Split Decisions: A Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel - Charlotte - Book Two

by Carmen DeSousa

  She couldn’t think. A thick haze filled her head, making it hard to concentrate. She sifted through the events of the last week. Caycee had been with her, and they’d been waiting for Ben. Jordan had found her, she was certain of it. He was with another man, a cop, it looked like, but no one she’d recognized.

  But if Jordan had shown up, where was he now? Why would he have left her? Jordan would never leave her. Was he angry with her? She’d heard him say he wasn’t upset. She’d been pleading with him, telling him she was sorry. He’d told her it was okay. He just wanted her to be okay, he’d said. He’d always put her safety above everything, had always tried to protect her. But why would he think she wasn’t okay? Her captor had never hurt her. He’d drugged her, but he’d never laid a finger on her. Why was Jordan worried, and where was he now?

  ***

  It had been hours and Jordan still had no word on Jaynee. It was déjà vu all over again. Twice in one lifetime, what kind of husband was he? Jaynee had always said she had bad luck. If something were going to happen, it would happen to her. Jordan had always reminded her that God would never give her more than she could handle. He remembered her laughing and quoting the famous words of Mother Theresa, I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.

  Jordan had to agree. How could one person go through so much and still have an optimistic outlook on life? Jaynee had a reason to be a little upset every once in a while. He had overreacted when she seemed sad. Why hadn’t he just done his best to make her feel good instead of pushing her? Did it matter if she was feeling a little sad because she was turning forty? Didn’t everyone go through that in life?

  He fell into a trancelike state as he watched people file in and out of the ER. Some with traumatic injuries, others with non-threatening issues, but had nowhere else to go for medical treatment. He wondered what their lives were like. Were they happy? Jaynee and he seemed happier than most couples he knew. They genuinely liked each other’s company. They had a large family and their kids were great. All he wanted was to be home with Jaynee and his children. Most of the patients had family with them and weren’t alone. Jordan had never felt so alone in his entire life.

  Corey had left to talk with Sheila. Jordan wasn’t sure since Corey had been the one who’d shot and killed her husband that he should be the one to deliver the news, but he felt that maybe he could explain the situation. He’d told Jordan that he was going to take another detective with him…that he wouldn’t be alone.

  Corey had left the hospital in a daze, looking as though he were still searching for Caycee. Jordan decided he wouldn’t discuss it with him again. He meant what he’d said; he didn’t care if he believed. He honestly wished that no one else knew the story, but he’d felt he owed Corey the truth; after all, he’d helped save Jaynee’s life.

  “Mr. Monroe?” a soft voice broke Jordan from his thoughts. He lifted his head to see a doctor walking toward him. “Will you walk with me?”

  Jordan followed quietly. He’d been in this situation before as well. Must he relive everything from last time? Had he not learned a valuable lesson in Jaynee’s previous shooting? He followed the doctor into his office, sitting tentatively across from him. It wasn’t dreadful news; Jordan could tell by the look in the physician’s eyes.

  “Your wife is in recovery and is doing rather well, much better than we’d anticipated. She suffered three gunshot wounds. One in the shoulder, the bullet went straight through. Another in the side, which we removed. But the other bullet lodged within an inch of her heart, which we deemed too dangerous to attempt an extraction. It doesn’t seem to be causing any issues, so she’ll just have to walk around with a souvenir.”

  Jordan leaned forward, making sure he understood the doctor’s roundabout words. “So, she’ll be okay?” he implored, hoping he understood him correctly.

  “I believe she will. She won’t wake up for some time, but I feel strongly that she is going to recover completely.”

  Jordan let out a sigh of relief. “Can I see her?”

  “As soon as we move her to ICU. And talk with her, let her know you are here for her.”

  He couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his lips. “I know. I will. Believe me, I won’t leave her side.”

  Jordan waited until a nurse escorted him to Jaynee’s room.

