by D'Ann Lindun
A flush of pleasure went through her at his words. No man had ever said anything like that to her before. Lance had been all too eager to sneak around behind her parents’ back. They both had. She didn’t want that again, she realized. “Thank you, Austin.”
“Come here.” He tugged her close. “Let’s rest for a bit.”
She spread out both slickers, then stretched out beside him with her head on his shoulder, her hand across his heart. “You’re a good man.”
“Some might disagree.”
“Then they don’t know you,” she said as her eyes closed.
His lips brushed her forehead. “You’re wrong, Jamie. Marisol knew me all too well.”
~*~
Austin held Jamie in his arms and stared at the rock ceiling, wondering when he’d gotten so honorable. And learned so much willpower. Jamie was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman, and she’d been in his arms, willing and ready, and he’d pushed her away? It was true he didn’t want to take her in a mud hut like they were in some Mid-Eastern hovel, but it was more than that. She was a forever kind of woman.
He wasn’t a forever kind of man.
Marriage, kids and staying in one place weren’t for him.
Once this case was solved, he’d be on his way to the next one. Another horror story needing his expertise to put it to rest. He was scarred by all the ugly. He couldn’t taint Jamie with it. She was battling to deal with the things she’d seen in her short few months in office. And as bad as they were, they were nothing compared to some of the things he’d witnessed.
She had a pure heart.
An innocent soul.
He wanted her to stay that way forever.
If he had his way she would.
The rain lessened, slowing to a soft drizzle. Shifting slightly, he tossed another few twigs on the fire. Jamie stirred and he tightened his hold on her. Let her sleep. There wasn’t anything they could do until the storm passed.
What the hell was going on in her small town? In a place the size of Confluence there ought to be virtually no crime, but yet the city seemed plagued with it. What was he not seeing? The missing puzzle piece had to be right in front of him, but somehow he couldn’t make everything fit.
Maybe he ought to be doing more thinking with his brain and not his cock.
The thought sobered him.
He’d let Marisol get too close and his judgment had been clouded by his feelings for her. She’d batted her big, brown eyes and assured him she’d be safe until he’d given in and let her go inside the drug ring that ultimately killed her.
Not ever happening again.
Dani would grow up with a mother; he’d see to it.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
“Are you crazy, driving like that?” Tad Carver raged through the cell phone. “What if you’d been caught? I couldn’t cover your ass. You’re lucky I was on duty last night and could explain my presence.”
“I wasn’t seen by any of your keystone cops.” The voice on the other end chuckled coldly. “It amused me watching you run in circles.”
“The truck came from Phoenix. Can it be traced to you?” Tad paced as he talked.
“Impossible.”
“Nothing’s impossible,” Tad said. “The sheriff isn’t giving up anytime soon.”
“Figure out a way around her.”
“Like you did her dad? He’s not dead, you know. If he wakes up—”
The voice on the other end lowered, turned deadly. “We’ll have to make sure that doesn’t happen, won’t we?”
Sweat beaded on Tad’s brow. “How? He’s in a busy hospital.”
“Figure it out. Right now we have a bigger problem. I need a replacement and I need it now.”
“Did the girl get away?” Tad gripped his phone so hard his knuckles ached.
“The flood swept her up, narrowly missing your sheriff and her CBI lapdog.” He chuckled. “You should have seen them scramble to get out of the path of the water.”
Tad sat in one of the swivel chairs and turned it back and forth like a restless child. “When is the next shipment due?”
“Since delivery was not taken as planned, soon. Very soon.” The voice coughed. “Do not make him wait much longer, Deputy. He’s getting impatient. His appetite grows enormous.”
“He’s been fed,” Tad said.
“Only appetizers.”
“This is a small town.” Tad swiveled another circle. “Maybe it’s time to find another place to feed.”
“Not until he gets what he wants.” The voice was final. “Besides the profits far outweigh the risk.”
