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Faith patted the infant’s back with her left hand. The faint tan line where her wedding ring used to be still lingered. “What do you think?”
He wanted to shield her from the horrible theories forming in his brain, but that wouldn’t do either of them any good. Especially since Chase feared the danger was far from over. Still, he could start with the good news.
“I think you’re a brave woman.” His mouth twitched. “I also believe your intruder is in serious pain after finding himself at the wrong end of your pitchfork. Smart move, Faith. If I’d known how dangerous you were, I wouldn’t have used my key to come into the house.”
That earned him a faint smile. “I always look before turning my pitchfork on someone.”
He rubbed his rib cage. “You didn’t when you jabbed me with your elbow. That bony thing should be classified as a weapon all on its own.”
She laughed, as he’d hoped, and attempted to slug his arm. He caught her wrist and pulled her close for a hug, careful not to disturb the sleeping baby nestled against her. The truth of what could’ve happened to Faith sank into Chase with sharp claws. She could’ve died. The thought stole his breath. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
She sighed, leaning against him. “What aren’t you telling me, Chase?”
No one understood him like Faith did. Growing up, he’d been something of a rebel. He’d fooled his mother, charmed his teachers, and wiggled out of more trouble than he’d care to remember. But the one person who always saw right past all his defenses was Faith. She demanded authenticity from him.
It’s what made their friendship so hard to navigate. Chase was terrified that one day she’d realize the truth about his feelings toward her. And once that happened…there was no going back. It would change their friendship forever. It wasn’t worth the risk.
Sirens wailed in the distance. His colleagues were on their way.
Faith pulled back to look him in the face. Her mouth was set in a determined line. Sunlight caressed the curve of her cheek and the sweep of her jaw. Her porcelain skin was smooth save for the freckle under her left eye and the faint scar above her lip from when she fallen at the roller rink when they were twelve. The woman was stunning. Chase kept thinking that one day he’d become immune to her beauty, but it never happened.
She arched one brow, meeting his gaze straight on. “Tell me.”
Sugarcoating wouldn’t work. Not with Faith. Better to rip the bandage off all at once.
“Whoever your attacker was, he chased someone into your barn.” Chase jutted his chin toward the baby. “Probably her mama. He assaulted her, maybe killed her. Then he carried her body from the barn…to somewhere. The woods, perhaps, or to his vehicle parked on the road. And then he came back for the child.”
Faith paled as her hand cradled the baby’s head in a protective gesture. “But I was here.”
Chase nodded. He didn’t have to say the rest. It was obvious in the way her eyes darkened, Faith had figured it out. Her barn was a potential murder scene. If he was right, and the baby’s mom was dead, then Faith was a witness.
Judging from the way the criminal had come after her in the barn…
He intended to silence her. For good.
