Epilogue

EPILOGUE

BECCA

I pull back from Lucas’ kiss. It’s either that or we’re going to end up in bed again, and we’re both already going to be late. I have the late shift at the bakery, and he’s about to leave to go out of town. I lean my head against his chest and whisper huskily to him, “Oh my, I could definitely get used to this.”

When I realize what I just said, I pull out of Lucas’ arms and start gathering my stuff. We’ve spent the week together, and he’s about to leave for a rodeo. He definitely doesn’t need a clingy girlfriend.

He grabs me by the waist and pulls me back against him. “Me too, Becca. I could get used to this. Fuck that, I don’t want to just get used to this. This is what I want.”

“Lucas...” I start, but he doesn’t let me finish.

“After this rodeo, I’m coming here, and we’re going to talk about the future, Becca.”

“Okay,” I all but squeal as I throw my arms around him. He picks me up and kisses me. But there’s nothing simple about this kiss. Like every other time, it goes to inferno level in seconds. The only thing that tears us apart is the frantic knocking at my front door.

Lucas releases me, and I go to get it, but he pulls up in front of me to get it. No doubt worried by the sound of the knock.

When he opens the door, Emery all but runs inside. She walks past Lucas with a glance and stops in front of me. Her eyes are swollen, and she’s a mess. I swear I’ve never seen her like this. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

I open my arms, and Emery steps into them. I hug her tightly, and Emery starts to sob. “It’s Nash... I need a ride to the hospital in Jasper. Can you take me?”

“Absolutely. What happened? Is he okay?” Thank goodness I’m already ready and was about to go out the door.

She shrugs her shoulders. “All I know is he was shot. Walker offered to send someone to get me, but I told him I had a ride.”

“He was shot! Oh my, Emery. I’m so sorry. Come on, let’s go. You know I’ll take you.”

I grab her hand, and she holds on to mine in a death grip.

She’s staring off blankly, and it scares me a little. I’ve never seen Emery come unglued like this. Of all of us, she’s the most level-headed.

I look at Lucas apologetically. “I’m sorry. I need to go with her.”

He drops his overnight bag and puts a hand on my lower back. “Come on, I’ll drive. You two can sit in the back.”

I grab on to my purse as Lucas walks Emery and me out the door, but I’m trying to stop him. “No, you need to go... I can handle this.”

He helps Emery into the backseat and then shuts the door. He walks around the truck, practically carrying me the whole way. “No, I need to be with you.”

“No, Lucas. You can’t miss this...”

But he doesn’t let me finish. “Your friend needs you, and her friend was shot. I’m not letting you walk into something like that without me. I need to know you’re safe, Becca. I’ll worry about you the whole time.”

I want to argue with him, but I understand what he’s saying. “I get it. I’m the same way every time you get on a bull. But I’ll be fine. Nash’s men will be there... no one will get—"

He touches my chin. “Don’t finish that sentence, baby. I don’t want to hear about how other men will protect you. I’m here now... I protect you.”

I know we can’t keep going back and forth on this. I kiss him quickly and climb into the back of the truck. Seconds later, he’s in the front. “Jasper Hospital?”

“Yes, please. I’m sorry.”

He meets Emery’s gaze in the mirror. “No need to be sorry. I’ll get you there as quick as I can.”

I want to reach up and hug him, but I don’t. Emery needs me right now. I scoot over next to her and pull her into my arms. “It’s going to be okay. Nash is strong. You know he is...”

Emery takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I know he is. But damn, Becca... the things I said to him the other night. If something happens...”

I interrupt her. I know the worst thing that could happen would be for her train of thought to go down that path. “Nothing is going to happen to him,” I tell her, and I hope and pray I’m saying the right thing.

I want to ask her what happened, but she’s finally stopped crying, so I just keep holding her. I figure if she wants to talk, she will.

Lucas drives fast to the hospital, and we’re there before we know it. He drops us off at the front door with the promise to be right in.

