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  “Thanks. I appreciate you coming to get me and letting me stay for a couple of days,” Jessica whispered. She remained in the passenger seat, unsure of what to do. Maggie Nelson was the only woman who’d remained by her side during the high times as well as the low. She was also the only person she knew in Orlando. She was trustworthy and the only chick who’d never tried to fuck her boyfriends.

  “Least I could do, girlie. You needed some R & R and every shot of tequila we had.” Maggie laughed as she threw the gear into park. “You could stay longer. There’s nothing keeping you here.”

  “I need to figure out what I’m going to do to try and keep my house.” She remained in the seat, exhausted from the drive back home. There was no way she could repay Maggie for driving several hours, being her chauffer.

  “It’s that bad?”

  Jessica groaned. How many times had she wanted to call Cody? She’d refused to take the meager belongings she’d left at his place in hopes he’d come to his senses. He hadn’t even sent her a text. “Yeah. I guess I chose to ignore, thinking the next week would bring a change.”

  “You got your change all right.” After a few seconds Maggie reached over, taking her hand. “Everything will be okay.”

  “Yeah? I have no job, no band, no boyfriend and my house is about ready to be foreclosed. Peachy kind of life.” She opened the door and squinted from the morning sun. “Thanks for the clothes. I’ll wash them.”

  “Don’t worry honey. The dress looks a hell of a lot better on you than me. Need to lose me a few pounds but hey, more to love. Right?” Maggie flashed a smile.

  Jessica managed a grin. “You’re gorgeous. I’ll call you in a couple days.”

  “Better or I’ll come after you.”

  She climbed out onto shaky legs and sucked in her breath. Time to be a big girl for a change. Hugging her purse to her chest, she walked toward the front door. As soon as she got within four feet she could see the lock box. “What the hell?” She threw a look over her shoulder before racing toward the door.

  Seconds later, footsteps sounded behind her. “What in God’s name is that?”

  Jessica reached out, grabbing the note secured to the door. “They’ve taken my house.”

  Maggie peered over her shoulder. “What does it say?”

  “I waited too long. They’ve locked me out. Oh my God. Oh God.” She shivered as she re-read the notice. She’d been wrong about the date. The deadline had long since passed. She’d been on the road and ignored the rest of her life.

  “Oh, honey. We’ll fix this. I swear to God I’ll help. You know my brother is an attorney, I’ll call him.”

  “What am I going to do?”

  Maggie wrapped her arm around Jessica’s shoulders. “First, you’re coming with me and I won’t take no for an answer. The spare room is yours.”

  She took a step back, then another, almost tumbling off the porch. “Why is this happening to me?”

  “Because karma is kicking your ass. Let’s go. We’ll sort this out later.” Tugging, she managed to ease Jessica down the stairs. “Oh shit.”

  “What?” Hearing the sound of crunching gravel, she turned her head. Even in the glint of the sun, she could make out a van and an SUV. “I’m not expecting any company.”

  She exhaled as she let Jessica go and walked closer to her car. “I think you have a bit more trouble to deal with. Get down here now. Sons of bitches.”

  “What?” She flanked her friend’s side. Opening her eyes wide, she bit her lower lip, making out Channel l1 on the side of the van. Channel 13 was in hot pursuit. “That isn’t what I think it is.”

  “Yes, it certainly is. You wanted your name back in lights. Now’s your chance, but honestly, I think you need to back away, give yourself some time.”

  How in the hell had they known she was back in town? No one knew. “No, this can’t happen,” Jessica moaned.

  The vehicles came to a screeching halt. Instantly several people jumped out, shoving a camera and microphone in Jessica’s face.

  “Ms. Dunn. Can you explain what happened at the Sunshine State Benefit Concert?”

  “Ms. Dunn. Would you like to comment on the status of your position with the record company?”

  “Ms. Dunn. Is it fair to say your career is over?”

  Her body swaying back and forth, Jessica opened her mouth to retort or say anything intelligent at all. Instead, she panicked and froze.

  “She has nothing to say, you worthless vultures. Get off her property!” Maggie demanded.

