The realization of how right he was sank into Rachel’s consciousness and gave her chills from her toes to the nape of her neck. Somebody disliked her enough to try to scare her to death with empty threats.

  Suddenly, a far worse theory arose. What if the threats weren’t empty? What if her antagonist meant to do her real harm?

  The pastor’s study reminded Jace more of a den than an office. Although there were floor-to-ceiling bookshelves along one wall and a desk in the corner, there was also a cozy seating arrangement with a sofa and several comfortable chairs.

  Rachel took one of the chairs, so Jace chose the couch. He leaned back and stretched out his long legs before lacing his fingers behind his head. It wasn’t until he saw Rachel’s eyes widen that he realized the pose had exposed the sidearm he carried beneath his suit jacket.

  He adjusted the jacket and straightened. “Sorry about that.”

  She was shaking her head. “I should have known. My father rarely went anywhere without a gun.”

  “Where did he work?” Jace asked. “Harlan acts as if he’s had the sheriff’s job in Serenity for ages.”

  “He has,” Logan chimed in. “It’s an elected office with very few qualifications other than a clean record and enough buddies to vote you in.”

  “My dad worked down in Little Rock for a while,” Rachel said. “As he got older he was promoted to detective and assigned to a drug task force. That took him all over the state but he spent as much time at home as possible.” She smiled wistfully. “My mother wasn’t bothered a bit by his being away so much. She’s always been independent.”

  “Like you,” Jace said with a smile, noting that his comment did not seem to please Rachel as much as he’d hoped it would.

  “I prefer to think of myself as unique.”

  “That, you are,” the pastor said. “By the way, the folks at the halfway house want to thank you for all the cards and the roll of postage stamps. Most of them love to send mail but rarely have enough money to buy anything nice like that.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “So,” Logan went on, “what is it that’s going on in your life? Who do you suspect is harassing you?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t have a clue. It all started a few days ago and it’s just been getting worse and worse.”

  If Jace had not sensed that she was fighting tears he would have stayed put. When he noticed her misty eyes, however, he got to his feet, circled her chair, and laid one hand lightly on her shoulder for moral support while he addressed their host.

  “The sheriff said you were a detective?”

  “In days gone by,” Logan replied. He swept his arm in an arc that encompassed the room. “This is my true calling. But I do occasionally find use for some of the things I learned in my former life.”

  “All right,” Jace said. “This is what I know personally. The first reported incident was a box of dead flowers and the cryptic note that came with it. That was Friday morning.”

  “How was it delivered?”

  “It had to be in person. There was no shipping label and no indication that one had been removed.”

  “Go on.”

  “The second note was found Saturday after the back door was jimmied, but it could have been there all along and we simply missed seeing it.”

  Logan leaned his elbows on his desk and steepled his fingers. “Is that what you think?”

  “No. I think it was two separate attacks. The third was the one outside here, the note on my truck this morning.”

  “You’re forgetting the calls,” Rachel said. “I got weird phone calls just before the service.”

  “Where were you at that time?” Logan asked.

  Jace answered, “In your parking lot. I assume that whoever made the calls was watching. As soon as we went inside, he knew he’d have plenty of time to place another note without being seen.”

  Nodding, Logan scowled. “I agree. And, unfortunately, we’ve never had a need for surveillance cameras around the church until now. I’ll speak to the church council about getting some ASAP.”

  “There’s one more thing,” Jace said. “Harlan didn’t seem to think it was significant, but all the notes were printed with children’s crayons. I thought that was kind of odd.”

  “It is interesting,” Logan said. “What conclusion do you draw?”

  “None, so far, except maybe that the perpetrator was trying to emulate childish writing. The letters were shaky and poorly made.” Jace felt Rachel’s shoulder tremble beneath his touch. “The sheriff didn’t even send the notes to a crime lab. He said he refused to waste his skimpy budget on such nonsense—and that’s a quote.”

