When she reached her car, she started to climb in, but he stopped her by touching her arm. She looked up at him, her strong, beautiful features painted by the moonlight.
Johnna, I want you to take this threat seriously. He nodded to indicate the paint on her hood.
Im sure its nothing more than the work of a moron, she said.
Even morons can be dangerous. He wanted to kiss her. He wanted to capture those lips with his, feel the heat of her body pressed against his, recapture the magic that had become lost.
Unable to help himself, he reached up and touched a finger to her cheek. She flinched away from him, her gaze hardening, and got into her car. Ill be careful, she said, and started the engine.
As she pulled away, Jerrod shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and watched until her taillights had disappeared from view.
Chapter 4
house. Shed had a productive morning. Shed met with Judd Stevens, the private investigator, and had arranged for him to begin work for her.
After meeting Judd, shed picked up Harriet Smith, her good friend and fellow attorney, from the tiny Inferno airport and had just left the older woman at the bed-and-breakfast where she would be staying for the duration of Erins trial.
It was terrific to have Harriet here, not only helping her with the legal machinations of her first murder trial, but also as emotional support. Only Harriet knew the full depth of Johnnas despair when shed lost Jerrod, then when shed lost her baby girl. Only Harriet understood the grief that would always reside in a portion of Johnnas heart.
Turning from Main onto Oak, her gaze shot to the house third from the corner. It was a charming little two-story, with gingerbread trim and a long front porch. More than that, it was Johnnas safe haven, her private spaceher home.
Here was the one place she felt as if she truly belonged. Shed picked the house and its furnishings with great care, creating a nest where she fully anticipated living the rest of her life. Alone.
Shed decided to come here, grab a bite of late lunch, then head to the ranch and put in a couple of hours of work there. Harriet had insisted she needed the day to acclimate herself to the small town and had further insisted Johnna leave her to her own devices for the day. They would meet first thing in the morning for Erins arraignment.
As Johnna got out of her car, two people standing in the front yard of the house across the street caught her attention. A wave of dismay swept through her as she recognized Jerrod and Shirley Swabb, the local real-estate agent.
That particular house had stood empty and been for sale for some time. Surely Jerrod wasnt considering buying the place. But what else could he be doing there with Shirley?
It was bad enough Johnna had to share this small town with Jerrod, bad enough he apparently intended to be a big part of Erins support. Johnna certainly did not want to share this street with him. She didnt want to have to look out her window and see him day in and day out.
Hi, Johnna. Shirley waved, her broad face beaming as Johnna approached.
Hi, Shirley, Jerrod. Johnna tried not to notice how handsome Jerrod looked. He was clad in a pair of charcoal slacks and a white shirt, the sleeves rolled up to expose well-developed forearms sprinkled with dark, curly hair.
His eyes were the color of the sky overhead, a blue so intense it almost hurt to look at them. There had been a time when Johnna had been able to lose herself in those blue depths.
What are you doing here? she asked him.
Looks like were going to be neighbors, Jerrod replied.
Jerrod is buying the place, Shirley added with another of her big, salesperson smiles.
Why? Its a wreck. Shirleys smile slid away beneath Johnnas pronouncement. The porch is sagging, one of the windows is broken. It needs painting.
All cosmetic, Shirley replied stiffly, and shot Johnna a glare.
Johnna ignored her. Jerrod, surely you can find a place that doesnt need so much work. Someplace not on my street, someplace on the other side of town, she wanted to scream.
I like this house, Jerrod replied, his gaze unreadable as it lingered on her. Besides, Shirley is right. Its structurally sound. It just needs a little tender, loving care. In fact, Shirley tells me your brother does a lot of carpentry work.
Im sure Luke is far too busy to take on another project, Johnna replied. She knew she sounded churlish and petulant, and she hated herself for it. But he was stirring old emotions, emotions she found more and more difficult to shove away.
My father needs a project and this place will be just the thing for him, Jerrod said.
Were on the way to my office to sign the paperwork, Shirley added coolly, obviously irritated by Johnnas attempt to interfere in a sale.
I promise you Ill be a good neighbor, Jerrod said, a knowing smile curving his lips.
Im sure you will be. Johnna felt the heat of a blush warm her face and wondered how transparent she had been.
How was church this morning? she asked grudgingly.
Wonderful. The good reverend delivered a beautifully moving goodbye sermon. Unfortunately there was only a handful of people there.