Hold On To Me (Welcome To Redemption)

by Netzel, Stacey Joy

  Fury lit his eyes. “You fucking bitch.”

  She sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes shut a split second before his hand struck her face. Pain exploded across her cheek and slammed into her head. Jenny grit her teeth and used the momentum from his blow to wrench from his grasp and fall to the floor on her knees next to the crumbling fireplace. Tears blurred her vision as she scrambled to locate the fire poker in the leaves.

  Got it!

  The outcry she choked back was one hundred percent real as her fingers closed around the rough metal and she pulled the rod close. Wrapping both hands on one end like it was a baseball bat, she drew up a knee to plant her foot securely on the floor.

  She tilted her head to look up at his evil, satisfied smirk and blinked so her tears spilled over her lashes. She made a low mewling noise deep in her throat. “Roy...p-please...”

  When he leaned down, she braced with her foot and swung the poker as hard as she could. His arm partially deflected the blow, but she still caught him across the forehead. Blood spurted from the gash.

  He cried out, grabbing for his head as he stumbled backwards into the table a split second before the door flew open.

  Charlie burst into the cabin, followed and quickly surpassed by Grant. Roy crashed to the floor, flipping the table and the oil lamp. The thick glass smashed against the wood floor, oil splashing across the planks, chased by fire.

  Jenny’s shocked gasp became a relieved sob as Grant’s arms closed around her. Next thing she knew, he pulled back, reaching up to frame her face with his hands. Only they hovered without touching as his gaze widened with concern.

  “My God, are you okay?”

  She smiled through her tears. “I am now.”

  “Get her out of here,” Charlie shouted. “This place is going to go up fast.”

  Grant whipped around, one arm around her shoulders as he shielded her from the flames that had already begun to lick up the right-side wall. Smoke billowed, swirling from the draft of the open door. One breath had her choking on the acrid air, and they quickly followed as Charlie dragged Roy outside.

  A glance back confirmed the cabin being devoured by the spreading flames, even with the numerous holes in the dilapidated roof. The rain was beginning to slow to a drizzle, but she had a feeling that not even the earlier downpour would’ve stopped the fire.

  Once they were a safe distance away, Jenny turned into Grant’s arms once more. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Her words were muffled against his chest, so she lifted her face to his. “How did you know?”

  He lifted one hand to wipe her wet hair away from her face. “I went looking for you at the bank, but you’d already left. When I couldn’t find you anywhere, I knew something had happened.”

  A noise behind brought them both around. Charlie had shoved her ex-husband to the ground, and now he pulled himself into a sitting position. Blood oozed from the gash on his forehead, and the rain washed it down the side of his face in a gruesome, crimson tide. As Roy glared at them, Grant kept Jenny close with one arm around her shoulders.

  She leaned into his embrace, absorbing his warmth as she thanked God for the gift.

  His lips pressed against her temple. “I’m so proud of you.”

  “For hurting him?” she asked in surprise. Her stomach wasn’t so sure it liked what she’d done.

  “For fighting for yourself.”

  That she was proud of, too. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Assault and battery and kidnapping. He won’t be bothering you again,” Charlie assured her.

  Jenny forced herself to meet his gaze. “Add murder to that list of charges.”

  Grant shifted beside her as Charlie stared. Before she could say more, Roy laughed from his spot on the ground, his gaze fixed on the flames engulfing the cabin.

  “You’ve got no proof anymore,” Roy gloated.

  “I’ve still got the negative,” she informed him. When his narrowed gaze shot to hers, a surge of victory accompanied her smile. “Not so stupid after all, am I?”

  “What are you talking about?” Grant asked.

  Movement and shouting from down the lane drew their attention. Chase and three other officers arrived in the small clearing at a dead run. Chase accessed the situation with the speed of a trained professional before holstering his weapon. He motioned one of the officers toward Roy while shrugging out of his rain gear. Shoving it at Grant, he shifted his attention to the fire.

  “Is it even worth calling the fire department?”

  “No.” Grant draped the raincoat over Jenny’s shoulders. “My parents should’ve bulldozed it a long time ago.”

