Angels In Red (37 page)

“Forgive me,
Mister Whoeveryouare
, but at this precise moment in time, I don’t care whose feelings get hurt.” She fell back into her chair and covered her face in her hands.

Angel must be scared out of her mind. I swear, if he hurts her...

“I’m sorry. Do you want me to call somebody for you?”

Jack!
“I need Jack. Call Jack, please.” She choked on the words. The tiny bit of composure she had left hung by a tattered thread as she hit HOME on her cell.

If only I reached out to him from the beginning
,
none of this would be happening, and Angel would be safe. It’s my fault. I’m so sorry, Angel.

Jenna wiped her eyes before putting the phone to her ear. “Jack?” Her voice cracked and she gave her tears free rein.

“Jenna? What’s wrong? Are you crying?”

The compassion in his voice snapped something inside of her. She shook so bad, she had to hold her phone with both hands. “Angel is gone.” She managed to tell him about Daniel’s sabbatical and the new staff at the ranch, and how her sister’s room was cleared out, and so was Dr. Gilmore’s.

“Come home, Jenna. We can handle things from here by phone.”

“I-I can’t leave. What if Angel tries to contact me?”

“Listen to me. You’ll have your phone, Mr. Knolls will be at the ranch, and Edna or Charles will always be at the estate. You’re not alone, Jenna. It’s time to come home.”

Her shoulders sunk with relief. “If you are sure we can find Angel with me there...yes, I want to come home.”

“You go pack a bag. I’ll make sure we have every angle covered, including calling the police. Don’t worry, baby, we will find your sister.”

“I love you, Jack. I’ll head out to the estate now.”

“I love you, too, Jenna. I’ll arrange for a car to pick you up at the estate in…let’s say an hour from now. Now, put the director on the phone.”

“Mr. Knolls? Jack wants to talk to you. I need to head back to the estate.” She fished her car keys from her purse, and realized she’d left Angel’s gift back in the room. “I’ll be right back.”

Upon her return, the new CEO of the ranch stood outside his office and handed back her phone. “I don’t think you should be driving. Why don’t you let my secretary drive you home? We can figure out the rest later.”

“No, I’ll be fine.” Jenna suddenly felt desperate to be with Jack. She knew he’d move heaven and earth to find Angel for her. “I trust you’ve arranged with Jack to call if you hear anything from Angel?”

“Yes. Please drive safely.”

Jenna offered a weak smile and left his office.

I’m going home...

Angel sat in the corner of a cold, damp room, her knees drawn up to her chest. Her otherwise vibrant green eyes, now bloodshot and puffy from crying. Her breath hitched and she began shaking uncontrollably as the footsteps drew nearer.

“Well, my dear Angel. There’s nothing to stop us now. I’m going to take great pleasure in teaching you what goes on behind the bedroom door, between a man and a woman in love. You do know how much I love you, don’t you, Angel?”

She opened her mouth and screamed...

Jenna’s eyes flew open, her hands covering her ears. Her heart pounded so hard, she feared it might actually jump out of her chest. She sat in a helicopter beside the big window
. It was all a bad dream. I must’ve dozed off.

It was too dark to tell exactly where they were, but the mountains grew closer ahead of them. Her breathing slowed back to normal. The arrangements to hire this mode of transportation took longer than she’d wanted, but her frustration ebbed with the realization she’d be home very soon.

Jenna leaned back in her seat and gazed at the star-filled sky.

“Keep her safe, Mother. We’re going to find her.”

Every nerve ending in his body sparked in unbridled anticipation of Jenna’s return home. During the entire drive to the precinct, he mentally prepared himself to carry out their cleverly orchestrated ruse, knowing Jenna would understandably be upset about not knowing Angel’s whereabouts.  All he had to do was make the half hour drive home without spilling the beans.

Luckily, they were able to hire a helicopter and the chief gave his permission to use the landing pad on the precinct roof. Jack was a little nervous about having to lie to Jenna about searching for Angel. No, he wasn’t crazy about that part of their plan, but she would have wanted to be an active participant in Howard and Daniel’s demise. There’s no way in hell he’d put her life at risk for anything, or anyone.

Surely when she sees for herself what we’ve been up to, she’ll understand and forgive all of us...right?

The door leading up to the landing pad opened, ending his attempt to justify their actions. It was too late now. He took a deep, steadying breath as the pilot stepped through the doorway and held the door open for Jenna.

His heart clapped the rhythm of a racehorse on the last lap...and then their gazes met. Even from the distance between them, he saw tears rolling down her flushed face. She rushed to him, and he whisked her off her feet, kissing her so intensely it left them both breathless once he set her down.

Jack held her at arm’s length. “It’s so good to see you.”

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t know what to do. All I could think of was talking to you.” Jenna linked her hands behind his neck and laid her head on his shoulder.

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Jack hated being the reason behind her tears.
Just a little bit longer…
“Come on, let’s go home.”

“Has there been any news about Angel?” she asked as they left the precinct heliport.

Jack shook his head—inside, he could hardly contain his excitement. “We got the best of the best looking for her. Trust me; it’s just a matter of time.”

