Saved by the Rancher

by Jennifer Ryan

  “Yeah. Does she look like she did when she came to stay with Uncle Jack?”

  The doctor gave Jack a questioning, worried glance at hearing Jenna had suffered similar injuries in the past. “She looks bad, and I don’t want you to be afraid. Jenna is very upset and wants to know that you’re safe. Okay?”

  “Okay.” Lily needed some reassurance and glanced up at her Mom and Dad. They nodded their encouragement. Jack felt much the same as the doctor. It might not be a good idea for Lily to see Jenna, but Jenna needed to see Lily to put her mind at ease.

  “I’m not sure about this one,” Doctor Weber said. “Does anyone know about a ring?”

  “I have the ring,” Jack said, relieved he could give that back to her. “The paramedics were concerned about her swollen hands, so we pried it off her in the ambulance.”

  “She wants it back. In fact, she’s quite adamant about getting it back.”

  “I’ll be sure to give it to her as soon as you let me see her. How is she? What kind of damage did he do to her?”

  Summer grabbed Lily and walked down to the nurse’s station away from the doctor and his evaluation of Jenna’s injuries.

  “She’s severely dehydrated. We’re giving her IV fluids, and she should recover from that quickly. She’s got two severe lacerations along her ribs on her left side that took quite a few stitches to close up. She has a gash on the back of her head, which also required several stitches. The head injury resulted in a severe concussion and a cracked skull. I don’t know how she’s survived that injury out in the woods overnight in the cold. Those are her worst injuries. Other than that, she has bruises and cuts all over. The bruises and abrasions around her throat are particularly severe. She’s in a lot of pain.”

  “You’ve given her something for the pain though, right?” Jack didn’t want Jenna to suffer anymore. He couldn’t stand to think of her enduring any more pain.

  “Acetaminophen. She simply refused anything more. She’s very strong and seems to be enduring the pain. I have to go by her wishes.”

  “Why won’t she take anything? Can’t you put it in her IV? Take the pain away. That’s your job!”

  Undeterred by Jack’s outburst, the doctor simply answered, “I have to go with what she wants. Maybe once you talk to her, you’ll understand. You can go in and see her now. She’s extremely tired and might not wake up, but I think it would do her a world of good to see Lily and the rest of you.

  “Also, she needs rest, so only two visitors at a time and for a few minutes only. We’ve cleaned her up and bandaged all the wounds. You may want to warn Lily again before bringing her in.”

  “Thanks, Doc. Is there anything else we should know? I feel like you’re holding something back.” He just wasn’t sure what it was, or why.

  “She’ll have to tell you the rest, doctor-patient confidentiality. She’ll need to stay here for a few days, at least until we’re sure her concussion is healed.”

  The doctor left the waiting room, onto his next patient, leaving Jack confused about the things he hadn’t said. Patient confidentiality. Bullshit. Jack needed to know what wasn’t said.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  * * *

  JACK HELD LILY’S hand and walked to Jenna’s room. They entered quietly and found Jenna asleep in the bed. A bandage covered the back of her head and more were wrapped around her wrists. The sheet covered her body and all the other injuries. Nothing he could see should scare Lily.

  If not for Lily, Jack would have cried at the sight of her. Pale, her eyes sunken with black circles marring her translucent skin. The cut above her eye had small bandages keeping it closed, and the cut on her swollen lip would heal on its own. Jack’s heart sank at the sight of her. He’d failed her. His mind wouldn’t let him forget, he didn’t protect her after he’d promised no one would hurt her again. Now, look at her, in the hospital, having come too close to dying. Again.

  Lily scooted around the bed and touched Jenna’s hand with her tiny fingertips.

  Jenna’s eyes fluttered open at the touch. At the sight of Lily, tears filled her eyes and skated down her cheeks. “Come here, Sunshine.” Barely able to hear Jenna, her voice came out like a hoarse croak.

  Jack lifted Lily onto the bed and Lily laid her head on the pillow next to Jenna’s. Jenna winced when Lily bumped her. She tried not to show the pain etched on her face.

