The corner of his mouth lifted. “I needed it. Do you mind?”
“No.” She rose on her tiptoes and kissed him again. Ill-advised, perhaps, because every touch between them cracked the walls around her heart even more.
She dropped back to her heels, and Weston brushed the hair away from her face. His touch sent heat straight through her, and the look in his eyes yanked on her heart. Buried in those brown depths was a wealth of emotion.
This was hard for him. A killer was stalking and threatening her, and Weston had lost the last woman he loved. Not to violence, but Melissa had died all the same. Yet he didn’t pull away or deny his feelings. Instead, he stepped forward. Weston had treated her with honesty, kindness, and consideration. She tightened her arms around his waist.
Avery had made a terrible mistake with her ex-fiancé, Jeffrey. She’d ignored her own instincts, the soft whisper inside her heart, indicating something was wrong. She’d stuck with him—in part because she genuinely cared—but also because she used logic to make her decisions instead of her heart.
What was that phrase? God speaks in the silence of the heart. Well, she hadn’t listened. Not when it came to her relationship with Jeffery.
Things with Weston were complicated, and the timing was terrible. Avery didn’t know what the future held. Weston might not be healed enough to fall in love again. Yet there was a tug in her heart, urging her forward in spite of her fears.
She would not make the same mistake twice. She would not ignore it.
Lord, I don’t know where you are leading me, but I will follow. Guide me in the right direction.
Weston sighed, brushing his lips across the top of her head. “As much as I’d love to stay out here pretending the rest of the world doesn’t exist…”
She stole one more kiss before backing out of his arms. “We have work to do. Come on.”
They crossed the parking lot. A bell jingled as they entered the crisis center. Phones rang and volunteers answered them and took messages. Flyers containing Rachel Long’s photograph along with information about her abduction were scattered around the room. Avery knew hundreds more were plastered across town.
Savannah was behind the front desk. Her sister looked exhausted but moved with practiced efficiency. When she caught sight of Avery, a mixture of hope and fear crossed her features.
“Nothing yet,” Avery said. “Has anyone come forward with new information?”
Savannah shook her head. “I’ve been coordinating with Luke, and all leads are being followed up on, but nothing concrete.”
A familiar voice called Avery’s name, and she turned. Nana waved from the back of the room. She was standing with Calvin. The retired FBI agent had traded his waders for soft slacks and a button-down flannel shirt. He’d arrived after news about Rachel Long’s disappearance broke and was assisting with the tip line.
Calvin was talking to an older woman with dyed black hair and an expensive purse. Avery immediately recognized her as Marigold Sampson. Her husband had been the pastor of their church when she was growing up.
“Avery, dear, you have perfect timing,” Nana said. “Marigold has information about the case.”
Avery’s heart skipped a beat. “Regarding?”
“Nolan Starin.” Marigold shifted in her black flats, and color rose in her cheeks. “Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but I heard on the news you’re looking for information about him and his family.”
“We are,” Avery said. “Nana and Calvin, would you give us a few minutes with Mrs. Sampson please?”
“Of course.” Nana stepped over to a closed door. “Why don’t you use Savannah’s office? I’m sure she won’t mind.”
There were only two chairs inside the office, so Avery gestured for Marigold to take one while she sat in the other. Weston remained standing, but his posture was relaxed. Marigold’s gaze darted in his direction, and Avery belatedly realized she’d never introduced them. “Oh, I’m sorry. Mrs. Sampson, this is Texas Ranger Weston Donovan. He’s working with me on the case.”
“Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.” Weston shook her hand and gave her a reassuring smile, flashing his dimples. “Appreciate you coming in.”
Marigold was over eighty-five, but even she wasn’t immune to the ranger’s charm. She blushed and smiled back. “Glad to help. Now I don’t want either of you to think I’m gossiping.”
“We won’t,” Avery said. “What can you tell us about Nolan?”
“Well, he came from a troubled family. Nolan worshipped his father, but Jack Starin was a complicated man. Abusive to his wife, yet charming to neighbors and friends.”
Avery nodded. Manipulative. That sounded familiar. Marigold’s comments echoed Tom Belvin’s.
Marigold set her purse on her lap. “Jack was smart, and he passed those brains on to Nolan, along with a good dose of sneakiness. Now Nolan didn’t live with his dad full-time. He was raised by his maternal grandparents. But every summer when he came to town, Nolan started problems and involved the local kids in his troublemaking.”
“Mrs. Sampson, it’s our understanding Nolan and Tom Belvin were friends,” Weston said. “How close were they?”
“Very close. It didn’t start out that way, a’course. But after Nolan and Tom found out they were half-brothers everything changed.”
Avery sat up straighter. “I’m sorry. Hold on. Did you say Tom Belvin is Nolan’s half-brother?”
Marigold blinked. “Yes, dear. Tom’s mother had an affair with Jack Starin. There was trouble in Mrs. Belvin’s marriage, as can happen from time to time. After the affair ended, the Belvins came to my husband for spiritual advice. They decided to stay together and raise Tom. Jack left them alone for a bit, but when Tom turned, well, I dunno, twelve or thirteen, Jack told him the truth.”
“Tom lied to us,” she whispered. “Everything we thought about Nolan applies to Tom.” Avery shot from the chair. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Sampson, we need to go.”
Weston opened the door, his cell phone to his ear, already snapping out orders. They hightailed to the exit and raced across the parking lot.
