Face of Danger

by Valerie Hansen

  “Hey, Dad, it’s me. I was just wondering how the weather is down there.”

  “Nasty,” Jacob said. “I was out closing up the barn when I heard the phone ringing.”

  “I’m glad you’re back. I remembered you were off on one of your volunteer building trips for the church and I wondered when you were coming home. How did it go?”

  “Fine. We got a lot accomplished for those poor folks. Don’t worry. One of my friends came out here every day to feed and water the stock in case you had to be away, too.”

  “Thanks. I thought I might drop by when we were down that way a week or so ago but it didn’t work out.”

  “We?” The older man snorted. “This story is gettin’ interesting. Who was with you?”

  “Paige Bryant,” Cade said, pausing for the reaction he suspected would follow.

  “From the cold case you asked me about?”

  “Yeah. We came down to use the lab equipment instead of waiting for hers to be replaced or repaired. Somebody trashed her studio.”

  “How’s the girl doing after that?”

  “She’s not a girl anymore, Dad, remember? She’s a grown woman. And a pretty one, too. I just…”

  “Spit it out. Let’s have the real reason you’re calling me.”

  “Is it that obvious?”

  “It is to me. You and I think alike. You gettin’ sweet on her?”

  “You could say that, I guess.”

  “Never mind what I say. What do you say?”

  Cade cupped his free hand around the instrument before he confessed, “I can’t imagine my life without her in it.”

  “Uh-oh. What does she have to say about that?”

  “I haven’t told her yet. It’s complicated.”

  “Have you prayed about it?”

  “In a manner of speaking. There have been a few times lately when all I’ve had time to do is act. That’s part of the problem. I’m afraid she’s seeing me as some kind of superhero instead of as a regular guy.”

  “You are a Texas Ranger. That’s pretty special.”

  “Yeah, well, I think it’s a lot more than that. I’ve literally had to rescue her more than once and she’s reacted as if what I did was out of the ordinary.” He cleared his throat. “Funny thing is, it seemed pretty special to me, too, at the time.”

  “That’s because it was. The Lord works in mysterious ways, you know.”

  Cade could tell from his father’s tone that the older man was grinning and he felt his cheeks warming in spite of the chilly wind. “Paige and I haven’t really known each other that long. I just know I’m going to miss her a lot when I have to leave Austin. We’ve been spending almost every waking moment together since she started working on the latest facial reconstruction.”

  “Sounds to me like you two probably know each other better than some couples who’ve dated for months, if you count by the total hours instead of thinking of it as dating.”

  That was the first time Cade had considered that aspect of his time with Paige. They were probably more well acquainted already than he had been with other women he might have considered proposing to.

  Proposing? He gasped, choked and started to cough.

  On the other end of the line, Jacob was gleefully chortling. “Simmer down, son. I fell for your mama in the blink of an eye but it took her a tad longer to see what a wonderful husband I’d make. She was worth waitin’ for.”

  “Meaning, don’t rush things?”

  “Hey, don’t ask me. I’m no psychologist. And I can’t say I’ve ever been able to figure out women, except maybe your mama. We sure did have some good times together, Maryanne and me.”

  “I know you did. I’d like to have that kind of marriage someday. I guess that’s why I called, although if you’d asked me before we started talking, I wouldn’t have realized it.”

  “Just trust the good Lord,” Jacob said. “He’ll work it out for you.”

  “Yeah, I suppose so.” Cade shivered and hunched his shoulders with his back to the worst of the wind. “You’d better stay in the house till this storm passes,” he warned. “It’s not looking good here.”

  “Here, either. Take care of yourself, son. We still on for Thanksgiving dinner?”

  “Sure. I should be home for keeps by then. Pick up a turkey and we’ll deep fry it—outside on the porch. The other fixings we can get at the deli.”

  “Good plan. No sense takin’ a chance of setting the house on fire with the turkey cooker the way some folks do. Why don’t you ask Paige to join us? The more the merrier.”

