“I know that, and Joanie had kicked the habit, but she’d always been vulnerable. Maybe because she’d never really had anyone to call her own but me, and even then I had the others. I think Jace was someone she wanted just for her.”

“It’s usually the weak that assholes prey on.”

“I saw her that day I first met you in the diner, and while she said she wasn’t using I had my doubts. But Grace looked happy, and I thought Joanie looked better too so I let it go.”

“Grace?”

“Her one-year-old daughter.”

Dylan remained silent, but his face told the story.

“I got a call just before I ran into you today. Joanie was found dead from an overdose.”

Chapter 18

“And you’re going to identify the body?”

Dylan shot the woman huddled in her seat a look. The minute he’d looked into her eyes after she’d barreled into him outside Phil’s Place, he’d known something was very wrong. He’d seen enough people in her state to understand she was in shock.

He’d been avoiding her ever since that day he’d told her about not using a condom, but today he’d decided to go to Phil’s Place for a coffee, just to see how he reacted to her. Looking at her now, he realized that he’d probably always react to this woman. She was hot, sexy, and smart. A lethal combination. But right now she needed his support, so he’d give her that.

“You been at work, or drinking coffee?”

“Work.”

Which he knew, but he was trying to get her talking. Her eyes were staring straight ahead, focused but not. Hair was in a tail down her back, and the shirt she wore was too lightweight for the conditions. No hat, or scarf, no jacket; she’d just run when she got that call.

“Here.” He handed her a sweater from the back seat. “It’s cold and you came out without one.”

“But you’ll need it.”

“I have one on, and a jacket, so I’m sweet.”

“I’m sorry about this, Dylan.”

“All good. Now tell me about the child. What will happen with her?”

“I’m her guardian.”

Dylan didn’t know what to say to that, because if that was the case, Piper’s life had just changed beyond recognition.

“Joanie asked me because Grace’s father is dangerous, and there’s no one else. I... I didn’t think she would....”

“It’s okay, let’s get there and we can work everything out.”

“You can just drop me, and I’ll figure it out. Then call the others, they’ll come as soon as they can.”

“Where are your family?”

“They went to a horse sale in Bay Springs and aren’t due back till tomorrow.”