From This Moment (11 page)

Going to slam the door in his face, he stops the momentum with his body, pushing his way inside and slams the door shut behind him.

I start to back away from him, feeling threatened, remembering my phone is in my cardigan pocket.
 I put my hand inside and turning my phone the correct way, I press down on what I hop Kon cardigan e is the number three button, praying it connects to Jake.  I thank god that I thought to programme both Cade and Jake into my speed dial.  “I think you better leave now, before I call the Sheriff.”

Walking slowly towards me while taking in his surroundings, “You don’t think I’m going to let you do that, do you babe?
  Shame on you!”

“What the hell do you want Nick?”
  I put the breakfast bar between us.

With an evil grin, “Money of course and we both know you have plenty of it.”

Trying to keep my voice steady, “You bastard, after how you played me, you have no chance of getting any money out of me. I really think you should leave.”

“I’ll leave when I get m
y money and not before,” he starts to move slowly towards me around the breakfast bar.

I start backing away from him, but there isn’t really anywhere else to go.

Keep him talking and it might distract him...  Dear God!

“If you need money why haven’t you sold the car I bought you?”
  I’m still inching away from him.

He laughs at me.
 “Why would I do that when I love that car and you can give me more cash?”

“If you want money, why did you cancel the wedding?”

After a pause, “Let’s just say my conscience got the better of me.”

“Well no matter what, you’re not getting any more out of me.”
 I tell him, as he dashes around the breakfast bar and grabs me.  I scream.

Holding me by the throat, “Shut up.”
  I shudder.

He takes hold of my arms and holds me against the refrigerator, “Oh yes, I will, you are going to transfer one million dollars to my account in the Caymans.”

Jake where are you?  Please hurry!

Crying now, I can’t hold my tears anymore, “What makes you think you can get away with this?”

“I know I can get away with this, because you aren’t going to tell anyone, because if you do a friend of mine will come after your boyfriend.”

Seeing my shocked expression, “So you see I’ll be free and clear because you don’t want anything happening to him,” he smiles while still pinning me to the refrigerator.
nt s>

“What do you mean?  Who is he?  What have you done?”  He takes hold of my arm and drags me towards the stairs.

“
You’re better not knowing, now quit stalling and tell me where your little notebook is, so we can get on with this.  I need to disappear.”

Now we are getting somewhere
.

“Why do you need to disappear?”

He looks ready to hit me, “Because I stole from the wrong guy, now I suggest you shut up and get your notebook, because I know that’s where you keep all your account numbers, except passwords, otherwise I would have done this myself by now.”

Just about to start upstairs, Jake bursts through the front door.
  As Nick is momentarily distracted, I kick him in the balls and run over to Jake, going straight into his arms, “Thank god, you’re here.”

He hugs me back, “I heard you over the phone.
  You’re okay now.”

Sneering.
 “Well now, I thought you were with the older guy, perhaps I got it wrong, and then again, perhaps you’re with both.”

By now he’s practically on top of us, Jake puts me behind him and as Nick gets in Jake’s face, Jake pulls his arm back and slugs Nick very hard.
  As he staggers back, Jake gets hold of Nick’s arm and drags him out of the house, just in time to see the Sheriff pull up.

The Sheriff, Daniel Jacobs, leaves after taking a statement from both me and Jake.
  He takes Nick with him and has his Deputy drive Nick’s car back into town.

Walking over to where I’m sitting, Jake crouches down in front of me and takes hold of my hands.
 “Hopefully, that’s the last time you’ll see him.  You must promise if he gets in touch with you again that you’ll tell either me or my dad.”

“Okay.”
  I start to shake.

Jake moves to sit across from me, “I need to ring my dad and tell him what’s happened.”

Sitting forward, “Jake no, please, he doesn’t need to know right now, I’ll tell him tonight.  He’s in Denver and will only worry about me.  Please leave it and I promise I’ll tell him tonight when he rings.”

“I’ll leave it for now
.”

“Where were you when I rang?”

“I’d already turned up the drive, so I left the truck and came in on foot while putting you on hold and rang Daniel for back up.”

“Thank goodness, I was really frightened.
  He hasn’t done anything like that before.”

“Hopefully he’ll leave you alone now that Daniel is involved.”

“Jake, he said he has stolen from the wrong guy and needs the money to disappear.  He also told me that he has a friend who will come after my boyfriend, if anything happens to him.  I’m really scared Jake.”  I start to weep uncontrollably.

Moving back to wrap his arms around me, “Rona, please don’t cry; everything will be alright.
  I don’t know what he was going on about, but Daniel is a good guy and will run his prints and try to get to the bottom of this, okay?”

