Foxfire (5 page)

But that shouldn't matter. Tyler was here for
one reason. To put an end to Max's killing spree and bring the
bastard to justice. Or kill him. Whichever opportunity afforded
itself. But to have a chance, Tyler needed Grace. If he had to
romance her to make that happen, he'd do so and enjoy every second.
She wasn't immune to the chemistry brewing between them.

Grace closed her eyes and sent forth an
audible sigh. He leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers
before she could resist.

He expected a slap, or at the least that
she'd push him away. He didn't expect the warm, soft pressure of
her lips kissing him back.

Reluctantly, he was the first to pull away.
He couldn't do it. No matter what he told himself, he wouldn't be
able to use her this way. He wanted to run his fingers through her
hair and feel those coppery curls twine around his fingers, and he
damned his own weakness. Grace wasn't the kind of woman he could
hop into bed with and forget. The last thing he needed was to get
involved. One more kiss would lead to big trouble. The kind of
trouble he wanted no part of, not now, not ever again.

Tiffany sat on his foot. He stared down at
her laughing face. Even the dog knew he lied to himself.

Grace opened her eyes and that quick he was
caught up in wanting to kiss her again.

She tipped her head. A dimple showed in one
cheek. She continued to stare at him while her smile rearranged the
freckles sprinkled across her cheeks.

“I said I'd think about it,” she said.

He couldn't tear his mind away from the
throbbing pull of sexual desire. “The kiss?” He touched her
cheek.

“No, the job offer.”

Quickly she turned, leaving him standing
alone staring at her back. Tiffany trotted beside her, and suddenly
Tyler wanted to laugh. What a pair. He watched until the door
closed, blocking them from his sight.

He ambled home, pondering how quickly his
plan had come together. He'd liked the thrill of working for the
agency. Would he be able to walk away from it once he'd finished
this assignment? Would it absolve him and bring an end to his
guilt?

Mulling over the questions wouldn't bring the
answers. He had to focus on one thing only. The mission he'd been
sent to accomplish.

Having Grace work in the clinic would allow
him to keep close tabs on her. She liked animals, and that was a
crucial part of establishing trust with customers, so she'd fit in
perfectly.

Except for one thing. He wanted to jump her
bones.

****

Grace shut the door and knelt to hug
Tiffany.

“I'm not doing so well with new beginnings,
am I?” She couldn't believe she'd let Tyler kiss her. She didn't
even know him. And Harri didn't trust him. She believed in Harri's
psychic abilities. And Grace believed in her own intuition.
Intuition that told her she'd seen something important in that
garage last night.

Tiffany yelped and Grace released her
strangle-hold. She hadn't realized how tightly she'd gripped her
friend.

“I'm sorry, girl.” Grace kissed the dog's
nose. “I'm such a ninny for letting myself get spooked. When am I
ever going to get over my fear?”

She walked to the bedroom, turning her
thoughts to the kiss she'd just shared with Tyler. She had to focus
on pleasant thoughts.

She undressed and stood in front of the
mirror. She imagined Tyler telling her she was beautiful, and that
her past didn’t matter. His kiss still tingled on her lips. She
brushed a finger over their fullness. Oh, no doubt about it, Tyler
Sandford spelled trouble with a capital T.

Knowing that, could she work for him?

No way. She'd already made the mistake once
of getting involved with her boss. If she accepted a job working
for Tyler, she knew she wouldn't be strong enough to resist
him.

She put on her robe and went to the kitchen
to give Tiffany fresh water.

Staring out the window toward the animal
clinic, Grace watched a light blink in the distance and disappear.
It reminded her of the legendary foxfire, the strange light that
glowed in the wooded mountain range from time to time.

She pulled the curtains to block the
view.

Tiffany's nails clicked across the kitchen
floor. The clock on the mantle ticked unceasingly. Tick, tock.
Tick, tock.

The old house creaked, flexing stiffened
joints.

The sounds of the boards settling set her
nerves on edge. Too much was happening much too fast. Connor had
uncovered her past. If he could do that, then what was to stop her
enemies from finding her? She shivered and pulled her robe closer.
She might have glimpsed a killer last night, and not so long ago
she'd slept with one.

