Lawfully Freed Read online

  Lawfully Freed

  Ginny Sterling

  Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  Lawfully Bethrothed

  Lawfully Chosen

  Lawfully Challenged

  A Perfect Bride

  Lawfully Rescued by Barbara Goss

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Introduction

  There’s just something fascinating about a man wearing an emblem of authority. The way the light gleams off that shiny star on his badge makes us stare with respect. Couple that with a uniform hugging his body in just the right way, confidence, and mission to save and protect, it’s no wonder we want to know what lies underneath.

  Yes, what echoes deep inside those beating hearts is inspiring. Certainly appealing. Definitely enticing. Although those ripped muscles and strong shoulders can make a woman’s heart skip a beat—or two—it takes a strong, confident person to choose to love someone who risks it all every day. Anyone willing to become part of a lawkeeper’s world might have a story of their own to tell.

  The undeniable charisma lawmen possess make all of us pause and take note. It’s probably why there are so many movies and TV shows themed around the justice system. We’re captivated by their ability to save babies, help strangers, and rescue damsels in distress. We’re captivated by their ability to protect and save, defend the innocent, risk their lives, and face danger without hesitation. Of course, we expect our heroes to stay solid when we’re in a mess. We count on them for safety, security, and peace of mind. From yesterday to today, that truth remains constant.

  Their valor inspires us, their integrity comforts, and their courage melts our hearts—irresistibly. But there’s far more to them than their courageous efforts. How do they deal with the difficulties they face? Can they balance work and life? And how do they find time for love outside their life of service?

  We want to invite you on a journey—come with us as we explore the complex lives of the men and women who serve and protect us every day. Join us in a fast-paced world of adventure. Walk into our tight-knit world of close friendships, extended family, and danger—as our super heroes navigate the most treacherous path of all—the road to love.

  The Lawkeepers. Historical and modern-day super heroes; men and women of bravery and valor, taking love and law seriously. A multi-author series, sure to lock up your attention and take your heart into custody.

  One

  It was official.

  This would be the longest day in the longest month that would ever exist in all of time and space for her. There was nothing like having an event bring back every single utterly horrifying memory that you thought you put behind you, suddenly come rushing forward for the sake of mentally dissecting each traumatic event over and over again. Uppity opinions, personal fears, overly-dramatic issues over nothing were things that she’d imagined that she had left behind her long ago. Tonight, she’d be facing all of them head on.

  Rebecca had moved back to Texas shortly after graduating from college with her doctorate. She’d accepted a position with the police department that would allow her the freedom to practice psychology with her own practice, as well. She would be consulting for the department when needed. But the majority of her time would be free to help clients in a private practice as her schedule allowed.

  Ha!

  What schedule?

  She was free to take on anyone at any time. It was just her mother and her. She had no ties to drag her down. She felt like a bird that was getting ready to take flight and soar finally. The last ten years had been spent growing and learning her trade. Now, it was time to apply all that expensive education and personal growth that had occurred in the decade that she’d been away from the chaos of her small-town nightmare she’d made in her mind. While Dallas was close, this truly was a small town just outside of the booming metropolis.

  Still living in boxes, she’d finally gotten settled somewhat in her new, tiny apartment that she’d selected online based off what she remembered of the area. Ten years was a long time. She’d thought it was long enough, but maybe that wasn’t the case. The city had grown, the metroplex had grown, and so had little Becky Tulle. Gone was “Becky the cheerleader” and in her place was the professional: Dr. Rebecca Tulle.

  What she didn’t want to admit was that little Becky was still buried deep in her mind. She didn’t acknowledge that her stomach flip-flopped silently. That insecurity would never fade, it seemed. She felt that coming back home would give her a sense of completion that she felt she craved. This was the next step she needed to take in her life: Face her monsters head on. Tonight, of all nights, would be the ultimate test.

  It was her class reunion.

  Staring in the mirror at her reflection, she saw the young girl she once was as well as the woman she’d wanted to be. Her curly, black hair that had once looked like a bad perm now lay slick and glossy against her shoulders, thanks to the help of her straightening iron and a professional keratin treatment. Oh, how she wished she’d had that flat iron all those years ago. Instead, she’d French braided her hair repeatedly for after school drill routines in order to keep the snarls from being more than she could bear.

  She remembered those hot polyester uniforms, the long practices and the camaraderie of the squad. Becky had been head cheerleader for all four years of high school, a darling of the teachers and students. But because of the attention she received, she was hated almost as much by the other students as she was loved by the faculty. She had also been harassed by the football team repeatedly and realized it now. Then, she hadn’t understood how to handle the hazing or sexual harassment she’d received. There had been many a night she’d spent crying at home, confused as to why they picked on her and spread such malicious rumors about her.

  Now, she understood.

