aherospromise_211-3e3.htm

by A Hero's Promise (lit)

  Denehy chewed his lip for a moment. "Did you see anything about Mac and Pierce ever squaring off?"

  "A woman interviewed for Pierce’s unauthorized biography worked on the Lost Season movie as Jessica’s stand-in. She claims Pierce was a tyrant on the set and nobody would stand up to him. He once called out another actor who invited Jessica to dance. And," Fusco paused to again thumb through his notes, "I quote, ‘Cory MacKendall was the only man who didn’t lie down before Dane’s arrogance.’ She goes on to say that Mac and Pierce had apparently tussled over Jessica, and Pierce came away the worse for it."

  "You got her name?"

  "I can get it. You find anything?"

  "Oh, hell. I’ve poured over this damned case off and on for weeks. There are some holes in it, but nothing I can nail down.

  "During the months just prior to Jackie Spencer’s death, we were investigating several acts of ‘harassment and vandalism’ reported by the MacKendalls. We even had Mac’s sister in the lock-up at one point. He had her released the day of the shooting. After that, Mac asked me to drop the case. At the time I kind of figured the dead girl was behind the whole thing. Now, I’m not so sure."

  "You gonna pick up Pierce?"

  "Can’t. It’s not our case. But I’m keeping my eyes on him."

  "You’ve seen this, right?" Fusco said, slapping a copy of Hush Magazine down on the table before the sergeant.

  ~ * ~

  Jessica closed the front door and leaned against it. She felt antsy, unsettled, and needy. Trotting briskly up the stairs, she sought out Dane. She found him in his office, fingers tapping lightly on the keyboard of his notebook computer.

  He nearly left his skin behind.

  "Sorry, I didn’t meant to startle you," she said as he spun around in the over-sized executive chair. "Whatcha doin’?"

  "Nothing important." He beckoned with his fingers and she climbed onto his lap, her knees straddling his legs. "Where is everybody?"

  "Lyddy took the brood to town. Peter’s… somewhere, I don’t know." Jessica squirmed uncomfortably; her simple cotton dress was hiking up around her hips.

  "What’s on your mind?" he asked, unbuttoning the top button on her dress and kissing her throat.

  "We need to talk about… some things." If he does that again I won’t be able to talk about anything.

  "Like?"

  "Like going back to Minnesota. I have that interview set up, and I want you to go with me."

  "You sure?"

  "Absolutely. As my husband."

  Dane took a breather from his preoccupation with her chest and looked into her eyes. "And this appointment is when?"

  "June 20th."

  "Then we’d better get to planning a wedding." Sliding forward on the chair, Dane got to his feet and lifted Jessica with him. Without further discussion, he carried her down the hallway and into her bedroom, where he laid her carefully on the bed, then joined her.

  Jessica giggled. "I still can’t believe we’re going to do this," she said.

  "We have no choice." The gleam in Dane’s eyes was filled with affection and humor, and Jessica felt a sudden rush of emotion throughout. Quickly she pressed her lips against his, drawing in a kiss that she hoped would convey how much she loved him at that moment.

  "Mmmm… I’m liking this," he murmured, pulling back just enough to get a hold of the next button on her dress, then the next, until her delicate cleavage was exposed to his eyes. Jessica held her breath as he slipped his fingers into the cup of her bra, lowering his lips to perfect some adoration upon her flesh.

  "Ah… we were talking about the wedding…"

  "We were? Oh, yeah." Dane lifted his head and pulled her back against him, now turning his attention back to her neck. "So, when?"

  "Uh… June… June… oh, dammit Dane!" Jessica gave him a playful, yet firm, push and tried to rearrange her bra.

  "June 14th. Flag Day. That way I’ll always remember it. Now, come here, wench."

  His hand was on her thigh, sliding upward until he encountered her panties. Jessica felt her face begin to heat up, her foot lifting involuntarily to wrap seductively around his leg. And before she knew what was happening, the panties were on the floor and she was clawing at Dane’s belt buckle.

  It was over quickly. Jessica lay panting on Dane’s chest, listening to the rapid beating of his heart beneath her ear. It had been this way for days; since the first night they had made love in Dane’s bed, they had taken every opportunity to be intimate. Passion was the order of the day.

