“Stay as long as you need to, Jess.”

Chase forced himself to make the offer lightly, without any pressure. “We’ll work it out tomorrow.”

Funny, they spoke to each other like they were strangers. Like they’d met for the first time tonight, when in reality they’d known each other for a lifetime.

Before she could make up another excuse to refuse, Chase left, went downstairs to wait.

He needed to hear the truth from Jess, but he also feared what that truth might be. Feared that he would have to testify against her if she’d attacked Dalton for whatever reason. Justified or not, her cold-blooded father-in-law would see to it that she paid dearly, and he had the political pull and financial means to do it.

When Chase had signed up for the job, both as a soldier and deputy sheriff, he’d sworn to uphold the law. But experience had taught him that sometimes justice could be bought by the highest bidder. This was one of those situations.

Regardless, he vowed to stand by Jess, come hell or high water. After what he’d done to her all those years ago, it was the least he could do for her now.

Dear Reader,

Children are a blessing. I’ve learned that from being a mother for almost thirty years. Every milestone for each of my three children has been imprinted in my memories—their first steps, first words, first loves, first missteps and everything in between. Although they’re well into adulthood, I still find myself worrying incessantly over their happiness. At times I wonder if I could have done a better job raising them, though I firmly believe they’ve turned out pretty well despite any mistakes I’ve made. I predict that if luck prevails, I will continue to worry about them for the next thirty years.

I believe the fierce need to protect our offspring is inherently tied to instinct, and that instinct plays a pivotal role in this book. Not only do you have a father becoming acquainted with his child, you have a mother who will do anything to protect that child, even if it means compromising her own happiness. The question is—exactly how far will she go? You’ll find the answer in The Son He Never Knew, and I sincerely hope you enjoy the journey.

Happy reading!

Kristi Gold

The Son He Never Knew
Kristi Gold

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kristi Gold has always believed that love has remarkable healing powers and she feels very fortunate to be able to weave stories of love and commitment. As a bestselling author, a National Readers’ Choice winner and a Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Kristi has learned that although accolades are wonderful, the most cherished rewards come from personal stories shared by readers and networking with other authors, both published and aspiring. You may contact Kristi through her website, www.kristigold.com, on Facebook or through snail mail at P.O. Box 24197, Waco, Texas 76702 (please include an SASE for response).

To all the men and women in the armed forces

who sacrifice daily to keep the world safe.

And to those who have made the ultimate

sacrifice—giving their lives.

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

PROLOGUE

HE WAS THE LAST PERSON she expected to see at her dorm room doorstep.

As soon as the initial shock disappeared, Jessica Keller squealed with delight, hurled herself into Chase Reed’s arms and hugged him hard. But when his frame went stiff as steel, she stepped back to assess her best friend’s mood.

In the eight months since she’d seen him, he hadn’t changed at all, at least when it came to his appearance. He still wore his golden hair in close-cropped military style, still wore sand-colored camouflage fatigues and heavy boots. Six-feet-three-inches of prime fourth-generation soldier, exactly what he’d always wanted to be and now was. Yet something in his brown eyes seemed different, maybe a little more intense, but definitely different. Then again, after the Towers fell three months ago, the whole world had changed forever.

“What are you doing here this time of night?” she asked when he failed to speak or smile.

“We have to talk.”

Chase sounded so serious, Jess’s anxiety took a major leap right behind her imagination. “Is something wrong with Mom and Dad? Your mom and dad? Or is it—”

“Calm down, Jess,” he said in the reassuring tone she’d grown to expect and sometimes resent. “Everyone’s fine. If you’ll let me in, I’ll explain.” He leaned to his right and looked behind her. “Unless I’m interrupting.”

She frowned at his assumption. “My roommate’s already gone home for the holidays, so there’s no one here but little old me.”

“Are you sure you’re not hiding your boyfriend in the closet?” Chase followed the query with a visual sweep down her body and back up again, much the same as she’d done to him a few minutes earlier.

A second passed before Jess realized why he might think he’d intruded on an intimate interlude. She’d answered the door wearing a tattered white terry robe, her favorite furry pink slippers and not much else.

She twisted her damp hair in a knot at her neck and sent him a dirty look. “I finished a shift at the coffee shop an hour ago and I just took a shower, so get your mind out of the sewer. Besides, the university doesn’t take too kindly to boys visiting girls in their rooms after 9:00 p.m.”

He looked totally skeptical. “You mean to tell me Dalton hasn’t been up here after hours?”

Her long-time boyfriend happened to be a sore subject she didn’t care to discuss with Chase, especially under the current circumstances. “Let’s leave him out of this, okay?”

“Not a problem. He’s my least favorite topic of conversation anyway. And if you’re worried about breaking the rules, we can go somewhere else to talk.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Chase,” she said. “It’s almost eleven, it’s cold outside and my hair’s wet. Besides, the place is pretty much cleared out. However, if you’d called me in advance, I could have saved you the trip. I planned to be back in Placid tomorrow after work.”

“This couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”

In order to unravel the mystery, Jess stepped aside and made a sweeping gesture with one arm. “Welcome to my humble abode, heavy emphasis on humble.”

Chase breezed past her and after Jess closed the door, she turned to find that he made her tiny room seem even tinier. She tightened the robe’s sash, feeling somewhat naked even though she was sufficiently covered. “Now tell me what couldn’t wait until tomorrow, Mr. Army Man.”

Chase strolled between the two twin beds and picked up a photo of Dalton from the nightstand. “Where’s the demon tonight?”

The “pet” name Chase had given her high school sweetheart grated on Jess’s nerves. “I have no idea where he is because right now we’re taking a break.”

His gaze snapped to hers. “Permanent break, I hope.”

She wasn’t the least bit surprised by his comment. Chase and Dalton had been embroiled in one-upmanship since elementary school. “Right now I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

His scowl returned. “So you didn’t get engaged?”

Suddenly it became all too clear to her why Chase had shown up unannounced. “You’ve been talking to Rachel.”

He set the frame down carefully though he looked as if he wanted to hurl it. “Yeah. I ran into her yesterday at the diner. She told me the Big D proposed and I figured since she’s his sister, she should know.”

Dalton had done more than simply propose. He’d offered to whisk her away to Vegas over the Christmas holidays for a quickie wedding. She opted to keep that little tidbit to herself. “I told him I wasn’t sure I was ready to get married, and he said to let him know when I made up my mind. In the meantime, he doesn’t want to see me.”

Chase gave her a champion smirk. “You mean he’s blackmailing you into saying yes.”

Jess gritted her teeth and spoke through them. “Would you cut him some slack, Chase? We’re not kids anymore and this whole competition thing between you and Dalton is getting old.”

“Maybe we aren’t kids, but my guess is Dalton hasn’t changed, Jess. You haven’t always seen the side of him that we have.”

We as in him. Same song, fiftieth verse. “I know Dalton better than anyone. I also know he’d never do anything to hurt me.”

He stared at the ceiling for a moment before bringing his attention back to her. “Fine. I’ll drop it for now. But I need you to promise me something.”

Jess hugged her arms close to her middle. “That depends on the promise.”

“First, I want you to sit.” He dropped down on the edge of her bed and patted the space beside him.

Jess claimed the spot and prepared for a promise she wasn’t certain she wanted to hear, much less make, especially if it involved Dalton. “I’m all ears, so talk.”

Chase studied the industrial tile beneath his boots. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid. I can’t leave here tonight unless I know you’re going to be okay.”

She found his sullen attitude disturbing. “I’m not going to do anything stupid.”

Finally he looked at her. “Are you sure? You’ve always been a jumper first and a thinker later.”

She rolled her eyes at his dig over her impulsive nature. “Yes, I’m sure. If you don’t believe me, then I guess you’ll just have to wait and see if I have a ring on my finger Christmas morning.”

His gaze slid away again. “I won’t be here on Christmas.”

“Let me guess. You and the guys are going on your annual hunting trip, leaving the women home for the holidays to fend for themselves. That must thrill your mother—”

“I received my orders today to head back to the base in the morning.”

Jess swallowed hard to clear the fear from her throat. “Why so soon?”

He took her hands into his and shifted to face her. “I’m shipping out tomorrow night.”

“To where?” She worried she already knew the answer.

“Afghanistan.”

The word sounded like a gunshot in the small space and Jess felt it land straight in her heart. She yanked away from his grasp and came to her feet to face him. “You can’t go, Chase. You have to find some way not to go.”

“I have to go, Jess,” he said. “I don’t have a choice, and even if I did, I’d still go.”

She was caught somewhere between panic and fury. “What are you going to do over there?”

“That’s classified.”

“You mean dangerous,” she said as she sat on the opposite bed.

“Look, Jess, I’ve been training for almost three years to serve my country, just like my father and his father—”

“And your great-grandfather,” she interjected. “I know the story.” And she did—that story and several others pertaining to war. She recalled how her dad used to speak in an almost reverent tone about the boys who went to Vietnam and never came back. About how he’d been lucky to survive. Still, she’d never really understood the sacrifice her father and so many others had made…until now.

Chase raked a hand over his jaw and sighed. “You don’t have to worry about me, Jess. I’m a damn good soldier.”

Of course he was. He’d always been good at everything, from sports to school and reportedly sex—if she chose to put stock in the rumors spread over at least three counties. All that aside, when they were growing up, he’d been consumed by video games involving battles and espionage. But this wasn’t a game. Not even close.

She couldn’t seem to control the need to lash out. “Great. Go be a soldier. Forget about your family and all the people who love you.”

“I won’t forget you,” he said quietly. “And I can’t forget that it’s my duty to keep you and my family safe.”

Jess wanted to scream, to bargain, to beg him to stay. But all the pleading in the world would be futile. She couldn’t change his mind and in reality, she wouldn’t want him to be anything less than he was—her hero. He always had been.

