Meant To Be (19 page)

Garrett's heart stopped. Jesus H. Christ, he was going kill the sonofabitch with his bare hands! He shot to his feet and raced from the police station, ignoring Sutton's angry shout. He'd give Hank a call later and have Sutton released. Right now, he needed to make sure Jessica was safe.

Wade and Lyle flipped on the television to watch for any late-breaking news. Jessica was too worried to try and sleep, so she grabbed a bottle of iced tea from the fridge, her laptop from the bedroom, and sat down at the kitchen table.

She opened the laptop and had to stifle a scream. Garrett's reflection stared back at her, and she realized he was standing outside her kitchen window behind her. She spun around, and he motioned her over. Pulse racing, Jessica leaned back and chanced a quick glance into the living room. The Hasting brothers were both engrossed in the news. She tiptoed to the back door, slowly turned the knob, and inched it open.

Mr. Louie shoved his way in with a howl and ran straight for his food bowl. Jessica closed her eyes and waited for her racing heart to slow. Then she started inching the door open again.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?"

Jessica swallowed a shocked gasp and turned to face Lyle. “Mr. Louie was scratching at the door, so I let him in. What, am I a prisoner in my own home?"

Ignoring her, Lyle tossed his empty beer can in the trash and grabbed another. Wade hobbled into the kitchen as someone rapped on the door.

"Answer it,” Wade ordered. He limped up behind her and gripped her shoulder. “And don't forget, you're just as guilty as Lyle."

Bastard.
He was right, though. She'd wanted these two out of her house—and her life—so badly, she'd never even considered someone could wind up getting hurt. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. Garrett stood on the porch, his eyes narrowed on Lyle. He looked ready to commit murder.

"You got a problem?” Lyle said as he cracked open his beer.

Garrett cast her a quick glance, his gaze taking in Wade's hand on her shoulder, then returned his attention to Lyle. “You're my problem. You broke into one of the neighbors’ homes and attacked her. You're going to pay, too, you sonofabitch."

"You're crazy, I was here all night."

"She saw you. Described you to a tee."

"You're full of shit—"

"He hasn't left the house all night,” Wade said, cutting Lyle off. “Ain't that right, baby?” He gave Jessica's shoulder a warning squeeze.

Jessica stared at Garrett, apologizing with her eyes as she nodded agreement. His expression was inscrutable. If Muriel had seen and identified Lyle, then Garrett knew Jessica was lying. She could only hope he'd be able to forgive her when all was said and done.

"You're coming with me,” Garrett said to her. “Let's go."

Wade gave her another warning squeeze.

It took every bit of strength she had to keep her wits about her. As much as she wanted to walk out with Garrett and never look back, she knew that wasn't an option, for many reasons—the most important being she had no idea what Lyle might do if pushed. She needed to get Marky's bear back ASAP so they would leave and she could get back to her life—secrets intact. “Please, just go. I'll be fine."

"There's no way in hell I'm leaving you—"

"I mean it, Garrett, I want you to leave."

"You heard the lady,” Wade said, dropping his hand and stepping back.

Garrett shifted that inscrutable gaze between the three of them before landing on Lyle. “Harm one hair on her head, and you're a dead man.” With that, Garrett turned and strode away.

Lyle stepped forward and slammed the door shut. “Self-important asshole."

Jessica spun around and glared at both of them. “You've been in town less than a week, and you're already in trouble with the cops, not to mention you've turned me into a liar. Dammit, I want you both out of my life!” She grabbed her laptop and stormed from the kitchen.

Garrett arrived at Mike and Sara's front door just as Uncle Luke and Muriel were leaving with Hannah, who was fast asleep in Uncle Luke's arms. A bittersweet smile touched Garrett's lips. Uncle Luke had given up so much to raise them, and for the millionth time Garrett was humbled by his sacrifice. Especially since he knew Uncle Luke would have made a wonderful father if he hadn't had his brother's four kids to raise.

He shifted his gaze to Muriel. “I take it you're all right? No concussion or anything?"

"Right as rain. I've got a rock-hard noggin."

"Thank God,” Garrett said. He looked back at Uncle Luke. “Take care of these two. I'll see you back at home."

