Page 114 of Shadows of You

I studied her for a moment. It wasn’t the first time I’d had a hunch that Elsie had been through some things. It was the tiny things she let slip and the shadows in her eyes. But I never pushed. I knew from experience that would only make her bolt.

“You know what we need?” I said.

Jonesy’s bushy gray eyebrows lifted. “What’s that?”

“Double chocolate peanut butter cup muffins on the house.”

He grinned, patting his stomach. “I’d never say no.”

I glanced at Elsie. She forced a smile, clearing those shadows. “I do love chocolate.”

Plating muffins for all of us, I sent them back to their respective tables. We all chatted as I worked on cleaning tables, grabbing bites of my muffin in between. Jonesy told us story after story about his childhood in Cedar Ridge. The time when he and his friends stole a boat and took it for a joyride. When they toilet-papered their principal’s house.

I sent him a chastising look. “I had no idea you were such a troublemaker.”

“It’s how I stay young,” he said with a charming grin.

I snorted. “It’s how you get away with anything.”

The bell over the door jingled, and Officer Smith poked his head in. “Is it all right if I use your restroom? That coffee you gave me was a little too good.”

I motioned him in. “Of course. It’s right down the hall.”

He disappeared, and I started to head back to the counter, but the bell tinkled again. I turned to greet the newcomer—and felt all the blood drain from my face.

“Hello, Tara,” the man said.

He was at least ten years older than me, his dark brown hair silver at the temples now, but I’d never forget his face. His photo had been printed beneath byline after byline. Ones that questioned whether the cops had found the right person. Ones that called my mental state into question. And worst of all, those that called me a manipulative liar who was jealous of my sister’s happiness.

“Get out,” I croaked.

Oren Randal just grinned. “That’s not any way to greet an old friend, is it?”

Images flashed in my mind. Him shouting horrible questions at me as I ran from the courthouse to a waiting police cruiser. Him waiting outside my office, my home. Never giving me a moment’s peace. Telling everyone who would listen where I lived, worked, and spent any time.

My breaths came faster as my body remembered the feeling of constantly looking over my shoulder. Of never feeling safe.

“Get out, or I will tase your ass and get you thrown in jail,” I growled.

Oren’s eyes flashed. “Wouldn’t be the first time you tried to ruin a man’s life, would it?”

Roan’s imposing figure appeared behind Oren. I hadn’t even heard him come in.

“Back away from her before I rip your spine out through your nose.”

35

ROAN

My hands fisted so tightlyI wouldn’t have been surprised if I broke a knuckle. The reporter’s words swirled in my head, making spots dance in front of my eyes.“Wouldn’t be the first time you tried to ruin a man’s life, would it?”

The guy’s head jerked in my direction, and he paled. It was a smart reaction. There was enough fury running through me to snap his neck in a single breath.

But then he made a dumb move. He ignored that flight response and went for false bravado, straightening his shoulders and trying to appear taller. He wasn’t successful.

“I was having a conversation with the woman. It’s still a free country, isn’t it?”

“Sure. You’re free to make your choices, just like I’m free to snap your arm in three places before I break your nose,” I snarled.

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