To Love & To Protect (8 page)

Chapter 19

Sunday morning came quickly for everyone, as most of them were operating on little to no sleep. Jasmine eyed herself in the mirror. Her curls had remained in tack. She tried to flex her arm some but she was just stiff. It moved but not happily. She lifted her shirt the wounds on her right side were healing well. There was soreness there but not a lot of pain. She walked into the bathroom and washed her face and brushed her teeth for the first time in what seemed like forever, on her own. Then she walked down the hall, and woke her babies up.

“It’s time to rise and shine,” she said to the girls as they began to wake up. 

Alyson always woke straight up, unlike her sister Amber, who claimed to be awake, right before dozing off each morning.

“Alyson your clothes have been laid out for you today, go take your shower and get dressed then wake your sister up,” Jasmine said.

Yes ma’am,” she said gathering her things and heading towards the bathroom. Jasmine leaned in again and told Amber to get up, and she said, “I am up, I am up,” in a very sleepy voice.

Jasmine dressed in, a champagne and black dress, with black low heel sandals. She applied a small amount of foundation, eyeliner, eye shadow, and mascara. Then she reached into her purse grabbed her favorite lipstick, true plum and applied it. Jasmine checked her appearance once again, before walking down the hall, this time speaking to the Agent Luke Townsend who was keeping watch over them now. She heard a sound in the kitchen and noticed that Santino Trujillo was making a fresh pot of coffee.

Townsend noticed that, she was a bit startled.

“I didn’t know that you guys had switched over,” she said with a smile. “I am going to go check on the girls.”

Alyson was ready with her Sunday school activity book and Amber was still getting dressed. She knocked on the door and told Amber to hurry they needed to leave in fifteen minutes.

Jasmine grabbed down, five pre-packaged banana nut muffins, and five individual orange juices. She gave Townsend and Trujillo theirs first as they were guest. She gave Alyson hers and told her not to make a mess on her clothes. Amber joined them ten minutes later. She was asked to eat quickly, not make a mess and told her on no uncertain terms that she couldn’t take her food with her. A few minutes later Jasmine grabbed her purse and bible and headed out the front door.

Ethan was at the main house where everyone was gathered. He was dressed in khaki pants and a sea green shirt. She took her eyes off of Ethan and looked at her sister, Renee and Antonio. She greeted everyone, before pulling her sister to the side. 

“I am feeling overwhelmed,” she said matter of factly. “I need to be able to talk some things out with you later, please. I just need a moment,” Jasmine requested.

Renee nodded her head. “Right after church,” Renee said searching her sister for a clue as to what was wrong.

The Blake-Moore family walked out together. Everyone was loaded into cars, and they left the Estate in a single file line, like when you go to a funeral.

Once they arrived at the church, everything that had been on her mind drifted away. So many of the members of the church hugged her and told her that they had prayed for her. The fellowship was always so sweet. Love was here. These people had watched her grow and struggle to become the woman that she is now. They had helped and offered advice but never judged her. She had introduced Ethan to people who hugged or shook his hand, but most importantly welcomed him.

The all-male choir sang a beautiful song to usher in the Holy Spirit. Pastor Parks preformed the rest of the order of services in the exact same manner as always. The service was filled with soulful gospel music, community announcements, and then the preached word.  Pastor Parks preached a sermon entitled, the storm is almost over. His message pulled at her heart strings. She was moved to tears because she needed so much of what he was saying to be true in her life. Ethan reached over and linked his fingers in hers as he passed her a tissue. After the call to discipleship, the pastor did an alter call, and she stood and went up, she poured out everything that was troubling her heart onto the alter. She was deciding to trust God, rather than give into her fears. Trent was to her right, and had come up to pray as well. When he noticed that she was having a hard time getting up, he helped her and escorted her to her seat. Her girls hugged her legs as the pastor gave the benediction and closed out the service.

