Gunnar took a step back away from Grace. “It’s me you want, Branson. Let her go.”
“Stop right there, boy. Slowly remove the weapon in your pocket,” Branson demanded. Gunnar didn’t argue. He reached for the knife and tossed it into the grass, cursing himself that the other man had caught him off guard. “Now put your hands up in the air so that I can see them.”
“Why are you doing this? Grace has nothing to do with our problem.” Gunnar held up his hands.
Branson smirked. “I think she has plenty to do with this.” He stepped up on the porch, went to Grace and dragged her from the chair. “A good pussy always makes a man weak. You walked right into this trap, boy. Stupid, stupid, stupid.” He gave her a slight push and she almost tripped, landing against Gunnar who held her steady.
Gunnar looked into her eyes. “It’ll be okay.”
Branson’s loud snicker brought Gunnar’s attention back on the killer. “Ain’t this cute. Two lovebirds. I really don’t know how you can stomach him, Grace. A liar, a law breaker, and thinks he’s tougher than he truly is. Look at this, an old hilljack sheriff got one over on the mysterious marine.”
“Cooper, it’s not too late. You can walk away and we won’t tell anyone,” Grace said, her voice quaking. Gunnar hated to see her scared.
“Not until you give me what I came for,” he snarled, holding the gun now aimed at Gunnar’s chest.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Gunnar took a small step forward, blocking Grace. “She doesn’t know anything, Branson. You can let her go. I’m the one you want.”
Branson looked at him, his expression twisting in a grotesque way. “That’s where you’re wrong.” He then looked at Grace. “I really did want you, Grace. I envisioned something far different for us. I saw you changing me into a better man—the man I once was. You’re so sweet and not demanding like most women.”
Gunnar hated hearing the man’s rambling, but as long as he kept talking it gave Gunnar more time to figure out how to get the gun away from the man’s unsteady hand.
“You never did look at me the same way,” he continued, staring at Grace with cold bitterness. “Even after I killed—” Grace’s gasp snapped the air. He gave a clumsy shrug of his shoulder. “That bitch told him her lies. How I forced her into having sex with me. Do you believe that?” He brought the gun up and clumsily scratched his forehead with the barrel. “A woman like Darcy doesn’t need forced. She opens her legs at every chance she gets.”
“I believe you. I know you didn’t force anyone.” Grace took a step toward Branson.
Gunnar understood what she was trying to do, but it only made his muscles tighten. A man like the sheriff couldn’t be reckoned with.
One brow curved above his cold eyes. “Do you really believe that?”
“Yes, I do,” she continued. “Trace cared for you. I’m sure he didn’t believe Darcy.”
His gaze slanted. “Then why did he tell me he believed her? That he had the evidence he needed to prove she was telling the truth.”
“Maybe it was a useless threat?”
“Or maybe he did have the evidence and I just couldn’t find it when I searched his office. Even with him dead I wasn’t safe from all of the lies. I wanted to stay close to you.” He dropped his beady gaze over her body. “Tell me, boy, is that a sweet body or what?”
He landed his gaze hard on Gunnar who’d been standing there, searching for a way to end this without Grace getting hurt. He didn’t say a word.
“Cat got your tongue?” Branson snapped.
“You can still let Grace go. There’s no evidence of what you’ve done.”
Branson chuckled and it made Gunnar’s blood stony. “There won’t be after tonight.” Branson lifted the gun, aiming at Grace’s head.
“Don’t move, Cooper.”
All three of them turned toward the shadows off of the porch. Darcy emerged, a gun clutched in her tight grip, aimed at the sheriff. “What the fuck are you doing, Darcy?”
“I’m making sure you don’t hurt them like you did Trace.” Her mascara was smudged and tears rolled down her cheeks. Her lips quivered. Her hands shook and the gun moved dangerously. “I loved him and you killed him! How could you take him away from everyone in this town who looked to him for guidance? You always were the devil who hid in the saint’s shadow. Thank goodness Grace called me. I knew she was in danger and what you were up to when I went to the station and they said you haven’t been at work today.”