  “Wouldn’t you like to give a statement, Ms. Dunn?” The perky blond winked.

  The reporter shoved a camera in her face and Jessica narrowed her eyes. “No comment.” She allowed herself to be whisked into Maggie’s car. She grabbed her sunglass and yanked down the visor as she slunk low in the seat. Thank God, Maggie hadn’t left yet.

  “I swear to God, people like that need to be castrated.” Maggie threw the gear into drive and roared the engine, nearly sideswiping the cameraman.

  “That will be on the news.” She cringed seeing the expression on the man’s face as he jumped out of the way, tumbling over two of her shrubs.

  “Yeah? So, the hell what? Buzzards, the lot of them.” Maggie huffed.

  Jessica lowered her head. “A nightmare. A freaking nightmare.”

  “Come on sugar, let’s get you out of Dodge,” Maggie said as she turned up the radio.

  As a new song started they both burst into laughter. “At least I’m getting some air play.” The lilting sound of her voice flowed into the small space.

  “Let’s go celebrate.”

  “Dare I ask what in the world we’d be celebrating?”

  Maggie gave Jessica a sly look and winked. “Why a new life of course.”

  “Sure, just after I figure out what to do with the old one.” She slunk further into the seat and pressed her fingers against her temples.

  “I have the perfect bar in mind. Granted, one in Orlando.”

  “If you don’t mind, I don’t feel like being seen and I can’t invade your privacy.” Jessica’s head hurt like a son of a bitch.

  “Girl, I would love having a house mate for a little while,” Maggie stated as she turned up the radio. “By the way, you look like a million bucks in that red dress, even if I say so myself.”

  Sighing, Jessica pulled out her phone, contemplating texting Cody. She wanted nothing more than to talk to him and to hear his voice.

  “Don’t do it or I’ll toss that out the window. You need space and you need that man to chase after you.” Maggie slapped her hand.

  “That’s not going to happen. He’s done and, in truth, I don’t blame him.”

  “Nope. That’s not the way the love game works. I need to teach you a thing or two. You need to get away, make him worry. Hell, honey, you need to make that man horny.”

  Jessica bit her lower lip and eyed their last texts. Had it really been almost a month since they’d shared teasing texts? The date stamp didn’t lie. They’d been over for a long time. The night before had just been about semantics. “Maybe getting away isn’t a bad idea, but I have no money to speak of.”

  “Didn’t you tell me you have some in savings?”

  “Yeah, but not enough for a vacation to a tropical island.”

  “Then you find somewhere you can rest and hide that isn’t expensive. I have an idea. We’re going back to my place. We’ll grab a bottle of wine or three and I’ll lay out my plan.” Maggie looked over, winking and offering a coy smile. “I ain’t taking no for an answer, sweetie.”

  She glanced at her friend. Seeing the mischief in the woman’s eyes gave her a smile. After a few seconds she closed her eyes, imagining another time and place. Starting over. What she wouldn’t give to have a family. She listened to the end of the song as memories of the past slipped past the walls she’d locked into place. Some were good but others were moments derived straight from Hell.

  “What de hell did ya make for dinne
r, stupid bitch?”

  “Your favorite. You like steak and mashed potatoes.”

  Cowering in the corner, she heard first her father’s slurred words then her mother’s terrified ones. She remained in the shadows, trying to control her anger.

  “This is dog shit if you ask me!” Snarling, he grabbed a knife, poking the meat several times. “You damn well cooked it to death.”

  “You like it well done,” she whispered, darting a look over at her daughter.

  Wham!

  Her mother shrieked as the plate was pitched off the table, shattering against the wall. “John! Don’t. Jessie is in the house.”

  He stumbled to his feet, cursing as he lumbered forward. “Just like her mama, nothing but useless.”

  She opened her eyes wide as her father wrapped his hand around her mother’s throat. “No! Daddy, no!”

  “Wake up, honey. Geez.”

  Jessica’s eyes flew open. She jerked up, startled. The dream was so raw and so very real. “What? Where are we?”

