Page 11 of Nick
“You’re right.” Tessa’s gaze met Gracie’s. “Back to the reason we’re here. What can we do to help? I mean,” she paused and motioned to each of the ladies seated at her tiny kitchen table, “you’ve got all of us, plus the other ladies who couldn’t get over here right now, and all our fellas. Between the county sheriff, an FBI agent, the district attorney, a security expert, a private investigator, not to mention Douglas’ former military buddies, we’ve got enough expertise and manpower to keep this Jeremy Brewster out of your life, if that’s what you want.”
At Tessa’s words, Gracie burst into tears. It had been so long since she’d felt worthy, and cared about by people other than her parents. She’d had to leave everyone and everything behind when she’d fled San Antonio to get away from Jeremy and his family. Yet somehow she’d found a new family here in Shiloh Springs who supported her and cared about her. The warm feeling deep inside was almost more than she could bear.
“No, no, no tears allowed. Right now, it’s time to make plans on what we’re going to do to help keep this Jeremy Brewster as far from Shiloh Springs as we legally can.” Jill reached over and squeezed Gracie’s hand. “Lucas has already started digging, checking with some of his contacts in San Antonio. You know my man leaves no stone unturned when he’s onto a story. He’ll dig up all the dirt on how Jeremy Brewster managed to get up for parole early, and see who and what is maneuvering behind the scenes to get him out. Rafe lit a fire under him, told him it was for you, Gracie, and he immediately started making calls.”
Lucas Boudreau was an investigative reporter, engaged to Jill, and he’d won numerous prestigious awards for his articles. He had recently written an in-depth series of articles on human trafficking and illegal gambling which had resulted in numerous arrests. Gracie brushed away the tears off her cheeks and managed a watery smile. If there was anybody who could uncover the truth about how Jeremy was getting preferential treatment at Huntsville, it would be Lucas. He was like a wolf on the hunt when he caught a scent, and never gave up looking and digging until he got what he was searching for. And he didn’t mind getting his hands dirty when it was called for to solve a problem. He’d helped Jill’s brother, Dante, when he’d gotten in too deep with a gambling syndicate, going undercover and putting his own life at risk to shut it down.
“If anybody can find out what Jeremy’s up to, it’s Lucas.” Tessa wrapped her arm around Gracie’s shoulders and squeezed tight.
“Can’t breathe,” Gracie teased lightly, and Tessa loosened her stranglehold, but didn’t remove her arm from around Gracie’s shoulder.
“You just need to remember one thing, Gracie Medeiros,” Tessa leaned her head against Gracie’s, “you’re not alone. You’re a part of Shiloh Springs now, and a part of our sisterhood.” She gestured toward the other ladies seated at the table. “Whether you were born here or moved here later, Shiloh Springs has claimed you as one of our own, like it did for us. And we all stick together.”
Gracie drew in a deep breath, letting the words settle onto her like a mantle, absorbing them like they were water for a parched person. She’d felt so alone for a long time. Longer than she cared to admit. Though she’d had parents who loved her, she hadn’t really fit in with anybody in school. She wasn’t one of the popular girls running with the jocks. She hadn’t been one of the geeks who ran with the brainy crowd either. Which was probably why, when Jeremy targeted her, she’d been ready and willing to believe somebody wanted her. Needed her…loved her.
“Thank you. This,” she swept her hand to indicate all of them, “means more than I can tell you. I have my shop and my regular customers, but having y’all as my friends…” Her words trailed off at the lump in her throat.
“Aw, we love you too.” Camille and Jill walked over and they all squeezed her in a group hug. It took everything she had to keep from weeping again.
“Well, the donuts are gone and we need to be going too. I’ve got a looming deadline and this book isn’t going to write itself.”
“We can’t have that. I need my next book boyfriend fix.” Gracie smiled as the ladies gathered their things.
“Promise if anybody does anything that bothers you or tries to contact you, makes you think Brewster is coming after you, you’ll contact Rafe or one of the other brothers.” Tessa stood with her hands on her hips. “Promise.”
“I promise.” She really hoped it was a promise she’d never have to keep.
After a quick round of goodbyes at the door, she locked it after they left and plopped down on the sofa, feet curled beneath her. Their impromptu visit had temporarily taken her mind off all the things that happened in San Antonio and caused her to leave her home. She’d tried living in Houston first, but the huge sprawling city had never felt like the right fit. Too many people, too congested. While San Antonio wasn’t huge like Houston or Dallas, it still retained a small-town feel.
Finding Shiloh Springs had felt right from the moment she’d driven down Main Street. Based on her past experience, she’d planned on staying around for a few weeks, maybe a month or two at most, and then moving on. Yet the longer she stayed, the more Shiloh Springs felt like home…especially once she’d met the Boudreaus.
Unfortunately, now that there was the possibility Jeremy had found her, she’d have to leave again. Her shop, her friends, her home. All would have to be sacrificed because Jeremy would tear it all down and burn it to the ground to get to her.
Never again. She’d never let him hurt anybody she cared about. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she firmed her resolve. No, she wouldn’t leave. Wouldn’t run.
“It stops here. It stops now. Jeremy won’t win this time. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my friends and my business. Anything.”
CHAPTER SIX
Nick followed Rafethrough the front door of the Boudreau ranch, instantly feeling the warmth that seemed to exude from the very walls. In this house, this home, he could feel the love and the sense of peace held within the solid structure, right down to the foundation. It was more than bricks and mortar, more than four walls and a roof. It was the men and women who had resided within it over the years, and he couldn’t help but wonder how different his life might have been if he’d been allowed to stay. Been raised in this place, by Douglas and Ms. Patti. One thing was certain, when he finally settled down—if that day ever happened—he’d never settle for less than what he saw and felt right here.
“Nick!” Ms. Patti flew through the opening from the kitchen, her arms open. Within seconds, she wrapped her arms around him, squeezing tight. He folded his arms around the petite woman, returning the hug. How long had it been since somebody spontaneously hugged him?
“Sweetheart, let the man breathe,” Douglas followed his wife slowly from the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dish towel.
“I can’t help it. I’m just so happy he’s home again.” Stepping back, she looked up, meeting his gaze. “We’ve missed you.”
For a second, he couldn’t speak, the words lodged in his throat. “I missed you too.”
Gesturing toward the living room, Douglas said, “Come in, son, make yourself comfortable. Food will be ready in a minute.” Douglas directed his stare at Rafe. “Anybody else coming for lunch?”
Rafe shook his head. “Chance needed to get to the office and meet with a client whose case is going to court on Monday. Tessa is dropping Beth at her house and she’ll be here in a bit. Camilla and Heath might drop by later, but it’ll be after we eat. Speaking of eating, what are we having?”
Douglas laughed. “Your momma had to work this morning, so we’re having lasagna. She put a couple of them in the freezer the last time she made some. It’ll be ready in about fifteen minutes. Nica will finish up the salad, if she ever gets off the phone and comes downstairs. I swear, that gal should just have the phone implanted into her head, as much as she’s on it.”
“I heard that,” Nica complained, bounding down the stairs. “I’m not on the phone that much. Sheesh.” She stopped at the foot of the stairs, her gaze colliding with Nick’s. “Hi, Nick. Nice to have you here.”
“Thanks.”
