“Micah, kiddo, I need you to walk, okay?”
She let him down, shushing his whimpers, and they continued on, walking quickly now. She had to
make a plan. He'd expect her to go to the bus stop, so she couldn't do that. There was a burner phone in the book bag. She thought of Walter's supervisor, Deputy Morris. She should call him.
But then Langley's words flashed in her mind.
“Who do you think brought me in?”
If Deputy Morris was dirty, she couldn't trust anyone with the US Marshals Service. They could probably even track her with the phone. After all, they'd purchased it for her.
She pulled it from the bag and banged it against a tree until it shattered into pieces. She was shifting the bag onto her shoulder when a new sound reached her ears. She stilled, listening.
The low, repetitive baying sounds were unmistakable.
Dogs!
She grabbed Micah's hand.
“Fast, Micah. Run your fastest!”
She was working on sheer adrenaline now. They weren't far from the creek. They couldn't be.
A few minutes later she heard its trickle. She slid down the slope, dropping the book bag twice before reaching the cold, shallow water. She lifted Micah into her arms and struggled upstream, the water tugging at her yoga pants. Her bare feet slipped on the rocky bottom, and her lungs burned. Her body begged for rest. Still she pressed on.
A soft snore pulled her back to the present. Eden's heart raced as her mind settled in the here and now. It was a memory
she wished she could forever erase. The rest of the night had been exhausting. They must have lost the dogs at the creek because by the time morning broke they'd safely reached a highway.
Using the money and the hats and wig in the bag, she'd caught a taxi north and switched cabsâand disguisesâin Gainesville. She'd taken a bus to Jacksonville, where she'd bought the Buick and started a meandering path north, changing shirts and hats as they went.
She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, the now-familiar sounds of the house calming her. At least she had her car back. They could leave at a moment's notice if they needed to. The memory, horrible as it was, was a reminder to trust no one, badge or no. Their very lives depended on it.
B
eau grabbed the bundled spruce from one of his teen workers and slung it onto his shoulder. He made conversation with the Parkers, a middle-aged couple who lived just outside of town near the cranberry farm. Mrs. Parker was so fussy she came out in October each year to select her tree. They'd been tagging her trees as long as Beau could remember.
He tied the blue spruce to the roof of their Dodge Durango and tapped the top of the car. With a friendly wave, they pulled from the gravel lot, and Beau went to check on his cashier. She'd been feeling ill at the beginning of her shift.
The small gift shop inside the barn was warm and bustling with customers. There were a few people in line with their jugs of maple syrup and packets of tree preserver. He tidied the boxes of ornaments on the shelves while he waited for the line to die down.
He was rehanging an elf on the Christmas tree display when Sheriff Colton entered the shop.
“Howdy, Beau. Looks like business is good.”
“Cranking along. I may be short a cashier in a few minutes, though. Flu's going around.”
“That's what I hear.” The sheriff palmed his hips, towering over Beau. “How's your aunt's leg healing up?”
“She got her cast off. Just a brace now. She's getting around pretty well.”
“Looked like she was enjoying the festivities Saturday.”
“Other than being cooped up in that wheelchair. Had to practically force her into the thing.”
Sheriff Colton shifted, his red mustache twitching. “She's an independent lady.”
“She'll be glad when she's on her own two feet again, that's for sure. We all will.” But then it would be time for Kate to leave. The thought left him gloomy.
“Got your message and thought I'd stop by.” He scanned the busy shop. “I guess now's not a good time, though.”
“I'll make time.” He gestured for Colton to follow him down the short hall.
Finding that article about Lucca Fattore had brought a new urgency to Beau's search. And maybe the distraction also helped keep his mind off Riley's pending departure and Beau's confusing feelings for Kate.
He slipped through his office door and closed it behind the sheriff, unzipping his coat as he crossed the small space. It wasn't much of an office, just an eight-by-ten space with a desk and an old metal filing cabinet. But it had been good enough for his dad; it was good enough for him. The desk was mildly cluttered, the only adornments a photo of his family and a plant Paige had given him when he'd taken the farm full-time. He kept forgetting to water it, and now the leaves were brown and curling at the edges.
