Brink of Danger

by Christy Barritt

  Ansley could hardly breathe as the truth smacked her across the face. “I’m glad you get a second chance, Kit, but not like this. You can’t hurt people.”

  “Of course, I can!” Her voice rose. “It’s all I know how to do. I eliminate threats. He’s next on the list.” Kit nodded toward Ryan.

  “Ryan hasn’t hurt me.” Ansley backed in front of him, fearing for his life.

  “He will. Just look at what he did to those men in Philly. I know all about that. I did my research.”

  “That was an accident. You can’t blame him for that. It doesn’t mean he’ll hurt me.”

  “You can’t know that! Now, tie him up.” With her gun, Kit pointed to the post again. To the rope. To the area where Ryan had been left earlier.

  Ansley shook her head. “I can’t do that.”

  “You’re my little sister. You’ll do what I tell you to do. I practically raised you.”

  Ansley sucked in a breath. Kit was losing it, wasn’t she? She wasn’t in her right mind.

  How were she and Ryan going to get out of this?

  Ansley didn’t know.

  But as she looked up, she saw the flames on the ceiling.

  This building was on fire.

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  Ryan could feel the situation escalating. Could feel the danger crackling around them.

  They didn’t have much time.

  And Kit was looking crazier by the minute. The lilt of her voice was higher, her motions jerkier, her eyes even bigger.

  “Tie Ryan up!” Kit yelled. “Now!”

  “I won’t.” Ansley shook her head, not wavering in her resolve.

  Kit smacked Ansley’s face. “You’ll do what I tell you to do.”

  As Ansley let out a gasp, Ryan pulled her toward him. He desperately wanted to shield her, but there weren’t many options here. He had to think of a way to get out of this situation.

  Ryan stared at the gun. One pull of Kit’s finger could change everything. It was one more reason why he had to be careful here.

  “I planned all of this, you know,” Kit said, spittle coming from her mouth as she narrowed her eyes in front of them. “I made sure you were strapped for cash, Ansley. I messed with your AC. Your car. I made sure to run into you.”

  “Kit . . .” Ansley sighed, almost compassionately.

  “And the bookstore was perfect. I could look up anything I wanted. It made me an expert—on ziplines. Brake lines. Whittling.”

  “You’re the Woodsman?” Ryan asked, the pieces fitting together.

  Kit smiled. “That’s right. My dad was an expert woodsman. Most people called him a lumberjack. He taught me everything I know.”

  “You whittled those figurines, didn’t you?” Ryan asked. “Was it just a coincidence, or did you put Ansley’s face on them?”

  Kit’s smile widened. “I’m glad someone picked up on that. I didn’t want all my hard work to be in vain. Ever since my sister died, I’ve made those figures. Over the past few weeks, Bella’s face has morphed into Ansley’s, though.”

  “Where did you even make them?” Ansley asked. “I’ve never seen you with a knife or wood.”

  “At my shop. Behind the counter. No one ever came into my store. I had plenty of time.”

  Ansley licked her lips. “Did you cause the carbon monoxide poisoning at my mom’s?”

  “I did. She was horrible to you—part of your problem. Someone needed to teach her a lesson.”

  “And you traded out my pain pills for sleeping pills?”

  Not even a hint of remorse crossed her face. “Yes. I couldn’t have you waking up when I left. It only made sense.”

  “Kit . . .” Ansley’s voice cracked.

  Kit snapped out of her reminiscing and shook her head. “Tie. Him. Up.”

  Her voice sounded thin and tight, like she was on the verge of totally losing it.

  Ansley clung to him. “If he dies, then so do I.”

  “Don’t be one of those stupid girls. Didn’t I teach you better than that?”

  “You didn’t teach me anything,” Ansley said, her voice even and calm. “I’m not your sister.”

  Kit raised her gun and shot it into the air. “Yes, you are!”

  A chunk of the ceiling came down, flames at the edges. Ryan pulled Ansley back, out of harm’s way.

  He started to reach for Kit’s gun but stopped himself as Kit righted herself. She aimed the weapon at them again, not missing a beat.

  Flames lapped at the rug now, and more smoke filled the room.

  Ryan glanced at the door behind Kit.

  Was that Murphy outside?

  It was. His crewman ducked behind the entryway. He’d seen what was going on.

  Now if only Ryan could send him a message.

  His guys didn’t carry guns.

  But they did have something else that was just as powerful.

  Murphy peered around the corner again, and Ryan nodded toward Kit.

  Murphy nodded.

  Maybe he’d gotten the message.

  Ryan prayed he had.

  “Fine.” Kit’s nostrils flared, but a new light flared in her eyes. “We don’t have to tie him up. I’ll lock him up. It’s just a matter of time before this whole place goes up in flames.”

  Ansley watched as the rug burned, the flames slowly moving along section by section like the slow burn of a cigarette. Kit was right. They didn’t have much time.

  The whole place would be destroyed soon.

  But locking Ryan up? What was Kit thinking? In a bathroom?

  Ansley drew in a breath as she pictured how Kit wanted things to play out. She wanted Ryan to be trapped in this place while the building burned to the ground.

  Ansley would be powerless to do anything to stop her.

  She had to think of something and fast.

  She coughed.

  The smoke was thickening in the apartment. In her lungs.

  What was going on outside? Was the whole town on fire? Was an inferno blazing around them?

  Ansley didn’t know. She didn’t want to think about it.

