Small Town Justice

by Valerie Hansen

Jamie nodded. “We’re fine. We may have trouble convincing Kyle that he’s not a superhero, though. In order to get him to cooperate and not pout, I told him it was his job to rescue his grandmother. He did such a good job he may want to make it a regular practice.”

  “All in good time,” Logan said. “He can tell his class about it on Sunday and I’ll have the teacher read the Bible story of David and Goliath.”

  “Just so Kyle doesn’t have a sling for throwing rocks,” she teased. “We don’t want him demonstrating.”

  The pastor chuckled. “An excellent point. We could use somebody like you to help teach our kids. You understand the way they think.” Pausing, he grinned at her. “Any chance you may change your mind and decide to stay on in Serenity?”

  Gazing over his shoulder to where the officers had taken Shane, she shrugged. “I don’t know yet. A lot will depend on how long it takes to get my brother a new trial.”

  “And on what Shane Colton thinks of your relocation?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  Logan’s grin widened. “You didn’t have to. This is a great place to live and raise a family—most of the time. Don’t let past disappointments influence your current choices. We’d love to have you stay.”

  Warmth crept up Jamie’s neck to color her cheeks more. “Tell you what, Pastor. If Shane happens to ask, feel free to tell him how much I care about him and his son.”

  “Oh, no. That’s going to be up to you.”

  “What if he rejects me?”

  The older man patted the back of her hand, and she noticed a twinkle in his eyes. “You just faced down a raving maniac, rescued a child and his grandmother, then bested the same crazy man while he pointed a loaded gun at you. I think you can handle telling a nice guy like Shane that you’ve fallen in love with him.”

  Casting an insightful glance at the clergyman, Jamie arched her eyebrows and smiled. “From your lips to God’s ears.”

  * * *

  After his debriefing, Shane had headed back to rejoin Jamie Lynn, only to discover that she and the rest of his family had been taken to the local hospital. He couldn’t get there fast enough.

  Without stopping to ask where his loved ones were, he burst in through the ambulance entrance, not slowing until he’d reached the treatment cubicles. From there it was easy to follow the sound of his son’s shrill voice.

  “And then I hit him like this,” the child said.

  Shane was almost the recipient of a make-believe karate chop to the knee as he pushed back the weighted curtain.

  There they were. All of them. Even Otis. Shane broke into a wide grin and hoped he wasn’t actually going to shed a few tears of relief and joy.

  “Oh, good, now we can start the celebration,” Jamie Lynn said. “Where’s the cake?”

  Shane patted his son on the head, kissed his mother’s cheek and shook hands with Otis as he worked his way toward his ultimate goal.

  The bright sparkle in Jamie’s eyes answered some of his questions but not all. He paused a few feet in front of her and waited as she stood. Nobody moved. Nobody spoke.

  Finally, Shane asked, “Are you all right?”

  “I am now.” She averted her gaze, her cheeks warming.

  “I meant what I said,” Shane told her.

  “When?”

  He could tell that everyone in the exam cubicle was waiting for his reply, and although he did wish he could speak to Jamie Lynn privately, he wasn’t willing to wait. Not after the night they’d all had.

  “When I told the judge that you were part of my family, that I cared about you.”

  After taking a small step forward, she paused. “I suppose it’s because I’m in shock, but I don’t recall many details about tonight. Feel free to refresh my memory.”

  “I’ll do better than that,” Shane promised, opening his arms to her.

  When she stepped into his waiting embrace, and he pulled her closer, she slid her arms around his waist and laid her cheek on his chest. “Mmm. Good start, Mr. Colton.”

  “Thank you, Miz Jamie Lynn. I aim to please.”

  In the background, Shane heard Otis snort, Marsha giggle and Kyle groan.

  Jamie laughed softly. “That’s quite a chorus we have serenading us. Too bad Otis left Useless in the car. He loves to sing along.”

  “This bunch sure needs to work on their harmony.” Shane was so content, so elated, to have her in his arms and know that all his loved ones were safe and sound he could barely keep from shouting. As it was, his grin was so wide it was cramping.

  Long, precious moments passed before he loosened his hold and eased her away so they were face-to-face. “I’ve been fighting my feelings,” he said. “Tonight, when I thought I’d lost you, I had to admit them to myself. I care about you, about what happens to you, and I’d like you to consider staying in Serenity, maybe for the rest of your life.”

  “Only on one condition,” Jamie replied softly.

  Shane frowned. “Anything.”

  Her burgeoning smile and the twinkle in her misty eyes relieved most of his worry. “You have to promise that you’ll court me like a true Southern gentleman and sweep me off my feet.”

  “I thought I already did that.” Laughing, he waited for the humorous reply he knew was coming.

  “Catching me when I’m about to fall off a stairway and break my neck doesn’t count.”

  “Picky, picky, picky,” Shane said just before he stepped back, took her hand and bowed at the waist. “All right. Miz Henderson, will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you to the Serenity Homecoming celebration and terrapin races next week on the town square?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” She curtsied. “I’d be delighted.”

  “Good. Since you’re in the mood to accept invitations, how would you like to marry me, too?”

  She sobered. “You’re sure?”

