Resplendence

Wrong Side of Town By Cindy Spencer Pape

Resplendence Publishing, LLC http://www.resplendencepublishing.com

Resplendence Publishing, LLC 2665 N Atlantic Avenue, #349 Daytona Beach, FL 32118 Wrong Side of Town Copyright © 2011 Cindy Spencer Pape Edited by Michele Paulin and Juli Simonson Cover art by Les Byerley, www.les3photo8.com Electronic format ISBN: 978-1-60735-426-0 Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Electronic Release: November 2011 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

To Tristan and Chandler who prove it’s possible to be a good kid and a rebel.

Thanks to Resplendence, for helping me share my stories with the world. The team here includes amazing editors, artists, publisher, office staff, sales, and more. Mostly, thank you to my incredible readers. You’re what this is all about.

Prologue

The metallic odor of blood mingled with the thick dust and acrid smoke from the explosives. The muffled sound of crying slithered through the noise of the bombs and the cracking timbers of the roof. As the building collapsed around him, Zach Shannon dug through the rubble with his one good arm. He had to find the source of the sobbing. Someone was alive. It didn’t matter if it was the enemy. It sounded like a child. He couldn’t leave it to die. With a strength born of pure adrenaline, he shoved a rough wooden table out of the way, and saw the girl, covered in debris, but mostly protected by the heavy furniture. Habiba. He’d met her a half hour earlier when he entered the house. She was maybe two, with a ready smile and huge dark eyes. Blood and tears streaked her face and clothes. Her mother lay beside her, dead. The woman’s neck was bent at an impossible angle, and her dark eyes stared blindly, but the girl was alive. Zach could get her out, if the damn bombers gave him time. Friendly fire. Yeah, right. He tossed aside more scraps of broken plaster and eased the child out of her mother’s arms, cradling her against his chest. He’d come here to talk to the father, had heard he was willing to sell some information about the dissident group who’d been targeting the American supply convoys. He’d feared that the dissidents would bring the wrath of the American military down on the small village and had hoped to protect it. Ironically, the bombing had begun just as the man had begun to speak. Now, he was dead, along with his wife, and damn near along with Zach and the little girl. Zach was badly bruised and battered, but his legs still worked. His left shoulder was dislocated, so he carried the girl awkwardly in his right arm, whispering soothing nonsense to try

to calm her. She still cried, but at least, she didn’t fight him, just wrapped chubby arms around his neck and hung on. He made it to the door, or what was left of it. If he could get to his extraction rendezvous point, he knew his team would see that she got to a hospital. Then he could pass out, after the doc popped his shoulder back into its socket. Keeping the thought of clean sheets and good painkillers in his mind, he carried Habiba through the ruined streets of her village, hoping she didn’t see all the carnage as they passed. He almost made it. Just before he reached the jeep he had stashed, the planes began another sweep. Light flashed in front of his eyes, blinding him at the same time as he was deafened by the blast. He felt himself falling and did his best to protect the child within the curve of his own body. When Zach woke, the world had gone eerily silent. Slivers of sunlight filtered through gaps in the rubble that covered him. In a heartbeat, he remembered where he was, understood that the small form cradled in his arms was the child he’d been trying to save. She, too, was silent and far too still. Frantically, Zach used his one good arm to dig them out of the debris, then looked down at the limp form beside him. Her big, dark eyes stared blankly, and his shirt was soaked with her blood. He’d failed. “Noooo!” Forgetting the dangers of drawing attention to himself, since there were already scavengers picking through the ruins, he screamed. Because of the damage to his hearing, even his own scream was silent to his ears. “Noooo!”

Chapter One

Zach’s own screams woke him, as they usually did. They weren’t silent in the real world. It was just a dream. He repeated that mantra over and over as he untangled himself from the sweat-drenched sheets. Once his eyes adjusted to the faint moonlight filtering through the window, he remembered where he was—his childhood bedroom, back home on the family ranch in Hawthorne, Texas. Every item around the room was part of Zachariah Hawthorne Shannon’s past—the model airplanes, the collection of Hardy Boys novels, even a couple trophies from regional and state baseball tournaments. The memories grounded him, comforted him as he fought to bring his heartbeat and breathing under control. Only a nightmare. Except most of it had been real. He could still see the blood, smell the smoke and hear the bombs. But the little girl survived. That was the part of the dream that didn’t make any sense. He hadn’t failed. Little Habiba had made it, with only minor injuries to show for her ordeal. He’d seen her once before he’d been shipped out of the field hospital. One of his men had smuggled her and her aunt into his room to say thanks. The aunt was taking Habiba home with her, to a village farther away from the fighting, where she’d be safe. Zach had spent over twenty years serving his country. He knew he’d saved countless lives, and he’d seen far too many deaths. So why were his dreams haunted by a girl who’d

survived? What was it about that last action, one the brass had swept under the rug as they’d processed his retirement? None of it made any sense. He’d hoped that being home would put the demons to rest, but apparently, that wasn’t going to happen. He was glad his parents’ room was in a separate wing, and none of his siblings still lived at home. Nobody would have heard him screaming like a baby. Think about something else. He made his way into the adjacent bathroom he’d once shared with his brother Quinn, who now lived in the old foreman’s house, a mile or so away. Quinn had taken over operations of the business when their grandfather Hawthorne had died, and one thing Zach knew was that Quinn was the one who belonged here on the ranch, tending cattle and managing the herd. Which left Zach wondering what there was for a washed-up soldier to do, now that he was home. After he drank a glass of water, the shaking subsided and he stepped into a cool shower to wash the sweat from his skin. After he was dry, he found a set of clean sheets and remade his bed. Then, pulling on a pair of sweatpants, he made his way downstairs. He wasn’t ready to go back to sleep yet. He didn’t want to take any of the pills the docs had left him with, but a beer sounded like a damn fine idea. He’d been home almost twelve hours—but would the ranch house ever feel like home again? A light burning in the den told him he wasn’t the only one up. He crept to the door and saw his dad seated in his favorite recliner, wearing a bathrobe with a glass of watered-down bourbon in his hand. “Everything all right, son?” Walt Shannon gestured to the chair next to his and held out the bourbon bottle. “Yeah, Dad. Just getting used to the time change, I guess.” Zach took the bottle and helped himself to a glass and some ice from a bucket on the bar, then sank into the chair. “Pull the other one.” Walt sipped at his drink. “Believe me, I remember coming home from Nam, and I hadn’t been in for twenty years. Civilian life takes some getting used to.” Zach nodded. “You given any thought on what to do next?” Walt didn’t pressure, just asked the question idly. “Seems to me you’re not going to tolerate just sitting around for very long.”

His father knew him well. Zach smiled. “Guess I need to come up with something to do. Quinn’s got things covered here on the ranch.” Zach had never held a civilian job; he didn’t even know where to start. “I could use another deputy.” Walt had been the sheriff of Maguire County for as long as Zach could remember. “Law enforcement?” Zach wasn’t sure going back into that kind of field was the best way to make the nightmares go away. He also had some doubts about the wisdom of working for his own father. Back before he’d left for the military, things had been tense between them, though they loved each other deeply. “Think about it,” his dad said. “Seems to me it would be a good fit for you.” “I will.” Zach took a swallow of the bourbon and swirled the smoky taste around on his tongue. Nothing like the flavor of high-end corn whiskey to remind a man he was home. After a long, comfortable silence, he said, “Dad—I’m sorry it took me six years to come home again.” The last time he’d come to Texas for a visit, his youngest sister Una had decided to drive home from college in Austin to see the returning prodigal. She’d been killed in a crash with a tanker truck. Every time Zach had the chance for leave since then, he’d come up with some excuse not to come home. Walt’s lips set in a grim line. “I understand. Go easy on your mother, though. For a long time, she’s felt like she lost two children that day. She’s liable to be a bit on the clingy side now that you’re back.” “A little?” The two men shared a companionable laugh at the understatement. **** “Laney, you have a phone call.” Laney Burroughs winced as the loud whisper carried like a siren in the quiet main room of the Maguire County Library. “I’ll be right there.” She nodded briefly at her coworker Sarah, who had stuck her head out of the library’s tiny office. Then she handed a stack of paperback romance novels over the counter to the Methodist pastor’s wife. “Enjoy, Mrs. R.” “Always do, dear.” Emily Rawlings nodded her silvery head and smiled warmly as she left.

Sarah Kendall gave Laney a quick squeeze on the shoulder. “It’s Principal Tight-Ass Greene again.” “Oh, great.” So much for Laney’s day going well. Sarah wrinkled her nose. “Don’t you let that Lester Greene push you around. Parker is a good boy. It isn’t his fault your sister broke Lester’s heart back in high school.” Ah, the joys of small-town Texas life. Everybody in Hawthorne knew everything about everybody—except for Laney, it seemed. How had she not known that Nina had dumped Lester Greene, who was now the high school principal? Not that it was any great surprise. Nina had slept her way through half the baseball team and most of the football team, which, come to think of it, had included Lester Greene, back in the day. The worst of it was that Nina was long gone and didn’t have to deal with the fallout, but her fifteen-year-old son, Parker, did. For about the hundredth time that week, Laney considered the possibility of pulling up stakes and moving someplace like Dallas or San Antonio. In a bigger town, a goth kid like Parker wouldn’t stand out so much. On the other hand, the real gang-bangers might very well eat a nice, small-town boy for lunch. She wished she knew the right thing to do, for herself and for her nephew. “You go take the call.” Sarah Kendall tipped her “Sunset Blonde” head toward the office and moved to the circulation desk. “I’ll take over out here.” There were only the two of them working, though they’d have their high-school page coming in soon. The library wasn’t exactly a happening place at 2:00 on a Friday afternoon. Laney stood and brushed a wrinkle out of her calf-length cotton skirt. Squaring her shoulders, she set off to find out what trouble Parker had gotten into this time. She squared her shoulders, stepped back into the office and waved Sarah toward the circulation desk. Then she lifted the phone and clicked the button for line two. “Hello? This is Laney Burroughs.” “Ms. Burroughs, I’m afraid we need you to pick up your nephew again,” the harsh, nasal voice of Lester Greene grated in her ear. “What is it this time, Mr. Greene?” Please let it be something minor, like talking back to a teacher or forgetting his homework. “There was an…altercation with another student. As usual, your nephew was being a disruptive influence in the classroom.”

“I see.” Despite her alarm, Laney’s hackles rose. Alarm won out. “Was either student injured?” “I don’t believe so, but the classroom was in some disarray. Apparently, their little struggle toppled a bookshelf.” A bookshelf? That’s all? The rat was going on about furniture? Now, anger kicked in. The jerk might have mentioned right off that no one had been hurt. “The backs were loosened on several textbooks,” Greene droned on. “Such disregard for proper order and school property must be punished.” As a librarian, she winced at the thought of the damaged books, but as Parker’s aunt and guardian, she wasn’t about to let Greene know it. “Is the other student being sent home as well?” It would be like the man to only punish Parker, out of pure dislike. “I’m not at liberty to tell you that, Ms. Burroughs.” “Fine.” She could practically see the patronizing sneer on his pudgy face. “I’ll expect a written report of the incident, in accordance with the school code of conduct and state law, when I arrive. If there’s anything in it to indicate unfair treatment, you’ll find yourself speaking with an attorney before you can blink.” Not that she could afford one, but she’d figure out something if it came to it. She could always re-mortgage her house, though the thought made her stomach hurt. “I…umm…perhaps we’ve reacted a little rashly, Ms. Burroughs. If you’d like to come into my office for a private discussion—” “If I do, it will be with my attorney.” The last time she’d tried to meet with slime ball Greene personally, he’d hit on her, assuming, as so many people here did, that she was just like her sister, who would have happily slept her way out of any problem, however minor. “Have Parker ready for me. And that report.” “If you insist.” There was silence on the other end of the line. Laney could practically hear Greene weighing the threat of lawyers against his natural inclination to bully. Thank heaven, fear of lawyers won. “The upshot is both boys are being sent home for the remainder of the day, and both will be expected to serve detention on Saturday.” “I’ll still want to see that report.” “Saving it for your nephew’s scrapbook?” Lester always had to have the last word. “It’s not like he’s got any good news to fill it with.”

“Other than winning the state math competition? Or regionals for the robot challenge? Or straight A report cards every year until high school? You refuse to see him for the good kid he is and keep assigning him to teachers who follow your lead!” Furious, she slammed down the phone. “Sweetie, why don’t you just go home? Maybe catch a quick nap.” The library was totally empty, so Sarah had left the front counter to come check on Laney. “Is Parker all right?” “Yeah. Just another detention.” Sarah brushed a strand of Laney’s straight, dark brown hair off her cheek. “Being fifteen can be rough. I remember when my twins were that age. Trust me though, you’ll survive it, and so will Parker. Now, take off. I’ll see you both at Miss Mamie’s barbecue later tonight.” Laney grimaced. “Yeah. We’ll be there.” Since the library closed early for the annual event, she didn’t have an excuse to miss it. Time to retrieve her kid, for Parker was hers, in every way that counted. She thanked Sarah for covering for her then picked up her purse and headed out, wishing she hadn’t picked today to ride her bicycle to work. **** Friday afternoon, Zach paced the floor of his parents’ living room. “Mother, do we really have to go to a barbecue tonight? I’ve been home for barely fortyeight hours.” His parents and brother had made sure that his homecoming had been a joyful one. The only downside had been that his sister Xan—at thirty-three, the youngest of the surviving Shannon children—was out of town for a medical conference and wouldn’t be home until next week. Having her missing seemed to underscore the loss of Una—one he’d thought he’d come to terms with, until he found himself back home, waiting to hear her laugh at any moment. She’d be twenty-eight now, he reminded himself, and unlikely to be living at home. “Couldn’t we just stay in?” Ysabel Hawthorne Shannon patted her already-perfect honey-blonde coiffure and smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her beige silk slacks. At sixty, she looked ten years younger, and she knew it, but she kept trying for twenty. “Of course, we have to go, dear. Your father is a political figure in this town, and Mamie Maguire still wields a good bit of social clout, even if she does choose to waste her time as a librarian.” Zach’s mother had never understood why a woman as wealthy as Mamie had chosen a full-time career as a librarian.

“Waste her time? You’re kidding. I’m pretty sure half the kids in this town learned to read because of the programs she ran at the library—myself included.” Zach stood still and let her adjust the collar of his western-style shirt, an old one of his dad’s which he wore with stiff new jeans and his old Acme boots. It still felt weird not to be wearing his uniform. Combat boots instead of cowboy boots had defined his life for the last twenty years. “I can’t argue with that, son.” Zach’s dad strode into the foyer, wearing a hand-tailored, western-cut suit, ostrich-skin boots, and a cream straw Stetson. He kissed his wife’s cheek, just a bare brush that wouldn’t disturb her makeup. “And there’s no shame in doing work you love, even if your family has more money than God.” Ysabel smiled fondly at Walt. “Says the man with law enforcement running through his veins.” A Shannon had been sheriff of this county for four generations. Zach studied his father, once again taking in the lines that hadn’t been in the older man’s face the last time Zach had been home. His blue eyes, so much like Zach’s, were faded and tired, but his hearty smile still lit up a room. “Hey, are we leaving soon? The food’s gonna be gone before we get there.” Zach’s younger brother, Quinn, ambled in through the kitchen, his shining black Tony Llama’s clattering on the marble foyer floor. He wore jeans like Zach but had a suede jacket over his shirt, putting him squarely between Zach and their dad when it came to dressing up. At thirtyfive, Quinn already had the same lines around his eyes as Zach and their father, from too many years squinting into the sun, but his sun-streaked hair was longer than either of the other men’s— almost to his shoulders. Tonight, he’d tied it back neatly with a leather thong at the nape of his neck. “Yo, Zach, let’s you and I take my truck. That way we can hit the Roadhouse after things start to wind down with the old folks.” He winked outrageously at his mother, taking the sting out of his words. Ysabel shook her head. “Heathens, all of you.” But she was smiling as she led them out the door. She was a society matron through and through, but Zach had never doubted her love for her family. Zach hadn’t had much time to catch up with his brother since he’d returned Wednesday, so it was nice to be alone in the truck with Quinn for the twenty minutes it took to get to the Maguire homestead. Zach pondered again how well Quinn had taken over control of the ranch ten years earlier. He was happy as a clam doing it, too, much to Zach’s amazement. The boy who

couldn’t wait to leave Hawthorne for the big city had grown up. Quinn was Hawthorne Hills, and Zach wasn’t about to barge in when ranching had never been his passion. So what the hell was he going to do? He was thirty-nine years old and had never had to job hunt before in his life. “You going to take Dad up on his offer?” Quinn’s words broke into Zach’s thoughts as if Quinn had been reading Zach’s mind. “Honestly, I have no idea. You think I should?” Working for his old man wouldn’t be easy, but at least, the job would be something Zach knew how to do. “Yeah, probably. You were born to be a cop, bro. Just like Dad. Besides, what the hell else are you going to do?” Was it just that simple? Zach found himself nodding. “I guess I’ll give being Deputy Shannon a try. I’m a little old to go back to junior rodeo.” They reached Miss Mamie Maguire’s place, a Spanish-style mansion almost as old as Hawthorne Hills. The Maguires were one of Hawthorne’s founding families, along with the Shannons, the Hawthornes, the Wildings and the Benedicts. Blake Benedict was mayor of Hawthorne, just like his father and grandfather had been. Mick Wilding, Zach’s best friend from high school, ran the family law firm, since his uncle had gotten elected as a circuit court judge and his cousin as a state senator. And a Shannon had been sheriff for four generations. “Well, ready to be the star attraction?” Quinn shut off the engine of his pickup and grabbed his hat from the backseat. “Hell, no.” Zach did the same, though his hat was borrowed from his brother. With his fair hair still cut military-short, he needed it if he was going to hang out in the Texas sun, and none of his from high school were worth wearing. He’d really need to do some shopping if he was home for good. Even his boots were a bit too tight. Who’d known a man’s feet kept growing after he was an adult? “Might as well get it over with. At least, the whole town will be here, so you’ll see all of them at once.” Quinn knew too well how little Zach liked public appearances. They waited at the gate for their parents then Zach took his mother’s arm as they walked through the rose-covered arbor into Miss Mamie’s spacious back garden. Probably eighty people stood around in small groups, chattering politely as uniformed waiters circulated with trays. The men were mostly in jeans, though a few of the older ones wore

Western suits, while the women were clad in cotton slacks or summer skirts. Some kids splashed in the pool, and others gathered in age-segregated clusters. To Zach’s surprise, a small group of teens dressed in black with skulls and chains sat on the ground beneath a spreading live oak tree, plates of food propped on their laps. Yep, Texas had changed while he was gone—not that he minded having wireless internet at the ranch. Funny, though, how he’d almost expected the town to be exactly the same as when he’d left. “I can’t believe she invited them,” Zach’s mother hissed as she saw the kids. Not far from them, a trio of women stood awkwardly, not mingling much with the rest of the crowd. “Mom, you know she always invites the library staff and their families. Get over it, already.” Quinn tipped his hat at the group of women and smiled when the youngest blushed. But Ysabel wasn’t done. “I understand her wanting to include her employees, but I’ll never understand her even hiring that…that woman.” Okay, someone’s ticked her off royally. Ysabel used the term lady for anyone she liked. But while she could be kind of snobbish, she wasn’t usually nasty. Zach wondered who at the library had managed to get on her bad side. “Remember that they’re still voters, please,” Zach’s dad interrupted. Sheriff was an elected position, after all. At that point, their hostess spotted them and came running over. In her mid-sixties, Mamie Maguire was an impressive figure, slicing through the crowd like the prow of a ship through the waves. Her wide lavender straw hat perfectly matched her floral silk dress, but her smile as she homed in on Zach was warm and genuine. “Leave it to you to arrive just in time for my annual barbecue.” She reached up and grabbed Zach by the ears, pulling him down so she could plant smacking kisses on each cheek. “Thank you. Once word got around that you were coming, I suddenly had twenty more RSVPs this morning. The summer reading program will be well-funded this year.” After greeting Zach’s family, she put her arm though Zach’s and tugged him away. Zach followed along, content to let her reintroduce him to former acquaintances. A few new families had moved in while he was away, and it was good to meet them, too. Hawthorne had always needed new blood. Without it, the town became just too damned inbred and insular. The population of the town itself was only 2500 or so, and maybe double that with the surrounding ranches added in. With a only a couple smaller hamlets in the county, the entire

population was still around ten thousand, which explained why most of Zach’s generation had moved away as soon as they’d finished school. A few, like Quinn, were still here running their family’s spreads or businesses, but not many. Zach’s eyes lit up when Miss Mamie pulled him away from the terrace to introduce the three young women over by the trees. “Zach, do you remember Sarah Kendall—Sarah Leigh, she would have been then?” Miss Mamie introduced the oldest woman—maybe five years older than Zach, with short strawberryblonde hair and smiling green eyes. “I doubt it—we weren’t in high school at the same time.” She shook his hand with a firm, warm grip. “Sarah works for me at the library.” Miss Mamie turned toward the other woman—a petite brunette with a heart-shaped face and snapping brown eyes. Long, straight, dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail at the nape of her neck, and what was probably a beautiful body hid under clothes two sizes too big. Zach couldn’t have dragged his eyes away from her if he’d tried. He felt as if the wind was knocked out of him when she smiled. She looked familiar, but Zach couldn’t quite place the face. “And this is my other librarian, Laney Burroughs. Between the two of them, they practically run the place without me.” Both women immediately denied that. It was clear they were both fond of Miss Mamie, which raised them up a notch in Zach’s estimation. He smiled and held out his hand while a memory from high school flooded back. “Burroughs…you’re not related to Nina Burroughs, by any chance?” That’s why she’d looked familiar. The family resemblance wasn’t strong, but it was there in the dark eyes and fine features. Now, he knew who his mother had been talking about when she’d said “woman.” Zach had dated—a polite euphemism for slept with—Nina for all of a week, but it had been enough to make his mother despise the “loose” girl from the wrong side of town. Truth to tell, there hadn’t been much about Nina to like—she’d been all about seducing her way out of this one-horse town, and as soon as Zach had made it clear he was going into the military, she’d dropped him like a hot rock. “She is—was—my older sister,” the brunette replied softly. A trace of sadness flickered across her face. “She passed away twelve years ago.”

“I’m sorry.” The words were automatic, but he kept looking into those deep, dark eyes, and he saw a world of hurt there. “Losing a sister is awful. I know what that feels like.” “I know. I’m sorry for your loss, too.” Though her voice was low, the compassion in it was unmistakable. “I remember Una, even though she was a few years younger than me. She was always kind.” Miss Mamie introduced a college-aged girl as her summer intern. It took Zach a moment to realize he hadn’t let go of Nina’s sister’s hand. When she tugged it away from him, he politely turned his attention to the college student—a sweet young thing in a snug sundress who did absolutely nothing to pique his interest. It was odd how Laney, in her shapeless skirt and baggy top had captured his attention instantly. He shook his head, managed to murmur the right things, then allowed Miss Mamie to introduce him to the three teens sitting under the live oak a few yards away. With an elbow to Zach’s ribs, Miss Mamie introduced the two younger girls, who were apparently the library’s high-school pages. Zach suppressed a smile. Leave it to Miss Mamie to find probably the only two goth girls in west Texas and hire them. Good for her. Mamie had always been a champion for the underdog. Zach remembered his own punk-rock rebellion days and gave these kids points for daring to be different. The teens all stood and spoke politely. Despite their counter-culture appearance, they’d all clearly been trained in manners. Also, despite their dyed black and in one case pink hair, not one of them sported a visible tattoo or a piercing other than their ears. It seemed Miss Mamie also kept them toeing a certain line, even if it was her own. “And this is Parker Burroughs. He’s not old enough this year, but next year I’m hoping he’ll come work for me too.” Burroughs? For a moment, Zach’s head spun. Could Laney really be old enough to have an almost six-foot son? Miss Mamie tucked her arm back in his as she led him toward the bar set up on the edge of the terrace. “Laney has her hands full taking care of her nephew on her own. Parker’s a good boy, though there are some in town who’d like to label him trouble, just because of who his mother was.” She shot a telling glance toward Zach’s own mother. Nephew. Parker had to be Nina’s then. A moment of panic seized him, and he did some hurried math. No. If the kid wasn’t old enough to work at the library, he couldn’t possibly be

Zach’s. It had been over twenty years since his brief fling with Nina, just before he’d turned eighteen. He drew in a deep breath and let his muscles relax. At least, now, he knew why his mother didn’t like the cute little librarian. She’d despised Nina with a passion and obviously couldn’t see that the sister was an entirely different kind of woman. After a few more introductions, Zach’s friend Mick waved at him from the bar, and Miss Mamie patted Zach’s hand. “Well, I’d better go mingle. Welcome home, son.” With a flurry of silk, she was off, her hat once again leading the way as she parted the crowd like waves. **** Laney’s hand still tingled as she watched Zach Shannon mingle with the upper echelon of Hawthorne society. She and Sarah had been joined by a few other mere mortals—Andrea Gleason who ran a diner on the outskirts of town, along with the library’s custodian and Miss Mamie’s ranch foreman and his wife. Miss Mamie always invited everyone who worked for her to attend her annual barbecue. In fact, she pretty much insisted on it. Laney owed the older woman far too much to even consider staying home, although she’d have been a lot more comfortable puttering in her tiny garden than standing here being scrutinized by the likes of Ysabel Shannon and the other Hawthorne movers and shakers. “Close your mouth. You’re starting to drool.” Sarah’s watchful gaze had apparently caught Laney’s fascination with Zach. “You know, they say he won all kinds of medals, but that most of his missions were classified,” Andrea said. Working every day at the Dine-n-Dash, she always knew all the local gossip. Even though she had only moved to Hawthorne two years earlier, she’d quickly become part of the town landscape. “For all he was born with the proverbial silver spoon, I’d say that’s a man who’s seen his share of trouble.” Laney nodded. She knew what trouble did to a person, and she could see it in the deep-set lines etched around Zach’s blue-gray eyes. She sighed and shook her head, turning to grin at Andrea and Sarah, her two closest friends. “He’s way out of my league anyway. Trust me, I get that he’s like a movie star—nice to look at, but totally unattainable. Still, there’s no harm in looking, right?”

“Hell, no,” Sarah said with a laugh. “I’m looking, and I’ve been happily married for twenty years.” “He’s okay,” Andrea allowed. Her eyes though, followed Quinn Shannon instead of Zach. When she realized her friends had caught her ogling the handsome rancher, she shrugged. “So I like ’em tall, blond and goofy instead of brooding and studly. Sue me.” “Nah, that would just encourage you.” Sarah nudged Andrea with an elbow. “Come on, there’s no line at the buffet, and I’m hungry.” Though Miss Mamie would have been horrified to admit it, there was a hierarchy in this town, even at her barbecue. Now that all the important guests and the kids had made their way through the line, the lesser mortals filled plates with succulent barbecued brisket, ribs and potato salad. Laney and her friends joined some others at the most outlying picnic table, chatting easily over the excellent meal. Laney never quite took her eye off her nephew and his friends, but so far, they seemed content to sit under the live oak and studiously ignore the popular kids in the pool. She’d just gotten back to her feet to get dessert when Miss Mamie stood on the small bandstand at the far end of the terrace and tapped the microphone. “Thank you all for accepting my invitation today, and thank you all for the generous donations to the summer reading program that you’re going to leave in the wishing well before you leave this afternoon. I’m sure you’re all aware of the importance of literacy education and its benefits, not just to the individuals but to the community as a whole.” With a fond smile, Laney tuned out the familiar speech. Miss Mamie had a gift. The older woman could coax blood from a stone or a charity donation from a die-hard miser. Laney’s hand paused with a brownie halfway to her plate, though, when Miss Mamie continued. “Please join me in welcoming home our very own hero, Captain Zachariah Hawthorne Shannon.” Laney set down her plate to join in the thunderous applause. Zach stood and shook his head. “Only doing my job,” he called. “But thanks, it’s good to be home.” “And it’s Major,” his brother Quinn hollered out. “They gave him a promotion on his way out the door.” Zach nodded again. “Shut up, Quinn.” “Okay, boys.” Miss Mamie gave them her best librarian glare, and they both quieted down. “Now, I believe Sheriff Walter Shannon has something to say.”

The sheriff stood and beamed at the crowd. “I think most of y’all know that Ralph Findlay, my chief deputy is retiring next month. Though we’ll all miss Ralph in the department, we wish him well on his travels with his wife, Nadine. I hear she’s already picked out the curtains for their new RV.” The crowd chuckled as Nadine Findlay nodded. “Bedding, too.” “Which leaves me with a job opening for a senior deputy.” The sheriff grinned broadly. “One that will be more than ably filled by my oldest son. Never mind the major or captain. He’s now to be known as Deputy Zach Shannon.” Laney applauded, though she didn’t know if it was a good thing or not. Zach had been away for a long time. Would that make him more objective than some of the other deputies or more likely to listen to gossip and innuendo? Her eyes darted to Zach, who sat there with his jaw hanging open and his eyes narrowed as he stared at his dad. Holy crap, apparently he hadn’t known about this either. Things were really about to hit the fan in sleepy little Hawthorne, Texas.

Chapter Two

Zach considered whether or not he’d be forced to arrest himself if he murdered his father. With the manners drummed into him by his mother and grandmother, he smiled around at the crowd and waved his hand. He hadn’t yet told his dad he’d accept the job of deputy. Nothing had been mentioned at all about senior deputy. Wouldn’t that go over well with the people he’d have to work with? Nothing like jumping straight to the top because you’re the boss’s son. Tomorrow, he’d have a talk with his old man about exactly where Zach would stand on the department totem pole. It wasn’t going to be in the number two position—that was for damned sure. Before he did that, he’d pull up stakes and go apply to the Rangers or one of the big-city PDs. “Hey, bro, ready to head out?” It seemed like hours later when Quinn came to rescue Zach from the handshakes and congratulatory pats on the back. “Jack at the Roadhouse has some pretty hot waitresses. Bet they’ll be happy to welcome you back to town, too.” He wiggled his eyebrows with a mock lascivious grin. “Ooh, dibs on the redhead.” Mick was there at Zach’s other side, helping Quinn steer Zach toward the gate, where their hostess waited to say goodbye. “The new one, from Houston. She’s smokin’.” Suddenly, it was as if they were all back in high school, conning some older kid into buying liquor for them and sneaking it out behind somebody’s barn. Of course, at four years younger, Quinn wouldn’t have been with them, but there was always someone around. Huh. As a deputy, he’d be the one busting kids for that kind of behavior. Funny how things came around. At least, back then, they’d done all their partying on foot. Now, as they approached Quinn’s truck, Quinn quirked an eyebrow. “Who’s the designated driver?”

