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“For what?” His blue eyes caught hers and lodged a lump in her throat.
“For finding me.”
He gave her that old Chase smile that always melted her heart. “You’re more than welcome. Did you see who did this to you?”
“No, whoever it was, hit me from behind. I’m guessing it was the guy with the hoodie, I followed him into the woods, but lost track of him.”
“I also saw Aiden, and followed him into the parking lot.”
She shook her head. “Let me guess, he got away.”
“I’m beginning to think the whole thing was planned.”
They followed the trail back toward the festival. “You don’t think Aiden would have done this to me?” Even she was having a hard time believing that.
“I don’t know. Obviously whoever it was didn’t want you badly hurt.”
“That’s true.” Though she hated to admit it. “Unless you hadn’t found me.” Unless they’d come back and that was who Killer was barking at.
“That wasn’t going to happen. Your brothers were about to storm these woods with every first responder in Granite Falls.”
She nuzzled Killer’s face. “They are pretty awesome. Not only that, you had an excellent tracking dog with you, didn’t you.”
Chase laughed. “You betcha. I never would have found you without her.”
She threw him a grin. “Any chance we can pick up some barbecue on the way out? I’m starved.”
He put his arm around her and walked by her side. “Absolutely.”
14
Chase kepthis arm around Jacquie even when the path narrowed to the point of making it awkward. He just couldn’t let go. He could have lost her today. She looked up at him, her brown eyes meeting his and holding, causing his heart to give a little squeeze.
“Chase, I’m all right. Really.”
He stopped and faced her, taking both her hands in his. “I couldn’t bear it if anything happened to you. I know I have no right to worry or care, but I do.” He studied her face, looking for doubt but didn’t see any. Maybe there was a chance for them.
She squeezed his hands. “I care too.”
Hope filled him, making his head feel light and giddy. “I don’t expect you to forgive me.”
She dropped his hands. “That’s good, because I haven’t. I’m not sure I even can, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be old friends.”
Old friends? “I…I was just worried.”
“Good. That means you still care.”
Oh boy, did he still care. He smiled, feeling slightly foolish. He needed to get some perspective. “I do.”
She looked up at him for a long moment, and he fought the urge to kiss her again, to dip his head and capture her lips. That would be a mistake. He knew it. She knew it. That wasn’t how old friends acted.
She turned and walked in front of him, moving away. He watched her for a long moment, trying to gather himself. Even if it was possible for them to reconnect and find their way back to each other, they couldn’t do it right now. They were on a case, and neither one of them could afford a distraction.
He focused on the woods around them, keeping an eye out for her attacker, peering through the thick foliage, wondering if Aiden or his friend were there somewhere. He didn’t see anyone, but couldn’t help the feeling that they were being watched.
Josh met them at the fork in the path, his concerned gaze raking over Jacquie. “Are you okay?”
She touched his arm and gave him a small smile. Working in law enforcement, her life had been in danger many times before, but something about this felt different. Chase had gotten there in time, but she’d still had a few moments there where she didn’t know what would happen. But that was over now, and there was no use dwelling on it. “I’m fine. Really.”
