Broken & Beautiful
By: IsisIzabel
VI
-Jericho, Kansas-
Present Day
"Jake. Jake!"
Jake blinked, suddenly pulled from the image of Constantino ordering Heather's death. His head snapped to the side and he looked at her.
Heather gently touched his shoulder. "You're hurting my leg." She quirked a sideways smile his way and glanced down at the offended limb.
Jake looked down at where his hand had rested against her thigh. It was now gripping her knee in a vise, his knuckles white. He immediately loosened his hold, but didn't make any movement away from her. "I'm sorry—"
Heather chuckled and shook her head, the fading sun catching the golden and crimson highlights in her hair. "It's all right," she assured him. She covered his hand with both of hers.
"What happened after that?" Jake asked, unable to hide the raw edge of emotion in his tone.
Heather's lips curved into a rueful smile. "I was taken out of the cell and a hood was thrown over my head. I was driven several miles out of town to where they were supposed to kill me."
"But they didn't."
"No, they didn't. I was so sure I was going to die. But when I got out of the car and they took the hood off my head, the guy Constantino ordered to shoot me was this guy named Joey Warner."
"I know that name," Jake mused, thinking.
"His dad owns the bait and tackle store in New Bern? He was captain of the soccer team his senior year. He lived a few streets down from me as kids, and he dated my best friend, Katie, when we were in high school."
Realization dawned on Jake suddenly. "There was an accident. I remember reading about it in the paper. Some kids got drunk after graduation and crashed a Toyota. Two of them died. Joey Warner—"
"—was driving," Heather confirmed softly. "Katie died that night. And my friend, Mark."
Jake waited. Unease settled in his stomach as he continued to stare at Heather and she stubbornly refused to look up, even when he squeezed her knee gently.
"Joey and I were the only ones that made it out alive. Car wrapped around a telephone pole three miles outside of New Bern on Highway 80." Heather raked a hand through her hair. "Joey was messed up after the accident. I hardly spoke to him, and he never went to either funeral. Imagine my surprise when the hood was yanked off and there he was."
"He let you go."
Heather nodded grimly. "Barely said a word. Just told me to give him my jacket—some kind of proof for Constantino, that I guess he gave Eric—and told me to run. It was like he wanted to say more, but couldn't. And I didn't exactly feel like waiting around for him to change his mind, so I ran."
Heather unconsciously laced her fingers with Jake's. "I must've walked seven miles before this family pulled up alongside of me. I can't even figure out why they stopped, but they agreed to give me a ride—they were heading to Topeka. I figured that I could get to the one-oh-eight bypass and hike the last four miles to Jericho. We didn't even make a mile before two trucks drove us off the road."
She sighed softly. "They left us all for dead. Hell, I thought I was dead until that military convoy came by and picked me up. I tried getting them to take me back to Jericho—I told them what New Bern was planning."
Jake's eyes widened. "That's why the military showed up?"
Heather shrugged. "They weren't going to go originally. Then the commander got some kind of intel and they packed up fast and headed for Jericho. They shipped me off to Cheyenne with the other civilians."
"But not before you warned them about what New Bern was planning," Jake added gently, grateful. "As bad as it had been, it would have been worse had the government not intervened when they had. Heather, you probably saved hundreds of lives. Mine included."
She bit her lower lip. "Jake—"
He covered her hand with his. "No, really. Thank you." He held her gaze with his for several beats.
She shook her head. "I was so afraid it would be too late. I was sure they had killed Eric, too, and Jericho would be caught off-guard."
"We didn't have much warning, but Eric gave us some."
"How did he escape, anyway?" She tilted her head curiously, awaiting his answer.
Jake grinned at her. "Hawkins and I went and got him out."
Heather's jaw dropped open for a fraction of a second before she tossed her head back and laughed aloud. It only took a moment before Jake was laughing with her.
"I missed that," Jake said as they quieted. "Your laugh."
Heather couldn't stop the blush that crept up her face.
Jake instantly caught on and nudged her with his shoulder. "And the way you blush."
"Cleary Jennings and Rall are putting something in the water around here," Heather scoffed, trying to deflect his attention.
Jake wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her to his side. "I really did miss you, Heather."
"I missed you, too," Heather returned, trying to ignore the way her heart threatened to gallop out of her chest. She turned her head and realized their noses were inches apart. Her breath caught as Jake leaned in to her, resting his forehead against hers.
They lingered for a second, eyes closed, before Jake pulled back and pressed a kiss to her brow. "I hate to go, but…"
Heather's smile was easy. "Same old Jake: off to save the day."