As her anger began to dissolve and the sorrow set in, Jess lowered her face in her hands and sobbed from abject fear. Fear for him. Fear for herself.

Chase joined her and pulled her close to his side, holding her tightly while she dampened the front of his field jacket with her tears. They stayed that way for a time until she felt composed enough to speak. “What am I going to do while you’re off battling the bad guys, Chase?”

He thumbed away a tear from her cheek. “You’re going to go on with your life as usual, just like you have since I signed up for this gig after graduation.”

She leaned over and grabbed a tissue from the box on the nightstand. “Just so you know, if you die, I’m going to have to kill you. You have to come back and get married and make a bunch of little Chases.”

He released a cynical laugh. “You know I’m not the settling down kind, Jess.”

She’d heard him say that more than once. “You might change your mind when you get over there, Chase. You might even wish you had a girlfriend back home waiting for you.”

He took her right hand and laced their fingers together. “Just knowing I have your support is enough. You can send me an email every now and then.”

She tried to smile but it fell flat. “I’m going to write you the old-fashioned way, with a pen and paper. I’ll make sure you know all the trashy gossip from home. Heaven knows someone’s bound to do something newsworthy sooner or later.”

“As long as it’s not you.”

“I’ll try not to run naked through the town square.”

He grinned, flashing his to-die-for dimples that had dropped many a woman in their tracks. “I’ll get you an address as soon as I have it. Feel free to send me some of your mom’s oatmeal raisin cookies, too.”

“I’ll make the cookies.”

“I thought you didn’t want me to die.”

She sent him her best sneer. “I take back every nice thing I’ve ever said about you, Chase Reed.”

“You know you love me, Gertrude.” He followed the use of her horrid middle name with a winning grin.

She’d forgive him anything tonight. She’d also carry the image of that smile close to her heart until he came back home again. “And you’re going to miss me.”

His features turned somber again. “Yeah, I am. Just don’t forget me while I’m gone.”

How could she ever forget him or what they’d meant to each other for most of their lives?

Chase pulled her into a bear hug and when he released her, Jess resisted the urge to cling to him. “What time does your bus leave?”

He took a glance at his watch. “6:00 a.m. sharp.”

She saw an opportunity and went for it. “Do you mind staying a little while longer? Just another hour or two. We can watch some corny sitcom and make up our own lines, which no doubt will be much funnier.” Anything to spend a little more time in his presence, until Jess was ready to let him go. Like she’d ever be ready to let him go.

Chase hesitated a moment. “I have to get Dad’s truck back to him and I really need some sleep. Haven’t had a whole lot of that lately.”

Jess suspected she’d be in the same boat after he left. “You can take a nap before you head back.”

“I don’t know, Jess. If I fell asleep, I might not wake up in time to catch the bus.”

All the more reason for him to stay. “I’ll make sure you don’t sleep that long. Besides, you can’t march in here, announce you’re about to head off to a war zone and then just leave me all by myself to deal with it.”

Jess could tell by his expression she’d worn him down. She confirmed that when he said, “Okay, but only an hour or so.”

“Great.” She hopped onto her bed, scooted as close to the wall as she could to reserve a place for him. “Take off your shoes and stay a while, sailor.”

“I’m not a sailor,” he grumbled as he unlaced his boots and then toed out of them. “U.S. Army, Special Forces, and don’t forget it.”

Not much chance in that, thanks to the obvious reminders.

After Chase settled in beside her, Jess flipped on the TV with the remote and chose an ancient rerun. He slid his arm beneath her shoulder, she rested her cheek against his chest, like they’d done a thousand times before.

A span of silence passed before Jess said, “I wish we could go back to those summers when we used to hang out at the pond. We had some great times.”

“Before you started dating the jerk,” he muttered.

“He’s really a good guy, Chase.”

He kept his gaze fixed on the ceiling. “Being born to a father who owns half the state of Mississippi doesn’t make him a good guy.”

“And being rich doesn’t make him bad, either.”

He nailed her with a serious stare. “Are you going to marry him, Jess?”

She’d asked herself that question many times during the month she and Dalton had been apart. So far, no solid answer. “I could do worse.”

“You could do better.”

“He’s going to take good care of me, Chase. He’ll make sure I have a great life.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve made up your mind.”

Not exactly. “If I do decide to go through with it, I’ll wait until you’re home so you can be my man of honor.”

His frown returned. “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t see myself being front and center when I believe you’ll be making the biggest mistake of your life.”

That stung Jess to the core. “I wish you’d give me some credit. I’m not a complete airhead.”

He shifted to his side and surveyed her face. “I just want you to be happy, Jess. I want to leave here knowing you’re going to have a solid future with someone who deserves you.” He sounded and looked so sincere, so sweet, that Jess started to cry again.

Chase held her securely in his strong arms. “It’s going to be okay,” he told her in a soft, even tone.

“Nothing’s okay,” she said. “It won’t ever be okay if you go.”

He pressed a kiss on her forehead, brushed a kiss across one cheek, then the other. “I’ll be back. I promise.”

“You better.”

As the time ticked away, they simply stared at each other, caught in a place they’d never been before. And then in one unexpected, defining moment, Chase kissed Jess on the lips. Not an innocent kiss. A deep, insistent kiss that made her head spin out of control.

In all the years they’d known each other—practically since birth—not once had they ever ventured beyond a platonic bond. Not once had Chase ever made a move on her. For years Jess had told herself she’d never wanted more from him. She’d rejected the fantasies that crept in on occasion as she wondered what it would be like to kiss him. What it would be like if he saw her as a woman, not a surrogate sister.

Chase tipped his forehead against hers. “Tell me to leave, Jess.”

That was the last thing she planned to tell him. “I want you to stay.” And she did, right or wrong.

He framed her face in his palms, forced her to look right into his eyes. “If I don’t go, I don’t know what might happen. Right now I just need…”

“To be with someone,” she finished for him, knowing she risked becoming only another of his meaningless hook-ups if she let this continue. But she couldn’t—wouldn’t—let the chance go by, consequences be damned. “You need to feel alive, Chase, and I need that, too. Whatever happens from this point forward, nothing will change between us. We’ll still be friends and no one will have to know.”

“But I’ll know, Jess. And I can’t give you—”

Jess pressed a fingertip against his lips to silence him. “You’ve given me more than you know.” She lifted her finger and pressed her lips against his. “Now no more talk.” She took his hand and slid it beneath the robe’s opening above her breasts. “Just touch.”

That seemed to unleash something in Chase, something uncontrolled but unbelievably sexy as he skimmed his palms down her body. Somehow she’d managed to bring them past the turn-back point, but she honestly didn’t care. She only cared about the prospect of being with him completely.

Maybe this was the reason she’d held back committing to Dalton. Maybe subconsciously she’d always loved Chase a little more than she’d cared to admit. More than the way he loved her as a friend.

Regardless, this could be the last opportunity to know what she’d been missing. The last chance to explore the feelings for Chase that had suddenly surfaced. Possibly the last time she ever saw him again.

She’d been caught between two men for years—the one who treated her like a queen, and the one who’d viewed her as only a best friend. The one who could give her the world, and the other who could only give her this one night.

She wanted this one night…even if it proved to be a life-altering mistake.

CHAPTER ONE

Placid, Mississippi

Ten years later

THERE HAD TO BE SOME MISTAKE.

As he pulled out of the sheriff’s station parking lot, Chase Reed requested the dispatcher repeat the address one more time.

1101 Oakwood Lane.

No mistake, and no time to waste.

Chase flipped on his emergency lights and siren as he sped through downtown, concerned over what he might be facing when he arrived at his destination on the outskirts of Placid—the recently-divorced Jessica Keller Wainwright’s home. He only knew that a domestic dispute call had been placed by a hysterical woman and an ambulance had been dispatched. He didn’t know who had been injured or how. One thing was certain. If Dalton Wainwright had laid a finger on Jess, he’d kill him.

In the six months since he’d returned to Placid, he’d only spoken to Jess once by phone, a tense conversation that involved generalities—her new job teaching second grade, his new job as deputy sheriff and briefly about her divorce, like they were only acquaintances. Even though they’d corresponded through the years, they’d never talked about the night before he left for his first tour of duty.

He hated that he’d obviously hurt her with his careless behavior. Hated that she’d run off and married Wainwright two weeks later. Hated that he’d somehow driven her to that decision and in turn, set a course that had ultimately led to this moment.

Chase’s mind continued to reel with the possibilities as he whipped into the lengthy drive leading to the massive redbrick mansion. He barely had the car stopped before he slid out of the driver’s side and his feet hit the pavement. A gust of unseasonably cold, bitter wind sent a spiral of leaves across the stone walkway as he strode past the for sale sign toward the planked porch. The white holiday lights hanging from the eaves and the huge artificial Christmas tree filling the entry window gave the appearance of normalcy. But when he found the front door partially ajar, he prepared for anything but a normal situation.

Chase poised his hand on the Glock holstered at his hip as he moved into the foyer, an automatic reaction resulting from hour upon hour of military training. But in this instance, he wasn’t the soldier navigating war-torn territory. He was the deputy sheriff doing his duty no matter what he might encounter.

Senses on high alert, he cocked his head to listen as he walked past the ornate staircase and down the tiled corridor. The sound of harsh sobs caused him to quicken his pace, his heart keeping an equally rapid tempo. The minute he entered the great room, he pulled up short to survey the scene.

To his left, Jess sat on the floor, her back to a white leather sofa, hugging her knees to her chest as she rocked back and forth like a lost child. Chase instinctively started toward her until something caught his immediate attention from the corner of his eye. He turned to see a figure crumpled near the stone hearth—only to discover it was Dalton Wainwright.

When he noticed the blood pooling around Dalton’s head, images of war zipped through Chase’s brain. Fallen comrades, chaos and confusion. Death and destruction. A fatal error he’d made that couldn’t be rectified…

Chase again forced the memories away as he walked to his long-time nemesis, crouched down, pressed his fingertips against Dalton’s neck and fortunately for Jess, found a pulse.