  “Censored, since we’re in a church, I imagine.” The pastor smiled benevolently at Rachel. “Tell you what. I still have a few contacts in law enforcement in Chicago. I’ll see if Harlan will let me get the notes analyzed for him.”

  “Oh, thank you,” Rachel said. She got to her feet and held out her hand. “Even if you don’t find out anything new, at least I’ll feel as if somebody else is trying to do something to help me.”

  Logan grasped her hand and glanced over her shoulder at Jace. When he said “I thank the Lord that you have someone like this in your corner, too,” Jace felt uncharacteristically uncomfortable.

  “Just doing my job,” he said flatly, dismissing the compliment.

  “Over and above the call of duty,” Logan countered, “but have it your way. As I often say, ‘The Lord works in mysterious ways.’”

  “Well, it wasn’t God who brought me to Serenity,” Jace insisted.

  “Oh? Why did you come here?”

  He could have answered truthfully, simply, and ended the query. He could also have revealed details of his previous anger and the resulting inadequate job performance that had nearly cost a man’s life. Instead, he chose to avoid any explanation that might touch him too deeply.

  “I needed a change of scenery and this assignment seemed perfect,” Jace said, feigning a nonchalance that he did not feel.

  He wasn’t sure if it was the preacher in Logan Malloy who saw through him or if it was the former detective who was peering all the way into his wounded soul. Either way, he didn’t like feeling so exposed, so vulnerable.

  Rather than remain longer and face more questions, Jace reached for Rachel’s hand and gave it a tug. “If you have any ideas that might help, you can reach me at the sheriff’s office or at Rachel’s card shop.”

  “Fine. I’ll start by talking to Harlan and offering those tests.”

  “Good. Thanks.” Jace was already guiding her toward the exit. “We’re going to go grab a bite to eat.”

  “Would you like to have prayer before you go?”

  Jace would have continued out the door if Rachel had not balked. “I—I’d like that.” Her gaze searched Jace’s. “Would you mind?”

  “Not at all.” And he didn’t. Not really. He had often prayed for himself and his loved ones in the past. And he’d certainly prayed for his partner’s survival after the gun battle that had left them both wounded.

  That prayer had been answered, although not in exactly the way Jace had envisioned. Roy had lived, all right. Lived to steal Sandra’s affection for good.

  Why had God allowed that to happen? Jace wondered silently as the pastor began to pray aloud. He and Sandra had seemed perfect for each other, real soul mates. Yet she had chosen another man.

  Yeah, a man that I almost got killed, he mused. But I didn’t do it on purpose. I couldn’t have.

  Peace descended like a blanket of warmth, draping around his tense shoulders and soothing him all the way to his core. It wasn’t just wishful thinking. He had not caused anyone harm on purpose. He suddenly knew that with great certainty.

  Thank You, Father, he thought as he blinked back unshed tears. Thank You for everything, even losing Sandra.

  The fact that he was able to pray that prayer and truly mean it spoke deep into his heart. He was genuinely thankful that he had not remained in that relationship, even though its end had caused him such anguish.

  But why? he wondered. Was it all really predestination? Was there such a thing? And if so, was there more to the overall scenario, such as his landing in Serenity just when Rachel Hollister needed him?

  That notion did not sit well with Jace. He was perfectly willing to believe that he and Sandra did not belong together. He was far less eager to accept the idea that he had been sent to Arkansas for the sake of one particular woman.

  As Logan said “Amen,” his gaze connected with Jace’s and Jace felt as if the pastor could peer directly into his soul. Perhaps Logan was still not sure that Jace’s motives were pure. Or maybe he was just the kind of man who sensed undercurrents of unrest.

  “Call me any time you want to talk,” Logan said, shaking Jace’s hand firmly in parting.

  “Keep us posted about the lab work,” Jace said. He knew that wasn’t all the pastor had meant by the offer. Logan obviously knew plenty about human nature and it wouldn’t have surprised Jace to learn that he also planned to phone California to check his references, something Harlan had probably not bothered to do.

