Page 1 of Nick
NICK
CHAPTER ONE
The waiting roomoutside of the OR was packed wall-to-wall with anxious Boudreaus. The emergency clinic in Shiloh Springs managed to stabilize Antonio but didn’t have the equipment or staff available to treat his critical condition, and he was medevacked to the trauma center in Austin. Douglas had made the trip in the helicopter with Antonio, and the rest of the family broke land-speed records getting to Dell Seton Hospital, where they awaited word on his condition.
Nick Vincent sat alone against the far wall, head hung low. He shouldn’t have come back to Shiloh Springs. The last time he’d been here had been for Douglas and Ms. Patti’s vow renewal ceremony. Man, he’d loved walking her down the aisle. For once, he didn’t need to hide his emotions, keep everything bottled inside. He’d been honored when the brothers asked him to participate and he’d dropped everything, making his way halfway around the globe to be there for the people he cared about.
Of course, he’d come back to clear up the mess his last case created. It had been a quick in-and-out visit, job related, dealing with the aftermath of bringing down a human trafficking monster named Winston Brashear. The first time he’d shown up in Shiloh Springs he honestly hadn’t expected any of the Boudreaus to recognize him. Not after so many years of not seeing them or having any type of contact. But he hadn’t counted on Ms. Patti and the love she felt for every boy who had ever stayed at the Boudreau ranch.
Almost immediately she’d recognized him, even though he didn’t look or talk the way he had when he’d been a snot-nosed brat with a chip on his shoulder and a screw you attitude toward the world. Didn’t matter he’d dyed his hair, his skin held a darker tan, he wore colored contacts, and had grown over a foot taller. That wonderful, loving, giving woman had met his gaze across the crowded diner and immediately knew him.
And how amazing was that?
When he’d showed up at the Big House earlier, he’d debated whether to go inside and reconnect with the family who’d meant everything to him, or to simply turn around and disappear again. With his past, no matter how much good he did, how many people he helped, he never felt clean. No, he’d been immersed in the ugliness for too long, and he didn’t want to bring that anywhere close to Douglas and Ms. Patti or the rest of their family. Better for him to quietly disappear again with nobody the wiser.
Only Antonio had come outside before Nick could make a clean getaway and convinced him to come in and talk with the family. He couldn’t help remembering what happened.
He uncurled his fingers from the steering wheel, admitting he was stalling. He hadn’t seen her since that day in Rafe’s office, when she’d recognized him. That fact alone still floored him. Nobody had ever recognized and connected Nick Vincent with Assad, hired killer working for one of the biggest facilitators of human trafficking.
Yet she hadn’t hesitated. Even with the black hair and contact lens, and the passage of more than fifteen years, she’d known him. She’d lovingly told him she recognized him with her heart. And to learn she and Douglas had looked for him after he’d been removed from their home? Unbelievable.
When he’d been called by his boss, he’d given his word he’d return back to Shiloh Springs. They had needed to finish the job they’d started, which was to put away the monster preying on young girls and boys and selling them to the highest bidder. Those who didn’t sell? Well, he didn’t like thinking about the tens of thousands that had disappeared without a trace. He knew what that felt like on a very personal level—he’d been one of those who’d fallen between the cracks—until Grant Calvin rescued him and put him on the road to redemption.
He nearly jumped at the hard rap on the driver’s side window. “You gonna sit out here all day or come in and join the party?”
Party? Nope, he wasn’t ready for a Boudreau family celebration. He’d only planned to see Ms. Patti one final time, get the chance to speak with Douglas, and then hightail it out of Shiloh Springs before it managed to draw him back in with its charm and down-home goodness. Somehow, he doubted Antonio would let him start the car and leave without anybody the wiser.
Climbing from the rental, he stood to his full height and looked around, taking in the expanse of green lawn surrounding the front of the house. The two-story home with its dark green shutters and white columns looked the same, though it had the appearance of being freshly painted. Large live oak trees flanked it on both sides, providing not only shade on hot days, he remembered, but it gave the place a stately Southern charm.
“I did not realize you were celebrating. I don’t wish to intrude. I will come back another time to see Ms. Patti and Douglas.”
