CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Jace took his time walking around the house, noting all the video cameras added to the outside in the form of overhead lights. They had used the existing wiring to power them while replacing the fixtures. No one was gaining access to his property without every second of his or her presence being recorded offsite. Unfortunately, it still didn’t provide the security he needed to keep Shae safe while staying under his roof. Security was a matter of layers and denying the perpetrator the opportunities he needed to access the target.
Jace should be grateful to Mitch for talking Shae into residing at his house for the duration of her stay, but he didn’t like the barrier she’d put up between them. Of course, the roads they had traveled on over the years had taken different routes. That didn’t mean their friendship had faded or that they should ignore the simmering attraction that indicated something more.
“That was a very nice homecoming you and your family gave Mitch today.” Shae was sitting out in the open on the top step of his porch, as if she’d been waiting for him to finish his walk around the perimeter. She wasn’t doing so just to piss him off. It was clear she wasn’t finished going over the rules she’d established in her head. “I’m sorry that I had to be dragged along to something that was meant for family members.”
Jace didn’t bother to point out that there were other non-family members in attendance to greet Mitch at the house. Brynn was like family and Reese had joined the ranks when she decided to take on Noah as her lesser half, but they still didn’t carry the Kendall surname.
“Everyone there was family in every way that counts.” Jace wasn’t going to sit there and listen to her pick apart relationships and the differences between them. He maintained his distance by standing a few feet in front of the porch steps. “Have you spoken to your parents? Do they understand what happened yesterday? Or are you keeping them in the dark?”
Jace hadn’t seen Shae use her cell phone last night or today. He understood about protecting family, but the reverse was also true. It was inherent that a mother and father shield their children from the atrocities of this world.
“I didn’t want them to worry, so I’ve kept it to myself for now.” Shae held up her hand when he would have given his opinion on her poor choice. “I’ll call them in the morning when enough time has passed to reassure them that nothing else has happened. Them thinking I’m in danger would only either have them asking me to return to Lansing or them making the trip down here. They don’t need to be in Blyth Lake right now. They shouldn’t have to visit the same place their youngest daughter died.”
Jace wouldn’t argue with her on that point. Neither would he disagree with her assumption Emma had been killed in this town. The boots left for Shae to discover was all the evidence he needed to confirm that Emma was no longer with them and that her killer remained free to slaughter another.
“Mitch called an hour ago.” Jace didn’t want to talk about the Emma, Sophia, Whitney, or even the case in general. Obsessing over what ifs or what could bes could very well make a rational person doubt his or her sanity. “Dad gave him the keys to the Decker residence.”
“The large plot of land right before the welcome sign?” Shae smiled, telling Jace he did the right thing in talking about something completely different then her reason for being in town. “I always thought that land was magical with its wraparound porch and the white picket fence that goes on for miles.”
“You should have heard him, Doc.” The nickname he’d used for her slipped right off his tongue, but he wasn’t sorry in the least. It suited her. Just as the property chosen for Mitch matched his personality. “I’ve never heard so much emotion in my brother’s voice.”
That wasn’t technically true. Mitch had spoken at their mother’s funeral, and there hadn’t been a dry eye left in the church. Jace didn’t doubt that was one of the most difficult speeches Mitch had ever given in his life.
Shae’s right eyebrow slowly rose and he could see the recognition dawning in her dark gaze under the artificial porch light. He shook his head before she could verbalize what he’d been thinking ever since the phone call.
Though the Decker property was located at the entrance featuring Blyth Lake’s welcome sign, the land was still considered part of the town. It was the perfect residence for a newly chosen sheriff, allowing him to watch the comings and goings of those entering his domain. The impeccable selection all but screamed it was cherry-picked with that in mind.
But Mary and Gus Kendall would never presume to interfere with their children’s lives. Right? Besides Gwen, who had intentionally set the course of her career in finance, Lance was not the only one who had a notion on what to do with his life. His baby brother had constantly followed their father around to help in the shop.
Mitch, Noah, and Jace had spoken often about taking a few months after their discharges to figure out what the future held for them and how their lives would unfold. So, if they hadn’t known for sure what they would do with their lives after the service, neither had their parents.
Shae’s glance to the left made Jace rethink his original assumption. The first time he set eyes on the barn and the large corral made of heavy oak posts culled from the surrounding trees, images of him working with horses immediately sprang to mind. Those large, loving animals gave him a sense of peace he hadn’t experienced for many, many years. This plot of land was perfect for raising horses and had supported that type of a business in the past.
Had Mary and Gus truly known their children that well?
“My respect for your parents has hit another plateau,” Shae murmured, nodding her head as if she’d just closed a file on a patient. Give her a pair of black-rimmed glasses and a couch, and she’d be right in her element. “You’re very lucky, Jace.”
