Page 115 of Surly Sheriff
Fuck.He did not need more drama in his life. But he also could not dismiss a clearly upset woman. “Favor?”
“She asked me to move to this backwater town in Nebraska and keep watch over the man she loved while she helped put the monster who killed our mother behind bars.”
Everything in and around Beau stilled as he looked at the woman before him, the wheels in his brain spinning, trying to make sense of the words she spoke while the air in the room closed in, compressing his lungs until he found it hard to breathe.
And when the cogs clicked into place with a loud clang, and he sucked in a ragged breath.
How had he never noticed that Felicity Graham’s eyes were the same as Rae’s? As Jack’s.
“You’re Kat,” he announced, sagging back into his chair.
She grimaced. “Kat died a long time ago, but yeah, I am Raegan’s sister.”
He drew in another lungful of air, absorbing the shock of her revelation.
“You should’ve seen her, Beau,” hissister-in-lawcontinued. “Barely thirteen, a true hero.” She stabbed her finger in her chest. “My hero. That night …” Her stare, moving beyond hisshoulder, taking on a faraway glaze. “I trained a gun on my abuser, unable to pull the trigger. But not my sister. No, sir. She did what had to be done to save us, and then she hauled my ass down that dark tunnel—”
Felicity’s eyes blazed as she met his gaze. “My sister couldn’t sleep without a light on, yet she faced that pitch dark tunnel with a single flashlight and the courage of a warrior. And then she took on the FBI, making demands before she would hand over the documents we stole. Immunity, protection, new identities. She was awesome, but I was so absorbed with my self-pity that I didn’t care. The more she fought for us, the more I retreated into myself.”
She gave a harsh laugh. “And the more I resented her. When the Marshall Services found us a suitable foster home, I refused to go, choosing to make my own way. She was a reminder of everything I wanted to forget, and I just couldn’t have her in my life anymore. Iabandonedmy sister, Beau,” she whispered, blinking furiously. “And I am scared shitless about facing her again.”
Compassion for the two very strong and resilient sisters torn apart by harrowing circumstances filled him. “Felicity.” He waited till the woman looked at him. “When last have you seen your sister?”
“Not since the day I walked away from her,” she admitted.
Not just years, butdecades.
“Don’t you think it’s time?”
*
Pulling the sheets from the dryer, Rae looked up at Xena’s sharp warning bark. They had company. Must be the security firm. The dog stood before the closed door, alert. Rae let go of the cotton material and straightened, patting the weapon beneath her shirt.She really hated strapping it on every day, but it was a necessary evil. “Xena. Heel.”
The Rottweiler joined her, closing in on her left. Together, they moved to the door. A series of soft whimpers from Xena was Rae’s first indication that the vehicle pulling into the driveway belonged to a friend. The second was the exaggerated tail wagging. Xena’s whimpers grew louder when the engine cut out. “Woof!” The dog pawed the ground.
She placed a calming hand on the dog’s head. “Move back, Xena,” she said, unlocking the door. The dog shifted a few paces back, and Rae pulled open the door.
Watching Beau round the front of his vehicle, her belly flip-flopped, and her heartbeat kicked into overdrive.Heaven’s above, but the man was gorgeous.
Xena quivered beside her. Rae snorted.I’m not the only female under his spell.
“Hey,” Beau said, climbing the two steps leading to the small porch.
“Woof!”
“Hey, Xena.” Bending, he rubbed his hands over the dog’s neck and down her shoulders. Peering deeper into the mudroom, he asked, “Where’s Jack?”
She tilted her head up. “Napping. With Kismet.”
“Won’t disturb them, then.” He stood upright, adding, “Andy Long’s autopsy results came. He died from a massive heart attack, Rae. Most likely while driving.”
Renewed compassion for the late farmer and his family washed over her. “How sad.”
“On my way to the farm now.”
“Thanks for stopping by and telling me.”
A low growl emanated from Xena, and Rae spun about, her hand going to her weapon.
