He’d looked so different when she walked back into the kitchen. Lost in thought, just as she’d been upstairs.

She’d stripped off the robe and turned on the shower, then spent long minutes looking at the woman in the mirror, noticing the difference in her face. Her lips were slightly swollen from their kisses. Her hair was so mussed from his hands it would take a miracle to get it under control again. But it was the look in her eyes that made everything fade away. Complete, thorough satisfaction. As though she was exactly where she was supposed to be, and everything was right with the world. As if she was home. As if Jace was home.

For the first time ever, the urge to run, to escape back into her own world, her own life, was absent. Because he felt like her world.

She’d come here on a mission to test his fidelity. To see if he could be tempted away from a woman who believed they would spend their lives together. She’d done what her sister and Lewis were sure was her job. She’d seduced him away, and stolen him for herself.

That’s what an outsider would think, anyway.

But she knew different. There’d been an instant connection between them that new year’s eve, one she’d been determined to ignore. He was only supposed to be a one-night stand, and she disappeared before the sun even appeared on the horizon. But she’d thought of him. She’d dreamed of that night, and held it in her heart as the perfect experience, something that couldn’t be real, couldn’t transition from a magical night to anything more.

When she walked into the kitchen less than an hour ago, her nerves were on edge. She didn’t know what to do with the feelings racing through her, didn’t know how to handle what had happened.

She’d tried to steer their relationship off course. Had been planning to bring the conversation around to the search for Kenna, because the familiar routine of tracking someone was something she could do without effort, without a problem. But he’d stilled her with a look, and with his words.

He’d refused to let her hide away from the truth between them. And once she was in his arms, all that tension bled away, and she felt herself relax into the safety of being with him, of being truly wanted.

Then that sex.

Their time together was measured in days and hours, rather than years and decades. He was on a break from his regular life, just as the first time they fucked. And she could hide from what happened with Crystal for only so long before she had to go back and face the music. Sort out the chaos this affair caused in her career. There was no way she could continue to work with Crystal, not after what happened between them. And she was under no illusions that she would be taking up Crystal’s job when Crystal moved on to the Portland office. But easy come, easy go.

The question of her job seemed small and insignificant when compared to the question of what the fuck to do about the rest of her life.

Once they’d eaten something, they sat at the table nursing coffee mugs, and playing footsie.

“So, tell me about Sophia.”

“Kenna,” Ally corrected. “Kenna Miller. Does that name ring any bells?”

A tiny line formed between his eyebrows as he concentrated; it was darned cute. “I don’t think so, but I don’t know everyone in this town, not like my mother does.” He darted her a glance. “If I wanted to know anything about anyone I’d ask her, but what with this being Rory’s girlfriend, and all...”

“Yeah, I understand.”

“I’d like you to meet her. You two would get on.”

“I don’t know when I’d get the time.” Her stomach hollowed out. “I won’t be in town for much longer.”

“About that.” He stared across the table, reached for her hands. “You’re not getting away this time.”

“I have to. I have a life. And it’s not here.” She half expected him to pull away, looking hurt. But he didn’t. His expression didn’t change at all, as if he hadn’t even registered her words.

“Bullshit. Your place is here. With me.”

“Seriously?” Her eyes widened so wide her eyebrows arched. “That’s a bit caveman.”

“Me Tarzan, you Jane.” A grin flickered over his face for a split second, then was gone. “I’m sick of pretending this is just a casual thing. You belong here.”

“I’ve got work.”

He nodded.

“You’re a father.”

“I have a son, not a disease. I have a life, and I want you in it.”

“I guess we could get together sometimes—when you’re in Seattle...”

He shook his head. “No. I want more. I want you to leave Seattle and move to Shepherd’s Crook.”

And what, move in with him and his son? “That’s crazy.”

“I’m not saying you move in with Rory and me. He’ll need some time to get used to the idea, and you need time to get used to the idea too. I’ll pay the rent on this place or somewhere like it for a while until you get yourself settled.”

“You’re planning to set me up in a rental, like I’m your fucking mistress?”

“I’m trying to make a way for this to work.”

