Page 21 of Justified Lies

An exhilaration he hadn’t experienced in years buzzed through him. Being part of a team with Lianna felt special, like he was the most fortunate man in the world.A lifepartner.The thought stole his breath. How could he be falling for this woman when his main objective was not to?

Hearing the boys’ laughter just ahead of him, he stopped and turned to look for Lianna. A wall of corn met his gaze. The maze wasn’t very challenging, set up with the younger demographic in mind. That didn’t stop Gabe from lamenting having to leave the girls behind where he couldn’t look after them.

A feeling of unease had blanketed him since witnessing Tim’s aggression towards his wife. Gabe hadn’t mentioned the incident to Lianna, but it was another reason why he was grateful he had taken the opportunity to keep her close today. The last time he had felt such a strong urge to protect a woman was … .no, today was too good a day to start down that rabbit hole.

When Gabe saw Lianna emerge several minutes later from the mouth of the labyrinth, laughing and exchanging hushed whispers with Annie, he felt a vise close around his heart. Inhaling the farm fresh air, he allowed himself the treat of just watching her. One afternoon and he was ready to throw caution to the wind.

“Maybe that guy set off the alarm last night!” Harris exclaimed.

The six-year-old followed his statement by pointing to a ghostly scarecrow strung up above the maze. Then laughed when the sight made his little sister cling to her mom in fear.

“Harris, no one thinks it’s cool to scare your little sister,” Lianna scolded. She turned to the girl. “That’s fake, Annie. Don’t worry, baby doll.”

Lianna consoled the little girl, rubbing her back as Annie stuck a tiny tongue out in her brother’s direction.

Gabe, sensing he was missing something, clarified, “What alarm went off?”

Lianna quickly tried to dismiss the topic. “It was an open window I must have forgotten to close after dinner.”

Gabe could tell by how eager she was to change the subject that it was significant. “Do you remember opening it?”

“No, but I usually open windows when I cook, and half the time forget to close them again.” Gabe started to speak but she pushed on, “Plus, there was nothing or no one outside when I opened the door.”

Gabe choked. “Please don’t tell me you went outside on your own to investigate?”

“I didn’t—the kids were with me, and the alarm company was on the phone,” she said stubbornly, her chin lifting towards the bright sky. “And nothing was there, not even Mr. Scarecrow.” She gestured toward the Halloween decoration. “Plus, it was windy last night.”

“You need new windows if the wind can open them.”

With a swift change of direction, Lianna herded the children towards the petting farm area. The three kids set off at a run in the animals’ direction.

In a hushed voice, Lianna continued, “Honestly, Gabe, it was nothing. I don’t want to scare the kids by speculating on what it could have been.”

“Is there anything else you aren’t telling me? Every time I see you, it’s something new you forgot to mention.”

Lianna sighed. “There were a few more early morning prank calls. But they said nothing, as usual. The alarm was a coincidence. No big deal.” She shrugged again and her lack of concern was starting to grate on his nerves.

“Okay, let’s try this. Anytime you get a prank call, a butchered animal, a nasty note, or a breached alarm, call me. I’ll decide if it’s a big deal.”

Lianna responded by crossing her arms and twisting up her face, but before she could unleash on him, he lightened the mood.

Elbowing her in the side softly, he teased, “Some people even think I’m good enough to pay to investigate when bad things happen.”

“Gabe, you investigate homicides. No one is paying you to explore mysterious prank calls or mean-spirited notes. I need Nancy Drew.”

He chuckled, glad she took his bait. When she laughed in return something funny happened to his stomach. The urge to reach over and interlock their fingers, maybe even swing their arms as they frolicked over to the kids, was so strong he clenched his hands into fists.

As if she knew his pain and wanted to torture him, she stepped into his path, intentionally bumping into his arm with hers. She lingered there, their bodies touching with each step they took towards the petting area. The awareness of something as simple as Lianna’s arm touching his was astounding. His entire side radiated like scalding hot pins and needles.

“So, want to go home and carve these pumpkins up with us?”

Gabe looked down at her and hoped she didn’t see the agony in his eyes.

“I’ll even toast the seeds…” she taunted.

Not trusting himself in her presence but wanting to be close to her to investigate the window alarm, he was at a crossroad.

“Jake and I should get home. I’ve got some paperwork to do before Monday.”Coward.

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