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Nina hurried toward him, her green eyes wide. “I found him.”

“Great.” He tucked his hands into the front pocket of his jeans to keep from reaching for her. “Which one is he?”

“He’s a wealthy oil baron.” She stopped just a few feet from him. “His parents were Adele and Charles Tillman. They lived in Temple, but they’re in Dallas now.”

The trial was taking place in Dallas. And that was where Mark Lange’s last address was prior to his arrest. “That’s interesting.”

“I have his green eyes.” She blinked and turned away. “I just hate knowing he’s trying to kill me.”

“Nina, we don’t know that’s true.” He stepped closer, reaching out to touch her arm. “We don’t know he’s the one responsible for murdering your mother either.”

“Who else?” Her choked voice ripped at his heart. “Who else would want to do such a horrible thing?”

“I don’t know.” He was surprised when she abruptly turned toward him and walked into his arms.

Holding Nina was amazing, and for a moment he forgot what he’d intended to say. Her scent teased his senses as he pulled her closer.

“He’s guilty.” Her voice was muffled against his chest. “I just know it.”

Somehow, Jackson managed to gather his scattered thoughts. “Nina, please. We can’t go into an investigation with preconceived ideas. What if someone else is involved? What if Tillman isn’t even your biological father? It could be your mother found someone else after her breakup with Tillman.”

She nodded against him, then sniffled loudly. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just harder than I thought…” Her voice trailed off.

“Hey, it’s okay.” He awkwardly patted her back.

Nina was quiet for a long minute. Then she lifted her head to gaze up at him. “It’s a good thing I know what a happy marriage looks like. My adopted parents were amazing. They loved each other and me, too. Losing them both to a terrible car crash was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through. Until now.”

“I’m glad you had them in your life,” Jackson said.

“If not for my birth mother being murdered and my need to know who killed her, I wouldn’t have even looked for my biological family. I was surprised when I got that DNA hit to my Uncle Mark.” She shook her head and sighed. “I almost wish now, I’d just left it alone.”

“If your biological father is responsible for killing your mother, he deserves to spend the rest of his life in jail.” He searched her gaze. “We’re getting close, Nina. We’ll figure this thing out.”

The corner of her mouth tipped up in a weak attempt at a smile. “Thanks to you, Jackson.”

Thanks to Creed, too, he thought, but didn’t say. He was about to suggest they head back inside, when Nina lifted her hand to cup his cheek.

Then she brushed her mouth against his in a sweet, chaste kiss. He stood frozen for a half second, then his arms drew her closer, his head angling toward hers so their mouths meshed in a proper kiss.

One that sent every bit of rational thought flying right out of his head.

ELEVEN

The moment Nina kissed Jackson, her world turned upside down. His embrace was everything she’d ever wanted, and more. His strong arms held her close, his kiss setting off tiny, firework-like explosions in the back of her mind. But despite her intense reaction, reality struck hard.

What was she doing? This would never work! She’d learned her lesson! Nina broke off from their embrace, taking a shaky step back and gazing over Jackson’s shoulder to the lake beyond. Dark storm clouds threatened on the horizon, bringing the possibility of rain. Swallowing hard, she desperately tried to come up with something to say.

“I—uh, sorry about that. I shouldn’t have…” She couldn’t find the words to finish. She cleared her throat, looking everywhere but at him. “I need to get back to work.” She turned away, her cheeks growing warm with embarrassment. She’d kissed him, not the other way around. And that wasn’t something she’d ever done before.

“Nina…” Jackson’s husky voice sent shivers down her spine. “I’m not sorry.”

The desire to turn and throw herself into his arms was strong. She fought against the urge.

“We work together.” She finally glanced at him over her shoulder. “I don’t date rangers.”

His wounded expression made her feel like she’d kicked a puppy. She wanted to tell him her no-dating rule was nothing personal, just something she’d decided after a bad experience in the past, but what was the point? They were too different for anything to work out between them. He risked his life every day while she hunkered down behind a computer screen. He seemed at home in the outdoors while she’d rather stay inside to read a book when she wasn’t working. Even if she did set aside her rule. Which she had no intention of doing.

Without waiting for him to say anything more, she hurried back up to the rental house. Work would be her salvation. She’d gotten a good start so far. Discovering her biological father was likely the rich oil baron Douglas Tillman had convinced her the guy was guilty of murdering her mother.