“Not it,” Mick called out, laughing like a kid. “Seriously. I hitched a ride with my uncle. You want me to drive, we need to go get my truck.” “Nah, I’m good.” Quinn climbed into the cab of his pickup. “I can drink Coke and hit on waitresses while I watch you two get hammered. Though neither of you had better even think about hurling in my truck.” “That was over ten years ago,” Mick grumbled as he crammed his long frame into the small backseat of the cab. “And I had the flu. Man, are you ever going to let that one go?” Zach rolled his eyes. “And to think, I was missing this place. Maybe I should have stayed in Iraq.” Mick leaned up and slapped Zach on the shoulder, just enough to make the old dislocation ache. “Hell, man. It’s good to have you back. Hawthorne hasn’t been the same since you took off.” “I joined the Army, Mick. It’s not like I ran away with no forwarding address.” The truck bounced over the bridge crossing Shannon Creek, the small rivulet that bisected the hamlet, as they headed towards the Roadhouse, well outside of town near the freeway exit. West Texas had a lot of sprawling ranchland, dotted only here and there with towns like this. As they drove, Zach noted the things that had changed and those that had stayed the same. “They say there’s no place like home,” Mick mused. Zach shook his head. “It’s the truth, pal, but I’m not sure that’s a good thing.” **** Monday morning saw Zach sitting in his father’s office with a pile of employment paperwork in front of him. “You’re setting me up to fail,” he told his father for maybe the fourth time. “I can’t start at senior deputy, not without paying my dues. I have to work with these people, Dad, hopefully for a lot of years. Don’t make me start out with them hating my guts.” “You were an MP for eight years.” Walt dug a bottle of antacids out of his desk drawer and swallowed a handful. “That counts. So does…whatever else you did for the military. Truth is, with Ralph retiring, I need somebody I can trust in the job. We’ve got Tim Carpenter and Lynn Jackson as shift supervisors, but if I move one of them into Ralph’s spot, I’ll need a third experienced officer to head swing or midnights, and they both like it where they’re at. Mike Fitzgerald is my floating supervisor, but he wants to retire in another year. When I offered to put

him in the chief slot, he didn’t just say no, he said, ‘Hell, no!’ That’s it, Zach. None of the other deputies are ready for management.” Zach could see his father’s dilemma. Mike Fitzgerald was older than Walt’s sixty-two, and Tim Carpenter wasn’t far behind—late fifties, easily. Lynn Jackson had been one of the first women in the department, joining up just before Zach left home, but she wasn’t much of a people-person. He looked down at the files and sighed. “How many deputies total?” “Six on each shift—that’s one supervisor, one detective, and four uniforms—plus four floaters, all uniforms, and Mike. So that’s twenty-three plus me. Three full-time and two parttime dispatchers. One secretary. A handful of civilian deputies who pitch in for search-andrescue teams and crowd control for parades and such—most of them are also volunteer firemen.” Zach nodded. That sounded about right for a county this size. “Okay then, here’s my offer. For the month left until Ralph retires, you put me on as a floater, detective level.” He’d done plenty of investigative work for the military police. He knew he could handle the job of small-town detective. “Two weeks on days, one on swing, and one on midnights. That exposes me to every shift, all the different people, all the different work. After four weeks, we talk again, and reassess—including my opinion on who should take Ralph’s position, and if any of the other detectives are ready to move to senior. If I honestly think I’m the best man for the job, I’ll own up to that, too. That sound good to you?” Walt nodded slowly then held out his hand with a broad grin. “You’re smarter than your old man, son. Welcome to the Maguire County Sheriff’s Department.” “Thanks, Sheriff Shannon. It’s gonna be a trick not calling you Dad at the office.” “You’ll manage.” Walt stood up and pointed out to the bullpen, the main room outside his small private office. “Now, let’s see if we can find you a desk.” The department layout hadn’t changed since Zach was a kid. Anyone who came in the front door of the office passed through a metal detector, manned by whichever uniformed deputy was on door duty. A small lobby with a few hard-plastic chairs was available for visitors, overlooked by a high counter and bulletproof glass. The dispatcher on duty sat at the counter, and controlled the buzzer that opened the door between the lobby and the bullpen, the main space of the department. Four desks faced each other here, and Zach knew they were shared, used by one officer for every shift. A fifth desk guarded the door to the sheriff’s private office and was manned by his secretary. Off to one side of the bullpen was the locker room, and to the

other, the sheriff’s small private office, an interrogation room, and a slightly larger office for the four senior deputies. At the back of the bullpen were four desks facing forward, one conspicuously bare. Behind detectives’ row, another set of security doors led to booking, the lock up, the lab and all the other inner workings of a small-town sheriff’s department. Betty Wilkins, a striking African-American in her fifties, was the widow of a deputy and had been Walt’s secretary for at least twenty-five years. She smiled at Zach and ushered him to the vacant detective’s desk, a battered old steel model that had probably been dragged out of the basement and cleaned up. The area had clearly been rearranged to accommodate a fourth workspace. He raised one eyebrow at Betty. “How’d you know?” She shrugged and grinned. “Wasn’t any room in the supervisors’ office. Figured even if you started off as Ralph’s shadow, you’d learn more sitting out here until he retired.” “I figure anything worth knowing, I can learn from asking you,” he teased. He dropped his stack of paperwork onto the empty desk. Betty shook her head, her eyes rolling at his blatant flattery. “Office supplies are in that cupboard. Coffee, such as it is, is still in the break room, over there. You empty the pot, you make the next one. No exceptions. Everybody puts a few bucks in the coffee can next to the pot to buy supplies. No exceptions there, either, unless you don’t drink any, ever. After you fill out those forms, I’ll get you your badge and you can shadow Detective Jennings for a couple days. Any other questions?” “No, that should get me started. Thanks.” When she left, Zach walked over to the only other person in detective’s row and held out his hand. The tall, slim brunette wore a no-nonsense navy pantsuit and her chestnut-brown hair was swept into a tidy bun. “Detective Jennings, I’m Zach Shannon. And despite what you might have heard, I’m just the new floating detective. Betty says you’ll be showing me the ropes.” Her hazel eyes looked him over carefully as she stood and shook his hand. If she resented being saddled with the boss’ son, her carefully schooled expression didn’t show it. “I remember you, Shannon. You were the quarterback the year I was a freshman cheerleader. Good to meet you again.” He thought back. “Mary, isn’t it? Or Maria? Damn, I’ve been away too long. My memory’s going.”

“Marla,” she replied. “But you get points for close. How about we get you a cup of coffee then I’ll catch you up on the ongoing cases.” He followed her into the break room, which someone had painted a pale yellow, instead of the bilious green he remembered. Other than that, it was the same—a rickety table, mismatched chairs, an ancient fridge and microwave and the smell of strong coffee permeating the air. Zach accepted a “Maguire County” mug without too many chips in it, and mentally added his own mug to the list of things to bring in tomorrow. Then he trailed behind the detective, sipping the tar-like substance that seemed to pass for coffee wherever cops of any kind could be found. “Ah, just like Sarge used to make.” Jennings snorted. “I’ll bet. Okay, here’s the deal. We don’t get a lot of actual detective work, so we do a couple other things to fill the time. We back up the uniforms, and we handle some of the supervisor’s overflow. Basically, we’re where all the shit rolls down to. But at least we don’t have to wear brown polyester while we’re doing it.” “Dress code require suit and tie for males or just jacket?” He followed her over to her desk and sat down in the visitor’s chair. “Just jacket—this is Texas, after all. Cowboy boots count as dress shoes if they’re shined. Jeans are good if they’re pressed and not too faded.” Jennings quirked one lip briefly upward. “As far as ongoing cases, I have a meth lab somewhere out in the back country I’ll find one of these days and a handful of GTA’s—grand theft auto. Banking on joyriding kids for that one. The cars are usually found somewhere in the county, scratched up and out of gas the next morning. There’s been a string of mailbox and dumpster fires, but nothing dangerous. Once every couple years, we get a homicide—usually a domestic dispute gone bad or a bar brawl that goes too far.” “Some things never change.” He sipped his coffee. “We still have a one-man crime lab?” She gave him a brief smile, apparently approving of the question. “Two. Beth Deschamps handles prints in-house and collects DNA and trace to send to the labs in Austin. She also does all the processing after we bring someone in. One of us goes with her to process a scene if needed. Jamie Guerrero is a computer whiz, so he takes care of our IT, plus does any technomagic like phone records, voice recognition, whatever. Nobody in this department does only one job—except maybe the janitor.”

“Understood. Anything else?” “Doc Maloney is still coroner, though your sister’s handling most of it these days. Anything beyond what she’s willing to handle goes to the state lab. Again, that’s not something that comes up a lot.” “Right.” He set down his cup and looked into her eyes. “And just so you know, I’ve got a degree in criminal justice and had full academy-level police training. I’ve done both investigative and enforcement work, undercover and in uniform. All my weapons, first aid and psychological certifications are up to date. I have a mildly bum left shoulder from one too many dislocations, but it wasn’t bad enough for me to be pulled from duty. I retired from the military because after twenty years, I was damned well sick of seeing nothing but sand. Any other questions about my qualifications?” He was even sicker of seeing so many good people, men and women, some of them too young to buy a beer back home, die needlessly. This time she flat-out grinned. “Nope. You carry your own weight, and you won’t have any problems with me, even if you are the boss’ son.” “Good. Now, tell me more about this meth lab.” **** The morning went by quickly. Detective Jennings kept him busy with paperwork and filling him in. Zach had his badge and official ID, his documents signed and ready to file, and he’d been issued a Taser, a handgun and a baton. Just before noon, a call came in, and Jennings tossed Zach a bulletproof vest. “Two ranchers disputing ownership of a small strip of woods has escalated into an armed standoff,” the dispatcher said. “Looks like it’s getting hot.” She read off the names and locations. “Time to saddle up and see what you’re made of,” Jennings said, and away they went. “These two go at it about once a month,” the detective sighed as they approached the scene. “Watch it though. If Wilbur’s been drinking, things might get nasty. Most times, you find them calling each other names and sharing a pouch of chewing tobacco. They’re good friends when they’re not shooting at each other.” Sure enough, that’s exactly what they found. The two old men were even passing a bottle back and forth. Zach shook his head. “Only in Texas.”

“Leave the shotguns at home next time,” Jennings ordered, shaking her head. “They worry your wives. And Wilbur, don’t put your deer-bait piles on Gus’s land. You know better.” “Yes ma’am,” they chorused, tipping their hats. This was obviously a semi-regular occurrence. And that was the only call for a detective all morning long. Once he’d filed the report, Zach decided to treat himself to lunch at the Dine-n-Dash. He knew the old owners had retired a few years back, but other than a fresh coat of place, the fiftiesstyle diner looked just the same. Feeling a wave of nostalgia, Zach shrugged on his tan blazer, plopped his new chocolate brown Stetson on his head and walked the two blocks through downtown Hawthorne, stopping to talk to half a dozen locals along the way. All in all, he decided, it was good to be home. Inside the diner, he could see that some changes had been made—mostly along the lines of sprucing the place up. New polka-dotted turquoise curtains, fresh vinyl on the booths and chairs, a little more whimsical fifties memorabilia on the walls—album covers, movie posters, even an old Schwinn bicycle suspended from the ceiling. The effect was fun and upbeat. There were maybe half a dozen people scattered about, chatting and munching on onion rings or curly fries. The person who caught his eye, though, was a curvy brunette, tucked into a corner booth by herself, her nose buried in a paperback. There was a soda in front of her, but no plate or food debris. Zach couldn’t resist. He’d been drawn to her at the picnic, and he still felt the magnetic pull here today. Hat in his hands, he strode up and grinned at Laney Burroughs. “Mind if I join you?” She jumped and hurriedly stuffed her book under the table. “Huh?” A grin twitched at his lips. Poor thing was embarrassed about being spotted reading a bodice-ripper. He gestured to the empty seat across from her. “Looks like you haven’t eaten yet. I thought maybe you wouldn’t mind some company.” “Oh—sure.” She pushed a pair of wire-rimmed glasses up on her nose. “Zach, right?” “Yes, ma’am, Zach Shannon. And you’re Laney the librarian.” She blushed so prettily, he couldn’t resist the gentle teasing. Her name had stuck with him for some reason. And so had her

face—cute more than elegant, but warm and pretty, with her turned up nose, pink cheeks and big brown eyes. Zach slid into the booth across from her and set his hat on the bench beside him. “Guilty.” Her slight giggle was a little breathy. Her eyes lit on the badge pinned to his chest. “And you’re Deputy Shannon—or is it Senior Deputy?” “Detective, actually. I talked my dad down from the serious nepotism. I was an MP and did some intelligence work, so this much I’ve earned.” He wasn’t sure why he wanted her to know that he was capable of making his own way, but it seemed important somehow. The redhead who’d been talking to Laney at Miss Mamie’s barbecue came out with a plate in her hand and a glass of water in the other. She set the sandwich in front of Laney and handed Zach the glass. “Laney, everything okay?” “Of course.” Again, she looked startled, as if she couldn’t imagine what her friend was talking about. “Andrea, you remember Zach Shannon, don’t you? Zach, Andrea moved here from Houston about two years ago and bought the Dine-n-Dash.” Zach figured there was more to that story than met the eye. He shook her hand, noting the wary expression on her pointed, foxy face. Based on the way her eyes narrowed as she studied Zach, she was also extremely protective of her friend, which earned her points in Zach’s book. “Is the super-bacon-cheeseburger special still on the menu?” The Dine-n-Dash’s jumbo burger plate had been a memory he’d carried in his mind while eating prepackaged rations and whatever else he’d been stuck with. “And a strawberry shake.” The redhead lifted one eyebrow but nodded. “One heart-attack special coming up.” She sauntered away, her slim hips wiggling seductively. Zach wasn’t sure why he didn’t watch her walk. Instead, he turned back to Laney. “So, do you enjoy being a librarian?”

Laney knew she was blushing. Despite her dark complexion, courtesy of her Mexican grandmother, she blushed easily and it showed. Why on Earth was the hottest man in Hawthorne sitting here chatting with her? “It’s the only thing I ever really wanted to do. I love books—all kinds, despite what you just caught me reading.” “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a little escapism now and then. I actually saw plenty of grown men reading those in the Army. Romances, westerns, even comic books. Anything to

remind you of softness and home or get your mind off reality for a little while.” His grayish-blue eyes regarded her steadily from under sandy-brown lashes. “That makes sense. Miss Mamie heads up a drive every year to collect used paperbacks to send to the troops overseas. I guess I just assumed it would be the women reading the romances.” “I recall getting one of Miss Mamie’s boxes. She also fills them up with homemade oatmeal cookies. Makes her one popular lady. Hell, half the men in my unit would marry her on sight, even if she is in her sixties.” Laney was so charmed she forgot to be self-conscious, and she laughed along with Zach. “She’s an impressive woman. I’m very lucky to have her for a boss—and a mentor. She funded one of the scholarships that let me go away to college and wrote me letters of recommendation for the others. Without her, I’d probably be here working for Andrea or cleaning other people’s houses, like my mother. I owe Miss Mamie a lot.” “Somehow, I think you’d have come out ahead, even without her.” Fine lines crinkled at the corners of his eyes when he smiled. “You have that determined look about you. I don’t remember you from school. You must be a fair bit younger than your sister.” “Nina would be thirty-six, if she were alive. I’m four years younger.” An old maid of thirty-two—with no prospects of ever changing that status. “And your nephew is what? Fourteen?” His hand twitched almost imperceptibly on his water glass. “Fifteen.” Deciding to take pity on him, she sighed. “And in case you’re like every other guy in town and had a thing with my sister, you can stop worrying. Nina was living in Dallas for a year before he was born. Parker’s father was a city boy, who just happened to be married to someone other than Nina at the time. She came home, had the baby, dumped him with my mother then ran right back to the big city.” It impressed her that Zach didn’t seem to be doing any mental math. Had he actually been one man to not sleep with Nina? He shook his head, shattering that hope. “I wasn’t worried. He’d have to be somewhere around twenty for that one time to come back and haunt me. I’ve got no hard feelings or longlost dreams, though I am sorry she died. My fling with your sister was short and came to a mutual ending, as soon as she realized I was headed for the Army.” “No, Nina wouldn’t have cared for that a bit.”

“Is Parker’s father in the picture?” His questions were personal but not too much so—just as if he were a normal guy trying to get to know a woman he was interested in. Damn, it was too bad that couldn’t possibly be true. “No. Nina never even told us his name, and it’s not on Parker’s birth certificate, so I have no idea who he is. It’s just the two of us now, since my mother passed.” She nibbled on a corner of her grilled cheese sandwich then set it back down. It was rude to start before he had his food, but her lunch hour was only so long. “Damn, your mother, too? I’m sorry, Laney.” Zach reached across the table and laid his hand over hers. There was that tingle again, one she hadn’t felt in—oh, admit it girl—forever. Except for yesterday when Zach Shannon shook her hand. “Your nephew lives with you, then?” She took a deep breath, wanting to make sure he understood. “Legally, he’s my nephew, but I’ve raised him since he was a toddler. In every way that counts, he’s my son.” Zach’s smile could have melted a glacier. “Good for you. Family is important.” Laney was delighted when Andrea bustled out with Zach’s cheeseburger plate, breaking the intensity of the moment. “Anything else I can get you? Another Diet Coke, Laney?” “Umm—sure.” She snaked her hand back under the table, hoping Andrea hadn’t seen, though of course she knew better. Andrea’s keen eyes never missed anything. As if to prove that, Andrea gave Laney a wink as she headed back to the drink station with Laney’s glass. Ignoring her friend, Laney turned back to Zach. “So are you adjusting to being a civilian again? Miss Mamie said you were in the Army for twenty years.” “Almost twenty-one,” he muttered around a mouthful of hamburger. “They kept saying, ‘Just one more mission’.” “Are you glad to be home?” She took a bite of her own sandwich and chewed. Zach just nodded, his eyes closed in apparent bliss. “Oh, lord, right now I’m really glad to be home. I had dreams about one of these burgers. Actual, full-color dreams.” “Fortunately, Andrea got all of Millie Cooper’s recipes when she bought the diner.” What would it be like to see that same expression on his face during…? Her face flamed again. Down, girl! He’s not for the likes of you. “She also got Harvey Peterson, who was doing most of the

cooking for the Coopers before they retired. Now, they pretty much run the place between the two of them.” “Old Harvey’s still around? Good to know.” Harvey was a Vietnam vet who had become a fixture around town since Laney was a kid, doing odd jobs and living in whatever room he could rent cheap. “Yeah, Millie hired him about five years ago, and it turns out he’s a heck of a cook. He lives above the restaurant, and he’s more or less adopted Andrea. I think he treats her better than her own parents ever did.” “Cool. It’s good to know some of the changes around town have been for the better.” They chatted easily as they finished their meal. When their checks came, Laney was stunned when Zach picked up both and glared her into silence. “You’ve been filling me in on stuff I need to know to get back into the community. Let me say thank you.” When he put it like that, how could she argue—even if Andrea gave her a funny look when they checked out? Zach put his left hand on her waist as they exited the restaurant, reinstating the tingle she’d felt earlier. To her greater consternation, he kept it there while he walked her back to the library. He didn’t even pull it away when they stopped and chatted with any number of townsfolk along the way. By the time they climbed the steps to the library’s wide brick porch, she was sure her face would be permanently set in a shade of scarlet. Her entire body tingled with pure, raw lust. At least, now, she knew what—or rather whom—she’d be dreaming about for the next month. She might as well enjoy it, she decided, as this ten-minute walk would probably be the highlight of her sex life for the next ten years or more. When Zach held open the library door, however, she knew the interlude had come to an end. She nodded at him. “Time to get back to work. Thanks for lunch.” He returned her timid smile with one so sexy it should have been illegal. “Thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the chance to sit and enjoy a burger with a pretty girl. Maybe, we can do it again sometime.” No! Zach Shannon could not be asking her out—on a date. It wasn’t humanly possible. She just stood there, blinking and probably gaping like a fish. “Hey, Shannon, we’ve got a call out.” Detective Marla Jennings honked the horn of her car from the street twenty feet away. “Lunch hour’s over, partner.”

Great—Zach was working with one of the town bombshells—smart, tall, slim and deadly. He’d forget about Laney about thirty seconds after he got in Marla’s car. “My new partner has great timing.” Zach touched the tip of her nose with a finger. “Can I call you?” Mutely, she nodded. As if that was ever going to happen. Still, she knew she’d spend the next week listening for the phone to ring. Only after she’d watched him stride away—and lord, did the man have a magnificent rear end—did she realize she hadn’t even given him her number. **** All in all, Zach considered his first day at the office to have been a success. Granted, busting an illegal moonshine still in somebody’s abandoned barn wasn’t exactly big-city police work, but Elvis Brown and his sons were too dumb to know how to rig a still, and they were liable to blow themselves up. Zach figured they’d done the entire Brown family a service by shutting down that mess. Odds were good they’d plea bargain it down to probation, and that wouldn’t be a bad thing, either. Elvis was a decent farmer when he wasn’t messing around with his grandpappy’s recipe. Still chuckling to himself, Zach parked his borrowed truck behind the ranch house and took the steps two at a time up to the wide, wooden back porch. “Something smells like heaven.” He swung the family’s long-time housekeeper into a hug, lifting her feet off the floor. “Admit it. You made chicken enchiladas just for me. One of these days, Rosaria, you’re going to have to ditch Jake to run off and marry me.” The fifty-year-old woman who’d half raised Zach and his siblings, laughed and swatted him on the shoulder. “Yes, I made you enchiladas. Now, put me down, you big oaf.” Zach did. Then he snitched a freshly fried tortilla chip out of a basket on the table. “Oh, man! I’m going to be eight hundred pounds, just from catching up on all the food I missed overseas.” “You’ll find a way to work it off, I’m sure. Now, go wash up. Dinner will be on the table in twenty minutes, and you know your mother will be upset if you’re late. Your sister is home, too, so she’ll be here any minute.”

Excited at the thought of seeing Xan, Zach zipped up to his room to wash up and change. There’d been manure and whiskey all over that damn barn. He shuddered to think of anyone actually drinking that stuff. Fifteen minutes later, showered and dressed in clean jeans and a white polo shirt, he was back downstairs, joining his parents in the ranch house’s sprawling living room. He immediately crossed to his mother and kissed her cheek. The basket of tortilla chips and a bowl of Rosaria’s fresh pico de gallo sat on a tray on the cocktail table, so Zach helped himself as he took a seat next to his dad on the sofa. There were ice buckets on the table as well, one with a bottle of wine, the other holding several bottles of beer. With a smile, Walt popped the tops off a couple Lone Stars, beads of condensation clinging to the chilled glass. He handed one to Zach. “Here’s to your first day on the job, son. Good work. Jennings says you were a big help with Elvis and the boys.” Zach shook his head, even as he lifted his bottle to clink the long neck against his Dad’s. “She’s good,” he said then paused to take a long swallow of the icy beer. “Can’t see why you’d have any problem promoting her to Senior.” Walt shrugged. “She’s young, but yeah, she’s got potential. She said the same thing about you, by the way. Seems you convinced her you’re more than just the boss’s son.” Zach grinned. “One down, twenty to go.” Quinn came in then and helped himself to a beer. They chatted with him about the ranch for a moment while they waited for Xan. Then the talk turned to baseball—yet another thing Zach had missed while he was away. Football might be practically a religion in Texas, but Zach had always preferred playing and watching baseball. “Zachariah.” His mother’s voice, quiet but firm with authority, broke into the malebonding session. “I heard something in town today that…disturbs me.” He tipped his head respectfully. “Yes, ma’am?” “I understand that you had lunch today at that horrible little diner.” She emphasized the word diner as if it was synonymous with hellhole. “Ysabel, even I eat at the Dine-n-Dash occasionally.” Walt smiled fondly at his wife. “It’s not fancy, but there’s nothing wrong with the place.” “It’s not that.” Ysabel sipped her chardonnay daintily. “It’s that Mercedes Wilding saw you leaving—with a woman.”

“Jennings?” Walt looked at Zach and shrugged. “No harm catching a meal with your partner, but there is a no-fraternization rule, if that’s where this is going.” “No.” Zach set his beer down and rubbed his temples. He knew that gossip spread like wildfire in a town the size of Hawthorne, but he hadn’t expected this quite so soon. “I ran across one of the librarians in the diner and walked her back to the library after lunch. Just using the manners I was taught.” “Be careful, Zach.” His mom’s perfectly made-up lips were set in a tight line. “You’ve just gotten home. You’re not caught up on who’s who in town any more. Give it some time before you get involved with…anyone you might regret.” Zach sighed. He knew she worried, but he wasn’t seventeen. “I’m a big boy, Mom. Yes, I had lunch with Laney Burroughs, and I enjoyed it. Now, you be careful you’re not judging Laney by her sister. She’s nothing like Nina. Aren’t you the one who taught me that every person is only responsible for their own actions? After all, wasn’t the first Hawthorne in town accused of cheating at cards—which won him this very land we’re living on?” “That’s just an old story, and you know it.” She set her wineglass down on an end table with an uncharacteristic clatter. “I want you to stay away from that girl, Zach. It’s bad enough that Mamie insists on hiring every hard-luck case she can find.” Zach opened his mouth to reply, but he was so stunned he really didn’t know what to say. The front door was thrown open, saving him from saying something to his mother that he’d probably regret. His sister Xandra ran across the room and flung herself into Zach’s arms. He barely had time to stand and catch her. “Oh, I can’t believe you’re finally home,” she cried, kissing his cheeks and grinning broadly. “Darcy Lewis is going to be thrilled. She’s single again, you know.” Zach squeezed his sister tightly and shook his head. Xan’s friend Darcy had been one of his high-school girlfriends, but he hadn’t spared her a thought in years. “No fix-ups. If I want a girlfriend, I’ll find my own.” He glared over Xan’s head at their mother. “And she’ll be whomever I damn well please, regardless of her pedigree. I’m a little old to have anyone picking out my friends for me.” Then to soften the silence that had invaded the room at his harsh words, he smiled and held out a hand to his mother. “Now, why don’t we go in and eat? It sure is good to be home.”

Chapter Three

“Wow! Who do you know who drives a Corvette?” Parker’s newly developed baritone caught Laney by surprise as she finished loading the last few dishes into her apartment-sized dishwasher. Even after two years, the appliance was still her pride and joy—a luxury this little bungalow had never seen before she’d taken over the financial reins. It was a small step, but she hated doing dishes and she was proud to be able to fix up the place, little by little, all on her own. “Nobody.” She dried her hands and flipped on the machine before walking out to the living room to see what her nephew was talking about. She squinted into the setting sun at whatever was reflecting the red orb right into her window. Damn, there was a shiny silver sports car in her driveway. Laney swallowed hard when the car door opened and Zach Shannon stepped out. Even in jeans and a blue-striped dress shirt, he still looked every inch a cop. “Oh, crap, which one of us is in trouble this time?” Parker skittered off the couch and up the stairs. “I swear, Aunt Laney, I didn’t do anything.” Was Parker in trouble again? Laney bit her lip as she moved to open the door a heartbeat before Zach’s fist could land on it. He stopped mid-swing, managing not to hit Laney instead, and her insides melted when he smiled. “Nice place. Hope you don’t mind I looked up your address in the county tax database.” Did she? No, she was too shocked to be offended. “Is something wrong?” Automatically she stepped back from the door to motion him inside. Her mother might have been “trash” according to some people in town, but she had taught her daughters proper manners. “What can I do for you, Deputy?” She cast frantic eyes around her crowded living room, to make sure it wasn’t too much of a mess. The small space wasn’t

anywhere near as shabby as she remembered it from her own high school days, but it was also nothing like what Zach must be used to. She didn’t even have time to worry about her own appearance—ratty shorts, a T-shirt featuring the library’s owl mascot, and her long hair bundled back in an untidy bun on the back of her head. He gave her a rueful grin. “Well, to start with, you can call me Zach. I’m not here in any sort of official capacity.” She let herself relax for a moment and smiled back. “Well, in that case, Zach, can I get you something cold to drink? I have iced tea or lemonade. Or there’s the house special—my nephew Parker prefers a half and half mix. It’s surprisingly un-disgusting.” “Just tea sounds great. It’s shaping up to be a hot summer already, and June’s barely started.” Great, now he was talking about the weather. She motioned him toward the sofa—an inexpensive but decent piece covered in terracotta cotton. “Have a seat. I’ll be right back.” As he did, she disappeared into the kitchen. Tray. I have to have a tray around here somewhere. A jolt of memory struck moments before she started hyperventilating, and she pulled an old tin tray from atop the refrigerator, then rinsed the dust off under the sink. She even found two tall glasses that matched—a feat in itself. She carried the tea into the living room. Whew, I didn’t spill a drop. Sometime while she was in the kitchen, Parker had come back downstairs and started peppering Zach with questions about the car. “Well, I know it’s traditional for a Texas boy to get a truck, but after spending the last twenty years driving big ol’ Humvees and such, I just wanted something fun.” He glanced out the window, beaming at the shiny sports car. “Well, good for you.” Laney set the tray down on the coffee table then sank into the old bentwood rocker next to the couch. Zach helped himself to a glass and added a generous spoonful of sugar, while she squeezed a lemon wedge into hers. “I like your house. It’s warm and colorful—sort of like its owner.” “Thanks.” Laney was sure her skin turned as red as the sofa. With lots of plants in bright pottery containers and throw pillows matching the colorful Navajo blanket draped across the

back of the couch, her home did look warm and inviting—at least, she’d hoped so. But her? She was just plain old Laney the librarian. “Anyway, what I came to ask you was if you’d like to have dinner with me tomorrow night at the Roadhouse? I meant to call, but I forgot to ask for your number, and you’re not in the phone book.” “No, we don’t have a house phone, just cells.” It was easier to process that part of his statement than the beginning. Was he really asking her out? On a date? “Me, too, for the moment—at least after this weekend. I’m moving into my own place on Saturday, and I’ve been debating on whether to bother with a land line. Seems kind of silly to have both for just one person.” “Where are you planning to live?” Parker seemed to have lost all restraint with the older man and asked openly, lounging on the opposite end of the couch from Zach. “Well, my dad inherited his folks’ farmhouse,” Zach said. He swallowed, seeming almost choked up about it. “I guess they rented it out for a while, but there are no tenants now, so they’re signing it over to me. My sister already has a place of her own, and my brother runs the ranch.” “I remember your grandparents’ home,” Laney said. “Your grandmother and I were in the same garden club. She always grew the most beautiful roses.” Zach nodded. “It’s a great house—needs a little updating, but it will be nice to have my own place again.” She could see that he was touched at his parents’ gesture and wanted to say something, but Parker burst into the breach. “Are you getting Wi-Fi? I wanted to get DSL, but the best we could do was a cable modem.” Laney sipped her tea while the two males talked about various computer applications, including which games worked best on which systems. It was easy to see Zach was a closet geek, not just the stereotypical cowboy she’d expected. Parker didn’t get a lot of positive attention from adult males. Zach was a natural with the teen, treating him with the same respect he’d give another adult, but not trying to pretend he was just one of the kids. He’d be a great dad someday. She almost choked on an ice cube. Don’t go there, girl.

Finally, their talk came back around to phones. Zach pulled a slim black model—the fancy kind with internet access and all the applications—from his shirt pocket and showed off some of the features to Parker. “We could trade numbers.” With wide, astonished eyes, Parker whipped out his older, black flip phone with skull stickers, and typed in Zach’s number. “Cool, thanks.” He looked at the tray. “Hey, you didn’t get a glass for me.” Then he dashed off into the kitchen. Zach looked at Laney and raised one eyebrow. “Can I have your number, too?” “Sure.” She lifted up off the chair to pull her phone, identical to Parker’s, but in pink, out of the back pocket of her jeans. She rattled off the digits while he typed it into his phone, thumbs flying. Then she entered his number and name into hers, with more painstaking care. “So, we’re on for tomorrow night? What time should I pick you up?” He gave her another of those breathtaking smiles, and she felt the room get warmer. Tomorrow night? She blinked up at him. “Umm—tomorrow’s Thursday.” His lips twitched as if he were fighting a grin. “Last time I checked, yeah. So, is that okay?” “Thursday’s my late night at the library. Sorry.” She worked Thursdays from noon to eight, while Sarah took Wednesdays. Fridays they alternated so the library could be open three evenings a week. This was the first time in five years she’d regretted that schedule for any reason other than Parker’s school events. “How about Friday, then? It’ll be more crowded, or we could drive into Midland or Odessa and find something fancier.” His blue eyes actually looked hopeful. “If you’d like to go, that is.” “I’d love to. And the Roadhouse is fine—especially if we get there a little early. I’m off at three on Friday. How about you?” He smiled again—that warm grin that made her heartbeat race. “That’s great. I’m off at four. I’ll pick you up here at five, if that’s all right.” That would give her enough time to primp, but not enough to panic—much. “Perfect.” “And Parker? Will he be okay on his own?” “He’ll probably have dinner with his friend Jacob, anyway. They usually rotate houses on Friday, and this time it’s Guitar Hero night, on Jacob’s game system.” Both boys had spent all

last summer mowing lawns to buy the video game consoles, and Laney was damned proud of them for it. Zach drained his iced tea and set the glass down. “Great. I’ll see you Friday, then.” He stood and held out his hand. “I’ll be looking forward to it.” Boy, was that the understatement of the year. Laney swore her skin tingled all the way to her shoulder when she shook his hand. She was still in a daze as she walked him to the door and waved goodbye. Dinner with Zach. Wow. Oh, Lord, what the hell am I going to wear? **** Zach couldn’t figure out why he was nervous on Friday afternoon. He was almost thirtynine years old and had been a grown up for a long time. It was just a date for crissakes, but his stomach wouldn’t be convinced. Every time he thought about having dinner with Laney—and maybe even kissing her goodnight afterward—he got as horny as a teenager. Of course, it was his first regular date in…years. Yeah, maybe he could blame his jitters on being out of practice. “Hey, boy wonder, finish these reports up.” A stack of file folders landed on Zach’s desk with a slap. Zach ground his teeth and glared at the backside of Detective Deputy Mark Dawkins who whistled cheerfully as he walked back to the break room. Dawkins was normally the detective on the midnight shift, but apparently, he and Jennings had swapped shifts for the day. Dawkins seemed to be under the impression that “shadowing” correlated to “lackey”. From across the office, Betty shot Zach a sympathetic glance. It was 3:30—they’d be off in thirty minutes. A quick glance at the stack told Zach there was nothing urgent in the paperwork, and he could shuffle through it easily at home over the weekend. No need to fuss about this. In a few weeks, Dawkins’ imaginary authority over Zach would be at an end. One thing Zach knew for damn sure, Dawkins’ belief that he’d be promoted to supervisor when Ralph retired was doomed to failure. Zach had seen his dad roll his eyes when the paunchy forty-something detective started blustering. Walt had no delusions about Dawkins. “Hey, Zach, you and Dawkins need to get over to Lester Greene’s house. 514 Magnolia. Somebody just set his garage on fire, and he swears he saw who did it.” The dispatcher called

from her desk. “Fire department’s responding, but Lester thinks he has the blaze under control with the hose. I don’t think we’re talking about a raging inferno here.” “Got it.” Zach stood and shrugged into his navy blazer, lifting his hat off the rack behind the row of desks. He ducked into the break room to grab Dawkins. “We’ve got a call.” Dawkins’ truck smelled like stale cigar smoke and spilled beer, but the detective was far too macho to show up at a crime scene in Zach’s Corvette. Zach just rolled down his window and tried to breathe only outside air. Magnolia Court was a little cul-de-sac subdivision on the outskirts of town where a handful of expensive mini-mansions had been built for the newly wealthy. Lester Greene had married a Dallas debutante, according to local gossip, so he was a little better off than your average small-town principal. Zach had picked up on all of this through bits and pieces over the last few days. “Might as well write this name down ahead of time,” Dawkins said. “Parker Burroughs. Ten will get you twenty that’s who torched Lester’s garage. Little shit’s been causing trouble all over town for years, just like his no-account mother.” Oh fuck. Zach briefly considered leaping out of the truck, even though it was doing ten over the speed limit on the graveled country road. His stomach roiled at the thought of having to take Parker into custody. So much for his date tonight. Any chance he had with Laney was officially toast. Still, something about Dawkins’s rant didn’t seem right. “You can’t convict a kid just because his mother slept around. Especially since his mother’s been dead for twelve years.” Dawkins snorted. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Trust me, that kid is nothing but trouble. Him and that other little maggot, Jacob Riley.” “Riley? Don’t think I know anyone by that name.” Jacob, though, that had been the name of the friend Laney had mentioned. “Trash.” Dawkins spit a wad of tobacco out the window as they turned onto Magnolia Court. “His old man’s a drunk—used to be a decent mechanic, but since the wife left him, he’s mostly just tanked. Last I heard, he’d headed to Dallas or somewhere to look for work. The brat runs wild, along with the Burroughs kid.” The fire truck was parked in the driveway, so Dawkins pulled his pickup to a stop on the street in front of the house. “Well, let’s find out what Mr. Greene has to say.” As soon as the truck was in park, Zach wasted no time clambering out of the cab, pulling on his hat as he went.