Garrett found Sara sitting at the kitchen table with a baby book and a glass of milk looking oddly radiant considering the late hour. “Ethan sleeping?” he asked as he sat down across from her.

She smiled at him and closed the book. “Yeah, he and Hannah passed out halfway through the Spongebob Squarepants Movie. Want some coffee?"

He leaned back in the chair and laced his fingers behind his head. “Thanks, but I'll pass. I'm going to have enough trouble trying to sleep tonight."

Sara's smile faded. “Poor Muriel. I can't believe something like this happened right on our own block. So who's this Jack guy anyway?” When he raised a questioning brow, she said, “I called Hank about an hour ago."

Garrett frowned. Hank had always been putty in Sara's hands. “Jack Sutton. It's a long story, but bottom line is he swears he's innocent. Says he saw Jessica's ex-brother-in-law break into Muriel's house, and he followed him inside.” No point telling her the full story. Lyle wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything again tonight, and Garrett would be sure to explain the situation to Mike first thing in the morning. “So where's the man of the house?"

"Fell asleep over an hour ago.” She grinned. “The kids wore him out making him give them piggyback rides up and down the stairs."

Garrett chuckled at the mental image.

Sara suddenly looked thoughtful. “You don't think ... no, forget it, can't be that."

"What? Come on, spill."

"I don't know. Just seems odd that he would break into Muriel's house the same day Jessica came asking for the bear back."

"'Asking for the bear back'? You lost me."

"Jessica gave me a little plush bear that belonged to her son. I sensed she wasn't ready to part with it—it's only been a couple years since he died—but she insisted. And sure enough, she came by earlier asking for it back. That's when I found out Ethan had decided to play with it and,” she made the quote signs, “accidentally dropped it in the mud. He gave it to Muriel to wash, no doubt hoping I wouldn't find out."

Garrett stared at her, waiting for the punch line—praying for the punch line. Her son? Jessica had a deceased son that she'd never bothered to mention to him? Yet she'd told Sara, and Sara obviously assumed Garrett knew or she wouldn't have said anything. And what the hell was so important about this bear?

Only one way to find out.

"Listen, I need to speak with Uncle Luke quick before he heads to bed. Tell Mike to give me a call tomorrow before he leaves the house."

There was a rap on the door just as Muriel snuggled up in Luke's arms on the sofa. She huffed her annoyance and started to get up.

"I'll get it,” Luke said. “Can't be too careful."

Muriel smiled up at him, amazed by her good fortune. Luke Jamison was a king among men, and he was hers.

She just needed to convince him of that.

He returned to the living room with Garrett in tow.

"Hey, beautiful, I'm sorry to bother you this late, but I need that bear Ethan gave you to wash."

"Oh, that's right. Sara said Jessica had asked for it back. Poor thing.” She got up and ran into the laundry room. She'd washed the bear inside the linen bag she used to wash her unmentionables, and it looked pretty darn good, even if she said so herself.

Garrett was in the process of giving Luke a wink and a thump on the back when she returned.
Men
, she thought with a shake of her head.

"Here you go.” She handed him the bear. “And please don't be mad at Ethan. It truly was an accident."

Garrett lifted a brow. “I'm not mad at him, but we both know it wasn't an accident."

Muriel grinned. “Well, maybe not. But he's had a lot to deal with this past month, and he isn't ready to share his daddy just yet. Try to understand."

"I do, don't worry.” Garrett chucked her under the chin, and she did a mental eye roll.

As soon as Luke closed and locked the front door, Muriel sidled up next to him and wrapped an arm around his waist. “I think I'll pour myself a glass of wine. Care to join me?"

Luke met her gaze without reservation, sending a tingle of awareness straight to her toes. “Don't mind if I do."

When they were once again settled in front of the TV, Luke pulled her up against his side and held her close. Muriel closed her eyes, giddy with excitement. Her shy guy was loosening up a little more each day. At this rate, it wouldn't be long before—

"Do you have any idea how scared I was when I saw that cop car in your driveway with its cherries flashing?” he said, his voice thick.

Muriel looked up and met his gaze. His eyes smoldered with emotion; his intent clear. She reached up and cupped his cheek at the exact moment he leaned down to kiss her. His mouth slanted across hers, his tongue tracing her lips, seeking entrance. Muriel moaned and opened for him. She'd wanted this man for so long, had yearned for him from the moment they'd met. And here he was, kissing her breathless, holding her so tight she thought she might burst into flames.