“He’s dead, isn’t he?” she asked in a tone strangely absent of emotion.

“He’s alive but unconscious,” he assured her, although right then he wasn’t sure of anything.

When he heard the wail of sirens, Chase immediately went to Jess, knelt and took her by the shoulders. “Are you okay?” he asked, even though he could tell she wasn’t from the undeniable shock in her eyes.

“It was an accident,” she muttered as her gaze slid away. “No one’s fault.”

Chase couldn’t imagine Jess would intentionally injure her ex-husband, but he wasn’t fool enough to deny anything was possible when it came to volatile relationships. “Look at me, Jess.” Once he finally had her attention, he added, “When the paramedics get here, don’t say anything about what happened.”

“But I didn’t mean—”

“Don’t talk about it,” he cautioned again. “You have to remember who you’re dealing with here, even if it was an accident.”

Realization dawned in her expression. “Edwin,” she said in a whisper.

“Yeah. Your ex-father-in-law could make this tough on you. And anything you tell me could be used against you in court if it comes to that.”

Her eyes went wide with terror. “Court?”

Before Chase had a chance to reassure her, the sound of gurney wheels echoing through the foyer interrupted his train of thought. He straightened and met the EMTs as soon as they entered the room. “He’s still alive,” he told a fifty-something paramedic named Joe. “But it looks like he has a pretty serious head injury.”

“We’ll take it from here,” Joe said before he and his partner went to work on Dalton.

Chase helped Jess to her feet and guided her down the hall to the formal dining room he found nearby. After he had her seated in a chair at the polished mahogany table, he asked, “Where’s your son?”

“Upstairs.”

Chase wondered exactly what the boy had witnessed during the last few minutes. “I want you to stay right here while I go check on him.”

She nodded like she needed complete guidance. Chase understood that all too well.

He strode back into the great room in time to find the crew loading Dalton onto the stretcher, but he didn’t stop to check on his status. Instead, he took the stairs two at a time. When he reached the top landing, he discovered Danny Wainwright, dressed in a pair of race-car pajamas, standing against the wall with his gaze focused on the hardwood floor.

After Danny finally looked up, Chase was amazed over how much he resembled Jess, with the exception of his blond hair. Fortunately he couldn’t see a scrap of Dalton in him, but he did see the same vacant stare his mother had exhibited a few moments ago.

More recollections of another time, another foreign place and another child intruded into Chase’s thoughts. He had to get a grip on the present and stay out of the past for both Jess and her son’s sake.

Chase swept his cowboy hat from his head and kept a safe distance. “Hey, Danny. I’m Deputy Reed, a friend of your mom’s.”

The boy blinked but remained silent.

He decided tackling Danny’s immediate worry might help. “The paramedics are taking your dad to the hospital, so he’s in good hands.”

Still no response, and Chase wasn’t real sure how to proceed. “Do you want to go see your mom?”

This time Danny shook his head, which fueled Chase’s concerns. If the kid had witnessed Jess injuring Dalton, inadvertent or not, he could have a damn hard time forgiving his mother. He wasn’t too keen on leaving the boy alone, but he didn’t want to push him, either. “Why don’t you wait in your room and I’ll have your mother come up to talk to you.”

Without any reply or hesitation, the boy headed down the hall and walked through a door to his right. Chase followed behind and entered a bedroom decked out in dark blue walls and baseball memorabilia. A typical kid’s room that reminded him of his own when he’d been about Danny’s age, only he’d been more inclined to collect football souvenirs.

When Danny curled up on the bed facing the wall, Chase felt the need to say something else, to offer some words of comfort, but he had no real experience dealing with childhood trauma. “I’ll be back in a few minutes with your mom, okay?”

Danny didn’t respond, didn’t even shrug his shoulders to acknowledge the suggestion. With any luck, reuniting him with Jess would be the key to his comfort. Then again, maybe not, but Chase felt he had no choice in the matter.

As he sprinted back down the stairs, Chase heard the sound of an all-too-familiar voice coming from somewhere in the house. A booming voice that belonged to his father, the sheriff. No surprise that Buck would have been summoned, considering the nature of the crime. Correction. Accident. Chase refused to believe anything else until proof landed in front of his nose. Even then he’d have a hard time buying Jess flying into a homicidal rage.

He made his way back to the dining room where he’d left Jess and arrived just in time to hear his dad say, “You’re going to have to give me more details than that.”

Furious over Buck’s tone, Chase stepped inside the opening, hands fisted at his sides. “Can I have a word with you?”

Buck turned to him and scowled. “I’m taking Jess’s statement, son, so you’ll need to wait a minute.”

Chase was tempted to remind his father that he should call him by his proper name, not son. “It’s important.”

Buck forked his fingers through his silver hair and sighed. “Fine,” he said before turning to Jess. “Don’t go anywhere.”

As soon as Buck joined him at the front door out of Jess’s earshot, Chase turned his fury on his father. “What in the hell are you doing?”

“My job, exactly what you should be doing, too. She told me you hadn’t questioned her about Dalton’s injuries.”

“She said it was an accident and that’s all I needed to know.”

Buck hooked his thumbs in his pockets and stared him down like he was thirteen, not thirty-one. “Doesn’t matter what she said, boy. You have to get all the facts to put into the report.”

Chase pointed in the direction of the dining room. “That’s Jess in there, Dad. The same girl who used to come with her folks to our house for Sunday dinner and dominoes.”

“Yeah, and you’re too close to the situation. That’s why I called in Barkley to assist me. He should be here in about five minutes.”

That only increased Chase’s wrath. “Barkley can’t find his way out of a feed sack. He’ll arrest Jess first and ask questions later.”

Buck raised a brow. “Any reason why you think Jess should be arrested?”

He reflected on Danny’s reaction and decided to keep his mouth shut for now. “Like I said, she claims it was an accident, and I have no reason to believe it wasn’t.”

“You know the procedure,” Buck said. “I still have to take an official statement.”

“Then do it in the morning after she’s had some time to recover.”

“That’s not the way it works, son.”

“Make it work, Dad. Right now she needs to rest.”

“She can’t stay here, Chase. We’ll need to gather evidence in case Dalton dies during the night.”

On one hand, he didn’t give a rat’s ass if Dalton died. On the other, he had to consider what that might mean for Jess. “She can stay with me tonight and I’ll have her at the department first thing in the morning.”

“She can get a room at the motel.”

He had no intention of sticking Jess in some seedy, pay-by-the-hour dive on the outskirts of town. “She’s in shock and so is her kid. She needs to be in a place where she’s comfortable.”

Chase could see Buck’s frustration beginning to build. “And you think that’s with you? Best I recall, she hasn’t come around once since you’ve been home.”

Understandable why they’d been avoiding each other, but he’d be damned if he let his father in on a ten-year-old secret. “She’s been busy getting rid of Dalton.”

Chase realized how questionable that sounded when Buck said, “Maybe that’s what she did tonight, got rid of him once and for all.”

He couldn’t quite understand why his father was bent on treating Jess like some black widow lying in wait to off her former husband. Buck might be one of the good guys, but he could be an obsessed hard-ass when it came to the job. If serving as sheriff for thirty some odd years did that to a man, Chase wanted no part of it, even if that’s exactly what was expected of him.

“Tell you what, Sheriff,” he said. “If you’ll stop jumping to conclusions, then I’ll have Jess to you bright and early. But if you’re not going to stick to the innocent until proven guilty clause, then I’ll be damned if I’m going to continue to work for you.”

Chase could see the cogs spinning fast in Buck’s head. Placid had suffered a deputy shortage for years, and there sure as hell wasn’t a long line waiting to sign on. If he up and resigned, he’d leave his dad high and dry and working longer hours again, which sure wouldn’t set well with the missus.

Buck took on a look of reluctant submission. “Okay, you bring her home and have her in my office no later than 8:00 a.m. And have her boy there, too. Maybe between the two of them, we can shed some light on this thing.”

As far as Chase was concerned, having Danny put through the wringer was entirely up to Jess, at least for now. “Fine. You can go. I’ll handle it from here.”

“I’ll go outside to wait for Barkley until you leave with Jess.” Buck turned toward the door then stopped and pointed at Chase. “8:00 a.m. sharp or I’ll come down to the cabin and get her myself.”

“I’ll have her there, Sheriff.” And he would, right on time. He didn’t sleep much these days anyway. Too much on his mind. Too many nightmares to count.

After his dad had finally left the immediate premises, Chase made his way to the dining room, only to find it deserted. Jess would’ve had to walk past him to go up the stairs, which made him wonder if she’d headed out the back door. With that major dilemma in mind, he strode to the back of the house and came upon a rear staircase adjacent to the top-of-the-line kitchen. Hopefully that had been her escape route, if in fact she felt the need to escape.

He opted to give Jess the benefit of the doubt and headed to the second floor. As suspected, he discovered her in Danny’s room, perched on the edge of the bed, sifting her hands through her son’s hair.

Chase paused a moment to take in the subtle alterations in Jess’s appearance. She’d cut her long auburn hair to her shoulders and she wore the kind of loose-fitting clothes designed to hide her figure. At five-foot-three, she’d always been small in stature but tough as barbwire. But the most noticeable change could be found in her light amber eyes when she leveled her gaze on him. The former outgoing cheerleader, who could talk the bark off a tree, looked lost and defeated. He damned Dalton Wainwright for that. Damned him for sucking the life out of Jess. Damned himself for staying away from her because of his own guilt.

Chase remained in the doorway and in a low tone said, “Pack a bag for you and your son. You’re going to stay with me for a few days.”

“Why?”

“According to procedure, you have to leave the premises until you give your statement. And even if you could stay, do you really think that’s a good idea?” He nodded toward Danny.

