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  “Well, based on these allegations, we can get a search warrant, so either way we’ll be searching your truck. It will be easier if you give your permission now, sir.”

  Wayne took in the many police officers surrounding him, and reluctantly nodded his head. The state police chief dispatched two officers to Wayne’s truck. A short time later they returned, carrying the incriminating evidence.

  Finn’s family formed a protective circle around Finn, Jessie, and Nola.

  Wayne turned to the state police officers. “I’ll see all of you in court. For false arrest. For allowing these hell-raisers to attack me while under your protection. You’re not going to get away with this. I know all about Mackenzie Monroe and his so-called family. A pack of misfits. All of them. Once you find out just how much influence I have in this state, you’ll be begging me not to take away your badges.”

  As the officers led Wayne to their police van, Mac watched with a puzzled frown. Wayne Stone’s words had made this sound like a personal vendetta.

  Before he could ask any questions, they heard the whirr of a police helicopter directly overhead. They watched as it landed in a nearby clearing.

  Ben hurried to direct a group of police medics to the spot where Finn, Jessie, and Nola still huddled in the rain. “We need medical assistance here. A bullet wound. A victim of poison. Smoke inhalation. And I’m sure you’ll find burns on all of them, as well.”

  As they began assessing the wounds, Ben turned to his father. “The medics will fly them to the clinic, Dad. You’ll want to go with them.”

  Mac cleared his throat. “I can drive myself to town, son.”

  Mary Pat gave a firm shake of her head. “You’ll fly with them. I’ll drive your truck. We can be there in a few hours.”

  Mac opened his mouth to protest, but she put a finger on his lips to silence him. “Those hours will feel like an eternity, Mac. I know you. You’re suffering right along with Finn. You’re going with him.”

  He gave a grateful nod.

  As Finn, Jessie, and Nola were strapped onto gurneys for the flight to Haller Creek, Ben leaned close to his brother. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of everything.”

  Finn, already beginning to slip into a pain-killing haze, gave his brother a thumbs-up.

  As Mac walked beside the gurneys, the rest of the family made their way to their vehicles, eager to leave this scene of so much pain and anguish behind.

  It was Sam who said what all of them were thinking.

  “Wayne Stone had better hope they never let him out on bail before his trial.” His hands fisted at his sides. “If I get another chance at him, prison will seem like a day at the spa.”

  Finn awoke to the sound of beeping and whooshing as machines monitored his heart rate and blood pressure.

  The minute he opened his eyes, his family gathered around the bedside.

  “How’re you doing, son?”

  Finn tried to smile, but it was too much effort. “You tell me, Dad.”

  “You’re doing fine.” Mac nodded toward the others. “You’ve had a lot of people pulling for you, Finn.”

  “Thanks.” He felt the familiar, calloused hands grip his shoulders as Otis and Roscoe bent over the bed to lend their support.

  Zachariah looked properly solemn. “You gave us a scare, Finnian. When we heard that explosion and saw that fireball light up the sky, we weren’t certain just what we’d find.”

  “But we were all praying,” Mary Pat added.

  The others nodded.

  Mac’s tone softened. “There’s someone here who hasn’t left your side. But she stepped back to make room for all of us.”

  He wrapped an arm around Jessie’s shoulders and drew her toward the bed.

  As soon as he caught sight of her, Finn managed a smile.

  “Where…?” Finn’s lips moved, but only a single word came out.

  Jessie leaned close. “You’re in recovery. The doctor removed the bullet.”

  “What…?” He held up his hands, covered in thick dressings.

  “Both your hands are badly burned. The doctors gave you something for pain. It’s strong enough that you’ll be in and out for the next few days.”

  He digested that before trying again. “Nola?”

  “The clinic wants her flown to a hospital in Bozeman for testing. They’re preparing her for the flight now.”

  “And you?”

  Jessie brushed a kiss over his mouth. “I’m alive, thanks to you, Finn.”

