Independence: #4 Hayley (39 page)

“Shut up,” he ground through his teeth. “Get some rope of something. We’ll bundle her up for the police when they get here. Okay over there?” Jack looked toward the couple prone on the floor, Hayley’s body lying over Dane’s, whose arms were wrapped very tightly around her. “Nice move, cowgirl.”

“Oh, god…I think my lungs are bruised…” Hayley groaned, her head thumping down on Dane’s chest. “No one was hurt?”

“No one was hurt, babe. All is safe and quiet again,” Jack promised, glancing at Dell who brought some twine forward. “Let your dad and Rafe know things are…oh, well…never mind…want to hold her while I do some rope on her hands?”

“Not a problem,” Dell said, his hands strong and firmly holding Tessa in place by her arms, hands behind her.

The fight seemed to have gone out of her and she stood numbly letting Jack secure her hands behind her. He pushed her toward Dell when he was satisfied she wouldn’t break free and hold another weapon on them. A short three steps had him dropping to his heels.

One hand ran over Hayley’s head. The other was held out.

“Need some help off the ground?”

“Naw…I think I’m good…” But Dane groaned when Hayley slipped to the side and onto her feet. “I’m getting way too old for this kind of shit,” he mumbled, taking Jack’s hand and climbing to his feet. Hands dusted at the straw over his back and legs.

“How did you know?” Hayley looked from one to the other, satisfied that everyone was, indeed, safe.

“Eden had her phone in the pocket of her skirt,” Rafe answered, holding her close. “She has one of the older phones with buttons…”

“I’m never giving it up,” Eden murmured from her spot tucked safely against Rafe.

“We heard the conversation,” Jack continued. “I sent a text to the Lieutenant…”

“Who just happened to arrive at the same time as the gun shot went off,” Natalie Templeton stepped into the barn, two uniformed officers behind her. “Tessa Canton?”

Hayley pointed to the woman sitting on a bale of hay. “The rifle…”

“In the yard behind me,” Dell answered, striding out and lifting it with his gloves on. “I take it this is what shot at Hayley?”

“Probably,” Natalie took the weapon, carefully handling it before wrapping it in a cloth brought to her by one of the uniforms. “Take her to the station. I’ll be in later and get charges drawn up. Process her and make sure they know there is to be no bail until we have a psych hearing.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the younger man told her, leading Tessa from the room. His partner took the rifle.

“I’m sorry about your holiday,” Hayley winced.

“I think my husband is getting used to it,” she said with a chuckle, the tall man walking into the barn put an arm around her middle. “He insisted on coming along in case there was blood.”

“No blood…thank goodness. But we have tons of food,” Hayley said with a sigh, her arm around Jack’s middle. “Come have some food and dessert and even a cold drink.”

“Now that I think we can handle,” Tre decided for her. He held his hand out to those he didn’t know. “Tre Thorne.”

With introductions being handled as they walked out of the barn and across the yard, they realized that a lot of the inside had moved to the porch. Heads were bent, voices hushed as they watched the patrol car drive off.

“You’re safe now?” Katie asked, looking from one to the other.

“I’m safe now,” Hayley said with a smile. “She’s being taken to the police station. This is Lieutenant Templeton and her husband, Tre Thorne. Since we have tons of food inside…I invited them to share with us.”

Voices, almost returned to normal, filtered back into the large, open banquet room. The tables were still in the large semi-circle and people refilled plates and began asking questions.

Hayley relaxed back in her chair, her eyes closed for a long minute. Jack, Dane and Rafe were handling the answers. Dell spoke now and then, along with her father. They would always be there to take care of her when she needed it most.

And let her fly when she needed that, too.

“That was quite a speech you gave before we went into the brunch,” Jack said when they’d returned to her house. Pajamas were in place and they were all relaxing on the sofa. The fireplace flared with bright orange and heat; the Christmas lights sparkled and twinkled off the surfaces of glass around the room.

Hayley sat beneath a thick quilt, her fingers toying with the angel she’d slid onto the sterling chain that had come with them. This one said LOVE in a delicate scrawl across the otherwise smooth surface.

“That seems like ages ago…” she said wearily.

“The part about loving us…” Dane picked up. When she’d made the declaration, they had stared at her and then each other, more than a little stunned.

“It’s true. It might have happened quickly…but it’s still true. I don’t think you’d have invited me to live with you if it wasn’t…and I certainly wouldn’t have agreed, if I didn’t love you both,” she said, snuggling down against Dane. “It’s been a very wonderful holiday.”

“One of the best ones I’ve ever had,” Jack agreed with a grin that was mirrored on Dane’s face. “I love you, babe.”

Dane kissed her forehead. “I love you…sass and all.”