Читать книгу Special Delivery - Laura Browning - Страница 7

Where was Tyler? Holly shifted on the sagging flowered couch in her living room, fighting panic. Doc Owens wouldn’t let her do anything other than sit, so her comfortable sofa had morphed into a jail-cell bunk. Not that she had any idea what one felt like. She glanced at her watch. Five o’clock and almost dark. Tyler should be here. She braced one hand under her belly, struggling to sit up. He’d walked into town to buy groceries to help tide them over, but even considering the distance, he should have returned by now. What had she been thinking anyway? He was just eleven. Sometimes Holly lost sight of that.

He had always been mature for his age, but in the year since the accident that had killed their parents, Tyler had become even more so. While she had juggled the paperwork involved in their parents’ estate and her new role in looking out for her brother as stipulated in her parents’ will, Tyler had quietly gone about finding his new normal. Right now, she wished she had more of his stoicism.

She stared at the laptop she’d set aside. While she still brought in some money from Crawford’s, working part-time from home had put a real crimp in their budget. She bit her lip. Things weren’t turning out quite as she’d hoped the day she’d so optimistically chosen Mountain Meadow as the place to land. Maybe trying to see the bright side of things was part of the problem. Because she’d been so desperate to get away from Spence, she hadn’t spent enough time considering what could go wrong before they’d left Lynchburg. Bed rest the last few weeks of her pregnancy had not been in her plan. She took a deep, shaky breath, but it failed to calm her.

Now Tyler was MIA. Holly didn’t want to panic, but her options were limited. She should go find him, not sit here doing nothing. She didn’t want to call the sheriff. Her last few experiences with the law hadn’t left her with much confidence in their abilities. An image of the cop in the Tarpley’s store popped into her head. If the sheriff resembled him, at least the law in this part of Virginia was a lot better-looking. Still, she had her doubts about how effective any of them could be in keeping Spence at bay. Her best bet was to lie low, and having to call in help to find her brother shot that to pieces.

The sudden crunch of gravel and the swift glare of headlights reflecting on the window made Holly jump. She twitched the curtains aside to peer out and her stomach dropped. This time fear, not her baby, caused the lurch. A uniformed police officer waited on Tyler to climb from the big pickup idling out front. Holly swallowed, but her mouth remained bone dry. The cop from the store.

Tyler appeared fine, so her mind conjured other potential problems. Had Spence found them already? Would her restraining order even apply here? Her hand went to her stomach. This was her baby, and she would not give her up. Not to Spence. He could threaten her with as many lawyers as he wanted.

Of course when she’d stood up to him and told him she’d just deny he was the father, things had turned even uglier. He might have money and enough influence to get his way in Richmond, but not here, not if he couldn’t find her.

And if he did find her? Her chin lifted. He’d have a fight on his hands. It wasn’t Holly’s fault his new fiancée couldn’t have children. Spence had no right to stalk her, to threaten her.

She pushed to her feet and struggled to the door. No way did she want this police officer to think she couldn’t take care of Tyler. With a jerk of the warped wood, she yanked it open. Her eyes darted from her little brother to the tall, broad-shouldered cop at his side. Though she felt the cop’s eyes on her, she ignored him to focus on her brother.

“Tyler! Where have you been? Are you all right?” Her hand rubbed the dull, persistent ache in her lower back. “Ar-are you in trouble?” she choked out as her gaze flicked again to the tall police officer.

“No, it’s not like that, Holly,” Tyler told her. “This is the guy I told you about the other day…the one who bought me the candy bar.”

The officer stuck out his hand. His smile eased her tension somewhat, but she still hesitated before she allowed her slender fingers to disappear in his firm grasp. “I’m Lieutenant Jake Allred, Mountain Meadow’s assistant police chief. I saw your brother walking with your groceries as I was headed home, so I gave him a lift.”

His easy grin and dark hazel eyes, with just a hint of shyness, sent an unfamiliar tingle through her, but he was still a cop, and Holly had good reason to be wary. Spence had gotten around her restraining order again and again. It seemed to her the police had been unable or unwilling to stop him. She doubted this place would be much different.

Holly forced a smile to her lips—less than genuine but the best she could do—and pulled her hand away.

“Thank you. I know it was out of your way. I’m Holly, and you’ve met Ty.”

The lieutenant smiled, turning his easygoing grin on Tyler. “Yeah. We’re old friends by now. Why don’t you grab those groceries since your sister knows you’re okay?”

“Yes, sir.” Tyler jogged out toward the pickup truck.

“Nice kid. You should be proud of him.”

Holly relaxed a little. Tyler was a great kid, doubly amazing considering it had been little more than a year since their parents’ deaths. She started to thank the cop and noticed his eyes had dropped to her belly. She splayed one hand across her stomach, her tension increasing. She’d received more than a few odd glances around town and had to assume she was already grist for the gossips.