  “You’re okay, right?” Lily asked.

  “Yes,” Jenna answered, her voice no more than a rasp. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t seem to stop them, so relieved to see Lily safe and sound. Unable to concentrate very well, her head pounded and ached, but Lily was okay and that’s all that mattered.

  “I’m having a baby,” Lily announced. “Mommy told me I’m going to be a big sister. Maybe Uncle Jack can get another puppy when Mommy has the baby like he did when mommy had me.”

  Jenna bent her head and whispered into the little girl’s ear, so Jack couldn’t hear her.

  “Uncle Jack is having a baby, too?” Lily positively beamed.

  Jenna’s gaze fell on Jack and she nodded her head yes.

  Stunned, tears rolled down Jack’s face as he bent over her and laid his head gently on her belly looking up at her. She ran her bandaged hand through his hair and smiled.

  “You’re going to be a Dad.” Her voice almost didn’t get the words out, but Jack heard them loud and clear.

  He lifted his head and kissed her softly. “Thank you. I love you so much. I’m so sorry I let you down.”

  “No. You didn’t let me down. You were with me the whole time.”

  “I should have been with you. Honey, I’m so sorry.” Jack gazed down at her lying beaten near death, holding on to his niece, and carrying his baby. He didn’t think this much love could fill his heart. It ached for her.

  “In my heart, you were with me. You found me. It’s not your fault. I love you.”

  Jenna’s eyes drooped closed, simply too tired for any more.

  Jack scooped up Lily and took her out to her mother. Summer, Caleb, and Sam all turned to him expectantly. “She’s okay.”

  “Jack’s having a baby, too, mama.” Lily beamed.

  Everyone’s eyes went wide with shock. He’d never seen all of them speechless. “She’s pregnant. He took her and hurt her and she’s carrying my baby. I didn’t do anything to stop him. In fact, I made it easy for him to take her because I wasn’t there. She said he always managed to get her, but I thought she’d be safe.”

  Summer took Jack into her arms and whispered into his ear. “This is not your fault. We’ll get him. He won’t get away with this again. We’ll all keep her safe.”

  “I need to talk to her. Is she awake?” Sam asked.

  “She’s in no shape for it tonight.” Jack tried to keep the anger and anguish out of his voice, but his words came out too harshly. “I’ll try to convince her to let the doctor give her something for the pain. Then I hope she’ll sleep through the night. I’m staying with her. You guys go home, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Sam gripped his shoulder. “I’ll light a fire under the sheriff and see if I can get anywhere with him. Be back first thing in the morning. The three of us will come up with a plan to put a stop to this once and for all. Go back to her, Jack. Don’t let her wake up without you there. I’ve seen plenty of victims, and she’ll probably have a rough night if she won’t let them knock her out.”

  “Thanks, Sam. Thanks for coming, and thanks for helping. You too, Caleb. I don’t want to think about what would have happened to her if she’d been outside another night.”

  They made their goodbyes. Before Summer left with her family, Jack pulled her aside and asked her to take care of a few small surprises for Jenna.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  * * *

  JACK WAS ONLY gone a few minutes, but even in that short time Jenna was desperate to see him again. When he returned, the doctor and a nurse were checking on her. Only half awake, she struggled to concentrate on w
hat the doctor said. Just seeing Jack made her cry again.

  “Honey, you’re okay. I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. Okay?”

  She couldn’t help it. She clung to his hand and cried.

  “Doc, what’s going on? Is everything all right with the baby?”

  “Jenna’s in a lot of pain and she’s overwhelmed. I know your head must be pounding like bass drums. I want to give her some medication, but she won’t let me.”

  “Jenna, please, baby. Take the medicine. You need to rest. I’ll be right here with you all night.”

  “Jenna, what I’ll give you won’t hurt the baby. I promise. I’ll do an ultrasound right now, so you can see the baby is okay. Then, if you take the medication, I’ll come in and check on the baby during the night. The pain and stress you’re under is overburdening your system. It’s not good for you or your child. I’ll make you more comfortable, so you can sleep. Both of you will be better for it.”

