by CeeCee James
She couldn’t speak, afraid she’d laugh from happiness. Her heart beat wildly, and not from fear.
He leaned back, his arms still tightly wrapped around her. “You’re so special. You have no idea how amazing you are.”
Miranda half-covered her face with her hand. He thinks I’m amazing! For a moment she felt whole instead of broken.
Jason continued. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. The best thing. I tried to stay away, couldn’t take a chance on hurting you. But, I can’t let you go. I give up. I need you. Teach me how to be loved.” He nudged her hand away. “Miranda? I don’t know what you see in me.”
She looked into his eyes. “Are you serious? You are…” A lump grew in her throat as she thought about how amazing he was. “You are so awesome, Jason. It’s easy. I can’t help but love you.”
The silence grew as she watched his face for his reaction. Jason looked away before finally shaking his head in denial. “Don’t quit seeing that counselor. That might be proof right there that something wrong with you.” He gave her a small grin, and she pushed at his arm. “Way to ruin the moment, Jason.”
“You ready for that steak dinner?” He held his hand out to her and she took it. He clasped it until it was almost completely hidden in his, and gave it a little squeeze before leading her out onto the incline.
Climbing down took more guts than going up. It hadn’t seemed as steep on the way up, and her eyes shot wide a few times when she skidded on loose rocks. Jason coaxed her the entire way, “It’s okay, almost there. Step on this rock over here. Just a little bit more.”
The last two steps were lose gravel, and then she was on the sand. “Sweet earth, I could kiss you.” She bent down to the sand and pretended to kiss it.
“Well, I’d tell the sand the kiss was pretty nice, but I don’t want to give you any ideas.”
“Pretty nice?” Miranda scrambled to her feet. “I’ll show you pretty nice!”
Jason gave his half-smile. “That’s the best threat ever. Now, let’s go. I’ll teach you how to barbecue a steak.”
“Just because you like it mooing on your plate doesn’t mean I don’t know how to cook it.”
“I love getting a rise out of you.”
“You always have, Jason.” She shook her head and grabbed his hand.
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.
26
Present Day
Jason was supposed to leave the next morning at five am for his fishing trip at Glacier Lake. Miranda woke early to send him off, but instead they ended up having coffee out on the porch. One cup turned into two, and soon she was making him eggs while he fried some bacon. They ate it standing next to each other at the counter.
“Are your fishing buddies going to be mad you’re late?”
“Naw. They’re probably still packing up themselves.”
“Well, if I don’t hurry, I’m going to be late, and my boss isn’t as forgiving.”
Taking her plate to the sink, she rinsed it and stacked it in the dishwasher.
Jason pushed up his grey flannel shirt on his arms and watched her. Then he walked over and held her around her shoulders. “You going to miss me?”
She turned from the sink and twined her fingers behind his neck. I can’t believe this is finally my life. “More than you know.”
“I’m leaving Archer here with you,” he decided.
“Really? He’s my buddy,” she squealed. She kissed him before he could say anything else, and then moved to grab her keys.
He pulled her back by her hand. “Not so fast,” he growled. Jason raised her up on the counter. Moving close, he cupped the back of her head and brought his lips down on hers.
Her arms wrapped themselves around his neck, like they had a life of their own. Softly, he kissed her, slowly, rolling his tongue gently against hers. She was breathless when he pulled away.
Pushing a hank of dark hair out of the way, she rested her forehead against his. “Wow, you keep doing that and I might never let you leave.”
He smirked at her as he lifted her down. “Call Doug if you need anything. Call me, too.”
Miranda rolled her eyes. “I’ll be fine. Go catch some fish.” She reached for her purse and then opened the front door.
“Hey Miranda, one more thing.”
“Yes?” She turned back to look.
“Don’t be feeding any snacks to my dog.” He gave her a wink just before the door shut.
Miranda sang as she walked out to her jeep. “Archer likes me better than yooou.”
