Deadly Chase (22 page)

“I’ll get a cup of ice water.” Jake hurried to the nurse’s station.

An older gentleman in scrubs shuffled through the surgical doors and pulled a white mask down, exposing thin lips pinched into a tight line. “Detective Price?” He looked at Jake first.

“Over here.” Chase approached the man, his entire body shaking from the inside out.

The surgeon clasped his hands. “We did everything we could. I’m sorry to have to tell you this but…the patient has sustained unrecoverable injuries.”

His throat constricted, his heart stopped.
Please God, not Sierra.

“Mr. Eason passed on about ten minutes ago.”

Chase sucked in a breath. “Eason?”

Chaos erupted all around. Mom’s sobs came first. Dad’s consoling next. Jake dropped the cup full of ice water, coating a four-foot-wide radius of the tiled flooring.

“What about Sierra?” Piper shouted.

The surgeon’s eyes widened, and he held up his hands. “I’ll go check.”

A nurse rushed toward Jake, roll of paper towels in hand.

Chase stood in the middle of it all, speechless. He should’ve felt something because Eason was gone, but no emotion penetrated beyond the numbing fear for Sierra. He’d have time to absorb the rest later.

“I’m looking for Ms. Sierra Malone’s family.” A woman, also dressed in surgical scrubs, stood nearby. In the confusion, Chase hadn’t seen her come through the doorway.

Piper took Chase by the arm and pulled him along. “We’re her family. Are you Sierra’s surgeon?”

The woman nodded and looked around. “Would you rather we go somewhere private?”

“No.” Chase had no desire to hear the news in a small chapel-like room. “Tell us now.”

“The trauma Ms. Malone sustained—”

“Is she alive?” Chase cut her off as blood rushed through his veins.

The surgeon smiled. “She’s alive. And, she’s very lucky. As I was saying, the trauma she sustained could have been much worse. The force with which the glass entered her body, caused the tip to break off angling away from her vital organs. The wound is rather shallow because of it. She will have no permanent damage.”

“So…she’s….” Chase swallowed. Piper squeezed his arm.

“She’s going to be fine. A little TLC and she’ll be back on her feet in no time.”

Relief washed over him, and his shaking subsided as a sense of calming peace blanketed his strained nerves. “Can we see her?”

“She’s in recovery. I’ll allow one of you to go in, but only for a few minutes.”

Chase looked at Piper. “She’s your sister…”

She shook her head. “I’ll wait here.” She covered her heart with her hand. “I know in here, she’s going to be OK. You go. See for yourself she’s all right.”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Chase drew Piper into a hug. “Thank you.”

“You saved her. Thank
you
.”

The surgeon spoke to the nurse for a moment, and then returned. “Follow me. It will take some time before the anesthesia wears off. When she wakes, even if she does talk, she won’t remember the first few conversations.”

“It doesn’t matter. I just want to hear her voice.” Chase followed her past the double doors and into a long, sterile-looking hallway. With each step he took, his spirits lifted higher.

The surgeon pointed him in the right direction, understanding and satisfaction in her eyes. “That’s why I devote my life to this. For the happy endings.”

“If I have my way, this will only be the beginning.”

“That makes it even better.”

A short while later, Chase sat by Sierra’s bedside, head bent, eyes closed.

Thank You, Father.
As far as Chase was concerned, those three words said it all.

He lifted his gaze and took her hand in his, turned it over and placed a kiss on her palm. He knew now, after having almost lost her, he would find a way to keep her. Ideas began to take root, and he held on to the hope Sierra would consider spending a lifetime with him. “How did I ever think I could let you go?”

She stirred, turning her head toward his voice.

He smoothed a hand over her forehead. “Sierra?”

She smiled then, a small movement, but it was enough to calm his racing heart. She lifted her eyes and blinked, focusing on him. Her dry lips parted.

“I love you,” she whispered, then drifted back into oblivion.

29

One week later…

“I can’t believe it’s over.” Sierra tucked her legs up underneath her, snuggling up on her couch. “I’ve been afraid for so long, I just don’t know what to feel now that Kevin’s…gone.” She couldn’t wrap her mind around the fact there was no longer a constant threat to her life. She now had the freedom she’d longed for, but it came with a hefty price. “I always thought Kevin would end up in jail…not—”

“Chase had no choice.” Piper placed a hand on Sierra’s shoulder and squeezed.