  Jenna noted Jack’s and the doctor’s concerned faces. Jack kissed her palm and held it to his cheek. “Please, Jenna. Take the medicine. Rest, so the baby can rest.”

  “I want to see the baby first. I need to know he’s okay.”

  Doctor Weber pulled the covers back from her abdomen and put some clear jelly on her lower stomach. Cold, she flinched. He took the wand from the machine set up next to the bed and moved it over her stomach. His brow creased as he studied the monitor. Then, he smiled and pushed a few buttons. The sound filled the room.

  Jack wasn’t sure what exactly he was hearing, but it sounded like a train chugging down the tracks, the steady rhythm strong. Jack looked to the doctor for an explanation.

  “That is their heartbeats, and these,” he pointed to the screen, “are your babies.”

  Transfixed by the figure on the screen, Jack stared at his baby inside Jenna. His focus on the tiny heart beating. Overwhelmed with love, he turned to Jenna. Tears streamed down her face, and she never looked away from the baby on the screen.

  “Is the baby okay? Did David harm him when he hurt me? I’m not losing another baby because of him. I’m not.” Her voice shook and she clutched Jack’s hand.

  “I think you missed what I said. Not baby, babies. See here, two heartbeats, two babies. They’re perfect. There doesn’t seem to be any problems. It’s early in the pregnancy.”

  Jack finally registered what the doctor was saying. “You mean we’re having twins?”

  Jenna chimed in, too, her voice a little stronger. “We’re having twins?”

  “Yes. Identical twins. I suspected as much when I first examined Jenna in the emergency room, but she wasn’t very cooperative at the time, so it was difficult to get a good look. We were too concerned about her other injuries.”

  “But they’re okay. Nothing’s wrong. Twins?” Jenna asked again.

  “There’s nothing wrong. And yes, twins. They appear to be perfect. They’re in a great position. So long as you take care of yourself and rest, you shouldn’t have any complications. I’ll recommend a few obstetricians for you. I suggest you start seeing one soon, so they can monitor the pregnancy. Right now, I’d say you’re about ten, eleven weeks along. The babies’ hearts are strong. Now, let’s let them rest. I’ll give you something to put you to sleep and relieve your pain. Your blood pressure is too high due to all this stress, and that’s not good for them.”

  “Um, Doc. You’re sure everything is okay? The babies won’t cause any complications for Jenna to recover?”

  “No. Her body will heal and the babies seem to be doing just fine after the ordeal she’s been through. We’ll monitor them while she’s here to be sure, but I don’t expect any problems. All of them will be fine. Congratulations. I hope you have a big house.”

  The doctor shot a syringe full of drugs into Jenna’s IV before she protested further, her eyes closed and she fell into a deep sleep.

  “We do have a big house. Even if we didn’t, we’d build one. Nothing will be too good for Jenna and these babies.” Jack made sure Jenna was asleep before continuing. “Be straight with me, Doc. Did he rape her?”

  “No, he didn’t.” His serious voice convinced Jack he wasn’t holding back on him at Jenna’s request.

  Relieved, he put his head down on Jenna’s arm and breathed deeply, letting that fear slip away.

  “She’ll rest now,” the doctor continued. “Like I said, the drugs I gave her won’t harm the babies. If nothing else, they’ll help because she won’t be fighting the pain and her blood pressure should come down. I’ll be back in a few hours. I’ll do another ultrasound. It isn’t necessary, but you can reassure her I did check and all is well.”

  “Thanks, Doc. I’m staying with her tonight. I don’t want her to be alone.”

  “I’d recommend you go home and get some rest, but I can tell you’d probably just punch me if I tried to get you out of here.”

  “You got that right, Doc. I’m sitting right here and making sure that if she wakes up, she knows I’m here, keeping her safe. I shouldn’t have left her in the first place.”

  Doctor Weber shook his head and left Jack to watch over Jenna.

  Jack brought the chair over to the bed, sat, and stared at her. Resting soundly, he placed his hand over her lower belly and contemplated being a father. His babies were resting, safe and sound. With everything she’d been through, she’d kept their babies safe. She’d kept herself alive—again.

