He shook his head and gestured her inside. “I did no such thing.”
She looked around to see a king-sized bed, two chairs by a table, and an older television set on a credenza. The curtains were open, and the snowy day brought brightness inside. It was time to manipulate him. “If we’re going to get through this, you need to be honest with me.” She sat gingerly in one of the chairs, careful to keep her pocket pointed toward him.
He shut the door and sat in the other chair. “I am being honest.” His earnest expression was going to get him smacked with a wooden spoon.
Zena growled and moved to sit by Heather’s foot. “Even the dog doesn’t believe you, Jack.”
Jack reached to take her hand and drew back when she glared. “I don’t understand why you damaged my car after I sent you roses. Obviously you need help, and I want to provide that. Please let me.”
Did the guy know he was being recorded? Or was he so crazy that he’d actually convinced himself that he hadn’t hired somebody to impersonate her—crutches and all? “I don’t need help, but I’m thinking you do.” She kept her purse close in case she needed to clock him. “When I broke up with you, I meant it.”
“Your grandmother died and you need somebody to be here for you,” he said gently. “I know we broke up, but after you keyed my car the other night, I understand that you require more assistance than I’d thought. We meant something to each other, and I want to help you. Come away with me to the cabin. It’s peaceful and restful there, and you can regain your equilibrium.”
“As you chain me to the wall,” she snapped. “You really need to listen and get this through your thick head. I do not want to date you, see you, or talk to you. Please just leave me alone.”
His lips turned down. “I can see that you’re refusing to be rational. There’s nothing I can do, then. Pay for the damages to my car, and I’ll leave town.”
Oh, he did not. She shook her head as the hair rose along Zena’s back. How had she missed that he was nuts? “No.”
He sighed. “Then I’m going to press charges. Either you let me help you, or I’ll make sure the system does.”
What a complete ass. She stood and placed her crutches beneath her arms. “Fine. I’ll press charges, too. This town is small enough that we will find who you hired to beat up your car. It’s only a matter of time.” She began to move toward the door, and he stood, blocking her way.
Awareness ticked down her spine. She’d forgotten how tall he was this close. “What are you doing?”
“Trying to save you from yourself,” he grit out, his teeth clenching.
Zena growled and stood between them, and Heather scrambled inside her purse, brandishing the wooden spoon. “Get out of my way.”
He blinked. “That’s a wooden spoon.”
She nodded. “Move, Jack.”
The door burst open, right into him, and he crashed into the credenza. Anna stood there, gun in hand. “I saw you go for the spoon through the window.”
Heather looked down at Jack, who was bleeding from the temple and glaring at them both. Her spine straightened and her stomach stopped cramping. “Nice hit.”
Chapter 12
He’d been away from home for three days, and this was the first time he wanted to hurry back in a long time. After his shower in the antiquated motel bathroom, Quint slipped on sweats and an old T-shirt. His body hurt, and a slight burn on his wrist was driving him nuts. But it had been a successful jump, and this time he even had his own room in the closest crappy motel since the fire was pretty much out now. Oh, it’d smolder for a little while, but dealing with that wasn’t his job.
Unfortunately, finding dead bodies was his job. If he’d known the fire would be that easy to quench in three days, he would’ve brought Zena with him. Of course, he hadn’t expected the strong snowstorm that had unexpectedly arrived.
He sat on the flowered bedspread and sent a video-call to Heather. He hadn’t had a chance to call before now because he’d stayed in a tent closer to the national forest and hadn’t had any service. It was surprising how badly he wanted to see her face and hear her voice. Not that he’d share that fact with anyone.
She answered from her kitchen. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Everything inside him settled at seeing her pretty face. “What are you doing?”
“Baking cookies to thank Anna for being my lawyer.” Heather pushed a wayward blonde curl out of her eyes. “How are you?”
He took in her sparkling eyes. “I’m fine. The fire is almost out, so it’s going to be a quicker trip than I expected. How’s my dog?”
“Fine. She’s tough,” Heather said, looking down and to the side. “I made her some doggie treats that she likes, and I hope that’s okay.” She leaned down, obviously petting the dog. “Are you headed home tonight or do you have to wait a couple of days?”
Was it wishful thinking, or did she sound hopeful? He rubbed his chest. Oh, he was getting in too deep too fast. “I’ll be a few more days, and I’m trying to get ahold of Anna to have her bring Zena over.” Usually one of his brothers helped him out, but they were all swamped. “Maybe the two of you can come.” Why did he say that? The last thing he wanted was for Heather to see him at his darkest. She was a softie,and she deserved the home-bound, fun-loving Quint.
Her teeth played with her bottom lip.