“The Tarpleys mentioned you’d rented this place. You’re a little isolated out here,” he commented, looking around at the surrounding hills. “Kind of a long haul for your brother to cart groceries. Is there a problem with your car?”

Why was he being so nosy? As his eyes drifted to her beat-up compact, Holly leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb and rubbed her back. When she didn’t answer right away, the tall officer regarded her with curiosity. Holly swallowed. “I—my doctor, that is—put me on bed rest.”

Now his eyes did focus on her belly, and Holly rubbed her stomach. When the lieutenant frowned, his glance going from her stomach to Tyler returning with several bags of groceries, Holly’s concern increased.

She didn’t want to draw attention. She’d figured such a rural area and such an isolated rental were just the thing. But now, here was this dark-haired, hazel-eyed hunk of a police officer standing on her front porch quizzing her. It made her nervous. He made her nervous…and way too aware.

She needed to send him on his way. As soon as Tyler scooted into the kitchen, she gave the lieutenant as much of a smile as she could muster. “Look, thanks for giving Tyler a ride. I don’t want to keep you. I’m sure you must be anxious to get home.”

Holly started to turn away, but when he spoke again, she paused.

“Your brother said you hadn’t been here long.” He pulled a card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “Look, you’re in Sam’s—Sheriff Barnes’s—jurisdiction, but I’m out this way a lot. If you need anything, give me a call. I’m happy to help.” He shifted, sneaking a glance at her. “You know, not in any official capacity.”

She took the card, her brow furrowed. As much as she wanted to get back to the safety of her little house, she had to know. “Why? I mean. We’re not your concern.” She made a face. “I’m sorry. That was rude. We’re fine. It was kind of you to give Tyler a ride.”

His eyes narrowed on her for another heartbeat as if he wanted to say something, but then he just slapped his cap against the side of his powerful thigh a couple of times and swallowed. Was that a flush on his cheeks? “No problem. Just remember. Call if you need anything.”

Holly watched him go. When only the retreating glow of his taillights remained, she shut the door and leaned against it, willing her heart to calm. She wasn’t sure if Jake Allred was the cause of that flutter or if it was just relief it wasn’t Spence who’d arrived. They were still safe. Her poor judgment hadn’t caught up with them yet. When she opened her eyes, Holly met her brother’s innocent expression.

“Don’t give me that look. You have some serious explaining to do, Tyler. I sent you out for just a few things.” She eyed the bags on the table before staring at her brother. “Then you’re gone for hours longer than you should have been, and you come back with way more than I gave you money to buy. I think that calls for some explanation.”

“Come on, Holly,” he protested. “Don’t go all big sister on me. I just wanted to help. You should be lying down. What are you doing?”

She stared at him in exasperation. “Don’t distract me. What did you expect would happen when you disappear all day, then show up at the door with a police officer? You weren’t buying groceries all this time. How do I take that lying down?”

He pulled on her hand, guiding her to the couch. “I had to do something. Did you think I didn’t notice how your back’s been botherin’ you? Be honest. Thanksgiving sucked. Now Christmas is comin’ and…” He flung his thin arms out. “I just wanted to help. The Tarpleys asked about you, and we started talking, so I asked them for a job.” He finished in a rush, maybe hoping she wouldn’t hear what he’d said.

Holly sat. “Tyler! You’re too young to work.” She knew from doing the payroll for the pallet company teenagers were forbidden to work in any hazardous jobs. There were a few exceptions to the law that would allow someone as young as Tyler to work—but working at a grocery store wasn’t one of them.

He bit his lip as he stared at his sister and began the whole story. “It’s not anything full-time….”

“It’s not anything legal, honey,” Holly protested. “Mr. and Mrs. Tarpley could get in trouble.”

“Well, I’m not like an employee, you know?”

Holly shook her head. “No. I don’t know. I think you’re going to have to explain. Does that mean they’re not paying you?”

Tyler’s gaze flicked to the groceries and understanding dawned. When he took the money she’d given him out of his pocket and put it in her hand, she swallowed.

“I talked to them yesterday after school,” he admitted. “Mr. Tarpley said he couldn’t pay me money, but if I wanted to stop in, he would find odd jobs for me to do and we could trade. You know. I’d do some stuff for them; they’d give me groceries in return. I didn’t want to lie to you, Holly, but I was afraid you’d say no.”

She sighed, staring at the groceries. “And I would have. You’re eleven, Tyler! I’m supposed to care for you, not the other way around.”

He sat next to her and knotted his hands together. “I wanna help. If I can do some odd jobs, you know for Mr. and Mrs. Tarpley, maybe for some other folks, too, after school and on weekends, maybe it will help make up for you having to cut your hours.”

Holly wasn’t sure whether to laugh, yell, or just cry. “But Tyler…a job?”