  “Yes. But I won’t rush you. We can take as much time as you need.”

  “I’d like to put all the negatives behind me first. And I want to try to find my mother so she and Aunt Tessie can both come to our wedding.”

  “I already have Pastor Malloy working on it,” Shane told her. “And the sheriff is going to reopen my dad’s case, so your brother should be free soon, too.”

  “My hero.” Jamie’s lips trembled and her eyes filled with unshed tears.

  Shane followed the urgings of his heart, tilted her chin up with one finger, bent and kissed her.

  In the background he heard his son again. This time, the response was much better, probably due to Marsha’s hushed explanations.

  Kyle went “Ahhhh!” followed by, “Whoopee! I’m gonna get a mama!”

  EPILOGUE

  Jamie had been delighted to learn that the capture of Benjamin Abernathy had also resulted in the apprehension of his son, Alan. The prosecutor had insisted he had never suggested that anyone actually do away with Sam Colton. Alan had apparently overheard his father complaining about the sheriff and his teenage mind had misinterpreted that as a request for a violent solution.

  Bobbi-Jo Randall had been given probation and had left town with her family to start a new life somewhere else. Alice Henderson had been located in Florida, using an alias, and had eventually been convinced she could come home without jeopardizing her daughter’s welfare.

  Jamie had barely recognized her mother after so many years and so much trauma, but joint trips to the beauty shop on the square had removed the gray from Alice’s dark hair and helped restore her dimmed beauty. So had being reunited with her beloved daughter and being able to arrange a proper funeral for Ray Sr. And having R.J.’s conviction thrown out, so he could be released.

  By the time they entered Serenity Chapel that special morning, Alice was glowing. She embraced Jamie Lynn. �
��I’m so proud of you, honey. You’re such a beautiful bride.”

  Jamie’s eyes filled. “Hey, you’ll make my mascara run.”

  “Shane will never notice.”

  “Maybe not, but Kyle will. He told me once that I looked like a raccoon!”

  Alice laughed softly. “Children can be too honest sometimes.”

  “Little ones can.” She thought of her brother. “It’s when they get older that the trouble starts.”

  “And ends, thanks to you.” Alice blotted her own tears with a lace-edged hanky. “I don’t know how any of us can ever repay you.”

  “It wasn’t just me, it was Shane and Pastor Malloy and Harlan and lots of others. I just gave them a little nudge.”

  “Little? When I think of how close you came to...”

  Jamie touched her mother’s thin arm through the voile of her long-sleeved dress. “Hush. That’s in the past. It’s time for a new start.” She glanced out the choir room door where they’d been waiting and caught a glimpse of one of the regular Sunday ushers. “Maybe God has something special in store for you, too. Look who’s hovering in the hallway.”

  “I’ve made lots of lovely friends since I started coming to church with you.”

  “Uh-huh. Keep talking.”

  “Oh, hush. Come on. You don’t want to be late for your own wedding, do you?”

  In truth, Jamie Lynn was on the verge of weeping for joy and was eager for distraction. She found it when she followed Alice out the door and spotted her future mother-in-law. Marsha had chosen a gown in a shade of mauve that complemented the mother-of-the-bride dress. In her arms was a formerly white dog with part of his hair dyed to match!

  Jamie grinned and almost laughed aloud. “Oh, poor Useless. How could you?”

  “I didn’t. Your son did,” Marsha explained. “I bought a bottle of dye to color my satin shoes and a certain little boy decided it would be fun to paint it on the dog, too. The groomer says he’s sorry but it’s permanent. It’ll have to grow out.”

  “Well, his hair does go with my flowers.” Reaching out, she ruffled her pet’s ears. “Tell you what. Hand him to me and I’ll carry both down the aisle.”

  Alice gasped. Marsha giggled. And Useless wiggled all over when Jamie reached for him.

  “Okay, it’s your party,” Marsha said. “I’ll be right up front and take him from you when you hand your bouquet to your bridesmaid.”

  And so it went. Jamie proceeded to the sanctuary and prepared to enter. Logan Malloy stood front and center with Shane and his attendant, her recently released brother. If it hadn’t been for his tattoos, R.J. would have looked exactly like their late dad.

  Jamie paused, waiting for Shane to see her and react to the recent addition to her bridal ensemble.

  She knew the moment he understood what she was about to do because a broad grin split his face and amusement lit his countenance.

  Halfway down the aisle, Useless caught the spirit of excitement and began to bark. Jamie heard their guests start to titter, then break into laughter.

  Shane took a step forward and met her just short of her destination. She wanted to giggle, to weep, to express astonishment that such a wonderful man wanted to marry her.

  Leaning closer, he whispered, “I should have known you’d surprise me, but I never dreamed it would be this funny.”

  “I hope I keep you on your toes for the rest of your life,” Jamie told him. She handed her little dog off to Marsha, then took the hand of her husband-to-be. It was warm. Comforting. Sure and steady. They were together with family and surrounded by old and new friends.

  She was truly home.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from FATAL REUNION by Jessica R. Patch.

