Free Ransomed Dreams by Amy Wallace Page A

Kessler. How may I help you?”
    Steven adjusted his blue silk tie and walked farther into the room. “Steven, please. I wanted to apologize for my abrupt exit last time I was here.”
    “I’m sure you had important things to do.” Gracie moved behind her neat desk.
    He noticed the small group of family photos. Including one of Gracie with a man and children. Disappointment derailed his plans. “Is this your family?”
    “Yes. Mark, Elizabeth, and Joshua.” Gracie fingered her gold locket and stared out the large classroom windows.
    “Now it’s my turn to ask if you’re okay.”
    Her eyes returned to the silver-framed picture. “Sorry. I’m never sure how to introduce them.”
    He stepped closer for a better look. “Why is that?”
    “They died over two years ago.”
    Steven froze. “I’m sorry.”
    Gracie sighed and sat on her simple oak chair. She motioned toward one of two other adult chairs nearby “If you have a minute, your question actually reminded me of something I’ve wanted to ask you since our first meeting.”
    He pulled a chair to the edge of her desk.
    “My family was killed in an automobile accident, and I want to find the man responsible. I was wondering if you had any suggestions that could help me.”
    He studied her face. Time might have given her some perspective and distance, but her hazel eyes held unshed tears. Maybe he’d misread her interest in him. “Did the local police confirm that another car was involved?”
    “I watched the accident. And I believe the person in thetruck that hit Mark was drunk. He belongs in jail. But local police couldn’t find him.”
    Gracie’s eyes ignited. If a drunk hit-and-run driver had escaped prosecution after killing three people—including two little children—he needed to be found. And if anyone could do that, his friend Justin could.
    “I have an old college buddy who’s a local PI. I don’t have his contact info with me, but I could e-mail it to you if you’re interested.” Steven pulled a pen and paper from his suit coat. “What’s your address?”
    “[email protected].”
    He scribbled a quick note. “Great. I’ll send that info this evening.” He looked up to see her watching him.
    Gracie’s face flushed. It had been a long time since he’d made a lady blush. Or cared when a female looked him over. But this time it felt good. Too good. Though the timing stunk.
    “Thank you for helping me.” She smiled and tapped a pencil on the desk. “Where did you graduate from college?”
    The whiplash switch to personal information amused him, but he held back a chuckle. “The University of Louisville. Criminal Justice.”
    Gracie leaned forward. “And you’re wearing a blue tie? I thought Kentuckians’ blood ran either Cat blue or Cardinal red and a true fan didn’t wear the rival school’s colors.”
    She knew college ball? He couldn’t help but grin. Holding out his tie, he cleared his throat and affected a professorial tone. “This is most certainly not a Kentucky blue tie. On the contrary it was a gift from my stepmom. She said the color matched my eyes and that a Cardinal fan could wear light blue. Just never dark blue.”
    Gracie laughed.
    He enjoyed the sound. “Would you like to watch a game sometime? My partner and his wife catch a few hoops with James and me when we get the chance.”
    “Mark and I watched college sports all the time. But I’m a little rusty now and never did cheer at the right time.”
    She glanced out the window again for what felt like an hour. But this time, no tears. Maybe she had enough distance to date, but he’d obviously mistaken her friendliness for something more. Waiting for her polite rejection made his mouth dry. He hadn’t asked a woman out in years, and it looked like his one shot was going to be an air ball.
    “I might not be good company for basketball, but if you were interested in dinner …”
    He leaned back in his chair as a slow smile creased his face. His powers of