Impossible chase, p.1
Impossible Chase, page 1
Impossible Chase
A CHANCE FOR CHARITY
BOOK SEVEN
CAMI CHECKETTS
Contents
Free Book
Character List
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
1st Chapter: Impossible Rapids
Excerpt: Impossible Thrills
Also by Cami Checketts
About the Author
Copyright
Impossible Chase: A Chance for Charity #7
Copyright © 2024 by Cami Checketts
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Editing: Daniel Coleman and Ceara Nobles
Cover Art: Katie Garland, Sapphire Midnight Designs
https://www.sapphiremidnight.com/
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Character List
Mercedes Belle - Beautiful, billionaire, generous, heiress, dying of heart failure, beloved by all, creator of a Chance for Charity reality television shows.
Shawn Hollister - Standoffish, protective, loyal to Mercedes, Jagger, and Hays. Find Shawn’s story in Impossible Rapids.
Captain Jagger Lemuel - Strong, untouchable, will win at any cost, loyal to Hays, Mercedes, and Shawn. Find Jagger’s story in Impossible Chase.
Lieutenant Hays West - Tough, kind, loyal to Jagger, Mercedes, and Shawn. Hays story will be coming soon in The Bodyguard & The Billionaire Coleville Ranch Romances.
Captain Aiden Porter - Charming, talented, handsome, second-top security specialist in the world.
Air Force Reconnaissance Lieutenant Paul Braven - Aiden Porter’s pilot and security specialist.
Sutton Smith - Top security specialist in the world currently. Aiden’s surrogate father and idol. Find Sutton and Duchess Elizabeth Gunthry (Liz) story in The Captivating Warrior.
Did I forget anyone? I apologize if I did! I always try to introduce each character when they appear in a book so don’t feel like you need to memorize this character list.
If you have any questions, please email me cami@camichecketts.com. With over 170 books out, it’s sometimes hard for me to keep track of the characters! The character info is repeated at the end of the novel if you want to simply read and enjoy and find other characters’ stories after.
Hugs and thanks,
Cami
A Chance for Charity
Impossible Treasure - Captain Cash Trapper and Brylee Auburn
Impossible Escape - Major Bennett Mason and Rose Lillywhite
Impossible Sail - Captain Eli Grant and Livvy Benedict
Impossible Climb – Lieutenant Quaid Raven (Thomas Oliver) and Anna Marley
Impossible Crusade - Captain Aiden Porter and Chalisa Anderson
Impossible Thrills - Lieutenant Nick Jacobs and Darcy Saint
Impossible Chase – Captain Jagger Lemuel and Belinda Ralphs
Impossible Rapids - Shawn Hollister and Julie Pandoran
Prologue
Jagger Lemuel had nothing he could claim as his own but his fighting skills, his pride, his love for his mom, and his love for Belinda Ralphs.
He was eighteen, finished with Navy basic training and halfway through A school. He was bent to prove he could become a Navy SEAL, succeed in the military in his dad’s honor, and make something of himself.
And he was going to lose Belinda. Because he’d gone away to pursue his dreams? She’d supported and encouraged him in his military dreams as he had her with her charitable and humanitarian pursuits.
He didn’t know what had swayed her dedication away from him and their dreams and plans of being together someday, but he couldn’t lose her. He’d watched his mom suffer the devastation of his dad’s death. She’d never been the same and she’d never ‘moved on’ as many had counseled her to. Jagger was the same. He was devoted to his Bee for life. He’d be devastated without her and would never recover.
He parked his rusted 1996 Ford Ranger in front of the Ralphs’ sprawling ranch house and looked at the one-level brick home with loads of windows to view the tree-covered rolling hills surrounding their ranch.
Belinda’s family was wealthy in his estimation. For generations, the Ralphs’ ranch had bred thoroughbred horses; several of them had even made it into the Kentucky Derby. Her dad was also the town’s preacher. Oneida Kentucky was small, and their ranch was well-established and successful. Pastor Ralphs could afford to hire an experienced manager, and Jagger had heard that high-quality ranch hands lined up to work for the well-paying and respected Pastor Sheldon Ralphs. Kiera’s dad had all but stepped back from running the ranch and breeding business to focus most of his time on ministering to his flock and preaching the good word.
Jagger snorted. Pastor Ralphs preached self-righteous drivel that only a simpleton would listen to. He was a pompous hypocrite who loathed Jagger and didn’t have a Christian bone in his body. His purpose in life seemed to be keeping Jagger and Belinda apart.
From the moment Jagger saw Belinda at a high school steeplechase event in Lexington, he’d known the feisty blonde angel was his future. He’d also immediately become aware of the discrepancy between their stations in life. Jagger’s mom was the live-in cook for a huge ranch outside of Waynesburg. Jagger had been raised on a horse because the owner of the ranch and his wife had taken a special interest in him, treating him like one of their own. Joseph and Shantel Pederson had helped him excel at steeplechase and given him opportunities he never would’ve had.
