When he was with her, he felt he was where he belonged.

He eased the covers down so he could see her in the dim light of the moon. Her pouty lips and long lashes made her seem so innocent, but he knew a tigress lurked beneath the seemingly docile exterior. She was everything God meant for a woman to be, strong and determined but sweet and thoughtful. Just the kind of woman he needed in a wife.

Wife, what am I thinking of?

They’d only known each other a week and he’d already learned the hard way that he was a bad husband. But somehow, when he looked in her eyes, trying again didn’t seem so impossible.

“I love you,” he whispered.

He wasn’t ready to buy a ring just yet, but he also wasn’t willing to let her just walk away. Once Elliott found out who she was running from, they would be closer to resolving the demons of the past and building the perfect future he wanted to create for her. As he looked at her sweet face, gentle with sleep, he made a promise. 

I will keep you safe.

Even if it took everything he had.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

JACKSON SLOWED AS he neared the office and turned into The Rush, a popular café on the corner. The small restaurant had been around for as long as he could remember. Mac was probably in the office waiting for him but he would just have to wait. His assistant knew he had an addiction to The Rush’s sweet potato fries because he came just about every Saturday for an order of them and a sandwich. Rubbing his stomach, he resolved to hit the gym an extra day this week.

Entering, he grabbed a spot at the counter and waved to the petite, copper-skinned woman behind the counter. She slung the towel that she was using to wipe off the register over her shoulder and came over to kiss his cheek.

“Hey sweet stuff, I been expecting you. I got your fries on order already and your sandwich should be ready in a few.” She moved quickly behind the counter ringing up orders and shouting back new ones with easy efficiency.

“Thanks, Doris, I can always count on you.” She threw him a lazy grin as she counted out change for a portly man with graying hair. Once done with the customer, she came around the counter and hefted herself up onto the stool next to him.

“Are you gonna stay here by yourself or go eat with your friend?” She blew out her breath and swiped a few stray hairs behind her ear. She nodded her head toward the back of the restaurant.

“One of my friends is here?” He craned his neck to see over the head of the woman sitting at the bar next to him. There was a young couple in one of the booths on the back wall. An older man read the newspaper at a center table. A teenaged girl sat in the corner booth texting.

“I don’t see anyone.” He turned back to Doris and shrugged.

“That’s odd. He was just here a few minutes ago. Same guy came in yesterday looking for you, too. Said he was in town on business and asked if I knew where you lived. I told him I can’t remember the name of these fancy communities. Haven’s Port. Haven’s Peak.”

Jackson smiled. “Havensbrooke.”

She waved her hands. “Whatever. Oh, there he is!”

He turned and looked out the store’s plate glass front window. A dark haired man stood outside on the curb just about to get into an older model Cadillac. The hair on the back of Jackson’s neck stood up.

He’d never seen the guy before.

“He specifically asked for me?” Jackson asked.

Doris thought about it before saying, “Yeah, he definitely said Jackson Alexander. Why? Is everything okay?” She glanced over his shoulder worriedly.

He pulled out some cash from his wallet and put it on the counter. “Can you wrap up my lunch for me? I’ll be right back,” he said as he rose from his barstool.

He pushed open the front door, the tinkle of the door chime loud in his ears. The man was in his car backing up.

“Hey! Wait,” he called out.

The man lifted his head and their eyes met. He couldn’t see clearly between the car’s slightly tinted windows and the blinding noon sun but he was sure the guy saw him. Only he didn’t stop. He gunned the engine and whipped the wheel, his tires spinning in the gravel lining the parking lot.

“What the hell!” Jackson jumped back as a cloud of dust spun from the wheels and enveloped him. He watched the car drive away until it turned right at the closest streetlight.

It never slowed down.

He pulled his cell phone from his pocket and hit one of the speed dials. “Elliott? I need your help.”

“Whatever you need.”

He looked back at the diner where Doris stood in the doorway watching. “A security detail for Ridley and the kids. I’m not sure why, call it paranoia, but I want to make sure they’re protected.”

*   *   *   *   *

JACKSON LED RIDLEY through the entryway and into the family room at his parent’s ranch-style home. After a lazy Saturday with the boys in the park, he’d finally convinced her to come to Sunday dinner. He hadn’t told her about the guy he’d seen the prior day. It was probably nothing and he definitely didn’t want to worry her but there was no way he was leaving her alone.

“Come on, I’ll give you the grand tour.” 

He knew she was uncomfortable with the idea of being around his family again. He was, too. A little. If his parents saw him with Ridley again, and heard from the boys that they’d been spending so much time together, they would assume they were serious.

He loved Ridley. There was no point hiding from it anymore just because it seemed so sudden. There was no way he’d let her go back to Florida without a fight. But in his parent’s opinion, there was only one point to a serious relationship. Marriage. Which he wasn’t even ready to think about yet.