He sank into his desk chair and gestured toward the only other seat. “I was wondering if you'd ever come across the name
Lucca Fattore. He's allegedly connected with the underground prescription drug market.”
The sheriff pursed his lips. “Can't say it sounds familiar. Does he have some connection to your housekeeper?”
“Not sure. She did look him up on the computer, though.” He started to mention her search for a fake ID, then stopped. Last thing he wanted was to get Kate into more trouble.
“Could be nothing,” Beau said. “But it could be something too. I couldn't find much on him on the Internet, other than that he'd been arrested for murder and was standing trial in Miami.”
“I'll check with an old friend. He has connections down there.”
He remembered the glint of fear in Kate's eyes. “Keep Kate out of it, if you would. I'm worried about her.”
The sheriff quirked a brow.
“Her husband was murdered at their house, and her son saw the whole thing. So you know what I'm thinking.”
“That Lucca Fattore is her husband's murderer.”
“It's a thought.”
He ran his hand over his bald head. “If that's the case, she's in way over her head. Her son's an eyewitness. Why isn't she under marshal protection?”
“No idea. I'm not sure of anything except that all this needs to be kept on the down low.”
“You got my word. In the meantime, you might want to lock your doors at night.”
He'd replaced the locks yesterday on his day off. “Already a step ahead of you. And maybe you could swing by now and then and check on things while I'm working.”
The sheriff's lips turned up. “That can be arranged.”
Beau had a feeling Aunt Trudy was going to be seeing more than her share of Sheriff Colton.
After the sheriff left, Beau took over for his cashier, and she went home to rest. The night flew by, and his stomach was rumbling by the time he entered the house hours later.
He warmed up by the fire. Kate always had one going when he came home. He loved the smell of burning wood and the soothing crackle of a fire. He just rarely took the time to lay one. The savory smell of pot roast made his mouth water. Kate's cooking had improved considerably.
Riley entered a few minutes later, dusting snow from his shoulders. Paige was on his heels. Beau had invited her for supper, knowing she wanted to spend time with Riley before he left. Zac had come too. Their time together was winding down. Only three days left.
He greeted Paige at the door with a peck on the lips as Riley made a beeline for the kitchen.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Not bad. You?”
“Busy. I'm starving.”
“Something smells good.”
They entered the dining room where Kate was setting a basket of rolls on the table. Aunt Trudy hobbled toward the kitchen, but Riley stopped her. “I'll help. You sit down.”
She scowled. “I've been sitting all day.”
Riley kissed her cheek. “Good. That's what you're supposed to be doing.”
Zac pulled out their aunt's chair, making a grand gesture, and she shuffled toward it, mumbling under her breath.
Beau helped Paige into her chair, then went into the kitchen
with Zac to grab some drinks. Riley and Kate were working in tandem to get the roast and potatoes onto the serving platter.
She gasped as juices splashed out on Riley's shirt. “Sorry!”
He only chuckled. “It's an old shirt.”
“Mistletoe.” Zac nodded toward the ceiling above the stove, then turned to the fridge.
Kate and Riley looked up, then Riley's lips kicked up a crooked grin as their eyes mingled. “What's a guy to do?”
Beau braced himself as Riley leaned down and planted his lips on Kate's cheek. The kiss seemed to linger forever.
Every hair on the back of Beau's neck rose. His breath grew shallow.
Kate smiled up at Riley as he drew away.
Riley winked at her as he grabbed the platter. “I just love Christmas.”
Zac dropped a few bottled waters in Beau's hands, snagging his attention from Kate's maddening smile.
“Aunt Trudy strikes again,” Zac said as he exited the kitchen.
Beau followed, his emotions at war inside, choking him. Aunt Trudy's little game had been a lot more fun when he'd been the lucky winner.
