After all, the Brockfords had a powerful group of backers as well.

  An entirely different take on a business that could truly rule the world.

  The connection was ended. My source had completed his end of the deal.

  There would be no further conversations until or unless my services were needed. I breathed a sigh of relief, holding the phone to my head. Maybe the veil of secrecy and fear would be lifted. I took a deep breath before staring up at the sky. The stars were bright. If only I was the kind of man to wish upon one, but in my life, dreams and hopes had never come true.

  “You suck at playing the hero.”

  Her voice provided a much needed reason to feel grateful for at least a couple of minutes. “Oh, yeah? Well, you suck at playing the martyr.”

  “How am I playing the martyr?”

  “You sacrificed something terribly important to you. Your career.”

  “But careers don’t make a life, Jagger. People do. They are the reason for true happiness. Yes, I loved what I did, but it’s nothing unless you can share it with someone. I was hoping I could do that with some rugged mountain man, but it still seems he’d prefer to keep his distance.”

  She wrapped her arm around my waist, joining me next to the railing.

  “You can get your life back now.”

  The slight tilt of her head added to my continued angst. Without knowing exactly what my source had done, I wouldn’t know if any damage control was needed. But I would protect her with my life.

  “I have a life, a new one and in case you haven’t figured it out over the last few days, I love it. I’m not certain if I’ll be welcome in Danger Falls any longer, but home is where the heart is. You’re my heart.”

  Her words touched me more than I should let them. I pulled her close, pressing her face into my chest as I held the back of her head. “You’ll be surprised about the folks living in this town. They won’t let you down.”

  I only prayed I was right.

  She lifted her head, pursing her lips. “Did you know you have a know-it-all smugness about you?”

  “So I’ve heard.”

  “I find it desperately cute.”

  I wasn’t certain why she’d chosen that moment to tell me, but I had a feeling she was doing what she could to drive away the ugly visions.

  “You’re the one who’s desperately cute.”

  She clung to me as we remained on the porch. “Joel isn’t going to stop. I contacted an attorney out of Roanoke. I don’t know if they’re a big enough firm, but they acted as if they can help me. I’m going to call them again on Monday and give them the go to ensure the divorce is final, the adoption papers ripped up, and my money returned. I might need to push off purchasing Doc Welby’s place for a little while. But that’s okay. Waiting tables is just fine for now.”

  Waiting tables.

  Not that the honest job was beneath her, but she’d shrivel up and die at some point without being allowed to do what she wanted.

  “An attorney?”

  “Yeah, Williams and Mullins. They have an office in Richmond too. I’m hopeful at least.”

  “Maybe there’s another choice,” I told her. “Joel isn’t going to bother you.”

  “You sound so convinced. Let him. I’ll fight him with everything I have. I’m stronger than I’ve led anyone to believe. I just got caught up in his lies and all the nasty things he said to me.”

  “Understandable.”

  “Not for a woman like me. I’m better than that.”

  “Yeah,” I told her. “You are.”

  She brushed her hand across her face and I noticed her entire body was still quivering. “Why did Joel wine and dine me so that I’d say yes to his marriage proposal?”

  “I wish I could say because he cared about you.”

  “You know why. Don’t you?”

  “I don’t think you need to hear this right now.”

  “Jagger. I’m tired of living a lie. Besides, you promised. That’s what I’ve been doing for years. I had to lie about being a foster kid because a lot of people still look down on it as if what happened was my fault. I thought I’d found a home after being offered a job during my internship by Joel’s father. He was in charge of the hospital at the time. Then I met Joel, and I truly believed I’d found my soulmate. Only I now know better. So please, don’t hide anything from me, especially about my life. I can take whatever it is. I no longer want to feel like one great big imposter.”

  The feeling was one I knew too well. I took her hand, intertwining her fingers. “You were targeted because of who your father is.”

  “No one has any clue who my father is. How in the world would they find out?”

  “Just like you found your mother. A trail is always there and with enough time and money, information on anyone in the world can be found. Do you want to know who he is?”

  She thought about my question and I saw all the new ones popping in her mind. Every concern, every new question forming was reflected in her eyes, even in the shadows. They were equally as painful. She was also searching my eyes for both answers and advice. I wasn’t certain I had any to give to her.

  “Not yet. Maybe. But not until I embrace who I am. I just need a little space, Jagger, and I hope you can understand.”

  I nodded and pulled her close for a second time, pressing a kiss on the top of her head. There was too much to be done so she’d be allowed to enjoy her new life. But not tonight.

  Tonight was for forgiveness.

  Not of each other, but of our own personal sins.

  CHAPTER 32

  Bella

  My entire life had been built on lying to people.

  What I’d learned since arriving in town is that included lying to myself.

  I was the master of pretend, and had been even from kindergarten through high school. It had helped provide a wall between me and everyone else. I’d felt impervious to bullies and there had been dozens of them.

  Sadly, I hadn’t learned my lesson that not all bullies grew out of their need to torment others. Some just became much better at their methods of inflicting pain.

  Joel was that way.

