Bailee blinked. “Wow. Let me guess. You got help from Easton and his brothers, and that’s how you met Jackson.”
“Jackson is the one who came for me when English was hurt. They didn’t know I existed, so they had lots of questions.”
Bailee took a moment to process the information Reagan told her. Then she turned her whole body to face Reagan, assessing the woman’s casual expression. “English is your father. Jackson is his son. You are married to Jackson. Damn.”
Reagan scowled. “It sounds unsavory when you put it like that. Jackson is not his son. English never adopted any of them. He took them in, so at the very most, Jackson is his ward. I did get help from Jackson and the boys, though. You got that right. I fell in love with Jackson in the process, and I love the life I’ve built with him here.”
“And you and English?” The subject wasn’t any of Bailee’s business, but she figured since Reagan brought it up, she was free to ask about it.
“That’s complicated, but we’re making it work. He’s good with Jax, and he and my mom have made amends. He and I…we’re getting there.”
“And now I’ve come bringing trouble to your door.”
“Not you. And just so you know, trouble has a way of finding those boys without any help from anyone.”
Bailee chuckled. “I can relate to that, unfortunately.”
“Then it’s no wonder why you fit in so well around here. And why you and Easton connected from the start. He’s a good one, you know. People don’t always take him seriously, but that’s their mistake. He’s as smart and savvy and loyal as they come.”
“I like him. Maybe too much.” Bailee was surprised to hear herself admit it, but considering she had very few people to confide in lately, she guessed she could understand why shewanted to trust Reagan. “Even though there may not be much worth going back to in Louisville, I still have to go back, which means leaving him and whatever this is between us.”
“I went back to my life, too, once we figured out who was after me and my mom. Just because you go back doesn’t mean you can’t return here if it’s the right thing for you.”
“I’ve done the right thing, and it keeps biting me in the ass.” She kept her voice low, not sure if Reagan wanted Jax to overhear her using harsh language.
“You need to stop this pity party you’re throwing. You’re not responsible for your CI’s death. You’re not responsible for the guy coming after you. Choosing to do the right thing was not a mistake. Choosing to live in the moment with Easton was not a mistake. Choosing to stay here and see this through is not a mistake. A mistake is hiding, waiting for trouble to find you. You don’t strike me as the type to sit back and let things happen. You strike me as the type to take action.”
Bailee’s anger flared. “I wasn’t aware I was throwing a pity party.”
Reagan grinned. “Sure, you were. And you’re allowed, at least for a bit. But now it’s time for action.”
Bailee drew in a deep breath and blew it out through her nose. “You don’t pull any punches, do you?”
“Nobody has time for that. I have an idea if you want to hear it.”
“Why not? I have a feeling you’re going to tell me either way.”
Reagan laughed. “I like you, Bailee Maxwell. Even if things don’t work out with you and Easton, you and I are going to be great friends.”
“Even if I break his heart?”
Reagan sobered. “I hope you don’t, but Easton is a big boy. He could just as easily break yours. It has nothing to do with the two of us.”
Bailee nodded. “Fair enough. So what’s your idea?”
“We’re going to the bar tonight. All of us. Jax will stay with Becky and Darby Anne.”
Bailee shook her head. “Do you think this guy will take chance to come after me at the same place twice? He seems smarter than that.”
“Oh, he’ll be smarter this time, but he won’t pass up an opportunity to get you alone. We’ll keep it as relaxed as we can and hope he believes we feel safe enough there to let loose and blow off some steam. Easton will work the bar. Jackson will work the grill. Luke and Ben will hang with us and Melody. We’re going to eat, drink, and dance. And we’ll all be armed, and you will have a tracker on you. I think he’ll use the noise and the chaos at the bar to get to you without anyone realizing. Before he didn’t know you had people to watch out for you. Now that he does, he’ll be prepared, but so will we. We’ll be one step ahead of the fool.”
“Set myself up as a guinea pig, you mean.”
Reagan shrugged. “It’s why you decided to stay in town, right? To draw this guy out. So let’s do this.”
“It’s not a terrible idea. Except where you and Melody join me. I can hang out at the bar without you. You could get caught in the crossfire if you’re with me. Same with the boys. It doesn’t make sense for all of you to put yourself in harm’s way for me.And if Melvin is watching me, he’s going to be suspicious if we’re all together.”
“If he’s been watching you this whole time, he’s going to be suspicious if we’re not together. He knows we’re watching out for you. If we stop suddenly, he’s going to smell a set-up.”
