Page 21 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets

Jade took a seat in her dad’s recliner and leaned back. If she thought she could sleep, she’d lift the footrest and close her eyes. Instead, she frowned. “I forgot to ask you what you were doing here so late. I thought you’d gone home.”

“I did, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind wouldn’t shut off and I…” He shrugged and looked away from her. “Sasha was getting disgusted with me for all of my restlessness and was insistent that I do something to alleviate it.”

“Sasha, huh?”

“Actually, yeah. She gets her point across really well without saying a word. Anyway, I thought we could talk. When I pulled up, I heard your dad yelling for you.”

“I’m glad you came back.” She dropped her head and pressed her hands to her cheeks. “I can’t get the sound of those explosions out of my head.”

“I know the feeling. I still hear the sound of the IED that went off and caused me to lose my leg.”

“Is that what you were dreaming about?”

He stiffened, then stood. “I’m going to get some water.”

“I’ll get it.” He wasn’t going to budge on telling her about his dream. “Someone planted those bombs in my house,” she said, “and they had to have some kind of timing device.”

“Because they went off at a specific time. What about a remote detonator?”

“Maybe. ATF will take a look and be able to tell us more.” She paused. “It had to be someone I know, Bryce.” She walked into the kitchen and looked in the refrigerator. The open concept allowed her to talk to him at the same time.

“Why’s that?”

“Because the person had access to my home.” She took two water bottles back into the den and handed him one.

He’d seated himself once more on the couch.

“Someone who wouldn’t be considered a stranger around here—although with as many people as we have coming and going, that’s going to be hard to narrow down.

There’s trainers and boarders and riders and feed people, the vet… ” She waved a hand. “The list goes on.”

“So it wouldn’t be hard for someone to get on the property disguised as help or whatever.”

“No, not hard.”

Brows furrowed, he nodded and swigged the water. “But to get inside your home, that’s another matter altogether. Do you hide a key anywhere?”

“No. In fact, I hate to admit this, but I rarely lock the door.”

“Why wouldn’t you lock it?”

“Because Mia goes back and forth so much that I just don’t.

” She walked to the door that led to the covered walkway and gazed at the burned remains of her home.

Sickness twisted inside her. “This is the only way to get to my place from here without going outside. There’s a ground floor door from the garage that leads inside to stairs.

If you go up those stairs, you’ll find yourself at my front door. ”

“But you keep that locked, right?”

She shrugged. “Most of the time.”

“Seriously? With what you do for a job and you don’t lock your doors? How is that even possible?”

She turned. “Look around, Bryce. We’re in the middle of twenty acres. If someone were to come up the drive, we’d know. And like I said, when someone comes up, it’s usually someone we know.”

“What about when you’re not home? It wouldn’t be too hard to figure out your family’s schedule and check when you’re working. And what about someone sneaking through the woods? You know as well as I do where those woods come out.”

She bit her lip. “The main road that goes into town.”

“Exactly. Someone could park a car…”

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it, too, but we’ve lived out here since this place belonged to my great grandparents. Not once has there been an issue.”

“Times are different now.”

“Boy, are they.” She shook her head, her mind only halfway on the discussion. The other half was trying to decide what to do now about telling Bryce that he was Mia’s father. PTSD and a man in denial. Great. Been there, done that—and she had no intention of revisiting that place.

“Captain Colson was on that list Frank gave me.” Bryce said. “He thought the captain was much too involved in the drug ring investigation.” He paused. “What’s your impression? Do you really think he could be guilty?”

She groaned. “I don’t know. Of course I don’t want to think so, but…” A sigh. “I don’t know what to think about him—or any of the others on that list.”

He studied her. “You need a break.”

“I had a break. I’m still having that break thanks to the person who tried to strangle me and burn down my house.

Captain’s orders.” She stuck her bottom lip out.

“I feel like I’ve been benched for something I have no control over.

” Jade rubbed her eyes. “Can we talk about something else? I think I need some distance before I can come back and try to sort everything out.”

“Sure. Tell me about Mia’s father, then,” Bryce said softly.

Jade jerked. “Why?”

“I’m curious. He must be a great guy for you to fall in love with him.”

She blinked. “He has his good points.”

“Does Mia see him?”

“No.” Jade drew in a steadying breath. She didn’t want to lie, but she couldn’t tell him the truth now, not yet. Not until she figured out exactly where he was in dealing with his PTSD issues. “She doesn’t.” She paused. “I was thinking we should go to Frank’s tomorrow after we talk to Tony Swift.”

Bryce studied her, and she wondered if he’d insist on talking about Mia’s father. After several seconds, he finally gave a short nod. “All right.”

“I know Heather’s there and going over everything, but it’s possible she’s too close to this. Maybe we’ll see something she can’t.”

“I think that sounds reasonable.”

“We’ll call her on the way to the hospital in the morning.”

“She looked bad, Jade. I’m worried about her.”

“I know. I am, too. I’m glad her mother is with her. Maybe Heather’ll talk to us a little more tomorrow.”

He rubbed a hand down his face. “She hasn’t said when the funeral is. You think she’s even thought about it?”

“I think she has. I also think she may be avoiding it.” Jade swallowed and looked away. “I’ll call Lisa tomorrow, too. She and Frank were really close. I’ll ask her what the plan is.”

“Good idea. In the meantime, why don’t we get some sleep?”

“You’re staying here?”

“There are four officers surrounding this house and a fire crew just outside making sure nothing sparks another blaze.” He stood and walked over to kneel in front of her—albeit a bit awkwardly with his leg—and take her hand.

“Frankly, I wouldn’t care if the entire police force was out there with the national guard.

I’m not trusting your safety to anyone else anymore. I’m going to keep you safe, Jade.”

She gaped, then snapped her mouth closed. “But—”

He pressed a finger to her lips. “But nothing. Don’t get me wrong.

I know you’re capable and fully able to take care of yourself.

I have no doubts about that. And this isn’t some caveman thing where I think you need me to protect you.

It’s something I want to do. I want to be here.

” He paused. “Because while you may not need my protection, I need to give it. I wasn’t there for Frank, but I really want to be here for you. ”

Jade swallowed, her heart pounding from the sudden surge of adrenaline.

That look in his eyes spoke volumes. Then it was gone, and he was pushing off the arms of the recliner to his feet.

She let her gaze stay locked on his, wanting to believe him—and scared to let herself fall for another guy in denial about his PTSD.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Get some sleep, Jade. You’re going to need it.”

“I will. You too.”

“Of course.”

She paused. “I feel horrible that my family is going through this. I can only pray this doesn’t hurt my parents’ chances of adopting the twins.”

“Well, right now, they’re safe, and that’s all that matters. If we can get this cleared up ASAP, then I would think their plans to adopt would be fine.”

“Right. So, let’s figure this out ASAP.”

“See you in the morning, Jade.”

“’Night, Bryce.”

She went into her parents’ bedroom and crawled into their bed.

Tears hovered on her lashes and finally spilled over onto the pillow.

Please, dear God, let us get to the bottom of this and please, keep my family safe.

And give me wisdom about whether or not to tell Bryce about Mia.

I know I need to, I just…can’t. Yet. Tell me when, Lord.