Antonio made a scoffing sound. “Seriously, you think I’m going back in there and tell Momma and Dad I let you leave without coming inside? Nuh-uh, not happening. Besides, in a roundabout way you’re part of this celebration. You probably heard Joshua and Lauren get to keep Daniel. He is officially their son.”
Nick smiled. “I heard. Don’t have any details; just they had legally adopted the boy. After what Brashear put them through, I’m glad they are finding happiness.”
“Yep, they are so sickly sweet together, it’s enough to make your teeth rot. Good thing they’re getting hitched soon, so they can move out and get their own place. I swear between Jamie, Daniel, and with Brody and Beth’s newest little one due any day, it’s getting as crowded as the Houston Rodeo around here.”
Standing with Antonio, Nick felt overwhelmed by nostalgia for the short time he’d spent here on the Boudreau ranch. Though he hadn’t been here long, he remembered every second of it. Even the stuff he didn’t like invaded his thoughts. Like chores. And being the smallest kid—though that didn’t apply anymore. He’d had a major growth spurt in his teens and shot up to over six feet tall. The Boudreau ranch had become ingrained in his memories as the epitome of home. It was the place he clung to when his world turned into a cesspool of despair and he thought he couldn’t live another minute. He remembered the love of Ms. Patti, the way she would pull him close, ruffle his hair, and tell him how much she loved him. Which seemed impossible because he knew he’d been an unlovable child. He remembered Douglas taking him out to the barn and showing him how to work with leather, repair bridles, or brush the horses. Douglas hadn’t been one to show his emotions, didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, but every night he’d hug Nick and tell him he was glad he was part of their family.
“Listen, man, I can’t do this. I thought I could simply drop in, visit for a few minutes, say hello to you guys, and take off, putting Shiloh Springs and the Big House in my rearview. Except I know if I walk through those doors, everything’s gonna change. And I’m not ready to have my life turned upside down. Give the family my apologies. Tell them I got called away.”
Antonio shook his head. “You’re making a big mistake. Momma has talked about you almost every day since you came back to Shiloh Springs. You leave without seeing her and it’s gonna break her heart. Dad’s too.”
Nick closed his eyes and took a deep breath before admitting, “I’m afraid. Not that they won’t accept me, because I remember how loving and forgiving they are. I’m afraid I’ll bring danger to their front door if I get involved with this family again. My life hasn’t been a bed of roses and I’ve made a lot of enemies. I do not want that part of my life ever coming close to touching any of you.”
“You do realize almost every one of us, at one point or another, has been involved in dangerous situations up to our eyeballs, right? Or maybe not, since you’ve been out of the loop. None of us has a pristine past; we’ve all got secrets. I get it, not wanting to bring somebody from your past that might be out for revenge anywhere near Momma and Dad. That’s a choice you and only you can make. But think long and hard before you cut them out of your life. Or the rest of us. We call ourselves a clan for a reason. We take care of each other, not because we have to, but because we want to. But if you’re going to walk away, do it now, before Momma gets her hopes up that you’ll come home to stay. The front door is open. It’s up to you whether you walk through or turn your back on the possibilities that Momma and Dad’s love offers. Your choice.”
Antonio clapped him on the shoulder and turned, taking a step toward the Big House.
The crack of the gunshot still echoed in Nick’s ears, as he replayed the events in slow motion in his mind. Antonio’s surprised expression. His hand lifting away from his chest coated with blood. Nick had caught him as he slumped to the ground, while Rafe and several other Boudreaus poured out through the front door.
While chaos reigned around him, he’d scanned the area, looking for the shooter while Antonio’s brothers had each surrounded their fallen brother, guns in hand. Funny, he hadn’t expected all of them to be armed. Guess a lot had changed around the homestead.
“It’s not your fault.”
Nick’s head rose at the voice, finding Dane standing in front of him. He remembered Ms. Patti mentioning Dane ran the ranch full time now, while his brothers helped when they could. Memories of getting up at five o’clock in the morning, rain or shine, when he’d been on the ranch flitted through his memory.
“Appreciate your saying that, but I have to disagree. That shot was meant for me.”
