Page 20 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
“Yeah.”
“So, what now? Home or…?” He let his sentence trail off, hoping she’d fill in the blank.
“Now we check with Heather and see if she’s heard anything from any of Frank’s friends on our way to the hospital to check on Tony Swift.” She cut her eyes to Bryce. “He knows way more than he was telling us. Then I find a Christmas tree and go home to decorate it with my—um—the kids.”
“How many kids are staying with your parents right now?”
“Just…well, three.”
“It’s crazy to think how many kids have come and gone over the years. They’re really special people.”
“I know.” She paused. “They’re talking about adopting the twins in their care right now.”
“Oh. Really?”
“Yes.”
“Wow.” He cleared his throat. “That’s a lot of responsibility.”
Her eyes went frosty. “No kidding. I’ll be sure to pass that tip on to them.”
“I didn’t mean—”
“Some of us don’t run away from responsibility. Some of us actually embrace it.”
He blinked at the hostility shimmering in her voice. “Hey, Jade, I didn’t mean anything—”
“Don’t worry about it. Are you ready to head to the hospital?”
He stared at her for a moment before shrugging. “Um…sure.”
“Great. You can follow me if that’s all right with you.” She didn’t bother to wait for his agreement but headed for her vehicle.
Bryce frowned. He’d really struck a nerve with Jade. Her reaction seemed to indicate that he ran from responsibility, but what would give her that idea? The fact that he’d stayed the night—that one night—and never contacted her? Probably. She knew he was leaving and why, but she had no idea why he’d stayed away from home for six years with minimal contact. And zero contact withher. Could that be interpreted as running from responsibility somehow? Maybe. Again, probably. At least in her eyes.
He started to ask her, but her hard jaw and narrowed eyes said right now might not be the best time to broach the subject. He had a feeling if Jade chose to let loose the words she’d swallowed, they might be more deadly than the bullets that had been fired at him earlier that day.
A good soldier knew when to attack and when to retreat.
And Bryce had been a very good soldier.
FIVE
Captain Colson called just as Jade pulled into one of the hospital parking spots reserved for police. She tapped the screen and lifted the phone to her ear. “Hi, Captain.”
“Jade, how are you doing?”
“Hanging in there, sir, thanks.”
“I got your message about needing a warrant to pull security footage from the cameras across the street from the range. That’s set in motion and I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear something. You can come in and take a look at it if you like. See if anything stands out.”
Bryce approached the passenger side, and she motioned for him to get in while she was on the phone.
“Thank you, sir.” She paused.
“Something else on your mind?”
“Yes. I think…” Another pause.
