by Debra Cowan
Mace set down his coffee cup and rose. “What’s really going on here, bro?”
With sharp movements, Linc broke several more eggs and emptied them into the bowl. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about this... anger. I’ve never seen you like this. Over anybody. Is it because of Jenna?”
“I’d like to shoot Ramsey full of gasoline and watch him die a slow, painful death.”
“Listen to me, Linc.” Mace moved over to stand beside him at the stove, urgency in his tone. “You’ve got to get ahold of yourself. You can’t play avenger here. We’ll handle things.”
Linc whipped furiously at the eggs, imagining in his mind that he was striking out at Ramsey.
“Hey, are you listening to me?” Mace knuckle-rapped him lightly on the arm, gaining his attention. “Ramsey is dangerous. He’s a fighter. He comes looking for it.”
“You saw what he did to her!” Linc dumped the eggs into the heated skillet, automatically picking up a fork to scramble them.
Mace frowned, concern darkening his eyes to cobalt. “Yes, I did. And I got a look at his prison record today. When he was in the pen he stabbed a guard, Linc. Nobody would even identify the shiv as his. All the prisoners were that afraid of him. Don’t be thinking you’re going to go after this guy. That’s my job.”
Linc set his jaw. That was exactly what he’d like to do.
Mace grabbed his arm. “Don’t take this on. It’s not your fight. You can’t make a difference. You’re already doing what you can by taking her in.”
“It’s damn little after what I—” He broke off and turned away from his brother. No way would he admit to Mace how he had scared the hell out of Jenna all those years ago in the barn. For which he still hadn’t apologized.
“After what?” Mace asked quietly.
He shook his head. “She helped me. I want to help her. That’s all.”
“You are helping her. Do what you do best and look out for Jenna here. I don’t want to have to worry about you going off somewhere on your own. That won’t help anything.”
Linc glared at him, trying to rein in the rage still spiraling through him. “I can take care of myself. I have a gun, too, you know.”
“I’m warning you. This won’t be good for Jenna. She needs to be in a place where she can feel safe, where she doesn’t have to worry that you might go off half-cocked—”
“I’m not!” Linc scraped the eggs onto a plate and flipped off the burner. “But when I look at those marks on her—she could be dead! He just kept hitting her and hitting her—”
“Hey, man.” Mace moved closer, touching Linc’s shoulder. Realization settled in his eyes. “You actually care.”
“Of course I do!” Linc snapped. “She’s my patient. She’s my vet. I know her.”
“It’s more than that. I haven’t seen you care about anybody like this in years.”
“Spare me.”
“Hey.” Mace held up both hands in a gesture of surrender. “Just making an observation.”
“Well, you can shove those.”
“Ah, that’s more like the doctor I know,” Mace drawled, picking up his coffee again. “Is there something going on between the two of you?”
“I just told you she’s my patient!”
“I know what she is, bro. But you seem pretty upset over someone who’s only a patient.”
Mace’s observation drew Linc up short. His brother was right. He needed to get ahold of himself. He didn’t understand why this rage had taken hold of him. Today wasn’t the first time he’d seen those marks on Jenna. And even though she’d tried to hide her fear from him, he’d understood by her skittishness and curt words that she was terrified.
And why shouldn’t she be? Ramsey was still out there. No, Linc couldn’t curb this fierce protectiveness that rose up inside him.
“I mean it, Linc. Don’t get any ideas about taking on Ramsey when he finally shows up. He’s a killer.”
Linc passed a hand over his eyes, the fury still breaking inside him like high tide. “I saw what that bastard did to her, how he tore her up. Dammit, he’s out there waiting for her, waiting to finish what he started. And I won’t let him!”
Linc realized he was yelling. He also realized Mace had gone very still and his gaze had slid over Linc’s shoulder to the doorway. Linc felt it then, a hum of sensation up his back.
He turned, his gaze crashing into Jenna’s. Her eyes glowed like heated stones in the chalk-paleness of her face. Those eyes, though wide with disbelief, were still fringed with fear.
