The Ranger's Forgiveness (Army Ranger Romance Book 5) Read online

  “I’m fine, really. I’ve been shot before. I’m okay.” Elijah tried to move away again.

  A little gasp brought his gaze to Taylor, and she stared at him with the strangest expression. “Shot before?” Were those tears in her eyes? No way. She was still trying to process what had happened. That’s all it was.

  “I really think you should let us take you in for observation,” the paramedic said.

  Elijah shook his head. “I’m good.”

  The paramedic huffed. “Okay, but no driving, and you need to have someone watching you for the next twenty-four hours. If you start experiencing blurred vision or a headache, they’ll need to take you to the nearest emergency room.”

  “I’ll take care of him.” Taylor’s voice turned mousey as Elijah locked gazes with her. “It’s the right thing to do after you’ve helped me so much.”

  The paramedic turned to her. “Make sure he takes it easy.”

  “Okay.”

  The woman eyed him a second. “You need to wait until the police get your statement, and then you’ll be free to go.” She packed up her things and went inside the ambulance.

  Elijah touched the bandage and flinched a little. It had been a close call. Another inch, and he wouldn’t be around. Nothing really new, it had just been a while since it had happened. It made him step back and evaluate things. So stupid. There was nothing to evaluate. He’d protect Taylor and then go home.

  “I’ll get someone out here to board up your townhome. Do you want to pack anything before we go? Maybe some clothes because you lost yours in the fire?” Elijah said, slipping off the gurney.

  Taylor hugged herself as she inched forward. “You said you’ve been shot before?”

  “It’s not a big deal. It’s in the past.”

  Rolling her lips in, she cast her gaze down. “Right,” she whispered.

  What was her deal? Yeah, it was scary, but she was acting like it mattered. Like he mattered. If he’d meant anything to her, she wouldn’t have broken his heart. “I’m fine, Taylor.”

  “I’m glad. Uh, I think you’re right. I’ll go pack a few things so I’m ready when you are.” She lifted her head a fraction, but not enough to meet his eyes.

  “I—”

  A police officer walked up. “Sir, I have a few questions if you’re up for it.”

  “I’m fine. Go ahead.” Elijah looked at Taylor. “I’ll be in to help as soon as I can.”

  Taylor nodded and left him with the officer. “Sure.”

  Elijah told him everything. From Taylor’s house being set on fire, to giving Captain Durant’s information, to what had ultimately led them to drive to Roswell. Once Elijah was finished giving his statement, the police officer took his name, along with the number for the Guardian Group, and finished with the obligatory, “We’ll call if we needed anything or find any information,” before he went back to his partner.

  Once the officer was finished, Elijah went inside the townhome. Before he went looking for Taylor, he found someone to board up her windows and make sure her home was secure. It also made sense to have security installed at her home. He made a quick call to the same company he’d used for his home, and they’d be taking care of it as soon as she returned home. If nothing else, it’d give her peace of mind when she was able to come back.

  When he finished, he went to help Taylor pack. He paused just before he reached her bedroom door as he heard her talking.

  “I’m okay, just a little shaken.”

  Elijah peeked around the doorframe to find her phone to her ear and her back to the door. She turned, and he shrank back. He didn’t want her to think he was spying, and he really wasn’t…but part of him wanted to know if she really was okay, and it was pretty clear she wasn’t going to tell him if she was or not.

  “I did. I talked to Mia. I like her. She seems to know her stuff. I’m pretty sure if the guy can be caught, she’ll be the one to do it. At least if he’s online.”

  Elijah smiled. He was glad Taylor was confident about Mia.

  “Lucas, don’t start. I don’t want to talk about it. I’m not going to talk about it.”

  So she was talking to her brother. Elijah wondered if her dad was listening in. What did Joseph think about all this?

  “Seriously, Lucas, just drop it. I’m not talking about it. Not to you. Not to anyone. It’s not something that can or ever will be fixed.”

