Her Valentine (6 page)

Then they were off, riding away, for some it was the scene of a crime, for others yet another casualty of the war between the Defenders and Devils, but for two young children they were riding away from an innocence that had been shattered like a pane of glass.  Those two lives would be forever changed.  Preach hoped he could make one happy even if he had failed to do so for the other.

2

Fifteen Years Later

Lacey couldn’t believe it!  She was the new ADA of Cool Creek in Combine County West Virginia, her once home town.  This was her home and had been since the day she was born until the day her life virtually ended, the town where her family had been murdered.  She pushed the memory of that horrible night out of her mind as she always did when it crept in.  Instead she looked around her little office.  There was a large window overlooking the front of the courthouse and the fountain there, a simple wooden desk and three chairs.  Nothing on the walls and nothing in the room.  She turned and looked at the man who would be her boss.

“Now don’t be giving me that look Missy.”  DA Westbrook was a no-nonsense man with a balding pate of white hair.  He stood about 5’9” Lacey guessed and had a bit of a belly, but he was kind in his gruff way and Lacey liked him.  Lacey smiled and raised her brows.

“Awww women and their fancy knick knacks.  This office was just painted and I can see by the look on your face that you want to punch holes in the walls already.”

“A bit of art would brighten the room.” Lacey said lightly.

“Alright, stick what you want in here.”  He eyed the old office chair.  “And pick out a new chair, can’t work in something that uncomfortable.  It’s your space, do what you want with it.”

With that he flung his hands in the air and left her in her new office and as the door closed she quietly did a happy dance that included a few head shakes and several ass shakes.  She was thrilled and now she could finally put the past behind her and focus on the future she’d always thought she was meant to have.  She would make a difference her and if she got the chance to stick it to the Devils, she would do that too.

A knock on her office door made her stop cold.  She actually didn’t know what to do.  Should she open it or call for the person to enter?

She was relieved when the door just opened until she got a look at her visitor.

It had been nearly two years since she’d seen Preacherman and she had missed him more than she had realized.  She threw her arms around him and hugged him before she thought better of it and was rewarded with a bone crushing hug back and a relieved sigh.  Preach lifted her off the floor and spun her in a circle before setting her on her feet again.  He let his eyes run over the bare office.

“Not very personal.”  He said with a frown.

“I know, I need to decorate, but it’s still mine!  Can you believe it?”  Lacey was bouncing on her toes like a child so she stilled and tried to compose herself.  She could tell by the twinkle in his eyes that she was failing to impress him with her professionalism.

“I never will understand why you wanted to be a lawyer and a prosecutor at that.  You could have done something respectable.”  The scowl of disgust on his face caused Lacey to laugh out loud.  At her burst of laughter he scowled harder.  “Well I wish you’d move out with me so I know you’re safe at least.  Lacey, it’s still not safe for you here.  They still have a hit out on you honey.”

“I’m fine Preach.  I have an alarm and I’m not far from town.  The Devils aren’t active around here anymore are they?”

“They aren’t, but that doesn’t mean they won’t come for you if they find out who you are.”

Preach looked into Lacey’s bright blue eyes and sighed.  He knew she wouldn’t relent and he knew he would have to protect her anyway.  He didn’t bother saying so because she would argue and he would still do as he damn well pleased so it was pointless to even discuss it.  He had a promise to keep and that mattered to him, but he didn’t want her to be afraid.  He wanted her to be happy and she wanted to be here and if he were honest with himself he loved having her so close. 

“Well, I’m throwing you a party to celebrate.  Mrs. would have my neck if I didn’t and whether you like it or not we are your family.”

Lacey smiled.  His face was so serious as if he thought she would reject him.  “I like it very much actually, but I have to warn you.  I am the ADA now and I will not cut you any slack if you step out of line mister.”  She adopted her most serious face as he leaned down for her to kiss his tanned cheek.

“Saturday.  We’ll start at six.”  He said as he strode out of the office.