Page 5 of Jenna's Threatened Sanctuary

“But Calvin. I need?—”

He held up a palm. He couldn’t hear what she needed, couldn’t put her needs in front of his own. A time once existed when he wouldn’t have hesitated to make a decision he dreaded just to make her happy. But that boy was long gone. “You need to find someone else.”

She hung her head. “I understand. Thanks for hearing me out.”

He took a step back to give her space to leave. The last thing he needed right now was for her body to brush against his. A simple touch was enough to turn his limbs to mush.

Her hunched shoulders and deer-in-the-headlights expression twisted his heart. “Wait.”

The old, whitewashed porch floorboards creaked as she faced him, hope lifting her brows.

“I’ll call Pine Valley Police Station and poke around a bit. I know some of the officers over there. That’s the best I can do.” He couldn’t investigate a case involving Jenna, but maybe he could find out what evidence the department had against her. That could be enough.

Jenna smiled and the sight lifted his heart more than he cared to admit. “I appreciate it. I spoke with a man named Officer Sawyer.”

“I’ll be in touch when I have some information.”

With one slow nod, Jenna quirked her lips to the side then gave a small wave before bounding down the steps.

He watched her retreat to her car, climb inside, and drive away.

On a sigh, he closed the door and padded down the hall to the kitchen. The heaviness of his conversation with Jenna weighed him down. Damn, he needed a shot of something strong to calm his jittery nerves, but he’d settle for the coffee left over in the bottom of the pot he’d made earlier.

Grabbing a mug from the cabinet, he filled it with the black magic and leaned against the marble countertop. He took a long sip, the bitter liquid like heaven on his tongue. How had he avoided Jenna for so long, only to have her show up at his house to discuss the same sister who was the reason for their breakup?

A sister who was now murdered, and Jenna possibly a suspect.

If the situation wasn’t so sad, he’d laugh at the absurdity of it all. His life had taken a lot of unwanted twists, but this was at the top of the list. And the hell of it was, setting eyes on Jenna had made him feel like he was fourteen years old again, falling in love at the sight of her.

Unshed tears burnt his throat, and he slammed his half-empty mug on the counter. No. Four years had passed, and he wasn’t the same disillusioned schmuck who thought Jenna could do no wrong. He would do what he’d promised—call the police station, relay whatever information he gathered, then stay the hell away from Jenna and her problems.

3

Pacing across the thick carpet in her boss’ office, Jenna’s nerves danced a freaking tango. Dr. Church should have been here fifteen minutes ago. A quick glance at her watch showed she had a couple hours before she needed to relieve her babysitter.

Mrs. Franklin, her next-door neighbor, was supposed to have the day off. Jenna hated asking for her help today, but she had things to take care of and didn’t want Oliver to be around all the negative energy.

“Sorry about that,” Dr. Church said as he rushed through the door, his focus on a tablet in his hands. “You know how things can get. Nice and quiet until all hell breaks loose.”

Jenna wiped at watery eyes. The stupid tears of sadness and frustration refused to stay away. “Story of my life.”

White, wiry eyebrows rose on Dr. Church’s wrinkled forehead. “What’s the matter, dear?” He set the tablet on an oak sideboard pressed against the wall then rested on the edge of his desk.

Jenna lifted the corner of her mouth at the endearment. Dr. Church was more than a boss. He was a mentor and friend,always taking the time to understand the needs of all his employees. From the doctors down to the janitorial staff. No one was too small in his mind. “I hate to do this to you, but I need to take some time off.”

Dr. Church nodded then rounded his desk to sit on the ancient leather chair. “We all need time off. It’s important to practice self-care and all that.” He waved a hand through the air, as if the gesture incorporated any other reason Jenna could need a few days from work.

Unfortunately, a simple flick of the wrist couldn’t cover all the reasons Jenna needed to use her personal time. “I’ll need more than a couple days, and I know that will leave you short-staffed. But some things have happened that require my attention.”

Concern rippled the corners of Dr. Church’s brown eyes. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Jenna leaned back against the bucket chair across from the desk and stared at the familiar blue-gray walls, the diplomas and family photos hung proudly.

She’d fought so hard for a happy, smiling family. After losing her parents, she’d done everything she could to get Stella sober. She gave up so much for so long, and now that battle would never be won. “My sister was killed last night.”

Dr. Church’s expression crumpled. “I’m so sorry. What happened?”

Jenna shrugged, wishing she had the answer. “Police wouldn’t tell me. There’s a lot that needs sorted with her death.” She didn’t want to mention that part of what needed sorted was convincing the police she wasn’t involved in any way. She and her sister had their share of problems, but the love had never faded.

---