A Fresh Start for Two (17 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Saturday had finally arrived. Julia was up bright and early, so nervous she could barely contain herself. Tiff was sound asleep, Lucia was in the shower, and Maria had already gone downstairs. The previous night, Tiffany had wandered around the lake in apparent awe, staring at the boat house and all the nearby cottages, then texting her friends, presumably to tell them all about it. Julia didn’t blame her. The Ramsay house was something to see with the huge screened-in porch across the back, the sweeping decks on two levels, plus the covered boathouse that was bigger than their childhood home.

Jake had spent most of his time talking to Ryan, his sarge, or his dad. They hadn’t told her much beyond that they would take care of her and her friends and family. So she had decided not to worry about any of it. Today would be tough enough.

Though she trusted Jake and the others, the possible consequences of any missteps or wrong decisions frightened her to death.

“Good morning,” she said as she stepped onto the porch. To her surprise, Jake, Ryan, Spencer, and Ryan Ramsay, Jr. and Sr. were all at the table. “Can I cook some scrambled eggs and toast for you?” she asked.

Jake got up and gave her a kiss on her cheek and said, “Sure, that sounds great. I’ll ask Lorraine if there’s any bacon.”

As if summoned by the sound of her name, Lorraine appeared behind Julia and placed her hands on her shoulders. “You cook, Julia? We could make a lovely breakfast together, if you’d like.”

“Yes, I do. I’m not as good as you, but you have been feeding Lucia and me for days, so I’d love to return the favor. Why don’t I cook the eggs?”

“Wonderful. I have some turkey sausage we can make, too, and I’ll prepare some toast.”

Julia started to work companionably with Lorraine, trying not to listen to the guys in the other room. Keeping busy was her plan for the day, and she definitely didn’t intend to step foot off the property. Vincent would not gain access to her that easily, and she wouldn’t do anything to help him make good on his threats.

She picked up bits and pieces of the conversation that was underway outside. Vincent had returned to his home last night. He was the squad’s focus for the day, and would be followed around by two patrol cars. They also discussed how they would protect her and the others here at home…Jake and Ryan were both going into work in about an hour. Gramps and Jake’s dad would be here all day, but Spencer was heading to Rochester. He was a resident in general surgery at the University of Rochester.

Julia grinned when she heard that…did Lucia know Spencer was a doctor? He was kind of cute—not as handsome as Jake, but still cute. But perhaps it would be better for Lucia to figure that out on her own.

By the time she finished the eggs, her friend had come downstairs, looking as tired as she felt. She jumped right in to help her and Lorraine in the kitchen. At one point, she leaned over and whispered, “That Spencer is kind of hot, isn’t he?”

Julia just grinned and quirked her brow at Lucia.

Once they finished the cooking, they carried the food out onto the porch and Gramps said a quick prayer for a safe day before they all dug into breakfast. Jake, always the gentleman, stood up and found her and Lucia seats next to him, Ryan, and Spencer. Maria stood in front of the TV, dancing back and forth on one foot. The porch was arranged with three separate tables of six on one end, and the couch and chair arrangement at the other, complete with a TV on the wall for the sports enthusiasts in the family. The windows were open and a light summer breeze brought the lake inside. It was a gorgeous morning.

She was so nervous, she found herself pushing her eggs around the plate rather than eating them.

“Whoever cooked the eggs this morning did a great job, Julia,” Jake said. “You should try them,” he teased as he shoveled in another mouthful.

The man could eat. He ate eggs, sausage, and three pieces of toast in a flash. When he noticed she was still playing with her food, he took her hand in his under the table and said, “Everything will be all right. Trust in me and your Summerhill Police Department. It’ll all be over by tonight.

“Do you really think so?” She held her breath as she awaited his answer.

“If he’s going to do anything, I believe he’ll do it today,” Ryan confirmed.

“I hope you’re right. All this sitting around and waiting has been torturous.” Try as she might not to squirm in her seat, she failed miserably.

Lucia nodded. “Yes, I need to get back to work soon. And we have a test to study for.”

“What class are you all taking?” Spencer asked.

