Strangers in the Night

by Patricia H. Rushford

  “Travis told me you were the one who found Barbara’s scarf.” Sam sighed. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that.”

  Abbie nodded. “So am I. But at least we know what happened to her.”

  Sam sat down and, placing her elbows on the table, cupped her chin in her hands. “The lake is much bigger than it looks. We get a few fishermen out here.”

  Abbie watched as someone, probably Travis, jumped out of a red pickup and went into the house. She couldn’t see well enough to distinguish his features. “I’m assuming that’s Travis.”

  Sam had a wistful look in her eyes. “Hmm. Wonder what he’s doing home so early. He and Keith were working in Oceanside today on a hotel project.”

  “Are you—I mean—the way you were looking at him just now…”

  “I’m not looking, but if I were, he’d be on my list. Actually, he’s…was dating Barbara Nichols.”

  Isabelle came back in, having changed into burgundy sweats that hung loosely on her slender frame. “Much better.”

  Sam placed the cookies on the table and went to rescue the whistling teakettle. Abbie selected lavender-infused Earl Grey from the basket Sam handed her.

  “So, tell us about yourself, Abbie. Jake mentioned that you were a widow and that you have a little girl.”

  “Yes.” Abbie dunked her teabag, wondering how much detail to go into. Even now, two years later, thinking about Nate and the subsequent loss of her unborn baby often reduced her to tears. “Nathan, my husband, was killed in a farming accident two years ago.” She sipped at her tea, hoping that was enough of an explanation to satisfy their curiosity.

  “I’m sorry.” Isabelle stirred a minuscule amount of sugar into her tea and poured in some cream. Her sky-blue gaze lingered on the tea. “I understand what you’re going through. I lost my husband in a logging accident when I was about your age. All those years ago and I still miss him terribly. Leaves a hole in your heart that can never be filled. Oh, I managed to go on—I had two children to care for.”

  Abbie nodded. The hole in her own heart could be likened to the Grand Canyon. She didn’t want to talk about her losses, and Isabelle must have sensed her reticence, because she asked about the artist community and for Abbie to share her vision.

  Abbie was more than happy to oblige.

  An hour later, having eaten a wonderful afternoon tea with sandwiches and desserts, Abbie thought it might be a good idea to go back to the B&B before darkness settled in. She liked these women and hoped they’d be living in Cold Creek for a long time. By the end of the visit, Abbie counted Samantha and Isabelle as friends.

  After saying good-bye, Abbie made her way down the hill and through town to the B&B. Darkness descended and along with it an eerie sense that she was being watched. She looked around but saw no one. This time when she passed the Victorian, there was no movement in the upstairs window. She shuddered anyway and pushed aside the scary thoughts she considered juvenile.

  Once safe in the B&B, she relaxed a bit. “Are you okay? Abbie?” Dawn asked when Abbie came in the kitchen. “You look pale.”

  Abbie released a nervous laugh. “I’m fine. Just spooked.”

  “I know what you mean.” Dawn hesitated. “I used to feel safe here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, I hate to think that Barbara’s death is a forerunner of things to come, but… Hopefully the authorities will catch her killer and Cold Creek can go back to being like it was.”

  Dawn gestured toward the stove. “I’m making stew for dinner. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “Thanks. But I had sandwiches and snacks with Isabelle and Sam.” Abbie headed for her room. When she stepped in, she felt a chill and noticed that the sliding patio door stood open. It was then she saw a note lying on the dresser. It read simply, Leave while you still can.

  CHAPTER 18

  Abbie threw the note to the floor as if doing so would negate the fear its words had burned into her. A scream caught in her throat and exploded in a muffled sob. Who could have left the note and when? Obviously, whoever had left it had come through the sliding glass door. Had she left it unlocked earlier? Abbie didn’t think so.

  Hoping to recapture a semblance of calm, she took several deep breaths. Part of her wanted to run—to do exactly what the note said. Leave. Maybe she should. She’d run away before. Abbie hurried out to the phone in the entry and dialed for an operator. When one came on the line, she asked for the sheriff’s department. After telling him an intruder had left a threatening note, she dialed the operator again and asked for Jake’s number.