He blinked at her, batting his thick lashes over his big chocolaty eyes. “Come on, Holly! You know we can use the help. It’s only for a couple of hours a day.”

Holly thought about the mounting bills and the meager amount of money still in her account. The truth was it would be a help. Doc Owens mentioned she might be able to get public assistance, but Holly feared it would provide a paper trail leading Spence to them. She needed to keep as much of their finances as she could on a cash-only basis.

She blinked back tears. After a gulp or two, she whispered in a choked voice, “Okay. You’re the best brother I could ever have, Tyler. I just worry about you trying to walk home from town so much.”

He shrugged. “I’ll find a ride with somebody headed this way, like I did today. Will that make you feel better?”

Yes and no. Although she knew he should be safe with most of the people around here, they were still new to the area. “Just promise you’ll get rides from people you know, okay?” At his nod she smiled. “Beans are on the stove.”

They were having pintos for supper…again. Tyler didn’t say anything, and Holly appreciated that. She knew he was tired of them, but until her next paycheck they had few options. Now, thanks to Tyler, they had milk and cereal they could eat for breakfast. There also would be some variety to lunch and dinner.

His dark head was bent over the bowl of beans. He was a nice kid, just like Lieutenant Allred said. Plenty of cornbread and sweet tea rounded out the meal, and Tyler ate like a horse. He must be hitting another growth spurt. Halfway through his bowl, he stopped in midscoop.

“You not hungry?” he asked around a mouthful of beans.

She grimaced. “My appetite’s been off. There just isn’t much room inside anymore for anything but the baby.”

“Holly?”

She glanced up, exhaustion dragging at her. He looked so grown with his serious dark eyes, so like their mother’s. He’d tucked his longish brown hair, darker than her own, behind his ears.

“What are you going to do if the baby comes while I’m not here?”

“I’ll call 911, or your cop friend,” she joked.

“I’m serious, Holly,” Tyler said, his brows drawing together.

She smiled to reassure him. He’d gotten so protective of her. It had been that way ever since the accident that had killed Mom and Dad. Holly understood. They had only each other now.

“That’s a long way off, Ty, so don’t worry. We’ve got the phone. It’s not like we’re cut off.”

* * * *

The scarred wooden doors of the cramped brick building housing Mountain Meadow’s police force banged shut behind Jake. He frowned as he snatched off his baseball-style cap and raked his fingers through his thick hair to get rid of the hat-head look. He glanced at his aging boss. Chief Ernie Jones was just turning away from the ancient Bunn coffeemaker, stirring a spoon in a mug stating World’s Best Grandpa in big childish lettering.

“What’s got you riled, Jake?” Ernie grinned as if he already had a damn good idea.

“Someone toilet papered the nativity scene at the Baptist church. In her official capacity as head of the ladies worship committee, Betty Gatewood assures me it’s some of those folks from the Presbyterian church. She wants a full-scale investigation and seemed pissed I didn’t dust for prints. ’Course, Joe hasn’t said a word.”

The chief stirred his coffee and failed at smothering a grin. Jake narrowed his eyes. The feud between the Baptist ladies and the Presbyterian ladies was legendary. It heated up every holiday season, most often with some help from the town’s teenagers. Jake had just never expected to land smack-dab in the middle of it. But thanks to covering for one of their vacationing officers, he’d been the one to answer the call. Now embroiled in the middle of the ongoing feud, he found it hard to appreciate Ernie’s good humor.

“Come on, Jake, you grew up around here. You know they’re always feuding over something…or it’s kids burning off a little pre-Christmas excitement.”

“That’s what I tried to tell her,” Jake said.

“Well how’d you leave it?”

“Joe and I removed all the toilet paper before I assured her I’d make some inquiries.”

“Sounds good to me.” Jones sipped his coffee, sighed with pleasure and ambled toward the door to his office. “Jenny stopped by a little while ago looking for you. She mumbled something about a patient she was worried about. Wanted to see if you’d go check on her.”

“One of her elderly shut-ins?” Jake asked as he shrugged off his leather bomber jacket. Jenny was always going the extra mile for patients, but he supposed they all did in their own way—just part of life in Castle County. People had always watched out for neighbors, like that kid and his sister the other night.

Ernie’s thick brows furrowed as he drawled, “Nope. Didn’t get that impression from her. Sounded like a younger person.”

He thought of Holly Morgan. He wouldn’t mind checking on her, but he doubted she was who Jenny had in mind. Too bad.

“Well, I’ll try to give her a call before I leave. If not, I can ask while I’m at her place.”

Ernie raised his brows. “Something going on there?”

“No. Just friends. Jenny and I know too much about each other to be a couple. Besides, despite what Evan wants people to believe about he and Jenny being past history, no way would I tread on that territory. It’s the guy code. No, tonight’s a holiday party, not a date.”

Ernie laughed. “Too bad. ’Bout time you found someone to settle down with, isn’t it?”

