When Twilight Comes - By B. J. Daniels Page 0,45

country far from here. Everything would be all right. She would forget this place and what had happened….

Jenna.

She shook her head and put her hands over her ears. She heard him chuckle.

You know that won’t do any good. Look at me.

She felt a sob escape her lips as she opened her eyes.

He was crouched next to her on the floor, looking exactly as he had in the old photographs downstairs. He wore a tuxedo, his dark hair oiled and combed back. His eyes were the most beautiful blue she’d ever seen. She felt a jolt as she looked into them.

He met her gaze.

Jenna’s heart beat faster. It had been him in her dreams. She could see it in his eyes. He’d been here last night and again this afternoon. He’d made love to her. He’d made her believe that anything was possible. His touch had ignited a passion that had been missing in her life, and she didn’t want to let it go. She wanted this phantom lover to come to her, to make love to her, to never ever go away.

As if he knew that, he reached out and pulled her into his arms, drawing her to her feet.

She closed her eyes, feeling tears well behind her lids as she leaned into him. He felt solid. Real. “What is going on?” she whispered.

“I’m not sure. This is as much of a surprise to me as it is to you.”

She pulled away from him and stepped deeper into the room. “Who is Bobby John Chamberlain?” she asked, slipping her hand into her jacket pocket.

“Jenna—”

As she turned, she withdrew the gun from her pocket and pointed it at him. He seemed to shimmer in the light. Not a figment of her imagination. But not real, either.

Harry groaned and looked disappointed. “Put down the gun, Jenna.”

“Who are you? What are you?” She gripped the weapon tighter.

He met her gaze. “You already know.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t. Tell me I dreamed it.”

“It isn’t a dream,” he said quietly.

She shook her head. “But this isn’t possible.”

“I don’t know how or why, but you were sent here. Sent to me.” He stepped toward her.

She raised the gun to point it at the spot where his heart should have been. “I have to know who you are.”

“My name is Harry Ballantine, and part of me has been waiting my whole life for you. Isn’t that all you have to know?”

She shook her head once more.

“Jenna, let me help you. Put down the gun. It won’t do you any good. You can’t kill me. I’m already dead.”

“No.” She recoiled, her hands trembling so hard she almost dropped the weapon. She stumbled back, losing her balance.

He caught her, gently took it from her and eased her down onto the couch. Flipping on the safety, he put the gun on top of the television cabinet, out of Lexi’s reach.

Jenna felt as if all was lost. She’d lost her mind. Worse, she’d lost something else—a part of herself—to Harry Ballantine. No matter who or what he was, a part of her would always remain here with him, whatever happened now.

“I’m sorry.” It was all Harry could think to say. Because he was sorry in more ways than she could ever know.

She was shaking, her eyes glittering with tears. He didn’t know how much time he had. She could still see him, but he didn’t know for how long.

“You came here so I could help you,” he said.

She shook her head yet again, her eyes wide as she stared at him. Her face had blanched white and he could see the fear. The disbelief. He’d been there and understood how hard it was to accept some of life’s—and death’s—little surprises.

“I think I knew the moment I saw you,” he murmured. “You have to let me help you. It’s the only way.”

“Why should I believe anything you tell me?” she demanded, her voice breaking.

“Because a part of you knows how I feel about you,” he stated. He could see her fighting it.

“I don’t understand any of this,” she said with a sob.

“Listen to me, Jenna.” He gripped her hands. “I know you’re in trouble. There are people after you.”

She tried to pull free. “How can you know that?”

“The same way I know you were sent here. I feel it.” He let go of her hands. “You’re in grave danger.”

Tears welled again in her eyes. She glanced toward the door to Lexi’s bedroom. “I have to protect my daughter.”

“I know. I’m