Josh's Challenge

by Elise Manion

  As Missy tried to get her bearings, Angela tied her hands together with an old telephone cord that had been lying on the floor underneath the ancient and broken desk. She’d hit Missy hard enough that she’d seen stars. Unfortunately, Missy didn’t regain her faculties until after her hands had been securely bound.

  “Make any other moves and I’ll have to give you this.” Angela produced a syringe from her pocket. The last thing Missy wanted was to be drugged again, so she stopped struggling and glared at her captor. “Good girl,” she said to Missy. “This will all be better as soon as we can get out of this damn county. Another day or two and we should be fine, but we can’t stay here any longer, thanks to you.”

  Angela began packing up the few items that she’d brought in, and all Missy could do was sit and think about how she’d completely botched her own rescue.

  “DRIVE FASTER, JASON!” When the line went dead, Josh couldn’t breathe.

  “I’m going as fast as I can without killing us, little brother,” Jason said not unkindly as they bounced up the old dirt road.

  Josh trusted that Jason knew exactly what he was going through. He glanced at his eldest brother in the back seat and saw the same emotions reflected in Jarod’s eyes. It seemed that all three brothers had been destined to rescue their future brides from maniacs.

  What the hell has happened to my safe little town? Josh thought as he scanned the countryside for the old mining office. It’d been years since he’d been up this far, but it was easy to see from the ruts in the road that someone had been traveling this trail recently.

  Marguerite was quietly praying, “Please be all right,” over and over again under her breath. Her cell phone chirped and she started. “Uncle Dane, what’s happening?”

  Just as she asked that question, a search and rescue helicopter flew past them on their way up the hill. She again put her phone on speaker so everyone would be on the same page. “Was that my helo?” Dane asked.

  “Yessir,” she answered.

  “We triangulated her position before the line went dead and we’re coming up. Hang back because the feds should be there already.”

  “Too late,” Jason said as they crested the hill to witness the scene unfolding before them. Josh let out a sigh of relief. Two black Suburbans surrounded a silver Land Rover. The helicopter landed half a football field away from the marshals who were now entering the crumbling mine office. A few shots were fired and Josh jumped out of the pickup only to be tackled by Jason.

  “Let me go!” he screamed, but his brother held firm.

  “You know I won’t, so stop struggling. Look,” Jason said calmly. “they’re bringing her out now.”

  Marguerite looped her arm around the brace on Josh’s injured arm while Jason kept a strong hold around his torso. “We can’t go down there until they’ve secured Angela Dunne.” Marguerite’s voice was calm, but Josh could feel how badly she trembled all over.

  Josh nodded, respecting that she knew police protocol. When he relaxed his stance, Jason released him but stood close by for support. Jarod, that prick, had disappeared into the melee below.

  It was Dane who carried Melissa out of the office while McKinley and Jarod wrestled a screaming Angela Dunne to the ground. The once-pretty blonde had transformed into a crazed lunatic shouting nonsense and obscenities at her captors. As soon as Dane cleared the site, Marguerite led Josh down the hill, Jason hot on their tails.

  Melissa was talking nonstop by the time they got to her. “I couldn’t get her to confess to murdering Harold, but she did admit that she put the syringe in the box of chocolates. She’d always distanced herself from Ginger, surely that should’ve tipped me off, but, nooo, I’m an idiot. How did I not see this coming? To think that I actually believed that Josh would ever hurt me? How could I have listened to her for so long? Please make sure that she doesn’t see the light of day until she’s either cured of her mental disorder or dead, will you, Uncle Dane? Oh, Josh! Marguerite!”

  Melissa jumped to her feet as she was freed from her bonds and went rushing to Josh, nearly knocking him on his ass. Relief flooded his body and he held on tight, but she wasn’t finished talking. “Oh my God! I thought I’d lost you! The last thing I remember is your face in pain! You’re hurt! What’s wrong with your arm?”

  To shut her up he put his mouth on hers. Her response was immediate, and before he knew it, Marguerite was clearing her throat. “Can I hug my sister, please?”

  “Oh, Marguerite!” Melissa didn’t let go of Josh entirely but brought Marguerite in for a group hug, making Josh laugh for the first time in hours.

