Читать книгу Wyoming Undercover - Karen Whiddon - Страница 13

Chapter 4

Jack couldn’t stop thinking about the beautiful nurse. He knew he needed to focus. A feminine distraction could only be potentially catastrophic. So he went to work with his roommate Phillip, who seemed hopeful he could teach Jack how to become a skilled carpenter. While Jack had his doubts, he was game. Anything to help him blend in with the group. At least being new, he could ask a lot of questions. And despite his resolve, he lasted three days before he found himself casually asking about the nurse he’d briefly met in the medical clinic.

“Sophia Hannah?” Phillip’s incredulous expression was comical. “You don’t want a woman like her.”

“‘A woman like her’?” Repeating the words, Jack waited for the other man to elaborate. “What do you mean?”

“Clearly you’ve seen her.”

Jack nodded. “Yes. She’s gorgeous.”

“Oh, stunning. And that’s the problem. Everyone knows women who look like her are nothing but trouble.”

Unsure how to respond to that, Jack simply shrugged. Maybe it was a cult thing.

“Anyway,” Phillip continued, “it doesn’t matter. Sophia is claimed already. And by none other than our illustrious leader. A man as powerful as him is the only one who could handle a woman like that.”

“Ezekiel?” Jack had done his research. The cult leader was at least eighty. “Isn’t he a little...old for her?”

“He’s Chosen,” Phillip said, as if that explained everything. “He has more wives than I can count. And some of them are younger than his own children—heck, his own grandchildren.” And then he laughed, as if that was the greatest thing he’d ever heard.

Nothing new there. Men in power often went in search of women many years younger. But Jack would bet Sophia was in her mid-to late twenties or, at most, early thirties. That would make Ezekiel forty or fifty years too old for her. He couldn’t help but wonder how she felt about that.

“So.” Phillip clapped him on the back, still grinning. “She’s off-limits. But I know plenty of other girls still looking for a husband or fun. Once you get settled in here, I’ll take you around to meet some of them.”

Though Jack wasn’t even the slightest bit interested—he hoped he wasn’t around long enough to have to deal with any of that—he nodded. “Sounds good. Now, how about you show me what you want me to do with those cinder blocks?”

They were building more dwellings. Phillip had explained that all residence buildings were built from the exact same blueprints. No one’s home was better than any other’s. The only ones that were different were those built to house Ezekiel’s family members.

While Jack had never worked on a construction job site before, this one ran like clockwork. Everyone went about their chores with dedicated efficiency if not outright happiness. Lots of whistling and good-natured joking.

“All the workers seem to really enjoy their jobs,” Jack commented. “I haven’t heard a single complaint. Observing, they all seem focused.”

“Oh, they are,” Phillip said confidently. “Since childhood, we know we have to find what we do best, so by the time we’re adults, we can excel.”

“I’m guessing everyone is well paid.”

“Paid?” Phillip laughed. “Oh, we’re paid, all right. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellies and direction to help us strive to reach a higher level of consciousness.”

Jack stared. On the surface, everything inside the compound seemed ordinary. But he sensed there was more, lurking.

“The system here is simple,” Phillip continued, the earnestness in his expression letting Jack know this was important. “If you do well, you’re rewarded. If you don’t...”

Jack waited for his new friend to finish.

Instead, Phillip shook his head and asked a question, “You say you’ve been in the military, correct?”

“Yes.” Jack nodded. “The army. Afghanistan.” Which had also been where he’d suffered his injuries and nearly lost his life, though he didn’t say that out loud.

Again he thought back to the pretty little nurse. Sophia Hannah, promised to a man old enough to be her grandfather. He gave a mental shrug, aware he didn’t need to be thinking about her.

Suddenly aware Phillip watched him, he grimaced. “Why? What does my having been in the service have to do with any of this?”

“I just figured you’d understand our system more quickly, that’s all.” Phillip shrugged. “From what I understand, they use a similar system of punishment and reward. Helps you become the best soldier. Here, we think it assists you in becoming the best you can be.”

Jack nodded. “I understand.” Even though he really didn’t.

Phillip smiled and they went back to work.

The next day, Phillip told Jack he planned to train him on a new task. Jack was agreeable since, as of yet, he hadn’t seemed to be a good fit for any of the others he’d tried. Though he kind of sucked as a construction worker, now that he had the routine down, Jack thought he might improve with practice.

After he’d been injured and once he’d gotten out of the hospital and dealt with his addiction, he’d been adrift.

