Page 9 of Ranger Bravery

All of that was ancient history. Jackson had forgiven her a long time ago, and there was no need to rehash their mistakes. “I appreciate the apology, but it’s unnecessary. There are no hard feelings on my part.”

Her shoulders sagged. “I’m glad. It’s bothered me…”

“No need to let it trouble you one bit further.”

His cell phone beeped with an incoming text, interrupting their conversation. He scanned the message from Derek. “There were no signs of footprints in the woods near the parking lot. No indication that anyone was hiding in the trees.”

Piper relaxed against the kitchen chair with a sigh. “Moxie must’ve just caught the scent of an animal.”

Jackson nodded, relief unfurling inside him. Piper wasn’t in any danger. He rose from his chair. He’d been away from the crime scene for too long. “I should go. Thank you for dinner.”

“It was nothing.” Piper followed him to the door. She chewed on her bottom lip. “I meant what I said earlier. I’d like to be involved in the investigation.”

Jackson settled his cowboy hat on his head. A small part of him wondered if Piper had offered the apology to wriggle her way back into his good graces, but he quickly quashed the notion. She was many things, but manipulative wasn’t one of them. No, he’d seen how upset she was at the crime scene and then again during the prayer.

How could he deny her the opportunity to catch Elena's killer? They were both adults. Professionals. Whatever feelings might arise while working together, he’d handle it.

He shrugged on his jacket. “I’d be happy to have your assistance, Piper. Let’s convene tomorrow morning to discuss what we know so far and who we should interview first.”

Warmth filled her expression, drawing attention to her eyes. They were deep blue. Almost purple. The color of bluebonnets at the height of their flowering season. Faint lines branched out from the corners, delicate and distracting. Jackson tore his gaze away to open the front door. “See you tomorrow.”

She stopped him with a hand on his arm. Heaven help him, he felt the heat of her palm straight through his jacket.

“Thank you, Jackson. It means a lot.”

Oh man. The appreciation in her expression twisted his insides in funny ways. Jackson nodded, not trusting his voice, and then fled into the cool night air. He waited on the porch for the lock to snick into place. He sensed Piper was standing on the other side of the door. Several feet and a plane of wood were all that separated them.

That and a pile of hurt. Misunderstandings. Heartache.

Jackson took a deep breath. He’d made mistakes over the years. Had regrets. But this… a tiny voice in the back of his mind whispered this might well be the worst of them all. Working with Piper would test every one of the walls around his heart.

He prayed they’d stay intact.

SIX

He was coming for her.

Piper ran. Her feet pounded against the dirt. Tree branches clawed at her clothes. Her heart raced. She couldn’t escape. The fear was encompassing. It tasted bitter on her tongue. Panic trapped the scream in her throat as a large form suddenly appeared in front of her.

Arms encircled her. They sucked the last of the air from her lungs as she tumbled to the forest floor. She fought, clawing against the man holding her down as the surrounding images shifted. The kitchen in her mother’s trailer appeared. Chipped linoleum flooring. The groceries she’d brought over scattered all around. Oppressive summer heat making it hard to breathe. Sweat poured down her back as she stared up at the masked man hovering over her. His eyes were black holes. Evil intentions poured off him.

Trapped. He had her trapped.

Piper woke with a scream on her lips. The bedsheets were tangled around her feet. She kicked them off, her breath coming in pants. Bile rose in the back of her throat, and she stumbled to the bathroom. She threw up. Tears pricked her eyes as she rested her head against the cool porcelain seat, trying her best to gather her wits and calm the sheer panic running through her body. It’d been years since she had a nightmare that fierce. She didn’t need to call her old therapist to ask why. Elena’s murder had triggered Piper’s memories.

God, why did Elena have to die? Sometimes I can’t make sense of this world or the things that happen.

Tears pricked her eyes. She let out her grief and her anger, pouring it onto God, because He was the only one strong enough to take it. Then, once she was depleted, Piper rose from the bathroom floor. She splashed cold water on her face. A quick glance at the clock confirmed there wasn’t enough time to go back to bed. Instead, she brushed her teeth, took a shower, and dressed for the day.

As she was applying concealer to the hollows under her eyes, Emma appeared in the bathroom doorway. She was still dressed in her pajamas, her eyes sleepy, and her long hair tangled. In one small hand, she carried a brush.

Piper turned to face her. “Good morning, sweetheart. You’re up bright and early.”

“I used the alarm you gave me. Can you braid my hair?”

“Of course, I can.” She pulled out the chair from under the vanity and patted it. “Come here. One braid or two?”

“One.”

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