by Cate Beauman
She steamed out a frustrated breath, looking toward Henry and Daisy’s simple ranch-style home as she entered Black Bear Gap town limits, trying to figure out where to go from here. There were certainly physicians in other parts of the country she could contact. She could call someone in Manhattan in less than five minutes, but her colleagues and friends didn’t specialize in black lung, nor was the distance conducive to Henry or the others from a treatment standpoint. She needed someone close, and she needed them fast.
Glancing in her rearview mirror, she frowned when she noticed the black car that had been behind her for much of her trip back from Berea. Paranoid after last night, she took a quick right, pulling into the gas station, watching the vehicle continue on. Gripping the steering wheel tight, she closed her eyes and rested her head against the seat. “Get a grip,” she murmured as she opened her eyes and looked around at the group of men standing around, staring at her. The town hated her. They’d shown her as much by painting her office with insults and destroying the clinic’s front door, but spray paint and minor damage were a long way from her delusions of being followed.
She slid her hair back behind her ear and moved forward again, taking the road to the clinic. Minutes later, she pulled up in front of the cabin, relaxing her shoulders, knowing Shane was inside. A glimpse of civilization had been great, but it was good to be home.
~~~~
“They certainly got our attention,” Shane said to Ethan as he paced about the living room, bringing Faith’s half-empty bottle Jenny left on the coffee table to the sink.
“Sounds like it.
He dumped the leftover formula down the drain and set the nipple in the small bowl of soapy water. “Overall the incident was pretty benign—no real threats and minor damage—nothing a little paint and new door won’t fix.”
“That’s good, because I’m going to have to call the director and let him know you’ve seen some activity.”
“Yeah, sure. I figured as much.” He grabbed the rattles and stuffed elephant off the counter and put them in the basket where they kept Faith’s toys.
“He’ll want to know how we’re handling it.”
“At this point, I think we should just keep doing what we’re doing. We’ll keep the porch lights on throughout the night and get a better lock for the doors. If things continue to heat up, we’ll change tactics, but last night wasn’t anywhere near as bad as some of the other shit that went on around here when The Project first began. Nothing caught on fire.”
Ethan chuckled humorlessly. “Well, I guess that’s something.”
He straightened Jenny’s schoolbooks and grabbed the empty water glass from the side table. “I’ll take it.”
“You said a couple of the ‘messages’ were aimed at Jenny. Are you thinking she’s the target?”
“No, I think this is about Doc and her diagnoses, which might be right after all.” He glanced at his watch, as he had several times since she got in her SUV this morning and left. Reagan was due home in less than thirty minutes. He wouldn’t be able to relax until she walked through the door.
“I don’t get it. What’s the problem then?”
“They think she’s wrong. Reagan referred her patients to some lung specialist in Lexington, Doctor Jacobson. Apparently, Jacobson told one of the guys he has something else—COPD. Now everyone in The Gap is in an uproar because a bad diagnosis messes with job security and access to compensation.” He shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t know what the hell’s going on. She went to meet with some colleague in Berea—a former bigwig pulmonologist. She said she wasn’t wrong when we spoke on the phone right before I called you, but she didn’t say much else. I’ll get the scoop when she gets back.”
“Should I be thinking about sending in backup?”
“No. Right now I’m all set. I can handle a few assholes spray-painting the clinic. If things change you’ll definitely be the first to know.”
“I want to start implementing more frequent updates so we can begin transitioning Chase over to the assignment. A couple more weeks and you’re out of there.”
“Yeah.” He wanted to stay more than he wanted to leave, but as he looked around the living room he’d just tidied and pulled a burp cloth from his shoulder, he knew it was time to go. “I’ll—” He caught a movement out of the corner of his eye and glanced out the window as Terry grabbed Jenny’s arms and yanked her toward him. “You little fucker.”
“What?”
“I need to call you back.” He hung up and rushed outside. “Hey!”
Terry dropped Jenny’s arms like a hot potato and stepped back.
“What’s going on out here?” He walked to Jenny’s side in bare feet. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, rubbing at her biceps.
“This ain’t got nothin’ to do with you, Fed.” Terry stepped closer to him, dressed in jeans and an old Rolling Stones t-shirt.
“When you’ve got your hands on Jenny it does.”
Terry advanced again, coming almost toe to toe. “Mind your own fuckin’ business.”
“Terry, stop. Go on home,” Jenny pleaded as Shane raised his eyebrows, getting his first good look at the pimple-faced teen with brown eyes, black hair, and a decent build.
“I think you should follow Jenny’s advice and walk into those woods and not come back.”
“You tryin’ to keep me away from my girl and baby? They’re my family, Fed.”
The little prick hadn’t asked to see his daughter once, which was just fine with him. “I’m trying to prevent a call to the cops and an arrest for domestic violence.”
A stirring of fear flickered in his eyes. “I didn’t hit Jenny.”
“You put your hands on her during a disagreement. I see your handprints right there.” He gestured to the red marks on her arms. “Which I better not ever see again.”