“Accounting. Julia and I would like to open our own shop on Main Street here in Summerhill.”

“Oh, that would be great,” Spencer said. “I think Julia mentioned it before.”

Lucia gave him a perplexed look. “But you don’t even know what it is yet…”

“I don’t need to know. You two are young and intelligent. Summerhill could only benefit from whatever you create. I’m sure it would flourish.”

“Thanks, Spencer,” Lucia said, beaming.

He winked at her, then got up and took his plate in to the kitchen. He waved at everyone on his way out. “Good luck. Keep me posted.” His last wave was to Lorraine. “Bye, Mom.” He kissed her cheek and left.

Lucia stared at him with a dreamy expression on her face.

Julia kicked her under the table.

“What?” She glared at her friend.

Julia had to hold back a laugh. If she was this interested without even knowing Spencer was a doctor yet, what would she do once she found out?

A few minutes later, Ryan stood up. “Come on, Jake. Let’s get going. See if they’ve discovered anything new at the office.”

Jake took his plate and rinsed it off in the sink, then came back to grab Julia by the hand, leading her out the front door with him. Once outside, he wrapped his arms around her and said, “Trust me?”

She nodded.

He kissed her, then said, “I’ll keep you posted, but promise me that you’ll stay here with Lucia, Maria, and your sister. No matter what happens, I will protect you.” He kissed her again and got into his car.

Before Ryan climbed in beside him, he said to her, “And if something happens, we’ll follow you. Don’t forget that. I’m just as stubborn as my brother, and the two of us are a force to be reckoned with.”

Julia whispered, “Thank you.”

How she hoped it would never get to that point.

***

Vincent Nye reviewed everything in his mind one last time before he set his plan in motion. Shit, but he hadn’t wanted it to end this way. Why couldn’t she have just stayed with him? Where had the damn cop come from anyway? He’d probably have to kidnap her and run off to another country. His father would pave the way, if necessary.

All his life, he had tried to meet his father’s expectations, to make him proud of his eldest son. Nothing had ever worked, until Julia. If his father learned the truth about Julia leaving him, he would never live it down. He would laugh at him, scorn him for not being man enough, and find countless other sneaky, underhanded ways to embarrass him. He raked his hand down his face at the very thought.

It would only make it worse that Julia was the one thing in his life that had brought him his father’s approval. His father’s eyes had lit up the moment he caught sight of her, and after speaking with her for a few moments, he had excused himself and pulled Vincent aside. Then he’d actually patted him on the back and congratulated him.

“Well done, Vincent. I like her. She’s a beauty.”

He would never forget those words, now ingrained in his mind forever. All these years he had wanted to make his father proud, and he had done it with a girl. Of course, Julia wasn’t just any girl. With her silky black hair and the mesmerizing green eyes, Julia was the sort to set a man’s desires ablaze. She had a face that could light a thousand stars, launch a thousand ships, and a voice that could warm a man on the coldest of nights.

Then she had ruined everything by dumping him.

He had to get her back. He would not admit to his father he had failed—not ever.

Never.

Tears almost rolled down his cheeks when he realized he was doomed. He wouldn’t get her back…at least not willingly. He had crossed a line that fateful night at the restaurant, and the sad fact was that he finally recognized it.

But he wasn’t going to go back now. He couldn’t. He had made a threat, and he would carry it out. That’s what Nye men did.

His father was Arthur Nye, and he would make him proud.

***

Jake and Ryan strode into the squad room together. The atmosphere in the room was tense—a foreboding sign Jake wished to deny but could not. Something was wrong.

All eyes turned to him, but then many turned away.

“We lost him,” someone finally said.

Wham. Just like that, a lead ball hit him in his chest. He reached up and massaged the muscles there, but the tension didn’t let up.

“What the hell do you mean, you lost him? How could you lose one guy? You can’t follow one car?”

Scanlon said, “He’s not at home. We pulled his car over, but he wasn’t in it. Loaned his car to a friend. He was possibly spotted in a different car heading down East Lake Road, but we have not confirmed identity yet. Sarge called in two more officers to go on patrol in front of the Ramsay house.”