He’d tried to work as a police officer in a small town southwest of Fort Worth, but soon realized he was too jumpy. PTSD, they’d called it, but he’d never actually bought into the idea. For one thing, most of the time he’d felt fine. Sure, the occasional loud noise had him throwing himself to the ground, but that was to be expected of a man who’d nearly lost his life in an IED explosion. He’d been damn lucky to come out of it with only the scars.

He knew his refusal to get treatment had been part of the reason they’d politely asked him to leave. The other part? He didn’t like to think too much about that. He’d pulled over a robbery suspect and the guy had jumped out of the car and taken off. Jack had given chase and adrenaline—along with maybe something else—had kicked in. The backup officer who’d arrived had pulled Jack off the other man before he’d hurt him, sat him down in the back of his squad car and called their superior officer.

Ultimately, Jack had reluctantly agreed it’d be better for everyone if he left law enforcement.

Since then, he’d been drifting, working odd jobs to stay afloat until he figured out what to do. He’d decided to start up his own private investigation firm. The few small jobs that had come his way hadn’t been nearly enough to keep him afloat, and he’d begun to contemplate doing something else.

Until the Bartlett family came along, desperate to find someone—anyone—who’d listen to them and help them. They’d exhausted every other avenue and claimed the authorities had grown tired of hearing them ask questions.

They didn’t know it, but when they’d hired him, they’d given him a chance to make a go of the PI business. Plus, he liked them. They were genuinely nice people. If anyone deserved to find their son, they did.

So lost in thought was he, that he accidentally continued using the nail gun on a section of beam that didn’t need it, nearly getting his own hand in the process. Luckily, he jumped back in time.

Taking a deep breath, he stopped and looked up, only to find Phillip and one of the other workers eyeing him. Since he routinely made weird mistakes like this, he supposed they weren’t really surprised, but he found it embarrassing just the same. Some people just weren’t cut out for this kind of work. Apparently he was one of them. He wondered what the process would be to ask if he could switch jobs.

“Hey, you got a minute?” Phillip asked. “We need to talk.”

Here it came. Jack nodded. He followed his roommate over to the road, away from everyone else.

“It’s not working out.” Phillip sounded both nervous and regretful. “I just don’t think you’re cut out for this type of work.”

In all fairness, Jack had to agree. He could do the work, but he made mistakes, mostly because he found it boring. Yet being fired yet again rankled.

“I agree,” he said. “I was just wondering what the process would be to ask to be assigned somewhere else.”

“We don’t have a process like that.” Phillip’s tone came out flat.

“So, what now?” Jack asked, keeping his voice light. Part of him actually wondered if there would be some sort of punishment, since that had been brought up earlier.

“You tried but didn’t excel.” Now Phillip appeared miserable. “I really like you, Jack, and I’m sorry but I had to report this. Thomas has requested you be sent to him immediately.”

“Immediately? When exactly did you make your report?”

“A few minutes ago. Things like poor job performance are taken very seriously. That’s why Thomas wants to see you.”

Concerned, Jack nodded. “Friend to friend, Phillip. Tell me. You speak of punishment. What’s he going to do to me?”

“Probably nothing.” But Phillip’s answer came too quickly. “You’d better hurry and get up there. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

Jack didn’t move. “Up where? I have no idea where I need to go.”

Eyes wide, Phillip shook his head. “Come on, I’ll show you.” He took off at a jog without looking back to see if Jack followed.

Of course, Jack did. Phillip led him past the residential area and into what Jack privately thought of as the upscale part of the compound. The houses were larger, more ornate. And the closer they got to the massive structure where Ezekiel dwelled, the more elaborate they became.

“Here we are.” Phillip stopped in front of a huge place right next to Ezekiel’s walled-in fortress. “Good luck. I’ll hopefully see you later on tonight.”

And he took off.

Hopefully, huh? Jack took a deep breath and pushed the buzzer. After he gave his name, the person on the other end remotely unlocked the door and let him inside.

Security measures, eh? Maybe things weren’t always so great here in paradise.

He barely had time to process the thought when Thomas strode into the large, octagon-shaped foyer. “Greetings,” he said, sounding neither angry nor friendly.

Considering what he’d said earlier about punishment and rewards, Jack braced himself.

“I understand you’ve been struggling with construction.”

Slowly, Jack nodded, resisting the urge to defend himself.

