Page 5 of Ranger Bravery

“You’re gonna be in trouble if I tell her what you just said.”

She laughed. “I know. Don’t get me wrong, Grandma Mary is spry, and I would never count her out. But these are her retirement years. She’s already dedicated so much of her time to us. I want her to put her feet up without feeling guilty about it.” Piper ducked under a tree branch and held it up for Jackson. “Speaking of family, how’s your dad?”

“Fantastic. He moved to Hawaii shortly before I graduated from college and loves it.” Jackson took the branch from her and deftly bent at the waist to avoid knocking his head. “He says the sea and the sand are good for his soul, although I think it’s his new wife that really makes the difference.”

“Your dad remarried?” Piper’s brows arched. “That’s…”

“Surprising? Yeah, I know. No one was more shocked than Dad. But Grandad had been talking to him about opening his heart and second chances and all that, so maybe it wasn’t as unexpected as it seemed. His wife, Kirstina, is kind and open. I like her a lot, and more importantly, she makes Dad happy. He put his life on hold to raise me after Mom left. It’s nice to see he’s finally got a bit of happiness.”

“I’m glad.” Piper had always liked Jackson’s dad. Richard was kind and empathetic. It’d been nearly everyone else in town who’d disapproved of the relationship between Jackson and Piper that’d eaten away at her. Jackson’s family was wealthy and well-respected. Hers was poor and dysfunctional. It’d been an opposites-attract romance, which only worked in story books and fairy tales. In real life, it always failed.

Up ahead, light filtered onto the path. Spotlights had been placed in the field to aid the technicians while they gathered evidence. Piper stepped free of the tree line and held tight to Moxie’s leash. The field was a riot of flowers. Gorgeous bluebonnets and daffodils and pink ladies. This had once been her sanctuary as a teen. Her place to escape when the house became too loud and confrontational.

Piper gestured with her phone toward the dark blood staining the tamped-down grass a short distance away. “That’s where he shot her.”

“Did you hear gunshots?”

“No, but I was next to the creek, and it’s possible the killer used a silencer.”

Jackson studied the field for a long moment. “So, he lures her here somehow. Beats her. Shoots her. And then… what? She ran?”

“Probably. My guess is the killer thought Elena was dead. She surprised him by running off. He gave chase, but things got complicated when Elena ran into me.”

A shudder rippled down her spine. Piper could envision the pain and terror Elena must’ve felt all too clearly. She remembered lying on the kitchen floor of her childhood home, her broken arm aching, staring up at the masked man pointing a gun at her. In the end, her life had only been spared by the unexpected arrival of her mother.

She shoved the memories aside. “I’ll show you the parking lot.” Piper waved to the crime scene technicians working in the area before heading down another path. This one was wider. Jackson kept pace beside her. Moxie trailed behind them now. He was getting tired. Piper could sympathize. The adrenaline had faded from her system and exhaustion was seeping into her muscles.

Jackson must’ve noticed because he slanted a glance in her direction. “I’m sorry. You’re tired, and it’s been a long night. Derek can escort me.”

“No, it’s fine.” She wanted to work this case. The more he asked for her help, the better.

She glanced at him. In the darkness, it was hard to see his expression, but the badge pinned to his chest glimmered in the light from his phone. “How long have you been with the Rangers?”

“A few years. I started as a state trooper and waited for an opening.”

“Do you like it?”

“I do. My boss, Lieutenant Rodriguez, runs a tight ship but values camaraderie. We get together as a group as much as possible and are very supportive of one another. It’s like a family.” His lips curved up into a smile. “A growing one. I’ve attended more weddings in the last three years than I have in all my life. And some of those couples have kids or are expecting. Our monthly BBQs are quickly becoming overrun with ankle biters.”

Piper laughed. “It sounds nice.” She grew quiet for a moment. There wasn’t a wedding ring on his left hand, but that didn’t mean anything. Some members of law enforcement didn’t wear jewelry for safety reasons. “And what about you? Dating anyone special these days?”

“No.” His tone was even, but she sensed the tension coming from him. This was wading too close to sour feelings. “You?”

She shook her head. “Too many complications in my life.” Piper tossed him a wry smile. “Between my sister, the kids, and my job, I’m barely keeping my head above water. I can’t remember the last time I had a vacation. Have you visited your dad in Hawaii?”

“I went to his wedding last year. It’s beautiful. Granddad…” His voice trailed off as a flash of grief creased his features. “He loved it.”

Piper’s heart clenched. Jackson’s grandfather had helped raise him after his mother left. “I was sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing. You must miss him terribly.”

“I do, but Granddad was ninety. Can’t ask for much more time than that.” He blew out a breath. “He left me his house. I don’t have the foggiest notion what to do with it. The idea of selling it hurts too much, and with so much of my life consumed with work, it’s hard to find time to properly take care of it.”

“Would you ever move back?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. Right now, it’s not an option. My assigned area as a ranger is three counties over, so the commute would be rough. I’m only filling in on this case because my colleague was shot in the line of duty.”

“Shot?” She inhaled. “Will he be okay?”

“Oh yeah. Cole’s as tough as they come.”

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