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“Together, Grace,” Jackson whispered in her ear. She smiled at him and gripped his hand tightly, needing the contact. “Thank you, Jackson. You being here for me means so much to me.”
“You’ll never be alone again, Grace,” he vowed.
Bill and Flo were sitting at a table talking with Ben and Billy. A coffee pot s
at in the middle of the table. Grace went to the counter and grabbed her and Jackson a cup then sat down. Everyone looked tense, so Grace braced herself for more bad news.
“Your parents want to come and be with you,” Flo stated. “But Ben thinks they should wait until James is caught.”
Grace nodded. “I agree. I miss them terribly but James could go after them if he doesn’t find me.”
“Yeah, they’re not happy about it but they’ll wait,” Ben said. “We think we came up with a good plan. “
“The apartment is small with only one entrance so we think that’s our best bet for protecting you, Grace,” Billy explained seriously.
Grace nodded. “I just want this to be over soon but what if he escapes again? I thought after that horrible trial I would never have to be face-to-face with him again.”
Ben shook his head. “He’ll go to a maximum-security prison for sure after this.”
Grace leaned her head on Jackson’s shoulder. “I’m staying with Grace,” he said firmly, expecting Ben and Billy to argue with him. He hugged Grace and kissed her head in a comforting gesture.
Ben shook his head and chuckled. “I already warned Billy what a stubborn ass you are so we expected that. The more people the better. We passed out his picture all over town so his face is well known and people will notice if he walks around. Billy will help protect you and me and Stan will take turns being here, too.”
“What about the ranch? I don’t want you to fall behind on work because of me.” Grace gave him a worried look.
“Louis is a good foremen and he’ll tell the men what needs to be done. And Hannah can stick around the ranch looking after the horses,” Jackson said with determination. “I am not letting you go through this alone, Grace.”
“Yeah, sounds good to me. I was going to tell Hannah not to be wandering around town anyway until we catch this psycho,” Ben said in a firm sheriff’s voice. “She can stay on the ranch for a few days. I’m sure the shelter will be fine without her.”
Jackson laughed, putting his hands up in surrender. “Okay, but you call her and tell her that. Just wait until I am at home so I can see the fireworks.”
Grace rolled her eyes and snorted playfully. “Men.” And they all laughed, breaking up the tension a little.
Chapter 14
Kelly was sitting alone in Randy’s bar drinking a beer. It was early evening so the bar wasn’t very full. She was still fuming that her plan to seduce Jackson didn’t work. She called him crying and pretending to be more drunk than she really was and he took her home. Once they were inside her place she stripped off her clothes and kissed him, he pushed her away and told her he was in a relationship with someone else. Like she didn’t know it was that plain-Jane nobody, Grace. Well, she wasn’t giving up. There had to be a way to get him back. She was better looking than that scaredy-cat on any day. She looked around and saw a stranger sitting alone in the back. She bought a beer and took it to his table. She needed a good distraction to get her mind off her foiled plans.
“Hey there, buddy, new in town?” Kelly asked, giving him her best smile. It was too dark to see his face clearly but he didn’t seem too bad looking.
“Just passing through,” he answered and took the beer Kelly gave him. “Thanks, beautiful.”
“Mind some friendly company?” Kelly said softly with a wink.
Kelly noticed how he looked her over, seeing her short denim skirt and low-cut lacy tank top that hugged her full breasts. “Sure, why not?”
“So what brings you to our little town?” she asked casually, sitting herself down with a happy smile. “This is a boring town if you’re looking for some excitement.”
“Just passing through, looking up an old friend. Maybe you know her. Grace Henderson?” he asked, taking a drink of his beer.
Kelly’s smile disappeared from her face and her eyes blazed with anger. “Unfortunately I do know her and she is not my friend. She stole my boyfriend and got me fired from my job!”
“Really?” the man said with compassion. “I hear a story. Go ahead and tell me all about it. My name is James, by the way.”
Kelly pouted as she told her sad story. “I am Kelly.”
When she was done with her tearful tale, James patted her hand. “Grace is my girlfriend. People were trying to keep us apart but now that I am here she is going home with me, want to help me out?”
“If it means I never have to see her again, then yes. Why don’t we talk at my place? There are a lot of gossipers around here.” Kelly was all smiles, standing up and leading James out the bar and to her car. Finally she would get Jackson back.