  “Jess…” He absorbed the warmth of her mouth on his, and knew there was something he wanted to tell her. Something so important, it didn’t matter that they had an audience. But the pain medicine was playing with his brain.

  “Yes?” She touched a hand to his cheek.

  “I…lov…” He wanted to close his hand over hers, but he didn’t have the strength to move.

  In slow motion his eyes closed.

  Drained, he slept.

  Pain woke Finn. His eyes opened, and he was forced to blink against the blinding sunlight streaming through the window. His eyes felt as gritty as sandpaper.

  He looked around to get his bearings.

  Beside his bed was a row of monitoring equipment. On the other side of his bed was a reclining chair. Beneath a blanket, his father lay snoring softly.

  He felt a momentary stab of disappointment. He’d hoped to see…

  “Well.” Jenny Turnbull, the pretty nurse at the Haller Creek Medical Clinic, breezed into the room. “I see you’re awake. Dr. Clark asked me to check on you. On a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst, what’s your level of pain?”

  Her voice had Mac sitting up. “You okay, son?”

  Finn managed a nod. “I’m good, Dad. You should have gone home with the others.”

  “There’s plenty of time for that.” Mac watched while Jenny took Finn’s temperature and made notes. “What about that pain?”

  Finn tried to evade. “Where’s Jessie?”

  “In Bozeman with her aunt. She called last night to say that since she’s the only family Nola has, she’ll have to remain there until her aunt is discharged.”

  Jenny Turnbull hovered beside Finn’s bed with a packet of pills and a glass of water. “Your pain?”

  At the news that Jessie wasn’t here, he could feel the pain in every pore of his body. “I guess it’s a ten.”

  “I thought as much.” She handed him the pills and he popped them into his mouth before drinking the water.

  She turned to Mac. “Your son is going to sleep for a couple of hours, Mr. Monroe. That’ll give you plenty of time to head to your ranch and shower and shave. Finn will probably be coherent by late this afternoon.”

  He nodded before putting a big hand on Finn’s shoulder. “Think you can sleep, son?”

  Finn lied. “You go ahead, Dad. I’m already groggy.”

  When he was alone, he stared at the ceiling, wishing with all his might that Jessie was here with him. He knew it was selfish of him. He understood her need to be with her aunt. They were family. And he was…

  What was he?

  Her lawyer.

  Her protector.

  But that was before. When she’d needed a lawyer and someone to protect her from a monster who wanted her dead.

  Now, with Wayne Stone locked up, and her aunt safely in a hospital where they could do all kinds of sophisticated tests to make her well, Jessie had no need of a lawyer or a protector.

  What about him?

  He loved her. With every fiber of his being. He had no doubt that she loved him, too. And now, with their long siege ended, they could talk about a future.

  He could feel his brain shutting down. Against his will his eyes closed. Even while he cursed the effects of the pills, he slipped into a long, painless sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Three weeks later the little plane put down on the tiny airstrip outside of Arvid. As Jessie helped her very healthy-looking aunt down the steps, Finn stepped out of his
truck and hurried over.

  For nearly a full minute the two of them simply stared, while Nola watched. Aware of her scrutiny, Finn smiled in greeting.

  It was Jessie who spoke first. “I was told we would have transportation back to the ranch. I didn’t realize it would be you. You look…” She swallowed. “Good as new.”

  She took one of Finn’s hands, experiencing a sudden rush of heat. With an effort she ignored the thrill that shot along her spine and turned his hand palm up, staring at it to avoid looking into his eyes. “The burns seem to have healed nicely. How about your arm? Any permanent damage from the bullet?”

  “Some pain. A little stiff. The doctor said it’ll ease off.”

  “Well…” Jessie glanced at her aunt. “I know you’re still feeling weak, Aunt Nola. Let’s get you home.”

  With Finn on one side and Jessie on the other, they walked Nola toward the truck.

  Helping her into the backseat, Jessie fastened her aunt’s seat belt before shutting the door and stepping down.

