The man extended his hand. “Barry Taylor. Nice to meet you, sir. Are you both coming along, then?”
“No,” Cassie said firmly before Jed had a chance to get his hopes up.
He forced a smile and said, “No.”
The pilot looked between them and then took the suitcase. “I’ll just load this up and get you a drink waiting. What would you prefer, Miss Strong?”
“Water’s perfect. Thank you.”
“Of course. The Hoffmans and all of us are so grateful to you, ma’am.” He cast Jed another glance, and there was something like compassion in his eyes, though he seemed too formal to reveal the emotion. “Take the time you need.” He smiled and climbed back into the plane.
Cassie’s purse was over her shoulder, but she clung to the strap and twisted it between her fingers. “Thanks for the ride. I hope to see you when I get back.” She turned to go up the steps.
Jed wasn’t ready to let her go quite that easily. He stepped in her path. Cassie backed up a step and looked up at him. She released her hold on her purse, put a hand to her throat, and backed right up against the sleek plane, which was much lower to the ground than a commercial jet would be.
Jed hoped he didn’t look threatening, but he had some things to say before she disappeared. “I understand why you have to go, but …” He realized he had nothing. There was no but. He had no reason to make her stay. They had no deeply formed bond. No matter how he craved her light, her kiss, her love, he had nothing to offer her that was more important than her being there for the children.
Cassie stared at him. Her deep brown eyes tugged at him, and he found himself leaning closer. She grabbed his shirt, yanked him toward her, and kissed him long and hard. Jed was immediately all in. Kissing this woman felt like a home and a haven he’d never known. It also brought pinpricks of awareness all over and made heat explode through his body.
Jed pressed her up against the plane. She let out a moan and ran her hands up into his hair. Jed framed her face with his hands, tilted her head, and showed her exactly why she should stay. He kissed her so thoroughly there could be no doubt in her mind that she was meant for him and him alone.
He finally forced himself to pull back, breathing heavy and wanting to kiss her all over again. Her hair was mussed, and her lips were plump and looked appetizing. He gently ran a finger over those lips. She let out the sweetest whimper. Jed leaned close again. All he could focus on was kissing her, over and over again.
“Jed,” she murmured, still clinging to his neck. “I have to go.”
His stomach dropped and cold, cruel reality poured over his head like the Gatorade cooler after a football game, but this was no celebration; this was a penalty that was going to set him back hundreds of yards. He was going to lose this game. Against every instinct, he eased back a few inches and stared at her. She pushed out a heavy breath.
“Go,” he whispered. “Please go now, or I won’t be able to let you go.”
She stared at him, regret and sadness filling her dark gaze. He felt a moment of hope. She’d stay. She’d ask him to go with her. She’d fulfill his every dream and tell him she loved him.
Cassie simply nodded, darting under his arm and up into the airplane.
Jed’s heart broke in that moment. He’d told her to go. She needed to go. Why did it have to hurt like this?
He backed away as the steps lifted up, and then the plane slowly taxied away. He couldn’t bring himself to climb back into Gavin’s car yet. He stood there in the cold, snowflakes dropping on his head and nose. He watched the plane taxi to the runway, then heard the roar of the engines, and within minutes it was soaring away into the sky.
She’d really left. What kind of an idiot let a woman like Cassandra Strong go? He hung his head and shuffled to the car. An idiot who loved her enough to know he couldn’t make her stay.
Cassie was supposed to be buckled in for takeoff, but she couldn’t see Jed properly without arching up and peering through the top of the window. There, over the wing, she could spot him. He was still just standing there, watching her go. The plane gained speed, and she hurried to buckle up. It was odd being the only passenger; it was just her and the pilot. She knew Heath flew this way all the time, and she had flown on his plane before. Right now, it felt not only odd but also horribly lonely, and she felt stupid for saying no when the pilot had asked if they were both going. Why couldn’t she have begged Jed to come? How wonderful would that have been? Maybe he wouldn’t have wanted to, but she hadn’t even given him the chance. Why was she so prideful and stupid?