Jake’s anxiety level went through the roof. One good thing about it being on a lake was that there were narrow roads without many intersections. It wouldn’t be easy for him to get away. Still, the Ramsay inn was not far from a major intersection.

“Stop every car that comes down East Lake Road. We’ll find him.” Jake paced a wild circle around the squad room, swinging his arms as he battled the dark, worried thoughts in his mind.

Scanlon continued, “We’ve set up a checkpoint two miles down past the intersection of route five and East Lake Road. We’ll get him. Calm down, Jake.”

Jake forced himself to take a calming deep breath. He had to admit his gut reaction told him something he hadn’t been willing to admit to himself yet.

Did this mean he was really falling in love with Julia?

Ryan put his hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get him.”

As Ryan moved behind Scanlon to look at his computer screen, Jake picked up his phone.

Jake:
You okay?

Julia:
Yes, why?

Jake:
No reason. Just checking.

A weight lifted off his chest.

He didn’t want to admit what that meant.

Chapter Eighteen

Lucia chewed on her nail as she watched Julia answer her phone. “What is it?”

“Nothing,” Julia sighed. “He’s just checking in with us.” Tiffany had just pulled herself out of bed and was lounging on the porch with Paige. Lucia and Julia had decided to have a study session for their upcoming accounting exam. They moved down to the boathouse, Maria skipping along behind them.

“Look, do you like the flowers I planted with Miss Lorraine yesterday? I did the pink and purple ones.” She pointed to two pots near the dock.

“Si, they are beautiful. You did a nice job.”

“Lucia, can I play in the water?”

“Only up to your knees, chica.”

“And no splashing!” Julia said, forcing herself to grin at the little girl. “We have work to do.”

How joyful Maria looked as she ran down to the water. Her innocent happiness was beautiful to behold. “We can sit here where we can watch her,” Lucia said. They arranged everything on the table not far from the dock, giving them an unfettered view of the water. Maria giggled as she splashed her feet in the water, then ran back up on the dock, running back and forth.

Lucia said, “I really don’t think this test will be that bad.”

“No? I’m nervous, but only because my brain doesn’t feel like it’s working quite right.”

“Once we finish this test, then we can work on our business plan. I’m so excited.”

“I know. I just wish I could focus on that instead of other things.” Julia stared at her book, her leg swinging in front of her.

Lucia clasped her hand in both of hers. “Things will be better tomorrow, amiga. You’ll see.”

“I hope you’re right. I won’t admit it to Jake, but I’m so stressed I feel like I’m going to explode at any minute. I have a headache, and I can’t eat.”

“You must eat. You’ll lose more weight, and you can’t afford to lose any more. Look at you. You are too thin already.”

Julia’s gaze flicked up to the sky in exasperation. “No, I’m not.”

“You are, you’ve lost almost all your butt.”

“That suits me just fine.” Julia crossed her arms.

“No, chica. Men like big butts now. You need to eat.”

Julia sighed and leaned her chin on her hand. “My man likes my butt just the way it is, thank you.”

Visions of Jake’s green eyes danced through her mind, especially the special look in them when he made love to her. How had she managed to find a man like Jake? Once they were completely free of Vincent’s shadow, she would show her love for him in so many ways. She was thankful for the sunglasses she was wearing because she suddenly felt she was at a risk for tears. Never having been truly in love before, the potential for this relationship was staggering to her, so much so she tried not to think about it and focus on the here and now.

“I believe you. That man loves everything about you, lucky girl. At least this one drools over you. Vincent looked at you like you were a trophy, but Jake? He’s into you, not just your looks. Keep him…and your skinny little ass. Besides, he has some cute brothers.”

Julia laughed. “I plan on it, thank you. And if you don’t mind, Lucia, I would rather not talk about Vincent at all.”

“No problem. Did you text your mother to see if she’s all right?”

“Yes. She’s fine. He hasn’t reached out to her at all since getting back into town last night.” Her gaze stared out over Orenda Lake, now full of life: motorboats, water skiers, squealing children, much laughter. No longer crystalline, the surface swelled with white wakes and rippling waves. “It’s amazing how much busier the lake is on Saturday. Look at all the boats out there!”

