But how can you think that, when you would give anything to have your parents back? She pulled herself out of her musings in time to hear Chloe speak.
“I met her once. Remember our freshman trip we came back early from?”
Michelle nodded.
“She was there when I came home. My grandma was shocked. She tried to shield me, but it was obvious my mom was high. She wanted money.” Chloe’s voice was so small, she sounded like a child.
The ache in Michelle’s chest intensified. How could she say no? “Of course, I’ll help you Chloe. How about we get together this evening, and I’ll get some information from you.”
A tremulous smile appeared on Chloe’s face as she wiped away tears.
“Oh, girl, don’t cry.” She walked around the table and enveloped her in a hug. She hated to see her down. “We’ll find him. Don’t worry.”
GUY SIGHED AND PUT his head back on the headrest. Five o’clock had taken forever to arrive, and his shift had been prolonged because his deputy arrived fifteen minutes late. Those were the longest fifteen minutes of his life. But now, he was free. Free for another hour and forty-five minutes before he had to get the girls. He had intended to go home and take a nap, but then he wouldn’t be alert enough to drive and pick them up.
So instead, he headed for the lake. Now that winter was receding, people had begun taking their boats out to enjoy lake life. Although he didn’t own any of the fun lake toys, it didn’t stop him from visiting.
Guy got out his SUV, locking the doors on instinct. Even though Freedom Lake’s crime was practically nonexistent, living in Virginia had taught him to always lock his doors.
He sighed deeply, breathing in the spring’s essence. The flowers blooming around the banks reminded him of Charlene. Would he ever stop thinking of her without experiencing the intense ache that stole his breath? Guy rubbed his chest and headed for his favorite bench. If he couldn’t take a nap, he could at least enjoy the view. As he settled onto the wrought iron bench his mind immediately began to relax.
Boats crossed the river in leisure. A couple of men were fishing. Maybe the girls would like to try their hand at the sport. Maybe they were too young to try and fish. They certainly weren’t quiet enough for it. With their rambunctious laughter, they would surely chase all the fish away. His eyes scanned the area and stopped.
Someone was jogging around the lake. He couldn’t make out who it was, because the sun’s rays illuminated them as it made its way toward its nightly descent. All he could tell was the person was a woman. There was no way that figure belonged to a man.
He blinked.
One moment he’d been thinking of Charlene, the next he was looking at another woman. God forgive me.
Ugh. He didn’t know what disturbed him more, the plea to God or thinking of another woman. Yet his eyes couldn’t stop watching the figure. She rounded the corner of the jogging trail. Any moment she would pass his bench and the shadows would, oddly enough, reveal her identity. He watched, his heart beat picking up to the rhythm of her footsteps. As she drew closer, he realized she wasn’t running with the ease of a runner, but like the hounds of Hell were following her.
He sat forward, his elbows resting on his kneecaps. What was bothering her?
She looked up right before she passed by and shock replaced her furrowed look.
Michelle. What were the odds he’d see her while sitting on his favorite bench? What used to be their favorite bench.
She whipped her head forward, but it was too late. His presence had thrown her stride off and she went tumbling down. Guy leaped from the bench, hoping to catch her before she fell and did bodily harm. His arm hooked around her waist, pulling her to him.
Her body collapsed against his when her momentum stopped. She jerked herself from his arms. He looked down at his hands. They were tingling and he wasn’t sure he wanted to explore the reasons why. Guy swallowed against the lump in his throat and shoved his hands in his pockets. “You okay?”
He wanted to wince at the sound of his voice. Hopefully the huskiness wasn’t due to her nearness, but because of the lump in his throat which refused to dislodge. It was like trying to eat a grasshopper without removing its legs. He was going to choke any moment.
“I’m fine,” she snapped. She stared at him then looked away. “Thanks for catching me,” she added grudgingly.
He dipped his head. “Just your friendly sheriff looking out for Freedom Lake citizens.”
She snorted.
He thought he heard her whisper ‘not likely,’ but he couldn’t be sure. “Since when do you run?” Wow. Those were some powerful daggers she threw his way.
“What do you care?”
“Just making conversation, Michelle. You sure you didn’t knock your head? You’re awfully prickly.”
She arched an eyebrow and folded her arms across her chest. Man, she was beautiful when she was mad. Not to mention, she was the only person he knew who could look down at a man taller than her like he was one of her subjects.
“I’m not prickly. Maybe I just don’t like my run disturbed by voyeurs.” She spat the last word out.
Guy held back a shiver at her words. Once upon a time, when it came to Michelle, he could have been classified as a voyeur. He couldn’t help but look at her whenever she was near. She was simply beautiful.
He pulled himself from his thoughts. “I didn’t realize it was a crime to sit on a bench
