by Christi Snow
“Were you planning to break up with me?” For some reason, the idea of that hurt just as much now as it would have then.
“No!” She shook her head. “But you needed to know the opportunity I was facing, so we could make some decisions. But then, it didn’t matter. In fact, it doesn’t matter now. That was all a long time ago.”
That was true. They’d been young, and maybe both of them had taken what they’d had for granted back then. “So after I screwed up, you were free and clear to chase your dream?”
“In a way, yes, but I was a mess back then, so Whitney was doing all the heavy lifting. We were in the process of doing the paperwork and working out the financials with Dr. Hernandez when Whitney died. It was devastating, not only for Whitney’s family and me but also for Dr. Hernandez, who was already transitioning to retirement. Suddenly, everything was up in the air again.”
“But somehow, you worked it out, since you’re the owner now.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Yes. Thanks to Whitney’s family. They knew that owning the clinic had been Whit’s and my dream, so they gave me this incredible gift. They used her life insurance money and bought the clinic outright with only a request that I put a plaque in Whitney’s memory in the entryway.”
“I’ve seen it,” he said, so sad for her loss. “It’s beautiful.”
She shook her head. “Nowhere near as beautiful as she was. Even owning the clinic outright doesn’t make up for the hole she left in my life.”
“Of course, it doesn’t.”
“No one in Whit’s family knows it, but ever since I took over, one half of the profits have gone into a trust in Whitney’s name. If Billy has kids, they’ll eventually inherit it. If that doesn’t happen, then it will become a memorial scholarship for veterinary students.”
“Wow, that’s amazing, Felicia.” He pulled her into his lap, needing to give her more comfort. “She would be so proud to see how you’ve managed this all on your own. Is Dr. Hernandez still around?”
She gave him a soft, watery smile. “He lives in Mexico now, but comes to visit at least once a year. He seems really happy.”
“You gave him that...peace of mind so he could leave his baby in good hands. You’ve accomplished so much. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks.” She touched his chest. “What about you? Tell me about the last eighteen years in your career?”
Where to even start with that? He shrugged. “Overall, the Air Force has been good for me. As you know, flying F-16s has always been my passion, and I got to do it longer than most...” He considered what all he could have lost last year. If he had died in the crash, he would have lost his second chance with her and the twins.
“Do you want to tell me about the crash?” she asked, her voice quiet and intimate. She had always seemed to know what he was thinking as if she could read his mind.
He hated reliving that day. It was bad enough that he still nightmares about it, although he hadn’t had any since she started sleeping with him. That probably wasn’t a coincidence. She soothed him. “It was terrifying. I knew that I was going to crash about ten minutes before it happened. My jet had a complete mechanical failure. I was stationed in Japan at the time, and it was all I could do to keep it from crashing into a populated area.” He shuddered at just how much could have gone wrong that day. “I managed to get my jet out over the ocean and then ejected at the last moment. It was the single most terrifying moment of my life.”
“But you were okay?”
“For the most part, yeah. I suffered a mild concussion, a fucked up spine, and a dislocated shoulder, but it could have been so much worse. I was lucky. It was only afterward when everything that I could have lost hit me. I realized that I’d spent the last twenty years of my life, chasing after a dream of flying something that had almost killed me. If I’d died, my kids never wouldn’t have even known me. It was definitely a wake up call. I was in the process of trying to figure out my next career move that would bring me closer to them when their mother suddenly died.”
He swallowed against the lump in his throat. “If I’d made a single other choice that day in my jet, my kids could have lost both of us within months of each other. They would have been orphaned. People ask me if I miss flying, and I can honestly say I don’t. For so long, I lived for the thrill, the adrenaline, but my kids deserve better than a sudden death from me if I can possibly prevent it from happening. So no, I’m not even sad that I’m not flying anymore.”
She cupped his nape and kissed him. “I’m happy you’re not, either. I like you safe on land, thank you very much. So much better than the alternative.”
