Jasper

Rage burned in me all night long. I barely sleep, not knowing how to ask the next question I need to know the answer to. After she fell asleep and I thought about what she said, it had immediately popped into my head that she wouldn’t stay if she were pregnant.

Then I really went to battle with myself. This woman had already wormed her way into my heart; I wasn’t too stubborn to admit that. If she were pregnant, could I love the child of the man who did this to her? If we were to have a child ourselves, could I love his child as much as my own?

I must have finally drifted off because I jerk suddenly when Emma nuzzles into my arm, “Jasper? Sorry, you’re snoring in my ear.”

“Sorry, Darlin’.” I snuggle my head into the hollow at the base of her neck. “Emma, I need to know something important.” I feel her nod against my head, giving me permission. “Are you pregnant?”

She tenses up then starts to lightly shake. Fuck. I try to steel my face against any show of emotion when a snort escapes her. “Oh God, I shouldn’t laugh.” She doesn’t seem to be trying to reign it in though, she quietly laughs beside me. “I’m sorry, Jasper. You sounded so scared.”

“That’s not a fucking answer, Emma!” I move back from her watching her try to control her laughter then start smiling despite myself. Her laugh is infectious and I realize I’ve never heard it before.

“No.” She hiccups, grabbing her mouth in surprise. “I never told him, he would have been furious, but I had been on birth control to help with my periods. I didn’t have the chance to bring it with me when I left that day, so when you asked all I could think is: he probably found them after I left.” Emma collapses into giggles again.

“Every time, starting after the first time he raped me, he prayed that I ‘would not be found wanting and would carry his seed’.” She hiccups again and I can’t help but find the humor in that along with her.

“Come on, what an egotistical bastard, right? Even if he hadn’t been raping me, would even think that’s an appropriate prayer?” She takes a deep breath, before looking back at me again. “Why did you ask?”

“What did you mean last night, Emma? You said you couldn’t be with anyone? That’s what I thought you meant.” As soon as I ask, she starts to withdraw from me, both mentally and physically.

“Just leave it, Jasper.” She whispers, as she retreats to the bathroom. I get up and dressed for the day, reaching for my cell phone just as it starts ringing.

“Roy, what’s up?” I pick up immediately.

“I want in, Jasper,” He starts without preamble. “When you go after Miss Emma’s ex, I want in.”

Sighing loudly, “There are other factors, Roy. We’re starting with the legal route.”

“Just don’t leave me out. I get more pissed off the more I get to know her.”

“I hear you, Roy. Loud and clear.” I end the call without further ado. Emma has emerged from the bathroom, on my way in I kiss her cheek and tell her to get dressed for a day out.

I’m taking her to the diner before we go shopping. But damn it all; I realize I should have asked her to get dressed, not given her another demand.

Emma

I can’t help but be a little disappointed when we only go as far as the clubhouse on Jasper’s bike. He says he’ll need the trunk space his truck offers for some errands after breakfast, without saying any more.

Driving around town, he shows me where he went to school and points out some businesses he personally invested in, before he pulls up to Ray’s Diner. His favorite in the area. There’s an older woman waiting tables and her eyes get big when she sees my face.

“Don’t you worry, dear heart. Jasper’ll get that sorted out.” Then she gives him a slow nod with a glint of something fierce in her eyes. He laughs as she takes off to get our order in.

As I’m watching the crowd, in walks a man in a suit that seems oddly formal for this town; looking around, he quickly approaches us.

“Mr. Anders, please excuse the interruption. I do have that paperwork prepared, if Ms. Jones could review and sign it after your meal?”

“I’m Emma Jones, are you the attorney?” I inquire, finally commanding his attention.

“Oh, Ms. Jones, yes. Tim Jessop at your service.” He extends his hand for a dead-fish sort of handshake. “The paperwork I discussed with Mr. Anders is ready for your review.”

“We’ll stop by after breakfast, Tim.” Jasper says, dismissively and the odd man nearly runs to the counter to pick up his own meal.

“I’m sorry, you said he rides with your MC?” I can hardly fathom that picture.

“We do charity runs or just road trips, he’s usually up for those.” Jasper smirks back at me. “You’ll need a state ID to sign the docs, when I talked to Sheriff Michaels yesterday he said he could issue a temporary id for you as long as your photo was in Nebraska’s licensing files?”

“Oh, I have my license with me, Jasper.”

“I didn’t see it when I was ‘rifling through your belongings’ – thought you had left it behind?” He grins, obviously trying to deflect what he did the other day.

“I kept it in my shoe so it wouldn’t get lost. Hey, you don’t have to look so surprised. I may be a bit sheltered but I’m not an idiot!”

“No,” He looks up quickly. “I wouldn’t have thought to do that myself. It was clever.”

