My Deadly Valentine - By Valerie Hansen & Lynette Eason Page 0,10

over so he could read the note without touching it, then got down on his knees to check the vehicle’s undercarriage, just in case.

When he rose and dusted himself off, he returned to Rachel. “We’ll need to phone the sheriff’s office.”

“Why? What is it?”

“Another threat,” he said, stepping between her and the few cars that remained in the lot. “I was afraid we were being watched.”

Her voice quavered. “And?”

“And, unfortunately, I was right.”

FIVE

The springtime sun was still shining overhead but in Rachel’s heart, it was the depth of winter. This couldn’t be happening to her. Not in Serenity. And surely not at church.

Pastor Logan Malloy joined the small group gathered around Jace’s truck, listened to what was being said, then spoke directly to the sheriff. “Hi, Harlan. What’s the trouble?”

“Just tomfoolery,” the portly sheriff insisted. “Pure and simple. Some yahoo’s got a grudge against Miss Rachel here and he’s actin’ out by leavin’ threats. Last one was stuck on this here truck.”

Before she could speak in her own defense, the pastor did it for her. “I wouldn’t be so quick to brush it off as an innocent prank if I were you. Anybody who’s willing to behave like this on church property shows no conscience. And little or no regard for right and wrong, either, assuming they’re able to tell the difference.”

Rachel sensed Jace’s closeness and once again stepped into the shelter of his arm around her shoulders, unconcerned about social proprieties. Truthfully, she felt a lot less bashful than usual, especially since there was so much strength and comfort associated with his presence.

The fact that all the men had begun casting questioning glances at Jace convinced her that further explanations were in order. “Jace—Deputy Morgan—was the one who responded to the first threat at the shop and he’s been very helpful ever since.”

“You have his references?” Logan asked Harlan.

“Yep. All in order. He comes highly recommended. All the way from Los Angeles, too.”

“I see.”

“Really, Pastor Logan,” Rachel said. “You’re beginning to sound as critical as my father.”

With that, the pastor smiled. “I am like a father in many ways. You’re a member of my flock so that makes you partly my responsibility.” He offered his hand to Jace. “Sorry if I sounded suspicious.”

Jace grinned and shook his hand firmly. “No problem. I know why you did. Because I’m not from around here, right?”

“Right. We tend to look after our own. Is this your first visit to Serenity Chapel, Jace?”

“Yes. Miss Hollister invited me and I thought it would be best if she didn’t drive over alone. Not till the sheriff and I get to the bottom of her troubles.”

“If you have a few minutes, I’d like to discuss the case with you. That is, if Harlan doesn’t mind.”

The sheriff shook his head, making his jowls shimmy. “Naw. You go ahead, Pastor Malloy. I know you’re just like an old fire horse. No matter how long ago you quit, being a detective is in your blood.”

“That it is.” Turning to Rachel, Logan Malloy said, “We can talk in my office.”

“Fine. I have nothing to hide,” she told him, falling into step between the pastor and Jace. “I haven’t done one thing wrong.”

She felt Jace’s hand lightly touch hers before he said, “You may not think you have, but somebody sure does.”

The realization of how right he was sank into Rachel’s consciousness and gave her chills from her toes to the nape of her neck. Somebody disliked her enough to try to scare her to death with empty threats.

Suddenly, a far worse theory arose. What if the threats weren’t empty? What if her antagonist meant to do her real harm?

The pastor’s study reminded Jace more of a den than an office. Although there were floor-to-ceiling bookshelves along one wall and a desk in the corner, there was also a cozy seating arrangement with a sofa and several comfortable chairs.

Rachel took one of the chairs, so Jace chose the couch. He leaned back and stretched out his long legs before lacing his fingers behind his head. It wasn’t until he saw Rachel’s eyes widen that he realized the pose had exposed the sidearm he carried beneath his suit jacket.

He adjusted the jacket and straightened. “Sorry about that.”

She was shaking her head. “I should have known. My father rarely went anywhere without a gun.”

“Where did he work?” Jace asked. “Harlan acts as if he’s had the sheriff’s job in Serenity for ages.”

“He has,” Logan chimed in. “It’s an elected office with very few