“Agreed,” he said. “How about I show you just how much better it is.”
Then he took her back inside and spent the rest of the night doing just that.
Chapter Twenty-three
Gage was completely loose and relaxed by the time they left the cabin in Snowcroft late the next afternoon. They were on their way back to Terravista after the end of their romantic, bone-melting, twenty-four hours together when the Bluetooth in Gage’s Jeep rang. He glanced at the screen and flashed Felicia a “shh” sign so she knew not to make her presence known.
A call from the base was more than likely something she wasn’t supposed to hear. He hit a button on his steering wheel and answered, “Colonel Winston.”
“Colonel, this is Captain Shane Harmon from OSI. I’ve been the lead investigator on the AMXS case. We’ve had a development.”
“Go on,” Gage said.
“We’ve identified a suspect, A1C Dalton Kennedy.”
That name sounded familiar. “Wait. Isn’t that Major Hardesty’s admin troop?”
“Yes, sir, we have every reason to believe that he’s the major player behind the events in question, but we have a problem. Before we were able to arrest Kennedy, he ran. We can’t locate him. We also can’t reach Major Hardesty. It’s possible that he might be in danger. Although from what we can gather on his schedule, the major is generally out of communication for a few hours on Sunday afternoons.”
Felicia began to wave her hands in the air, trying to get his attention without making the OSI agent aware that Gage had a civilian in his car listening to what should be a confidential exchange.
“Just a moment, Captain. Can you hold?” Gage held down the mute button on his steering wheel and turned to Felicia.
“He goes out riding at Billy’s every Sunday. He’s out of cell phone range, and that’s why he marks it on his calendar, so that the squadron knows in case there’s an emergency.”
“Kennedy would have had access to that calendar, so he would have known that, too.”
Gage took his finger off the mute button. “Captain, I think I may know where the major is, but the odds are good that Kennedy does, too. In your opinion, how likely is he to have gone after the major instead of simply running?”
The captain cleared his throat and said in a low, worried voice. “Very likely. You won’t believe what we’re looking at here, Colonel. This guy is obsessed with the major, and I have a feeling it’s one of those ‘if I can’t have him, no one can’ situations.”
“Damn. Okay, Captain. I need you to listen to this very carefully. The major is out on the Shooting Starr Ranch. I’m just now coming off the mountain coming from Snowcroft, so I’m about thirty minutes closer to the ranch than you are. But I need you to get your people out there. I’m going to put Dr. Felicia Parks on the phone so she can give you directions on how to get there.”
“Colonel, I think you should let the authorities handle this. It could be a very volatile situation.”
That was exactly why Gage had a cold sweat dripping down his spine as he pushed the gas down even harder on his Jeep, pushing it to the limits of how fast it could go. “Well, see, that’s not even an option. My seventeen-year-old son is working out at that ranch today, and I refuse to let him get caught up in this.”
He nodded to Felicia, who had wide terrified eyes. “Here’s D
r. Parks with your directions.”
Listening with half an ear to Felicia as she spoke, Gage calculated if there was any way he could get there faster without blowing up his engine. He needed to get the captain off the phone, so he could try to call Austin and Billy to warn them. He prayed that they were within cell phone range and not somewhere out on the ranch in a dead zone with Steven.
Felicia finished with the directions.
Gage cleared his throat. “Captain, I’m hanging up now to see if I can get in contact with anyone at the ranch. I’ll see your people there.”
“Be careful, Colonel. Stay out of Kennedy’s way if you can. We think he’s armed.” And dangerous went unspoken, but they could all hear those words.
Gage disconnected the line. “Felicia, call Billy.”
He hit another button on his steering wheel. “Call Austin.”
The phone didn’t even ring. The sound of the audio system immediately filled with Austin’s messaging service. “Austin, this is your dad. This may be a false alarm, but there’s someone who is dangerous trying to get to Steven, and he may show up at the ranch. Do not engage. Get someplace safe inside Billy’s house.” He had to swallow against the panic trying to choke him. “I love you, Austin.”