  I’d fallen for his bullshit every step of the way.

  Maybe that’s why I’d insisted on locking myself inside the cabin for almost seventy-two hours. It was crazy. I hadn’t wanted to talk to anyone except for Cally and Jagger. Even then, our conversations had been stilted. I’d taken walks in the cold with Xena, enjoying the quiet and peace. Sometimes Jagger joined us, knowing some of the most gorgeous locations for hiking I’d ever seen.

  He’d neglected saying much about Sheila, but I think he knew he didn’t need to. What I noticed and was thrilled about was that he hadn’t experienced a nightmare in two sleeps. Maybe that was nothing to celebrate just yet, but hopefully, now that the secret that had eaten him alive was out in the open, he would slowly start to heal.

  I’d told myself I was reflecting on my life so I could be a better person and make better decisions. The truth was that I was a damn coward and I’d finally had enough of my personal pity party.

  Denise had been bugging me to meet with her and I’d pushed her off. It was past time to find out what she’d learned as well as who my father was.

  All in due time.

  Plus, I had another deal to make with Doc Welby. I didn’t care what it took; I’d find a way to make the payments we’d already agreed to.

  As my first test of will, refusing to remain the pretender, I chose to meet Denise at Poppy’s Diner instead of some hole in the wall coffee shop just so I could try to hide.

  Yes, I hesitated after parking, taking gulping breaths and trying to convince myself I was still as nuts as I was when I came to this small town. But what struck me every time I did was how strong I felt in comparison to that night when I’d tried to get a room.

  I was much stronger, only this time I wasn’t pretending. Was it the clean mountain air, the kind people, or the fluttering that continued in my stomach every time Jagger walked into a room?

  Maybe a little of all three.

  While I’d face condemnation the moment I walked in that door, I was prepared for it. I wasn’t to blame for the video even though I’d agreed to be a part of it. For two pairs of eyes only.

  Another deep breath, a shift of my hands down my jeans, and I opened the door.

  As expected, every single person in the place took a beat, including Poppy. But soon afterward she smiled, pointing to a booth at the end of the row. Maybe Denise was the one who’d been more embarrassed since she was sitting as far away from people as possible.

  I felt as if I was walking down a row of shame since I felt the heat of everyone’s stare. But I did it and was proud of myself. As soon as I slunk into the booth, Denise lifted her eyebrows, giving me a nod of approval.

  “Well done, girl. You’re stronger than I am,” she told me.

  “I highly doubt that. But it’s time to live again.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that.” She was keeping her hand on top of a manila file. No good things came in manila files. I knew that to be true.

  How many cases had I worked on where I’d used my paper file when talking to a family about a complicated surgery? More than using my iPad. Paper was comforting to those who had no idea what was going on.

  But to me, I was terrified at what was lurking underneath the thin cover.

  “How’s Jagger holding up?” she asked.

  “Jagger is a tough man, but he’s suffering.”

  “Hopefully, he can start to live again.”

  I nodded. “I think he’s more worried about me.”

  “Because he loves you.”

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “All you need to do is to look in his eyes to know what he’s thinking. It’s obvious the way he feels. Do you share that same feeling about him?”

  I could tell she was fishing. Poppy brought coffee before I could answer.

  “Don’t be a stranger, honey,” Poppy said. “You’re too good for this town.”

  “No, the town is too good for me maybe.”

  Poppy sighed. “I gave that fucking asshole a piece of my mind. Thank God he’s being shipped out of here. We don’t want his kind here. Any cherry pie this afternoon?”

  “Not today, Poppy. But thank you. Jagger didn’t even get a piece the last time.”

  She winked. “We’ll need to take care of that. You okay, Denise?”

  “Just fine, Poppy.” Only Denise’s voice suddenly held a tenseness that hadn’t been there before.

  As soon as Poppy left, I leaned forward. “Sheriff Young is leaving his position?”

  “Yes, and internal affairs out of Roanoke is looking into his behavior as well.”

  “How did that happen so fast?”

  She shrugged and I wagged my finger at her.

  “You did something. Didn’t you?”

  Denise winked. “I just told the chief of police in Roanoke what was going on. They run the show down here. I ensured they knew I was a former detective with the Charlotte Police Department since I registered a formal complaint.”

  “You are so bad.”

  Her laugh allowed some tension to be released. “Maybe so, but I wasn’t going to stand by and watch my family be persecuted for things that they weren’t responsible for.”

  “Jagger is lucky to have you. He needs family.”

  “I hope maybe one day you’ll think of me as a sister. You’ll need to after Jagger asks you to marry him.”

  It was our short time for girl talk and I felt myself blushing. “He’s not that type. You know that.”

  Her turn to wag her finger. “Never say never.” I could tell she was itching to discuss whatever she was holding onto.

  “I know about my father, other than his name.”

  “Jagger knows one too many people. That’s obvious.”

  “What does that mean?”

  There was something almost ominous about her deep sigh. She tentatively pushed the file across the table. “No, I’m not certain Jagger had anything to do with this, but it happened very quickly.”