“That’s okay,” Thomas continued, surprising him. “You’re new here. With the others, we’ve had years to discover where their aptitude lies. So I’ve decided I’m going to reassign you.”

Surprised, Jack thanked him. Then mentally berated himself for allowing the other man to make him feel as if he’d been given a gift. Though in the end, maybe he had.

“Have you ever worked in the medical field?” Thomas asked. “Maybe when you were in the service?” He eyed Jack expectantly.

Though the closest Jack had come to anything even remotely medically related had been when he’d briefly dated one of the military doctors, he nodded. “A little bit,” he allowed, hoping he wasn’t making a mistake. “Nothing major. More like an aide or a therapist than anything else.”

“Perfect.” Thomas beamed. “Right now we only have two women to assist our doctor at the clinic. We’ve been thinking about having someone stronger to do the heavy lifting and whatever else is needed. I think this might be a good fit for you.”

The clinic. Where the nurse with the amazing caramel eyes worked. Maybe working there wouldn’t be as boring as construction work. Swallowing, he gave a slow nod. “Thank you.”

“Report to work there at seven tomorrow morning.” Waving his hand, Thomas dismissed him.

Jack half expected a couple of goons in suits to appear to escort him from the premises. When they didn’t, he turned and went back the way he’d come.

Only when he once again stood outside the gates did he allow himself to think—really think—about what had just happened. For whatever reason, Thomas had decided to show him leniency, at least if the punishment/reward system was to be believed. This time, at least.

Surely he could manage to do okay working as an orderly in the medical clinic. Lifting boxes and mattresses, maybe helping to move supplies. He’d done similar work before in the military.

However, he’d have to be careful. Considering the strength of the attraction he felt for Sophia Hannah, he’d need to take care to keep his distance. Especially since she was promised to the head of the entire organization. Even the most casual flirting could be misconstrued and the last thing he needed was to get that kind of reprimand.

Thoughtful, he headed back to the house he shared with Phillip.

* * *

After meeting with Deirdre, Sophia found herself a mess of nerves with what felt like a forty-pound weight nestled snuggly around her shoulders. She went back to work, but Ana had surprisingly already done everything needed to close out their shift, so she went on home.

Rachel was already there when Sophia arrived. She’d started the evening meal—chicken, rice and vegetables—which smelled heavenly. Sophia stood for a moment in the doorway to their small kitchen, breathing in the scent of curry, and tried to regain her feeling of normalcy.

“Oh, good!” Rachel exclaimed, looking up from the pot she’d been stirring. “I was hoping you’d get done early. Once we eat, do you want to sit down and start planning your wedding? I brought home one of the sketch pads from work.” Rachel taught art and music to the children.

Shaking her head, Sophia relayed what Deirdre had told her. “Basically, everything is being handled by Ezekiel’s people.”

“You don’t get to have a say in anything?” Clearly disbelieving, Rachel’s eyes narrowed. “Anyone who knows you is aware of how long you’ve waited to get to plan your wedding. This is every young woman’s dream and right. Why are they taking that away from you?”

All Sophia could do was shrug. She knew if she spoke, she’d break down crying. The last thing she wanted to do was to reveal the depths of her unhappiness. That wouldn’t be worthy of a Child of Eternity. Not in the slightest.

The other two girls had met friends for a picnic, so it was just the two of them. Rachel continued to pepper her with questions all through dinner, most of which Sophia was glad to answer. She described what little she’d seen of Ezekiel’s house, the outside gardens and what Deirdre had been wearing. Whenever Rachel circled around to the wedding, Sophia changed the subject. Finally, Rachel appeared to get the hint and began chattering away about things her students had done that day at school.

Listening to her friend, Sophia reflected on Deirdre’s words. Unless she did something dishonorable and completely contrary to the laws of COE, Sophia would never have children of her own. Never have the experience of carrying a child inside her body for nine months or holding her son or daughter close to her breast for the first time.

Part of her—the rebellious, secretive part she’d long kept deeply buried—wanted to go find a man, someone like the mysterious stranger Thomas had brought from outside, and have wild sex with him. Enough times as it took to make a baby.

The other part of her—the rule-abiding, good Child of Eternity—was appalled. Ezekiel had been Anointed and he’d chosen his Children. He only did what was best for each and every one of them. If he wanted Sophia to be his wife and remain childless, who was she to question?

She went to sleep that night with her heart heavy and her throat aching from unshed tears.

