Finding Peace (Love's Compass #1) (17 page)

Morgan shoulders slumped and she nodded. “Thank you.”

“We appreciate your cooperation,” Lance said as he and Tuck stood. “There’s going to be a police officer watching your house until we catch this guy. We’re going to leave our cards with you. If you see anything that concerns you, please call us.”

Tuck sighed once they were outside and the door closed behind them. “At least we’re finally getting some idea of what’s going on.”

“I agree. We’ve got a lot of calling and research to do. I wish we could figure out where this guy is hiding and bring him in before he strikes again.”

Laurie relished the feel of Tuck’s hand holding hers. They had gotten permission from Lexi to go on a short walk that late morning – something Laurie had been desperate to do since it had snowed again. She didn’t think she could handle laying back in the recliner or on the couch much longer. “I love how the snow mutes everything. Footsteps, cars on the road, and even the birds seem to fly more quietly.”

Tuck chuckled and her gaze swung to his. “I’m not laughing at you. You’re cute. If you weren’t hurt, I have a feeling you would be making snow angels and frolicking through the snow drifts.”

“You would be right.” She tried to look serious, but it didn’t last long and soon they were both laughing. “I’ve always loved the snow – I rarely feel peace like I do when I’m walking in it.”

“I can see that.” He let go of her hand and put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer.

Laurie leaned into him, welcoming the warmth. They walked a few minutes in silence. She thought about the night before and how easily everyone worked together. Lance came to mind. “I’m not sure your partner likes me.”

Tuck’s steps slowed. “It’s not that,” he said. The hesitation in his voice caught her attention.

“What is it, then?”

“Lance is one of my best friends and he was the person I talked to when I was going through everything with Jana.” He paused. “I’ve been afraid history will repeat itself and he knows that. For the record, he’s been very supportive of this. Of us. I think he’s trying to stay impartial until he knows where it’s all headed.”

She had stopped walking, her mind trying to grasp what he meant. He must have taken her pause as an indication that she was in pain.

“Are you okay? Do we need to go back?”

“I’m fine, thanks. Where it’s all headed is an interesting choice of words.”

They continued to walk but she could detect the tension in his stance.

“There are a lot of things that go into my job that can make my life anything but normal. I never talked to Jana about it.”

“And you think we need to have that discussion?”

He stopped and turned to face her. “Yes, I do.”

Laurie felt a ball of nerves form in her middle. She tried to imagine what all he might say and didn’t have much success. She liked what they had here. Latching onto some courage, she gave him a firm nod. “Go for it.”

“We don’t have to do this here.”

She tried to reassure him with a smile, but knew she wasn’t feeling very confident herself. “I think we should. If it’s a subject that may prevent – this – from continuing then we should get it out of the way.”

Tuck let out a slow breath through pursed lips and let go of her hand. He rested it against his neck and looked at the scenery before resting his gaze on her again. “I’m not sure how to start.”

“Why don’t you tell me what is leading us to this. What about your job caused problems between you and Jana?”

She could tell it was one of the last things he really wanted to talk about. But he seemed to realize she was right.

Once he started talking, the words flowed from him like a dam had finally broken. “Jana never told me any of this until she broke off our engagement. She resented how often I had to leave in the middle of the time we had together. She said it was stressful when I was on duty and she would hear about breaking news on the radio and wonder if I was in the middle of it.” He was looking at a snow-covered tree, hurt etched in his features. “She said she wasn’t going to wait every night and worry about whether I was coming home or not. That it was no way to live – and no way to raise a family.”

Laurie resisted the urge to reach out for him. “So what do you want to tell me?”

~

Tuck hadn’t realized how much the subject of Jana had been allowed to fester the last two years. He’d thought he’d dealt with it and moved on. But just talking about the details brought all of the hurt to the surface. How had he not realized how unhappy she was? Was he forced to choose between his career and a future with someone else? Being a police officer wasn’t just a job to him – it was part of who he was. It was what he felt like he was supposed to do with his life.

Without any warning, a thought came into his head.

If he was truly where he felt he was supposed to be, then it’s right where God had placed him. He needed to let go and give Him room to work everything out.

He looked into the face of the woman standing before him. “I may have to interrupt our dinners or our walks to go into work. But it doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t rather stay with you.” He swallowed, feeling lighter than he had in a long while. “There’s always the possibility that I could end up hurt on the job. I take every precaution – we all do – but it’s not always in our control. I may be assigned something at the end of my shift and not be able to make it to a commitment I’ve made with you. Trust me, if I can get out of it, I will. But if I can’t, I will always try to call and let you know.” A small smile played on Laurie’s lips and he couldn’t help but return it. “What is it?”

“I’m not running away.”

“No, you’re not.”

She placed a hand over her wound and chuckled. “Of course, right now, it would be more like a funny-looking jog.”

He tipped his head back and laughed. “Yeah, I don’t recommend that.”

She took a deep breath. “No job or situation is perfect. No one warned me that signing up to be a photographer would get me stabbed. I can tell you one thing. I might have bled to death in my studio if it hadn’t been for you. Every resident in Kitner is lucky to have you on their side. This town is better with you protecting it, and my life is better with you in it. And it’s not just because you saved my life.” Tuck chuckled, his ears going red. “It’s because you are who you are. If there’s someone out there who wants to change that, then they don’t deserve you.”

He tugged her gently into his arms. His warmth engulfed her and the faint scent of his aftershave touched her nose.

“Promise me, if my job ever gets too intense, that you’ll tell me. I don’t want you to ever feel like you have to hide that from me.”

“I promise, Tuck.”

He placed small kisses across her cheek to her ear and then hugged her close. When he leaned back again, he cupped her face in his hands and caressed it with his thumbs. “You are so incredibly important to me, Laurie. I’ve fallen completely in love with you.”

