Foxfire

by Carol Ann Erhardt

  Grace pulled her feet toward her, wrapping her arms around her legs. “Before I say anything else, you've got to promise not to tell Brad.”

  Harri's hand, gripping the coffee mug, stopped inches from her mouth. She pulled it away without taking a drink. “I tell Brad everything,” Harri protested.

  “You can't tell him this. Promise me, Harri.”

  Harri placed the mug on the floor beside her. “We can't leave Brad out of this.”

  “If you don't promise, then I won't tell you.”

  As expected, Harri threw up her arms in a dramatic gesture of defeat. “Whatever. I promise.” She narrowed her gaze on Grace.

  “I have a plan.” What she wanted now was to get her life back in order. And she needed Harri's help to do it.

  “What plan is that?” Harri asked. She held out her hand, palm toward Grace. “Wait. Don't tell me. You're going to set yourself up as bait.”

  “Maybe.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I have a gun. Max wants me and if I make him believe I'm here alone, he'll come.”

  “Sure he will, and he'll kill you.”

  “Not if I have help.”

  Harri narrowed her eyes. “What kind of help?”

  “Yours. You hide in the living room and when he comes, you call Tyler. I'll hold him at gunpoint until Tyler comes and arrests him.”

  “That's the craziest plan I ever heard. I'm not going to do it and neither are you.” Harri pointed a finger at Grace. “I'm not stupid enough to think we can ever pull something like that off. He'll take the gun away from you and shoot us both before help can come. Why don't you ask Tyler to help?”

  “Well, it's the best plan I've been able to come up with. Tyler would want to do things his way. You know how men are.”

  “And he'd be right. I suggest you forget the whole thing. Let Tyler deal with this guy. You stay out of reach.”

  Maybe it was a stupid idea, but she had to take a chance. If Harri wouldn't help her, then she'd find a way to do it herself. She decided to change the subject. “Have you heard about Tiffany?”

  Harri's face settled into an expression of grief. “Oh, honey, I did. I'm so sorry.”

  Grace swallowed hard. “She's all right. Tyler took care of her.”

  “You trust him, then?”

  “He's a good vet,” she answered.

  “That's not what I asked. Do you trust him?”

  “I don't know.” Grace dropped her forehead to her legs for a second, then lifted her gaze and huffed a breath.

  Harri rocked back and forth, creaking the chair against the wooden floor. Her blank gaze seemed to turn inward, then she stopped rocking. Her eyes focused on Grace. “Grace, listen to me. I had a vision. I saw a man with a knife coming after you.”

  Grace felt the blood rush from her face. “When did you have that vision?”

  “Last night. Grace, you're in danger. I've already told Brad about it. That was before I learned about Max being here and Tyler being a secret agent.”

  “He's not a secret agent.”

  “Whatever. It doesn't matter. You're in danger. You've got to believe me. This is serious. Nobody believes I'm psychic, but I am.”

  “I believe you, Harri.” And that meant she'd have to face a killer with a knife. Would her self-defense skills help her? No. She shuddered inwardly, remembering the last time she'd been threatened with a knife. She'd have to rely on her gun. And she'd have to be on guard every second.

  “Then believe me when I say you have to get out of here. Something bad is about to happen. I can feel it.” Harri's strong voice trembled with emotion. “Come stay with me.”

  “I can't. I need to stay close to Tiffany.”

  “But you can't stay here alone.”

  “I can't stay with you or Brad. I won't put you in jeopardy, too.”

  Grace paced across the room. “Tyler wants me to stay with him. Maybe that's best.”

  “You have feelings for him, don't you?”

  Grace spun around. “Of course I do, but I've always made bad choices when it comes to men. Tyler's no exception.”

  “I've seen the way he looks at you. He's in love with you.”

  “Tyler's not in love with me, Harri. He's in love with a ghost.”

  Harri's eyes lit with interest. “A ghost?”

  “His dead wife. Max killed her.”

  Harri rocked back and forth again. “Max again. Now Tyler's dark aura makes sense. It clouded my reading when I first met him.”

