Reaching the cruiser, Mitch turned to Grant and ordered, “Get back to the station. We’ll meet there and begin taking Jillian’s statement. Sam’s heading there now with the boys. I’m sending Burt and Ginny to your shop to process that scene as well. I’ve got no doubt the FBI will be crawling all over it soon.”
“My shop?” she squeaked, her mind trying to play catch-up to the words she heard.
“Babe, you’ve got evidence in your shop, including bags of meth in any boxes ready for shipment. It’s got to be processed and cleaned up.”
Chest heaving, she felt the muscular band of his arm holding her against his front, as she struggled for composure. “But she could have—”
“She didn’t.”
“But she could have—”
“Babe, she didn’t. She’s gone, and you and the boys are safe.”
Nodding slowly as his words penetrated, her body slumped against his, all the fight gone from her limbs. Grant scooped her up in his arms as she protested. “I can walk, you know,” she said, but laid her head on his shoulder anyway, knowing, in truth, her legs still felt like jelly.
“Any chance I can get you in my arms, I’ll take it,” he smiled, stalking down the drive. As he set her in the passenger seat of her car and took the keys from her purse, he bent down to place a kiss on her lips.
Sliding behind the wheel, he turned toward her, relief flooding his mind.
Chapter 29
Jillian sat alone on the beach, the moon shining over the bay. Digging a little hole in the sand, she set her travel mug of coffee in it before leaning back on her hands, closing her eyes as the breeze off the water floated over her. The past week had been a whirl. Giving her statement to Mitch, then getting grilled by the FBI agents. Having her shop and galleria searched and closed for several days. Her parents and the girls rushing over to check on her. Dealing with the mayor and town manager, both angry about the negative publicity surrounding her shop. And, finally, a visit to see Oliver in the hospital.
Oliver had smiled when she and Grant entered the hospital room and she had rushed to his side. After assuring her he was fine, Oliver apologized for all the trouble.
“I had no idea what was happening,” he said, his face flush with frustration. “I just wanted to create art. If others could handle the sales, packing, and shipping…well, I thought it was perfect. Never in a million years would I have suspected Aubrey of something so…so…horrible!”
“I know,” Jillian assured.
Oliver’s eyes moved to Grant and he asked, “What can you tell me? It’s not like she was faking being an artist—her work was really good.”
Grant stepped up to the bed next to Jillian and replied, “Not much more than what you’ve been told and that the investigation is still ongoing. I do know the FBI has been after a major drug dealer with a reach from New York, through Baltimore, down to Miami. They can’t seem to get him, but have been picking off his underlings. Aubrey’s been involved with drugs for years…it appears that’s how she paid for her art education. Being an artist allowed her to travel; the chance to ship drugs hidden in the pottery was just a convenient, added bonus. She used her small camper as a rolling meth lab. The Feds have been watching her for months, compiling evidence.”
Oliver visibly started, his eyes blinking rapidly before he growled, “Then why the hell didn’t they get her earlier?”
“Believe me, I’ve been asking the same thing,” Jillian said, her lips tight with anger.
Grant tightened his grip around her shoulders, replying, “I know they wanted bigger fish than her…right now, I think the major players are still out there.”
The trio was silent for a moment, each pondering how their lives had been altered.
“What will you do now?” she asked, knowing his workshop was closed. With a sly smile, she said, “I still have lots of friends for you to meet.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Thanks, but I think I’ll be heading back to New York. I’ve got an offer from an old buddy to work in his shop and gallery.”
Squeezing his hand, Jillian leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I’ll miss you, but I understand.”
As she stepped back, Grant shook Oliver’s hand, his thanks given in the gesture, but the words followed anyway. “You got there before I could. You’ve got my gratitude, man.”
Oliver’s gaze danced between the two as he smiled. “Take care of her, Grant.”
Nodding, Grant returned his smile, before sliding his arm around Jillian’s waist as they left the hospital.
And now, Jillian sat alone on the beach allowing the peaceful evening to soothe her soul after the harrowing week. Grant was on patrol tonight, but he would be coming back to her house when he was off duty. She smiled thinking of how he had spent every night at her house for the past week, falling asleep with his arms locked around her saying she kept all nightmares away. In fact, just this morning, they decided for him to move into her house and give up his smaller rental.
The gentle surf swept up on the beach and she wondered what sea glass was being deposited on the sand. Maybe tomorrow I’ll ask Katelyn and Tori to go sea glass hunting with me. But for now, she was satisfied to allow her thoughts to drift along with the tide.
A soft footstep was heard and stopped right behind her. Dropping her head back even further, she grinned, viewing Grant upside-side down, kneeling. With his hands on her shoulders, he sat in the sand, his long legs caging her body between them. His chest pressed against her back and she felt his crotch nestle against her ass as his muscular arms encircled her from behind, wrapping across her chest.
“Hey,” she whispered, laying her head back on his shoulder.
“Hey, yourself,” his breath washed against her neck.
“I thought you were on patrol?” She felt his chuckle against her back, resonating inside her chest.
“I am. I got a tip that there was someone drinking coffee on the city beach late tonight. Thought I’d better check it out…the mayor doesn’t want any vagrants here at night.”
