“Right here.”
The hallway lit up. Empty.
Where were they?
A door slammed from the hall that branched to the right. Eli took off in that direction. “I’ll check that out. You find Maggie and Holly!”
Reese placed a hand on his weapon and scanned the hallway once again. His eyes landed on the bathroom door just as his cell phone started ringing.
Maggie’s tone.
He grabbed his phone from the clip on his belt. “Maggie, are you all right?”
“Someone’s in the hallway. Holly and I are in the bathroom.” Her terror-filled voice came through the line, singeing his brain and firing his fury at the person doing this to her.
“I’m right outside the door.” No sooner had the words left his lips than the door flew open and Maggie’s scared face stared up at him. Holly’s wide eyes and pale cheeks sent his tension level soaring. “Go back into the crowd and stay there. Tell Cal what’s going on and to listen to his radio. I’m going to go after Eli and see if I can help him find whoever was in the hall.” Reese spoke into his radio. “I’ve got Maggie and Holly. They’re fine. You catch the guy?”
“Not yet,” Eli’s disgusted response came back. “I’m at the back of the church. Check the front.”
Reese’s left hand curled into a fist and he had to make an effort to relax it as he watched as Holly and Maggie safely made it back through the double doors.
Then he spun on his heel and made his way to the side door that led outside. Darkness covered him. Silence made his ears ring.
He stood for a moment to let his eyes adjust. Then he opened them to scan the area. Nothing but the church parking lot. But lots of cars to hide behind.
Reese made his way down the steps, around the side of the building, his gun ready, senses alert. Eli’s voice came over the earpiece he’d tucked into his left ear in order to keep the radio quiet. “Hey, any luck?”
“Nothing,” he said, keeping his voice low. At the front of the church, he probed each and every shadow, the bushes, the cars on the curb. “He’s gone.”
“Or hiding, watching us chase our tails,” Eli grunted.
“Yeah, I’m feeling a bit exposed. Let’s get back inside and check on Maggie and Holly.” Eli pulled his cell phone from his pocket. “Jason’s on duty, but I noticed he’s not here tonight. He said he was going to stop by and grab some food.” Eli shook his head. “Guess he changed his mind. I’ll get him over here to do a sweep with the big light.”
Reese nodded. “I’ll meet you back inside.” He itched to make sure Maggie was all right. Within seconds, he was in the social hall and standing at the edge of the crowd, searching for her blond head.
Finally, he spotted her at a table in the back, Belle in her lap, spooning food into the little one’s mouth. He made his way to her and noticed that Holly had Daniel seated on some hymnals. Holly shrugged as she noticed the direction of his glance. “I wasn’t going back to get a high chair.”
“Me, either.” Maggie shuddered, her eyes troubled.
Reese didn’t have any problem figuring out what it was that bothered her. “It’s not your fault, Maggie.”
“If I hadn’t come, then none of this would have happened.” She kept her voice low, but he caught the slight tremble that shook her words.
Reese rested a hand on her shoulder and squatted in front of her and Belle. He looked into her eyes and said, “You have every right to be here. Letting him scare you into taking precautions is smart. We did that tonight and you’re fine. Letting him ruin your life is not going to happen. Not as long as I’m around. Got it?”
He saw her swallow then give a slow nod. “I agree, but I can’t put other people in danger anymore, either. If something had happened to Holly tonight...” She bit her lip. “I can’t do that anymore.”
Reese glanced around, then sighed. “You may be right. He’s escalating, becoming more bold. Trying to get to you in the middle of a crowd like this...” He shook his head. “I didn’t think... I’m sorry. I really thought it would be fine for you to come. I’ll stay right by your side for as long as you want to stay, then I’ll take you home and make sure you’re safely inside.”
“Then what?”
“Then we keep our eyes open, watch our backs and catch him the minute he lifts his head.”
* * *
For the next week, Maggie’s nerves stayed wound up tight. At night, her adrenaline surged at the slightest sound. During the day, she kept the doors locked, the alarm on and only took Belle outside if the deputy on duty was by her side.
