Small Town Justice(37)
As soon as the green light blinked, Shane opened the door. The small room was not only pristine, the drapes didn’t entirely block out the bright lights over the parking spaces.
“Looks fine,” he said, returning after making a quick pass through. “I doubt anybody will try to break in when this area is so well lit.” He gestured toward his own room. “If you get scared, just holler.”
“Been there, done that,” Jamie quipped, making a face. “Once is enough.”
Shane had to agree. He smiled and bid her good-night, waiting until he heard the click of the dead bolt in addition to the regular lock.
What a difference a few days had made in his well-ordered, peaceful life, he reflected with mixed emotions. There were times when he felt as if this was a nightmare from which he’d soon awaken. Other times, his previous existence was the plodding dream and the crispness of this new reality seemed far more satisfactory.
That didn’t make a lick of sense, he added, shaking his head with disgust as he entered his room.
To his surprise and chagrin, he found himself continuing to listen for Jamie Lynn’s voice, to anticipate the ringing of the phone by his bed. Wishing for another chance to come to her rescue.
Vivid images of the last time he had done so refused to go away. He kept picturing what had happened after he’d grappled with her assailant. His pulse was pounding, then and now.
He’d reached out to her.
She’d stepped into his embrace.
And stayed—almost as long as he’d hoped she would.
* * *
Sunday morning arrived a lot more quickly than Jamie had hoped. Sleep had eluded her for hours after she and Shane had parted, and although she knew he was close by, she couldn’t seem to relax.
Ulysses was more than ready for a walk. She threw on some casual clothing, eased the door open and peeked out, almost screeching when she saw someone loitering. Shane.
“You scared me. What are you doing out there?”
“Waiting for you.” Shane checked his watch. “Want me to walk the dog while you get ready for church?”
“How much time do I have?”
“Over an hour until Sunday School,” he said with a smile. “But you’ll miss our free motel breakfast if you don’t hurry.”
“Have you eaten?”
“I had coffee. We can eat together as soon as you’re presentable.”
“Assuming I can meet church standards,” Jamie Lynn said. “I told your mother. I didn’t bring anything fancy.”
Taking the leash from her, Shane continued to smile. “Do I look underdressed to you?”
Actually, he looked wonderful, she decided easily, masculine in pressed jeans and shiny Western boots, yet balanced for worship service by his crisply ironed long-sleeve dress shirt. “You’ll do,” Jamie said. “How about the white linen slacks and red top I wore to your mother’s the first time?”
“I didn’t notice. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
As she stepped back to close the door, Jamie was grinning. “Didn’t notice, huh? Then why are you blushing?”
“I’m not.” Shane looked to the dog. “C’mon, Useless. Let’s go find some nice green grass.”
By the time Jamie finished brushing her ebony hair and adding a decorative clip to keep it neat, she’d lost the lightheartedness of teasing Shane.
She pivoted in front of the mirror for one last wardrobe check. She looked confident. Self-assured. Capable. That had been her goal, of course. Now all she had to do was figure out how to hide her tremulousness from everybody, including Shane and his family.
One glance at her spread fingers told her that wasn’t going to be easy. This was the morning when she was to meet two of the men on her list of suspects: the judge and prosecuting attorney. Marsha was right about this being the best method of introduction. Jamie just wasn’t looking forward to any form of subterfuge.
A knock on her door snapped her back to the present. “Who is it?”
“Me and a useless mutt,” Shane called. “We’re hungry.”
“Coming.”
Taking a deep breath and standing tall, Jamie Lynn stuck her key card in her purse, opened the door and joined Shane. “What can we do with Useless while we’re in church? I want him to be safe.”
“I’ve already arranged to leave him in the office with Sadie’s granddaughter, Weezie.”
“Who?”
Shane laughed. “Her name is Louise but everybody calls her Weezie.”
He opened the lobby door and they were greeted by an exuberant teenager with a mouthful of silver braces. The girl dropped to her knees in front of Useless. “He’s adorable.”