Page 18 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets

NINE

J ade stared at the television while her mind whirled.

She and Bryce sat on either end of the sofa.

Mia had tucked herself up against his side while the twins settled for the beanbags on the floor.

Bryce seemed quite content to let the little girl snuggle against him, and she caught him casting glances at Mia every so often.

She loved the movie they’d chosen, but she couldn’t seem to focus. Mia’s complete adoration of Bryce threw her. Even the twins had warmed up toward him. When she put the kids to bed, she was going to have to tell him about Mia.

A knock on the door was a welcome distraction. “That’s the pizza!”

The others barely looked away from the screen. Including Bryce. Chuckling, she walked to the door and looked out. And blinked. She threw open the door. “Heather? You came! Get in here out of the cold.”

Once Heather was inside, Jade gathered the woman into a hug. Heather returned it, then stepped back. “I see you’ve got protection out there. What’s going on?”

“Just a precaution.”

While Heather hung her coat on the rack in the corner, Jade explained about the incident at the tree farm.

Her friend gaped. “That’s crazy!”

“Tell me about it. Did you take the laptop over to the captain?”

“No, I couldn’t find it. Which is weird.”

“What’s even more weird is that it was there the day we went looking for him.”

“You went to his house?”

“Bryce and I did. Bryce even suggested Frank’s password would be Heather.”

She huffed a short laugh. “He’d never do something so obvious.”

“Yeah, you’re right. We didn’t figure out the password, but the laptop was there when we left.”

Heather rubbed her head. “I don’t know where it could be, then.” Jade frowned but led her friend into the den. Heather stopped abruptly when she saw the other four.

“Oh no, you didn’t tell me this was like a family night thing. I’m interrupting.” She backed up. “I’m sorry. I’ll just come back later.”

“Absolutely not. We’re going to break out the board games when the movie is over and eat pizza. Join us, please.”

Heather hesitated. Mia got up and ran over to wrap her arms around the woman’s legs. “Stay with us, Aunt Heather. It’ll be fun.”

More hesitation, then Heather sighed and bent to kiss the child’s head. “Well, how can I refuse that?”

“Exactly,” Jade said. “Besides, you are family.”

Two hours later, the kids were tucked into bed, and Heather sat in the recliner, petting Sasha, her eyes distant. Bryce nodded that he was going into the kitchen to give them some privacy.

Jade sat across from her friend. “How are you doing?”

Anger flared in Heather’s eyes before she looked away.

“Not good, Jade. I don’t know what to do with myself now.

The captain won’t let me work the case, of course.

I’m rattling around between two houses, looking for anything that would give us a clue as to who killed Frank, and I—” She spread her hands. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Take up painting again,” Jade said softly.

“What?”

“Maybe it’s a stupid suggestion, but I haven’t seen you paint in ages. Maybe it will help. I’m not trying to say it’ll distract you, but it’s always been an outlet for you.”

Heather sighed and raked a hand over hair that needed to be washed.

“I’ve been so busy with work and…the wedding…

” She drew in a shuddering breath. “What is it with me and men? My first fiancé left me practically at the altar and now Frank—” Tears spilled over her lashes and onto her cheeks.

“It’s not fair,” she whispered. “None of this was supposed to happen. How could he do this to me?”

“I know. But you’re strong. You survived that jerk and went on to prove it was his loss for leaving you. This isn’t Frank’s fault. He didn’t want to leave you.”

“But he did, didn’t he?” The flash of fury faded as quickly as it appeared. Heather sighed and shook her head, swiping the tears from her pale cheeks. “Sorry. It doesn’t matter whether he did or didn’t. He was working a story that got him killed.”

“And now he needs us to get him justice. Keep fighting, Heather.” She walked over to kneel in front of her friend. “Keep fighting and together, you…we’ll…heal from this loss, too.”

Heather jumped up and Jade fell back onto her hip. The woman reached down and helped her up. “Sorry. Thank you. I don’t know why I came here. I guess I just needed to vent a little. And… I’m angry at him,” she whispered. “For letting this happen.”

“I know.” Jade hugged her once more. Then Heather slipped out the door, climbed into her car and left.

“Everything okay?” Bryce asked from the door of the kitchen. Sasha stood at his side, her big head swinging back and forth between him and Jade.

“No, not really. She’s hurting.”