A lot of times that deputy was Reese.
In fact, it was more times than not, she’d noticed. As the days passed and she spent more and more hours in his presence, getting to know him and finding out the little things that made him tick, Maggie realized she could fall hard for this man.
If it wasn’t for his reluctance to be around Belle. True, he’d held the baby the night someone had broken in, but she didn’t think he’d really wanted to.
And that hurt.
Maggie sighed and logged off the computer. For the past few days, she’d juggled her classes and Belle, while trying to find child care. Fiona, Cal’s sister, had volunteered to watch Belle today at their ranch while Maggie worked. It was Cal’s day off, and he was there to keep an eye on everyone, including his nephew, one-year-old James. Abby was working late and Joseph, Fiona’s husband, was on a horse-buying trip. Brother and sister would hold down the fort and take care of the two children.
Now that her classes were done for the day, the house echoed its silence. She missed Belle and her baby chatter, but Maggie had to admit that she was looking forward to enjoying the time to herself for the next two hours.
The phone rang and she jumped. Placing a hand over her racing heart, she wondered if she’d ever be able to fully relax again.
“Hello?”
“I hear you have some free time.”
She smiled at Reese’s statement. “How’d you hear that?”
“Cal told me. He offered extended babysitting services if you were to accept my invitation.”
“Invitation?” The blood started to hum in her veins.
“I wondered if you might like to have dinner with me.”
A date? Maggie felt her stomach start to twist itself in knots. No hovered on the tip of her tongue.
But she wanted to go.
The week had been slow and had seemed to drag on forever as she’d waited for something else to happen. Something bad. Nothing had happened and she still couldn’t let go of the tension.
“Maggie?”
She’d been silent too long. “That sounds lovely, Reese. I’d love to, thanks.”
A relieved sigh filtered through the line. “You had me worried there for a minute. How about five o’clock? We’ll drive in to Bryson City.”
“I’ll be ready.”
Maggie hung up and just sat there for a moment. It was a little past three o’clock. She had two hours. She wondered if it would be enough time to figure out what she was going to wear.
An hour and a half later, she was ready. Maybe.
Nervousness twisted inside her.
The knock on the door startled her. A quick glance at the clock said four-thirty. Was Reese early?
Hurrying to the door, she peered out the window.
And nearly fell over in shock.
Maggie twisted the knob and threw the door open. “Shannon?”
The pretty brunette smiled. “Hello, Maggie.” The woman looked Maggie up and down and then nodded. “You’re looking good. Widowhood seems to agree with you.”
Maggie threw her guard up. “At least it doesn’t leave bruises,” she snapped.
“Very true. My brother was a rat. You’re well rid of the man. Now may I come in before the officer in your driveway decides to arrest me?”
Maggie stepped back and got a good whiff of Shannon’s strong perfume as the woman whipped past her and into the den. Her jeans h
ugged her perfect figure, the aqua-blue blouse brought out the color of her eyes, and her makeup had been applied with an expert hand.
Shannon looked amazing. As always.
Maggie said, “I’ve had some...trouble. The officer is there to make sure a certain bank robber doesn’t follow through on his threat.”
“Bank robber?”
“It’s a long story. I didn’t know you’d be coming so soon. I thought you’d call or let me know when to expect you.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I just managed to get away faster than I thought. I didn’t want to waste any more time than necessary in getting here.” She plopped on the couch. “Now, where’s my Isabella? I can’t wait to see her.” The excitement in Shannon’s eyes melted Maggie’s ire with her high-handed ways and airs of superiority.
“She’s not here.”
Disappointment fell all over the woman. “Oh, well that’s just not what I wanted to hear. Where is she?”
“With some friends. I have a...” What did she have? Did she dare call it a date? “I’m having dinner with a friend. He should be here soon.”
“Dinner with a friend? A male friend?” Shannon let out a small laugh. “My dear, that’s called a date.”
