The Christmas Wishing Tree: An Eternity Springs Novel

by Emily March

  “Reilly was traumatized, and I was at the end of my rope. We had detectives assigned to our case who legitimately tried to help, but they couldn’t promise me it wouldn’t happen again. I knew what we had to do.”

  “Run,” Devin said, firing the word like a bullet. “Depend on ourselves. Only on ourselves. That’s what we’ve done since February. We’ve done okay. Honestly, it’s been a grand adventure, and in many ways, Reilly and I are better off because of it.”

  Devin cut to the heart of the matter. “Then why show up in Eternity Springs, where people know you?”

  Jenna massaged her temples with her fingertips. A dozen different reasons and excuses and justifications rolled through her mind, but in the end, she too cut to the heart of it. As the truck descended Cemetery Road and turned onto Aspen Street, she said, “Because Celeste Blessing assured me that Eternity Springs is where broken hearts come to heal.”

  They didn’t speak any more after that. He carried her into the clinic and then into the examination room. He told her he’d wait for her outside and to ask someone to get him when she was ready to leave.

  Jenna sat on the exam table with her leg outstretched and elevated as a nurse took her vitals and asked a series of general questions. Upon learning that her examining physician would be Dr. Rose Cicero, Jenna tried to recall if she’d met the woman during last winter’s visit. She didn’t recall the name.

  Neither did she remember the face when Dr. Cicero introduced herself. Jenna chose not to mention her own medical degree during the initial workup or while the physician performed her subsequent exam. She didn’t want to field the questions that bit of news would certainly elicit.

  However, she liked Rose Cicero’s competent, friendly manner, and had their positions been reversed, she’d have ordered the same diagnostic radiography and soft tissue ultrasound. Jenna agreed with Rose’s diagnosis of a Grade 2 ankle sprain and the recommended a treatment protocol that included crutches and a brace.

  “We see a lot of ankle injuries around here,” the nurse told Jenna as she fitted her with the brace and crutches. “Primarily hikers who get distracted by beautiful views and don’t watch where they put their feet on our rocky mountain trails. Do you have experience using crutches, Ms. Stockton?”

  “No, actually, I don’t. This is my first ankle sprain.”

  “In that case we’ll want you to take a couple of practice spins around the room to get comfortable before we turn you loose.”

  Jenna was halfway through her second circuit when Dr. Cicero exited the exam room across the hall and smiled at her. “Looking good. Walk on it as soon as you’re able to tolerate it. You’ll want to start physical therapy by the weekend. Lisa, did you give her the list of exercises?”

  “Yes, Dr. Cicero.”

  “Good. I’d wait until Sunday to take advantage of the hot springs we have here in town, but then you’ll find them a lovely treat. Now, do you have any questions for me?”

  “No. I think I’m clear on everything.”

  “Great. Feel free to call if you need us.”

  “Thank you.”

  The doctor disappeared into another examination room and Jenna made her way toward the clinic’s registration desk and fished for the debit card she habitually carried in her back pocket. The clerk said, “Mr. Murphy took care of your charges, ma’am. He’s out back. I told him I’d give him a ring when you were ready.”

  “Don’t bother,” Jenna said. She slid the card back into her jeans. “I’ll find him.”

  The rubber tips on the aluminum crutches squeaked against the tile floor as she hobbled toward the building’s automatic doors. They whooshed outward at her approach, and she stepped into the warm afternoon sunshine. With her attention focused on the ground and the placement of her crutches, she didn’t immediately notice the group waiting for her.

  “Here she comes,” she heard Cam say.

  “Jenna!” Devin scolded. “They were supposed to call me when you were finished so I could help you.”

  She turned toward the voices—and darned near dropped a crutch. Men. A whole gang of them. A mountain range of tall, dark, and handsomes. Devin and his father and three or four more who seemed vaguely familiar. And another three or four who were total strangers. To a man, they turned to look at her. She saw irritation and indignation and concern. Devin looked angry enough to spit nails.

  “I . . . uh . . .” Were she not on crutches, she’d have turned around and fled.