“For you. I have a bit more to lose.”
“Second thoughts, Deputy?” He snorted. “A bit late for that.”
“No.” Even if he did have second thoughts, the only way out was in a pine box. He’d understood that a long time ago. “I have to go.”
“I’ll be in touch, Deputy. I need that replacement very soon.” The line went dead.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Jamie looked around the conference room at her deputies. She’d gotten no sleep and was bleary eyed and exhausted. The walk out of the field at dawn was muddy, long and tiring. She’d looked in on Dani for a few minutes before work, but hadn’t gone home yet. Her gaze briefly met that of Austin. He looked as tired as she felt, with fine lines around his eyes.
She quickly filled in her team on the previous night’s events and asked, “Jinx, did you find any evidence in the truck?”
He ran a hand over his bald head. “Blood in the passenger seat and in the bed. I think the victim climbed through the rear window trying to escape.”
Jamie took in the information in silence.
“And you, Tad? Anything?”
He ruffled some papers and read from them. “1998 Ford. Reported stolen in Phoenix on the last day of August.”
“Who’s the owner?” Daralee asked.
“The truck is registered to a woman named Vonda Dailey,” Tad read aloud.
“Was she the victim from last night?”
Tad shook his head. “No. She ran to the grocery store, and when she came out, the vehicle was gone. She told Phoenix PD she had no idea what happened to it.”
Jamie turned toward Daralee. “Check for runaways, missing kids. Tad, I want you to keep searching for last night’s victim. Austin and I lost the trail at the wash south of the Triangle’s fence boundary. There was a flashflood that both the victim and the driver may have been caught in. Jinx, notify Phoenix PD and tell them we found the truck.”
“What about me?” Torres asked.
“Regular patrol today.” Jamie looked around the table. “I’m going home for a bit. I’m exhausted and not much use without at least a couple hours sleep. Let me know if anything important turns up.”
They disbanded.
Austin caught up with her in the parking lot. “You hungry? I’ll buy you breakfast.”
Jamie’s first instinct was to refuse. But her traitorous stomach growled. “I am hungry.”
“I’ll meet you there.”
A few minutes later they walked into the Ute café together. The familiar scents of coffee, bacon and eggs rolled over them. Jamie’s stomach growled. Dinner with Austin last night seemed days, not hours past.
Dani streaked to meet Jamie, launching herself into her mother’s waiting arms. “Mommy! You’re here.”
Jamie snuggled her close. “I sure am, baby.”
“I got a cookie for helping Grandma!” Dani proudly held up a sugar cookie.
“For breakfast?”
“Uh-huh.” Dani took a big bite for emphasis. Then giggled.
Some of the ache in Jamie’s heart lessened as she held Dani. The little girl was so sweet and innocent. Jamie longed to keep her that way forever. “You’re a silly goose.”
“Am not!” Dani wiggled to be let down.
Jamie set her on the ground, where the little girl looked up at Austin. “Hi, Mr. Varner.”
“Hello, Miss Dan
i. How are you?”
“Good.” She giggled again. “I’m helping Grandma.”
“I bet she appreciates that,” he said.
“Uh-huh.”
“Let’s eat,” Jamie said. “I’m about to fall over.”
The trio settled into the last booth in the diner. Just like a family. A teenager Jamie didn’t recognize bustled over with water and coffee, breaking into her wayward thoughts.
In a moment, Rae joined them. “Hi, honey. Mr. Varner.”
“Hey, Mom. How are you? How’s Daddy?”
“I’m hanging in there.” She blinked back tears. “His color is a little better. I need to go see him.”
“I’m going home for a nap. I’ll take Dani with me so you can get away. If it’s okay, I’ll bring Dani back tonight because I need to ride to the White Forest tomorrow.”
“That’s fine.” Rae smiled through her tears. “I’ll leave right after breakfast rush is over.”
“Give Daddy my love.” Jamie’s throat clogged. “I miss him.”
