Protect and Serve: Soldiers, SEALs and Cops: Contemporary Heroes from NY Times and USA Today and other bestselling authors

by J. M. Madden

  “You can't even run the engine for power or heat, no matter how much gas you have. Looks like whatever y'all ran over ripped a hole in something. Probably the oil pan.”

  Lilah looked out the window then whirled to face Riley. “You have your tow truck. Haul us in and fix the damn coach. I can pay you.”

  Jack thought her tone confirmed what the gossip magazines had touted as her prima donna attitude. She’d changed since he’d last seen her. He supposed they’d all changed in the twelve years since high school graduation.

  Tag intervened. “Lilah, it's over for tonight. As soon as we can find a signal or get to a regular phone, you'll try to find the boys and call Connor to tell him you’ll be delayed. That’s the best you can do.”

  Her shoulders sagged as if a huge weight sat on them. Lowering her head, she slanted Tag a glance. “Man, that’s a call I don’t want to make.”

  “But you will.” He reached for her jacket laying on the arm of the couch, held it up her and said, “Now, put this on and get in the truck. You and I aren’t the only ones these men have to rescue today.”

  Lilah slid her arms into the sleeves, pulled a hat and leather gloves from the pockets then grabbed a small bag sitting to the side. She stood at the door, obviously resigned to her fate and said, “Okay, I'm ready.”

  Jack wanted to laugh at her ‘poor me’ expression but thought better of it. Hiding a grin, he followed her outside and opened the door to the cab of the tow truck. He helped Riley and Tag secure the coach and then slid into the front seat beside her on the passenger side. She had already buckled in. Her feet propped on a toolbox, she held the brown paper sack and one of the thermoses they’d brought along in her lap. She stared straight ahead through the windshield ignoring his presence.

  He could almost see the wheels turning inside her head she was thinking so hard. Next, he expected to see smoke coming from her ears. He realized he’d been wrong thinking she’d accepted the fact they were stranded. He’d forgotten how determined she could be. From her earlier outburst and what he’d read in the tabloids, he knew this was far from over.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Are you kidding me right now?” Her look pinned his back to the passenger door. “You're serious?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Oh my God, you are. What the hell is wrong with you?”

  Red flushed her cheeks and too late he remembered how quickly she gave into anger. This trait and both of them being selfish had driven a permanent wedge between them. He slid his hand around the door handle in the event her head started to spin or she spewed peas.

  “Honey, I know, I—”

  “Don't honey me,” she warned. “The weather is crap, my motor coach is buried in the snow, sprawled over who knows what like a wounded behemoth. Riley probably can't pull it out 'til the ice melts and I have to perform in a few days at Billy Bob's or my singing career is pretty much in the toilet. Of course I'm not okay!” She threw a hand over her mouth and muffled a sob.

  His heart went out to her, but there was nothing he could do short of driving her to Fort Worth himself. Even that probably wouldn't be an option since the authorities were already talking about shutting down the highways from the Panhandle to the Hill Country. This had turned into one hell of a winter storm.

  Riley jerked open the driver side door and climbed into the cab. “Looks like we're ready to slip and slide our way into town.” He gave her a sideways grin. “Your driver's going to ride in with the highway patrol and a couple other folks. Say, I'm starved, where's that sack Tara gave me as we left?”

  Lilah raised her left hand, her fingers white-knuckled around the brown bag. She dropped the mangled bag into Riley's hand. “Sorry.”

  Pulling the top edges of the bag apart, Riley reached to the bottom and retrieved a blob of bread and shredded meat sealed in plastic. He glanced over at Lilah and laughed out loud. “Don't worry about it. I'm hungry enough, I'll eat anything that don’t eat me first.”

  With Riley’s expert driving skills they made the five miles safely into town. While he refueled the truck at the station, Jack made his decision to help Lilah get to Fort Worth. The trip wouldn't be easy and he hated being away from Callie for any length of time, but he understood her desire to save her career. Glancing her direction, he saw her turn off her phone.