  Once her calls had been made, Abbie turned, to find Dawn standing beside her. “I couldn’t help but hear. What’s going on?”

  “I’m not sure.” The familiar scent of the stew emanating from the stove settled Abbie for a bit. Almost brought her back to a sense of normalcy. Almost.

  “Abbie.” Dawn set a plate in the sink. “Are you all right?”

  “Not really.” She told Dawn about the note.

  “Where is it?”

  “On the floor in my room. I thought I should leave it for the police.”

  “That’s probably a good idea. Oh my word. Abbie, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how someone could have come in without my seeing them unless they came when I went to pick up Cassie.”

  “I left then too.” Abbie shivered and rubbed her arms. “But I was sure I locked my door.”

  Dawn sighed. “I didn’t lock up the B&B. I usually don’t. No one around here worries about locking doors. It’s not like we live in a big city.”

  “Even so, I locked the door to my room. Who would do this?”

  “I can’t imagine.” Dawn came around the counter and placed an arm across Abbie’s shoulders to guide her to the table. “Come on, have a seat and I’ll get you some tea.” Abbie complied and, several minutes later, warm mug in hand, she said, “I don’t understand. It’s obvious someone wants me to leave, but why?”

  Dawn set her mug on the table and lowered herself into the chair across from Abbie. “I’m guessing whoever left the note doesn’t want you to buy Cold Creek.”

  “You may be right. Jake told me that Barbara had been talking to a developer who wasn’t too happy about my offer coming in ahead of his.”

  “I suppose he could have written the note.” She frowned. “I met the guy. He’s a pompous you-know-what. We might want to mention him to Ted.”

  “Ted?”

  “Sheriff Moore.”

  “Oh, right.” Abbie’s fears escalated again, but this time it wasn’t from the danger posed by the note writer. This time she worried about one of the police officers discovering her secret.

  “Speak of the devil. Here he comes.”

  “Good evening, ladies.” The sheriff tipped his hat as Dawn ushered him in.

  “What’s this about a threatening note?” He sounded more annoyed than concerned.

  “It’s back here. I found it on my dresser when I got back to my room tonight.” Abbie walked with him to her room as she told him about the note and where she’d found it. “I left the patio door ajar like it was when I found it in case you want to dust for fingerprints.”

  “Huh.” He gave the note a cursory glance and ignored the patio door. “My guess is that someone is playing some kind of prank. Not everyone in these parts is happy about Isabelle selling out.”

  “Aren’t you going to bag the note as evidence?” Abbie had read enough mysteries to know how the police worked.

  He waved her off. “No need. If this threat is real, I’m guessing the only prints we’d find would be yours.”

  “What’s going on?” Jake came into the room with Jeff following close behind.

  “Nothing much. Apparently somebody’s trying to talk Mrs. Campbell here into leaving town.” He shrugged and hooked his thumbs in his belt. “Far’s I know, writing someone a note isn’t a crime, regardless of what it says.”

  Abbie bristled. “As far as I’m concerned this note
is a clear threat.” She felt a hand on her shoulder and knew it was Jake.

  “May I see the note?” he asked.

  “Sure, why not.” She handed the note to Jake. “Apparently the sheriff isn’t interested in trying to get prints off of it.”

  “No need to get upset, little lady.” Sheriff Moore folded his arms. “There’s been no crime committed here. Leastwise, not that I can see.”

  Abbie wondered if maybe the sheriff was one of the folks Dawn had talked about who didn’t want Cold Creek sold. Why else would he be so blasé?

  Jake passed the note to Jeff. He didn’t say anything, but Abbie thought she saw a muscle in his jaw twitch.

  Abbie turned to face Sheriff Moore, who was now talking into the static-ridden radio he’d lifted from his belt. When he lowered the radio, she confronted him. “What you’re saying, Sheriff, is that until this person acts on his threats you aren’t going to try to find him?”

