Saved by the Rancher - By Jennifer Ryan Page 0,130

to go, but I’ll be in touch until the case is officially closed.”

Jenna nodded her agreement, walked past David’s grieving family, and left Sam to handle any further details with the police.

JACK HADN’T NEEDED stitches, which annoyed Jenna just a little. She was always the one getting stuck with needles. Actually, she was relieved Sam and Jack were both okay. They boarded the plane, and after taking off they removed their bulletproof vests and settled on the couch for a much-needed rest. Jenna brought each of them a beer. She sat next to Jack and turned toward Sam and punched him as hard as she could in the arm.

“Ow! What’s that for?”

“Giving Jack a gun. What the hell were you thinking? He could have been killed. You got your brother shot.”

“I didn’t shoot him. I gave him the gun so he could protect you and himself. He knew we were plotting behind his back. What’d you expect me to do?”

“Honey, it’s not Sam’s fault. If he hadn’t given me the gun, I’d have brought one from the ranch. I wasn’t going to let David hurt you ever again.”

“Instead, he shot you. You could have been killed. You’re lucky he has terrible aim.”

Jack squeezed her to his side, kissed the side of her head and held her close. “Honey, calm down. It’s not good for the babies. It’s over now, and we don’t have to worry about him anymore. Sam will handle the police until they close their investigation. It shouldn’t take long. Then this whole mess will be behind us.”

He was right, and she was having a delayed reaction to the stressful and traumatic events. Snapping at him allowed her to let off steam and Jack understood. It was finally over.

“We never got to have cake at Decadence. Now, that’s a great name for a bakery. I think next time we visit the city, we should definitely go there.”

“Whatever you want, honey.” Jack kissed her head and held her close. She laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes, finally able to sleep, free of the suspense of wondering if David was out there, somewhere, hunting her.

Chapter Sixty-Two

* * *

Six months later . . .

UNABLE TO SLEEP, Trixie, full-grown, engulfed the space at her feet, making Jenna uncomfortable. Jack lay at her back with his hand on her thigh and his breath soft in her hair at the back of her neck. Sally, completely healed and vibrant as ever, lay down the length of his legs. The two babies, that had been putting up a fuss for hours now, swelled her belly to capacity. A piercing pain in her lower back wouldn’t go away. Nervous and excited, she got out of bed to stretch and walk, hoping to calm the babies and ease the nagging pain.

She managed to get out of bed without waking Jack. He was used to her getting up several times a night to pee. Neither of the dogs stirred more than enough to cozy up to Jack. She knew exactly how they felt. Who wouldn’t want to be snuggled up against all that strength and warmth.

She headed to the bathroom to take care of her overtaxed bladder, and then went to the closet to dress. She settled on a loose-fitting turquoise dress and slid her feet into a pair of black flats. She went to the bed, leaned over, and shook Jack’s shoulder to wake him.

“Jack, honey, wake up. It’s time to go.”

Jack didn’t budge. She shook him harder, pressed a hand to the small of her back, and breathed shallowly through the pain as her abdomen contracted. “Jack. Wake up. It’s time to go.”

“What, honey? Time to go where?”

“To the hospital. Your babies want out.”

Jack sat straight up, eyes wide. “What? The babies. Now?”

“Yes, now.” To demonstrate they wanted out, her water broke in a gush down her leg. She stared at the puddle at her feet. Another painful contraction bent her forward, making her groan in agony. She held on to Jack’s arms as another pain overtook her body. “Oh God, Jack, it hurts.” The pains intensified and grew more insistent and the ache in her back turned to a real kick-ass sting.

Jack jumped out of bed and threw on his jeans and shirt. He helped her change her clothes again and put her in the car and rushed her to the hospital. The whole way, he held her hand, soothed her with calm, loving words, and hated every second she was