As Jasmine stood, talking to anyone and everyone, Ethan’s sixth sense started to tingle. He started to scan the congregation slowly. The hairs on the back of his neck were standing at attention. Trujillo and Townsend were the first to notice that Ethan’s mannerisms had changed and joined him scanning the crowd. Trent started to tell his family to start leaving the church when there was a scream from the back of the church. Trent, Kimberly, and Trujillo went in the direction of the disturbance. Jasmine was reaching for her girls, but Marisol and Carina were already there using their bodies to protect and shield the girls like Ethan was doing for her.

Ethan continued to scan the crowd, yet no one stood out of place. Trent came from the back and walked up to the podium and addressed the remaining congregation. “There is a situation that has developed. The FBI has been contacted and is in route. I would like to ask that everyone please leave the church in a calm and orderly fashion please.”  People started to leave the church and did as Trent instructed.

Trent came over to Ethan, and advised for him to get all of his family and friends out of the church safely and back to the Estate. Someone had left a message for Jasmine in the offering plate. They had cut out words from various newspaper articles and glued them onto a piece of construction paper. It had been more of a warning than a threat. None the less everyone needed to be on their A game. 

Everyone was able to get back to Blake-Moore Estates safely. The mood and atmosphere had changed. Ethan had recalled seeing a light skin gentleman of medium height in the church who quite frankly looked out of place. He gave it the benefit of the doubt until his sixth sense had kicked in. He had checked the gentleman’s location throughout the service and he was still in the same spot. Yet when all the commotion was going on in the front of the church, he noticed that the same gentleman left before they were given the all clear. His gut was telling him that this guy had something to do with all of this. 

Ethan left the girls and Jasmine in care of Carina, Michelle, Stacy, Kimberly and Jamieson. He, Trujillo, Kennedy, and Townsend went back to the church, where he gave a description to an FBI sketch artist. They reviewed information that had been taken into evidence. He also shared the information on the three suspects that they thought would be people of interest. He followed up on the University providing the information for their independent contractors. He did all that he could, then they all climbed back into the car and headed back to Blake-Moore Estates.

Ethan admitted to himself that he felt like a caged animal right now. He wanted to tear someone, anyone up right now. He hated that more than anything, the fact that Jasmine was and her family were hurting needlessly. He also was kicking his own ass as well, because if he wasn’t distracted by the woman herself, then maybe this case would be closed by now. Everyone on the team had their heads in the cloud. He felt like it was the results of his poor leadership.

It was Trent who broke the silence.

“I know that Michelle’s remission in regards to her leg has caught us all off guard. What she is going through affects us all directly in one way or the other. We may not have limbs that have become infected, but are fighting a war inside our minds. A war, that is making us doubt what we already know to be true about each and every one of us. Coming home and finding out that I have a son has caught me off guard and seeing family and friends who I neglected deliberately, and chose to keep at a distance due to no fault of their own, has caught me off guard. I have been focused to deal with my personal shit and so is Michelle. Ethan, you are dealing with your abandonment issues. You are leading your first investigation and you have the hot’s for the target who apparently to everyone’s surprise also has the hot’s for you. Right now you, to whoever is behind this are nothing more than a publicity stunt. If that is your woman when she goes to bed tonight, go with her. Get fully into character,” Trent advised.

“If I get fully into character, I am going to be compromised. I like her, really like her, and I am compromised enough as is,” Ethan responded.

“My father always says, “That a man shows his love for his woman, not only by saying, he loves her but by showing her. For a woman you love, you are willing to protect and provide for,” Trent said.

Trent noticed that Ethan was still hesitating to go in full throttle. He asked, “Do you want her to dump you for Trujillo?” Not waiting for an answer, “Trujillo could you handle the assignment?” Trent asked.

“I got it,” Ethan growled.

“Dude, get out of your head. You guys are feeling each other. Maybe something will develop from it, maybe not. If this develops into something more, then awesome, if not then you can save face by saying it was just the job?” Townsend said.

Trent continued, “Ethan I need Luke on my sister, she is the one that always has the inside track on State Representative Jasmine Anderson, she could become a target.”

“I just assigned Trujillo to her this morning. She is fascinated with the long hair, Native American tales and culture. She can interview him for days and not even realize that she is being tailed,” Ethan explained.

