And now she was arguing with herself. She shook her head again at her unusual flightiness and opened the shower door.
Thirty-five minutes later, she walked into the kitchen. Charlie and Polly were finishing the last of their food. Both glanced up at her and gave her happy grins, then went back to finishing their kibble.
“Thanks for feeding them,” she said.
“No problem. One scoop each, right? That’s what you gave them last night?”
“Yeah.” She stood in the center of the kitchen with her hands on her hips, staring at her dogs.
“What’s wrong?”
“I want to take Polly with me today, but that means leaving Charlie at the house by himself.”
“Leave him here.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, why not? He seems to be housebroken. I have stuff to do to get ready for next week so he can hang out here. No big deal.”
It was a big deal. Charlie and Polly were her fur babies. “Thanks.”
Jase gave Bree a head tilt and finished pouring coffee into two travel mugs. “Sugar is on the table. Milk is in the fridge. I don’t do that flavored crap.”
Bree smiled at the idea of Jase waiting all year long for eggnog-flavored coffee creamer. “Just milk.”
They finished making their to-go cups and headed out to Jase’s truck. The drive to Bree’s house seemed much quicker now that she was paying attention. Jase really didn’t live that far from her. Twenty minutes in the country made them practically neighbors. They had probably passed each other on the road, in the store, in any number of places over the years without ever realizing it.
Jase pulled in behind Bree’s SUV and put his truck in park. “You got an extra house key?”
Bree took her keys out of her purse and removed one from the ring. “Kitchen door.”
Jase grabbed her behind the neck and pulled her to him, giving her a hard kiss. “I want you back at my house tonight. Don’t make me track you down again,” he warned.
Bree gave him a baleful look. “You have Charlie.”
Jase grinned. “Oh yeah. Look how that worked out.”
“Jackass.”
“Brianna, honey, can you take a look at my hip? I keep feeling a click when I walk.”
“You were shagging again, weren’t you, Ms. Mary?” Bree asked, referring to the Carolina dance similar to the swing.
“Well, you know William just won’t take no for an answer,” Ms. Mary said.
“Uh huh. And it had nothing to do with the jive competition I saw flyers for last week?”
“I couldn’t very well let someone else take my title. Janice Wilkinson told Emily she and David could take me and William. She may be five years younger than I am, but she couldn’t shag her way out of a broom closet.”
Bree couldn’t help but laugh at the unintended double meaning of what Ms. Mary said. “Let’s take a look at you and make sure you didn’t actually throw out your hip. You need to take it a little easier. You’re not five years younger, you know.
Ms. Mary lay down on the portable massage bed Bree had set up in one of the unused offices. “Oh honey, when you stop dancing through life, you may as well stop living. You’re only as old as you think you are. In my mind, I’m still twenty years old and driving boys crazy on the Strand in Myrtle Beach.”
“Well, you might want to have your mind talk to your hips, because they’re in their eighties.”
Bree saw three more people that morning suffering from the consequences of the shag competition, as well as a few regulars. At noon, she looked down at Polly, who had spent the day lying in a sun spot in the corner. “You ready to go find Gran?”
She meandered along the paths through the manicured lawns and found Gran reading on the patio of her villa. A wide-brimmed hat shaded her face from the afternoon sun while she read. Polly trotted ahead of Bree and nudged Gran’s hand with her nose. Gran’s head tilted back, revealing her bright green eyes. The scene reminded Bree of a movie from the 50s or 60s. Even at eighty-five, her grandmother exuded class and style.
“Hey, Gran.” Bree leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hello, dear. You brought Polly with you.” Gran placed a bookmark between the pages of her novel and set it on the small table next to her.
“I had a bad night. I needed her close today.” She reached down and laid a hand on Polly’s head.
Gran gave her an assessing look. “I have chicken salad for lunch, is that okay?”
“Did you make it with your spicy mayo?”
“Of course.”
Bree smiled. “Then, of course.”