  Grateful for the protection, she pulled the coat edges closed. “So this is your parents’ place? I wasn’t sure Roy was telling the truth about that.”

  He nodded. “Yeah, though I’m not sure why they kept it all this time.”

  “Anyone got keys so we can move that car?” one of the officers asked.

  “It’s Roy’s,” Jenny said.

  “Excuse me,” Charlie interjected with impatience. “I’d like to get back to the part about the murder?”

  Chase and the other three officers went on alert.

  “What murder?”

  Chase’s tense demand jangled across Jenny’s nerves. Grant’s hand found hers and linked together inside the rain coat as he offered silent support. She took a deep breath and directed her explanation to the person she owed it to. Charlie.

  “Annabel’s. About four years ago, I found a picture taken at a party with Roy and Annabel in the background. It’s very clear Roy’s putting something in her drink.”

  “You waited four years to tell us this?” Chase asked.

  Jenny didn’t take her gaze off Charlie’s stunned expression despite the sting of tears in her eyes. “I’m so sorry I didn’t come forward sooner.” She squeezed Grant’s fingers in a death grip. “I wasn’t strong enough until now.”

  “That photo proves nothing!” Roy shouted. “She asked me for the pills! She wanted to try—”

  Charlie’s furious roar drowned out the crackle of flames, echoing through the woods as he lunged for Roy. It took two officers to hold him back. Once he’d listened to reason and settled down, Chase ordered the third officer to cuff Roy.

  “Get him the hell out of here.”

  As the officer arrested Roy for kidnapping and recited his Miranda rights, Chase turned to the guy who’d extracted the keys from Roy’s pocket. “Coop I need you to stay here until the fire’s out, and then bring Adams’ car to the station. I’ll have the fire chief send a truck to douse any hot spots once it’s burned itself out.”

  “Can do.” Coop headed for the car.

  Jenny shifted next to Grant, but Chase directed his next words to Charlie. “Can I give you a ride back, and we’ll get your statement out of the way?”

  “Sure,” he agreed, not really looking at anyone. “I’m parked at Carrie’s in town.”

  “Perfect.” The sheriff raked a hand through his now dripping hair. “I could use a hot cup of coffee right about now.”

  “Me, too.”

  “Not fair,” Coop hollered as he opened Roy’s car door.

  “Oh, man up over there!” Chase chuckled as he faced Jenny and Grant. “I’ll ask the Chief to fill a thermos for him. I trust you’ll get Jenny home safe?”

  Grant nodded.

  “D-don’t you need a statement or s-something from m-m-me?”

  Her chattering teeth brought forth a gentle smile from the sheriff. “It can wait until you’ve warmed up. Take a couple hours, and then you two can meet me at the station at say, seven-thirty?”

  “You got it,” Grant agreed.

  Hand still firmly ensconced in Grant’s, Jenny followed the others to where the vehicles were parked out of sight. When Charlie headed for the squad car without a single word, Jenny swallowed past the lump in her throat and took a breath in an attempt to try to ease the suffocating tightness in her chest. I
t didn’t help.

  “Charlie?”

  He paused. Tears stung her eyes when he didn’t turn around.

  “I’m sorry,” she choked out. A hand grasped her shoulder from behind and squeezed. Grant. Another breath gave her enough oxygen to continue. “I had decided to give Chase the photo when I filed the restraining order against Roy today, that’s why I went to the bank. I know I shouldn’t have waited so long, but—”

  She broke off as he turned to face her. Her heart thudded hard with each step he took. Once he stood in front of her, he took her hands in his, his gaze downcast.

  “After all this time, it’s still hard. I don’t fully understand why you waited, and yet…” He lifted his head, and his attention lingered on her swelling cheek from where Roy had struck her. When he finally met her eyes, his gaze held concern, tinged with sadness. “And yet, maybe I do. It may have taken longer, but my family will get the closure we’ve wanted for so long. I guess that’s what matters in the end, isn’t it?”

  She swallowed hard. “You’re not mad at me?”