* * *
Loneliness flooded through Miranda when she unlocked the door that evening. Archer greeted her at the front door with his tail wagging, before jumping up to plant his paws on her chest.
“Just you and me, huh buddy?” she said, scratching his ears. He cocked his head like he understood her. Miranda gave him a kiss before pushing him down. Going to the fridge, she pulled a piece of lunch meat from its package and offered him the treat. Archer sniffed the meat, then with one gulp he swallowed it whole. She used the rest to make herself a sandwich.
There was nothing worth watching on the television except an old Hallmark movie, and it was almost a relief when it was dark enough that Miranda had an excuse to go to bed. She walked around to all the doors and windows and double-checked that they were secure. Archer followed her, his nails clicking on the wood floors.
“Come on, Archer.” Her own voice startled her because the house had been so quiet. “Lets hit the hay.”
Up in her room, Archer jumped on her bed like he’d been doing it forever, throwing up a scent of dog. His heavy body was a comfort next to her. Miranda gave him a kiss on the wrinkle between his eyes, and then lay back against the pillow with her Kindle.
Her phone lit up on the nightstand with a FaceTime request from Jason. A thrill of excitement shot through her to see his name. Quickly, she smoothed her hair back and tried to prop herself up on the pillow in some semblance of attractiveness, rather than the Raggedy-Ann doll she felt like.
She clicked Accept.
The phone took a moment to connect. “Come on, come on,” she hissed, while trying to keep a casual, aren’t-I-gorgeous-while-just-lying-here smile on her face. Her cheeks hurt from the effort.
The screen flickered and in the next moment his face was there. “Hey,” he said with a smile. His face was already scruffy from not shaving.
“Hi Jason. What are you doing?”
“Meh, nothing much.” He took a bite of something out of a can.
Miranda snorted. “What the heck are you eating with?”
“Oh, this?” He held up a wrench.
“Yeah! What are you doing?”
“I forgot a spoon. Had to improvise.”
Miranda felt a soft snuffle on her neck.
“So, uh.” Jason paused in mid-sentence. His eyes widened. “Is that Archer breathing down your neck?”
Crap! Miranda flipped the phone face down. “Oh, sorry! Just dropped the phone!” she yelled, while simultaneously trying to pull Archer off the bed. He resisted her in his flat-dog position. “Archer! Come on.” With a sad face, he jumped off the bed.
Feeling rumpled and discombobulated, she flipped the phone back over. Jason sat there with a blank face, one eyebrow raised.
“So,” Miranda said, after plopping back on the bed. “Catch any fish?”
He slowly lifted the other eyebrow.
Miranda flashed him her most winning smile.
“You remember, right, Archer isn’t allowed on the bed?”
“Oh my gosh, Jason. I’d never—”
The bed jiggled as Archer jumped back up. Miranda flung her arm behind her to try to pin the dog down. Jason watched nonplussed. “So, the fish?” Miranda asked again, blowing a stray hair out of her face.
Jason gave a little whistle between his teeth, and Archer popped his head up. The dog quickly laid his head against her neck again to stare adoringly at his master.
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br /> “Where did you come from? Weird.” Miranda tried to appear surprised.
Jason rolled his eyes and glanced away for a second, probably thinking of all the ways he wanted to strangle her. He looked back, the campfire light flickering off his face. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that,” he said.
“Maybe that’s best,” Miranda said, as Archer gave a whine through his nose. “Are you going to make me ask again?”
“Great. Fishing’s been great.”
She smiled. “Why are you eating out of a can then?”
Jason studied the can. “Hmm. How can I get out of this?”
“Oh, let’s hear your best lie.”
“I’ve got a story. It involves sharks though, so I better save it.”
Miranda laughed. “Whatever!”
Archer sat up on the bed. His ears perked. Miranda wrapped her arm around his back. “Down, Archer!”
He tilted his head and stared intently at the bedroom doorway.
“You can’t even get him off the bed now. I’m going to come back and my dog is going to be fat and spoiled.”