Then he hung up the phone and turned to Felicia, who appeared to be leaving a similar message for Billy. “You couldn’t reach him?”
She shook her head. “They’re probably just out in the barn. I’m sure they’re fine.”
God, he prayed they were. It took them less than ten minutes to get to the road leading into the ranch, but it felt more like ten hours. They’d both tried to call Austin and Billy several times more, but no one answered either phone number.
When they turned into the ranch, Billy was out in the paddock, forking some hay into a hay rack and nothing looked out of sorts.
Felicia let loose with an audible sigh of relief. “See, it’s all okay.” She waved to a car parked behind the barn next to Austin’s truck. “That’s Steven’s car, so he’s here, too...probably out riding like normal.”
Billy looked up in confusion when he heard their vehicle on the gravel road. He shaded his eyes against the late afternoon sun to watch them. It wasn’t until Felicia climbed out of the passenger side door that his face broke out into a welcoming smile.
“Well hey, stranger.” Billy crossed the paddock and joined them at the rail, still focused on Felicia. “I haven’t seen you out here for a couple of weeks. Why didn’t you text and tell me you were coming? I would have had some horses saddled and ready to go for the two of you.” He turned to Gage and offered his hand to shake. “Good to see you again, Colonel.”
Gage took the lead. “Unfortunately, this isn’t a social visit. Do you happen to know where Steven is right now?”
As he asked the question, hoof beats sounded in the distance. They all turned to watch Steven ride in on a huge, chestnut horse. He grinned first at Billy, then he noticed Felicia standing with Gage. That smile slipped, replaced by a quick flash of pain.
Gage hated that their being together hurt this man. “Billy, is Austin in the barn?”
Billy turned back toward them with a questioning glance. “Yeah, he’s mucking out the stalls.”
Gage leaned down to Felicia. “I need to go see Austin real quick.” After the terrifying drive here, he needed to set eyes on his son to be reassured that he was okay. “Don’t let Steven leave. We need to warn him about what’s going on.” Gage pulled his phone out of his pocket. “I also need to call the base and let them know everything is calm out here.”
He made the quick call on the walk over to the barn, calling off the law enforcement headed this way. Upon entering the shadowy barn, he immediately realized something was wrong.
“Listen, I don’t know what you think is happening—” That was Austin’s voice and he sounded panicky.
“Shut up! Let me think!”
Gage didn’t recognize the other voice, but he sounded more than a little angry, and right now, that anger was directed directly at Austin. It had to be Dalton Kennedy. Gage ducked behind a half wall and searched the area for some sort of weapon.
Fuck. He didn’t see anything, but he couldn’t just sit by while this psycho had his son. He activated his phone, thankful he still had it silenced from his weekend, and sent a quick text to Felicia. He had no idea if she had her phone on her or not. It might still be sitting in the seat of the Jeep.
“Now, we’re going to take it nice and slow. Don’t make any sudden moves, or you’ll end up dead. I don’t want to do that, so don’t make me, okay?” Kennedy’s voice shook, and the idea that he held a gun on Austin while that nervous terrified Gage down to his very core.
“Okay,” Austin said. He sounded much calmer than Kennedy did. Their footsteps rustled across the floor of the barn, and Gage prayed that Kennedy wouldn’t see him in the shadows as they passed by.
He followed them out of the barn and was happy to see that it looked like Felicia had gotten his text. No one else was in sight except Kennedy and Austin.
“Where did he go? I know I heard the major out here. Didn’t you hear him, too?” Kennedy yanked Austin in his anger as he turned in a circle.
Gage ducked behind a gate and hoped Kennedy didn’t spot him or his shadow in the late afternoon sun.