Linc’s rage eased and regret knotted his gut. After he’d tried so hard to shield her from his anger, she’d heard everything.
Chapter 4
Shock and disbelief slammed into Jenna, weakening her knees. Regret chased across Linc’s smooth features. His gray eyes, dusky with self-reproach, locked with hers. The spicy aroma of frying bacon, the sizzle of the meat receded into the background.
Linc Garrett was defending her. She could hardly wrap her mind around it. She knew now why he had been so distant, so remote while helping her dress. Knew now that the marks she bore from Ramsey’s beating had been the cause for his inscrutable expression, the flat voice. Linc was furious. For her.
Aware that he and his brother watched her carefully, she could only stare at him. Warmth flooded her, prickling her skin, her breasts, and Jenna ruthlessly dismissed it. It was natural to feel grateful for what he’d done, grateful to him for wanting to protect her.
She felt vulnerable after the attack, and especially here in unfamiliar surroundings. But that didn’t mean she should be lured by the sense of belonging that suddenly enveloped her, the sense that she was a part of someone other than herself.
Still she couldn’t help feeling that she had misjudged him greatly. Unable to pull her gaze from his, she said, “Your brother’s right. I appreciate the sentiment, but you shouldn’t get involved with Ramsey.” She shrugged, forcing a small smile. “Any more than you already have, of course.”
Linc’s eyes, so cool only moments ago, were now stormy with protest and compassion and simmering rage. He stared at her for a long moment. Then he turned back toward the stove, forking out the bacon that sizzled in the pan.
She felt as if she’d somehow thrown away a gift he’d given her. She hated seeing the deep worry in his eyes, but surely that was nothing more than the caring a doctor felt for a patient. Yes, that’s all it was.
Uneasiness nagged as she tried to explain away the savage protectiveness in his voice. Glancing at Mace, she moved into the kitchen and stopped close to the center island, only a few feet away from both men.
“Good morning, Jenna,” Mace said. “How are you today?”
“Sore, but I’m coming along. I think my doctor would agree.” Though painful, she smiled in Linc’s direction, but he frowned and looked down at the pan of crackling bacon.
Tension lashed his broad shoulders and his movements were stiff. He wore tight faded jeans and a worn white T-shirt with fading navy letters that spelled Yankees. The sleeves of the T-shirt were ripped out, exposing hard, tanned biceps.
He was more than her doctor; he was a man. And Jenna was suddenly swept by the urge to touch his arms, see if those muscles were as firm as they looked.
She tore her gaze away, fighting the need to rub at the goose bumps prickling her arms.
Linc carried platters of eggs and bacon to the table, then returned to gather plates and utensils. “Breakfast is ready.”
His voice was smooth, calm. There was no hint in his voice of the earlier fury she’d overheard. Jenna moved to the table and eased her stiff body down in a chair next to the window. Sunshine spilled into the kitchen, painting the table and chairs a soft gold.
Mace took the chair to her right, leaving Linc to sit across from her. Still rattled by his defense of her, Jenna was glad to have the distance between them. Even though Mace’s leg occasionally brushed hers, Jenna felt no jump in her pulse the way
she had when Linc had touched her.
Mindful of her busted lip, she attempted to smile at Mace. “Please thank your wife again for the meal last night. It was delicious.”
He nodded. “I will. She enjoyed meeting you.”
“I liked her, too.”
Mace refilled his coffee cup then handed the newspaper to Jenna. “There’s a big write-up about your friend today.”
“Wilbur?” She took the paper with shaking hands.
Linc darted a quick glance at Mace, then looked at Jenna. She could feel his gaze on her like a warm touch and for once, she didn’t have the urge to bolt.
Unfolding the paper, she quickly found the front page article on Wilbur and began to read. “‘Beloved Veterinarian Killed.”’ Tears burned her eyes and she blinked them back. Tears wouldn’t help Wilbur now.
“Is it good for her to read that?” Linc asked abruptly, pouring milk into a glass for Jenna.
She glanced up, ready to protest that she could read whatever she wanted.
Mace shrugged. “Unfortunately, she already knows more detail than is given in the paper.”