  “Maybe.” And maybe not. “Bye, Dad.”

  Smiling as he pictured his macho father with kitchen mitts on both hands, carefully lowering a turkey into a boiling kettle of peanut oil, Cade sighed. They’d have a good time, as always, but no holiday had seemed as festive, as complete, since his early teenage years when his mother had still been alive.

  Cade rejected Jacob’s suggestion several times before finally giving in. Okay. He’d ask Paige to share their holiday meal. Since she didn’t have close family to celebrate with, it was actually possible she’d accept. It was worth a try.

  Turning, Cade slid the temporary key card he’d been issued through the scanner and unlocked the entrance door. Now that he’d decided, it was all he could do to keep from hurrying back to Paige and inviting her immediately.

  That notion was so patently stupid it almost made him laugh. If he’d learned anything about her in the past days and weeks, it was that she was not the type to act without thinking things through very carefully. The more chances he gave her to come up with a good excuse to avoid coming for dinner, the less likely it would be that she’d agree. That meant he’d have to bide his time and keep his mouth shut until almost Thanksgiving day.

  Cade grinned and rubbed his palms together to warm his hands. Paige would join them. He’d see to it somehow. And when she did, she’d experience belonging to a loving family. It was a personal connection that she needed, that she was lacking. If he could coax her out of her shell, even for one family affair, perhaps she’d see how well she fit into his life—into his future.

  Paige had tried repeatedly to reach Angela and had grown so frustrated she was ready to scream. She was ending another voice mail message when Cade returned.

  “What’s up?” he nodded at the cell phone in her hand.

  “I can’t get hold of Angie. I’m worried.”

  “Maybe she’s out on another flight.”

  “That was my first thought. I checked with her airline. They wouldn’t tell me anything.” She eyed the nearly completed bust. “What time is it?”

  “After seven. You ready to call it a day? We could grab another pizza.”

  Paige was heading for the sink against the back wall to wash her hands. “Let me get this clay off first, then we’ll go.”

  “To supper?”

  “No.” She gave him a look that plainly said she wasn’t in the mood to agree with anything he said. “We’re going to check the house to make sure my friend isn’t in danger.”

  “Nope.”

  Bristling, Paige stared at him. “Oh, yeah? Watch me.”

  “You can’t. You don’t have wheels.”

  “Thanks to you. Captain Parker phoned and told me my truck has been ready for ages. Did you just happen to forget to mention that?” Whipping off her soiled plastic apron she hung it on a peg by the sink. “If you won’t drive me, I’ll walk over to the garage and pick up my truck. Either way, I’m going to go look for Angela.”

  “The weather’s bad out there and getting worse by the minute. Why don’t we just have the sheriff cruise by and see if she went home.”

  “Then what? Are they going to stay with her 24/7? Suppose they warn her to leave and she chooses to listen to Captain Parker’s advice, instead? I would, wouldn’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then what’s your problem, Ranger?”

  Raking his fingers through his short, blond hair he shook his
head. “You are, lady. How do you expect me to keep you safe if you insist on taking chances by leaving the areas we know are secure?”

  That was all the opening she needed to make her point so she said, “I thought you were trusting the Lord?”

  “I am. That doesn’t mean I intend to stuff a swarm of killer bees into my shirt just to see what God will do about it.”

  She grabbed her jacket and started to sidle past him as she threaded her arms into the sleeves.

  Cade reached for her. Stopped her. His touch on her shoulders was firm but nevertheless gentle.

  “We’ll go.” He cast a quick glance at the nearly complete sculpture. “Just keep in mind that you have an important job to finish.”

  “I never forget my job.”

  “I know. Sometimes I almost wish you would.”

  Paige was flabbergasted. One minute they’d been arguing and then suddenly his mood had changed completely. Judging by the way he was now gazing into her eyes and cupping her shoulders, she suspected he was about to bend over and kiss her! Would she mind? Not in the least. As a matter of fact…

  Warmth infused her cheeks and Paige knew she was blushing. Truth to tell, it looked as if Cade was, too.