“You stupid bitch! Trace didn’t give a shit about you,” Branson spat. “Trace loved Grace. He once told me she was the best thing that happened to him. You’re a fucking foolish whore.”
“Maybe he didn’t love me, but neither did you. All of those times you put your filthy, clammy hands on my body still keep me up at night with my head hung over the toilet bowl. I don’t like you, Cooper. You’re a disgrace to that uniform you walk around in.” Darcy didn’t move.
He laughed. “My feelings are hurt. Now put the gun down before you hurt yourself.”
She gave her head a quick shake, her chin up. “No. You put yours down.”
“Over my dead body!” He took a step and Darcy’s gun went off. Branson fell to his knees, blooding spreading on the front of his shirt, his eyes staring off into space. He went down hard, his body sprawling in a lifeless heap, the gun still in his hand.
Gunnar shot forward next to Darcy. “Put the gun down. Okay?” he whispered.
She nodded and dropped it at her feet. “I had no choice.”
“I know. We know you didn’t.” Darcy walked into his arms and he hugged her shaking shoulders. He saw Grace, one hand over her mouth as she stared at Branson.
“Step back, Darcy. Go sit on the bench by the walkway,” Gunnar urged her. He went to Grace. “Come off the porch. There’s nothing we can do for him.”
Epilogue
Grace watched as Daxton threw the ball to Jessa, then looked at Gunnar who was sitting next to her on the swing. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too, Mrs. Knox.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“Can you believe we’ve been married for two months?”
“Time flies when you’re having fun. I look forward to every day.” His gaze twinkled.
“Everything is coming full circle. Our family is growing and we share so much love.” Grace’s smile competed with the rays of the sun.
“I’m glad Martha is coming around and willing to bury the hatchet. Dinner was nice and she actually spoke to me. I wonder if the new handyman we hired has anything to do with her better mood?” He laughed.
“That could have something to do with it, but she sees how happy you and I are, and how happy Daxton is. She has a heart underneath the wall she’s built. She deserves happiness too.”
Gunnar swept his fingers through Grace’s hair and kissed her forehead. “How did I get so lucky?”
Her heart expanded. She loved him so deeply. “I’m the lucky one. I’ve been thinking about something all day. I wonder how Daxton will like being a big brother?”
“I think he—wait, what did you say?” Gunnar dropped his hand to his lap.
“Of course we have seven months to find out, but I think he will be great with his brother or sister.” She smiled.
“We’re having a baby?” His eyes glazed over.
“Yes, my love. I found out today.”
“I thought you were going to the doctor for a checkup?”
She nodded. “She said that’s why I’ve been so tired.” Grace’s eyes filled with tears. “I planned to tell you in some creative way…with balloons, or over a romantic dinner, I don’t know…but I found I couldn’t hold it in any longer.”
He slipped to his knees in front of her, taking her hands into his. “I love you, Grace. I vow to love you for as long as my heart beats. Thank you for having me. Thank you for offering me the greatest gift in life.”
She weaved her fingers through hi
s thick hair. He’d let it grow again, but not the beard. “I love you, Gunnar. Always.”
“Can we tell Daxton the news?” He stood.
“Of course. Thank you for this, my love. My family. My heart is overflowing.”
Gunnar smiled and yelled for Daxton to come up on the porch. Grace looked up into the sky. The day was beautiful. “Thank you, Trace,” she whispered. She knew her late husband played a role in bringing Gunnar into her heart. Even in death he still touched all of them. “Rest well.”
From the author:
Thank you for reading. Please leave a review and let others know your thoughts.
