Jane's Long March Home (15 page)

Gunnery Sergeant Jane Donovan was no longer the wounded Marine his Uncle had deposited into his care. She was magnificent. For the first time in his life, he wanted to take a woman - this woman - into his heart and keep her there forever.

*

The next day, Chase swiveled in his chair, staring out his office window. It was time to take his own advice and stop hiding out. With Zach and Abby to consider, he’d decided, no matter what happened with Jane, to stay on the ranch. Life here was - he laughed - okay, not simpler, but certainly more rewarding.

If Jane could defeat her demons, he could do something about his own. With the power of that thought urging him on, he’d made several calls. One to his brother. Others to his agent and publisher. Last he’d left a message for Beth.

He watched his lady go toward the barn, the children following happily behind her. She’d announced at breakfast, they were going to give the Harley a wash, and Zach and Abby’s glum expressions had perked up.

She was different today. The anger she’d brought with her when she’d first arrived was gone. The Marine didn’t need him anymore. The irony of that had him shifting restlessly in his chair. Now, he was the one who needed her.

Last night, long after her nightly reading, she’d come to his room and they’d made slow, passionate love. Not the desperate kind, but as two lovers did, who for that moment, wanted to be nowhere else.

He’d felt the strength of her desire in the slender arms that held him. Heard the quick catch in her breath as he’d deliberately touched her. And watched, breathless, as she’d come apart in his arms.

They hadn’t talked about her leaving. He wasn’t quite ready for that, and anyway, it would come soon enough.

He rubbed the back of his neck. He wasn’t cut out to be a Marine groupie. He wanted more from her, but first he had to fight for Zach and Abby. She would understand and respect that.

The phone rang. Pivoting his chair around, he checked the caller ID before picking up on the second ring. “What did you find out?”

“Goldie Malone’s not going to relinquish Zach and Abby. She wants them back. Pronto,” Beth said.

“I want to fight for them.”

“You’re only going to get one shot at this, Chase. If Zach and Abby are willing to testify, and we can prove Goldie abandoned them, there’s a slim chance the judge will consider their wishes.” He heard the rustle of papers. “There are no other relatives. That will work in your favor; at least give you legal custody until the dust settles.”

“So what’s the next step?”

“I’ll put a file together on Goldie. And one on you. I know a judge in Bend who’ll take the case ASAP.”

Chase wasn’t surprised by the hard edge in his friend’s voice. Or by how quickly she could make it all happen. Beth must have decided Zach and Abby were telling the truth. If there was one thing she couldn’t abide, it was parents who didn’t take proper care of their children.

When he hung up the phone, his mission shifted. It didn't take long to find Jane in the barn, alone, hunkered down, tinkering with the motorcycle. In her usual intense way, she used the wrench as expertly as she did everything else. At some point, she’d left a streak of grease across one cheek. It made her look more beautiful, capturing him as nothing else could.

“Where’s Zach and Abby?”

She wiped her hands on a rag she grabbed off the seat of the bike and stood. “Gus took them to see Maxine’s new foal.”

“I just got off the phone with Beth.”

“And?”

“Their mother wants them back. We have to go to court.” The vanilla scent she favored mixing with engine oil would always remind Chase of the stunning woman. “Beth wants Zach and Abby to tell the judge their side of the story.”

Jane scowled at him. “And, try to have her declared unfit?”

“Beth says this isn’t the first time she’s abandoned them. She called in a favor. We have an appointment to see the judge on Monday to sue for custodial guardianship.”

“It’s hard to prove a mother unfit.” Jane’s voice lost all emotion.

“I know. But we have to try, don’t we?” In this one thing, he was positive they agreed. They must do what was necessary to keep the kids safe.

He was relieved when she nodded. This was his last chance to show the Marine what she was leaving behind. If she insisted on going, letting her would be one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

“I need your help.”

He grabbed her up, one arm around her shoulders, the other under her knees, eliciting a squawk that had a tremor of need rushing through him.

Her smug grin almost sent him over the edge. “What do you have in mind, Doctor Russell?”

He grinned wickedly back, his mind conjuring all kinds of explicit adventures. Long strides carried them across the ranch yard, into the house and up to his bedroom.

Jane was pulling off her top before her feet hit the floor. Chase quickly got to work on her bra. “You’re beautiful, you know that?”

He was rewarded with an embarrassed blush; enjoyed keeping the woman off balanced.

“You’re just after one thing.” Her voice was a sexy rasp.

He laughed. It wasn’t the thing she thought it was. “You can bet on it. How long do you think Zach and Abby will be gone?”

“Sounded like Maxine was planning to give them lunch.”

“I want you,” he growled.

“Not as much as I want you,” she countered, her eyes going dark with a passion he planned to get on board with. “Now!”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gave her a smirking salute, then tumbled her into the bed.

