Suzanne Cox - One Man To Protect Them

Cecile Wright waved at her, and she hurried to the Wrights’ truck, where the sheriff’s wife was handing out provisions.

“Who’s running the shop for you?”

Cecile had a gift shop and art-supply store on Main Street.

“I closed for the day and came to help. I can’t believe what they’re finding. Everyone knew Duke Swayze wasn’t in his right mind, but this is beyond anything I’d have thought of him.”

“Now, Mrs. Wright,” a man said from behind Jayden, “I know you aren’t automatically assuming Mr. Swayze is responsible.”

Jayden sidled round to see who it was. Mid-swallow, she had to gulp to get her water past the tightening in her throat. She’d been away from Cypress Landing for ten years. While many of the faces remained the same, this was a new one. And what a face it was. She wasn’t typically impressed or excited about handsome men, but this one had what Hollywood labeled the “wow” factor. He wasn’t perfect, with cheekbones and a forehead that bordered on heavy. But he was total man right down to the pullover shirt stretched tight across his chest.

“Luke,” Cecile said, “I know representing people like Swayze is what you do, but this is going to be a difficult case.”

The man—Luke—shrugged and fished a soda from the ice chest. “Like you say, it’s my job.” He wiped his hand on his pant leg and held it out toward Jayden. “Luke Taylor, public defender for the parish.”

“Jayden Miller.”

He engulfed her hand in his warm grasp. His palm was rough, as though he did manual labor, not what she’d expect from a lawyer. He flashed a smile and she smiled back. Cecile apologized for not introducing them, explaining to Luke that Jayden had moved home and was a vet at the local animal clinic. He tilted his head to one side while he held on to her hand for several seconds longer than necessary. For an instant her heart skipped and she got a strange feeling from head to toe. The idea that this man was going to be important flashed through her mind. She’d never fallen for anyone at first sight. She’d always thought it an exaggeration that people invented. But here she was, very attracted to a man who was likely married or being pursued by every available local beauty. She didn’t consider herself a beauty or available.

When he let her go, she stuffed her tingling hand in the pocket of her jeans. She didn’t have time for this. In California, men had filtered through her life—a few more serious than others—but none she’d allowed herself to get too involved with. Involvement could lead to bad decisions and trouble she didn’t need. She mumbled “hello” between sips of water. Crunching on her chips—the thought of eating anything more nauseated her after what she’d seen today—Jayden ignored Cecile and Luke. It must have been his immense sex appeal that had made her foggy, but at last her brain kicked in. She should have realized immediately who this man was, but she’d let his shocking blue eyes and almost too-long brown hair cloud her thinking.

“Public defender? Don’t tell me you’re defending the guy who did this.”

Luke wanted to tell this woman it was all a big mistake. He’d grasped the hand of a woman who’d made his world pause and then she turned on him as if he’d done her a terrible wrong. Honesty was the best policy, right? Which was, of course, a complete joke.

“That’s right. He’s my client. You don’t know with any certainty that he did this, do you?”

“The fact that body parts were scattered across his property doesn’t mean anything to you?”

“This is a secluded area. Anyone could have disposed of remains here.”

“You must not know Swayze’s history or you wouldn’t waste your time hunting anyone else.”

He likely knew more of Cypress Landing’s underbelly than she’d ever imagine. It was an entire other community she likely didn’t even know existed.

Luke was much more interested in watching the sparkling gold flecks in her eyes than in discussing the guilt or innocence of his new client. She was a beauty in all the unfashionable ways. The kind who looked good first thing in the morning without makeup, or when she’d come from the deep woods, clothes soaked in sweat with twigs in her dark hair. He took another drink of his soda, still not answering her. When he looked at her he felt a rush of interest stronger than he’d ever known, but his job had to come first.

“I know as much about him as someone who’s been gone for…” He paused. “How long?”

“Ten years.”

He was surprised she’d responded. Ten years. What had brought her back to this little town in the middle of nowhere after ten years? It was a long time, enough time to build a life somewhere else. He rubbed the back of his neck with the cold soda can. The heat was unbearable for fall.

When he only nodded, she continued to stare at him, her full, sexy lips tense.

“You represent criminals and get them off on technicalities so they can do more damage. Is that a fun thing for you?”

Cecile touched the other woman’s arm but she shook it off. He couldn’t ignore the anger in her accusation. He also couldn’t understand where it came from.

“That’s not exactly how things work, but I do represent my clients to the best of my ability and it’s my job to protect their rights and see that they get a fair trial.”

“Even if it means letting a murderer go free.”

Luke’s muscles stiffened under his skin. He had to admit he’d done things he wasn’t proud of, and this woman must have felt the effects of it.

Before he could respond, she started walking away, saying to Cecile over her shoulder, “I guess I’ll go now. I have time to run by the clinic before I pick the kids up from school.”

She patted her leg and a German shepherd he hadn’t noticed before trotted after her. A vet with kids. She was probably married. Even if she wasn’t, kids meant home and stability and a legion of other things he’d avoided so far. He couldn’t risk a relationship that would complicate his situation. But his curiosity got the best of him. Luke had to know what had made her so hostile toward him.

“So, you want to tell me what’s given you such a negative opinion of public defenders?” he shouted after her. Cecile, he noticed, was shaking her head and staring at the ground.

The scrumptious vet, a title that suited her much better than Jayden, turned and he could see the tracks of tears on her face.

“My sister was Caitland Casio.” She turned sharply and hurried away.

“I tried to stop you,” Cecile said.

Luke stared at the grass on the side of the road, crushed by vehicles driving over it, then shrugged. “I guess I’d have found out sooner or later. Not exactly my most shining moment, was it?”

“You were doing your job.”

He sighed. “I better get back to the office.”

The soles of his shoes scuffed against the asphalt. He’d lost so much in his life, but he’d always kept moving, focusing on a goal. Cypress Landing was a good place and he liked it. If things had been different, not now, but in the beginning, when he was a kid, he could have been happy living here. Maybe with an attractive woman like the vet. Buried in this deception, he was beginning to lose track of himself. Occasionally, he wanted to ask for the real Luke to please step forward. Though, he couldn’t be certain he’d recognize the guy if he did.

THE WHITE CARD with the huge numbers printed on it reflected in the windshield. Jayden inched her car forward, watching the line of teachers and tiny people streaming from the building. It was how she’d decided to think of the two boys who’d fallen into her lap, waist-high humans. What else could she do? She was much better at dealing with Kasey than she was with two kids both under the age of twelve. For three seconds she contemplated spinning the car around and driving west until she ran into the ocean. But then she saw two curly mops of black hair bobbing as the kids raced toward her, their backpacks nearly toppling them. In the seat behind her, Kasey whined and wagged his tail. Even he was better at this parenting thing than she was. The door flew open and the two piled in, smothering Kasey with hugs. Her, they glanced at cautiously. She had to fight to keep from dropping her forehead to the steering wheel in utter defeat. Jayden had never intended to return to Cypress Landing. Beverly Hills might not have been the home she’d been dreaming of, might not have filled that empty spot she’d felt for ten years, but coming here surely wasn’t the answer. She was trapped raising two kids with no idea how to do it.