Chapter Thirteen

Lynn leaned against the door until her legs stiffened enough to walk. Her knees didn’t seem to want to bend.

Her biggest fear had just unfolded before her eyes.

Thank God neither Jackie nor Mackenzie suspected a thing.

How long would that last if they saw each other often?

They had to solve this case as fast as possible. Then he’d go back to New York and they’d never hear from him again.

After shutting and locking the doors, she checked the windows as Mackenzie had suggested, then she opened Jackie’s door, saw her huddled in the middle of the bed and left.

Lynn went to her mom’s room. She wouldn’t have her making invites for dinner a habit.

Her mother sat propped up with one of her favorite romance books in hand. She shut it when she saw the look on Lynn’s face.

“What?” she asked innocently.

“Don’t act as if you don’t know why I’m angry. It doesn’t suit you.”

Her mother scooted up straighter, her head against the headboard. “I’ve always liked Jake. You know that. You also know I think you made a mistake by not telling him of your pregnancy.”

“And you know how important it is for me to keep that information from him and from Jackie.”

“Why? Jackie should know. She’s old enough. Have you ever thought that you’re doing Jake an injustice?”

Lynn moved closer to sit on the edge of the bed. Her mother stroked her head like she had when she was a child. “Don’t let it upset you so. Maybe it’s time to come clean, get on with your life.”

Lynn jerked her head up. “What do you mean, get on with my life? I’m the sheriff of an entire county. My work keeps me on the go from morning until night. What are you really getting at?”

“I worry about you, honey. You don’t seem to have fun. I remember when you were Jackie’s age and how much you enjoyed being with your friends. You hardly associate with them anymore. Jackie’s right about one thing, you don’t date at all.”

“Who would I date? Most of the men around here are married; those who aren’t turn me off. You know I see Julie almost every day. You know she’s my best friend and confidante. Just because I don’t party is no sign I don’t have friends.”

“Um hum.”

“What does that mean? I’m not a child, Mom. I’m living my life just as I want.”

“Really?”

Lynn put her hands over her ears. Her mom could be the most irritating person in the world. “I like my life and, most of the time I enjoy my job as Sheriff.”

“I think different.”

“What do you know?”

“I know you have lots of acquaintances, maybe even a whole town full. But those you were once close to aren’t in your life anymore. You’re close to no one except Julie.”

“Julie’s special.”

“I agree. But you need more, Lynn. “

There was no point in arguing with her mom. Lynn never won. But when this case was over, she’d make it a point to live a fuller life. “I don’t want Mackenzie here, Mom. I don’t want him to suspect the truth.”

“Why would he? No one else ever has.”

“They have the same smile. Mom! Please.”

“Okay. No more invites.” She shook her head. “It’s a shame though. The man loves to eat.”

Lynn kissed her mom’s cheek and left the room.

It was true her mom had always liked Mackenzie. Secretly, Lynn thought she had seen a wedding in their future.

So had Lynn.

Look how that turned out.

On her way to her room, she looked in on Jackie again. If her daughter knew how many times she was checked on every night, she’d have a hissy fit. But Jackie was still asleep. She must have turned over as she was in a different position on the bed.

Lynn resisted the urge to go in and straighten the covers. If Jackie woke and saw her, she’d yell her displeasure.

Her heart heavy, Lynn went to bed.

She couldn’t sleep. All she could see was Jackie teasing and laughing with her father. What would her reaction be if she knew the truth?

Lynn didn’t want to go there.

Not now. Not ever.

****

Jake’s eyes shot open. It was early, but the dream woke him. Lynn smiling. She was wearing a wedding dress. Jeez! He wiped the sleep from his eyes and threw on a pair of jeans to go with the T-shirt he wore at night. Why would he have such thoughts? Even in a dream? He was still wondering when he entered the kitchen and started a pot of coffee.

The doorbell rang. He looked at the clock. Six in the morning was early for anyone to be up and about.

He went to the door, looked out. “Jackie?” He frowned as he swung the door open. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?” Images of Lynn being taken by the killer whipped through his head, making his knees weak.

Reason told him if Lynn was in trouble Jackie would call 911, not show up on his doorstep.

