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soon satisfied. It didn t last.
Gracie wanted a home and children. She d just started to think of having that with Jason, and he d
encouraged her to. But Kittie s phone call had destroyed that illusion with a bang. Now here was Jason
cursing and Gracie rushing back to Jacobsville with her pride stuck in her throat. Her dreams of a
rosy future had just crashed and burned.
She took the dirt road turnoff that led down the back way to Jacobsville and was just crossing the old
wooden bridge when the stupid car stopped, sputtered and died, right there in the right-hand lane on
the narrow bridge. She hit the steering wheel with the heel of her hand and used some of Jason s best
bad words. This just wasn t her day!
12
GRACIE WAS RESIGNED to walking back to the ranch to ask for help when a red pickup truck came
rushing toward her.
She stepped out in front of her car and waved. The driver skidded to a halt just beside her.
Miss Gracie, is that you? Bobby Hawkins, one of Jacobsville s volunteer firemen, asked. What in
the world are you doing in that piece of junk? He indicated the car.
It may not look like much, Bobby, but it s mine. Could you give me a ride to the community college?
I ll be late to teach my class and it will take forever for Turkey Sanders to get out here and tow this
car in to be worked on. I can t even call him. I forgot my cell phone this morning.
Bobby grimaced. I guess I can do that. I have to get to the bank before it closes to make a deposit,
and then by the hardware store to pick up something. I ve got a training class, but if you don t mind
waiting while I get my business out of the way, I ll be glad to drop you off before I go to the fire
station.
I don t mind at all, Bobby, she said.
Climb in, then, he said with a grin.
You re a lifesaver!
She jumped in beside him and they set off toward town. His banking business took him several
minutes longer than he d anticipated, and then the fire chief called and asked him to stop by the office
supply company and pick up some pencils.
Finally through, he was on his way to drop off Gracie when a rescue call came in. He answered it,
frowning in Gracie s direction.
They ve got someone in the water off the River Bridge, he said. I have to go, I m the only diver
we ve got on call. Tell you what, I ll have one of the boys at the scene bring you back to town.
Somebody s life may be on the line&
Say no more, she said. Go!
He was already out of town at the strip mall. He wheeled the truck, gunned the engine and shot back
down the road. It took a minute for Gracie to realize that they were headed for the same bridge her
car was stuck on.
Several men were gathered on the bridge. The police were there, along with the emergency services
people, a fire truck and a couple of private cars. One was Jason s red Jaguar convertible. Gracie
ground her teeth together. What in the world was Jason doing out here?
Did you see anybody on the bridge when your car quit? Bobby asked Gracie.
No, nobody. I wonder who fell in?
We ll know soon, I hope.
He pulled up as close as he could get to where Gracie s car was sitting. They both got out. Gracie
peered through the crowd toward the river.
For God s sake, could you hurry? Jason s voice came urgently.
Jason? She pushed through the men to stand beside him, looking down at the river. Who fell in? she
asked worriedly.
He stopped and stared down at her. Gracie? He caught her against him and held on hard,
shuddering. I thought you were in the river! he groaned.
She was still trying to sort things out in her mind. In the river?
Your car was sitting here, abandoned.
How had he known her car was here? Had he followed her, hoping to make up?
You said she jumped in the river! Assistant Chief Palmer accused, pausing beside them. You were
sure!
Jason let Gracie go reluctantly. He winced. Well, we d had an argument, sort of. I got worried and
followed her, and found her car sitting here abandoned! he said defensively.
Abandoned and with the keys gone! Gracie muttered, pulling them out of her pocket to shake them
under his nose. Who takes out the car keys before they jump in the river? she cried indignantly.
Jason s lips made a thin line. He was embarrassed and hating it.
Palmer grimaced. He d been a police officer until he d switched jobs and become a fireman. From his
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