  Devin met her gaze, smiled, and made a valiant attempt to gentle his expression. “So, no cast?”

  “No break.”

  “Good. That’s good.”

  Jenna’s gaze slid past him, to Cam, and then back to

  Devin again. “Reilly?”

  “He’s with Michael at my sister’s. She’s a vet. Doing rounds at the local shelter and taking the boys with her.”

  Lori. Yes. Jenna had met her last year over their Christmas visit. “Reilly will like that.”

  “Jenna, I want to introduce you to some friends of mine. I’ll start with the Callahans. You’re staying at Stardance Ranch. Before the . . . um . . . accident, remember how we were headed there to see Brick Callahan’s snakeskin? Well, this is Brick’s family. His father Mark”— Devin gestured toward one of the men—“and Brick’s uncles Matt, Luke, and Gabe. One of the Callahan family’s primary businesses is security. And this is Eternity Springs’ sheriff, Zach Turner. Daniel Garrett here is the private investigator who put us in touch with the investigator you hired in Nashville.”

  “Sorry that didn’t turn out so well for you, ma’am,” Daniel Garrett said, his expression serious, but his tone kind.

  “And finally,” Devin continued, gesturing toward the man whom had yet to be introduced, “this is Jack Davenport. Jack is . . . well . . . Jack is a spook.”

  Davenport showed her a predator’s smile. “Former spook. I’m retired.”

  Spook? As in . . . spy? Jenna pasted on a smile and tried to pretend that she was at a garden party instead of a . . . wait . . . what exactly was this? The back parking lot of a small town health clinic? “Okay. Well. Nice to meet you all.”

  Devin said, “There’s a park bench over hear where you can sit down. Will you please join us, Jenna?”

  “You told them,” she accused.

  “I gave them a broad overview, enough to convey the severity of your situation. No one has taken his phone from his pocket, much less typed your name into a search engine. It’s a happy circumstance that among the citizens of Eternity Springs we have a small army of brilliant, experienced professionals willing to offer their expertise and advice. We’d be fools not to listen to what they have to say.”

  We? So he considered himself to be part of this now? Good. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it? You were hoping he’d magically make your troubles disappear.

  Well, he is Santa Claus, after all.

  “Where’s this park bench?”

  The mountain of masculinity parted to reveal a park and playground area with benches, picnic tables, a swing set, a jungle gym, and a wooden climbing fort. On another day, she’d have headed for the swings. Today, she went for the bench. The men gathered in a semicircle around her, leaning against trees, seated at or atop the picnic table bench. Cam took a seat in one of the swings. Devin helped Jenna get seated, her leg propped up, and her crutches stored out of the way but within reach.

  He hunkered down in front of her and met her gaze. “If anyone can help, it’s this group of guys. Share your story, Jenna, and let’s get this monster off your back and behind bars once and for all.”

  Now that the moment was upon her, she hesitated. Maybe they should just keep running. They’d been doing all right. Why take the risk?

  Because you can’t run forever and you can’t fix this alone. You know that. Trust your instincts, Jenna. They brought you here to Eternity Springs, didn’t they?

  She closed her eyes, said a brief prayer that she was making the right choice, and st
arted at the beginning. They let her get all the way through the telling of it before the questions started. Different men seemed to naturally home in on different aspects of the story. Daniel Garrett’s questions focused on the actions of the investigator in Nashville. Zach Turner asked pointed queries about the actions of the police. The Callahan brothers zeroed in on her digital footprints. Jack Davenport never said a word, but Jenna didn’t doubt that he absorbed every detail.

  The questioning went on for more than half an hour, until it finally appeared as though they’d run out of things to ask. The men discussed different aspects of the situation amongst themselves, but nobody offered a solution or even a path forward. Jenna was beginning to wonder if this had all been a waste of time when by some unspoken signal, everyone looked toward Jack Davenport.

  “Should be easy enough to set a trap.”

  Devin straightened and his brow furrowed with a scowl. “What’s the bait?”