  Before Jessie could climb into the passenger side Finn gathered her close. “Oh, babe, I’ve missed you.”

  “Finn.” She breathed his name on a sigh and touched a hand to his face. “I’ve missed you, too. So much.”

  “Thank heaven. I thought for a moment there you’d forgotten all about me.” He lowered his head and kissed her with a sense of urgency. He raised his lips to her temple. “You’ve been gone too long. Despite the phone calls, I was starting to worry.”

  “The doctors wanted to keep an eye on my aunt until they were satisfied there would be no lingering effects of the poison.”

  “So she’s good now?”

  “She’s not back to full speed yet, but she’s doing fine.”

  “I’m glad.” Finn kissed her again for good measure, before helping her into the truck.

  After circling around to the driver side, he fastened his seat belt and drove toward Nola’s ranch.

  When they turned into the driveway, the older woman let out a long, slow sigh. “Do you know how many times I feared I’d never see this place again?”

  Jessie’s eyes filled as she heard the tremor in her aunt’s voice. Ever since she found Aunt Nola, Jessie had become an emotional wreck, crying at the slightest thought of what she’d almost lost.

  As she and Finn helped Nola from the truck, the older woman made a sound of impatience. “I hate how weak I still am. I’ve always been able to take care of my own needs.”

  Jessie’s tone softened, hoping to soothe her aunt’s frustration. “It isn’t just physical, Aunt Nola. It’s a mind-body thing. The doctors warned that you’ve suffered a traumatic experience that won’t leave you just because you’re now safe. They’ve arranged for an experienced counselor to visit as often as you feel the need to talk this out.”

  Nola hugged her niece. “That will help. But the best medicine of all is being back here, and having you with me, just as we were for all these years.”

  Jessie shot a pained glance at Finn before leading her aunt to the door.

  Once inside, Jessie helped her aunt to a comfortable chair in the parlor before heading to the kitchen to make tea.

  Finn followed her.

  When the door closed, he gathered her into his arms and pressed his mouth to her temple. “Oh, how I’ve missed this. Just let me hold you, Jess.”

  “Finn…” With a deep sigh she pushed a little away. “We need to talk.”

  He shot her a sexy grin. “I was hoping we could talk later. In your bed or mine.”

  “Oh, if only.” She turned and set a kettle on the stove before saying, “In the hospital, Aunt Nola told me some things. The doctors on staff encouraged me to engage her as much as possible, to let her get it all out. During one of our midnight talks, when the staff made only an occasional visit to her room, she admitted that she’d fallen for Wayne’s blatant lies because she was feeling old and lonely and abandoned, and he made her feel important.”

  Finn shrugged. “There’s no need for her to feel ashamed. A guy like that has had a lot of experience conning his way into the lives of lonely women. He researched every one of his victims, and knew exactly what they needed to hear.”

  “I realize that. But I realize something else, too. It isn’t Aunt Nola’s shame. It’s mine.”

  “What are you talking about?” He curled his fingers around her wrist, to draw her near. “Jessie…”

  She held up a hand and stepped back. “This is all my fault. Wayne was right when he said that my aunt sacrificed her entire life for me. After my parents died, she took me in and devoted herself to me. And how did I thank her? By going off to college, and getting a big, important job in Bozeman instead of being here with the woman who raised me.”

  “That’s what adult children do, Jessie.” Ignoring her protest, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “They grow up and make lives for themselves.”

  “No.” She pushed free of his arms. “You’re not hearing me. I selfishly walked away and never looked back. My visits to the ranch became less and less frequent. And because of that, my aunt nearly died at the hands of a smooth-talking con who recognized what I was too blind to see. My aunt was lonely, and I wasn’t here for her. Well, that’s about to change. I’ve already phoned my boss to let him know I’m not coming back.”

  “You quit your job?”

  “My life is here now.”

