knew how much it hurt.
Caroline rocked back on her heels. “Just trying to figure out what’s going on.”
Jason stared out over the backyard. “Me, too. I need to head out for a little while.”
“You’ve been with me all day. I’m sure you have other responsibilities, other cases you need to be working on. Go. You don’t have to babysit—”
“I’m not babysitting you.” His face darkened. “I’m doing my job. You’re a citizen of this community, which I have sworn to protect, and someone is trying to kill you. It is, in fact, my job to be sure that doesn’t happen.”
He was right, of course. She tried to keep her expression neutral. “I understand, and I appreciate that.”
He stepped closer, and when she tried to back up, she slammed into a porch column. “Ow.” She rubbed the back of her head.
Jason didn’t back up or give her the space she’d been seeking. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, avoiding eye contact. But he didn’t allow that, cupping his hand under her chin and tilting it up until their eyes met.
“It’s my job to protect you, but it’s also my privilege. I’d be doing it whether I had the badge to make it official or not.” His eyes flashed with intensity as he spoke. “I need to check on a few things and run by the office to get some files that might help us figure out what’s going on.”
“Okay.” She didn’t trust herself to try to say anything else.
“Try not to worry. Mom’s thrilled you’re here. Dad’s on alert. There are uniformed officers patrolling the perimeter of the property. I’ll be back before you know it.”
He stared into her eyes longer than she wanted him to. Her heartbeat pulsed in her ears. One of his eyebrows ticked up, and she had to wonder if in the silence of the porch, he could hear it.
She needed to get a grip. This wasn’t high school. He wasn’t the best friend she wanted to be more. Given their history, she’d trust him to protect every part of her.
Except her heart.
He stepped back, breaking the moment. He winked and turned back to the house.
She heard him speak to his mom, then his dad.
Then...Henry?
Jason’s fondness for Henry was a surprise. He’d never been a big fan of kids, and he’d always said he’d never have any of his own. Said he wouldn’t risk being the kind of father his own birth father was.
She doubted that had changed.
He was being kind to Henry because he was a kind man, but that didn’t mean he wanted children. Just like he didn’t want to live in North Carolina.
She’d built her whole life around her home, her family, her community—and now, her son. She couldn’t let herself forget that it was the kind of life Jason didn’t want. Then, now or ever.
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