Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

Rhett was relieved when Sheriff Pollard and three deputies arrived. He was able to turn the gun over to them, watch Ron Lewis and Eric Jensen be arrested, and relax a fraction.

He and Sloan were separated for questioning, and he didn’t like that. He worried about the despondent look in her eyes and the rounded set to her shoulders. Her father had threatened to kill her tonight. It still made Rhett want to vomit when he thought about her being in her father’s grip and the man threatening to break her neck. He loathed Eric Jensen and wished he would’ve shot him through the heart.

Not a very charitable thought to have about your girlfriend’s father.

He could understand now why Sloan hadn’t wanted to talk about her dad. She’d gotten away from him and his controlling influence, but he feared the man was still messing with her mind.

Finally, the sheriff and detectives left. He and Sloan were alone, but something was deeply wrong.

He turned to her, wanting to hold her close and comfort her.

“Rhett …” She held up a hand and backed up before he could wrap her in his arms. “I need to … go back to Nevada. I’ve got to see Kathy, figure some things out.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze, and that terrified him.

“Okay.” He nodded and took a breath, searching for the right response. “I can come with you. Andy can take care of the other projects we have. I doubt we’re going to be building on your property now.”

She finally met his gaze. The crushing weight in her dark gaze terrified him.

“What’s going on Sloan?”

“I’m a mess,” she whispered, looking away.

“You’ve been through a nightmare,” he said. “No one would blame you if you’re struggling.” He wanted to reach for her but something held him back.

“Thank you for understanding.” She finally focused on him again and he could see how much she was struggling, how low her dad had taken her. “I have to sort out my dad’s control over me, that he’s been pulling the strings all along, that he could really almost kill me. I don’t know what I am or how to find myself.”

Rhett wasn’t certain what she meant about ‘pulling the strings all along’. “You are a brave and incredible lady, Sloan.”

“I’m not brave,” she said harshly, her dark eyes flashing. “I’m a fake, Rhett. I’m terrified of him and he was still in control of my life, even when I thought I was free.” She shook her head, biting at her lip. “Even if he’s in prison, I don’t know that I’ll ever be out of his power. I stood up to him to save you. Now he’ll find ways to make both of our lives miserable.”

Rhett had to reassure her that she wasn’t in her dad’s power and they could stand up to him together.

“I’m sorry.” She shook her head before he could say anything. “I’m sorry. I need some time. I need to sleep. I need to pray and figure this out. I claim I trust my Savior, but do I really? If I’m all a lie, can I really trust you and be worthy of you?” She wrung her hands together. “I’m so sorry. Can you please leave?”

He studied her, uncertain how to fight this despondency and fear. He wanted to help and he wanted to respect her wishes. How should he react? She wasn’t a fake. He’d seen her strength and resilience many times. After what she’d been through tonight, maybe she simply needed some time to be alone, think, and process. He prayed for insight.

“If you need me to leave, I’ll go,” he finally said.

She only nodded.

He stepped in closer to her and said, “You don’t need to be sorry. Take some time and get some rest.”

Her lip quivered. “Thanks.”

“Sloan, you need to know … you aren’t in your dad’s power. Maybe you had some moments of fear and uncertainty tonight, but you stood up to him, bit his arm, and you protected me from being exploded.” He’d heard that part of the story as she told it to the sheriff. “You are brave and independent, a competent businesswoman and a beautiful woman of faith. I want to stand by your side and support you any way I can. You’ve got me and you’ve got your Savior, your friend Kathy, all the contractors we know, and the entire Coleville family. Only Mama and Papa know you, but all of my family will love and support you. You aren’t alone and your dad isn’t controlling you any longer. He stands no chance against all of us.”

He looked into her deep brown eyes. Were his words sinking in? Usually he could read her emotions, but right now she seemed overwrought and afraid. Not herself at all.

“You are brave, Sloan Jensen.” His voice lowered. “And you are loved, by me and many others.”

He wanted to hold her close, but she had asked him to leave. Walking to the door, he turned to look at her. “Will I see you tomorrow, or are you heading for Vegas?”

“I don’t know.” She folded her arms across her abdomen, her eyes filled with misery. “I’ve got nothing, Rhett. Nothing to give you.”

“You have so much to give, but all I want is your heart.”

She studied him, and he thought for a moment she was leaning forward. Would she come to him?

But then her dark eyes closed off.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered in her husky voice. Then she fled for the bathroom, banging the door closed behind her.

Rhett prayed for help. He had to give her the space she’d requested. He prayed she wouldn’t go back to Vegas, but if that was what she needed, he’d understand and give her time to heal and figure out how she felt about herself and this mess with her father.

He closed the door and typed in the code to lock it.

Rain plunked on his bare head, and he scowled. Rain … again? They’d had one day of sunshine this spring and now the rain was back.

He’d had only a brief glimpse of Sloan this spring.

And now she was leaving him.