Page 35 of The Deputy's Secret Double

Price expected JJ to ask another straight-to-the-point question about Josiah—a man previously attacked after his home was broken into—having a connection with Jamie, a man whose home was broken into and the person inside attacked.

Instead, she didn’t say a word.

Price glanced her way.

JJ Shaw wasn’t just quiet.

She also wasn’t surprised.

It was right then and there that Price felt more than sure of something than he had before.

JJ Shaw was hiding something.

And he had a feeling it might be the reason she was in Seven Roads.

CHAPTER TEN

They parted ways in the same spot that they’d met. Jamie thanked them a few more times and then went into Georgie’s room, yawning despite his coffee.

JJ watched him go.

He wasn’t her brother, but she felt sympathy for him.

One moment, his life was going exactly the way he wanted, and in the next, he’d become the man with only a box of valuables left. Though, that sympathy evened out quickly for JJ.

As Jamie said himself, the person he loved would be fine so he would be too.

It was a warming thought that moved through JJ while watching the door close behind him.

That warmth was still there when she turned to Price.

Then it grew cold.

Price wasn’t just looking at her. He was staring.

There was a difference.

JJ took a small step back, hunching ever so slightly so her height changed. She also averted her eyes. Hers were a dime a dozen in color but that didn’t mean Price couldn’t use them to realize she was the one he fought at Josiah Teller’s home.

“I’m really glad they’ll be okay,” she said, swinging her gaze back to the door behind them. “It definitely could have been a lot worse.”

Out of her periphery she saw Price nod. She doubled down on sincerity.

“Speaking of being okay, I really was last night, but I have to say it was nice having someone around. Thanks for getting Winnie to keep me company.”

JJ chanced a look at the man.

She could have sighed in relief. He was back to his usual smiling self.

“Hey, I didn’t have to force anyone to do anything.” He held up his hands in defense. “After you helped me with that man yesterday, she said our family owed you.” He shrugged. “And I don’t make the rules. I just follow them.”

Just as she knew Winnie was a good kid, JJ knew that Price had been the first one to come up with the idea to have someone keep her company. After all, hadn’t she admitted to him that she had no one to call?

That didn’t seem to be something Price Collins would let sit still.

Friend or not. Acquaintance or not. Whatever-they-could-be-called or not.

Regardless, she had been begrudgingly comforted to have someone to talk to.