For Hope

by Jeannette Winters

  He grabbed the suitcase by the handle. “Stay close to me; we want to get to the cabin before it gets dark.” David didn’t wait for a response because there were no options. The chopper had already taken off, and he wasn’t going to call it back.

  As he started up the path, he didn’t need to turn to watch her, all he had to do was listen to her footsteps as they made contact with the little broken branches across the path. It felt really good being back. It was different coming with someone else. Ever since the cabin had been completed, he’d always confirmed there wouldn’t be anyone else there. This was the first time he’d share it with another living soul. Hell, I never even told my brothers about this place.

  David didn’t do a lot of talking, but Jada was usually chatting business with someone in person or on the phone. This time she didn’t seem to have anything to say and didn’t pull out her phone once. Good thing because it won’t work here. He looked over his shoulder and Jada shot him a menacing look. He was amused but wasn’t sure what her problem was. She was struggling to keep up with him, but he wasn’t going to slow his pace. He knew this path in the dark, but if Jada thought it was difficult now, she would really struggle once the sun went down. She’ll just have to get over it. I’m an insensitive ass.

  When they finally saw the cabin, Jada spoke up, “Please tell me this is just a rest area and we’re only stopping briefly until we make it to our final destination.”

  David continued to the front of the cabin then grabbed the key from the top of the left window. Once the door was open, he answered, “Hope for whatever you wish, but this is where we’re staying.” Leaving her outside, he entered and placed her suitcase by the only cot. David knew there was a second one packed away in the rafters, but he had no problem using a sleeping bag on the floor. They weren’t going to be there long enough to have to worry about comfort.

  He took a moment and looked around; everything was the same as he had left it several weeks ago. The only difference was a few less canned goods, which meant one of his brothers-in-arms had paid a visit. As expected, the wood pile had been replenished. Only one thing was missing at the moment—Jada.

  David shook his head. He delivered exactly what she wanted, a place totally secluded. She could have gone to Dubai if she really wanted luxury with her privacy. He hadn’t forced her here. This was her choice. He headed to the door to remind her of that. The sun was setting, and there was no way in hell he was taking her down that mountain tonight. Not unless her life is in danger.

  He was surprised to find her outside, sitting on a tree stump, watching the sun set behind the mountain to the west. It was a spectacular view, one he didn’t want to miss either, and he was glad she appreciated it as well. He didn’t want to approach her and ruin the moment, so he continued to stand in the doorway of the cabin. Where he stood offered the best view, but that moment was for her.

  When the sun had finally set completely, Jada got up from her spot and walked toward the cabin. David used his cell phone to light her way. When she finally made it to him, there was a different look in her eyes, something he hadn’t seen before. It was a distant, peaceful look. One he understood. And the reason why we all come here.

  Softly Jada said to him, “Thank you.”

  David nodded as she passed him to enter the cabin. It was apparent she was exhausted because she headed straight to the cot, lay down, and closed her eyes. He walked to the cupboard and pulled out a wool blanket. By the time he got back to her, she was sound asleep. He stood for a moment looking at her. She looked so vulnerable. All the control she tried to maintain had vanished, and there lay a woman who needed some tender loving care.

  David unfolded the blanket and laid it on her, tucking it in gently. TLC wasn’t his strong point, but he knew what it meant. I’ll give you what I have, but I don’t have much.

  She is so beautiful. He felt as though he could simply watch her all night, but that was a bit creepy. So he took his SAT phone and headed outside. Normally when he was there, he didn’t contact anyone. But this was not his R&R. David was working, and he couldn’t forget why he was with Jada. He needed to find out who the hell was behind the threat. He knew as long as they were at the cabin he didn’t have to worry about whoever was searching for her upping their game. That is if there really is a valid threat.

  Today when David announced to the media that he had something special planned, it only validated his fear of how easy it was to manipulate the truth to appear to be something it wasn’t. I sure as hell hope you’re not playing that game with your life, sweetheart. If you’re just crying wolf, it will be a sad day for you when someone really does come after your sweet ass, and I’m not there to protect it.

  Chapter Four

  ‡

  Jada had the craziest dreams. She wasn’t sure what had prompted them, but all night long she’d dreamed about lumberjacks. And in her dream, David was no longer a bodyguard. She had walked outside and caught him bare-chested with the sun glistening off his sweaty body. His jeans were riding extremely low on his hips as he swung an axe high over his head, letting it crash down on the log by his feet. Each time he swung his impressive biceps, and the muscles of his back tensed, and all she wanted to do was run her hands up and down his gleaming body.

  But that’s not what she woke to. Instead, her nose tickled from an unfamiliar scent. As she tried to roll over in the cot it creaked, and her body reminded her she wasn’t fond of hard surfaces. Was she spoiled? Maybe. Jada had come to appreciate a soft mattress, one that practically snuggled her. This cot was one step above sleeping on the ground. If this cabin had a rug, I think I would’ve preferred the floor.

