“Good. I’ll talk to you later.” Just as smooth as that, Quinn Lodge excused her from not only the room but his life.
Juliet’s chin rose, and she followed Jake away from interrogation and Quinn Lodge.
Chapter Sixteen
Rain pattered around the gravesite. Juliet shifted her boots in the wet grass and edged closer to Sophie under the sprawling umbrella. While she wanted to be respectful and keep her focus on the preacher or the coffin being lowered into the ground, her gaze kept straying to Quinn.
He stood next to Melanie as they said good-bye to her grandfather. He’d left his Stetson in the truck, and the rain slid down his angled face unchecked. Sadness darkened his already dark eyes, and his black hair curled at his nape. A calm in the storm, he maneuvered closer to Melanie when she trembled.
Colton flanked Melanie’s other side, an arm around her shoulders. The woman’s thick, brown hair curled down her back; the rain only added to the wild curl. Her brown eyes glimmered with tears, and sandwiched between Quinn and Colton, she appeared breakable. She clutched a bouquet of pink roses. Colton whispered something into her ear, and her lips tipped in a small smile. She leaned into him as the coffin came to a rest.
The preacher finished his eulogy, and Sophie tucked her arm through Juliet’s. “I’m glad Colton’s home for good now.”
“Me, too,” Juliet said softly. “Though I thought Melanie was dating a banker.” The man in the three-piece suit was nowhere to be seen.
“She is, for now. I guess he’s at some conference in London. Apparently he’s flying home tomorrow.” Sophie turned toward the cars. “Let’s head to the wake early to make sure everything is set up.”
Juliet stumbled in her high-heeled boots. “Actually, do you mind dropping me at home? I think I’ll skip the wake.”
“Juliet Spazzoli.” Sophie tugged her through bodies toward the road. “You are not hiding just because your boyfriend hauled you down to the station for questioning. Grow a pair, girlfriend.”
Jake snorted next to her. “I truly wish you’d stop using that expression, Sunshine.”
Sophie shrugged. “You grow a pair, too, counselor.” Then she yelped as Jake snaked an arm around her waist and lifted, turning her midair to face him.
Juliet grabbed the umbrella handle before a spoke pricked her forehead. She paused as Jake easily held his wife a foot off the ground, determined amusement darkening his eyes. Sophie’s eyes widened. Yeah, the Lodge brothers didn’t take kindly to challenges.
With a shrug, Juliet left the couple. “I’ll meet you at the car.”
She picked her way around gravestones and the hilly terrain. As she reached the car, a strong hand banded around her arm. The scents of pine and male surrounded her, and her heart galloped into motion. Slowly, she turned. “Good afternoon, Sheriff Lodge.”
He ducked to keep from getting smacked with the umbrella. “I’ll give you a ride to Mel’s house.”
“That’s kind of you, but I’m going back to my apartment.” She fought a wince at how formal she sounded.
“No, you’re not.” Quinn took the umbrella and keeping her head shielded, led her to his truck. “We had to cut Freddy loose, and I’d rather keep an eye on you until I figure out what he’s doing.”
“While I appreciate your concern, I’ve been taking care of myself for quite some time.” Yet her legs kept moving right alongside his. Might as well poke the bear sooner rather than later. “Let go of my arm, or I’m going to kick you in the knee.”
He opened the passenger door and glanced down at her boots. “Those are kind of pointy.”
“Yes, they are. I assume they’d do some damage.” She grabbed the umbrella and closed it.
“You’ve already been to the jail once. Do you want another trip for assaulting a police officer?” His head cocked to the side, but no expression filtered across his rugged face.
“Not really. However, if I’m not under arrest, you can’t make me get in your truck.”
Predictably, he did exactly what she wanted him to do. Both hands grabbed her waist, and he lifted her into the truck. At the one touch, desire flared awake through her entire body. Several deep breaths did nothing but make her abdomen ache more.
She waited until he’d shut the door, crossed in front, and jumped into his seat before speaking, “I knew you were going to do that.”
“Darlin’, we both knew I was going to do that.” He started the ignition. “We obviously need to talk.”
“You’re mad at me.”
“Furious.” He nodded at a couple of people walking along the road toward the long line of cars. “Put on your seat belt.”
“Does this mean we’re over?” Something in her chest splintered.
“Right now? I have no clue. I need to deal with making sure Melanie is all right, making sure Colton doesn’t screw up his future, find out why drug dealers are killing people in my county, fight to keep my job, and get your stepbrother out of your life for good.” His knuckles turned white on the steering wheel. “You lied to me. There have been times in my life when trust was the only thing I could rely on. I…need time to figure things out.”
The splinter in her chest exploded. “When I was eighteen, I fell in love with a guy named Sonny Mitchsi.”
Quinn’s nostrils flared. “He was a criminal?”
“No. Sonny was a genius—got a full ride to business school.”
“All right.”
“The second he found out about my family, he dumped me. Said he couldn’t be involved with somebody like me—somebody with a family like mine.” Remembered hurt slithered down her spine. “I didn’t want you to do that.”
Quinn growled low. “You didn’t give me the chance.”
She sighed—he was right. “I didn’t ask to get in your truck.”
“I know.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Jake and Sophie needed a moment, and so did you and I.”
“Am I going to go to jail?” Juliet asked quietly.
“No. You have the best lawyer in the world, and frankly, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Quinn pulled the truck onto the main road. “Well, anything illegal. You didn’t do anything illegal.”
Oh, but lying to him was wrong. Lying to him and then sleeping with him, that is. If they’d remained just acquaintances, the lying probably wouldn’t have mattered much. But now it seemed like everything. “I’m sorry, Quinn.”
“Me, too.” He tossed his black Stetson on the dash. “You didn’t trust me, Juliet.”
There was the crux of the problem. Everyone leaned on and trusted Quinn Lodge, yet she was the only person he’d opened up to. No wonder he was so mad.
“I am curious. How long were you planning to stay in town?” he asked.
Chills cascaded down her back. “I was planning on leaving after the showing.”
His firm jaw snapped shut. “I see. Where were you going?”
“I thought I’d go to Utah or Wyoming.” Somewhere there were mountains, cowboys, and a community. But no place would have Quinn Lodge. “I’m sorry.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence, finally pulling to a stop in front of Melanie’s white farmhouse. A porch wrapped around the entire first floor, the planks faded and a few in need of repair.
Quinn frowned through the windshield. “I hadn’t noticed Old Man Jacoby needed help. Apparently I should’ve paid closer attention.” He stepped out of the truck and crossed behind it to open Juliet’s door.
She allowed him to assist her to the gravel. His hands lingered at her waist, and his eyes darkened.
“Sheriff?” someone called out.
They both turned and a flash went off. Several flashes peppered the air. With a growl, Quinn stepped in front to shield her.