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He swore he’d never talk to her again.
Texas Ranger Elijah “Eli” Goodwin leaned against his truck. An overcast sky matched his dour mood, his gaze locked on the exit of the Sandalwood Police Department. The short, squat building was at the edge of town next to a diner and across the street from the courthouse. Several brave pedestrians battled the frigid weather to hop in and out of the specialty shops running down Franklin Street before closing time. Eli barely registered the activity happening along the periphery of his vision. His attention was locked on the mirrored exit door, his mind trying to process the turbulent emotions rolling his insides.
Any moment, Sienna Evans would be released from the holding cell. His ex-fiancée. The woman who’d broken his trust and shattered his heart. Eli swore he’d never talk to her again after their breakup five years ago. He’d promised himself and the good Lord above to stay away from her. But what was that saying? If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.
Well, He must be having quite the chuckle. Because here Eli was, bailing his ex out of jail, waiting for her to explain how she’d gotten messed up in a murder charge.
His cell phone vibrated. Eli pulled the device from his pocket, glancing at the screen. Ryker Montgomery. His best friend and a fellow Texas Ranger. They were supposed to have dinner tonight, but that wasn’t happening. Eli hit the answer button. “Hey. Guess you got my text.”
“Sure did. What’s going on?”
“Sienna was arrested for murdering a local fisherman by the name of Albert Greer. Police received an anonymous phone call reporting the sound of gunshots coming from Albert’s boat. Officers arrived on the scene and found Sienna standing over the man’s dead body, holding a Glock. Her Glock. They arrested her. I’ve posted bond, and I’m waiting for Sienna to come out of the police station.” He heaved out a breath, the air fogging in front of his face. “It doesn’t look good, Ryker. Ballistics confirm the bullet that killed Albert came from Sienna’s gun. She reported it stolen from her SUV’s glove box yesterday while she was visiting her father in the hospital.”
Eli had been distressed to learn Wyatt Evans suffered from a heart attack last week. He was doing okay now, but the stress of having his daughter arrested for murder couldn’t be good for him.
“The police doubt her story?” Ryker asked.
“Considering they found her standing over a dead body holding the murder weapon in her hand… yep. They think she faked the theft to cover her tracks because she was planning to murder Albert later that night. Apparently, Albert blackmails folks. The police believe that’s her motive, since Sienna had several hundred dollars in cash on her at the time of her arrest.”
Ryker scoffed. “Sienna wouldn’t kill a blackmailer. She’d get evidence proving the crime, so the police arrest the guy.”
His good friend’s words solidified Eli’s own feelings on the matter. Which is why he’d hopped in his truck and driven the one hundred miles to Sandalwood immediately after receiving the call from Sienna’s mother. It didn’t matter that his ex had betrayed him. Or that Eli had promised never to have communication with her again. He wouldn’t let Sienna go to prison for a crime she didn’t commit.
“She won’t get a fair shake from the police chief.” Eli removed his cowboy hat from his head and pressed the heel of his palm against his forehead. A headache was brewing. Too much coffee and not eating all day was a terrible combination. “Sienna and the Sandalwood Police Department have a contentious relationship. They have been from the beginning of her career. She’s embarrassed them over and over again, solving cases they couldn’t, starting with her own sister’s.”
Harper had been murdered by her ex-boyfriend in a drug-fueled rage during a party in the woods. The case had remained unsolved until Sienna uncovered the killer’s identity, along with Eli’s help. Back then, he’d been the Texas Ranger for this area. Her passion for justice coupled with her strong family values and incredible good looks had smashed through every one of Eli’s walls. He’d fallen madly in love with the fiery brunette.
And then everything fell apart.
Eli replaced the cowboy hat on his head. “I’ve spoken several times to Sienna’s defense attorney. Albert’s murder is connected to a case Sienna’s working on, although I don’t have all the details. This isn’t exactly how I imagined spending the last few weeks of my medical leave, but… there you go.”
Eli had been shot in the line of duty several months ago, and the road to recovery had been slow. The doctors promised he’d be cleared to return to work in a few weeks. His nose wrinkled thinking of it. Desk duty is what they meant. He hated paperwork. “Anyway, I’ll keep you updated when I find out more.”
“Good. I’ll reach out to Cole Donnelly in the meantime. He has a good working relationship with the chief. Maybe Cole can convince him to allow the Texas Rangers to aid in the investigation.”
Local law enforcement always had primary jurisdiction over murders, but could invite the Texas Rangers to assist in tough cases. Most departments were grateful for the help. Eli doubted the chief would accept their offer to assist. Chief Boone Ramirez was territorial about his cases. Still, it was worth a try. “Appreciate it.”
Just as Eli hung up, the exit door of the county jail swung open. Sienna stepped onto the sidewalk. She’d spent the night and most of the day in jail. Her wild curls were tangled and worry lines creased her forehead. The oversized sweatsuit swallowed her athletic frame.Still, Eli’s breath hitched.
It’d been five years since he’d last seen her, and the circumstances were less than ideal, but it didn’t matter. She was the most beautiful woman he’d ever clapped eyes on. His first instinct was to close the distance between them and wrap her in his arms. And he hated himself for it.
This. This is why he’d steered clear of her after their breakup. His mind knew there was no future with her, but his heart had never fully absorbed the message.
Her gaze locked with his. Surprise didn’t flicker across her face. They hadn’t spoken since her arrest, but her defense attorney had run messages back and forth. Sienna knew her parents had called him. That he’d posted the bail to get her out of jail. Wariness tangled with the amber flecks buried in her hazel eyes.
He strolled toward her. The pain and anger and attraction tangled inside him like a tornado threatening to whip out of control, but he smashed it down. There was no need to discuss their past. Her betrayal. Their breakup. The only issue that mattered was the murder.
As he drew closer, she took a giant step back, holding up a hand to ward him off. “Stay there. I smell like rotten fish and sour beer. Forensic technicians took my clothes into evidence, but they wouldn’t let me take a shower to rid myself of the muck from the boat.” Her nose wrinkled. “Then my drunk cellmate was sick everywhere. I’m dying for a shower.”
“I’m sure.” The breeze shifted, and Eli’s eyes watered at the stench wafting from Sienna’s clothes. She hadn’t been kidding about the stink. His mouth quirked up. “We’ll keep the windows rolled down.”
Her gaze skittered from his. “Where’s Isabella? I thought she’d be here.”
Isabella Gomez was Sienna’s best friend. Also her defense attorney. The two women had known each other for years and often worked together.
“Something came up,” Eli explained. “An emergency on another case. I’m your ride home.”
“There’s no need. I live fifteen blocks from here. I’ll just walk.”
