There's Always Adventures in Love

By Joycie Russ

After Jade and Jasper solved the mystery of her mother's murder, they thought that was all behind them. Jade is trying to get back to her normal life and feels like she has uncovered enough family secrets. But when little Casey is kidnapped and security issues arise within the family company; Jade is drawn back into the chaos. While trying to avoid getting involved with a friend's search for Karen, Jade and Jasper find themselves caught up in another mystery not only involving murder, but a threat to their entire family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Joycie Russ
• Release date: Sep 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310141850

Joycie Russ

Joycie Russ has written several short stories. She loves to write and stopped when she became a wife and mother. She feels like she has returned to her first love. Ms. Russ lives in North Chesterfield just outside of Richmond, VA.

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THERE’S ALWAYS ADVENTURES IN LOVE

Published by Joycie Russ

Copyright 2015 Joycie Russ

Thank-you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank-you for your support.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – After Effects

Chapter 2 – Strange Behavior

Chapter 3 - Surroundings

Chapter 4 – Tensions

Chapter 5 - Sharon

Chapter 6 – A Change of Pace

Chapter 7 - Homecoming

Chapter 8 - Rage

Chapter 9 - Meltdown

Chapter 10 – Holding

Chapter 11 - Drowning

Chapter 12 – Rumors, Lies and Truths

Chapter 13 - Erlene

Chapter 14 – Breach

Chapter 15 – Adventures End

CHAPTER 1: AFTER EFFECTS

Jade woke with a start, trying to remember the dream that had disturbed her sleep. She glanced at the clock. The bright neon light glowed 2:30 AM. She lifted her head up and was snapped back to the pillow. She looked over her head on the pillow and saw Jasper’s arm draped over her hair, holding her head in place. She gently pulled her hair from under his arm so that she could turn and look at him. He was deep asleep with his mouth open. Jade smothered a giggle and resisted the urge to pinch his nose.

She rolled over onto her side thinking about what had happened over the past two years. She couldn’t believe how much things had changed. There had been no sign of Karen, Phillip or Katrina. Katrina was an expert marksman and a karate expert. It was assumed that she fired the shot that killed Peter. Alvin had to endure an investigation and then was put on indefinite desk duty. He decided to leave the FBI.

Claire was demoted. She was still working for the FBI hoping to regain ground lost in her career.

Sharon and Artie were enjoying life on the coast in Virginia. The Bait and Tackle shop was doing well. Izzy moved to the coast to be near Sharon. He helped out with the Bait and Tackle shop.

Lewis and Susan were settled in Texas. They were the proud parents of an eight month old little girl named Cassandra also known as Casey.

Dave and Gillian had a second child, a two month old little girl named Rose Sylvia. Jasper Dave or JD as they called him was almost two years old.

Jean was doing pretty well. She was keeping busy and had formed a charity in David’s honor.

The rest of the family was doing well also. The seniors had made a lot of changes to the security detail following what happened to Jade and Jasper. Every family member had a tracking device as well as panic buttons.

Jasper was busy working at JadeLin Air, heading up the security for the airline.

Jade was glad that Susan had joined her working part-time on great grandmother’s charity. The seniors opened up some office space at JadeLin headquarters for the charity since it was more secure.

Jade sighed as she finally felt herself drifting back to sleep. She was glad because tomorrow was going to be an early day with travel.

The next morning, Jade and Jasper were packing for a trip to Virginia. They were going with Lewis, Susan and little miss Casey to celebrate Rex and Lucy’s first wedding anniversary.

What did I do with their present? asked Jade as she looked at their bags.

I already packed it in my bag said Jasper as he smiled at her.

Oh, why do I feel like I am forgetting something?

Jasper walked to her and wrapped his arms around her. He looked into her eyes.

Am I missing something?

Jade took a deep breath and hugged him.

Susan said that Claire wants to talk to me when we get to Virginia.

Do you want to talk to her?

No.

I will let Lewis know said Jasper.

Jas, I owe you an apology. I am so sorry that I told Peter the truth. What he tried to do to you was my fault said Jade as her eyes filled with tears.

Jasper looked into her eyes.

Is that why you have been so quiet lately? None of what happened was your fault. Peter was the one with the issue. He decided that he wanted me gone long before you told him anything. He wanted something he could not have and he blamed me for that. There is nothing that you could have done to prevent him from doing what he did. Baby, I know that you would never ever do anything to hurt me. I love you and I want to spend my life loving you said Jasper as he kissed her.

Jade clung to him.

And I love you back. I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you what I was feeling.

Jasper smiled at her.

It does not matter how long it takes as long as you tell me.

So, you were saying about spending your life loving me…

I should get started right now said Jasper as he kissed her again and again.

They left for the airfield two hours later. Susan and Lewis were waiting for them.

They all boarded the plane.

Casey could not wait for Jade to hold her. She weighed close to 25 pounds. She was such a cute little thing and she loved Jade and Jasper. She sat on Jade’s lap and played with Jade’s necklace.

She is getting so big said Jade as she smiled at Casey and kissed her.

She is a handful said Susan.

Lewis looked at Jasper. Jasper stood and walked into the next cabin of the plane. Lewis followed him.

Susan watched them leave.

I guess they need to talk asked Susan.

I guess so said Jade.

Are you going to talk to Claire?

No I am not.

