Framed by the Man Who Saved Her

life, Jake. You weren't there. You d

I remember that. How can I turn him away when he's in

hrowing it at hi

and gratitude, Sarah. But this is more than that

usy? You can't stand that I feel a bond with someo

ast it. "This isn't about jealousy. Thi

ng a different tactic. "Just for a little while. He's got an interview next week

est, wrapped in layers of

n, adopting a posture of humility, of so

ading eyes, Billy's silent presence

ver of doubt entered his mind. Was

uch returned, sharp and clear.

to find a compromise. "I'll help him. We can lend him s

o set a boundar

d. He needs more than money, Jake. He needs

ility?" Jake countered.

ce rose again. "This is about doing the right

lar. He felt like he w

ke, his voice sof

Sarah's been... real kind. If it's a problem,

... things have been tough since I lost my parents.

Sarah's heartstrings, to make Jake look like

ation clearly. The f

You're not going to a shelter. You're stay

e, her eyes blazi

nstant defense of Billy. The dismissal of h

hat she was more invested in Billy's well-being, in re

re clear. And he

ice quiet but firm. "I don't u

was tired of fighting, tired of feeling like an o

s anymore. He couldn't live with this constant

" Jake said s

her mouth agape. "Y

t a strange calmness desc

im over me, Sarah.

y the door where he usually le

er. Her face was a mask of

home, Jake. W

sh in his mouth. He couldn't bring himself to look at the

he house off his keyring a

hoice," he said. "N

ing Sarah standing there wit

ind him, the sound echoing the c

m me!" Sarah's voice, raw with ange

king toward

hat about us? What about

the door. He could feel her

uldn't. If he looked

ake Sullivan! Runni

ime in the Rangers, the things he ra

This was acknowledging a fight he couldn'

tactic, her voice th

? What will I tell the

Her parents were good people. They ha

lt. But it wasn't eno

h," he said, his voice hoarse. "T

d started the engine. Th

view mirror as he pul

orch, her arms crossed, tea

shadow behind her. Jake caught a fleeti

for Sarah. It loo

hed. He'd made t

g seared into his mind, but overshadowe

e. Betrayal had a new face, and

while, the small town b

he Filling Station." The neon sign cast

there for a long minute, the

hollowed

ed, and Lisa peered out. She spo

eep breath

from the porch of the house next door. Mrs. Henderson

s truck. Wonder what h

he rocks. Something about tha

but the words carried

vate pain, already a public spectacle in this small