CHAPTER TWENTY
Three weeks.
That’s how long Shae had been in Blyth Lake, and she was no closer to finding answers than she was the day she arrived home. Whitney Bell’s body had still not been found, and there was no new information regarding Emma’s disappearance. There had been no more contact by the serial killer. Her life had basically come to a standstill.
“I feel like all I’ve done is take an extended vacation.”
Shae rested the back of her head against Jace’s shoulder. She was tired, and the exhaustion wasn’t physical. Was this how she was destined to live the rest of her life? Going through the motions in some sort of fog? It scared her to think she had to go back to work soon and leave what little sanity she’d found among the wreckage.
Jace had somehow became her anchor in less time than it had taken him to renovate the lion’s share of his new home. He’d included her in decisions she had no business being involved with, both of them knowing those intimate assessments should have been reserved for a long-time lover or even his future wife. Still, she didn’t resist the peaceful flow of this short, newfound present that would eventually fade into a familiar stark cold reality.
The beginning of autumn was showing in the foliage and trees. The weather was slowly changing, and the evening hours brought with them an unmistakable chill. It was also a reminder that she couldn’t stay here forever. Her life in Michigan was waiting for her impending return.
“Is that such a bad thing?” Jace asked in response to her question, pushing his boot against the porch so that the new bench swung back and forth in a soothing manner. Lance had done an amazing job with the detailed carving on the arms and back of the wood. This home Jace was creating was turning out to be absolutely gorgeous, and it made her sad she wouldn’t get to see the finished product. “Taking a break from the carnage you call your life can be a rather healthy endeavor.”
Shae playfully rolled her eyes as he tossed her own words back in her face. They’d been talking about his future the other day when she’d said something similar. His dream of what this place could be should absolutely be brought to fruition. He needed to push aside his own doubts to see that creating such a safe haven for others was giving back to the society he fought so hard for in his twelve years in the service.
“I saw that look, Doc. That’s not very professional.”
Shae laughed before tearing herself away from his body heat and slipping her bare feet inside the flats she’d brought outside with her. The air was rather cool, but she hadn’t brought any of her knee-high boots with her. Maybe she’d been subconsciously hoping to find the answers she sought before the weather turned colder. Her smile faded at the thought, but there was no room tonight for anything other than having a bit of fun.
“I can’t believe Brynn is actually hosting a karaoke night at the Cavern.” Shae couldn’t picture Harlan Whitmore or Chester Mayer getting up to sing, but Calvin Arlos and Miles Schaeffer apparently won some type of bet with the duo. She had to wonder if Brynn hadn’t had some hand in that pot, because word had it that most of the town was going to stop by for the anticipated show. “How much would it take for you to go up on stage? I might be willing to pay.”
His silence had become rather common the last couple of days. It had been hard not to notice that Jace had been a little reserved lately, but it wasn’t until he caught her hand and stopped her from walking into the house that he finally fessed up the reason why. It wasn’t as if he needed to spell it out for her. She’d known all along what was bothering him, but it wasn’t something she could change.
“We should stay home tonight.” Jace brought her closer so that she was standing in between his knees. The warmth of his body soaked into hers, reminding her of what they’d created in such a short amount of time. His blue eyes were almost black against the setting sun in his desperate bid to change her mind about going into town this evening. “You and me. We can make some popcorn, put in a movie, and—”
“Hide?” Shae rested her hands on his shoulders, loving the hardness of his muscles and the security he represented. Couldn’t he see that their time together was dwindling? She wanted to make the most of the days they had and make memories they could look back on with fondness. “Yes, everyone is going to be at the Cavern tonight. Could one of them be the monster who’s torn this town apart? Yes, but you are the last person who I would expect to bury his head in the sand.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Unlike you, I know how to take precautions.” Jace compressed his lips in frustration. “All your presence is going to do is taunt whoever took your sister.”
Jace tugged on her arm until she was sitting on his knee. He brushed her hair back and tried his damnedest to convince her that his way was best. It was easy to see he was trying not to incite anger in either one of them, but he was leaving her with little choice but to point out the obvious.
“Those pictures that Lance found in his basement included other girls who have gone missing over the last twelve years. Numerous victims from different towns. What’s to say this insane man doesn’t follow me back to Michigan? He could be biding his time to come after me when no one is around.”