“Claire is very smart,” Trent said. “She picked her own tail and let you believe you assigned it,” Trent said.

“Trujillo,” Trent bellowed his name.

“Trent I have no intentions of touching your sister,” Trujillo responded before Trent could go any further.

“My man,” Trent responded.

They were turning into the Blake-Moore Estates when Trent said to Ethan, “You got to start putting your foot down with Jasmine if you really want this to work.”

“Yeah, you can’t let her run all over you man,” Trujillo echoed. She is used to having to help run a State.”

Townsend let out a breath before saying, “Ethan, they are setting you up.”

“I already know,” Ethan responded.

They all enjoyed a chuckle before getting out of the car.

Chapter 20

Ethan checked in with the rest of them team, who were all at Jasmine’s villa.

Marisol spoke for the group and advised him that Jasmine had completed her first day of physical therapy, and even learned a few self-defense moves. She was still stiff and sore, but she was still in the game. She was currently in a meeting with Ms. Jeffcoat and Katrina planning her big Memorial Day fundraising event. Later her girlfriends were coming over for dinner.

Ethan responded, “I am going to go check in on her and make her aware of some changes with our setup and then I will be out to meet with everyone at our headquarters.”

He walked back to Jasmine’s study where her team was assembled taking notes. He tapped on the door lightly. Jasmine looked up and threw a smile over her shoulder. She went over to her desk and picked up her schedule for the next two days along with a copy of the Sunday Newspaper. They were on the cover kissing, holding hands as they walked through the memorial and the last one was of him helping her into the car. Her approval ratings were up due to the public sympathy and her becoming more human to the voters.

He passed the newspaper back to her, and then asked her to come speak with him out in the hallway, or even better, excuse the ladies for just a moment. Jasmine opted to excuse the ladies for a few moments to give them more privacy. When the door was closed, Jasmine sat on the edge of her desk and said asked, “What is going on?”

“I am moving in tonight and sharing your bedroom with you,” Ethan responded simply.

“Why?” Jasmine asked and crossed her arms in front of herself waiting for a response.

“There are several reasons, the first being that it would strengthen the illusion that we are in a relationship, which could help us move faster in the investigation. Secondly, I like you. I am enjoying getting to know you. When this investigation is over and we have caught the bastard who is responsible for making your life a living hell, I want to still be a part of your life. Developing this, whatever it is, into something special. Lastly, I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you or your girls on my watch,” Ethan finished.

“About the girls, if I were to share in your feelings and agree to follow you down the path in which you are leading us, then you have to understand that my girls are part of the package that is me. I am not shipping them off. Also, my sister needs me from time to time and I am all that she has left, and I will be there for her when she needs me. Lastly, I have my hat in a lot of interest and passions, and I can’t or won’t slow down on pursuing them,” she informed him.

Ethan countered with, “Your girls captured my heart from the very first moment I laid eyes on them. If they don’t object, I would love to get to know them as well. I would not ever ask you to abandon your family, friends or interest in order to have a relationship with me. The way you nurture and take care of everyone is one of the things that drew me to you.”

“Thank you,” Jasmine said. “Ethan I am not seasoned in this area; dating and all that. I haven’t been with anyone in three years.”

“Okay, nothing has to happen physically with us until you are ready. We can go as slow as you need,” Ethan said.

“Okay,” Jasmine said.

“How are you feeling about what happened today?” Ethan asked.

“Right now to be honest, I am numb. I am just pushing forward because the show must go on I am refusing to give power over to this person or persons who are trying to use fear to paralyze me; what is meant to be will be. I am scared, but I can’t let that control me. I am also very tired, mentally and emotionally, to be completely honest. I have really been missing my mother and father lately,” Jasmine said trying to be open and honest. If the relationship part didn’t work then she would at least come out with a friend.

“I can be here for you, you know. I know all your girlfriends are coming over later, so you can probably get all your feelings out and not feel judged by them. But, I can be that for you, I want to be that for you,” Ethan said.