“No,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I don’t want to put you out, Chase. I can call around and find somewhere to stay. Maybe with Sam and Savannah or Matt and Rachel.”

He prepared to shoot down her protest with logic. “First of all, Savannah and Sam are in Hawaii and won’t be back for a couple of days. Secondly, I figure Rachel’s on her way to the hospital to see about Dalton by now.” Blood ties trumped friendship any day of the week, even if Rachel and Jess had been friends for years and Rachel’s brother was about as sorry as they came.

“As far as the rest of the town goes,” he continued, “do you want this getting out any sooner than it has to?”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

“Then it’s settled,” he said. “I’ll wait downstairs while you get your things together.”

She twisted the ruby ring that once belonged to her grandmother round and round her right ring finger, a habit she’d developed long ago. “I appreciate your hospitality, but we’ll only stay until I can make other arrangements.”

Funny, they spoke to each other like they were strangers. Like they’d met for the first time tonight when in reality they’d known each other for a lifetime. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need to, but we’ll work it out tomorrow.”

Before she could make up another excuse to refuse the offer, Chase walked out of the room and went back downstairs to wait.

He needed to hear the truth from Jess, but he also feared what that truth might be. Feared that he would have to testify against her if she’d attacked Dalton for whatever reason. Justified or not, her cold-blooded father-in-law would see to it that she paid dearly, and he had the political pull and financial means to do it.

When Chase had signed up for the job, both as a soldier and deputy sheriff, he’d sworn to uphold the law. But experience had taught him sometimes justice could be bought by the highest bidder. This was one of those situations.

Regardless, he vowed to stand by Jess, come hell or high water. After what he’d done to her all those years ago, it was the least he could do for her now.

ALONE WITH HER CHILD in Chase’s sparsely furnished guestroom, Jess claimed a space next to Danny on the twin bed. She pulled the covers over his thin shoulders and whisked a kiss across his cheek. And when he turned away from her, she felt her heart shatter one painful fissure at a time.

Still, she rested her face on the pillow, hoping that he found a measure of comfort in her presence. But since the moment they’d arrived at Chase’s house, he’d refused to look at her, refused to speak a word. She couldn’t really blame him after what he’d endured, both tonight and throughout his nine years on earth.

She smiled at the slight curl at the nape of his neck, remembered how she’d been terrified to hold him after he was born and then soon found it hard to put him down. She recalled his baby-soft smell, how little time it had taken to bond with him. He’d been such a joy from the beginning, the brightest part of her day.

Jess’s life had been littered with what-ifs and regrets, of foolish decisions she’d wished she could take back, but having her son had never been one of them. She should have left Dalton a long time ago, when Danny had been too young to understand the ongoing battle between his mother and father. Before Dalton had begun to demean both son and wife.

Her precious baby, who’d been quick with a grin and fast on his feet, had become withdrawn and doubted himself, just as she had since the day she’d married Dalton Wainwright. Yet over the past two months since the divorce, he’d begun to smile more often, talk more freely and even his grades had improved. Now this horrible, horrible incident could scar him beyond repair.

Jess leaned over to see if Danny was sleeping, only to determine he still seemed wide awake. “Do you want some water?” she asked.

He shook his head no.

“Do you want me to stay in here with you tonight?”

Again, another negative response.

She couldn’t blame him for his anger. After all, what had happened tonight had been entirely her fault, and he was going to suffer the brunt of her decisions for years, if not forever. Mothers were supposed to protect their children, and she’d failed miserably.

Jess was torn between staying a little longer with Danny and having a serious talk with Chase. She didn’t dare discuss all the details with him. She wouldn’t involve him more than she already had. But she could attempt to reestablish their friendship that had been damaged a decade ago, thanks to another error in judgment. That could be asking too much, but she had to try. Like it or not, she needed Chase’s support more than she ever had before.

She pressed a kiss against his cheek. “It’s going to be all right, honey. Everything’s going to be fine. I’ll take care of you.”

If only she could believe her assertions. As it now stood, if Dalton didn’t survive his injuries, nothing would ever be fine again. Danny might never be fine again.

But for now, it might be best if Danny wasn’t talking, at least until Jess could come up with a plan. Otherwise, her beloved son’s words could destroy them both.

CHAPTER TWO

SEATED AT THE SMALL DINING TABLE, Chase glanced up from the mug of coffee when he heard the sound of footsteps. Jess approached him slowly, and considering the way her shoulders sagged, the fatigue in her eyes, she looked liked she’d been ambushed.

He shoved the chair across from him with his boot. “Sit before you drop in your tracks.”

After she slid onto the seat, Jess crossed her arms around her middle like she was cold. He’d made a point to turn up the heat soon after they’d walked in the door even though he’d felt like his skin had caught fire.

Chase lifted his mug. “Want a cup?”

“No, thank you.” She eyed his gun resting on the table where he’d unloaded it a few moments before.

He hooked a thumb over his shoulder toward the guest room. “How’s he doing?”

“As well as can be expected, I guess. He’s not saying much but I’m sure he’s still in shock. I know I am.”

Chase really wanted to ask Jess how Dalton’s injuries had come about. She could either clear things up, or incriminate herself. He wasn’t willing to take that chance because he’d be damned if he’d speak one word against her.

“You look like you could use some sleep,” he said when she yawned.

Jess folded her hands together and rested them on top of the pine table. “I’m not sure I could sleep if I wanted to. Every time I close my eyes, I see these awful images.”

Chase could seriously relate to that scenario. He couldn’t remember a time in the past few years when he drifted peacefully off to sleep. Couldn’t remember the last time he had any real peace.

“If you decide to try and rest, you can take my room. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

She brought her attention back to him. “I’m not going to put you out of your bed. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

No point in arguing with Jess. He’d learned that a long time ago. But he’d also learned how to skirt her objections. “You sure you don’t want some coffee? Maybe a beer? I’m fresh out of whiskey but I could sneak into the main house and see if Dad still has that seventy-year-old-bottle that belonged to my great-grandpa.”

Jess shuddered. “I can’t even stand the smell of whiskey, much less drink it. I have Dalton to thank for that.”

“He always did like his booze.” And women. Chase had heard from friends that the demon had been scouring the bars and cheating on Jess for years.

When Jess continued to stare blankly across the room, Chase scraped his mind for some way to lift her spirits as much as possible. “Do you want to call your folks?”

Her gaze snapped to his. “No. They just left two days ago on a cruise with Gary, Becca and the kids for the holidays. I don’t see any reason to bother them while they’re on their first real vacation in years.”

Chase could think of one reason—giving her family advance notice in case Jess wound up in jail. “Fine. Is there anyone else I can call for you?”

She drummed her fingertips on the table, a purely nervous gesture. “Yes. I need you to call the hospital and find out how Dalton’s doing.”

He’d like to think she wanted to know because of Danny, but he wondered if there might be more to it. Either she still cared for the jerk, or she felt responsible for his wounds. Maybe both. “I could call but I won’t get anywhere. The hospital won’t release any information unless you’re a family member or the family gives permission. I doubt that holds true for either of us.”

She rubbed her temples like she had one hell of a headache. “You’re right. I’d just hate to read about it in the paper if something happens to him.”

More than likely the event would be front page news no matter what the outcome. “I have Rachel’s cell number. I can try to reach her.”

Jess didn’t look too keen on that idea. “I wouldn’t want to disturb her.”

He fished the phone from his pocket and hit the speed dial. “She’s probably on her way to Jackson, if she’d not already there.”

After two rings, Rachel answered with a harried “Hello.”

“Hey, Rachel, it’s Chase. Are you at the hospital?”

“Yes. How did you know?”

At least she didn’t sound too distraught, a good thing. “I answered the call.”

“Of course you did. I keep forgetting you’re a deputy now.”

Sometimes Chase wished he wasn’t. Tonight happened to be one of those times. “How’s your brother doing?” He tried to sound concerned but his tone was noticeably dry.

“He’s undergoing tests right now and he’s still unconscious,” Rachel said. “Do you have any idea what happened?”

He had a few, but none he cared to share. “Jess says it was an accident, but that’s all I know.”

“Where is Jess now? I tried to call the home number and her cell but I didn’t get any answer.”

“She’s here with me. Do you want to speak with her?”

“I’d like that. I’m worried about her.”

Jess waved him away when he tried to hand her the phone. “Just talk to her for a minute,” he said. “She’s one of your best friends and she’s concerned.”

After a brief hesitation, Jess reluctantly took the cell and murmured a soft “Hello.”

Chase waited and watched while Jess spoke with Rachel. She sounded meek, very un-Jess-like, but he could understand why she might. While he put away his gun in the locked cabinet in the corner, he listened as Jess repeated the accident scenario without any details. And after a few brief questions about Dalton’s condition, she ended the conversation.

“At least he’s still alive,” she said as she handed him back the phone.

He could tell she found little relief in Dalton’s status. “If he makes it through the night, he’ll probably be okay.”

“And if that’s not the case?” she asked. “What happens then?”

Nothing good. He leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms. “Let’s just worry about that if and when the time comes. Right now you need some sleep.”

“I’ve already told you I can’t sleep.” Her irritable tone said otherwise.

“You can try.” He pushed away from the cabinet and returned to the table. “I’ll show you to my room.”

“I told you I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“You’ll be closer to Danny if you’re in my room.”

That seemed to get her attention. “I guess that would probably be better.”

Jess took her time coming to her feet while he picked up her bag from the floor in the den. She slowly and silently followed behind him as he made his way down the hall and paused outside the guestroom.

“Do you think I can hear Danny if he calls me?” she asked.

“You’ll be right next door,” he said as he pointed out his bedroom.

After a slight hesitation, she entered the area and looked around before her gaze settled on the king-size bed.

He nodded toward the closed door to his right. “The bathroom’s through there. After you’re done, I need to take a quick shower.”