  “Jessie…”

  As the kettle began its shrill whistle, she lifted it from the stove and filled a teapot. With quick, efficient movements she arranged teacups, cream, and sugar on a tray and picked it up.

  Finn followed slowly behind her to the parlor.

  Nola was asleep in the chair.

  Jessie set the tray aside and started for the door, motioning for Finn to follow. She left the door open so she could hear if her aunt needed her.

  Out on the porch, when Finn opened his arms, she stepped back. “I need to say this, Finn. And you need to hear me. My aunt and I owe you our lives. You saved us both from that monster, and I’ll never forget it.” Her tone lowered. “Just as I’ll never forget you.”

  He gave her a long, probing look. “This sounds a lot like good-bye, Jessie.”

  She swallowed hard before lifting her chin. “I guess it is.”

  He shot her a puzzled frown. “Why?”

  “Because my aunt needs me. And as long as she does, I need to be here for her.”

  “What about what you and I need?”

  “It’s not the same. I hope you can understand. We’re young and strong and healthy. I’ll always be grateful for what you did for us but…”

  “I don’t want your gratitude.” The words were harsher than he’d intended, but the frustration he was feeling was obvious in his tone. “Jessie, we have something special. I meant what I said when we were facing certain death. I love you.”

  “I know.” She felt her lip quiver and bit down hard. “I can’t afford to think about that now. All I know is this. If it takes me the rest of my life, I’ll make it up to Aunt Nola for what I put her through. Nothing else matters to me except her welfare.”

  “Not even the fact that we found a very special love?”

  She backed up, afraid to touch him. Afraid if she did, she would lose what little determination she had left.

  “I know what we found. And I know I’ll never have the chance for that kind of feeling again with anyone else. But I have to be strong, not only for my aunt, but for myself. I’m sorry, Finn, but this is good-bye. Please know that I’ll always love you.”

  Feeling the torrent of tears erupting, she spun on her heels and closed the door.

  When she disappeared inside the house, Finn stood rooted to the spot, fighting a fierce desire to kick in the door.

  And then what? he asked himself. Did he think he could simply carry Jessie off?

  She had every right to worry about her aunt. Nola had been through hell and back. As the doctors had warned, it would likely ha
ve lasting consequences on both her mind and body.

  He walked slowly to his truck, his mind in turmoil, his heart like a stone in his chest.

  In his broken childhood, he’d had no loving role models. But later, living with Mac, he’d seen love at its finest. Finn knew what Mac would say about this. Jessie needed time and space to figure out her future. If he loved Jessie, truly loved her, he needed to do whatever it took, sacrifice whatever he had to, for the sake of her peace of mind.

  He’d watched his brother Ben suffer the prejudice of preconceived notions from Becca’s father. It had taken an iron will on his brother’s part to finally win the love he and Becca so richly deserved.

  He’d seen his brother Sam step back from declaring his feelings for Penny, so that she could be free to accept an offer of her dream job that had finally come her way. Fortunately for Sam, Penny’s love for him was stronger than any other dream.

  But he’d seen enough messy divorces in his law practice to know that love didn’t always live up to the promise.

  Finn sat in his truck, staring at the ranch house, willing the door to open and praying Jessie would come running toward him, saying she’d made a terrible mistake.

  The door remained closed, and as he backed out of the driveway and started along the dirt road, he could feel his heart shattering into a million pieces.

  He tried to imagine his life without Jessie. It simply wasn’t possible.

  As before, he would have his family, and his work. And though he loved both, they couldn’t possibly fill all the empty places inside him the way Jessie’s love had.

  His future loomed before him, cold and empty and meaningless.

  This pain was far worse than the bullet he’d taken, or the burns he’d endured.

  Though his body would suffer only a few scars, he knew his poor heart would never heal.

  Finn looked up from his computer when the door to his office opened. His father stepped inside.

  “Ben called and asked us to come over.” Mac indicated the rest of the family standing just outside Finn’s office.

  Finn lifted a hand in greeting before turning to his father.