When Night Falls Read online

  Jocelyn’s attention was riveted on Sam. Dubois, blood oozing from a hole in his shoulder, tackled Sam to the floor, knocking the gun from his grasp. Her heart lurched at the sight of the huge man pinning Sam down, both trying to scramble toward either weapon, lying near each other.

  She had to get Emma outside, to safety. Then she’d come back and try to help Sam.

  “Daddy,” the child wailed, starting toward the scuffling pair.

  Jocelyn whisked the little girl into her arms and hurried out onto the porch. Setting her down, Jocelyn said, “Your daddy will be all right, but I need you to do something for me. Can you, Emma?”

  With tears glistening her eyes, the child nodded.

  “Go sit in that car, lock the door.” She gestured toward Sam’s sedan. “And wait for the police to arrive. I called them a few minutes ago. Don’t go anywhere else.”

  Again she gave Jocelyn a nod.

  As soon as Emma started down the steps, Jocelyn whirled around and raced back into the house. Heart pounding, she scanned the room for some kind of weapon to use against Dubois. The man was so enraged that although he’d lost quite a bit of blood, he still fought Sam. They were inches away from the gun. For a second she contemplated grabbing the revolver, but she’d never handled one and didn’t want to end up shooting Sam instead of Dubois.

  Just as Jocelyn spied a bat in the corner, Sam managed to roll Dubois away from the weapon. She hefted the bat into her hand as Dubois grabbed his switchblade. Jocelyn swung at the arm that held the knife, hitting it. She struck the weapon from Dubois’ grip at the same time Sam hammered his fist into the man’s face—one, two times. The third strike made the man go limp, his eyes closing.

  Covered in blood, Sam struggled to his feet, pulled out his handcuffs and locked them around Dubois’ wrists. Then he sank to the floor next to his prisoner, dragging air into his lungs as sirens pierced the air.

  Later that evening, Jocelyn collapsed on her couch and patted the cushion. “This feels so good. To be home. Especially with the man who was after me in jail now.”

  “I’m glad that you’re home, too. A case I’ve been working on has developed a new lead. I’ll be busy with it for the next several days.” Sam ambled to the sofa and sat next to her.

  “So no more babysitting?”

  “Not that I didn’t enjoy spending time with you. Just not under those circumstances.” Leaning back, he slid his arm along the back of the couch.

  “That’s the way I felt.”

  When she relaxed against Sam, he cocooned her in his embrace. The sensation of belonging infused her. She could stay in his arms for a long time, but that wasn’t wise. He was a loner, a man who kept his emotions to himself. She needed more in a relationship.

  “Jocelyn, it doesn’t have to end.”

  She chuckled. “What? Running for my life?”

  He tilted her face up so his gleaming gaze took in her features. “I would like to see you. In fact, I’m asking you out on an official date next Saturday night. What do you say?”

  She sat up and stared straight ahead. “No. I don’t think it’s a good idea if we see each other outside of work.”

  Turning her toward him so she had to look at his puzzled expression, he asked, “Why? I know you’ve felt what I felt. I want to see where this will lead.”

  To heartache. “I’m already immersed in the dark side of life through my work. Your job is even worse than mine. I know how much your work is a part of you. I can’t deal with it in my private life, too.”

  He cradled her head and leaned closer, feathering his lips across hers. “Can you deny the bond between us?”

  “No, but—”

  He placed his finger against her mouth. “Shh. I know the type of patients you see. They’re hurting and you help make them better. That’s a God-given talent. Trust the Lord. Let Him fully into your life and turn your problems over to Him.”

  “Is that how you survive your job?”

  He nodded. “It’s the only way.”

  “I don’t know if—”

  “Jocelyn, I promise to keep our personal life completely separate from our professional ones.” He cocked a grin and arched one eyebrow. “After all, how can you turn down the man who saved your life?”

  Smiling, she wound her arms around him and pulled him close. “I can’t.”

  Special thanks and acknowledgment are given to Margaret Daley for WHEN NIGHT FALLS.

  ISBN-13: 978-0-373-15084-7

  ISBN-10: 0-373-15084-9

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-4883-9

  WHEN NIGHT FALLS

  Copyright © 2008 by Harlequin Books S.A.

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