Page 24

T he truth is out there.”

And it had evaded Jo for much too long.

Standing on the veranda that partially extended out over the cliff, she took in the tumultuous ocean as she gazed toward the horizon.

The Pacific was far bigger, far deeper than her mind could ever hope to grasp.

The ocean touched the icebergs of Alaska and the Arctic Circle, and the cold, windy shores of the Pacific Northwest, while expanding to caress the warm shores of the Hawaiian and South Pacific Islands.

Beneath her, waves crashed against the rocky shore, a constant soothing sound beneath which lay perilous tides—riptides, really—that stole body and soul.

If Jo looked in the mirror, her face would present as calm, but deep inside, a storm thrashed in her spirit, turmoil that felt like it would rip at her soul.

Mom had tried to keep her safe, and Jo had been fooled into believing that she lived a simple, mundane life.

But beneath the surface ... undercurrents threatened and had now dragged her away.

She imagined she was swimming against them, and maybe now she needed to stop fighting and let those tides carry her where they would.

It was the only way to survive. Well, that and prayer. She hung her head and prayed silently.

Lord , help me ... help me hold on to you through this. Save me.

Then, when she opened her eyes, she saw the words carved into the concrete at her feet.

“He leads me beside still waters. Psalm 23:2 ”

That was almost ironic. Were these waters ever quiet? Hmm. But maybe that was the point. No matter what was happening around her, on the inside, she could still be quiet. Only God could lead her to that place. She looked up at the sky.

“That’s it, isn’t it, Lord? I’m not there yet. I’m just not there. Help me.”

A break in the clouds gave her a brief look into a blue sky and what things looked like far above the storm clouds. That’s where her head needed to be right now—above the proverbial storm clouds of this investigation. These inquiries into the pasts of her parents that were now affecting her.

Behind her, inside the lavish home on a cliff, Cole paced, talking to someone on his cell. She hoped he got answers because Jo couldn’t take more bad news. Any more shocking news about either her mother or her father would shut her down.

A blast of cold hit her in the face, and she tugged her jacket tighter.

She didn’t understand it, even after Cole shared his theories.

If Pop knew she was in danger, had known about the bomb, then why didn’t he stay around to help her?

To protect her, even if he believed he’d led danger her way?

They could have faced it together and then found justice for Mom.

Why had he disappeared into the shadows to leave her to defend herself?

Behind her, the door slid open. She crossed her arms, pressing them against the rail. Cole joined her, and she relished the warmth of his body next to hers. Funny how even wearing a jacket, she could feel it. He put off a lot of heat, plus he blocked some of the wind.

“How are you doing?” he asked.

“As well as you might expect.” Or as bad as he might expect.

Jo glanced at him and took in his profile. His dark eyes and thick brown hair. Scruffy, strong jaw. He was handsome and rugged and really listened to her, anticipated her needs and made her heart beat erratically.

She thought back to that day last year on the beach when she feared she wouldn’t reach Hawk’s brother in time, even though she’d reassured Hawk that she would.

She could tell that Cole was trying, but he couldn’t make it on his own.

He’d lost a lot of blood, and the strength was draining from him.

But when he’d seen her, the will to live had sparked back to life in his eyes.

Jo had never been the same. They shared a bond like no other.

A now broken bond, and she had better get over it and let the past stay in the past.

“Who were you talking to?” she asked.

“Hashing through everything with Allison as well as Hawk. I wanted to have others who are far removed weigh in. They can better see the big picture. I’m stuck in the minutiae.”

“You’re good at teasing out the answers. I’m glad you’re here to help.” Because I don’t know what I ’d do if I had to go through this alone .

“Some say, yes.” The rain started up again, and Cole scrunched his face.

That look pulled a laugh from her and they dashed back inside.

Jo shrugged out of her jacket and approached the gas fire to warm up. “I looked in the fridge and cabinets. I could make some chili for lunch. What do you think?”

He approached from behind and she turned. He was much too close. “I’ve always loved your chili. If you’re up to it, then yes, please.”

What was she doing? This wasn’t the time to get all cozy with him, but she wanted to.

Oh ... she wanted to. Was she imagining that he leaned in a little closer?

That he felt the same almost irresistible draw too?

How could she even think about Cole when she had danger coming at her from all directions?

Frowning, she saw the concern reflected in his face.

She’d love to talk to him and find out why he left and stayed away so long, but not now.

He had his reasons, and she shouldn’t pry.

She shouldn’t be so needy. They could talk after all this amped-up danger that had her hiding again, fleeing her previous safe haven.

Yeah, they could talk about what happened between them, if this mess was ever over.

“Listen, there’s something I need to tell you,” he said.

Oh. Was he going to talk about their broken relationship now? She couldn’t. “Not now, Cole. We ... you and me ... I have questions, but it can wait. It needs to wait.”

His mouth opened slightly. “I ... uh...”

Oh snap. “You weren’t ... Well, this is awkward.” He wasn’t going to talk about why he left and never reached out to her while he was gone. Wow, she’d stuck her foot in her mouth. She turned on her heels and went into the kitchen. Pulled the ingredients from the fridge and beans from the cabinet.

Cole followed her. Go away. Just go away.

He grabbed her hands and turned her to face him. His eyes were dark and filled with longing, but she looked away. I can’t. Not now.

Then he lifted his hand and cupped her cheek and, like the fool she was, she melted into that. Her heart responded to him like no one else.

“I want to talk too. I need to explain ... but you’re right. Later. If you’ll give me the chance, I promise I’ll tell you everything. I’ve probably already said too much.”

She opened her eyes and stared into his. “No, it’s not too much. It’s reassuring.” And here she was, getting much too involved with him. She couldn’t let him hurt her all over again.

Jo turned her attention to chopping onions. “You said there was something you needed to tell me. What is it?”

“I’d rather you not have a knife in your hands.”