Tears coursed down her face, and she put a hand to her lips. She’d left Jed. Would she really be back in a few days? Would he still be there? The kisses they’d shared were more powerful than anything she’d known, but she was only a silly twenty-three-year-old girl. Yes, she’d traveled the world, and yes, she’d protected herself numerous times, but she still felt inexperienced and unworthy of a powerful, smart, street-savvy man like Jed. Yet he’d never made her feel that way. He’d made her feel like she was the woman of his dreams.
She pushed her head back against the headrest, wishing Sydnee had never called, wishing she could have this week with Jed and her family, wishing she could be like a normal person who went on a humanitarian trip once a year, or once in a lifetime. Then the guilt rushed in. It was Christmas Day. There were children all over the world feeling unloved and sad. Camila could never give thirty-two children all the attention and love they needed. One person couldn’t even keep that many children fed and diapered. People like Sydnee and her husband were giving their lives to the children, and Cassie knew so many others like them. She could fulfill her role and help ease whatever burdens she could. If only she hadn’t left her heart back on the ground with Jed.
Chapter Ten
Jed made it back to Lonepeak Valley and pulled into Gavin’s garage. He rested his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes, not quite ready to go face the family. Why did he feel like he’d failed Cassie’s family? He wanted her in his arms again. It sounded like the orphanage in Cozumel was nice and not a dangerous spot, but he didn’t know that for certain. How was he supposed to go back to his life when he knew she might be in danger?
His door swung open and he looked up into Gavin’s dark brown eyes, so like Cassie’s. Gavin’s eyes weren’t full of light, warmth, and happiness. They were full of frustration and anger. “What are you doing here?” Gavin demanded.
Jed was confused and a little hurt. “I thought I should at least bring your car back.” Obviously, he’d worn out his welcome. Would somebody run him to the airport? He doubted they had Uber or Lyft in this small valley. He wanted to stay with this family and wait for Cassie to come back.
“Why didn’t you go with her?” Gavin pushed out a frustrated breath and stepped back.
Jed slid out of the car, slammed the door, and turned to face him. He and Gavin were both about six-two and well built. He felt like he was facing down an opponent, not Cassie’s brother. “She didn’t ask me to go,” Jed said, but it sounded pathetic even to him.
Gavin threw his hands in the air. “She was into you. I thought you were the one. And you just stupidly let her go.”
Trey rushed down the stairs into the garage. “What’s going on? Is Cassie okay?”
“This idiot just let her fly to Cozumel by herself.” Gavin shook his head.
“Why didn’t you tell me to go with her when we walked over here earlier?” Jed did not appreciate being called an idiot, but his gut was churning for other reasons. Gavin thought Cassie would’ve let him go with her?
“Heath claims you’re this brilliant detective. He trusted you like you wouldn’t believe when Hazel was in trouble, and now I need to spell everything out for you? Why did you think I had you drive her to the airport?”
“You wanted me to just push my way onto the plane with her and leave your Lexus sitting there?”
“Yes!” Gavin roared. “We could’ve picked up the car a
nytime. I want you with her.”
“Sheesh,” Trey protested. “You tried everything you could to keep me away from Ella; now you’re pushing some guy you barely know on Cassie.”
Gavin gave him a disgusted look. “I’m trying to learn and adapt, okay?”
“What’s really going on, Gav?” Trey asked.
Gavin blew out a breath. “I’m worried about her. I’m so worried about her. She paints this rosy picture, but there’s something in her eyes. Something’s wrong.” He glared back at Jed. “And I thought you were the man to protect her and bring our Cassie back.”
Jed’s stomach was rolling. Did Gavin know? “Has she told you?” he asked quietly.
“About?” Gavin’s gaze sharpened on him.