“What ya gonna do about it, Fed?”
It was tempting to kick the kid’s ass and wipe that smirk off his face, but Terry wasn’t worth the trouble it was bound to cause. “Jenny, I think we should probably go in.”
“Okay,” she said quietly, meeting his eyes quickly then looked at the ground.
“Keep your hands off my girl, prick.”
“Keep your feet off federal property.” He started to turn away, and Terry grabbed his arm.
“You think you scare me?” His eyes glinted as his breath heaved. “You think ‘cause you’re a Fed you’re better’n me?” He pushed Shane.
“Stop it!” Jenny shouted.
Enough was enough. Shane rushed forward, yanking Terry up by the collar. “Get the hell out of here and don’t come back.” He shoved Terry to the ground, sending the kid sprawling, and walked up the steps with Jenny. “Next time I’ll call the cops.” He closed the door as Terry gained his feet and carried on with his rant and Jenny burst into tears. Clenching his jaw, he rubbed at the back of his neck. Women’s tears didn’t bother him, but that didn’t mean he knew what to say in this situation. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” She sucked in a shaky breath. “He’s been gettin’ so mad lately.”
He wanted to point out the obvious and tell her to stay away from the little asshole, but he remembered Reagan’s request that they try their best to understand Jenny. “I’ll get you something to drink. Go sit down.” He walked to the kitchen, filling a glass with filtered water, trying to figure out how he should handle this, wishing more than ever Reagan were home. Sighing, he went to where she sat sniffling in the corner of the couch. “Here.”
She looked up with red eyes. “Thanks.”
He snagged the box of tissues on the coffee table and sat next to her.
“I don’t want Terry bein’ Faith’s father.” She cried harder, pressing a tissue to her eyes. “He don’t—doesn’t,” she corrected, “want anything to do with her.”
“Good.”
She blinked, looking at him in surprise. “Why would you say that?”
“Because Faith deserves better, and s
o do you. You’re a smart, beautiful young woman. You have ambition and an amazing little girl. Someday some guy—a guy who deserves you—is going to scoop you two up and never look back.”
“You think?” She wiped at her cheeks.
“I know.” He snagged the glass of water she hadn’t touched and drank.
“What about you?”
“What about me?” He drank again.
“I was thinkin’ maybe you might want me.”
He swallowed and choked. “What?” he croaked out in between his fits of coughing.
“You’re hot. I mean your face and body looks like one of them movie stars. You’ve got yourself a good job and a house out in Los Angeles. You could be Faith’s daddy.”
He coughed again. “Jenny, I’m twenty-eight.”
She shrugged. “My daddy’s lots older than Mommy.”
“Jenny, we’re friends,” he added when their twelve-year age gap didn’t appear to be a problem.
“You don’t want Faith?”
He set down the glass. “I love Faith very much.”
She stared down at the floor. “You don’t want me.” Hurt tinged her words.
He scrubbed at his jaw, fighting the urge to swear. “Jenny, I love that you’re staying here with me and Reagan. We both love helping you with the baby. You’re working hard to change your life. I admire the hell out of you, but I also think of you as my little sister.”
Her gaze flew to his. “Little sister?”
“Yeah.”
A fresh batch of tears coursed down her cheeks. “I think that’s about the worst thing you’ve ever said to me, Shane.” She rushed to her feet and ran to her room.
“Son of a bitch,” he muttered, closing his eyes and resting his head against the cushion. The doorknob twisted and he opened his eyes as Reagan walked in. Thank God. “Hey.”
“Hi.” She slid off her heels. “Where’s Jenny and Faith?”
He trailed his gaze up her tailored slacks and fitted shirt, both of which accentuated her sexy body. “In their room.”
“Oh.” She breezed past him and down the hall.
He sat where he was a moment longer, got up, and followed. “Where’d you go?” He pushed open her door she’d closed halfway and paused mid-step, staring as she stood in her white lacy bra and pants. Goddamn, she was gorgeous.
“I’m changing.”
“Yeah, I see that. Sorry.” He turned away, facing his own room, swallowing a big ball of lust. “Were you ah—were you planning on telling me about today?”
“There’s not much to say. You can turn around.”
He faced her and walked in, struggling with another punch of longing. She’d put on her sinful short shorts and clingy white tank top that drove him crazy. “I thought you said Doctor Schlibenburg said it was black lung.”
“He did.” She moved to the dresser and took off her earrings.
He sat on the edge of her bed. “That’s a pretty big deal.”
“Yeah.” She reached behind her neck, fighting with the clasp on her necklace.
He stood, stepping up behind her. “Let me do it.”
She dropped her hands, looking into his eyes in the mirror. “Thanks.”
“I thought you would be more excited now that you have your confirmed diagnoses.” He glanced down at the stubborn clasp.
“Me too. Thanks,” she said when he handed her the necklace. “Doctor Schlibenburg has no intention of backing me up. In fact, when my hour was up, he shoved me out the door—literally.”