She could see the truth in his eyes and felt as though her heart might burst. “I love you, too.”

Their lips, turned up at the corners, met in a kiss that radiated the acceptance and wonder that thrummed to life in every cell of Laurie’s body.

A shiver coursed through her and Tuck broke their kiss. He rubbed her upper arms through her coat.

“We need to get you back inside. As pretty as this white stuff is, it’s still cold and you need to rest. Lexi’s going to try and beat me up for keeping you out this long.” Tuck steered them back towards the Chandler house. “I probably won’t get to see you until late tomorrow. Lance and I are supposed to go over to Dallas this afternoon and make some inquiries about Chester’s ex-wife. I have no idea how long it’s going to take.”

Laurie put her arm around his. “I’ll miss seeing you. Be careful, okay? You guys are going to wrap this case up, one way or another.” She grinned up at him. “I have faith in both of you.”

~

Laurie was helping Grams clip coupons while a movie played on the television for Gideon. Patty, Lexi, and Serenity were all working and it seemed like an exceptionally quiet – and slow – afternoon. Even Rogue seemed to feel it, sprawled out on the floor in a patch of sunlight that shone through a window.

She mentally shook her head at the sheer number of coupons that Grams had managed to collect. They could single-handedly fuel the next high school bonfire. 

Her thoughts turned to Tuck. When he had told her the story that Morgan Lewis related to them, she could hardly believe her ears. Yet, all of the pieces had started to fall into place.

But where was this man that the ex-wife had hired? Tuck had even gone so far as to alert all of the hospitals in the Dallas area in case the man had made it back there before seeking medical help. They hadn’t heard a thing – it was as though the man had disappeared into thin air.

While she was thankful to be staying at the Chandler house, she had mixed feelings about going home that evening. She had customers booked in two days and she needed to get a new laptop to replace the one that was stolen.

Just thinking about it all was overwhelming. She could admit going back by herself was a scary thought, but she couldn’t hide out at the Chandler house forever.

She had finished cutting one sheet of coupons when there was a knock at the door set to a tune. She watched in amusement as Gideon leapt off the floor and ran to the front door, closely followed by Rogue. As soon as he flung it open, he was scooped up by Tuck. Laughter preceded the two into the living room, Rogue jumping up and down with excitement behind them.

“Good morning, ladies,” he greeted with a wave. Setting Gideon down, he kissed Grams on the cheek. “Are you torturing this poor girl with your coupons?”

Grams shook her head good naturedly and slapped him lightly on the arm. He walked to the other end of the couch and smiled down at Laurie.

Her joy at seeing him quickened her pulse. “I’m glad you’re back! Did everything go okay?”

Tuck reached for her hand and held it as he lowered himself to sit on the couch beside her. “It went well. We got back at two this morning. Lance and I both went home to crash. I need to get back to the station here in a few minutes, but wanted to come say hello to some of my favorite people.”

Laurie knew that he was talking about everyone, but the look he gave her made her feel as though the comment were meant just for her. He brushed the bruise on her head with his lips.

“Did everyone behave here while we were gone? No surprises?”

After all that had happened in the last month, she was happy to report that the last twenty-four hours had been uneventful. “I’m not sure how many more surprises I can take.”

“I hear you. Well, we located Tess Canton. We didn’t get much information out of her, but she visibly blanched when Lance told her we were looking for connections to a man who had been causing trouble here in town.”

Grams set her coupons down. “She at least knew something about it.”

He nodded. “We informed her that she needed to stay in town and that we had spoken with Dallas PD about the situation.”

“Good!” Laurie hadn’t met the woman, but ever since she first heard about her, she had the feeling she was someone who shouldn’t be trusted. “Any sign of the man she hired?”

“None.”

“You’ll find him,” Grams said, as though her determination made it a fact.

“I can’t help but feel if you and Lance could find him, not only would Kitner be safer, but maybe Chester and Brian could go home again.” Laurie knew her voice sounded wistful.

He gave her hand a squeeze. “It would be nice if things worked out that way. I’m starting to wonder if the man Tess Canton hired may have fled the area – even the state.” His eyes darted to the bruise on her head. “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine.” She hesitated. “I talked to Grams and your mom last night. I’m going to go home this afternoon.”

He looked like he wanted to argue, but gave her a short nod instead. “I was hoping that we would have apprehended the guy by now. But I know you can’t stay here forever.” He gave Grams a pointed look. “I told you, you would scare people off with those coupons.”

Both women laughed and Grams tossed a page of wadded-up newspaper at him.

“How about I come back as soon as I get off work? We’ll go get that computer and I’ll take you home.”

“That would be perfect, thank you.”

~

Tuck had packed all of her things into his truck. Laurie gave everyone at the Chandler house a hug and thanked them for their hospitality. “You are all lucky to have each other and I’m blessed to call you my friends.”

“Don’t be a stranger,” Patty said. “You’re welcome here anytime. You don’t even have to call ahead. Drop on by.”

“You got it.” Laurie hugged her again.

Once they were in the truck, she breathed a sigh of relief. “It was actually fun staying there. That house sure stays busy.”

“It does. But in a good way.”

“Definitely. I’m nervous about being at my place by myself, but I’m ready to sleep in a bed instead of on the couch again.”

“Well, I have good news for you that might help you feel a little better about being home again.” When she looked at him quizzically, he continued. “They finished processing your gun, took a few shots to have bullets for comparison, and I was able to bring it back.”

She breathed a deep sigh of relief. “That does make me feel better. Thank you.”

Tuck laid his arm across her shoulders. “You’re welcome.”

By the time Laurie had purchased a new laptop, it was getting late. They approached the studio and spotted a car parked in front.