“Yes and no. I’m ready for more in my life than constant training. But then a call comes and that is my life. I’m someone’s last resort and I can’t let them down. Not until I feel there is someone ready to take up the mantle so I can put it down.” Jackson paused and then shook his head. “That sounds conceited.”
Evie reached out her hand and placed it on his arm. She felt the heat of his muscles even through the chill in the predawn air. “No, it didn’t. I respect you even more because of it. I would know I was safe if you were coming to rescue me.”
“Do you need rescuing, Evie?” Jackson asked, his voice dipping down deeply as he reached out and pushed back a piece of hair from her face.
“Jackson, I should tell you something.”
“That you have a boyfriend, right?”
Evie shook her head. “No boyfriend.”
Jackson smiled again and leaned forward. He was going to kiss her and Evie felt the rush of excitement as his hand cupped her cheek and he brought his lips to hers. He was as sure in his kissing as he probably was in leading his team. He didn’t ask questions with his kiss. He led her to greater depths. What started as a simple kiss quickly had her opening her mouth to him and left her clinging to his shirt.
“Wow.” Evie touched her finger to her lips, finding that they still tingled as if electricity were running through them.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow.”
“No. You should have. It was . . . perfect,” Evie said softly.
Jackson slowly stood. “I feel I should end the night—well, morning—while I’m up. Will I see you later today, Evie? Do you want me to walk you home?”
Evie smiled as she looked up at him. “You can walk me to Main Street. I’m living above the bar.”
Jackson held out his hands and she took them in hers. They were large, warm, and callused. When they closed over hers, she felt her heartbeat race. He gave a slight tug and Evie popped up and stumbled forward into his arms.
“Sorry,” Jackson said, embarrassed. Although, Evie wasn’t sorry. She was resting her head against his chest with his arm locked around her waist. It was as if she’d found her own world and she and Jackson were the only two people in it.
“It’s okay,” Evie finally said, taking a step away from him. Jackson dropped the arm around her waist, but not the one holding her hand.
They walked in silence up to the road holding hands.
“There was something you wanted to tell me,” Jackson said as they approached the bar.
“We can talk later. Tonight was just what I needed. Thank you, Jackson.”
Jackson leaned down and placed his lips on her cheek. “Goodnight, Evie. Sweet dreams.”
He waited until she was inside and had the door locked. It was then she smacked her forehead with her hand. She should have offered him a ride home.
The night had been too amazing to ruin it with reality. Later today was soon enough. Jackson Parker would help her even more than he had tonight. Evie sighed, pressing her fingers to her lips as she remembered their kiss. Tonight Jackson had made her believe not only in herself, but also in something more. Something she dared not dream of, yet couldn’t stop wishing for—love.
9
The news alert woke Evie. She fumbled through the fog in her sleepy brain to grab the phone. It took a second for her eyes to focus on the screen. There had been a bombing at an Albuquerque public library after hours. Oh god, it was the library where she’d used the computer. Jonathan knew she’d been there. He was closing in on her. Thank goodness no one was killed this time. It was a message. He was coming after her.
Evie got out of bed and slipped into some jeans and a black sweatshirt. There was a house a mile away that had a ton of old cars in the back. She was going to steal a South Carolina license plate, pack her bag, and talk to Jackson.
However, when she went to knock on Jackson’s door at nine in the morning, he wasn’t there. She took a seat on the cottage porch and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, right before lunch, she left. She’d see him that night.
Jackson was ready to go to Harper’s bar at six in the evening. However, his cousins had other plans. They were going to pick him up for dinner at Ryker’s house and then head to the bar when Jackson really just wanted to see Evie again.
They’d been fishing all morning and then Jackson had enjoyed time to himself on the little beach in front of the cottage. Timmons had brought him a late lunch—fresh baked fish and sweet tea.
Jackson had taken a seat on the beach chair, eaten his meal, and napped to the sound of the gentle lapping of the water. His dreams weren’t as fierce in the light of day. Instead, his dreams were of Gladys and his partners dressed as princesses. He was the light in the dark and he refused to be consumed by the nightmares. Even Evie made an appearance. She was standing there laughing in the desert as he spun Gladys around. A feeling of happiness wove its way through him.
Jackson’s eyes popped open, pulling him from the sound of Evie’s laugh when he heard his name being called. “Down here!” Jackson called, turning to look up at the cottage to see his cousin Trent heading toward him.
“Ready for dinner?” Trent asked as he headed down the slight hill toward the beach. “We should have had a pig roast here. It’s the perfect place for it. Goodness knows Maggie and Gage have had their fair share of parties down here before. I’m sure Suze and Clark wouldn’t mind.”
Jackson stood up and stretched. This trip was exactly what he needed. His sense of humor was returning and the nightmares were fading.
“Speaking of Maggie,” Trent said with a sly grin.
Jackson groaned. “No, do not try to hook me up. Uncle Miles said something similar right before I left.”
“Maggie is the complete package. Smart, an Olympian, beautiful, but able to get down and dirty,” Trent said, picking up the torch and running with it. “And Miles texted me.”
