his side, head pillowed in the crook of his arm. Dark lashes curved against his cheekbones, and his lips parted slightly in sleep. He breathed in a deep, shuddering breath. Her heart turned over. He’d probably been up all night patrolling the streets of Chestnut while she slept—or at least tried to.
She sighed. She’d never cared if a copper might be tired from his job or in danger. She’d never pondered what they did when they weren’t working. Staying out of their way kept her more than occupied. There’d been way too many bad apples to trust the few good that were thrown in. But she’d learned some law officers were cut from a different cloth.
Like Jake.
When Jesus had filled her heart, He had helped her see the good in people where she’d never looked for it before. Back then, she’d been suspicious of Mrs. Brooks’s motives for helping her, but by the time she’d recovered enough to leave, she realized the woman was as good as her word, and she’d stayed. The girl she’d been two years ago wouldn’t have trusted Jake’s mother or Mrs. Warren or their reasons for being kind and generous.
But now she understood. Their actions mirrored Christ in their lives. They could do nothing else but be mothers to the motherless and fathers to the fatherless, much the same way Jesus had reached out to everyone He came into contact with.
Her gaze caressed Jake’s face one last time. She wouldn’t wake him. That would be too awkward. She only wanted to make sure he hadn’t been hurt, and he looked fine. She didn’t even know why she’d worried. If he’d been in grave danger, she would have heard at the mercantile. She turned to go and the hem of her cloak snagged on a mop propped against the wall. It clattered to the floor, making enough noise to wake the dead.
Or at least Jake.
He jumped to his feet like he’d been shot out of a cannon, his eyes wide. His hand slapped his empty holster for his gun.
Livy giggled. She couldn’t help it. She covered her mouth, trying unsuccessfully to stop her laugher. “I’m sorry. I came by to see you, and you were asleep. Then . . .” She trailed off, motioning at the mop. “I really am sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“That’s all right.” Jake raked his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end. “I dozed off for a bit.”
He looked all male with his dark hair mussed and his eyes heavy from sleep. Livy’s fingers itched to smooth the wayward strands into place. She swallowed and edged toward the door, reining in her thoughts and her runaway heart.
She needed to leave. Now.
“What did you want to see me about?” Jake cocked his head to one side and gave her a puzzled frown.
“Oh. That.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. Coming to check on him had been a dim-witted idea, but she hadn’t been able to stop herself. She’d given in to worry, and now she’d gotten herself into a pickle. How could she explain?
He took a step toward her, all hint of sleep gone. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
“No, nothing’s wrong.” She bit her lip, looked away, then glanced back at him. The best thing would be to spit it out. “I heard over at the mercantile that you’d been shot at last night, and I was . . . uh . . . worried.”
“You were worried?” A slow grin spread across his face. He narrowed the gap between them, a teasing look in his eyes. “About me?”
“A little.” She sidestepped and waved a hand in dismissal. “You know, as a friend.”
“A friend?” He lifted a brow.
“Yes, a friend.”
He moved closer, so close she could see the gold flecks in his green eyes. The teasing look on his face disappeared as his gaze flickered to her lips. “Livy, I’m not sure I want to be your friend.” His voice sounded low and husky.
She wanted to turn and run but felt she couldn’t move if her life depended on it. “Well, I—”
He reached out and pulled her toward him, lowering his face to hers. His lips covered hers, and she drank in the taste of his kiss. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her closer before slanting his lips against hers, deepening the kiss. As if of their own volition, her arms twined themselves around his neck and pulled him closer still. He pulled back and kissed the corner of