Jed didn’t know how to proceed. He’d told Cassie he wouldn’t tell that she’d been attacked, but Gavin obviously knew something was wrong and he was instinctively worried about his sister. Why had Jed let that plane go? He pushed a hand through his hair. “Can one of you drive me to Denver? I’m going to catch a flight to Cozumel.”
Gavin’s jaw tightened. He yanked out his phone and shoved it at Trey. “There’s a contact in there for Jay’s Charters. See how soon someone will fly us to Cozumel.”
Jed’s breath rushed out in relief. He was going to Cassie, and her brother was going to help him, but the look in Gavin’s eye had his neck muscles tightening.
“You’re hiding something from me,” Gavin said in a soft voice.
Jed raised his hands. “I promised Cassie.”
Gavin stepped closer. Jed didn’t back up, though every instinct was screaming to. “If my sister is in danger, and you don’t tell me … I’ll destroy you.”
Jed thought he had better training, but he didn’t really know. Heath had told him that Gavin had learned how to fight and use weapons to work out the demons he fought. Heath had no clue where the demons had come from, though.
Should Jed betray Cassie’s trust? He blew out a breath and finally said, “You need to ask her yourself. She told me a lot of great things about this orphanage, but her conditions haven’t always been … ideal.”
Gavin studied him for a few beats, his stance and gaze threatening. Jed didn’t mind. He knew it was because he wanted to protect his sister.
“She always tells us a lot of great things.” Gavin blew out a breath. “Something’s wrong.”
Jed hated the knot of worry Gavin was creating in his gut, but maybe it wasn’t Gavin. Maybe because he loved Cassie, he could also sense that something was wrong. He’d let her get on the plane with that pilot, alone. What if that guy was a creep? What if because all the other help had flaked and the owners were gone, the orphanage was in trouble and she was walking into danger? He didn’t know, but he agreed with Gavin, and he wanted to do something about it.
Gavin stepped back, and Jed let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. He didn’t mind fighting—he actually kind of liked it—but he didn’t want to fight Cassie’s brother.
“I respect that you won’t reveal whatever she’s shared with you,” Gavin grunted out.
Jed sensed it was hard for him to get that out.
“But she’s going to tell me.” His jaw hardened. “Go pack some of Heath’s crap into a bag. You and I are flying to Cozumel.”
Jed extended his hand. Gavin shook it, hard. Jed liked this guy. He didn’t mind being on a team with him. If only they could get to Cassie quickly.
Chapter Eleven
Cassie’s flight was fine. She only cried intermittently missing Jed, missing her family. That kiss he had given her against the airplane … Wow. If only she could be a normal woman; she’d throw herself at him and spend Christmas in his arms.
They touched down at the Cozumel airport, and she thanked the pilot. He walked with her off the airplane, which was parked off next to a row of other private planes, and then he opened the door of a waiting car. When he climbed in the driver’s seat, her stomach tumbled. “You’re my driver too?” she asked, trying for a light tone, but this seemed really off.
The man nodded gravely, looking at her. “Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman wanted to assure you got there safe. The orphanage has the highest security, but Mr. Hoffman gave all his house staff the week off because he and José were going to be out of town. His regular men are either gone to the mainland for Christmas or not responding. With all but one of the guards missing, and no one else he trusts around, he asked me to get you safely to the orphanage.”
Cassie nodded that she understood, but her stomach was still unsettled. Was it the pilot pulling double duty that felt off, or was it some other kind of warning? The last time she’d been at this orphanage, she’d felt very safe; it was a bustling, busy place that was much nicer than any of the others she’d been in. She had noticed the state-of-the-art security around the property, which was probably there because of Sydnee and some of the children being abducted a few years ago.
The drive passed quickly. The island was sunny and beautiful with thick foliage. The trees and the warmth were different from the wintry Colorado; both locales were picturesque, but Cassie already ached for home, and Jed.
They pulled up to the circle drive in front of the orphanage, and she felt relieved. The driver seemed great, but there was always that fear that someone wasn’t who they were pretending to be. The driver held Cassie’s door and got her small suitcase.