“I know.” Sierra dipped her head, studying her fingers. Even before she knew the details, she’d known Chase wouldn’t have taken a life if he’d had any other option—even if it was the man who murdered his sister in cold blood.

She shifted, her side still ached, and the skin had begun to itch as she healed, but considering what could’ve happened she counted her blessings. “This all seems surreal.”

“Give yourself time.” Piper softened her voice. “I imagine you’ll be going through tons of emotions in the coming days.”

Sierra had no doubt. At first, an odd numbness settled upon her at the news of Kevin’s death. Since then, her emotions had been on a rollercoaster ride and not just because of Kevin. “I’ve been home from the hospital several days, and I’ve only seen Chase once.” She thought of the haze she’d been in as Piper had driven her home, and the seemingly unending barrage of questions from numerous police officers in the days that followed. The one time Chase had come by her condo, he’d brought another detective along, only asking for official statements of what had taken place. He’d briefly touched her hand on the way out, but had said nothing of a personal nature. “I don’t understand why he hasn’t come back.”

“I told you”—Piper lounged in the chair opposite her—”Chase has had a ton of paperwork to catch up on.”

Sierra had guessed as much, but still…What would he do next? Would he move to Granite Falls and not look back?

“Relax Sierra. It’s all going to fall into place. You’ll see.”

Sierra thought of all Piper and Zeke had lost. Her respect for her brother-in-law had grown tremendously since his return. Instead of anger at losing his house, he’d shown only understanding. Still, Sierra felt responsible. “I’m so sorry about your home.”

“Zeke and I have always wanted a Victorian. Now’s our chance to have it. I just hope you can put up with us staying here until it’s built.”

“Put up with you? It’s the least I can do, besides, I welcome the company. After what happened here, I’d prefer not to be alone.” Nightmares had come each night in vivid, terrifying detail. She’d expected as much, but each time she woke, she remembered her real-life nightmare had come to an end.

Had her relationship with Chase also ended? She fidgeted at the unwelcome thought. She’d known him for a short time, but she couldn’t imagine living the rest of her life without him. Piper had said he’d come to the hospital, and hadn’t left until he was assured she was going to be all right. But, she didn’t remember seeing him, and she missed him with a vengeance.

His parents had even been by her condo to see her twice, each time carrying enough food to feed an army. She’d eaten so many smoked ribs she thought she’d burst. Showing loving kindness, Chase’s family had made her feel as if she were a part of them. So, why hadn’t Chase come with them?

The doorbell rang, and Piper hopped up as if she was expecting someone. She flung open the door. “Come in.”

Sierra strained to see who was there. Her pulse jumped when Chase appeared. Was he coming to say goodbye?

Although he wore jeans and a flannel, button up shirt, he carried an air of authority with him as he strode inside and nodded at Piper. “Thanks for watching over her. It’s all set. I’ll take it from here.”

Confused, Sierra climbed from the couch, glancing between Piper and Chase. “What’s all set?”

Piper smiled mischievously and disappeared into the guest bedroom.

Sierra’s curiosity sparked. “What’s going on?”

Chase sauntered toward her and took her hand. “You feeling up to a road trip?”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’ve barely spoken to me since I came home. Now you want to take me on a drive? Why should I?”

“You’ve trusted me so far, don’t stop now. Just give me a little time and I’ll show you.”

She wanted to give him a hard time, but he had come to see her, after all. “All right. I guess it wouldn’t hurt. I’ve been staring at these walls too long anyway. I’m ready to get out and do something. Where to?” She picked up her jacket.

“You’ll see.” Chase led her toward the door.

“I take it you’ve finished with the paperwork?”

“Hardly. It’ll take weeks to sort through it all.” He led her outside and secured her in his truck before sliding in behind the wheel.

“Then why are you here? You’ve been staying away for days because of this paperwork.”

“Not exactly because of
that
paperwork.”

“Then what—”

He shifted, cupped her face in his hands and kissed her with an unspoken passion. His masculine scent surrounded her as his lips softened, bringing the kiss deeper. Several moments later, he eased away. “I’ve missed you,” he whispered.