  "Not much time to plan a wedding," he said softly, idly stroking her hair.

  "Plenty of time. We don’t want any big affair."

  "Certainly not."

  "Just a few friends. We’ll get married right here on the ranch."

  Dane turned his head toward her face. "Wonderful. Do you want to call Roxanna, or should I?"

  Jessica’s smile faded at the sound of Dane’s pet name for Roxanne. She had put off thinking about contacting her friend. "I will. Surely they’ll come, won’t they?"

  "Who knows. I haven’t seen either of them since the night of the auction." Dane pulled himself free and stood from the bed, reassembling his pants and belt. "Let’s call them right now."

  Jessica sighed and sat up. "I’ll be down in a few minutes."

  She took her time freshening up from their afternoon frolic. She frowned, then giggled at the sight of a new, faint pink mark on her neck. Dane Pierce was nothing if not a passionate lover.

  He was in the kitchen, waiting beside the telephone. Wordlessly, she took the phone he handed her and dialed the familiar number, trying to remember to breathe between rings. Tom Jarrick’s friendly greeting allowed her to exhale.

  "Well, hello, stranger! We were just talking about you. Still living in Jellystone Park?"

  Jessica laughed. "Close to it. I have some really exciting news to share with you guys. Is Rox home?"

  An eternity passed while Tom went in search of his wife. When Roxanne came on the line, Jessica was again holding her breath. Behind her, Dane ran his knuckles softly down her spine.

  "How’s everything?" Jessica asked, trying to keep the quiver from her voice.

  "No complaints. How do you like it up there?" The words were friendly, but the tone was lackluster. Jessica forced herself to smile.

  "It’s absolutely breathtaking. How soon can you come up?"

  Roxanne was quiet, as if she couldn’t find an answer to Jessica’s simple question. Jessica noticed her own hand trembled as she held the phone. Roxanne finally spoke.

  "I don’t know. We’re in the middle of a big remodel right now, and I’ve got three gowns to deliver by July 1st. You know how it is…"

  Jessica wet her lips and glanced at Dane.

  "Tell her," he mouthed.

  "What if there was a wedding to come to? A wedding for someone who… who would really cry a lot if you weren’t here?"

  "Not you and Dane?"

  Jessica swallowed hard and reached out her hand. Dane took it and squeezed. "Yeah. We’re getting married on June 14th, and I really… I really need you to come."

  The silence on the phone line was now palpable. Jessica released Dane’s hand and waved him away, reluctant to have him see her grovel. "Rox? Come on, at least say something. If you think it’s a stupid idea, it’s okay to tell me, but don’t give me this silent treatment. Please?"

  "Of course it’s not stupid. I’m--I’m happy for you, Jess. I wouldn’t want you to be alone. I’ll--I’ll talk to Tommy about coming up." There was a pause, and Jessica tried to think of something else to say. But Roxanne continued. "I guess I’m just a little surprised, that’s all. I don’t know why. God knows Dane never got over--" Roxanne cut herself off, then changed her tone. "Look. I’ve gotta go. I’ve got a client waiting. But we’ll be in touch, I’ll let you know, okay?"

  "Sure." Jessica made no effort to hide the disappointment in her voice. From the corner of her eye she could see Dane standing in the doorway.
She hung up the phone and sighed.

  "Well?"

  "She had to hang up. She’ll call back and say when they’ll be up."

  Dane gave her a skeptical look, crossing his arms across his chest. Jessica ignored him.

  "Now, I have to call Chrissie."

  Her sister was overjoyed. "We’ll be there!" she proclaimed. "Unless I go into labor first."

  "Don’t even say that," Jessica said with a giggle. "You aren’t due until--"

  "July first. It’s cutting it pretty close."

  "Luckily you’re not that far away. Oh, I am so glad you’re coming!"

  "I’m happy for you, sissy. Can I talk to Dane?"

  Surprised, Jessica handed the phone over and stood by, her palms pressed together before his chest. Dane was grinning, and waved her away as she had done him earlier.

  Jessica reluctantly wandered into the living room, her emotions a jumbled mess. Roxanne’s reaction bothered her; at least she had not been cold or unaffected.