  Dear Reader,

  I don’t know what it would be like to experience the kind of life upheaval and injustice that Jamie Lynn Henderson has, but I have gone through others. We all have. And I don’t know how I’d have managed without my faith in God and the assurance that He cares for me. No one else has the divine insight necessary to look ahead and see what the future holds; to guide us through. The only way I can continue to take a step forward, to face each new day, is by putting my trust in my Heavenly Father and His Son—in the best and the worst of times.

  If you don’t have the assurance that you’re God’s child, I urge you to seek it. All you have to do is surrender your pride, ask Jesus to forgive and accept you right now, and He will. It’s that easy.

  I love to hear from readers, by email VAL@ValerieHansen.com or at P.O. Box 13, Glencoe, AR, 72539. I’ll do my best to answer as soon as I can, and www.ValerieHansen.com will take you to my website.

  Blessings,

  Valerie

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense story.

  You enjoy a dash of danger. Love Inspired Suspense stories feature strong heroes and heroines whose faith is central in solving mysteries and saving lives.

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  Fatal Reunion

  by Jessica R. Patch

  ONE

  “Tell me she’s still alive.” Piper Kennedy gripped Harmony’s hand as they rushed down the halls of Baptist Memorial East. The drive from Jackson, Mississippi, to Memphis had been eternal. The thought of losing her grandmother sickened Piper. Not Mama Jean. “This is all my fault.”

  “It’s not your fault. I knew you’d think that. Eventually, you’re going to have to stop looking over your shoulder. It’s over.” Harmony wrapped an arm around Piper as they made their way to the ICU. She’d always been a good friend even when they were up to trouble.

  But Piper wasn’t so sure things were over. Chaz Michaels hadn’t been found, and hadn’t turned up, since that last job they did ten years ago, the day after he’d threatened to kill her if she walked away. Her plans to escape that life had backfired, and the person she’d loved most had been caught in the cross fire. Piper had been waiting—and watching—every day for Chaz’s payback. Looked as though it might have come tonight.

  “And yes, she’s alive. I think they’d at least tell me if things went wrong in surgery, family or not.”

  Piper’s insides did a gold-medal-worthy gymnastic routine. She should’ve never left Memphis and Mama Jean. Too many regrets. Too much pain.

  They turned left down the hall toward the ICU; a wave of antiseptic burned Piper’s nose. “What could Mama Jean have worth stealing?”

  Harmony grunted. “I think that boarder of hers may have had something valuable...or drugs.”

  Piper frowned. She loved Mama Jean, but she never thought taking in boarders was smart. Guess Mama Jean thought if she couldn’t help her own daughter, she might as well try someone else.

  “Maybe. When Mama Jean’s pastor called, he said the guy had been murdered. Looked like a burglary gone wrong.” The irony that she’d been robbed didn’t fall short of Piper’s attention. “I’m just thankful Mama Jean’s life was spared. Maybe they thought she was dead.” Piper shivered.

  They reached the nurse’s station. “I’m Piper Kennedy. Here to see Jean Kennedy. I’m her granddaughter.”

  “She’s just out of surgery. Have a seat. Coffee in that room to your right. We’ll call you when you can see her.” The nurse smiled and returned to her charts.

  “I’ll get us some coffee. You sit tight.” Harmony handed her a magazine. “She’s strong.”

  “Harm, you don’t think... I mean...we...”

 
Harmony gave a confident shake of her head. “Not a chance. We’ve been out of that sick world a long time. We don’t owe or have any money. My bank account will testify to that.” She chuckled. “This is in no way connected to us.”

  “But what if Chaz is—”

  “He’s not. End of story.” Harmony headed for the coffee room while Piper flipped open the magazine, then chucked it on the table beside the chair. She wrenched her canvas jacket around her. April in Memphis was chilly, and the hospital kept the rooms cold.

  A few families huddled together. A man with dark hair and a black leather jacket nosed through a golf magazine. Piper had no family to lean on while she waited. No one but Harmony.

  “Piper Kennedy?”

  Piper raised her head. “That’s me.”

  A nurse motioned for her. “You can see her now.” She led Piper through the halls. “She’s asleep. Surgery went well.”

  Doctors shuffled in and out of patient rooms. Monitors beeped, and with every step, Piper’s chest constricted. “Can you tell me what happened?”

  “I don’t know details of the circumstances that led to her injuries, but she received a gash on the back of her head. Her arm is broken in two places, and the femur is fractured.”

  Piper’s eyes burned. Who would harm an innocent old woman? People she used to call friends. Bile rose in her throat. The nurse opened the door and Piper froze.

  Her gaze flitted past Mama Jean to the man standing over her bed. Time had put a few crinkles around his blue eyes. Piper wasn’t close enough to see the flecks of green, but memory told her they’d be there. His hair was a little shorter now and a shade darker with a touch of gray at his temples. Too young to have gray but it worked for him. Piper’s stomach somersaulted, and she forced herself to breathe. Did he still despise her? Think about her?

  The suffering in Luke Ransom’s narrowed eyes—from that last night ten years ago—mirrored hers. He straightened his broad shoulders. Large and in charge. As always. Piper switched her attention to Mama Jean, lying feeble in the hospital bed. She shuffled closer and held her limp, wrinkled hand.