Jenna picked up a suitcase from a cart, and he quickly took it from her. “Is this the only one?”  He remembered the size of her closet on the estate.

“Yes, thank God. I have no need for a bunch of shoes and fancy party dresses out here.”

Her change in priorities surprised, and more than pleased him. He lifted her suitcase into the back of his newly acquired truck and padded over to passenger side to let her in.

“Whose truck is this?” she asked as she climbed up onto the passenger seat.

Jack closed her inside quickly, and took the long way around the back of the truck to give him a few extra moments to compose himself. He opened the door and slid in behind the wheel, leaning across the seat to kiss her softly and hold her hand.

“So, whose truck is this?”

He smiled.
I should have known she wouldn’t forget she’d asked me.

Jack closed the door and turned his key in the ignition, bringing the new vehicle to life. “It’s our truck. You’re going to see a few changes to the old homestead. I thought it was high time I conformed to modern society and indulged in a few of life’s niceties.”

“Such as?” She looked sideways at him.

“You’ll find out soon enough.” He knew she was still looking at him, but he didn’t trust himself to face her.

“I hope you didn’t spend a ton of money you don’t...” Her hand covered her mouth. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to imply...”

Jack brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “You didn’t imply anything. I never said I didn’t have money, I just chose not to spend it on things like this truck and... Well, you’ll see soon enough.”

For a short distance, they drove in amiable silence. If he could read minds, he’d bet money she was trying to figure out what he was up to. He totally sucked at keeping a lid on things.

“You’re acting a little weird. Is there something going on I should know about?”

He flicked his high beams on outside the city limits. “You know, you really need to learn how to have a little patience.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m just so damned worried about Angel. You can’t begin to imagine the horrific dream I had about her on the way here.” Her voice cracked, and she turned her head to cough into her hand.

“Try not to worry, Jenna. I promise you she’s okay.”

Shit. Way to go, like she isn’t going to be even more suspicious with a promise like that.

He chanced a look her way. Even in the dark, he saw the confusion that lined her brow and clouded those beautiful green eyes.

“Let’s just get you home. We can sit down, and I’ll fill you in on everything that’s going on.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly. “Okay?”

Jenna nod, and managed the slightest of smiles in response. She turned and gazed up at the star-filled sky.

A short time later, he turned onto the new gravel road leading home.

“We have a road now? That must have cost a fortune."

He immediately saw the regret in her expression.

“I’m so sorry, Jack.”

“Stop saying you’re sorry. How were you to know I had a few bucks tucked away?” He winked.

“I’d say more than a few.”

Jack laughed. “God, it’s good to have you back.”

“So, are you going to tell me what changes you’ve made to our place?”

Our place.

A sense of well-being encompassed him, and he knew without a doubt Carly would approve of what he was about to show Jenna—how he’d spent the insurance money. He slowed to a stop and put the truck in park.

“Why did you stop?”

“I want you to be surprised.” He took a scarf from his jacket pocket. “I’m going to cover your eyes.”

“Is that really necessary? I mean, it’s pitch black outside.”

“Humor me, okay?”

Jenna shrugged, and closed her eyes. “Okay, if you insist.”

Jack covered her eyes with a bandana and tied it at the back. He put his mouth close to her ear. “I promise you, everything will make sense in just a couple of minutes.” He kissed her cheek. It took everything in him not to laugh out loud.

She’s going to freak out…in a good way...I hope...

Though Jack’s excitement was highly contagious, Jenna couldn’t help feel guilty for enjoying this while her sister was still out there...enduring God knows what. She tilted her head, having heard the click of headlights being turned on and off.

Is he signaling someone? Who could it be, and why?

The truck came to a stop and shut down. The silence that followed brought goose bumps to her skin, and she shivered in anticipation. Jack got out of the truck without speaking.

What’s that?
She strained to hear.
Is that what I think it is?
A horse whinnied in the distance.
Did Jack buy us horses? Is that my surprise?

Her door opened. She kept what she heard to herself, not wanting to ruin things for him.

“Take my hand.”

She did as asked, and he helped her out of the truck. “Can I take this thing off now?”  The mounting excitement was driving her crazy.

“We’re going to walk a few steps and then up three stairs.”

After the three stairs, he walked her a few more steps and turned her to the position he obviously wanted her. “Sit here.”

The sounds of breathing made it very clear they weren’t alone. In fact, more than one person was sharing in the surprise.

“Are you ready?” Jack asked from behind her.

“How in the hell should I know?”

Several people joined in Jack’s laughter, but one in particular caught her attention. Her mouth went dry, and her pulse raced.

I’d know that laugh anywhere.

“Jack? Is Angel here? Take this thing off of me.” Jenna pulled the blindfold down.

All she saw was Angel, clapping her hands excitedly.

Her sister lunged forward and wrapped her good arm around her. “Surprise!”

Jenna cried softly into her hair.
Oh my God, she’s really here.
She looked past her sister at Jack who now stood in front of them. “What is going on?”

Angel stepped back and stroked Jenna’s hair—her other arm still in a sling. “Don’t cry, Sister. Aren’t you happy to see me?”