“Ethan you are so sweet and tender,” Jasmine said. “What do you need from me?” Jasmine asked. Before he could answer, Jasmine said, “I stopped and checked in on Michelle today, she told me what was going on with her leg, about how she thinks that she stopped counseling too early and that maybe all of you did.”

“It’s possible, we all have struggles with PTSD, but all of my physical wounds are healed and my emotional and mental wounds are managed with physical exercise and conversations with Trent, Townsend, and Santino. I am no different from the average human. I am damaged; holding myself together with whatever is available and working,” Ethan said.

“I guess we all do,” Jasmine said. “Where have you been my whole life?” Jasmine asked giving him another one of her dazzling smiles.

“I could ask you the same thing ma’am,” Ethan said as he pulled Jasmine in for a quick hug and a kiss on top of her forehead.

“I am going to go work on your case some more, pack my things and get moved in, if you don’t mind I will use your girl time to spend time with Amber and Alyson,” Ethan said.

“Oh really,” Jasmine said surprised.

“Sure, we can watch a movie or something? Pop some popcorn, eat candy and drink soda,” Ethan said teasingly.

“You better not, they will be wide open all night,” Jasmine said enjoying their easy banter.

She opened the door to her study. “I guess I will walk you out,” Jasmine said with a smile. She turned around and Sasha and Katrina were staring at her giving her knowing glances.

She smiled again, something she had been doing a lot of lately and said, “Back to work ladies.”

Sasha had secured the prefect venue for the Memorial Day party. The Evergreen Mansion was a former plantation that had been remodeled. It is a wonderful blend of history with a very modern touch. Elegant furnishings, exquisite lighting, lush manicured green lawns, perfectly arranged flower beds, and tree lined driveways. Some of those trees were 500 to 600 years old. They have survived wars, storms, and the like
(?)
and were still standing proud. The fundraiser was by invitation only, the true blue and silver invitations had been mailed out two weeks ago, and were beautiful if Jasmine had to say herself. As the meeting continued everything was handled from flower arrangements to china as well as the menu.

“You still have to get your dress, shoes, and decide on your hair,” Sasha said to Jasmine as they packed up all of their belongings.

“Nicole will help me with all of that,” Jasmine said.

Katrina caught her up on the charities that needed the most help. She informed her of donations that had been made to the Boys and Girls Club in her name, as well as summarized all newsfeeds that went on about her. Katrina finished by asking her if she was really okay, health wise.

“I am healing great. I am not wearing bandages anymore and started physical therapy today. On issues I am having, are some edema, soreness after working out, and some stiffness when I don’t move my arm as much. Is this for our website?” Jasmine asked.

“No ma’am, I was genuinely concerned,” Katrina responded. “I had noticed the swelling,” she finished.

“Thank you for your concern, Katrina. It is my hope to be better physically in no time. Are you guys joining us for dinner?” Jasmine asked.

Sasha quickly answered, “No thank you.” Katrina was still on the fence, but ultimately decided to leave as well.

Jasmine took a quick shower and changed into some comfortable white lounge pants and navy blue top. She had the girls to take their showers and get dressed in their pajamas.

Ethan had come back and moved all of his things into her room. She smiled to herself because for some reason with this man, this all seemed normal.

Nicole, Alexis, and Alena were the first to arrive with the food and drinks. Claire, Renee, and Donna arrived shortly afterwards.

“What is he doing here?” Nicole leaned in to ask.

“He moved in today?” Jasmine said. “We are trying to make an honest go of it, both for the case as well as for our personal lives,” Jasmine said.

Nicole walked over to the kitchen window and pulled back the curtain.

“What are you doing?” Jasmine asked.

“Checking for rain,” all of the girls said in unison.

Jasmine bumped Nicole out of the way and washed her hands, so that she could help set the table.

“You are glowing and stuff,” Alena said.

Alexis said teasingly, “Let me find out.”

“Girl, I am seriously happy for you, and wish you and Ethan all the luck. You deserve it. He seems like a nice fellow and you all had sparks flying right from the beginning,” Nicole finished.