Her attention returned to the article, skimming over the details of his philanthropy and the citywide spay-neuter program he’d established. He was dead, because of her. “His funeral is in three days.” Her gaze dipped again to the paper. “Wednesday, at two o’clock.”
“Yes.”
Swamped by sadness and regret, she looked up, studying Mace. Did she imagine the tightness in his voice? “I’d like to go.”
“No.”
Linc slid into his seat, his gaze flicking from Mace to her.
“Yes! He was my friend.” Her body tightened, spurring an ache through her bruised body. “He’s dead because he tried to help me.”
Mace set his coffee cup on the table. “Ramsey will be looking for you there.”
Jenna hesitated, wanting desperately to say goodbye to Wilbur. To apologize. She couldn’t bring herself to step foot outside Linc’s house, but she had to be at Wilbur’s service. “Wouldn’t that be a good way to get him out in the open?”
Mace shook his head. “Ramsey’ll be ready for us. No doubt he’s still searching the hospitals for you. When he comes up empty, he’ll show up at the cemetery.”
“But I want to see Wilbur. It’s my fault—” Her voice cracked and she looked out the window, taking a deep breath as she studied the massive oaks and pines behind the house, tuning in to the faint song of a whippoorwill.
Mace spoke quietly, “It’s best this way. If you like, I can take you after the ceremony. You can have some private time with him, but you’ll be under police protection.”
Frustration stirred inside Jenna that Ramsey had taken yet another thing from her. “But—”
“Forgive my plain speaking, Jenna, but if you go to that funeral, you’ll be dead, too.”
“I assume you’ll be there!” she snapped, her grip tightening on the paper.
“Yes, but it would be best if you paid your respects afterward. That way, the funeral crowd will have gone and it’ll be easier for us to keep an eye on you. I’m only thinking of your protection.”
“So you’re not saying she can’t go at all?” Linc shot Jenna a reassuring look.
“No,” Mace said. “Just that we need to take some precautions. We’ve got to be smart.”
She chafed at the imposed restriction, torn between wanting to be there for the service and knowing that Mace was probably right. She wanted to catch Ramsey, but she didn’t want to die while doing it. Resignation shaded her voice. “Yes. All right.”
“Good.” Mace glanced at Linc. “You come, too. Just in case O’Kelly can’t.”
Linc’s gaze searched Jenna’s and she nodded.
“Okay,” Linc said to Mace.
Though still reeling from the savagery she’d overheard in Linc’s voice, she found the fact that he would accompany her strangely comforting.
Mace took another sip of coffee, then grinned at her. “I saw your parents earlier.”
“How are they? Have they talked to Steve?” She refolded the paper and placed it in the empty seat to her left. “Is Puppy all right?”
“They’re fine, concerned about you. They didn’t mention Steve.” Mace grinned and grabbed two pieces of bacon, then surged out of his chair and strode out the door. “But they sent the dog for you.”
“Oh!” Jenna rose, having hardly touched her eggs. Relief mingled with the first comfort she’d felt since the attack. “Puppy? Puppy’s here?”
“I’ll go get him.” Mace chuckled as he disappeared from sight on his way to the front door.
“Mace brought your dog?” Linc rose as well, motioning for Jenna to proceed him out of the kitchen and into the living room.
She started after Mace, then wheeled, nearly crashing into Linc. He reached out to steady her, but dropped his hands abruptly before they made contact. Gray eyes, wary and uncertain, bored into hers. His heat stroked her from breast to thigh; something hot and tight grabbed at her insides. Something she hadn’t felt in years. Want.
Startled at the realization, she retreated a step. She swallowed, then summoned a smile. “You don’t mind, do you? About the dog. I should’ve asked you first, but I had no idea Mom and Dad would send—”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted, keeping his gaze fastened on hers. “I’ve got plenty of room for another animal. Chester and Buckley will like playing with a puppy.”
“Oh, he’s not—”
“Jenna!” Mace called. “Here he is.”
“Oh!” She spun away and hurried into the living room.
“Hey, boy! Come here, boy.”
