Where I Belong

By Jill Sanders

Head back to Pride Oregon to find out what some of your favorite Jill Sanders’ characters are up to.

 

Life it seems is hell-bent on crushing Eva Chapman. Starting with the tragic loss of her brother, for which she is solely to blame, to the unfortunate turn of events that have landed her where she is now; on her

• Language: English
• Publisher: Idealist LLC
• Release date: Jun 24, 2019
• ISBN: 9781945100031

Jill Sanders

Jill Sanders is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Pride series, Secret series, West series, Grayton series, Lucky series, and Silver Cove romance novels. She continues to lure new readers in with her sweet and sexy stories. Her work is available in every English-speaking country and in audiobook form, and her books have been translated into several languages. Born as an identical twin in a large family, Sanders was raised in the Pacific Northwest and later relocated to Colorado for college and a successful IT career before discovering her talent as a writer. She now makes her home along the Emerald Coast in Florida, where she enjoys the beach, hiking, swimming, wine tasting, and—of course—writing. You can connect with Sanders on Facebook at http://fb.com/JillSandersBooks, on Twitter @JillMSanders, and on her website at http://JillSanders.com.

Book preview

Chapter One

There was little Eva hated more than perfectly pampered people strolling around like they owned the world. Especially ones that looked down their nose at her as she walked by them on the sidewalk.

Sure, she probably deserved the looks. After all, she was down to her last good pair of jeans, the ones with the holes in the knees and thighs. That style was still in, but apparently not in the small town of Pride, Oregon.

Here the style probably ranged from upscale to upper scale. She’d seen the occasional fisherman walking around the two times she’d ventured into the small town of Pride, but for the most part, it was a town of perfectly groomed soccer moms and preppy families spending their money on the latest fashions, something Eva had never really approved of.

She had been experiencing a whole new world since arriving in town a few days ago from LA. She’d been hopping from big city to big city over the past year and tried to stay out of the suburbs as much as she could, since it was easier to disappear among the masses.

Shifting her backpack higher on her shoulder, she continued walking down the main street towards the small grocery store, O’Neil’s. She’d been in the store a few times since arriving to town. When the clerk asked why she was in Pride, she’d faked a story about visiting family. Eva had gotten really good at lying to complete strangers over the past year.

When she noticed the store was crawling with people, she quickly shifted direction and crossed the street instead. She couldn’t risk going into the store right now. It was hard to swipe breakfast when there were so many eyes watching. Her stomach knotted at the thought of going another day without food. She had bottled water in her bag, but she tried to save that for emergencies, since she didn’t know when she’d be able to fill it up again without being noticed. People in these sorts of towns didn’t refill bottled waters. They simply purchased new ones.

Taking a deep breath, she rolled her shoulders and thought of how she could kill some time until rush hour was over at O’Neil’s.

She walked by a barber shop and a pizzeria. The old men sitting in front of the barber shop smiled and called out good morning to her, as if they’d known her their entire lives. God! Could the town get any more wholesome?

She kept her head down and was about to pass the next shop when she heard barking. Stopping for a moment, she moved closer to the large glass pane to admire the animals in the front window of the local shelter, Carrie’s Sanctuary. She gave herself a moment to dream of one day owning a small dog like the little tan and white one in the window.

It was playing with the others, who were all much bigger. Despite its small size, it had spunk and determination and didn’t hesitate to wrestle the other dogs to the ground. She chuckled when it finally managed to take down the biggest puppy. Instead of going for its throat, it repeatedly licked its face and then finally gave up and just lay on it and fell fast asleep.

Someday, she’d have a home along the water somewhere and have a dozen animals. She glanced down the street to the dock, where rows of boats bobbed in the water. Maybe here in Oregon, she thought.

She’d always loved traveling through the green rolling hills and the steep cliffs along the shoreline. The beaches were cold and gray, just the way she liked them. She thought of the last day she’d spent on the beach. It had been over ninety degrees, and she’d peeled off her jeans and hoodie. Then waded into the water in just boxer shorts and a worn sports bra.

It had been forever since she’d shopped at Victoria’s Secret, or Walmart for that matter. Considering her life in the past year, she was lucky to have what she had at all. Even if the elastic was shot on her sports bra and she was down to her last pair of underwear, which she’d swiped from a dollar store.

Hell, her backpack was heavier than ever—she was one very lucky lady. She smiled slightly as she thought of the contents of her bag. Everything she owned was there, on her back. She was ready to hightail it if she had to.

Could a small dog fit in her life at this point? She could use the company, that was for sure. Did she deserve it? No. She frowned down at the sleeping animals.

She’d been so engrossed by the tan puppy that she hadn’t noticed the man staring at her from across the street until the familiar tingle moved up her spine.

Without moving her head, she looked at his reflection in the glass and froze. Her breath caught in her lungs, and she began to shake. Her fingers clenched the strap of her bag tighter as her mind and body screamed for her to run. But the guy was leaning against a patrol car, and she couldn’t afford to draw attention to herself. She didn’t know the town as well as a local would and couldn’t guarantee she’d be able to lose him if she ran.

Taking two deep breaths, she assessed everything about him through the reflection, slowly running her eyes over his dark uniform and the shiny badge on his chest.

If she were a different person, she might have thought that the man was handsome. It was hard to tell through the reflection. She could see that he was tall, had sandy blond hair, and was packed with lean muscles. But his face was a blur of glassy reflection. Hell, even if he was drop-dead gorgeous, she was…well…who she was, and he was a cop.

A cop who was leaning against his patrol car with his eyes focused solely on her. She could feel them burning into her back.

