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Her siblings were different in love versus the way they’d behaved during fleeting infatuations. She recognized her feelings for Dale weren’t temporary, even as she understood he couldn’t possibly reciprocate. They were too different. He’d closed up his feelings when he’d lost his mother and sister, when his first fiancée had dumped him.
Her love for him wouldn’t change him, wouldn’t remedy the pain he wasn’t ready to release. Her own path through grief and loss assured her of that much. No, her love for him had changed her. Down deep, she liked the potential of that change, that fresh inner strength, despite the hurt in her immediate future.
“Say something,” he said quietly.
She forced her lips into a smile. “The prosecutor is waiting.” Lester, Zelnick, and the entirety of the organization were going to serve hard, long prison terms for their murderous, criminal behavior.
“Right.” His chin jerked. “I’ll walk you up.”
“Great.” No, she didn’t regret any of it, but getting over him was going to take some serious alone time.
Chapter 17
One week later, Midnight Rooster Diner, Haleswood
Dale pushed open the door of the Midnight Rooster, braced for anything. Heather was there behind the counter, coffee pot in hand. Same as every other time he visited. Her apron had a smudge of powdered sugar at her waist where she must have brushed off her fingers. She’d be in her favorite jeans and boots, comfort clothing to make the early hours easier.
Automatically, she called out a greeting, but when her eyes met his, her typically cheerful “good morning” lacked the trademark smile.
It was all his fault.
Her long hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, her bangs swept to the side. He noticed every detail, her appearance exactly the same as every other day.
Except she was different. He was different, in no small part because of her diehard example of courage. Of her tenacity and her ability to outwit a criminal and save them both.
He regretted the pain in her eyes now. Her clear resistance to him. Had it been only days ago when she’d leaned over the counter and played the role of casual flirt so well?
The diner went quiet, conversations and voices trailed off, the clatter of silverware on plates ceased. If he could take his eyes off her, he knew he’d find everyone else staring at him.
“A moment, Heather?”
She looked to the ceiling for either assistance or deliverance. It didn’t matter, they had an audience and he knew she wouldn’t make a scene. Not here.
Ruth hurried out of the kitchen, a tight smile on her face. “Special Agent Nichols, what a surprise. Have a seat.” She pointed to a booth on the other side of the room. Did Heather understand the loyalty she inspired?
“No. Thank you.” He kept his eyes on Heather. He could see she wanted to bolt. Didn’t she realize he’d follow her? To the kitchen, to the next job, to wherever she went to escape him. He wasn’t finished. They weren’t finished. It had just taken him a while to realize it. “I just need to speak with Heather for one moment.”
“Not today.” Ruth shook her head. “Not here.”
Dale turned to the older woman. “You’re wrong. I’ve waited too long already.” Looking back to Heather, he took it as a positive sign when the coffee pot trembled as she set it on the counter. She tucked her hands in her back pockets, waiting. “If this is where it has to be said, fine. I’ll say it.”
She cocked her head to the side but she didn’t reply.
“I need you.”
There was a collective intake of breath from the customers. Heather didn’t flinch.
“You are the bravest, most determined woman I know.”
She looked past him to the door. He heard the bell chime, felt the air rush in, and ignored all of it. Probably Sheriff Cochran, alerted by Ruth, here to arrest him on some trumped-up charge. Let him try. This was for her and no matter how it went down he wasn’t leaving until he was done. At this rate the whole town would be here soon to see him grovel. Maybe that’s what she was waiting for. He couldn’t blame her.
She deserved that and so much more.
But the locals had no idea about the heart and passion inside her. It made his head spin realizing she’d let him close enough to see it. Only him. She’d opened up and he’d shut her down.
He’d been so damned afraid of losing himself he hadn’t had any idea of what it would feel like to lose her. The days without her had been a unique agony. Worse somehow because he had a sliver of hope that he could fix it and couldn’t set things in motion fast enough. But he’d refused to come here, to offer himself, until he had everything in place. He wasn’t going to let her settle for anything less than his best.
“I was a coward.”
