her.
She didn’t reply. She wanted to warm him, needed to continue to touch him, to assure herself that he was alive and well.
The moment in the bedroom had been broken by the noise and Jacob’s rush outside, but it hadn’t taken away her intense desire for him, it hadn’t banished her need to belong to him completely, even if there was no happily-ever-after attached.
She finally raised her head and looked at him. “Now, where were we?” She was determined to get what she wanted, and she wanted Jacob.
His eyes flashed with fire that threatened to combust her where she stood. “I remember exactly where we were.”
“Then why don’t we resume where we left off?” She stepped out of his arms and turned to go back into the bedroom, confident that he would follow.
Once again he set his gun on the nightstand within easy reach as she shrugged out of her robe and got into the bed. She watched silently as he took off his shoes and socks and then shrugged out of his jeans.
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