The house’s brick façade was imposing, but the sides were clad with vinyl siding. The garage was attached, set slightly back from the front face of the home, but clearly part of the same structure. If the garage had truly caught fire, the house would have almost certainly gone with it. “It’s out.” One of the firemen nodded at Zach and Perkins as they walked past the truck. “A little bit of newspaper and kerosene—just like the mail box fires over the last few months. Looks like our firebug is escalating.” “Thanks, Ed.” Perkins tipped his hat and moved toward the porch where Lester Greene stood scowling at the fire marshal. “I tell you, I saw the little bastard.” Greene stabbed the air inches from the other man’s chest. He’d added about fifty pounds and lost most of his hair since he’d come to the high school as a math teacher when Zach was a freshman. “Those damn black pants with the chains hanging from them disappeared around the corner just as I spotted the flames shooting up from the siding.” “All you saw was the perpetrator’s pant leg?” Zach didn’t bother waiting for Perkins before he bounded up on the porch. “Only two kids in this town wear that crap,” Greene snapped. “And only one of them I gave a Saturday detention to for tomorrow. I know damn good and well it was him.” “We’ll go pick him up,” Perkins said. “Along with Jacob Riley.” “Based on just an ankle? Seems kind of dicey to me. I think we should at least go take a look at the damage.” Zach tried to keep his tone level, reasonable. When had Greene turned into such a bully? And why had the town put this man in charge of their children? “Maybe there are some footprints or something. Did you see what type of shoes the boy had on?” Greene shook his head. “Didn’t need to. Just like I know he burned up my mailbox last week. Torched every damn one on the block, and a bunch in town.” “And what time did you see him?” Zach couldn’t believe Dawkins hadn’t even asked for at least that much information. Greene checked his watch. “’Bout twenty minutes ago.” “We’ll get him, Mr. Greene. Don’t you worry.” Dawkins swaggered as he stepped off the porch. “The arson investigator will let us know if they find anything they can use to get a conviction this time. Meanwhile, we’ll go question the suspects.”

“So what does Greene have against the Burroughs kid?” Zach snapped on his seatbelt as Dawkins peeled out of the cul-de-sac after popping the red bubble-light on top of his truck. Dawkins shrugged. “Kid’s trouble. Dresses like a fricking vampire, gets in trouble in school, fights, you name it.” “Yeah but does he have a record of anything serious? Theft? Drugs? Underage drinking?” “Just haven’t caught the little bastard at any of it yet.” Dawkins popped a plug of tobacco in his cheek. “Don’t mean he isn’t doing it. Probably some kind of weird cult or something.” This wasn’t police work; this was a government-sanctioned lynch mob. Still, Greene claimed he saw the boy, so Zach would be remiss if he didn’t check on Parker’s whereabouts, and he sure as hell wasn’t going to let Dawkins go do it without him. Damn, though, did he have to show up on Laney’s doorstep with the lights flashing? He’d had such plans for tonight. “You want me to pull up the address?” He wouldn’t admit to Dawkins that he knew it already. “Nah. End up there about once a week. Maybe this time we can put the little bastard away, so we don’t have to keep going back. Not that I’d mind getting a piece of the aunt, mind you. She’s not a looker, like her whore sister, but I bet under those frumpy clothes, she’s got all the right parts in the right places.” Zach focused on breathing through his nose until the red fog disappeared from his vision. No. It was his first week on the job. He could not clock one of his father’s detectives, especially not as the older man was driving—way too fast, as usual. How the hell had Dawkins risen to a position of authority in the department? Zach remembered that the detective’s mother had been a Benedict. He was cousin—first or second—to the mayor. Still, it wasn’t like Walt Shannon to promote based on nepotism instead of ability. Except for offering to bring in his own son as chief deputy right off the bat. Apparently, it was. Shit. Dawkins pulled his truck right up in front of Laney’s house, not seeming to care that the tires were up over the curb into her carefully tended row of blooming succulents. With trepidation roiling in his belly, Zach grabbed his hat and followed the stomping Dawkins up to Laney’s front porch. ****

Laney stood in front of the small mirror in her bathroom and painstakingly applied mascara. She hoped the stuff was still good; she hadn’t used it in months. Hadn’t she read somewhere that makeup had an expiration date? Well, it still seemed okay. She finished up, then licked a cotton swab and cleaned up the few smudges beneath her eyes. Lord, she was awful at this sort of thing. Her older sister had been so obsessed with boys and her looks that Laney had rebelled by being as mousey and bookish as possible. The behavior had stuck into her adulthood, which had been dominated by caring for her nephew. Heck, it had been almost a year since she’d had a date at all. And poor Pete Fielding from the feed store had been more nervous than she was. Needless to say, that experiment had not been repeated. Thinking about going out with Zach had a whole flock of butterflies doing the two-step in her stomach. When the doorbell rang, she checked her watch. 4:48. Damn it, he’s early. She hadn’t even fully decided on this outfit yet. She glanced down at her jeans and knit top and shrugged. Anything else would be over the top for the Roadhouse. It would have to do. At least the top was pretty—a layered look in pink and white that clung to her generous curves more than she usually liked. He’d just have to wait in the living room while she got her shoes on. On bare feet, she padded out to the front door. When she glanced through the small window, all the blood from her brain fled to her stomach where it fought with the butterflies in an all-out grudge match. What the hell was Deputy Dawkins doing here? Parker! The burly, uncouth detective had it in for her nephew—right up there with Mr. Greene and the mayor. As she opened the door, she noticed Zach standing behind Dawkins, looking dismayed. Oh, hell, there goes my date. Swallowing hard, she stepped back. “Deputies. Won’t you come in?” “Where is he?” Dawkins pushed the door open as he bowled into the room, deliberately, Laney was sure, to shove her along with it. Zach held out a hand and steadied her, making sure to meet her eyes. For just a moment, she almost lost herself in them, until he asked, kindly, “Is your nephew around, Laney?” What the hell? Zach knew Parker was going to be gone. Laney guessed he didn’t want Deputy Blowhard to know about their date. She could understand that, but didn’t he know that if they went to the Roadhouse the whole county was going to find out anyway? “Well, where is he?” Dawkins’s bark brought her back to earth.

“He’s spending the afternoon and evening with Jacob Riley.” She recited the address. “Jacob’s grandmother should be there with them.” Suddenly cold, she wrapped her arms around her chest. “What’s happened?” “I’m sure it’s nothing,” Zach tried to soothe, but Dawkins cut him off, the big bully. “He’s wanted for questioning in another arson case.” “Parker would never do something like that.” Laney straightened her spine. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, gentlemen. Just because a boy dresses differently from the rest of the local kids doesn’t make him a felon.” Not that most of the town seemed to recognize that. Some kids, like Jacob and Parker, needed to separate themselves from the whole cow-town image. Neither of them would ever be bulky enough for football, rich enough for junior rodeo, or accepted by their horse-mad peers. Carving out their own niche was a survival mechanism. Dawkins ignored her with a rude shrug and turned toward the door. “Come on, Shannon. Let’s get over to the Riley house before they have time to come up with an alibi.” Zach stayed just a moment after his colleague left. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to let him railroad anybody,” he whispered. “I’ll call you when I find out more, okay?” Laney nodded. “Thanks.” For a long time, she stared out the front door, just watching the street after Dawkins pulled his truck off her flowerbed. Should’ve made it a rock garden. With big, pointy rocks and lots of metal plant stakes. Then she got in her car and followed the cops to the Riley’s. No way were they taking Parker anywhere without his guardian. **** There was nobody home at the Riley household, and Zach felt a moment of longing for one of his dad’s giant-sized bottles of antacid. The house was just a few blocks from Laney’s, again on the working-class side of town. It was well-tended, though, like hers. Zach didn’t see any of the neglect he’d expect from a drunken owner. They hadn’t decided where to go next, when an ancient station wagon pulled into the driveway, and a woman got out with two boys. One—Zach recognized Parker Burroughs—carried a grocery bag with a bottle of soda and a bag of chips sticking out the top. The other boy, shorter and broader than Parker, hurried up the steps and used his own key to hold the door open for the woman—a trim figure with iron gray hair in Capri-cut jeans and a yellow blouse open over a white T-shirt.

She paused on the porch when Dawkins swaggered up. “Deputies.” She gave Dawkins an indignant stare. “Ms. Riley, we’re going to need to take these boys downtown,” Dawkins began without preamble. “They’re wanted for arson.” “In the house, boys.” The woman crossed her arms over her chest. “I’ll be calling my lawyer before you take these two underage children anywhere, Mark Dawkins.” Zach couldn’t help but smile at the lady’s feistiness. Good for her. He tipped his hat and smiled. “Ms. Riley, my name is Zach Shannon. Maybe we can settle this right here. Can you tell us where you and the boys were at…” He checked his notes. “3:20 p.m. this afternoon?” She gave Zach an approving nod, ignoring Dawkins. “Why yes, as a matter of fact. The boys were hungry right after school, so we decided to have an early dinner, then just have a snack later on. They got here about ten minutes to three on the school bus, then we drove straight to the Dine-N-Dash. We stayed for a little more than an hour—teenage boys need time to consume all that food—and then we stopped at the grocery store for some snacks.” “And can anyone at the diner vouch for you? Aside from the staff, of course.” Zach was busy writing down exactly what she said. “Certainly. My neighbors the Baileys were there—they do love the early-bird special. They live in the yellow house, three-doors down. Your sister, Dr. Xan, was there too—she asked about my arthritis, bless her heart. Jessie Collins was waiting tables, along with Andrea, the owner.” She fumbled in her purse and handed Zach a rumpled receipt. “There’s the time stamp on the receipt. I defy you to believe I ate that much food all by myself.” “Four super burgers, two jumbo fries, and a Cobb salad. One coffee, two large chocolate shakes.” Zach’s chest shook as he read it. “Time on the receipt is 4:12. May I say, ma’am, I sure wouldn’t know where you put it.” “Look here, Shannon…” Dawkins’s face was turning bright red. “We have a witness…” “Who saw a black pant leg. That’s all.” This time Zach stood his ground and stared the other man down. “We’ll check with the restaurant, but if Parker Burroughs and Jacob Riley were in there from 3:00 to 4:15, then it couldn’t have been them, could it?” “They’re behind it; don’t think they’re fooling anybody.” But with a clear alibi for the boys, there wasn’t much Dawkins could do. He stomped back to his truck as Zach shook hands with Ms. Riley.

“Thanks so much, ma’am.” He tipped his hat at Laney who hurried up the walk, as he grabbed Dawkins’s arm and pulled him toward the car. “False alarm, Ms. Burroughs.” With a brief thanks to the heavens that Jacob’s grandmother had chosen this afternoon to take the boys for an early dinner, he ignored Dawkins’ white-knuckle driving back to the office, choosing to use that time to check in at the restaurant. Sure enough, both waitress and owner could vouch for both Parker and Jacob having been there for at least an hour, plowing through food as if there was no tomorrow. Once they were back at the sheriff’s office, he filled out the requisite forms, ignoring Dawkins’s sputtering. The case was officially marked as open, with no known suspects. Finally, over an hour past his official quitting time, Zach grabbed his hat and scooted out the door.

Chapter Four

Laney had no idea how long she’d been sitting there on her rocking chair when she heard a car in her driveway. It wasn’t dark yet—that was something, she supposed. She’d waited with Josie until Zach had called and told them the boys were well and truly alibied for the time of the fire. Josie had made some calls and determined it was Lester Greene’s garage that had been scorched. Of course, that jerk had fingered Parker and Jacob. Hell, Laney wouldn’t put it past him to have set the fire himself, just to frame the boys. Booted footsteps marched up to her front door, and someone knocked on the screen—she hadn’t bothered to shut the regular door, since the night was cool and the breeze felt nice. “Laney, you okay in there?” Zach. Ohmigod, it’s Zach. Was he here on business or pleasure this time? She jumped up from the chair and hurried to the door. Zach stood there, lines of concern on his handsome face and a bunch of half-wilted yellow tulips in his hand. He wore the same shirt and jeans as before but had shed his blazer and cowboy hat. “I’m sorry I’m late,” he began as she opened the door. “I wanted to make sure I filed all the reports, so Dawkins couldn’t sneak something into them.” “Thank you.” Tears filled her eyes at his thoughtfulness. “You believe, then, that Parker didn’t have anything to do with this?” “There are plenty of witnesses to the fact that he and his friend Jacob were in a booth at the Dine-n-Dash, wolfing down burgers at the time the fire was started. There’s no way even a bully like Dawkins can pin this one on him.” He handed her the flowers with a wry smile. “Leo’s was closed when I was done; these are from the grocery store.” Leo’s was the town’s one and only florist-slash-gift shop.

“Thank you.” She sniffed back a tear. “They’re beautiful. And I really appreciate you coming to let me know.” “Why don’t we get those in some water?” Seeming to understand that she was too stunned to know what she was doing, he steered her through the archway to her kitchen. “Then we can go get something to eat. I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.” “D-dinner?” She reached into a cabinet for a vase—the green glass piece had been one of her mother’s favorites. Carefully, she filled it with water while Zach unwrapped the bundle of flowers. “I didn’t think you’d want… That is everyone will see you with me… I don’t want you to get in trouble.” “I’m a big boy, Laney. I’m allowed to date anyone I want. Even if a couple idiots seem to have a grudge against her nephew.” He handed over the flowers and watched while she trimmed the stems in the sink. “I’d like to get to know you better. We’re both single and over twenty-one. There’s nothing wrong with us sharing a meal.” How was she supposed to respond to that? She arranged the stems in the vase then set them in the center of the small, maple table. “You might need some shoes, though those pink toenails are awfully cute.” He thought her toes were cute? She felt her face heat. Reluctantly, though, she shook her head. “I’m sorry, Zach. I’m just not up to facing the stares tonight, or the pitying looks, or the whispering. I’d really love to go out with you sometime, but not…not tonight.” He shrugged and gave her an easy smile. “Okay. So we’ll eat in. You want me to run back to the grocery store for some steaks or something?” Suddenly staying in with Zach seemed more dangerous than going out—though that thought sent a thrill along her spine and made her core tingle in anticipation. She squeezed her eyes shut for a minute, got her breathing under control then smiled up at him. “Is the offer still good for going out of town? I know it’s late, but we could get to Midland in an hour or so.” “Sounds good to me.” He reached up a hand and cupped her cheek. “Whatever you’re most comfortable with.” Oh, lord, just that slight touch, and her bones wanted to melt. They had to get out of here, and fast, before he had her flat on her back. “Let me get my shoes and purse.” ****

Despite the awkward beginning, Laney had a really nice night. Zach was smart and funny, and much more self-effacing than she’d have expected, given that he’d grown up in the lap of luxury. They found a moderately-priced steakhouse in a nearby city, where neither of them felt out of place in jeans. Over a shared appetizer of onion rings, Zach told Laney about his first week working for his dad. Apparently, it had gone well until today when he’d gotten paired up with Mark Dawkins. Laney didn’t find that hard to imagine. She was certain that without Zach’s calming influence, today might have gone entirely differently for her and Parker. At his urging, she talked about the library. Since she loved her work, it was easy to discuss, and she liked to think she was giving him a little picture of how things had been in town during the years he was away, serving their country. His military service, though, was something he didn’t seem comfortable discussing. After he dodged one question with an awkward pause, she let the topic slide. She could barely begin to imagine how awful it had been. “So is Laney your full name, or is it short for something?” Zach asked over their salads. “It’s pretty—and unusual, just like you.” “Thank you, I think.” She grinned. “Laney Maria. I think my mom read it in a book somewhere and didn’t realize it’s usually short for Elaine or Helaina. Throughout grade school it was usually altered to ‘Lame-y’ or ‘Lame-O,’ but then kids will always find something to tease about, whether it’s name, height, social class or whatever else. It bugged me at the time. Now, it just makes me laugh.” “Yeah—having an odd name can be fun.” He made a face. “Everyone assumes my name’s Zachary, but I’m named for a great-grandfather, so I’ve been stuck with Zachariah all my life. And my mother actually insists on using it, especially when I’m in trouble.” “I wondered about the names in your family. They’re all interesting.” “Well, with mom being Ysabel and Dad being Walter, they decided to stick with the buttend of the alphabet for all of us.” “So Xan isn’t really Alexandra?” Huh. So much for assumptions. Laney had known the woman since first grade and hadn’t known that. “Nope, just Xandra. And Quinn will kill me for saying this, but he uses his middle name. Can’t stand to be called Victor. You won’t get me in trouble, will you?” Zach winked. This man was dangerous. It was so easy to laugh with him. “Your secret—or rather his— is safe with me.”

It wasn’t until the main course was served that he brought up the topic she’d have rather not discussed. “It must be difficult, raising your nephew on your own.” Laney shook her head and swallowed a bite of baked potato. “Being a single parent has its moments, sure, but most of the time, Parker’s an easy kid to get along with—for me, at least.” “Any idea why Dawkins and Greene seem to have it in for him? I’d like to help, if I can.” “Mr. Greene doesn’t like it that a kid can get away with open ‘disrespect’, which is what he considers the way Parker and Jacob dress, and still maintain decent grades.” She swallowed some water before continuing. “Mayor Benedict is still ticked that Parker beat his son Peyton to qualify for a state-wide math competition, and Greene wanted to disqualify Parker because he felt that Parker’s clothing gave a bad impression of the school. Seriously, I don’t get it. They wear goofy clothes and dye their hair black, for goodness sake. They’re not running around singing Satanist anthems or threatening people. It shouldn’t lead anyone to believe they’re doing drugs or setting fires. I can’t tell you how many times Parker has been called down to the guidance counselor—another Benedict connection, by the way—to discuss his ‘attitude’. Can’t they see that it only makes him more determined to stand up for his right to be different?” She looked down at her plate and realized she’d shredded her dinner roll to bits during her rant. Looking up, she gave Zach a sheepish smile. “Sorry.” He reached out and touched her hand. “Don’t be. If anyone was riding on someone in my family like that I’d be defensive too. And considering he’s just a kid, hell, I think you’re being practically subdued. Especially given that you’ve lost both your mom and your sister already.” “He’s all I have left.” She knew she should pull her hand away, but it felt too good, so she left it there, tucked under his on the table. “He’s growing up so fast. And it drives me crazy that I can’t always protect him, can’t make his decisions for him. Especially since I watched my sister make so many bad ones. She ended up dying of a drug overdose, you know. But Parker’s so much smarter than that. I have to let him be his own person.” Zach gave her a sad, sympathetic smile. “I didn’t know that’s how Nina died, but I honestly can’t say I’m surprised. She was pretty heavily into all that when I knew her.” “She’d left Parker with mom when he was just two months old, so he never really knew her at all, and he was only three when she died. I was away at grad school, but that’s when I knew I’d have to come home to Hawthorne when I was done. Thankfully, Miss Mamie took me on at the library right away, so we always had a source of income, even after my mom got sick.”

“I can understand that. I needed to get away from home for a while to realize how much I missed it. Now, I’m glad to be back, but I’m also really happy to be moving out of my parents’ house this weekend. Couldn’t take that too much longer.” He gave her hand a little squeeze then let go, picking up his knife and fork to finish his steak. “I can imagine. How long were you in the Army?” She hated to admit it, but she wasn’t exactly sure how old Zach was—just that he was a few years older than Nina. “Twenty years, ten months, and six days. I graduated high school early, and joined up the moment I turned eighteen. My parents were not happy about me blowing off college, but I was determined. I managed to get my degree on base then applied to OCS. It was a good career, but I was more than ready to be home.” “So you’re officially retired at the ripe old age of almost thirty-nine?” Laney couldn’t help a chuckle. “My, my, grandpa, whatever will you do to stay busy?” “Oh, I have a few ideas.” The look he shot her was filled with heat and promise that made her toes curl. Suddenly, Laney wasn’t hungry any more. She stared down at her half-empty plate and tried to ignore the languid heat that had flooded her body. She’d grown wet and needy just from talking to the man. “You want dessert?” His voice came out as a husky rumble. It took a great deal of willpower not to say she wanted him for dessert. Zach was living with his parents, for another day or two at least. Parker would be home by ten. Even if she had been the kind of girl to ask a man inside after their first date, she’d never do so when her nephew might walk in. So tonight, there was no question of things going too far—which was sort of a shame. For the first time in years, she actually wanted to have the kind of hot, steamy sex she’d read about in romance novels. Quite honestly, her few experiences hadn’t lived up to the hype. Her instincts were telling her though, that with Zach, it just might be as good as the books made it seem. “Laney? Dessert?” His grin suggested he had a good idea of what she’d been thinking about. She shook her head. “I couldn’t eat another bite.” He called for the check, and five minutes later, they were walking out the door. Zach had a hand on the small of her back and held her close enough that she could smell the subtle mix of

his coffee and aftershave, with an underlying hint of pure male pheromones. Part of her desperately wished Parker would call and ask to spend the night at Jacob’s. “Hey, if it isn’t Deputy Shannon—and Laney! What a surprise to see you two here.” Laney gulped and barely refrained from crawling under a table. Exiting from the other side of the divider that split the dining room was one of her favorite library patrons and her husband, Pastor and Mrs. Rawlings. Laney liked the older woman a lot—she was a genuinely sweet lady—but she did love to talk. She wasn’t a malicious gossip, but she adored sharing chatty details with all her friends—details like seeing Laney and Zach out on a date. Zach took his hand from around Laney’s waist to shake hands with the reverend then turned his blue-eyed charm on Mrs. Rawlings. He asked after their daughter—married and living in Houston—and their son, who was away at Texas Tech. In turn, they congratulated him on his retirement and subsequent new job. Together, they all walked out to the parking lot. Pastor Rawlings even took a moment to admire Zach’s Corvette. Meanwhile, his wife gave Laney a hug. “I knew you were a smart girl,” she whispered conspiratorially in Laney’s ear. “Hold onto that one. He’s a keeper.” “It’s nothing like that,” Laney protested, though she knew it was futile. “We’re just…getting to know each other.” “Well, of course. Don’t take too long about it, though, or someone else will snatch him up.” With that, she winked and moved off with her husband. Zach had held Laney’s door before walking around the hood and climbing into the driver’s seat. He grinned over at Laney. “Nice couple, aren’t they?” Laney nodded. “But, oh boy, are we in trouble. By breakfast, the whole town is going to know you brought me here for dinner.” Zach shrugged. “So be it. They were all going to find out eventually—assuming you’ll go out with me again, that is. I’m not interested in being anybody’s dirty little secret, Laney. And you deserve better than that, too.” Laney stopped to think. Finally, she nodded and smiled. “As long as you’re okay with it, then so am I.” They didn’t talk much on the way home—small comments about the music playing and that was it. They both liked classic rock more than country but could listen to either. In what

seemed like no time, they were back in Laney’s driveway. Like the gentleman he was, Zach came around to open Laney’s door then walked her up to her porch with his arm around her waist. When they paused at her doorway, she looked up at him and let out a deep breath. The porch light cast a golden glow on his skin that turned him into some sort of mythical hero. “I’d ask you to come in, but Parker will be home soon…” “And you don’t want to set a bad example.” He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m okay with that.” “Thank you for—” Whatever else she’d been going to say was silenced by his kiss. Once his mouth touched hers, she totally forgot how to speak. His lips were warm and just firm enough not to feel sloppy. One of his hands clasped the back of her head, holding her close, while the one around her waist pulled her body full-length against his, letting her know in no uncertain terms that he was aroused. Good. So was she. Her swollen breasts rubbed against his chest, and she wanted his hands on them more than anything in the world. When his tongue traced the seam of her lips, she opened to let him in and kissed him back for all she was worth. Laney lost all track of time as she stood there in full view of her entire neighborhood, kissing Zach Shannon. When they finally had to pull apart, Zach leaned his forehead against hers, his breathing as ragged as her own. “And that’s exactly why I can’t come inside tonight,” he huffed, adding a warm chuckle at the end. “Tomorrow, I’ll be busy moving, but I’ll give you a call Sunday, if that’s all right.” “That would be great.” Sunday would give her enough time to get her scattered wits back together. She reached up and touched his cheek, rough with stubble that was practically invisible since his skin was tanned and his hair was light. “Goodnight, Zach.” He turned just enough to press a kiss into the palm of her hand. When she pulled her keys from her purse, he took them and opened her door, holding for her. “Goodnight, Laney. Sleep tight.” He stood on the porch until she’d closed and locked the door. “Sleep?” As she watched his car pull out of her driveway, she shook her head. “Yeah, like that’s going to happen.” It was going to be a long night in her lonely bed. Again. **** Laney wasn’t really surprised when Zach didn’t call on Sunday. Disappointed, sure, but not surprised. She tried to tell herself he was just busy with moving, but deep in her heart, she

knew better. Zach’s position in town was far too exalted for him to be seen dating the likes of her. Ah well. She’d gotten one marvelous night and a couple of incredibly sexy dreams out of it. Heck, those dreams were better than any real social life she’d had in the past few years. Even if it did sting that he hadn’t called, at least, she had that one lovely memory to treasure. She’d spent most of Saturday, while Parker served his undeserved detention, working in her yard, trying to repair the damage Detective Dawkins had done to her curbside flowers and taking out her restless energy on hapless weeds. Sunday, she’d cleaned the house top to bottom, just in case she had unexpected company. By Monday morning when she dropped Parker off at school, she knew that her fantasies about Zach were doomed to remain just that—fantasies. Since the library was open late on Fridays and half-days on Saturdays, Laney and Sarah had a rotating work schedule. Sarah had worked last Friday night and Saturday, so Laney would be working this weekend. In exchange, she had Monday off. That gave each of them a three-day weekend every other week, which would have been nice if Laney could’ve ever afforded to go somewhere. This week, it just gave her more time to brood about Zach. Deciding she needed some friendly company, she stopped at the Dine-n-Dash. Andrea usually worked the breakfast rush herself, so Laney could sit at the counter and talk to her between customers. Andrea bustled over with a pot of coffee and a broad smile. “Hey, Laney. How’s it going?” Her question seemed more than usually pointed. Laney looked around. None of the other patrons were close, and it was too early for the bulk of the breakfast crowd. She leaned in close and murmured, “Okay, what have you heard?” “Just that you were seen dining tête-à-tête with a certain handsome detective Friday night, and playing tonsil-hockey with him on your front porch afterward.” Andrea beamed. “You go, Laney! It’s about time you had a little fun.” Laney buried her face in her hands. She’d been sure everyone knew about the date, but the kiss? Most of her neighbors were like her, too poor to be part of the town’s social scene. On the other hand, one neighbor cleaned houses and liked to chat with her older clients and another was a hairdresser. Damn. “So what was it like riding in his convertible? Did he put the top down?” Andrea pushed a cup of coffee at Laney, who laughed. “That’s exactly what Parker wanted to know. He didn’t care about the guy, just the car.”

Andrea grinned. “Well, it is a really cool car. But I’d rather hear about the guy— especially the kiss.” “He was nice. He took me out, we had a great dinner and he kissed me goodnight. Nothing out of the ordinary for a date.” Liar. That kiss had been as un-ordinary as a kiss could get. At least, based on her experience. “Are you going out again?” Andrea’s green eyes sparkled with interest. “I doubt it.” He didn’t call. “I think I’m in the mood for waffles.” “What, you think you came in here for actual food?” As if sensing Laney’s disappointment, Andrea’s teasing shifted tack and she made a goofy face. “Some people. Next thing you know, you’re going to want blueberries on those waffles. And sausage on the side. What do you think this is, a restaurant?” Laney laughed with her friend and felt a little of the weight lift from her shoulders. “Yes on the blueberries. No on the sausage.” With her well-padded curves, she had to constantly watch what she ate, but today, she felt like she deserved the waffles at least. Ten minutes later, she had a plate in front of her with two waffles, covered in a thick layer of fresh fruit. Pushing all thoughts of Zach Shannon out of her mind, she dug into her food, determined to savor every bite. The diner started to fill up with locals, both daily regulars and others like Laney who only stopped in now and then. She smiled and waved, chatted briefly with a couple of library patrons and discussed gardening with an elderly neighbor as the restaurant began to fill up. She nodded back at lawyer Mick Wilding when he winked at her. Typical Monday in Hawthorne. When Mayor Blake Benedict walked in, though, Laney was glad her food was almost gone. Hopefully, she could leave before he went off on some rant or another. The mayor came in periodically because the diner was one of the only restaurants in town, but he definitely looked down his nose at the mere mortals who frequented the place. Worse yet, today his wife was with him. Even Andrea rolled her eyes before hurrying over to take them their coffee. Laney managed two more bites before she heard Stella Benedict’s voice raised purposefully high. “And it’s clear that some people in this town don’t know their place. Can you imagine some little Latina whore flaunting herself in front of a local hero like Zach Shannon?” Two other locals piped up and agreed.

Ignore them. Laney was proud of her one-quarter Mexican heritage. At least, her mother hadn’t deserted her like her unknown father had. And one thing Laney sure as hell was not was a slut. She wouldn’t have gone to bed frustrated the other night if she was. She kept her back turned to the crowd and fumbled in her purse for her wallet. Andrea shook her head and murmured, “On me.” “No.” Laney slapped down a ten dollar bill and stood, turning to face the mayor and his wife. She gathered her courage. She’d let these people pick on her for her whole life, and she wasn’t going to take it any more. Not when it spilled over onto Parker. She walked up to the mayor’s table and looked his wife right in the eyes. “Whatever happened between Zach and me—trust me, there were no financial transactions involved, not that it’s anybody’s business but ours. And I’d be cautious about throwing stones. This is a small town, and all of you live in pretty transparent houses.” With that, she held her head high and stalked out of the restaurant. **** Monday afternoon, Zach sat doing paperwork at his desk. Between working overtime and moving, he hadn’t even had time to call Laney, but he also hadn’t stopped thinking about her, even now when he sat here filling out boring reports. Fortunately, his war-zone instincts still made him look up whenever the door opened or somebody moved. He wasn’t too surprised to see Mick in the office, so he just waved and went back to his work. Mick was a lawyer. It only made sense he’d have to collect the occasional police report or get details on a case for a client. When the rapid slap of Mick’s boots passed all the way through the office to stop at Zach’s desk, though, Zach shoved his stack of papers aside. “Hey. Something I can help you with?” There was a grim set to Mick’s jaw. “Someplace we can talk for a minute?” Zach looked around. The break room was occupied, and the locker room wasn’t very private. Finally, he nodded and stood, leading Mick into the small observation booth behind the glass-walled interrogation room and shut the door. “What’s up?” “Heard you had a date the other night.” Zach rolled his eyes. “Is that what this is about? Trust me, my mother already gave me the third degree. What’s the problem? It was just a date. I promise, I didn’t even do anything

except kiss her goodnight.” Though he’d wanted to. And damn, just the memory of that kiss still had his blood running hot. “Yeah. In full view of half the gossips in town. They’re calling her names, Zach. Nasty ones. And some of them aren’t even making an attempt to do so behind her back.” To Zach’s growing dismay, Mick gave him a succinct rundown of what the mayor’s wife had said in the diner that morning. “Damn it.” Zach slammed a fist against the cinderblock wall, just hard enough to sting. “She’s nothing like her sister. Laney’s a really nice girl.” The kind a man thought about when he was out in the desert with nothing but death around him. After being away from home for so long, it had felt so damn good to go out with a sweet, normal, small-town woman. “She is nice. And she doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment. You got her into it, bud. It’s up to you to get her out of it.” How the hell was he supposed to do that? If he ignored her, the neighbors would assume it had been some kind of tawdry one night stand. If he saw her again, they’d read something else, possibly worse, into that. “What a mess.” Before he could say anything more, somebody pounded on the door of the tiny room. “See that you do.” Mick waited for him to open the door. “Anyway, the deed transfer is complete, so the house is officially yours,” he finished as Marla Jennings poked her head in the booth. “Hey partner, looks like another arson.” She nodded at Mick, her green eyes narrowed and shooting sparks. “Wilding.” Mick nodded curtly. If Zach had time, he’d wonder what had gone down between his partner and his friend, but right now, he just didn’t care. “Thanks, Mick. I’ll let you know what I decide about that other matter.” Zach followed Jennings toward the door, letting Mick find his own way out. “So where’s the fire this time?” Zach popped the red bubble light on the top of his Corvette as he pulled out of the parking lot. Jennings had no problem letting him drive the two of them around in his new car. “A barn out west of town,” she said, rattling off the address. “Looks like our troubled teens are at it again.”

