The Truth About Rachel by Deanna Sletten (recommended reading .TXT) 📕

Jeremy ran his hand through his hair. “We have to diffuse this situation. We can’t have a swarm of press running around this town asking questions.”

Avery narrowed his eyes at Jeremy. “Why? What harm will it do to try to find the truth?”

“I won’t have the people and businesses in this town be harassed by a bunch of reporters,” Jeremy said. “All because this woman claims to be someone she isn’t.”

Anger rose inside Rachel. “I am Rachel Parnell. How many times do I have to tell you that? And I have a way to prove it.”

“Really? How?” Jeremy asked, sneering.

“I’m not getting into it with you now,” she said. “I’m getting a lawyer. You won’t help me anyway.”

Jeremy swiped his hand through the air as if to brush her off. “First thing we need to do is get you out of this office.”

“She can’t drive to her motel, they’ll just follow her,” Avery said. He turned to Rachel. “Now will you listen to me and go to a safer hotel? You need a place where the press can’t sit outside your door.”

“He’s right,” Jeremy said. “You won’t be safe at the motel. We need to get you to one of the bigger places.”

Rachel sighed. She hated to admit it, but they were right. “Fine. But I still have to get my things.”

“I’ll take you in the squad car to pick up your things. Avery can go ahead of us to the hotel and book a room under his name. That way the press might not find you right away,” Jeremy said.

“Good idea,” Avery said.

“Don’t sound surprised. I do have good ideas once in a while,” Jeremy grumbled.

“You know, you’re going to have to talk to the press eventually,” Avery said. “We should work on a statement once we get you settled.”

“This is a nightmare,” Rachel said.

“You’re telling me,” Jeremy piped up.

They walked out the back door to Jeremy’s patrol car, and no one followed them to her motel. She packed her bags and paid her bill, then he drove her to the nice hotel on the edge of town near the highway. Avery was waiting there for her.

“Don’t talk to reporters without consulting with me first,” Jeremy ordered before leaving her in Avery’s hands.

Rachel ignored him, and she and Avery went up to her third-floor room. “This is so much nicer than my other room, that’s for sure,” she said as she glanced around the small suite. There was an actual desk where she could work, a king-sized bed, and a sofa-sleeper as well. “This room is going to eat up all my daughter’s college fund.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Avery said. “I’ll be happy to pay for it.”

She shook her head. “No. I can’t take money from you.”

“Rachel.” Avery went to her and wrapped his arms around her. “Please let me help you. That’s all I want to do. I can afford to, and I want you to be safe.”

Despite herself, Rachel curled into him and laid her head on his shoulder. It had been a long time since she’d let someone take care of her. Too long. And it felt good.

When Avery pulled away, he looked down tenderly at her, and she saw only good in his warm brown eyes. He dropped his head slowly as if waiting for her consent, and she rose up on tiptoe until their lips met. His kiss warmed her in a way she hadn’t felt in so long. His lips soft against hers, and her body responded so quickly, it surprised her.

With his arms still circling her, he looked at her seriously. “Should I apologize for kissing you?”

She grinned. “You’d better not.”

Avery laughed, then kissed her quickly on the lips before finally letting her go. “Okay. We have some work to do. But first, I’ll run and pick up dinner, then we can make a game plan for tomorrow.”

Avery left, and Rachel began setting up her computer on the desk. She smiled as she did, still feeling the warmth of Avery’s lips on hers. Her phone broke into her thoughts, and she checked the ID before answering. It was Jeremy.

“I’m sending an officer to stay overnight on your floor to make sure no one bothers you,” he said the minute she answered. “And no, you have no choice about it.”

His tone irritated her, but she wasn’t entirely against having a guard out in the hallway. “Won’t that be a sure sign I’m staying here? What if some of the press are staying here too?”

“Some are, so that’s why I’m sending him. You won’t even know he’s there. He’ll keep the press off your tail.”

Rachel thanked him and hung up. There were a lot of reasons to dislike Jeremy, but he was trying to protect her, and she was thankful for that.

Rachel was exhausted. It was after six o’clock, she was hungry, and had a lot to think about. When her phone rang again, she sighed but cheered up when she saw it was her daughter.

“Hey, Jules. I’m glad you called.”

“Mom! What’s happening out there? Your story is all over the national news!” Jules sounded like she was in shock.

“What? Are you kidding me?”

“Turn on your TV,” Jules said. “Or go online. It’s everywhere.”

Rachel found the remote for the television and turned it on. Flipping the channels, she found a news station, and there was a video of her, standing in front of City Hall, looking dazed.

“Thirty-five years ago, an eight-year-old girl was murdered in the tiny town of Casita, California, not far from Modesto. Her sixteen-year-old brother was convicted of the gruesome crime. The girl, Rachel Parnell, has now risen from the grave as this woman claims to be her. We will report more details as we learn them.”

Rachel listened to the news reporter as she stared at her own face. This was the last thing she’d wanted—her face plastered all over the news.

“Mom? Mom! Are you still there?” Jules yelled through her phone.

“Yes. Sorry. I was