“He’s right here with you.” Rae squeezed Jamie’s shoulder.
Jamie nodded. “I know.”
“What are you eating?” Rae changed the subject.
Austin studied her. “You look done in.”
“Thanks,” Jamie muttered. “Just what a woman wants to hear.”
Before he could answer, a middle-aged woman approached. “You on a date, Sheriff? I’m so glad you have time for a social life while the girls and young mothers of this town vanish. We need your daddy back, and if he’s not able, then we need a real sheriff. Not some wet-behind-the-ears—”
“That’s enough,” Austin said in a deadly voice.
Surprised, the woman gaped at him. “Who are you?”
“I’m the man who knows what’s going on, and you’re way off base. Sheriff English has been working around the clock to find the missing women.”
“Dani, go help Grandma, please.” Jamie lifted her daughter out of the booth. “Please don’t attack me in front of my child, Mrs.—I’m sorry I don’t know your name.”
The woman flushed. “Grayson. Belinda Grayson.”
“I’m not on a date, Mrs. Grayson. I spent the night looking for a missing person, and I’m having a bite with my daughter and catching up on my father’s condition before I go at it again.”
“Well, what are you doing about them? The missing women?” Mrs. Grayson tugged her sweater tight around her shoulders. “I don’t even feel safe in my own home.”
“We’re following every possible lead,” Jamie said.
“You’ll understand if we can’t discuss the details with you,” Austin said. “And here comes our food, so if you’ll excuse us?”
The lady harrumphed and stalked away.
“Thanks,” Jamie said as the waitress placed their food in front of them.
“She was out of line,” Austin said. “Everyone knows it.”
Jamie’s appetite vanished. “Do they? I think most people feel the same way Mrs. Grayson does.”
“Then they’re fools,” Austin said.
“Maybe. But I bet if you took a poll, most folks would like Big Jim to be in charge, not me.” She shoved her eggs around on her plate with her fork.
“Maybe, but you are in charge. And you’re going to solve this thing.” He took a bite of hash browns and chewed.
“How, Austin?” Despair filled her. “I haven’t got a single clue figured out.”
He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. “You’re not alone. Don’t forget that fact.”
“I won’t.” Jamie slid her hand out from under his. The last thing she wanted was for anyone else to think her mind was on the sexy lawman and not business. Even though his touch ignited a raging inferno of desire in her stomach.
She ate halfheartedly, knowing she had to keep up her strength.
Dani skipped across the café and jumped into the booth next to Jamie. “You ready, Mommy? I want to play with my toys.”
“I sure am,” Jamie said. “Let’s go home.”
“Are you still wanting to ride to the White Forest tomorrow?” Austin picked up the check and glanced at it.
“Yeah, although I’m afraid that trail is cold now.”
“I’ll be at your house by eight,” Austin promised.
“See you then.” Jamie gently pushed Dani. “Let’s go, baby.”
Rae appeared from the kitchen. “I’ll come out to the ranch tonight to pick up Dani.”
“Thanks, Mom.” Jamie impulsively kissed her mother’s cheek. “Give Daddy my love.”
With her palm on her cheek, Rae nodded. “I will.”
Austin touched the brim of his hat. “Mrs. English.”
Rae grabbed his sleeve. “Take care of my girls, Austin.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Jamie guided Dani out of the café to the street, Austin behind them.
“I’ll see you later,” Jamie told him.
“See you later, Miss Dani.” His eyes met Jamie’s. “Have a good day, Jamie.”
The way his voice slid over her name made her knees weak. She needed a good long nap. Lack of sleep was making her hear things that weren’t there. With a nod, she took Dani’s hand and walked away on unsteady legs.
~*~
Even though he knew better, Austin couldn’t get Jamie off his mind. Not even a cold shower had helped. He lay on his lumpy motel bed, staring at some old black and white western on TV, although his thoughts weren’t on the cowboys and Indians fighting it out across the screen. His mind kept turning to the kiss he and Jamie shared in the cavern. How she had straddled him, been willing to make love.