He loved horses and steeplechase, but he loved fighting and all things Navy even more. He loved his mom and the Pedersons more than he loved fighting, but he loved Belinda above anything in this world. Her dad had ‘cautioned’ her against dating him when he found out they were flirting and stealing kisses at each competition during their senior year of high school.
Belinda adored her parents, but she’d claimed Jagger was her future, and she was a determined and beautifully sassy woman. They’d found ways to see each other and called and texted all the time, growing closer and more determined to be together someday in the future. She had assured Jagger that her parents would come around and see in him all that she did.
The problem was that throughout the ten weeks of basic training at Great Lakes Naval Academy and all but four of the past eight weeks of A school training at Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, Virginia, Belinda had been on a humanitarian service mission in Ghana. They’d rarely been able to connect with phone calls in different time zones and with him having infrequent personal time. He sent texts whenever he could, but her responses had become shorter and less personal.
Too busy with starting school, or had she found someone else?
No. He couldn’t think like that.
It worried him to feel Belinda withdrawing. He didn’t know how to fix it without seeing her, but personal leave hadn’t been possible for the past eighteen weeks and he couldn’t afford to fly to Africa anyway. Belinda had always supported him in his dreams; no way could he not complete Basic Training and A school. He’d been awarded his top A School spot in Little Creek, right where SEAL Team 2 was. It would be years before he’d reach his goals, but he would be a SEAL.
His dad had been a Navy Lieutenant, killed in Iraq when Jagger was only ten. Jagger had always known he would succeed in the Navy. It was as much a part of his future as Belinda was.
He and his unit had finally been granted liberty to leave base and thankfully Belinda was at her parents’ house for the weekend. He headed straight for Oneida and straight for Belinda. It had been almost four and a half months since he’d seen her. He’d tried to get her to come visit since she’d returned home from Ghana a few weeks ago but she’d started immediately at the university and had been incredibly busy.
It was a ten-hour drive to Oneida. He’d wondered if his Ranger would make it, but here he was rolling up the Ralphs’ perfectly manicured driveway. He swung open his door and stepped out of the small truck, stretching. If only he’d gone to visit his mom and the Pedersons, eaten a real meal, taken a shower, and been around people who loved him before taking on Belinda’s parents, but getting to Belinda took precedence.
He’d have to face her dad in his rumpled uniform, his stomach grumbling, and rely on his pride to keep his confidence up. He’d excelled in basic and A training so far. Her dad couldn’t keep Jagger from Belinda. He didn’t want to fight the man, but he would if the pastor tried to pull them apart. Truth be known, he did want to fight the pastor, but he would restrain himself. Knocking Belinda’s dad out wouldn’t help future in-law relations.
Striding up the walk, Jagger pushed the doorbell and waited. He rapped on the door, squinted behind him at the setting sun, and wished he was a praying type of guy. He needed some kind of help to win Belinda’s dad over and someday marry her. He’d worked extra hours on the Pedersons’ ranch throughout their senior year and had a jeweler make an intricate gold band with bees inscribed in it before he left, promising to buy her a diamond engagement ring as soon as he could. His feisty Belinda had kissed him fiercely and told him she loved her ‘Bee’ band, that he was all she needed, and to just come back for her soon.
Did four and a half months count as soon? He feared it didn’t. She’d known how long his commitments were, but maybe her humanitarian mission had changed her vision of their future? Had her dad poisoned her mind against Jagger?
He clenched his hand into a fist and pounded on the storm door again.
The interior wood door slowly creaked open, followed by the storm door. Jagger forced a smile at Belinda’s mother. She’d never been anything but kind to him, but she now appeared very uncomfortable at seeing him standing there.
“Good evening, Mrs. Ralphs,” he said. “Is Belinda here?”
“No.” She shook her head and glanced back into the living room. Who was in there? Belinda? She’d told him she would be home from the university this weekend.
“Okay,” he said slowly. Was her mom lying? He strained to see past her. What could he say or do to get to Belinda without being disrespectful to her mom? Jagger had a chip on his shoulder as the ‘poor kid’ without a dad to be there for him, but he knew respect raised as a southern boy and in the military. “I’ll just wait on the porch for her.” He forced a smile and tipped his head to her, taking a step back.
“No.”
Her blue eyes were too much like Belinda’s, and her simple ‘no’ ripped at his hopes.
But Jagger would not accept it. He had to see Belinda, convince her that they should be together, and show her how much he loved her.
Mrs. Ralphs stepped out onto the porch and shut the wood door behind her, then let the storm door fall closed. Jagger eased back to give her space. The look in her blue eyes terrified him.
“Jagger. Belinda told me about your plans to be a SEAL, to honor your dad’s memory of dying for our country. It is very honorable and we’re all right proud of your service, but please …” She swallowed and moistened her lips. “Please go live your dreams, but I beg you to leave Belinda out of your future plans.”
Jagger blinked at her. Her mom wanted him to live his dreams but not take her daughter along? “Mrs. Ralphs. I know it’ll be hard to have Belinda gone once we marry, but we won’t plan the wedding until she’s done with university. After we wed, we’ll come visit any chance we can. Once we’re stationed in Virginia Beach, we can come more often or Belinda can come stay with you when I’m deployed or on missions.”