  Once again, his wife lay motionless, connected by wires to machines, but unlike last time, she looked better. She had more color, and she had all of her hair. They hadn’t had to shave her head as they’d done when the gunshot wound was to her head. Jordan sat next to her, taking her hand in his. “Jaynee, what on earth am I gonna do with you?”

  Laying his head on her arm, he started to sing her favorite song. She’d told him during her last experience in a coma that she’d remembered him singing to her. She wasn’t in a coma this time, the doctor informed him, not even a drug-induced coma; she was just highly medicated. So even though he hated his voice, he did his best to remember every one of her favorite songs, and sang them to her until he fell asleep at her side.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Corey delivered the news to Sheila as gracefully as possible. To his surprise, after the initial shock and cries, she’d looked to him for comfort.

  She didn’t hold him responsible for her husband’s death. She’d known for some time that Ben had been unstable, but she’d never thought he had this response in him. Her largest concern was what she was going to tell her son.

  He felt for her. He couldn’t imagine a son growing up with a father who’d fallen in love with another woman, but then had tried to kill that woman when he thought she didn’t want him. He offered to speak with Tyler, but Sheila insisted that she should be the one to relay the news.

  Finally, the conversation he’d dreaded surfaced. “Where is Caycee?” Sheila asked him, her nose crinkling up at the mention of her name. She clearly still held her responsible.

  His only reply, “She’s gone, and I’m not sure where she went.” It was the truth.

  He went on to explain that Jaynee was in ICU and that any prayers that she could send her way would be desirable. After all, Jaynee was an innocent person in all this mess.

  By the look on Sheila’s face, it was clear that she wasn’t completely certain of his assumption, but she promised she would pray; though, she’d not prayed in years she’d informed him. Corey nodded in understanding and then excused himself.

  ***

  Jaynee awoke to the sound of a hospital; she recognized the familiar beeping and shuffling of nurses and patients. By far, the hospital was the worst place to sleep, and she felt as if she could sleep for days. Her entire body was sore, and her throat still felt as dry as a bone, as her grandmother had always said. She vaguely remembered the previous evening. She’d been dying; she remembered that. Shot again! It was almost laughable. How many times could a woman find herself shot in one lifetime?

  Soft breaths filled the room, the warmth of them rolling over her arm. Jordan was sleeping in a chair, his head resting on her bed, inches from her arm. She reached for him with her free hand, mindful of the IV attached to the top of her other hand. She ran her fingers through his short, but soft hair. His head moved instinctively under her hand, but then he jumped as the realization of where he was must have entered his consciousness.

  “Jaynee?” he exclaimed, jumping up. “You’re awake. Thank God!”

  Jaynee smiled, but couldn’t help herself from trying to apologize again. “I’m so sorry, Jordan. I feel like such an idiot.”

  “Shh,” he offered, lowering his head to kiss her on the forehead. “It’s okay. I’m just relieved to have you back.”

  “I swear to you, Jordan, I didn’t want to be here. I did it for Caycee. I don’t ever want to be away from you. You can ask her. I swear I’m not missing anything in my life; you’re my life.”

  He smoothed his hand down her hair. “Jaynee, please relax. We can talk about everything later.”

  “But don’t you see,” she pressed, “th
at’s what I’m trying to tell you. There’s nothing to talk about. I never wanted to come here; I never wanted to be away from you. I never want to be away from you and the kids ever again. And I swear, I’ll never be sad for no reason ever again either. All I could think about was what a wonderful life we have. I just want to make sure you know how I feel.”

  Jordan smiled, and Jaynee could see his eyes glaze over. “I know, darlin’. I was so scared. I have a good mind to lock you up myself…to never let you out of my sight again. Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been about you?”

  “I’m sorry,” she mumbled again, guiltily.

  “Don’t be; just don’t ever do this to me again. I can’t take it!” Jordan smiled to lighten his demand. He leaned over her, more serious now. “I can’t lose you, Jaynee. I love you too much. Please promise me you’ll never keep anything from me again.” His lips brushed against hers, then rested on her neck as his hands moved up to caress her face.

  “I promise, Jordan. I’m so sorry.”