  Maggie twisted, leaning over and patting Jessica’s hand. “We’re at my house. I let you sleep while I drove. Whoa, girlie.” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s wrong? You look like you saw something horrible.”

  She pressed her hand against her mouth, trying to catch her breath. She’d been asleep for hours? How? Shrinking back, she darted her eyes back and forth.

  “Nightmares?”

  “Some.”

  “Uh-huh. You definitely need to get away from here, but first things first. I have three bottles of merlot and chunky monkey ice cream. We’re set for the evening. Come on.”

  “Perfect.” Jessica shivered as she unfastened the seat belt. She’d never be able to get away from the wretched hold her father continued to have on her.

  “Don’t knock it, babe. Now come on. I have a surprise for you.”

  She climbed out of the car and gazed at the palm trees floating in the warm breeze. This was supposed to be paradise, especially given her upbringing, but a prison was where your soul was caged. No matter what the scenery. As she remained outside, enjoying the sensation of sun against her skin, she made several promises to herself. No more men. No more music. And definitely there’d be no way she’d trust anyone ever again, maybe not even herself. What she would do was survive.

  A slice of peace managed to furrow its way past her anxiety. She nodded, accepting her lot in life, and walked toward Maggie’s front door. Everything happened for a reason, right?

  “Here you go. A glass of wine first.” Maggie pushed a hefty crystal goblet across the counter. She took a sip of hers, giggled as she set it back down and whistled while she walked toward a small desk positioned in the corner of her kitchen.

  Jessica slid onto the stool in front of the kitchen island and reached for her wine. “Why do I have a bad feeling about this?”

  “I don’t know. Why do you?” Winking, she jerked open a desk drawer. “I have an idea about what you should do. I’m never wrong you know.”

  “I’m running away to a new country.”

  Maggie shot her a look. “You’re not that far off, sugar.”

  Jessica couldn’t see what her friend was doing but knew the girl well enough. Maggie had an answer for everything and always had. Maybe for the first time she should listen to someone else. She certainly wasn’t making any decent decisions involving her life.

  “Now grab your wine, take several sips while you close your eyes. No peeking or I’ll smack you around.”

  Raising her eyebrows, she took the wine and closed her eyes. “This is under duress you know.”

  “Stop your bitching.”

  Jessica laughed. This was what home was supposed to be like, laughter and good times with friends and family. She licked the rim of her glass as she tried to figure out what Maggie was doing. She heard the sound of scotch tape, but nothing else discernable. “Are you finished yet?”

  “Miss Impatient. I’ll tell you when I’m done.”

  “Fine. Geez.”

  Maggie hummed for a few more seconds. “There. I think this will work.”

  “Does that mean I can open my eyes now?” Jessica teased.

  “You really are a hard head. Yes.”

  She opened one eye first then craned her neck before opening the other. “What is that?”

  “That, dearie, is a map of the continental United States.” Maggie stood, wearing a beaming smile.

  “And what?”

  “Well, I figured given your money situation you couldn’t actually go to say Hawaii, although the sun and surf would do you some good.” Maggie walked forward, her eyes twinkling. She held out her arm.

  “What’s in your hand?”

  “The beginning of a new destiny, one you allow fate to make. Now get to your feet.”

  Jessica slid off the chair. “I think I should be going.”

  “Then you’re going to have to walk. Come here.”

  She eased her wine onto the counter and willed her way closer. One thing Jessica hated was surprises. Even the best ones were laced with a nasty backhand.

  “Here.” A smile remaining on her face, Maggie opened her hand.

  “A dart?”

  “A dart. Take your best shot and see where you’re going to go.”

  “Wait a minute. You don’t seriously think I’m going to throw a dart, thereby selecting somewhere to run off to.”

  “Exactly, however you’re not running, merely following destiny.” She took Jessica’s hand, forcing the dart into her palm. “What have you got to lose?”

  “My sanity or what might be left?”

  Maggie gave her a look. “You lost that a long time ago, sweetie. Just trust me for once.”