  Well, so be it. Jace had nothing to hide. He might not be proud of his actions in regard to his former partner but he had been formally cleared of any wrongdoing. If those reports weren’t enough to satisfy the local law enforcement folks, then he’d just move on to another job.

  Only not yet, he warned himself. Not until I see that Rachel is safe and whoever is stalking her is properly punished.

  So, where did you get the idea that she needs only you? he asked himself cynically. Anybody could protect her.

  Except that he was the one who had evidently been put in place to do so, he added with a scowl. If this situation was God’s idea of a joke, it wasn’t a very funny one.

  SIX

  Rachel wasn’t a bit hungry. Still, she went through the motions of enjoying her meal, seated with Jace in the booth at Hickory Station, rather than disappoint him. He really was good company—for a cop. That mental disqualification made her smile.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Me,” she answered, feeling her cheeks flush.

  “Is that why you’re blushing?”

  “I am not.” But she was, and she knew it. Worse, she didn’t seem to be able to stop. The more time she spent in Jace’s presence, the more she felt like a teenager experiencing her first crush.

  “Have another piece of pizza,” Jace urged. “I can’t eat all this by myself.”

  “Then take the leftovers home with you. Where do you live, anyway? I never asked.”

  “Right now, behind the jail in the old caretaker’s quarters. I haven’t been able to find a decent apartment.”

  “I’m not surprised. You’d be better off looking for a house. There aren’t any apartments closer than Hardy, unless you want to live at one of the old motels, and they don’t offer the same facilities as a regular house.”

  “I’ve been checking the ads in the local papers but there hasn’t been a thing listed that I’d consider.”

  “No wonder,” she said, smiling knowingly. “You’re going about it all wrong. Nobody advertises the good places. They don’t have to. It’s all handled by word of mouth.” The astonished expression on his face made her chuckle.

  “Really? No ads, no nothing?”

  “Nope. I suppose a real estate broker like Smith Burnett could help you but the best way is to just put out the word that you’re looking and wait.” She grinned across the narrow, Formica-topped table at him. “Want me to ask around for you?”

  “Sure. I’m willing to consider almost any kind of place as long as it’s bigger than the caretaker’s rooms. I don’t like hanging out at the jail all the time. I have no real off-duty time when I’m that handy.”

  “I understand. Sometimes I feel as if I might as well sleep at the card shop.” She checked her watch. “Which reminds me. Would you mind dropping me off there? I have a few things to do that I didn’t finish on Saturday.”

  “Then how would you get home? It’s still too cold to walk and your house is at least a mile from the square.”

  “A mile and a quarter,” Rachel said. “I don’t mind walking. I love the exercise and the fresh air.”

  Jace shook his head. “No way am I leaving you like that. If you want to go by the shop, fine. I’ll wait for you.”

  “Have it your way,” she said, hoping that she didn’t sound too happy about his decision. The last thing she wanted to do was inconvenience him, yet the notion of being the only one in the empty store and then having to walk home, unescorted, gave her the shivers.

  That reaction angered and disgusted her. Someone had done this to her, had stolen her peace of mind and left her unsure of everything. It wasn’t fair. It also wasn’t easy to push those feelings aside and ignore them.

  Perhaps her strong craving for Jace’s continuing company was the Lord’s way of taking care of her, she thought, slightly amused by the convenient rationalization. Nevertheless, she did want him with her and was well aware that that was the smartest move.

  “I would be delighted if you stayed with me,” she finally admitted. “I really don’t relish spending a lot of time alone in the shop. Not when we’re closed, at any rate.”

  His resulting grin warmed her cheeks to the point where she knew she could never deny the telling reaction. She averted her gaze and busied herself picking up her purse and grabbing her good coat off the booth bench. “Well, shall we get going?”

  “As soon as I get a box for our snack later,” he said.