Like my author page. http://www.amazon.com/Rhonda-LeeCarver/
Hugs,
Rhonda Lee Carver
“Writing Men Who Love to Get Their Hands Dirty…”
At an early age, Rhonda fell in love with romance novels, knowing one day she’d write her own love story. Life took a short detour, but when the story ideas were no longer contained, she decided to dive in and write. Her first plot was on a dirty napkin she found buried in her car. Eventually, she ran out of napkins. With baby on one hip and laptop on the other, she made a dream into reality—one word at a time.
Her specialty is men who love to get their hands dirty and women who are smart, strong and flawed. She loves writing about the everyday hero.
When Rhonda isn't crafting sizzling manuscripts, you will find her busy editing novels, blogging, juggling kids and animals (too many to name), dreaming of a beach house and keeping romance alive. Oh, and drinking lots of coffee to keep up with her hero and heroine.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Unexpected Hero
For other titles by Rhonda Lee Carver, please visit:
www.rhondaleecarver.com
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Other books by Rhonda Lee Carver
Diamond in a Rose
Double Dare
Delaney’s Sunrise
Second Chance Cowboy (Book 1, Second Chance Series)
Second Ride Cowboy (Book 2, Second Chance Series)
Second Round Cowboy (Book 3, Second Chance Series)
Second Dance Cowboy (Book 4, Second Chance Series)
Second Song Cowboy (Book 5, Second Chance Series)
Second Burn Cowboy (Book 6, Second Chance Series)
Second Hope Cowboy (Book 7, Second Chance Series)
Second Sunrise Cowboy (Book 8, Second Chance Cowboy Series)
Castle’s Fortress
Dreaming Ivy
Friends With Benefits
Sin With Cuffs
With Honor
Wicked Pleasures (Book 1, Wicked Wolves Series)
Wicked Lust (Book 2, Wicked Wolves Series)
Fighting Flames
UNDER PRESSURE (Book 1, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE RISING (Book 2, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
PRESSURE POINT (Book 3, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
SECRET PRESSURE (Book 4, Rhinestone Cowgirls)
Under the Mistletoe
Cowboy Paradise (Cowboys of Nirvana)
Leather for Two, Wings of Steel MC
Have you read Cowboy Paradise (Book 1, Cowboys of Nirvana)? Here’s a gift to you…Chapter One.
Chapter One
Three years later…
The creaking and popping of the old Victorian house brought Cara to a sitting position in bed. She listened closer, but only heard silence. She was alone.
Rubbing the bridge of her nose and wiping the beads of sweat from her brow, she forced her breath in and out of her lungs, calming the fast beating of her heart. The last panic attack had been months ago and she wasn’t about to have another one. Not tonight.
She’d had a nightmare about James—a nightly event that she had no control over. Three years had passed since the accident, the one that had brought her freedom, yet the damage had already been done.
After James had accused her of sleeping with Tommy Baker, and slapped her around, Cara had blacked out. When she awoke a few minutes later, she’d heard the whirling of sirens. Then what happened was a blur. He was arrested and Cara was taken by ambulance to the hospital where she was met by a concerned Cleo. She’d admitted that she’d called the sheriff because she worried about Cara’s safety. Once released from the hospital a few hours later, Cara went to the sheriff’s department where picture after picture was taken, and statement after statement was given.
Cara went home, packed up all of James’s things and took them to his sister’s house. Early the next morning, Cara went out of town and hired a divorce attorney.
Pulling strings, James was let go from jail. Celebrating his release, he’d gotten drunk at his local hangout and called her threatening that if she didn’t stop divorce proceedings, he’d have to take matters into his own hands. She didn’t need the finer details to understand what he was suggesting. But, she’d decided she would rather die than live another day with him.
When the bar closed and he left, he ran his truck into a tree. A passerby found him dead a mile from Cara’s house. She often wondered if he’d gotten what he’d deserved. Maybe karma had played a hand in his demise.