He didn’t argue that sentiment.
“Let’s go inside.” Jace had put off a lot of work today to ensure Shae was safe and to spend time with his family. Now that the day was finally coming to a close and she was in a relatively safe place given the addition of the new alarm system, they could relax for some small part. “You can help me pick out furniture on the net.”
“What?” Shae was on her feet and already walking toward the screened door. Her next reply made him look twice to see if she’d actually pulled out a pair of spectacles. “Oh, no. This is your new home. You need to choose what fits your personality, not have someone else do it for you. How convenient would that be for you?”
“The office is closed, Doc.” Jace reached around her and opened the door, unable to stop a smirk when she shifted so that his arm didn’t brush hers. There was no erasing the kiss they’d shared earlier. “I want help with picking out unique pieces that will do this place justice. Now the barn? I have that all mapped out in my mind.”
Jace didn’t give her time to argue, but instead led the way to the kitchen. He had a small table with four chairs, but he was lacking a dining room set that would seat his entire family with room to spare. Add on the spare bedrooms, the open spaces that could use a side table or two, and he might very well go bankrupt before ever starting the restoration on the barn.
“Dad and Lance will handcraft the odds and ends to put in all the nooks and crannies.” Was that a laugh he heard? “But I’ll still need some lamps, pictures, vases, and all the accessories that will bring the décor together.”
“Oh, you don’t want to buy those things from this place,” Shae said with a wince, having seen the site he’d had up on his laptop. She slid into one of the chairs before placing two fingers on the integrated mouse. “This house has a lot of character, so you’ll want more of the independent stores that have unique items.”
Jace opened the bag Rose Phifer had given Brynn, who in turn had handed it to him at Mitch’s homecoming party. Rose had mentioned she was heading into the city, so he’d given her cash to purchase a few items he thought would make Shae’s stay with him a little more welcoming.
“What’s your color scheme?” Shae was clicking away on his laptop while he made her a cup of hot tea and himself a cup of coffee. “Earth tones? I’m assuming pastels are out of the running.”
“Definitely earth tones, but I wouldn’t mind a splash of color here and there. Maybe burgundy and golds? I saw a picture on a magazine Reese had with her the other day and—.”
The kettle’s whistle began to shriek until it became a full-fledged scream. He quickly shut it off while avoiding the steam coming out of the spout.
“Where did you get a tea kettle?” Shae asked, her attention drawn to the stove. Her bright smile was all he needed to know he’d done the right thing. “I don’t care what anyone says, but heating up a cup of water in the microwave doesn’t compare to doing it the old-fashioned way. Jace, thank you. You didn’t have to do that.”
Jace hadn’t purchased her the kettle for any other reason than he wanted her to be happy, but he wasn’t above hoping Shae experienced a bit of guilt by putting constraints on their relationship after their heated kiss this morning.
It was simple.
He wanted more, and it had nothing to do with her admission about coming to see him at Nick’s party. It had everything to do with the here and now.
“There are a lot of basic things I need to purchase for the house.” Jace shrugged off her comment, pouring the hot water over the tea bag he’d set into a cup. He didn’t want to get off track and back onto a topic he truly wanted to forget tonight. “Do you see any lamps for the living room? The one I have in there now is ancient.”
The evening wore on as Shae miraculously located site after site of possible purchases, from lamps, throw blankets, small rugs, and even wall decorations that didn’t include the usual picture frames. Conversation eventually morphed into the design of her apartment, her office, and then eventually more personal components.
“Why haven’t you ever married?” Jace set his glass of water on the side table, taking a seat in his favorite overstuffed chair. They’d moved into the living room, ignoring the fact that it was going on midnight. He’d switched over from coffee, knowing full well he wouldn’t get much sleep otherwise. “I’d heard you were working at one of the major hospitals in Lansing. I’m surprised that another doctor hasn’t put a ring on your finger.”
“That would require my consent in most states, and that isn’t happening,” Shae said rather wryly, her tone indicating that she’d never date a doctor. He had to wonder why, considering she was in the same profession. “The doctors at public and private hospitals work crazy hours and are always on call. It’s not conducive to any kind of relationship, nor is it for most of the marriages I’ve seen disintegrate. Besides, their divorce rate is beyond the stratosphere.”
“Sounds like the military.” Jace had seen and heard enough horror stories to have shied away from a serious commitment himself. “Though there are some friends of mine who’ve made their marriages work under extreme circumstances, and then some. These couples are committed, strong, and their support for one another is unwavering.”
“I would have to say the same in the marriages I’ve seen of my colleagues that have made it work. It’s not easy. A lot of my patients come to me for that very reason.”