She took the bag from him and clutched it like a life-line. “Is this the only bathroom?”

“The only one with a shower,” he said. “There’s a half-bath next to the laundry room. I’ve just started framing out two more bedrooms and another bath at the back of the house.”

“Why?” she asked, catching him off guard.

“Why not?” he answered back.

“I don’t see why you’d need four bedrooms unless you plan on having a family,” she said. “And since you’re not a settling down kind of guy, well…”

Exactly what he’d told her all those years ago. “Extra bedrooms add to resale value.”

“Are you going to move after you’re finished with the renovations?” Her tone held an edge of alarm, like she worried he might desert her.

“I hadn’t planned on it, but it doesn’t hurt to prepare for the future.”

She lowered her eyes. “Sometimes you can’t prepare for what life throws your way.”

He hated she couldn’t look at him straight on, that she’d obviously lost her confidence, unlike the girl he used to know. But then her bastard of an ex-husband had played a huge role in that.

“We all make errors in judgment, Jess.” He’d made more than his fair share, one that had been particularly serious. Two if he counted what had happened in her dorm room a decade ago.

She took a few steps back and pointed behind her. “I’m going to wash up now.”

“Fine. I’ll be right here.”

“I won’t be long,” she said as she turned, hurried into the bath and closed the door behind her.

Chase sat on the edge of the bed and streaked both hands over his face. He should be dog-tired, but he wasn’t. He should be convinced of Jess’s innocence, but he had his doubts. He should disregard duty and demand the truth, but he couldn’t…and not only because of job.

The truth could very well be more than he could handle.

AFTER CHECKING ON DANNY one more time, Jess climbed into the king-size bed, pulled the sheets up to her chin and surveyed the area cast in overhead light. The room had been painted neutral beige and the accessories were patently masculine, from the leather chair in the corner to the heavy pine furniture. Funny, this place had barely been four rickety walls and rough-hewn wood floors when they used to play here as kids. She smiled as she recalled their childhood games and her ongoing argument with Chase—she refused to play damsel-in-distress to his superhero just because she was a girl. Over and over she’d insisted she was quite capable of using her pretend powers to save him. But with a flash of his dimples and a few well-chosen words, he’d won the battle.

These days, he rarely smiled. These days, she had barely been able to save herself. Especially tonight.

As Jess settled deeper into the feather pillow, she absorbed the fresh, clean scent of cotton and a hint of Chase’s favorite soap. She allowed the memories to take her back to a better time when she’d given him some fancy, manly shower gel one Christmas—which he’d promptly given back and said, “No offense, but no, thanks.” She’d known all along he’d been a bar soap kind of guy but she’d reasoned that he could change. She should have known better.

People didn’t change, at least not for the better. She’d learned that hard lesson from her ex-husband.

In response to a sudden, strong chill, Jess chafed her arms with her palms and felt the tender spot right above her elbow. She shuddered at the sudden surge of recent recollections. Horrible recollections of what had transpired only a few hours before.

The sound of the opening door startled Jess and thankfully thrust her back into the here and now. Chase came out of the bathroom wearing a pair of navy pajama bottoms and a seen-better-days gray T-shirt.

As she scooted up against the headboard, he headed to the closet, where he placed his boots beneath the neat row of jeans and shirts hanging on the rack.

“Nice place,” she said, grasping for a topic other than why she had landed in his house.

“It’s fairly simple.”

“You have a whirlpool tub and granite countertops, Chase. I don’t think that qualifies as simple.”

He tossed a glance over his shoulder. “I had some help decorating.”

Jess imagined he did. Female help, and she doubted his mom had contributed. Missy Reed was as country as country came. “I’m sure the county girls stood in line to help you out.”

“Just Savannah,” he said as he pulled out a khaki uniform shirt and hung it on a wall hook next to the closet. “She and Sam are redoing the farmhouse so she volunteered.”

She experienced a little bite of guilt over jumping to conclusions. But considering Chase’s legendary ladies-man reputation, who could blame her? “That was nice of her to help. I’m sorry to say I haven’t seen much of her since she moved back from Chicago.” She hadn’t seen much of anyone for that matter.

Chase pulled some bedding from the top of the closet, closed the door and finally faced her. “You might want to give her a call when she’s back in town.”

Jess immediately understood the motive behind his suggestion. “Do you think I need an attorney?”

“I don’t know, but it couldn’t hurt.”

A rock of nausea settled in Jess’s belly. “I’ll wait and see what happens tomorrow.” If Dalton didn’t survive, she’d definitely make that call. Or if the statement didn’t go well, she might then, too.

Chase returned to the bathroom and only partially closed the door, allowing enough light to escape to keep the room from total darkness. Jess wasn’t the least bit surprised by the gesture. He’d always been considerate and thoughtful, at least when it came to her needs.

“It’s late,” he said as he crossed the room. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“I do need something,” she blurted, driven by an overwhelming blast of anxiety.

He paused with his hand poised on the light switch and faced her again. “Ask away.”

“I need you to stay with me tonight.”

His gaze slid away. “Not a good idea.”

She knew the root of his concerns—what happened the last time they’d been in bed together ten years ago. “I’m not going to touch you or ask anything more of you than your company. I just don’t want to be alone tonight. I promise I’ll stay on my side of the bed. And it’s a big bed—”

“I tend to toss and turn these days. You probably won’t get any sleep at all.”

“We’ll be restless together.” Jess despised the desperation in her voice, but then she was desperate. Desperate not to be left alone with her horrible memories. “Please, Chase. Only for a while.” The same plea from their past.

He released a sigh. “Okay.”

While Jess silently celebrated her minor victory, Chase replaced the bedding in the closet and closed the door. After he turned off the light, he sat on the edge of the mattress and kept his back to her, motionless as if preparing to join her. Or reconsidering.

Jess recalled the last time he’d done that very thing—right after he’d told her they’d made a huge mistake sleeping together and it would never happen again. Since then, nothing had been quite the same.

They’d exchanged letters often during his time away, but not once had they ever talked about that one memorable night. Not once had she asked him if he’d regretted it, because in reality, she hadn’t. She only regretted that she’d disregarded his advice and jumped into a marriage that was doomed from the beginning. At the time, she felt she’d had no choice.

A few minutes passed before he slid onto his back, his hands laced together atop his abdomen, his body as rigid as a steel beam.

“Thank you,” Jess said. “For everything. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been there to help me. I appreciate it more than you know.”

“No problem.”

The razor-sharp edge in his tone told Jess everything she’d asked of him was a problem, and suspected he had more on his mind than he’d let on. She should probably drop it, but some soul-deep need to clear the air drove her to turn on the bedside lamp and gain his complete attention. “Go ahead, Chase, say it.”

“Say what?” he muttered as he flipped onto his belly, his face turned toward the opposite wall.

She rolled to her side toward him. “Tell me I’m a fool again just like you did after I told you I’d married Dalton.”

He turned his head and stared at her straight on. “I never said you were a fool. I said Dalton had you fooled.”

“You’re right, but I can’t take back my mistakes.” Oh, that she could. “But I do want to make it right between you and me. We’ve never discussed that night in my dorm—”

“Not now, Jess.”

She rose up on one elbow and supported her jaw with her palm. “When Chase? We’ve skirted that topic for ten years and—”

“I said not now.” He turned his head again, making it all too clear that he was done with the conversation. Maybe even done with her.

Feeling weary and emotionally drained, Jess turned off the light and rolled away from Chase. Years ago, he would have held her close and reassured her. He would have been more than willing to provide a leaning shoulder. A swell of sadness overcame her as she silently mourned the loss of her best friend. She chastised herself for all the ways in which she’d ruined her life. Perhaps even her son’s life.

Worse still, she might find herself without a job. The good citizens of Placid could be judgmental, and if any parent in town even suspected she’d intentionally harmed her ex-husband, they’d kick her to the curb without a second thought. Not to mention, her former father-in-law served on the school board. No job meant no way to support her child other than the money Dalton grudgingly gave her.

Everything seemed so hopeless and that only fed her remorse.

As the tears began to fall, she buried her face in the pillow, tried hard not to let Chase know that she was an emotional wreck. And just when she’d begun to honestly believe they would never be able to repair their relationship, she felt the mattress bend and Chase’s strong hand engulfing hers.

“You’re going to be okay,” he whispered. “Danny’s going to be okay, too.”

Jess couldn’t respond but she didn’t need to. And although he only held her hand for a few moments, it seemed enough to get her through, at least tonight. Tomorrow would be another story.

THE SHRILL BUZZER JARRED JESS out of sleep and her eyes snapped open. Confused, she took a few moments to survey the room in order to acclimate to the surroundings. As she finally recalled exactly where she was, and why, she resisted the urge to pull the covers back over her head and hide away from the world. She reached out and felt the space beside her only to discover that Chase had apparently left the bed before the annoying alarm sounded. How he could be up so early was beyond her. He’d thrashed about most of the night, taking the blanket with him and rousing her from sleep that had come in fits and starts. During those awake times, she’d checked on Danny twice and with great relief, had found him soundly sleeping. If only she could say the same for herself.

Recognizing what awaited her in a matter of hours—a trip to the sheriff’s department to present her written statement—Jess decided to get up and get it over with as quickly as possible. She climbed from the bed, grabbed a robe and slipped it on as she made her way to the guestroom to tell Danny good morning. When she came upon only an empty bed, a swell of dread weighted her chest and robbed her breath.

Panic sent her on a fast clip into the kitchen where she thankfully found the missing deputy and her son. They sat at the breakfast table, both bent over a bowl of cereal—the kind with the fruity marshmallows that made her queasy just thinking about them. Neither seemed to notice her presence as she watched the pair for a few more minutes. She’d envisioned this scene many times throughout the years—her one-time best friend and her precious boy getting to know each other. Yet the picture-perfect scene was only an illusion. Her entire life to this point had been an illusion, and that wouldn’t end today.