  It didn’t make it right in any fashion whatsoever, but she did comprehend it better. It was years of training that helped her find peace and serenity with her supposed make-believe history. Those rumors had driven her away and caused her to run. She’d cut ties with everyone she had ever known the night she graduated and practically disappeared from the radar. Unlisted home number, fake Facebook account, the works… including the fact she had not bothered with a cell phone as of yet. She had not wanted to be found until she was strong enough to handle it all. They’d nearly broken her spirit. But she was stronger than they would ever realize.

  Becky hadn’t slept with the entire football team as rumor had it. Nor had she run away because she was pregnant. No, she had run to get away from the destructive behavior and hatred focused narrowly on her. She had bolted before it destroyed her psyche and all her ambitious dreams that she had for herself.

  Now she was back.

  While it felt petty, part of her needed to show them that she was better than all of their harsh treatment and nasty words. She wanted her hometown to know that she was strong and that they hadn’t broken her. They had once been vicious, and she would be forever victorious!

  Staring in the mirror, Rebecca looked hard at herself. Gone was the gangly young girl and in its place was a composed woman. A headstrong, smart, intelligent woman that was comfortable in who she was and confident in her faith. She’d never married or dated because she never wanted to feel like it was expected of her. She wanted to fight the rules, fight the stereotypes and be who she wanted to be… herself and what felt comfortable for her.

  Glancing down at her elegant suit, she smiled at how polished she looked and ignored the wreckage of bo
xes and unpacked items behind her. She would slowly bring peace and tranquility to her life again… once you got past all the rough wrapping around it. That is how she pictured herself and her life. She’d gone through the rough spots and now it was time to shine. A beautiful butterfly emerging and on the cusp of taking flight.

  Checking her watch, she groaned and rolled her eyes. This part of her life she had yet to change though. Little Becky was always late all those school days so long ago, and it seemed like that particular trait would never fade away. Tonight was no different. The reunion had started ten minutes ago, and she would be fashionably late apparently. Gathering up her purse and car keys, she ran out the front door ready to take on the challenge ahead of her.

  * * *

  Pulling into the parking lot, a wave of anxiety came back as she stared at the building. She remembered those days, praying for a miracle of some sort to save her from class each day. In her memories, it had been a massive school. Now, she saw it was quite a small building. Dated and worn. Most monsters were like that. The monsters were worse in the mind than in real life. She believed that thought wholeheartedly and preached it to herself all the time. This was her mantra as she slowly walked up to the building. Pulling open one of the heavy doors, she was flooded with flashbacks of crowded hallways and obnoxious pranks. Taking a deep breath, she searched for something to trigger or evoke a pleasant memory and was struggling to find anything here that brought her happiness.

  The trophy cases were still at the front of the building but gone were the photos of her classmates. Now there were only photographs of the current students. Time had passed. Her group had moved on. And if she hadn’t received the announcement at her mother’s house, she would have never known about this reunion.

  Standing there at the glass cases lost in thought, she heard a familiar voice that made her skin crawl. It was the one monster that had caused so much heartache, so much drama in her life. Please be smaller than my memories, she prayed silently and took a deep breath. That voice had haunted her. He had singlehandedly tried to destroy her mentally.

  Brent Hale.

  He’d been captain of the football team and homecoming king. She remembered his know-it-all smile and how the other girls followed him around all the time. He’d also been the arrogant jerk that had started the rumors about her when she’d turned him down for prom. She had turned everyone down for the dance. He’d been nothing special, except rude.

  She’d been so focused on taking the next step in her life, getting closure, that she felt like she had missed something vital somewhere along the way. Attending the reunion was a desperate attempt to close that mental door firmly on her past. Hearing his voice, she was yet again confident that whatever she had missed in leaving town, it certainly wasn’t him.

  “Becky? Becky Tulle, is that you?”

  “Rebecca. And yes,” she said politely, and turned to see that time had not been kind to him at all. Brent had peaked in high school, obviously, and it had been a steep, downhill slide ever since. He was now what you’d picture a typical mid-American dad to look like. He’d gotten soft once the football drills had ended and several years of “keggers” had taken their toll on his body.

  “Well, hello Miss Becks! You look pretty spiffy and all fancy-like in your doo-dads. You dress up for this event or for little ol’ me?” Ugh! He took that moment to attempt to hold back a belch, blowing it casually out the side of his mouth. He reeked of beer and cigarettes. In fact, he had a cigarette tucked behind his ear.

  “It’s Rebecca,” she reminded him and had to fight from rolling her eyes at the redneckish slang he was spouting. He was repulsive. Oh yes, he’d peaked in high school for certain. Gone was the strapping young boy that arrogantly strode down those crowded hallways long ago and in its place was a sad, sad man. “And no, I didn’t dress fancy. It said business casual attire on the invitation.”

  “That’s some hoity-toity business then, I guess,” he muttered and leaned against the glass casually. She noticed that it left a mark where his arm touched, making her shiver in disgust.

  “I suppose so,” she said tightly and turned away to head towards the gymnasium where the music was coming from. Let’s get this over with! Sooner rather than later, too! she thought. As she took a step away from where he stood entirely too close for comfort, Brent reached out and grabbed her arm. She was shocked by the aggressiveness he demonstrated.

