Page 23 of Ranger Belief
Jonah didn’t answer at first. She peeked at him out of the corner of her eye. He was staring at her with a strange look, as if he was trying to figure out a puzzle while holding the wrong piece in his hand. She put the SUV in gear and backed out of the spot, far too aware of the deepening blush on her cheeks. Focusing on the case was the only way to escape the embarrassment, so she asked again, “What do you think of Garrett?”
“I dunno.” Jonah scowled as he glanced back at Garrett’s business. “You’re right that he’s a hothead, but he’s also sneaky. He tried to downplay knowing Ava at first. And he definitely isn’t one to take no for an answer. I could easily see him getting mad that she rejected him and wanting revenge.”
Laney turned, steering them toward the park. “Let's talk to Nolan and Lisa, see if Garrett's alibi holds up.”
Jonah removed a package of breath mints from his pocket and popped one in his mouth before offering the tin to her. “Think they’ll tell us the truth?”
“Only one way to find out.”
ELEVEN
The heat beat down on Jonah’s shoulders as he watched kids use a rope swing to jump into the lake. The screams of enjoyment carried up the hill. Hamburgers sizzled on a nearby grill. A group of parents kept watch over the kids swimming while preparing dinner.
Inside the visitor center, Laney was checking Nolan and Lisa’s reservation. Jonah had almost gone with her, but he’d needed a moment.
To cool his head. To think.
Watching Garrett Wheeler practically drool over Laney had been hard. It’d taken every ounce of his self-control and training to stay next to the cooler, when what he’d really wanted to do was get that creep away from her. At the same time, he’d been proud. She’d handled the interview like a pro. Her flirty smile hadn’t been genuine, but no one other than him would’ve noticed.
His mind had been on Garrett and the case, which is why he'd been thrown off when he'd caught her staring at him in the car. The way her eyes skittered away from his, the blush on hercheeks…if he didn't know better, Jonah would've thought she'd been checking him out.
But that was ridiculous. Laney had made it clear fifteen years ago that they didn't work as a couple. She'd broken up with him, kindly but firmly, and they'd built something better—a friendship that had lasted through jobs, moves, relationships, and everything else life threw at them.
Laney hadn’t shown a shred of romantic interest in him for a very long time.
So why had she been staring?
Someone called out his name. Jonah turned to find Texas Ranger Ryker Montgomery strolling toward him. A new cowboy hat shielded his eyes from the sun, and the belt buckle at his waist gleamed. He looked well-rested and tanned from spending two weeks in Hawaii. Jonah met him halfway. “So you came back after all. We were taking bets on whether you would.”
“I almost didn’t.” Ryker grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “If I thought for one second I could convince Hannah to live on the beach with me, I’d do it. Clear skies, blue waters, my wife in a bathing suit?—”
“Stop, dude.” Jonah thought of Hannah like a sister. He scowled. “Not okay. Just…no.”
Ryker chuckled. His happiness was palpable. It was getting harder and harder to be in Company A. The rangers were marrying left and right. Ryker and Hannah deserved every happiness in the world, but hearing about it sent a weird pang of longing through Jonah. He wanted that. A wife. A family. But no one had ever come close to claiming his heart.
No one but Laney.
And that was a nonstarter.
The door to the visitor center opened, and Laney emerged, Scout trotting behind her. The dog’s tail wagged, and she racedahead to greet Jonah. He stroked her soft ears only to have her abandon him for Ryker, who gave her a good rubdown.
Laney’s smile was breathtakingly sweet. “Well, look at who’s back from his honeymoon.” Ryker abandoned Scout to give Laney a brotherly hug. She leaned back and stared at him for a moment. “Marriage looks good on you, Ryker. You’re happy.”
“Hannah makes it easy. Thanks for the crockpot and the cookbooks, by the way. It was one of our favorite wedding gifts. We can’t wait to make chili.”
“It’s the best gift for busy people.” She slipped an arm through Jonah’s. The casual touch shouldn't have made his pulse skip—she did it often—but somehow his heart couldn’t quite get in sync with his head. “And I can’t take all the credit. Jonah picked out the cookbooks himself. We spent an hour in the bookstore. I think he looked through every single book in the cooking section.”
Ryker’s brows shot up. “Impossible. Jonah doesn’t cook.”
He scowled. “Actually, I do. I use a crockpot all the time.”
It’d been a gift from Laney. Truth be told, the wedding gift for Ryker and Hannah had been her idea too. But that was the thing about Laney. She never overlooked his contribution. No matter how small, no matter how seemingly insignificant…she noticed. Shesawhim. Growing up in a family where he'd never fit in, never felt good enough, her easy recognition was a balm on those scarred wounds.
A light breeze ruffled the strands of Laney’s hair, and the clean smell of her soap tickled his nose. Jonah, stupidly, breathed in deep. Ryker’s gaze narrowed slightly, and a smirk played on his lips. Jonah shot his friend a dirty look. He’d been fending off commentary from his fellow rangers—and their significant others—about his relationship with Laney for years. “Where’s Tate?”
“He should be here any minute.” Ryker checked his watch. “He was ten minutes behind me, but you know Tate. He drives like a grandma.”
“What’s that about my driving?” Texas Ranger Tate Atwood came around the side of the building. His curly black hair was cropped military short and matched his rigid bearing. He had the athletic build of someone who played sports naturally, but the guarded look of the quiet kid always chosen last for the team.
