Page 50 of Ranger Belief
Emilia’s voice spilled from the phone speaker. “That could be the killer’s plan, and it would fit with what we know. The real problem is that if Garrett is our killer, he knows Mitch is on law enforcement’s radar and he’s going to get desperate. Garrett will need to act fast to complete his mission and kill Mitch before anyone is any the wiser.” She paused. “Jonah, he’s obsessed with Laney. It was obvious in the interview.”
“He’s going to make a play for her.”
“And you. The killer has an MO. Kill the significant other in front of the female victim and then attack her. He won’t want Laney on her own. He needs you both.”
Jonah’s muscles tightened. “We need to find Garrett. Now.”
Laney set a fresh cup of tea on the small table next to her sister’s rocking chair. Breanna was holding Asher, slowly swaying him back to sleep. She smiled her thanks. “I heard from Marcus.” She kept her voice at a whisper to avoid waking the baby. “Papa Earl is awake and as ornery as ever. He suffered a slight bump to the head, and they want to keep him overnight, but it looks like he’s going to be just fine.”
“Praise God.” Laney breathed out a sigh of relief. She tucked herself into the corner of the couch with her own cup of tea. Jonah was still outside with Chief Deputy Williams. Laney should join them, but after everything that’d happened tonight,she wanted just a few minutes of normal. Or maybe she just wanted to be with her sister.
The soft glow from the lantern on the side table illuminated the paint cans in the corner. She tilted her chin toward them. “You decided on Mindful Gray. Good choice.”
Bre nodded. “You were right. It’ll bring out the yellow in the wood floors.” She was quiet for a beat. “So…when were you going to tell me that you and Jonah were dating?”
Laney nearly choked on her tea. She sputtered and used a napkin to wipe her mouth. “We’re not.”
Breanna leveled a look in her direction. “I saw the two of you kissing in the kitchen.”
“Oh.” She blushed and squirmed on the couch. “Well…that wasn’t what it looked like.”
“It looked like two people in love.” Breanna’s mouth stretched into a giant grin. “And it’s long overdue. The two of you have been dancing around each other for more than a decade. It’s about time you both realized what the rest of us already knew.”
Her brain short-circuited. “The…rest of us?”
“Me. Marcus. Papa Earl. Ryker. Tate. My neighbor across the street. Basically, anyone with eyeballs.”
She groaned and laid her head back on the couch, hiding her face in her hands. “You’re making that up.”
“Umm, no, I’m not.” Breanna tilted her head, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. “What’s the matter, sis? There’s no reason to keep it a secret. Everyone will be overjoyed. We love you, and we love Jonah. Seeing the two of you together and happy is the best thing ever.”
Laney dropped her hands. “Because…I’m not sure we’re going to be together. It’s…complicated.”
Breanna stopped rocking. “What are you talking about?” Her vision narrowed. “Please do not tell me you are letting your fear of commitment get in the way of this?”
“I don’t have a fear of commitment.”
She gave a very unladylike snort. “You’re so scared of commitment, you’ve practically got one foot out the door at all times. You never settle down anywhere, always moving every few years. You change boyfriends like I change socks.”
“Ew. First of all, change your socks more often. Like every day.”
Breanna waved off the comment. “You know what I mean.” Her expression grew sad, and her voice soft. “I know you’re itching to move again. I can feel it, and I’ve been holding my breath waiting for you to tell me that you’re going.”
Guilt swamped Laney. “I’m sorry, Bre. I don’t mean to hurt you. And I don’t want to hurt Jonah.” She bit her lip. “This is who I am. I think it’s who I’ll always be.”
“No, Laney. It’s who youchooseto be.” Her sister let that comment hang heavy in the air, and then said, “If you were happy, I wouldn’t think twice about it, but I know you’re not. You’re scared. And you’re running. The real question is why?”
Tears pricked her eyes. She was exhausted, her emotions raw. The attacks, the pending job offer, these feelings for Jonah…it was all bearing down on her. Normally, Laney would run. But now, she didn’t have the strength to fight against it anymore. “Jonah says he’s in love with me. And I believe him. But you and I both know that love doesn’t last forever. People change.” She swiped at the runaway tear on her cheek. “Dad did.”
Breanna’s expression softened. “And you’re afraid that Jonah will become like Dad?”
“Not exactly like Dad. But maybe one day, Jonah will wake up and realize that he’s not in love with me anymore. It happens.And if I give my heart to him…” Laney choked up. “I’m too much like Mom. I can’t go back. If I give my heart to him, and he walks away, I’ll never recover. I can’t do it, Bre. I just…can’t.”
She dissolved into tears. Her sister rose from the rocking chair and left the room. When she came back, she didn’t have Asher anymore. Instead, she carried a box of tissues.
She sat next to Laney on the sofa and handed her a few. “I have a confession to make. You’re not going to like that I kept it a secret, but I think you need to hear it.”
Laney mopped her face and sniffed. “What is it?”