  “You know I like a three-way, but my shoulder isn’t up for it.”

  At Melissa’s gasp, he laughed. Marguerite shook her head, but a smile pricked at her lips too.

  “I like hearing you talk so much, baby,” he whispered before kissing her again. “I just need to get used to it, is all.”

  A tear fell down her cheek. “I was so angry, Josh.”

  “Not scared?”

  Marguerite huffed out a laugh. “Don’t tell me you haven’t been on the receiving end of my little sister’s temper.”

  “I don’t plan on ever making her mad—at least, not at me,” Josh said with conviction.

  “Oh yeah? What do you plan to do then, Josh?” Jason said behind them.

  Josh turned in time to see the amusement in his brother’s green eyes. “Same thing you did, you big oaf. I plan on marrying her.”

  “Yeah, well, you need my permission first,” Dane Bainbridge said in his rough, no-nonsense voice.

  Josh looked into Melissa’s beautiful eyes. They were shining violet today, which meant she was happy. “Maybe this should be a subject for another day.”

  Her chin wobbled as she smiled. “Maybe,” she said, a bit of the shyness that he’d fallen in love with returning in her voice.

  Just then, McKinley and Jarod made their way up to the group. “That was fun,” Jarod muttered.

  McKinley wiped a hand down his face. “She won’t be in jail long. Once her family knows she’s in custody, they’ll do everything they can to hide the scandal and get her released. I’ll do what I can to get her institutionalized, but I’m afraid you might be looking over your shoulder for a while.”

  “You are so negative,” Dane said. “My niece will be fine, I’ll make sure of it.”

  “So will I,” Josh confirmed. He wasn’t ever going to let her go, and he wasn’t ever going to let her be hurt again.

  “Do you feel like heading back to the station and giving a statement, Missy?” Jarod asked. “I want to get this all on the record so we have enough ammo to give to the prosecutors.”

  “I’m ready.”

  There was nothing but confidence in that two-word statement. He’d never seen her so self-assured, so willing to speak. “I’ll go with you,” he said.

  “You better.” Josh heard the command in her tone, which sounded so much like Dane that it had him grinning from ear to ear.

  As they stared each other down, a phone was thrust into Melissa’s hand. “It’s Mom,” Marguerite said.

  Melissa took it and assured her mother that she was fine. She didn’t stop talking until they’d reached the sheriff’s station to give her statement. Josh held her hand the whole way. He couldn’t wait to get her home now that it was safe. He had a proposal to make and he needed to make it right. Melissa deserved the best, and he would damn well give it to her. His thoughts were interrupted by Jarod.

  “I need your side of the story, too, for the record. You witnessed the actual kidnapping.”

  Josh hated leaving her, but he had to make sure that Angela Dunne was put away for good. He left nothing out, and he refrained from decking his older brother when he attempted to blame Josh for not being able to keep Melissa safe.

  “My shoulder was dislocated and several ribs were bruised. I’d been trapped between the seat and the metal post, you prick.” Josh glared at Jarod, who wore his cop face as if he wasn’t pass
ing judgment. The bastard was and they both knew it.

  Jarod turned the recording equipment off when the interview was over; he was stewing over something. Josh knew his brother well and could see that he needed to get something off his chest. Finally Jarod muttered, “I’m going to lose her.”

  Alarm shot through Josh’s body. “What’s wrong with Sassy?”

  Jarod glanced up and gave him a disgusted look. “Nothing, you ass. I’m talking about Marguerite.”

  Anger brought Josh to his feet. “I knew you didn’t really love Lauren, you son of a bitch! I knew you were only using her to take care of Jessica, you bastard!”

  When Josh made a weak attempt to punch his oldest brother in the face with his left, Jarod rolled his eyes. He used a move Josh saw coming but couldn’t prevent; he was shoved face first against the wall, his uninjured arm caught between his back and Jarod.

  “Not this again, you stubborn jackass. I love my wife, for the fiftieth time. I’m losing my secretary again, goddammit!”

  It was Josh who rolled his eyes this time. “Marguerite would never leave her mother, Jarod.”