He sighed and ran a hand over his short hair. If he hadn’t shown restraint, both of them would be sorry about now. She was too young for him. More than a decade separated them. In life experience, he felt several decades older than her. Her sweet innocence attracted him. It also kept him from acting on his desire.
An affair with him would ruin her.
She wasn’t the type to indulge in a fling and watch him walk away without a backward look.
And he wasn’t daddy material.
The thought made him shudder.
A knock sounded on his door. He glanced at his clock. Five-thirty. Where had the day gone? With a grunt, he rose to see who was there.
Leaving his shirt off and the top button of his Wranglers undone, he went to the door. “Who’s there?’
“Haley Spencer.”
Who? His brain raced, trying to think of a woman by that name. Then it dawned on him. The nurse who assisted in Kate Hollenbreck’s autopsy. He opened the door. “Hello.”
“Hi.” She licked her glossy pink lips. “Can I come in?”
“Yes.” He swung the door wider and she stepped inside. The heavy scent of her perfume nearly gagged him. “Is this a social call?”
“No.” She kept her back pressed against the door. Her gazed roamed down his bare chest, lingering on his unsnapped top button, before rising to meet his eyes. “It’s not.”
“Then to what do I owe the honor of this visit?”
She gripped the straps of her purse so hard her fingers turned white. “I remembered something I think is important.”
He raised his brows. “Oh?”
“I can sort of remember who took me home the night after Kate’s autopsy.” Genuine fear showed in her eyes. “One of the sheriff deputies.”
Austin’s irritation vanished. “Which one?”
“I don’t know,” she said miserably. “I can’t see his face. But I remember a badge. It kept blinking like a Christmas light.”
“What do you mean?” Austin frowned. “Do you mean the chase lights were on?”
“Yeah. I think that’s what was reflecting off his badge.” She licked her bottom lip again and looked away. “When he was on top of me.”
Austin’s cynicism vanished, replaced by the simmering rage he’d felt when he learned what Las Carnales had done to Marisol. “Yo
u were raped?”
She bobbed her hairsprayed head. “Yeah. I can’t prove it. But I know it happened.”
“Do you want to make a report?”
“No.” One word. Final.
“Why are you telling me this now?”
A shuddering sigh ripped out of her. “Because you’re an outsider I thought you might believe me. You didn’t immediately assume I took Kate’s belt buckle from the morgue like Doc did.”
“You don’t think Sheriff English would listen?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I don’t know. She’s bound to be loyal to her men.”
“Sheriff English isn’t like that. She’s fair and honest. I think you should talk to her and make that report,” Austin urged. “If not her, then Deputy Thomas…she’s a woman.”
“No, no.” Haley reached behind her for the doorknob. “This was a mistake coming here. I should have known better.”
“I’ll go with you if that would make you feel better,” he offered.
She snorted. “And I’d say what? I went to the bar, had a few too many, got picked up by someone whose face I can’t remember but I know I was sexually assaulted?” A dry laugh gurgled out of her. “Oh, boy. I can hear it now. What proof do you have? None? Can’t help you.” She turned the doorknob. “Forget it.”
“There’s one more thing.” Tears welled in her heavily made up eyes. “He said you’re too old to do me any good…after.”
“Hell,” Austin muttered.
Tears slid down her rouged cheeks. “This was a mistake. I shouldn’t have come here.”
“I’ll look into it,” Austin offered.
“Never mind. Don’t do me any favors.” She opened the door and bolted through.
“Miss Spencer. Wait.” Austin followed her, but she vanished around the corner of the motel faster than a jackrabbit with a hungry coyote on its tail. He stepped on a piece of gravel and yelped. He hopped on one foot, picking the offending rock out of the other one. “Damn it.”
A car horn blared, drawing his attention to the street.