Ready to Protect
Author
Valerie Hansen
Reads
19.4K
Chapters
1
EPILOGUE
To Jamie’s relief and delight, Ben was waiting for her outside the courthouse when she finished testifying and greeted her by grinning and slipping an arm around her shoulders.
She leaned in, drawing strength. “Thanks. It’s been a long day, even if our doctors did okay it for both of us.”
“I’ll take it easy driving you back home to the ranch.”
“No more sliding around corners and flying through the air? Good.” How wonderful it was to picture the Double S as home. A perfect place to honeymoon as soon as possible.
“Your time on the stand didn’t take long,” Ben said, adding a quick hug.
“Really? It seemed like forever.”
He laughed tenderly. “I imagine you didn’t hear all the interesting details while you were in the courtroom, but I’ve talked to an assistant DA. I can fill you in if you want.”
“Anything, as long as we can leave Denver for the time being and finish recuperating at the ranch.”
“Promise.” They started to thread through the crowd, heading for the exit. “The charge against William Hawkins has been reduced to accessory to murder because he’s agreed to testify against Greg.”
“Really? Greg was the shooter.”
“Yes. The most important charges against Jennings include the murder of Congresswoman Clark and the attempted murder of you and me. Money laundering comes in a poor third.”
“I’m glad the guy you had to shoot by the Jeep didn’t die. Is he going to be okay?”
“More than okay. He’s agreed to give testimony and so has the man we left tied up at the cabin. Greg is finished.”
“I’m so relieved. Did the FBI learn anything new from my pictures of Natasha’s fundraiser?”
“Boy, did they. Hawkins was right there in the background, for one thing. And it turns out good old Greg was wrong about taking advantage of her. He was being played himself. Natasha Clark was up to her eyeballs in the same criminal syndicate her committee was pretending to investigate. If your ex hadn’t killed her she might have done a lot more damage than she already had.”
“Wow. Talk about getting justice the hard way.” Thinking about her newborn, she recalled one of Ben’s prior concerns. “Speaking of justice, have you guys located that missing baby whose mother was found dead in her car in the ravine? I feel so sorry for the poor little thing.”
“Chloe Baker. No. We hope to get answers from Kate Montgomery, but she’s still in a coma. Chloe’s car seat and baby blanket were found near Kate’s body, so we think the baby was traveling with her, but we don’t know why the two women were targeted. We won’t give up on finding Chloe. I promise you,” he said soberly. “But we don’t solve every crime no matter how hard we try.”
Jamie took a deep breath. So much trauma, so many hurting people. And always the chance of danger to Ben and others trying to help. She leaned in to him and closed her eyes. “Sorry. I’m exhausted. It was a rough week even before I had to face Greg in court,” she said, hoping to feel Ben’s strong arms close around her.
Instead, he stepped away. “I was going to wait until we got home, but I want to make it official. I think you need a piece of my heart close to you as soon as possible.” He produced a royal blue ring box and opened it. “Will you marry me, Jamie London?”
When she didn’t immediately say yes, he continued. “I’ll get down on one knee if that’s what it takes, no matter how much my leg hurts.”
Smiling, she cupped her hands around his. “You want both of us? You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Then yes. I’ll marry you. I love you, Ben Sawyer.”
He was grinning and sliding the sparkling diamond engagement ring on her finger when they were joined by two other members of his K-9 unit. Both were wearing their RMKU badges on lanyards around their necks just as Ben was. She recognized his boss, Tyson Wilkes. The other man didn’t seem particularly amiable.
“First Nelson and Mia get married in a New York minute and now the two of you are engaged. I hope it’s not contagious,” Tyson said, shaking Ben’s hand rigorously. “Looks like congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks,” Ben said. “You know Jamie but Chris doesn’t.” Ben turned to face the second man. “Chris, I’d like you to meet Jamie London. Jamie, this is my brother, Chris Fuller, the one I told you about.”
Hoping she didn’t show surprise, she offered her hand just as Ben had. “Pleased to meet you.”
While Chris was tentatively shaking her right hand, Jamie laid her left over their clasped hands and prayed he’d understand the meaning of the magnanimous gesture. She wanted this man to feel accepted by every member of her new extended family, and if he was willing to start with her, that would be one of the best gifts she could possibly give her future husband.
Ben didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to. Jamie could see love and approval sparkling more brightly in his eyes than the diamond token he’d just placed on her finger.
He hadn’t pressed her to set a date for their marriage but it was going to be soon. Very soon. Under a blue Wyoming sky and attended by all of Ben’s family members.
A grin spread across her face as she mentally added one more detail. Shadow would make the perfect ring-bearer.
Don’t miss Ben’s brother Chris’s story, Hiding in Montana, and the rest of the Rocky Mountain K-9 Unit series:
Detection Detail by Terri Reed,
April 2022
Ready to Protect by Valerie Hansen,
May 2022
Hiding in Montana by Laura Scott,
June 2022
Undercover Assignment by Dana Mentink,
July 2022
Defending from Danger by Jodie Bailey,
August 2022
Tracking a Killer by Elizabeth Goddard,
September 2022
Explosive Revenge by Maggie K. Black,
October 2022
Rescue Mission by Lynette Eason,
November 2022
Christmas K-9 Unit Heroes by Lenora Worth and Katy Lee,
December 2022
Keep reading for an excerpt from Fugitive Hunt by Laura Scott.
