Rachel entered with a few bags in her hands while Matthew carried an armful of dresses. Jameson rose, showing him where to put them in the pool house.
“How are things going?” Matthew asked. “She must be devastated,” he said, shaking his head.
“I don’t know. She didn’t say much or cry. Why does she have to socialize with all these people she doesn’t know?” Jameson asked, frustrated.
“Garrett’s keeping an eye on her,” Matthew told him. “We’re doubling up on security. Cain gave the Feds the slip.”
“Shit,” Jameson swore. “Can this day get any worse?”
“Julio wanted me to inform you. It’s your call if you prefer not to say anything to her. Caroline’s got a full plate, and we’re concerned about her mental health.”
“Damn. I don’t know how much more she can take. Let’s keep this between us for now. After the funeral, I’ll tell her,” Jameson said, determined not to lie to her. “She has an appointment with the funeral home tomorrow.”
“Garrett and I will follow you,” Matthew assured him. “Julio and Spider will keep watch tonight. I’m assuming you’ll be staying with her.”
“I’m not leaving her side,” he vowed. “Especially with that asshole on the loose. How the hell did he get away?”
“He went into a warehouse and snuck onto one of the semis leaving the dock,” Matthew informed him.
“Shit,” Jameson muttered, running his hand through his hair. “He might be anywhere.”
“We took everyone from the farmhouse. Not to mention, he left her in a damn dog crate in the middle of a storm. For all he knows, she died.”
“Cain won’t assume. He considers Caroline his property. He bought her from my father. If James told him how he came by her, Cain will assume she returned home,” Jameson said, thinking out loud.
“But you moved Thomas. He doesn’t have this address, and you rented it under a different name,” Matthew reminded him. “He doesn’t know anything about your existence. As far as he’s concerned, he ordered you sold.”
“Won’t he be surprised?” Jameson quipped. “As much as I don’t want him to show, I want to beat the hell out of the son of a bitch.”
“Hopefully one of those outfits will suit her,” Matthew said as they made their way back to the house. “I’ll be damned if I go shopping with Rachel again. How can a man pick out an entire wardrobe in under an hour, and they’re still trying on the first dress?”
“We can’t complain too much. When they do come out, they look like a million bucks,” Jameson reasoned. “I’m sure Caroline will find something.”
“With Rachel, it’ll cost it,” Matthew grumbled. “I’ve never met a woman who can argue she saved us money because she waited for a sale to buy five-hundred-dollar boots.”
Jameson chuckled as he left to return to the main house. His eyes scanned the room for Caroline. When they landed on Rebecca, she nodded her head toward the kitchen.
Jameson pulled her close. “You hanging in there?”
“I’m worried I might’ve forgotten something. I’ll need to check the fridge and see if we need more food…” her voice drifted off.
“The team will handle it,” he assured her, his hand slid to her waist. “We’ll go to the pool house where you can catch your breath.”
As they entered, he closed the door and pulled the blinds. “Did you get enough to eat? I can grab you something else,” he offered.
“No. The soup tasted good. Do we have any aspirin? I have a bit of a headache.”
“I’ll check the medicine cabinet. Let’s get you settled in bed first,” he said, leading her into the bedroom. Pulling back the covers, he waited until she slid under the sheet and pulled a blanket over her. Then, he found acetaminophen in the medicine cabinet. Returning to the kitchen, he poured her a glass of water and brought the pills to her.
Seeing him, she sat up, took the pills, and chased them down with the water he handed to her.
“Thank you,” she said, lying back down. Jameson set the glass on the bedside table and went around to the other side of the bed. Slipping under the covers, he pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. A few minutes later, he heard herbreathing slow as she fell asleep. He waited a little longer to ensure she went completely out before he left the bed.
Locking the door and setting the security system, he went to meet with the team.
“She’s asleep,” he announced. “How many people did Nancy inform and give this address to? I don’t have her cell.”
“I can get it,” Matthew said, pulling out his phone. “Mac’s on his way to help patrol.”
