Chapter 21: Running the GauntletAfter Cole left, Jenny aimlessly wandered around the house. She gazed again at the photos hanging in the hallway, making a mental note to ask Cole about them sometime. In the kitchen, she found the chicken he'd mentioned, a package of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. She chewed her lip thoughtfully, then opened an upper cupboard. There she found flour, salt, pepper, olive oil, and a small container of dried parsley. She frowned. Dried parsley would do if he didn't have fresh, she supposed.In the fridge, she found butter, grated Parmesan, a lemon, and a partial bottle of Sauvignon Blanc. She surveyed everything on the counter, frowning.Capers. If only he has capers. Dragging a chair from the table, she climbed up and peered into the upper cabinets once more. Shoving aside all the items in the front, she leaned up on her tiptoes, straining to see what else might be in there. All the way in the back, she spied a small round jar. She had

Chapter 23: I Had Capers?Twenty minutes later, he pulled up in front of the barn, backing the horse trailer into place. Climbing out of the truck, he unhitched the trailer. First thing I'll do back at the house is get the grill started, he thought. Then I'll give Jenny her surprise. By that time, the grill will be ready for the chicken. Hefting the saddle out of the truck, he wondered how Jenny had fared in his absence. She hadn't come to the door. Either she hadn't heard him pull up, or she was still afraid to come outside.Shrugging, he lifted the saddle onto a rack in the tack room and headed back outside. Minnie stood by the fence and whinnied softly. Grinning, Cole went to her and rubbed her nose affectionately. "Hey there, old girl," he laughed softly. "Brithania isn't your biggest fan, but I still love you." Across the field, the other horses began heading his way."I'll be back later with your supper. Maybe I can even talk Jenny into coming out, too." He rubbed

Chapter 25: Bad Memories of His OwnThey made their way back to the house where the aroma of chicken piccata still hung in the air. It was only 8:15, too early for bed. Cole thought about suggesting they watch television, although as far as he was concerned, there was rarely anything on worth watching.Jenny scribbled something on her board and tapped his arm. Can I ask you something? Her gaze was serious.His heart skipped a beat. Shit. Would she ask why he hadn't kissed her in the barn? Warily, he nodded. "Sure."She took his hand and pulled him into the downstairs hallway, stopping before his official Marines portrait. She pointed to it, then to the photo of him and his buddies in Afghanistan. Will you tell me about this? she scribbled.Cole blew out the breath he'd been holding. Jenny had spent quite a bit of time alone in the house. It made sense that she'd wandered around and seen the photos on the wall. His time in Afghanistan wasn't his favorite topic of conversati

Chapter 27: ExhaustedBack in her room, Jenny felt like she'd been run over by a train. Opening up about her situation had been emotionally exhausting. At the same time, it felt good to have told Cole about Slater. It wasn't much, but it felt as though she'd released a little of the darkness. Carefully, she hung her dress in the closet, lightly fingering the fabric with its purple flowers. Before, she'd never have considered wearing a dress from WalMart. But it was pretty, and she'd felt pretty in it. Her gaze fell on the boots Cole had surprised her with. She absolutely adored them, and he'd seemed pleased that she did.Dinner had turned out perfectly, as though she'd made chicken piccata every week of her life. She'd like to do that again and knew that there were plenty of other recipes she'd memorized, some for cakes in particular. Sitting down to a meal she'd prepared had seemed like such a normal moment, one that she relished.Her thoughts drifted back to Cole, and she

Chapter 29: More Than Bad DreamsJenny's heart pounded as Victor leaned over her, his thin lips twisted in an abomination of a smile. "You didn't really think I'd let my lucky charm get away from me, did you, pet?"His face morphed and stretched as though in a funhouse mirror. Slater appeared over Victor's shoulder, and the scent of salami washed over her in waves."The retard cunt won't say a thing." His laughter rang out, sharp and mean.Rough hands reached for her, and Jenny scuttled backward like a crab, slamming into the wall behind her. The hands grabbed her upper arms, gripping her tightly as the glowing orange circle came closer. She felt its heat and struggled to pull away. "You see, pet," Victor leered, wielding the electric brander, "you need to remember that you belong to me. This will serve as your reminder." It seemed to Cole that he'd just drifted off to sleep when he was jolted out of bed by a blood-curdling scream. Clad only in grey boxer briefs, he bounded