He frowned, pulling the pins from the fancy twist in her hair, watching her silky brown strands fall past her shoulders, breathing in the scent of her shampoo. “The guy pushed you?”
“After he dragged me to the door.”
He slid his fingers through soft, glossy locks, holding her gaze in the glass.
She sighed, closing her eyes. “That feels good.”
“Good.” He massaged her scalp, watching her shoulders relax.
She let loose another deep breath.
“I’m sorry things didn’t go the way you were hoping.”
“Me too.” She backed up against him as he continued to work his magic.
“I’m also sorry about yesterday.”
“All’s forgiven.”
He slid her hair to one side and brought his mouth to her neck.
Her eyes flew open.
He pressed his lips to her skin for a second time, then a third, as goosebumps puckered her arms and she fisted her hands at her sides.
“Shane.”
“I know. You’re on a break.”
“Exactly.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist. “What about a break from your break?” He trailed his hands up her sides, waiting for her to tell him to stop, and snagged the tip of her ear with his teeth as he cupped her firm breasts.
She bit her bottom lip as her nipples went taut against his palms. “Shane, I really—”
He turned her to face him. “Should,” he finished for her, capturing her face in his hands. “You really should.” He kissed her deeply, savagely, groaning.
She moaned, clutching at the loops on his jeans then sent her hands up his stomach, around to his back, and into his hair, pulling him closer.
Finally. God, finally. He gripped her hips and lifted her, sitting her on the nearby desk, yanking her forward and grinding them fire to fire.
She whimpered, wrapping her legs around him, clinging as tongues tangled and her fingers made their way under his shirt.
“Let me lock the door,” he whispered, nipping at her chin as Faith started crying.
She shook her head, panting, her cheeks rosy and her eyes dark with need. “No.”
“Reagan.” He eased back.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be a tease. I just—I don’t know. I’m sorry,” she repeated and got to her feet.
It was tempting to pull her back to him and make her forget about her break, but he moved, letting her have her space. If he and Reagan were going to end up in bed, she was going to be his partner without any regrets. Clenching his jaw, he rubbed at his chin. “So what are you going to do about the black lung thing?”
“Nice segue.” She huffed out a breath, pressing her fingers to her temple.
He shrugged. “I’m game for picking up where we just left off.”
“That’s okay.” She swallowed. “The answer to your question is: I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
He crossed his arms at his chest, physically aching to touch her again. “I should probably tell you Terry was here this afternoon. He had his hands on Jenny.”
She raised her brows. “Do you need help burying his body?”
He smiled. “He was looking for a fight. He pushed me, so I shoved him to the ground and told him not to come back or he’ll be dealing with the cops next time.”
“Okay. Are you all right?”
“Yeah. Definitely, but there’s more.”
“I can’t wait to hear it.”
“Jenny doesn’t want Terry to be Faith’s father.”
“Wise girl.”
“She thought I might be a better solution.”
Her eyes grew wide. “What?”
“She thought maybe I could do the whole dad thing. I make good money, have a house in LA, and of course a muscular build.”
Reagan sat on the bed and collapsed back, covering her face as she groaned. “Have we stepped into some insane alternate universe?”
He leaned against the wall instead of following her to the mattress. “I’m thinking maybe.”
“What did you say to her?”
“That you and I want to help her with Faith, and that I think of her as a little sister.”
“That’ll sting but it will also pass.” She sat up again. “It sounds like you handled it well.”
“She ran to her room crying, so maybe not.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
He nodded. “I need to call my boss back.”
“Not a whole lot other than he’s going to talk to the director about the vandalism, and he wants me to start easing Chase into his new assignment.”
“Your replacement.”
He nodded as he stared at Reagan, not loving the idea of being replaced.
She bit her lip, darted a glance to the floor, and met his gaze. “I guess I’ll go talk to Jenny.”
“Okay.”
She walked off, leaving him alone in her room. In just a couple more weeks Reagan would be dealing with this insane alternate universe on her own, and it didn’t sit well with him.
~~~~
“I followed her to Berea and back.”
“What was she doing in Berea?”
“I’m not sure. She pulled into a gas station, made a phone call, then took off a few minutes later. She went down a couple of isolated roads, so I kept my distance, then stopped following altogether. She was gone about an hour. I’m heading back that way now. I’ll have details for you within the next few hours.”
“Keep me up to date.”
“I will.” He hung up as he merged on Route Twenty-One, ready to find out what Doctor Rosner had been up to this afternoon.
Chapter Eighteen
“If you look here, you’ll see Shane’s non-fasting glucose levels are well within normal range,” Reagan said as she and Jenny sat next to each other in the office, going over the results of Shane’s blood draw.
Jenny nodded. “He seems to be smack-dab in the middle of all the ranges we’ve seen.”
“He’s very healthy.”
“What about this one?” Jenny lifted another sheet.
“This is an STD panel.”
Jenny’s eyes widened. “Like in Sexually Transmitted Diseases?”
“Like yes.” She smiled. “Sex is part of medicine, and I’m pretty sure Shane’s had it a few times before.”