“We all are.”

“No, I mean, she’s really angry. She was engaged once to a guy named Chance Little. He waited all the way up until the rehearsal dinner to back out of the wedding. Heather was devastated.”

He winced. “I didn’t know.”

“But she managed to overcome it with the help of her friends and family. And Frank,” she said slowly.

“Frank was a great friend to her. Maybe that’s when their friendship developed into something more.

I don’t know. But this…losing him? I’m afraid it might be too much for her.

I think she’s not just angry at the person who killed him but at Frank for taking on something so dangerous and leaving her out of the loop.

” She shrugged. “After the funeral, she’s going to need us more than ever. Whether she realizes it or not.”

He nodded, and started to say something when Jade’s parents walked in. After a round of thanks for watching the children, he and Jade and Sasha stepped outside. It was cold, but clear. The snow had stopped, but the ground was covered in white. Bryce started to his car then turned back. “Jade, I…”

“What?”

“Is…”

She lifted a brow when he stopped.

“Does Mia live with your parents or you?”

She sighed. “My parents, mostly. She has a room in our apartment, of course, but with my work hours—and the twins’ arrival—she’s been staying with Mom and Dad more than with me.

I don’t necessarily like that, but it’s the way it has to be right now—although maybe not as much as it has been—but she likes staying with Jessica and Gage, and I don’t fight her on it.

Mom and Dad are going through the process to adopt them, so Mia is beyond excited.

She’s already started calling them her brother and sister even though that’s not technically correct.

It doesn’t matter. We all want them in the family.

” She ducked her head and let her eyes roam the landscape.

“I love this place. It’s my home—and Mia’s.

But I’m a single parent and a cop. I’ve had to accept that the combination comes with certain limitations—and that includes having my parents take care of Mia a lot. ”

“They don’t mind.”

“No, they don’t.”

“But you do?”

She scrubbed a hand over her face. “Sometimes. I wonder if it’s the best setup for her. If it’s stable enough. If running back and forth between two places is any way for a little girl to grow up.”

“I know I’ve only seen Mia for a few hours, but she’s an amazing kid. She’s confident and outgoing and very well adjusted. I’d say whatever you’re doing, you should keep doing it.”

Jade huffed a short laugh. “Thank you. That means a lot.”

“Today was wonderful,” he said. “Thanks for allowing me to be included.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you wanted to be.”

His eyes dropped to her lips, and her heart nearly stopped.

His head started to lower. Her chin lifted.

Sasha stepped between them and gave a low woof.

Bryce let out a laugh, cleared his throat and stepped back.

Heat flamed in her cheeks, and she ducked her head.

He tilted it once more and let his lips cover hers.

Jade froze for a brief moment and then allowed herself to enjoy the moment, taking comfort in his presence and the gentle exploration of his kiss.

Reality intruded. She owed him the truth. He must have sensed her emotional withdrawal, because he pulled back. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, I just…maybe we shouldn’t… I mean, you don’t want—” kids? He’d kissed her, not asked her to marry him.

“Right. I understand.”

Did he? Well, that was good because she wasn’t sure she did. And now she’d made the moment awkward in her usual clumsy, fumbling way. “Bryce, I’m—”

“It’s okay, Jade. I’ll see you later,” he said.

“Of course. Be careful going home.”

“You too.”

“Right. I’ll try not to trip as I walk the fifty or so steps to my apartment above the garage.”

He rolled his eyes and the awkwardness faded.

“Sasha, tell Jade good-night.” Sasha dropped to the ground, crossed her paws over her snout and closed her eyes.

Jade let out a delighted laugh. “That’s precious.”

“Good girl, Sasha.”

The dog bounded to her feet, tongue lolling, obviously very pleased with herself. Jade scratched the animal’s silky ears one more time before Bryce loaded her into his truck.

Jade breathed a sigh and it wasn’t until his car was out of sight that her pulse started to settle.

Then she noticed the cold. The darkness that pressed in just past the lights of the barn. She shivered in spite of the new officer who’d replaced the other shift. Because whether she wanted to admit it or not, she could feel someone out there watching her. Waiting.

Waiting for the moment she was vulnerable and alone, like in the tree lot. I don’t know anything! She wanted to shout the words into the stillness. He didn’t tell me anything!

Would it do any good? Would the person believe her?

She doubted it.

* * *