  “Who, not what,” Jenna said, not taking her gaze off of Jack. “Me. I’m the bait, right?”

  Davenport nodded.

  “I won’t have Reilly involved in any way,” she warned. “The boy can attend the next camp session at the Rocking L. Timing is perfect. It begins right after the Fourth of July.”

  Jenna knew that the Rocking L Summer Camp had been established to serve children who had suffered a significant loss. In addition to traditional camp activities, the Rocking L had special programs designed to help children learn to cope with and conquer their individual difficulties. She’d heard about the camp during their Christmas visit to Eternity Springs, and she’d gone through the application process upon their return to Florida. “That would be awesome. I know Reilly would love it. Unfortunately, I tried to get him a slot earlier this year and we were turned down.”

  Davenport flashed a grin, and his entire expression changed. Gone was the cool, intimidating predator and in his place stood a rogue with a gleam in his eyes. “Reilly will be welcome. I have particular influence with the head of the selection committee. I sleep with her.”

  Devin rolled his eyes and explained to Jenna. “He’s married to her.”

  Ahh.

  Cam asked. “What sort or trap are you talking about, Jack? I assume she’ll stay here in Eternity Springs where we can keep her safe?”

  Jack nodded, and the sheriff added, “Where swatting is limited to flies at the Fourth of July picnic.”

  Davenport spoke to the Callahans. “You’ll submit a technology plan by the end of the day?”

  The brothers shared a look, and then Matt nodded. “Can do, boss.”

  Davenport addressed Daniel Garrett. “I’d like you to touch base with the investigator she hired. We’ll herd the stalker from that end too.”

  Garrett met Jenna’s gaze. “I’ll need you to sign some paperwork that I can fax him and get access to your information. If you’ll come to my office when we’re through here?”

  “All right.”

  “What’s our job in this, Jack?” Cam asked.

  “You’re the designated bodyguards. How long do you plan to be in town, Devin?”

  “I planned to head home after Mitch’s wedding. I can rearrange things if necessary. I will rearrange them.” He met Jenna’s gaze, daring her to protest as he added, “I won’t leave until we’ve caught this asshat.”

  Jenna wasn’t stupid. She wouldn’t argue with Devin. Whether she’d recognized it or not at the time, this was why she’d come to Eternity Springs. She’d decided to put her trust in the Murphys and there was no going back now. The man would know how much time he could afford to be away from his life in Australia.

  Davenport shook his head. “I can’t imagine this taking longer than three weeks. I expect you’ll make your flight without any trouble.”

  “Good deal.” Devin nodded and folded his arms in satisfaction.

  Jack Davenport said, “May I suggest we get about our business and reconvene Sunday afternoon at Eagle’s Way? We’ll cook out. Bring the wives and kids. We’ll swim. Make it holiday pre-party. Does that suit everyone’s schedules?”

  “Maybe you should check with Cat first?” Cam suggested.

  “His wife,” Devin explained as Jack winced and nodded. He excused himself and stepped away, reaching into his pocket for his phone. Devin used the opportunity to move around from behind the bench and hunker down in front of Jenna. “You good with all of this?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know. My head is spinning.”

  “I could talk for hours about some of the challenges these men have overcome. To a man, they’ve walked some rocky paths. But the main thing you need to know . . . the bottom line for everything . . . is that you can trust them, Jenna. You can trust all of us. We won’t let you down.”

  He gently stroked her cheek with the pad of his thumb and promised, “I won’t let you down. You have my word on it.”

  Tears flooded Jenna’s eyes and she blinked them back. The earnestness in his gaze, the offer of a burden shared after so many months of going it alone, spoke to the very center of her soul. Her emotions were too big, so she deflected with humor. “Your word or Santa’s?”

  “Both. All you have to do is believe.”

  Ten

  Devin fitted his hands at Jenna’s waist and lifted her into the truck. He stored her crutches in the cab’s back seat and shut the passenger door. He didn’t speak to her until he exited the medical clinic parking lot and turned the opposite direction from Stardance Ranch. “How’s the ankle?”

