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“Boys?”
“Yes, my sons. They’re in the car.”
Keri followed his gaze and saw two identical faces pressed against the window. “You have sons,” she said staring back at him.
“Yes, I do. I happen to know there’s a cabin down this road where we can go to get my boys out of this weather.”
“Nice to know your memory works fine when you’re in trouble,” she muttered.
“What?”
“Nothing. Get your boys and hop in the Jeep. We’ll go to the cabin for the night. And just for your information, I meant I’ll have to use the radio and call my chief to see if there’s been a warrant issued for your arrest.”
He sat back down on the road.
“What are you doing?” Had Justin somehow lost his mind? Was that why he’d never come back? Was this why he’d killed his wife? He was a raving lunatic? Or was he just organizing a one-man sit-in on an icy road in the middle of nowhere, protesting the injustice of getting caught?
Without answering her, he pulled off his boots, stood, and shoved them at her. “I’ll have to carry the boys one at a time. I don’t want to take a chance on falling and hurting one of them. Hang on to these for me, will you?”
Keri’s heart pounded against her ribs as she took the boots and backed up toward the Jeep, tucking her gun in her belt behind her back. Once inside the Jeep, she reached over and unlocked the passenger-side doors—front and back.
In moments, Justin opened the back door and deposited a boy onto the seat. “Scoot over so I can get Billy in,” Justin said.
The boy complied. Keri turned in her seat so she could look at him. “What’s your name?”
“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers.”
Her heart lifted with amusement. “Yeah. You’d think a cop would know that, huh?”
“You’re a cop?”
“Yeah.”
He sneered. “I don’t much like cops.”
“All cops or just certain ones?”
A shrug lifted his shoulders through his gray, down-filled jacket. “I don’t know. All of them, I guess.”
“Most people like me once they get to know me.” She sent her best grin to the back of the Jeep. “How about giving me a chance? Looks like we’re going to be holed up together for a day or two.”
“We will?”
“Yeah. The roads are pretty slick. Your dad thinks we better hang out at my cabin until it’s safe to drive.”
“Okay.” His eyes lit with a glimmer of interest, belying his nonchalant response.
Keri grinned. “So, think we know each other well enough to exchange names?”
“I guess so.” He extended his hand. “Josh Kramer.”
A lump formed in her throat as she grasped the chubby mittened hand. “Nice to meet you, Josh.”
“What’s your name?”
“Keri.”
“Keri what?”
From the corner of her eye, Keri saw Justin return to the Jeep. At his sharp intake of breath, she knew he’d heard her identify herself. He gently set the second twin in the seat.
His gaze captured hers, accusing her.
Indignation flamed through her like a ball of fire. He, of all people, had the audacity to pretend she had betrayed him?
“Keri Mahoney?”
“Yes,” she said. What else was there to say? Especially in the presence of his sons, whose eyes were wide with curiosity.
“So you’re a cop now?”
“That’s right. You want to get inside before we freeze?” Her voice remained surprisingly calm, despite the nervous energy pricking her gut like a million needles. “This ice isn’t letting up.”
“Hang on. I have some groceries in the car.” He returned with two bags, deposited them into the back with the boys, then climbed into the front seat. His nearness caused Keri’s pulse to race. She passed him his boots. “Better put these back on. You’ll be lucky if you don’t have frostbite.”
“Frostbite is the least of my worries right now.” His teeth chattered, and he shivered as he slipped the boots back on.
“Hang on a sec.” She switched off the ignition and opened the door.
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see. I’ll be right back.” Grabbing the keys—just to be on the safe side—Keri hurried to the back of the Jeep, lifted the hatch and pulled out a thick wool blanket…part of the “emergency pack” Dad insisted she keep with her at all times. Now she was glad for his tendency to meddle.
Sliding back under the wheel, she tossed Justin the blanket. “Here. This should help until we get you inside.”
“That was thoughtful,” he said softly. “Thank you.” He unfolded the blanket and brought it up to his neck. And still he shivered. “A warm fire is going to feel great.”
“Dad’s already at the cabin. I imagine he’s got a fire going and a big pot of chili on the stove for tonight’s supper. Sound good to you boys?”
“Yeah!” Billy enthused.
“I hate chili.” Josh groused.