Zach kept his eyes on the road, but he wished he could see her face. “You sound pretty sure you know who the culprits are.” He caught her shrug from the corner of his vision. “There’s a lot of circumstantial evidence pointing to Jacob Riley and Parker Burroughs. Both come from rough backgrounds, and both of them have reason enough to want a little revenge on some of the folks in this town. To be perfectly honest, I’m surprised they haven’t been caught yet.” “I’ve met the two boys. They’re a little rebellious, but I can’t say either of them struck me as felons.” Mostly, he just hoped to hell Parker wasn’t involved—for Laney’s sake. “Half the town has them tried and convicted already.” Jennings looked down at the report in her hands. “We’ve got ten unexplained fires so far, and each of the property owners is someone those kids had reason to hold a grudge against. But I’m not Dawkins—I won’t arrest anyone just on hearsay, and so far, we haven’t had any conclusive evidence.” “It’s barely past noon. Shouldn’t those kids be in school, anyway?” “Half day today for final exams.” Jennings shuffled her papers again. “I checked. They got out about an hour ago, which is just about right.” “Neither of those boys has a car.” He’d run through this a dozen times over the weekend, hoping to find more evidence to exonerate Parker and his friend. “They’re not even old enough to drive. And several of the fires have been a ways out of town. Any idea how they got there, let alone got away without being seen?” “No, though it’s possible one of their older friends is helping them out. There are two girls, both seniors, they hang out with sometimes. I think one of them has a car. There’s been graffiti left on some of the sites—names of heavy metal and punk rock bands, a handful of occult symbols pretty typical of the goth movement. I found an earring with a skull on it near the dumpster fire behind the Catholic church.” “From what I’ve read, none of the fires have actually caused too much damage. They’ve all been contained or called in early enough to save the buildings. You think that’s significant? Is our arsonist not trying to actually destroy anything?” “Honestly, I think that might be true,” Jennings said. “Though, I doubt a judge would see it that way. Arson can be deadly—these kids are just lucky one of their ‘statements’ hasn’t gone wrong yet and gotten somebody killed.”

“So this barn we’re heading to—Joe Hennessy’s, right? What would our alleged perps have against him?” “His daughter is captain of the cheerleading team, star at junior barrel racing, and if you don’t mind my saying so, a stuck-up brat—rich rancher’s daughter, pretty, athletic—you know the drill. Apparently, she and her friends played a prank on a couple of other girls at school last week—put dye in their shampoo bottles in the gym locker room.” “And these other girls—I’m guessing they’re the ones who work at the library?” Clearly, Jennings was well connected to the local gossip pipeline, which could be handy, even if the information wasn’t always accurate. “Yep and Mamie was furious. But there was no proof the cheerleaders did it, so there was nothing the school could do. I hear the poor girls still have blue streaks on their faces, and graduation is this coming weekend. I can’t say I blame them for wanting revenge, but arson isn’t an acceptable way to do it.” “No.” Zach believed that with all his heart. He just wasn’t convinced that they’d actually done it. Parker and Jacob had seemed like perfectly reasonable kids, damn it. Zach pulled into the private road for the Hennessy ranch, driving under an ostentatious archway and following white-painted fencerows up to skirt around the main house. The Hennessys weren’t one of the founding families—they’d only been in town thirty years or so, as Zach recalled—but they were obviously right up there in wealth. The firefighters were just rolling up their hoses and packing up their gear when Zach and Jennings pulled up beside the barn. Ranch hands and neighbors stood in a swarm back behind the single fire truck. Before they could get out of the car, Jennings turned to spear him with a look. “Shannon, you’re not going to have an issue with this case, are you? The whole town knows you went out with Laney Burroughs Friday night.” He shook his head. “No. Honestly, if it does turn out to be Parker, though, I’d just as soon be in on the arrest. I don’t trust Dawkins or any of his pals not to hurt the kids on the way in.” “Sad, but true.” Jennings gave a crisp nod. “Meanwhile, let’s keep an open mind and get the job done.” With that, she opened her door and stepped out of the car.

“Another arson.” The fire chief walked over to Jennings and Zach, shaking his head. “Same rags, same kerosene. Looks like a ripped up T-shirt—black with a rock-and-roll band on it.” The kind of shirt Parker and his friends wore, but would they really be so stupid? This was beginning to strike Zach as a bad frame job. Zach looked around the area then frowned at Jennings and the chief. “How’d someone get in here without being seen? It’s mid-afternoon and the place is crawling with hands.” Jennings shrugged. “We won’t know until we ask. Get out your notebook, buddy. We’ve got a whole bunch of statements to take.” Zach got to work. None of the hands had seen anything, but the owner’s daughter, one eighteen-year-old Tara Hennessy, swore she’d spotted Parker and Jacob Riley. “They got into one of the ranch trucks and drove off.” “I saw them, too. I swear.” Another girl came up and wrapped her arm around Tara’s waist. “It happened just like Tara said. They snuck in somehow then took off in one of her father’s trucks.” “Hell, the blue Dodge is missing,” one of the hands said, looking around in confusion. A short search turned up the missing truck in a brush-screened ditch a quarter mile outside the ranch’s gates. Jennings called the lab tech out for prints but shook her head when Zach suggested waiting for the results. “We have an eye-witness report placing the boys here. They’re smart enough to have worn gloves. We have to follow up, and you know it.” Zach held up his hands and conceded defeat. This was officially the end of any potential chance he had with Laney. “Okay. Let’s go pick up the boys.” He drove to Laney’s house with dread coiling in his gut. “You want me to do this on my own?” Jennings studiously stared out the window instead of looking at Zach. “I’m not used to working with a partner, anyway.” “No.” Zach believed in facing his demons—he’d never been the kind of man who could hide behind anyone else. He walked up to the door and knocked, with Jennings right beside him. Since it was the middle of the week, he wasn’t too surprised when no one answered. “I’ll admit, part of me hoped they’d be sitting there in the living room playing a video game with a half-eaten pizza on the floor between them.” Jennings slid back into the passenger

seat. “I know you think they’re being railroaded, and I’d like to prove you right, if only because Dawkins pisses me off.” “Be even better if we find them at Riley’s,” Zach said as he headed toward Jacob’s home. “If they’re there, Mrs. Riley will be able to vouch for them, whereas Laney was at work.” “True enough.” Before Zach could close his door, he heard a commotion from inside the garage, and the overhead door opened with a screech. “I told you not to spray that with the door shut.” Parker and the other boy from the picnic stumbled outside, coughing. When he spotted Zach, Parker waved. “Hi, Deputy Shannon.” “Hey, Parker. And Jacob, right?” He walked over to the garage and saw an old Volkswagen Beetle, mostly covered with gray primer. One tire was flat, so it was unlikely they’d gone anywhere in that, but that didn’t mean someone hadn’t driven them. “Yes, sir,” said the other boy, leaning over to drag in breath. “Sorry about the smell. Who knew spray paint was that potent?” “Nice ride.” Zach walked closer to the car, despite the lingering paint fumes. “Does it run?” Parker shrugged. “Not much—but hopefully it will by August, when I get my license.” “That’s quite a collection of supplies.” Jennings had made her way into the garage. “You use fertilizer for fixing your car? That’s a hell of a pile for one small garden.” Jacob answered. “We do lawn care in the summer. That’s how we bought our video games and cars. Parker keeps the supplies in his garage, and I keep the mower and spreader in mine.” “Well, that explains the gas cans, too, I guess.” She looked around sharply. “But the diesel fuel? Boys, I gotta tell you, this doesn’t look good.” “Let’s see the engine in this baby.” Zach walked around to the rear of the old car while Parker opened the hood. Sure enough, the VW was a diesel. “Where do you fuel up?” Parker named one of the stations in town that catered to diesel farm equipment. “It goes through fuel like mad, so when we take it out, we always carry extra. And we always get Gloria or Rita to drive. I promise.”

“So, guys, where were you this afternoon?” Jennings stood in the doorway, spearing them all with a look. “Right here, deputy. Since before lunchtime.” Jacob didn’t hesitate a moment. “And can anyone vouch for that?” She had her notebook out. Parker shrugged. “Mrs. Lorenzo, next door, yelled at us to turn down our music about what—two hours ago?” That was close to the time of the fire but might have given them time to run out and be back. Zach nodded at Jennings. “I’ll go next door and speak to the neighbor.” “We’ll go together.” She glanced at the boys, but she did it with a wink in her eye. It was clear she liked the kids. “Since you’re both under age, none of this was official, you understand. I’ve got to say, though, the materials you have stored in here—they don’t look good. We’ll be calling your parents this afternoon. Meanwhile, if you’re going to use spray paint, keep the garage door open, all right?” The neighbor swore the boys had been in the garage and had never left, so Zach and Jennings headed back to the station. Zach was less certain than ever, though, that Parker was innocent. En route to the office, Jennings tapped her knee restlessly. “We don’t have enough to book them, but I’m positive Edna Lorenzo would lie for Laney. So we’re really at square one. I was hoping for an alibi strong enough to rule them out completely. That way, Ralph might let us focus on finding another suspect for the fires. With what we found in the garage, though—well, Ralph may try to get an arrest warrant, anyway.” “Ralph’s the one pressuring you to arrest the Burroughs and Riley boys?” Damn, he’d always though better of his dad’s right-hand man. Jennings shrugged. “Lester Greene is his nephew, remember? This whole thing started with Lester’s mailbox being burned then the rest of the ones on his street. Lester’s positive it’s those two, and he has Ralph convinced. I’ve got to ask, though, Shannon. Are you sure you’re not just as biased?” Jennings speared him a look as he pulled his car into a parking spot in front of the library. “Whole town knows you’re stepping out with Laney Burroughs. Is that playing into your belief that her nephew is innocent? Because if it is, you need to back off and let me handle this one on my own.”

Zach thought a moment then shook his head. “No. It factors in my wanting him to be innocent. If he’s not, I’ll do my best to see he gets a fair trial, and maybe some help afterward, but I’ll have no compunction about bringing him in. I’ve been a cop too long to let my personal feelings get in the way of getting the job done.” Jennings nodded then picked up her Smokey the Bear hat as she stepped from the car. “Fair enough. Now, let’s go talk to the boss and file our reports.”

Chapter Five

Laney had just finished her solitary dinner when the doorbell rang. Since the boys had been here all afternoon, they were spending a few hours at Jacob’s before Parker came home to study for tomorrow’s final exams. She’d spoken to Detective Jennings and knew things were looking very dicey for Parker and Jacob. She only hoped this wasn’t more bad news. She wiped her hands on a dishcloth and shut the dishwasher before hurrying to the front door. When she spotted Zach through the window, her heart started to pound—she just wasn’t sure it if was with pleasure or concern. His smile when he spotted her opening the door reassured her, as did the bunch of colorful painted daisies in his hand. “Caught Leo before he closed this time,” he said as he stepped in the door. He handed her the paper-wrapped bundle. Then his grin vanished. “Laney, I’m sorry about this afternoon. I promise you, I’m doing all I can to find out who’s really behind the fires so I can clear this up and get the pressure off your nephew.” “Thanks.” She held the flowers close to her chest and gazed up at him. “I know you have to do your job, and figured that’s why I hadn’t heard from you. I’d understand if you didn’t want to see me again. The gossip—” “Laney, I don’t give a flying damn about the gossip—not for my own sake, anyway. I meant to call this weekend, but ended up working overtime—on top of moving, I barely even slept, and I sure wasn’t worth talking to. But I spoke with Mick earlier today. He said the Benedicts were giving you trouble at the Dine-n-Dash this morning. One thing I don’t want to do is bring any more trouble down on your head. Seems to me you have your hands full already.”

Was this his way of breaking things off gently? Buying time to think, she turned toward the kitchen, motioning him to follow. “Well, let me put these in water then my hands won’t be so full.” “I’m serious, darlin’. I want you to let me know if anybody says anything inappropriate. At the very least, I can sic my mother on them.” He leaned on the back of one of the kitchen chairs while she found another vase—this one an old milk-glass pitcher that had been her grandmother’s—and filled it with water. “I find it hard to imagine your mother much approves of me, either,” she said. Since the tulips were still on the table—though they were almost dead—she took the daisies back into the living room and set them on a bookshelf next to the TV. Once again, Zach followed her. When she’d arranged the flowers to her satisfaction, she sat down on the couch and he lowered himself to the other end, keeping a respectable distance between them. “My mother doesn’t much approve of anybody,” he admitted. “But if I ask for a favor, she’ll do it. I’m the prodigal son who just returned—though she’s still kind of ticked about me moving into my own place so soon.” “Are you all settled in? Your grandparents had such a beautiful house.” The elegant, three story Victorian was one of the most distinctive houses in town. Laney felt a momentary pang of envy—she’d always loved the graceful scrollwork and numerous gables. The turret and bay windows just made her drool. “Yep. Kinda big for just one person, but it’s already starting to feel like home. My folks kept it in good repair, so all it needs is some paint and some updated furniture.” “The garden used to be so gorgeous when your grandmother was alive.” Laney had always lusted after that garden—she had so little space to work with here, and Mary Shannon had been an avid gardener, encouraging others like Laney to make the best possible use of their space. “The garden club at the library hasn’t been the same without her.” “Maybe you can help me restore it,” Zach offered, sliding another few inches toward the center of the sofa. “Just with ideas and stuff—I don’t mean you’d have to do the actual work.” Laney laughed. “Blasphemer. No good gardener is happy unless she gets to play in the dirt. I’d love to help, and you’d better let me get my hands dirty. A chance to spend someone else’s money and help whip those grounds back into shape? Sounds wonderful to me.”

“Anytime you want to get dirty, I’m happy to oblige.” He closed the gap between them and cupped the back of her head in his hand. She barely had time to gasp before his lips were on hers. His kiss was everything she remembered and more. Laney leaned into Zach, winding one arm around his shoulders as he hauled her up onto his lap. She opened eagerly as his tongue parted her lips, her entire body melting into a pool of sensation and desire. He kept the fingers of one hand tangled in her hair while the other ran up and down her spine, curving around to stroke her bottom. Laney jumped at the unexpected touch and broke the kiss. Breathless, she blinked up at Zach through blurry eyes. “Wow. Umm—” “Yeah, wow.” Zach sighed and kissed her again, softly this time. “Laney, I sure never planned on getting involved with anyone the minute I came back to town. I don’t even know if I have a permanent job yet—I’m still on probation as a deputy. We should probably try to take things slow.” “Yeah…slow.” She shifted off his lap and back into her corner. “Uh…Parker should be home any minute.” Zach winced and slid away. “Think he’s going to come after me with a shotgun?” Laney’s laugh sounded ragged even to her own ears. “I doubt it. You could probably buy him off with a ride in your Corvette.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” He picked up her hand and toyed with her fingers. “When can I see you again?” She shrugged. “Slow, remember? I’m working this Friday night and Saturday morning, but I’ll be free Saturday evening.” She licked her lips and drew in a deep breath. Here goes nothing. “Maybe Parker can stay with Jacob for the night.” His smile was slow and so sexy it hit her like a fist. “Sounds good to me. Saturday night, then. I’ll be looking forward to it.” **** Zach was tired, and now he was frustrated as well. It was still early—not even eight o’clock, and he’d skipped dinner. On the way to the Roadhouse, the town’s only real tavern, he thought about calling Quinn or Mick to keep him company, then discarded the idea. It was a small town; he was bound to run into someone he knew.

As luck would have it, there was a good-sized crowd that included a handful of his fellow deputies and other county employees. Several voices hailed Zach, and he pulled up a chair, pausing at the bar only long enough to order. Summer plans seemed to be the topic of discussion, along with who was dating whom. Zach filed away the information and congratulated one of the younger men on his recent engagement. By the time his sandwich arrived, he was talking home renovations with the county surveyor, and sipping slowly at the one low-alcohol beer he allowed himself when he was driving. “So, hear you’re getting a piece of the Burroughs girl,” one of the road workers said with a snicker. “Never tapped that myself, though I did the sister. How is she in the sack? I hear she gets around almost as much as Nina did.” Zach leapt to his feet with a snarl, his fist drawn back before he even realized it. “Back down, Shannon!” That came from Senior Deputy Tim Carpenter, the midnight shift supervisor. He grabbed the back of Zach’s shirt and hauled him down into his chair. “Collins, watch your mouth. No need to talk about a lady, any lady, in those kind of terms.” Collins, forty-something with a beer belly and a bald spot, shrugged, unperturbed and sucked on the cigarette hanging out of his mouth. “Not that I think the word lady applies, but what the hell. Sorry. Far as I know she’s gone out with half the single guys in town, and probably a good few of the married ones. None of those Burroughs women ever were exactly picky.” Zach growled. “One more word, Collins, and you’ll be picking your teeth out of the parking lot.” “Hey, we’ve all heard the same thing,” one of the younger deputies said. “He’s not making it up. I mean, she always seems real proper at the library, but one of my buddies said she’s a tiger in the sack.” There was a general murmur of agreement. Zach glared. “Every single one of you knows someone who’s slept with Laney?” All but one or two nodded. “Hell.” He left the uneaten half of his sandwich on his plate and half his beer as he shoved to his feet and strode out of the bar. ****

When Laney walked out to her driveway Thursday morning, the sight that met her eyes had her mouth hanging open in horror. Every window was covered in sticky yellow egg yolks and broken shells littered her porch. Who had egged her house? And why? She started to go for the hose, but Parker grabbed her arm. “Don’t. I don’t want to be late, since today’s the last day of school, and I know you have a dentist appointment this morning. I’ll clean it up when I get home at noon. At least if I’m on the front porch, all the neighbors will be able to vouch for my whereabouts.” “Jeez, don’t let’s get started on that.” Laney said. “Maybe they quit. There haven’t been any fires this week.” “Damn it,” Parker muttered. “It’s got to be Taylor Kendricks and Peyton Benedict.” “What makes you say that?” “They’ve been out of town with the baseball team for the past five days for the statewide finals.” “During final exams?” Really? The school placed that much emphasis on sports over academics? She shouldn’t be surprised. “Yeah, they get to take theirs when they get back. That doesn’t matter though. The fact that they both hate my guts, does.” He threw his backpack in the backseat and climbed into the front. “I’m guessing they’re behind the nasty notes that have been showing up in our mailbox, too, but good luck proving it.” Laney nodded as she backed out of her driveway. Every morning this week, there’d been a note in her mailbox. Leave town, whore, had been one of the nicer ones. **** Zach got off early Thursday afternoon since he’d pulled a double shift on Wednesday. The conversation at the bar the other evening had been eating away at his gut, and midafternoon, he found himself driving past Laney’s house even though he knew she’d still be at work. What he didn’t expect to see was Parker up on a ladder beside the front porch, scrubbing the upstairs window. Zach pulled into the driveway and shut off the motor. He waited until Parker had climbed down to move the ladder before he got out of his car, not wanting to startle the boy. “Hey.” Zach stepped up toward the porch, not sure what to say.

“Hey.” The look Parker cast Zach was frankly suspicious. Zach held up both hands. “I’m off duty. I was just driving by.” He saw the streaks on the windows and siding along with the eggshells on the porch, and his teeth clenched. “Need a hand with that ladder?” The boy shrugged. “Sure. I want to get it cleaned up before Aunt Laney gets home.” He dipped his rag in the bucket, squeezed it out and moved the ladder two feet to one side, as Zach stepped up. “She’s pretty upset about it.” “Any idea who?” Since Parker had already moved the ladder and started climbing, Zach just gripped the lower rungs, holding the ladder in place. “You asking as a cop or as my aunt’s boyfriend?” Parker wiped off a long yellow streak from the siding then reached to the side to get another. “Hell, I don’t know. Maybe neither? Maybe both.” Not that he was going to arrest anybody for egging a house. “Some of that depends on your aunt.” Parker clambered down with a typical teenager’s awkward grace—he looked all gangly, but there was muscle starting to form and an agility most adults couldn’t regain. “So do you really like her, or are you just trying to get in her pants? Because no matter what they say, Aunt Laney isn’t like that.” Zach had to smother a smile at the kid’s clear protectiveness. Damn if he didn’t like him better for it. “I like her—a lot. And I know she’s not…easy. Beyond that, I want to go out with her a few times, to see if liking grows into something bigger. You okay with that?” Parker paused and stared down Zach before moving the ladder over a few more feet. “Yeah, I suppose I’m okay with that. She gets crap in this town because of how my mother was. Hell, I guess even Grandma was kinda—out there—back in her day. I know Mom and Aunt Laney had different dads, and Grandma wasn’t married to either of them. But Laney’s different. You’re the first guy she’s gone out with in a long time—like maybe a year.” That was at odds with what Zach had heard at the Roadhouse last night, but it sounded more like the Laney he’d thought he’d been getting to know. He held the ladder as Parker descended then helped the boy carry it into the little detached garage and hang it up. “Got a garbage bag for the shells?” He picked up the broom on his way out.

“Trashcan is in the kitchen, under the sink.” Parker got back to work on one of the lowerlevel windows this time. “But you can compost eggshells, and that’s supposed to be good for the garden. Just use a bucket. Compost bin is right behind the garage.” “Huh. Compost?” Not something he’d ever thought about. Maybe his grandmother Shannon had done that since she was a gardener. Come to think of it, hadn’t she kept a bucket in the kitchen for scraps? Zach had just assumed her house didn’t have a garbage disposal. Without saying anything else, he grabbed a plastic bucket and took it up to the porch along with the broom and dustpan. He’d noted last time he was here that one of the steps was loose. He’d fix that before he left. “So why aren’t you in school today?” “School’s over, dude. The last week was final exams in the mornings. Now, we’re done.” He didn’t sound as if he was too disappointed, not that Zach could blame him. High school hadn’t been his favorite thing in life, either—and he’d been a jock. “So what will you do while your aunt is at work?” Zach swept up the shells on the porch, using his fingers to pick away at a few that had stuck to the wooden decking. “When I was younger, Aunt Laney paid Mrs. Riley to keep an eye on me in the summers. Now, I usually still hang out there some days. Jake and I make a little money mowing lawns and weeding flowerbeds. Laney made sure I know my way around a garden.” The kid kept working while he talked, until most of the egg was gone from the front of the house. “I’ll bet. She’s really into her flowers and stuff, isn’t she?” If he was a better man, he’d feel guilty about pumping the boy for information about his aunt. Good thing Zach wasn’t a better man. “Heck, yeah. Next to books, flowers are pretty much her favorite thing.” “Good to know.” They worked quietly for a few more minutes then Zach finally asked, “Parker, do you have any idea who’s setting the fires? It would help if I had somewhere to start looking for a suspect.” Parker shrugged, but his posture immediately tensed. “I have my ideas. Can’t prove them though.” “I told you I’m off duty. This is just between us. Who do you think is behind all this crap—or are the eggs unrelated?” It seemed a little too coincidental in Zach’s opinion.

“Doubt it, though I don’t think it’s exactly the same jerks. Notice there haven’t been any fires while the baseball team’s been out of town. They didn’t get back until today, though, so they didn’t do this. It happened overnight.” That had Zach stopping in his tracks. How had he not bothered to check and see if any group of students had been away while the fires had paused? He was going to need a list of everyone who’d been gone with the baseball team. Parker kept talking. “The nasty notes, though, those just started while the jocks have been gone. I’m wondering if it was one of their girlfriends, or maybe Kendricks’ little brother.” “Kendricks?” Finished collecting eggshells, Zach sat down on the step. He waved at a neighbor who walked out to pick up her mail. “Maybe we should take this conversation inside if we’re going to start talking names.” “Sure. Anyway, Aunt Laney would have my hide if I didn’t at least offer you something to drink after you helped out.” “I’ll take more of that iced tea she keeps in the fridge.” He followed Parker to the backyard where he emptied the eggshells into a tidy plastic compost bin, while Parker rinsed out the bucket of soapy water with the hose. Then they stacked their buckets in the garage before going through the back door into the kitchen. “You got a piece of paper and a pen?” Zach accepted the glass of tea the boy handed over and helped himself to the sugar bowl on the table. “I want to write this down, so I don’t forget it when I go in to work tomorrow.” “Yeah.” Parker pulled open a drawer and handed over a notepad and a pen with roses and a romance author’s name on it. “Sorry about the girly pen. Laney gets to meet a bunch of authors at library conferences, and they’re always giving her stuff like that.” “I can handle flowers on a pen. I’m fairly secure in my masculinity.” He looked at the boy who slid into the chair across from him. “Occurs to me you must be, too. Eyeliner, nail polish—you must take a lot of crap for that in a town like this.” Parker shrugged. “A little. I can handle that. Wranglers and mesh-back caps aren’t my style. I like being set apart from all the rednecks and cowboys. I just don’t want to end up in jail for something I didn’t do. And I don’t like anybody threatening Aunt Laney.” “Threatening?” Zach’s spine straightened, and his vision narrowed. Adrenaline spiked his bloodstream, just like it always had before a mission. “I hadn’t heard about any threats.”

“Letters.” The kid reached into a cupboard behind him and pulled out a rolled-up plastic grocery sack which he handed to Zach. “Aunt Laney tries to throw them out, but I rescued them from the trash. Thought we might need to show them to somebody. There’s been one in our mailbox every morning since Friday. I brought today’s in already.” When Zach unwrapped the bundle, he found six folded sheets of paper that had been taped closed—no envelopes, no address, nothing. These hadn’t been sent through the regular mail. They were on standard computer paper, in a big font from a common printer. In pencil on one corner of the outside, someone—namely Parker—had written dates, ranging from Friday through today. There was even one for Sunday. Get out of this town, bitch. Most of them were on that theme, calling Laney a variety of nasty names. Take the freak and leave, was one of just a few that mentioned Parker. The one labeled that day, Get out or else. Your kind aren’t welcome here, was the only one that properly constituted a threat, but the overall tone was pretty ugly. Zach rewrapped them in the bag and looked up at Parker. “Thanks for saving these, and for giving them to me. It was the right thing to do. I’ll talk to Laney tonight and make sure she knows to bring any others straight to me.” The teen drew in a deep breath, like a load had been lifted from his shoulders. “Thanks.” Zach jotted off a receipt on the notepad, signed it and handed it to Parker. “There—this is proof you gave me the letters. You said you have an idea of who’s behind this. I need names.” Parker grimaced. “Taylor Kendricks and Peyton Benedict. I can’t prove anything, but those two hate my guts, big time.” “Whew. You don’t mess around. I assume Peyton’s dad is the mayor?” The Kendricks were another of the older, richer families in town, and Zach was pretty sure they were somehow related to the Benedicts and the Wildings, maybe the Maguires. “Yeah.” Parker leaned his elbows on the table and dropped his chin onto his fist. Zach held out his hand. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this, I promise. And I’m not going to let anyone hurt Laney.” Parker shook Zach’s hand. “Thank you.” After draining his glass of tea, Zach stood. “Now, let’s go fix that busted step, before your aunt gets home.”

Chapter Six

Laney saw Zach’s car in front of the house as soon as she turned onto the block at eightthirty. Had there been trouble again? Then she saw the man himself, pulling weeds from the flowerbed surrounding the porch. Parker was a few feet away, obviously instructing Zach on what to pull and what to leave. She sat in her car, jaw dropped at the homey domesticity of the scene. What alternate universe had she landed in? “Hey, Aunt Laney. I put the lasagna in the oven an hour ago, like you said,” Parker called without looking up. “Can Zach stay for dinner?” “I’ll even make the salad.” Zach straightened and sent her a wicked smile. Laney laughed and drew a bag of groceries out of the passenger seat. “I’ll take care of that, since it looks like you two are hard at work. Just remember, Parker, you’re supposed to call me when you have a friend over.” Parker rolled his eyes and got back to work. Zach, though, followed Laney inside. “Why didn’t you tell me about the letters?” She set the groceries on the table and turned to face him, hands on her hips. “Is that why you’re here? Did Parker call you?” “No.” He crossed to her and gripped her upper arms loosely. “I just wanted to see you. I forgot you worked late on Thursdays.” “The trade-off is I get to go in at noon.” She pulled a loaf of bread and a head of lettuce out of the bag. “Which allows me to make daytime dentist appointments.” She flashed a smile with her freshly cleaned teeth then shrugged. “The letters are no big deal. I didn’t tell you about them because I didn’t want to give them more credence than they deserved.” Turning her back on him, she took the lettuce to the sink to rinse.

“Laney, those could help exonerate your nephew.” His voice was so gentle, she barely heard it over the pounding of her heart as he walked up behind her. “It documents that there’s someone out there with a grudge against the two of you.” “In this town, that’s hardly news.” She stepped aside to put the lettuce in a colander to drain, and Zach washed up at the sink. Odd how they moved about the small kitchen as if they were familiar with one another. “People have held grudges against me my whole life—most of the time for things my mother or sister did—not even for my own behavior.” “So why do you stay? Why not move somewhere else? I’m sure you could get a job in one of the cities.” While she sliced a tomato and a cucumber, he refilled a glass off the table with iced tea, poured her one and squeezed in a wedge of lemon. She liked that he remembered that little detail of what she preferred, though she wasn’t sure it was good that he’d made himself right at home in her kitchen. “Probably. But Hawthorne is home. The house is paid for, and despite a few snooty individuals, there are a lot of good people here. I have friends, I like my neighbors, and I enjoy being part of the community. I just don’t like it when people assume I’m the same as my mother or sister. That happens sometimes, but most people leave us alone—at least until the last few weeks.” “Parker has some ideas about who might be responsible for the fires. What do you think?” “I don’t know. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone behaving so viciously. But those boys have harassed Parker since grade school.” She tossed the salad into a bowl and set it on the table. “Placemats are on the counter there. Silverware’s in the drawer next to the sink.” She got down three plates and three salad bowls while he obediently laid out placemats, forks and knives. The oven timer dinged, and she used a pair of heavy mitts to pull out the big glass pan. “Can you stack two of the placemats in the center of the table, please?” When Zach did, she moved the pan to the table. “Now, we need to let that sit a minute. If you’ll call Parker to wash up, I’m going to go change.” Without waiting for an answer, she dashed down the hall to her room. **** Much later, after Parker had gone upstairs for the night, Zach sat on one end of the couch while a wary Laney perched on the other, her bare feet curled up on the cushion between them. She’d changed from the long skirt and gauzy top he’d come to think of as her librarian uniform

into a pair of denim shorts and a pink T-shirt with butterflies on it. With her hair braided down her back, the outfit would have made her look about twelve, if it weren’t for the way her shirt clung to her womanly curves—curves he’d very much like to get to know on an intimate basis. Shifting to face her, he pulled her feet into his lap and began to rub one of them with his thumbs. Her smile was slow and sexy. “Mmm, that feels good. I was on my feet all day today at the library. Even in sport sandals, they get tired after a day like that.” “Parker tells me you haven’t gone out with anyone in quite a while.” Even in the soft glow of the table lamp beside her, he could see her rosy flush. “No. It’s been almost a year—and that was only one date. I don’t want to set a bad example for Parker, so I try to be careful.” “And you have your sister’s reputation to live down.” He kept massaging her feet. There was no longer any question in his mind that he’d been handed a load of crap at the bar the other night, but he wanted to hear her say it. “That’s gotta be rough sometimes.” “It is. The funny thing is I can’t imagine why people think men would be falling all over me. I mean, Nina was gorgeous. I get that, but I’m as ordinary as they come. I couldn’t be a vamp if I tried, and I sure as hell wouldn’t know how.” He snorted in disgust. “Honey, have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re gorgeous. You just have a more subtle beauty than your sister’s. She was all flash. You’re the real thing.” “That’s sweet, but it’s baloney, Zach.” Her crooked smile was so pure, so honest, he didn’t understand how anyone could resist it. “I know what I look like. I’m chubby and plain.” “No, you’re curvy, and you have the serene beauty of a Hispanic Madonna.” He flicked his finger against the sole of her foot. “Don’t put yourself down, sweetheart. Nobody gets to do that. Not while I’m around.” “Then you’d better not hang out in town.” Her smile twisted into a wry smirk. “I’m sure you’ll hear all about my supposed exploits sooner or later. Pretty funny since the last guy I slept with was back in college. Once I came home, there was no time, with Mom sick and Parker to take care of.”

“So it really has been a while.” Part of him wanted to stand up and beat on his chest. He was going to be the man who got to break her dry spell. “Over ten years.” She shook her head with a little laugh. “Even then, my experience was pretty limited. Neither of my college boyfriends made it very appealing. On the other hand, maybe it was just me.” “Oh, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t you,” he murmured. He let go of her feet and shifted them both so she was sitting on his lap, a startled expression on her face. “As passionate as you are, I can’t imagine you being anything less than fantastic. Your boyfriends were probably idiots.” Oh yeah, he was going to be the one to teach her just how wonderful sex could be. He hardened painfully at the thought—and at the feel of her, all soft and warm in his lap. Unable to wait another moment, he eased his arms around her and lowered his face to hers. “Look at me, darlin’ while I kiss you.” He gazed into her big brown eyes, which she held open as his mouth moved over hers. Laney tasted sweeter than the apple cobbler she’d served him for dessert. She kissed him back, cupping one hand around the back of his head and sliding the other up his arm, under his sleeve to his shoulder. Her fingers were soft against his bare skin, and Zach needed to feel more. Slowly, waiting for her to object, he slipped one under the waistband of her top and smoothed it up her back. When she just moaned into his mouth, he took that for consent and brought his other hand up the side of her ribs to cup one lush breast, which overflowed the palm of his hand. Now, her eyes fluttered shut, but she leaned into his touch, shifting so that she straddled his lap, her knees on either side of his thighs. Her hands moved, sliding up under his shirt along his chest, tugging gently on his sparse chest hair. Her core pressed against his erection, only their clothing separating him from where he wanted to be, deep inside her heat. He only fumbled a little with the back clasp of her sturdy cotton bra. Then he brought his hands around to fill them with her soft flesh and rubbed his thumbs against her taut nipples. “Zach.” His name was a hushed moan. Hearing it on her lips turned him on even more. He kissed her again, teasing her breasts with gentle flicks. A thump upstairs jolted them both. Laney’s eyes flew open, and she pulled back. Her lip trembled as they both remembered that Parker was still upstairs.

