Small Town Justice(40)

“What is it? What’s wrong? Do you see the judge?”

“No, no, I was just remembering.”

“Something about the case?”

“You could say that.”

Frustrated, he pivoted and cupped her shoulders to look her straight in the eyes. “What? Tell me. It might be important.”

“Only to me,” she said. “Right outside our little country church—the one that used to be in Kittle—is where they arrested my brother. I suppose I should be thankful they didn’t drag him out while the preaching was going on. I just wish they hadn’t done it in front of our friends and neighbors.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, meaning it with all his heart. “Is that when you stopped attending Sunday services?”

“Pretty much. Aunt Tessie managed to drag me to her church a few times, but it was very formal. I didn’t fit. Actually, I didn’t fit anywhere.”

Listening, Shane expected her to complete the statement by saying, I still don’t. Although she did not voice it, the feeling was implied.

“You get along great with kids. Why don’t you help Mom with the little ones this morning while I keep an eye out for our quarry? I can always come get you when and if I spot them.”

Jamie Lynn’s relief was almost tangible. “That’s a wonderful idea—as long as you’re watching to make sure I don’t accidentally endanger the children by being around them.”

“You won’t. Even in a peaceful place like Serenity we have men assigned to watch the doors and hallways during the services. It’s too bad it’s necessary, but the pastor felt it was the wisest course. I’ll also advise him of your presence so he can take more safety measures if he wants.”

“I feel like a pariah.”

You look more like a naive, innocent victim, Shane thought, censoring his response to, “Don’t be silly.”

As he gently cupped her elbow and urged her along, he realized that she was right. She was an outsider. A stranger. Someone who, considering her background, would be slow to trust or be trusted.

It would have been nice to convince himself that there were plenty of local folks who would take to Jamie Lynn and gladly help her find out more about her brother’s sins during his teen years, but he knew better. Men who had grown up there and were now solid citizens were not likely to want to reveal their past mistakes. And the ones who were still lingering on the wrong side of the law were dangerous, especially since her probing might lead to their eventual arrests. Little wonder someone had already decided to scare her off.

“Right in here,” Shane said, knocking on the frame of the glassed-in area of the nursery door. The moment his mother spotted Jamie Lynn, she broke into a wide grin and hurried to welcome her.

The door had barely closed behind the two women when Shane wheeled and started in search of the pastor.

Being the son of a legendary sheriff was not nearly enough to equip him for amateur detective work. Being Sam’s widow wasn’t enough to protect his mother, either, even though Harlan had vowed to look out for her. They needed professional help. They needed the sage advice of former detective Logan Malloy.

And they needed it yesterday.

* * *

“Of course you can help me,” Marsha told Jamie Lynn, giving her arm a motherly pat. “Children are the future of the church. We value them highly.”

“I love their innocence,” Jamie said. “Truth to tell, I envy them such carefree lives.”

Though she nodded, Marsha seemed to lose some of her earlier joy. “Not all of them. We have some parents who send their kids to us because they know we’ll feed them if they’re hungry and clothe them when they have that need. We’re glad to do it, of course. It’s just sad that it’s necessary.”

“Your son is a good father. I can’t imagine any woman leaving—” she felt her cheeks warming “—a sweet child like Kyle.”

“Shane and Roz were mismatched from the get-go. I tried to warn him but she had him fooled. Took him for the house he built for her and a brand-new car. I’m just thankful she didn’t want to share custody of Kyle.”

“I thought they lived on a farm.” Jamie busied herself gathering and sorting scattered building blocks so she could listen to Marsha without appearing overly interested.

“That’s the old Colton place. I gave it to Shane to take care of when I married Otis. Might as well. He’ll inherit it anyway, someday.”

“Not soon, I hope,” Jamie said with a smile.

“Good Lord willin’, I’ll be around a while yet,” the older woman said brightly. “Have you gotten any results from that internet search?”