  His brother released him. “No, she wouldn’t, but I don’t think Darla has a whole lot of time left and Marguerite has asked for time off.”

  Missy hugged her mother with everything she had. “Praise God you’re all right,” her mother whispered in her ear. “Praise God.”

  “I know, Mom.” She withdrew from her mother, who was sitting on the couch next to her. Her color was better today, Missy thought. She waited patiently as Josh hugged her too and then took the recliner beside the couch that had been her dad’s before he passed away.

  “Marguerite says she’s taking time off to drive you crazy,” Missy said.

  Darla harrumphed. “That girl. I told her that I’m fine. She needs her job. She’s good at it too, and I don’t want to be a burden to my girls.”

  “Like we would ever allow that,” Marguerite said as she set down a tray of iced teas. “You don’t have a choice anyway, Mom, so just deal with it.”

  “Nice bedside manner,” Josh said with a laugh.

  Marguerite put her hands on her hips. “I’m a wonderful caregiver, Josh King.”

  Missy laughed. “Yes, you are, Sis, but you don’t need to quit. I think between the both of us, we can help Mom.” She looked to her mother for confirmation. With a sad smile, Darla acquiesced.

  “As long as Marguerite promises not to quit.”

  Marguerite sat on the other side of their mother. “How about if I ask Jarod to rearrange my schedule so I could be home with you a bit more?”

  “I think my brother would be relieved. He was in a total panic at the thought of you leaving,” Josh said.

  “Really?”

  “Oh, Marguerite, as astute as you are about reading other people, you sure missed the boat on how much you’re valued.” Missy was tired of all the gossip and negativity that seemed to weigh down her sister. The few people in Timbisha who slandered others were those whom the rest of the town ignored anyway.

  “We’re digressing,” Marguerite said, glaring at Missy and making her laugh. “Mom, if I change my hours, will that make you happy?”

  Missy laughed at her grumpy attitude, but so did their mother. “Yes, that’s fine,” she said. “Now,” Darla turned to Josh, “when are you marrying my daughter?”

  “Which one?” Josh asked without missing a beat.

  Missy hit him. “Ouch! My shoulder still hurts.”

  Missy just raised her eyebrows.

  Josh sighed. “You know, I sort of wanted to make a big deal out of my proposal. I know it’s not a secret anymore, but can a guy make a plan?”

  “No,” Missy said in unison with her mother and sister. It made her laugh to see him struggle. He was such a ladies’ man, and deep down it made her happy that she threw him off his game.

  When she raised her eyebrow at him, he gave her the wicked smile he was so known for. It was the one that got women doing whatever he wanted, the one that said, “Trust me, I’ll take care of you because I know what you want.” Her heart fluttered and she reached for his hand.

  He took it, pressing the back of her hand to his sexy lips, which of course sent a hot rocket of lust zinging up her arm and straight to her core. “I promise it will be soon.” There was so much meaning in those words that she wasn’t sure if he referred to a marriage proposal or sex.

  She was fine with either.

  Her mother chuckled, but unfortunately that led to a coughing fit that sent Missy scrambling for a glass of tea on the table. Once Darla had finished with the drink, she took Missy’s hand and held on. “I promise I’m not going anywhere until I see the two of you settled.” Missy shared a look with her sister, who furiously wiped a tear from her cheek.

  “Mom, I’m settled,” Marguerite said. “The short hours are only temporary. Missy will be settled as soon as Josh pulls his head out of his butt and proposes.”

  “Why do you keep circling back to me?”

  “Children,” Darla scolded. “You’re all my family and I need to know that everyone has their ducks in a row. That’s all.”

  The conversation ebbed and flowed, constantly circling back to what Josh’s and Marguerite’s plans were, but Missy knew it was just a cover for the big ugly elephant in the room: her mother’s cancer. When Josh finally said it was time for them to leave, Missy didn’t argue. She wanted to go home and sleep for a week, to shore up enough strength to get her through the next painful chapter in her life. Josh would be there to help her, and that made it easier to leave for the evening. “I’ll check on you tomorrow,” she said, kissing her mother goodbye.”

  “I’ll be waiting.”