  She slept most of the night without stirring. Doctor Weber came in and did another ultrasound. Jack watched in awe, his babies resting inside Jenna. The doctor assured him the babies were fine. Jenna wasn’t having any contractions or spotting blood. They were safe, all of them.

  Jenna woke up screaming before dawn. Actually, she’d sat bolt upright in bed with her mouth open in a scream, but nothing came out but a raspy whoosh of air. Breathing heavily, she collapsed into Jack’s arms and cried herself back to sleep.

  She woke up again late in the morning, disoriented, but Jack still held her hand, comforting her. It hurt her head too much to open her eyes, so she simply lay still. Her body ached, her head hurt, her ribs burned with each breath, and the images in her head wouldn’t go away. She’d never forget the crazed way David looked when he’d come after her with that knife.

  Crying again, Jack gently wiped her cheeks. He whispered in her ear, such soft loving words. Just like when she’d first met him, that soft honey of a voice soothed her. He always knew just how to make her feel safe.

  “You’re okay, honey. I’m here with you. You’re safe.”

  “Make it stop. I can’t do this anymore. Make it stop.”

  “Oh, God, honey. I love you. You’re going to be fine, and we’ll go home and have a wonderful life. I promise.”

  “He won’t stop. Even in my head, he won’t stop. You should walk away. Get as far away from me as you can. I’ll only ruin your life.”

  Crushed by her outburst, Jack’s heart ached. She sounded so defeated, barely able to speak at all. Nothing but a rasped-out whisper, making what she said even sadder.

  “You’re not ruining my life. You’re the best thing in my life. We’re going to get married, raise our babies, and be happy on the ranch. We’ll stop him one way or another, even if I have to kill him myself.”

  “He’s too evil to die. I can’t get his eyes out of my head. They were so crazed and empty at the same time. It’s like he wasn’t even there and some monster was inside him.”

  “Look at my eyes, honey. What do you see?”

  Jenna opened her eyes, tears spilling out and rolling down her cheeks. “I see home. I see love. Jack, I’m sorry. I don’t want you to go. I love you so much. I don’t want you or your family to get hurt. I was so afraid he’d done something to Lily. I couldn’t stand it if something happened to one of you.”

  “I can’t stand it that something did happen to you. We’ll put a stop to this. I promise. Whatever it takes.”

  “I want to believe we’ll get married and raise these babies,
and I’ll get to see them grow. I’m so afraid to hope for that.”

  He rested his brow on hers.

  “Believe it, honey. It will come true. Rest, baby. I’m right here. You’re safe.”

  She didn’t need much coaxing. Her eyes already drooping, she fell back into a deep sleep with Jack watching over her and holding her hand. Safe.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  * * *

  JENNA SLEPT ON and off for the rest of the day and night. Jack sat by her bed, never leaving her side. Sam, Summer, and Caleb came by to check on them. Jack refused each offer to leave and get some rest. They would stay with her, but if she woke up, he wanted her to see him and know she could count on him. He’d let her down once. He wouldn’t do it again when she needed him the most.

  He held her when she woke from a nightmare and whispered words of love. She didn’t stir for much of the night. He hoped she was finally overcoming some of the shock and trauma.

  Jack fell asleep shortly after dawn, only to wake up with Jenna’s hand gripped in his hair. His eyes flew open, only to see hers wide with shock and utter fear. His heart slammed against his chest. He had no idea what had her so scared, but his whole body jolted with adrenaline, making him ready to defend her.

  “Jack, you better tell her who I am before she rips your hair out,” Sam said from the door.

  “Jenna, honey, did I forget to tell you I have a brother, a twin brother. That’s Sam.”

  His head rested on the bed next to her side, and she still had a death grip on his hair. Her head turned from him to Sam and back and forth again.

  “That’s right, honey, my twin. Sam lives in Virginia, and he doesn’t get back to the ranch often enough. I can’t believe I forgot to mention him. Now, will you let go? Please.”