  “That’s about it, Abbie,” Jeff answered as he folded the note and tucked it into his shirt pocket. “No disrespect intended, Ted, but in light of Barbara’s murder, maybe we should take this more seriously. Could be the same person who killed her is coming after Abbie.”

  Abbie sucked in a sharp breath. Up until now, she hadn’t connected Barbara’s death with the menacing note or her presence in Cold Creek.

  The sheriff shrugged. “Maybe. If you all want to print the place, be my guest. You guys are better equipped to do that anyway.” He raised a hand and made for the door. “I’ve got some business to attend to out in East County.”

  Abbie watched him go, anger competing with the terror Jeff had just instilled in her. Barbara’s killer? After her? She turned to Jeff. “Do you really think there might be a connection?”

  “There’s a possibility. We don’t have a clear motive for Barbara’s murder yet. What we do know is that she was involved in this property and so are you.”

  “I am as well, so why not target me?” Jake placed an arm around Abbie’s shoulders. She leaned into him, taking refuge in his nearness.

  “We’ll check for prints, Abbie, but the sheriff is probably right— whoever did this made sure he didn’t leave anything behind.”

  Abbie nodded. “Thank you for taking the threat seriously.”

  Jake pulled her closer. “Why don’t we leave Jeff to check the place for clues while we have dinner in town?”

  “Oh, um…” Abbie glanced at Dawn, who’d been standing just inside the doorway. “I ate earlier with Sam and Isabelle.”

  Dawn moved away from the wall. “Even so, it might be good for you to get out of here for a while. Take your mind off that note.” She frowned. “And whoever wrote it.”

  “I have to agree,” Jake said.

  “You’ve convinced me.” Abbie snatched up the jacket she tossed on the bed when she first came in. Turning back to Jake, she asked, “Do I need to change?”

  He shook his head. “You’re perfect.”

  The double meaning wasn’t lost on her—or apparently on Dawn. Abbie’s cheeks warmed as Dawn winked and offered a knowing smile. “You kids have a nice time. I won’t wait up. I will, however, lock the place up. I’ll get you a key to the front door.”

  “Thank you.”

  Abbie and Jake followed her to the entryway, where Dawn rummaged through a drawer in the curio cabinet.

  Abbie tucked the key into her bag along with her room key and preceded Jake out to his car. Memories of their cross-country trip eased into her mind and brought an element of peace. She felt safe with him and almost wished he’d stay at the B&B tonight—in his own room, of course.

  As it turned out, Jake, Tim, and Jeff all spent the night at the B&B taking shifts on the patio just outside her room. With her own personal guards, she should have felt safe, but the intruder had her just about ready to give up the entire project and go back to Grand Forks.

  By morning, she’d gone back and forth a hundred times and in the end decided to move forward. Except for Leah, she had never tolerated bullies. Leah could make anyone’s life miserable, but Abbie had been free of Leah’s bullying for two years now and was determined that she wouldn’t be so easily intimidated again.

  Still, she might have bent to the threat had it not been for Jake, Tim, and Jeff. At dinner the night before, Jake had made her promise that she wouldn’t go anywhere alone. He hadn’t had to ask twice. Abbie tossed aside the covers and hurriedly washed up and dressed in a pair of capris and a white shirt. The men were gone now, Abbie saw as she opened the curtains to the patio.

  The terror of the night before faded in the light of day. The water lapping at the edges of the sloped yard calmed her. Oddly enough, she’d begun to feel at home in this little town. She straightened her bed and finished just as Dawn called her for breakfast.

  Tim and Jeff had gone to work and only Jake remained. He sat at the dining room table now, waiting for Abbie to join him. “Where is your family?” Abbie asked of Dawn as she settled into a chair.

  Dawn poured hot water into her cup. “Already gone. We have a kitchen in our living quarters, so we don’t usually eat out here.”

  Dawn served them a wonderful breakfast of coddled eggs and English muffins topped off by a Dutch waffle with strawberries and whipped cream. She then excused herself to do chores, leaving Abbie and Jake to linger over coffee and tea. Being in the lovely room with Jake made Abbie’s world seem right again.

  “I suppose you’re ready to ditch the entire project.” Jake set his empty cup on the table.