He took a closer look at the girl as she swept past him with her backpack over her shoulders, a grim look on her face. Her eyes were red and swollen, her hair in disarray. She looked as if she hadn’t slept. “Sit,” he ordered, as he took her arm and led her to a barstool. “Talk to me. Tell me how you got here.”

“I called a friend. He dropped me off.”

“Does your mom know you’re here?”

Jackie shook her head. “I left a note, told her I had to get to school early.”

“What’s so important you’re missing school?”

She stared blankly into the distance. What now? How did he know what to do with a teen? He went to get a cup of coffee, brought her one with cream and sugar. “Drink,” he ordered.

“I don’t drink coffee.”

“Take a sip. You look as if you need a boost.”

She laughed. Only the laughter was on the hysterical side.

“Either tell me what’s wrong or I call your mom.”

“That’s the thing, Jake. I don’t know who my mom is.” She looked at him closely. “Smile,” she said.

“What?”

“I want to see you smile.”

“Look, Jackie. I’m a pretty patient guy, but you’re sounding a bit weird here.”

“That’s an understatement. I overheard a conversation last night. Okay, I was eavesdropping, but Lynn acted strange the whole time you were there. I wanted to find out why.”

“Did you?”

Jackie put her head in her hands, tears leaked between her fingers.

“C’mon, kid. It can’t be that bad.” He went to her, hugged her shoulders.

“It’s worse.”

“Wanna tell me about it?” He couldn’t imagine what Jackie had heard that sent her here. It didn’t make sense. She should be talking to her mom.

Jackie swallowed a few times, wiped her face, then looked him in the eye. “Mom and Lynn had been talking a while before I got to the door. The first thing I heard was Mom telling Lynn that I should be told something because I was old enough to know the truth. That Lynn was doing you an injustice. Then Lynn said something like she didn’t want you to suspect the truth and that’s why she didn’t want you there. She even said I had your smile.”

What the hell!

“Do you know what they were talking about? Are you my Dad? Is Lynn my mom and not my sister? I’m so confused.”

Jake was so tense he couldn’t breathe, nor could he think. This couldn’t be right.

No way! He and Lynn hadn’t had full-blown sex. Not really. But they’d come so close he supposed it could be true. But why didn’t she tell him?

“It doesn’t sound right, does it? I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood the conversation.”

She stood to leave.

“Sit. I have to think.”

Jackie took another sip of coffee. “This is beyond weird. I’m really sorry to have bothered you.”

Jake was pacing the room now, angry as hell. Could he be this teen’s father? The age was right. When she’d smiled last night he’d thought her smile looked familiar. It should. He saw it in the mirror once in a while.

But why would Lynn keep this from him?

His heart sank at the answer. She wanted him to have his dream job. A baby would interfere. They could have had both. Others had.

Dammit to hell. He was too angry to speak.

When he looked over and saw Jackie huddled on the barstool, his heart broke. He went to her, took her hand and brought her to her feet. “C’mere.”

She put her head on his chest and bawled. He held her closer. “I’m not that bad a guy, you know. If I had the chance, I’ll bet I’d make a pretty good dad.”

She bawled louder.

It took a good thirty minutes of comforting and coaxing to get her settled down. “I think you need a bathroom break. Why don’t you wash your face and comb your hair? Then I’ll take you to school.”

“I want to know if you’re my dad for real. I brought a q-tip with a swab from my mouth. I brought hair from Lynn’s brush. If you’ll give me a sample, I’ll get them checked. I want to know for sure.”

He stepped back to take a good look at this woman-child who could be his. “How did you know to do this?”

She laughed. His heart hurt watching her. She had his smile, his chin, her mother’s eyes and hair color. She was a beautiful mixture of the two of them. And she was smart as hell.

“I’ve always wanted to go into law enforcement. I thought it was because of my dad…granddad, maybe, and Lynn. Then you showed up.” She smiled again. “I guess it’s in my blood.”

‘I guess it is. Give me the samples. I’ll have the DNA taken care of.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. When I get the results, we’ll confront Lynn together.”

“Cool.”

“Jackie, I’m about as sure as I can be without the results that you are my daughter. I want you to know I’m proud of you. You’re beautiful and smart. You can do anything in this world you want. And I want to help you do it. Whatever I can do, however I can help, let me know.”

“Can you help me get into the academy when I graduate from college?”