Chapter 68: Familiar Details

Vacillating between dread and relief, Cole leaned down to kiss Jenny’s forehead then headed downstairs. Beth followed him closely.

“So what gives? You haven’t been straight with me.”

Cole bypassed the den, heading instead for his office and the bottle of Jim Beam there. He poured for them both without asking, handing a glass to his sister before he sank into his leather desk chair.

Beth took the chair across the desk. “Where did you really meet Jenny?”

Taking a slug of bourbon, he closed his eyes, immediately picturing Jenny that first night, her face beaten to a pulp.

“She hid in my horse trailer about a month ago. She was running away from somebody who’d beat her all to shit.”

Beth absorbed the information. “And does she do this a lot?” She nodded to the upstairs.

Cole shook his head. “No. This is only the second time. I think maybe the storm set her off. That and your work stories.”

She laughed humorlessly. “Sure, blame it on me.”