Beneath A Texas Sky (Harlequin Super Romance)

by Winters, Rebecca

  Dana shuddered just thinking of Glen. “The trailer served a purpose, but it was too isolated. If you’ve got a pen handy I’ll give you the address.”

  “Just a minute.”

  While she waited for her mother to come back on the line, she heard voices coming from the front room. Jace and Gideon were back. There’d been so much tension before, the knot in her stomach tightened.

  “Okay, honey, go ahead.” When she’d written down the details, she said, “Now, tell me about Jace.”

  “He’s in the living room waiting for me. I’ll have to call you back.”

  “All right. But I expect to hear from you in the morning.”

  “I promise. Give Dad a kiss for me.”

  “I will. Good night, honey.”

  “Good night.” She hung up.

  Now was the moment she’d been dreading. With her heart sinking to her feet, she walked into the front room.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” Gideon said as soon as she appeared.

  Jace stood next to him. His dark brown gaze sent her a private greeting.

  “I found the magazine under the cushions on the couch,” he said. “You didn’t tell me you had an article published in anything as prestigious as the Royal Astrophysical Journal. I’m very impressed.”

  “Thank you.” What was going on? She looked at Heidi, who was curled up on the couch. “Where’s Kevin?”

  “The Watkinses came down to see if there was anything they could do. When they saw him, they asked if he’d like to go upstairs and play on the Playstation they bought for their grandchildren. He’ll be back in a few minutes with Pokey.”

  Gideon cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re all here because I have an announcement to make. Actually, it’s an apology.”

  Dana flashed a questioning glance to Heidi, who didn’t seem to know what was going on either.

  “I spoke out of turn when I criticized Jace for not calling the police about the break-in. While we were at the trailer, he let me in on a few facts that made me feel like a fool.

  “For one thing, he knew about your fear of the law since your release from prison. In an effort to protect you, he contacted the police without your knowledge. I was wrong to jump to so many conclusions.

  “Chalk it up to my love for you, Dana. I’ve already asked for Jace’s forgiveness. Now what I need is yours.”

  The relief of knowing he no longer had any doubts about Jace sent her flying into his arms. “Of course I forgive you,” she whispered. “I love you for caring so much.”

  Beyond his shoulder she could see Heidi smiling with happiness again. Thank heaven today’s nightmare was over.

  “My love,” he addressed his wife, “I think it’s time we all got to bed. Tomorrow we’ll have the whole day to spend with each other. I’ll go upstairs and drag Kevin out of there.”

  “I’ll come with you.” She jumped up from the couch. After hugging Dana and Jace good-night, she joined her husband. “Dana?” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll phone you first thing in the morning.”

  Dana followed them to the door. “Remember, this is supposed to be a vacation. Don’t worry about getting up early. You’re pregnant and need your sleep. Take care.”

  “I will.”

  “Finally,” Jace whispered as she shut the door. She turned in his arms. “It seems like we’re always waiting to be alone, doesn’t it.”

  “Yes.” Her arms twined around his neck. “Kiss me, Jace,” she cried softly.

  His mouth descended. It was life to her.

  The turmoil Gideon had created had been resolved, but Dana still felt its effect.

  With her emotions so near the surface, she felt out of control, but she didn’t care. She loved this man. Tonight she wanted, needed to hear the words from him. She wanted to tell him what was in her heart.

  “Dana—” his voice sounded ragged “—right now there’s nothing I want to do more than concentrate on you for the rest of the night, but I’m afraid I have to go.”

  The dreaded words.

  “If I get my work done early, then we’ll have the whole weekend together.”

  “I know,” she murmured, fighting every instinct to beg him to stay. “I guess camping out with you last night spoiled me.”

  “I loved every moment too. Never doubt it.” He took her mouth in a fiery kiss, then eased her away from him. “Lock the door after me.”

  She nodded.

  “I’ll phone you tomorrow.”

  When his footsteps faded, she turned out the lights and got ready for bed. But it was with a heavy heart.

