Page 72 of Among the Innocent

She swallowed several times, but the lump in her throat would not go away. Tears were close. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t stop them.

He tucked her into his arms and rested his cheek against her head. Dalton made her feel safe. Leah hadn’t felt this way in a long time. Probably not since she was a child when she’d wake up afraid and her daed would hold her and tell her everything would be oke. A dam broke inside, and Leah started crying. Dalton held her tighter without saying a word.

When the tears finally subsided, she let him go and scrubbed her palms across her cheeks. “I’m sorry.” Her voice was as unsteady as she felt. “I’m not normally this emotional.”

“Don’t be.” Dalton tipped her chin back and looked deep into her eyes. “You’ve lost so much.”

“And I brought it all on my family.” If she’d been agutAmish girl, she wouldn’t have let her head be turned by John.

Dalton’s expression gentled. “No. You’re a victim. Like Beth.Eva. Those two women in Wyoming. Justine. It isn’t your guilt to carry.”

She so wanted to believe him. Something shifted in his eyes. Leah pulled in a breath as Dalton leaned down and touched his lips against hers. The breath evaporated from her body and she melted against him. Leah could count on one hand the number of times she’d been kissed. None of them compared to Dalton’s gentle touch.

He ended the kiss and stepped back.

She could see the apology in his eyes, and she reached for his hand. “No, there’s nothing to be sorry for. Just—thank you.”

He searched her face. “Why are you thanking me?”

“Because you made me remember I’m human. I’d forgotten for a long time. So, thank you.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “We should probably get back to work,” he said with what sounded like a hint of regret in his voice.

As hard as she tried to focus on the case, Leah’s thoughts were dominated by the man at her side. They were both damaged. Both victims of the same killer. Both trying to find a way to move beyond the past. Was it possible? Or would what John had done that fateful night be forever part of their DNA?

Sixteen

There’s a state hospital not far from Cheyenne,” Laramie County Sheriff Allen Tucker confirmed. And close to where their Jane Does were murdered.

“Can you tell me the name of the administrator?” Dalton grabbed a pen. It was a long shot, but perhaps the person in charge would remember someone who fit John’s description.

“Hang on a second.” Papers rustled and then, “Charles Hopkins.” Tucker gave Dalton the number. “I sure hope he can be of assistance. Keep me posted. I’d love to help these two women’s families find closure.”

Dalton left a message for the administrator and set the phone down. Outside, dusk quickly approached. The case he should be working was the furthest thing from his mind. Leah had been occupying growing space there. Was what was happening between them real or simply because of their shared history? Guilt riddled his heart. Allison had been gone for five years, and yet every time he’d thought about moving on, he couldn’t. She’d loved him completely. Tried to convince him to let go of his quest to find Harrison’s killer. Many times, he wished he’d listened. The years he’d wasted chasing ghosts gnawed athim. Instead of doggedly pursuing leads that didn’t pan out, he should have been at her side. Should have realized how sick she was becoming.

Someone tapped on his door. Leah stuck her head in.

Tension filled him as he looked at her. The kiss still fresh in his mind, he felt as if he’d betrayed Allison. “Yes, what is it?” His tone came out harsher than he intended.

“Is anything wrong?” she asked, the hurt in her voice clear. She came into the room.

Dalton ran a hand through his hair and felt like a heel. “No, nothing.”

“I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I’m on my way over to see Marge. She’s been asking for me.” When he didn’t respond, she started from the room.

“Leah, wait.” Dalton went after her and stopped her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to come off like a jerk. Guess I’m just dealing with my demons. I’m coming with you.”

She slowly smiled. “It’s okay.” Her forgiveness made him feel worse. “Sylvia ordered chicken from the café across the street. I thought we could take it with us to Marge’s.”

“That’s a good idea.” Dalton gathered the files, and they stepped out into the growing darkness.

Leah’s gaze swept the shadows near the station. “Believe it or not, until Beth’s death, the county was quiet.”

Dalton unlocked the vehicle and slid inside. “Quiet sounds good right about now.”

On Marge’s street, a new shift of law enforcement had arrived to relieve those watching the house.

Ethan met them at the door as they approached.

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