Jackson shook his head as they walked back up to the cottage. “Figures.”
“Speaking of women,” Trent started to say and Jackson rolled his eyes. “Harper said that Evie has been talking about you all day. You’re going to leave a trail of broken hearts when you leave tomorrow. Speaking of which, when are you leaving?”
“I thought I could leave tomorrow night. Have an early dinner at the bar with the family and head out,” Jackson said, happy to be away from the girlfriend talk.
“Won’t that put you in pretty late at night?” Trent asked.
“If I leave here early evening, I can get in by two in the morning. That’s not late for me. That’s usually when I get started on a rescue.”
“We’re glad you could make the trip. It’s nice seeing you again,” Trent told him as they drove the short distance to Ryker’s house. It sat on a waterfront lot near Bell Plantation. While the Bells’ house was very traditional and historic in décor, Ryker’s home was more contemporary. It also had more security than Fort Knox.
There were depths to Ryker that Jackson didn’t yet know. He was pretty sure no one knew them. Ryker was quiet, serious, and ruthless in business but he was also fiercely loyal to his family and friends.
Dinner passed with minimal teasing about Maggie and Evie. Jackson had to force himself to keep from looking at his watch. He was itching to see Evie again. Finally, Trent stood and grabbed a plate before filling it with food.
“We better head to the bar or Harper will think we forgot about her.”
Harper had been fishing with them all that morning, but apparently it was Evie’s night to work the late shift so Harper was on duty until eight. It was 7:45. Jackson finally snuck a look at his watch. That left him with only minutes to talk to Evie before she had to work.
Jackson’s phone vibrated in his pocket and he dug it out. It was from DeAndre Drews. Found Aniyah’s family. When are you coming home?
When do you need me? Jackson typed back.
They’re arriving tomorrow night.
“Is everything okay?” Ellery asked.
“Yes and no. Unfortunately, I need to leave tonight. DeAndre found Aniyah’s family and they’re arriving in Keeneston tomorrow. Aniyah has been finding reasons to put off the wedding because she felt alone. We don’t know how she’ll take this surprise, but everyone in town is all in on getting a wedding ready within a day if Aniyah gives her blessing,” Jackson explained.
“So, you have to leave right now?” Ridge asked.
Jackson shook his head. “Nah. I’ll drive overnight. The roads are less crowded, and I had a long afternoon nap after fishing. I’m good to leave at midnight or so. But I will go pack and tell the Bells. I’ll meet you at the bar in thirty minutes.”
“Sounds good,” Gavin said, smiling at him. “Hate to see you go early, but I know it’s the wedding of the century.”
* * *
Trent dropped him off at the front door of the plantation. He thanked the Bells, gave them his feedback, and hurried back to the cottage to pack.
He was almost done when there was a knock on the screen door a second before it opened. “Hey, Maggie.”
“Mom told me you were leaving early. I hope it wasn’t the cottage.”
Jackson looked up from his bag and shook his head. “No. This place is truly wonderful. It’s been the perfect couple of days for me but I have some friends back in Keeneston that need me.”
“You’re a good friend.”
“I try to be,” Jackson said, not realizing that Maggie had walked into his bedroom to lean against his door.
“Is there anything else I can do for you before you leave?” Maggie asked, her voice drawing out her Southern accent.
Jackson looked up at her. She was a beautiful woman, but Jackson only had platonic feelings for her. “No thanks. You’ve been a gracious host. Thank you and please thank your parents for me too.”
Maggie gave him a half smile and a shrug of one shoulder as if saying she tried. “It’s been wonderful seeing you again. Give my best to your family.”
Maybe Landon or one of his younger cousins needed to visit. Maggie was a wonderful girl, but she wasn’t the girl for him. Instead, all he could think about was Evie. It was a shame he didn’t get the time to get to know her better because whenever they touched it was electric.
* * *
“You have to leave tonight?” Harper asked. Evie overheard and couldn’t stop her head from whipping to the table of full of Harper’s family.
“Sorry, but I’ll stay until you close so we can all hang out. I’ll even get the first round.”
Evie watched as Jackson stood up and headed toward where she stood behind the bar. “I guess you heard I have to leave tonight.”
“I did,” she said, trying to hide the sadness from her voice as she began pouring everyone’s favorite drinks.
“Water for me, please.” Jackson grabbed a napkin and reached over the bar top and pulled out the pen she had tucked behind her ear. Evie watched as he wrote a phone number down on it and handed it to her. “I hope you’ll stay in touch. I’d like to talk more with you. Evie, I really enjoyed last night.”
“Me too,” Evie told him as she set up the drinks ready to be taken to the table even as she felt her heart breaking. It was silly, but last night it had seemed as if they were the only two people in the world. Feelings she’d never experienced before had rushed to the surface and all she wanted was to spend more time with Jackson. Time she didn’t have.
“We were supposed to talk again tonight. When do you get off?”
“We close at midnight tonight.”
“Can we spend some time together then?” Jackson asked.
Evie felt a little kick of excitement. “I’d like that. There’s something private I would like to talk to you about.”