“Archer?” Miranda said. “Archer, lie down.”
Archer stiffened. A low growl rumbled out of his throat. Miranda glanced at the door.
The dog jumped off the bed and stalked to the door.
“I swear, I can never leave the two of you alone again,” Jason joked.
Miranda spun towards the phone. “Shhh.”
Jason stopped in mid-bite. He set the wrench back in the can. “What’s going on?”
Miranda moved off the bed and walked towards her door. Archer’s hair rose and his muscles quivered with his growls. Slowly, she turned the knob and opened the door a crack.
“Miranda?” the phone squawked.
Ignoring him, she strained to hear.
Archer squeezed through the opening and dashed down the stairs, his nails scrabbling. He rounded the corner and began barking fiercely.
“Someone’s in the house,” she whispered to Jason.
“Get out now. Go out the window. There’s a fire ladder!”
She crept forward to peer over the stair railing. Archer was ferocious in his attack. A man shouted, “Get off of me, you—”
There was a crash, and a yip. “He’s hurting Archer!” Without thinking, Miranda barreled down the stairs.
“Miranda! Miranda! Stop!” Jason screamed.
She ran into the dark kitchen. Archer stood on his back legs, his mouth clamped around the arm of a male silhouette. The man beat Archer with his fist. Miranda threw the phone as hard as she could at the intruder’s head.
It connected with a crack. The man grabbed his head, and looked over. His eyes glittered in the sliver of moonlight. Dane. He booted Archer in the stomach, sending the dog across the floor.
Miranda turned to run. Hands grabbed her hair. A powerful yank pulled her off her feet.
She screamed.
Dane’s fist came down and slammed into her cheek. Brilliant spots exploded in her vision. He let go of her and she fell limply to the floor.
“You stupid—” he sneered.
She couldn’t move.
He kicked her in the thigh, and she flopped over. “I’m going to enjoy this.” He walked around her and gave her body another prod with his foot.
When she didn’t move, he seemed satisfied. Squatting next to her, he began to talk to himself. “Too busy. Just too busy.” Reaching out, he stroked her hair. “Too busy to talk. Too busy for lunch. But not so busy now, are you?” He twisted a lock of her hair around his finger until her head pulled off the floor.
She groaned softly.
“You didn’t think I was watching. You didn’t think I knew. But I saw you. Not too busy for other guys, huh?” Lowering his head to hers, he whispered the last words, his breath fetid on her face. “But your boyfriend’s gone. Oh yes, he is. I’ve heard through the grapevine. Fancies himself a fisherman.” He released her hair. “Looks like I’m the one that caught the grand prize.”
Dane walked over to the counter. With a loud bang, he yanked out the drawer in search for something.
Miranda cracked open an eye, the other quickly swelling shut. What am I going to do?
She shifted her head to find Archer. The dog lay in a crumpled heap. Archer saw her movement and stirred as if to crawl toward her before stopping with a whimper.
“But first”—the man walked over to the dog—“I owe you a little something.” He lifted his arm. At the end was Jason’s hickory knife.
“No” Miranda cried.
Dane’s head swung towards her. “Oh, you’ve got words for me now?” He walked over to her. “Let’s hear what you’ve got to say.”
“Please—”
“So polite now.” He gave a rusty laugh and pushed one of his ears forward. “I’m all ears.” He looked at her again. “No? Nothing more? All right then. Maybe I’ll start with you instead.” Whistling, he beckoned to her with the knife, his other hand going to his belt buckle.
Miranda rolled to her side. Get up! Get up! The only one who can save you is yourself. Slowly, she pushed herself up. She glanced wildly around the kitchen for something, anything that could be used as a weapon. The counters were empty from where she’d cleaned earlier. Looking back at him, she balled up her fists. “You touch me again and I’ll kill you.”
His gaze fell on her fists and he smiled. Malice blazed through his eyes as his smile broadened until laughter burst out of him. “I see you’ve still got some fight left in you.”