Five months ago, he and Belinda had planned this all out. She’d promised she would sit her parents down and explain. Had she not had an opportunity?
Mrs. Ralphs was shaking her head the entire time he spoke. “Jagger, don’t. Belinda loved you, but that isn’t the life for her. She’s with Mike now. He’s solid, kind, a believer, has a good future, is a calming influence on her spicy personality, and he will be a good husband for her.”
“Husband?” Jagger jolted. “She’s with … Belinda married Mike Causey?” His entire world crumpled around him. No way. Belinda hadn’t responded to his texts as enthusiastically, but no way was she married. She wouldn’t do that to him. She loved him.
“Not yet,” Mrs. Ralphs admitted. “But soon they’ll wed.”
“What? She can’t marry Mike. She loves me.” Jagger shook his head. At least she wasn’t married, but he was still gut punched. Mike was the nicest guy anybody knew, Belinda’s friend who’d been by her side on her humanitarian trip and was now in school at the University of Kentucky in nearby Lexington. Mike was bound to be a lawyer and a judge someday. He was a great guy, but not the right guy for Belinda. She’d be bored of the steady, never-riled Mike within a week. Belinda didn’t need or want a calming influence. His Bee was fire and spice and she needed someone like Jagger to love her, tease her, argue with her one minute and passionately kiss and make up the next. He always teased her with a line that made her push at him in frustration and then laugh and melt into his arms.
She stings like a bee, but her honey is so sweet.
Mrs. Ralphs blew out a heavy breath and just stared at him.
“Where is she?” Jagger demanded, forgetting his desire to be respectful. “I have to talk to her.”
Mrs. Ralphs said nothing.
“I will not leave until I speak with her.” He didn’t step toward her or even lean. Jagger would never threaten any lady, especially not this one, but his words and his expression would show he wouldn’t back down.
The front door banged open and then the storm door flew out wide. Mrs. Ralphs backed away, but Jagger refused to back down to this bully. He stayed rigid, straight, and even puffed out his chest and clenched his fists.
Pastor Ralphs strode out onto the front porch. He was close to Jagger’s six-two and the middle-aged man was strong. Jagger had worked hard through basic and A school, lifting weights and sparring any spare minute he had. His frame was large, but no matter what he ate, he couldn’t bulk up. His metabolism was too fast, his buddy Hays West kept telling him. Still, he could take Belinda’s dad, if it came to it.
He probably shouldn’t want to fight the man so badly.
“Son.” The pastor shook his head and put a heavy hand on Jagger’s shoulder. “You’ve got to let Belinda go.”
Jagger stepped to the side until the pastor’s hand fell away. “Sir.” He’d try for respectful, but he refused to cower. “I will never let Belinda go.”
Pastor Ralphs held his gaze. The man’s hazel eyes filled with what might’ve been compassion, but it was more likely pity. Jagger hated pity. Yes, his dad had been killed and his mom worked hard, but they were not beggars. With his mom’s pension and how generous the Pedersons were to them, they would never own a ranch, but they were doing just fine. Jagger was proud of his mom, his dad’s service, and what he would someday make of himself.
“I understand,” the pastor said, “but please listen to reason. You and Belinda are all sparks and passion. That’s not love. That’s lust, and it will burn out quickly. If you did marry, you’d end up miserable and then bitterly divorced.”
The only thing the guy was right about was the sparks and passion between Jagger and Belinda. No way would they burn out or get divorced. It was ugly of Pastor Ralphs to even suggest it.
“You’re wrong.” Jagger jutted out his chin. “I love Belinda and she loves me. We won’t burn out. I’ll love her and make her happy.”
Her dad looked at her mom and, after a moment of silent communication that had Jagger shifting his weight and tightening every muscle, they turned to face him. They both looked disappointed in his answer and concerned about him. That made his gut churn and his chest poke out even farther.
“Aimee didn’t want me to get involved.” Pastor Ralphs tilted his head to his wife. “Because we both know you don’t fear God and have a chip on your shoulder against me and religion.”
The man was right on all accounts.
“But you have to listen. Our Belle has been so happy since you’ve been gone.”
Jagger prayed the man was lying. Belinda was happy without him? What did the pastor know? Belinda had been in Ghana for three and a half months and moved into her apartment at the university days after she returned to the country. She wasn’t home enough for them to know if she was ‘so happy’ without Jagger. That wasn’t possible, was it?
“She was calm, lit up, and focused on her mission trip. She fell in love with the children and can’t wait to be a mother. Belinda has fully accepted Jesus as her Savior and wants to spend her life serving Him. She and Mike are having a wonderful time dating in an innocent and uplifting way, not sneaking behind our backs at every other turn. Together, they will make a difference serving in the Savior’s way.”
Jagger couldn’t take a full breath. He hated everything the pastor was saying. He’d support Belinda in serving the Savior and others, even if he wasn’t a believer. Jagger would happily make Belinda a mother once they were married. Jagger and Belinda had their own plans to make a difference in the world, even if it wasn’t according to Pastor Ralphs’ vision. Belinda wasn’t some puppet who had to do things her father’s way.