Camila came bursting out of the front door, rushed down the steps, and hugged Cassie close. “Gracias, gracias. Thank you for coming.” She was a beautiful middle-aged lady with dark eyes and long dark hair interspersed with gray. She looked exhausted.
“Of course. I’m happy I can help.” This was why she had to come. Camila needed her. The children needed her.
Camila turned to the pilot as she released Cassie. “Thank you for bringing her.” Camila’s English was heavily accented, but she was well educated. She’d confided in Cassie that Brooks and Sydnee had helped her with a college degree and English training. They wanted the children taught well, and knowing English could help them with future jobs or opportunities to expand their world beyond the island.
“Of course,” the pilot said. “You feel safe, no signs of trouble?”
“No.” Camila shook her head. “The security system is in place, and we are fine. The guard from last night stayed, but I’m afraid he’s come down with the sickness like Katie. He’s resting now.” She squeezed Cassie’s hand. “I will be more fine now with Cassie here.” She turned. “The children will be needing us.”
“Of course.” To Cassie, he said, “I’ll be flying back to Mexico City to pick up José and his family now. They decided to come back as quickly as they could instead of staying for their family dinner and coming late tonight. In about four hours, we will have more help for you. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are planning to return on the twenty-seventh. I will fly them here, and I can fly you home then, if you’d like.”
She nodded quickly. Home. She’d work hard, help out for the next couple of days, then go back to Jed. She could do this. She took her suitcase, thanked the pilot, and followed Camila back into the house.
Camila armed the security system by the door and squeezed her hand. “We’re almost ready to eat lunch,” she said with a grimace. “A little late today.”
Cassie understood the grimace. Feeding thirty-two children would take some time and work. Camila called everyone into the dining area. Many of them shouted out greetings in English and Spanish to Cassie. She remembered quite a few of them from her stay here last year, though she couldn’t remember all their names.
The older children helped the younger children, and some helped feed the babies. They got through lunch, and everybody but the toddlers helped with cleanup. It was crazy and louder than even Cassie’s house. One baby seemed inconsolable, despite being fed and having her diaper changed. Cassie held her against her chest with her left arm and bounced as she helped other children get the food they wanted, break up any squabbles, and then clean up. The bab
y finally settled and fell asleep in her arms. Cassie didn’t have any time to eat herself, but that was fine. She’d had that big breakfast at Mama’s. Was that really only a matter of hours ago? Crazy.
She’d laid the little one down and a couple of older children brought the other babies into the nursery with Camila. A few small toddlers were ushered along by another child. They all worked together to settle them, and Camila turned to Cassie. “Would you mind taking the children who want to go outside for a few hours? I’ll read with the ones who want quiet time in the big room. The guard is still resting in the boy’s rooms. I think he has the flu, and he was up all night, poor guy.”
Cassie nodded. Playing outside was right up her alley. She hoped Camila could take a short rest with those children who wanted quiet time. She ended up with eighteen children outside, from maybe four to fifteen years old. There was a large playset that a few of the children darted straight to and plenty of ride-on toys on the large patio that some climbed onto, but more of them were looking expectantly at her. She liked to organize games, and they seemed to remember that. She felt the reward of being here to serve them as their eyes shone with excitement at her.
A beautiful girl—Maria, she thought—sidled up close and said, “Kickball?”
Cassie smiled. “Of course.”
She set to work organizing the game while keeping an eye on the children on the playground and patio. Already her eyes were tired and she was getting worn out, but the children brought so much joy and gave her energy. She was where she was supposed to be. She was needed here. Jed needs you too. That voice was unbidden, and she pushed the thought away quickly.
Brooks had cleared more trees and extended the yard since she’d last been here. It was all fenced in and huge, probably the size of an American football field, so they had plenty of room to kick the ball. One of the older boys kicked it over everyone’s heads. The children were screaming and laughing as Cassie sprinted after it.
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