Lucia tipped her face into the breeze off the lake. “I know, and it’s still early.”

Leaning her head back so she could enjoy the breeze too, Julia closed her eyes for a moment to enjoy the sensation. “People are off for the weekend, and they probably invite their friends to join them on nice days like this one. I’m always surprised by how many cars are parked along the East and West Lake Roads in the summer.” She opened her eyes again to look out at the water.

“I know. It’s dangerous. Lots of jet skis out today, too. Hey, maybe we can take one out sometime.”

Having just run up from the water again, Maria overheard her sister’s comment and started jumping up and down. “Oh, can we, can we please take out the jet ski? I want to so bad.”

“We’ll see,” Lucia replied with a patient smile. “We have to wait for Jake to return. It could be a long wait today. Remember what I told you, if you see anything funny, any strange men, you are to run into the house and stay there.
Run
. Do not wait for us.”

“I know, you told me at least a hundred times, Lucia.” Maria pouted and ran back to the edge of the water, scuffing at the pebbles with her watershoes.

“Chica, pick out the pretty stones and put them in the pail.”

“Okay!” Maria leaped up and grabbed a pail from the boathouse, and headed down the small beach.

Julia smiled. “I wish I felt like that today. I would love to go swimming, but I’m afraid to do anything. I think Tiffany wants to swim, too. We’ll all feel so much better after this is over.” A slight wind ruffled Julia’s hair, and the pleasant warmth of the sun melted her resolve to study.

“I know. Come on, we’re not getting any studying done.” Lucia gave her leg a playful nudge. “I see where your mind is. Let’s start with Chapter Three. I had a hard time with that one.”

“Right. Study. I want to get an A on this test.” She straightened and opened her book, bringing her attention back to the pages in front of her. “We could be opening our own business. This material could be really important for us one day. I have to do well.”

“Jake will help you, too.”

“I know. He’s so patient with me. I wish he were here now.”

“Study. Stop dreaming.”

Julia laughed. “I can’t. I have to admit, I already miss him.”’

Her text message alert went off and she jumped. She picked up her phone and gasped. “Oh my God. I have to text Jake.”

Lucia stared over Julia’s shoulder and read the message on the phone.

From the corner of her eye, Julia saw Maria run toward the house, but she was too focused on what she was doing to find out why.

“It’s my mother. She said she talked to Vincent and tried to convince him to leave me alone. She didn’t like his answer. He wasn’t making sense, but he kept talking about making his father proud.”

“Call Jake.” Lucia’s head turned toward her sister. She must have seen something that alarmed her because she shoved herself out of her chair and screeched, “Maria, run!”

The next moment, the booming sound of a gun went off and the little girl screamed, her arms reaching toward the heavens.

***

Vincent started the engine and headed out onto the lake. He had hoped that loaning his house to a friend would throw any cops off his trail. Without saying a word about the break up, he had begged his friend to let him stay at his cottage for one night of a romantic getaway with Julia. The fool had believed him, so they’d switched cars and houses. He had to do some quick talking about his friend’s narrow driveway in order to finesse the car switch, but as soon as he threw in the package of marijuana he had in his car, the fool had happily agreed. So here he was with his friend’s car, his friend’s house, and no one bothering him.

And his friend was who knows where, oblivious to all the cops watching him because they thought they were trailing Vincent. His friend even had a similar build and coloring. Perfect. Just perfect.

His buddy also had something else he needed—a boat. There were too many cop cars around the Ramsay inn from the front, so he had decided he would have to go in from the back—the waterway. It was a sunny day, and Julia would undoubtedly be down by the lake at some point. He would be patient; he’d find a place to throw down his anchor and watch for her.

True, he had said he was going to hurt Jake or Lucia. But Julia was the one he really wanted. He was quite sure she wouldn’t risk her friends’ lives, so with the proper threat, she would come with him willingly enough.

Sure enough, he was only out there an hour before Julia and Lucia strolled out onto the picture-perfect lawn and made their way down to the boat house, trailed by a little girl.