“Don’t hold your breath.” Jake grinned and moved to the short hallway leading to his office, but as he went through the door he thought about Ernie’s comment. Jake did want a wife and family. And he guessed Sam and Evan weren’t far from the mark when they accused him of showing the signs. Problem was there didn’t seem to be a lot of candidates, and he wasn’t into the whole dating and small-talk scene. He never seemed to think of anything to talk about, and those long silences sure got awkward. Then it would turn into twenty questions with him answering yes or no. Women always wanted to talk things to death. ESPN and a beer to go with it were a whole lot less awkward.

He tilted his ancient wooden desk chair back, listening to its familiar squeak of protest. He’d put a couple of noses out of joint when he’d applied for, and gotten, the job as lieutenant after his return from Afghanistan. A chill chased down his spine. He still experienced nightmares about those last two years. That’s what had driven him back to Virginia. He needed home, roots. His parents and his brothers and sister might have left Mountain Meadow, but he knew the people here, and it gave him a place to belong. Knowledge of the area, combined with his military experience had helped him land the job. He didn’t regret it. Most of the time. Hadn’t helped the dreams much, though.

There were a few negatives. Most of his high school friends had homes and families. Except for Jenny…and Evan. He didn’t like to think about their past. Then there was him, rattling around in the huge house he’d bought. What the hell had he been thinking? The perfect woman would just drop into his lap? Even if she did, how long would she stick around with his nightmares?

Jake straightened his chair, pulling the unfinished reports toward him. He was busy, that was what mattered. Family would come. He just had to be patient. A vision of a pale face with vivid green eyes popped into his mind.

Holly. She was just as thorny as her namesake. She was an attractive woman, even if it did look like pregnancy was draining her. What was she doing on her own? Where was the baby’s father? He’d like to ask her, but how the hell did you do that? Hey, Holly, I don’t see a ring on your finger. Are you divorced, or did you just walk out on the father-to-be? Worse still. What if she was a widow? Jake shuddered. Way too awkward. Besides, a ready-made family was hardly what he’d had in mind when he pictured kids running around his house, filling the bedrooms on the second and third floors.

No use even going there. She’d made it plain she wanted nothing to do with him. Even as polite as she’d forced herself to be, he knew when he was being hustled out a door. It might be the uniform, but he doubted her wariness was all due to it. A world of hurt had lurked in those eyes.

* * * *

How could you end up on hold just trying to check your bank balance? Holly sighed as she switched the phone receiver to her other ear. She hadn’t even talked to a real person yet. Was the computer that busy? When the automated voice spit out her balance, she saw it matched the pittance recorded in her checkbook and disconnected.

Where was the Holly who normally cheered people? She blamed it on the pregnancy hormones, but more factored into it. The insurance money her parents left behind was never intended to cover the costs of her pregnancy. After she’d paid funeral expenses, Tyler’s medical bills, and settled her parents’ debts, there wasn’t much left anyway. What remained disappeared between leaving Lynchburg and getting set in Mountain Meadow. Without selling the house or finding a renter, she was in a bind.

Renting this place had drained her money even more. She had always lived at home until she and Tyler left Lynchburg, so she never had to deal with deposits for utilities and a house. All of those extras had eaten into her meager reserves.

She stared out the window next to the kitchen table. Damn you, Spence. He had burst her fairy-tale bubble of what a romance should be. Then his drinking and rambling threats had forced her to pick up and run. Nothing was more important than making sure Tyler and her baby were safe.

Could Spence have done anything? Probably not. But she couldn’t take the chance with her baby or her brother. She’d already proven her judgment was way off base when it came to men. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

Now she was confined to the house, working part-time—thanks only to Mr. Crawford’s generosity. He’d set her up with a satellite Internet link and a laptop so she could keep doing his books and get paid. But with so little left, remaining upbeat was harder and harder.

A disconnection notice from the power company stared her in the face. If she paid their minimum, she wasn’t sure they would have enough for food, but if she didn’t pay, the power would be cut off and then not only could she not afford to reconnect it, she would also not be able to get her bookkeeping done. She could ask Mr. Crawford, but she hated to do so if there was some other way to work it. He was already being kind enough. If a solution was out there, she sure would like to know. She glanced up, hoping for a little divine intervention, or at the very least inspiration, but of late even faith—in God or man—was in short supply.

Holly pressed a hand to her back and stood, hoping it would relieve the ache. She just couldn’t seem to find any comfortable position. And the bed-rest part? Forget it. Every time she lay down she felt like she couldn’t breathe. Between working on the computer and a lack of sleep, Holly’s eyes were gritty. She was sure they must be bloodshot. Doc Owens had warned her the last month would be uncomfortable, but it seemed to her the bed rest made it worse, not better. She was so inactive, the last thing her body wanted to do at night was sleep.

