Finding Justice by Rachel Brimble Page A

they were reunited. It
had been hard telling her about his appearance at Sarah’s school, the
estrangement between them and his ensuing journey down hell’s path, but the
relief it was out there lifted a ten-ton weight from his shoulders.
    His breath flowed easier from his lungs and his optimism soared
for the first time in a long time. Cat was still there, and even better, she was
talking to him. Anything less and he wouldn’t have blamed her. Her silence would
have just been another blow he deserved to suffer.
    Ten years ago he’d told his mother he’d marry Cat Forrester,
and now she was back in the Cove, all his feelings for her came crashing back.
From the minute he saw her on the train, he’d struggled to keep his eyes off of
her, wondered if he’d ever take her in his arms and kiss her again. It was
pathetic and fruitless. He saw the suspicion in her eyes—sensed her
distance.
    He would be stupid to think or expect differently. At least,
for now.
    Once they found the real killer, maybe some of the love in her
eyes would return. Maybe she would trust him again. Give them a chance. One
thing Jay was sure of, he wouldn’t let her leave without telling her how he
felt. His life would not veer off-kilter in such a massive way, as it had a year
after she left. God willing, in time, he’d get his girl and they’d be happy.
    Jay smiled as he watched her denim-clad butt sashay closer to
the bakery. She made him feel amazing, capable of anything and, more important,
capable of making her happier than she ever imagined. Okay, so he hadn’t been
happy to find the guest bedroom empty when he woke that morning, but since when
had Cat ever done anything he’d expected? Never. It was just something else that
attracted him to her. Her independence and strength made her sexy as hell.
    But now was not the time for dwelling on rekindled love
affairs. They had a job to do. Looking around, Jay pondered the lunchtime rush
of people that entered Marian’s Bonniest Bakery like an endless stream of
hypnotized ants. He had no idea how Marian would react to Cat or vice versa.
With two women as fiery and strong as they were, it could mean a whole lot of
trouble.
    When Cat stopped outside the open bakery door, Jay stepped
beside her and leaned toward her ear. “Ready?”
    She turned and arched an eyebrow. “She’s one woman. One woman
who runs a seaside bakery that you happen to own. What’s the matter with
you?”
    He huffed out a dry laugh. “I own this place on paper only.
Marian runs the show. If I so much as tried to exert my authority, she’d yank
down my trousers and spank my ass without giving a damn who saw her.”
    Her disdainful expression changed as her mouth stretched into a
gleeful grin. “I’m liking her already. Seeing your ass being spanked is way up
there on my to-do list.”
    He winked. “Hey, anytime you want to spank it, just shout.”
    She shoved him playfully. “Very funny. Clearly the woman scares
you to death. As for me? I’m used to entering crime scenes. One woman and a
bakery aren’t going to scare me.”
    He opened his mouth to protest when her cell phone rang.
Lifting a finger to his lips, she pulled the phone from her pocket. “Number
withheld.” She pressed the talk button. “Cat Forrester.”
    A dart of concern shot between her eyebrows and her finger
slipped from his mouth. Her gaze flew left and right along the street. “You’ve
got my number? What’s that supposed to mean? Who is this? Hello?” She snapped
the phone shut and fisted her hand into her hair. “For God’s sake.”
    “What’s wrong?”
    “It’s started.”
    “What has?”
    “Our first crank call.” She looked around again as though
scanning for watching eyes. “I’d better let Bennett know.”
    “What did he say? I’m assuming it was a man?”
    She met his eyes. “Yep, but I very much doubt it was the one
we’re looking for. It’s probably nothing.” She paused to look around once more.
“What I