Shattered Justice (26 page)

“Jayce is really smart.”

“So what would make him hang with a guy like that?”

Shannon didn’t know. But one thing was certain.

It couldn’t be good.

CINDERELLA WAS A LIAR
.

So, for that matter, were Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Shelby had seen enough of life to realize
happily-ever-after
were just words to end a fairy tale.

So why on earth was she sitting here, under a star-studded sky, looking out on a peaceful meadow and feeling for all the world like the Grimm brothers got it right?
All
of it.

“You cold?”

Oh. Of course.
That’s
why.

She studied the man beside her. Relished the way those cobalt blue eyes gazed down at her. Savored the glimmer of tenderness in their depths as they roamed her face. His arm around her shoulders tightened, and she gave up.

The Grimm brothers won. Fairy tales
were
real.

Her capitulation started out with a simple dinner in Shady
Cove, where she and Dan talked about everything, from her childhood and growing up in Sanctuary, to how he and Sarah met, what their life was like, and how he and the children were doing without her. It meant a great deal to Shelby that Dan could talk with her about Sarah—though she had to admit it was a bit imposing to hear how much they’d loved each other.

But as the evening progressed, that was less of a concern. When they got back to Sanctuary, Dan turned to her. “You ready to go home, or are you up for a little walk?”

Gladness rippled through her that he didn’t want the evening to end yet. “A walk sounds great.”

They strolled along the boardwalk. And though the stores were all closed, it was a warm August night, so Shelby wasn’t surprised to find folks sitting in the rockers, chatting. They’d met a number of people, stopping to talk, and the whole time Dan held her hand captive in his.

At first that made Shelby nervous. But when she tried to pull away, mindful of not starting any rumors, Dan just smiled, folding his fingers around her.

“Let ’em talk.” He tugged her hand into the crook of his arm.

Tingles ran along her skin, and she was more than happy to comply.

“Evening, ladies,” he said to Doris and Agatha when they approached the two seated in their rockers.

“Hello, Sheriff.” Agatha peered at them then glanced at Doris.

“Hello, Shelby.” Doris inclined her head. “Nice night for a walk.”

“It is, indeed.” Dan looked up at the night sky. “God’s quite the artist, isn’t He?”

“I should say so.” Aggie looked like the cat that got away with eating a ton of canaries. “And I swear, it’s almost as bright as daytime with that full moon up there.”

“A perfect night for romance, don’t you think?”

Shelby almost swallowed her teeth at Doris’s comment, but Dan just smiled. “Know what, Doris?”

She leaned forward in her chair. “What?”

“I was thinking the same thing.” He glanced at Shelby then back at the old woman. “You wanna take a walk with me, beautiful?”

“Oh, you!” Doris swatted at him, but a pretty pink painted her thin cheeks. “Get on with you youngsters.”

Laughing, Dan drew Shelby along. From there they walked to his SUV. He opened the door for her, helping her inside. Then before closing the door, he leaned against the doorway. “How about a drive?”

Shelby felt like she was in a dream. And she hoped she didn’t wake up for a long, long time. “I’d love it.”

He drove out of town, up Highway 62 to the north. Shelby relaxed back against the seat, smiling when his fingers closed over hers again. He pulled onto a side road, driving until they came upon a large meadow. Killing the engine and the headlights, he tugged on her hand.

Shelby didn’t resist. She slid close, and when his arm draped around her, she knew she was right where she wanted to be. Not just now.

But forever.

“Well …” Dan’s deep voice was filled with regret. “I suppose we’d better head back.”

She leaned her head against him. “Let’s just stay here.”

“All night?” Laughter laced his tone.

“No.” She let out a small sigh. “Forever.”

His chuckle washed over her, the sound sweet and tender. She held on to that sound, hearing it over and over, letting it warm her as they drove back to town. When they reached her house, Dan opened her car door, then took hold of her by the waist and lifted her from the vehicle. For a moment he stood there, his hands at her waist, looking down at her. Then slowly,
so slowly, he lowered his head and pressed a kiss …

To her forehead.

But far from being disappointed, Shelby was touched. More deeply than she’d been in a very long time.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She nodded, then walked to her front door and pulled it open. Slipping inside, she eased the door shut, leaning back against it as she listened to his SUV start up. She moved to the window, watching as Dan drove away.

Knowing without an iota of doubt that her heart went with him.

Dan stood outside his house, staring up at the stars. It had gone so well tonight. Better than he’d imagined. He felt so comfortable with Shelby. They talked and laughed and seemed to finish each other’s sentences. Just like he and Sarah used to do.

Sarah
.

Dan waited for the stab of pain to come. But instead, what filled him was a quiet peace. Almost a benediction of sorts. As if something within him was finally letting go … saying good-bye.

At least for now.

Inhaling the crisp night air, he turned, going inside the house. He’d barely closed the door when the question came.

“So? How was it?”

Dan should have known his sister wouldn’t let him get past her without an inquisition. He came to join Annie in the kitchen. “The kids in bed?”

“All tucked in and ready for you to come say good-night.” She held up an empty coffee cup, brows lifted, and he nodded.

“Yeah, I’ll take some. Thanks.”

She poured the rich, dark liquid and handed him the mug. “Okay, answer my question.”

“Annie …”

She held up a hand. “Listen, I came all the way up here
from Medford to be with the kids so you could stay out nice and late—”

“And I appreciate that.”

“—and all I ask by way of payment for my valuable time are a few juicy details.” With that she planted her elbows on the counter and leaned toward him. “So spill!”

Holding back a grin, he held the coffee mug over her head. She eyed it, then him. “Do it, and I’ll set my dog on you.”

The shepherd was curled up on the couch, snoring to beat the band. “What’s she gonna do? Drool me to death?”

