Page 52 of Cold Light of Day

Why was she so agitated?

“Suit yourself.” He set the extra cup on the round kitchen table.

Whining, Cap sat next to the chief and looked up at her. The dog was instantly in love. How Grier understood.

“Answer my questions.”

“You’re awfully demanding today.” Actually, she’d been demanding last night, but he hadn’t struck the deal she’d wantedand answered her question about who he really was. That information wasn’t worth the risk toher.

She took a step closer. “Nolan told me not to trust you. That you were a stranger.” She gave him a soul-searching look as if wanting him to say she should trust him.

“Good advice.”What am I doing?

“I tend to look at actions rather than words. You’ve done nothing but good since you’ve been here. In a short time, you’ve won the town’s trust. People look up to you.”

Exactly why he needed to disappear. Try again somewhere else. “Why are you here, really, Chief?”

“Why don’t you call me Autumn?”

Why did she care? This wasn’t the first time she’d asked. He felt it then...the strong connection between them, growing stronger every day and, here, in this small cabin, every second. Every breath.

Drawn to her, he stepped closer. He wanted to touch her hair, press his palm against her soft cheek. Kiss her lips. Something entirely too warm stirred in his belly. She had come here for him. What had he gotten himself into? He was no good for her.

He had to break the spell—for them both—but instead, he set his mug on the table and took a step closer.

“Why don’t you call me Autumn?”

Why, indeed. How did he tell her that calling her Chief kept her at a safe distance when he couldn’t even explain that to himself? What was she thinking at this moment when she stared at him, searching, grasping for answers she desperately wanted and he refused to give? She wouldn’t like what he told her, and that was only one reason why he couldn’t share.

Hurt flashed in her eyes. He was at a loss and had no clue how to respond.

“Forget it.” The chief turned around to walk out.

She opened the door and Grier remained in the cabin, watching her stomp back to her vehicle.

He’d pushed her away, but he’d had no choice. And so much more was going on here. She was in need of help—the city council was out to get her and some criminal element had arrived in town, putting her in danger. He suspected it was someone out to get her father for some bad dealings while he was in charge. Someone he’d put away in the past. But his suspicious mind was getting away from him.

God’s purpose for you...

If God had a purpose for him, Grier had no idea what it was.

Cap barked and stared up at him, his blue and brown eyes seeming to tell Grier to go get the girl and bring her back. Or at least Grier imagined the dog wanted the chief to stay and warm up his cabin as much as Grier wanted that. Grier growled through clenched teeth and started out the door, chasing down her Interceptor, which was already bumping along the double tire tracks someone called a road.

Suddenly the vehicle stopped, sliding forward in the mud, as a figure emerged from the woods.

Grier tensed and glanced behind him, wishing he’d brought his gun.

Barking, Cap raced by. Grier called the dog, but Cap kept running toward the vehicle. Grier followed. The chief got out as Grier rounded the grill. Hank stood in front of the Interceptor.

She directed her words at Hank. “Why’d you step out in front of me like that? I could have hit you.”

“Bear found something you should see.”

Grier could almost hear her groan inwardly, but she kept a straight face so she wouldn’t disrespect a decent guy—though others treated him poorly. And Grier admired her for the effort.

“I’m afraid I need more than that, Hank. I have a full day ahead of me already. And how did you know to find me here?”

“Bear and I were on the hill when I spotted your vehicle on the road.” Hank glanced between the chief and Grier. “I sawyou heading to this cabin, so I took a shortcut and came this way. Almost missed you.”

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