  “Release me,” she ordered arrogantly, staring at his hand pointedly. She wanted his hand off of her immediately! The skin of her upper arm crawled, as if it sensed that something was wrong. The second his hand had made contact, her heart hammered in her chest and she felt her twenty-eight-year-old body shrink down instantly to that eighteen-year-old girl again. A frightened young girl, frozen, as she was confronted with her innermost demon.

  “You heard the woman, Hale.”

  Rebecca recognized that voice, too, and bit back a groan. She wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. This was a nightmare straight out of any book. The guy that had slandered her all over town and the one that chased her incessantly like a lovesick puppy on a daily basis. Absolute, irrational fear on one side, followed quickly by a little pipsqueak that annoyed her like no other. Neither had been the right choice then, and neither appealed to her now.

  “Let go, now,” she ordered and jerked her arm away from Brent’s sweaty hand. She was disgusted that he’d dared to touch her and by the fact that she was surrounded in her own private torture in the making. What else could go wrong? Flat tire? Bust a seam in the back of her pants? She felt herself pale the moment that thought hit her, because if Karma was any type of creature bent on humiliation, that would certainly do it.

  Stepping back away from Brent’s stony face, she heard her shoes tap on the tile flooring and bumped right into her rescuer, standing behind her: Gabriel James. He’d been the tall, gangly boy that had followed her around and asked her out repeatedly. He had always been sweet, kind and thoughtful. She struggled enough with low self-esteem and insecurities that the thought of actually talking with him or going out with him would have completely destroyed any “coolness” she had achieved at all. He was always there, watching her, smiling at her, fawning over her. It had made her feel so awkward and out of sorts then – and here he was now, causing that same feeling again.

  Turning ever so slowly around, she caught her breath as she met those familiar green eyes that had stared at her incessantly all those years ago. She’d expected to see that boy from her math class, the one with the gelled hair that had been combed to the side. The scruff of baby-fine moustache hair that wasn’t thick enough to shave yet. That boy was gone and in its place was a man. Apparently, Rebecca wasn’t the only one who’d changed over time! Gabriel had matured and grown up. He’d not changed in height, but rather filled in nicely and now his once-gangly body fit his frame.

  Quite nicely, too.

  “Yo! Gabe! If you’ll butt out, me and little Becks over here were having a quick talk before you interrupted,” Brent sneered from behind her. Rebecca just stared at Gabriel in shock before quickly composing herself.

  “Hello, Rebecca.” His soft smile hadn’t changed, nor had his gentle eyes. The ugly duckling had certainly emerged into a fine, FINE specimen of a swan. She was probably standing entirely too close and in his personal space. She couldn’t bring herself to step backwards. Instead, she stared at his chiseled jawline and tanned skin. The peach fuzz on his face was gone and in its place was a clean-shaven, strong jaw that her fingers itched to touch. Swallowing hard, she made a concentrated effort to keep from drooling.

  “Hi there, yourself.”

  “Are you coming or going to the reunion?”

  “I just arrived,” she breathed softly and remembered who was complaining behind her. “I arrived in time to be harassed by ol’ Brent here. Talk about a flashback, huh?” she casually mentioned, throwing her thumb over her shoulder awkwardly at the obvious third wheel. “Were you leaving
already?”

  “No, just arriving as well. I was on call.”

  “Becks, c’mon and I will take you in,” Brent interrupted behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. This time, the man was smart enough not to grab her arm. Her temper flared at his annoying nickname for her and she rolled her eyes without turning away from the hunk of eye candy in front of her.

  “Brent, if you call me Becks again or interrupt me one more time, I might be tempted to mace you or worse,” she growled over her shoulder. The man seriously needed to leave now because she had some catching up that needed to be done with one handsome guy!

  “You shouldn’t say things like that, Rebecca,” Gabriel said with an easy, lopsided grin as he continued to look at her. His eyes raked over her features, as if he were trying to memorize every detail of her face. “I’d have to break out the handcuffs if you hurt him. No assault, okay?”

  Rebecca grinned, thinking he was being kinky like some of the smutty books she’d stolen and read from her mother’s room as a girl growing up. That thought was invading her mind until she realized that he was in an officer’s uniform. He was completely serious.

  “She threatened me!” Brent whined.

  “Are you pressing charges on this pretty little woman?” Gabriel asked easily over her shoulder, finally looking away to where Brent stood behind her. Brent must have shaken his head no, because, after a pause, she heard Gabriel again.

  “That settles it. Would you care to join me?”

  Gabriel extended his arm politely towards her. Forgetting Brent behind her, she focused on the gorgeous man beside her. This had been a completely unexpected change to her evening. Walking with him over to the table full of name tags, she found herself staring at him out of the corner of her eyes. Grabbing her name tag sticker, she slapped in on her shirt without a second thought as she remembered how sweet he’d been and how callous she’d been.