Small Town Justice(24)

“That’s wonderful.” Uncertain how to politely invite herself back to Marsha’s home, Jamie paused.

“How would you like to stop by for supper?” Marsha asked.

“Really? Could I? I don’t want to cause any trouble.”

There was still a hint of mirth in Marsha’s voice when she said, “Honey, I think it’s a tad late to worry about that. You just come. I’ll handle my son.”

“I—I meant with whoever was stalking me.”

“I know you did.” She chuckled softly. “Shane will blow a gasket when he figures it all out.”

“Figures what out?”

“That I plan to do everything I can to help you find the truth. Between the two of us, and with the help of the good Lord, I think we can solve the puzzle, don’t you?”

Relief at not having to stand alone against unknown enemies washed over Jamie Lynn.

All she could manage to say was, “Thank you.”

* * *

Dusting the tops of the cardboard boxes with an open hand, Shane opened one and paused. There was no reason to look in the notebooks or file folders that lay before him. No reason at all.

“Except that I need to sort this material before I give it to Mom,” he muttered. If he doled out the records one box at a time, he’d have enough spare time to read ahead and examine the notebooks.

A shrill voice came from the direction of the house. “Daddy? Where are you?”

The child came out onto the back porch. His curly hair was tousled and he was rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

“I’m right here, Kyle. Go get dressed. I’ll be in to fix you breakfast in a minute.”

Instead of obeying, the barefoot little boy joined his daddy. “Whatcha doin’?”

“Getting some old stuff for your memaw.”

“Why?”

“Because she asked me to.”

“Oh. Why?”

Shane couldn’t help smiling. Once one of Kyle’s inquisitions started there was no telling how long it would last. “Because she wants it.” Before the child had a chance to ask more he said, “I thought I told you to get dressed.”

“Uh-huh. Is it a school day?”

“No, it’s Saturday, You don’t have to wear your good clothes but pick something nice. We’re going to take these boxes to Memaw later.”

“Aw right!” Whirling, he started for the house.

Shane’s heart swelled, thankful for what he had and reminded of what he’d lost. He’d given Roz all the love he could, yet it had not been enough. She’d already begun expressing restlessness when her unexpected pregnancy had made matters worse. She’d argued for terminating it, never accepting poor little Kyle even after he was born.

That memory twisted Shane’s gut. He could not begin to imagine life without his son. Being forced into the role of a single parent had seemed unfair at first, but now he could see it was for the best. His widowed mother had finished raising him by herself with no ill effects. Therefore, he could do the same for Kyle, especially with a loving grandma as a mother figure. They were a tight, devoted family unit. They didn’t need anybody else.

And he certainly didn’t need to be looking for another wife. No way.

But if he ever changed his mind and chose to remarry, there were plenty of eligible, capable, single women in Serenity to choose from. So why did Jamie Lynn’s image keep popping up?

There was no way he’d be able to get past Jamie’s family connection to the loss of his beloved dad. Bringing excess baggage into a marriage was one thing. Having it include the matter of life and death was another.

He was not the kind of man who usually held a grudge, but in the case of Ray Jr. it was impossible to forgive.

He didn’t care if he did admire her intelligence and courage. There was no way he’d ever let that woman into his heart.

Or into any facet of his personal life. Period.





EIGHT

Counting the minutes until it was time to leave for Marsha’s, Jamie distracted herself by taking Ulysses to the city park for exercise. It hadn’t changed a bit since her days in Serenity. The big lake in the center was home to geese and ducks, the asphalt walking trail had been kept up pretty well and the grass beneath the mature oak, hickory and pine trees was mowed short enough to discourage ticks and chiggers. All in all, it was a pleasant place to relax.

Children laughed and played on the swings and other equipment. Couples strolled hand in hand. Nostalgia threatened to overwhelm her.

Straining at the end of his leash, Ulysses distracted her by barking at nearby geese, and Jamie had to scoop him up to protect him from the defensive gander.

“You and I had better walk on the other side of the lake, dog, or we’ll both get goose-nipped.”