Tangerine Morning: Jezzica's Story (Serenity Cove Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

that.” She fussed at herself.
    She attacked the books saturated with dust and soot and began throwing them into the boxes. The shop door opened. “That was quick.”
    “Good. Samantha told you I agreed to help.” At the sound of that deep, riveting male voice, her heart added an extra beat.
    Zack strutted as though they’d had a prearranged time for him to drop by. “I was expecting my sister.”
    “Sorry, I should’ve knocked.” He moved into the interior of the shop. “Samantha said you needed some muscle.”
    “I’m good. But thanks. My sister is helping, and between the two of us, we have it all in hand.” She held her breath a moment, trying to still the fluttering as her pulse rate increased.
    He leaned against a bookshelf and folded his muscular arms. He does more in the way of fitness than running. “I get the idea you’re not particularly fond of detectives—or is it me you’re not thrilled about?” One eyebrow shot up as he waited for her answer.
    Glad he can’t read my thoughts . “I don’t have a problem with you. To be honest, I do have a lack of respect for your profession.” She swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat.
    “You want to know why?” The story held a longing to spill forth. “That night, the night my husband was killed. We’d driven from our home, in April Springs, to attend a fundraiser for the new children’s wing at St. Marks, in Stone Valley.”
    Jezzica kept going, no longer aware of Zack’s presence. She was barely aware of her sister standing near the door. “I danced in his arms, knowing the night would continue once we got home. We’d said our goodbyes to the other guests and drove a few blocks, holding hands across the center armrest. The rain pounded on the windshield faster than the wipers could brush it away. Geoff applied the brakes to stop at a red light. A sudden explosion shattered the back window of the car. A man held a gun to Geoff’s head through the glass of the driver’s window. Geoff opened the door, knocking the man off balance. Another man appeared on my side of the car, but when he saw Geoff had the other man on the ground, he rushed to Geoff’s side.” Jezzica struggled to hold back the tears.
    Zack started to comment, but she continued on. “I ran. Thankfully, I spotted James and Cindy two cars behind us, friends of ours who had also attended the fundraiser. I dashed into their back seat, dripping wet.
    “Cindy punched numbers on her cell phone and said she was calling the police. James took advantage of an opening and swung the car around to head in the opposite direction. I plastered my face to the back window of the car and through sheets of rain, I saw Geoff clutch his chest and fall to the ground.” She struggled to hold back tears and finish her story. “The man pointed his gun and shot again, and then kicked him over and over. I have no idea what happened after that. James drove around until the police called back and asked us to meet them at the police station.” She accepted the handkerchief Zack offered and paused a long moment. “I gave the detectives detailed descriptions of the men. You know what they’ve found? Zilch.”
    He shook his head. “Doesn’t get much more tragic than that—explains your dislike of the system, along with the people in it.”
    “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. Blurting out the story like that. It’s not something I normally do.”
    Catylen rushed to her sister’s side and pushed Jezzica’s hair off her face. “It’s okay, Jezz. I’ll take you home.”
    Jezzica wiped her eyes. “No. I’m fine. Maybe a cold drink, if you don’t mind.” Catylen slipped out the front door.
    “Are the detectives still actively pursuing the case?” Zack picked up the conversation as if there hadn’t been an interruption.
    “I quit calling them about six months ago, and I haven’t heard a word since.” Needing to keep her hands busy, she returned to filling boxes. The only