  As I opened the file, I realized I was looking at copies of police reports. “What am I looking at?”

  “Joel Brockford and his father William are being investigated along with six other men from a group created about ten years ago. They are trying to monopolize aspects of the healthcare system by using alternative methods than what William has led everyone to believe. Yes, there are contributions, but the charity that William is fronting was funded by blackmail and extortion. Or so the FBI believes. It seems there is big business in medical care, including scams with insurance companies.”

  I shook my head. “That makes sense. I wanted to be a part of the charity, but Joel refused. He said I had way too much on my plate.”

  “Maybe that’s because he was fearful you’d learn they were attempting to eliminate their only clear enemy, Michelangelo Ross. Does that name ring a bell?”

  “Vaguely. But I wasn’t into medical politics. I met him briefly at a dinner he came to where I was forced to dress up and act like arm candy. He was the special guest.”

  My gut told me the man was my father. I glanced at the photograph again, my heart and soul telling me I was right. I wasn’t certain how I felt about it. But I had questions for him if what I was thinking was true. Lots of questions.

  “Probably a good idea and I’ll just bet he was. Anyway, from what my buddy tells me, someone tipped off the FBI. And provided copies of detailed records indicating their criminal activity.”

  “To whom?”

  Denise cocked her head. “No one seems to know. Plus, some malfeasance was uncovered as well. Something about botched surgeries performed by Joel, the victims paid handsomely to keep their mouths shut.”

  “Why do I feel like there’s another ‘but’ in your story?”

  “Maybe because two of the three ended up dead.”

  I took a deep breath, holding it for some time. “They were going to talk.”

  “Perhaps so. Any other juicy details are on lockdown. But I think your problems are going to go away.”

  “From your mouth to God’s ears. Thank you for making some phone calls.”

  “It was the least I could do. I just hope Jagger can find it in his heart to forgive himself.”

  “Yeah, I do too.” I glanced out the window as a stream of people walked by. They all seemed happy, laughing and talking, so many with shopping bags full of goodies in their arms. “I really do.”

  My heart was fluttering as much as the butterflies were doing in my stomach. I knew in my heart Jagger had been the one to call in a favor from some influential person. He’d done that for me.

  Maybe for us.

  Either way, I couldn’t wait to get home and thank him. He was my rock. He was my friend. He was my lover.

  And he was becoming the true love of my life.

  “What now?” Denise asked.

  “Now, I go purchase a business.”

  She clapped her hands. “I’m glad you didn’t change your mind.”

  “No, I couldn’t be more certain of my decision than I am. Danger Falls is where I’m meant to be.”

  “What did you just say?” I asked, shocked at what I’d just heard. I was sitting across from Doc Welby and instead of a sheepish look, he seemed pleased with himself.

  “I’m sorry, Bella. But it was an all-cash offer I couldn’t refuse.”

  The clinic had been sold to someone else. “But we had a deal.”

  “As I said, I’m sorry, but it was too good to pass up.”

  I knew what was really happening here. Poppy had been able to put on a good face, playing an actress, but I wasn’t wanted in this town. Not after…

  Swallowing, I tried to collect both my thoughts and my emotions. “Is there any chance the buyer will back out?”

  “I don’t think so. I already have the money in my bank. I tried to call you, but all I got was voicemail.”

  He had my old phone number. I’d been the one to fuck this up.

  “I see. Well, thank you for your time.”

  “Of course, Bella. I just hope… Well, I just hope you can find happiness. You seem like a very nice girl.”

  A nice girl who’d made a porn film. Why would anyone bring their kid to be examined by me?

  I couldn’t get out of his office fast enough. The knot I’d felt before was nothing in comparison to what had permanently attached itself to my stomach lining. I made it to my vehicle, but I had a feeling I’d stumbled half the way.

  Tears had already formed, angry and bitter ones that stung as they leaked from my eyes. After everything, Joel had won a portion of the battle. I’d be damned if he was going to win another one.

  Thankfully, Cally wasn’t here to see this, still in daycare. I wouldn’t be able to pick her up for another couple of hours. Right now, I needed the comfort of being alone.

  Very much alone.

  Even Xena was with her. I had the house to myself in case I needed to throw a tantrum.

  Heading back to the cabin was really my only option.

  Only it wasn’t my house. No matter how many subtle changes I’d made.

  I allowed the tears to fall as I slipped into the SUV, taking no comfort in the plush leather seats or the fact a part of my nightmare was over with. Now, if I stayed, I had no idea what I’d do and how I’d make a better life for my daughter.

  The drive was terrible, my vision blurry from tears and all I’d wanted was to catch a little break. All the bad decisions I’d made had come back to bite me.

  Maybe it was best if I moved on, but how could I leave Jagger?

  I passed his driveway, forced to go another mile before I could turn around. At least I could laugh at myself for being so stupid.

  I finally managed to pull in, taking it slow up the slight hill. Seeing Jagger’s vehicle in the driveway had an entirely different effect than before. How was I going to tell him I wasn’t certain I had any choice but to leave town?