“We are going to take it slow and just see where it goes, but he wants to watch a movie with the girls tonight, while we have girl time. So they can get to know each other. Trent must think that he is a good guy, because he is allowing him to get close to me and the girls. It feels right,” Jasmine said.

Alena responded by saying, “Trent, speaks very highly of them all. Ethan had pulled most of them out of the ambush despite injuries to himself and laid down ground cover that protected them from further injuries. Trent sees them all as his family.”

“How are you, Trent, and Trevor doing?” Claire asked.

“I am just letting him get to know his son,” Alena said. “It would be so easy to fall head over heels for him all over again,” Alena said but that’s not what is important right now. “I don’t want to be with Trenton Jamal Blake-Moore if he doesn’t love me, with everything that he has. I don’t want to be with him out of a since of duty or obligation. You know?” Alena said.

“You guys are sharing a villa and nothing has been rekindled?” Alexis asked.

“No, he is beating himself up for everything. Guilt is kicking his butt. I am giving him time to adjust. Look I want what is designed and created for me, so I am not going to push for this. I have waited three years, I can wait some more,” Alena said.

“Amen to that,” Nicole said.

“Alexis when are you going to do something besides work, charity work, and babysit for Jonathan? “Nicole asked.

“When you stop doing all the things that you love to do,” Alexis responded. “I am happy for the most part, just let me be.”

“Touché,” Nicole said, throwing her hands up and walking away.

All the food was on the table. Jasmine fixed the girls a plate first, then Ethan one along with drinks. Then she went back into the kitchen area with her girlfriends. Everyone kind of picked and chose from the selection of food and went back for seconds as they desired.

“Now Donna,” Nicole started, “Tell us about yourself.”

“I was born and raised right here in South Carolina. When I was younger, I wanted to get out of South Carolina and see a bit of the world. I was accepted into the University of Pennsylvania on a full academic scholarship, so I went. My sophomore year of college, I met a handsome stranger, who said all the right things, and did all the right things. I gave him the most precious gift that a woman can give a man. I got pregnant the first time I had sex. I was that naïve soul. He was not ready for children and offered to help me get rid of Dennis, but that was not an option for me. My mother moved out to Pennsylvania and helped me with Dennis, so that I could continue my studies. It was not easy, but I did graduate and decided to move back to South Carolina. I love the pace of things here and I feel like it’s the best place to raise a child,” Donna said.

“So are you dating anyone now?” Alena asked.

“No, Donna said with a smile. My mother is still helping me with Dennis. I am working and learning a lot at the hospital. I don’t have one of those over the top personalities. I just know medicine, my family stuff, and religion. If you are interested in those topics then I am your girl, outside of that I am pretty boring,” Donna said taking a sip of her iced tea and chuckling.

“Don’t buy into that about yourself,” Jasmine said to Donna. You were very compassionate with me. You seemed to know what I was thinking before I asked it. You understand how to offer empathy without crowding your patients. You’re a beautiful woman inside and out,” Jasmine finished.

“Thank you,” Donna said.

Alexis added, “Michael seems to agree with Jasmine. He likes you and he trusts you.”

“I like working with Dr. Blake-Moore as well. He is the chief of surgery, having his trust means a lot to me,” Donna said.

“So you wouldn’t want to get to know him better,” Nicole asked.

Donna almost choked on her tea. She picked up her napkin and wiped her mouth. “Dr. Blake-Moore is very handsome and quite witty. He could have any woman that he chooses. I am not going to jeopardize my future for a few moments of pleasure. I have lived and learned.”

“On to the next thing,” Nicole said clearly in her feelings. “Okay, okay,” Nicole said adding, “I can see where you are coming from and I am not mad at you.”

“Last but not least, Renee.”

Nicole stopped because Claire had interrupted with, “Hey, don’t forget about me?”

“Girl, you don’t have a love interest?” Nicole said.

“I know that, but don’t leave me out like I couldn’t be having stolen moments with one of these fine men running around here protecting Jasmine. Can I get an Amen,” Claire finished.