Page 33 of Among the Innocent

“I’m going to take the next shift with Marge,” Leah told Dalton after the meeting ended. She worried about Marge’s safety as well as her mental state.

Dalton’s brown eyes slipped over her face, filled with compassion. “I’ll come along.”

Having him close made her feel safe. Not only that, she just liked spending time with him.

Leah found her thoughts drifting to things she’d written off as impossible.

Dalton grabbed the case files and unlocked his desk. He retrieved his service weapon and holstered it.

As they passed by Sugar’s station, Dalton told her where they’d be should anything break with the case.

“Sure thing, Chief.” Sugar winked at Leah. She could almost read Sugar’s thoughts. Leah chose to ignore the innuendos.

“She’s an interesting character,” Dalton said as they drove through the quiet midday streets of St. Ignatius.

Leah braced before facing him. Had he seen Sugar’s wink?

“Sugar means well, and she has a good heart, but she’s a bit boisterous.”

Dalton chuckled. The husky sound of it washed over her.

“That’s a nice way of putting it.” He looked her way, and a moment of awareness passed through her body. “And yes, I saw the wink.”

Leah’s cheeks grew hot. “She’s been trying to fix me up since I joined the force.”

“I’m guessing she hasn’t come up with any viable candidates yet?” His tone held amusement.

Normally, Leah avoided personal discussions, but Dalton had a way of putting her at ease. “Not for lack of trying. Sugar goes to my church. Every new man around my age who shows up is evaluated and grilled.”

He laughed again, and she found herself smiling.

“So, you’re holding out for the perfect man?”

She’d dated some in college but usually ended it when the questions got too personal. How did she explain to a stranger that her entire family had been murdered? “No, I don’t think I’m cut out for relationships.” Leah peered his way and noticed the humor leave his face. “What about you? It’s hard to believe you’re still single.”

His jaw tightened before he answered. “I was married once. My wife died.”

Leah suppressed a gasp. “I’m so sorry, Dalton. I didn’t know. That must have been hard.”

His hands tightened on the wheel. “Harder than anything I’ve ever gone through.”

“What happened to her?” she asked softly.

Dalton dragged in a breath. Let it go. “Ovarian cancer. Allison fought hard. She was one of the strongest people I’ve ever known.”

Leah squeezed his arm, yet the gesture felt inadequate.

“She’s been gone for almost five years now, and I can stillsee her smile.” He swallowed visibly. “Allison had the type of smile that lit up her face. Made you feel better just seeing it.”

“She sounds like a wonderful woman.”

He nodded. “The best. She never met a stranger. Always had time for others even when she was sick. And she put up with me and my obsessive behavior.”

An odd choice of words, but she didn’t push.

They arrived at Marge’s house to find Ethan’s patrol parked out front.

“I had breakfast with Marge earlier,” he told them. “She seems in good spirits.”

---