Zach swore softly. “I’m sorry, Laney. I didn’t mean for things to go so far. Not here, not now.” “Me either.” He hated the tremor in her voice. “I think you should probably go. I’m sorry.” “Yeah. Unfortunately, I think you’re right.” He kissed her quickly then lifted her off his lap. Reaching around her, he re-hooked her bra then straightened her top. “No need to be sorry. Are we still on for Saturday?” She hesitated then her smile slowly bloomed. “Yeah.” “Parker staying with Jacob overnight?” She grinned and nodded looking down at her hands as she blushed. “Good.” He brushed his thumb across her lower lip. “Promise you’ll call me if there are any more letters or threats, okay?” “I promise.” She traced an X across her chest with one fingertip. “Goodnight, darlin’” Leaving her there alone was one of the hardest things he’d ever done. But he drove home whistling, just thinking about Saturday night. He’d just walked into his own kitchen for a beer when his cell phone rang, and his cheery mood evaporated. Only one person had that ringtone—his mother. “I can’t believe you’re seeing that woman.” Ysabel launched right into her tirade as soon as Zach said hello. “Your sources are good, Mother. I just got home.” He pulled a longneck out of the fridge and popped the lid. Then he walked into his living room and plopped down on his grandfather’s ancient leather recliner. “But if you wanted to know who I’m seeing, you could have just asked. I don’t have anything to hide.” “Zachariah, that woman is no good. I can understand that after you just got out of the Army, you might be feeling a little—restless.” “You mean horny.” He was so not in the mood for his mother’s brand of elitism. “And yeah, there’s some truth to that. Laney’s a very attractive woman. But I’m not enough of a hound dog to have sex with a woman while her fifteen-year-old nephew is in the house. We had dinner. We talked. All the normal stuff people do on dates.” “Hmph. From what I’ve heard, that boy could probably give you lessons.”

“As a matter of fact, he did. In gardening. While we waited for his aunt to get off work, he showed me the difference between flowers and weeds. Then I showed him how to fix a broken step. Sounds like a real troublemaker to me.” He needed to introduce Laney and Parker to his family. Perhaps then his mom would get the clue that neither Burroughs was at all what the gossips made them seem. Having his parents on her side would go a long way to help raise Laney’s respectability in this town. One thing Ysabel loved was a worthy cause. Time to lay some groundwork. After Ysabel wound down about this or that other woman he could be dating, Zach said, “Mom, I need your help.” He rarely called her Mom—she’d rarely encouraged it. She liked to maintain the proprieties, though he knew she loved her children deeply. “Of course, dear. Anything.” “I need you to meet Laney. Really get to know her, and keep an open mind. She’s good people, Mom. She’s nothing like her sister. Nothing at all.” “I really don’t—” “Please.” There was a deep, indrawn breath at the other end of the line. Then a resigned sigh before she asked, “Can they come for Sunday dinner?” Sunday—the day after he planned to make love to Laney all night long. He was glad his mother couldn’t see his grin. “I think Sunday dinner will be just fine.” **** Friday, just one day before his big date with Laney, there was another damn fire. Zach swore a blue streak to himself as he stared at the charred trash pile in the middle of the high school’s landscaping shed. The building was mostly vacant due to summer vacation, but some of the staff were still in the building getting things squared away before the end of the year. One of those was the head groundskeeper, who’d been out mowing the baseball and football fields. He’d come back just in time to put out the fire before it caught any of the walls or, worse yet, the stored cans of gasoline. Once again, Lester Greene was quick to point the finger at Parker and Jacob, though again, no one had gotten a good look at anyone who shouldn’t have been on the property. This time, though, the department’s sole crime scene tech found fingerprints on the one empty gas can the groundskeeper couldn’t identify as belonging to the school.

“Shannon, I think you should wait back at the office,” Detective Jennings said with a frown. “People aren’t coming out and saying it yet, but there’ve been hints that you’re helping cover things up for the Burroughs boy.” “That’s crap, and you know it.” Zach had told the other detective about the threatening letters to Laney and Parker, even had her log them in as evidence. A new letter from this morning had been added—Zach had taken to stopping by the library on his lunch hour to check. “I know.” Marla sighed, but she held her ground. “But you’re too close to this. Let me run with it. I promise not to be bulldozed into anything. Okay?” Reluctantly, he nodded. “Check with Miss Mamie first. She’s been trying to keep the boys busy at the library to make sure someone could speak for their whereabouts. Earlier this morning, she had them painting the storerooms in the basement.” The old librarian had come through for Laney, agreeing immediately to the plan Zach had suggested. “Will do,” she assured him. “You might want to have a chat with the boss—see if he can talk Ralph into backing off on this. I think Ralph sees it as the one last big case before he retires. He wants it closed, like, yesterday. Maybe your old man can get him to chill.” “I shouldn’t, but I will.” Zach pondered the problem as he drove back to the station. **** When Marla Jennings walked into the library, Laney could tell by the look on her face she hadn’t come to check out a book. “What can I do for you, Detective?” Laney set aside the DVD’s she’d been sorting and stood as the deputy walked up to the counter. “I need to know if your nephew Parker and Jacob Riley are here at the library, Ms. Burroughs.” At least, her smile was slightly apologetic. Laney understood. She was only doing her job. She wondered if Zach had been too chicken to come himself. Laney crooked a finger at the page shelving books nearby and left the counter as the page took her place. She turned toward the back of the library. “Follow me, please.” Without argument, Marla fell into step behind her. They didn’t speak a word as Laney led the other woman through the back section of the first floor and down the stairs to the children’s department. Back behind the shelves was a small room filled with beanbags and other chairs, so moms could read to their little ones, or older kids could curl up with a book. Once a week they

held story-time here for toddlers. Miss Mamie had decided yesterday that the room needed a new coat of bright yellow paint. The entire floor of the room was covered by a clear plastic tarp, which was now liberally spattered with yellow paint. Parker stood on a stepladder, with a small brush, painting the edge of the wall around the ceiling molding, marked off with blue painter’s tape. Jacob used a roller to fill in large sections of the opposite wall. In the center, Gabe Gonzales, the custodian, painted a bookshelf in bright, contrasting red. Miss Mamie perched on a stool just outside the danger zone, supervising with a knowing grin. “Detective, how kind of you to stop by.” Mamie stood and extended her hand to Marla. “What can we do for you today?” “I see you’ve got yourself a couple of good workers,” Marla noted, nodding at the boys. “How long have they been here working?” “Since nine this morning.” Her voice was sweet and civil, but her bright eyes glared daggers at the detective. “Is there a problem? I assure you, no child labor laws are being broken. They’re here on a purely volunteer basis.” Laney hovered nearby as Marla questioned Miss Mamie about lunch, about whether the boys had been continuously supervised, about whether either of them had left at any time. Gabe corroborated Miss Mamie’s statement. Between the two of them, Parker and Jacob hadn’t been left a lone for a moment. And the whole crew had shared pizza for lunch in the staff lounge. Once again, the boys were well and truly in the clear. On the way back upstairs, Marla admitted to Laney that yes, there had been another fire. “This one was in the school’s landscaping shed. If the gas cans stored there had exploded, well, it could have turned deadly. A prosecutor could try this one as attempted murder.” Laney shook her head. “I understand that. What I don’t understand is why nobody is even looking at any other suspects. All you have against Parker and Jacob is hearsay—from people who don’t like them and want to see them hurt. Why would the police believe people like that?” “Because even though we try not to let it, money talks.” Marla bit her lip and leaned a shoulder against the hallway wall. “So far, nobody has seen anything, given us any evidence to point the investigation in a different direction. You have my word that if anything come to light, I’ll follow through on it. I’m not going to let Dawkins or anyone else bury evidence. But I can’t just go looking for suspects without anything to point the way.”

“Even if it means two innocent boys get in trouble?” Laney ground her teeth in frustration. “Doesn’t it mean something that every time there’s a fire, they’ve clearly been somewhere else? By process of elimination, they’re about the only two people in town who can’t be setting the fires.” “You’re right.” Marla gave her a solemn nod. “We need to start cross-referencing things. But in the meanwhile, what you’re doing, keeping them with solid alibis? If it were me, if it were my little brother being accused, I’d keep doing it. Maybe even find a way to get him out of town for a few weeks.” “I wish I could.” Camps cost money—and Laney didn’t have enough of that to spare. She saw the detective out then went to fill Miss Mamie in on what Marla had said. Mamie gave Laney a pensive stare. “Hmmmm.” She set down the notepad she been writing on and picked up her purse from a nearby shelf. “I have an idea. I think it’s time I went and had a chat with Walter Shannon.” **** The sheriff had been tied up in a meeting with the mayor when Zach reached the office. He’d bided his time and had just gone in to talk to his father, when Miss Mamie stormed into the building, angrier than Zach had ever seen her. “Betty, I want to talk to Walt Shannon, right this minute,” the older woman demanded, loudly enough that Zach heard her through the closed door of the private office. He looked at his dad, who nodded resignedly. “Better let her in, son. Don’t want her breaking down the damn door.” He popped a couple more antacids from the ever-present bottle and chewed, while Zach stood to usher Miss Mamie inside. “You stay, Zachariah,” she ordered when he went to leave. “This concerns you, too.” “Yes, ma’am.” Zach held one of the two guest chairs for Mamie then sat back down in the other. “Walter, this persecution of two innocent boys has got to stop.” Her spine straight as a rifle barrel, Mamie glared at the sheriff and shook one bony finger. “I know that jackass Lester Greene has Ralph convinced, but you and I both know those two boys are being framed. I want you to put an end to this miscarriage of justice. Now. I am not about to lose my best librarian because she feels she has to leave town to keep her nephew safe.” “Mamie, have you ever known Ralph to railroad an innocent man? Let alone a boy?”

Zach saw the strain on his dad’s face as he tried to soothe the woman’s ruffled feathers. “No. But it seems there’s a first time for everything, and this time, Ralph’s been buffaloed. I just spoke with that nice young Marla Jennings. She tried to get me to say they weren’t, but I swear to you, both Parker and Jacob were in my library all day long, painting the children’s reading room. Gabe Gonzales and I even stayed in the basement with them all day, so there would be two adults whose word you could take for it.” “They’ve been doing this for the past few days,” Zach added. “Making sure Parker and Jacob were always where they could be seen by someone. Also, we’ve got other evidence of harassment against the Burroughs family, Sheriff. I know Ralph wants to see this closed, and I understand, but this time he’s barking up the wrong tree.” “Son, are you sure you’re not just trying to look the other way?” Walt studied Zach with a cautious eye. “If you believe I’d do that, then I’ll turn my badge in here and now,” Zach said softly. “Yes, I’m involved with Laney Burroughs. I’m not even trying to keep that a secret. But if I thought those two boys were setting the fires, I’d be hiring Mick to get them a fair trial, not trying to find the real culprits. Isn’t it odd that there were no fires the whole time the baseball team was out of town? Or that the one eyewitness to positively identify Parker and Jacob is the girlfriend of the star pitcher? Who was then proved wrong? It’s a frame job, Sheriff, and a sloppy one at that.” The phone on Walt’s desk rang, and he barked into it then hung up, rubbing his forehead. “The gas can found at the scene today has the Burroughs boy’s prints on it. They were on record from an ‘Identify Your Kids’ day at school a few years back.” He turned to Mamie. “You’re absolutely sure he was never out of your sight—not even for half an hour? Lunch break, maybe?” “Not for a minute. I bought the boys pizza, and we all ate it together in the staff room,” she replied, lifting her chin. “I’ll bet you a bottle of your favorite bourbon that the gas tank was stolen from Laney’s garage.” Zach shook his head. “The lock on the side door doesn’t work. I should have fixed that while I was over there the other day. Send a team out to print that door and get examples from Peyton Benedict and Taylor Kendricks. Claim you got an anonymous tip that they were the ones. Both boys have reasons to hold a grudge against Parker; he beat them both out for academic

awards.” And a Benedict rarely took well to being beaten at anything—at least from what Zach remembered of the clan. “It’s also interesting that both of them were out of town all last week— when there were conspicuously no fires.” “Excellent thinking.” Mamie patted Zach’s arm. “Now, I have another idea, one that might clear these two permanently. But it’s going to take a little finesse. Laney and Josie will have to be convinced. Neither one of them like accepting what they see as charity.” Zach smiled at the devious old woman. “I’m all ears, Miss Mamie.”

Chapter Seven

“This is not the date I had in mind,” Laney said Saturday afternoon as she bounced along a rutted gravel road in the crew cab of one of the Hawthorne Hills ranch pickups, crammed between Zach and Josie Riley in the front seat. They were headed toward a private airstrip on the ranch, where Quinn Shannon kept his plane. “No, I can see that.” Josie held tight to the handle above the door. “But the boys will have fun, and when the fires continue, we’ll be able to prove it wasn’t them.” “Fun?” Parker snorted from the back. “You got us jobs on a stinking farm.” Though he was keen about the adventure and getting out of town, he hadn’t been thrilled with the plan to send him to work for a former college intern at the library, who’d married and moved to a farm in the north. “Same crap as around here, but with llamas and goats.” Personally, Laney thought it was the most brilliant idea Miss Mamie had ever had, though Laney was going to miss Parker desperately. He’d never been away for more than a few days. But she put on a brave face, for his sake. “Trust me,” she said. “It won’t be that bad. You remember, Jenna, and she’s not going to be a slave driver. Besides, she’s paying you minimum wage on top of your room and board. That’s more than you’d earn mowing lawns.” “But goats? Ick. And llamas? They’re big and stinky, and they spit,” Jacob groused. “Sounds like teenagers,” Josie replied with a laugh. “You’ll be fine.” “Give it up. You’ll work, earn money, and meanwhile, have verifiable airline tickets from Dallas to Minneapolis,” Zach said cheerfully. “Nobody—no court in the world—will believe you could have snuck back here from Minnesota to set any fires.” “As long as nobody knows they’re gone,” Josie agreed.

Laney nodded. “Nobody knows except the five of us in this truck, your dad and Miss Mamie.” “Exactly.” Zach just grinned. “And Quinn, of course, since he’s the one flying the plane to Dallas.” “Don’t remind me.” Laney wasn’t sure about that part of things, either. She didn’t know Quinn Shannon well enough to trust him piloting a small plane with her nephew and Jacob on board. “I still think we could have just driven.” “But then someone might have seen you all heading out of town. This way, you all just drove out for an afternoon on the ranch. When you go back separately, no one will notice that the boys aren’t with you.” He made the outlandish plan sound almost reasonable, so Laney shook her head and shut her mouth. A few minutes later, they reached the ranch’s airstrip. Laney hugged Parker goodbye before he and Jacob climbed into Quinn’s plane. “I’ll take good care of them until they board their flight to Minnesota,” Zach’s younger brother promised, a twinkle in his bright blue eyes and dimples bracketing his smile. He gave Laney a quick kiss on the cheek before he climbed into the cockpit. “Sorry, I’m going to miss dinner. Don’t let Mother get to you.” He saluted his brother then got into the plane. Laney and the others watched until the small aircraft was out of sight. Zach wrapped one arm around each of the women and squeezed their shoulders. “They’ll be fine. To a pair of kids that age, a month-long job in another state, with free room and board is like winning the lottery. They’ll be back before you know it—hopefully cleared.” Josie patted Zach on the cheek as he handed her up into the cab of the truck. “I know dear. I raised two boys once already, don’t forget.” She turned to Laney as Zach climbed in and the truck began to move. “You call me sometime tomorrow and let me know how your dinner went. Better you than me, girl.” Laney made a face. Today, she was having dinner with Zach’s parents instead of the private evening she’d been hoping for. He’d explained that he’d shifted it from Sunday to Saturday to help cover-up Parker’s departure, so she couldn’t complain. Unfortunately, her stomach didn’t seem to agree. They drove back to the ranch house where Josie had left her car, then she drove back to town while Laney walked beside Zach, into his family’s palatial home. Her insides were still threatening to revolt, but she smiled and held her head up as Zach introduced her to his parents.

Of course, she already knew who they were, and the sheriff, at least, had met her a time or two at the library, but this was different. She couldn’t believe she was standing here in the elegant living room at Hawthorne Hills, sipping club soda and trying to make small talk with one of the founding families. It would be easier if Zach’s sister was there. At least, she and Laney knew one another a little. They’d only been a year apart in school. Though since Xan had been Laney’s doctor for the past couple years, maybe that wouldn’t have been so comfortable after all. At least, nobody here now—Zach included—had ever seen her naked. The banked heat smoldering in his eyes told her he planned to change that, tonight. Shaking off the shiver that ran down her spine at that image, she turned back to Mrs. Shannon. “Actually, we’re seeing a real upswing in the popularity of young adult and middle grades literature,” she replied. The question had been something about whether children read anymore. “Popular series like Harry Potter and Twilight have certainly brought teens and preteens back into the library. The popularity of e-books is starting to show an impact, too. Did you know there are systems in place for libraries to buy and loan digital copies for the more common electronic readers? I suspect Miss Mamie will be bringing that to the library board after she’s finished getting this year’s summer reading program up and running.” “Mamie was always a crusader,” Ysabel Shannon said with a wry shake of her head. In that moment, her expression looked so much like Zach’s that Laney couldn’t help but smile back. “I suspect she always will be,” Laney agreed. “I’m very fortunate to have had her for a mentor. Being one of her high school library pages was a turning point in my life. Having her recommend me for scholarships at UT is the reason I have a career today. I owe her a great deal.” “Really? You went to UT?” Zach’s mother looked shocked. “So did I.” Zach slid his arm around Laney’s waist, letting her feel his warmth through her simple white rayon shell and pink linen skirt. “See? You two have more in common than you thought you did. Mother, tell Laney what you studied.” “Literature, primarily,” she said. “I minored in French and Italian.” “Amazing—English lit was my minor, with a library science major, of course. I’ve studied some French and a little Italian, mostly on my own with the last one. It would be wonderful to read some of the Renaissance literature in the original text.” Laney flashed Zach a

grateful smile for opening the topic. “I wonder—my favorite English professor had been there for years. Did you ever have…” From there, the conversation was off and running. By the time they sat down to eat, Laney wouldn’t say she and Ysabel Shannon were friends, but at least, they’d found some common ground—though even at the same school, the spheres of a bookworm scholarship student and a sorority queen were separated by more than the difference in their ages. Still, it was a start. Over coffee after dinner, Zach and his dad watched as Laney demonstrated her electronic reader for his mother. Ysabel pretended to be appalled at the idea that anything could ever replace a good, leather-bound book, but Zach saw the interest sparking in her eyes. “You’re going to want to buy her one of those gadgets for her birthday.” Walt took a roll of antacids from his pocket and chewed a couple. “If that’s what it takes to get those two talking, I’ll buy her one to match every outfit she owns.” Zach looked closely at his dad. Walt’s face seemed even paler and more strained than it had been a few days earlier. “You been feeling all right? You’re popping those antacids like they’re candy. Maybe you should have Xan check you out.” “The day I go to my own daughter for medical care is the day hell freezes over.” Walt rolled his eyes at Zach. “Doc Maloney still practices. He’s on vacation right now, but if this stomach thing doesn’t quit by the time he gets back in a week, I’ll have him take a look.” “Good.” Zach took a swallow of his coffee. “I just got a text from Quinn. The boys are on their way to Minnesota, and Quinn’s on his way home.” Walt grunted his approval. “This plan had better work. There’s no way we can arrest the Benedict and Kendricks kids unless we actually catch them in the act.” “I know. But if the fires continue while the boys are gone, at least, we can safely assure everyone, even Ralph and Lester Greene, that there’s no possible suspicion on them. Then maybe we can start focusing the investigation elsewhere.” “Yeah. That would be good.” Walt nodded over toward the women. “Just make sure your brain is what’s doing the thinking. I like the girl, but that doesn’t mean her nephew is innocent.” “I know, Dad.” He checked his watch then lifted his voice. Saved by the clock. “Hey, Laney, if we want to catch the early show, we need to be leaving.” Hawthorne boasted one theater, a former Vaudeville stage that now showed second-run movies on the weekends. Zach had figured that going out somewhere public and seeing a goofball comedy would be a good way

to ease her nerves after the meal with his parents and seeing off Parker. Then he planned to take her back to his place. “Okay.” Laney stood and smiled at Zach’s mom. “Mrs. Shannon, thank you so much for the wonderful meal. I had a lovely time.” Ysabel stood as well. To Zach’s surprise, she reached out one hand and clasped Laney’s. “Thank you for coming, dear. We’ll have to get together again sometime to talk books.” “Anytime.” Laney’s face flushed with pleasure. She walked over to where Zach stood with his father. “Sheriff Shannon, thank you—for everything.” “My pleasure, Laney.” When she held out her hand, Walt took it in both of his big paws and squeezed. “You two kids have a good time tonight, okay?” “Okay, Dad.” Zach kissed his mother’s cheek then took Laney’s hand as they left the house. She’d driven out here on her own, so he followed her back to her house. He leaned against the hood of his Corvette while she parked her car, content for the moment just to look at her. He’d been watching her all afternoon in her silky white top and slim-fitting pink skirt. Pink toenails poked out from the straps of her white sandals. With her tanned legs, she looked like a vanilla and strawberry double-dip cone, one he’d like to lick from top to bottom. “Did you want to change, or are you comfortable in that?” “Is this too dressy, do you think?” Her teeth nibbled on her lower lip. Zach shook his head. “It’s fine. I just wondered if you wanted to put on jeans or shorts.” She studied him, in new jeans, his dress boots and a pressed western shirt. “Then I’d look like a slob next to you. This is fine.” She paused on the way up to her step and walked over to his car. “Do I need anything else?” He looked down at her and felt his whole body tighten with desire. “You might want to bring a change of clothes and your toothbrush.” Her eyelids flew open. “Oh. Are we…going somewhere after the movie? I kind of thought we were coming back here.” “You haven’t seen my house yet. Seems only fair.” He toyed with one long dark strand of hair, unable to resist leaning down to kiss her. “And I’ll bet I have a bigger bed. But whatever you want to do is fine with me.” As long as that doesn’t include sleeping alone tonight. She swallowed hard and nodded. “Let me grab a bag.”

**** Laney didn’t remember much of the movie. Truth to tell, by the time she walked out of the theater on Zach’s arm, she’d have been hard pressed to even recall the title. All she could think about was that she was going to spend the night with Zach. It took a good bit of control just to keep from hyperventilating. “You want to stop somewhere for coffee or a drink?” Zach’s voice was soothing as he reached over to take her hand in the car. “Or do you want to just call it a night? Whatever you’re comfortable with, sweetheart.” Laney had no idea what that would be. This was all outside her usual comfort zone. “You can tell I’m nervous, can’t you?” His kindness calmed her fears, at least a little. This is what I’ve wanted. His chuckle was warm, not mocking. “Just a bit.” “It’s been a long time for me.” “You mentioned that the other day. But oddly enough, it’s been a while for me, too. You don’t do a lot of dating when you’re deployed, and then I was in the hospital for a while, which really cramped my style.” “Hospital? Where? How badly were you hurt? Are you okay now?” Concern for him— horror at the thought that she could have lost him before she ever got to know him, pushed aside her doubts. He squeezed her hand. “Settle down, darlin’. I’m fine—all in working order, or even my father wouldn’t have taken me on in the sheriff’s department. There are some scars, though—you should probably know that, before you see me naked.” “We all have scars, Zach. Some are just less visible than others.” She laced her fingers through his and made an effort to lighten the tone. “I had my appendix out when I was thirteen. That’s a pretty good one. Plus a dog bite, right smack on my butt from when I was six. We can compare.” “Sounds good to me.” He pulled his car into the driveway of the stately old home that had belonged to his family for generations. Laney was almost as excited to see the inside of the house as she was about coming home with Zach. She’d always dreamed of a big old house like this. The scent of his grandmother’s rosebushes and night-blooming jasmine perfumed the air as they walked from the old carriage

house that served as a garage up to the back door, adding to the magical quality of the night. The plants were all overgrown and full of weeds, but she knew the bones of the once-beautiful gardens were still there, under the mess. “It needs a lot of work, since no one’s lived here for a while, but my parents kept the bulk of it up to date—plumbing and wiring and such is all up to code. All I need to do is paint and stuff. Maybe refinish the wood floors.” He held the door, and Laney stepped into a kitchen that while a little dated, still looked like a cook’s paradise to her. She set her tote bag on a counter and spun in a slow circle, taking it all in. The cabinets were painted white, while the walls were papered in a peeling yellow rose pattern—not exactly something that suited Zach’s personality. Chipped laminate countertops needed to be replaced, but the burnished copper pot rack and oversized white enamel gas range were perfect. Saltillo tile covered the floors, and lined the wall behind the sink and the stove. “Granite,” she said, looking around in awe and mentally picturing the finishing touches. “A warm brown granite on the counters, with streaks of the terracotta to echo the floors. A new extra-deep sink in white porcelain, since that’s what would have originally been here. Stainless is trendy, but it’s not authentic to this house.” “You have a good eye. Taking up interior decorating on the side?” Laney felt her face heat. “I like watching those home renovation shows on cable. It’s fun to imagine what you could do with unlimited space and money.” “Well, I have limits on both, but I could afford granite countertops and a new sink. I’d happily accept some help and advice on the refurbishing.” He stepped over to the fridge, another dated piece that wasn’t old enough to be original or new enough to be energy-efficient. “Meanwhile, would you like something to drink while I show you the rest of the house?” “A soda would be nice. I’ve never been much of a drinker. Even a little alcohol tends to put me right to sleep.” And with a mother and sister who’d been alcoholics, she’d deliberately steered clear of the stuff. “Well, we wouldn’t want that.” His grin was easy, but his gaze was full of heat. He opened a can of soda and handed it to her, popped open one for himself and held out his other hand to her. “Ready for the grand tour?” “Of course.”

The house was glorious, though some of the furnishings were shabby enough to make Laney feel right at home. Other pieces just needed refinishing or reupholstering to bring out the beauty of the woodwork. She gaped and sighed her way through the dining room, double parlors with carved oak pocket doors, and a freshly refurbished den on the first floor, then several bedrooms on the second and third. Finally, Zach led her back down to the second floor, to the one room they’d skipped. Filling most of the front of the house, the master bedroom was an architectural work of art, with a sitting area in the big round turret that graced one corner of the house. The room had been painted a soothing moss green, with a subtly patterned rug in shades of green and cream covering the center of the polished wood floor. The main space was dominated by a massive carved walnut four-poster bed, covered with a fluffy cream-colored comforter and half a dozen pillows. A tall dresser and a dainty dressing table in matching wood filled the wall across from the bed, and there were flowers in a cut-glass vase on the dressing table. Zach had obviously made an effort to make the space inviting. For her? A shiver ran down Laney’s spine. “Bathroom’s through here.” Zach pointed to a door in the side of the room. Laney peeked through to find a spacious bath, complete with a vintage claw-foot tub. “Nice. You don’t need any advice from me, if this is a sample of what you’ve already done.” “My mom helped with the colors. Everything else was pretty much just the way it is. Dad had taken the furniture out to the ranch and stored it. This set wasn’t left for the tenants to use, so I didn’t even have to refinish it.” “Well it’s still pretty.” “Not as pretty as you.” He set his empty soda can down on one of the glass-topped nightstands and held his arms open wide. “Come here, Laney.” She set her soda can next to his. Slowly, but with absolute certainty, she stepped into his arms. Whatever else happened, she knew tonight was a memory she’d carry with her for the rest of her life. She’d never come close to wanting anyone the way she wanted Zach. It was still hard to believe he wanted her too, though she could feel the thickness of his erection pressed against her stomach.

His arms wrapped snugly around her, drawing her close for his kiss. “Ah, sweetheart I’ve been waiting all day for the chance to get you alone.” Then he was done talking. He claimed her lips in a kiss that managed to be both gentle and possessive at the same time. Right now, though, Laney didn’t want gentle. She dug her fingertips into his shoulders and kissed him back, letting him feel all the pent-up need she’d suppressed for so long. Zach got the hint. His hands were everywhere, unbuttoning, unzipping and stripping off her clothes. His shirt ended up on the floor. Laney vaguely realized that was her doing, and she’d even been so bold as to undo the button fly of his jeans. Once they were both naked, the heat continued to escalate between them. He eased her down to the bed and sprawled alongside her, nose to nose. It seemed that Zach’s lips and his big, warm hands didn’t miss an inch of her skin, and Laney did her best to keep up, running her hands across the long, lean muscles of his chest and back. Sure, as he’d said, there were scars—some of them so bad they made her want to cry at the pain he must have suffered. But they didn’t do a thing to make him any less attractive. A thin mat of golden hair covered his chest, and she tangled her fingers in that for a moment, enjoying his moan as she did. She wasn’t quite bold enough to touch his erection, but she was utterly aware of it, the strong length of him caught between his abdomen and hers where they pressed together. Knowing he wanted her so badly was the best aphrodisiac she could imagine. He rolled her to her back, leaning over her to kiss her shoulders, throat and down to her breasts. Her nipples were swollen, taut with need, and when he sucked one into his mouth, she almost came up off the bed. She tangled her fingers in his hair and held him there, while his hand traveled down her not-so-flat stomach to the juncture of her legs. “Damn, but you’re wet, sweetheart,” he murmured as he switched breasts, “Perfect.” He sucked on the other until it was as red and peaked as the first. His fingers slid through her puffy, drenched folds, and she whimpered. Nothing had ever felt so right. When he pushed a finger carefully into her, she bucked her hips, forcing him deeper. He stretched her slowly, finally adding a second finger, and then used his thumb to brush against her clit. “Zach!” She screamed his name as the world splintered around her with the force of her orgasm. It had never been that strong before, that powerful, and he wasn’t even inside her yet. She didn’t have time to come down before he was petting her again, using his fingers harder and faster this time and increasing the suction on her nipples.

By the time he paused to pull a foil packet from the nightstand drawer, she was nearly mindless with need, all over again. As soon as he was covered, she reached for him, drawing him down over her while her hands learned all the contours of his muscular back. Then he was inside her, filling her beyond anything she’d ever felt or even imagined. “Open your eyes, Laney.” His voice was deep and raspy. He cupped the side of her cheek in one hand and braced himself with the other. “I want you to know who you’re with.” He began to move, with slow, steady purpose. “Zach,” she managed to gasp. She forced her lids open so she could meet his gaze, blazing with intensity. She’d never experienced anything so all-consuming. “Could…only…be…Zach.” Those were the last words she said for a long, long time. Her fingers dug into his shoulders as he stroked in and out of her, slowly at first, but then with increasing intensity. To her immense shock, she came again, this one striking suddenly and leaving her limp. Zach gave a hoarse bellow as her climax apparently triggered his own, and they collapsed together in a sweaty, tangled heap. Long moments later, it was Zach who spoke first. “That was…amazing.” He rolled aside and sat up, then bent down to kiss her. Gentle fingers smoothed damp strands of hair off her face. “I’ll be right back.” “Mmm.” Amazing didn’t begin to cover it. Laney had never felt anything even approaching the joy she’d found in Zach’s embrace. Part of her was sure she never would again. She knew she should probably go clean up, too, and she would, eventually. For just a moment, she wanted to lie here and wallow in the sensations that were still rippling through her system. Zach returned, sitting down beside her on the bed. “You still awake there, sweetheart?” Laney chuckled. “More or less.” She made herself stir and found the energy to sit up against the headboard. Now came the awkward part. Apparently, Zach wasn’t the kind of guy who just rolled over and went to sleep. “Are you hungry? Thirsty? Sore?” He took one of her hands and played idly with her fingers then brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her fingers one by one. “No, a little, and not really.” Wow, that had been more coherent than she’d thought she was capable of being. She couldn’t resist smiling at him, probably idiotically.

Zach handed her the half-empty soda off the nightstand. He couldn’t seem to stop touching her. While she drank, he toyed with a long strand of her hair. “This is where we should probably talk,” he said, looking down at his hands. “I used protection, but everyone knows those aren’t foolproof.” Laney had no idea how to respond to that so she just gaped at him and blinked. He wanted to talk about that? Now? “I just want you to know, if anything should ever come up, I’m here for you. I’d like to think you trust me enough to let me know if you ever have any…concerns.” His voice was as uncertain as she’d ever heard it. “Ummm…sure.” She had no idea what else to say. His comments touched her deeply, but lord, he’d brought up topics she didn’t even want to think about, especially given her family history. No way was she planning to be another Burroughs woman with a child and no husband. She drained the last of the cola from the can and set it back down with a clatter. “Are you sleepy?” He leaned close enough that his hot breath caressed her ear. Thank heavens, the serious talk was apparently over. She shivered and tipped her head to give him better access. “No.” “Oh, good.” He pulled another condom from the drawer, then rolled it on over his renewed erection. “Because, sweetheart, I’m just getting started.”

