Rachel shifted from one foot to the other and glanced up the deserted road. The guy made her nervous. Who wore sunglasses in the middle of the night? “Really, I’m fine. Don’t let me keep you.”
“I insist.” His door creaked as it opened.
She took a step back, heart racing. Before real fear could take hold, a second set of lights appeared on the road. Her breath whooshed out. “Here’s my brother now.”
“I’ll be on my way then.” The door shut. Truck gears grinding, he accelerated around the branch and headed down the road.
“Who was that?” Will stepped from his car into the glow of its headlights. Ten years her senior, her brother was tall and thin with a shock of red hair beginning to recede. He stared after the retreating pickup.
“Some guy who stopped to help after I called you. I know this isn’t exactly a high crime area, but I was a little nervous out here alone with a stranger.”
“I’m glad you called when you did. It looks like you made good progress with the tire.” He hunkered down beside it.
“I thought I could change it by myself. I was feeling pretty cocky until I tried to loosen those damned lug nuts.”
“They are on tight.” He grunted even more than she had as he threw his weight into the task. Ten minutes later the spare tire was on. Will stowed the flat in the back of her SUV. “Don’t forget to drop it off to be repaired tomorrow. You wouldn’t want to get stuck again without a working spare.”
“God forbid I should have another flat. Fate couldn’t be so cruel twice.”
“You never know. Help me drag this limb off the road so the next driver doesn’t hit it.”
They moved the heavy limb then Rachel gave her brother a hug and slid into her car.
“Thanks for bailing me out. I hated having to wake you at this hour when I know you’ll be up at dawn.”
“No problem. What were you doing out so late, anyway?”
“I had dinner with Grace, and it lasted longer than usual. Her latest boyfriend showed up with a friend, and we talked to them for a while. I should have left sooner.”
“Grace has someone new?”
“When doesn’t our sister have a new guy? You know Grace, but she really seems to like this one. He’s a cop.”
“She hasn’t dated a cop before, has she?”
“No, but I can see why she decided to broaden her horizons. Nolan is very handsome. So is his friend.”
“Interesting. Should I assume you dragged this friend off for a round of mad, passionate sex? Is that the real reason you’re late getting home?”
Rachel laughed. “Not a chance.”
“Too bad.” He gave her door a thump. “Let’s go. Sharon’s probably wondering what’s taking me so long.”
“Thanks again, Will.”
Minutes later, Rachel rolled into her driveway and turned off the engine. The porch light illuminated the pale blue paint on her old Victorian home. She entered the house quietly, flipped off the outdoor light and left her shoes in the entry. Crossing the hardwood floor to the stairs, she stumbled when she tripped over a big, furry shape.
“Geez, Daisy. You picked a fine spot to sleep.”
The golden retriever stood and wagged her tail, wiggling with excitement at this unexpected activity in the middle of the night. She followed, toenails clicking, as her mistress went up the stairs.
Before going to her room, Rachel looked in on each of her girls. Ivy was a small lump beneath her quilt, the top of her blond head shining in the glow of a nightlight. Across the hall, Jade lay sprawled on her bed, blankets in a tangle at her feet. Lark’s door was locked. Sighing, Rachel entered her bedroom as quietly as she could and shut the door behind her then turned on the lamp.
Daisy thumped down on the rag rug next to the bed and let out a groan.
Rachel smiled at the dog. “That’s exactly how I feel.” She stripped off her clothes and dropped them into the hamper. Shrugging on an oversized T-shirt, she walked into the adjoining bath and quickly brushed her teeth. After splashing a little water on her face, she headed back toward the bed to stretch out on cool sheets.
She flipped from lying flat on her back to her side, but couldn’t sleep. Her mind conjured up disquieting memories of Kane Lafferty. Firm lips quirked in a smile, blue eyes piercing and direct as his gaze rested on her. Broad shoulders, strong arms...
“I need to get a life.” Rachel punched her pillow, flopped to her back and closed her eyes.
Still, it was a long time before those images faded…
* * * *
Kane lay in bed, bone-tired but unable to sleep. Sitting up, he punched his pillow then lay back down. Insomnia was just one of the lingering after-effects from the night. The night he’d lost his partner and good friend. The night he’d killed another human being.
The night he’d started to ask himself some tough questions.
Was he so caught up in saving the world he’d lost sight of the bigger picture? His kind of work was necessary. Vital. But it had cost him his marriage. Sometimes he wondered if it was costing him his soul.
Gazing at the ceiling, he groaned. A cop who second-guessed himself was a liability, which was why his lieutenant insisted he take all his accumulated vacation time. Maybe after spending a few weeks in the mountains, he’d figure out what was important. If he was lucky, hanging out with Jed again would take him back to his roots and help him remember why he’d wanted to become a cop in the first place.
To serve and protect.
To watch his partner’s head explode.
To kill a child.
“Son of a bitch!”
He stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom where he turned on the light. It wasn’t the wound in his chest that hurt. Surgery had removed the bullet, but not the memories. Staring into the mirror, a man with haunted eyes looked back. Somehow he had to get beyond what had happened and think about the future.
When he lowered his head, an image of Rachel Carpenter drifted through his tortured mind. Unquestionably, she was beautiful. Just the memory of her smile and the touch of her hand on his arm sent an arrow of feeling straight to his groin. He’d sensed a sweetness in her that attracted him. When he got back from the mountains, maybe he’d give her a call. His jumping nerves calmed at the thought.
The love of a good woman certainly hadn’t been his savior the first time around, but it might not hurt to try again. The type of women he’d been dating—women who knew the score and didn’t expect a commitment—satisfied a primal urge, but not much else. Could be it was time for a change.
Kane splashed water on his face then squared up to the mirror again. His eyes looked clearer, more focused.
This time when he went back to bed, sleep took over at last.
* * * *
Lying in bed, he could think of nothing but Jordan. Eyes cautious, her figure hidden by an ugly sweater. Her beautiful hair had been longer before, and those ripe curves were showcased in silk and satin. His breath came quicker as he reached down to stroke himself. He’d almost taken her tonight. He’d been so close to the culmination of all his dreams. Earlier, as the hours ticked by but she hadn’t come home, he’d grown worried and gone looking for her. His timing had been off, and he’d missed his chance on the deserted roadway.
No matter. He’d have to be patient a little