  Elijah set his hands on his hips and grumbled. If Lucas was talking about him and Taylor, she was right. It wasn’t ever going to be fixed.

  As soon as he finished the thought, it bugged him. Why was he was upset about it? That’s what he wanted. She’d hurt him. He wasn’t crazy enough to let her try again.

  She took a deep breath, and when Elijah looked around the doorframe again, her shoulders were sagging. “I’m begging you, Lucas, please stop.” She touched her fingers to her forehead. “I’m tired and emotionally wrung out, and I watched Elijah get shot today. Did you know he’s been shot more than once? More than once.” Her voice was soft, as if she were in shock. She sniffed and then paused like Lucas was responding. “I wasn’t there. Was he all alone? He left, and I know Ruth wouldn’t have cared. All she cared about was that stupid company. A company he wanted nothing to do with.”

  His eyebrows knitted together as he listened to the conversation. His weird-o-meter was off the charts. Something wasn’t right. If she wasn’t willing to tell Lucas, then it was big. They talked about everything. As far as brothers and sisters went, they were as close as anyone Elijah had ever met.

  “No, I’m fine. I need to drive us back to Las Vegas. The paramedic said Elijah needed to take it easy and someone needed to stay with him.” She paused. “No, I’ll stay with him. He saved my life today. After everything…he didn’t even hesitate. He was always good. Always kind and wonderful. Nothing’s changed. He’s just bigger and taller.”

  Now Elijah was definitely confused. Why would she break up with him if she thought all that, and why wouldn’t she just talk to Elijah about whatever it was that was bothering her? Maybe he needed to change his strategy. She needed to know she could trust him. Then she’d feel comfortable telling him. He wasn’t expecting reconciliation, not after all this time, but he’d sure missed her.

  Long before they dated, they were friends. He missed that. Missed her. If he could get that back, it would be worth trying. His heart would certainly be in danger, but no more danger than it already was. It was Taylor. The moment he saw her at the funeral, it was a downhill ride on a bucking bronco. Fast, rough, and doomed to end in disaster. If he was going out in flames, he may as well use gasoline.

  Chapter 15

  After arriving back at Elijah’s home, Taylor’s dad had offered to watch him while she took a long, hot, needed bath. When she’d told Lucas she was just plumb wrung out, it had been the truth. Between being shot at, seeing Elijah hurt, and him kissing her…it was a wonder she had the energy to drive the three hours back to Las Vegas.

  The one positive was the clothes she’d filled her suitcase with. Clean, comfortable sweatpants, baggy t-shirts, and her extra-fluffy expiration-date-fast-approaching bathrobe. It looked like moths had attacked it, but she couldn’t find a replacement, and it had been her mom’s. She just never could find the heart to part with it. Before she’d left Roswell the first time, she’d debated bringing it, and now she was glad she’d left it at home. And with the day she’d had, she needed to feel her momma close.

  Finished dressing and her hair partially towel dried, she decided to give her dad the rest of the night off. Sure, she was tired, but Elijah had put himself between her and that bullet. She’d find the energy to stay up and watch him, even if that meant mainlining Mountain Dew.

  When she got to the kitchen, the place where she’d left Elijah and her dad, Elijah was the only one sitting at the kitchen island. “Where’s my dad?” she asked.

  “I told him I’d be fine until you got done with your bath.” He smiled.

  She
sidled up next to him and held his face in her hands. What was it with men and not following directions? “They said we need to keep an eye on you. You’re not having blurry vision or headaches, are you?”

  He pulled away. “No, I’m fine. It really was just a graze. Honestly, I don’t even think it was the bullet that dazed me. I think I may have hit my head on that little sofa table.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and stepped back. “You saved my life today, and I don’t know if I said thank you. So, thank you. I just…I want to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine.”

  Her eyes widened. UNO? “Where did you get that deck of cards?” Dynasties had been brought down by that game, and it was a serious thing in her family too. She typically kicked tail and made people run home crying when they played against her.