Puppy raced into the house, shooting past Jenna in a black blur, skidding into a turn at the French doors in the living room and loping back to her. The Great Dane’s head reached her waist and she held out her left arm, cradling him close to her. She crooned a hello to him, joy welling up inside her.
“That’s your puppy?” Linc’s disbelief echoed through the front room.
Jenna raised her head, smiling broadly. “That’s what I was trying to tell you.”
Linc walked over to her, his steps measured, letting the dog judge him. The Great Dane’s head lifted and jet-black eyes never wavered from Linc. Jenna watched as Linc’s gaze took in the sheen of his ebony coat and the white blaze on his massive chest.
“When I first got him, I had an older dog so I just called him ‘Puppy.’ It kinda stuck.”
“I guess so.” Linc eyed the animal dubiously.
Sudden concern shot through Jenna. He would let Puppy stay, wouldn’t he? Linc moved another step closer and the dog growled low in his throat.
“You big goof, it’s all right.” Jenna kneed the animal playfully in the chest. His tail started wagging and his tongue lolled, making him look as if he wore a dopey smile.
Linc grinned, his gaze going to Jenna’s. “He’s the size of a Shetland pony. Where do you keep him?”
“In the house, but while he’s here, he can stay wherever you want.”
“If he’s trained, he can stay in here just like my dogs.”
“Thank you!” Affection warmed her and she hugged the dog to her again. Puppy’s tail thumped loudly on the tile floor and he quivered impatiently, nudging her with his head to get closer.
“Watch out for your arm.” Concern deepened Linc’s voice and Jenna again felt that strange tightness gripping her down low.
She kept her attention on the dog, whom she could read more easily than Linc Garrett. “Sit, boy. Stay. Good dog.”
The animal dropped immediately to his haunches, looking expectantly at Jenna. She scratched his ears with her good hand.
“That’s amazing,” Linc praised.
“Yeah,” Mace spoke from the doorway. “Maybe you can try a little of that training on my brother while you’re here.”
“Ha,” Linc said dryly, his gaze locked on Jenna.
She felt that same sensation she’d gotten in the bedroom
, as if her skin tingled with an icy heat. It wasn’t unpleasant at all and totally confused her. Seeking to escape the intensity of Linc’s gaze, she leaned down to Puppy.
The dog nuzzled her neck and her cheek. She laughed, speaking to him softly as Linc moved behind her.
She could hear his lowered voice as he spoke to Mace.
“That is some big dog.”
“Yeah. I didn’t figure you’d mind and it can’t hurt to have another watchdog around.”
“I agree.” Linc’s voice dropped, though it was still audible to Jenna. “And maybe having him here will make her feel more at ease.”
“Yeah.”
Jenna straightened and turned toward Mace, her eyes glowing. “Thank you so much for bringing him.”
“You’re welcome.”
Her gaze moved to Linc and she was startled by the intensity in his eyes. Overwhelmed with a sudden awkwardness, she looked away. “And thanks for letting him stay.”
“No problem.” His voice stroked over her and she felt herself wanting to know what he was thinking. Annoyed at the thought, she shoved it away.
Mace shifted in the doorway, bringing something out from behind his back. “Jenna, Captain Price—that’s my boss—got a fax of this photo of Ramsey last night. I want you to take a look at it, make sure we’re looking for the right guy.”
A photo of Ramsey? Fear raked down her spine. She didn’t want to look at it. She’d given them a name. Why wasn’t that enough?
Mace pushed the paper at her and Jenna fought to breathe. It’s only a picture. He can’t hurt you.
“Jenna?” Concern clouded Mace’s blue eyes as he shot a look at Linc.
Linc’s gaze moved to her, concerned, speculative.
Shaking, she reached out woodenly, her nerves pulsing with revulsion and apprehension. Maybe it was silly to be so panicked, but Jenna could barely escape thoughts of the man as it was. She certainly didn’t want another reminder.
But the police needed her help. Ignoring the nausea pushing up to her throat, Jenna’s fingers closed over the picture and she drew it to her.