Bring the Heat by Jo Davis Read Free Book Online

wake up, please,” his mother entreated.
    If he could’ve managed a smile, he would have. Forty-two and his mother still called him
baby
. His dad said something, and their voices faded in and out for a while. He drifted, dozing, and the next time he surfaced, he put more effort into opening his eyes.
    At last he managed to crack them a bit, blinking against the sunlight in the room. God, his head was pounding. When his vision focused, he saw his dad sitting in a chair, staring at the silent television on the wall. Next to him, his mom was flipping through a magazine, not really reading it.
    â€œHey,” he croaked. Both of his parents started and the joy on their faces, not to mention the exhaustion, tore at Austin’s soul. Rushing over, his mom took his hand and peppered his face with kisses, smoothed back his hair.
    â€œOh, honey, we were so worried. Thank God you’re awake.”
    She started to cry, and he awkwardly patted her back, though the IV and bandage on his arm restricted his movement. “I’m okay, Mom.”
    â€œYou almost died, Austin.” Pulling back, she gazed at him, tears running down her still pretty face. “This is the second time in less than a year we’ve almost lost you. My heart can’t take any more of this.”
    Guilt nearly ripped him in half. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen.”
    His dad scooted up his mom’s chair for her, urging her to sit. Then he moved his own seat closer and put his hand on Austin’s shoulder. “We know you didn’t, son. Losing Ashley and the baby like that, it was too much. Hell, it would be too much for any man to handle, and we never should’ve left. Not so soon, anyhow.”
    He shook his head, and regretted it. The room spun for a few seconds and he waited for things to settle before answering. “No. I should’ve been stronger. I never should’ve let a drop of booze touch my lips when I was so raw and grieving. Once I started, I couldn’t seem to stop.”
    His mom’s lip quivered. “So you didn’t mean to hurt yourself?”
    â€œNo,” he said firmly. “No way. I’m
not
suicidal. I’m grieving, maybe even depressed, but I don’t want to die. I want to find the scum who killed Ashley and my son and put him away for good.”
    His dad peered deep into his eyes for several long moments, and finally nodded in satisfaction. “I believe you, and I believe
in
you. You’ve got a whole lot of friends who do as well.”
    Austin swallowed hard. “Everyone knows?”
    â€œPretty much. Your buddies at the station have circled the wagons, refused to give a statement to the media on your personal situation. A couple of them even cleaned your house.”
    Shame warred with gratitude. Right now it was a draw as to which feeling was stronger. “I’ll thank them when I get out of here.”
    â€œOh, they’re not going to wait that long to see you, trust me.” His dad’s mouth curved upward in a small smile. “They don’t want any thanks, though—just for you to get better.”
    â€œA woman has come by a couple of times hoping to see you,” his mother said, studying him closely. “Striking lady, long dark hair. Says her name is Laura.”
    Ah. A fishing expedition. He gave his mom a smile. “Laura Eden. Our paths cross through work, and she’s a friend of sorts.”
    â€œReally? I like her. She’s very nice.”
    â€œYes, she is.” He didn’t want to give his mom more fuel, and really there wasn’t more to tell. Except Laura’s job, and he might as well be straight with them. “She’s the medical examiner who works out of Nashville. Her office covers our county because we don’t have one of our own.”
    It didn’t take long for them to put two and two together. His dad spoke first. “So she’s working with