Finishing our breakfast, we head down the block to the lawyer’s office. Afterwards, Jessop, as Jasper calls him, follows us to the town hall to expedite the order of protection that will be transferred to the Sheriff in my hometown and served on Adam. First that, then the divorce papers, eventually I’ll be able to breathe again. Then, I can start to forget.

I wasn’t prepared for meeting Sheriff Michaels. When Jas first mentioned him, I pictured him to be in his fifties, with grey hair and kind, shrewd eyes. The only part I got right was the shrewd eyes. He’s probably in his thirties, a few inches shorter than Jasper with medium length black hair and kind, blue eyes. He has already heard my tale from Jasper but insists on interviewing me himself.

The Sheriff instantly puts me at ease and calmly talks me through the last year. Finally satisfied with my story, he walks me out to Jasper in the reception area and says; “If you’re planning on staying, the cross country and track coach is retiring from the high school soon; I’ll put the word in for you.” I had briefly mentioned my love of running and education degree to him, his kind thought nearly brings tears to my eyes, but I just smile and shrug my shoulders.

“She’ll let you know next week, if that’s alright?” Jasper speaks up, taking my hand in his. He just won’t back down from wanting me to stay in his town.

Getting in the truck with Jasper, I ask to borrow his phone. It’s time I let Henry know I’m alright and I suddenly feel terrible I hadn’t thought to do it sooner.

I hear his gentle voice after the third ring. “Henry Masters.”

“Henry, it’s me Emma…um, Marie. Sorry, I’m using my given first name now.” I babble.

“Missy, it is good to hear from you. You know, I have a police officer and a Preacher sitting right here asking about something. Could you call me back? That is if they don’t arrest me or send me to hell!” He chuckles more to himself than anyone listening.

“I’m so sorry Henry. I will call you in thirty minutes, I promise.” I quickly set the timer on Jasper’s phone so I can call him back promptly.

“What’s wrong, Darlin’? He alright?” Jasper asks, reaching across the console for my hand.

“I don’t know. He addressed me as ‘Missy’ and said that there was a cop and a Preacher in his house. I’m guessing that’s Adam, sitting there asking him questions. He didn’t say anything else.”

“Ok, just relax. That means they recovered Henry’s car from where we found you and have some questions about it. We know Adam said you were missing and suicidal so that’s why he’s there. You’ve got your own story on record here now and you haven’t done anything wrong.” Of course, this makes sense as Jasper talks me through it. I’m just a bundle of nerves.

We pull into a home supply store parking lot and for the next half hour, Jasper has me looking at tiles for his backsplash. His counters and cabinets have already been ordered, this little piece of normalcy helps to pass the time. We both like the same tile immediately so we spend the next twenty minutes trying to narrow down the ugliest tile in the store.

Feeling light-hearted with this man, but looking away quickly each time I catch him smiling at me; I suddenly realize that he probably doesn’t get many opportunities for frivolity.

While he’s placing his order, I start out to the truck with his phone, trying Henry again.

“Is that you?” He asks, picking up immediately.

“Yes, Henry, is everything alright?”

“They found the car, and were trying to find out if I knew you. That husband of yours confided in me that he was searching for his suicidal wife! I wanted to hit him so bad, it near killed me keeping a straight face. Now what have you been up to?”

“I think I passed out from the pain eventually and crashed your car, I really don’t remember. Some men found me and one has been tending me. He’s gotten a lawyer and the town sheriff involved here. Protection and divorce papers are going to be served on Adam over the next few days. We’ve kept your name out of it right now, but will you be a witness if…”

“Don’t even have to ask, of course I will.” He huffs. “God, after the show he put on today I’m even more worked up over this! But, Marie…um, Emma? Don’t you go so long without checking in again, you hear me?”

“Thank you, Henry. Can you write down this number and call Jasper if anything happens?” Jasper has crossed the parking lot to me and is loading up the tile in the back as I climb in the truck.

“Can you trust this guy, Emma?” Henry whispers, as if Jasper can hear him.

“I know I don’t have a great track record, but yes, Henry. I trust Jasper and his people.” The last part I say looking Jasper straight in the face. He motions for the phone. “Oh, he wants to talk to you.”

“Henry?” Jasper starts. “I’m grateful for you helping Emma like you did.” From there on out he’s on the listening end and all I hear is a series of ‘uh-huhs’ and ‘yes, sirs’.

“Sir, if I ever find myself in your area, maybe with a friend, and don’t want to stay in a hotel; any chance you could put us up for a night?” This is followed by silence then an “I appreciate it, thank you again.” Before he hangs up.

“Jasper, what are you planning?” He pockets his phone before leaning over to kiss me.

“Nothing, Darlin’, just been talking about a road trip with Roy is all.” Suuure. “Now the mall, it’s the next town over, since I promised you some new things.”

“Jasper, no. I can’t have you spending any more on me!”

“Mine to spend, Emma. You might as well speak up or you’ll end up with nothing but lingerie!” He wiggles his eyebrows in the most comical way.