  Though she sensed Jace wanted her, he always had a reason to walk away. She’d thought tonight would be different. It wasn’t.

  Jace seemed content to live for the moment without looking ahead. Was there something wrong with her that she wanted more than he could give right now?

  Had prison changed her capacity to be patient?

  If she didn’t get a grip, she was going to ruin what they had.

  A woman who had to beg a man for what she wanted would be throwing away her best chance of success.

  WHILE JACE DROVE THEM to Alpine, Gideon used a flashlight to study the forest service maps. “I take it you’ve already canvassed the crossed-out portions.”

  Jace nodded. “As you can see, there’s still a lot of territory to cover. Probably more than we can get done tonight.”

  “Maybe, maybe not. Why don’t we start with the northwest quadrant. I’ll do one half, you do the other. Then we’ll drive to the northeast section and see how much we can get done by first light. Whatever’s left we’ll do tomorrow night.”

  “Sounds like a good plan. My compliments on the way you handled everything with the girls.”

  Gideon folded the map and put it on the back seat. “Dana’s so crazy about you, she swallowed the story hook, line and sinker. As for my wife, she’s been living with a cop and has learned to read between the lines. When she kissed me and told me to have fun out camping, she gave me one of those looks that said she didn’t believe a word of it.”

  “You’re lucky to be married to an understanding woman who doesn’t give you grief when you have to keep everything to yourself. Some of my colleagues’ wives—”

  “Don’t go there, Jace,” Gideon broke in. “You don’t know how Dana will or won’t feel. It’s too soon.”

  Jace rubbed his forehead. “You’re right. I want answers when I haven’t even asked the questions yet.”

  “That’s only normal. If I’d met Heidi while I was undercover, I probably would have been as paranoid as you. It’s true not every woman is cut out to live with a cop. But most of them learn to adapt.

  “When Gaby found out Max was FBI instead of a Russian immigrant, she ran home to her family in New Jersey. That had to be the worst month of his life. I wasn’t too happy about it either.” They exchanged smiles. “To be honest, I wasn’t sure she would come back. But she did.

  “To his joy, she told him that when she thought about it, she liked his living on the edge. She said it made their life more exciting. It made her appreciate him more. Needless to say, they have a fantastic marriage.”

  “You mean one like yours.”

  “Yes.”

  “Like I told you before. You’re a lucky man.”

  “So are you, Captain Riley. You’ve met an extraordinary woman.”

  “You think I don’t know that?”

  “What’s so great is, she thinks you’re extraordinary too, but she’s got a little paranoia of her own going.”

  “Like what?”

  “She said something to Heidi about your being an earthgrazer. Does that ring any bells?”

  Jace let out a groan.

  “If I’ve touched on a sore point, just tell me to mind my own business.”

  He shook his head. “No. I’m glad you brought it up. What surprises me is that she’s still not convinced I’m over my grieving for Cassie.”

  “Who was your wife.”r />
  “Yes. To be honest, I don’t know at what point I let her go. But I guess seven years without remarrying has sent Dana the wrong message.”

  “After my divorce, I went longer than that. It takes the right woman to come along. If she comes along.”

  “If’s the operative word all right. There I was, delivering a package to some woman who might or might not be the person Tony Roberts was looking for, and there she was. This beautiful brunette who looked so frightened, every instinct in me wanted to reach out and comfort her.”

  “I know the feeling. When my boss asked me to take over his criminology class, it was the last thing I wanted to do. I was knee deep in a new case and didn’t know how I was going to explain to Kevin that it would interfere with his visitation.

  “And then this gorgeous redhead appears around the door, desperate to become part of the class and afraid I wouldn’t let her in.”

  “Their devotion to each other is amazing.”

  “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Jace pulled into his parking space at the apartment. His gaze darted to the visitors’ parking, where he spotted the forest service truck.