  “Grade 2 sprain. Partial ligament tear. Four to eight week recovery.”

  “Michael is such a hoon—a hooligan. He never looks where he’s going. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him run into a wall because he’s looking over his shoulder flapping his jaw about something instead of paying attention to what’s in front of him.”

  “He was excited about spending time with you. When we were here last winter, he never stopped talking about his big brother.”

  Devin’s mouth twisted with a rueful smile. “He’s growing up so fast. That’s the hardest part about living so far away. When we’re apart, I can convince myself that I’m watching it happen through video calls, but when I’m with him”—he shrugged—“sometimes I want to kill him. I’m sorry he hurt you, Jenna.”

  “I’ll heal. Where are we going, Devin?”

  He drew in a bracing breath. “We are covering all the bases. We don’t want you living alone until we’ve taken care of this pizza jackass once and for all. The crutches are a limiting factor, but we found a good solution. It’s actually the house where my dad grew up, where he and I stayed when he came home to Eternity Springs to win back my mother’s heart. Celeste Blessing owns it now. It’s rental property, furnished and currently unoccupied.”

  “Wait a minute. What’s wrong with my camper?”

  “Quarters are a little close considering that we’ve yet to have our first official date, don’t you think?” He watched her work her way through it.

  “You’re planning to stay with me?”

  “I wouldn’t be much of a bodyguard if I didn’t, would I? You’re not going to argue with me about it, are you?”

  Jenna opened her mouth, and then shut it. She closed her eyes. “This day has taken more turns than the switchbacks up Sinner’s Prayer Pass. Was it only this morning when I seriously considered picking up Reilly and running when you approached us on the fishing pier? Now we’re shipping my kid off to summer camp and moving in together?”

  “Separate bedrooms,” he was quick to say. “Reilly will love the Rocking L. Michael’s gonna be pea green with envy. He loves his visits and gets to go as a camper for a week at the end of August with the other local kids, but he’d live up there all summer if he could.”

  “I do believe that it’s a fabulous opportunity for Reilly, but I’m not one hundred percent certain I’ll be able to convince him to go. His little world has been rocked time and again. It’s left him insecure and angry and in many instances,
afraid of his own shadow. I don’t think you realize what a big deal it was for him to leave the fishing hole with your father. This is the longest Reilly and I have been apart since before the last raid.”

  Devin darted a look at her. “Seriously?”

  Jenna nodded. “I’m feeling a little like a new mother leaving her baby with a sitter for the first time.”

  “He got to see Brick’s snakeskin. And now he’s playing with puppies!”

  “He’s wanted a dog for a very long time. I’d decided to let him get one. If he’s going to camp, we’ll have to put that off.”

  “Not necessarily.” Devin stopped the truck in front of the house where he’d lived when he and Cam first arrived in Eternity Springs. “Animals have held a prominent role in Rocking L therapies for some time now. My brother-in-law will be the first to tell you that working with his pup at the Rocking L helped save his sanity. Reilly wouldn’t be the first camper who brought his dog with him.”

  “Really?” When Devin nodded, she added, “That might be the perfect solution.”

  “Let me show you the house. If it suits, we’ll make a plan for going forward.”

  He opened the electronic lock using the code Celeste had texted. A second bathroom added during a recent remodel of the cozy, two-bedroom cottage along with new appliances and restoration of the three original fireplaces had turned the cottage into a showplace.

  Jenna didn’t try to hide her delight. “It’s darling, and I won’t pretend that I won’t look forward to having a little elbow room, but I hate the idea that I’ll be taking you away from your family. Your time with them is limited enough as it is.”

  “We’ll see plenty of my family. I just won’t be sleeping there. It’s not a hardship, believe me.” Devin gave her a droll look. “Michael likes to jump on me to wake me up.”

  “I won’t do that,” she said with a laugh.

  It was a hanging curve ball Devin could have hit out of the park, but he refrained from taking a swing. Instead, he pulled a chair away from the kitchen table and gestured for her to sit. “Want to help me make a list of things we’ll need?”