They made small talk over lunch, discussing Ms. Mary defending her title at the shag competition and other gossip from around the community.
Bree was clearing the dishes when Gran said, “Something is different about you.”
“How do you mean?” Bree glanced over her shoulder.
“I’m not sure. I expected you to be more somber, since you said you had a bad night, but your spirit seems lighter.”
“My spirit is lighter?” She couldn’t stop her grin. “Have you been visiting that psychic again?”
“Tease all you want, but she told me you were destined for great things and look at all you’ve accomplished,” Gran said.
“I haven’t done anything spectacular, Gran.”
“How many lives have you saved?”
“I was just doing my job. Anyone would have done the same in my position.”
“There were other people in your position who didn’t do what you did. I don’t like it when you sell yourself short.”
“Okay, Gran. I won’t sell myself short.” There was really no use in arguing. She shot a glance at the framed medal and citation sitting on Gran’s mantle, centered between her grandfather’s World War II service picture and her own service picture. “Why do you think my spirit is lighter?” she asked.
“You just seem happier.” She took a small sip of her herbal tea. Hot tea, even in the heat of the afternoon. “Have you and Chad set a date?”
Bree took a deep breath and let it out. “I have bad news about Chad.”
Gran set down her cup. “I think you would have told me by now if he had been in an accident or hurt, so you must have finally broken off your engagement.”
“What do you mean ‘finally’?”
“Dear, Chad was never the man for you. I realized that fairly early on. I just kept waiting for you to realize it, too.”
“I did,” Bree admitted.
“Why on earth did you say yes when he asked you?”
Bree tossed the dishtowel on the counter and leaned against it. “I didn’t want to cause a scene at your birthday party.”
“Darling.” She conveyed so much in that one word. “Do you really think I would have cared?”
“I cared.” Bree crossed her arms. “And I was completely shocked when he asked. Not one of those times I was able to think fast on my feet.”
Gran took a sip of her tea. “Should have just told him no.”
“Well, it’s over, so water under the bridge and all that.”
Gran raised an eyebrow. “But that isn’t why you’re happy.”
Bree ducked her head and scuffed her heel on the floor, afraid if she gave voice to her budding feelings for Jase, she might jinx it somehow. “I met someone. It’s still really, really new and really early, but I like him. He’s…” she tried to think of a way to describe Jase. “Strong.”
Gran smiled at Bree. “I liked your grandfather from the first moment I laid eyes on him, too. He was so handsome and confident. I knew, almost from the very beginning, I was going to spend the rest of my life with him. When your heart knows, your heart knows. Just don’t go letting your mind talk you out of it.” She gave Bree a pointed look.
Bree smiled and shook her head at her fanciful grandmother. She wasn’t sure where it was going with Jase. It had really only been two days since she’d met him, not counting that first night. It seemed like it had been
so much longer, but she had only run into him again the day before. How had so much happened in such a short amount of time? Her house had been broken into, she’d willingly let Jase manipulate her into staying with him, and he was pretty much holding her dog hostage to guarantee she returned to his house. His high-handedness should infuriate her, but it was actually kind of nice. She had always felt like the dominate personality with Chad and had always made all their plans. She liked that Jase had taken charge, packed her up, and made sure she was safe.
Gran interrupted her thoughts. “What’s your new young man do?”
“He runs a non-profit for veterans. He organizes hunting, fishing, and camping trips.”
“Did you meet through work?”
“Kind of. One of my patients mentioned Jase’s company and I went by to see if I could get some information for referrals.” It was partly true, anyway.
“That’s lovely. You’re both passionate about helping others. When are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight. I actually need to run by the grocery store. I’m cooking him dinner at his house and I’m not sure what all he has.”
“Well don’t let me keep you, my dear. I’m sure that will be much more interesting than spending time at the old folks’ home,” Gran said as she stood.
“Don’t be silly, Gran. You know I love coming to visit.”