Grace turned out the light. Darkness wrapped
her in a black shroud. Harri's words of caution crept into her
mind. Grace didn't have a good track record when it came to men,
and she trusted Harri's intuition. Was there a connection to the
Knoxville Knifer and the man she'd seen?

And what about Tyler? Who was he? Could it be
a coincidence that he was from Ohio, too?

Through the crack in the curtain, Grace
focused on the darkness that had descended on Foxfire, the
community where nothing bad ever happened.

Chapter Four

Adam Shockley walked toward the old Feathers
place, which now bore a bright red-lettered sign boasting “Foxfire
Animal Clinic.” He'd read the ad last weekend announcing the
clinic's grand opening.

Passing by Grace Wilkins' cabin, he glanced
at the weathered logs and low hanging porch roof. His grandparents
had built the house many years ago and it had withstood time with
grace and dignity. When he put it up for sale, he scrutinized every
prospective buyer. The residents of Foxfire needed to meet a
certain criteria. He'd learned that many years ago from his
grandfather, and when his grandfather died, followed by the death
of Adam's father, the responsibility passed down to Adam.

When Grace had placed an offer on the house,
he'd told the realtor he needed to meet the prospective buyer
before committing. The moment he'd met Grace, all his reservations
fell away. An angel, beautiful and sweet, she added a spark of life
to Foxfire.

He'd learned from Brad that she'd broken off
her engagement and was no longer working for the District
Attorney's office. It was time to make his move. He'd invite her to
dinner. Women liked to be courted. And flowers. He'd have to
remember flowers. His pace picked up, encouraged by his decision.
He squinted under the sun's glare and adjusted his ball cap
lower.

When he reached his destination, he was happy
to see a new coat of white paint brightened the old two-story
house. Adam hoped this business would be good for the community.
His family had owned a big portion of this mountain for many
generations, and he had to protect his heritage.

Adam turned the knob and pushed open the
door, setting off a clanging. He smiled at the cowbell on a chain,
admiring the simplicity of the country-inspired welcome. Foxfire
was a community that remained true to its Appalachian roots, and it
looked like the vet planned to follow the culture. He'd even heard
rumors he would make house calls.

“Hi. Can I help you?”

Adam swiveled his head. He grinned at the man
who stared back at him. Adam felt dwarfed, though he stood nearly
six-feet tall. The man smiled back, lines crinkling at the edges of
his intense green eyes.

“Nice touch.” Adam nodded at the bell then
extended his hand. “I'm Adam Shockley.”

“Tyler Sandford.”

“I've been watching progress on the clinic.”
Adam perused the open area of the reception room with the two
wooden benches against one wall, which reminded him of the pews in
the Baptist church he'd attended as a child. “You did a good job
with the remodeling.”

Tyler swept his left arm in a welcoming
gesture. “Would you like a tour? I'm proud of how well it all came
together.”

“Quite a change from when old Charlie owned
it.”

“You knew the former owner?”

Adam nodded. “Born and raised in these parts.
I used to buy peanuts from a stand out by the road. That's how
Charlie passed the time after his wife, Leona, died. He never went
out much after that, except for church on Sunday. I think he
grieved himself to death.”

“Sad.” Tyler pushed open the door to the
examination room and ushered Adam in. “You probably know most of
the people around here.”

“Yep. Most.”

Tyler leaned against the stainless steel
table and crossed his ankles. “Do you think I have a snowball's
chance in hell of making a success of this clinic?”

“Maybe. Depends on what you mean by success.”
Adam narrowed his gaze on Tyler, taking his measure. He appeared to
be about ten years younger than Adam's forty-two years. He wore the
local uniform of jeans and a pocket t-shirt, but an open white lab
coat topped it.

Tyler met his gaze directly, man-to-man, with
no sign of uncertainty. “I've got pictures of Norman Rockwell in my
head. It's the main reason I decided to set up practice away from
the city. I'm excited about the prospect of making house calls,
just like the old timers did.”

He pushed his body off the table and led the
way through a door to the back area filled with cages.

“My idea of success is to make enough to keep
the place running and put food on the table.”

Adam laughed. “Then you shouldn't have a
problem. That is...” He turned to face Tyler. “If you're serious
about making house calls from time to time.”