Chapter Eight

Laney spent most of the next day in a sensual haze. They’d made love, slept, then made love again, over and over throughout Saturday night and most of the next day. Every now and then, they’d snuck in time for a meal or snack. When Zach finally left her house Sunday night, she stood for a long time, staring at his taillights then out into the empty street. Her body practically sang with delight, though she had to admit, parts of it were feeling a little overused. A long soak in Zach’s claw-foot tub that morning had done her a world of good, but then they’d made love again on her too-small bed once he’d brought her home. The whole of the last twenty-four hours had been so far outside her realm of experience that it almost felt like a dream. However, tomorrow was a working day, so she needed to get some sleep. That’s what she’d told Zach when she sent him home, at least. Due to the schedule he’d worked out with his father, he was switching to swing shift for the next week, so she doubted she’d see much of him until the following weekend, since her schedule wouldn’t change. So she’d had bunny-rabbit sex with Zach Shannon. Did that mean they were they a couple? She wasn’t sure. Certainly, he hadn’t cared who’d seen them together at the movie, or Sunday night for a quick dinner at the Dine-n-Dash, where he’d held her hand whenever she wasn’t using it to eat. They hadn’t talked about exclusivity, though. Laney had sort of taken that for granted, but she realized now that men didn’t always think the same way as women. The ringing of her cell phone startled her out of her reverie. She had a separate ringtone set for Parker, so she was smiling by the time she flipped open the phone and curled up on the couch. “Hey, there. How’s Minnesota?”

“It’s great, so far. Jake and I have a room with bunk beds that used to belong to Jenna’s husband and his brother.” His voice was full of enthusiasm, letting Laney know he wasn’t homesick, at least not yet. “The critters are kind of cool, though I’m not sure about milking the goats. She wants to show us how to do that tomorrow.” “Yeah, not sure I’d want to do that either, but I sure do love goat cheese, so I guess somebody has to do it.” Laney knew Jenna would make sure the boys worked hard for their pay. “So how’d it go with Zach’s parents at dinner?” Parker managed to sound almost parental himself when he asked. “If you’re sleeping with him, I hope you were careful.” “Parker, I am not going to talk to a fifteen-year-old about my hypothetical love life. But just to put your mind at ease, I have never in my life had unprotected sex, and don’t plan to anytime in the future—not unless I’m married and trying to have kids. I hope you’re smart enough to follow that rule, too.” This was what she got for always being open with him about sex, drugs and any of the threats she hoped he’d avoid. He felt the freedom to give her the same advice. “Hey, what can I say? I worry about you, all by yourself.” She fought the lump back out of her throat. “I’m too busy to be lonely, kiddo. Don’t worry about me.” Zach had kept her too busy all weekend to miss Parker too much, but this week was likely to be a long one. In her entire life, Laney had never spent more than a few nights completely alone. She’d gone straight from home to the college dorms then back home again. “You’ll let me know if Zach catches the guys setting the fires?” “Of course.” Parker’s faith in Zach was impressive. The boy didn’t trust easily, and he’d learned to be wary of anyone in law enforcement. That he’d taken so well to Zach was a big mark in the deputy’s favor. “Are you freezing to death up there in the great white north?” Parker laughed, as she’d intended. “In June? I’m not that big a wuss. Actually the weather’s not too bad. Jenna even has a pool. Jake and I went swimming this afternoon.” “Well, I’m glad you’re having a good time. Stay in touch, okay? Love you.” “Love you, too, Aunt Laney. Bye.” Well, Parker appeared to be having a grand time on his adventure. She couldn’t help grinning to herself. And so was she. A guy like Zach—well, he probably wouldn’t stick with a woman from the wrong side of town forever, but she wasn’t an idiot. She intended to enjoy every moment while it lasted.

**** Zach didn’t like working swing shift at the best of times, but right now, it was driving him plumb crazy. With Laney’s eight-to-four schedule, he didn’t get to see her all week, except for brief stops at the library, and one quick lunch at the Dine-n-Dash. After just one night with her, he missed having her in his bed. Oddly enough, he found missed Parker, too. In such a short time, he’d gotten used to having the kid around. Swing shift was a whole different world from the Sheriff’s Department by day. Supervisor Lynn Jackson was a micromanager. For all that she was a competent cop and decent at administrative work, it chafed to have somebody staring over his shoulder all the time. At least, the other detective on this shift, Pete Garcia, was reasonable and a definite team player. Zach was looking forward to working midnights with Mark Dawkins even less. He really wanted to get the arson case wrapped up before he had to deal with Dawkins on a daily basis. It wasn’t helping his mood any that there hadn’t been a single fire since Parker and Jacob had gone. If Parker really was the culprit, Zach figured his chance to build something with Laney would be pretty much shot. Laney was still finding the notes in her mailbox every day. So far, the threats hadn’t been too serious. They’d been vague with “or else” kind of wording, and the department crime tech hadn’t found any prints or other identifying marks on any of them. It still worried him enough that he was considering asking her to move in with him until the case was closed. That got him thinking about what it would be like to come home to Laney every night. Which sounded incredible, until he remembered that anything permanent with Laney would also involve a fifteen-year-old boy. Zach liked Parker, but he wasn’t sure he was up for an instant family. Hell, he wasn’t even sure he was a good bet for settling down. So far he liked working in the Sheriff’s department, but it wasn’t a given yet that he’d be staying. And while he hadn’t had a nightmare the night he’d spent with Laney, he had every night since. His own baggage might be more than a woman would want to take on. Truth was, though, he was creeping up on forty and playing the roving bachelor just didn’t sound like as much fun as it used to. Not a single other woman even made him think about permanent, but somehow Laney did. Which explained why he found himself sitting in his car during his 9 p.m. dinner break, Thursday night, dialing Laney’s number.

“Hey, Zach, I was hoping to talk to you.” He could picture the smile on her face, could just about hear it in her voice. “What’s up?” “Andrea called me today. Apparently, the mayor was in the Dine-n-Dash, without the missus, and he mentioned she was chaperoning a trip. Seems a bunch of the boys from the baseball team went to Disneyworld for the week to celebrate winning at regionals. That could be why there hasn’t been a fire this week. Andrea says they’re supposed to be back this weekend.” “Thanks for the tip. I’ll look into it.” He dropped his voice even though he was in the car and no one could hear him. “How are you, darlin’? Really? You doing okay with Parker gone?” “Yeah, I’m holding up.” Her breath quickened, and he smiled, knowing she was responding to his raspy tone. “It is kind of lonely though.” “Wish I was there to help with that.” A big part of him wanted to say to hell with the job and head over there now, but that’s not who he was, and he knew Laney would understand that. With her own deep-seated sense of responsibility, she’d understand the demands that were part of being involved with a cop, even in a small-town like Hawthorne. “You could come over when you get off work.” Her words were rushed, as if she had to force herself to get them out before her courage failed. “If you want, that is.” “I’d love to, but you have to get up early in the morning, and I don’t get off until midnight.” He knew he’d go, though. He wouldn’t be able to resist. When it came to Laney, he was weak. “I’ll manage. It’s my long weekend, so I get off early on Friday. I can always take a nap then.” “If you’re sure, then great. I’ll see you about twelve-thirty, if nothing comes up.” Famous last words. At two in the morning, when he finally finished working a drunkdriving accident scene outside of town, he was in no shape to talk to anybody. His clothes were a mess. He’d been one of the first on the scene and had helped pull the victims out of their car. Actually, it could have been a lot worse—everyone involved was alive, at least. The worst off had been airlifted to San Antonio. But it was the first time Zach had seen that kind of blood since he’d been home, and he was more than a little shaky. When he got home, he poured himself a healthy dose of bourbon and trudged up to take a shower. At the last minute, he remembered to empty his pockets before kicking his filthy clothes

into a corner of the bathroom, and when he set his phone down on the counter, he saw that a text had arrived while he’d been occupied. Laney. Despite everything, he felt himself smile. He started the water, setting it as hot as it would go, then leaned against the counter to read her message. Just want to know you’re all right. Call, no matter how late, if you can. LB Trust Laney to text with commas and apostrophes. For some reason, that made him smile even more. She was one of a kind. And since he didn’t want her to worry, he called. “Hmm. Zach?” Her voice was sleepy, though she’d answered on the first ring. “You okay?” “Yeah. Just tired and sore and filthy. There was a big accident west of town, and everybody in the office got sent over.” “I’m sorry, Zach.” Odd how just the sound of her could soothe some of the places inside him that ached. “You can still come over if you like.” “Not tonight, sweetheart. I’m just going to clean up then fall face down into bed. How about tomorrow?” “Tomorrow’s good. You’re sure you’re okay?” “Better, now that I’ve talked to you.” “All right, then. See you tomorrow after midnight. Goodnight, Zach.” “’Night, Laney. Sweet dreams.” Hope you’re dreaming about me. **** Shortly after midnight the following evening, Laney paced restlessly across her living room floor. She’d bought some of Zach’s favorite beer. Check. There was a homemade pizza waiting to be slid into the oven if he was hungry. Check. Some crackers and cheese in case he just wanted a lighter snack. Check. Clean sheets on her bed and a box of condoms in her nightstand drawer. Check and double check. She’d even taken advantage of her free afternoon by running two towns over to get her nails done, her hair trimmed, and splurged on a new nightgown and robe. She felt about half naked, wearing the skimpy outfit as she waited, but she hoped Zach would appreciate the effort.

It was only twelve-fifteen when she heard his car turn into her driveway. She peeked out through the blinds as he strode up to the house, a gym bag over his shoulder. A little thrill ran through her at the thought that he’d packed to spend the night. She kept the door in front of her as she let him in, so none of the neighbors would see her outfit. Yeah, they’d see Zach’s car, and if it was here all night, there’d be gossip. So be it. She’d spent the last ten years being Ms. Goody-two-shoes, and it hadn’t done her a bit of good. Parker was out of town, having the time of his life, and it was her turn to have a little fun. The minute the door closed behind Zach, he held her at arm’s length and just stared at her, from head to toes. Then he licked his lips. “You look fantastic.” “Thanks.” She tried for nonchalance but wasn’t sure she achieved it. “Are you hungry?” “Not for food.” Pressing her back against the door, he closed in for a kiss—long, thorough and ravenous. Laney had candles in the bedroom and music set to play at the push of a button. All of that was forgotten in the heady rush of Zach’s kiss. He dropped his bag carelessly to the floor and kicked it aside. Then he lifted her up and carried her over to her couch. Before she could even voice the protest that she was too heavy, he’d sat down, with her draped across his lap. His hands roamed freely over her curves, pushing aside the fragile fabric, and his mouth claimed hers again. Somehow, she got his shirt off—at least, she thought it was her. She traced a scar on his shoulder with her lips while he nuzzled at the crook of her neck. His hands were warm and firm on her breasts, making her moan into his skin. After a few minutes, he shifted her off his lap, and Laney almost stood, certain they were moving to the bedroom. Instead, he stripped down his jeans and boxers after pulling a condom from his pocket. He tossed his shirt onto the sofa and sat on that as he sheathed himself. She watched, licking her lips at the sight of his erection, so hard and silky and ready for her. Zach pulled her back into his lap. “Your turn to be in charge, sweetheart.” His hands on her hips gently guided her down onto him. She took him in, loving the long slow glide as she impaled herself. “Oh, wow.” This was different—not only did she get to set the pace, but she could feel him deeper inside her as well. And his hands were free to work their magic while she moved, tentatively at first, then with more confidence, and finally with total abandon. It didn’t take long

before the world splintered in front of her eyes, and she cried out Zach’s name while her body shattered around him. Zach thrust up into her hard and held himself deep, a groan of completion shuddering from his lips. Once they were both sated, Zach cuddled her close against his chest and kissed the top of her head. “Mmm, now that we’ve got that taken care of, I could probably eat something. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to need all my strength if I’m spending the weekend with you.” The whole weekend? Laney wiggled with happiness before reluctantly letting him help her up and off of him. A little later, they sat in her kitchen eating the pizza, and Zach told her a bit about his first week with the swing shift. She told him how much Parker was enjoying his trip. It felt comfortable, just chatting idly with him, even if he was shirtless and she was back in her skimpy nightie. “Umm…I hope you don’t mind, but I also got a prescription this week.” She felt her skin flush, and she stared down at her plate. “I can start taking my pills as soon as my next period starts.” The look he sent her was positively steamy. “I think that’s a great idea. Why would I mind?” Laney bit her lip then blurted. “Because my doctor is your sister.” “Ah. I see where that might have made you uncomfortable. It’s fine with me, sweetheart. She knows we’re dating. I’ve told her about you myself.” He grinned and patted her hand. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s a professional; she won’t say a word. Besides, look at it this way. At least, she knows we’re being careful.” Laney laughed. “True. Besides, if you stay all night, the whole town will know by morning. Your car isn’t exactly subtle.” He tipped his head and peered at her. “Are you ashamed to be involved with me, Laney?” “Me? Lord, no! I just wasn’t sure…” Her voice trailed off. She just couldn’t find the words. “About what? About me or about the gossips?” “I don’t know.” She threw up her hands. “I’ve been squeaky clean for ten years and the whole town is still convinced I’m a slut. I have responsibilities, and when Parker comes home, I

won’t be able to spend as much time with you. I may have a bad reputation, but I won’t…do anything around my nephew.” “Of course not.” Zach looked insulted that she’d even considered it. “I know it’s going to be more difficult to carry on a relationship after Parker comes home. But I think we can manage it. Other single parents do.” “Is that what we have then? A relationship?” She couldn’t explain why, but she needed him to say the words. She liked that he’d said single parent, though. Not many people understood, that she was, for all intents and purposes, Parker’s mother. “Hell, yes.” He fiddled with his empty beer bottle. “At least, the beginnings of one. I’d like to take some time and see where it goes. I kind of thought you felt the same.” “Wow.” Laney slumped back in her chair. “I…ummm…yeah.” A smile twitched at the corner of Zach’s lip. “That tells me a lot.” She couldn’t resist grinning back. “Yeah, I’d like to see where this goes, too. And just so we’re clear, I’m not interested in seeing anybody else. I don’t think I’d be capable of juggling two men in my life at once.” “Then let’s be completely open about this. As long as we’re together, there’s nobody else—for either of us. I’m too old to play games, Laney. I don’t want anybody else, and I don’t share.” “Me, either.” She nodded and held out her hand. “Deal.” Zach took her hand but instead of shaking it, he placed a kiss in her palm. “Oh, darlin’, I can think of far better ways to seal a deal.” Laney looked at the empty dishes in front of them and shrugged. “These will keep until morning. Follow me.” She stood, took Zach by the hand and tugged him down the hall to her bedroom. **** The nightmare was the same as always. Even though by now he knew it was a dream, Zach played it out. He dug frantically through the rubble to reach the little girl. As always, he found her and carried her through the ruins of her town. Then, as always, there was another pass from the bombers, and he felt himself falling. “Zach!” He heard someone call his name as he fell. That wasn’t normal.

A warm hand closed on his shoulder and shook it, breaking his fall. “Zach, wake up. It’s just a dream.” Of course, it was. Part of him knew that. It surprised him that he could hear the words when he couldn’t hear any other sounds. He slumped to his knees, ignoring the pain, the fear, the smells and tried to cling to the voice, to follow the touch on his shoulder back to its source. Any moment now the building would collapse, burying him and killing Una. No, that wasn’t right—Habiba, not Una. For just a moment there, he’d thought it was his sister he carried in his arms. “Come on, Zach, snap out of it.” The hand on his shoulder shook him harder, and he cried out as someone…tugged on his chest hair? Weird…that wasn’t part of the dream. “Zachariah Shannon, wake up!” His eyes fluttered open at the demand. “Laney.” A lamp burned next to the bed, and Laney, gloriously nude, her skin golden in the lamplight, straddled his hips, a frantic expression on her lovely face. When he made eye contact, she smiled in relief. “Thank heavens. I thought you were never going to wake up.” “God, I’m sorry, Laney.” Sweat coated his body, though not as much as if the dream had run its full course. “Did I hurt you?” Damn, he should have never thought he was ready to sleep with someone—especially, not someone as delicate and precious as Laney. “I’m fine. You shook, more than you thrashed. You didn’t strike out at all.” “Thank God.” He pushed himself to a sitting position so he could pull her into his arms. “I’m so sorry. I’d thought…that is I’d hoped…last time…” His heart was still racing from the dream. He tried to speak, but the words just didn’t want to come. Laney stroked his cheek with gentle fingertips. “Last time we slept together, you didn’t have a nightmare.” Zach nodded. How had she known so exactly what he was thinking? It was odd, being on the same wavelength with a woman like this. “Do they come most nights, or just once in a while?” There was no fear in her voice or expression, just concern. “More often than not.” It was a weakness he didn’t like to admit.

“Ah. I’m sorry that sleeping with me didn’t end up being the cure.” She sent him a whimsical little grin. “I would have liked being just what the doctor ordered.” “You are, sweetheart. In so many ways.” He cupped her cheeks and pulled her face to his for a kiss that was more tender than passionate. “You want to tell me about it? That might help.” “No.” He couldn’t bring the blackness on his soul into her life. Laney had enough problems of her own to deal with. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where to find me. I’m happy to listen, Zach. I can’t imagine what you went through over there, but I know it had to leave as many internal scars as outer ones. Anytime you’re ready to talk, I’ll be ready to listen.” “Thank you.” Her sweetness and acceptance made his eyes water. But now that he was awake, their intimate position was giving him other reasons to forget about the past and focus on the present. He kissed her again, harder and deeper this time. “Yum.” To Zach’s delight, Laney responded immediately, rubbing her body along his in a sensual wiggle. “Since we’re awake…” This time she initiated a kiss that left him breathless. “You read my mind.” A long while later when Laney had fallen back to sleep beside him, Zach felt better than he ever had after one of the dreams. Laney was good for him, body and soul. A flash of guilt crossed his mind that he’d almost forgotten to pause and reach for a condom. In fact, he’d actually started to slide inside her when he’d realized something felt too damn good to be right. He’d never, not once in his life, come that close to being careless. What scared him most was how badly he’d wanted to just keep going, to lose himself in her, skin to skin, and not worry about the consequences. Honestly, he wasn’t entirely sure that he’d mind. Laney was a great mom; he’d already seen that. There were worse fates than ending up raising a family with her. He couldn’t take the decision into his own hands though. He wouldn’t trap her. It was too soon to start thinking about forever. Too bad, he couldn’t quite convince himself of that. **** “I’m onto you, Zach. You didn’t want a girlfriend. You’re just kissing up to me so I’ll restore your garden for you.”

Since Laney had a mile-wide grin on her face, Zach was pretty sure she wasn’t serious. It had been her idea to start weeding this afternoon in the first place. Seeing her there, kneeling at the base of one of his grandmother’s rosebushes warmed something in him that had stayed cold, even in the deserts of the Middle East. “So why don’t you have any roses in your own yard, if you like them so much?” She shook her head. “Water. Sprinkler systems are for you rich people. Maintaining roses takes work and money. I do have one bush in the backyard—it’s a hardy old thing, my mother’s pride and joy. But most of my landscaping is native plants that are drought tolerant.” Yet another gap in their life experiences. While Zach had always been taught to conserve water, he’d never had to worry about paying the bill. He didn’t want to think about that, so it was time to change the subject. “Any time you want to quit and go inside, I’m sure we can find something else to do.” While he was having fun just working in the yard for her, he never quite had his fill of Laney, alone and naked. “Later, you insatiable letch.” She threw a dandelion at him, roots and all. Then her expression grew serious. “Or are you just tired? We didn’t get a whole lot of sleep last night.” “Trust me, sleep or no sleep, it was the best night I’ve had in a long time—well, at least, since last weekend.” Zach waggled his eyebrows. “Wanna go not sleep some more?” “I didn’t mean that. I meant the nightmares. Are you sure you shouldn’t talk about them? If not to me, at least to somebody…maybe your dad or somebody at the VA.” “It’s okay, sweetheart.” He’d talked to plenty of shrinks while he’d been in the hospital, and he didn’t have the stomach for more. Laney’s concern touched him, though. He knelt down beside her and cupped her cheek in his hand. “It means a lot that you’re worried, but really I’ll be fine. I’m just sorry that my dreams woke you up in the middle of the night.” Twice. Bad enough he’d had one nightmare while sleeping with Laney. Last night, though, it had come back again for a second round, which almost never happened. Once again, he’d seen Una’s face in place of Habiba’s, and he knew he’d turned a corner in understanding why. Now, that he knew he was mixing up his trauma over the bombing with his guilt about his sister, maybe he could start working his way through it. She turned to kiss the palm of his hand. “I don’t mind, Zach. You’re entitled to some baggage. Lord knows, I’ve got enough for an entire tour group. I can handle your nightmares. I just wish you didn’t have to suffer through them.”

“Actually, you did make it better,” he said. “You woke me up before they got too out of hand. Thank you for that.” It was true—neither time had the dream reached the screaming stage. Laney had shaken him awake early on before he’d soaked the bed with sweat or thrashed around and possibly hurt her. And she’d comforted him afterward which had been…wonderful. “Stop that thought right there, mister.” She shook a trowel at him. “I can see it in your eyes. You’re thinking, ‘What if I’d lashed out and hit her?’ Well, stop it. You didn’t, and you won’t. We may have to limit sleepovers once Parker gets home, but I’m not giving them up one day sooner than I have to. Got it?” “Got it.” She was so fierce. There was no way he could deny her, not when he wanted it, too. “Now, is this stuff weeds or something else?” “That’s a rosemary bush, you cretin. I can’t believe it was buried behind all those weeds.” She immediately started clearing the space around the shrub—which did smell like food, once she crushed one needle-like leaf and held it up to his nose. So he kept on doing what he was told, pulling weeds, watering, fertilizing or pruning. His yard would look nice, but not nearly as nice as the smile that working in it put on Laney’s face. **** Something woke Laney out of a sound slumber. It took her a minute to realize why the bed didn’t feel right. She was at Zach’s, and he was beside her in the bed. That explained why she was so warm, but not why he was sitting up. “Another nightmare?” she murmured, reaching out a hand. Zach shook his head sharply and held up a hand. Now that her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see that he was on the phone. “I’ll be right there,” he said. “You want me to pick up Xan?” There was a short pause. “Got it. Tell Mother to hang in there.” He shut off his phone and turned to Laney. “I’ve got to go.” “What’s wrong, Zach?” “It’s my dad…” He swallowed, but Laney couldn’t miss the thickness in his voice. “He’s had a heart attack. He’s hanging in there, but nobody knows anything more yet.” He kissed her hard and scrambled out of bed. “I have to go.”

Chapter Nine

Ohmigod! Laney’s eyes filled up with tears as she remembered all too well how she’d felt when her mother got sick. “I’ll go with you, if you want,” she offered. “I should probably drive. You’re a little shaky.” “No,” he said as he pulled on a pair of jeans. His fingers struggled with the zipper. “Oh, hell, you’re right. Besides, if I left, you’d be trapped here. At least, this way, you can use my car to get home. You can drive a stick, can’t you?” Laney nodded. It wasn’t much of a stretch. She’d driven her mom’s old manual station wagon, way back when. It had just been a few years. She was too busy throwing on clothes to worry much about it. Five minutes later, she was running out the door, right behind Zach. “The shaking’s stopped. I’ll drive, since I can run with my flasher on.” He didn’t even hold the passenger door for her as usual, just popped the magnetic bubble light on top of the car while she climbed in. A moment later, they were flying down the road. Maguire County didn’t boast much of a hospital, but the small facility was well equipped—Laney remembered that much from her mother’s illness. While there was no cardiologist in town, she had no doubt that one was in the air via helicopter already or that plans were being made to move the sheriff that same way to a bigger city. She didn’t say a word when Zach squealed the tires pulling into an illegal parking space in front of the emergency entrance—nobody was going to give him a ticket, after all. Everyone in town already knew that car. He held tight to her hand, pulling her with him as he ran inside. A clerk directed them to a private waiting room, and Zach towed her in behind him, both of them sweaty and out of breath.

Mrs. Shannon and Quinn were in the room. Quinn let go of his mother’s hand long enough to stand and clap his brother on the back. “Xan went to see if she can find out anything. She wasn’t on duty tonight, thank goodness.” “No word since you called?” Zach asked. Quinn shook his head, even as he smiled sadly at Laney and gave her a quick hug. Zach scowled at his brother but didn’t argue about the hug. He dropped Laney’s hand to sit beside his mother and take hers. “You okay, Mom?” “Of course, I’m not okay. Zachariah, this is a family waiting room. I’d appreciate it if you’d ask your friend to leave.” Ysabel’s face was devoid of makeup, and for the first time, Laney saw the other woman’s true age. Tears streaked her face, and despite her cold words, Laney couldn’t dredge up anything but sympathy. “I’m going,” she said softly. “I just wanted to stop in and say that if there’s anything I can do, ma’am, all you need to do is let me know. Anything at all.” “I think you’ve already done enough.” The words were bitter. So much for making progress. Though the words stung, Laney tried to keep things in perspective. Ysabel had an excuse to be a little, well, bitchy right now. Laney just smiled then kissed Zach’s cheek and turned to walk away. “I’ll have Andrea come get me, Zach. That way you’ll have your car here if you need it.” “Laney—thanks. For everything.” “No need. You just call me, okay? Keep in touch.” Zach nodded, his face already turning back to his mother, even as Laney left the room. **** Five agonizing minutes after Laney left, a pale, bleary eyed Xan walked into the room. “He’s stable,” she said. “For the moment, anyway. They want to do an angioplasty, ASAP, so they’re prepping him for transport to San Antonio. None of us can go in the helicopter with him. We’ll have to drive ourselves.” “We’ll take my car. It’s big enough for all of us.” Ysabel looked so brittle, Zach was afraid she was going to shatter, in a moment, though she rallied. “I don’t care which one of you drives.” “I can.” Zach shrugged. “I can cheat and run with my bubble light on.”

Xan nodded. “Okay by me. The ambulance will be here in about twenty minutes to take him. They’ve given him a load of medication for the moment, but he’s conscious, in and out. Mom, you can go sit with him if you want. I’ve got to call a replacement for my clinic duty tomorrow. Zach, will you call Ralph? Quinn, you probably need to let someone on the ranch know you’ll be gone for a few days. I keep a bag here, but the rest of you might want to run and grab a couple changes of clothes and whatever else you need. We might be in for a long haul.” Zach was impressed by his sister’s cool head and her handling of the situation. How many times had she had to counsel patients and their families through this type of trauma? He’d never stopped to think that she’d chosen a career almost as haunting as his. Xan escorted Ysabel into Walt’s room. Zach and Quinn were allowed to wave from the doorway. The stark pallor of Walt’s usually ruddy skin was damn near the scariest thing he’d ever seen. Even worse were the tubes and wires and blinking machines that were connected to the big, tough man. Every time I come home, somebody I love dies. He knew it was coincidence, that it couldn’t possibly be, but he couldn’t shake the gutdeep conviction that it was true. He should have never come back to Hawthorne. Quinn clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go do what we need to do, so we can go. We have to be back here in half an hour to pick up Xan and Mom.” Quinn paused for just a moment. “He’s going to make it, bro. I don’t know how I know that, but I do.” Zach nodded, though he didn’t believe a word. His dad was going to die, and it was all his fault. “Come on, let’s go.” **** Laney didn’t sleep the rest of that night, and all day Sunday, she waited for Zach’s call. Sunday night, she tried earplugs and a sleep mask and managed to doze on and off. By Monday morning, she barely roused herself enough to get dressed. She wished she knew who to call for more information on Sheriff Shannon’s condition, but she couldn’t bring herself to bother Zach. She’d gone and fallen in love with the man. Now wasn’t that just the dumbest thing ever? She loved him, and he couldn’t even be bothered to call her, to let her know if his father was still among the living. The whole thing made her feel downright sick.

In her rattiest shorts and tank top, she went out to the front porch for the paper. When she opened the door, though, she forgot all about the crossword she’d been looking forward to. They hadn’t used eggs this time. Baseball-sized splotches of red, blue, yellow and green covered the siding, windows, and screen door. Little plastic capsules littered the porch. Somebody had peppered the front of her house with paintball pellets. Worse yet, the jerks had also driven up over her yard, totally flattening the front flowerbed and leaving tire tracks in her small patch of lawn. This time, the note wasn’t in her mailbox, it was wrapped around a rock on her front step. Laney didn’t even touch it. She just called the Sheriff’s Department and asked for Marla Jennings. The detective’s sedate brown sedan pulled up fifteen minutes later. The leggy brunette got out and gave a long, low whistle. “Whew. Someone’s really got a bug up his butt.” She lifted a digital camera and snapped several shots of the house and the yard. “Then there’s that.” Laney pointed at the paper wrapped around the hunk of local limestone. Jennings snapped a picture, then set her camera in her car and pulled out a plastic bag and a pair of gloves. Once she had the gloves on, she picked up the rock and unwrapped it. “You were warned.” She read the note out loud before she sealed it with the rock inside the bag. “Damn, Laney, this is getting nasty.” Laney nodded. “I hope that crap washes off. I can’t afford to repaint this summer.” “It will. Stuff is water soluble.” When Laney raised an eyebrow, she continued. “Department gets together for paint ball games once in a while. If it comes out of your hair with just water, I figure it will come off a house.” Laney nodded, heaving a sigh of relief for one small mercy. Marla looked around, and Laney realized the neighbors were starting to stare. Marla tipped her head toward the house. “Why don’t we take this inside? Don’t suppose I can bum a cup of coffee?” “Sure.” Laney held the door open. “Sorry, I forgot to ask you in. My mama would be horrified.” “You’ve got a lot on your mind.” Marla wiped her feet carefully on the mat before following Laney in and through her living room. “Nice place, by the way. Small, but homey.”

“Thanks.” Laney gestured for the deputy to have a seat, while she pulled a second mug out of the cupboard and poured a cup of coffee. “You take anything in it?” “Nope. Just black, please.” Laney handed her the mug, then refreshed her own before sitting across from Marla. “How can I help, Deputy?” “Please, call me Marla. Sheesh, we grew up together.” “Thanks.” They had, sort of, though they might as well have been in separate worlds. While Marla had been captain of the basketball team and the volleyball team, Laney had done nothing but study and work. “Before we go any further, I thought you might want to know that Sheriff Shannon is stable. They did some kind of surgery, put in something called a stent, I think. Anyway, I hear he’s already awake and talking. Trying to boss everyone around, including his doctors. He’s got a long road ahead, but it looks good, as long as there are no complications.” “That’s wonderful.” An odd mix of white-hot pain and relief seared through Laney. Zach hadn’t even bothered to let her know. “I talked to Zach this morning. He was kind of freaked out when his dad asked the County Commissioners to appoint Zach as acting sheriff. Ralph’s retirement will kick in before the sheriff is back on his feet, and according to what I heard, Sheriff Shannon was pretty adamant that Zach, ‘Get his butt back where it belonged and get to work.’ We all know the commission will go along with whatever the sheriff wants, so Zach’s supposed to be back in the office by tomorrow morning, running the show.” It took Laney a moment to remember how to breathe. Another thing Zach hadn’t bothered to tell her. Yet, he’d had time to call Marla. Well, then. She reminded herself that before this weekend, she hadn’t had any expectations of a real relationship. She had no call to be devastated just because when his life had fallen apart, he’d pulled away. “So where’s your nephew this morning?” Marla looked around, as if expecting to see Parker lurking around a corner. “Sleeping in, now that it’s summer?” Laney winced. Lord, Marla doesn’t know. Slowly, she filled the detective in on Zach and Mamie’s plan. Marla made a note on her pad then scribbled it out. “No, I’m not putting that in a report, not yet. If the boss chose to keep it off the record, then he had a reason for it.”

“There’s more.” Laney outlined Parker’s suspicions and saw her pale when Laney named the mayor’s son as one of the likely arsonists. “Yeah, that is a sticky one. I’m going to get our crime tech out to see if she can get any tire tracks from your lawn. While the vandalism and the arson may not be connected, it may help if we can eventually tie them together.” A few minutes later, Marla finished her coffee, and Laney walked her to the front door. “If anything else happens, you let me know.” She handed Laney a card. “Not the department, me—unless Zach’s around, of course. Call my cell, even if I’m not on duty.” “Thanks.” Laney stuck the card in her pocket. “And Marla, if you see Zach, would you tell him I’m keeping his dad—all of them, really—in my thoughts?” “I will.” Marla gave Laney a soft smile. “Though I think he knows. I expect he’ll come around soon enough. A man like that—he doesn’t want anyone to see him when he’s hurting. As soon as things are better, he’ll be back.” “I know.” Of course, part of her still wanted to believe that in a day or two, Zach would call or stop by, but part of her knew better. Whatever they’d had, it was clearly over. She’d fallen in love, and he’d just had a fling. Laney didn’t think anything had ever hurt so much in her entire life. It could have been worse. Laney’s Monday got a little easier when one of her neighbors brought over a power washer that hooked up to the hose but had a much stronger spray. While a few people openly snubbed her, several squared their shoulders and pitched in. With the help of the neighbors, her house was cleaned up in record time. The flowerbed, though, was a total loss. She’d have to buy all new plants for it, and she wasn’t sure it was worth it if the vandalism wasn’t going to stop. Later that evening, Parker called. “One of the llamas had a baby. Mike let us help with cleaning it up and everything. It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” “That’s exciting,” she replied, ignoring her headache. “So you’re still having a good time in Minnesota?” “I am.” He paused and then slowly asked. “Would it be okay if we stayed the rest of the summer? Jenna’s baby is due next month. They could really use the help.” Her heart wanted to scream no, but she swallowed her tears. “Of course, if that’s what you want.” He was almost grown, and she had to let him test out his wings a little.

