Page 134 of First Chance

Lochlan’s shooting pool with Hayes against Becky and Tessa, but when I look over at him, it’s only a moment before he meets my gaze. His attention never wavers from me for more than a few minutes.

I smile shyly from across the room and focus my attention back on Natalie, who is smirking at me. “I have to leave soon,” I remind her.

“Right. Well, if you want to leave and go to our house so you’re still close to lover boy, let me know.”

“Jo’s moving in with us?” Jackson asks, sitting down with his own plate of cake.

“No, I’m not.” I laugh. “I’m traveling for a bit, that’s the plan.”

“What does he think about that?”

“He wants me to go. He doesn’t want me to stay here.”

Jackson looks at me pointedly. “That might be what he’s saying, but I can see a man who does not want you going anywhere.”

“It’s…”

“Complicated,” he finishes.

I know I owe him more of an explanation of me and Lochlan’s strange relationship, but I’m not even sure whereto start. In reality, I don’t know what we are either.

“Mrs. Sheriff.” Emory comes running up to Natalie, who looks startled to be labeled as such. “Can Declan come with me to pet the mule?”

“Oh, um.”

“Please, sissy!” Dec begs from beside her.

“I guess that’s okay.” Emory takes off running toward the door, but Natalie grabs Dec’s arm to stop him. “Does she know you don’t like to be called Declan?”

“Yeah, she’s in my class.” His cheeks grow rosy. “But, she can call me Declan if she wants.” He sprints after Lochlan’s niece, and Natalie looks at Jackson and me like an overly concerned but proud mom.

“Do you want a drink?” Lochlan asks from over my head, leaning over the back of the couch.

“No, I’m okay.” I pat the seat next to me, and he comes around to sit down. I don’t hesitate to lean against his chest, sighing contentedly.

“I don’t mean to kill the mood,” Jackson starts. “But, someone posted Frank’s bail. They used a bail bondsman, paid anonymously.”

“Whoever hired him to ram the gates?” Lochlan assumes.

“That’s my guess.”

“What should we do?”

“Well, I took the liberty of getting eyes on him. Seems like he skipped town. I don’t think Frank’s going to be a problem. It’s back to whoever hired him.”

“But you have a theory?” Lochlan asks. He and Jackson seem to always follow the same wavelength, even though they are the least chatty people I know.

“I still think Randall Porter is behind it. It’s too convenientthat he has an airtight alibi for every single date and time that something went down here.”

“He’s paying someone?” I ask.

“Most likely. His family loves to get other people to do their dirty work. I’m building a case against his mother, Vanessa Porter, already. I think she was more involved with her father’s crimes last year than she led on.”

“He’s the one you killed?” Lochlan asks, and I whip my head to look at Jackson. I didn’t know he had been involved in anything like that.

“He was a twisted man,” Natalie interjects, reassuring me.

“The lawyer we used to get custody of Dec is filling in for the prosecutor, she’s helping me gather what I need before we press charges. I’d like to include Randall Porter in the lawsuit if I can get the evidence against him.”

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