When she’d opened the door and the deputy told her the news of the accident, she knew she was free at last. Never having to live in fear again was priceless. But she’d felt an unexplainable guilt that stuck with her. Although the love she’d had for James had died years before, a part of her questioned if she could have saved and changed him if she’d divorced him much sooner.
Yet, in her heart, she realized he never would have changed.
A second shock had come when she learned James had bought himself and Cara a life insurance policy, merely two months before his death. There was a certain amount of suspicion why he’d taken one out on her too, but she’d been awarded enough money upon his death that she could do all of the things that he’d kept her from doing during their marriage.
First thing she did was sell his law practice, then sunk the money into her shop, Time is of Essence. She loved working with vintage clothing and jewelry, a challenge she needed to help her get through the healing. The business had grown, especially after she’d opened an online store, and she didn’t have to worry about anything except…
Her future.
It seemed bleak.
There weren’t many prospects for her in Coal Springs, Texas, and she’d thought about packing up and moving to a place where no one knew her past. She hadn’t gotten that far yet. The few single men in town, known as bad boys, who’d asked her on a date, she’d turned down flat. Not only were they not her type, but that jerk of a dead husband of hers messed up her mind—and her heart. He’d told her enough times that she was ugly and worthless and she’d finally believed him. He’d hypnotized her with his degrading insults and his physical abuse. Certain parts of her brain were malfunctioned—and vital parts of her body.
She’d spent enough money on a therapist that she could have traveled the world three times over, but nothing had really changed in all of the years. She was still alone. She was still damaged.
And yet, she still had dreams.
Cara wanted a family—wanted a child more than her next breath. She’d always hoped by now she would have found someone else, had a supportive partner, but maybe James had been right, she would never find a man that wanted a washed up woman. Enough people in town knew of her situation with James. They steered clear of her. His sister, Tammy, had spread rumor after rumor, mainly how Cara was at fault for James dying and how she’d caused him to drink heavily and turn abusive. Cara shrugged off the statements.
She had bigger fish to fry.
The problem was, she was broken inside. She didn’t know if it was possible to trust another man, to love again. To feel secure in the arms of another. But she had to try to rebuild. Try to move ahead. She was too young to lie down and give up. She couldn’t let James win—couldn’t let him control her from his grave.
Clicking on th
e bedside lamp, she hit the book on the nightstand and it dropped to the floor. As she reached to grab it, something caught her eye. She stared at the brochure she’d thrown into the trash can a few weeks before after a tense and depressing visit with her therapist, Deidre. She told Cara things had come to a standstill in her therapy. Deidre slipped Cara the brochure, telling her to read it and to consider it as an option for healing. Deidre had said, “It would do you some good to get away.”
Cara had left the office, feeling down, and had almost forgotten about the brochure. She had skimmed through it, reading about the R&R. She didn’t need a vacation. She had the shop to worry about.
After another nightmare, she was on the brink of desperation.
Sighing, she took the pamphlet from the can and placed it in her lap. She read the cover…
“Nirvana Ranch. A place where people find tranquility in nature.”
The picture of horses and the lovely sunset was definitely an attention getter. No denying her curiosity was tweaked, although she wasn’t sure the ranch was what she needed. How could she go away right now? She certainly didn’t think she’d be bold enough to go to some R&R miles away where they promised tranquility. She opened the cover and floated through the information. Seclusion. Horses. Nature. Riding lessons. A life skills coach. “Oh my.” Her throat constricted.
She read further.
“Visit us online and apply for an opportunity to visit Nirvana. We hope to see you soon.” Nope, not going to happen.
Dropping the brochure back into the trash, she turned off the lamp, rolled over and buried her head into the pillow.
The clock ticked. The wind whistled. Tree branches scratched the window. Her heart pounded inside of her chest and her palms were sweaty.
Punching the pillow twice, she jerked the blanket over her head. Once she fell asleep her nightmares would find her.
She wondered what it would be like to sleep peacefully for one night.
Unexpected Hero (Buttermilk Valley Book 1) Page 17