Her mind screamed for her to run again, but her body refused to obey the commands. She rushed through so many scenarios for getting out of there that she almost became dizzy.

A movement caught her attention and she watched in horror as the cop slowly leaned up from the car, unfolded his arms, and started making his way across the street towards her.

Only then did her body react. Before she could think, she’d darted down the street and into the closest doorway. Quickly assessing the room, and without thinking, she jumped headfirst behind a tall countertop.

Leaning against the back of what appeared to be a bar, she closed her eyes and took several deep breaths as her heart raced loudly. Praying he would mysteriously disappear or forget about her, she remained very still.

Think, she told herself. What in the hell was she going to do? Why was the cop interested in her? Could he know about the truck? What the hell was she going to do?

She berated herself when she realized she was repeating herself. She hated repeating herself, making the same mistakes. A memory threatened to surface from her past, but she swallowed hard and forced it back to the black hole in her mind.

She listened intently for a few moments for the sound of the small bell that had chimed over the doorway when she’d rushed into the place. If the cop followed her, she needed an exit strategy.

Quickly opening her eyes, she held in a scream when she saw a pair of sexy brown eyes staring back at her. They were about a foot from her own and she jerked away. When she was able to focus, she realized the man was leaning down, watching her. His dark eyebrows were drawn up with surprise.

Can I help you? he asked.

Even his voice was sexy. Damn! Why the hell was she thinking every man in town was hot all of a sudden? Maybe she was undersexed. Okay, yes, she was definitely undersexed. It had been an entire year since she’d gotten any play. Spending a year on the run didn’t really allow for many relationship opportunities.

She mentally berated herself for not staying focused on the fact that she’d been caught hiding from the police.

Um. She swallowed again and blinked a few times. Water? She faked a cough and leaned back against the cool wood of the bar.

Sure. He chuckled as he straightened up, then he glanced up when the bell chimed over the door, signaling that someone had walked in.

The cop? She closed her eyes again and tensed once more. She’d learned that counting her heartbeats helped calm her, so she started counting. When she reached five, the buzzing in her ears subsided long enough for her to listen in on their conversation.

Hey, Conner, the man with sexy brown eyes said casually.

Hey, Rafe. From her position, she guessed it was the sexy cop. The darndest thing just happened, the cop said.

She could hear him moving closer to the bar, and she quickly scrunched up her legs, tucking her body into a small ball.

I was just working up the nerve to… The man sighed. Did you see… Again, he sighed loudly. Well… She heard him chuckle. I guess…never mind. She could hear the frustration in the man’s tone.

You okay? Rafe, aka sexy brown eyes, asked, leaning over the counter slightly. His knees brushed against her legs, and she caught her breath at the slight connection. She tried to tuck her body into a smaller ball as she held in a moan at the thought of the rest of him touching her.

Yeah, came the reply.

How are you liking the new job? Rafe asked. Again, his voice gave nothing away.

Loving it. Robert has joked about making me chief someday, Conner answered.

Who would have thought that a Jordan would ever become chief of police in Pride. Something in Rafe’s voice told her that he was joking.

Yeah, well, guess while I’m here, I’ll have a cup of joe to go. We’ve had a few break-ins on the outskirts of town.

Oh? Rafe said. She watched the sexy brown-eyed man as he moved around the small area behind the bar getting the sexy cop his coffee. Damn. She really was undersexed. Anything serious? Rafe asked.

Nah. It’s probably just some kids. Now that they caught that brother and sister duo that was scaring the Miller brothers, the big threat is over. We’re still looking out for their parents. Who would have thought that family could turn on family? The man sighed. I thought you might want to check on that cabin of yours, though. You know, make sure everything’s still locked up. Let us know if anything is out of sorts.

Will do, Rafe answered. He handed over a steaming cup of coffee. Quickly, she placed a hand over her stomach, afraid the low growling sounds emitting from it would give her hiding place away.

See you around, the cop said. Eva relaxed slightly when she heard the bell over the door chime, signaling he’d left.

Now, brown eyes said, leaning slightly towards her again, do you want to tell me what that was all about?

She raised her chin slightly and shook her head, her eyes burning into his.

No. She started to get up, but before she could manage it, strong hands gripped her waist and hoisted her up until she stood close to him. Too close to him.

She could see small gold flecks in those sexy brown eyes of his as he scanned her face, looking for something. But she knew how to hide her emotions. She could smell the sweet smell of coffee mixed with a sexy spicy scent he wore. The mixture was heavenly.

Just then her stomach responded to the fact that her last meal had been twenty-four hours ago by letting out a loud growling noise. Rolling her eyes, she dropped her hands away from his shoulders, where they had migrated to when he’d helped her stand up. She tried to take a step backwards, but her butt came up against the edge of the bar.

Brown eyes smiled slightly at her move, as if it was humorous.

Going somewhere, hellcat? he asked, jokingly.

Do you mind? she asked as she narrowed her eyes at him.

Absolutely. He nodded, then crossed his arms over his wide chest while holding his ground. It’s not often that someone runs into my place, jumps behind the counter, and hides out from the local PD.

She felt all the blood leave her face. I…I wasn’t… Her throat suddenly grew dry and she started feeling light-headed.

His dark eyebrows rose slowly, challenging her to deny his statement.

He’s an old boyfriend. The lie was out before she had time to think it through. He was abusive and—she faked a little cry— I just had to escape him.

When she looked at him again, his brown eyes had narrowed and were assessing her.

Right, he said, taking a step back, just as her stomach growled loudly again. How about a cup of coffee and a sandwich? He nodded towards the large glass display a few feet away. There were several prewrapped