“Leaving my job, and upending my life after a few days with you seems pretty damn reckless.”

“I’m just telling you what I want.” He traced eights in her palm with his fingertip. Eights, or infinities. “This is the beginning of a negotiation.” He brought her hand to his mouth and pressed his lips to it.

“I need to see Kenna. If she’s being abused, she needs my help.”

“I’ll come with you.” The look on his face brooked no argument, but she was determined to do this alone.

“No. She needs her friends. She needs Rory. And if she knows you’re involved, the first thing she will do is sever ties with him. She’ll feel betrayed. I have to go alone.” She stood, walked over and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll call you after I’ve spoken to her.”

* * *

Ally found Kenna’s house and parked a little distance away so she had a clear view of the front door. There were lights inside, so someone was home. This was a poor area of Shepherd’s Crook, the small houses were crowded tight together, with only a narrow space between them. Kenna’s house looked well-tended though. The front yard had been recently mowed, and a couple of children’s bikes were propped against the front of the house. Some of the houses had borders planted, but Kenna’s garden was more utilitarian: a handkerchief of grass, a couple of chipped pots with flowers in them, and a concrete path that led to a gate at the side of the house.

Ally clipped the top off the cup of coffee she’d bought on the way to this stakeout, and took a sip. Jace had been reticent to see her leave alone. He’d argued that she’d need backup in case Kenna’s father turned out to be violent, and suggested coming along for the ride. If he knew of some of the assignments she’d been on in the past—assignments where the men she investigated had not taken kindly to her walking away after she got what she wanted—his hair would have turned white. And even though she was a modern woman who sure didn’t need a man to guard her, his caveman protective instincts warmed something in her deep inside. Maybe it was just because he cared, and since the dissolution of her family, it didn’t seem as though anybody cared for her in a long, long time.

Time passed. The dregs of her coffee were stone cold by the time the front door opened, and a small blonde boy dashed out onto the lawn to grab a football lying half-hidden next to the fence. Kenna appeared, calling something to him as she walked around the side of the house and opened the gate. Then she grabbed both bikes, and wheeled them through the gate. The boy threw the ball and chased it into the backyard. Kenna fastened the gate after him. Walked back to the front door and after a moment, appeared again, putting on a denim jacket and carrying a small black backpack.

There was someone just inside the door, but from her position Ally couldn’t make out who it was. Kenna spoke to the person for a few minutes and then set off down the path to the sidewalk. She started walking away from Ally’s position. Ally drove after her and parked a little way further ahead, got out of the car and locked it.

Kenna was absorbed by something on her phone. She didn’t see Ally until they were a few yards apart.

“Kenna.”

The shock of recognition was followed by a look of dawning realization that Ally used her real name.

“What are you doing here?”

“I know who you are—no, Rory didn’t tell me, I found out by myself. I’m here because I really need to talk to you.” Ally pitched her voice low and calming, so as not to frighten off the skittish girl.

Kenna shoved the phone into her pocket. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there when you came back. I couldn’t wait, I needed to get home.” Kenna stared her down, her stance combative. “You see me now, and you can see I’m fine. It can’t be coincidence that you’re driving down my road. How do you know where I live?”

“I’m a private investigator, it’s my job to find people.”

“So what? You tracked me down?” Kenna frowned. “That’s got to be an invasion of privacy or something. I’m grateful to you for helping us out the other day, but I don’t want to talk to you. I gave you a fake name so I wouldn’t have to talk to you.”

She was tense. Suspicious. Her jaw clenched tight and her back ramrod straight. But there was no fear in her; the girl was fueled by anger.

“I believe fate brought you to me,” Ali said softly. ““I believe I saw the marks on your back for a reason, and that reason was to help you.”

Kenna shook her head, her eyes widening. “I told you that was none of your business.”

“If someone is being hurt, that’s always my business. I can’t stand by if you’re in a dangerous situation. I need to help.”

“You don’t understand…”

“Then help me to understand. Make me understand. Tell me what happened to you.”

Kenna started to walk past Ally, but she grabbed her arm.

“Kenna?” A man dashed across the road toward them. He was in his fifties, and dressed in overalls. “Is this woman bothering you?”