“Are you really going to hand me over a reason to keep you here in Blyth Lake?” Jace shook his head in aggravation, moving so that both of them had to stand. His underlying resentment was finally breaking through. “Mitch should throw your ass into protective custody.”
Jace muttered those words as he stood, leaving her no choice but to do the same. He left her waiting on the porch, but she refused to take his bait. She wasn’t going to spend time with old friends and neighbors to taunt a killer. She was doing so because she eventually would return to Lansing. It would be nice to say she’d reconnected with deep-rooted friendships.
Besides, nothing had happened during the course of the last couple of weeks to even warrant such a warning. Jace had accompanied her on each visit she paid to those she thought might be able to remember something from so long ago, though her search for answers had netted nothing. No other threats had been given to indicate that her presence had upset the status quo, and they’d had time to enjoy the peaceful evenings at his home.
Shae startled when Jace returned to the porch, having slammed the door a little harder than necessary. He held up his keys, though it wasn’t much of a victory.
“I wasn’t trying to cause you more worry,” Shae explained softly, grabbing his arm when he would have gone down the porch steps. She waited until he faced her, his chiseled features all but telling her nothing she said would change his mind regarding tonight’s festivities. “All I’m saying is that if this psychopath wants to get me, he had a hundred ways to do it before now and has multiple ways to go about doing so in the future. Detective Kendrick and Mitch both agree that each of those girls wasn’t happy at home, including Whitney Bell. Even though she’s a lot older than the other victims, she still resented having to come back home to Blyth Lake and help take care of her father. I’m well-adjusted, and I’ve never wanted to run away from the love my parents have provided me. He has no reason to come after me.”
“The son of a bitch left your dead sister’s boots in your room to prove a point, Shae. I heard what Kendrick had to say, too, when we met with him a few days ago. Discovering Sophia’s body upset the status quo. This killer is panicking and changing his ways, becoming bolder and taking risks he believes he can get away with in that sick head of his.” Jace flipped his keys back so that they didn’t interfere when he held her face in the palms of his hands. He then did the very thing she asked her patients to do in every session, only he wasn’t her patient. And she wasn’t ready for such blatant honesty. “I know that you’re leaving in a week or two to go back to Lansing. And I even understand the reason why, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish things were different.”
“Jace, being here where my sister—”
“Doc, I understand. I truly do.” Jace lightly stroked his thumb across her bottom lip, his gaze following the sensual movement. There was a sadness that darkened his blue eyes in a manner that squeezed her heart to the point of pain. “We were both very upfront with where things stood between us, but I find it astounding that you don’t even realize you refer to Blyth Lake as home and Lansing only as a place where you reside.”
*
Jace took a drink of the club soda he’d ordered, scanning the bar for anyone looking in Shae’s direction. He’d caught a few patrons studying their large table, but that was expected. After all, the Kendalls had caused quite a stir in Blyth Lake recently. Having them all together in one place was just more fodder for tomorrow’s gossip wagon.
“What’s going on with you two?” Lance asked right before he shoved a nacho filled with cheese and salsa into his mouth. Brynn had added the appetizer to the menu just for him. At least he had the courtesy to wipe his mouth before he followed up with his reason for asking. “Did you not make the bed or something?”
Jace shook his head at how much of an idiot his baby brother could be on any given day. Any other subject would have been fair game, but Shae was off limits.
“Shut up, jarhead.” Jace pushed back his chair and headed over to the bar where his father sat with Miles and Calvin. Surprisingly, Jeremy Bell was in his usual spot. “Tell me again why you and Mom didn’t stop having kids at Noah?”
“Because then you wouldn’t be blessed with a brother like Lance,” Gus replied without missing a beat. “And don’t think you get a pass on making him that way, either. You kids practically used him as a punching bag.”
“We did no such thing.” Noah interjected his rebuff as he walked by, having caught only part of the conversation. “Lance wanted to know what punching bags felt like, so who were we to deny his request?”
“Jeremy, I wanted to offer you my condolences,” Jace said, holding a hand over the bar for the older man to take. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, son.” Jeremy wrapped his hand around a cup of coffee that definitely looked out of place on the counter. Had the man who’d been the Cavern’s most regular customer gone cold turkey and given up drinking? “I suggest you keep a close eye on your old friend. I heard about what happened with the boots. It’s only a matter of time before…”
Jeremy let his voice trail off, but his meaning was clear.