*

“Guess what?” Abby was nearly bursting with excitement.

Chase glanced over at Jane, who hovered at the kitchen counter, wearing that devil-didn’t-care expression he’d love to spend time wiping off her face. Her snug tee shirt was tucked into sinfully tight jeans, sun-kissed hair finger combed back into place as if he hadn’t just spent an hour and considerable effort mussing the golden strands, while he explored every inch of her.

He hadn’t told her yet how he wanted her to help. That would have to come later, when they were alone again, and if he could keep his mind in the game, instead of letting the charge be led by his profound need of the woman.

He turned to the little girl tugging impatiently on his pant leg. “What, honey?”

“Now, Abigail,” Maxine scolded.

”Maxi and I are getting married,” Gus put an arm around the older woman’s shoulders. Maxine smiled shyly.

“They’re getting married!” Abby shouted at the same time, a grin splitting her gamine face.

The room erupted. Abby clapped her hands in delight. Zach stood back, his attempt at looking uninterested a total flop. Even Jane lost her nonchalance, a smile lifting the corners of the lips that still bore the ravages of their recent lovemaking.

Tearing his gaze away, Chase clapped Gus on the back. “So you went and did it.” He turned to Maxine. “Are you sure you want to get stuck with this old codger?”

Maxine’s smile broadened, making Chase’s heart ache. He wished he could make a certain Marine look that contented.

“I expect so.”

Jane came to stand next to him. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Maxine’s misty gaze rested on Gus. “I don’t know what Fergus sees in an old twig like me after being married to Donna, but the big dope says he loves me. I guess he must.”

Was that what he needed to tell Jane? He’d do it in a heartbeat if he thought it would make a difference.

Maxine’s brows drew together, her tone resuming the briskness Chase had come to expect from her as she glanced at Zach and Abby. “Can I have a word?”

Gus dropped a chaste kiss on Maxine’s cheek. “Miss Jane and I will do something about dinner. Who wants to help make spaghetti?”

“I do! I do!” Abby tromped over to the counter.

Chase led the way to his office, not missing that Jane’s eyes followed him. It gave him a small amount of satisfaction. Anticipation for the time when they would be alone again almost stole everything from his mind.

Closing the door behind Maxine, he offered her the chair across from his desk. “What’s this about?”

“The children told me what you’re trying to do. That’s a noble thing you’re doing, taking them away from that horrible woman and giving them a home here.”

Maxine had warmed considerably since he’d had that first run-in with her at the hospital. “We’re going to see the judge tomorrow.”

“They deserve a decent place to live and people who love them. I want to help.”

“I appreciate the gesture, but I’m not sure what you can do.”

Maxine straightened. “I can speak to the judge on your behalf.”

“I...um...would appreciate that.” Stunned at the older woman’s complete turnaround, Chase wished Jane’s would be as easy.

CHAPTER

XVI

J
ane let Chase drag her by the hand into the Deschutes County Courthouse.

Last night he’d asked her to come for Zach and Abby’s sake, so they could present a united front. And, because he was holding her, their passion building, that knowing look in his eyes, understanding that she would still leave, she’d given in and agreed to do this one last thing for him.

Abby grabbed her other hand, eyes round with uncertainty.

She hoped everything would turn out alright, but she wasn’t completely sure she believed it herself. She sure as heck didn’t want to be there when the kids were remanded back to their mother, but she’d made a promise, even if it was just in her heart. She wouldn't be that scared girl anymore. And she wouldn’t abandon Chase when he needed her to stand at his side for the kids' sake.

Zach followed on their heels. Gus and Maxine were waiting in the immaculately clean lobby. A neatly dressed woman met them halfway down the hall to the judge’s hearing room. She must be Chase's friend from the county, Beth. “You’re just in time. Our appointment with Judge Thomas is in ten minutes.”

“Chase.”

“Mom. Dad. What are you doing here?”

An older, feminine version of Chase and a middle-aged gentleman who had his son’s wide smile rushed up to them.

“I called them,” Jane told him. She'd found their number in the card file on his desk. “The more family support you can demonstrate, I thought the better chance you’ll have a making your plea successful.”

“You must be Jane.” Chase’s mother grabbed her hand, squeezed gently, lifted a cheek for her son’s kiss, then turned to gaze at Zach and Abby with what Jane thought would be a grandmother’s loving concern, if she’d had any experience in that area. “Are these the children?”

Battered by an envy that took her back a lot of years, she decided then and there not to give it any credence. She was done letting the past rule her life.

“It’s nice to meet you, Jane. I’m Mike. Thanks for calling us.” Chase’s dad held out a hand.

The Doc would look like his dad in thirty years, she decided. Straight. Handsome. Matured like fine whiskey. In charge of his world and at peace with it. His Mom’s eyes were the same yummy brown, the woman’s hair streaked daintily with white.