The baby rolled and shifted. Holly rubbed her belly. The muscles across the top of her stomach tightened, then relaxed. Doc told her these practice contractions weren’t anything to worry about, but they happened more and more often. She smiled as she stroked her abdomen again. Wish me luck, baby, because Ty and I are going to need it.

She called the power company. She tried to time her bill-negotiating calls for when Tyler was out of the house. He didn’t need to hear her working deals for partial payments on their phone and electricity. She would pay the minimum and just hope the money she had left combined with what she could still earn would get them through. At least if Ty brought groceries one worry was off her mind.

* * * *

Jake locked his office and grabbed his cap and coat from the peg next to the door, realizing he didn’t have time to run home before he was supposed to be at Jenny’s house. He grimaced at the idea of going to her party in his uniform, but hell they all knew who and what he was anyway. Wasn’t like jeans and a shirt would make them any more comfortable.

“Get in the car, Jake.”

“Evan?” Jake started. “What are you doing here?”

Evan straightened from where he’d been leaning against the side of his car and grabbed Jake’s elbow. “You forget. I know you too well. You were getting ready to go to Jenny’s in your uniform, weren’t you?”

“Well…” Jake slid in the passenger side.

“Fuck well,” Evan said as he buckled his seat belt. “I’m running you back to your house so you can change. Then we’ll go.”

Jake glanced at Evan’s profile as his friend drove the few short blocks to where their homes stood side by side. “I still don’t get why you want to go.”

“I’m a masochist.” Evan pulled into the drive. “Hurry up. I can’t wait for Dr. Owens to give me an eat-my-assectomy.”

Jake sighed. Evan was right. They did know each other too well, and he knew Evan was up to something. He’d dropped hints all week until Jake invited him along. Jenny had said he could bring a friend, but Jake knew Evan was not who she’d had in mind. So why was he going along with it? Because he was a sucker. That was why. They might not remember, but Jake did. Evan and Jenny were supposed to be together.

In just minutes, Jake climbed back into Evan’s car, uniform gone and jeans and a sweater in their place. Christmas music blared from the radio as Evan flicked his wrist to turn on the ignition.

“I figure we can both use a little mood music.”

Jake laughed. “Doesn’t feel like the holiday spirit’s infected anybody this year.”

As they passed the road leading to the old Crawley place where he’d dropped off Tyler and met Holly, he frowned. He’d given Sam a heads-up about the Morgans so maybe he and his deputies could keep an eye on her. What would she do if she went into labor and couldn’t drive? Mistletoe Lane was little more than interconnected potholes. He doubted either of the county’s two ambulances could even negotiate the road.

One thing was for sure, Mountain Meadow was small enough chances were good he’d see Holly and Tyler again. He grinned as he realized he wouldn’t mind at all. He’d liked the kid a lot, and if he could get past some of Holly’s wariness… Jake wasn’t quite sure how to finish that thought. Anyone could see she loved her brother and the baby she carried. He had to respect that kind of commitment.

“What are you grinning about Allred? My imminent demise?”

Jake snorted. “You were the one who invited yourself along. Don’t whine if you’re welcome’s less than you expect.”

“So why the grin?”

“Thinking of the woman and her brother who’ve rented the Crawley place.”

Evan laughed. “You’re thinking about a woman? Careful, next thing you know, Sam’s prediction will come true…hooked and landed before the new year.”

“Asshole.”

Evan turned into Jenny’s drive. Her home, tucked into the trees on the side of one of the mountains, was ablaze with light when they arrived. Some of the doctors and nurses from the hospital as well as friends they’d gone to school with were already milling about. When Jake showed up late, Jenny smiled—until she saw who followed him in.

“Hi, Jake.” She ignored Evan and pulled Jake to one side. “When I said bring a friend, Evan wasn’t who I meant.”

“Come on, Jenny. He’s my best friend and my next-door neighbor. Besides, I was running just a bit late and he was waiting for me.” He needed to change the subject. “I was up this way last night. Dropped a kid home on Mistletoe Lane. Tyler Morgan. Lives with his sister, Holly. I guess y’all are neighbors of sorts.”

“Oh. Then you’ve met her,” Jenny said with a smile. “I hoped Ernie would remember to give you my message.”

“What message?” Jake asked in confusion. “When I saw him today, he just said you wanted to talk to me about a patient.”

Jenny tucked her short blond hair behind one ear. “Yes. Holly Morgan. Didn’t you stop at her house?”

“Well, yeah, but only because I gave the kid a ride home yesterday. Why’d you want me to check on her? It’s not my jurisdiction. I can give Sam a call, though.”

Jenny sighed. “I know it’s not your jurisdiction. I wasn’t talking about official business. Ernie didn’t listen. Sam had already left the courthouse, so I left a box of food at the station for you to take by. There’s no way my car will make it down her road, and I knew you were headed out here anyway.”