“No, can’t have that, can we?” she joked. “So, when you find this trespasser, what will you do? Arrest them? Throw them in jail?”
His fingers traced a path up and down her arms, firing her blood, causing it to warm. “I might have to take them into custody. Maybe handcuffs will be needed. Definitely I’ll need to pat them down.”
Giggling at the visual, while simultaneously turned on at the idea of Grant using his handcuffs on her, she twisted her head slightly, placing a soft kiss on his jaw.
The two sat quietly for a few minutes, joining in the peace of the ocean, the endless sky and the moonlight bathing them both.
“What you are thinking, babe?” Grant asked. “I know you come here when you need to think.”
Heaving a tiny huff, she replied, “You sound like my mother.”
“Babe.”
The one word tickled against her ear, sounding both like an order and a plea. Grinning, she said, “I just needed to be out here, where my thoughts can be as free as the wind.” Twisting slightly again, she viewed his profile in the moonlight, suddenly blinking back the moisture gathering in her eyes. “I used to come out here when I was thinking about you and wondering what had happened that made you not want me.”
“Babe,” he sighed, this time the word more of an apology.
“It’s okay though,” she whispered, her hands clutching his forearms. “I love my coffee shop and galleria and I was just thinking that being by myself gave me the push to do things on my own. I needed to find out what I was good at and interested in, and then go for it.”
“And now?”
“Now I have that…and you. It’s the best of both worlds.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get help,” he confessed. “Somehow, when the Army offers counseling help, you’re so into being an indestructible soldier that needing help is the furthest thing from your mind. And when you get home, you think the nightmares will eventually go away.�
� Her fingers gripped tighter as his arms flexed around her. “I’m one lucky man, you gave me one more chance.”
“I’ll always take a chance on you, Grant.” She shivered as his lips landed on hers, stealing away her thoughts as she melted into his embrace.
Moving his lips over hers, memorizing each soft touch, he took the kiss deeper. His tongue slipped inside, teasing hers as the taste of cinnamon from her coffee filled his senses. Pulling back slightly, he nibbled at the corner of her mouth, her warm, panting breaths tickling his lips.
Finally parting, they shared a sigh of contentment. Lifting his hand, he brushed back a few breeze-blown strands of hair from her face, leaving his hand cupping her cheek. Stroking her silken skin with his thumb, his eyes devoured her face. “I love you, Jillian,” he vowed, lightly kissing her lips once more.
Her smile beamed, warming his heart as she replied, “I love you back.”
Leaning against his chest again, silence slid over them as the bay continued to wash up on the shore. She felt one of his arms unwind from her body as he reached behind him. Twisting her head, she knit her brows as he handed her an old notebook. Recognizing it as one from many years ago, she looked up at him in question.
“I asked your mom if she still had any of your old school stuff and she found this for me.”
“But why?” Her eyes dropped from his to the faded blue notebook in his hand.
“I wanted to see if what you said was true,” he replied. His hands shook slightly as he opened up the pages, finding Jillian Evans Wilder written in schoolgirl cursive all over the edges.
“Oh, my God, I had no idea mom kept any of these!” she exclaimed, feeling the heat of blush rushing to her face. Lifting her gaze back to his, she said, “Why on earth did you want this?”
Sucking in a deep, shuddering breath, Grant answered, “Because I wanted to know if you’d like to permanently make this your name.”
Jillian sat unmoving for a few long seconds, her mind unable to catch up to his words as she opened and closed her mouth a few times without saying anything. Just as Grant was about to speak again, she jerked in his arms as she whirled around. Kneeling, facing him, she grabbed his face in her hands, crying, “You want me to take your name? Seriously?”
Chuckling nervously, he replied, “Yeah, babe. That’s what happens when two people get married.” Dropping his smile, he added, “Unless you want to keep Evans, that’s fine, if you—”
“No, no,” she whispered, pressing her lips to his. “I do want you…and your name…always.”
Their lips met, tasting and tangling, sealing their vows of forever. As tears slid over her cheeks, he wiped them with his thumbs, not ending the kiss until they were both breathless. A cool breeze blew from the bay, and she shivered.
His arms tightened again, offering his warmth. “I need to get you home, sweetheart,” he said regretfully, desiring nothing more than to stay on the beach kissing. “You good now?”
Grinning, she nodded. “Yeah, I’m ready.” She waited as he stood and offered her hand for him to pull her up.
Walking, arms around each other, they made their way back to their house as the bay continued to wash against the shore behind them, depositing shards of smooth glass upon the sand.
Chapter 30
One month later
“Our Chapter has been approved and I am holding, in my hands, our charter!” Jillian announced to the large gathering of women and smiled as the thunderous applause erupted. “As your temporary chairman, we will begin our duties. We will need to adopt the temporary Unit Constitution, which you’ve all had a chance to read. Nominations for officers will come next and then we’ll determine the dues per member.”
As Jillian continued the meeting, Katelyn and Tori circled the group, passing out work papers and more information. Nancy and Claire Evans walked around, answering questions as the women filled out their forms for membership.
