Page 239 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

“It’s July.”

“Feels like July in the deep south. Aren’t we in the mountains of Pennsylvania?”

He chuckled.

Wade climbedatop the sun-warmed boulders for a better vantage point and gazed out over the area surrounding the natural wonder. He hoped to find anything that might help them identify the person who buried their Jane Doe. The CSIs found broken shrubs, but they could be from wildlife or the rangers who first secured the scene. They discovered boot prints and he knew that killers liked to visit their burial sites on occasion. The evidence found would most likely prove useless, but he figured anything that might give them a lead was worth exploring.

He wasn’t a forensics expert, but it appeared as if the body had been buried years earlier, and the medical examiner reluctantly confirmed as much before leaving the scene with the victim.

Wade raked his fingers through his hair and looked out over the rocks. God’s artistry never ceased to amaze him. He was aware of the evolutionists’ view on the formation of Boulder Field, but there was no doubt in his mind. God designed it.

The Lord knew exactly what happened to their Jane Doe. He sent up a prayer for guidance and direction.

Wade headed back toward the burial site and saw Emily leaning close to Austin, whispering. His gut churned. She hadn’t been his girl for a long time, so he shouldn’t have the urge to deck the other man. He sent up another prayer, this time asking for self-restraint. Seeing Emily again and knowing he didn’t have the freedom to pursue her was excruciating. How many times had he told himself he was over her? It didn’t matter. He refused to be the type of man who would compete for a woman’s affections. She was taken, and that was that.

Wade reclinedagainst the unmarked sedan with a notepad in hand. He should have been jotting down his thoughts on the case, but his mind was elsewhere. The sun was beginning to fall below the tree line, giving them some much needed relief from the blazing heat. He was ready to call it a day.

Jamie came off the trail and meandered over to where he stood. “Long day.”

“Yep.”

“Is everything all right? You seem off your game today.”

He forced out a breath. “One of the DCNR rangers is a girl I dated in high school. We didn’t leave things well.”

She chuckled. “High school was a long time ago. I’m sure she’s over it.”

“You make it sound like I was at fault.”

“Weren’t you?”

“It was a mutual disaster.”

“Spill.”

“I enlisted. She told me she never wanted to see me again. End of story.”

“Her reaction seems harsh.”

“Her younger sister, Nora, went missing not long before I left for basic training. She was devastated, and I didn’t know how to help her. I’d always planned to enlist, but I’ll admit I was escaping the situation.”

“That’s a lot of pressure for a kid.”

“It was. But my time overseas was no walk in the park.”

“Wasn’t much of an escape, I take it?”

“Not at all.” He shrugged. “And in the rare quiet moments, my heart and mind were focused back home. On Emily. She was hurting, but I had no idea how to relieve her pain.”

“That is a huge burden for someone so young. Give yourself a break. You did what you could at the time.”

He looked up at the sound of a vehicle and squinted trying to identify the driver. Emily.

She slid from her SUV and strolled to where they stood.

“I’m surprised you’re still working.” Wade noticed her green eyes were rimmed with red.

“My shift ended two hours ago, but I was caught up handling a domestic dispute at one of the campsites. I’m leaving now but wanted to drive by and check on things here first.”

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