Jess approached her son from behind and ruffled his tousled blond hair. “Time for you to get a trim, Danny.”

He didn’t bother to look up from the bowl or offer a response. She sent Chase a forlorn look before checking the clock on the wall. “What time are we supposed to do this?”

He took a drink of coffee before pushing the cup aside. “I figure in an hour or so we’ll head down to the department for the interviews.”

“Interviews” meaning both she and her child. Not if she could help it.

Jess touched Danny’s shoulder to garner his attention. “Why don’t you go wash up and get dressed?”

He sent her only a fast glance before scooting back from the table and carrying his empty bowl to the sink. Funny, she usually had to ride him to clean up after meals. Then again, he didn’t seem at all himself, and rightfully so.

Once Danny had left the area, Jess poured a cup of coffee from the pot on the counter and claimed the chair that her son had just left. “Did he say anything at all to you?”

Chase shook his head. “Not a word. I found him sitting in here staring off into space when I got up about an hour ago.”

She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingertips. “I pray he’ll come around in a few days.”

“I think that depends on what he saw last night.”

The long pause told Jess he wanted her to fill in the blanks despite his warning last night to keep her confessions to herself. “I don’t think he saw anything except that Dalton had been injured.” Lie number one. “That’s why I don’t see any reason for Danny to have to endure a lot of questions that will only upset him.”

Chase inclined his head and fixed his gaze on Jess, causing her to look away. “Are you sure he didn’t see it happen?”

“As sure as I can be.” Lie number two.

“That might explain his silence,” Chase said.

“As I told you last night, it was an accident. Dalton came to pick up Danny three hours late, he’d been drinking, and when I refused to let him take Danny, he grabbed my arm and I yanked it away. I guess he lost his balance but I’m not sure. It’s all a blur.”

Lie number three. She remembered every last detail, sickening sights and sounds included. She recalled Dalton’s insistence they get back together, her refusal, his threats to take her son away from her permanently if she didn’t do his bidding. His accusations. And then…

Feeling the need to escape, Jess downed the rest of her coffee and stood. “I’m going to get dressed now, unless you want to go first.”

He leaned back in the chair and made a sweeping gesture toward the hall. “You go ahead.”

“Okay. And after I’ve finished making my statement, I need to get my car and a few things from the house.”

“I’ll have to escort you until Buck clears the place as a possible crime scene.”

Great. Nothing like being considered a hardened criminal. But then she had been guilty of more than her fair share of crimes, the first entailed marrying the wrong man. The second—not leaving him years ago. “Fine, but I want to find a place to rent today if at all possible. If I do, I’ll need more than a duffle bag and one change of clothes.”

“You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like,” he said without much conviction. “Once Dalton verifies your account of the events, you’ll be free to move back into your house.”

“It’s not my house,” she answered with more force than necessary. “Dalton made all the decisions when we had it built so I never considered it mine. During the divorce, he agreed to sell it and split the proceeds but unfortunately, people around here can’t afford it. And Dalton’s too damn stubborn to just buy out my half so he can move back in.”

“He still wants to control you,” Chase said, his tone etched with anger.

“You’re right, but I refuse to let him control me anymore.” Easier said than done. Even lying in a hospital bed, he was still controlling her life. If heaven forbid he died, that control still wouldn’t end. “Do you happen to know of any place I can rent? Since we’re on the holiday break, I’d have time to get settled before school resumes after the first of the year.”

He released a cynical laugh. “Most of the rentals around here are owned by your father-in-law.”

Jess hadn’t stopped to consider that. “Surely there’s some property available somewhere that Edwin doesn’t have his hands on.”

Chase kicked back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head. “I’ll ask around. In the meantime, you can stay here.”

She didn’t see that as a viable option, especially after his obvious discomfort last night. “Thanks for the offer, but I can always go to the motel if I have to.”

Chase shrugged. “Suit yourself, but you’re pride isn’t going to benefit you or your son. Forcing him to live in a rat-hole motel won’t help matters.”

As usual, he was right, but that didn’t make living in his house more appealing. “I’ll just wait and see what happens today.”

She had one more question to ask him, one she’d been purposely avoiding to this point. “Have you heard anything on Dalton’s condition?”

“I called Rachel a little while ago. He’s still in ICU but he’s stable.”

Jess experienced some measure of relief that she wouldn’t be facing a murder charge—yet. “Then, he’s going to be okay?”

“Looks like it. He’s also awake.”

Her relief dissolved into dread. “Did he say anything about last night?”

“He said he doesn’t remember what happened. But that could only be temporary. They won’t know for a few days.”

“I’m glad his condition has improved,” she added without a shred of sincerity.

Chase studied her as if he could see right through her deception. “I guess it probably is a good thing. Unless it’s going to cause more problems for you in the long run.”

Somehow Chase knew she was withholding information, but he could never know what really happened last night. No one would know if she could help it. Jess could only hope that Dalton’s memory loss was permanent, saving both her and her son. If not, she’d deal with the fallout later. Right now she had to move on to the matter at hand.

“I’m going to check on Danny and then dress.” As she started toward the bedroom, Chase called her name. She faced him and attempted a smile that fell short. “Yes?”

His gaze didn’t waver from hers. “When you give your statement, don’t forget all the misery Dalton’s caused you and Danny. Consider what’s best for you and not what’s right.”

Comprehension dawned slowly before Jess realized Chase had been telling her to cover her tracks. To do what she had to do to skirt any legal issues. Basically, to lie.

Without offering a response, Jess left the kitchen to seek out her child. She discovered the guestroom door partially ajar and pushed it open to find Danny seated on the edge of the bed, tying his sneakers. He glanced up at her with that same vacant look in his eyes, sending a pang of regret coursing through her soul.

She took a seat beside him, draped her arm around his thin shoulders and locked into his gaze. “Danny, when we get to the station, Sheriff Reed’s going to ask you some questions.”

A flicker of fear called out from his brown eyes, yet he didn’t respond, leading Jess to continue. “It was an accident. That’s all you have to say. Or you don’t have to say anything at all. In fact, it might be better if you didn’t say anything.”

When fear turned into confusion in Danny’s expression, Jess felt as if she was falling into a black hole of deceit and dragging her son down with her. Still, she saw no way around asking him to lie, if only by omission.

She tipped her head against his and whispered, “I promise you I’m going to take care of this. Nothing bad’s going to happen if you’ll trust me, sweetie.”

He looked as if he didn’t quite believe her, but he did nod his head in acknowledgment.

Jess kissed his forehead and came to her feet. “Try not to worry, Danny. It will all be over soon.”

If only she sincerely believed that. If only she could convince her child of that when she wasn’t convinced herself.

For the time being, Jess decided to follow Chase’s advice and only disclose what she needed to get by, skirting the truth and in turn, shattering everything she’d been taught during her childhood. Everything she’d taught her only child about honesty.

Even if she continued her cover-up, she ran the risk that eventually her secrets would be revealed. Two very important secrets. The first she’d kept for over ten years, the second less than twenty-four-hours. Both were closely intertwined. That ten-year-old secret could drive an irreparable wedge between her and Chase as well as complicate her current problems.

But the second could cost her everything…including her son.

CHAPTER THREE

“YOU LOOK LIKE HELL, Deputy Reed.”

Chase leaned over the counter and sent Sue Ellen Parker—the sixty-something Crowley County dispatcher—his best grin. “You look mighty pretty today.”

A serious blush spread across the woman’s plump cheeks. “I thought you outgrew that silver-tongued devil tactic years ago. Just goes to show, once a bad boy, always a bad boy. And I’m thinkin’ your bad boy ways may be the cause of your fatigue.”

He wouldn’t argue that point. Having Jess in his bed had prevented him from getting much rest. Sometime during the night, she’d curled up against him and it had taken all his strength not to take up where they’d left off all those years ago. Repeating past mistakes never turned out well. And if he knew what was good for him, he’d scour the county and find her a place to live before he screwed up again.

He couldn’t think of a better resource for rental property than Sue Ellen, who knew everything about everyone, just like the town gossip, Pearl Allworth. But one huge difference set the two women apart—Sue was discrete while Pearl shot rumors around town like a human AK-47.

Chase sent a glance toward the small conference room across the hall where Buck was probably bullying Jess, hoping she might break. Danny was sitting in the corridor, his legs in constant motion. He felt sorry for the kid on many levels, the first being born to a bastard like Dalton Wainwright. Now to be dragged into a mess that could land his mother in jail, that sure as hell wasn’t fair. But then life wasn’t always fair. He’d learned that through experience.

Chase walked around the counter and took a seat next to the dispatcher, determined to do what he could to help Jess and her boy. Keeping his back to Danny, he asked Sue, “Do you know anyone who has a house for rent besides Wainwright?”

She took a pen from behind her ear and tapped it on the desk. “Is the remodeling going down the toilet?”

He lowered his voice and said, “It’s not for me. It’s for Jess and Danny.”

Sue raised a penciled-in brow. “What’s wrong with that big old house she’s been living in?”

Either Sue was playing ignorant, or she really didn’t know about Dalton. “Hard to believe you haven’t heard about what happened there last night.”

She exchanged the pen for a paper clip that she began to straighten. “I’ve heard, but as soon as she’s cleared, she should be able to move back in, right?”

If she was cleared. Chase hoped that would be the case for both her and Danny’s sake. “She doesn’t want to live there, and I can’t say that I blame her.”

Sue leaned forward and in a hushed voice asked, “Do you think she did something to him?”

Chase refused to take the bait. “Now, Sue, you know I can’t talk about an ongoing investigation.” He wouldn’t even if he could, especially not with Jess involved.

She patted her tightly-curled salt-and-pepper hair. “Sorry, but I can’t help but wonder if he drove her to it. Not that anyone in this town who knows that sorry sapsucker would ever judge Jess if she did take matters into her own hands. Why, just the other day when I was driving downtown, I saw Dalton coming out of the general store and it was all I could do not to hit the accelerator and jump the curb in my Jeep.”