  “Harri, you exaggerate sometimes, just like Brad says.”

  “I'm telling you my visions are real. You're in danger, Grace. I think the Knoxville Knifer is planning to make you his next victim. And now you've got that Max guy wanting to get you, too. You need your friends.” She leaned forward. “All your friends.”

  A chill slithered up her spine. What connection was there between Max, the Knoxville Knifer, and Harri's vision?

  “You're scaring me, Harri.”

  Harri crossed her arms across her ample chest. “You should be scared. There's something else I know. Tyler's going to save you.”

  “No man needs to save me, Harri. I can take care of myself.”

  “Maybe you want to believe you're invincible, but none of us are. Give him a chance.”

  “I'll try.”

  “Good. Then let's go to the clinic. I want to see Tiffany.”

  Grace jumped to her feet. Maybe Tiffany was awake. With all her heart, she hoped so. She needed something positive to focus on.

  She locked the door before joining Harri at the bottom of the steps. Grace glanced at Harri's car. “Do you want to drive?”

  Harri pulled a pair of sunglasses from her purse and slipped them onto her nose. “Nope. I need the exercise. Let's walk.”

  A few minutes later, they reached the clinic. Grace slowed when she noticed the absence of Tyler's truck.

  “Maybe I should have brought my key. Looks like Tyler's gone,” Grace said. “We won't be able to get in.”

  She walked to the front and tried the door. Sure enough, it was locked. “Maybe we can get in through his apartment. I'll check.” She walked down the steps and around the building, stopping abruptly at seeing the infirmary door standing ajar.

  Harri pointed. “What about that door?”

  Grace's heart leapt to her throat. Tyler wouldn't have left it open.

  “Stay here,” she ordered.

  Grace hurried to the door and barged inside. A man leaned toward the cage where Tiffany lay.

  “No!” Grace charged forward but halted in confusion when Adam turned with a smile on his face. The adrenaline rush had her heart pounding and she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

  “Look. She likes me, Grace.” Adam's hand rested on Tiffany's head. The dog's tail wagged in greeting.

  “She's awake.”

  “Yep. Tyler went into town to get something. I told him I'd keep an eye on her. He says she can't get out and we have to keep her quiet. You're not mad, are you?”

  Grace put her hand through the bars and rubbed Tiffany's ears. The dog's tail thumped against the metal cage floor.

  “I'm not mad. Looks like you two are friends now.”

  He grinned. “I'm scared of dogs, especially big dogs.” He nodded toward Tiffany. “Like her. But she's not mean. Even if she used to growl at me all the time.”

  “I think she knew you were afraid of her.”

  Adam's face flushed. “I guess so, but I'm not afraid of her now. She's a nice dog.”

  She graced him with a smile.

  Harri joined them. “Hi, Adam.”

  “Hi, Harri.” He nodded.

  “Looks like Tiffany's better,” Harri said.

  “Yeah, I should go,” Adam said. “You can keep an eye on her until Tyler gets back.”

  Grace touched Adam's arm. “Thanks for looking after her for me.”

  Adam looked at her hand resting on his arm. He lifted his gaze to hers and someth
ing flickered in their depths. Something Grace didn't want to acknowledge. She snatched her hand to her side.

  “You're welcome, Grace.” He nodded again at Harri, then left, closing the door firmly behind him.

  “That's one strange man,” Harri said.

  Grace heard tires crunching on the gravel driveway, followed by a door shutting. A few seconds later, Tyler entered the room, a look of surprise on his face.

  “Where's Adam?”

  “He left,” Grace answered.

  “And that's what I'm going to do,” Harri announced.

  “No—” Grace started to protest.

  “I promised Brad we'd go to town for an early dinner.” She glanced at her watch. “I really should get back to him before he comes looking for me. I have a box of clothes he's going to take to the church for the rummage sale.”

  Grace didn't want to be alone with Tyler, but it looked like Harri had a different perspective. If she didn't know better, she'd think Harri was matchmaking. Funny that Harri hadn't even liked Tyler in the beginning, but now it seemed as if she'd taken his side...if there were any sides in this ridiculous melodrama.