The next morning, though the sun had not yet risen, the overcast sky and warmish temperatures promised thunderstorms. After her shower and breakfast, she walked to work like she always did, arriving early. She liked to get to the clinic first and turn on the lights, get a pot of coffee going and have everything in order and ready so the doctor could start the day off right. Ana always wandered in right before her assigned start time, acting surprised and grateful at all the work Sophia had already done.

And Sophia found the familiar routine calming. She’d begun to discover that if she kept busy, she could forget about the wedding looming in one month.

As she approached the medical clinic, a figure detached itself from the wall. She jumped back, startled, glad the sky had lightened enough so the man, whoever he might be, wasn’t hidden in complete shadows.

Assuming he was either sick or injured, she hurried over. Then she realized he was the handsome man from outside. Jack. Despite herself, her heart skipped a beat.

“Good morning,” he said, smiling at her. “I’m here to report for work.”

“What?” All she could do was stare at him.

“Yes. I’ve been reassigned to the clinic. I’m to be an aide or intern or something. Thomas said you need someone to do the heavy lifting.”

Her flush heated her entire body. “I apologize for my surprise. No one told me,” she said quietly. Digging her keys from her pocket, she unlocked the back door. “Follow me inside. There’s a lot to do before this place is ready to open in the morning.”

Though he did exactly as she’d asked, staying close behind her, his silence and size made her very conscious of his presence. And she was unsettled. She and Ana had gotten along fine for years. As far as Sophia knew, Dr. Drew had never complained.

Of course, being second in command under Ezekiel, Thomas’s orders were law. What he wanted, he got. If he said Jack was to work in the medical clinic, then they’d make room for him no matter what they had to do.

It seemed, once again, she wouldn’t be given a choice. Again, she had to struggle with resentment, which wasn’t at all like her.

Putting her mood down to stress about her upcoming life change, she summoned up a smile as she showed Jack around the clinic.

“Funny, I was a patient here first and now I’ll be working here,” he mused. “This place was the first part of the compound I ever saw.”

“It’s a good place to start.” While her reply might not be as certain as usual, it would have to suffice. “Dr. Drew is the physician on call.”

He nodded, giving her a curious glance. “Is the other woman who works with you very strong?”

Strange question, but okay. “She and I are about the same, though she’s a bit taller. Why?”

“I was told that I’m needed to help lift patients and heavy supplies. I guess I assumed she was doing that previously since you’re so tiny.”

His comment made her smile. “I might be small, but I’m pretty strong. And anyway, together Ana and I manage. We always have.”

“How long have you worked here?”

She actually had to think. “Since I was eighteen. So that would make it six years now.”

His gaze darkened. “That would make you twenty-four.”

“Great math skills,” she shot back. “How old are you?”

“Older than that.” And then he laughed, the masculine sound making her mouth curl up in response.

Something about this man... Just being around him for a few minutes made her feel energized. Exhilarated. She took another look at him, with his dark hair and startling blue eyes, trying to decide what it was about him that drew her. Handsome, true. But there were many good-looking men here at COE and none of them had made her wonder how it would feel if he put his mouth on hers.

Heat suffused her. That thought had come out of nowhere. Luckily, she was saved from making a fool of herself by Ana arriving.

“Hi, Sophia.” Ana’s gaze slid past her to Jack. “Hi, uh...?”

“Jack,” he said, stepping forward and holding out his hand. “Jack Moreno.”

Gingerly, Ana shook it. “You look familiar. Weren’t you a patient?”

“No,” Sophia answered for him. “Jack’s been assigned to work with us here.”

Ana choked. “What? Why? Who assigned him? Dr. Drew?”

“Thomas,” Jack said smoothly. “You seem surprised. Why?”

“I, uh...” Ana looked at Sophia for help.

“We’re just not that hectic here,” Sophia said. “But I’m sure we can find enough work to keep you busy.” She pretended to think, snapping her fingers as if the idea had just come to her. “As a matter of fact, we’ve been talking about reorganizing the storeroom. How about I show you where that is and you can get started on that?”

Though she tried for a calm, unruffled exterior, inside Sophia was a quivering mess of nerves. Around him, she felt a mishmash of unfamiliar sensations. She felt overly sensitive to his every movement, so much so that she could swear she heard every breath he took. Her pulse jumped, making her wonder if even her heart beat in time with his. Foolish, she knew. But something about this man lured her, as powerful as the spring sunshine guided a field flower to open toward it.

She’d need to be careful around him. Just his presence could turn out to be dangerous to her peace of mind.