Page 65 of Scent of Evil
It was never easy to take another person’s life. Even a couple of low-life scumbags like Decker and Rowe.
He caught her hand, tugging her through the woods to the location where they’d left their SUV. Good thing they’d parked on the other side of the cabin driveway, or Rowe may have noticed the vehicles when he arrived.
“God was watching over us today.” He hadn’t intended to speak his thoughts out loud but was glad he had when she answered without hesitation.
“He was,” Raine agreed. “I’m so grateful God protected Amanda so we could find her in time.”
He gently squeezed her hand. “God is good. What do you think will happen now? Who will take over as your boss in Rowe’s place?”
“No idea.” She shrugged. “Not sure it matters. I’m off duty for the foreseeable future.”
He tried to gauge her emotions. She’d sounded matter of fact, but he sensed there was more going on beneath the surface. “Are you having second thoughts? Not about shooting Rowe, but your career in general?”
“Maybe.” She blew out a breath. “I admit, watching you and Stone along with Trevor and Archie in action has given me a different perspective. I’d rather track down lost people than escaped felons.”
“Our K9s are amazing.” He kept his tone light, trying to think of a way to broach the subject of their personal lives. Then he decided there was no point in dancing around the issue. “Raine, I’m not sure what your plans are, but would you be willing to spend some time with me at the Sullivan K9 Search and Rescue Ranch?”
“The ranch?” She glanced up at him in surprise. He came to a stop next to the SUV, realizing Trevor had taken the one with the horse trailer. “Why?”
He held her gaze. “I’d like to introduce you to the rest of my family. And I think you could use a break. There’s plenty of room, and you can stay in the guest cabin if you’d like. No pressure.”
She tipped her head to the side regarding him thoughtfully. “You just want to give me another riding lesson, don’t you?”
That made him laugh. “Ah, Raine. I would love nothing more, but that’s up to you.” He hesitated, then pushed forward. “We haven’t known each other long, but you need to know I’ve fallen in love with you.”
She blinked as if that was the last thing she’d expected him to say. “Um, that’s sweet, Justin, but I’m like a decade older than you. I’m sure you’d prefer someone your own age.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Don’t patronize me. If you don’t share my feelings, fine, just say that. But age has nothing to do with how much I love you. When I thought you were shot by Decker, I knew my life would never be the same without you.”
She took a step back, as if needing distance. “I—don’t know what to say.”
He searched her gaze, trying to understand. “It’s pretty simple, Raine. I’d like to spend more time with you. I’d like you to meet my family, all eight of my siblings and their spouses and significant others. Because I love you.”
“I just”—she raked both hands through her hair—“I never expected this.”
She was killing him. Slowly and surely killing him. “Expected what?”
“To fall in love with you.” She dropped her arms in a theatrical gesture. “There, I said it. Are you happy now?”
“Well yeah, if you truly mean it.” A grin bloomed on his face at her flustered expression. He stepped closer, reached for her hand, and drew her into his arms. When she didn’t offer any resistance, he pulled her in for a kiss.
This time, they were alone at the side of the road, with no Griff to interrupt them. Justin took his time kissing her, trying to tell her without words just how much she meant to him.
“Wow,” she whispered a few minutes later.
He grinned. “Wow in a good way?”
She lightly smacked his chest. “Don’t let it go to your head, stud.”
“Stud?” He threw back his head and laughed. “That’s a first.”
“I don’t know why, from what I can tell from you and Trevor the Sullivans have some amazingly handsome genes.” The smile faded from her expression. “Are you sure about this? I mean, I am a lot older than you.”
“You’re what, maybe thirty to my twenty-seven? That’s nothing.”
“Thirty-four,” she corrected. “And that is something.”
“It’s a number, Raine. That’s all.” He frowned, swallowing a flash of annoyance. Why was she making a big deal out of nothing? “Why would a few years between us bother you? It’s not like I’m some drifter who doesn’t have a job or a career. Losing our parents almost six years ago caused all of us to grow up fast. When Maya and Chase wanted to turn our ranch into a search and rescue mission, the rest of us eagerly trained our K9s accordingly. Between searching for our parents’ remains, we’ve also poured our time and efforts into serving our community doing SAR missions. I know what I want. I’ve never felt this deeply for anyone else. You’re the only woman I’ve ever said those three words to.”
