Page 80 of Fatal Witness

“You ready?” Mark asked.

Dani wiped her hands on her jeans. “As I ever will be.”

“Let me come around and get your door.”

Normally she would object, saying she was perfectly able to do that herself, but it was different with Mark. She enjoyed his thoughtfulness, and there was something so reassuring about him. She felt safe in his presence. Almost cherished.

Dani jerked her mind away from those thoughts. What was wrong with her? Mooning over a man she’d met only a week ago? Still, she couldn’t deny he ticked all her boxes—thoughtful, kind, brave ... handsome. Not that the last had ever been one of her boxes, but it didn’t hurt that he was easy on the eyes.

At least Mark was better than the last man she’d mooned over—the one who broke her heart in college. All he’d wantedwas another conquest he could brag about, another notch on his belt. But the college experience hadn’t been without its advantages—it had toughened her up. She never let herself be that vulnerable again.

“I’m capable of opening the door,” she said and pushed it open before he could come around.

He held his hands up and backed off. “I wasn’t suggesting you couldn’t. I figure you’re nervous.”

It was easier to let him think that than to explain. “You’re right. Sorry.”

“I know.” He winked at her.

She felt herself blushing.Stop it!“Let’s get this over with.”

Dani followed Mark inside the store and gasped as the scent of the oiled floors sent a rush of emotions surging through her. A memory teased her brain ... She glanced to the right and caught her breath when the glassed-in candy display was exactly where she remembered it.

How many times had she pressed against that glass with a dollar clutched tightly in her hand and picked out two candy bars? Always at least one Three Musketeers that she shared with ... Alex and Morgan. She remembered! Dani stood straighter.

“May I help you, Miss?”

That voice. She raised her gaze. “Mr. Peterson?”

“No one around here calls me anything but Kyle. You must mean my grandfather.” He turned. “Granddad. You busy?”

An older man shuffled to the candy display. He looked at Dani and took off the black-framed glasses and rubbed his eyes before he slipped them back on. “Neva? No, that can’t be...”

“You’re right, Mr. Peterson,” Mark said. “This is her daughter, Danielle Bennett.”

“Oh, my goodness...” The older man shook his head. “You’re the spittin’ image of your mother when she was young. Grandmother too.”

“Danielle Bennett?” Kyle’s gaze narrowed. “You have a lot of nerve, showing yourself in this store after what your family did.”

The venom in his words was like a slap in the face, and Dani took a step back.

“Kyle!” Mr. Peterson scowled at his grandson. “What is the matter with you?”

He turned to his grandfather. “Her thieving family cost me my job at the jewelry store. If just one of them had come forward and told authorities I had nothing to do with the burglaries—”

“But Neva and Bobby were dead, and we know now Keith was running for his life. And Danielle’s.” Mark eyed him. “Maybe you’re the one who killed Bobby Bennett.”

“Are you kidding? Why would I kill him? I needed him to exonerate me.”

Dani swayed, and she pressed her hand to her head.

Mark immediately put his arm around her. “You okay?”

“I think we need to leave.” She hadn’t expected a confrontation when she came into the store, and she wasn’t prepared for this man’s anger.

Mark turned to Kyle. “I’ll be back to discuss this further with you.”

“You do that, and don’t bring her in here again.”

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