Small Town Justice(36)

“That’s a wise decision,” the sheriff told them. “I’ve been hearing rumors about Kyle being exposed to unnecessary danger. Next thing you know, somebody might decide to get the courts involved.”

“Nobody better try.” Shane was adamant. “I’ll make sure he stays with Mom until everything settles down. And in the meantime, Jamie and I will rent connecting rooms.”

“I don’t care what arrangements you make.” Harlan yawned and stretched his arms over his head. “I need my beauty sleep.”

As Shane’s glance met Jamie Lynn’s, he was confused by her unreadable expression. Was she afraid of him? Worried about being alone? Or was she relieved? He could almost believe the latter.

“What do you want me to do?” he asked her.

“That’s totally up to you.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s mine,” she said flatly. “I refuse to ask you to babysit me while your son is neglected or his care questioned.”

“Kyle is never neglected,” Shane insisted. “He can sleep at my mother’s for as long as need be. When they meet us at church in the morning, we can firm up long-range plans. He loves his memaw.”

Watching the rapidly changing emotions reflected in her eyes, Shane added, “You can bolt the door between our rooms if it will make you feel more secure.”

To his surprise—and relief—Jamie Lynn laughed. “A fat lot of good that would do me if I was attacked. You’d have to run outside and dive through my window again!” She chuckled. “That was quite an impressive rescue, by the way. Nicely done. Thanks.”

Seeking to bolster her spirits as well as distract her from bestowing unwanted praise, he reverted to earlier teasing and used an overblown Southern accent. “It’s not necessary to thank me, ma’am. We superheroes live for the chance to dive through broken glass and race into burning buildings. It’s our callin’.”

Sobering, she squeezed his hand again. “All joking aside, Shane, I do owe you my life. Probably more than once.”

“It’s okay,” he answered in a normal voice.

“Still, I feel bad about your getting dragged into this. And your family, too. Especially Kyle. I would never knowingly put a child in danger. I love kids.”

“I know,” was all he said. Thoughts and memories, however, were so poignant his heart hammered. If only his ex-wife had been a little like Jamie Lynn.

That wish settled only long enough for another to sweep it away like waves washing over the prow of his fishing boat when the Spring River was at flood stage.

The one thing he wanted most was impossible.

Above all else, he wished Jamie Lynn wasn’t part of the Henderson family. There was no way he’d ever manage to get past the knowledge that her brother had confessed to murdering his beloved dad. The image of Sam’s broken body lying in a muddy ditch would forever bar any personal relationship with Jamie Lynn.

There was no way to erase the past and start over, no way to go back, no matter how fervently Shane wished there were. Even if she managed to turn up enough evidence to set aside her brother’s initial conviction, R.J. had been involved in the crime somehow. Yes, he’d been intoxicated that night, but he’d known too many details of the crash to have been totally innocent.

As Shane saw the situation, his best option was to help Jamie dig up the truth, then hustle her out of town ASAP and hope that everything settled down after she was gone.

And in the meantime? In the meantime, he’d do whatever he had to, including seeing that no more harm came to her.

He fisted his cell phone, speed-dialed his mother to tell her what was going on, then drove toward Serenity’s only motel. Harlan’s suggestion of adjoining rooms had been logical. Shane just wasn’t sure he wanted to put himself in a situation so rife with the potential for gossip.

In the end, his problem was solved by the unavailability of connecting suites and they had settled for separate accommodations next to the office.

He escorted Jamie Lynn the few feet to her room and paused beneath the bright lights. “Are you sure you have everything you need?”

She nodded. “Yes. Thanks.”

“Okay. Here’s your keycard. My room is right there.” He pointed to the closest other door.

“Good night, then.”

Shane circled her. “Open it so I can check.”

“I hardly think that’s necessary. This is a different room. Nobody can possibly know I’m here.”

“Yeah, well...”

“Okay. You win. I’d rather have you look it over than stand out here all night arguing.” She used the card. “Knock yourself out.”