  “I'll walk back with you,” Grace volunteered.

  “No, dear, that's not necessary.” The wicked imp had the audacity to wink.

  Grace flicked a glance at Tyler to see if he'd noticed. All she saw was the grim set of his lips. She knew he was going to continue his campaign to keep her in his 'safety zone.'

  Harri hugged her and whispered, “Give the man a chance.”

  Grace had already done that. She wouldn't go there again, no matter what her heart said.

  “Don't forget what I told you,” Harri said.

  “I won't.”

  When the door closed behind her, Grace turned to follow.

  Tyler stopped her, his hand gripping her upper arm. “We have unfinished business.”

  “You're hurting me.” Grace tugged her arm free, and glared into his eyes.

  He stepped back. “I didn't mean to hurt you, but you're not going anywhere until we hash out some issues.”

  “Haven't we already done that?”

  Tiffany whined.

  Grace hurried back to her cage. “See what you've done?” She turned an angry glare on Tyler. “You're upsetting her. Shouldn't she be kept quiet?”

  “She's fine.”

  Tiffany wagged her tail. Great. Now even her dog was turning against her. Did Tyler have everyone under his spell?

  “Come on,” Tyler said. “You're not getting away until we finish the discussion we started earlier.”

  He led the way back to his apartment, where Grace chose to sit in a comfortable chair opposite the sofa. She leaned back, feeling dwarfed and at a disadvantage. Catching the humorous glint in Tyler's eyes, she folded her arms across her chest.

  “What more is there to talk about?” she asked.

  Tyler sat on the edge of the sofa, placing a bag on the floor at his feet.

  Grace flicked a glance at the bag. “What did you buy?”

  “An alarm system.”

  Oh, no. He couldn't possibly have bought that thing for her house.

  She rocked forward, placing both feet firmly on the floor. Her hands gripped the arms of the chair. “Don't even tell me that's for my house.”

  “It is.”

  “People here do not put in alarm systems. There are no crimes in Foxfire.”

  His amused glance infuriated her. She wanted to believe Foxfire was safe. That's why she moved here, but she'd brought danger to this community.

  “No arguments. If you insist on staying at your place, we've got to do something to make it safe, especially with Tiffany laid up.”

  Grace knew he was right, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction. “I don't need an alarm. I have a gun.”

  His emerald gaze met hers.

  She jumped to her feet. “Damn it, Tyler. I don't need you to protect me. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I've been doing it all my life.”

  His gaze never wavered. “With a gun?”

  She narrowed her gaze. “I know how to handle the gun quite well, thank you.”

  “And you think you're capable of shooting somebody?”

  She held her own. “If I have to.”

  “Somehow I doubt you'd be able to shoot anyone.”

  Her face heated. How dare he? Did he really take her for a woman who'd back down from a threat? It just showed how little he really knew her. They could never have a relationship because he was just too cocky, too macho. She didn't need him or any man to protect her. Not now, not ever.

  She pulled herself upright. “That's your opinion. I can do anything I set my mind to.”

  He grinned. “Damned if I don’t believe you. So, what did Harri tell you?”

  The sudden change of subject took her by surprise.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Harri said not to forget what she told you.”

  “Oh, that? You mean I didn't tell you?” she asked in a false disbelieving tone.

  “No.”

  She hitched both shoulders up and down. “Then it must have been none of your business.”

  Tyler's eyes narrowed into slits and a muscle twitched in his jaw. He stood and moved toward her. She cringed, backing against the chair, preparing to flee. But something about the look in his eyes...something about his demeanor froze her in place. He looked determined and angry...intent on punishing her. Before she could make her move, he grabbed her arms, pulling her toward him and clamping his mouth over hers. The kiss was hot and angry...and breathtaking. He circled her lips with his probing tongue and slipped it into her willing mouth.