Jane fell in love with them on sight, and was glad that when she left, he'd have their help with the children.

“Hey, brother.” A man slightly younger, thinner, and a bit taller than Chase joined them.

“Nate.” Chase grabbed him, pounding his brother on the back. “How? You came.”

“Mother.”

Emotion pricked at Jane’s eyes. This was how she’d always imagined a family would be.

Chase turned to her, his smile glorious. “Everyone, this is Gunnery Sergeant Jane Donovan. And these two rascals are Zach and Abby.”

He'd finished introducing everyone when a uniformed woman stepped quietly into their midst. “Ms. Greeley, Judge Thomas will see you now.”

They filed into the room where the judge waited for them, but Jane noticed Nate held Chase back. Curious, she broke her own rules about not getting involved in other people’s business and loitered. She'd never been good about keeping her nose out anyway. 

“Listen, I want to make sure you know, what happened to me, what I did, the hospital, none of that was your fault. I-” Nate shifted one shoulder. “-just lost it. You couldn’t have stopped that.”

“If I’d been there-”

Nate snorted. “You can’t be with me twenty-four-seven, big brother.”

Chase nodded. “How are you doing?”

Nate smiled wryly. “Better.”

Jane believed him. Chase must have too, because he gave his brother a strong-armed hug. Seeing her hovering, he grabbed her around the shoulders, and tugged her into the room and the seat next to him.

Judge Thomas closed the file he was studying, looked expectantly at Beth Greeley.

“Mr. Chase Russell is here to apply for custodial guardianship of Zachariah and Abigail Malone due to the deplorable circumstances in which the children were abandoned, and left to take care of themselves by their mother, Goldie Malone. They’ve been living at Mr. Russell’s ranch for the last three weeks.”

The judge was a clean shaven man on the sunset side of his sixties, Jane would guess. His gray hair was cut short, close to his head. The eyes behind round spectacles took in every detail of the people in his courtroom, reminding her of the Colonel when his stern gaze settled on Zach and Abby.

He’d probably seen a lot of child abuse in his career, but would he do what was right for the kids, or go by the book?

In all the years she’d been a Marine, Jane had always gone by the book. It was just recently that she’d learned there were times when following your heart was the only option possible. She squeezed the strong hand that gripped hers, offering what silent support she could.

  “Zachariah, Ms. Greeley has put together a very impressive file on you and your sister. As Director of Crook County Child Welfare Services, I trust her judgment implicitly in these matters. But, I want to hear from you, why you think the court should take you away from your mother and give responsibility for your well-being to virtual strangers. I understand Mr. Russell is not related to you in any way.” 

Jane’s heart stopped cold. She was deathly afraid this man who had the power of the law to change people’s lives, wasn’t going to do it for Zach and Abby.

Zach stood. A dignity older than his years lifted his young  chin. “We don’t have any relatives. Our father is dead. And Goldie doesn’t give a darn about us. Every time she finds some new dude to marry, she dumps us in a homeless shelter. This wasn’t the first time, and if you don’t let us stay with Mr. Russell, it won’t be the last.”

He put a protective arm around Abby, who’d stood with him. “I’ve been taking care of my sister since she was a baby. She deserves a nice home, with her own room; somewhere she can go to school on a regular basis. She should have parents who care what happens to her. Mr. Russell and Miss Jane love her. They’ll take good care of her.”

Her heart restarting with a resounding thump, Jane winced. He was right. She loved them both.

Judge Thomas pinned Zack with a measuring look. “What about you, son?”

“I’ll be fourteen soon. I can take care of myself, get a job. It’s Abby I’m worried about, Sir.”

At that moment, the door to the courtroom burst open.

“Ma’am, you can’t go in there.” The guard that had brought them to the room tried to block the path of a blonde bombshell unceremoniously pushing her way in.

“These children are mine. You’re not going to take them from me,” she said shrilly.

Beth stood and impassively introduced the newcomer. “Judge Thomas, this is Goldie Malone, Zach and Abby’s mother. I informed her by letter of this meeting so she could present her side if she wished.”

Jane scowled. Goldie Malone was beautiful, all decked out as though she’d just walked off the cover of some glossy magazine. Her hair was cut into a classic pageboy-style, perfectly showcasing her memorable features. Makeup was skillfully applied to attract attention.

Irritation disappeared from between dark, penciled brows as the siren flashed a hundred watt smile clearly calculated to bring the judge over to the dark side.

Who was the judge going to believe? This perfectly coiffed woman, or two troubled kids?

It was a good thing Chase had a strong hold on her hand, because Jane would love to have a little one on one with the woman for the way she’d treated Zach and Abby.

