The Seven-Day Target

by Natalie Charles

  As they twisted through the roads of Arbor Falls, Nick pointed out landmarks. “Here’s our middle school. I saw you walking to school one morning, right over there.” He slowed the car to point. “Love at first sight, Libby.”

  A blush warmed her cheeks. “You never told me about that. And here I thought you fell in love with me because of my vast eighth grade geography knowledge.”

  “It’s true—you could rattle off the continents like a pro. And I remember you pointing out that North America was distorted on our world map to appear much larger than it is.”

  “Cold war propaganda,” she mumbled.

  Nick chuckled and turned the corner. “Mostly I remember getting a C in that class because I couldn’t focus on anything but you.”

  The warmth on her cheeks crept down her neck.

  “There’s the grocery store,” Nick continued. “I bought you a sandwich there on our first date, and we walked to the library afterward to study algebra.”

  “That wasn’t a date!” Libby laughed. “I’m pretty sure you were just following me around.”

  “Guilty. But we ate a meal together. Sort of. I’d consider that a first date.”

  Libby looked at her favorite grocery store for the last time, bid farewell to her favorite roads and the Victorian homes she’d always admired and gave a little wave to the diner on Main Street. “Even though someone abducted me from there, I still kind of love that place,” she said.

  “Yeah, I think I still owe Dom a few beers for that sidewalk scuffle. Let’s change the subject.”

  She smiled and sat back in her seat, looking out the van window. “I said goodbye to everyone at the D.A.’s Office yesterday. I admit, I cried buckets.” Nick reached over and grasped her hand. “I took that job expecting to be there forever, or at least until I became a judge. It was hard to let go of that dream.”

  “I can understand that.”

  “But that was when I wanted to be like Dad,” she said quietly. “I’ve realized that I’ll never be like him. I’ve spent my whole life living within structures established by others. It’s time for me to be Libby.”

  Nick was quiet. “Your dad...well...”

  “He made some mistakes,” she said, finishing the thought for him. “Terrible mistakes.”

  Her head still felt foggy when she thought of her father trading his integrity for his ambition and of all the havoc he’d wreaked as a result. He’d taught Libby to look out for victims, to seek justice for the powerless, and yet he’d failed to protect Will Henderson—a poor, uneducated man—from the powerful Jeb Sinclair. Worse, he’d used his position and his knowledge to advocate for the imprisonment of a man who was not guilty of the charges against him, knowing that his prosecution would allow a killer to go free. She struggled to rectify this image of her father with her memories of him lecturing her on the ideals of justice. The contrast left her disoriented.

  “I’ll always love my dad,” she said, her voice trembling. “I will struggle with who he was, but for all of his shortcomings, I believe he tried to be a good father.”

  Nick took a deep breath. “You know your dad and I didn’t always see eye to eye, but I have to give him credit for raising a hell of a daughter.” He kissed her hand. “You amaze me, Lib.”

  She squeezed his hand. Libby had already begun using her share of her inheritance to establish a nonprofit to pair indigent persons who may have been wrongfully convicted with attorneys to appeal their case. She’d located a small office out of which to run her nonprofit in Washington, D.C. Nick would be working only a few blocks away. “I can’t help Henderson, but I can help others like him. The wrongfully accused and powerless. I need to do this, Nick. I need to find forgiveness.”

  He swallowed. “You found a lot of forgiveness already. For me.”

  “And for myself,” she added. “I’ve done a lot of thinking over the past few weeks about my infertility. I felt guilty about it for a long time. Guilty and ashamed, like it was something I had to hide. I blamed my diagnosis for making me feel inferior.” She looked at him. “Then I realized that you still loved me and that all of those bad feelings were my responsibility.”

  “Still loved you?” Nick’s voice tightened. “Libby, I doubt there’s anything that could make me stop loving you, honey.”

  “I feel like I’ve taken the first step toward healing, at least. Forgiving myself for being imperfect. I don’t know about adoption yet.” She paused. “I think I’d like to be a mom one day.”

  “You think about it, and you let me know what you decide.”

  She sat back and looked at him. “You don’t care about having a family?”

  “Don’t get me wrong, kids would be great.” He shrugged. “But honestly? I have my family right here.”

  Libby felt a swell of emotion, and for the first time in a long time, she didn’t know how to respond except to grip his hand tighter.

  Nick pulled into a parking lot at the base of the trail to Overlook Point. He turned off the engine and faced her. “The day we hiked up this trail and looked down at Arbor Falls was one of my favorite memories with you. I’d like to hike it one more time before we go.”

  She looked outside at the warm, cloudless May morning. Getting some exercise before the long drive to Virginia was a great idea. “I’d love to.” She beamed.

  They locked the van and set out on the trail, which started out at a gentle slope but then grew steep about fifteen minutes in. Libby welcomed the vigorous hike. Her heart was pounding in a steady beat, and the air was cool and sweet smelling below the canopy of trees. The man beside her was smiling with that adorable dimple and wearing khaki shorts to show off his muscular calves. Better still, he was holding her hand. Tightly. Life was good.