Moving slightly away from Jake, “Do you really think so?
  I couldn’t bear it if something happened to your dad.”

“Yes I do.
  Come on, mop up and we’ll get lunch, then I’ll take you to see my house on the way to Anna’s.  By the way, you’ve been invited for the afternoon.  Beth and Elise will be there.  That’s if you feel up to it?”  he asks, looking at me.

“That’s fine Jake; I could do with the distraction to take my mind off everything.”

I kiss him on his cheek, “Let’s put some ice on your hand first and thank you Sir Galahad!”

“Anytime.”

“Jake, when you got the job in Texas, and Elise didn’t want to go, did you ever consider turning it down?”

After a minute, “Yes, I did turn it down.”
  Looking at me, “The same day she broke up with me.  She wouldn’t listen and insisted that we were through.  I ended up leaving.”

“Did you try talking to her when you came back?” I plac
e the ice on his hand.

“She was already engaged and planning her wedding, she looked really happy.
 I’d already caused her enough upset, I didn’t want her upset again, and so I just left it.”

“Okay, let’s get that lunch made so that I can go see this castle you are building and meet the woman who has your heart.”

With a quick glance at me, “You aren’t going to say anything to her, about me turning the job down, are you?”

“That’s not up to me, but I think she needs to know.”

While Jakes makes the sandwiches he turns to look at me, “So you and my dad, huh?”

I can’t help but grin.
  “Oh yes.”  Still grinning, I sense Jake wants me to say more.  “What can I say; he’s the sexiest guy I’ve ever met.”  Seeing Jakes grimace, I decide to continue.  “He has a great body and butt just....”

Not letting me finish, “
I think I get it.”

On a serious note.
 “I love him Jake.  I don’t know what the future holds, but I hope with all my heart that it will include your father.  I’ve never been so attached to anyone before in such a short time.  I just hope your sisters are as accepting as you are.”

“It might take a short time, but they will eventually.
  My dad has been alone a very long time and when they see how happy he is now, they will accept you.” Grinning, “You have me on your side, so it’s a given.”

Laughing at his assurance, “Thanks Jake, it means a lot.”

~~ Rona ~~

Jake’s house is going to be amazing when it’s finished.  It’s a huge wooden structure with a wraparound porch and large windows facing out towards the mountain range.  He doesn’t take me inside, because it isn’t safe, but there will be a large open plan room to include a kitchen, lounge, and dining section with four bedrooms towards the back of the house.  My heart goes out to him; I’m guessing he’s building this with Elise in mind.

Leaving Jake’s house we head over to Anna’s.
 I’m nervous about seeing Anna and Beth, but I’m looking forward to meeting Elise.  I actually think about whether or not to pretend its Jake that I’m interested in to see how she reacts.  One way of finding out if she still has feelings for Jake!

Climbing out of the car, I look at Jake, “Aren’t you coming in?”

Shaking his head, “Elise is already here, that’s her car over there.  I think I’ll pass.  I’ll see you later for dinner though, I think we’re eating here, hope that’s okay?”

“Yes, that’s fine.” Turning to head towards the house, I see a woman I haven’t met before looking through the window, so guessing it’s Elise, I turn back to Jake and plant a kiss on his lips, “Thanks again, for earlier.”
  I don’t think it’s wise to mention Elise at the window!

Arriving on the porch, Beth opens the door for me.
 “Hi Rona, glad you could make it, come i Nv h

Walking into Anna’s house I notice Elise straight
away.  She’s a slim blonde and really beautiful.

“Elise, this is Jake’s friend Rona.
  Rona, this is Elise,” Beth introduces us.

I walk closer to Elise so I can shake her hand, “Nice to meet you.
  I hear you’re getting married soon, so congratulations.”

Still looking or glaring at me, I’m not sure which, she finally takes my hand,
“You’re the girl I heard about whose fiancé left her an hour before the wedding.”  Her claws are out, very interesting.

I smile.
  “Yes, he did and I realize I don’t love him, so it would have been a big mistake.  In the end he did me a favor.  I just hope I don’t see him again.”

She seemed at a loss with my reply, I continue, “Meeting the sexy Mr Matthews sure as hell opened my eyes, he’s yummy, don’t you think?”
  By saying Mr Matthews I’m not actually lying, I just want them to believe I’m referring to Jake.

I’m sure I can hear someone choking in the background, turning I see Anna turn, heading for the kitchen.
  Hope she doesn’t realize I’m talking about her father.  I don’t want to lie too much.