  She wasn’t about to complain. David had given her exactly what she had requested. It honestly had taught her lesson. I need to be much clearer with my instructions or I might find myself sleeping in an igloo next time. That was something she didn’t want; cold didn’t appeal to her.

  Jada had a photo shoot at the North Pole one time. Some smart-ass client thought it would be amazing to have a calendar of women in itsy-bitsy bikinis posing at below zero temperatures. That was before I knew I could tell people to screw off. She’d come a long way and had fought hard, but she no longer needed to accept every job opportunity. For every three people who offered her a job, she declined two. It was an amazing feeling not to have to worry about where her next meal would come from. It’s been over ten years since I’ve worried about that. But Jada had never forgotten what it had been like. Growing up without had helped develop her true character, something she’d always have. She wasn’t going through life with blinders on, ignorant to how most people lived. Jada knew pain, hunger, and loneliness. Fortunately, she also knew love and sacrifice. She couldn’t picture what type of person she would be without it. Without Dad.

  Jada could see David cooking something by the fireplace. Whatever it was, it smelled delicious. She didn’t normally eat breakfast, but she couldn’t recall having dinner last night. Thankfully David had the pilot land so they could at least have a late lunch before they reached the mountain. If not she probably would be too famished to get out of bed.

  She tossed a wool blanket off and wondered when he had wrapped her up. It was nice to know that no matter how much David pretended to be a hard ass, he sincerely had a soft spot in his heart. When she got off the cot, she realized this morning was much colder than it had been when they arrived yesterday. She grabbed the wool blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders as she went to sit near the fire with David.

  “Good morning,” David said.

  Jada smiled at him and asked, “What are you cooking?”

  “Hash and potatoes.”

  Unfortunately, Jada was more of a bread and pasta type of girl when it came to eating carbohydrates. If she was going to have breakfast, it would’ve been a bagel or a muffin. And occasionally pancakes or waffles. With lots of real butter. She couldn’t recall ever having hash before. Apparently, it was some type of meat. She didn’t eat plain eggs, l
et alone mystery meat. But as her stomach grumbled, she wasn’t going to complain. At least not until she tried what he was cooking.

  “You wouldn’t happen to have any tea, would you?”

  David shook his head. “Black coffee.” He handed her a cup, and when she took a sip, it almost choked her. “Strong black coffee.”

  Jada had figured that much out herself. She laughed to herself. There were some creature comforts she wished she had, but for now—for forty-eight hours—she could make do with this. With any luck, when they returned to the city, David would realize this was a futile endeavor. There was no one out to get her. This death threat was no different than the others. They’re just trying to sell their trashy magazines.

  “I hope you know this is the worst cup of coffee I have ever had.”

  David laughed. “Just wait, this is one of the better ones I’ve made.”

  She hoped he was joking because the coffee was horrible. If David told her it was mud, she’d believe him from the consistency alone. And this is why I drink tea.

  “Hopefully that hash will kill the taste in my mouth.”

  David scooped a large serving onto a plate and handed it to her. “Guess you’re about to find out.”

  Jada looked at the spoon on the plate. She wouldn’t describe it as unclean, just old and tarnished. But this was rustic living, and scanning the cabin, she didn’t see a sink. There was a counter with a basin that she assumed was considered the kitchen.

  She looked around the cabin more and had to admit it had an ambiance she couldn’t quite pinpoint. It had some necessities, yet it lacked some very basic things. She could see some form of water heater and a shower that really was a space with a curtain around it. There were lights but not another electronic device . . . or an outlet anywhere.

  “Where can I charge my cell phone?” Jada asked.

  “You wanted off the grid. Privacy. You don’t need a cell phone out here.”

  She might not need one now, but if she did, Jada wanted to make sure it was charged so she could call for help. “Humor me, please. If one wanted to charge a phone where would you suggest they do it?”

  David didn’t even look at her as he responded. “Back in the city.”

  She rolled her eyes. David sure was enjoying himself. He didn’t need to look at her for Jada to be able to read him. There was no way he was all the way out here without some way of communicating with the rest of the world. He just didn’t want to share how with her. For now, she would do what he asked. Because it suited her needs and not his.

  “So how do you entertain yourself up here?” Jada blushed as soon as the words left her lips. She could imagine a few things one might do alone, and she was hoping he was not about to reveal them to her.

  He must’ve read her dirty little mind because he smiled and responded, “Nothing.”

  That’s sad and boring. “I don’t think we can sit here for two days just looking at each other. At least not without wanting to kill one another.”

  David didn’t say anything, but Jada noticed his jaw tense briefly as though what she said had disturbed him. She could let it go, but they had nothing to do except talk, and she knew he was a reserved, taciturn man. So Jada asked.

  “What is this cabin used for?” David took her empty plate, walked to the basin, and washed their dishes. She knew he didn’t want to talk about it, but that made her more inquisitive. She walked to the cot, removed her wool blanket, and folded it neatly before placing it on the pillow. Then she joined him and asked again, more softly, “Is this where you come when you want to be alone?”

  David turned to her with a sharp look and responded, “If I wanted to talk about myself I would.”