  Later? Her eyebrows arched as she watched him walk to the counter and speak to the clerk.

  Yes, later, she told herself. It was evident that Jace was planning to spend the whole day with her. Why she had not realized it sooner was a tribute to her closed mind. The man had appointed himself her guardian and was not about to leave her to fend for herself.

  To Rachel’s surprise, she was not only in total agreement, she was thrilled.

  Chalk up another point for my stalker, she thought, sighing and shaking her head. In less than a week my whole outlook has changed and I don’t like it. I don’t like it one little bit.

  Jace wasn’t too concerned about Rachel’s safety as long as they were together but he sure wasn’t looking forward to the moment when he had to bid her goodbye.

  One problem at a time, he lectured himself. As the Good Book said, “The cares of the day are sufficient.”

  Pulling to a stop in front of the card store, he asked, “Is this okay? I won’t be taking up customer parking on a Sunday.”

  “It’s fine.” Her smile warmed his heart. “Being such a recent transplant, I’m surprised you remembered that most places close on the Sabbath.”

  “How could I forget? I figure we were fortunate to find a decent place to eat.”

  “The grocery mart used to be closed Sunday mornings,” Rachel told him as he escorted her from the truck. “Lately, though, more and more businesses are staying open seven days a week. I’m kind of sorry to see that happening.”

  “You have no plans to do it, do you?”

  “Absolutely not. I think it sets a bad example. Besides, even store managers need a little time off. I want my day of rest.” She put the key in the lock and turned it.

  Jace laughed. “Oh, really? Then why are we here?”

  “I’m resting. As long as I don’t have to deal with customers, it’s not stressful.”

  “Selling cards and gifts is stressful?” He held the door for her so she could pass through ahead of him.

  “It can be.” She stopped in the doorway, almost causing him to bump into her as he followed. “Good grief.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Don’t you feel it? It must be a hundred degrees in here.”

  He took a deep breath to test the air. “You’re right. I don’t smell any smoke, though. Maybe your furnace is malfunctioning.”

  “Maybe.”

  Dogging her steps, he followed her to the control panel. All the electrical fuses were in order but there were exposed wires where the power fed into the thermostat that controlled heating and cooling.

  Rachel pointed. “Look.”

  “I see it.” Every muscle in Jace’s body was tensed for defense and his hand hovered near his hidden holster. “I want you to go wait outside while I look this place over thoroughly.”

  “No way, mister. This store is half mine and I’m not going to let anybody chase me off.”

  He figured it was just as well to keep her with him so he relented. “Okay. But stay behind me and don’t argue.”

  “Me? I never argue with you.”

  “Right.”

  “Well, hardly ever. Is there any way we can shut off this heat before we go any farther? I’m roasting and it’s terrible for all my decorative candles. They may already be ruined.”

  “I’m no electrician. If we mess with this, we may not only destroy clues, we may trigger something else much worse than a little heat.”

  He hated to be so blunt but he didn’t want her taking matters into her own hands and getting hurt. Or worse. Judging by the look on her face she was taking his warnings very seriously.

  “You mean like a bomb?”

  “I don’t know. And neither do you, so I suggest you not touch anything.”

  “Yes, sir. You’re the boss.”

  Satisfied, he drew his pistol and led her slowly toward the back room, fully expecting to see that that was how the intruder had gained access again. To his shock, the heavy metal rear door was securely in place this time.

  As soon as he had poked into every corner and closet, he holstered his gun. “Okay. We’re alone. So, tell me, how many people have keys to this store?”

  “Just me and Eloise, as far as I know. I suppose she may have more than one set but I have only the one that she gave me when she made me the manager.”

  “What, exactly, is your job here?”

  “I run the place,” Rachel said. “Eloise has been having some health problems and she’s really not good at making decisions. Her late husband, Delbert, used to handle the mechanics of the store while she waited on customers. Since he’s been gone, business has really been poor. When she offered me a partnership, I couldn’t refuse.”