“You mean couples therapy?” Jace could see Shae helping couples salvage their marriage. She had great role models in her parents. Those two had made their marriage work in the worst of times, relying on each other through the thick of it. “I’m surprised you work at the hospital. Don’t you want your own practice at some point?”
“I do, but the experience I’ve attained is priceless.” Shae had polished off two cups of tea and had declined anything to drink when they’d left the kitchen. She had curled up in the middle of the couch, appearing very comfortable with her feet tucked underneath her. “It’s hard to let go of something so good. I work with great coworkers, have regular office hours, and share on-call duties every third weekend. Plus, I’m able to spend time with my parents and have dinner with them every other Sunday.”
“Dad started up Sunday dinner here with those of us who are back in town,” Jace shared, honestly looking forward to spending quality hours with his family. “It’s been a long time since we’ve gotten to do that. Oh, and Noah has claimed Thursday night for future football gatherings.”
“Let me guess,” Shae said with a laugh. “Lance chose a Tuesday or a Wednesday for poker night.”
“Wednesday is what is being bantered around, but we’re all just waiting on Gwen to get back to town. Can you imagine the hell she’d put us through if we started a tradition like that without her here to put in her ante?” Jace was the first to admit that Gwen was the one they all needed to watch out for when it came to the stakes of the game. She had one of the best damned poker faces in the family. “I sure as hell don’t want to be on the receiving end of her wrath.”
“When does she get into town? I thought I heard your dad mention sometime later this month.”
“Last time I spoke with her was the day I drove into town.” Jace had disconnected his call with Gwen when he’d driven into the parking lot of the cemetery. It had been her suggestion when he’d commented he wasn’t ready to pull up to the homestead without their mother on the porch to greet him. “She mentioned the third week of September, so another three weeks maybe.”
“Is she the only one who doesn’t know about your mother’s final wish to give each of you a home?”
Jace shifted in the chair, not eager to be around when Gwen discovered they’d all kept it a secret—no matter that it was a very special gift. She’d always been the one to seek out the various hiding places their parents would stash their Christmas presents. She loathed surprises, and though she would feel left out because she was the last to know, she would have to accept the reason why.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Shae chuckled, setting her elbow on the back of the couch and resting her cheek against her forearm. Jace had honestly never seen her so comfortable and relaxed. “So, we touched on it before, but what are your grand plans for the barn?”
Jace studied her before answering, gauging if her interest was personal or the ingrained part of her professional experience she could never leave behind. After all, once a Marine, always a Marine. He assumed it was the same with any truly professional career. One didn’t leave that part of themselves behind.
“You’re not talking about my renovations, are you? I wish I had an answer for you and myself, but I have no idea.” Jace stretched out his legs and crossed his ankles, enjoying their conversation. It was nice to get to know her, versus who she always came across as to everyone else—Emma’s sister. “I thought about a horse farm where I can raise a line of quality American quarter horses, lessons for beginner to intermediate riders, and maybe even a place for folks in town to board their animals. Let’s face it, there are a ton of people in town who used to ride out at the Happel Horse Farm when they had the place up and running. Now, unless they want to drive thirty miles, they have no place to go. If Rose ever decides to run the summer camp again, I could even provide the riding stock for the summer.”
“Then why not give the townsfolk back that special place that you remember as a child?” Shae didn’t appear to be asking for any other reason than pure interest. “What’s holding you back?”
“Because doing something that I loved as a hobby doesn’t feel much like a job.” Jace wasn’t so sure he could settle into something he viewed as an enjoyable pastime. “I’m too young to retire, and I don’t have the money to stop working.”
“Your version of retirement might be skewed by your previous career.” Shae settled deeper into the cushions while her lashes fluttered against her cheeks. She was tired, yet he had a feeling she would be wide awake if he suggested she turn in upstairs. Insomnia could be a bitch. “Tell me how the horse ranch would work if you opened it up to the public.”
Jace spent the next forty minutes going into detail about the different avenues he could take with a horse ranch. He’d known Shae would eventually drift off into a light slumber. He eventually stopped talking so that he could sit in the peaceful quiet of his living room and watch her sleep.
How many times had he thought about a moment like this when he’d been in the heat of the Afghan sandbox or in the bitter cold heights of the Hindu Kush? He’d pictured a thousand scenarios where he was back home, surrounded by family with a home to call his own.
So how was it that a woman he’d known all his life had somehow materialized as part of his future? Shae had her family and career in Michigan. She’d said numerous times that she wanted nothing to do with Blyth Lake, other than to ultimately find out what happened to her sister.
Why, then, did every unblemished image in his mind going forward include Shae Irwin?