  A smile quirked on his lips. “Your dad.”

  Taylor chuckled, remembering the times they’d gather around the table and played. It was probably lame to other kids her age, but she loved it. “Why am I not surprised?”

  “I guess he thought I could use a game or two.” He shrugged. “I haven’t played in a long time.”

  “Me either.” A thought hit her. “We could play. If I beat you, you have to answer my questions.” She wanted to know about him so badly. Maybe if she made it playful, he’d indulge her.

  His eyebrows went up. “You cheated a lot.”

  “I did not.”

  He leaned sideways, looking up at her. “You did too.”

  She pinched her lips together and growled. “Just because you lost all the time doesn’t mean I cheated. It means you were a sore loser.”

  “Was not.” He grinned wider. “But I’m older and wiser, so I’m pretty sure I can beat you now.”

  What on earth was up with him? That sparkle in his eyes? That was the same kind of twinkle he’d have when he was ready to start some mischief. Or when he was flirting, and he had that down to an art form when they were younger. Whatever it was, she’d enjoy it. Maybe that hope of a friendship wasn’t so hopeless after all.

  “Fine. Then let’s play.” She snatched the deck out of his hand and then paused. “You sure, though? You don’t want to blow a gasket and end up in a coma.” She snickered.

  He flew out of the chair and grabbed her around the waist, tickling her until she squealed.

  “You put me down right now, Elijah Emerson. You’re gonna tear my bathrobe!”

  He set her down, and she set her hands on her hips. “You’re supposed to be taking it easy. Hefting me up and tickling me is not taking it easy.”

  His eyes roamed over her, and he touched her bathrobe. “That was your mom’s, wasn’t it?”

  Taylor looked down and ran her hands over the front of it. “Yeah, it’s beat up, holey, and pretty near useless when it comes to coverage, but I can’t bring myself to throw it away.”

  “That one was her favorite.”

  “I know. The only time she wasn’t wearing it was when it was being washed. I haven’t even tried to do that. I think it would fall apart.” She lifted her gaze to his and found tears in his eyes.

  A long sigh escaped his lips. “I really loved her. She treated me like she loved me. Like I had value beyond what she could take from me.”

  “I’m so sorry I didn’t call you. I should have had Lucas or my dad call. Something. It wasn’t fair or right what I did. She loved you, and you should have been told.”

  He nodded, pulled her to him, and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here to hold you while you went through it. I’m grieving for her loss, and this is nine years later. I can’t imagine what you and your family were going through. I should have been here for you.”

  How was she going to keep it together when he was doing things like this? She took a deep breath and returned the hug. “It was my fault you weren’t around. It was really hard when she died, but I’m okay now.”

  Leaning back, he locked eyes with hers and then kissed her forehead before letting her go and stepping back. “You were always really strong, just like your mom. Tough and tender and kind.”

  What was he trying to do to her? She was a spool with her string being pulled at both ends. If he didn’t stop, she’d unravel and be a tangled pile on the floor. “You don’t have to say nice things to me to make me feel better.”

  “I’m not. I mean it.”

  Who was this man that just twenty-four hours ago was so distant that she couldn’t touch him? Then it hit her. He’d had a close call earlier. Perhaps this was his way of mending fences with God or something. Either way, she’d take it. Something civil with him was better than nothing. Still, she needed him to stop being so nice. It was messing with her head.

  “Have you read her letter yet?” she asked.

  He shook his head. “No, I was going to tonight, but I’ll wait until the headache’s gone.”

  “You still have one?”

  “A little. I want to read it when I’m clear.”

  “Okay.”

  He shot her a half-grin. “Are we going to play UNO or not?”

  She quirked an eyebrow. “I don’t know. You gonna answer my questions?”

  “If you win, I will.” That mischievous glint sparkled brighter. Did he really think he could beat her, or was he psyching her out?

  “Oh, I will.”

  He grimaced. “I hate that formal dining room. Let’s go upstairs. There’s a nook where we can play.”

