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chosen another man.
    Yeah, a man that I almost got killed, he mused. But I didn’t do it on purpose. I couldn’t have.
    Peace descended like a blanket of warmth, draping around his tense shoulders and soothing him all the way to his core. It wasn’t just wishful thinking. He had not caused anyone harm on purpose. He suddenly knew that with great certainty.
    Thank You, Father, he thought as he blinked back unshed tears. Thank You for everything, even losing Sandra.
    The fact that he was able to pray that prayer and truly mean it spoke deep into his heart. He was genuinely thankful that he had not remained in that relationship, even though its end had caused him such anguish.
    But why? he wondered. Was it all really predestination? Was there such a thing? And if so, was there more to the overall scenario, such as his landing in Serenity just when Rachel Hollister needed him?
    That notion did not sit well with Jace. He was perfectly willing to believe that he and Sandra did not belong together. He was far less eager to accept the idea that he had been sent to Arkansas for the sake of one particular woman.
    As Logan said “Amen,” his gaze connected with Jace’s and Jace felt as if the pastor could peer directly into his soul. Perhaps Logan was still not sure that Jace’s motives were pure. Or maybe he was just the kind of man who sensed undercurrents of unrest.
    “Call me any time you want to talk,” Logan said, shaking Jace’s hand firmly in parting.
    “Keep us posted about the lab work,” Jace said. He knew that wasn’t all the pastor had meant by the offer. Logan obviously knew plenty about human nature and it wouldn’t have surprised Jace to learn that he also planned to phone California to check his references, something Harlan had probably not bothered to do.
    Well, so be it. Jace had nothing to hide. He might not be proud of his actions in regard to his former partner but he had been formally cleared of any wrongdoing. If those reports weren’t enough to satisfy the local law enforcement folks, then he’d just move on to another job.
    Only not yet, he warned himself. Not until I see that Rachel is safe and whoever is stalking her is properly punished.
    So, where did you get the idea that she needs only you? he asked himself cynically. Anybody could protect her.
    Except that he was the one who had evidently been put in place to do so, he added with a scowl. If this situation was God’s idea of a joke, it wasn’t a very funny one.

SIX
    R achel wasn’t a bit hungry. Still, she went through the motions of enjoying her meal, seated with Jace in the booth at Hickory Station, rather than disappoint him. He really was good company—for a cop. That mental disqualification made her smile.
    “What’s so funny?”
    “Me,” she answered, feeling her cheeks flush.
    “Is that why you’re blushing?”
    “I am not.” But she was, and she knew it. Worse, she didn’t seem to be able to stop. The more time she spent in Jace’s presence, the more she felt like a teenager experiencing her first crush.
    “Have another piece of pizza,” Jace urged. “I can’t eat all this by myself.”
    “Then take the leftovers home with you. Where do you live, anyway? I never asked.”
    “Right now, behind the jail in the old caretaker’s quarters. I haven’t been able to find a decent apartment.”
    “I’m not surprised. You’d be better off looking for a house. There aren’t any apartments closer than Hardy, unless you want to live at one of the old motels, and they don’t offer the same facilities as a regular house.”
    “I’ve been checking the ads in the local papers but there hasn’t been a thing listed that I’d consider.”
    “No wonder,” she said, smiling knowingly. “You’re going about it all wrong. Nobody advertises the good places. They don’t have to. It’s all handled by word of mouth.” The astonished expression on his face made her chuckle.
    “Really? No ads, no nothing?”
    “Nope. I