  They came to a clearing and hiked the remainder of the path to Overlook Point, where they could see the entire town of Arbor Falls and hundreds of miles in the distance. From that vantage point the world could be divided into colored squares and rooftops, lazy rivers and highways. From above, the world below made sense.

  Libby sucked in her breath. “It’s so gorgeous. I wish I could take it with us.”

  Standing in companionable silence, they watched as the morning sun burned off the haze in the valley below. Libby closed her eyes to listen to the stillness around her, feeling the warmth of the sun’s rays on her skin and the earth under her feet. She inhaled. She was alive. She was still alive, and the realization made her want to throw her arms around someone, so she did.

  Nick laughed and hugged her back. “Hey, what’s that about?”

  She wanted to tell him that it was about the way he’d brought her back from death, that he’d saved her in more ways than she could explain. She had her life, and she had Nick, and he made her life worth living.

  “I’m not very good at talking about my feelings,” she said. “So I’ll just say I love you.”

  She looked at the valley and pointed to a spot where a white tent was being erected. “Oh, look! Do you think someone’s getting married today?”

  “Could be.”

  She sighed. “This would be a beautiful place to get married. I know we were supposed to be married in the chapel, but I would love to be married here.”

  “Libby, you know I’d marry you anywhere, but yes, this does seem like the perfect place.” Nick smiled. “So let’s get married.”

  She grinned and her eyes widened. “Really? I’ll start planning as soon as we—”

  “No.” His voice deepened. “Let’s get married today.”

  “I don’t understand...”

  Nick knelt on one knee and opened a white velvet case. Inside was a glistening solitaire diamond. Her jaw dropped. “Nick, what is—”

  “A new diamond ring for our new life together. Marry me, Libby. Here. Now. Today.”

  Her cheeks felt hot as he took her left hand into his trembling fingers. “Oh, my...”

  “I ordered everything you chose when you planned our wedding. The flowers, the caterer, even
the officiate. I snuck your wedding dress out of the van after you packed it. Cassie is down there already, and she’s going to help you get dressed.”

  “Nick, I—”

  “Our friends and family will be here,” he continued. “Your friends from the District Attorney’s Office. Cassie found a little tuxedo for Sam.”

  Libby’s eyes brimmed with tears. She looked down at herself and began to laugh. “I’m all sweaty! My hair is a mess—”

  “Cassie’s going to drive you to a hotel. I’ve reserved the suite, and you can get dressed there and do whatever you need to do.” His eyes were intense as he gazed at her.

  “Why, Nick Foster,” she whispered, “you threw me a surprise wedding.”

  “Or an elaborate engagement party, if you’re not ready. I even ordered the chocolate wedding cake you’ve always talked about.”

  She laughed, sputtering tears. “You actually listened to me.”

  “I’ve hung on your every word since we were twelve years old. I love you, Elizabeth Andrews, and it’s a beautiful day for a wedding.” He swallowed. “Marry me. Please.”

  Libby lost herself for a moment in his beautiful dark brown eyes. “Yes.” The word spilled from her mouth. “I want to marry you today.”

  He beamed and slipped the solitaire on her ring finger. He then stood and took her into his arms, kissing her soundly on the lips. Libby’s heart swelled as she stepped away to look at Nick—the man she’d always loved and always would. “You are full of surprises, Nick.” And she loved him for it.

  “Hold on, Libby. You can’t believe what I have in store for you today.”

  She was breathless as she grabbed him for another kiss. They stood in an embrace, watching the wedding preparations below. Finally Nick kissed her on the forehead and said, “I think we should go get ready for our big day.”

  Libby nuzzled against his neck. “I’m feeling pretty perfect right now,” she said. “Do you think we can just stay here for a few more minutes?”

  He chuckled softly. “Anything you want, Libby,” he said, pulling her closer against his side. “Forever, anything you want.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Cowboy with a Cause by Carla Cassidy.

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  Chapter 1

  Adam Benson sat in his pickup truck parked at the curb and stared at the two-story house out his passenger-side window. It was a nice place, painted pale beige with rust-colored trim. A large tree in the front yard sported all the colors of autumn, with bright red and orange leaves beginning to group at the base.

  The Room for Rent sign had been in the front window for a couple of months, and for the past few weeks each time Adam drove by the place, he’d considered the possibility of checking it out.

  Shoving a hand into the pocket of his lightweight black jacket, he found the two small plastic chips inside and rubbed them together as he considered his next move.

  There was no question that he was in transition. With two months of sobriety behind him and a ranch that no longer felt like his home, he knew it was time to make some significant changes in his life.

  With a new decisiveness, he opened the truck door and got out. Great location, he told himself as he looked down Main Street. This house was one of the last on the block that hadn’t been sold and torn down to make room for commercial property. From here he could easily walk the main drag of the small town of Grady Gulch.