“Actually,” he said in a strange, thoughtful tone. “I thought you might want to know that Jenna’s quit her job at the library here. That means there’s an opening. I don’t think the pay is as good as in Texas, but Jenna says the cost of living here is less, too.” “You want me to move to Minnesota?” Laney’s eyes flew wide. “You’re kidding, right?” “Not entirely.” Parker spoke in his slow, thoughtful voice. “I know you love working for Miss Mamie and living in Gram’s house, but here, no one knows about our family history. We’d have a fresh start. And I’ve already made some friends in town. It’s a nice place.” “Parker, I’m senior librarian here. It might be a big cut in pay.” But her house here was almost paid off. She’d have plenty for a down payment on a new place, even after she replaced the front window. “I know. And you’ve got Zach. It’s just something to think about.” Parker didn’t put any pressure on her, which made her proud. He was a good, thoughtful kid, and she wanted him to have the best. Who knew? Now that Zach was out of the picture, maybe Minnesota was for the best. “I’ll think about it,” she promised. “I love you. Say hi to Jake for me.” She tossed and turned all night, just thinking about it. **** Zach nodded to the crowd in the office when he walked in the door at 7:30 Monday night. Swing shift was all present and accounted for, and every eye in the place turned to him immediately. “No news,” he said. “The sheriff is responding well to treatment, and a full recovery is hoped for and expected. My mother is still down in San Antonio with him, but they chased Quinn, Xan and I home. That’s all I know.” “We heard you’ve been appointed acting sheriff,” Lynn Jackson said, loudly enough to make sure everyone in the office heard her. “Let us know what you need. Whatever it is, we’ll make it work.” With those simple words, she publicly ordered the rest of her staff to defer to him. Zach could have kissed her for that gesture of support. Instead, he gave her a crisp nod. “Fine. Then let’s you and I chat and you can bring me up to speed on what happened while I was gone.” An hour later, he sat alone in his father’s office and stared blindly at the walls, trying not to panic. He could do this. He had to do this. Everyone, especially his father, was depending on

him. And maybe, just maybe, his dad wasn’t going to die. Zach still couldn’t quite bring himself to believe that, but at least, he’d started to have hope. He’d been rolling around in bed with Laney while his father had been fighting for his life. It was just like before, when he’d been out on a date with one of Xan’s friends while Una was driving home to Hawthorne to see him. By the time Zach had gotten home, his dad had been waiting for him in the living room with the grim news. This time, though, Zach couldn’t just leave. He owed it to Walt to make sure the department ran smoothly until the old man was ready to return. Zach was the oldest. It was time he stepped up and took some responsibility, damn it. Between his family and his job, there wasn’t any time in his life for a relationship. What the hell had he been thinking? Shaking his head, he opened the stack of reports on the sheriff’s desk—his desk, for the moment at least—and got to work. **** It was a bleary-eyed Laney who arrived at work on Tuesday morning. She must have looked as bad as she felt, because Sarah immediately ordered her into the office to update the computer records. It was a measure of how rotten she felt that she didn’t argue. Instead, she just took the sit-down job and left the running to Sarah, reversing their usual roles. Laney felt as if she’d gone three rounds with a semi-truck and lost. A soft knock sounded on the office door, and she looked up to see Marla standing there. “Anything new this morning? Note in the mailbox?” Laney shook her head. “Nothing—for the first time in a while. Why does that make me more nervous instead of reassuring me?” “Because it should. Any change in the pattern could mean your stalker is stepping things up.” Marla hesitated then added, “Zach’s at the office, in case you wanted to know. He hasn’t said much, just keeps himself barricaded in his dad’s office plowing through paperwork.” “Thanks. Good to know he made it home safely.” “You going to go talk to him?” Laney shrugged. “About what?” Marla shook her head. “If you can’t figure that out, then I suppose there isn’t any hope for you two. I’ll let you know if we hear anything about the case.”

After Marla left, Laney stared at the door. Should she go see Zach? No. Not at work. Maybe tonight, though, she’d call him. She crossed her arms and laid her head down on the desk. It felt like only an instant later that Miss Mamie was shaking her awake. “Go home and get some sleep, child.” “Oh, jeez. I’m sorry ma’am. I certainly never meant to fall asleep at work.” “You think I don’t know that? I’ve known you most of your life, remember. I can tell when you’re not yourself. Go home before you make yourself even sicker and spread the germs to the rest of us.” “I’m not sick.” A yawn interrupted her sentence. “I just…haven’t been sleeping well.” She wasn’t sure that was true, though. Her system did seem to be a little out of whack. She hadn’t been able to eat anything that morning, but she’d just put that down to stress. “Go home and sleep. That’s an order. Don’t come back until you’re healthy.” Sarah stuck her head in the office door. “You probably picked up that flu bug some of the toddlers had at Story Time last Thursday.” “Maybe.” Come to think of it, a couple of the kids had been awfully quiet, while one or two others had been weepy. And Laney had held one of the miserable little girls on her lap. There’d been another, but that one’s mother wouldn’t let her near Laney—as if being “immoral” was something contagious. A real contagion, though, would explain the headache and upset stomach. With a final weary nod, Laney gathered up her purse. She had to stop at the grocery store, but that would be quick. She just needed a couple cans of soup and some crackers, maybe some ginger ale then she could fall face down into her nice, comfy bed. Laney ignored the handful of nasty looks she got at the small supermarket. She’d never been one of the town’s most popular citizens, and right now, she was too darn tired to care if a few of the old biddies didn’t like her dating Zach. They’d get over it. Or not. She’d gotten her few things and was carrying them out to her car when she saw him. Zach and Marla Jennings had just walked out of the coffee shop next door. “Zach.” She raised her voice to carry across the parking lot, ignoring a couple stares. Marla stopped and waved. Zach didn’t. At least not until Marla grabbed his arm. “Hey, Shannon, hold up.” Zach did, his lips set in a grim line as Laney dragged her tired butt across the parking lot.

“Hey, Zach. I…just wanted to say I’m glad your father is doing okay.” Now that she was in front of him, Laney had no idea what else to say. Hugging him right here didn’t seem like a good idea, though it was all she wanted to do. “I’ll be in the car, boss.” Marla winked at Laney as she loped off and climbed into the passenger side of Zach’s Corvette. “Thanks.” Zach barely looked at her. His body practically vibrated with his urgency to get away. Laney felt rotten, but she was still smart enough to get the message. Zach didn’t want any part of being seen with her. Either his mother had convinced him to dump her or being apart for a few days had made him wise up. All right then. She could take a hint. “That’s all I wanted to say. Call, if you need anything. And Zach—take care of yourself, okay?” “Yeah, I will.” His eyes darted to either side, avoiding her face. “Nice seeing you, Laney. I’ve got to go.” “I know. Bye, Zach.” She turned and sped back to her car so he wouldn’t see the tears that stung her eyelids. When she got home, she slumped onto the couch and let herself cry for a few minutes. Once her crying jag was done, she called the realtor, then Jenna in Minnesota, who said she’d be glad to recommend Laney as her replacement. She spent the next hour filling out an online application and taking a phone call from Jenna’s boss. The job sounded wonderful, the pay was only a slight cut, and Jenna’s boss let her know she was their only serious candidate. It looked as if the stars had aligned in that direction. Too bad, it wasn’t the direction she’d been hoping for. At least this way, she wouldn’t have to see Zach around town and have her heart broken every damn time. The real estate agent stopped by and the papers were signed. Laney’s house was officially on the market. She looked down at the last form and sighed. This is a good thing, she told herself. She fell into bed and cried. **** He was such an ass. Zach sat in his den without bothering to turn a light on and glared at the hand holding his empty beer bottle. One before bed—that was his rule. In law enforcement, you were never

completely off duty, so getting blind drunk, which otherwise sounded like a dandy idea, wasn’t an option. He’d been a total prick to Laney, who didn’t deserve it. She had done nothing wrong, nothing other than tempt Zach beyond all reason. It wasn’t her fault he had too much on his plate right now to get involved with anyone. Come to think of it, Laney deserved someone far better than him. On top of all that, Marla had informed him that Laney’s stalker was escalating. He’d gotten a detailed report about the paintballing of one 506 Culpepper Lane. Hell. He owed her an apology. Big time. Tomorrow. He leaned his head back against the sofa cushion and stared blindly up at the ceiling. He’d talk to Laney tomorrow.

Chapter Ten

By Thursday morning, Laney couldn’t deny that there was something wrong with her. Hating to even make the effort, she called Dr. Xan’s office and made an appointment, then dragged herself through the shower and across town. She was proud of having only thrown up twice in the process. The office was mostly empty, so the nurse ushered her right in and took her vitals. “You’ve got a little bit of a temperature,” she said, in a tone so perky Laney considered vomiting on her shoes. “Blood pressure and heart rate aren’t bad.” She scribbled some notes on a clipboard. “When was your last menstrual cycle?” Crap. Laney struggled to remember. She was fairly regular, but not like clockwork. When she finally managed to put events together with a date in her head, the room swam around her. It had been thirty days. Maybe thirty-one, if her math was off. “So is there any chance you might be pregnant?” Nurse Perky asked, right as Zach’s sister walked into the room. “I’ll finish up, Melissa. Thanks.” The doctor gently urged her nurse out the door and turned back to Laney who was busy trying not to freak out. “So. Tell me what’s going on.” “Exhaustion. Headache. Nausea. Vomiting.” Laney squeezed her eyes shut. “And yeah, apparently I’m late.” “Hmm. We should probably run a test, then. But to tell you the truth, that does sound a lot like the flu bug that’s been running around town. Try not to panic on me.” “Okay. I’ll try.” While Xan rummaged through a supply cabinet, Laney desperately tried to change the subject. “Your dad—is he doing any better?”

“Yeah, a little bit each day, which is all we can hope for. Thanks for asking.” Xan tore open a package and handed Laney a plastic wand with a cover over one end. “Take the cover off, pee on the stick and put the cover back on. Bring it back in here when you’re done.” Laney’s swallowed hard to avoid throwing up again. With dread dragging at every step, she trudged into the adjacent restroom and followed the instructions. Then she carried the wand back in on a paper towel and set it down on the counter before slumping into a chair. “Now we wait five minutes.” Both women stared hard at the clock above the door. “How’s Zach?” Laney couldn’t keep from asking, even though she’d seen him in the parking lot just the previous day. “Who knows with him? My brother can be a thickheaded idiot at times. But I figured maybe he was talking to you. He sure isn’t to me or Quinn.” Laney shook her head. “No. I only know he’s back because I saw him at the grocery store.” Xan snorted. “Moron. This is just like when Una died. He takes the weight of the whole world on his shoulders and won’t let anyone share it.” Over the next few minutes, Xan told Laney a little more about the youngest Shannon’s death and how Zach had blamed himself. “Now he thinks Dad’s heart attack was his fault because he came home and because he argued with Dad about the job.” “But that’s crazy,” Laney cried. “Even I know that a heart problem takes a long time to develop. It didn’t just happen since Zach came home.” “Yep, crazy is one way to put it.” Xan laughed and squeezed Laney’s hand. “Hell, I never claimed anyone in my family was entirely sane. One thing I do know, Laney, Zach cares about you—a lot. You may need to talk with him soon, depending on this test, but either way, he needs you. He’s just too damn pigheaded to admit it.” “I don’t know.” “And right now, you’re too sick to care. Come talk to me when you feel better, if he hasn’t gotten his head out of his backside by then. We’ll figure something out.” Xan rubbed her hands together. “Now, do you want to check and see if I’m going to be an aunt, or do you want me to do it?” “You.” Laney’s stomach turned again.

Xan picked up the test wand and gave it a look then smiled at Laney and shook her head. “Negative. No Auntie Xan anytime soon. At a guess, I’d say you’re just running a little late due to stress.” “Thank heavens,” Laney gasped. She let a strangled chuckle escape her throat. “Who knew I’d ever be grateful to have the flu?” “Well, I’m glad you’re relieved—though I kind of liked the idea of a niece or nephew.” Xan gave Laney a quirky grin. “Now go home, force down as much fluid as you can manage and get some sleep. If your period doesn’t start within a few days, take another test or give me a call. Okay?” “Okay. Thanks.” “And I’d consider it a personal favor if you wouldn’t give up on my idiot brother.” Laney gave her a weak smile. “I’ll try. But it’s really up to him.” With the wave of relief came one of exhaustion. She made her way home, where she fell into bed fully clothed. She was not disappointed, damn it. So why did she dream of blue-eyed babies? **** “Xan, what the hell are you doing here?” Zach had been sitting in his kitchen mangling a frozen pizza and pretending to eat it, while he felt guilty for not calling Laney that day, or the day before, when his sister let herself in the back door of his house, helped herself to a beer, and plopped down at his table. “I’m about to do something I swore a solemn oath to never do.” Zach scowled. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” “I’m about to break doctor-patient confidentiality.” Xan used her keychain to pop the top on her longneck then took a long pull. She set the bottle on the table with a thunk and looked Zach right in the eyes. “Did you know that Laney is sick?” “What?” He realized he was half out of his chair before he’d noticed moving. “What’s wrong with her?” Xan took another drink. “She came into my office earlier today. Seems she’s been throwing up. Mostly in the mornings.” She glared at him until her meaning sunk in. “Wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, bro?” He fell back into his chair and buried his face in his hands. “Oh, my God. How could I have been so freaking irresponsible? So selfish? So…”

“Human?” Xan supplied, helping herself to a wedge of the crappy pizza. “You love her, you moron. That’s how.” “Of course, I do.” He picked up his half-empty beer bottle then set it back down again. He’d need to drive, to get to Laney’s house, to take care of her... Oh hell. He’d just admitted he was in love with Laney. He was. He loved Laney Burroughs. Damn. A little late, isn’t it, dumbass? “Chill, Zach.” His sister laid her hand on his arm. “She’s not pregnant.” The words took a moment to penetrate. This time he did slug a hefty mouthful of beer. “What?” “She has the flu. She’s good and sick, but she’s not going to make you a daddy. Not right now, anyway. Maybe not ever, if you don’t straighten up.” “Then why the hell did you say it like that?” Terror was rapidly turning to irritation. “You deliberately led me to believe—” “To get you to realize you’re in love with her.” She smacked him on the forehead. “Jeez, for a smart guy, you can be remarkably dumb.” All the fight went out of him, and he slumped. “Yeah. I surely can. She’s sick, huh?” “As a dog.” Xan finished off her beer and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. No matter that she’d gone to med school back east, she was still a Texas girl, through and through. It was just starting to sink into him how glad he was to be home, around his brother and sister again. They were more than just family—he liked them. And he loved Laney. Wow, that idea took some getting used to. “You know if she’s got anybody taking care of her?” Now that he thought about it, she had looked pretty bad when he’d seen her the other day in front of the store. He’d put it down to stress. No, that wasn’t true. He’d just refused to see it at all. “I doubt it,” Xan said. “As far as I know, she’s just holed up on her own.” “I need to go. Lock the door on the way out.” He started to stand again then sat back down when she grabbed his arm and pulled. “Hold on a minute. I’m sure she could use someone checking in on her. But you should know, if you’re exposed to the flu, you won’t be able to go visit Dad. Not until the incubation period is over, and we’re sure you didn’t get it.”

“Shit.” He’d planned to head down to San Antonio right after work tomorrow. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. “How long is that? I had a flu shot a few months back, when I was in the hospital.” Surely, there had to be some way he could juggle both responsibilities. Now, his own head ached. Xan wasn’t going to cut him any slack, either. “Might be the same strain, might not. This one seems to run about four to seven days for incubation. After a week, ten days, you’d be clear, maybe sooner if you wear a mask.” “Great. I can’t just leave her alone, but I can’t abandon Mother, either. What the hell am I supposed to do?” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know. Dad’s improving every day, which I assume you realize. You could try calling him and asking his opinion.” “I can’t do that. He’s not supposed to worry about anything. I can’t let him know that I’m falling apart up here without him.” There was a world of amusement in Xan’s snort. “Men. You’d think the entire weight of the world rested on your shoulders. Here’s what you do, genius. You ask for help. Quinn and I can cover the hospital visits for one weekend. We’re functional adults, too, remember?” “Hey, you’re around sick people all the time. How come you can go?” “One, because I know I’ve been inoculated against this particular strain, and two, because I see them with a mask and gloves on. I’m not kissing any of them. Can you say the same?” “But I have to see Dad. It’s all my fault that he’s in there.” Instead of making a face or a noise, this time she got deadly quiet. “You egotistical son of a bitch.” “What?” Zach blinked. “How on earth can this be your fault? Were you here shoving red meat and butter down his throat every day? Did you ignore his constant ‘heartburn’ for the last year? How about genetics? Are you responsible for his DNA? Damn, Zach, I didn’t think you were that all-fired powerful.” He just sat there, probably gaping like a trout. “This is all about Una, isn’t it?” Xan poked him in the chest. “Well get over it, buddy. Her death wasn’t your fault. You know why she was coming home that night, driving too fast?” “To see me.”

“No. That’s what everybody thought. I’m the only one that talked to her earlier that day. She’d just gotten kicked out of school, for skipping too many classes. Then her boyfriend dumped her. I told her to wait, that I’d come get her, but she wouldn’t listen. She’d had a drink or two and was in no shape to drive. That’s why she died, Zach. Because she made a horrible, stupid choice. It had nothing to do with you.” Tears streamed from Xan’s pretty hazel eyes. Una’s had been bright blue like Quinn’s, though otherwise she and Xan could have been twins. Odd how that thought flashed through his brain at a time like this. Zach opened his arms. “God, I wish I’d known. I am so sorry, Sis. You’ve got to know it wasn’t your fault, either.” “I know.” She hugged him hard and sniffed before pulling away. “It took me a while to work it out, but I know that now. And neither is Dad’s illness—just like it isn’t yours.” “Okay. I can see that. Not sure I feel it, yet, but I’ll work on it, I promise.” “Good.” She eased back and grabbed both of his ears, giving his skull a shake. “Now, don’t you think you should go check on your woman? I like Laney. I want to keep her in the family.” Zach managed a smile. “I’ll do my best. Though, I may still screw it up.” “I have confidence in you, bro.” Xan stood and clapped him on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out.” “Thanks,” he called as she let herself out. “You’re a big help, Sis.” He picked up his wallet and keys, at least mostly convinced he was making the right choice. But he’d only stepped one foot out the door when his phone rang. “Garcia here. We’ve got another fire.” Zach swore a blue streak all the way to the Baptist Church. A good-sized crowd had gathered in the parking lot, around the smoldering heap of a car. The firefighters had the blaze, out, but the foam-covered pile of debris was still smoking and steaming. As Zach took in the scene, Garcia, a tall, imposing man in his early thirties, strode up to him, notebook in hand. “Choir practice was going on. We’ve got two witnesses—a couple high school girls who were working in the nursery, watching kids while the parents rehearsed.” Zach immediately picked out two blonde heads in the crowd. One was the Hennessey girl, sure enough. That couldn’t be a coincidence. The other was her friend, Somebody-or-other

Wilkins—the same girl who had backed up Tara Hennessy’s accusation of Parker and Jacob. “They named names?” “Yes, sir. They swear it was Jacob Riley and Parker Burroughs.” “Then they’re lying through their whitened, straightened teeth.” “Come again?” Garcia tipped his head. Zach shook his head. “I can vouch for the whereabouts of those two, and it’s not in the state of Texas.” “You think they made a mistake?” “No. Those two girls know exactly who’s responsible, and they’re deliberately pointing the finger at someone else. Let’s invite them to come down to the office and give us a statement.” “Sounds good to me, but it might not do us much good. Given their connections, I’d expect them to be lawyered up by the time they get there. And you’ll need parental permission to question them at all, since they’re minors.” “Well, at least it will make them stop slandering two innocent kids to everyone in town— for the moment, anyhow.” There was a crowd around the girls, avidly soaking up the gossip. “Whose car was it?” “The Wilkins girl. She said the boys have a grudge against her for naming them at the Hennessey ranch fire. That’s motive enough for this kind of vandalism.” Hmm. This just kept getting crazier. Would one of the culprits really sacrifice her own car? From what he could see, it looked like a sporty little convertible, the kind any teen would be thrilled to show off all over town. “One thing you might want to know, Shannon.” The fire chief had wandered over. “Looks like the car was in an accident before the fire. This might be an insurance cover-up.” Yep. Crazier and crazier. He cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled. “All right. Listen up, everybody. We need you to clear this parking lot. Anyone with a statement to make can do so in an official capacity over at the Sheriff’s Department. If you’re a minor, please arrange for a parent to meet you there.” “Deputy Shannon, why aren’t those two hooligans in custody?” cried one woman. “They’re liable to kill someone one of these days.”

“Because they didn’t do it.” Josie Riley hollered back. “Jacob and Parker are in Minnesota, you old biddy, working on a farm for the summer. This proves someone else is behind the fires.” No! It was too late. The assembled crowd gave a collective gasp. Then a shrill voice rose above the chatter. “I want my dad and my lawyer.” **** It was a long night that gained them pretty much zip. By the time they were done with lawyers, parents and Child Protective Services, they hadn’t been able to get a thing out of Tara Hennessy or Penelope Wilkins. And since it turned out Tara was dating Peyton Benedict, the mayor’s son, of course His Honor had gotten involved, coming down at midnight to give Zach a royal ass-chewing. After taking it for about twenty minutes, Zach had reminded the mayor that the Sheriff’s Department reported to the County Commission, rather than City Hall and flat out told him to leave. In a huff, Mayor Benedict had backed off, but Zach knew there’d be repercussions later. At that point he was too tired to care. Eventually, the office was emptied, until just the regular midnight shift was there doing their thing. Dawkins was even smirking so hard, Zach damn near slugged him. When the shift supervisor, Tim Carpenter, sent Dawkins out on a DUI call, Zach breathed a sigh of relief. The only useful information they’d gathered was that Penelope may have had a “tiny little ding” in her fender from bumping into a light pole earlier in the day. Of course, she apologized profusely to her daddy, who assured her it was no problem at all. Zach fought hard not to roll his eyes. He’d bet his retirement that the spoiled little brat had smashed the thing until it barely ran then had her firebug friends torch it. Now, though, the kids knew they couldn’t implicate Parker and Jacob, which meant they’d be ultra-careful until they picked a new target. Not only was Zach’s investigation stuck at square one, it had been shoved back somewhere in the negatives. On top of all of it, it was way too late to go check on Laney, which pissed him off more than anything. It was also too late to call his dad, which he knew he needed to do, if only to explain why he wouldn’t be down this weekend. With an exhausted sigh, he finished the last of the paperwork and gathered up his jacket and hat.

Just as he was about to walk out the door, there was a knock on the glass to the inner office. Zach motioned Tim Carpenter, the night-shift supervisor inside. “What now?” “Report of some trouble at 506 Culpepper,” Tim said. “Thought you might want to roll out on this one personally.” He gave Zach’s tired face and crumpled clothing a doubtful look. “I’ll drive.” Laney’s address. Suddenly wide awake, Zach grabbed his hat and his jacket in a hurry as he followed Tim out the door at a jog. “What kind of trouble?” He grew even more worried when he saw that several of the uniformed deputies had already peeled out of the parking lot, sirens blaring. “Arson.” Tim said as they ran to his car. Terror gripped him for the second time in a week. “Do we know how bad?” “No, but we know she’s in one piece and out of the house.” Zach started breathing again. Laney was alive. As long as she was okay, they could work on fixing the relationship he’d screwed up so royally.

Chapter Eleven

Uniformed deputies were starting to string crime scene tape around the property when Zach and Tim arrived. The house was still standing. Tendrils of smoke drifted up from the porch, but Zach didn’t see any flames. The fire appeared to be out—or at least contained. Taking in each detail automatically as he spotted it, Zach was out of the car before it had even come to a complete stop, his eyes scanning the scene for Laney. There. She sat on a lawn chair at the foot of her driveway, wrapped in a blanket. One neighbor lady hovered over her, a hand patting Laney’s shoulder. There was no ambulance on the scene, and they were closer than Zach had been, so the paramedics hadn’t been called in. That meant she had to be okay. Gulping in a breath, he slowed his steps to a brisk walk as he stepped over the yellow tape and approached her. One of the uniforms came running up to say something to him, but Zach held up his hand. “Tell Carpenter.” His stride never slowed in his passage toward Laney. Somehow, she saw him or heard him or maybe she could just sense his presence. She lifted her head and turned to face him, her eyes wide and her lower lip caught between her teeth. Her wariness cut him deeply, but as he drew closer he could see something else—hope, maybe? Shakily, she got to her feet just before he reached her. “Laney!” All he could spit out was her name. He reached out to drag her into his arms, burying his face in her smoke-scented hair. “Oh, dear God, Laney, are you all right?” She clung to him like a drowning swimmer to a life preserver. “Zach, you’re here. I can’t believe you’re really here.” Sobs shook her body, and she leaned heavily against him.

“Shhh, sweetheart, it’s okay. As long as you weren’t hurt, anything else can be fixed.” Her tears were breaking something inside his chest, and he felt his own eyes well up in response. What would he have done if he’d lost her forever? He eased her over to one of the department cruisers and sat on the trunk, so he could pull her into his lap while she cried in his arms. With one hand he smoothed her hair and the other stroked up and down the blanket covering her back. The whole time, he kept murmuring reassurances and dropping kisses on the top of her head. A crowd gathered around them, but he ignored them all, until Laney’s frantic weeping settled into occasional sniffles and hiccoughs. When he thought she could speak, he tipped her chin up so he could see her face. “Are you sure you’re okay?” She licked her lips, which up close he could see were dry and cracked. Hell, he’d almost forgotten she was sick, too. “I wasn’t hurt. Breathed in a little smoke, but not very much.” Her voice was a little raspy, but not too bad. “Where are the paramedics?” She coughed. “I asked the firefighters not to call them. I’m fine—mostly just a mess from trying to contain the fire until they got here. My kitchen fire extinguisher took care of the worst of it, at least, kept it from getting into the house. Then I dumped my watering can onto it, and eventually beat it with a rug. All that’s really damaged is the siding, the porch, and the front door. Well, the rug, too, I guess.” “You should have just run.” Didn’t she know how precious she was? How much he needed her? “Do you know how it started?” “Yeah.” Her cute little nose wrinkled. “The traditional bag of horse poop on the doormat.” “That caused this much damage?” Now that she mentioned it though, he could pick up the scent of manure mingled with the smoke in her hair. Didn’t matter. He still wasn’t letting go of her. Not yet. She grimaced at the doubt in his tone, making him instantly ashamed. “Well, it was a big shopping bag full, and I was pretty heavily asleep. I’ve had the flu this week, and it’s knocked me on my butt. If they rang the doorbell, I didn’t hear it. The only thing that saved the house was that I had the front window open and enough smoke drifted inside to trigger the smoke detector.”

“Oh, darlin’, I’m damn glad you had that window open.” He hugged her close again, aware that if she hadn’t woken until the structure itself was in flames, the outcome could have been far different. “Yeah, I’m pretty happy about it myself. Do you think they’ll let me back in my house tonight? I’ll have to do a lot of work to get it ready to sell.” He ignored that comment. They’d talk about her idea of moving later. “I doubt it—not until the fire inspector can go through in the morning and make sure it’s totally safe. It doesn’t matter, though. You’re coming home with me.” “Zach, you know that’s not a good idea.” She doubled over with another bout of coughing. “It’s not an idea; it’s a fact.” He wasn’t about to be budged. “I’m not leaving you alone until these firebugs are caught and dealt with. I don’t care if they are teenagers. This goes far beyond prank territory. You’re in danger. You need protection, and somebody needs to do time for this.” “Zach, I—” He didn’t get to hear whatever it was she’d started to say, because Tim chose that moment to come over and clear his throat. “We’ve got a positive ID on the car.” Zach nodded and laid a finger across Laney’s lips. “I’ve got to work. I want you to just curl up in the backseat of this cruiser and get some rest, okay?” She looked about ready to protest then subsided with a hesitant nod. “Okay.” “If you need me, you just let someone know.” He kissed her hard before he stood, lifting her in his arms, blanket and all, and carrying her to the side of the cruiser, where Tim was ready with the door open. Zach set Laney inside and kissed her again. “I’ll be right back, sweetheart. Try to rest.” “One of the neighbors got a good look at the vehicle,” Tim murmured as soon as they were away from Laney. “Mr. Carter was coming home from a late shift as a custodian at the hospital. He even saw two boys walk up to Ms. Burroughs’s porch. Figured they were friends of Parker’s, so he didn’t think anything of it, just went inside, so he never saw the fire.” “Could he identify the boys in a lineup?” Finally, something solid to work with.

“He believes he could, though he didn’t get a great look at either face. Ms. Burroughs’s porch light was on, which made him think they were expected. Both had on jeans and dark Tshirts. One light-haired, one dark.” Zach scrubbed his hand across his hair—at about a half inch, it was longer than it had been in years, and it felt odd. “That could be the Kendricks and Benedict kids, or any one of a dozen other pairs. What was the car?” “Shiny, black top-of-the-line Ford pickup. No more than a year old. The neighbor noticed it because it seemed out of place in the neighborhood—and he was drooling just a bit, I think. He drives an old rust-bucket, like most of the people on this street.” “Do we know what either of those boys drives?” Zach thought he’d seen that info somewhere, but he was too tired to remember where. “I called Julie at the office and she got the file off your desk. The mayor’s son drives this year’s model Ford F-250 club cab in gloss black. Vanity license plate is STRPCHR.” “Star pitcher.” Zach grimaced in disgust. “Modest kid, too, isn’t he?” “Anyway, the neighbor didn’t remember the exact letters of the plate, but he gave us the “Star” part. That should be enough to get a warrant. Can’t be too many teens with black, new, Fords with those letters in the plate.” “Yeah, put out a BOLO for the truck. It’s only been what, a half hour since the fire was started? They might still be joyriding around. Shake all the extra deputies loose from here to go look for the kids. Meanwhile, I guess I get to go wake up a judge for a warrant.” “Fortunately, Judge Wilding isn’t best of friends with Mayor Benedict.” Tim said. “He shouldn’t give you any problems with the warrant. He’s also a night owl, so he won’t bite your head off for calling him at two in the morning.” “Thank heavens for small favors.” Zach keyed his radio and asked the dispatcher for the judge’s phone number. This crap, the red tape and politics, was the part of the job Zach had never really wanted, but his dad had asked him to take them on, so he would. That this one was for Laney just added to his resolve. **** Dazed, Laney watched Zach walk away with the other deputy through the open door of the police car.

Had Zach really just kissed her in front of the entire town and half a dozen of his coworkers? Well, if it was a dream or hallucination, it was a good one. She leaned her head back against the seat of the cruiser. Though she wanted to keep her eyes on Zach, it wasn’t long before they drifted shut. For the first time in a while, she actually felt safe. It seemed like a minute later when he gently nudged her awake to close the door then came around and slid in beside her. “I’ve got to get back to the office, but I’m having one of the deputies take you to my place and wait there with you until I get back.” “Zach, I don’t have any clothes, no toiletries, no anything.” Even to her own ears, though, she didn’t sound convincing. Taking a shower then curling up in Zach’s big warm bed sounded wonderful, though it would be even better if he was there to hold her. “Help yourself to one of my shirts. You can live with my soap and shampoo for one night. Hell, use my toothbrush for all I care. My tongue’s been in your mouth, why not that?” He stroked her hair and kissed her forehead. “Laney, I can’t work unless I know you’re safe. Do this for me, please?” “Okay.” She gave a deep sigh and leaned her head against his chest. “But not the toothbrush. That’s just weird.” Zach laughed and kissed her nose. “I think there’s a spare in the bathroom drawer. Besides, by morning I expect to be able to go into your house, since the damage was confined to the front porch.” He looked carefully into her eyes, ignoring the uniformed deputy who climbed into the front seat and turned the engine on. The deputy kept her eyes studiously forward, so Laney wasn’t entirely sure who it was. “Is there any medicine or anything you need?” “Just water and sleep.” She’d actually been feeling better tonight. The nausea had eased in the last day, leaving just fatigue and body aches, though now she also had a sore throat and a cough from the smoke. “Tea and toast in the morning, maybe.” “Tea and toast, we can manage.” “Oh—and a box of tampons.” Embarrassed by that last request, she buried her face in his chest and mumbled it. “Don’t suppose you have those handy.”

