hers from the falling debris. He’d saved her life. Again.
Jason stood a short distance away, giving his statement to a police officer. His thermal shirt was torn at the sleeve and a scrape marred the curve of his cheek, but he was otherwise unharmed. A miracle considering how close they’d been to the explosion.
Addison’s gaze drifted to the commotion in front of the blown-out store. Trevor was in deep discussion with Police Chief Robbie Walters. The chief was in his mid-fifties with thinning salt-and-pepper hair. His face, weathered from time in the sun, wore a perpetual frown. Or maybe it only seemed that way to Addison. The chief liked to rub elbows with the mayor and city council members. He saved his charm and smiles for them.
She shifted her attention to the abandoned store. Lingering whiffs of smoke drifted on the wind and bits of twisted metal mingled with the glass on the sidewalk. Addison trembled. No one had been seriously hurt or killed. But they could’ve been.
Connor sat next to her. The dog pressed his body into hers, as if he could sense her emotions. She placed a kiss in between his sweet brown eyes and then stroked his head. “You’re such a good boy. I’m going to make you homemade dog biscuits. No more of those store-bought ones. And I promise to grill a steak for you once a week.”
A set of familiar combat boots appeared. “You’ll spoil him.”
Addison’s heart skipped several beats at the rich timbre of Jason’s voice. She lifted her head to meet his gaze and had the insane urge to launch herself into his strong arms. “What’s wrong with spoiling him? Connor smelled the bomb inside the store and warned us. He saved our lives.”
Connor’s tail swiped across the ground and his tongue lolled out in a doggie grin. Jason chuckled and patted his head. “Okay, okay. I agree. Steak every week.”
Addison’s gaze drifted toward the commotion near the store, an icy knot in her stomach. “How did Michael know we would follow him to the parking lot?”
“I’m not sure. Have you gotten in contact with your client, Chloe?”
“Yes. I’ve explained the situation and warned her to be extra careful.” Addison rubbed her forehead. “Trial for their divorce has already begun. It’s set to conclude on Tuesday. If Michael is the one behind this, he’s going to get increasingly desperate.”
“Is this just about his business? Or is there more to it than that?”
“This is about money.” Addison’s nose wrinkled. “Michael never mentions his daughter. He doesn’t even want visitation. All he cares about is keeping Chloe from getting her fair share of their assets.”
“How much money are we talking about?”
“Chloe is set to receive two million dollars in the divorce.”
Jason whistled. “Well, that’s a lot of motivation.” He frowned. “What I don’t understand is why Michael would come after you? Chloe could simply hire another divorce attorney.”
“But another attorney wouldn’t help her the way I have. Michael’s convinced the reason Chloe won’t go back to him is because of my involvement.”
“So if he gets you out of the picture…”
“He can convince his wife to return to him. Or take a deal for less money.” Addison gave in to her desire and took a step forward, dropping her forehead to Jason’s broad chest. “What kind of madman plants a bomb to kill me? People could’ve been seriously hurt. Not just you and me. Other townsfolk.”
“God was watching over us.” Jason wrapped his arms around her. “You aren’t in this alone, Addy.”
His embrace was firm and comforting. Addison sank into it, hot tears springing to her eyes as her emotions welled. She didn’t know why this was happening to her, but she was grateful for Jason’s friendship.
“Thank you, Jason.” She lifted her head. “For everything.”
He swiped at the tear coursing down her cheek. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.”
Her breath caught at the tender brush of his thumb across her skin. Her gaze snagged his, and the emotions reflected in his dark eyes erased the coldness seeping into her bones. She knew Jason would protect her with his life. He was a good man.
Warning bells clanged in her head. Since her divorce, Addison had avoided any kind of romantic relationship. Her heart was battered and bruised, and she wasn’t sure she could fully trust someone again. Jason was nothing like her ex-husband—of that she was certain—but could she invest in something new? Was she ready? Addison wasn’t sure.
Someone nearby cleared his throat. Addison turned her head.
Trevor,