“What’s wrong?” Gus kept his tone low enough so that the other men couldn’t hear over the hum of numerous bar conversations. “Lance can’t be the only reason you’ve come to join us old fogies.”
Jace turned so that he could rest an elbow on the high countertop while maintaining a visual on Shae. She was still at the table with Lance, Noah, and Reese. Chad Schaeffer had taken a seat on the far side of the table for the upcoming show of Harlan and Chester singing karaoke, but he was a bit uncomfortable sitting next to Beth Ann and Jack. The newly engaged couple had clearly gotten into a tiff before their arrival.
Well, they could join the club.
“I’m not ready for her to leave, Dad.” Jace wasn’t sure what made him be so forthcoming with his father in such a crowded place. He really needed someone with a clear head to provide direction, because he was currently lost at sea with a major storm brewing from the west. “It’s not like I have anyone else to blame that I allowed myself to get involved with her. I understood the rules.”
“Then you know the end of the game.” Gus had turned to face Jace, leaving Miles out of the private discussion. “You’ll have to accept the outcome, though. Jace, what the Irwins went through was a horrible tragedy that no family should ever have to endure. I can see you care greatly for Shae and vice versa. But put yourself in her shoes for just a moment. Would you want to live in the town that had constant reminders of your sister’s disappearance? Of your family’s grief?”
Jace wasn’t sure what he expected from his father, but it sure as hell was an eye opener. He glanced down at the club soda in his hand, thinking maybe he should have had that initial drink. Alcohol hadn’t been on his agenda due to the current circumstances, but he might be changing his mind real soon on that front.
“Lance was always the selfish one,” Jace muttered, wondering when he’d turned into his baby brother. “I think I’m digressing.”
“Is she who you want to be with, Jace?”
And therein lie the ultimate question.
He hadn’t been so connected to another human being in a very long time. He’d been involved a time or two in semi-serious relationships over the course of his life, but those affairs had fizzled out with each deployment. His homecoming and Shae’s presence had somehow merged into one event in his head.
He honestly wasn’t sure what he would do with himself once she went back to her life in Lansing. Yes, he’d pointed out to her that she referred to Blyth Lake as home, but that little nuance didn’t matter a bit if she wasn’t happy.
Had they started something that could be lasting if given the time to tend to their feelings for one another? He could admit to wanting to find out, but at what cost? Could they sustain a long-distance relationship? Was he willing to move away from home, after doing everything in his power to make it back here to his family?
Jace didn’t bother to answer his dad’s question. Instead, he studied Shae as she stood from the table and made her way over to speak to Chester’s wife. Stella’s hands were telling their own story as she became very animated about the topic of conversation.
The front door opened to reveal a friend of Chad Schaeffer.
“Dad, isn’t that the new owner of the garage a block over?” Jace asked, noticing that the man surveyed the room in a manner that was only taught in the service. “Lance mentioned that Mr. Delaney died from a heart attack, but is that guy related to the family?”
“Irish? He’s new to town. Quiet type, minds his manners, and doesn’t spread shoptalk.”
So in other words, the outsider was accepted based on the fact that no one needed to worry about airing their dirty laundry when driving their vehicles in for an oil change. It didn’t hurt that Chad Schaeffer appeared to be a close buddy of some sort.
Jace did his best not to show his displeasure when Irish’s gaze landed on Shae. The man’s interest was brief, but it was there nonetheless.
A loud protest from Shae had Jace slamming his club soda on the hard surface of the bar and taking a step forward before his mind had time to process what was really happening across the room. Stella was trying to coax Shae up to the microphone to kick off karaoke night, but she was very stubborn and set in her ways. It didn’t surprise him when Shae pulled Rose out of her seat and pushed the older woman toward the stage.
Shae immediately bowed to the cheering crowd at the feat she’d accomplished, because everyone in town was well aware Rose didn’t sing in front of people. Her smile brightened the room and as their stares connected, it was easy to forget their earlier argument.
Jace wanted nothing more than to close the distance between them and let the entire population of Blyth Lake know that she was his…only she wasn’t. And the chances were she never would be.