  “Any missed calls or messages from your band members?”

  “No and the battery's almost gone.”

  She’d lost some of her gritty determination. If he hadn’t been sitting down, the tears welling in her eyes might have buckled his knees. Jack immediately knew he’d made the right decision. He’d have a fight on his hands with Riley and Tara, but he had the time coming to him from the department.

  “Do you still want to try to make it to Fort Worth?”

  A smile and look of surprise lit her face. “Yes, but I thought—”

  “That it’s impossible? Maybe. I make no guarantees.” He raked his fingers through his hair. His idea was off-the-wall crazy. “But I'm willing to try for you.”

  “Jack, that’s awesome, but what about obligations to your work or . . . um, family?”

  “Are you asking if I’m married?”

  “Well, yeah, I can’t imagine your wife being too thrilled about you trucking off in this weather to, um . . . you know.”

  “Help my former fiancé out of a jam?” It amused him she might be worried about a wife yet couldn’t come right out and ask the question. “I have an eight year old daughter, Lilah, but I’m not married. As far as work goes, I’m a Deputy with the Mistletoe Sheriff’s Department. I can take some personal time and use the trip to check on the roads and report back.”

  “Your offer means so much to me but I can't, in good conscience, let you take the chance of being away from your daughter for possibly days. She's counting on you.”

  “Callie’ll be more than happy to stay with Aunt Tara and Uncle Riley until I get back. Tara’s been teaching her to knit baby stuff.” He shook his head. “This’ll probably make her week.”

  “You’ll definitely make mine. Thanks, Jack.”

  “We’re not on the road, so don’t thank me yet. I need to get a couple of other things squared away first.”

  Riley climbed into the cab and turned the key in the ignition. “Lilah, your friend’s going to get a room at the motel. So you still want me to drop you off at the house with Tara?”

  “Yes, I’m excited to see her and meet Callie.”

  Jack chuckled. “She’s going to be beside herself getting to meet you, that’s for sure.”

  “That’s sweet, but I’m surprised she even knows my name.”

  “Well, Tara keeps her quite often after school and they play your music non-stop. She thinks you're awesome.”

  Lilah raised her eyes to look at the roof of the cab. “From her lips to Nashville's ears.”

  Riley stopped the tow truck in front of his shop. “All ashore that’s going ashore,” he called out. “This is as close as you get.”

  Jack opened the passenger side door and stepped onto the ice covered street. He helped Lilah out of the truck and onto the porch in hopes of preventing a fall. “It’ll be late but I’ll be back for you after we make another run out on the highway to pick up any other stragglers and check on my cattle.”

  “I’ll be right here.”

  When Lilah went into the house and closed the door behind her, the sound of Callie’s whoops and screams of excitement made him laugh out loud. A real live Lilah Canfield was a way better Christmas present than the shirts and jeans she’d opened yesterday.

  A real live Lilah Canfield was better anytime. She’d already given his heart a shot of adrenalin.

  THREE

  Lilah set her bag on the floor but, before she could remove her coat, a tiny twister dressed in zebra clothing wrapped its arms around her waist and hugged like there was no tomorrow.

  “Oh, my gosh! Lilah Canfield! Aunt Tara can you believe it?”

 
“No, sweetie, I truly can’t.”

  Lilah regained her footing and hugged her old friend. While they had talked occasionally, she hadn’t seen her bestie since she’d left home to pursue her dream for a career in country music.

  When they separated, she remarked, “Wow, you look great, kiddo. How’re you feeling?”

  “Like I’m twelve months pregnant.” Tara rubbed her distended belly. “I don’t think she’s ever going to come out.”

  With a laugh, Lilah said, “I’ve heard rumors they don’t camp out forever.”

  She glanced around the small apartment-like home with its chintz curtains, over-stuffed, cozy furniture and rag rugs covering the hardwood floors, her home reflected her friend’s style, comfortable, easy going and no fuss.