In the dining room he settled by Paige, shaken by the moment in the kitchen, the emotions still roiling in his gut. Aunt Trudy said grace and conversation commenced, but he couldn't get his mind off that kiss. He wanted to deny it was jealousy he'd felt, but he wasn't stupid or stubborn.
He focused on his food, but his every nerve was attuned to Kate, sitting across from him, enjoying her food. Was his brother falling for her?
He'll be gone soon.
Even as the thought soothed him, he chided himself. Was he seriously relieved his brother was joining the marines so he was no threat to Beau's nonexistent relationship with Kate?
You're dating Paige, you idiot.
He suppressed a groan. How had this happened? When did he become such a jerk? His eyes darted off Paige, feeling the familiar pinch of guilt.
He had to tell her what was going on with him. It wasn't right that he was having feelings for Kate, even if she
was
leaving soon. Even though it couldn't possibly go anywhere.
It wasn't fair to Paige. And if he was honest with himself, something was obviously lacking in their relationship if he was developing feelings for another woman. Something had been lacking all along; he just hadn't realized it until Kate had come along with her mysterious eyes and guarded smile.
The timing was terrible, with Riley leaving. Paige was already upset about him joining up, and Beau couldn't stand the thought of adding to her pain. She didn't have family like they did. The Callahans
were
her family.
Besides, he didn't want Riley distracted while he struggled through boot camp. It would be hard enough without the added trauma of knowing Paige was suffering back home.
“Beau . . .” Paige nudged him.
He looked at Paige, realizing she'd already called his name. He felt the eyes of everyone at the table, and his face heated as he realized he'd been staring at Kate.
Paige's lips tightened. “I said, what do you think?”
“Uh . . .” For the life of him he couldn't call up the last conversation. “About what?”
Zac cleared his throat. “Paige wanted to spend some time with
Riley before he left. He suggested we go snowmobiling tomorrow afternoon.”
They'd had a fresh blanket of snow today, and the farm closed early on Wednesdays. Besides, they hadn't been out yet this winter, and this would be their last chance in who knew how long?
Paige picked at her food. “I think I can get off early, but I have to be back at the shelter by six for a meeting.”
Beau nodded. “Sounds like a plan.” He'd agree to a night in the county jail if it would erase the sadness lurking in Paige's eyes.
“You should go too, Kate,” Aunt Trudy said. “You need to get out more.”
Kate offered a smile. “That's okay. I'll keep you company.”
Beau wanted to offer to take her place, but with the weight of Paige's watchful stare, he was staying out of this one.
“Nonsense. Jack can keep me company. He can teach me that new game he's been playing on the computer. I'll bet Kate's never even been on a snowmobile.”
“Where do you ride?” she asked.
“On the trails,” Riley said. “It's a lot of fun. You should come.”
There were three sleds and five of them. Math wasn't Beau's best subject, but it didn't take a genius to figure this one out. Paige would ride with Beau. Zac liked to ride alone. That left Kate clinging to Riley. No wonder he wanted her to go.
“Well . . .,” Kate said. “Sure, I guess so. If you're sure you don't mind, Miss Trudy.”
His aunt waved the sentiment away, and with that, Beau's fate was sealed.
R
iley strapped on a helmet, then turned to Eden. She ducked her head as he put one on her and held still as he adjusted the chin strap.
She was glad she'd borrowed a pair of boots from Paige. The snow was several inches deep, and the wind chilled her to the bone.
Riley was staring over her head to where Beau and Paige were readying for their trip. His brows were pinched together, that vulnerability making an appearance in his green eyes.
“Maybe we can switch partners later,” Eden offered.
He scowled. “That's the last thing I need.”
Unrequited love was the pits. She glanced over her shoulder where Paige was settling on the snowmobile behind Beau. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing tight to his back as the sled started with a rumble.
Bad enough what Eden was feeling. “Maybe the distance will help.”
He gave a rueful smile as he finished her strap. “Here's hoping.” He hopped on the sled and fished the keys from the glove box.