Tyler's lips lifted in a grin. “I'm
serious.”

Adam nodded.

Tyler showed him the rest of the clinic and
the living quarters he'd set up for himself. By the time Adam left,
he felt comfortable that the new clinic would be perfect for
Foxfire. He'd make a few calls, and soon Tyler would have the
community's support.

He whistled and retraced his steps, stopping
when he reached Grace's house.

Tiffany raced toward him with her ears laid
back. She came to an abrupt halt in front of him. Her lips pulled
up over her teeth and she emitted a low growl.

He hated dogs. Ever since that one had bitten
his leg and drew blood, he'd kept his distance. He wished Grace
wouldn't let this one run loose. But he hadn't heard of the dog
biting anybody. He held out his hand. Maybe if he could make
friends with it...

“Come here, girl. I won't hurt you.”

But the dog remained steadfast, blocking the
path, warning him not to move closer.

“Tiffany! Bad girl.”

With relief, Adam turned his gaze to the
beauty walking across the leaf-strewn yard.

“I'm sorry,” Grace said. She walked up and
grabbed the dog's collar. “I don't know why she's acting this way.
She's usually very friendly.”

Adam gulped. Grace's hair ignited in the
sunshine. The curls rioted in flames of red and gold. Her beauty
froze him, driving the words he wanted to say clear down to his
toes. He pulled the cap a little lower.

Grace gazed at him quizzically. “Are you all
right?”

He stepped forward with his hand extended
toward her dog. “I was trying to make friends with her.”

Tiffany sniffed at his fingers and rumbled
another low growl.

“Shame on you, Tiff,” Grace scolded.

“She's just protecting you. That's not a bad
thing.”

Grace grinned and his stomach wrenched.

“Were you down at the clinic, Adam?” Grace
asked.

“Yeah. Just checking it out. The new vet
seems okay.”

“Tiffany likes him. Don't you?” Grace ruffled
the dog's fur.

Adam's heart nose-dived. She'd already met
the vet? What chance did he have against the younger, good-looking
man? But looks weren't everything. And his age gave him the
maturity that a woman like Grace needed. He had to make his move
now.

“Grace. I was wondering...”

She lifted a hand to shade her eyes.

“Would you have dinner with me?” he blurted.
He stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocked back on his heels and
waited for her answer. She hesitated for a moment, and his heart
missed a beat. Emotions he couldn't read played across her face. He
rocked back and forth to keep from bolting.

“Sure, Adam. Maybe we can do that
sometime.”

“Tomorrow night?”

Her face turned pink. “Not tomorrow night.
I'm sorry.”

Adam kicked a clod of dirt, wishing he could
kick something else. Something substantial that would bring a
feeling of satisfaction. Like the dog.

Tiffany growled, then barked a warning.

“Tiffany. No.” Grace turned her dazzling eyes
up to meet his gaze. “I'm sorry. Maybe some other time?”

Some other time. Sure. Like she meant that.
He could tell she wasn't interested in spending time with the likes
of him.

“Yeah. Another time,” Adam muttered.

She tugged Tiffany's collar and pulled her
toward the house. “See you later.”

He watched her walk away, her hips swaying
hypnotically. She couldn't put him off forever. He'd find a way to
get to her, make her notice him and see he'd be a good catch. He
had a lot to offer a woman like Grace.

Perhaps he'd get his hair cut. Maybe change
the way he dressed. There had to be a way to catch her eye.

****

Connor flexed his fingers, loosening the
tension riddling his nerves. Sweat beaded his forehead. When he'd
made the decision to run for state senator, not once had he feared
adverse publicity. Now he lived with that constant worry.

His connection at the police station had told
him about Grace's visit. He needed her to stay away from Knoxville
until he came up with a way to handle the publicity their broken
engagement would cause. He hadn't figured on Grace running off, nor
on her quitting her job.

He'd thought he had her figured out, but
she'd shown more spunk than he thought she possessed. She'd managed
to keep her past a secret from him. Now he had to make it stay
hidden from anything that could damage his political career. Too
bad, for he'd thought she'd make a perfect wife. She'd been quietly
aloof and had presented herself well to the media. Now he had to
find a way to extricate himself without risking negative press.