  She hesitated several moments before answering. “Is that what you think I should do?”

  “I like the idea of turning this place around, but not if there’s a chance you could be hurt.”

  “Thank you.” She sipped at the now lukewarm coffee. “Last night I was ready to pack up and go home. But I don’t want to back out. When I met you, my biggest fear was being arrested. I still don’t know why that hasn’t happened, but—”

  “I can answer that.” Jake leaned forward, arms on the table. “You can breathe easy on that score. Yesterday when I talked to Leo, I asked him to check on your status. I talked to him before breakfast today. He says there are no outstanding warrants. Apparently, Leah never brought charges against you.”

  “She never…” Abbie couldn’t believe it. “So all this time I’ve been in hiding for nothing.”

  Jake covered her hand with his. “I wouldn’t say that. If she had legal guardianship of Emma, then unless you filed to oppose her, she would still have it. She could take Emma away if she discovered your whereabouts.”

  Abbie closed her eyes. “What do we do now?”

  “Leo is working on the situation. Discreetly, of course. He’ll find out where you stand and do whatever needs to be done to make sure you regain custody.”

  “Thank you.” She sighed and withdrew her hand from his, feeling the need to step back. Poor Jake, he had enough to do without babysitting her. Having him handle her affairs and deal with the attorney reminded her too much of those times she had allowed Leah to handle things like the funerals—and Emma’s care. True, she’d been grief-ridden then and needy, but she should have known better.

  “I appreciate all you’ve done for me, Jake, but I’ve come to depend on you too much. I need to stop relying on you to fight my battles for me.”

  He frowned, his eyes full of concern. “That sounds like a dismissal.”

  “Please don’t be hurt. It’s just that I shouldn’t expect you to feel you have to protect me or deal with the attorney in my stead. I’m more than capable of taking care of myself and Emma.”

  “I never thought you weren’t.” He smiled. “Besides, I like looking after you.”

  Abbie touched his arm. “You’ve done more than your share.” She liked having him look after her, but it wasn’t right. She could easily fall into the same pattern she’d had with Nate. He along with his father and brother had allowed Leah to rule over all of them.

  How different things could have
been if Nate hadn’t been so passive. If he’d taken the initiative and moved them into a place of their own.

  Stop it, Abbie, she told herself. It does no good to blame Nate. You could have insisted. You could have walked away. Abbie brought her thoughts up short. It hadn’t been that simple. She would never have left Nate. And if he hadn’t died when he did, she’d probably still be on the farm.

  She squeezed Jake’s hand. “I’ve made a decision. I’m going to buy this place. I’d like to sign the papers today. I want to meet with the attorney and find out exactly what I need to do to gain custody again.”

  Perhaps she hadn’t meant to cut him off as she had, but Jake felt like a man who’d been set adrift. He understood her wanting to be independent, but he’d begun to settle nicely into the role of her protector or knight in shining armor, so to speak. He supposed he should be happy. After all, she’d just committed to buying the largest piece of real estate he’d listed in years. Still, he couldn’t help but be concerned. Abbie had been threatened. Barbara had been murdered.

  “Are you sure?” Following Abbie’s lead, Jake pushed back his chair and walked into the large common living room. He could hear a vacuum cleaner running somewhere above them.

  “No, but I won’t be bullied into running away.”

  Jake nodded. “I can understand that. I’ll talk to Jeff about making sure you stay safe.”

  “There is one thing you can do for me, Jake.” Her tone was as determined as the stern look in her eyes.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Help me buy a gun.”

  CHAPTER 19

  That evening, when Jake dropped Abbie off at the B&B after dinner they were met by half a dozen women who were seated in the living room.

  Abbie hadn’t planned on going out with him again except that he’d brought her the weapon she’d asked for and she had questions about the property. She wanted specifics about the people who still lived there and needed to know which properties in town belonged to private individuals. Fortunately, all the land already sold lay along the east side of Cold Creek, none on the lake or along the creek. She appreciated that the property she would buy was intact—one large piece that included all of Bear Lake.