Chase tried not to smile but couldn’t stop himself. “I wouldn’t repeat that around here. Buck might start questioning you.”

Sue rolled her eyes. “Your daddy doesn’t scare me, Chase. If he gives me grief, I’ll pour a little salt in his coffee and he knows it.”

Back to the matter at hand. “So do you know any places for rent?”

Sue tapped one temple like she was trying to dislodge a thought. “I know of a few on wheels that I wouldn’t recommend to my worst enemy. But the Wooley’s old farmhouse on the outskirts of town is vacant. I’m not sure Gabe has done much to it since his mama went into the nursing home about a year ago, so it might not be livable.”

Chase knew the place well, and if it wasn’t too rundown, it would be perfect. The house sat well off the road, giving Jess privacy and Danny a lot of room to roam. “I’ll call Gabe and see if he’s interested in renting it out. Thanks.”

She gave him a toothy grin. “You’re welcome, Deputy. Anything else?”

Chase shot another look at Danny over one shoulder. “Yeah. Could you take the boy into the break room and get him a snack? He doesn’t need to see his mother upset.”

“Sure,” she said. “Are you going to answer the phone?”

Chase leaned around her to see Barkley seated at his desk not far away. “Only if Bobby Boy gets swamped with calls, and around here, that’s not likely.”

Sue rolled back her chair and stood. “You never know, Chase. We’ve had a lot of shoplifting calls lately.”

That didn’t surprise him in the least. When times were tough, people got by any way they could, even if it meant stealing what they needed.

Chase watched as Sue held out her hand to Danny and after a brief pause, he took it and allowed the woman to lead him away. A few seconds later, the conference room door opened and Jess stepped out, looking like she’d been run through the mill twice. She’d always been fair-skinned, but Chase had never seen her quite so pale.

After his dad emerged wearing his patent sheriff’s scowl, Chase joined them in the hallway, ready to offer support and an explanation when Jess looked around, obviously concerned over her son’s absence. “Where’s Danny?” she asked, a touch of alarm in her tone.

Chase pointed down the corridor. “Sue took him to the break room. Third room to the right.” After Jess hurried away, Chase faced his dad. “Is she free to go now?”

“Not until I talk to the boy,” Buck said. “I need to hear his version of the story because I’m not buying the bill of goods I just got from his mother.”

Chase resented his dad for continuing to treat Jess like some hardened criminal. “The kid’s still in shock. Maybe you ought to wait another day or two before you harass him like you did Jess.”

“I’m just following procedure, son, like I would with anyone else who’s involved in a questionable incident.”

And that’s what irked Chase—his dad viewing Jess like someone he’d never met before, not the kid who used to call him Daddy Buck. “Did she give you any reason to think that this was anything other than an accident?”

Buck rubbed his stubbled chin. “I don’t know any more about what went on than I did before the interview. I do know she’s holding something back.”

Chase clung to his control before he blew a verbal gasket. “You’ve been in this business so long everyone starts to look guilty to you. Jess is only guilty of marrying the wrong man.”

“And marrying into the wrong family. But she did marry into that family and that makes me wonder if she didn’t learn a thing or two along the way.”

“Like what?”

“Like how to lie to cover your ass.”

Fact was, Chase worried Jess might be lying. Or at least not telling the whole truth. But he had no intention of letting on that he had his suspicions, especially around his dad. “Look, giving the boy a couple of days to calm down isn’t going to hurt a damn thing. Besides, Rachel called this morning and said Dalton’s awake and talking.”

“I know,” Buck said. “And as soon as I get the go-ahead from the doctors, I’m going to have a talk with the victim about his recollections of last night.”

Chase couldn’t think of Dalton as a victim no matter what had transpired. “He doesn’t remember what happened, and even if he did, like you said, the Wainwrights know how to cover their asses. He might just point a finger at Jess for spite.”

“And that’s all the more reason to question the boy,” Buck added. “But I’ll make a deal with you. If Dalton regains his memory and he backs up Jess’s accident story, then I won’t involve the kid. But if he tells a whole different tale, then I have no choice but to question Danny. He could be the key to the truth.”

Chase stuck out his hand for a shake. “Deal. In the meantime, I’m going to get Jess settled in. She’s going to need some of her things from the house.”

“Fine, as long as you escort her.” Buck inclined his head and studied him a moment. “You gonna keep her at the cabin?”

His dad’s tone sounded like he planned to hold Jess hostage. “No. I’m going to find her another place to rent.”

“Good. I wouldn’t want folks around here thinking you’re in cahoots with a suspect. That wouldn’t be proper behavior for a peace officer.”

Chase gritted his teeth and spoke through them. “Best I recall, we don’t name a suspect unless we know a crime’s taken place.”

Buck hitched up his pants. “True. You still don’t need to be too friendly with her, just in case.”

“She is a friend, Buck, and has been for as long as I can remember.” Even though that friendship had suffered in the past few years, thanks to his stupidity.

Buck gave him a condescending pat on the back. “Look, son, people change. Jess just might not be that girl you used to know.”

Chase wouldn’t even make an attempt at denial because he acknowledged his dad was partially right—Jess wasn’t the same. Neither was he.

Without further comment, he spun around and headed toward his office to take care of some pressing arrangements. He made a quick call to Gabe Wooley, who was more than happy to have someone renting the old home place until the family decided whether they wanted to sell it.

Satisfied he’d done something constructive today, Chase made his way to the break room to find Jess and Danny sitting at the small round table in the corner, looking like they could both use a friend.

And that’s what he intended to be to them both—a friend. To hell with propriety.

“Let’s go,” he said when Jess looked up.

“Is it Danny’s turn?” she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Not today.”

Her shoulders sagged from obvious relief. “We can go?”

“Yeah.” Chase didn’t have the heart tell her it might only be a temporary reprieve.

Jess stood and pulled out Danny’s chair. “Let’s go, sweetie. We need to look for a place to stay.”

“I’ve got that covered.”

Jess and Danny exchanged a look before Jess asked, “Where?”

“You’ll see.”

JESS COULD ONLY SEE overgrown trees and knee-high, winter-dry grass as Chase maneuvered the department’s SUV up the narrow road. But she’d recognized the area immediately as soon as they turned off the highway. Many times she’d accompanied her mother to the place to deliver supplies to widowed Nita Wooley, whose health had declined in recent years. The same place where Nita and Gabe Sr. had raised five children on a limited income but a lot of love.

Once Chase stopped near the front door, Jess glanced back to see Danny staring out the window with curiosity. She could only imagine the thoughts running through his mind—his mother was taking him from a custom-built, modern multilevel semi-mansion to a small, weather-worn, single-story farm house.

As far as Jess was concerned, if the place was relatively clean, furnished and warm, they would make do. At least there was plenty of privacy and enough room for Danny to play. She even spotted a tire swing tied to an ancient oak in the front yard that would provide a much-needed diversion for her child. Yes, this would definitely do, at least for the time being.

Chase slid out of the driver’s side and Jess followed suit, opening the door for Danny, who refused to take her offered hand. Maybe after they’d settled in, he’d be more himself again. Maybe he’d even talk to her again.

Chase lifted the dusty welcome mat and retrieved a key that anyone with any sense could have found and helped themselves to whatever remained in the house. But in Placid, crime was low and life was simple. Most people had very few possessions that anyone would deem valuable.

The minute Jess stepped onto the scuffed hardwood floors, she was overwhelmed by the musty smell and the amount of stuff scattered about the small living room. Numerous trinkets, along with portraits of children and their children, sat out on various tables and stationary shelves lining the walls. A family’s legacy proudly on display.

Chase turned and handed her the key while Danny remained at the door. “Gabe said you’ll find everything you need and then some.”

She tucked the key into the pocket of her jeans while she continued to survey the living room and its personal treasures. “No kidding. I feel like I’m in a museum.”

“He also said Millie comes over now and then to clean the place but she hasn’t been here in a while.”

Jess remembered Gabe’s wife, Millie, very fondly. She’d worked in the high school cafeteria to supplement Gabe’s farming income and she’d always sported a smile while serving questionable fare. Unfortunately, Gabe was about as crabby as they came. “As long as we have a roof over our heads, I can deal with tidying up. How much does he want for rent?”

Chase’s gaze faltered. “Nine hundred a month plus utilities. No deposit or lease required.”

Highway robbery as far as Jess was concerned, especially if her job was in jeopardy. She wouldn’t know for certain until after the first of the year, unless she happened to be indicted. Even if she was cleared of all wrong-doing, some would want her contract terminated immediately, namely Edwin. Then she would have no choice but to leave her hometown. “Does Gabe know I’m the prospective tenant?”

Chase brought his attention back to her. “Not yet. I told him I was asking for a friend and I’d call if we’re interested after we checked the place out. But he’s going to want to know who’s renting the house if you decide to take it.”

What choice did she have? “The price is a little steep but beggars can’t be choosers. And as far as Gabe knowing I’m renting the house, I imagine everyone’s going to hear about what happened last night sooner or later.” More than likely sooner.

“Okay. I’ll let him know and drop off the rent during my shift.”

That posed another problem. “My checkbook’s at the house.”

“I’ll take care of it.”

Jess already owed him too much. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I get the rest of my things. What about the utilities?”

Chase dropped down on the shabby blue sofa. “The electricity’s still on but the heat runs on propane and the tank’s empty. I’ll call Freddie and see if he can deliver some tomorrow.”

“It’s not supposed to be too cold tonight. We’ll manage.” Jess pointed at the pot-belly stove in the corner. “Or we could use that I guess.”

“I’ll see if I can find some wood before I go.”

Jess didn’t want him to go, but she also didn’t dare ask him to stay. “As long as we have blankets, we’ll be okay until tomorrow. What time are you on today?”

