AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It was awful, but Gavin questioned Randy’s change of heart. The man seemed sincere, but could he be trusted? Claire must’ve had the same thoughts, because her gaze narrowed and she asked, “Mayor Scott hasn’t called you?”
“He did. I share his concern that you’re headed down the wrong path with this investigation. Ian didn’t kill Stephanie.” Randy set the notebook down on her desk. “You need to take a closer look at Alex Sheffield.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s not the person he claims to be. Alex belongs to the Chosen. He has a tattoo on the inside of his arm.”
Gavin stiffened. “You knew Alex was a member of the Chosen and you’re just now telling us?”
“I didn’t know it was relevant until Stephanie turned up dead. Xavier is still missing, right?” Randy waited for Gavin to nod before continuing. “He may not be alive anymore. If the rumors are true, Alex challenged Xavier for a leadership position in the group. It failed. Since then, he’s been towing the line, but this may have been the opportunity he needs to frame someone else for crimes he committed. Starting with Stephanie’s murder. She betrayed him by dating Ian. When Alex found out, he was furious.”
“How do you know all of this?” Claire asked.
“As you pointed out, I was sheriff for decades. Witnesses and conversations are all listed in the notebook.” Randy glanced at Gavin and then focused back on Claire. “Learn from my mistakes. Follow the evidence, Sheriff, and ignore everything else.”
Claire wrapped the ends of her oversized cardigan around her midsection. It was late, and although her body was exhausted, her mind wouldn’t shut off. Dishes rattled in the kitchen as Gavin cleaned up after dinner. She’d offered to help, but he insisted on doing it himself. There was something comforting about his steady presence in her home.
Thunder lit up the night sky. The white flash illuminated the lake and woods behind her house. There was another storm coming. In more ways than one. Since discovering Stephanie’s body in the lake, Claire had the overwhelming sense that the killer wasn’t done with her. Not yet.
It was an awful feeling she couldn’t shake.
After the conversation with Sheriff King, she’d read every page of his notebook. Most of it was based on innuendo and rumors, but it all had to be looked into. The Texas Rangers sprang into action, dividing up the witnesses, and attempting to track down more evidence that would lead them to the killer. Or killers.
There was nothing more to do. Not tonight. She reached for the leather-bound Bible on the end table beside the couch and flipped to the homemade bookmark tucked within the pages. Faye had gifted it to Claire. The intricately cross-stitched birds were accompanied by a verse.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
A sense of peace swept over Claire. It was the reminder she needed, especially tonight.
Gavin came around the corner. A water stain spread across his shirt and the fabric clung to his chest muscles. He carried a steaming mug in one hand. “I made you a cup of tea. If you’re lucky, it’s drinkable. That fancy kettle has more buttons than mission control.”
She chuckled. He was right. The kettle had six different temperature settings for perfect brewing along with a stay warm function. It’d been a gift from her parents when she moved in. Claire set her Bible down before accepting the mug Gavin offered. Their fingers brushed, sending a jolt of electricity up her arm. “I’m the tea is wonderful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” His gaze dropped to the Bible. He picked up the bookmark, running his fingers over the delicately stitched verse. “Did you make this?”
“Faye did. Jacob was only six weeks old and my divorce had just been finalized when a gift showed up in the mail. Baby clothes and other things, along with this bookmark. The verse was her favorite.”
It was one Claire didn’t always live by. She hadn’t with Gavin. The fear of being hurt had held her back from saying what was in her heart, but she couldn’t remain silent anymore. It was time to be courageous.
Please, God, give me the right words.
She set her tea down on the coffee table and turned to face the man seated on the couch next to her. She took his hand. “Gavin, there’s something I need to say. I’ve been thinking a lot about our conversation in the hospital.”
“Claire…” He ran a thumb across her knuckle, sending a sweet wave of warmth coursing through her. “I don’t mind having this conversation tonight, but there’s no need. We can talk another time—”
“No. We’ve been shot at, chased, and nearly blown up. Before some other catastrophe happens, I need to say this.” She took a deep breath. “You aren’t the only one who fears not being good enough. I was married once. It ended in disaster. My husband cheated on me, left me while I was pregnant, and moved to the other side of the world without a backward glance. Starting a new relationship…it’s the last thing I ever thought about doing. And then you walked into my life.”
Tenderness softened the hard planes of his face. Gavin’s hand cupped her cheek, his fingers threading through the strands of her hair. His touch was irresistible. And oh, that look in his eyes. She wanted to melt in it.
Claire gave into her desire and laid her head on his broad chest. “You make me want to try, Gavin. With you, things could be different. But I can’t do this alone. I learned that the hard way in my marriage. I can’t convince you. You have to believe in us—in the love we could have—on your own.”
“You’re right. I do.” He tightened his arms around her and brushed a kiss across her temple. “I’ve been thinking a lot too. I’m not the same man I was when my ex and I broke up. God wasn’t a part of my life then. But He is now and my faith…it changes things. The first day we were working on this case, I said God had brought me here for a reason. I thought it was to protect you. Now I realize He had bigger plans for me. For us.”
Claire’s pulse jumped. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?
“Maybe the key is to love each other, keep communication open, and to hand our fears over to the Lord.” Gavin gently grasped her chin and tilted it upward until she was looking him in the face. “I’m falling in love with you, Claire. You and Jacob. I’m not going anywhere as long you’ll both have me.”
Her breath caught. His speech was the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her. Tears pricked Claire’s eyes as her heart burst wide open. Gavin searched her face, a faint hint of worry lurking in his chestnut eyes. “Did I say too much?”