  Her lips parted slightly. She started to raise on tiptoe and tilt her head to one side.

  Then, he suddenly set her away from him and let go. Paige was so surprised by the abruptness of his moves she staggered. Blinking rapidly, she watched him square his hat on his head and fist his keys as if he intended to leave without her.

  “Hey! Wait for me,” Paige said, her voice raised. “I need to put some of this stuff back in the safe before I go anywhere.”

  “Well, hurry it up. The sooner we check your house, the sooner I can get you locked up in the motel.”

  The old grouch was back. Lovely. Not that she was feeling any more amiable than he was. One thing was certain, she concluded. She had not been the only one thinking of kissing and being kissed. The real question was, why had Cade backed away instead of acting on the obvious mutual attraction?

  Because he doesn’t really want to be involved with

  me, she answered, sobering. It was one thing to find someone appealing and quite another for an honorable man like Cade Jarvis to take the chance of leading her on when he’d decided they could never have a romantic relationship. He was the consummate gentleman. A true Texas Ranger.

  Paige just wished he wasn’t quite so conscientious when it came to a simple display of affection.

  Her thoughts centered on the way she felt about Cade. She had been the one to cling to him after the highway fiasco, to hug his waist in the restaurant parking lot and later hold his hand. It was all her idea. She couldn’t recall one specific thing the Ranger had done to demonstrate that he shared her loving feelings.

  Chagrined and more than a little embarrassed to recall the way she’d behaved, she grabbed Max’s leash, locked the safe and her office door and hurried after Cade. Should she apologize? she wondered. Maybe try to explain or laugh it all off?

  That answer was easy. If she even hinted that she’d expected a kiss and then found out he had purposely avoided giving her one, she would be humiliated. Worse, their working relationship would be weakened, if not totally destroyed.

  How about later? she asked herself. Perhaps. No, probably. Cade had squeezed her fingers as they left the restaurant, and even before that he’d voluntarily eased the cramped muscles in her neck. He must be at least slightly attracted to her. That was good, right?

  Leaning into the wind and dragging her reluctant, shivering dog along, Paige gritted her teeth. Max wasn’t the only one who disliked thunderstorms. When lightning was involved, it often knocked out power to whole blocks of the city and brought the total darkness she hated so.

  “At least it hasn’t started to rain yet,” she remarked, sliding out of the way and shoving the dog onto the floor at her feet. “Wet sheepdog is not a pleasant smell.”

  Cade didn’t comment. He hadn’t said a single word to her since they’d left the office and it didn’t look as if he planned to get talkative anytime soon.

  Fine. If he wanted to sulk, let him. As long as he kept his promise to take her to the house to check on Angie, she didn’t care if he clammed up like a—like a clam. A handsome clam in a white cowboy hat, she added, chagrined.

  There was no getting around it. She was a goner. She’d fallen for the guy so hard she was hardly able to think straight, let alone make sense of her life outside the studio.

  What was it Cade had said, exactly? That he wanted her to forget about her job? That couldn’t have been what he’d meant. They were both dedicated to the Texas Rangers to the point of obsession. There was no way Cade Jarvis had told her to forget it.

  Another thing she wasn’t about to forget was this special time with him, Paige added, lowering her lashes and sneaking a sideways peek at his profile while he drove. When he was sent back to San Antonio, she knew she was going to mourn the loss of his companionship nearly as deeply as she’d once mourned for her sister.

  Averting her face, Paige stared out the window, not focusing on the view. Instead, she was picturing the two people whom she loved with all her heart and imagining how painful it would be to bid goodbye to the only one who remained. In Amy’s case she’d had no choice. Did she with Cade?

