Close To Danger (Westen #4)(6)

Gage looked up from his computer, his brows drawn down. “Can’t say as I even knew he had family. He listed my dad as his person to notify in case of emergency until Dad passed away.”

“Who did he list after that?” she asked, coming to prop one hip on the corner of her husband’s desk.

“Me.”

“Really?”

“Yep. Why?”

“He doesn’t talk about family. Doesn’t list any family for us to get in touch with if he’s ever hurt. And yet, all of a sudden he has a family emergency he has to go deal with.”

Gage leaned back in his office chair, elbows on the arm rests, his fingers linked together in front of him. “When you put it like that, it does sound fishy.”

“What do we really know about him?”

“Before he died, Dad gave me a brief run-down on all the deputies. When it came to Wes, the information was a bit sketchy.”

“Sketchy?” It wasn’t like Gage to be vague.

“Dad said Wes wandered into Westen one day and took up residence in the corner booth over at the Peaches ’N Cream. After a few days of him coming in, ordering nothing but coffee and spending the day watching the street, Lorna decided to get involved.”

Bobby snorted. “It took her more than a day to do that? What was she? Ill?”

“No. Actually, Lorna is probably the second-best judge of character I’ve ever met.”

“And who would be the first? You?” she couldn’t resist teasing.

“No, my father. Lorna gave Wes space to get relaxed for a few days then chummed up to him with a pot of coffee and a slice of pie.”

Bobby smiled. “Not many people can resist that combo.”

Gage grinned back. “Nope, not even someone as taciturn as Wes. Anyways after they talked she got concerned and called Dad. When she told him Wes was looking for a private cabin off the beaten path and that he had a look about him that worried her, Dad decided to have a chat with him.”

“A look that worried Lorna? What did she mean?”

“Dad told me she believed Wes might be looking at a place to hurt himself.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Dad said he was in a dark place. He’d seen lots of men like that after the Vietnam War, so had Lorna. Dad chatted with him, offered him a job as a deputy. Wes was dubious about taking it. Said he just wanted to find a place to be alone.”

“So how did he end up joining the Sheriff’s Department?”

“Harriet.”

“Doc Clint’s office nurse? That Harriett?” This time Bobby really couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Is there another Harriett in Westen?”

Bobby chose to ignore the no-duh sound of his comment. “What did she say that convinced him to take the job?”

“Dad never was sure. He said she drove Wes out to look at a hunting cabin up along the Mohican River area. Next thing Dad knew, Wes was at his desk asking if the deputy job was still available.”

“So, we know he probably served in either Iraq or Afghanistan at some point, because your dad and Lorna believed he was post military. He also has some explosive experience or was around explosions. He knew C-4 was used to blow up the Meth lab last spring. He probably suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder—”

“How do you get that he has PTSD?” Gage interrupted.

“I didn’t say he definitely had it, just that he probably did.” She held up her hand when Gage started to interrupt again. “Given that Lorna and your dad were concerned he wanted the cabin to hurt himself, they must’ve recognized some symptoms in him.”

Gage nodded. “I see your point.”

“We know he’s a loner and keeps secrets well,” Bobby continue, suddenly warming to solving the puzzle of Wes Strong. “And we know he’s loyal and good in an emergency.”

“Oh? How did you come up with those facts?”

“The night you got trapped in that tunnel leading out of the Meth lab? He worked just as hard to help get Cleetus to safety and then get you out of that tunnel.” She swallowed hard and blinked at the tears suddenly filling her eyes. One of the other deputies, Cleetus Junkins had been injured by the same madman who’d nearly succeeded in killing Gage. “You wouldn’t be here…”

Gage pulled her onto his lap, holding her head against his chest, his arms wrapped tightly around her as she gave into the emotions that were so near the surface these days, thanks to her pregnancy.

“But I am here. Safe. With you and our baby,” he whispered against the top of her head.

He held her close a few minutes. When she had herself pulled together and the water faucet in her eyes shut down, she leaned back and stroked her hand down his face. “I’m just thankful Wes and everyone else was there fighting to save you. No matter what’s in his past, I trust the man. Guess that makes me a pretty good judge of his character, too.”

“That you are,” Gage said, before claiming her lips in a soft, quick kiss. “But, you have to admit I am a pretty good judge myself,” he said with a wicked grin. “I knew you were the perfect woman for me.”

“Really?” She leaned back in his arms and gave him a doubtful look. “Was that before you arrested me and threw me into jail?”