The Unsung Hero (28 page)

The lateness of the hour rather than hunger
reminded her that she hadn't eaten since lunch. Rummaging through
a small bag from a convenience store where she'd stopped on the
long drive yesterday, she found a half-eaten package of tiny
sugared donuts. She nibbled on one, but the sweet taste was
unexpectedly cloying. The few bites she took sat like a heavy
stone in her stomach, and she pushed aside the package
distastefully. Suddenly she felt as if the walls were closing in on
her, and she knew she couldn't remain in the stark motel room any
longer. After running a brush through her long dark hair, she
grabbed her purse and a light denim blazer and went outside,
intent on getting a breath of fresh air.

Darkness had already settled over Plains
City, but the parking area of the motel was lighted by the bright
glare of the sign near the office. Jenna was in the process of
closing the door behind her when she noticed a dark maroon Blazer
pull to a halt in one of the stalls. As a man got out, something in
his lean, muscular bearing caught her eye. He was tall and broad
shouldered, and a faint breeze ruffled his thick dark hair as he
dropped his keys in his pocket. The sharp blade of his nose bespoke
arrogance, the thrust of his chin determination. She registered
the deeply chiseled features with a prickly sense of unease as she
watched him slam the car door shut with almost vicious intent. Hazy
spears of light shone down from the streetlamp, falling full on his
face for a moment, as he moved away from the car.

Jenna froze.

Dressed in a plaid shirt, jeans and boots,
the man could have passed for just another cowboy, one of the many
who seemed to populate the town. As if he were caught in the same
current of awareness as she, the man slowly turned to face her.
Jenna couldn't tear her eyes away from his as a flicker of
recognition passed between them.

Ward Garrison didn't bother to smile; he
didn't bother to tip his hand in greeting. He just stared at her
for what she suspected was the longest moment in her life. Then he
began to move toward her.

Jenna's breathing grew almost painfully
shallow as those hazel eyes stared unwaveringly into hers. Her
heart thumped as she watched his face grow colder with each step
that brought him nearer.

She had the feeling that the battle for
Robbie was over before it had even begun.