Jake quirked a brow. “You’re feeding your patients now?”

Jenny punched him in the arm. “I had to put her on bed rest. She’s only worked at Crawford’s pallet warehouse for a couple of months or less. I think he’s arranged some work-at-home stuff for her, but still. She’s got no family and few resources. I mentioned Medicaid and food stamps to her, but she shut me down cold.”

Jake’s brows drew together. “Where’s the dad-to-be?”

“She has a protective order against him. I know his name and a medical history, but I can’t talk about it. Her file is no information.”

He had his own sources for information, and he’d get some too. She and Tyler needed help. Jake didn’t even want to examine why he felt compelled to be the one to give it.

“She did seem a little spooked when she saw me in uniform,” Jake offered to fill the silence. “Wouldn’t even let me get past her front door.”

“She was lying down wasn’t she?” Jenny’s golden gaze sharpened.

He thought about the way Holly had flung the door open when they’d stepped on the porch. “Not exactly.”

“I was afraid of that. At this rate, she’ll go into premature labor. I’ll give her a call Monday. I’d like to get her out of that house and closer into town. I have some real doubts about the safety of Crawley’s house. There’s no telling how old the well is, not to mention the paint, probably loaded with lead.”

“Well, there are those apartments not far from your clinic…”

“I checked. They have a waiting list.” She eyed him. “You’ve got extra room in your place.”

“So do you, Doc, and I’m not in the market for either boarders or roomies. What about some of the church ladies?”

“She already said no when I mentioned moving closer in.” Jenny shook her head. “You know our town. I’m guessing she’s already come in for the evil eye. I mean, get real. Can’t you just see her boarding with Betty Gatewood? Your place would be a perfect solution. What better way to make sure her PO is enforced than to board with the police lieutenant.”

He saw the glint in her eye. No, sir. As sexy as Holly Morgan was, even pregnant, that was too much. He’d just keep an eye out, make sure Sam knew about the protective order so he could send guys by more often.

Just the thought of a woman invading his house made him shudder. She’d want to watch sappy chick flicks or get pissed off when he wanted to watch football. She’d find out I cry like a baby every night from nightmares. There must be something closer in, and he could pull a few strings, maybe get her a break in rent. He doubted Crawley had done anything as formal as a lease. Hell, he was surprised she got the old man to rent the place at all.

The doorbell pealed and Jake saw Evan open the door to one of the young nurses. The perfect diversion to save him from Jenny’s well-meant meddling. As soon as the thought occurred, Jake was sorry about it. Fireworks were a forgone conclusion whenever she and Evan crossed paths. Playing host in her house was bound to get the sparks flying.

He supposed he should try to head Evan off. He knew his best friend far too well. Evan was never one to back down from a confrontation, and Jake should have realized what Evan had been angling for when he’d kept nagging Jake to let him come with him.

Jake started to move in for the interception, but he was already too late. Jenny was ahead of him. She smiled at the nurse, but the look she gave Evan would have made most men turn tail and run. Her golden eyes narrowed.

“I didn’t get a chance to greet you earlier, Counselor. Did you stop by to see if I’d taken over running Daddy’s still?”

Evan’s gray eyes were as cold as chips of ice. “Moonshine wasn’t the only thing your daddy ran, Dr. Owens. Last time I was by this place, it resembled a turnstile for the basketball team. But then you always were popular with the boys, weren’t you?”

Jake winced. Well, now. That was taking things just a little too far a little too fast. Evan wasn’t even attempting an end run, he was plowing straight through the defensive line. Jake stepped in to block. “Hey, Evan! I’m working on a case I need your advice on. I forgot to ask you about it on the way over. Got a second?”

He noted Jenny’s tense expression and dragged Evan away from her. No one would ever believe they had lived in each other’s pockets all through high school. Since his return to Mountain Meadow, he’d juggled his relationship with them. Both were good friends of his and he didn’t want to lose either one. He pulled Evan over to the refreshments.

“What the hell were you thinkin’, Evan? Do you go out of your way to make her mad?”

Evan arched one thick brow and let his shuttered gray eyes survey the room. “I didn’t go out of my way at all. You invited me.”

“Don’t be an asshole! You know what I mean. And you invited yourself.”

Evan stared Jake dead in the eye. “I don’t make it a point to have anything to do with her at all, Jake, but neither am I going to avoid her. Meeting in a social situation was inevitable. I won’t be driven out of my town just because she’s decided to return. So, I chose the turf. Hers.” His lip curled as he took in the comfortable surroundings. “Looks to me like the good doctor’s done pretty well for herself. I’m sure she can handle a little heat.”

“It’s the holidays, Evan. For God’s sake, leave it alone for one night.”