  He turned back to look at the house. The place had belonged to Olive Brooks for as long as he could remember. The older woman had been a fixture in town, working at the post office and involved in every charity event. Then about a year ago she’d become ill with cancer and her only daughter had come to town from someplace back east to nurse her. Olive had passed away and her daughter had remained in the house.

  It was a little strange. Nobody around town that Adam had spoken to seemed to have seen Melanie Brooks since her mother’s death, although he’d heard a few unpleasant rumors about her.

  He jingled his sobriety chips once again. He knew personally about gossip and ugly rumors. In the past year he and his family had experienced enough of both to last a lifetime.

  He finally sighed, irritated with his own hesitation. “Doesn’t hurt to check it out,” he muttered under his breath as he headed toward the front porch.

  Next door to the house the pizza place was in full lunch swing, the scents of robust sauce and spicy sausage filling the air. Adam’s stomach rumbled, and he decided that after checking out the room for rent, he’d head to the Cowboy Café for lunch. Although the pizza smelled great, at noon the place was usually overrun by high school kids grabbing a slice of pizza before their afternoon classes began.

  Besides, the Cowboy Café was the place in town to get a hearty meal and a healthy serving of what people were saying and thinking. In the past couple of months it had felt more like home than the ranch where he’d grown up.

  As he walked up the stairs to the porch, he noticed that the railing was more than a little wobbly and needed to be replaced. Up close the house paint wasn’t quite as fresh as it appeared from the street. A little TLC was definitely needed, he thought, not that it was his problem. That was one of the luxuries of not owning where you lived: you weren’t responsible for any of the maintenance.

  He knocked on the door, and as he waited for a reply, he turned and looked back at the street where his truck was parked. Within an hour everyone in town would know that he’d been here. That was the way things worked in small towns like Grady Gulch. There were few secrets that could be sustained for any length of time.

  However, there was one person in town who was keeping a dark, evil secret, a person who had murdered two women in their beds. So far law enforcement and everyone else had no idea who that killer might be and if or when he might strike again. The murders of two women who had worked as waitresses at the popular café had definitely put a gray pall over the town.

  He shoved this disturbing thought aside and knocked again, this time hearing a woman’s voice respond for him to hang on. The door finally opened and he got his first look at Melanie Brooks.

  Stunning. She was absolutely stunning, with pale blond hair that fell to her shoulders in soft waves and eyes that were bluer than any he’d ever seen before. She was slender and wore a pair of black slacks, a black blouse and an irritated scowl that looked permanently etched onto her face. He couldn’t discern how tall she might be as she sat in a wheelchair.

  Adam swept his cowboy hat from his head, quickly raked his fingers through his dark hair and hoped his shock at her condition didn’t show on his face. “Good afternoon. I’m Adam Benson and I’m here about the room for rent.”

  She blinked in obvious surprise and there was a long, awkward silence.

  “You have a sign in your window? A room for rent?” he prompted.

  She used her arms to move herself backward and then gestured for him to step into the foyer. “Adam Benson,” she mused, her eyes narrowed as her gaze held his. “I heard you were a drunk.”

  Adam took a step back, stunned by her unexpected words. “I was,” he admitted with painful honesty. “But I’m not drinking anymore. And the rumors I heard about you were that you’re a sour, rude and cranky woman. The verdict is still o
ut on that.”

  Her eyes narrowed even more. “You have a big ranch on the edge of town. Why would you need to rent a room?”

  “My brother, his new wife and son have all moved into the ranch house and I’m looking for a change of address.” His decision to leave the house where he’d grown up was far more complicated than that, but he figured Melanie didn’t need to know the details. “So, can I see the room?”

  “It’s actually more than just a room. Follow me.” She moved out of the foyer and into a large, airy living room with a staircase that led up to the second floor. She stopped at the foot of the staircase, the dainty frown still etched in her forehead.

  For somebody who had had a sign hanging in the window for months, she seemed reluctant to allow him to see the space she was renting. Was her reluctance based on the fact that he was a male? Or was it specifically aimed at him personally? Certainly the reputation of all the Benson brothers had taken a beating in the past year, but over the past couple of months things had calmed down.

  “Look, Ms. Brooks, I just need a place to hang my hat. I’m not looking for any trouble. I’ll pay the rent on time and be a respectful tenant. Speaking of rent, what are you looking to get each month?”

  She told him a figure that seemed a little high and he wondered if she’d done it on purpose to chase him away or if she’d intended to ask for that kind of money from anyone who showed an interest.

  “Sounds good,” he replied.

  “I’m actually renting the entire second floor. I’m certainly not using any of the rooms upstairs.” A touch of bitterness laced her voice. “Go on up and have a look around.”

  Adam nodded, and as he climbed the stairs, he wondered what had put her in the wheelchair. He reminded himself that it—that she—was none of his business. He was simply looking for peace and quiet, for a haven where he could gather himself together and figure out what exactly he wanted to do with the rest of his life.