“No, Sloan Smith didn’t rape me or cut me. I cut myself when I used a sharp axe to cut through the ropes on my hands.” Grace stated, her eyes not leaving Walker’s, not once. "I think my feet may be cut up from either sharp rock or glass when I snuck out of the shed, trying to sneak up on Smith with an oar. I hit him in the head, but didn't knock him out like I thought I would. That's when he attacked me."
Walker looked at Grace with astonishment. She stated all of that like it was a typical stroll through the park. He kept a tight grip on her head and stroked her hair back from her face. He looked over at Cade, who had begun to look at Grace's feet. “Baby, we’ll get your hand and feet looked at and the rest of you checked out at the ER soon. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of it.” Boomer saw the moment Cade found something hidden behind the barrels nearby. "What is it Cade?"
"The bastard has several guns back here, including an automatic. He was going to ambush us and take us out one by one." The anger in Cade's voice was lethal.
Grace looked up at Walker for a moment before grabbing his hand in a vice like grip. “Oh my gosh! Jaxson, who has Jaxson? Tell me. Is he okay? Does he know I’m missing?”
“Grace, he’s fine. He’s with the girls and coloring on a notepad the last time I saw him. He’s good. I swear.” Boomer saw Grace relax at that.
Captain Phillips ran over towards them, gun drawn and began assessing the scene. He cursed loudly and demanded details of what went down. Cade explained to Gunnar what he had witnessed. Soon other officers arrived around them, checking on Grace and asking questions. She told them all that she knew since encountering Smith outside the ladies’ room. EMTs showed up as well and Grace was put on a gurney where her feet were checked out with flashlights shining on the bottoms. No cuts, just redness from walking over sharp gravel.
With Boomer right beside her, she was rolled up to the barn, where she could see Kresley and Francie waiting outside anxiously. Kres was still in her wedding gown, but her hair was undone, flowing down her back in curls. Grace could also see Ash standing beside Francie, his hands in his pockets, looking toward Cade and Boomer.
“Don’t you scare me like that again, you hear me Grace Evelyn! I’ve been sick with worry and not knowing what to do or what to say to Jaxson. It’s been so scary, the thought of losing you!” Kresley shouted, but it quickly turned into sobbing, with tears running down her face. Cade immediately went to her, hugging her close to his body, murmuring words of comfort in her hair.
Somehow Grace had found her sass. None of them needed to see her be a mess any more tonight. “I’m sorry Kres. It wasn’t my choice to be kidnapped, that’s for sure. Listen guys, I know you're EMTs and want me to go to the ER to get checked out to be sure, but honestly, I’m okay. You said yourself the cut on my hand isn’t that deep and could be sealed with liquid adhesive or with butterfly bandages. So that’s what I’ll do. If I need to sign an AMA form, then I will. I can’t let my son know that his mama was kidnapped or hurting. I don’t want to freak him out. So, I’m going to get in someone’s vehicle and be driven to my house and put my son into bed and tuck him in. I am NOT going to the hospital. End of story.” Grace looked over at Walker during this speech, making sure he understood that he wasn’t going to boss her around on this. She then looked at Cade, knowing he was going to protest heavily. Next was Kres, then Francie. Poor Ash just stood there and grinned, wiggling his eyebrows at her spunk.
Everyone had opened their mouths to protest, except Walker, Grace noticed. “Okay Grace, that’s fine. I get it. We don’t want Jaxson traumatized. But tomorrow if you act or feel differently, I expect you to be at the doctor or ER. Got me?” Boomer stated softly.
“I got you. Okay, so can I get up now? I need to go check on Jaxson before the police try to talk to me again.”
Grace was unbuckled and let up from the gurney. After making sure she could stand on her own without falling flat on her face, Grace looked down at her dress and gasped. "Walker! Why didn't you tell me my dress was still down around my waist. Lord, everyone take a look over here at Gracie's boobs!" Grace, severely flustered, yanked up her dress so it was put back in place and covered everything.
"I didn't know Grace. It was dark and the colors are kind of similar. Do you really think I'd let another man look at your breasts on purpose? That would be a hell no," Walker stated with heat in his voice.
Grace ignored him for the moment. "Do either of you have any clothes I can change into? If Jaxson sees me like this, he’s going to know something bad happened”, Grace said, looking at Kresley and Francie. Francie stated she had something and would bring it to the bathroom in the barn.
Grace began walking towards the other side of the reception barn, not wanting to go in where Jaxson could see her.