“Don’t be impolite, Josh,” Justin admonished.
Billy cast his brother a look of disgust. “Besides, you do so like chili.”
The Jeep crawled forward. Tension blanketed the air between Keri and Justin. Unanswered questions, unresolved feelings. Neither spoke until at last Keri parked the vehicle in front of the cabin.
“It looks exactly the same.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell Dad. He spent all summer and way more of his retirement fund than necessary getting it fixed up. This is our first vacation up here since…In a long time.”
“Really?” He turned to look at her. “I’ve always pictured you here every summer. Like when we were kids.”
“You’ve thought of me?” As soon as the words flew out of her mouth, Keri wished she could snatch them back. She cringed. It wouldn’t do to show him she still cared. Not only was it pathetic, given the fact that he’d obviously moved on without her, but they might very well be on opposite sides of the law right now, and no matter how “cowboyish” that sounded, it was the simple truth.
“Are we going in?” The irritation in Josh’s voice jarred her to action.
“Of course.”
She reached for the door but stopped at the pressure of Justin’s hand on her arm.
“Wait a sec,” he whispered. He raised his voice to address his sons. “Boys, go on up to the porch. But be careful.”
When they were out of the Jeep and on their way to the porch, Justin turned to her. “Keri, I want you to know that I’m innocent.”
Keri snorted, trying hard not to be taken in by his beautiful, soulful eyes. “Prisons are full of innocent men.”
His brows narrowed. “Listen, I didn’t kill my wife. But whether you believe me or not doesn’t make any difference. I just wanted you to know that you don’t have to be nervous about me staying at the cabin.”
Keri sobered and focused her attention on the boys, who were stomping and waving for them to hurry up. She swallowed hard. “I’m not scared.” Confused, hurt, angry. Why hadn’t he come back as he’d promised? Why had he left and never once written to her?
She gripped the wheel and kept her eyes forward, but she could feel Justin studying her. She couldn’t speak. If she tried, she’d make a complete fool of herself by demanding answers.
Finally, he drew a breath. “All right. There’s nothing we can do tonight. No one’s going anywhere in this weather. As far as I know they haven’t issued a warrant yet, but if you find out that they have, I’ll let you take me in.”
She nodded. “Fair enough.”
He gave her a sad smile and covered her hand with his. “It’s good to see you again.”
He opened the car door and went to join the twins.
Switching on the radio, Keri tried to raise the chief. She could put an end to all this right now.
“This is Deputy Mahoney. You there, Chief? Over.”
Dead silence.
She gave it a few more tries then sighed in frustration. That dumb Abe. She’d have to try again later, after the chief figured out the radio had been switched off.
She glanced at the porch where Justin and the boys waited. In all of her years of dreaming of Justin, Keri had never imagined emotions as intense as the ones invading her heart at that moment. She closed her eyes and gathered a deep breath. She had to keep her head on straight. This Justin wasn’t the same one she’d known. But try as she might to convince herself of that, her heart had a mind of its own.
Fifteen years notwithstanding, she still loved Justin Kramer.
He had to find the tape. Even if it meant sacrificing Justin and the twins to get it, he wouldn’t go to jail. He couldn’t.
The vinyl weight bench stuck to his bare back as he pushed the barbell up.
Breathe in, bring the weight down. Breathe out, push it back up. In…out. In…out. For the first time in his life, he felt as if he was in over his head. The whole situation was driving him nuts, and his stomach burned all the time—enough to keep the antacid companies in business. Ironically, all those nerves had given him the push he needed to get in the best workout he’d had in a month.
His gut clenched again. He had to find that videotape before anyone else did.
Breathing heavily, he sat up on the weight bench and grabbed his water bottle off the floor next to him. The tepid liquid soothed his dry throat, but nothing could soothe the anxiety gripping him night and day like a vise. Sweat trickled down his back. Amelia should never have tried to force his hand. Slamming the bottle to the floor, he lay back on the bench.
In…out. In…out.
Memories assaulted Justin as he stepped inside the cabin. Memories of tanned legs and dripping wet hair from summers spent swimming in the creek with Keri. As close as their two families had been for the first fourteen years of their lives, Justin could well imagine he and Keri might have ended up married, continuing those summer traditions into the next generation. If only things hadn’t unraveled that summer his parents died. Regret slashed across his heart at the possibility of what might have been.