Jillian stood at the front, scanning the eclectic community, remembering what Grant had said about the American Legion being filled with so many different veterans. Jillian observed old and young, wives, widows, mothers, daughters, sisters…so many touched by the lives of the veterans they loved.
Sucking in a deep breath, she stepped down from the stage and walked among the women, collecting their membership applications.
As she returned to the microphone, she spoke again. “Ladies, we have an opportunity to make such a difference in our community and the lives of veterans and their families throughout the Eastern Shore. I do have a job for all of you at this time: I want to establish our Cavalcade of Memories. This is where we will gather and chronicle our history through photographs, documents, and personal mementos. So as you go about your daily life over the next few weeks, see what you can come up with to honor those we love who have served.”
Claire moved beside her daughter and wrapped her arm around Jillian. “We have lots of work to do, but I, for one, am excited about our new Chapter.” Once more, enthusiastic applause rang out in the hall.
With the closing prayer, the official meeting ended and the women slowly made their way out of the basement hall as excited chatter continued. Finally, Jillian, Katelyn, and Tori locked the door behind them and stood on the sidewalk in the cool night air. Wordless grins passed between them as they flung their arms around each other.
“We’re doing it,” Katelyn whispered. “We’re finally doing it.”
Jillian pulled back from the other two and said, “Let’s go celebrate at Finn’s.”
Katelyn shook her head, saying, “You two go on. I’ve got something I need to do tonight. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.” With no other explanation, she headed to her car, leaving Jillian and Tori staring after her in curiosity.
Arm in arm the two walked the few blocks to Finn’s, knowing Mitch and Grant would be waiting there for them. Sure enough, as soon as they walked into the bar, Mitch and Grant turned in unison from their bar stools and grinned. Tori rushed to Mitch as he was getting down, but Grant was already halfway to Jillian before she made it to him.
His long arms encircled her as he pulled her close, kissing the top of her head. “How was it?” he murmured into her hair.
Leaning her head back so she could see his face, she rushed, “It was wonderful. Just like you said it would be.”
Grant peered into her eyes, an unmistakable twinkle aimed right at him. “You want to stick around here or head for home?” He would gladly stay if she wanted but hoped she was ready to leave.
Giggling, she squeezed his waist and said, “I’m always ready to go home with you. Got anything special planned?”
Grinning, he was about to reply when Aiden called out, “Where’s Katelyn?”
Shifting so she could answer around Grant’s tall body, she answered, “She said she had something to take care of.”
“Hmph, she should have known we would need her here,” Brogan grumbled, as Gareth slapped his beer mug down on the bar, sloshing some liquid over the rim. As Jillian turned from the bar to slide under Grant’s arm, she noticed Gareth tossing a few bills on the bar and nodding his wordless goodbyes to the group, before he headed out.
Her attention swung back to Grant as he tucked her in closely and whispered, “Let’s take a chance no one will miss us and get out of here.”
With a smile, she looked up at him and winked. “I’ll always take a chance with you.”
*
One Year Later
Grant stood at the end of the Sunset View Marina, looking out over the white chairs filled with friends and family facing him. Mitch, Zac, Aiden, Brogan, and Callan stood beside him as he winked toward Junior and Bobby, seated behind his parents. His gaze jumped to the long aisle as he watched Tori, Katelyn, Jade, Belle, and Rose walk toward the front, moving to his right and lining up opposite the men. The music changed and his breath caught in his throat.
Here she comes.
Escorted by her dad, Jillian walked slowly, in time to the music, toward the
front. The weather cooperated, offering only a slight breeze to ruffle her long, ivory dress as she moved. Seeing Grant waiting for her, she was unable to hide her smile, fighting the urge to run to him. Around her neck lay the necklace he had given her as an engagement gift—a delicate silver chain with a glistening piece of green sea glass nestled in the silver filigree.
For a second, Grant got a flash of the little blonde girl he had known since they were both tiny, running on the beach with their friends. With a quick shake of his head, he focused back on the woman walking toward him, ready to give him her hand and her heart.
As Steve handed Jillian over to him, Grant linked his fingers with her, drawing her nearer. Facing each other, the setting sun behind them, they pledged their love. With cheers from their friends, he bent to kiss her upturned face, claiming his wife.
If you enjoyed Just One More Chance, please leave a review!
Click here to discover Maryann Jordan’s other books
Website: www.maryannjordanauthor.com
Other books by Maryann Jordan
(all standalone books)
All of my books are stand-alone, each with their own HEA!! You can read them in any order!
Saints Protection & Investigation
(an elite group, assigned to the cases no one else wants…or can solve)
Serial Love
Healing Love
Revealing Love
Seeing Love
Honor Love
Sacrifice Love
Protecting Love
Remember Love
Alvarez Security Series
(a group of former Special Forces brothers-in-arms now working to provide security in the southern city of Richland)
Gabe
Tony
Vinny
Jobe
Love’s Series
(detectives solving crimes while protecting the women they love)
Love’s Taming
Love’s Tempting
Love’s Trusting
The Fairfield Series
Just One More Chance: Baytown Boys Series Page 25