“I know, dear, but if I were you, I’d rather spend time with a stud muffin than my grandmother.”
Bree laughed. “Gran, no one says ‘stud muffin’ anymore.”
“What do they say?”
Probably not appropriate to say she and Denise had called him a walking orgasm. “I’m not sure. I just know it’s not ‘stud muffin’.”
“Well, whatever it is, go spend time with him.”
Gran sent Bree off with a kiss and hug and waved as she drove away. Bree pulled out her phone as she walked into the grocery store. She had left it in the car while she was at the retirement community. Twenty-three texts from Chad.
“Ugh. Take a hint.” She selected them all and hit the delete button. She received three more texts by the time she was finished shopping. Disgusted, she turned off her phone and threw it in her purse.
Jase woke slowly, his hand already stroking his morning hard-on. Why stroke himself when he had a lush, willing woman in bed who could do it for him? He smiled to himself and reached for Bree. He eyes snapped open, blinking against the early morning light, when he found the bed empty. He glanced toward the bathroom - the light was off and there were no sounds coming that might indicate Bree was in there.
“Son of a bitch!” He scrambled out of bed, searching for his jeans and shirt he had discarded the night before. He glanced around the floor, looking for his shirt. He yanked open a drawer and grabbed a new one out of the dresser. He couldn’t believe she had taken off again. What the hell? He thought things were going well.
When she’d come back to his house yesterday, he’d been out in the yard playing fetch with Charlie. He’d been Jase’s shadow all day and his company actually made the day easier. It’d been nice having someone to talk to, even if it was just a dog.
Bree had made stuffed peppers and salad for dinner. He couldn’t even remember the last time someone had cooked for him - other than his mom on holidays. It was nice. Easy. They had relaxed on the hammock after dinner for a while before going to bed. The sex was phenomenal. Not so rushed, but Bree was still the hottest thing he could remember. She was so responsive and eager. Unselfconscious and, shit, when she came around his cock it was like a vice grip.
He turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs and stopped short as he came into the kitchen. Bree stood at the stove in his shirt - the one he couldn’t find. The smell of sautéed onions and mushrooms mixed with bacon and coffee filled the room, while the dogs sat perfectly still by her side, watching her every move.
She glanced over her shoulder, the smile she had for him fading as she caught sight of his thunderous look.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“You weren’t in bed.” His heart was pounding.
“I couldn’t sleep. And I was hungry, so I figured I’d come down and make breakfast. I was going to bring it up to you.”
Jase stalked toward her, backing her into the counter as she turned to face him fully. He leaned close, his mouth barely brushing hers.
“Wake me up if you can’t sleep. Then we’ll come downstairs.”
“You were sound asleep,” she told him. “I tried waking you up and you didn’t budge.”
“Get creative next time. I guarantee I’ll wake up with the right incentive.”
Bree’s eyes flashed in what he could only describe as a devilish look.
Jase grinned and swept an arm around her waist, pulling her close while avoiding the spatula she held. He kissed her deep, the taste of coffee she’d had still on her tongue. Shit. If he could get enough caffeine from kissing her, he’d give up drinking it altogether.
She pulled back slightly, her gaze on his mouth. “The eggs are gonna burn,” she whispered.
“I have more eggs.” His tongue darted out to lick her full bottom lip.
She pulled her head back again. “You don’t have more bacon and if that burns, I’m going to be upset.”
Jase relaxed his tight hold and straightened to his full height. “Only because it’s bacon.” He gave her a quick kiss before releasing her to get a coffee mug. He turned in time to catch sight of her lace panties as she bent to remove a cookie sheet from the oven.
Fuck the bacon, he thought as he put the empty mug on the counter. A knock at the kitchen door waylaid his plans to drag her back upstairs. He walked over and unlocked the deadbolt and let his brother in.
“Bad timing, man,” he said with a growl.
