The Escape (US Marshals #1) - Lisa Harris Page 0,95

was today. At the moment there was no sign of confusion in his eyes or in his words. He was simply the man who had always been there for her. Teaching her how to drive at fifteen, walking her down the aisle at her wedding, and encouraging her to join the Marshals Service.

“I know about the doctor’s diagnosis,” he said.

“The Alzheimer’s.”

Her father nodded. “I’m slowly forgetting. It’s little things now. Places. Words. Things that used to be easy. I’m afraid I’m going to lose her forever if I can’t remember her.”

Madison shook her head. “No. Mama will always be right here.” She placed her hand against his heart. “She’ll always be there.”

“Maybe . . . I’m just so afraid I’ll forget her. She was so beautiful.”

“You were a handsome couple.”

He reached out and took her hand. “What about you, Maddie? You’re young. You need a second chance at love.”

“I’m fine, Daddy. I don’t have to have someone in my life in order to be happy. I’m learning that. I have you, Danielle, and her family—”

“Yes, but I know what it’s like, losing your soul mate. It’s like a part of you is lost forever. I hate that you know what that feels like.”

“Me too. But I’m okay. I really am.”

“Losing a spouse.” Her father shook his head. “We shouldn’t have that in common.”

“It always helps to have someone who understands. And this next step . . . We’ll get through this as well.”

He squeezed her hand. “Where the parent becomes the child.”

“You took care of me for all those years. We’ll walk down this road together, every step of the way. I promise.”

Relief flooded Madison as she drove into the attached garage of her house and went inside, shutting the door behind her. The stress of the past week had worn her out. She hung up her keys and headed toward her bedroom. The black rose she’d found several days ago was still lying on her bed. She needed closure. A way to end all of this. To once and for all find the person behind this. But not tonight. Right now, she was going to take a long bubble bath and go to sleep for the next twenty-four hours.

Then after that she’d deal with reality and find out who’d left the rose.

She dropped her bag next to the bed, then peeled off her jacket. The last time she’d had a hot shower was thirty-six hours ago. The last time she’d had a decent meal was just as long.

Jonas had offered to take her out to dinner, but she’d told him to stop worrying about her. That she’d probably end up falling asleep before their meals came and would be horrible company.

Something creaked inside the house. A shiver slid through her as she pushed away any concern. The house was thirty years old and often made noises in the wind. It was nothing but fatigue that had her keyed up and her imagination working overtime.

Still . . .

She pulled her weapon out of her holster and cleared the house, room by room, making sure all the windows were shut and locked and the blinds closed. She checked the closets in both her room and the guest room. Nothing looked out of place from when she’d left. There were no signs that anyone had been here. Only an extra layer of dust and the milk in the fridge was spoiled.

Five years had passed, and there had never been any open threat. Just the black rose. Someone who wanted to try and scare her but didn’t have enough courage to face her. It was nothing.

She picked up a photo off the fireplace mantel, remembering the moment the camera had frozen this image in time. A younger version of herself and Luke grinned back at her. She set the photo down. Grief had no time limit. She knew that. No one could tell you how long it took to move on. Was it progress when she didn’t cry as much anymore? Or when more than an hour went by between the resurfacing memories? Or when the day came that she met someone else who made her pulse race unexpectedly and made her wonder what it would be like to fall in love again?

It’s time to move on, Madison. No one will ever replace Luke, but there’s someone out there who can love you just as much as he did.

Like Jonas Quinn.

The thought took her off guard, because falling in love again terrified her