  He shook his head before pulling her into a tight hug. “Being angry with you won’t bring Annabel back. I am glad that you’ll be safe now.”

  The note of forgiveness in his voice made the lump in her throat swell. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  His smile was gentle as he released her. “Go home and get warmed up before you get sick.”

  Grant moved up beside Jenny and extended his hand to Charlie. “Thanks for the help.”

  He cast a glance toward the squad car backing out with Roy in the rear seat. “It was my pleasure.” Then he slapped Grant on the shoulder before stepping back. “And for the record...Jenny’s trust is well placed.”

  “Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”

  Jenny watched him get in the sheriff’s car, her pulse racing like crazy now that it was just her and Grant.

  He opened the passenger door. “Charlie’s right. Let’s get you home to a hot tub.”

  Home. Home was with Grant.

  She faced him, and the moment their eyes met, all nervousness fled. He smiled, his expression full of concern and love.

  Love.

  Stepping close, she ignored the open car door, wound her arms around his neck, and pressed her lips to his. Kissed him for all she was worth. The last couple of hours poured out into that kiss—their lips and tongues conveying shared desperation, relief, and hope. Though they were both soaked to the skin, his heat seeped through their clothes to warm her.

  “I...” His voice broke, and he swallowed hard. He cleared his throat and tried again, his voice a mere whisper through the rain. “Jenny...I don’t know what I’d have done if—”

  “Shh.” She pressed her forehead to his. “Hold on to me, Grant. Don’t let go.”

  “Never,” he promised. “I love you.”

  As the heavens opened up once more, her eyes flooded with renewed tears. Tears of the most complete joy she’d ever experienced. When she caught her breath, she leaned back in his arms and gazed into his eyes through the rain.

  “I love you, too.”

  Epilogue

  Grant stood back, holding Jenny’s new digital camera as she snapped some shots of Mr. and Mrs. Westin Carter with her old camera near the outside arbor behind the church. Tara had loved Jenny’s black and white photos of the girls in the barn, and wanted some vintage shots of her and Wes.

  The handsome couple held a pose, the bride’s coal black hair striking against her white satin dress, but Grant only had eyes for Jenny.

  After everything that had happened, she’d gained a strength that amazed him. It’d carried her through Roy’s preliminary hearing, and helped her confront the blond bank teller who’d revealed Jenny’s confidential information to her ex-husband. She’d generously believed the woman’s claim to have been duped by Roy and declined to press charges. A few days later, Grant found out from Chase the bank had terminated the woman’s employment, and she’d left town.

  As Jenny’s bruises had faded over the past couple weeks, she’d blossomed, becoming more outgoing and beautiful than he’d ever imagined. Her pastel yellow dress featured a suggestion of cleavage and showed off the rest of her figure to perfection before flaring out in a flirty skirt that swirled just above her knees. Nadine had done up her hair in some sexy twist, leaving a few softening wisps around her face.

  Bathed in the colors from the church’s stained glass windows earlier, and now in the bright summer sun, she positively glowed. Problem was, when he did manage to look elsewhere, he’d noticed he wasn’t the only one checking her out. He fought the little green monster urging him to growl at the competition, until he realized other than the occasional intimate smile she shared with him, she was completely focused on her work.

  He’d surprised her with the new camera two weeks ago, and she’d spent every waking moment...well, many waking moments, learning how to use it in preparation of the wedding this last weekend in June. Grant was happy to say, now that they’d moved in together, he’d thoroughly taken care of the other moments.

  A slap on the back sent him forward a step, and he turned to find Uncle Frank grinning at him, arms outstretched. After weather cancelled flights out of New York the day before, he hadn’t expected to see him today.

  “Hey, you made it.”

  Grant set the digital camera down on Jenny’s new equipment bag and stepped into the hug, scanning over Uncle Frank’s shoulder toward the parking lot for his parents. He’d known this moment was coming, and yet his stomach still took a nosedive. Great. He’d thought he’d prepared for seeing them again, but obviously a couple silent pep-talks couldn’t combat nine years of absence. Even if they had talked things out on the phone a few days ago.