“Seems like perfect timing to me. Ooh, bacon.” Tim snagged a piece off the cookie sheet on the stove before stepping fully into the kitchen and grabbing the empty mug off the counter. “You using this?” He didn’t wait for Jase to answer before filling it.
“You here for a reason?” Jase asked.
Tim turned around and leaned against the counter, his face serious. “Unfortunately, yes. I actually need to talk to Bree.”
“About the break-in?” she asked. “On a Sunday morning?”
“We’re not actually sure. I need to you look at a picture for me.” Tim pulled his phone from his pocket.
“O…kay.” Bree turned off the stove and moved the omelets she had finished folding onto plates.
Tim pulled up a photo of a woman and passed his phone to Bree. “Do you recognize her?”
“Yeah, I do,” Bree said. Jase heard the surprise in her voice. “She used to be a neighbor. One house down, on the other side of the street. She and her husband moved four or five months ago. Sold their house to a younger couple with two kids. Her name was…shoot, it begins with a ‘J’, but it’s escaping me right now.” She handed Tim back his phone. “Why, what happened?”
“Her name was Jaelynn and she’s dead,” he said solemnly.
“Oh no! Was she in an accident?” Bree asked.
“She was killed.”
“What does this have to do with Bree, other than this woman used to be her neighbor?” Jase asked.
“I need to show you something else.” Tim swiped across the screen of his phone. “A letter was found with the body. It was addressed to Dr. Brianna Marks. We thought at first it was from the victim, but it doesn’t appear to be from her.” He hesitated a moment before handing his phone back to Bree.
She kept her eyes on him as she took the phone. Jase wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to him. Polly whined low and moved to Bree’s other side, leaning against her leg. She finally looked down at the screen.
Written in bold, block print letters on a standard sheet of white paper was: HE SHOULDN’T HAVE CHEATED. YOU DESERVE SO MUCH BETTER.
“I don’t understand.” Bree handed Tim back his phone.
“You said you d
iscovered your ex-fiance cheating on you and that was the reason you broke it off,” Tim said.
“Yes.”
“Was that…? Do you know…?” He stumbled on the question.
“Was that the only time he fucked around on me?” Bree finished.
“Yeah.”
Bree took a deep breath and let it out. “Honestly, I had my suspicions. Especially about Jaelynn. She’d always come over asking if Chad could help her with something around the house when her husband was out of town. Or, she’d invite us over for lunch or drinks when I had something going on, and Chad would go by himself. I asked him about it a couple times and he always brushed it off. Said she and her husband were having problems and she just needed a sympathetic ear. It seemed kind of sudden when they moved away.”
“Have you heard from your ex lately?” Tim asked.
“He’s been texting me several times a day, but I’ve just been deleting them.”
“Do you have your phone handy? Can you see if he’s tried to contact you in the last few hours?”
Bree shrugged. “Sure, it’s upstairs. I’ll go get it.” She placed her hand on Jase’s arm as she moved out of his hold. Polly followed her, keeping close to Bree’s side as she made her way around the corner.
“How serious is this?” Jase asked in a low voice.
“We aren’t sure,” Tim said.
“What do you mean, you aren’t sure?” Jase’s voice rose.
Tim glanced toward the hall leading to the stairs. “The note was found beside the body. She had been stabbed several times. She had rope marks on her wrists and, best we can tell, she had been tied to a rocking chair in her living room.”
“What’s the threat to Bree?” Jase asked, cutting to the chase.
“Man, I wish I could tell you she wasn’t in danger, but we really don’t know. We don’t know who did this or why. We’re pretty sure it’s not the ex, but we also don’t know why the letter was addressed to Bree. We’ve got the department shrink looking at it to get his take on it.”
Jase wanted to ask more questions but stopped when he heard Polly’s claws clicking on the wood as she followed Bree down the stairs. Thank fuck, she had put on some shorts.
Stitched Up Heart (Combat Hearts Book 1) Page 9