  “If I don’t get a lead and have to report back to Austin on Monday, I’ll tell Dana the truth before I leave. What scares the hell out of me is that everything’s going to change.”

  “Better for it to come out than for both of you to remain in limbo knowing your relationship can’t go anywhere.”

  “You’re right,” Jace muttered. “Come on. Let’s go inside while I change.”

  No sooner had they walked in the door than his cell phone rang. He checked the called ID. “It’s Pat, my backup man. Let’s pray the computer found a match on those fingerprints.”

  He clicked on. “Pat? What’s happening?”

  “Nothing in the fingerprint department yet, but Glen broke into the trailer and found it empty.”

  Jace listened to Pat’s report. When he was through, he said, “Tell the officers not to interfere unless they feel her life is in danger. I’m leaving in the truck right now to search for the plane. If you need to talk, call me any time. I don’t care if it’s four in the morning.”

  “Got ya.”

  After hanging up, Jace put on the forest service uniform and they were out the door. Once they climbed in the truck, he told Gideon the latest news.

  The other man’s jaw clenched. “Sounds like he’s lost it.”

  “The pervert’s starting to make big mistakes now. That’s what I’m counting on. If it turns out he’d not linked to Gibb’s murder, at least we’ll have enough evidence of another kind to put him away.”

  “THOSE WERE GOOD WAFFLES,” Kevin commented.

  Gideon smiled at his son. “So was my Denver omelette.”

  “I’m lucky the only café in town has such a great chef. I’ve never been served a bad meal. Jace says he usually grabs a bite of lunch here.”

  But not today. Today he was hurrying so he could finish up early to be with her.

  The three of them watched Heidi who was working on her second helping of pancakes and blueberries. Dana loved it. The new mother-to-be was eating for two.

  When she’d chased the last blueberry around on her plate, she raised her head. “I’m finished.”

  Gideon’s eyes danced. “You’re sure?”

  Heidi blushed on cue and everyone laughed.

  “Okay,” her husband said, “what shall we do with this beautiful day?”

  “I want to see Fort Davis.”

  “We will,” Dana assured Kevin. “But first I need to run by Mr. Mason’s house and tell him I’ve moved out. It won’t take me more than a minute.”

  “I’ll come with you,” Gideon offered, getting to his feet.

  “Stay with your family. I’ll swing by the motel as soon as I’m through.”

  Heidi waved her hands. “I have a better idea. Let Gideon go with you while Kevin and I return to the motel and take Pokey for a walk. Glen might not have left for work. I don’t want you to have to face him alone.”

  “I don’t want that either. Thanks, Gideon.”

  “Kevin and I will meet you at your apartment in a half hour,” Heidi said. “Since we’re going to Fort Davis in our car, you might as well put yours away.”

  “Sounds good,” Gideon murmured. He paid the bill before walking her out to the car. “Have you forgiven me for casting unfounded aspersions on Jace?”

  “Of course. How can you doubt it?” She started up the car and they took off.

  “Because I know how much you care for Jace and it makes me feel badly I upset you.”

  “It’s all right. I know you did it out of love.”

  “I was wrong about him. When I understood the lengths he’d gone in order to protect you, I realized he’s an exceptional man.”

  “He is,” she retorted in an emotional tone. “When I told him I’d been sent to prison and then was freed, he accepted everything I told him without question.”

  “You know why, don’t you? Your innocence shines through you. The first time I talked to you at the prison, I knew you couldn’t have committed a crime. Jace knows it too.”

  “Now you’re going to make me cry all over again.”

  “Do it later,” he teased. “In case you didn’t notice, we’ve arrived. With the truck gone, we can get this over in a hurry.”

  “I’m so glad Glen’s not here.”

  Gideon helped her out of the car and they walked up to the front door of the house. After she rang the bell, she could hear Mr. Mason call out that he was coming. It took time with his walker.

  “Well, Dana,” he said when he opened the door. “I’ve been hoping you’d drop by. Come in.”

  “I’ve brought Gideon with me. You met him before, when he and his family helped me move in.”