  His eyes were dark, and she knew he wasn’t happy that she had pursued the question. However, Jada wasn’t one who backed down. “Funny, if I needed someone to protect me, I would’ve hired that someone myself. But I guess it only matters what you want and not what anyone else wants.”

  David looked taken aback by her comment, and she expected to hear something extremely rude, possibly offensive, from him. Surprisingly, he actually answered the first question.

  “It’s a place I come to think.”

  It wasn’t much to go on but more than what she had a moment ago. “About what?”

  His tone was filled with frustration, but she didn’t feel as though it was directed at her. “You do understand what solitude, seclusion, and privacy mean, correct?” Jada nodded, and he continued. “Because asking me what I think about while I’m here is invading each one of those.”

  Jada hadn’t thought about it in that light. She was trying to make conversation and get to know him a little better. David made it seem as though he knew everything about her, but she knew nothing about him. Whether or not she wanted it, she was there with him for the next two days. “I know that sometimes thinking is not a good thing. I mean overthinking. If there’s something that’s troubling you, maybe you can try talking to someone about it.”

  “Are you trying to tell me you think I need a shrink?”

  Jada could respond to that in many ways. First, she had no issue with anyone seeking professional help when they were troubled. And second, she would never say such a thing to anyone. That only proved how little he knew about her. The real her. Not the one the rest of the world knew.

  She reached out and touched his forearm. “David, I wasn’t suggesting that you talk to a shrink. But I’m here, and you’re here, so why don’t we use this time for something productive?”

  David continued to glare at her, almost to the point that she wished she’d never broached the topic. When he did speak, it wasn’t about himself. “If you’re looking for food, there’s some nuts and snacks in the cupboard on the other side of the fireplace. Do not wander away from the cabin. It’s extremely easy to get lost.” She watched as he turned and headed toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” Jada asked anxiously. She wanted privacy, but she sure didn’t want to be left alone on this mountain.

  David didn’t turn, but he did reply. “For a walk.”

  This was not how she wanted to spend her time away from the paparazzi and the intrusive press. Being trapped in a one-room cabin with a man who apparently didn’t like her made her wish she hadn’t tried talking to him in the first place. Now everything was a hot mess, even more than it was before. Without a cell phone signal, Jada had no way of reaching her agent or her father to let them know what was going on.

  I better not piss him off too much, because no one’s going to be looking for me on this mountain. Heck, I don’t even know where I am. It showed her once again how little control she had over the situation.

  Although David was upset with her, she couldn’t picture him hurting her. That was the only thing that eased her mind. The man was gorgeous to look at, and the way his muscles rippled while he’d cooked for her had been incredible. But his personality? She’d seen him almost chatty at the show they attended two nights before, but alone with her he barely spoke. It was almost as if he loathed her and was doing this job under duress. I’ve coped with worse places over the years, albeit with electricity. I can cope for a few days here.

  David wasn’t upset with her. He was glad he could use that as an excuse to get out of the cabin and touch base with Gabe. He had told Jada their phones didn’t work on the mountain. If she knew his did, she might be tempted to reach out to people she shouldn’t. There was only one person David was willing to rule out as a suspect, and that was Paul Hope. Everything he’d learned about her father said he was an honorable man. David understood why Rafe took this job. It had nothing to do with whether or not Rafe believed Jada was actually in danger, as much as Rafe needed to find the answer for Paul.

  Somehow that torch had passed to David, and he couldn’t put it out. He burned with desire to find the truth even more than Rafe had. The difference was, his need to know had nothing to do with Paul and everything to do with Jada. Rafe told him to use his gut, and th
at’s what David was doing. His gut told him this was not a story Jada made up for attention. In fact, she didn’t seem to crave attention at all. But it was one she refused to take seriously, and that made it more dangerous. And more yet if she had the use of her phone.

  When she’d asked to be taken somewhere secluded, it was like getting a gift from heaven. He could not have asked for his job to become any easier. Unfortunately, she only wanted to be there for two days. If he could talk her into staying longer, until he knew everything he needed to find out, then no one would have to worry. But David knew Jada was stubborn and wouldn’t back down. She had given him two days because she had another engagement to attend. This one was in Miami, and from what he’d gathered, there wasn’t much that could stop her from showing up. If I decide to hold her here, then I am the one who’s kidnapping her, and I’d be totally fucked up.

  David ran his hand through his hair as he realized he might go that far, if there were no other options. They had walked the line several times on what was legal or not. That would not be walking the line, it would be crossing it, and he might not be able to come back. But if it meant it saved her life, it might be worth it. Babysitting hadn’t been on his resume, but he always completed his assignments with professionalism and a goal of success. Failure wasn’t an option. Failing Paul and Jada Hope wasn’t an option.

  He read through the latest information Gabe emailed him. Dennis Peckham had vanished as well. That was unsettling news. But he had confidence Gabe would locate Peckham before Peckham could locate them. David was going to do whatever he needed to do to keep Jada on this mountain. Even if it means talking.