  A tear slipped over her lower lashes and trickled down her cheek. Whatever she eventually said or did, she was going to make certain he didn’t feel trapped or coerced simply because they’d become friends while working together. Until she’d heard him express equal affection, in so many words, she was not going to let him suspect she loved him.

  That ridiculous assumption almost made her smile. Not let him know? How could he help seeing it? She’d practically thrown herself at the poor man back in her office.

  Yes, and he should have given in and kissed me, Paige told herself firmly. Hey! Maybe he was a lousy kisser and finding that out would have ended her infatuation.

  Talk about ridiculous. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was that Cade Jarvis was the best kisser in all of Texas. The proof was in heart.

  SIXTEEN

  Cade heard Paige’s phone start to jingle a few minutes before they reached her house. He listened while she answered excitedly. “Hello?” Frowning, she looked over at him. “I can’t hear anybody.”

  “Do you have caller ID?”

  “Yes, but the number is listed as private.”

  “Terrific.”

  “Hey, don’t blame me.” Clapping her free hand over her other ear she repeated, “Hello? Hello?”

  “Still can’t hear anything?”

  “No.”

  “Then hang up. We’re here.”

  He doused his headlights, killed the engine and coasted silently into the driveway. Theirs wasn’t the only vehicle present.

  “That’s Angela’s car!”

  “Okay. You stay here while I go have a look.”

  “No way. She has to be home.”

  “Does she? There are no lights showing inside the house. Maybe she’s on a date.” He gestured at the small phone still in Paige’s hand. “I need you to sit right here in case whoever called before does it again. For all we know, your friend might have been trying to check in with you and just had a weak signal.”

  “Do you actually believe that?”

  “It’s as plausible as any ideas you’ve come up with.” He leaned low to peer through the windshield at the stormy sky. “Lightning might have interfered with the connection, too.”

  “Yeah, right.”

  “Do you know how to shoot?” Cade asked, purposely changing the subject and giving her a stern look for added effect.

  “Only with a camera. Why?”

  “Because I was thinking of leaving a gun with you for protection. Since you aren’t proficient with firearms there’s no way I’d do that.” He held out his hand. “Give me your house keys.”

  When she hesitated, he added, “Be sensibl
e for once, Paige. You can’t take Max out in this weather. Look at him. He’s shaking so hard the whole truck is vibrating.”

  “Aren’t you worried about leaving me?”

  “I won’t be far away. And you have the horn as well as your cell phone. If you feel threatened, just honk loud to let me know you’re scared, then dial 911 and request backup. Remember to lock the door.”

  As soon as she’d finished grumbling unintelligibly and had given in, Cade swapped his trademark white hat for her keys, then slid silently out of the truck. He closed the door with care instead of slamming it. Rangers weren’t often involved in this kind of regular police action but he was well versed in all procedures.

  His one and only concern was for the woman he was leaving behind in his truck. If they started spending time together off the job, as he hoped they would, he was going to teach Paige self-defense, including how to shoot to protect herself without blowing a hole in her own foot.

  Approaching the house slowly, he peered in the front window, then signaled to Paige to indicate where he intended to go next. He couldn’t see anything inside his truck except shadows, which was just as well since he didn’t want anyone else to know she was even there.

  Gun drawn and ready, Cade flipped on his flashlight then started around the corner of the small home and entered the backyard, just as he had when searching for clues to the previous prowler.

  The short hair on the back of his neck prickled and he froze to listen. It was too late in the year for the chirps of crickets or locusts. Birds were essentially silent, too. In the distance, a dog howled. Another answered. Other than that, all he could hear was the whistling wind and the repeated rumble of distant thunder. Lightning lit the clouds as if there were a spotlight flashing behind them. At times, the entire sky seemed to pulse and glow.

  Thankful he was no longer wearing a hat that would have made him as visible as a jet black horse in a field of snow, he tiptoed up to the back porch and tried the knob.

  Locked. He located the proper key on the first try, inserted and turned it.

  In seconds, he was inside.