Instead, she was thrown back to the one time she’d waited for news that her own adoption had gone through - she couldn’t have been much older than Abby - only to find out she couldn’t go with the Hollaways because her mother was still alive and wouldn’t give up parental rights.

It hadn’t taken the nice couple long to find a kid they could take home. Soon after they’d stopped visiting her.

She swore under her breath. Goldie obviously knew how to play the system. It happened all the time. Zach and Abby were doomed.

Chase gently uncurled the fist she’d made in her lap. Taking both her hands, he laced his fingers with hers. When she looked up, he gave her one of those special smiles that promised to battle the bad guys and win.

She desperately wanted to believe he could. It’d been too many years since she’d allowed herself to depend on anyone but herself. Even with how he'd managed to bring her back from the brink of self-destruction, and the times they’d spent entangled in his bed, she didn't know how to trust he could keep that promise.

“Mrs. Malone, have a seat, please.” Judge Thomas frowned, indicating an empty chair across the aisle from Jane, then addressed Chase. “Who are all these people?”

Never letting go of her hand, he stood and introduced everyone. When he was done, he pulled on her hand until she stood. “This is Gunnery Sergeant Jane Donovan.”

The Judge’s shrewd gaze shifted, resting on her for a long moment before he addressed Chase again. “In your file it says you’re a psychologist. You do work with war veterans?”

“Yes, Sir, I did. I have a ranch now, near Lone Pine. Zach and Abby are special to...us. We want to give them a stable home to grow up in.”

Goldie sputtered angrily. Her polished veneer slipped slightly in the wake of the judge’s sudden, hard stare. Small lines of self-indulgence appeared around her eyes. She didn’t bother to readjust the short skirt that slid up to reveal the length of her thigh. “Hey, I have rights too you know. You can’t just take my kids from me without my consent.”

“Mr. Russell has applied for legal custody of Zachariah and Abigail. If the documentation of abandonment in this file is accurate, it
is
within my jurisdiction to grant his petition.”

For a second, hope fluttered in Jane’s stomach. Chase might just pull this off.

Goldie tapped her toe against the linoleum in nervous agitation, then leaned back in her chair, her arms folding belligerently under her chest, lifting her cleavage. She shrugged one elegantly clad shoulder as if it was no big deal to run off and leave children to survive on their own.

The picture-perfect mother she’d obviously worked hard to cultivate cracked. “I’m sure this is all just a misunderstanding. I would have taken them with me, but George - that’s my ex-fiancé, George Keller - didn’t want the brats...um children tagging along. I left Zach in charge.”

The woman actually had the audacity to glare at Zach. “He knows what to do when I’m gone. There was no reason to take off like that.”

“So, you’re saying you deliberately left these children, and not for the first time it appears, at a homeless shelter? While you went off with Mr. George Keller to get married? Where is Mr. Keller now?”

The woman had the good sense to blush. The judge’s deadly quiet tone seemed to rattle her tongue lose. “George can go to blazes. He dumped me in Vegas after I lost too much of his money.”

“What is your source of income?” the Judge asked, seeming unmoved by her outburst.

Goldie abruptly stood, her hands coming to rest at her hips. “Don’t you get it? Without the money their father left for their keep and what the state gives me for them, I have no income. There’s no way I’ll let you take them from me.”

Abby jumped up on the other side of Chase. “Don’t let her take us. She yells at Zach and hits him.”

Embarrassment flushing across his cheekbones, Zach pulled on his sister’s arm to get her to sit back down. “Abby, it’s okay.”

“But, Zach-”

“Sit down. Please.”

Keep your cool, Jane.
This time it was Chase’s calm voice she heard in her head, not her own.

“Mrs. Malone, you’re mistaken about what I can and can’t do. I've heard enough. If you’ll please wait outside.” Judge Thomas nodded to the guard who’d never left.

When he took Goldie’s arm to escort her from the room, the woman jerked free, her pretty features wrecked by outrage.

“How dare you! You can’t get away with this.” She spit the words at Chase and Jane.

Jane stood. Chase squeezed her hand, but she didn’t need any help standing up to Goldie’s wrath. She’d handled worse and survived just fine.

Wordlessly, she stared Goldie Malone down. No one, especially not this mean-spirited, self-indulged woman was going to mess with Chase’s family. Not if there was something she could do about it.

“Mrs. Malone, I will charge you with contempt of court if you don’t go with the guard immediately.”

Goldie raised one hand clearly wanting to strike out. But then, with little grace, she spun and allowed the guard to escort her from the room.

“Gunnery Sergeant Jane Donovan. You’re with the Marine Corps?”

Jane pulled her gaze from the closed door Goldie had gone through. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Chase, she faced the Judge. “Yes, Sir.”

“Stationed at Parris Island?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“I spent some time there. I don’t imagine it’s changed much.”

“No, Sir.” Jane allowed herself a brief smile. A silent understanding passed between them.