Keri’s voice brought him back to reality. “Dad, you remember Justin Kramer, don’t you?” She sounded as carefree as if she didn’t suspect him of murder.
The joy brightening Mac Mahoney’s lined face was unmistakable and warmed Justin more than the roaring fire in the fireplace. “What kind of a question is that? Of course I remember him.” Tears glistened in faded green eyes as the grizzled older man wrapped his arms around Justin. “It’s good to see you, boy. Good to see you. Been too long.”
“Yes it has.” When Mr. Mahoney turned him loose, Justin reached for the twins. “I’d like you to meet my sons, Billy and Josh.”
Mac smiled and winked. “No one would ever guess you two are related.”
Billy returned his grin.
Josh sneered. “Like we’ve never heard that one before.”
“Josh!” Justin scowled. “You owe Mr. Mahoney an apology.”
The boy shrugged. “Sorry.” But his face didn’t reflect remorse.
“I’m sorry. Josh and Billy lost their mother recently. These last few months have been difficult.”
Keri’s dad waved aside the apology, his eyes alight with sympathy. “Don’t worry about it. I was just about to whip up a batch of my famous donuts.” He cut a glance at the boys. “Anyone interested in helping me out?”
Billy’s face lit with a wide grin. “Yes, sir!”
Mac smiled back, then focused on Josh. “How about you?”
The boy’s eyes showed interest, but in an obvious attempt to maintain his churlish manner, he shrugged again. “I guess.”
Justin held his grin in check.
“Great!” Mac rubbed his hands together. “Keri can show you where to put your coats. Come into the kitchen after your hands are washed.”
“Follow me, gents,” Keri said and walked toward the bedroom.
As soon as the boys were out of the room, Mac eyed Justin, studying his face as though trying to put his finger on the situation. “What brings you to our neck of the woods?”
Though his body had aged and his shoulders had stooped a bit over the past fifteen years, Keri’s dad appeared to have retained the instincts that had caused him to hold the position of Briarwood’s chief of police for as long as Justin could remember.
“The boys and I just needed to get away for a while. I hope you don’t mind me just showing up. I didn’t think anyone would be here.” As soon as he spoke the last words, his face warmed. If Mac and Keri hadn’t been here, he’d have been breaking and entering.
Mac seemed to ignore that, still he peered closer. “You bringing trouble with you?” Mac squinted, his eyes demanding the truth.
“I don’t think so.”
Keri’s dad nodded, but his expression remained stoic. “Does this ‘need to get away’ have anything to do with your wife’s death? Raven works for a TV station in Kansas City. She called us when it first happened.”
“Yes. I found her…in our house.”
He arched a wooly gray eyebrow. “You guilty?”
“No, sir.”
He would have liked to explain. To make Mr. Mahoney believe that he was still the same boy he’d treated as his own son all those years ago. That he wasn’t capable of such a crime. But voices carried back into the room, signaling Keri and the boys’ return.
Mac gave him another studied look. “We’ll talk about it later.” He headed for the kitchen without waiting for Justin’s response. “Follow me, boys. I got sidetracked catching up with your dad, so you can help me grab the ingredients out of the cabinets.”
The boys followed, their quick easy steps indicative of their relief to be in a lighter atmosphere. Guilt shrouded Justin, and for the first time he found himself second-guessing his decision to leave town. Innocent men were found innocent in most cases. What would happen if a warrant had already been issued for his arrest and Keri Mahoney of all people had to take him in? A throat clearing caught his attention, and he jerked his gaze from the kitchen door to Keri.
She motioned for him to take a seat on the rustic, woodsy-printed couch.
“Thanks.” He walked into the sitting area and dropped into cushions, running his hand over the stubble covering his jaw.
Keri shed her jacket and tossed it across the arm of the chair next to the fireplace. Silence loomed, a thick black cloud of tension, as she wordlessly grabbed the poker and pushed at the glowing logs. Justin watched the sparks shoot up the chimney. She tossed another log into place, situated it just right, then replaced the poker on the stand. She turned to face him.
As their eyes met, memories rushed back to him on a wave of yesterday’s dreams. This was the girl he’d loved for the first fourteen years of his life. The one he very well might have married if things hadn’t gotten so fouled up.