  Josh said something to Darla that Missy couldn’t hear, and when he stood, her mother was smiling contentedly. “Let’s go,” he said quietly, and Missy followed him out the door and to his pickup, which Jarod had finally released since Missy’s CRV had been totaled. That was another problem. How the hell was she getting to work tomorrow?

  The townhouses were dark when they arrived, and Missy wondered which one they would pick for the night. Of course, Josh pulled into his own driveway and shut off the engine. “Okay?”

  “Definitely okay,” she answered honestly. As long as she was with Josh, she was fine.

  “When can we get Ginger?”

  “We’ll swing by tomorrow and get her.” He opened the door. “My mother wants a family luncheon anyway, to celebrate Angela’s capture.”

  It hadn’t been that long ago when the thought of a social gathering would have made Missy want to puke, but now she realized she wanted nothing more than to visit with his family. “It sounds lovely.”

  He shut the door and locked all the locks, then turned to challenge her. “Really? No excuses not to go?”

  “I wasn’t that bad.”

  “No, you weren’t, but I like this new confidence, baby.” He kissed her again, and this time he didn’t stop until the sunlight came through the blinds the next morning.

  HE SHOULDN’T BE nervous. He knew she was going to say yes, but he still couldn’t get his stomach to settle down.

  Maybe I’m still feeling the effects of the drugs?

  He’d called ahead, and Jason had promised he’d help with the arrangements. He also enlisted Charlie and Marco to help, and that could be why Josh couldn’t settle his nerves. Those two twerps couldn’t be serious for two seconds, and a practical joke was always right around the corner. If Charlie screwed this up, Josh was going to beat the shit out of that kid for sure.

  He wiped the steam from his bathroom mirror and dragged the razor down his cheek again.

  “Josh, there’s no bar soap,” Melissa said from behind the shower curtain.

  “Hold on, babe.” He ducked down and grabbed a pink box from under the sink, and slid the flowery bar into his hands. When he handed it to her, he held it just out of reach. “Kiss first.”

  Her smile was immediate, and she leaned over and pulle
d him back into the shower—shaving cream, towel, and all. “It’s not fair that you’re dressed and I’m not.”

  “You call this dressed?” He looked down at himself. The soaked towel was now in a heap at their feet in the bathtub and most of the shaving cream had rinsed off of his half-shaven face.

  “No, I call this better.”

  God he loved her. He took his time with his second shower but made her get out with him so they could get to the estate without any more “delays.”

  THE DRIVEWAY WAS crowded when they pulled in, and he waited for the telltale signs of distress that always came with Melissa’s anxiety. She only smiled and seemed eager to get out of the truck. As soon as they did, Jessica opened the side door and yelled, “Hunkle Josh! Is Missy gonna be my aunt?” Before he could answer, he caught Lauren waddling out the door to corral her daughter.

  Melissa, God bless her, was laughing. He took her hand and led her into the house, where a scolding Lauren was discussing the rules of politeness to a five-year-old imp.

  “Oh, there they are,” his mom said. Camille put down the platter she’d been carrying to give them both hugs. “Josh, your poor shoulder. How do you feel?”

  “I’m good, Mom. Melissa is the one who got the drugs this time.”

  “I’m fine,” she said before his mom could ask. “Thank you so much for inviting me. Looks like you’ve outdone yourself again.”

  “Well, Julie is back in action, so I can’t take all the credit.”

  “How can I help?” Missy asked, and with that, Josh and Melissa were tasked with carrying bowls and platters out to the back patio. Jason was at the grill again, but this time, Julie was helping with the prep.

  Charlie slugged Josh in the arm before hugging Melissa, and then he was off again. Josh narrowed his eyes at Charlie’s back until he was out of sight.

  “What’s that look for?” she asked.

  “Just wondering when the little shit is going to prank me.”

  The patio was set much like it had been the day Melissa had saved the heifer, only different flowers were blooming now and more birds were chattering about. Every now and then hummingbirds zipped by dogfighting, and Josh assumed there was a nest nearby. Jessica led her mother to the table. Each of them held a bowl—Jessica’s smaller one held lemons for the tea while Lauren balanced a large bowl of salad on her burgeoning belly.