Page 6 of Riverbend Gap (Riverbend 1)

He gave her a long, searching look. Then his eyes softened to melted chocolate, and he let out a resigned sigh. “All right. But you’re going to feel silly when you open your phone later and see this.”

She collected her thoughts as he stared down at the phone, thumbs poised. Then she began, speaking slowly enough for him to keep up.

“Dear Jill and James, I don’t have words to express how much you’ve meant to me. You took us in when we had nothing and no one. You loved us as your own.”

Her eyes stung. She cleared her throat. “I’ll never forget helping you make peanut butter cookies in the kitchen on Saturdays, Jill. Even now it’s my favorite cookie because of all the precious memories it represents.” She paused. “Is that stupid?”

“No.” His voice was rough. He returned his attention to the phone.

“Jim... You had the patience to teach me to drive and even change a flat. You’re a legend for that and so many other reasons. Christmases in your living room, countless meals around your dining room table, prayers by my bed. You are the center of my best memories, and I love you more than words can say.” She paused for a beat. “That’s it. Just sign my name.”

After she spelled it for him, he pocketed the phone. Then he held her gaze for a drawn-out moment. Something passed between them. She’d just bared her heart to a stranger, and he seemed to understand.

“Thank you,” she said.

“You’re welcome. Now, can we stop being so maudlin and get on with the fun stuff? I bet we can find people in common. I know some folks from Asheville: David Young, Evelyn Murdock, Richard Lewis—”

“Richard was my pastor. He’s a good guy.”

“I’ve never been to his church, but yeah. Good guy. So you’re a believer.”

“I am.” She studied his face, something softening inside. She’d known there was something special about him. “So if I, you know, fall off this cliff and die in a fiery crash, at least you’ll know I’m headed to heaven.”

“Now, now, no martyr’s death for you. You’ll more likely die in your sleep at the ripe, old age of ninety, having told your children and grandchildren all about your narrow escape from death and the handsome deputy who rescued you.”

“You call this a rescue, Deputy? So far you’ve only flagged down a vehicle and asked a bunch of nosy questions. And let’s not forget, I’m still hanging on the edge of said cliff.”

His lips turned up, almost a smile. “So you do think I’m handsome?”

Laughter bubbled out of her. “If you’re asking if I prefer to look at you instead of the sheer drop-off in front of me, then yes. And should you really be flirting while you’re on the job?”

“Technically, I’m off duty.”

“Yes, well, technically I have a—”

The car pitched forward and whatever she’d been about to say died abruptly in her throat.

3

Katelyn screamed.

Cooper pivoted, throwing his weight against the window frame, pushing back with all his might. It was futile—the car outweighed him by more than a ton. But he had to try. He grunted with the effort, his skin breaking out in a sweat.

Katelyn’s scream echoed in his ears.

The car’s frame groaned. Then it stilled.

He didn’t move. Didn’t lessen his efforts. Was afraid to remove his weight.

“Oh, dear God in heaven...” Katelyn’s breath came in gasps. “Don’t let me die. I’m too young to die.”

“You’re not going to die,” he squeezed out. “Hear me, Katelyn? You’re not going anywhere but home.”

Her whimper ripped at his heart.

Pressed to the window frame and facing the trunk, he couldn’tsee her. But she’d grabbed his arm, was wrapped around it like a snake. Her nails bit into his bicep. Even so, it was nice. If only he could forget about the ton of metal. And, oh yeah, the cliff.

“You’re right. I can’t die—who’d keep Oreo in business?”