Maggie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. But she couldn’t help the small smile. “Maybe that’s what you call it, but I’m simply calling it dinner. If it becomes more than two friends getting together for a meal...well, we’ll just see how it all plays out before we put a label on it, okay?”
“Sure, whatever you say.”
“Now, where are you staying?”
With a manicured fingernail, Shannon picked at nonexistent lint on her jeans. “I’ve got reservations at that quaint little B and B on Main Street, but I’m not sure how long I’ll stay there. It’s ridiculously expensive for a rinky-dink town like this.”
Maggie’s brow rose. Shannon worried about money? That was a new one. “Rose Mountain is a wonderful town, Shannon. If you’ll give it a chance, I think you’ll come to love it.”
Shannon pursed her lips. “Hmm. Maybe.” She sighed. “I suppose I don’t have a choice. I sold my house.”
Maggie gaped. “You what? Why would you do that?”
A delicate shrug lifted the woman’s shoulder. “I was tired of it. I wanted to do something new.”
“But what about your job?”
“I quit. It was boring.”
Concerned, Maggie simply stared at Shannon. Would the woman never grow up? Granted, she didn’t have to work, but from what Maggie remembered, she’d seemed to enjoy it. And this was the woman she was going to leave Belle with if something happened to her? She sighed. No, she needed to figure that out soon. Shannon’s impromptu visit just reinforced that decision.
The doorbell chimed and Maggie rose. “That’s probably Reese.” She walked to the door and peeked out. In spite of herself, her heart picked up its pace and her palms went slick. Pulling in a steadying breath, she twisted the knob. “Hi.”
He grinned down at her. “Hey, there. You look gorgeous.”
“So do you.” The words slipped out before she could stop them and she felt a flush creep up the back of her neck. His grin widened and his eyes held a decidedly pleased look.
Maggie cleared her throat and stepped back, motioning him in. “There’s someone here I want you to meet.” Curiosity had him lifting a brow and stepping inside. “I wondered who the car outside belonged to.”
She led him into the den and said, “Reese Kirkpatrick, meet my former sister-in-law, Shannon Bennett.”
The two shook hands. Maggie thought Shannon allowed her grip to linger a bit longer than necessary and was surprised by the little dart of jealousy she felt. Shannon was a beautiful woman. Would Reese...
He turned to Maggie and she could see conflict on his face. Before he had a chance to say anything, Maggie said, “Shannon, you’re welcome to stay here if you like.”
“Oh, no. I’ll just get checked in to my room at the
B and B and see you later.” She frowned and bit her lip, looking uncertain. A very un-Shannon-like look. “Will you call me tomorrow?”
“Sure. I have your number from when you called me last week.”
“Okay, thanks. Y’all have fun.” And then she was gone, leaving Maggie blinking at her sudden perfume-laden departure.
“Wow,” Reese said.
“Exactly.”
“I don’t think Rose Mountain is prepared for her.”
“I don’t think it’s possible to prepare for Shannon. I think all you can do is hang on and hope you don’t get tossed off the life raft when the waves start crashing in.”
Reese laughed, but Maggie wasn’t so sure she meant her statement to be funny. She had enough chaos in her life right now. Adding Shannon into the mix was enough to twist her stomach in knots and set her nerves on edge.
* * *
Maggie hung up the phone after checking on Belle, and Reese wondered if she would stay deep in thought the whole night or just during the ride to Bryson City. “Anything you want to talk about?”
Maggie started. “Oh, sorry. Just thinking.”
“About?”
She let out a sigh. “Everything.” Then seemed to shake it off. “But tonight’s supposed to be fun. I don’t want to talk about worries and troubles. Belle is in good hands, and I’m going to dinner for the first time since she’s been born without her on my hip. It feels good.” She smiled at him and his heart lightened. He really liked this woman.
A lot.
But he wanted to tell her about his baby girl and how she’d died. He needed to explain why he was so uncomfortable around Belle. Although, he had to admit, he was getting better the more he was around her.