The way she stared at him, he could imagine she was having similar thoughts. She cleared her throat. “So…”
“Listen. I don’t expect to talk about the good old days.” Justin gave her a lopsided grin.
“Good. It’s probably better for us both to keep our past friendship out of this whole situation.” With a heavy sigh, she plopped into the chair next to the fire and kicked her legs up to the ottoman.
“I didn’t do it.” Suddenly, it became very important that Keri believe him. And whether they discussed the past or not, it was there…simmering on the edge of both of their minds. If she remembered him at all, she just couldn’t believe that he’d take a life.
“Look, Justin. It’s not my job to determine whether you’re guilty or not. It’s my job to take you in if a warrant has been issued. If your boys weren’t with you, I’d handcuff you to something to make sure you don’t run. I’m trusting your integrity to keep you here.”
“I already told you. I’ll let you arrest me if you have to.”
A spark of the Keri he remembered returned in the stubborn jerk of her chin. She leveled a stern gaze at him. “I don’t need you to let me take you anywhere. I’m a trained officer of the law and if I say you’re going in, you are.”
Justin’s eyes flickered over her petite frame and he couldn’t resist the grin tipping the corners of his lips.
Anger sparked Keri’s eyes. She shot to her feet and leaned over him, filling the air between them with the combined scents of peach-scented soap and wood smoke. “Listen, Kramer, don’t test me. I don’t want to cuff you unless it’s absolutely necessary, but I will if you force my hand.”
He could see she was dead serious, and it only struck him funnier. Laughter started low in his throat and, try as he might, there was no stopping it.
Red splotches appeared on her neck and freckled face, and sparks shot from her green eyes. “Stop laughing!”
“I’m sorry,” he said, fighting for air. “You’re just…so cute.”
“That does it.”
Before Justin could contain his mirth and take charge of the situation, Keri sprang into action, twisted his arm to the side and slapped the cuffs on one wrist. In practically one motion, he found himself with one hand cuffed to the wooden arm of the couch. Keri stood over him, breathing heavily, but smug with victory. Her hands rested on her slim hips, and she raised her brows, her green eyes daring him to laugh now.
Anger bit into him like a vice. “All right,” he ground out, “you’ve made your point. Let me go.”
Her shoulders rose and fell with an exaggerated sigh. “You know what? I’ve been up for more than twenty-four hours. I went to work early yesterday because a drunk wrapped his truck around a telephone pole and nearly killed a group of kids. I sat listening to that same drunk whine about his rights all night while I tried to get paperwork done.” She stretched, then covered a wide yawn. “Then just when I was about to head out and start a much-needed vacation, I find you on Krahoney Road—suspiciously, I might add. So I think I’m within my rights to handcuff you until I know if you’re running from an arrest warrant.”
“Well, I’m sorry to add to your stress,” he drawled, “but I’m the one they’re accusing of murder.” He scowled. “Wrongfully!”
“Maybe. Maybe not.”
“Let me go, Keri. I don’t want the boys to see me like this.”
“You know my dad will make dozens and dozens of donuts and donut holes. Your boys will be glazing for hours.” Keri grabbed a crocheted afghan from the chair and tossed it over his arm, concealing the metal constraints. “Perfect. I’m going to go and shower, then I’ll probably take a nice long nap. If you behave yourself, I might release you when I get back.” She threw him a victorious grin and sauntered away, leaving him scowling after her.
“You know, you’re stomping all over my civil rights! I could sue you!”
“Go ahead,” she called over her shoulder. “The line forms behind Junior Connor.”
Whatever that meant. Defeated, he twisted around and swung his legs over the side of the couch. It felt good to stretch out after several tension-filled hours in the car. He adjusted the afghan so that it covered his arm and shoulder, then spread it over the rest of him. Relaxing in the toasty warmth of a wood fire, Justin closed his eyes. He felt his chest rising and falling in slow even breaths just before he drifted away into the precious comfort of sleep.
Keri leaned into the shower’s spray, resting her hands flat against the tiled wall. She winced. Partly from the blast of hot water and partly from the memory of her encounter with Justin. She’d taken him completely by surprise, but what if he’d been ready for her? Would she have been able to take him?