Kennedy turned away with a growl. “His car is still here. He has to be here somewhere. Maybe he went up to the house. Dammit! Fuck! Shit!”
Kennedy was quickly unraveling. Gage couldn’t let this go on.
Behind that gate leaned a shovel. He grasped hold of the handle and tried to figure out how he could use it to get to Kennedy and not risk hurting Austin.
“Major Hardesty! Come out,” Kennedy called.
Gage didn’t take another moment to consider his actions. “Austin, there you are. I was looking for you.” He carried the shovel and stumbled to a halt, acting surprised to see Airman Kennedy. “Oh, hi. I didn’t know Austin had a friend out here helping him today. I’m Colonel Winston.” He strode toward Kennedy with his hand outstretched like anyone would when meeting a new person, acting like he didn’t see the gun hanging loosely in Kennedy’s hand, forgotten during his rant. He also hoped that the power of his name might throw the airman off enough to get Austin away from him.
Gage briefly met Austin’s terrified eyes, trying to send him reassurance, but he had to focus on the unstable Kennedy.
Gage still had the shovel in his left hand. He wasn’t completely helpless. He just had to bat the gun away. Simple, right?
He acted like he stumbled and fell against Kennedy. “Austin, run!”
The gun went off.
Chapter Twenty-four
Gage’s body jerked from the impact of the bullet.
“Gage!” Felicia screamed as she ducked out from around the Jeep where Steven and she had been hiding while Billy ran to the house and called the police.
Every time she’d held herself apart from him these last few weeks slammed through Felicia’s mind in a kaleidoscope of regrets. She’d been so stupid.
Steven tried to grab her, but his fingers just slipped over the fabric of her sleeve as she twisted away from him.
“Felicia, don’t,” Steven yelled after her. “He’s unstable.”
As Gage’s body folded to the ground, she screamed again, running as fast as she could to get to him. Nothing else mattered but getting to Gage.
No, no, no, no.
Blood pooled beneath Gage. She could see it as she ran. Her legs couldn’t move fast enough.
She dropped to Gage’s right side; Austin dropped to his left. There was so much blood.
“I...I didn’t...mean to,” the young airman said over her shoulder, but she didn’t even care that he still waved a gun around. He’d have to shoot her in the back if he wanted her to get her away from Gage. She firmly planted herself between the guy and Gage.
“Gage,” she whispered as she searched for his wound.
“Doc...” Gage gas
ped.
She sobbed in relief.
“I’m okay.”
“Yeah. Who has the medical degree here?” Blood spurted out of a small wound high on his thigh. She ripped off her top and began to apply pressure. “Austin, I need your belt.” There was a lot of blood. The bullet might have hit an artery, and she had to work really fast. They needed to get Gage to the ER sooner rather than later.
Austin scrambled to follow her instructions.
“I thought that fancy medical degree”—Gage winced as Felicia wound the belt high on his thigh and he began to pant through the pain—“was for animals.”
“Same basics, I promise.”
“Is he going to be okay?” the airman called out.
Austin shot him a look of pure hatred. “No! You fucker. You shot my dad.”
Austin tried to scramble to his feet, but Gage grabbed Austin’s arm with a tight enough grip to hold him down. “Don’t do anything stupid,” Gage hissed at Austin.
Felicia wanted to punch Gage. “So this is a do as I say, not as I do event then.” She growled at him.
He swung his gaze to hers as if suddenly realizing that she might be a little angry with him. But she had just watched him put himself in front of an armed, unstable gunman and then saw him get shot. She was allowed to be a little peeved.
Suddenly, the distant sound of sirens filled the air.
“You called the cops?” The airman’s voice rose in panic.
“Dalton,” Steven said in his most soothing voice. He’d come out from behind the Jeep and was trying to distract Dalton’s attention from them by putting himself in front of the unhinged man. “Come on. This isn’t you. Why don’t you hand me the gun so that things don’t get messy when they arrive?”
“No, no, no.”