Free Cold Hearts by Sharon Sala Page B

shadows.
    Reece approached the cop, winded and gasping with every step, and smiled as the officer handed over the leash.
    “This is pretty late at night to be walking a dog,” Carl said.
    Reece pretended disgust as he picked Bobo up in his arms. “Tell that to Bobo. He’s the one with the nervous bladder.”
    Carl chuckled as he reached over and patted the terrier’s head.
    “You’re the man, Bobo,” he said, and then he glanced up. “By any chance, have you seen anyone else on foot in this area in the past thirty minutes or so?”
    Reece’s heart skipped a beat. He was actually being questioned as a witness to his own crime. This couldn’t get much better.
    “Why? I see patrol cars at Miss Sherman’s house. Did something happen to her?”
    “No, she’s fine. Just a prank gone wrong,” Carl said. “So did you see anything or anyone suspicious?”
    Reece thought about pointing the finger at someone else and then at the last minute didn’t.
    “No, sir, I did not. Bobo and I were originally in the park. I just wound up here trying to catch him.”
    Carl nodded. “Okay. Just be on the lookout as you go back.”
    “Are we in any danger?” Reece asked, holding Bobo a little tighter.
    “I don’t think so, but just be aware.”
    “Yes, yes, we will,” Reece said, and hurried away.
    It wasn’t until he was back in the park that he began to grin. This had turned into a most interesting night. He gave the little dog a quick hug and kiss.
    “Good boy, Bobo, good boy.”
    Bobo yipped once.
    Reece was still smiling as he reached his vehicle. He put Bobo safely inside, then scooted in beside him and started the engine. It was time to get home and do a little work. Sunrise would be here before he knew it.

Six
     
    M ack walked into the house on autopilot, moving through the rooms without turning on lights. He was still reeling from the unexpected meeting with Melissa. He wanted to hate her, but time and maturity had taken the edge off his rage, and the fear on her face had done a number on his heart.
    When he got to his room, he shucked off his clothes, giving them a toss into the corner of the room before crawling into bed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in this house—most likely it had been years because he lived so close the need had never been there.
    He didn’t know if the chief had already contacted the company that serviced the lift, but whenever they came out to test it, he wanted to be there. His dad deserved his full attention, regardless of the outcome.
    He rolled over onto his back, pulled up the covers and closed his eyes and, as he did, the image of Lissa standing in the doorway with an expression of total horror on her face immediately flashed on. He tried to get her out of his mind but instead fell asleep dreaming of the past.
    * * *
     
    The hot sun was coming in through the skylight at Jackson’s Garage and down onto the back of Mack’s shoulders. He’d come into his own in this, his eighteenth year. His shoulders had widened, and the muscles in his body were toned to a fault from working in his father’s garage for so many years. He knew he was changing outwardly, but what the world had yet to find out was that he was changing inwardly, as well. He had already come to terms with giving up the idea of college and was planning to go to work full-time here as soon as they told their parents about the baby. It wasn’t how he’d planned his future, but the baby was part of their love and he did love Melissa Sherman. And he would be heartily glad when he was through fixing this flat.
    He ran his fingers along the side of the tire and then let it bounce once as he dropped it to the floor. As he did, he heard laughing and looked up just as Kelly Pryor and Jessica Shayne, two girls from his graduating class, ran past the open breezeway toward their public restroom.
    People in Mystic often used the restroom during working hours because they kept it unlocked, and he thought