“A professional.” Ben’s grim expression caused a chill to sweep over Jake.
“You think the guy that killed Emily’s brother, and is now after her, is a professional hit man versus someone who doesn’t want whatever Cameron knew to get out?”
“Think about it.” Ben stood up. “Robert hasn’t found any information on the driver of the car that wrecked. They searched Emily’s place and her brother’s. The driver of the SUV calculated his attack today at a specific, potentially lethal time. Any amateur worried about incriminating evidence getting out wouldn’t have been so calculated, he would have been desperate and sloppy.”
Jake pushed off his hat and scratched his head. “You’re right.”
Ben leaned back against the truck, folded his arms across his chest, and studied Jake.
“Robert said you insisted on bringing Emily back to the ranch when the detective suggested taking her to a safe house.”
“Of course, I did. I mean, it took the police department a whole week to find Emily’s brother. Robert wasn’t particularly confident about the department’s skills, and neither was I.”
“In their defense, they were simply filling a request to locate the next of kin from our Sheriff’s department. They didn’t know they had a homicide on their hands.”
Jake squirmed. Ben was right, and Jake knew better than to argue with a lawyer.
“Is your lack of confidence in the Spokane Police Department the only reason you insisted on bringing Emily back here?” Ben stared at him, eyes narrowed, and Jake fidgeted. Ben was the most perceptive person Jake knew. He had a way of looking at you, like he could see right into your soul.
He hated when Ben looked at him like that.
“The woman has lost her entire family.” Jake’s words came out more forceful than he’d intended, but he continued anyway. “I wasn’t about to let her go to who-knows-where to be guarded by strangers. I know she hasn’t known us long, but I’m sure she’ll be more comfortable here. Besides, she’s helping Daniel with his problems. He needs her here.”
“And it’s much easier for you to keep an eye on her if she’s here at the ranch.”
“Exactly,” Jake agreed.
Ben smiled, and Jake realized he’d walked right into Ben’s trap.
“Are you sure Daniel is the only one who needs her here?”
Jake scowled at Ben.
“It’s amazing how fast a pretty woman can get to you, huh?”
“She’s totally gotten under my skin,” Jake admitted with a sigh, slumping back against the truck. No use keeping up the pretense with Ben when he could see right through Jake. “Like an itch I have to scratch.”
Ben nodded. “Like a mosquito bite. You know you shouldn’t scratch it, but it feels so good when you do.”
“I’m getting in over my head, aren’t I?” Jake asked, scratching the back of his neck.
Ben smiled. “Is that a bad thing? Head over heels, that’s a fun place to be.”
“Spoken like a true newlywed. Is this how you felt with Amy?”
Ben rubbed absently at his chest. “Something happened to me the first time I saw Amy. It’s hard to describe. It wasn’t necessarily a physical attraction, although I did find her attractive. It was more like she poked a hole in the clouds that had darkened my life for so long and allowed the sunlight to break through. I didn’t realize she was getting under my skin, until she was so deep, I knew I couldn’t go on if I lost her.”
Jake wasn’t sure he could bear to lose Emily.
“I can’t deny I’m attracted to Emily, and not just physically. I mean, when I see her hurting, which has happened a lot, I want to take her pain away.”
Ben shoved his hands into his pockets. “Take it from someone who knows great loss, there’s nothing you can do to take her pain away. But you can help her endure it. If she’ll let you.”
“I want to help her anyway I can.”
“That’s always been your nature, Jake. And you’re good at it.”
“But I’m afraid I’m getting in too deep.”