I have my arm around Emery as we walk in. Immediately, we’re surrounded by Nash’s friends and coworkers. They are mercenaries that do special work for the government, at least that’s all I’ve ever gotten out of Emery, but looking at the room full of big, grim-faced men, I know they are definitely the type of men you want on your side.

The one I know as Walker pulls Emery into his arms. “He’s asking for you. Come on, I’ll take you to him.”

Relief hits me hard and fast. I made all these promises to Emery that Nash was going to be fine. If he’s asking for her, then he should be okay. Emery turns to me, and I wave her on. “Go. I’ll be here when you come out.”

She nods and goes with Walker.

Bear, Bobo, and Aiden all walk toward me. Bobo’s hand goes to my shoulder, and he must see the worry on my face. “He’s going to be okay.”

I nod, and my head turns to the sound of the automatic door opening. Lucas is walking toward me, taking in the men surrounding me and then looking at me. I know he doesn’t like that Bobo has his hand on my shoulder, even if it is innocent. I hold my hand out to him. “Lucas, come here and meet my friends.”

He reaches for me and pulls me against him. He’s standing behind me, my back fitted to his front. It’s a protective stance, one that tells them all I’m his. But I don’t mind it. If anything, my heart starts to race knowing that he’s claiming me.

“Guys, this is Lucas.”

Bear is the quiet one, but he extends his hand. “Lucas Granger. I recognize you from the circuit. Great ride last week. You should have gotten first.”

Lucas brings his hand up and shakes Bear’s. “Thanks.”

I point at the guys. “This is Bear, Aiden, and Bobo. They all work with Nash.”

“I’m sorry about your friend,” Lucas says.

Bear waves his hand. “It’s sort of part of the job. Nash will be fine. He’s survived bullet wounds before.”

I can feel Lucas’ surprise. Probably at some point I’m going to have to explain this all to him.

The guys all talk a little, and I tell them I’m going to go grab a coffee. Lucas goes with me. “Soooo—” he starts.

I stop in the middle of the hallway next to the coffee vending machine. “If you want to go, someone can drive us back to Whiskey Run.”

He crowds behind me, turning me in his arms. I’m leaning back against the wall, and he’s hovering over me. “No can do, sweetness. I’m not leaving you with them.”

I laugh then, loving the fact that he sounds jealous. I put my hands at his waist. “They’re all married. I mean all of them but Bobo. But you don’t have to worry about that. I only have my eyes on one man.”

He leans down and nuzzles his lips against my neck. “That’s right... and your man is going to make sure you’re safe. Did they say what happened to Nash?”

“Uh, I should probably mention that Nash is Emery’s ex-husband, and he’s some kind of mercenary for the government. I’m sure it’s something work-related.”

He nods, but he’s looking at me with concern. “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. You need to go so you can still make the rodeo. You said this is a big one.”

He slides his hands around and pulls me to him so that our bodies are flush against each other. “Nothing is as important as this... me and you, Becca. I was going to wait until the end of the rodeo, but I can’t. I’m retiring. I’m thirty years old, and it’s time I stay in one place.”

I’m holding my breath when I ask him, “And where’s that?”

He cups my cheek and searches my eyes. “Don’t you know? It’s wherever you are, baby. That’s my home.”

“You can’t give up...”

But he doesn’t let me finish. “I’m not giving up anything. I’m still going to be a cowboy... heck, honey, that’s all I know how to do.”

I tighten my arms around him. “That’s not all you know how to do. You know how to love me.”

He smiles big and squeezes my butt with one hand. “I do know how to do that.” He pats me there. “Now let’s get your coffee and get back to your friend. We have a future to plan.”

I’m so happy I took a chance with the rebound guy. A future with Lucas Granger. That’s definitely something to smile about. And I can’t wait to start planning. But first I need to make sure my friend and her ex-husband are going to be okay.

Keep reading for Emery and Nash’s story.

Want to the read about the men of Nash’s Ghost Team? Get the Whiskey Run: Heroes series now.