Keeping her focus on him, she slowly moved until she could see the door from the corner of her eye.
He rushed at her, stopping up just short of actually touching her. She jerked in response, and her fists jabbed in his direction in defense. He laughed again.
Then the smile fell away and his eyes turned deadly serious. He lunged for her. Grabbing both hands together, she swung her fists down hard on his nose. It crunched under the blow. Screaming, he grabbed her hair and wrenched her neck. Her neck cracked as fire shot through her scalp.
BAM! A gunshot went off.
From the doorway came a gravelly voice. “That was a warning shot. The next time I won’t miss.”
A brilliant red dot appeared on Dane’s chest. He noticed it and froze.
“Move and it’s over. That’s a promise.”
Dane raised his hands in the air.
Miranda pushed away from him and dropped to the floor. She crawled behind the couch to get out of the way.
Dane turned slowly towards the voice. “Hey there, friend.” He flashed a grin. “I guess nobody told you. I’m supposed to keep an eye on the place.”
“Don’t. Move.”
“It’s nothing, just a misunderstanding.” Dane said in a jovial voice.
“Better keep those hands where I can—”
Dane flung his knife. Instantly, the gun boomed. Miranda screamed, and covered her ears at the blast. Someone shouted but Miranda couldn't make out the words through the ringing in her ears.
The overhead light flipped on, and a hand touched her shoulder. She flinched. “Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me!”
“Shh. It’s okay.”
She peeked through her fingers, her entire body trembling with adrenaline.
Doug stood behind her, pistol in hand.
She rolled and crawled toward Archer. The dog didn’t move. “Archer?” she whispered. She gently laid her hand on his shoulder. “Archer? Please?” The dog’s eyes remained closed but his tail gave a small thump of a wag. “Sweet boy, you’re going to be okay.” She stroked his fur softly, looking for any signs of blood. He lifted his head and rested it on her knee.
Behind her, she heard a sound of dragging. She looked up to see Doug fastening Dane’s legs together with duct tape. “The police are on their way.” Doug said. “Jason called them as soon as he hung up with me.”
“He called you first?”
“He knew I was closer.”
Miranda kissed
Archer and moved his head to rest on his paws. She staggered to her feet, pausing for a second as her head boomed. Nausea squeezed her stomach. After a moment, the sensations subsided. She walked over to the man on the ground. Doug pressed a towel into the wound on his chest.
“Is he alive?” she asked.
Doug grimly nodded.
She stared at Dane’s face, his nose smashed and bloody.
“What the?” Her body began to tremble, from the pain or the shock, she wasn’t sure.
“Go sit down, Miranda.” Doug said, still holding pressure to Dane’s gunshot wound. “I can’t catch you if you pass out.”
She pulled out one of the stools and looked around the kitchen. Her phone lay in pieces on the floor. Utensils were scattered. There was blood splattered across the white countertop.
Sirens screamed. Red and blue lights flashed through the window. A moment later, two officers appeared at the busted door, their guns drawn. They walked in carefully, demanding everyone put their hands in the air.
Doug raised his hands. “The guy on the floor is the intruder. I shot him.” He spoke calmly, but his eyes were wide and wild.
“Lie on the ground,” one of the police officers commanded Doug.
“He saved me!” Miranda protested, jumping up. “Leave him alone!”
“I’m holding pressure on the bullet wound,” Doug stated as he eased back.
“On the ground, now.”
Doug sighed. The bloody towel dropped from his hand. Slowly, he lay prone on the floor with his hands behind his head. One of the officers quickly pulled his hands behind his back to secure him. Doug grimaced at the jerk of his arm.
“What are you doing? What’s wrong with you? He’s the one that rescued me!” Miranda pivoted from one officer to the other.
The other officer talked into his shoulder mic, giving the code for an ambulance. He lifted the towel to look at Dane’s wound, before applying firm pressure with his hands.
“Just sit tight. We’re coming into a hostile situation with a gun. We have protocol.”