Page 51 of Out of the Shadows
But they did work well together, and this was one case that would have taken Margo much longer to figure out without the family resources.
“Bingo!” Tess turned her computer screen around so Margo and Ava could see her find.
“Jerry Aberdeen is our third bidder,” Margo said. “Now all we need to do is prove he ran Laura off the road and broke into her house—before he finds Charlie and that two-million-dollar ruby.”
Chapter Eighteen
Jack followed Laura out to the barn late Tuesday afternoon. She’d listened to Margo explain over the phone what they thought was going on with Charlie. She hadn’t asked questions, just nodded—even though Margo couldn’t see her.
Jack needed Laura to understand the threat—and find out what she was thinking. Not just about Charlie, but the entire situation.
Jack watched her feed and water the horses. She didn’t talk. Her lean muscles rippled with the exertion, but Jack sensed she didn’t want his help. He knew from experience that physical labor purged many demons.
Until he saw that her face was wet from silent tears.
He went to her, took the bucket from her hands and put it down. “Hey.” He put his hands on her shoulders. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you or your family.”
“I know,” she said, her voice clipped. “It’s not that. Damn.” She sniffled and rubbed her face with the palms of her hands. “I’m angry. I’m so damn angry about this whole thing. I was in a good place, the kids were in a good place. We had adjusted, and honestly? We’re happy. I know Sydney doesn’t think I’m happy, she thinks I need to go out and have fun, but fun is overrated. I love my house, I love my kids, I love my animals, I love my job. Who can say that? Who can honestly say that they are truly satisfied with their life in almost every way? Sure, I don’t get to have sex anymore, I haven’t been on a date since my divorce, I— Oh, shit.”
She blinked rapidly and stared at him, her face flushed with tears and embarrassment.
“I—I—”
She had gotten close to him, so close that he could smell the lavender of her shampoo, over and above the smell of hay and horses.
She stepped back, caught his eye, and he saw that she was nervous and curious, maybe questioning the same way he was. Asking, would a kiss be okay? Would it be what they both imagined?
He stepped forward, hesitated, but when she didn’t step back or turn away, he put his hand on her neck, pulled her to him, and kissed her. He’d intended for it to be a light kiss, a friendly kiss, but it turned into something more, something that wanted to be more. She tasted salty and warm and wonderful.
It took all his willpower to take a step back. Professionally, this was not the right time.
He wanted to tell himself screw the right time, but personal entanglements during a protection detail were dangerous.
He asked, “What are you doing for Fourth of July?”
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
“This will be over by then. I usually take Austin—my son—to the Cardinals stadium to watch the fireworks. Maybe you and the kids can join us? No pressure.”
“What if... what if I want a little pressure?” Then she smiled slyly, flirting, making him smile and realize that his feelings for Laura were mutual.
“I will do my best to accommodate you.” He touched her lips, brushed loose strands of hair from her face, then he dropped his hands. “We have something to look forward to. But for now, you need to be cautious. Margo and Tess are searching for Jerry Aberdeen. You’ve seen his picture. He also has an accomplice. No coming out to the barn without me or Margo or Luisa, and if only one of us is here, the animals are going to have to wait.”
His phone rang. He looked down and saw Luisa’s caller ID. “Yep,” he answered.
“Charlie’s here.”
After the kids spent a few minutes with their dad, Laura asked Luisa to take them to another room. Charlie didn’t understand, but the kids did—and they left without being asked twice.
She didn’t want them to be part of this conversation. She wouldn’t be able to tell Charlie exactly what she thought and felt if the kids were listening.
“I just got here,” Charlie said, glancing at Jack with suspicious confusion. “I want to spend time with my kids because I missed my weekend.”
“Would you like me to step out?” Jack asked her softly.
“No,” she said at the same time Charlie said, “Yes.”
“No,” Laura repeated and glared at her ex-husband. “Jack stays here.” She needed the support, she realized. So much had happened over the last two days that she was running on fumes. “There’s been a lot going on since you disappeared.”