He came to his feet. “I work eleven to eleven.”

“A twelve-hour shift?”

“That’s what happens when you’re short on manpower.”

That meant he had little time left before he had to leave, and she probably wouldn’t see him again today. “I really need some extra clothes and my car from the house.”

“I’ll have to accompany you and I don’t have much time. If you have enough to get by until tomorrow, we can stop by first thing in the morning.”

“I guess we can make do,” she said, though she hated not having control over claiming her own belongings. “But we will need food.”

“I’ll send Sue over with some lunch as soon as I’m back at the department. She can bring you some groceries after work.”

Jess didn’t particularly care for that idea. “Again, I don’t have any cash and I really wouldn’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

“Sue won’t mind as long as I promise to cover the cost, which I will.”

“I have my own money, Chase.”

“I’m sure you do, and you can pay me back by making me dinner sometime. I could go for some mac and cheese or tuna fish sandwiches.”

He still thought she was the girl who couldn’t cook to save her life. Little did he know, she’d learned a lot in his absence. “Fine. But I still don’t want Sue to have to come all the way out here.”

Chase inclined his head and studied her a few moments. “If you’re worried she’ll tell someone your whereabouts, don’t. You can trust her.”

Jess’s concerns had more to do with shame than privacy. But her growing boy needed to eat and until she had her own transportation, she’d have to rely on the kindness of others. “Okay. As long as you promise I’ll have my car back by tomorrow.”

“I promise,” he said.

Jess noticed her son had taken a seat in the yellow-striped chair near the door, still stoic and silent. “Do you want to pick out your room, Danny?” she asked, hoping to somehow engage him.

He shook his head no and studied the toe of his sneaker.

“Well, I’m going to take a look around and you can decide later,” she said. “Don’t go anywhere unless you tell me.” Like that would happen since he still refused to speak.

Jess crossed the room into an adjacent hallway and came to the first door to her right—a small bathroom with a claw-foot tub on the opposite wall. When she heard heavy footfalls, she glanced back to see Chase filling the doorway. “This is great,” she said as she examined the tub that appeared to be clean and in decent shape except for a few nicks here and there. “Unfortunately, no shower. Is there another bathroom?”

“Nope. But I can rig you a hand-held when I come back tomorrow.”

Funny, she’d gone from four fully-equipped baths to one. “I’d appreciate that.” She’d also appreciate it if he stepped back to give her some space.

When he failed to move, Jess brushed past him and continued her investigation of the premises. The first bedroom housed two sets of bunk beds, the second two double beds, all reminders that a large family had once lived there. At the end of the corridor, she came upon the largest room that held a dresser and another double bed with an iron headboard that looked to be as old as the house itself.

Again she turned to find Chase with a shoulder propped against the frame. “I assume this is the master bedroom.”

He sent her a half-smile. “Yep. The place where the Wooleys made all the little Wooleys.”

He could have gone all day without mentioning that. “Let’s hope the mattress has since been replaced. And speaking of that, I noticed all the beds have been stripped.”

“Gabe said there’s clean linens in the hall closet.”

At least she wouldn’t have to bring those from the house. “Good. What about the washer and dryer?”

“Washer but no dryer. Nita hung her clothes on the line.”

Jess felt as if she’d unwittingly stepped back in time. “I suppose that’s why they invented coin-operated laundries.” And the nearest one happened to be five miles away.

“The washer’s in a small room off the kitchen,” Chase said as he stepped into the bedroom, making the adequate space seemed too cramped for Jess’s comfort.

She clapped her hands together enthusiastically. “Let’s go see the kitchen, shall we?” When Chase laughed, taking her by surprise, Jess asked, “What’s so amusing?”

“For a minute there I saw the head cheerleader coming out in you.”

She hadn’t had anything to cheer about in years. “That girl went away a long time ago. If you don’t believe me, take a gander at my backside.”

Chase raked his gaze down her body and back up again. “You don’t look all that different, Jess.”

“Try telling that to Dalton.” She regretted the acid comment the moment it left her mouth.

Chase scowled as he always did whenever she mentioned his archenemy’s name. “You shouldn’t care what that bastard thinks.”

Old verbal wounds were hard to heal. “I don’t care about anything but seeing the kitchen.”

He stepped aside and made a sweeping gesture toward the hall. “After you.”

Jess once more passed through the living room where Danny was rooted in the same spot, still wearing his gray down jacket as if he had no intention of staying. As soon as she had some alone time with him, she’d explain this was only a temporary home. Yet she wasn’t certain he truly cared one way or the other. And if his demeanor didn’t change in the next day or two, she’d be forced to seek professional help for him. She prayed she could wait at least until the current legal storm blew over. If not, she’d have to trust that a counselor would be bound by patient confidentiality should Danny decide to reveal the events leading up to Dalton’s injuries. Right now she had to concentrate on getting her bearings so they could begin to move in.

With that in mind, she found her way into the kitchen with a small dining area housing a wooden table, benches on both sides and a chair on each end. She began opening cabinets and drawers to discover myriad pots, pans, dishes, glasses and utensils. When she heard Chase approaching, she turned and leaned back against the well-worn butcher-block counter. “There’s enough equipment here to feed an army.”

“That pretty much describes the Wooley family,” he said as he entered the room, dropped into one chair at the table and stretched his long legs out before him.

Jess was suddenly struck by his undeniable presence and authority, from the top of his cowboy hat to the tip of his boots. He portrayed old-West lawman to a T. Oddly, everything about him kept her off balance, as if she didn’t really know him at all. In many ways, that was accurate.

She moved to the massive farm sink that provided a nice view of the pasture from the window above it. “This is really a pretty place.”

Before Jess even realized he’d left the table, Chase reached around her and turned on the faucet, his body flush against her back. “The well’s supposed to be working, but Gabe says to check the water since we’ve had a fairly long dry spell. I can sure relate to that.”

Jess glanced back to see his half-smile and a hint of the consummate charmer he’d always been. “I have a hard time believing that.” Even if for some strange reason, she hoped it were true.

“You know how it is around here, Jess,” he said. “Not a whole lot of people our age in Placid.”

She returned his smile. “Poor Deputy Reed. No one to irrigate his crops.”

He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. “Don’t worry your pretty head over me. I get by.”

Getting by seemed to be the recent story of her life. Getting away from Chase seemed to be the better part of valor. The innuendo had begun to take its toll on her composure, especially when he remained so close she could trace a line around his lips with a fingertip with little effort. The fact that his proximity, his words, could affect her at a time like this was beyond explanation.

Right when she started to move away, Chase stopped her progress when he said, “Will you take a look at that?”

Jess turned her focus back to the window to see Danny seated on the ground, holding his hand out to a young tabby cat that stood a few feet away, back arched and tail sticking straight up. Not only had she’d not heard him leave the house, she’d inadvertently allowed him to come face-to-face with a wild animal. “Oh, heavens. That thing is probably feral and hasn’t had any shots. I need—”

“To leave him be,” Chase said as the kitten skittered away.

She sent him a look of sheer surprise. “Are you crazy? He could’ve been scratched or bitten and ended up with rabies.”

“But he wasn’t and he’s fine. Seems to me he just needs a little time to himself.”

Jess silently admitted Chase was probably right, but her motherly instincts at times commandeered her common sense.

“You know what else he needs, Jess?” Chase said.

“A friend?”

“A dog.”

Another memory, sharp as shattered glass, dug into her mind. “Danny had a puppy once when he was five. A Golden Retriever named Birdie. She chewed up a pair of Dalton’s Italian loafers, so Dalton gave her away to some hunter two counties over. Then he told Danny that she’d run away because he wasn’t a good boy.”

“That sorry son of a bitch,” Chase muttered, pure venom in his voice.

Jess had called him that very thing in her mind, but she’d never said it to his face…until last night.

Shoving aside the reminders, Jess planned to go to Danny just to make sure he’d been left unscathed, at least when it came to the cat. Yet when he took a stick and began drawing in the dirt, his mouth moving as if he were speaking to an imaginary friend, fascination kept her planted where she stood. At least that confirmed he could still talk, even if not to her. He could also still smile, she realized, when he grinned as he looked to his right to see the kitten had returned. A smile that always warmed her heart whenever his precious dimples came into view, the one on the left more prominent that the one on the right.

Overcome with the need to distract Chase, she side-stepped him. “I’m going to bring Danny in before he ends up on the wrong side of the cat.”

Chase checked his watch. “And I’m going to head out.”

Jess realized that after he left, she had no means to communicate with the outside world. “I left my cell phone on the charger at the house.”

“I’d give you mine but I need it for work. I’ll see if Sue can come up with a spare until we get yours in the morning.”

If Sue didn’t come through, that meant she’d spend the day wondering if Dalton’s condition had deteriorated. “Thanks again. For everything.”

“No sweat. That’s what friends are for.”

At least he still considered her a friend, or he could be playing nice out of pity. Only time would tell.

They walked side by side to the door and when they stepped onto the porch, Jess resisted the urge to throw her arms around him and ask him to stay a few more minutes. “Have an exciting day.”

He barked out a cynical laugh. “Sure. About the only excitement I’ll see is if I have to break up a bar fight.”

She shuddered at the thought of Chase throwing himself into the middle of danger, though that wasn’t unfamiliar territory. She’d had to live with that reality the whole time he’d been at war. “Tell Sue not to hurry on our account.”

“Sue doesn’t have any other speed.”

He sent her a smile, displaying his dimples to full advantage, touched the brim of his hat and said, “See you tomorrow, ma’am,” before climbing into the SUV and driving away.

As Jess rounded the house to join Danny, a cool breeze blew across her face and brought with it a sudden chill that had nothing to do with the mild winter weather. She longed to be around Chase, yet she realized the possible peril in that. The more time he spent with her child, the greater the risk that he might begin to suspect what she’d suspected—and denied—for years.

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