How To Steal The Lawman's Heart

“Yes. And he made it clear he wants nothing to do with me. He truly meant what he said when he threw me out of the house. I’m not his daughter anymore.” The last words were swallowed up by sobs. She’d lost her family years ago. So why was the pain still so fresh?

She dragged her arm across her eyes, using the sleeve of her jacket to mop up her tears.

“Did he say that?”

Swallowing hard, she dug a tissue from her purse and wiped her nose. “No. He didn’t say anything.” She tossed the damp tissue back into her purse and grabbed another one. “And don’t tell me he’s hurting because he lost his wife. I lost my mother and I’m hurting, too.”

“I wasn’t going to say that. I’m not going to make excuses for someone I haven’t met and don’t think I would like.”

“Good.” She sniffed again. “Are you back in the States?”

“Yes. I arrived home early this morning. I only wish I could have been there with you so you wouldn’t have to face this alone.”

Carmen wished so, too. But when he’d offered to return home early from his business trip abroad to accompany her to Sweet Briar, she’d told him it wasn’t necessary. She’d naively believed that her family would welcome home their prodigal child. Fool that she was, she’d actually thought they could comfort each other at this sad time and become a family again.

“Can you pick me up at the airport?” she asked.

“I already told you I would.”

“I don’t mean in a couple of days. I mean tonight. As soon as I can get a flight home.”

“Tonight?”

“Yes.”

Damon sighed. “What happened, baby?”

“Daddy’s not like you. He doesn’t care about second chances. He doesn’t want to have one more day with me. Not like you do with Kimberly.”

Damon’s daughter, Kimberly, had died nearly twelve years ago in a swimming accident. If she had lived, she would be a few years younger than Carmen.

“Carmen, he’s grieving,” Damon said gently, his voice calm and soothing. It was that tone that had convinced her that she could trust him all those years ago. “And he’s in shock. Give him time.”

“I thought you weren’t going to take his side.”

“I’m not. I’m on your side as always. But didn’t you tell me you wanted your family in your life again? How do you expect to accomplish that if you don’t give them a chance?”

“But what if they still don’t want me?” Her voice was small as she admitted her greatest fear. She’d almost convinced herself her worry was baseless and that they would greet her warmly. Now she knew they might never forgive her.

“Then they’re fools. But you’ll never know if reconciliation is possible if you run away. Try to work things out. Remember, I’m only a phone call away. If you need me, I’ll be on the first plane. Okay?”

She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Okay. I’ll stay. For now.”

“Good. I’m sure you’re making the right decision.”

“There’s more,” she said, forcing out the words.

“What?”

“Remember the accident I told you about?”

“Of course I do.”

She closed her eyes on the wave of pain and guilt that shot through her. “The driver of the other car died.”

“Oh, Carmen. Are you sure?”

“Yes. I met her husband today.” Unbidden, the image of Trenton Knight flashed in her mind. His sorrow had been a tangible part of his being. Even though he wore a wedding band, she would bet it had been put there by the poor woman who’d died in the accident. His pain was too raw and his anger too hot for Carmen to believe he’d found happiness with another woman. “She had two little girls.”

Her heart ached for him and for his motherless children. She couldn’t stand knowing she’d played a role in their tragedy. She should have tried harder to convince Donny to let her drive.

She exhaled a long sigh that turned into a sob. “I apologized to him, but he didn’t accept it.”

“So what are you going to do?”

“I plan on apologizing again so he’ll know I mean it.”

“That’s a good start. But if you’re seriously sorry, you have to find a way to make amends.”

“I know.” She blew out a heavy breath. “Thanks, Damon. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“You won’t have to find out. I’ll always be here for you.”

“I know. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

She sat there for a while, pondering his words. Damon was right. She needed to make amends. She knew she couldn’t repair the damage she’d done, but there had to be a way to be of help to the Knight family. If she wanted to maintain her hard-earned self-respect, she had to try.

And she knew just where to start. Getting out of the car, she stood and straightened her shoulders. In order to go forward, she had to go back.

It took a bit of searching, but she found Anna Knight’s grave. The gravestone was clean and a pink rosebush had been planted in the center of the grave. Carmen took a deep breath and spoke softly.

“I’m Carmen Shields. I just found out you died in that accident.” Carmen gulped, feeling a bit uncomfortable, but plugged on.

“I didn’t know. I’m so sorry. I met your husband. He seemed sad.” She could have added furious as well, but she didn’t. “I know you didn’t plan on leaving your little girls. I can’t ever change that, but I promise I’ll do my best to make sure they’re all right. I’ll do all I can to help them.”

Having made her promise, she stood, turned and came face-to-face with Chief Knight.

Chapter Three (#ulink_b41fcc46-9108-57c0-8bae-75a5ff00443c)

“What are you doing here?”

Carmen took in the chief’s angry face and quickly looked away as she searched for an answer. He stood between two girls, who she guessed were his daughters. The younger one looked about eight. She had a pink sheet of construction paper in her hand and was looking at Carmen curiously, a smile on her pretty face.

The other girl was older, maybe fifteen or sixteen. She was tall and thin, with an unreadable expression, her hands shoved in the back pockets of her tight jeans. She glanced at Carmen and then sighed before turning away.

Finally, Carmen did what she’d been avoiding. She looked at Chief Knight. He’d changed out of his uniform and into a pair of dark dress pants and a white pullover. Despite her nervousness, she couldn’t help but notice the way his shirt emphasized his fit torso, and then she immediately chided herself for gawking at him in front of his children. He was holding a bunch of wildflowers and a large balloon that read Happy Birthday!

A fresh wave of guilt swept through Carmen. Although she needed to begin to make amends, this clearly wasn’t the time or the place. Mumbling an apology, she started to walk away. She’d taken only one step when her heel sank into wet grass and she stumbled. She reached out for something to break her fall but encountered only air.