Ally’s hand fell from Kenna’s arm.

“No, Dad, we were just talking.”

“That’s not what it looks like to me.” Kenna’s father loomed over Ally, anger flashing in his dark eyes. “Who are you, and what do you want with my daughter?”

* * *

She’d been clear, very clear, that she didn’t need help. And the reasons Ally gave for going to see Kenna alone were measured and logical. Jace had told Rory he wouldn’t interfere, and the trust between father and son was sacred, something he never intended to break. But when he saw the man talking to Ally on the street, it took everything Jace had not to leave the car he’d parked out of sight a little distance away and rush to her aid.

She was a professional. She could handle herself. These were the words she spoke to him before leaving. She’d be angry to know he followed. Furious to realize he disobeyed her very clear commands.

But dammit, he cared about her, and there was no way he could countenance her walking into a dangerous situation alone.

Then the guy put his hands on his hips. Even at a distance, Jace thought he caught a flash of fear on Ally’s face, and that was it. He was out of the car in a heartbeat striding up the sidewalk to the little group.

Ally’s eyes widened when she saw him coming, and she shook her head as if entreating him not to interfere. He ignored her.

Kenna turned at his approach and her mouth gaped open. “What the fuck?” She glanced at her father. “Sorry, Dad.”

“Jace, you shouldn’t be here.” Just as anticipated Ally was furious. “Go away.”

“I don’t know who you are, what you think you’re playing at, but me and my daughter are out of here.” Kenna’s father took her arm.

“I just want to talk to Kenna,” Ally said. “I think she’s in trouble, and I won’t let you take her away.” Ally got right up in his face, eyes blazing.

Kenna’s father stopped and stared at Ally with astonishment. He turned to his daughter. “Kenna? What the hell have you got yourself into?”

“I met this lady a few days ago. She thinks something that isn’t true.”

Kenna’s father turned to Ally. “I don’t know what you think my daughter has done, but I can tell you now she’s a good girl, and whatever you’re accusing her of she hasn’t done.” He looked Ally up and down. “People like you are so quick to judge. Just because she dyes her hair and likes to dress like a wild kid doesn’t mean she is one. So what is it you think she’s done? Stolen something? I’ll tell you now she’s done no such thing. My girl’s an outstanding member of this community. You have no right to even speak to her without a parent present.”

“It’s not what she’s done, it’s what you’ve done.”

As Kenna’s father and Ally squared off in the street, Jace stepped closer, ready to hit the guy if he threatened her further.

“Me?” The man’s shoulders slumped. “You think I…”

“She saw my back, Dad. She thinks you hit me.” Kenna whirled around to face Ally. “Why couldn’t you just stay out of it? Why do you have to bring it all back; we’ve been through enough.” Tears welled up in her eyes.

“Who are you, police? Social worker?” The fight seemed to have gone out of Kenna’s father. His daughter flung her arms around him and hugged him tight.

“I’m just a concerned citizen. Someone who cares about your daughter and wants to help her.”

Kenna’s father ran a hand over her hair and hugged her close. “There should be more people like you in the world,” he whispered. “I appreciate you looking out for someone you don’t know— but you’ve got completely the wrong idea. I love my kids, and I’d never...I’d never hurt them.” He looked from Ally to Jace as he repeated the words, and there was no denying the truth of his statement. He closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled.

“I told her it was none of her business, Dad,” Kenna said.

Her father shook his head slowly from side to side. “No. These people got involved in a situation they needn’t have. Because they thought you were being abused. We owe it to them to tell the truth.” He stared into Ally’s eyes. “The scars on my daughter’s back are caused by injuries she suffered in a fire. The fire that five years ago destroyed our house and put my wife into a wheelchair. It was at night. I worked nights back then, and Kenna got her brothers and sister out. She ran back into the house to pull my wife free, and that’s when the ceiling collapsed, cutting her back to shreds. If it hadn’t been for my daughter, my entire family would be dead.” He hugged Kenna close, his face distorted as he fought tears threatening to overwhelm him. “She’s a hero. An angel sent from heaven.”