  “Shh.” He moved his mouth to her ear. “Don’t be sorry, just don’t do it again.”

  “I won’t. I thought I’d never see you again, never see the kids or Caycee, and then he brought her—” Jaynee stopped as she felt Jordan’s hands tense on her face. “Jordan? Where’s Caycee? What happened to her? Was she shot?” A cry hitched in her throat. “Is she—” She couldn’t articulate the words, couldn’t imagine the loss. They’d only known each other a few weeks, but the idea of losing her…it would be like losing her sister.

  “Shh, don’t get upset. It’s not good for you. Caycee isn’t dead, but she’s gone.”

  “What? No, she wouldn’t leave me. She told me she loved me, that I was all she had.” The tears started flowing, and she saw no way to impede them, but a familiar face peeked around the doorframe that stopped the onslaught of sobs. “Corey!” she blurted out. “You came? How did you know?”

  Corey and Jordan both stared at Jaynee. Jordan confused, Corey hopeful.

  “Oh!” Jaynee gasped. “Oh, my!” Jaynee stared at Jordan now as the memories flooded her consciousness. “Oh, Jordan! You and her…I knew, I told her I didn’t want to know, but I knew.”

  Jordan ignored her implication, staring her down hard. “Wait a second. You know Corey?”

  Jaynee couldn’t help but feel a little miffed; she narrowed her eyes. What was he asking her? He’d slept with Caycee, and he was worried about someone Caycee had known years ago…someone she’d never had an affair with. “Yes,” she answered flatly. “I do. He was the detective who found the guy who was harassing Caycee years ago, and then he was there with Sheila at the restaurant.”

  Jordan was still staring at her incredulously; he almost looked angry. “Who was harassing Caycee?” he repeated.

  “Yes, Caycee,” she said, but then glared at him again, for what he and Caycee had done. “How could you not know, Jordan?” She had no right to be angry, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. How could he not have known Caycee wasn’t his wife of eighteen years?

  Jordan shook his head back and forth. His forehead furrowed. “Who am I talking to? You’re gonna drive me insane. You’re upset because I slept with Caycee, and yet, you light up when you see Corey. Who are you?”

  Jaynee felt him retract and instantly regretted her accusation. It hadn’t been his fault. “I’m sorry, Jordan, you’re right. It’s my fault. Everything is my fault.” Tears stung her eyes and blurred her vision.

  He threw up his hands. “I don’t care whose fault it is. I just want to know who you are.” Jordan was furious now. She’d always wondered how such a passionate man could get so infuriated in a second’s notice. He was never dangerous, not to her anyway, but he was extremely impatient, and she felt him losing his patience now.

  “I’m Jaynee.” She saw Jordan let out the breath he’d been holding. “But, I seem to remember the last few days.”

  Jordan shook his head. “But how do I know you’re Jaynee? It seems I made that mistake once before. How do I know you aren’t just saying that, because of how angry I was?”

  “Oh!” The memory assaulted her. “How could you have done that, Jordan? You scared her.”

  Jordan dropped his face into his hands. “Oh, dear God, for the love of all that is holy, I can’t believe I’m getting yelled at. You yell at me because I mistook a woman who looks, talks, and smells like my wife…even knew our history together, but then you yell at me because I got angry with her when I thought she accosted my wife. I didn’t hurt her. I could never hurt her or you…either of you. I’m so confused!”

  Jaynee smiled without warning, but recovered quickly, hoping he hadn’t noticed. She couldn’t help it; he was so defenseless. He was angry, but he was her gentle giant. “Jordan, I’m sorry.” He sighed heavily again. “It’s me. I swear to you I’m Jaynee. I’m the one who spent the last eighteen years with you. I remember some of Caycee’s memories, but it seems like only those that I was a part of. Like Corey here, when she saw him at the restaurant and then at the cabin, she remembered, and so they are fresh in me, but I don’t seem to recall any of her past. Thank goodness for that. I remember what she felt when she was with you. And you’re right, I have no reason to be upset. She loved you, she always loved you, and I love you.”

