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Faith lowered her mug to the table, the sweet taste of the hot chocolate turning sour in her stomach. “Did she take the friend’s advice?”
“Don’t know. Hillary never mentioned it again, and her friend didn’t pry. She figured the situation had been resolved.”
Faith’s mind whirled with the new information. She hated to point fingers at a potentially innocent man, but every avenue had to be investigated. “Tom’s advances may have made Hillary uncomfortable initially, but what if things developed between them?”
Her gaze shot to the yard. The barn, with the Christmas wreath on full display, sat illuminated in the lights glowing from the top of the building. Beyond that, the yard was shrouded in darkness.
Faith shuddered. Had she been living next door to a killer all this time? A thought wiggled into her mind, and she gasped. “Chase, Tom owns a car dealership. He has access to all kinds of vehicles, including silver trucks.”
“That same thought already occurred to me.” Chase drained the last of his hot chocolate. “I’ve spoken to Aiden, and he’s looking into it.”
The knot of fear gripping her stomach loosened. She sank against the chair, her gaze once again drifting to the barn. “I can’t imagine how terrified Hillary must’ve been. Even without these attacks on me, her killer needs to be brought to justice.”
“He will be.” Chase placed a comforting hand over hers.
The warmth of his skin sent a fresh wave of awareness surging through her. Faith’s breath hitched, even as her gaze met his. The lighter flecks buried in his cobalt eyes held her focus. Involuntarily, her body leaned closer to him. Chase’s gaze dropped to her lips and his own breath seemed shallow.
“Faith…”
The word came out in a husky whisper. Her pulse skittered in response and then skyrocketed as Chase’s hand rose to cup her face. His thumb traced a line across the ridge of her cheek before dropping to skim her lips. A blaze of heat followed his touch. Any doubts she had about Chase’s feelings evaporated when their gazes met once more. Love, pure and simple, shone in the depths of his eyes. But something else lingered there too.
Fear. Worry. It hit her all at once that Faith wasn’t the only one struggling to make sense of the recent developments between them. She reached up to clasp his hand in hers. They needed to talk, and if he didn’t stop touching her, she was going to give in to her desire and kiss him instead. “Chase, there’s something I need to say. I’m in love with you. I’ve been too scared to tell you for so many reasons, but I don’t want to be afraid anymore. The timing is terrible, I know, but…”
He blinked, as if dazed by her statement. Faith’s chest squeezed tight. “Chase?”
A slow smile lifted the corners of his handsome mouth. He rose and gently tugged her into a standing position before wrapping his arms around her waist. Chase lowered his mouth to hers. The kiss was tender and sweet. Filled with promise. Over far too quickly.
When he pulled back, Chase met her gaze. “I’ve been waiting years to hear those words.”
Shock vibrated through her. “Years? But you never said…I didn’t know…”
He brushed his mouth against hers. “I didn’t want you to know. For a long time, I wasn’t sure marriage or a family was for me. The relationship with my dad messed me up. I never felt worthy of you.”
“You’ve always been good enough for me.” She cupped his face in her hands and the bristles of his beard scratched against her palm. “Your father’s mistakes have nothing to do with you.”
“I know that now. And spending time with you and Anna only cemented what my heart already knew. I want a family. More importantly, I want you. You’re my best friend, Faith, and the only woman I ever want to spend my life with. I love you.”
Her heart soared. The love shining in his eyes warmed her straight through. She wanted to stay in his arms and never leave. “Chase—”
Gunshots interrupted her.