  “I remember. Come on in, Gideon.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Mason.”

  They entered the house and followed him into the living room. “Sit down.” He used his hand to gesture at the chairs across from the couch. They waited while he lowered himself onto the cushion.

  “I’ve kept at Glen to invite you over, but he says you’re so busy at that observatory, you haven’t had the time.”

  She flashed Gideon a distress signal. “It’s true. I’m working on my Ph.D., and it requires a lot of hours.”

  “Well, you’re here now. I’m glad you came while Glen was at work. I’ve been meaning to talk to you about him.”

  “You have?” Dana couldn’t imagine.

  “Ever since he met you he’s talked of nothing else. I’ve encouraged him to be worthy of you. If he can get on track and stay there, I’ll give him the piece of ranch property I own northeast of town below Mount Luna.”

  The news about his other property was a surprise to her.

  “There’s a barn that’s big enough to be turned into a real nice house. I was saving it for my son who used to take Glen out there when we were clearing out all the trees. Mother would make a picnic and we’d work till dark. But that was all a long time ago before my son disappeared…”

  There was a brief silence while tears moistened his eyes. After clearing his throat, he said, “I’d like Glen to have it. He’s been out there a lot since his arrival and has plans for it.

  “I would will him this house, but I’ve already promised it to a nephew from my wife’s family after I’m gone.”

  Dana averted her eyes, not daring to look at Gideon. If she’d heard Ralph correctly, he had the idea she and Glen were going to get married. Dear God.

  “That’s wonderful for Glen.” She tried to stop her voice from shaking.

  “Well, he knows how I feel about you, Dana. You’re a lovely lady, just like my wife.”

  “Thank you for the compliment.”

  Gideon sent her a signal that he’d handle this.

  “Mr. Mason? As you know, Dana’s been running the observatory by herself. But now the time has come for her to hire a graduate student to help operate the c
omputers when she can’t.

  “When she told me this, my wife and I found a place for her to rent in town. She needs more room to entertain her colleagues from Cal-Tech who’ll be coming out here from time to time. We wondered if it will be all right if this person rents your trailer. Dana has several candidates in mind. They’ll be dedicated and hardworking.”

  Dana couldn’t quite stifle her gasp.

  Ralph’s white head lifted. “Well, yes. Of course. But I’m surprised Glen didn’t tell me.”

  “He didn’t know,” Dana rushed to assure him. She hated lying like this, but she had to play along with Gideon, who had some agenda of his own. She’d learned he never did anything without a very good reason.

  “My friends only arrived yesterday,” she added. “That’s when we got to talking. What I’d like to do is pay you for the second month’s rent. When this person moves in, they’ll reimburse me. In the meantime, I’ll get the place cleaned so it looks the way it did when you rented it to me.”

  “Don’t you worry about that. Glen says you keep a perfect house. Nice and neat the way my wife did. He’ll give it a brush up for you. In fact, he’ll be hurt if you don’t let him. I guess I don’t have to tell you how crazy he is about you.”

  She bit her lip. “No. He’s been a constant visitor, always wanting to help.”

  “Well, when you’ve met the right woman, you don’t want to be anywhere else. Isn’t that so, Gideon?”

  “You can say that again.”

  “I’m writing out a check for the rent and the light over the sink.” Her hands trembled so much, she could hardly read her own signature. “There. I’ve put it on the coffee table. Glen will deposit it in the bank for you.”

  “I’m expecting you for Sunday dinner.”

  “I’d like that very much, Mr. Mason, but my friends are here on vacation. Tomorrow I’ll probably go to Big Bend Park with them for a few days.”

  “Glen’s going to miss you then, but there’s always next Sunday. Say—how did you like the flowers that were delivered here?”

  The flowers. Dana had forgotten all about them.

  “They were lovely.”

  “At first I thought Glen had sent them, but he assured me he’s saving up his money. I guess I don’t have to tell you why.” He chuckled.