Jake stood slowly. "You know, Emily's at my house if you want to stop by and see her."
Heather stiffened at his announcement, but she fought to keep her smile in tact. "Yeah, OK. Maybe later? I want to get to my apartment… get settled, you know?"
"Right," Jake nodded quickly, his eyes still trained on her face. He extended a hand. "I can walk you home."
She looked at his hand, aching to take in hers, but instead she shook her head. "Actually, I think I'm going to sit here a minute and just take it easy."
His hand fell against his leg. "OK. I'll check in with you later." He ended as a statement, leaving no room for argument. She was sure she could expect a visit from Jake within the next twenty-four hours.
Maybe by then she would have her emotions back in check.
"Sounds like a plan," Heather agreed, leaning back against the bench. She watched as Jake walked back to Town Hall, turning to wave at her briefly before he went inside.
Heather sighed and shook her head again, trying to quell the raging storm of emotions that were currently threatening to drag her under. Emily was living with Jake. That had to mean they were back together, and probably on a permanent basis. That thought settled uneasily in the pit of her stomach.
"Doesn't look like being the Prodigal Daughter's that much fun," a low voice drawled from beside her.
Heather turned in time to see Eric sliding into Jake's vacant seat.
"What's that?" She smiled at him, welcoming his visit.
Eric looked knowingly at her. "I know that look. Something's bugging you."
"I'm finally home," Heather said brightly. "What could be wrong?"
"That is the question, isn't it?" Eric agreed, not letting her upbeat tone trick him. "Talk to me."
"About what?" she asked evasively.
Eric chuckled. "We can start with whatever's bothering you, and then how you managed to get out of New Bern."
"The latter's easier than the former," she murmured.
"So start there," Eric encouraged. "I've got time."
Heather gave him a similar explanation to the one she'd given Jake. She recounted the story and watched as relief spread across his features, softening them.
"God, Heather, I was so sure you were dead," Eric muttered, rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hands.
"I was afraid you were, too," she admitted quietly, leaning against his shoulder. "Kind of glad you're not, though."
Eric cracked a smile. "Yeah, me too." He sighed. "So, now tell me what's bothering you."
"It's nothing," Heather said quickly. "Really. Just me being stupid and getting my hopes up for something I had no right hoping for."
"What'd my brother do this time?" Eric demanded, his eyes narrowing.
"I—what? Who said it was Jake?" Heather sputtered.
Eric's look was kind. "Come on, Heather. I think you and I both know that you and Jake have this…connection. Or whatever."
She grimaced in return. "I think the connection you're referring to is the one he has with Emily. The blonde living at your house?"
Eric sighed loudly. "God, my brother's dense, you know that?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm sure Jake mentioned her living at the house, but neglected to tell you that she moved herself into the house."
Heather didn't bother hiding her confusion. "What?"
Eric rolled his eyes. "Heather, Emily showed up two weeks ago with her bags and said she needed a place to crash. Jennings and Rall requisitioned several dozen houses in her development—hers included—and Emily decided our house was a good place to stay. She's been living in the guest room."
Heather's eyes slid shut. "I just assumed…"
"You assumed wrong," Eric replied with a grin. "Although, it's not from a lack of trying on her part, but I think Jake's put that part of his life behind him."
"Really?" Heather pressed, unsure.
"Do you trust me?" Eric asked with a casual shrug.
"Of course." She answered him without hesitation. After all they had been through, Heather trusted Eric implicitly.
"Then there's your answer. Heather, you deserve to be happy. And so does my brother. I think you two are good for each other."
"Yeah?" she quipped lightly.
"You should have seen his face when I told him you were dead," Eric murmured, his tone grave.
Heather turned her face slowly to see Eric. She could read the somber note in his eyes.
"I've seen my brother upset, Heather. But he looked… devastated. Don't be offended, but I didn't think he'd react as strongly as he did. It surprised me," Eric confided.
Heather nodded slowly, trying to digest what Eric had told her. She had hoped Jake felt something for her, but hearing Eric verbalize it made it real. The realness shook her on a level she hadn't explored in a while. But there was no denying she was happy to know Jake returned her feelings.
"Want me to walk you home?" Eric offered softly.
"You don't have to," Heather replied with a smile, meeting his gaze.
"True." He grinned at her as he stood up. "But I want to anyway."
Heather got to her feet beside him. "Thanks, Eric." She stood on her tip toes and hugged him.
Eric returned her hug and then pulled away, motioning for her to lead the way. "After you, partner."