  Opening the front door, Jessica went out to the front porch and sat on the porch steps. The afternoon sun was pretty high, and she wondered when Lydia and the children would return.

  Soon, Dane was beside her, his arm slipping around her shoulders, a smile on his lips.

  "What did Roxanne really say, Sweetie?"

  A single tear slid down Jessica’s cheek and she hastily brushed it away. "Nothing, really."

  "She’ll come around. Don’t worry."

  ~ * ~

  Memorial Day weekend was a huge affair in Jackson Hole. While Dane tried to remain unobserved among the throngs of tourists crowding the small resort town, he nonetheless carted his children around to various holiday events. They also celebrated Jessica’s birthday in high style by throwing a barbecue at the ranch for the few neighbors Dane had come to know.

  Her gift, however, got mixed reviews.

  Named after Jessica’s character in Lost Season, "Mariah" was a gentle mare, smallish and exquisitely formed. Jessica eyed her with caution.

  "She… she’s beautiful," Jessica stammered, holding tightly to Dane’s arm as he led her around the horse. "I suppose I’ll have to learn to ride now."

  "Sweetie. Do you really think any wife of mine could stay afraid of horses for very long?"

  "I didn’t realize that was part of the proposal," she chided, allowing him to direct her hand to the horse’s mane, dragging her fingers through its silky tresses.

  Dane threw back his head and laughed. "Don’t look so panicked. You’ll like it." He leaned down and whispered into her ear. "It’s almost as good as sex."

  Jessica blushed. "I’ll remember that."

  They walked back toward the front porch hand in hand. They’d nearly reached it when a Federal Express truck roared up the private driveway and stopped to deliver a large, flat box addressed to Jessica.

  She hurried inside with the package, sitting on the couch to open it. "It’s from Rox," she said excitedly. "What could it be?"

  Carefully she slit open one end of the box with the knife Dane handed her. Inside, another box slid out onto her lap. Jessica wasted no time in whipping off the lid.

  "Oh, my…" she gasped, lifting out a captivating wedding gown of handmade ecru lace. Holding it up by the wide, crocheted straps, Jessica stood and allowed the long dress to fall against her body. Layer upon layer of intricate lace panels draped over one another, cinching at the waist without a seam. Simple, feminine, so typical of Roxanne.

  Jessica spun toward Dane, shaking her head slowly.

  "There’s a card in the box," he told her, retrieving the envelope and handing it to her.

  "You read it," she whimpered, temporarily overcome with emotion.

  Dane cleared his throat. "Haven’t seen you in awhile but this should be close… will make adjustments when I get there… remodel on hold… blah blah blah…"

  "What blah blah blah? Read it all!"

  "You are one damned lucky woman to snag Dane. He’s such a sexual dynamo…"

  Jessica snatched the letter from his fingers and carefully draped the wedding dress over the back of the couch.

  Dane chuckled. "And you thought she wasn’t coming."

  Jessica resumed reading the letter. "‘We’ll be there on the twelfth. Sorry this is late, you didn’t give me much notice, hope you had a wonderful birthday… Love, Rox.’ Can you believe it?"

  "Actually, I can."

  "I can’t wait to try it on."

  ~ * ~

  The next few days flew by for Jessica. Putting thoughts about the adoption aside, she focused on the wedding plans and preparing the children for the event.

  Devon seemed excited at the prospect of gaining a second father, and Zoe had warmed to Jessica immediately. Jessica was reminded of Mac’s daughter Megan, and regretted that she had not made better efforts to keep in touch. Megan had turned eleven in April, and they had shared a brief telephone conversation. Megan seemed distant, and perhaps Jessica was a painful connection to her father, as was Megan to Jessica. I need to resolve that, Jessica vowed to herself.

  Uncharacteristically tired in the middle of the day, Jessica went to her bedroom for a brief nap, taking Devon with her. As she pulled off her son’s shoes, she noticed a flat paper bag on her dresser.

  "Comfy?" she asked as Devon wiggled his now bare toes.

  "Uh huh. Are you gonna take a nap too, Mommy?"

  "Yes," she confirmed, but instead dumped the contents of the bag onto the dresser. The June issue of Hush Magazine lay before her, with a note from Lydia saying she’d finally located a copy.