  Callie pushed from between the two women and ran to the other side of the room. Soon, Lilah heard her own voice singing an old classic from her first album. The thought someone actually listened to her music these days warmed her heart.

  “Jack said you played my songs for Callie but I didn’t believe him.”

  “Why wouldn’t you?”

  She shrugged. “I thought he was being polite.”

  Tara cocked her head and quipped, “Really? Are we talking about the same Jack McCommas? Six-foot-four, dark brown hair, blue eyes?” She ticked off Jack’s stats one by one on her fingers. “The rascal I grew up with is a great guy, but he’s brutally honest. He’d never say anything just to be polite.”

  “How could I forget?” Lilah knew her old friend didn’t mean any harm, but her words stung none-the-less. She took a deep breath and sighed. “When you’re right, you’re right.”

  “Honey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up old memories.”

  “It’s okay. Jack and I were childhood friends and then we moved on with our lives.” She took off her coat, draped it across the back of a chair, and placed her hat and gloves on top. Needing to change the subject, she rubbed her hands together and asked, “So, do you still drink hot herbal tea?”

  Tara’s eyes lit up. “By the gallons.”

  Lilah glanced over at Callie singing in front of the CD player. “Put the kettle on to boil and I’ll bring Callie Cline.”

  Jack’s daughter was quite the little performer. She had so much personality and confidence, she reminded Lilah of herself at a younger age. Not the least bit intimidated, she didn’t stop singing or put down the wooden spoon-slash-microphone until the song was over. She took her bow when Lilah clapped.

  “You have a very pretty voice, Callie.”

  “Thank you.” The little girl turned off the CD player and carefully placed the spoon beside it on the shelf. “Do you really know my daddy, Miss Canfield?”

  “Yes, I sure do. We went to school together.”

  “That’s cool. Are you going to move here?”

  “No, my home is in Nashville. I’m just visiting here until the weather gets better.”

  “Do you have a cat or a dog?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Well, do you have any kids?”

  “No, I—”

  “Callie, stop badgering Miss Canfield with all your questions,” Tara called out from the kitchen. “Get on in here, I’ve fixed you a cup of hot chocolate.”

  What had she been about to say? No, I have no animals, no kids, no career. Her only family consisted of her band members and Tag. Leave it to an eight year old child to put your life into perspective for you.

  Giving herself a mental slap, she walked to the kitchen door and peered into the room. “How’s that tea coming?”

  * * *

  Jack rejoined Riley in the tow truck’s cab after confirming with the Highway Patrol officer there were no other known people stranded between here and the next town. He also found out the roads were officially shut down for the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours.

  Lilah was not going to be happy.

  “What did you find out?”

  “Highway 287 is closed from the Texas-Oklahoma State line down to around Wichita Falls. Since we’ve rescued all the folks we know of, we can head back to civilization.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Riley hunched his back and yawned. “It’s been a long assed day.”

  “You can say that again.”

  “It’s been a lo—”

  “Hey,” Jack interrupted, then grinned and rolled his eyes. “Let’s have a lot less chatter and a lot more go over there on your side.”

  After a couple of miles in silence, Riley spoke up, “So, Lilah’s back in town.”

  “Yep, and if you’re my friend, you’ll drop it right there.” Jack closed the logbook he’d been working in and glared at the man sitting behind the wheel. He’d sincerely hoped to avoid any conversation that might lead to the subject of Lilah Canfield. Apparently, Riley had other ideas.

  Downshifting over a patch of washboard ice, Riley grinned. “Now where, I ask you, is the fun in that? Besides you’re gettin’ out there. You’ve been on a couple of dates lately.”

  “You need to mind your own business.”

  “All I’m saying is, she’s here and still smokin’ hot and you’re here and still, uh, you. You ought to see if there’s any spark there.”

  “Do me a favor. Stop worrying about me and my love life and get us back to town. When I need your help, I’ll ask for it.”

  Jack grabbed a blanket from behind his seat and shoved it between his head and the passenger side window. Apparently the only way he’d shut Riley up was to feign sleep, so he closed his eyes and enjoyed the quiet.

