Page 107 of Help Wanted

Without being consciously aware, he was suddenly in his truck, driving away.

* * *

Zane gave the waitress a nod—the nod that meant he wanted a beer—and sat between Brady and Josh at the bar. Brady wasn’t looking so good as Josh went on with his story about how his daughter had made him a sandwich for lunch.

“It looked like a regular PB and J but when I bit in, there were M&Ms and a slice of bacon.” He tilted his head to the side and smiled. “It was actually really good.”

“I have a big problem,” Brady said out of nowhere.

“What’s up?” Zane automatically assumed it would have something to do with the trial.

“No offense, boss, but you’re not going to be able to help. You’re worse off than me.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I thought maybe I was in love with Mick, but the second she mentioned moving in together, I turned into a pussy and ran off. I’ve faced down enemy fire, and the first time a woman shows serious interest in me, I practically pissed myself.”

Zane held up his hand. “I could use some help in this area too. I’m going to be making a move soon. Any pointers would be appreciated.”

Josh and Paul looked at one another for a second before bursting out in laughter. “Rookies,” Paul said.

“Pull up your panties, boys. Love isn’t for sissies,” Josh warned before going into a step-by-step tutorial on how to survive having feelings for someone.

By the time he got to childbirth, Brady was looking a little green, and Zane couldn’t blame him.

“The basic point he’s making,” Paul interrupted, “is that you can’t be afraid to just go for it and know the other person has your best interests at heart. If she’s the one for you, she’ll take special care of your heart. Always.”

Zane had no doubt that Kenley would take special care of his heart. He worried he wouldn’t be able to take care of hers. Especially while she faced her biggest fears—a courtroom and the man who had threatened her life. She would be depending on him, and he didn’t want to let her down.

* * *

It was July.

Kenley should have been enjoying the summer with Zane on his boat. She should have been picking out a dress for the reunion they were going to in a couple of weeks. But instead she was in the courthouse, getting ready to come face-to-face with the man who frequented her nightmares.

Dr. Fulmer had prepared her for this day, and Zane was with her. She was as ready as she would ever be to get this over with so she could truly put it behind her.

She was fine.

They walked into the courtroom hand in hand. Brady was already sitting toward the front so she and Zane went to sit next to him. Brady’s knees were bouncing, the only outward sign of his anxiety.

She glanced down at her dress pants and brushed off a piece of lint with a steady hand. She was completely fine, as she’d told Zane and everyone else since it had happened. But now, with Dr. Fulmer’s help, she felt it might actually be true.

Nothing had happened to her. The man had grabbed her arm and yelled at her. It was no big deal. Except she knew this was just the lie she’d told herself when she was trying to hide. She couldn’t hide anymore.

The door along the wall opened and a man was escorted into the room. At first she didn’t recognize him. He looked like a normal guy in a dress shirt and khakis. His hair wasn’t in wild disarray as it had been that afternoon. Her blood turned to ice water when she heard him speak to the man next to him. It was suddenly difficult to get air into her lungs.

When the bailiff said, “All rise for the honorable Judge Margaret Billows,” her legs wouldn’t move. All this time she’d thought she was fine.

She wasn’t fine at all.

* * *

When the scrawny man walked into the courtroom, it took every bit of control Zane had to stay seated next to Kenley and not fly over there to start whaling on him. Then he took a good look, and realized he still looked a little roughed up from the encounter with Brady. The man was on crutches, a cast running from his toes to his hip.

“I thought I remembered the sound of a femur snapping,” Brady said with a low chuckle. Zane had already given Brady a raise, which he’d tried to refuse since Zane had agreed to employ Hunter. Hiring Hunter hadn’t just been a favor to Brady. He did a good job and was a valued employee. Not to mention Kenley seemed to feel better when someone was in the office with her.

When the bailiff ordered everyone to rise, Zane moved to stand, but was weighed down by Kenley grasping his hand. She wasn’t standing, instead she was staring at the man on the opposite side of the room, panting and looking pale.

“Ken?” Brady said while motioning for her to stand. She didn’t move. It was as if she was frozen there.

With a nod to Brady they pulled her to her feet so she wouldn’t be in contempt of court. A serious-looking woman in a black robe came in and told everyone to be seated.