“Okay.” Jackson grinned and Evie felt the smile like a caress over her body. But then she remembered what she needed from him and her smile fell as he turned around to deliver the drinks.
* * *
Evie and Jackson shared glances all night long. He would come to the bar and talk to her when she had a slow moment. Even with danger around her, Jackson could make her feel as if she were the only person in the world. Finally, at ten o’clock, people started heading home.
“I can close, Evie,” Harper said as she came back around the bar. Jackson was standing at the table saying goodbye to the last of his family who was heading home.
“You sure?” Evie asked hopefully. She wanted nothing more than to be able to spend more time with Jackson before he left.
“Yeah, no problem. Can you just grab another bottle of bourbon from the storage room before you leave?” Harper asked as she began to pour two beers.
“You got it.”
Evie tossed down the bar rag she was using to wipe down the counter and headed into the kitchen where there was a storage area down in what had been a root cellar. That cellar always creeped her out. It had an earth floor and the low ceiling was the old wooden floor of the kitchen above them. All she could imagine were spiders in shadows.
She grabbed the bottle of bourbon, made a note on the inventory list Harper kept on a clipboard hanging on a nail, and headed up the very steep stairs that more closely resembled a ladder. In the kitchen she set down the bottle and made sure all the ovens and stoves were off. The kitchen closed at nine and then they turned to serving only cold foods.
Evie had her hand on the door, a bottle in her hand, and a smile on her face when, in that one split second, her whole world turned upside down.
“Does Evie work here?”
Jon. He’d found her.
10
“Yeah, she’s just getting something for me,” Evie heard Harper say a moment before she ducked to the side of the door and clung to the bottle of bourbon for dear life.
“I thought I saw her car out there. I can see it from here. I know her from Seattle.”
“How strange to bump into each other in Shadows Landing,” Harper said curiously.
With frantic eyes, Evie looked around for an escape—the windows. Evie put the bottle of bourbon down on the island and rushed to the window next to the old fireplace where the famous Black Law Emerald had been found.
“Open, dammit,” Evie muttered as she put her whole weight behind a hard shove and was finally rewarded with the window sliding up.
Without a second thought, Evie scrambled through the window and into the bushes outside. Escape was the only thought on her mind. Her apartment was out. The stairs to the room were tucked away inside the bar area. Her car was out because Jonathan was able to see it. She wouldn’t get far on her own.
She’d steal a car. Evie didn’t know why, but so many of these country boys left their trucks unlocked. Someone had to have left the keys in an unlocked vehicle. With her mind made up, Evie kept to the shadows as she made her way to Main Street. She pulled at door handles until she saw the SUV with a Kentucky license plate. Jackson.
She touched the tailgate and found it unlocked. She almost cried in relief as she climbed in and closed the tailgate. She climbed over his duffle bag and laid down crosswise. She pressed herself against the backseat and pulled the duffle bag up to cover her as much as possible.
“Please don’t kill anyone,” Evie whispered as she clutched the bag and waited.
* * *
“I don’t know where she went,” Harper said as she walked back into the bar carrying the previously requested bottle of bourbon. “Her shift was over, but I didn’t see her go upstairs.”
Jackson eyed the man who claimed to be Evie’s friend. He was young, probably early twenties. But it was his eyes that Jackson didn’t like. There was a calculation to them that Jackson had seen many times before and never in someone good.
“How did you end up in Shadows Landing?” Jackson asked casually as he took a sip of his water.
“Making my way to a rally. Evie told me she was coming here and thought it would be a fun s
top on my cross-country trip,” the man said smoothly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name. I’m Jackson,” Jackson held out his hand and the man shook it but never told his name.
“Nice to meet you, man.”
“Maybe Evie went for her nightly walk,” Harper told him with a shrug. “Either way, she’ll be back tomorrow. She works the afternoon shift.”
“Do you have her address? I have to leave tomorrow.”
“I’ll go check upstairs before I take off,” Jackson said, standing up and trying to distract Harper. He was going to get to Evie first. His gut told him something was off.
“I hate to see you leaving so soon. Give the family our love.” Jackson leaned over the bar and hugged Harper. The man stood by watching. “And be safe driving tonight. It’s a long way back home. Do you want to take some coffee with you? I can make a pot.”
“I’m good. Thanks, Harper.”
“You’re not from here?” the man asked.
“Nope. Just visiting family, but I have to head home tonight,” Jackson said with a fake bro smile.
“How do you know Evie?” the man with the long and slightly scraggly beard asked. When Jackson stood next to the stranger, he towered over him. But the arrogant look of the man showed he wasn’t intimidated.
“Met her yesterday at the bar. She’s really loved here. Everyone talks about her.”
“Evie lives upstairs,” Harper told him. “Jackson can let you know if she’s here in just a minute.”
“I’ll go surprise her,” the man said with a calculated smile.
“No, I will. I need to say goodbye.”
* * *
Evie couldn’t go back home. Jon was in the bar. She was trying to think of everything she had that he would find at her place. There was too much there, including the letter she’d written to the FBI. She needed to get into her apartment.
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