Evan’s mouth thinned and he said nothing, but nodded acquiescence. Jake sighed. It would take a miracle to bring those two together. He kept an eye on Evan, noting just how often his eyes tracked Jenny’s movements. Say what he wanted, Evan wasn’t over her, and Jake was sure she was the same.

He was not much surprised, when Evan found him later, wanting to leave. That was fine with Jake. He had plenty on his mind but hoped he’d get a decent night’s sleep for a change.

* * * *

Jake picked up the box of food for Holly and her brother the following morning when he stopped by the station. He shook his head. Ernie was starting to get forgetful. It seemed to him the chief had a lot on his mind these days, and played most of it pretty close to his chest. Jake hefted the box, which contained some nonperishable snacks—healthy of course. Doc wouldn’t load her patient with nabs and Moon Pies. Though if you asked him, they’d taste a whole lot better than squirrel food. Maybe he’d stop by Tarpley’s on the way and grab a couple of bags of chips and some candy bars for Tyler. A boy needed decent guy snacks, not the granola crap Jenny stuck in there.

It would be easy enough to drop it by before he drove the additional hour along the interstate to ski on his day off. Fresh snow on the higher peaks would be a change from the icy texture of the man-made snow at Thanksgiving, and Jake looked forward to it. He could enjoy the day and still do his good deed by looking in on Holly like Jenny wanted. Doc didn’t ask much, and she was a good friend. He knew she asked now because her fancy car couldn’t negotiate that pisshole of a road Holly and Tyler lived on. Besides, it was an excuse to see Holly again. And how pathetic was that? He’d hardly been able to carry on a conversation with her between her wariness and his klutziness with women.

As he drove down the rutted lane, one thought nagged. How did Holly plan to get out if she went into labor? He hadn’t considered it before, but now he had a better idea just how bad their circumstances were.

Tyler opened the front door as soon as the truck stopped. When he saw who it was, he grinned.

“Hi, Lieutenant!”

Jake grimaced. Holly sure didn’t need reminders he was a cop. It seemed obvious to him if she’d run, her protective order hadn’t done much. “Just call me Jake, Tyler.”

“What’re you doin’ here?”

“Doc Owens asked me to bring this box of food. Don’t you have school today?”

Tyler grinned from ear to ear. “Teacher workday. Come on in.”

When he stepped inside, he noticed the chill and glanced over to the cold woodstove. His eyes went to Holly. She sat on a stool at the kitchen sink, up to her elbows in suds. When she saw him, she stopped and dried her hands nervously on the towel she’d slung over her shoulder. Her belly might be poking out, but her arms and hands were still delicate.

Her mouth twitched into something he guessed was a smile, but he knew it fell short of the mark. Not a warm welcome. He had to fight the urge to fidget as he cast around for something to say that wouldn’t sound like he was a complete idiot.

Her wary gaze went to the box in his arms. “What’s that?” Her chin tilted.

“A box of food.”

Her face suffused with color and then went very pale. “We don’t need charity, Lieutenant Allred. As I told you the other night, we’re fine.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed as he set the box on the small kitchen table with a definite thud. It was one thing to be proud when you had just yourself to worry about. That wasn’t the case here. “It’s not charity, Miss Morgan. Call it being neighborly. It’s what we do around here. Doc Owens sent the food over. For some reason, she seems concerned because she believes she’s put you on bed rest.” He stared at where she sat.

Now the color flooded her cheeks in a guilty blush. Tyler came into the room. “Holly,” he interjected into the tense silence. “There’s no more wood to bring in for the stove. It’s gone.”

For just a moment, Jake thought he saw her chin tremble. Then she bit her lower lip. Neither Holly nor her brother was in any shape to chop wood. Tyler wasn’t big enough to wield an ax, and she was supposed to be in bed. How the hell had they gotten along until now?

Jake sighed and admitted he’d been looking for an excuse to hang around. Now he had it. Forget skiing. He stripped off his coat and pushed up the sleeves of his sweater.

“What are you doing?” Holly’s eyes widened.

“What needs doin’.” He pointed at her. “You go lie down like Doc says.” He pointed at Tyler. “You show me where the axe is. I’ll chop wood while you finish the dishes for your sister.”

“Look, you can’t just walk in here and…” Holly’s protest trickled off after one look at him. She swallowed. “All right. Thanks.”

He’d expected more of a fight, but then she looked tired.

Tyler handed him the axe a few moments later out on the dilapidated front porch. “Uh, Jake?”

“Yeah, kid.”

“I have to go into town. I’m doing some odd jobs for the Tarpleys. They give us food and a little bit of money.”

Jake paused. “Is that where you were coming from when I gave you a lift Saturday?”

“Yeah. I’d just started. Holly…well, Doc said she can’t work. She does some stuff from the house, but it’s not full-time or anything. I thought I could help out. She’s awful worried about money. She thinks I don’t know, but I see her at night trying to figure how to make it work. Sometimes…sometimes she cries.”

