Page 4 of Echoes in the Night

“You were in the military?”

He runs a hand over his almost buzz cut. “Yeah. Did my twenty in the army. Gramps died while I was on a mission. He left this place to me. It’s quiet. I like it. Some good memories from when I lived with him.”

“Your grandfather raised you?”

“I spent summers with him most of my life. My parents split when I was thirteen. Neither one wanted me, so Gramps came and took me. I was with him until I joined the service at seventeen.”

“At seventeen?”

“I graduated early.” He looks pointedly at the bookcases. “Not a lot to do up here after chores. Except read and whittle.

“Which reminds me.” He reaches into the front pocket of his shirt, pulls out a wooden comb, and hands it to me.

Rubbing the top of his short-cropped hair again, he smiles, and I swear my ovaries stand at attention. Talk about panty melting.

“I don’t have any brushes or girl stuff, but I made you a comb until I can get you home. There was no purse where I found you.”

Pushing his empty plate to the side, he cups his coffee mug. “You wanna tell me what happened on that mountain?”

I push my half-eaten meal aside and grab my own cup, studying the blackened depths.

“Maura?”

“What day is it?” I ask.

“Monday, the twelfth.”

“Monday?!”

He leans forward. “Tell me Maura. What’s the last thing you remember.”

“The last thing I remember before waking up in your bed is getting off work at the bank on Saturday.”

I’ve lost almost three days? Oh my god. What…how do you forget three days? My heart is racing, my chest is tight. “What— what happened to me? Are you… Did you….”

“Take a deep breath, Maura. You’re starting to hyperventilate.”

Chapter Three

Jax

That’s over two days she can’t remember. Her eyes are wide, she’s gripping the table and gasping.

Shoving my chair back, I round the table, help her stand then bend her at the waist. “You’re hyperventilating. Breathe with me. Out… In… Out… In…”

Once she’s under control she slumps against me. “Why… Why can’t I remember? What happened to me?” Tears stream down her cheeks.

“Try to stay calm. Just relax. This is probably temporary. The more you stress the longer it will take. I’m going to carry you to the chair and hold you. It’s all going to be fine. You’re not alone. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Before sitting, I pull a handkerchief from my pocket. “Sorry babe, I don’t do tissues or paper towels up here. But this hanky is clean, and I got plenty more.”

I’m pleased by her watery chuckle as she takes the cloth, wipes her eyes and blows her nose. She leans her head against my chest.

“How do I know I can trust you?”

“That’s kind of a tough question to answer. Since I don’t know you and probably not anyone you know in town since I was gone so many years. Hell, you probably weren’t even two when I left.

“What I will tell you, and could show you, is I got an honorable discharge, letters from a few army buddies that say I was a good guy, and a couple medals that imply the same thing. If it helps, I’m good friends with Sheriff Clay Harker, but my satellite connection is down due to the storm so I can’t call him for you. When it’s back up, I will.”

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