Page 27 of Fractured Memories

“They’ve been playing for the last hour,” Imogene whispered. “It’s too cute.”

Harper knocked the tower over with one blow. Felicity’s expression morphed into one of exaggerated surprise and appreciation. “Wow! You’re so strong!” She tickled Harper and peals of laughter filled the room. “I’m going to build the tower again. Don’t you dare knock it over.”

Felicity started stacking blocks and Harper immediately toppled them. More tickling and laughter followed. Noah’s chest squeezed tight as a wash of emotions swept over him too muddled and confusing to sort out. He didn’t even know where to begin. Felicity had nearly died today. Had escaped death several times over the last few days. Was it wise to allow Harper to get closer to her? Was it smart for Noah to have opened the door to any kind of relationship by kissing Felicity?

Imogene must’ve sensed his turbulence, because she tugged him back into the kitchen. Once the door was shut behind them, she whirled to face him. “What’s the matter?”

“I…” Noah scraped a hand through his hair. He wasn’t one to discuss his feelings, but Imogene had been his rock for decades. She’d nursed him through the loss of his parents and again through the pain of Sally’s death. If anyone could understand the twist in his thoughts, it was her. “I’ve created a mess and don’t know what to do next.”

He turned and sank into a chair. “Felicity and I kissed. I think… I think I’m in love with her and the idea of that terrifies me. Felicity is being hunted by a killer, but even after this case is over, she has a dangerous job. What’s going to happen if she dies? I’ve lost so many people in my life and now there’s Harper to consider. Is it really a good idea for her to get closer to Felicity?”

“That’s fear talking.”

“Darn right it is.” His fingers curled into his palm. “I know what it’s like to lose someone you love. How painful and heartbreaking it can be. Don’t I have a right to be scared?”

“Of course you do, child.” She pulled out a chair and joined him at the table. “But you can’t protect Harper from heartache. Doing so would require her never loving anyone, and I don’t think you want her going through life like that.”

No, he didn’t. Noah released a long exhale. “Felicity’s the first person who ever made me want to love again after losing Sally, and I tried not being scared of my feelings, but… what if I’m not capable of doing it?”

“Turn to the Lord and ask for strength.” Imogene placed a hand on his arm. “God doesn’t make mistakes. He has perfect timing. Always. He’s brought you and Felicity together in this moment for a reason. Think about it, Noah. Other than me, who understands the depth of your loss? Felicity. She knew your parents, heldyour hand on the day of their funeral, and has supported you through the ups and downs of your life since. Including your marriage, the birth of Harper, and Sally’s death. She’s your best friend.”

The wisdom of her observations sank into Noah. Felicity was the only other person—besides Imogene—who had supported him through everything. She knew him. Understood him in a way no one else did and there was comfort in that.

“I know you’re scared,” Imogene continued. “But that’s when you need God the most. Replace your fear with faith. Trust that He has a plan for you, one that includes happiness and love.”

He wanted to but wasn’t quite ready to surrender completely. “I have some praying to do.”

TWENTY

The next morning, Felicity eased the screen door shut behind her as she stepped onto the back porch of Imogene’s home. Dew coated the grass, and the air was heavy with the scent of pine and fresh earth. Raindrops peppered the wood, exposed to the elements beyond the shelter of the roof. The sky was moody. Clouds drifted quickly, and a breeze ruffled the edges of Felicity’s ponytail. One good thing about the rain was a drop in temperatures.

The house inside was quiet. Imogene, Amber, and Harper had all gone to church service. Felicity had also wanted to attend, but after the bank bombing last night, determined it’d be safer for everyone if she stayed on the ranch. The last thing she wanted was to put more innocent civilians at risk.

She sipped her coffee. Her dreams had been haunted by images from the last few days, intermingled with brief pieces of memories from the night Brooke was murdered.Felicity had woken and immediately written her impressions. She glanced over the page. The porch swing rocked gently when she pushed it with her foot.

“Morning.” Noah strolled across the yard. He was dressed in jeans and mud-covered cowboy boots. A soft T-shirt molded to every one of his powerful muscles, his hair was mussed, and a beard shadowed his jaw. He must’ve been caring for the horses in the barn. Milo trotted at his side.

Felicity’s heart stuttered at the sight of Noah and then took rapid flight. The man had the power to undo her with just a glance. It was heady. Intoxicating. She wanted to drown in the warmth in his eyes and forget about every ounce of trouble plaguing her. But that wasn’t possible. Not while there was a killer on the loose and a woman missing. “Any word on Melanie?”

Noah’s expression darkened. “Nothing yet.”

Disappointment pinched her. Milo plopped down on the porch with a sigh and promptly went to sleep. The Lab pup was clearly exhausted. “You tuckered him out.”

“Finally.” Noah’s boots thumped against the porch steps. “It only took all morning.”

She chuckled and then forced her gaze back down to the paper clutched in her hands. “I had dreams. About Brooke. I wrote some of my impressions, but I’m not sure how accurate they are.”

He joined her on the porch swing. “Let’s hear it.”

“Voices arguing.” Felicity set her coffee cup down on the side table. “Two, at least. Maybe more. Brooke shouted something along the lines of ‘You can’t do this.’And then the sound of gunshots.” Panic swelled inside of her, as real as the day Brooke was murdered, but she battled it back. She was safe. Here with Noah. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. “I remember hearing a man’s voice. I don’t know whose though.”

“That fits with our current theory that Daniel killed his sister.”

Felicity nodded and folded the paper. She bit her lip. “And Jeremy?”

“I think he witnessed the crime, just like you did. The DNA came back on the shirt this morning. It was Brooke’s. I suspect Jeremy attempted to provide first aid, but you interrupted him. Maybe Jeremy heard the killer coming back?”

She nodded. “Whatever happened, he was trying to shield me.”

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