Annie slapped at his arm. “Avidan Timothy! If you don’t tell me how your date was …”

He let the threat hang in the air for a second as he sipped his coffee. Then he turned toward the living room. “Great.”

She scampered from behind the counter, on his heels. “Really?”

Dan glanced over his shoulder. “You’re squealing.”

“I can’t help it!” She plopped down on the couch. Kodi shot awake, then, seeing it was her beloved mistress, stretched out so she was lying across Annie’s lap. Annie didn’t seem to mind a bit. She grabbed the dog and hugged her. “Uncle Danny’s got a girlfriend! Isn’t that exciting?”

“She’s not a girlfriend, Annie.” He sat in his chair, breathing in the scent of his coffee. “Not yet.”

“Ooo, I can’t wait to call Kyla.”

“Sure you wouldn’t rather just wait for the evening news?”

“Ha ha. Listen, I told you when you moved to Sanctuary that Shelby was something special. And Kyla had said the same thing whenever she came to visit you. So you can’t blame me for being pleased that you finally admit we were right.”

“Those words never escaped my lips.” And they never would. Admit his sisters were right? Ha! He’d never hear the end of it.

Annie gave Kodi a gentle shove off of her, then stood. “Well, time for this pumpkin to head back to the patch, bro. Go
tell your kidniks good night, and I’ll see you later.”

He set his coffee down, engulfed his sister in a hug, and went to do as he was told. He tapped his knuckles on Aaron’s door.

“Come in.”

Dan opened the door and went in to sit on his son’s bed. “Hey, buddy. You look wide awake.”

Aaron fingered his quilt. “I couldn’t sleep.” He kept his gaze on the quilt. “Didja have fun?”

Was that apprehension in Aaron’s voice? “I did.”

Aaron was silent for several seconds, then his eyes met Dan’s. “Are you in love with Miss Wilson?”

He should have known that was coming, should have read it a mile away. But the question took Dan by total surprise. “I … well, I mean … uh …” He clamped his mouth shut. He sounded like an idiot.

“Yeah.” Aaron’s word was weighted with weary understanding. “I know what you mean. There’s a girl at school who makes me feel that way, too.”

They sat in silence for a moment. “Aaron?”

“Yeah, Dad?”

“Would it bother you if I was? In love with Miss Wilson?”

He looked down at the quilt again, plucking at the fabric. “It did at first. I mean …” Heavy sadness filled the look he lifted to his father. “She’s not Mom.”

“No.” Dan shook his head. “She’s not.”

“But then, no one is Mom but Mom. And you won’t find anyone just like her, because there isn’t anyone out there like that, you know?”

He did, indeed.

“So I’ve been thinking about it. You and Miss Wilson seem like good friends. And I like Miss Wilson, so it’s a good thing if you and she get to be friends. Like you and Mom were friends. Not the same but kinda.”

Dan stared at his son. When had Aaron grown so wise?

“I love you, son.”

Aaron smiled up at him. “I love you, too, Dad.”

“You ready to get some sleep?”

Aaron’s grin peeked out. “Can I have some hot chocolate first?”

Dan chuckled. “Only if you share.”

“Okay, but I get the little marshmallows.” Aaron pushed the quilt back and slid out of bed.

Dan caught him and pulled him into a hug. “I’m glad you’re my son.”

The boy hugged him tight. “Me, too, Dad.” He pulled back with a grin. “I always said you deserve the best.”

Soft laughter followed them as they made their way to the kitchen, ready for the perfect end to a perfect day.

“Perfect. Just
perfect.”

Jasmine looked up at Dan’s sarcasm, her plucked brows and the eyebrow ring disappearing into the fringe of the Lucille-Ball-red hair on her forehead. “Oooo, sounds to me like you’d better do lunch on your own, Shelby.”

The other woman, who just came in the door, looked from Dan to Jasmine, then back again. “What? Oh, Dan. Don’t tell me you’re going to work later? It’s Saturday. You promised to take the afternoon off.” She planted her hands on her hips. “One of the last nice weekends in September, and you’re going to work.”

Dan shoved away from his desk. “No, I’m not.” He grabbed the papers he’d been reading and tossed them into the trash.

“Hey!” Jasmine jumped up and pulled them out of the garbage. “I thought you needed these reports to figure out what Monstrous Murphy’s up to.”

“Yeah.” Dan shoved his hands into his pockets. “So did I. But they’re worthless.”

“What are they?”

When Dan didn’t answer, Jasmine turned to Shelby. “Police reports about Marlin.”

Dan shook his head. “That’s what they were supposed to be. But that kid covers his tracks better than anyone I’ve ever met. Every time the police came anywhere close to nailing him, someone else stepped up to take the fall. So those things—” he waved at the police reports—“are about as helpful as a squirt gun at a forest fire.”

He paced in front of his desk. “People have reported seeing Marlin’s idiots at different times with large amounts of drain cleaner, rubbing alcohol, brake cleaner, lithium batteries, cold tablets …”

“Stuff you’d use in a meth lab.”

Dan nodded at Jasmine. “And they’re always careful not to have any of that stuff when I’m around. So I’ve never seen anything suspicious that I can use to pull them in for questioning. Man! I’d give anything to know if that kid is just playing with meth, or if he’s a serious cooker. And to know how Jayce is mixed up in it all.”

Jasmine dropped the papers back into the trash can and perched on the edge of her desk. “I take it you’ve asked Jayce about it?”

“And
that’s
about as helpful as
spitting
on a forest fire.” He was letting his temper get the best of him, but blast it! Something big was either about to happen or was actually happening, and he couldn’t figure out what. And he’d bet his pension Jayce knew what it was. But for all that he and Jayce had grown closer, Dan couldn’t break through the shell he kept around his relationship with Marlin Murphy.

Why did Jayce protect that creep?