The boy was so serious for someone so young. “What time you supposed to be at Tarpley’s?”

“Noon, but it takes a while to walk.”

“No walking. I’ll run you into town when I go. In the meantime, I’ll chop wood, and you do those dishes. Your sister’s supposed to be lying down ’cause Doc’s afraid the baby’s trying to come too soon.”

“It’s a girl,” Tyler confided. “Holly wants to name her Noelle, ’cause she’s supposed to be here right around Christmas.”

Jake’s mouth quirked into a lopsided smile. Holly and Noelle. “That’s cool.”

“Yeah. That’s Holly. Or it was. She used to be so happy all the time. I kinda miss the way things used to be.”

Jake struggled to imagine the serious young woman he’d met as someone who was happy all the time, but then circumstances could change folks. Look at Jenny and Evan…and him. Jake ruffled Tyler’s hair, trying to reassure the kid. “Well, I guess she has a lot on her mind getting ready for a baby and all. Maybe we can make her smile again. What do you say?”

Tyler grinned. “That’d be great. I’ll go finish the dishes, then help bring the wood in.”

“Can you get a fire started?”

“Yeah. Holly showed me how. Mine aren’t as good as hers, though. She says I’m too impatient.”

Jake laughed. From what he had seen of Holly, she didn’t strike him as the patient sort, but then he was sure he wasn’t seeing her at her best. As he split the oak logs and stacked them, he pictured her. Along with her almost Madonna-like face was a stubborn, pointed little chin. Other than the baby bump—hell, mountain—she was thin, with long arms and legs and narrow shoulders that gave her a fragile air. Her breasts…he stopped there and swallowed. Whoa, boy. Pregnant. About to be a mother any minute. Better not to think on those lines.

Tyler joined him in a few minutes. Together the two of them stacked plenty of wood on the covered porch. Jake watched Tyler build the fire, giving him a few tips. He glanced away and found Holly observing, her brows drawn together.

He spoke to Tyler. “Do you need to clean up before I run you into town?”

The boy glanced at the dirt on his shirt. “Yeah. I’ll be back in a minute.”

An awkward silence fell. Jake stood near the stove, feeling like the Jolly Green Giant in the small house.

“Why are you doing this?” Holly asked at last, wary and just a little defensive.

Somehow he doubted she wanted to know he was attracted. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know. He spread his hands. “You need the help, and I like your brother.”

For just an instant, he saw the first trace of humor flash across her face. “Just not me,” she commented.

Heat flooded his cheeks. “That wasn’t…what I meant,” he sputtered.

“It’s okay, Mr.…I mean Lieutenant Allred. I haven’t been at my best.”

“Jake,” he corrected. “Call me Jake.”

“Would you like a glass of tea before you go? You must be thirsty after all that work. There’s some in the fridge.”

A peace offering. “Yeah. I’ll get it.”

Jake opened the refrigerator. Christ. There wasn’t enough food in there to feed a gnat, but he didn’t say a word. It would humiliate her, and heaven knew she was a prickly thing. He took the tea pitcher, grabbed one of the clean glasses from the dish drainer, and poured before putting the pitcher inside. The tea was good. Strong and sweet like he preferred. As he set the glass in the sink, he said, “I’ll bring him home—Tyler, that is—after he gets done at Tarpley’s.”

She stiffened. He wondered just who had done such a number on her she would let herself and her brother almost starve before she asked anyone for help.

“You don’t have to.”

“Yeah. I do. It’s who I am, Holly.” He’d provided a friendly shoulder for as long as he could remember, and he couldn’t stop now, even if there were times when he just wanted to be alone.

“You must have other things to do, things with your family.”

“My family’s moved away. My sister and brothers couldn’t wait to shake the dust off their shoes and get out of here. Then my parents decided this wasn’t where they wanted to retire, so they moved to Florida.”

“Why’d you stay?”

Jake shrugged, not ready to admit just how much he’d needed the comfort of someplace familiar where he didn’t have to wonder if a sniper would pop out from behind the next house. Realizing he needed to say something, he swallowed.

“Didn’t, really. Stay, that is. I spent the last ten years mostly in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan. Why are you here?”

Her hand covered her belly, and that gesture was as close to the truth as he’d get. He saw it in the way her steady gaze shifted away from him. “Just a desire for a new start, although so far it’s not going quite as I expected.”

Her evasiveness disappointed him, but what had he expected—that she would pour her heart out and let him comfort her? Hoped. Maybe. Before he could say anything, Tyler returned to the room. His long hair was combed and his shirttail tucked in.

“Ready, kid?” Jake asked.

“Yeah. I don’t wanna be late.”

Jake glanced at Holly. “You have my number if you need anything.”

She nodded, but he already knew she wouldn’t call. She didn’t want to owe anybody anything. Someone had shown her all too well there was always a price to nice.