  He bent over her again, pressing his hands gently to her face. “Please tell me you’re my Jaynee.”

  “Ask me anything,” Jaynee said, stepping up to his challenge.

  Jordan just shook his head. “I don’t wanna test you. I believe you if you say that it’s you, Jaynee.”

  Corey sighed. “I guess I should be going. I have a lot of paperwork.”

  “Jordan,” Jaynee started, concerned for Corey’s feelings, but he was already turning. He kissed her lightly on the forehead, and Jaynee felt herself succumb to sleep, exhausted.

  ***

  “Corey,” Jordan said, approaching this stranger who’d already become a friend. “I can’t thank you enough.”

  “Don’t think anything of it. I’m glad I was here. Though, I’m not sure what I’ll do now. I don’t even like New York.”

  Jordan rested his hand on his shoulder. “I can’t imagine what you’re feeling right now. I wish there was something I could say or do, but I know that’s not the case. You loved her, I know you did, but she’s gone.”

  Corey glanced over Jordan’s shoulder at the woman lying on the bed, his wife. His heart ached and Jordan did his best not to be upset or jealous. It was Caycee who Corey wanted, and though Jaynee looked like her and maybe even had some of her memories, Caycee and Jaynee were not the same person, and Jordan refused to relinquish his wife to test the theory, no matter how grateful he was. And right now, as Corey ogled his wife, he was suddenly not feeling very accommodating.

  “Uh, Corey…” Corey stared up at him, startled, and Jordan decided he’d better set the record straight. “She’s my wife.”

  Corey shook his head, uncertain. “Are you sure?”

  Jordan had told himself that he wouldn’t be jealous, but he felt his anger pulsing. “I’m sure.” He walked over to Jaynee, who’d fallen asleep. “You read her file, you told me. She was shot almost thirteen years ago.” Jordan shifted Jaynee’s hair to the side to reveal the scars hidden at her hairline and below her ear. “She’s Jaynee.”

  “But who’s inside? Caycee’s in there, too. She has a choice. You saw the way she looked at me.”

  “Please leave,” Jordan said abruptly. “Leave now, before I say or do something I don’t wanna do. We’ve been married eighteen years and have four children. Don’t think for a moment that I won’t do everything in my power…” he trailed off. He didn’t want to fight with Corey; he was grateful to him. “Please, just leave.”

  Corey turned to leave, but glanced over his shoulder one final time at Jordan. “Call me when she wakes up. We need a statement from her…alone.”

  Jordan turned now to look at his wife. She was still asleep. He hoped she hadn’t heard any o
f the conversation. It had been years since he had to worry about another man and his wife. And here Jaynee was worried about turning forty, about women making plays for him. What would she want? She’d said she was Jaynee, but he had seen the look in her eyes when Corey walked in the door. Did she have feelings for him, too?

  Caycee had said that she loved him; she hadn’t even known Corey. She’d only been thankful to him for his assistance in the past and his role in rescuing her last night. That was all it was, he convinced himself. He refused to accept any other possibility. But what would he do if she wanted to go back to her life as Caycee? Would he allow her? He’d said once that he would let her leave if it was what she wanted, but now he wasn’t so sure. He didn’t think he could. They had been together so long now that their lives were interwoven; you couldn’t detach one without affecting the other. It would kill him to have her ripped from him.

  Jordan lowered himself onto the chair beside Jaynee again, his head falling into his hands. He didn’t care who she was, he realized. He would fight for her forever; he could never let her leave.

  He lifted her hand to his lips. “I’ll never give up, Caycee Jaynee Monroe. You’re one person. I love you, and you belong to me.”

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Corey left the room, but waited outside the door for anything indicating that the woman in the bed was Caycee Jayne.

  He’d heard Jordan’s declaration…knew it was wrong of him to want to know who she was. Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t be interested in her if she was married? He’d detested the idea of Ben stalking and harassing her. How could he even consider making himself known to her after all these years?