  “The airline rescheduled our flights into Milwaukee, and we drove up this morning,” Uncle Frank said as he stepped back.

  Grant took a deep breath and forced himself to ask. “Are Mom and Dad here?”

  “No. They were hoping you’d stop by the house before the reception. You know, keep things a little more private to start with.”

  Disappointment warred with relief. Yeah, he was nervous, but after the phone conversation with his mother and father, he was surprised at the impatience he felt to reconnect in person and have them be a part of his life again. Still, a private meeting for the first time in nine years made perfect sense.

  “You look great, Uncle Frank,” Grant commented, though he wasn’t only talking about his pressed shirt and snappy tie. After his stint in the hospital, it was great to see color back in his cheeks.

  “I better.” He waggled his eyebrows. “I played up the heart attack angle and got Gloria Martin to promise me a dance.”

  Ah, ha—the real reason for the sparkle in his uncle’s eyes. He shook his head with a grin. “You sly dog.”

  “That’s right. And this old dog’s still got a few tricks up his sleeve. At my age, I gotta use every advantage I can.”

  Grant felt a hand on his back as Jenny joined them. “You’re not that old, Frank.”

  “Jenny!” his uncle exclaimed. “Look at you, girl. Mm, mm, beautiful.”

  Uncle Frank planted a kiss on her lips and hugged her, and Grant jokingly pried them apart. “Back off, old man.”

  His uncle’s laugh boomed loud. “Relax, boy. She’s not looking twice at me.”

  Jenny gave Grant a glance through her lashes that had him wondering for the hundredth time how long before he could get her alone. Unfortunately, they were heading out to Shawano Lake for pictures at the Russell’s cabin, and then there was still the whole reception and Grand March. The night stretched endlessly before him.

  “Everything going well with your recovery?” Jenny asked, transferring her gaze back to Uncle Frank.

  “Yes. And it’ll be even better if you make me some more of those cookies you sent to the hospital in New York.”

  “I can do better than that. Pumpkin bars...light cream cheese frosting...completely heart-healthy.”


  Uncle Frank’s eyes lit up. Except they shifted from her to across the parking lot and back. “You had me at pumpkin—but hold that thought, angel. I’m going to go see if Gloria would like a ride to the reception. I overheard Vanessa saying she had a few particulars to check on before the cocktail hour.”

  While helping Jenny, Grant had discovered Nadine Hansen’s sister, Vanessa Martin, was Tara and Wes’s wedding planner. A very organized whirlwind of a woman who left no detail to chance and ran the preparations like a drill sergeant on a mission.

  “May the romance be with you,” Jenny called after Uncle Frank’s back. His hearty laugh reached them as he headed across the church parking lot. Then she turned to Grant. “So…they’re here.”

  Grant nodded, knowing she meant his parents. “They’re at the house.” He watched her face carefully with his next request. “I’m going to see them before the reception. You up for coming with me?”

  No fear. No anxiety. No hesitation before she answered.

  “The house doesn’t hold bad memories like the cabin did, and that’s gone now.” She closed the distance between them and pressed a quick kiss to his mouth. “I wouldn’t dream of not being there when you needed me.”

  “Thank you.” He halted her retreat and claimed her lips for a deeper kiss. “I love you, Jenny.”

  “And I love you.”

  A shout from behind her made Jenny spin in his arms to see what was going on. Vanessa attempted to direct the lively wedding party toward the bus she’d rented to transport them all out to the cabin on the lake, but for some reason, Charlie had Wes in a head lock. After a bit of rough-housing and good-natured shoving, Wes broke free.

  “Man, the lake is calling your name.”

  “Bring it on, hot shot,” Charlie challenged.

  Tara fisted her hands on her hips and glared at the two of them. “Anyone gets wet and you’re dead.”

  Wes and Charlie grinned at each other, then Wes surged forward. Tara shrieked with laughter as he scooped her up over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. As Wes carried her onto the bus, Grant slipped his hands around Jenny’s waist and pulled her back against him. She tilted her head to the side when he nuzzled the silky skin on her neck with his lips.