  Jessica was ill prepared for the back-to-back photos of Dane Pierce on the cover. She sat down on the edge of the bed, frowning at the pictures. The one on the left was of Dane and herself as they arrived at the Academy Awards the month before. Shining and gorgeous, they did indeed epitomize Hollywood’s A-list. The other photo was not so complimentary.

  An unshaven Dane had his arm around another woman; a nighttime photo, and they appeared to be in front of… yes; the caption clearly said Rampart Division, L.A.P.D.

  Jessica tilted her head. What was this about? Blinking several times, she swallowed and folded the magazine so that she could attempt to read the article. But her eyes would not stray from the photo. The woman in the picture looked familiar.

  "Mommy?"

  "In a minute, Dev." Quickly Jessica forced herself to skim through the paragraphs. The words "exotic dancer" leaped out at her. The author was speculating that Dane Pierce had bailed the woman, one Katrina Vidal, out of jail, the night after the Oscar ceremony.

  Jessica wracked her brain to recall the night. He had called late, he was leaving for Wyoming the next day. There was something about helping someone out.

  She looked back at the headline with despair. Dane Does Double Duty. Below the photo of herself was a quote.

  "A little private party of our own," snickered Hollywood’s most eligible bachelor, when asked what he and the recently widowed MacKendall would be doing after the show. "It’s off to bed after that."

  Taking a deep breath, she closed the magazine and slipped it into her dresser drawer beneath her underwear, then stretched out beside her sleeping son. Unconsciously stroking his blonde hair, Jessica could not begin to sleep now. And it came to her then, who the woman in the photo was. The petite redhead from the costume ball. Miss Red Corvette.

  An exotic dancer. How could he?

  ~ * ~

  She awoke with a start. Devon was sitting up, looking at her.

  "You sleeped a long time," he said, patting her cheek with his small hand.

  "Guess I did," Jessica said, her mind hazy as she forced herself to sit up. Remembering the magazine article, her mood rapidly deteriorated. "Let’s go downstairs. Lyddy’s probably got a snack for you."

  After depositing her son with Lydia in the kitchen, Jessica wandered out to the barn. She wasn’t ready to confront Dane; she needed to think through what, if anything, there was to say. She remembered with ch
agrin her words to Irma Carvey. Tabloid stories were never to be believed. Her own publicist had warned her many times in the early days, when she would see her name associated with all kinds of lies and sordid sensation.

  Inside the barn, she stood before Mariah’s stall and watched the horse. She did, indeed, seem like a calm animal. Jessica issued a little "huff;" Dane would force the issue, wouldn’t he?

  I can do it, she thought haughtily. I can learn to not be afraid. They’re just big dumb animals, right?

  Carefully she unlatched the stall door and crept inside, then closed the door behind her. Mariah lifted her head and issued a snort.

  "Nice horse," Jessica said softly, steeling herself to move closer, to stroke the mare’s mane the way Dane had shown her. "Good girl…" This is easy. She’s not really so big, not nearly as big as Whiskey or Injun. Mariah turned her head to look Jessica squarely in the eyes, pushing her muzzle at Jessica’s hand. Startled, Jessica backed away, and the horse turned to follow.

  "Oh damn. This isn’t what I wanted to do." Now backed into the corner of the stall, Jessica flattened herself against the wall. "Good girl," she panted, as Mariah took another step toward her.

  What am I going to do now? This horse is going to step on me, or bite me, or God knows what! She took a deep breath and attempted to calm herself. "This is ridiculous. It’s just a horse. Just a horse. A gentle horse, Dane said you were gentle, you’d better be or I’ll kill him… oh Dane, where are you?"

  ~ * ~

  This is almost more than I can handle. Truly more than I deserve. Somehow I always believed it could be this way, but I figured I’d missed my chance. To be given another one is…

  Dane stopped typing and frowned at the words on his screen. The wedding was three days away, and it was like he was waiting for something to happen. To go wrong.

  Closing the computer, he stood up and stretched. What else did he have to do today? Jessica had taken care of most of the arrangements. Tom and Roxanne would arrive tomorrow, Christine and Nick the following day. They had invited some high profile friends from L.A., and the immediate neighbors.