  Jessica looked down at the colorful plastic on the tip of the metal, swirling until a kaleidoscope formed. “You really are serious.”

  “Think of it this way. You go somewhere you’ve never been before where no one knows you. You can find a little place, read some books, sleep and figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. Does that really sound so bad?”

  She thought about the alternative. “In truth. Not in the least. You’re right. I have nothing to lose. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Right?”

  “Atta girl. Go for it.”

  Jessica took a step back, grabbing and chugging more than half her glass of wine before positioning herself directly in the center of the map. She glanced at Maggie and laughed before taking aim. “Here goes nothing.”

  Whap!

  Both moved closer, squinting as they studied the map.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” Jessica exhaled.

  Maggie giggled. “This is perfect.”

  “Why?”

  “Because, dear girl, fate is intervening in the most incredible way. Have you ever considered going country? Singing, I mean.” Maggie laughed, her tone lighthearted.

  Jessica turned to look at her friend. The girl’s expression was one of knowing. Singing country music. Hell, anything was possible. “Now I’m terrified. What do you have up your sleeve?”

  “Well, think of it this way. The location you accidentally selected is considered God’s country and I heard the cowboys are all well hung.”

  Chapter 3

  Stoker groaned as he glanced up at the ominous sky. Gray clouds were swirling around the mountains, thunder rumbling in the distance. Another storm was rolling in. Only a matter of weeks until he’d have to worry about snow. Still, there was enough of a chill in the air that a roaring fire would be comforting, his beloved dog by his feet. Sadly, he’d have to wait until he finished his chores before going inside—alone. Very much alone. He stood in front of the log, eyeing the measly amount of firewood he’d managed to split, and shook his head.

  Woof!

  Frowning, he gave the Golden Retriever a fake harsh look. “Enough with the peanut gallery, Mac. I’m just tired.” And I have a date tonight. He groaned. The last thing he wanted to do was go out anywhere with some unknown bimbo
from town. He blamed Garcia and losing a game of poker. A blind date? Only after four shots of tequila and three beers had he agreed. “Asshole.”

  Growling, Mac cocked his head and sat back on his haunches. His tail wagged back and forth, rustling against the fallen leaves.

  “Yeah, I know. Your daddy is a moron and it’s past your dinner time.” He winked before raising the maul with both hands.

  Wham!

  The wood split perfectly, the pieces falling off into the pile. He grabbed another, repeating the move, finally garnering a rhythm.

  Crack! Boom!

  The wind whipped around him and a flash of lightning followed a clap of thunder. His vision became foggy and his hand trembled. “Guess we better hurry, boy. Gonna be a doozy.” Concentrate. Move on.

  The words he’d screamed in the darkness on nights when nightmares drained him of sleep and a portion of his sanity. He gripped the maul, raising the powerful instrument in the air. When the ugliness faded, he thought he would be able to shove the disabling images out of his mind.

  Boom!

  “No!” He was shoved into a series of visions.

  “Come on. Time to get out there. We have men to save.”

  Stoker swayed back and forth, the momentum of the plane’s bump and grind in the storm slamming all the men against the hull. Nearly stumbling, he hiked up his gear and grabbed the thick rope leading to the opening. He didn’t need to be told they were in enemy territory. They could all hear the booms coming from the airstrike. They were under direct attack.

  “Sergeant, are you certain of the coordinates?” Stoker shouted over the rattles and creaks.

  “Our informants were clear,” the Sergeant stated as he pushed first one then another man forward. “Follow your mission. Do exactly what we talked about and we stand a chance of releasing the prisoners.”

  Stoker’s mouth was dry as he lumbered forward. His hands were clammy. He rubbed sweat from his eyes as he watched the men hurl themselves from the plank. Adrenaline kicked in as he wrapped his hand around the tether cord to his parachute. He was a marine. This was his job. He was going to save lives.

  “Come on. We got this.”

  The familiar voice of his friend forced Stoker to open his eyes wide. Cooper knew what he was doing. This was his third and last tour. Nodding, he swallowed hard and watched as Cooper took his position, his hands gripping the sides of the open door. He was next.