Muriel positioned herself so she was astride his thighs. She twined her arms around his neck and gave in to the sweet sensations coursing through her. Her blood flowed like molten lava through her veins, and every nerve ending in her body was on high alert.

Luke moved one hand from her waist down to cup her shorts-clad bottom. Please, she thought, let tonight be the night. He squeezed, and she gasped. How could she have ever thought the man was gay? she wondered with a repressed giggle.

Luke broke off the kiss and whispered in her ear, “I want you. Is the feeling mutual?"

Muriel nearly groaned her relief. “You know it is."

"Thank God.” Muriel hung on for dear life as Luke shot to his feet and carried her to her bedroom. He pushed the door open with his elbow and carried her inside, then leaned back to shut it.

When he sat on on the edge of the bed, Muriel untangled herself from his lap. She knelt in the middle of the bed and met his gaze as she slowly unbuttoned her blouse. Luke swallowed, that gorgeous brown gaze following her every move. She slid her blouse off her shoulders and tossed it aside, then reached back to unclasp her bra. Luke kicked off his boots, lay back against the mountain of pillows, and watched her through heavy-lidded eyes.

"You're so beautiful it blows my mind,” he whispered. “Come here."

Muriel had nice breasts, and she knew it. But Luke's reaction was more than she'd hoped for. She crawled toward him, her breasts swaying, and smiled her satisfaction when a low, drawn-out growl escaped him. He leaned forward and grasped her upper arms to drag her across his lap. Muriel laughed softly as he flipped her onto her back. He smoothed one callused hand up her stomach, between her breasts, gently cradling each one before looking up to meet her gaze.

"I have protection."

She bit her bottom lip suggestively. “I hope you have more than one."

He chuckled, then pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. After a quick inventory, he teased, “Think three'll be enough?"

"Maybe,” she teased right back. “But as much as I want you, it'll be close."

With a sexy grin, Luke tossed his wallet on the nightstand and returned his attention to her breasts. “It's been a long time,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He circled her breast with his index finger, trailing a scorching path around and around until he reached her tingling nipple. He leaned down and captured it with his lips, his tongue stroking over the areola.

Eyes closed in ecstasy, Muriel tangled both hands in his hair, arching into him, moaning her pleasure. He reached up with his other hand and started working her shorts down her hips. She lifted in an effort to aid him, wanting to be naked beneath him more than she'd wanted anything in a very long time. He tossed them aside, then went right back for her panties. Within seconds, she found herself completely naked ... and oddly vulnerable.

"Your turn,” she said, trying to work his shirt off his back.

Luke released her nipple, then sat up and peeled off his T-shirt. He met her gaze as he reached for his zipper. And the tease took great pleasure in slowly unzipping his jeans, working them down his impressively muscled thighs. Muriel's pulse picked up speed. The proof that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him strained against the front of his boxer briefs, begging to be free.

Muriel sat up in a rush and said, “Let me. It's like my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one."

Luke laughed softly and shook his head. “Woman, you are great for a man's ego."

Muriel met his gaze and winked. Then she grasped the waistband of his briefs with both hands and unwrapped her present.

Garrett sat down at the kitchen table and examined the plush bear. It wasn't very big, maybe eight or nine inches tall, brown with a dark blue satin ribbon around its neck. Its belly felt especially hard, as if overstuffed, which wouldn't have been odd if the head, arms and legs had all been similarly tight.

He held the bear by its tummy and gave it a squeeze. Yep, definitely something inside. He gave it a shake to see if it squeaked or something. Nothing. He flipped it around and examined each seam. Between the legs, the thread was a different color. The stitch job was surprisingly good, but Garrett had no doubt it had been opened and stitched back up.

Garrett retrieved a thin-bladed knife from the block on the counter and carefully slit it open. He slipped his forefinger into the hole and felt around, less than surprised when his finger tapped something solid. He carefully sliced a few more threads, taking special care since he knew the item once belonged to Jessica's deceased child—even if he was still a little stung that she hadn't trusted him enough to share something so important.