The thought frustrated her and filled her with self-doubt. What kind of chief of police would she make if she couldn’t even arrest a prisoner just because he had ten inches on her and a good fifty pounds?
And blue eyes to die for.
Still…despite the same charming grin and sincere eyes, she didn’t really know him anymore. He might be anything. Even…well…a murderer.
The problem was that her heart didn’t want to believe it. She wanted to believe that the devastatingly good-looking man of her dreams, who seemed to be a wonderful father to boot, was everything she remembered. And more. The dismal reality was that he could quite possibly be a sociopath who’d murdered his wife, felt no remorse, and could probably pass ten lie-detector tests, all the while planning his next murder.
She shuddered, even as her heart rejected the notion.
The water went from too hot to freezing by the time she soaped up, rinsed off, washed her hair and grabbed a towel. Shivering, she dried off and dressed in comfy sweats and headed for the door. When she stepped into the hall, the aroma of fried donuts drifted between the wooden walls, beckoning her toward the kitchen. Try as she might, she couldn’t keep herself from peeking at Justin as she walked through. He was stretched out on the couch, the afghan discreetly covering the handcuffs.
A lump formed in her throat at the sight of him, sleeping peacefully, like a man with nothing to hide. She snorted and turned. Or a sociopath with no conscience!
Willing away thoughts of Justin, she pushed through the kitchen door and stopped short at the sight of the two boys working diligently to glaze a batch of cooled donuts while her dad stood, back to them, lifting more from the boiling grease.
Billy popped a donut hole into his mouth, licked his fingers, then glanced up. His guilt-clouded eyes widened when they lit on Keri. Silently, she lifted her brow, attempting a stern expression of reprimand. He held out a donut, hung by one sticky finger, and pressed the other index finger to his lips.
An obvious attempt to buy her silence.
Pretending to consider the proposition, Keri rested her hands on her hips for a second, then she looked him square in the eye, winked and nodded. She reached for the goodie. Hesitating only a moment at the thought of how many times the kid must have licked his fingers without being caught, she nevertheless took a bite.
“What are you doing, Keri-girl?”
Keri jumped at her dad’s voice and she stopped chewing, hiding the rest of the donut behind her back.
“What kind of example is that setting for the boys?” he demanded. “Stealing donuts right out from under my nose?” The twinkle in his eyes belied his tone, but Keri played along for the twins’ entertainment.
“You’re right, Dad,” she said solemnly. She set the donut on a napkin and headed for the fridge. “I’ve set a horrible example, and I’m sorry. How could I ever have taken a bite of this delicious donut…without first dunking it in milk?” She held up the gallon jug and the boys giggled. She set it on the counter, grabbed four glasses and began to pour.
Mac Mahoney grinned and winked at Josh and Billy. “You boys about ready to sample our cooking?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Alrighty, then.” He laid a napkin in front of each of them, next to their milk. “Grab a donut from the plate and let’s start sampling!”
Keri finished her donut and milk, enjoying the ecstasy on the boys’ faces. Billy delighted in everything, from the blarney Dad told of leprechauns and four-leaf clovers, to the simple task of throwing away his napkin and carefully placing his empty glass into the sink. Josh, too, seemed to enjoy the atmosphere, offering half smiles and short replies. But the joy that seemed to exude from Billy was noticeably absent from Josh’s demeanor.
When the boys were done with their snack, the three guys started on another batch of donuts. Keri excused herself.
Her glance returned once more to Justin, sleeping on the couch. With a sigh, she headed back to her bedroom, snatched her keys from the dresser and tiptoed close to Justin. She knelt beside the couch. He groaned and shifted, causing her heart nearly to stop. Watching him as he settled back into sleep, her heart picked up. A lock of his hair fell across his forehead, begging her to smooth it back. Obeying the summons, she reached forward.
His eyes opened and Keri thought she’d die.
“What are you doing?” he whispered.
Heat seared her cheeks. “I—I was going to uncuff you.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “I’m counting on your word to keep you here.”
In a swift movement, she slipped the key into the cool metal cuffs and set him free.
He sat up, rubbing his wrist. “Thanks.” His hand reached out and gently cupped her cheek. The pool of emotion reflected in his eyes was too deep for Keri’s comfort.