“I’ve missed you, too.” Her gaze strayed to his lips, moist from their intimate connection. She wanted more, much more. “On second thought, can’t we just stay here a little while?”

He grinned—a cat-that-ate-the-canary grin—and tweaked her nose. “It’ll be worth the trip. Trust me.”

As Chase drove out of her complex, Sierra settled into the seat and tried to relax. She glanced at Chase. He had that look again—the one of total ease as he placed one hand on the steering wheel and another on his thigh.

“What are you up to?”

He shot her a grin, but remained silent.

After several vain attempts at getting him to divulge his plan, she finally gave up and enjoyed the ride. An hour later, they entered Granite Falls. The first time she’d been there, she’d been a nervous wreck. A lot had happened since she’d first met his parents, but her nerves still felt the same. They passed the county line sign and Sierra absently read it aloud. “Population 3,200.”

“That’s about to change.”

Sierra’s brows rose, but her stomach dropped. “A-are you moving here?”

“As soon as I get everything squared away back in Seattle.” His grip tightened on the wheel. “Probably within the month.”

Queasy at the thought, Sierra reminded herself an hour’s commute wasn’t that far away. Even though any distance away from Chase seemed too far.

He maneuvered the truck into a parking space on Main Street. “Come on.”

“We’re not going to see your parents?” Confused, Sierra stepped to the curb. Chase led her toward a nearby building squeezed between a row of small businesses. “What’s this?” A faded sign marked the place as
Price’s Handcrafted Furniture,
and the boarded windows indicated the store had been closed for some time.

Chase produced a key, unlocked the door, and flipped on the lights.

Sierra entered. Lingering scents of pine, oak and hickory occupied the space, along with cobwebs and dust. Aside from an empty countertop, which looked like an old checkout stand, only a few pieces of shelving and some odds-and-ends remained.

“Looks rough, I know. But the structure’s solid.”

“Is this your dad’s building?”

Chase nodded. “For more than forty years.” He looked around as if the place held fond memories.

“Was he upset you and Jake didn’t take over his business when he retired? Seems like forty years of hard work would be hard to give up.”

“Dad asked us a long time ago if we’d like to work with him. But, after spending our high school summers here, both Jake and I knew our calling was elsewhere.”

“That must’ve been hard on your dad.”

“He understood each of us is different, with varied abilities and dreams.”

Sierra wandered farther into the room. “This large space must’ve been ideal for a business.” The location, in the heart of downtown Granite Falls, would assure everyone in the county would pass by at some time or another. “What’s he going to do with this place?”

“That depends on you.”

She whirled around. “What do you mean?”

“Dad wants to sell it, at a very reasonable price.” He splayed his hands wide. “Imagine bookshelves lining these walls, covered in every title you can imagine. From children’s literature and classics, to romance and adventure novels.”

Sierra had revealed her dreams the day they’d had breakfast together in Allie’s Bakery. “You remember.” Her heart melted. She spun in a slow circle. This space would be perfect to fulfill her dreams. But, she didn’t have the means to open a business. “It would be great, but I can’t afford it.”

“Don’t be too sure about that.”

“Chase, I know you mean well, but…”

He quieted her with a finger to her lips. “I wouldn’t have brought you here just to tease you with a future you couldn’t have.” He dug an envelope from his pocket. “Take a look.”

Sierra’s name had been neatly handwritten across the front, and a familiar return address resided in the upper left corner. “This is from Brown and McKinley?” She’d used these types of envelopes for mailing correspondence when she’d worked for the law firm, and she’d thought she’d never see them again, much less have one addressed to her personally.

She tore open the envelope and read.

Ms. Malone,

We are deeply sorry for our misunderstanding here at Brown and McKinley. Mr. Eason had us all fooled as to his true nature. While we no longer have an open position for you, we feel we must compensate you for your suffering. Please accept this severance pay as a token of our sincere apologies.

Brown and McKinley

Sierra removed a check from the envelope. The staggering amount was more than enough to buy a building and stock it with inventory. She met Chase’s glittering green eyes. “How did you know? The envelope was sealed.”