It was all falling into place. He pulled up the anchor and trolled toward the dock. They were staring out over the water, so at first he was afraid they’d notice him, but Julia was sunning herself, seemingly without a care in the world.

Oh, Lord, but she would be beautiful with a dark tan, wouldn’t she? He’d make sure she had all the time in the world to sun herself. And that white bikini… Right now, he needed to focus on getting her back first. The ladies were too busy staring over the water to notice any specific boat, but that would change as he got closer. He needed a distraction and he knew just the person to provide it.

He picked up his phone and dialed Julia’s mother, knowing that she’d text Julia as soon as they got off the phone. She and Lucia would be distracted by the phone, and he would have the opportunity to make his move.

After he finished his conversation with Mrs. Ross, the scene played out exactly the way he had hoped it would. It was almost as if some higher power were on his side. While they were busy staring at the phone, he made his move, making it almost to the point of cutting his engine before they noticed him. As he trolled forward, he noticed the little girl that had come out to the boathouse with them was running toward the house. Shit, he had to get control of this situation fast.

He fired his gun at the girl with the dark ponytail, but he missed her because she was weaving back and forth as her legs churned toward the house. He was about to take aim for another shot, but he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to go for Julia, his ultimate goal. He pointed the gun at Lucia. “Not a word, Julia. This one’s close enough for me to hit. If you don’t drop your phone on the chair and climb into the boat, I’m going to shoot Lucia right now. The first shot will be to her leg, as I promised. The second shot will be to kill. What’s it going to be?”

Julia didn’t hesitate. She stood up, gave her phone to Lucia, and made her way to the boat, tears rolling down her cheeks as she climbed in.

“And Lucia? Don’t move from your spot for five minutes, or I’ll kill her. Understand?”

Lucia nodded, a sheer look of terror on her face. He started the engine and trolled back out, not wanting to draw more attention to himself. The gunshot would have been heard and reported. He pointed to the seat next to him for Julia to sit down. As soon as he got past the boathouse, Julia did the one thing he hadn’t expected.

She screamed and screamed and screamed, calling for help. He hated to do it to her, but he had no choice. He took his gun and hit her in the head, knocking her out cold, though it took two hits.

“Julia, why did you have to make me do that?” he wailed. She crumpled onto the floor of the boat right next to the driver’s seat, and he decided it was a great place for her. He ran his hand down the silky hair splayed across her face. “Don’t you know I love you?”

***

Jake was riding next to Ryan in his cruiser. They’d just passed Vincent’s house, where there hadn’t been any sign of activity.

“Shit.” Jake rubbed his forehead. “I’ve got a bad feeling.”

“What?” Ryan asked.

“I can’t believe they haven’t stopped him yet at the checkpoint on East Lake Road. Something’s wrong. I can feel it. Drive over to the house.”

Jake called in to the captain while Ryan headed down West Lake Road. “Anything on any stake-out or the checkpoint?”

“Yeah, we think we‘ve almost got the friend to talk. Sarge had us bring him in. We should have some information for you soon.”

“Something’s wrong.”

“If we hear anything, you’ll be the first to know, Ramsay.” His captain ended the conversation.

“What’s wrong?” Ryan asked.

“They’ve got his car, but he’s not in it. He played us, I think. Step on it.”

When they neared the Ramsay inn, he was shocked to see the number of police units parked out front. “Ryan, what the hell are they all doing here hanging out in front? This is a waste of manpower.”

As they came up on the group, something triggered in his mind. “Oh, shit. The lake.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Pull in. He’s probably coming by boat.”

Ryan slowed the car and pulled into the driveway. Filled with worry and adrenaline, Jake jumped out before he came to a complete stop. Just as his text message alert went off, a gunshot echoed across the lawn that scattered everyone, sending his heart leaping up into his throat. His legs pumped toward the back. He was too late. Julia was screaming and he knew she was in the boat that was pulling away from his dock. He picked up his phone to see two messages. The first was from Julia, telling him to call her, and the second was from Lucia.

Lucia
:
He’s got her in a boat heading south
.

He turned back to see that Ryan had just gotten out of the cruiser. “Call it in!” he shouted. “They’re on a boat heading south.