Karen Lawton Barrett - Conception Cover-Up

The twinge of guilt that followed loosened her tongue. “Tony was a police officer in San José. He was killed three years ago in the line of duty.”

“I’m sorry.”

The simple words eased the lump in her throat. Her friend Zoe had often told her she’d feel better if she talked about it, but she’d never been able to discuss Tony with anyone, even her best friend. Was that why she’d suddenly decided to talk? Or was it just a cover-up for her inappropriate feelings?

“Don’t stop now.” Caleb touched her hand.

The resulting tremor rocked her to her toes.

She pulled her hand back, looked away. Oh, no, she could not have this. He was a lost soul, just passing through. And she? She was even more lost than he was. No matter how her senses reacted to him, physical attraction did not equal a relationship. And even if it did, a relationship was the last thing she wanted.

“Shannon?” he said softly. “Tell me what happened.”

And because telling Tony’s story suddenly seemed easier than dealing with her own feelings, she did.

“It wasn’t the first time he’d been shot. Tony was very brave and capable. But his sense of responsibility for his fellow officers…” She gazed into the fire, remembering. “He was always first—the first to arrive, the first to volunteer.”

“The first to be wounded?”

She nodded. “I can’t count the times I had to go to the emergency room to pick him up.” Gashes, knife wounds, bullets. “Time after time, I’d tend Tony’s wounds. Time after time, he’d go back to the job.” Eagerly, happily, as soon as he could, she remembered bitterly. “Being a police officer was his life.”

“And in the end it was his death,” Caleb said quietly.

Shannon nodded.

“I don’t mean to be judgmental, but it sounds like he was reckless.”

She half laughed, feeling no humor. “Men are. Haven’t you noticed?”

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