Zach chuckled. “We can handle it.” He raised his voice to speak through the panel dividing the front seat from the back. “Matthews, can you stop at the Quick-Stop on the way to the office? I need real coffee.” “Sure thing, boss.” Okay, apparently the driver was Anna Matthews. “Could use a gallon or two, myself.” Hawthorne boasted one all-night gas station with a mini-market. “I don’t have my purse,” Laney whispered. “Can I borrow—” Zach tapped her nose. “Stop it. One more word and I’m going to be offended. Why don’t you just doze until you get to my place, hmmm?” “You’re a guy. I can’t send you in to buy tampons.” It was beyond her imagination that he’d even consider it. “I’m not worried, sweetheart. My manhood can handle it. Just go to sleep.” He held her against his chest until they reached the gas station. Despite wanting to stay awake to enjoy being held, Laney found herself drifting off. When the car stopped, Zach set her down and got out, after having determined Deputy Matthews’s coffee preference. A few moments later, he returned carrying two large to-go cups and a reusable cloth grocery bag. There were no cup holders in the back of the cruiser, so he wedged his cup between his knees while he pulled a bottle of spring water from the sack. “Step one, water.” He opened it and handed it to Laney then closed the bag and tapped it with his fingers before setting it on the seat between them. “A few necessities for an overnight visit. Even a toothbrush and a hairbrush. Oh—and some cough drops.” “Thank you.” He was being so thoughtful. A woman could get used to this kind of treatment. Too bad, they weren’t a couple anymore and she was moving to Minnesota as soon as she had officially gotten the job. Tonight, though, she was just too tired to resist his tenderness. She sipped at the water, enjoying the sensation of the icy liquid on her scratchy throat, though it brought on another fit of coughing. “There’s some ibuprofen in my medicine cabinet. If your stomach can handle it, I want you to take a couple before you go to bed.” Zach took the water bottle from her and capped it before setting it back in her lap. “Trust me, your throat will feel a lot better in the morning if you do. And if you’re still coughing then, it’s off to the hospital, whether you want to or not.” “Zach—” She started to tell him she was fine, which even she knew was a lie, but the vehicle stopped before she could get the words out.

“Okay, Matthews here is going to take you to my place and wait there with you. If you need me for anything, call my cell. Understood?” He barely gave her time to nod before he leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll see you in a little while.” Then he was gone. “Okay, next stop, the Shannon place.” Anna was a pleasant, if no-nonsense woman a in her mid-twenties. Laney didn’t know her well, though, since the two had only crossed paths here and there. “Anything else you need along the way?” “No, thanks.” After a short pause, she reconsidered. “I hope he didn’t lock his door. It’s not like I have a key.” The deputy laughed. “It would be just like a guy to forget that, wouldn’t it? I swear my boyfriend would forget his own name if I wasn’t there to remind him some days. No problem on the keys though. The boss gave them to me when he asked me to stay and watch the place until the perps are caught.” Watch the place, not guard the helpless girlfriend. Laney wondered if the tact had been on Zach’s part or Anna’s. She suspected the latter. Then she caught what Anna had been calling Zach. “The boss. That’s got to be weird for everybody, him included.” Anna shrugged. “Yeah, it’s awkward. We all know he’s only acting sheriff until his dad comes back, so nobody knows what to call him. Zach least of all because he wants more than any of us for the sheriff to be back on his feet.” No wonder he was going nuts, balancing the job and his family, and the weight of all the expectations dumped on his shoulders. “How are the other supervisors and detectives handling that?” Mark Dawkins had to be breathing fire. Anna shrugged. “Mostly okay. The only ones who are ticked should have known they were never going to move up anyway. Sheriff is a political position. You have to be able to schmooze the voters and fundraise as well as handle law enforcement. Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that if any of the Shannon family ever wanted it, they were going to get it.” “I wonder if Zach really wanted it, or his dad wanted it for him?” Laney didn’t think Zach was ready to get mixed up in the politics of the office—not just yet, anyway. In a few years, sure, she could see him filling his father’s shoes. Honestly, he’d be an excellent sheriff, once he had his feet fully back under him.

“Good question.” Anna was clearly intrigued by the idea. “I haven’t worked with him directly before tonight—he’s been on days and swing, not midnights. But he seems to have his head together, even if he did freak out a little tonight.” “He freaked out?” “Umm…law enforcement isn’t known for picking up victims and carrying them to a car instead of working the scene.” The younger woman chuckled and shrugged. “But we all know it gets personal sometimes. I don’t think anyone minded.” Laney wasn’t sure whether to be embarrassed or thrilled. Zach had ignored department procedure to make sure she was okay. Maybe his feelings for her were stronger than she’d thought. Too bad it was too late. In a few weeks, she’d be gone from Hawthorne for good. A couple minutes later, they reached Zach’s place, and this time, embarrassment won, when Anna insisted on helping her up the stairs. At least, she was allowed to shower by herself. She threw her smoky nightshirt into the trashcan then used Zach’s pine-scented all-in-one hair and body shampoo to get clean. She scrubbed her skin until it was red and washed her hair three times to get rid of the smell of smoke and horse apples. He didn’t seem to own a hairdryer, and she was too tired to care. She brushed her teeth, brushed out her hair and plaited it into a braid, secured with the same band she’d gone to sleep in earlier that night. She washed that in the sink, so it was wet too, but again, she didn’t care. Then she rooted through his dresser until she found a T-shirt and pulled it on, along with a pair of drawstring gym shorts. Finally, she stumbled over to Zach’s bed and crawled in, inhaling deeply when her face burrowed into the pillow. Even through the residual smoke clinging to her nostrils, she could detect Zach’s scent. She hugged his pillow close as she drifted off to sleep. **** About forty minutes after Zach returned to the office, a call came in from one of the deputies out looking for the Benedict and Hendricks boys. Sure enough, not only had they still been out joyriding, they’d also been drinking and had a half-full bag of marijuana with them as well as floor mats full of ash. And in the bed of the pickup, the deputies found an empty can of kerosene and bits of fresh horse manure. Both boys had been brought in and processed. The next day, Laney’s neighbor would be asked to pick them out of a lineup, adding even more to the case against them. Mick Wilding had been woken up by an angry mayor and was already trying to

explain the benefits of a plea bargain, which would include therapy and anger management sessions, as well as a little time at a juvenile facility. Since both boys were almost seventeen, Zach requested they be tried as adults, but he knew that would be set aside in the bargaining. That was fine. All he cared was that the fires stopped, Parker and Jacob were cleared, and most importantly, that Laney was safe. Under questioning, they’d explained a little more about their motives. When they’d seen suspicion fall on Jacob and Parker, their petty vengeance had escalated, until they’d lost all sense of right or wrong. With their girlfriends cheering them on, they’d soon moved on to trying to one up each other to impress the ladies and maybe get Parker and Jake out of school for good. The girls had sung completely, and their charges of impeding an investigation and attempted fraud would probably be bargained down to some community service. Both of them had looked and seemed terrified, so he thought they’d learned their lesson. Apparently, the mailbox fires had just been a prank, since they were angry at the principal. Dawn was tinting the eastern skyline a pale shade of purple when he finally got into his car and headed home. It was weird to have to knock on his own side door, but he’d given his keys to Matthews, who’d parked the cruiser prominently in the street. Even though he’d spoken to her when the boys were brought in, she’d offered to stay with “the witness” until he got home, which relieved his mind. “Morning, boss.” After checking his identity through the glass, she opened the door and let him in. “I have to say, these last few hours were pretty light duty. She went upstairs, showered and I haven’t heard a peep since. I never got a glimpse of a black pickup, so I don’t think they even did a drive-by.” “Thanks.” Zach tried valiantly not to yawn, but failed. “Goodnight, Matthews. I owe you one.” She grinned. “I’ll take that marker. Never know when you’ll need a last-minute shift change. Good night, sir. If you don’t mind my saying so, you look like hell.” “I never mind the truth, Deputy.” He held the door as she walked away with a mocking salute that turned into a friendly wave. His people had really pulled together tonight, especially since this was a team he hadn’t worked with before. It was kind of a shock how easily he’d assumed the mantle of command. He hadn’t even gotten any grief from the judge when he’d called for the warrant.

On his way up the stairs, he came to the realization that he was going to accept the job of senior deputy, despite his earlier misgivings. While he didn’t think he wanted to be the permanent sheriff just yet, he did want the job eventually, when his dad was ready to retire. According to the doctors, Walt should be back at work in a couple months, so he’d want his desk back. In the senior deputy position, though, Zach would be able to lighten the sheriff’s load, make Walt’s job a little easier and, eventually, ease the transition when Zach ran in Walt’s place on an election year. He wondered if Laney would mind being married to a cop-slash-politician. Yeah, right. That was assuming she would even be speaking to him when she wasn’t in shock. He had a fair bit of groveling to do. The first thing he did in his bedroom was walk over to the bed and check on her. She was curled into a tiny ball under the blankets, her hair a damp rope on top of the comforter. He brushed his fingers across her forehead—warm, but not hot. She wasn’t running a fever. Her breathing was deep and only occasionally raspy. He’d still make her go talk to Xan tomorrow, even if she wouldn’t go to the hospital. Or maybe he’d have Xan come here. There had to be some advantage to being family. As he pulled off his shirt, he got a whiff of smoke and realized he needed a shower, especially since he intended to sleep with Laney. He stripped on his way to the bathroom, noting her toothbrush and hairbrush on the counter beside his toothbrush and razor. There was room for more, though it wouldn’t stay as neat as he’d gotten used to in the military. At Laney’s house, the single bathroom was cramped and cluttered. Still, if she added half a dozen bottles and jars, the counter wouldn’t look so bare and the place might actually start feeling like a home. Then he spotted the box of tampons on top of the toilet tank and snickered. Yep. Sharing space with a woman full-time would definitely be a learning experience. Even growing up, the girls had shared one bath while he and Quinn had shared another. While Zach hadn’t been celibate, he’d never actually lived with a woman. Hopefully thirty-nine wasn’t too old to learn. Once he was cleaned up, he went back into the bedroom. Laney hadn’t so much as stirred. She didn’t make a sound when Zach reached around her to set his alarm clock for ten, which would give him a solid four hours of sleep. When he slid under the covers behind her, and tugged her back against him though, she murmured and snuggled up before settling back into sleep.

Yeah, he thought as he dropped a kiss on the top of her head and tucked his arm around her waist. I could get used to this. He almost whispered, “I love you,” but stopped. He wouldn’t tell her for the first time when she was asleep. That would feel like cheating, somehow. Tomorrow, he decided with a smile. I’ll tell her I love her, tomorrow.

Chapter Twelve

When Laney woke, it was a few minutes past noon—and Zach was gone. She knew he’d been there, for a while at least. Somewhere in the early morning hours she’d woken to use the bathroom. When she’d crawled under the covers afterward, he’d immediately pulled her back into his arms without really waking. He hadn’t had any nightmares either—or if he had, they hadn’t woken her. Then again, that could just be because he’d been too exhausted to dream. She’d picked up from Anna that Zach had been up for just about twentyfour hours straight. So now he was gone again, and she had no idea if her house was still standing, if they’d caught the kids or where she and Zach were in their relationship. She didn’t even have her phone. She’d left her house with literally nothing but her nightshirt and the blanket Mrs. Arroyo from next door had loaned her, which was probably still lying on Zach’s bathroom floor. Since she didn’t have anything clean to put on, she just washed her face and brushed her teeth. Zach had tidied up a little, she thought with a smile. He was such a neat-freak, and she was kind of a slob, at least when she didn’t have time to clean. Maybe they were destined to failure. “Knock, knock.” The bedroom door opened a crack. “Laney, can I come in?” “Dr. Xan?” Laney stood there, in one of Zach’s shirts and a pair of his shorts, both of which were a little snug on her well-endowed figure. She’d taken the braid out of her hair so it would finally finish drying, and she was wearing Old Spice deodorant. Not a time when she really wanted to see Zach’s elegant blonde sister. “Drop the ‘doctor’, please, since I’m here in my capacity as younger sister more than anything. Zach wanted someone to stop by and make sure you were feeling okay. He told me about the fire last night.”

“My throat is a little scratchy, but the cough is pretty much gone.” Laney sat down on the side of the unmade bed. “Oh—and I’m definitely not pregnant.” “Bummer,” Xan teased. “How’s the flu going?” She set her medical bag on the padded bench at the foot of the bed and pulled out her stethoscope and a digital thermometer. “Mostly gone. I’m just still a little dragged out—tired and achy. Today, I’m actually feeling hungry—a little, at least. That’s a first for the last few days.” “Sounds good. Now, open up.” Xan popped the thermometer probe into Laney’s mouth, and lifted her wrist to take a pulse. “Good and good,” she said after checking both. “Now let’s hear the lungs. Zach was worried about smoke inhalation.” “I’m fine.” She obediently took deep breaths as requested. When Xan was done, she said. “I’d be even better if I was at home with my own clothes, my phone, and—oh, crap—my birth control pills. I just started taking them yesterday.” “Yeah, those are kind of important but easy to replace. If you can’t get into your house, I can drop off a replacement pack later today—or you can have Zach swing by the clinic on his way home.” Xan started packing away her stuff. “Your lungs sound normal. You must not have breathed in too much smoke.” “No, just a little. But I can’t even call him. He doesn’t have a house phone, and my cell is stuck in my house.” “I’d recommend another lazy day today, add in a little light exercise over the weekend then you should be back to work by Monday. Sound all right to you?” “Sure.” Laney wondered if she’d have clothes by then. “Now, let’s go downstairs. I did promise I’d feed you while I was here. While I scrounge us up some lunch, you can use my phone to call my idiot brother. Then I want your butt on the couch or in bed for the rest of today, got it?” “Yes, ma’am.” Laney followed Zach’s sister down the stairs, pausing at the landing to catch her breath. She took advantage of the moment to look closely at the photo of Zach’s grandparents on their wedding day. She remembered Zach’s grandmother from the local garden club, and of course, she knew his grandfather had been sheriff before Walt. In the tinted photo, Victor Shannon was tall and straight in his WWII army uniform, while Mary was petite and fair in a pale blue suit and pillbox hat with a tiny veil. Laney could see the older couple in the shining

faces of these young newlyweds, who smiled at each other with so much joy that it was still palpable some sixty-five years later. “Gorgeous, isn’t it? I’ve always wished I could wear that suit someday, but Grandma was a lot shorter than me.” Xan stood next to Laney and hooked a hand through her elbow. “Besides, she was too practical to put it in a box and save it. She wore it to church for years, until it wore out and she threw it away.” “They were such a wonderful couple.” Laney’s eyes had misted up and she smiled. “I think they’d be happy knowing Zach was living here.” “Hmm.” Xan turned and started down the rest of the staircase. “They’d be even happier if he got married and had a bunch of kids. Grandma always wanted a houseful, but she only ever had my dad.” “I think these days two or three is considered a houseful,” Laney said. “And your brother may not want even that, assuming he ever does decide to settle down.” Xan arched one eyebrow and laughed. “Oh, I think he’ll figure it out. He’s just a little slow on the uptake. Sometimes, I swear Mom dropped him on his head as a baby.” Once downstairs, Laney was shooed off to the den with Xan’s cell phone and told to sit still and call Zach. One thing she’d discovered for certain, bossiness ran in the Shannon family. **** Zach was starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. The lineup had been a success. Peyton Benedict and Taylor Kendricks were indisputably guilty of arson, along with possession of marijuana, underage drinking and drinking and driving. They’d even given up their girlfriends as their accomplices. Penelope Wilkins and Tara Hennessey were responsible not just for lying about who they saw setting the fires, but for the threatening letters—which, since they’d put them in Laney’s mailbox, was actually a Federal offense. While Zach knew a lot of it would be plea-bargained away, he also knew the kids would all be paying for their actions one way or another. Their parents were, to put it mildly, pissed. Once they’d been handed irrefutable evidence, the mayor and his buddy Kendricks had both vowed that their sons would be dealt with. The mayor already had Mick looking at juvenile “boot camp” for the boys. Now that everything was more or less under control, Zach had a couple of other tasks to accomplish before he could go home and spend the evening with Laney. He was just getting ready to pack things up when his cell phone rang. The display showed an unknown number.

“Zach Shannon.” “Zach, this is Parker Burroughs. I can’t reach Aunt Laney, and Jacob’s grandmother told him something about a fire. Is she okay?” “Yeah, she’s fine. There was a little damage to the front porch, so they wouldn’t let her go inside. She’s at my house, resting up.” “She doesn’t even have her phone?” “No, she didn’t get anything out of the house. But the building’s been cleared. There’s no structural damage. She’ll just have to use the back door for a few days while the porch is repaired.” “Thanks for keeping me in the loop, dude. Might have been nice if somebody called me.” Zach winced. “I’m sorry. You’re right—I should have thought of it. I’m leaving the office in a few minutes to go get some things from your house. Once she has her phone, I’m sure she’s going to want to give you a call.” “All right then.” The boy grunted his acceptance. “Do you know if she’s heard about the job yet? Or if this is going to affect the sale of the house? We were hoping to get settled in up here before school started.” “I don’t know.” Minnesota? Hell, no. She wasn’t going to move anywhere at all, not if he could help it. Certainly not a thousand miles away. He really hoped Parker wouldn’t mind staying here in Hawthorne. “Are you keeping an eye on her? She’s sounded pretty awful all week, and she never once mentioned your name. I figure that means she wasn’t spending time with you.” “Not much, no. It’s been kind of a rough week. But I promise, from here on out, I’ll be keeping her very, very close.” If she lets me. “Oh? And just what are your intentions toward my aunt?” Parker mustered every bit of dignity a teenager could—except his voice cracked on the last word, making Zach smile. “I intend to ask her to marry me. Tonight. If that’s all right with you, that is.” He knew that Laney came as part of a package deal, and honestly, he didn’t mind a bit. The misfit teen had already found his own place in Zach’s heart. Now, Zach wondered which room in his house Parker would like as his own. “Yeah, that’s okay, if you mean it,” Parker said slowly. “Does that mean we’d come live with you? ’Cause I don’t think our place is big enough.”

“I kind of hoped you would,” Zach answered. “The house is too big for just me, anyway. Think you could handle staying in Texas, now that you’ve been cleared?” There was a long pause then a war whoop. “I could manage. Tell her to call me as soon as she says yes.” “Of course.” Zach grinned as he hung up the phone. Now for one more call before he moved on with the rest of his life. He shut and locked his office door then placed a call to his father’s hospital room. “Hi, Mother. How’s he doing today?” “A little better every day.” Ysabel sounded tired but optimistic. Good. “If all goes well, he could be coming home on Monday. But dear, you sound exhausted. Is anything wrong?” “Not now. It was just a really long night with a case. I thought it might cheer him up to hear we got the arson case all wrapped up with a big ol’ bow on it.” “He’s not in the room just now. They took him down the hall for some testing, but I’ll be sure to let him know. You’re right. That will perk him up. Shall I have him call you when he’s back?” “That would be great, though it’s actually you I wanted to talk to—partly at least.” “Really?” Her surprise made him wince. Had he been that obvious about avoiding her since he’d been home? “Yes, Mother. You. There’s something I have to ask. Mother, did you ever…blame me…for Una’s accident?” “What? Of course not.” Her sharp tone softened. “Dear, did no one ever tell you that Una had a problem with drinking? If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I had my suspicions but didn’t want to face them and insist she get help. Please tell me you haven’t been blaming yourself all this time.” “I guess I have. And Dad…would he have still gotten sick if I’d taken an earlier discharge and come home years ago? I think I’ll always wonder about that, too.” “Don’t be ridiculous.” He could almost see her blue eyes flash fire. “I’ve been after your father to take better care of himself for years. His heart problems are part genetics, but mostly his own stubborn fault. Never yours, Zachariah. If anything, knowing you’d be home gave him hope that might have even delayed his heart attack.”

“Thank God.” He squeezed the bridge of his nose. “I guess it was kind of conceited of me to take the blame for everything.” “Sounds like you’ve been talking to your sister. I knew she was smart. Now, dear, is there anything else you’d like to talk about? I’d hoped to grab a quick bite while your father’s away.” “Actually, yes, please. I want to talk to you about Laney.” “You mean your librarian girlfriend.” Now, her voice had picked up a cautious tone. “What about her, dear?” “Yeah, that’s the only Laney I know.” Please, Mother, don’t make this about money or social class. “I want you to know that I’m going to ask her to marry me.” “But you’ve only known her a few weeks. Surely, you’re just sowing some wild oats now that you’re finally home.” She sounded worried rather than horrified, which was, he supposed, something. “How long did it take you to know that Dad was the one?” He could almost see her reluctant smile as her voice softened. “I got home from my first day of kindergarten and told my mother that I’d found the boy I was going to marry. He was a second-grader who picked up my lunchbox when I dropped it.” “And he’s told me that even though he never asked you out until high school, he always knew, right from that moment as well. It seems to work that way in our family. Grandpa was the same way—proposed to Grandma the night he met her at the USO. Apparently, with the Shannons, one look is all it takes.” Zach just hadn’t been quite smart enough to figure that out before he’d made a mess of things with Laney. “What about her nephew? Isn’t he still going to be a problem? Would she be able to live with you if you arrested him?” Zach explained everything that had happened the night before. “Do you love her?” Was that a sob he heard in his mother’s voice? “I do.” “Does she love you?” “I think so.” Zach cringed and amended, “I hope so.” “Then why the hell are you telling me about it instead of talking to her?” Zach laughed to the point where tears welled up in his eyes.

“God, I love you, Mother. You’ll be nice to Laney? And Parker. Don’t forget she comes with a teenager.” “I love you too, darling. And of course I’ll be kind to whomever you choose.” Her voice was strong and solid on the vow. “Furthermore, I’ll be delighted to have an instant grandson. I’ve been waiting far too long to be a grandmother.” “Thanks, Mom.” “You’re welcome. And, don’t worry, I won’t forget that I owe Laney an apology for being nasty that night at the hospital. Right then, I think I just wanted to keep the three of you all to myself. I was so frightened, Zach.” “I know. And Laney understands—or she will, anyway. She’s good people, Mother. I think you’re going to love her once you get to know her.” “I’m sure I will. Your father speaks very highly of her, and she handled herself well at dinner last week. Now, quit talking to your mother and go get the girl. Is it okay if I tell your father? I think he’ll be delighted.” Zach grinned. “Go ahead. Maybe tonight, I’ll be able to call with even bigger news.” “I’ll look forward to it.” Zach hung up the phone and reached for a tissue. Must have gotten more smoke in his eyes last night than he realized. Now, all he had to do was stop by Laney’s house, pick up the items on the list she’d given him over the phone, grab some take-out for dinner, and run out to the ranch for one other item. With luck, he’d be home in an hour and a half. Even though he’d had only four hours of sleep, he was wide awake. The thought of Laney waiting for him was enough to keep the adrenaline coursing through his veins. **** Laney tried to stay awake, but it wasn’t long after Xan left that she found herself nodding off on the sofa in front of Zach’s wide-screen TV. She’d found an old, black and white romantic comedy and had really wanted to see the end. When she opened her eyes, though, the comedy was over and a garish 70’s action flick was playing. Footsteps in the hallway let her know what had woken her. “Zach?” Odd how she knew him, just by the sound of his walk. “In here.” She switched off the television and ran her hand through her tousled hair.

He paused in the doorway and gave her a smile so wickedly seductive it practically melted her bones. “That shirt looks way better on you than it ever did on me.” She glanced down at the US Army T-shirt stretched taut across her braless chest and grimaced. “Somehow, I don’t think so.” Spotting her suitcase in his hand, she grinned. “You brought me clothes! Thank you.” “Everything you asked for—clothes, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant…and birth control pills.” He raised one eyebrow at that. “You decided to go ahead and start taking them.” Laney felt the blush creep down from her face to her neck. “It seemed like a good idea. At least, I was hoping they’d be…useful.” He nodded and grinned. “I didn’t say I was complaining.” After setting down the case, he strode over to the couch, scooping her up in his arms before sitting back down with her on his lap. “Though I don’t want to wait too long. I will be forty in a year, after all. Still, it’s probably a good idea to hold off until after the wedding.” Before she could gather her wits enough to speak, he was kissing her deeply and she couldn’t do anything but wrap her arms around his neck and kiss him back. A long while later, she looked up at him from under heavy eyelids and blinked. “Wwedding?” Zach’s boyish grin sent a bolt of love straight to her heart. “I’m going about this backwards, aren’t I? I had it all planned out, and as usual, I’ve messed it up again.” “Messed up what?” Laney was still reeling from his kiss, not to mention the about-face he seemed to have made in the last twenty-four hours regarding their relationship. “And what happened with the case?” “The case is proceeding smoothly. It’s now all basically up to the attorneys and a judge. Jacob and Parker are completely cleared.” She couldn’t resist kissing him again as a thank-you for that. “And about the messing up part. Laney, I’m sorry for the way I treated you earlier this week. I was feeling a lot of things, mainly guilt for wanting a personal life when my family was in a crisis. It was stupid, and I deeply regret that I hurt you.” She cupped his cheek in her hand. “It’s okay. We all have bad days. Are you trying to say that you want our…relationship to continue?”

“Not exactly—” He paused, licked his lips and took a deep breath. “I’m saying I want more. I’m in love with you, Laney. The kind of love that lasts a lifetime. I don’t want just a relationship, whatever the hell that means. I want you in my life every day, every night. I want to wake up next to you every morning, and fall asleep with you every night. What I’m trying to do, in my backward kind of way, is ask you to marry me.” Laney’s jaw dropped, and her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her fingertips. “What?” “Marry me, Laney. Live with me, have kids with me, grow old with me.” His gaze never wavered as he stared into her eyes. His fingers dug into her shoulders, as if he was nervous and holding on for dear life. “Laney? Honey, say something, please.” “Yes.” The word popped out before she even knew she was saying it. Then a bunch more words tumbled out in a joyful rush. “Yes, yes, of course, you idiot. Of course, I love you. Of course, I’ll marry you.” She wasn’t sure who was hugging who, or who was kissing whom, or even whose tears were dampening her cheek. “You know Parker will have to live with us. Will you be okay with that?” She wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Lord, I hope he’ll be okay with that.” Zach’s grin was blinding, full of pure happiness. “He’s fine. I asked him this afternoon if I could propose to you.” “You asked my nephew for permission?” Her laugh was shaky, but real. “Oh, Zach, only you would pull something like that. What did he say?” “He’s delighted.” Zach kissed her again before continuing. “He thinks we should live here, because your place is too small for all of us. I tend to agree, especially after we start having more kids. You do want more, don’t you? At least a couple?” “Yeah, I do.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “And I liked the way you said more kids. In every way that counts, Parker is mine—you know that, right? He doesn’t even remember his mother. I’m the only parent he’s ever known.” “I know. The way you are with him is one of the things I love about you. There’s so much love in you, Laney. In fact, I’ve wondered—why did you never legally adopt him?” Laney made a face. “Money, mostly. Legal proceedings aren’t cheap, and it just didn’t seem necessary, not when we both knew what we were to each other.”

“If money wasn’t an object, would you want to? Would he want that?” “Where are you going with this, Zach?” “I was thinking it would be cool for the two of us to adopt Parker, so we’re all officially a family. It might make him feel more like he belongs—less like an outsider, especially after there’s a baby or two. I want him to know he’ll always be part of our lives. I want him to know that I’m a part of his life, not just some kind of in-law. I want us to be a family, in every sense of the word.” “No wonder I love you.” She blinked back tears. How many men would accept a mostlygrown boy that wasn’t even her biological child? Zach was one in a million. “That would be wonderful.” “You think he’ll go for it?” He bit his lip as if he was nervous again. “I mean, I’m probably no prize as a dad. I come with plenty of baggage of my own.” “Like the nightmares?” She stroked his hair, liking the way it had grown out, just enough so she could see golden highlights. “Yeah. And the constant need to take the blame for everything that goes wrong in my world. I’ve gotten chewed out good for that this week.” “And don’t forget that you’re a neat-freak. That’s going to be a real bear to get used to. Parker and I are going to drive you crazy, leaving stuff around.” It was so much fun to tease him. “That’s way worse than a few bad dreams.” “Too long in the military—sorry.” He tickled her ribs then his look grew serious. “Laney, I do want to tell you about the dreams. Not now, when we’re so overwhelmed with everything else, but soon. Is that okay with you?” “Whenever you’re ready.” She kissed his chin. “I love you.” “I love you, too. Will you mind too much not moving to Minnesota? I’d really rather stay here, close to my family, if you don’t mind.” “No, that’s fine. Parker might be a little disappointed, but he’ll get over it. His friends are still here, after all. And I think by the end of the summer, the allure of the llamas will have worn off, and he’ll be back to tinkering with machines again.” Zach nodded. “Good.” He kissed her then a little while later, he sighed. “There’s another piece of baggage we haven’t discussed much, and that’s my family. Do you think you can put up with them? I know they’re all going to love you.”

“I’ve always wanted more siblings,” she said. “And I do like your parents. I’d be thrilled to be a Shannon. I think Parker will be, too.” “I’d like to wait until my father’s back on his feet for the wedding. Say two or three months.” He cast her a worried look. “Is that okay?” “I can live with that.” She tickled him back which got no response but a smirk, so she nipped his shoulder. He laughed. “On the plus side, at least, you’re getting a garden out of the deal. That should count for something, right?” “Mmm. The garden is fabulous. The house is amazing. I even like your family—though I think you might be a little over-optimistic in that respect. Mostly, though, I just care that I’m getting you.” She didn’t want him to be hurt when his mother was unhappy about the wedding. “Your mother isn’t exactly fond of me, Zach. I can live with that. Are you sure you can?” “My mother is delighted. She’s sorry for snapping at you at the hospital. That’s just her way of panicking. She said she’s even thrilled to be getting an instant grandson.” “You even talked to your mother about this—before you talked to me?” Laney wasn’t sure she liked that idea, though mostly she was just shocked that Ysabel had approved. “I did. I wanted to ask her where in the ranch house to find this.” He pulled a small velvet pouch from the pocket of his khakis. “It belonged to my grandmother—sort of came with the house.” He opened the bag and took out a modest diamond solitaire in a vintage gold setting. “One more time, Laney, will you marry me?” “With all my heart.” Laney held out her hand. When the ring fit, she felt just like Cinderella trying on the glass slipper. “So this,” she said dreamily, “is what happily-ever-after feels like.”

Epilogue

October was a beautiful month for an outdoor wedding in West Texas. A gentle breeze cooled the air as the sun gleamed down on the arch of roses where Laney and Zach took their vows. Miss Mamie, proud as a peacock in a dress and hat of royal blue gave the bride away. Bridesmaids Andrea, Sarah, and Xan laughed and joked with groomsmen Quinn, Mick, and Parker, though Laney noted some weird undercurrents between Andrea and Quinn. Maybe a little fix-up was in order, once she and Zach got back from their honeymoon. After all—it was only fair to try and make someone else as happy as she was. Laney had given in to Ysabel—Mother’s—requests to hold the ceremony and reception at Hawthorne Hills. Judge Wilding had brought the adoption papers for them to sign right after the ceremony, so both she and Parker were now legally part of the Shannon clan. Laney couldn’t be happier. “You look more beautiful than ever in that dress.” Laney turned her head and beamed up at her new husband. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her as she’d paused for a glass of water while watching their friends and family interact. “I bet you’ll look even better out of it tonight.” She felt herself flush. Zach’s mother had insisted on her spending the night at the ranch the night before, and she’d missed having Zach in her bed. They’d used the damage to her house as an excuse to move Laney and Parker in with Zach while repairs were being made, then it hadn’t made sense to move back, rather than just selling the small home. To her surprise and delight, not a person in town had complained, especially once Ysabel had voiced her public approval over the engagement.

Parker had taken the change in circumstances in stride, particularly when he and Zach had started working to rebuild Parker’s junker car, using the money Parker had saved in Minnesota. They expected to have it in working order by the time Parker turned sixteen and got his license. Laney was proud of both her men. Zach for understanding that it would be better to let Parker earn his own wheels, rather than just buying him a car, and Parker for agreeing. Zach was going to make a wonderful dad. “Parker’s got everything he needs here, right?” Zach murmured in Laney’s ear. Her nephew—no, their son—was staying at the ranch while Laney and Zach were on their honeymoon. “If he doesn’t, Quinn can run him into the house to get it, or Xan can run it out here.” Zach’s whole family had welcomed Laney and Parker without reservation. “Then if everything is all set here, Mrs. Shannon, how about you and I disappear?” She grinned, happier than she’d ever been in her life. “Sounds good to me.” After quick goodbyes, she tossed her bouquet, which was caught by a rather startled Andrea. Then Zach snapped Laney’s garter back over his shoulder, and hit Quinn smack in the face. Laney was still laughing when she and Zach climbed into his Corvette for the drive to Dallas, where they’d spend the night before catching a plane in the morning. As Zach drove, she looked down at her hand, which now held the matching wedding band that had been Zach’s grandmother’s. And again she marveled that it was a perfect fit. “This is it,” Zach said in all seriousness as he kissed her in their hotel room a few hours later. His blue-gray eyes, so much less haunted now, smiled down into hers. “I never believed in it, but then you came along, and now the fairytale is real. I look at you, and all I can think is ‘so this is happily-ever-after.’ Just like you said.”

About the Author

Award-winning author of over forty books and novellas in paranormal, historical, and erotic romance, Cindy Spencer Pape is an avid reader of romance, fantasy, mystery, and even more romance. According to The Romance Studio, her plots are “full of twist and turns that keep the reader poised at the edge of their seat.” Joyfully Reviewed said, her “colorful characters and plot building surprises kept me spellbound,” and Romantic Times Magazine says her “characters are appealing, and passionate sex leads to a satisfying romance.” Cindy firmly believes in happily-ever-after. Married for more than twenty-five years to her own, sometimes-kilted hero, she lives in southern Michigan with him and two college-age sons, along with an ever-changing menagerie of pets. Cindy has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher, and an elected politician, but mostly an environmental educator, though now she is lucky enough to write full-time. Her degrees in zoology and animal behavior almost help her comprehend the three male humans who share her household. Cindy loves to hear from readers. Really. You can find her online at:

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/ Newsletter group: http://yhoo.it/ni7PHo Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape Facebook: http://on.fb.me/gjbLLC

Want to read more by Cindy Spencer Pape? Now Available from Resplendence Publishing:

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