But Maggie said she didn’t want to talk about worries and troubles. He reached over to grasp her hand. “Okay, I have one thing we need to talk about and then we can put all serious stuff aside and just focus on enjoying ourselves. You want to talk about it now or at the end of the da—er, dinner?”
She turned slightly in her seat to face him and squeezed his hand. “We can talk about anything you want.”
“Okay.” He pulled in a deep breath and prayed he could get the words out without tearing up. Clearing his throat, he said, “You know my wife died about eighteen months ago.”
“Yes.”
“Well, what I didn’t tell you was that she died in childbirth.”
A gasp whispered from her lips and her hand tightened even more around his. “Oh, Reese, I’m so sorry.”
“She had an aneurysm. The baby, a little girl we’d named Emma, died, too.” He cleared his throat again, hoping to dislodge the knot that always formed there when he talked or thought about his baby.
When Maggie didn’t say anything, he looked over at her to see tears standing in her eyes. He quickly looked back at the road. Taking the longer route on the back roads to Bryson City had seemed like a good idea at the time. He’d gotten off I-74 and turned onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. His purpose had been to keep her in the car with him as long as possible in order to give him plenty of time to get the words out. Now they were out and he wished he’d taken the shorter route. At least in the restaurant, there wouldn’t be the silence surrounding him.
He finally heard Maggie draw in a deep breath. “Well, that explains a lot.”
“Like what?”
“Like why you’re so reluctant to hold Belle and be around her.”
“Oh. You noticed that, huh?”
She flashed him a watery smile. “It’s kind of hard not to.”
“I’m sorry, Maggie. Belle is a beautiful child. It’s just hard sometimes because when I’m around babies, the memories seem to crash in with more force. The memories, the emotions, the...loss, it just all seems magnified.”
“I’m sure.”
He drove in silence for the next few miles then asked, “Have I ruined our evening by telling you this?”
For a moment, she didn’t answer, then she gave his hand an
other squeeze and said, “No way. We both need this. I’m glad you told me.” More silence, then, “So how’s living in the boathouse working for you?”
He gave a surprised laugh at the change of subject. “It’s fine for the next couple of weeks until my house is put back together.”
Reese caught sight of headlights coming up fast behind him. Keeping his eye on the rearview mirror, he sped up. The person following him jammed the gas, and before Reese could do the same. The impact slammed him forward against the seat belt.
TEN
Maggie screamed as the seat belt cut into her right shoulder and jerked her back against the seat. Reese’s truck swerved to the right then back into the lane as he fought for control. “Get your phone and call Eli!”
Maggie bent and grabbed her purse from the floor, slipped her fingers into the side pocket and pulled out her phone. She didn’t know if she’d be able to hear over the pounding of her heart and the squealing tires.
“Here he comes again,” Reese warned, his voice tight, knuckles white on the wheel.
Maggie felt her muscles brace for the next impact and sent up a desperate prayer. Metal crunched metal as she kept a tight grip on the phone. She slammed forward then back, her elbow hitting the door. Pain raced up her arm and she ignored it as Reese jerked the car to the left, pressed the gas pedal and zoomed forward.
Her fingers found the touch pad of the phone and it lit up. “What’s Eli’s number?” she gasped.
He told her and she punched it in then held the phone to her ear. “No, call 911. Eli’s too far away.”
She hung up and hit the three digits that would bring help. She hoped. Her heart beat fast, adrenaline made her fingers tremble.
The car swerved left, then right. She didn’t even want to know where they were on the mountain. She was almost glad for the dark. At least she couldn’t see how far she had to fall if the car shot through the guardrail.
The phone rang. Then cut off. “No cell signal, Reese.”
“That’s why he waited until this moment to attack. I’m an idiot. I should have stuck with the highway.”
A car whizzed by on the left and Reese muttered, “We’ve got to stop this guy or someone’s going to get killed.”
Danger on the Mountain Page 10