  “We could stay here.”

  “These stools are hard as rocks.”

  Taylor smiled. “Okay,” she said, waving him ahead of her. “Lead the way.”

  Now she had to figure out what questions she wanted to ask him without sounding like she was desperate for every morsel, which she was, she just didn’t need to appear that way. She’d known eighteen-year-old Elijah. Nine years was a long time, and she wanted to know the man he was now. And she was determined to find out. He was about to get a taste of Taylor’s UNO A-game.

  * * *

  “Big fat cheat!” Taylor growled.

  They were halfway through the third round, and Taylor was hot enough that Elijah thought she was about to beat him with a stick. He’d won the first two rounds, and she was on the warpath. She’d wanted to ask him questions, and he had a feeling that losing had more to do with that than actually losing.

  “I am not. You dealt that hand. I can’t help it that you gave me good cards.”

  She pinched her lips together and eyed him. “You were never this good in high school.”

  He grinned. “Nine years is a long time. I’ve upped my game.”

  Her shoulders drooped, and she set her cards facedown. “I just want to know about your life. What it was like.” The sadness in her voice pierced him.

  They’d sat across from each other, using a small coffee table for the cards. Elijah had his back against the love seat. and Taylor was sitting cross-legged on a bean bag. He leaned back, set his cards down, and held her gaze. “Okay, what do you want to know?”

  Since they’d returned to the house, he’d become more convinced that something was off with Taylor. He’d talked to her dad about his concerns, and the man had agreed with Elijah. He’d felt that ever since their graduation. Taylor hadn’t said a word, but she wasn’t the same after that day. Like something had broken her spirit.

  With that in mind, he’d made a plan. He was going to do what it took to get her to tell him. Outright asking wasn’t going to work because if that was the case, she’d have already spilled her guts. Taylor wasn’t known for keeping things from those she loved.

  “You’ll really answer me?”

  Nodding, he said, “Yeah, anything you want to know.”

  “Did you date a lot?”

  “I did. At first. Mostly, I was trying to get over you. None lasted very long, though.” Really, it was funny. Most of the women would dump him when they realized it was never going to lead anywhere. They always accused him of being in love with someon
e else. It wasn’t like he could deny it. At least not enthusiastically. “Did you?”

  She shook her head and shrugged. “Here and there, but nothing ever serious. Mostly, I was just lonely. Are you seeing anyone now?”

  “No. You?”

  “No.” She held his gaze. “I kept comparing them to someone I knew when I was a kid. They never seemed to match up.”

  He so wanted to ask her about that night, but he knew he wouldn’t get an answer. Not yet. If she was comparing other guys to him…then why did she break his heart?

  “Did you like being in the Army?” she asked.

  “I did. It gave me order, and I was feeling dysfunctional at the time. I liked having a purpose.”

  She leaned forward with her arms on the table. “What was your job?”

  He held her gaze a second. “I was a Ranger sniper.”

  Her lips parted, and she blinked. “A sniper?” The words came out barely above a whisper. “Really?”

  “Yeah. I found out pretty quickly that I was a good shot. Apparently, it’s my talent.” He smiled, and then it faltered. “I don’t talk about it. It’s the only way I can handle it.”

  “Wow. Where are all those marks on your arm from?”

  He didn’t need to give her the gory details, and it was better for his mindset if he didn’t dig too deep. “During my last mission, my company was captured and held. They tortured us.”

  She covered her mouth with her hand, and her eyes clouded over. “Tortured?”

  He nodded. “Yes.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “It’s in the past. I’ve dealt with it and moved on.” Which was true, and part of keeping himself moving forward was not living in the past.

  “I’m so sorry. What made you decide to join the Army?”

  Should he tell her the truth? The whole truth? His gaze traveled to the coffee table. “You were pulling away, and my mom was only getting worse about me taking over the company. I took the tests and qualified. All I had to do was the oath, and I could join. It was my way of escaping something I felt I had no control over.”