A Hero In Uniform - The Complete Series (10 page)

No matter how hard he fought, only one Coleman was walking out of this place.

Daniel took advantage of Ronald's distracted mind and grabbed his guns off the ground. Ric and Steven had managed to get Kelley out, and he could here sirens in the distance.

His plan had worked.

No matter what happened now, Kelley would be safe.

He aimed both weapons at Ronald and said, “It's over, Ronald. Give up now, and there's a chance you'll walk out of here.”

Ronald grabbed his knife off a nearby table before he turned to face Daniel, and he sneered, “What's with the gun, Coleman? Can't you fight me like a man?”

“
I'm placing you under arrest.” Daniel told him, ignoring the taunt. “You're going back to jail.”

Ronald growled and lunged at him, but Daniel was ready for it and he shot his brother in the knee. Ronald howled with pain and sunk to the ground, the knife now resting in the dirt as he clutched at his knee.

The sirens were louder and he could see them flashing through the open front door just as Michael and several agents came into the warehouse. He eyed Ronald on the ground before smiling at Daniel. “Nice job, Coleman.”

He handed over the guns just as Ric came into the warehouse.

“
You're needed, big man.”

“
What's wrong?”

“
Kelley's gone into labour.”

Sixteen

Kelley lay in a hospital bed at Cairns General, sleeping peacefully.

Despite her daughter coming into the world almost two months early, she was healthy and doing well.

Daniel sat in a chair next to her bed, holding the little miracle in his arms and gently rocking her as he said, “So, little one. What are we gonna name you?”

The baby whimpered softly and snuggled closer, making Daniel smile. It was hard to believe that this little bundle of perfection shared blood with a killer.

Once he got out of the hospital, Ronald was back in jail, his sentence extended by a judge who just hated men who abused women.

Everything was right again.

Well, not everything.

Daniel still had to tell Kelley that he loved her and that he wanted to be with her.

That he wanted them to be a family and share their lives together.

And once he told her, he had to convince her he was genuine.

The baby started to cry just then, which caused Kelley to wake.

Daniel instantly handed the baby over.

“
Hey, beautiful.” She whispered, cuddling the baby close to her. She looked up at Daniel and smiled. “Hi.”

“
Hi. How are you feeling?” He asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

“
Fantastic.” She smiled, then sobered and asked, “Where's Ronald?”

“
Under police protection two floors up.” Daniel told her. “I shot him in the knee.”

Kelley smiled at that before looking down at her daughter.

“
Have you thought of a name?”

“
I have.” She said. “Her name is Annabelle. Annabelle Coleman.”

“
Coleman?” Daniel asked, surprised. “You're giving her her fathers name?”

“
Not Ronald.” Kelley looked up at him. “You.”

That surprised him even more and he asked, “Are you sure?”

“
Absolutely.”

“
In that case, there's something I need to talk to you about.” Daniel said, suddenly a little nervous.

“
Go ahead.”

“
I'm in love with you. And I want us to be a family.”

Kelley looked up at him in surprise and asked, “Are you serious?”

“
More serious then I've ever been about anything in my life.” He told her. “I've fallen in love with you and I don't want to go the rest of my life without you by my side.”

Kelley swallowed and asked, “Are you asking me..?”

“
Marry me, Kel. Let me care for you and Annabelle. Let me love you both for the rest of our lives.”

A big smile split her face and Kelley replied, “Absolutely. But there's something you should know.”

“
I'm listening.”

“
I'm in love with you, too.”

Daniel grinned and leaned in to kiss her, careful not to crowd Annabelle. As he sealed the deal on their future, he felt confident in saying that now everything was right again.

Because everything was perfect.

Jessica Lawson is in Cairns to escape a bitter

ex-husband who wants her back. After a few months of

living in peace, she thinks her life is back to normal.

Until she meets a Naval officer and discovers her ex-husband

is on her trail …

Chief Petty Officer Ric Jordan rescues Jessica one night,

only to be drawn into the web her ex is weaving. As the former

agent commits crime after crime in an attempt to get his revenge against

Jessica, Ric does everything in his power to keep her safe.

The only thing neither of them counted on was falling in love.

One

Jessica Lawson tied the apron around her waist before grabbing an order pad and pen. The cafe was buzzing with activity as she started her shift, thanks to the R.M. Williams rodeo that had arrived in town over night.

It was scheduled to be in Cairns for two weeks thanks to the closing ceremony being held there, and that meant the city was going to be over-run with cowboys and excited fans.

Jessi worked the tables, taking and filling orders while helping the cashier take payments. The lunch rush lasted for about two hours, the tables filled with locals, tourists in town for the rodeo and employees of the rodeo.
When things eventually died down around two in the afternoon, the cafe's owner, Judy, handed out the latest rosters, telling Jessi, “I've put you on the lunch shift for the duration of the rodeo.”

“
Sounds good.” Jessi said, tucking the roster into the back pocket of the jeans she wore. “How's the hunt going for a new cook?”

“
We haven't found anyone yet, but the kid seems to be doing a good job. We might make him permanent.”

The kid was a twenty-seven year old Melbourne man who'd come north to be with his mother in her final days. He was a pretty good cook despite having no major qualifications. 

Three hours into her shift, Jessi took her break, heading out to the back balcony that was for employees only. It had a fantastic view of the beach in the distance and she always came out here when she was on her breaks, admiring the view as she recharged before heading back inside. She'd been in Cairns for little over three months now and she was still finding everything beautiful and as breathing as the day she moved here.

She'd come north in an attempt to rediscover who she was and make a fresh start. She'd found a charming little apartment, this job that paid well and gave good hours and a nice city that would allow her to move on with her life.

Her days a human punching bag were over.

Jessi finished her break and headed back inside to finish her shift.

At six that night, she was off the clock and, after saying goodbye to her boss and colleagues, she headed home. It was summer and the sun was still on it's descent, setting in the west and casting a golden glow over the city as a cool sea breeze blew in.

Entering her apartment, Jessi engaged all the locks before tossing her bag and keys onto the futon by the door and pulled off her boots. Everyday, after finishing work, she liked to take a long soak in a hot bath. It helped her relax and  made sleeping that much easier.

It also helped her to relax and not worry so much about being found, and right now, with the next two weeks going to be crazy, that's exactly what she needed.

Two days later bought the weekend and Jessi agreed to accompany a group from the cafe that was headed to the show-grounds to watch the rodeo that Friday night.

The place was crowded and noisy, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves as they watched the cowboys try and get the longest time on the back of the bulls and the mustangs.

Hot-dogs, cotton candy and popcorn were on offer, along with cold beer and a wide variety of soda drinks.

Eve, Jessi's new friend and a fellow waitress at the cafe, popped some cotton candy into her mouth before pointing and saying, “Holy God! Look at the body on that cowboy!”

Jessi looked, but all she said was, “He's okay if you like that sort of thing.”

“
You mean you don't, Jessi?” Eve asked, sounding shocked.

Jessi shook her head and took a drink of her lemonade.