  A throbbing began deep in her stomach, radiating downward. A clock ticked somewhere in the room. Heavy breathing rent the air. Were the moans coming from her or Tyler? She couldn't tell. Their lips were seared together. She felt his heart pounding, racing faster. His hands slid down and gripped her hips, fitting her contours to his.

  Fire lit in her belly and below. She couldn't have stopped, even if she wanted to. Which she didn't. She wanted him, needed him. The intensity of the past twenty-four hours erupted into overpowering passion.

  She inhaled the unique scent that was Tyler's. Her legs wobbled. She clasped her hands behind his neck.

  He broke the kiss, and she gave a cry of protest.

  He lifted her in his arms, and he flicked his tongue against the side of her neck, then circled the inside of her ear.

  Her body had turned to a quivering mass of want. With great skill, he continued to seduce her. She clung to him desperately, pushing away the doubts, the fear, the anger.

  ****

  Suddenly, he felt someone else's presence. He released Grace and stepped away from her.

  He looked over her shoulder into the amused face of Jake Scott. “What are you doing here?” Tyler demanded.

  Jake said, “Looks like I caught you at a bad time. Ms. Wilkins, I presume?”

  Tyler looked down at Grace, surprised to see a grin on her face.

  “Ah, hell. Grace, meet Jake Scott. Jake, Grace Wilkins.”

  Jake's lips tilted upward. “Nice to meet you, Grace.” He gestured toward the kitchen. “I'll just in here while you finish...whatever you were—”

  Tyler flung a throw pillow at his head. “Go to hell, Jake.”

  “Nice to meet you,” Grace called out to Jake's back.

  Tyler growled, kissed Grace with a promise that they would finish what they'd started.

  “Why do you suppose he's here?” Grace asked.

  “I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I told him to send in some backup, but I didn't expect him to come.” He winked before leaving the room.

  Chapter Twelve

  Jake looked around as Tyler entered the room. “Nice digs.”

  “I asked what you're doing here.”

  Jake motioned to the chair. “You called, remember? Sit down.”

  Tyler sank into the chair. “I asked for guys t
o do some surveillance.”

  “What, I don't qualify?”

  Tyler ran a hand through his hair. “Things have been heating up.”

  “Obviously,” Jake answered.

  Tyler met Jake's amused glance.

  “That's not what I meant.”

  Jake leaned forward. “I've got news. Max is walking around with a new face.”

  “Just like we figured.”

  “Right. We've got the doc who did it.”

  “Couldn't you have told me this over the phone?”

  “Yeah, but I thought you might want this, and you don't have a fax.”

  Jake held out a picture. Tyler recognized Max's eyes in the unfamiliar face.

  “The ‘after’ picture. The doctor had a hidden camera. Felt he needed to protect himself.”

  A soft indrawn breath drew both men's attention to Grace. “I've seen that guy. If that's Max, he is here.”

  Tyler handed the picture to Grace. “Are you sure?”

  “I'm positive. I know his eyes. I should have figured it out before now.” She handed the picture back to Tyler. “I saw him outside the D.A.'s office when I returned my key. He watched me get on the elevator. Something about him seemed familiar. He gave me the creeps.”

  “I take it she knows?” Jake asked.

  Grace swung to face him. “Don't talk as if I'm invisible. I know you sent Tyler here to find Max, and I know he's using me to do it. So, yes, I know.”

  Tyler put a hand on her waist. “Grace—”

  She pushed his hand away. “I also know that you need my help if you want to succeed. So, whatever plans you have in mind better include me.” She looked at Tyler, then at Jake. “Gentlemen, shall we talk?”

  Jake held out his hand. “I'm glad to meet you, Grace, and I think you're right. We need to work together—”

  “Not on your life,” Tyler said. “We're not putting her in danger. This is our fight, not hers.”

  “You're wrong.” Grace placed her hands on her hips. “This is my fight. Max is here for one reason. He wants me. You're here because you want Max. I'm the common denominator.”

  “She's right, Tyler. We need her.”

  This wasn't what Tyler wanted. Not now. Hadn't he and Grace moved to a new level in their relationship? How could he let her become a pawn in this game of revenge? He ran a hand through his hair.