You never talked about what happened

How do you talk about seeing someone shoot the man you love? asked Jade.

I’m sorry.

It is alright said Jade.

Jasper and Lewis came back a few minutes later and sat down.

When they landed, they got quickly into waiting limousines. Lewis and Susan went to see their parents while Jade and Jasper headed to Jade’s family estate.

Jade and Jasper stopped at Andrew’s Gardens and visited with Dave and Gillian.

Good to see you sis said Dave as he hugged Jade.

And you. How are you? asked Jade.

I am good said Dave as he shook hands with Jasper.

How are my niece and nephew? asked Jade.

They are wonderful. JD is trying to demolish the house and Rose is just a picture of perfection said Dave as Gillian joined them.

Spoken like a dad who spoils his daughter said Gillian as she smiled at Dave.

I do not spoil her…okay, maybe just a little.

Jade and Jasper smiled at them.

They talked with Dave and Gillian for a few minutes before heading to Jade’s Gardens.

It is good to see them said Jade.

Yes it is said Jasper.

He carried their bags up to their bedroom. Jade followed him. Jasper put the bags down as his phone rang. It was Artie.

Hi Artie…yes, we just got in…okay, I will let Rex know…take it easy said Jasper as he hung up the phone.

Is everything okay? asked Jade.

They will not be able to make it to the party. Sharon is not feeling well.

Jade did not say anything. She thought about it for a moment.

Do you think she did not want to come because of her mom?

I was thinking the same thing. What do you think about having a dinner party at the coast?

That would be a good idea. said Jade as Jasper kissed her.

The next evening, Lewis and Susan came to Jade’s Gardens and they left with Jade and Jasper for the anniversary party. As they rode in the limousine, Jasper told them that Artie and Sharon would not be coming.

Sharon is not feeling well? Do you think she is still feeling awkward about seeing people? asked Lewis.

It could be said Jasper.

How do we help?

A dinner party at the coast with all of us, Rex and Lucy.

Sounds like a plan said Lewis.

As they pulled up at the hotel, they saw Anthony (Rex’s brother). Anthony was about the same height as Rex, but he weighed about fifty pounds less than him. He was accompanied by Ginger (Jasper’s ex-girlfriend). Ginger was a little taller than Jade. She had an athletic body. She was always working out and was a black belt in karate. She was wearing a beautiful pink dress and had her long dark brown hair swept up in a bun. When Ginger saw them, she rushed up to them.

Wow, it is good to see you Jade, Jasper, Lewis said Ginger.

Hi Ginger said Jade.

Hello said Jasper.

Gin said Lewis.

Susan looked at her.

Oh, this is my wife Susan said Lewis.

Pleased to meet you said Ginger.

Nice to meet you said Susan.

Oh, congratulations Jade and Jasper. I heard you got married said Ginger.

Yes we did said Jade as Jasper put his arm around her.

How do you know them? asked Anthony.

I will tell you all about it later said Ginger.

We should go inside said Anthony as he grabbed Ginger’s arm.

Ginger looked at him and he let go of her arm.

Alright said Ginger as she and Anthony headed inside.

Lewis and Jasper looked at each other.

Well, this should be interesting said Lewis.

Jasper only nodded and looked at Jade.

You guys go ahead. We will be along in a minute.

He looked into Jade’s eyes as Lewis and Susan went inside the hotel.

Are you alright?

Yes. I forgot how beautiful Ginger is said Jade.

Jasper smiled at her.

Yes, but you have something that she does not have. In fact you have something that no other woman has.

Do I? What would that be?

My heart said Jasper as he leaned in to drop a kiss on her lips.

Jade took a deep breath and smiled at him.

I owe you fireworks she said as she kissed him back.

They went inside the hotel and to the ballroom that was set up for the anniversary party.

Rex and Lucy were standing at the door waiting for them. Lucy was about twenty pounds heavier. She was beaming and she smiled brightly when she saw them.

You’re here! she said as she hugged Jade.

Lucy, you look great said Jade.

Thank you. I feel great, said Lucy as she smiled.

Good job said Jasper as he nodded at Rex.

Thank you, thank you very much said Rex as he grinned.

They walked with Lucy and Rex into the ballroom.

We’re all sitting over here said Lucy as she pointed to a table at the back of the room.

Susan and Lewis were already seated there. They joined them.

Where are Artie and Sharon? asked Lucy.

I talked to Artie yesterday, Sharon is not feeling well said Jasper.

I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it is nothing serious said Rex as he looked across the room and saw Anthony arguing with Ginger.

Excuse me honey he said as he looked at Lucy.

Okay said Lucy as she watched Rex walk across the room to Anthony and Ginger.

It will be fine said Lewis as they all looked across the room.

What’s going on? asked Rex as he looked at Ginger.

Your brother seems to have the idea that he can boss me around said Ginger.

That would not be the first time he made that mistake said Rex as he glared at Anthony.

I was just talking to her. Ginger, let’s leave said Anthony as he grabbed her arm.

Let go of my arm said Ginger.

Anthony glared at her, but he did not let go of her arm.

You heard what she said. Let go of her arm said Rex.

Don’t make a scene. said Anthony.

Oh, it’s a scene you want… said Ginger as she twisted her arm free from Anthony, knocking him back on the floor.

Is this better? asked Ginger as Anthony