  * * *

  Lilah looked up from the dining room table she was setting when the front door opened. Jack and Riley came inside, their voices filling the small home. At first she thought they were arguing, but then she remembered how, as kids and later, good friends, they debated every topic. Sometimes their talks got quite heated with each one trying to make their point.

  Riley faced Jack as he shut the door. “All I’m sayin’ is what’ve you got to lose?”

  “And I’m tellin’ you to knock it the hell off and drop it.” Jack looked up when he noticed her standing there listening. “Oh, hi. We brought dinner.”

  “Well, is there any chance you’ll share it with us?” Tara asked. “We’ve worked up an appetite in the hour since you called.”

  “Sure, Meg rustled up some chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and Callie’s favorite, peas.”

  “Ewww, Grandma Meg knows I hate those!”

  “Calm down, kiddo,” Jack said as he tugged a strand of her chocolate syrup colored hair. “I’m just messin’ with you.”

  “Okay.”

  Lilah vaguely remembered Meg Jorday and her daughter. So that’s who Jack had married. Tara had surely told her, but she hadn’t been interested back then. She’d been too hurt and too busy to care.

  After a very delicious dinner, they all sat around the table reminiscing about the old days and catching up to the present. Lilah had shared stories about some of the country music stars she performed with, but purposely left out various specifics as they pertained to her private life. They were private for a reason and that’s how they’d stay.

  “So, Jack, you never said what time you want to leave tomorrow for Fort Worth. I’m assuming as early as possible.” When he avoided looking at her and didn’t answer right away, she knew the news was bad. “We’re not going, are we?”

  “No, they’ve closed the main roads until further notice. There’s no certainty when they’ll reopen.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment hit her between the eyes. She’d known the trip was a long shot, but she’d worked it up in her mind anyway.

  Riley interrupted her thoughts. “When we stopped at the café, I talked to a couple of buddies that help me out sometimes. They’re willing to see if we can get your coach towed to the shop. Maybe we can get it running by the time the roads open up.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “Sure, I got nothing else going on ‘til the
snow clears.”

  Lilah hopped up and hugged his neck. “If you weren’t already married, I’d have to take you off the market.”

  Without looking up, Jack said, “Don’t let a technicality like marriage get in your way.”

  She flinched from the sting of Jack’s words. So he’d read the fodder put out by the gossip rags. It’d been foolish of her to think he hadn’t read them, or to pretend it didn’t matter. Because, for some reason, it did matter. It mattered very much.

  Suddenly, the day’s fatigue overwhelmed her. “Tara, this has been two days rolled into one. Do you mind if I turn in now?”

  “Of course you can. I’ve put you in with Callie, if that’s all right?”

  “Perfect.”

  “Awesome,” Callie said, popping out of her chair like a jack-in-the-box. “Daddy, did you hear? I get to have a sleep over with Lilah Canfield!”

  “I heard, Doodle. Try not to talk her arm off, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m turning in, too.” Tara stopped before showing Lilah to the bedrooms. “Please put away the left overs and Jack, you’re staying here on the couch. No arguments.”

  Inside the guest room, Lilah surveyed her surroundings. Though far from a designer look, Tara had decorated the room in the shabby chic look that was reflected in the rest of the house. The soft pinks and greens of the cotton linens and curtains was both welcoming and relaxing.

  Lilah slipped beneath the soft flannel sheets forcing herself to think about tomorrow and not dwell on today. She still hadn’t heard from anyone in her band and Connor hadn’t returned her calls. Hopefully the guys were safe somewhere, maybe in the next little town. As far as her manager was concerned, though, he always found her when he wanted to. Would tomorrow prove to be any better?

  FOUR

  Jack entered the shop at Rylie’s auto repair through the back shop. Two heaters on either end were chasing the chill relatively well. Riley had made the trek out to retrieve Lilah’s motor coach and had it parked along one side of the garage. The rear end was up on jacks and the engine was exposed.