  It would be a moot point for her anyway. There was a good chance she wouldn’t survive this.

  She couldn’t let things end without telling Ryan how she felt. She knew the timing was bad. Terrible. But this couldn’t wait.

  “Ryan?” Ansley’s gaze remained on Kit’s gun as the woman stood in front of them, sweat dripping from her skin.

  “Yes?”

  “I know this will sound crazy, but I’ve loved you for a long time. I just wanted you to know that.”

  Ryan squeezed her shoulder. “I’ve never forgotten you, Ansley. And I never will. I want to explore us. I know we both have a lot of baggage. But I think we can make it work—we just need patience and time and a lot of forgiveness.”

  In the middle of this horrible moment, a burst of hope filled Ansley’s heart. Maybe she could have the happy ending she’d always wanted. Maybe she’d find her Mr. Fitz who’d build a staircase to nowhere, just to make her happy.

  “Oh, isn’t this cute? Thanks for letting me share in this moment. But enough talking. You.” Kit pointed at Ryan, sarcasm and anger dripping through her words. “Get in the bathroom. You will not break my sister’s heart. No man is worth that emotional turmoil. And that’s what you are, isn’t it, Ryan? A heartbreaker.”

  “I have no intention of breaking Ansley’s heart,” Ryan said. “I care about her. I’ve made a lot of mistakes—and I don’t intend on making them again.”

  “Is that what you told the woman back in Philadelphia after you killed her husband and left her children fatherless?” Venom practically dripped from Kit’s stare.

  Ryan sucked in a deep breath. “It wasn’t like that.”

  “I don’t have time to act like your psychotherapist right now.” Kit’s nostrils flared. “Ansley and I are going to get out of here. We’re going to do what we’ve always dreamed about doing.”

  “What’s that?”

/>   “We’re going to get a cabin in the mountains and become homesteaders. Mom and Dad taught us everything we need to know about how to live off the land, even how to build our own cabin. We’ll never have to see anyone. Ever again. It will be perfect. After all, sisters are forever.”

  Ansley felt her throat tighten. Kit truly had lost her mind.

  She really thought this was going to happen, didn’t she? What was Kit going to do when she figured out it would never work? That Ansley would never purposefully live in a cabin with her and pretend to be her deceased sister?

  Just as another piece of the ceiling crashed to the floor, a shadow appeared in the doorway.

  Ryan grabbed Ansley and pushed her to the floor, away from the flames. His body covered hers.

  A rush of water filled the space.

  Ainsley blinked.

  It was Murphy. With a fire hose.

  He’d aimed it at Kit. Pummeled her with the spray.

  She fell to the floor, her eyes wide. The gun flew to the other side of the room.

  The water extinguished the flames—for a moment at least.

  “Are you okay?” Ryan asked.

  Ansley nodded. She thought she was okay. She was alive, at least.

  With that affirmation, Ryan pushed himself off her. He darted across the room and grabbed the gun then aimed it at Kit. The woman sat sputtering against the wall, looking unsure what had just hit her.

  Luke rushed into the room, handcuffs in his grip.

  “Kit Shields, you’re under arrest,” he muttered.

  “You can’t arrest me!” she yelled “You’ve got a town to evacuate.”

  “You might be surprised.”

  Ansley paused. What did he mean by that?

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  Ryan pulled Ansley close to him. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded. “I think so. You?”

  “Yeah, I think so.” He took Ansley’s hand. “Let’s get out of this place. We don’t know how far the fire has spread.”

  He led her outside, expecting to see the whole town on fire.

  Instead, it had started to . . . rain.

  Ryan lifted his face, letting the drops hit his face. Cool his skin.

  He felt the promise of better days ahead.

  “This is . . . an answer to prayer,” Ansley murmured.

  “Yes, it is.”

  The drops came down harder. Harder. The fire crew around him cheered, still holding onto their hoses and putting out what flames they could see.

  Ryan pulled Ansley into his arms. “This could have been a totally different outcome.”

  “Yes, it could have.”

  Without wasting any more time, he lowered his lips to hers in a long, lingering kiss.

  “What was that for?” Ansley asked when he pulled away.

  “Because I almost lost you, and I’m glad I didn’t.”

  She grinned. “I’m glad I didn’t lose you either. I’m sorry all of this started because of me.”

  “It wasn’t your fault. You couldn’t have known.”

  “Someone—Kit, I think we can safely say—left a picture for me of you with a woman and the two boys. It said, ‘What Ryan left behind.’ Do you know what that means?”

  “It’s the widow and children of the firefighter I lost in Philly. I stay in touch with them, try to help them out as I can. She’s engaged now. That’s when I knew it was okay for me to leave Philadelphia. She had someone else to take care of her.”

  “I can’t believe what a mess all of this has been.”

  “We’re going to work on restoring this mess into something salvageable.” He squeezed her arm. “Are you with me?”

  Ansley grinned. “I’m totally with you.”

  Epilogue

  Ansley gripped Ryan’s hand as she stared at the scene before them.

  They sat beside each other in folding chairs on top of Dead Man’s Bluff.

  One month had passed since the fire. Though a significant amount of acreage had burned and they’d lost eleven buildings in the county, the fire could have been much worse. Fog Lake was in the process of rebuilding, but the damage hadn’t cost them much decline in tourism.

  Despite the losses, they had a lot to be thankful for.

  Ansley squeezed Ryan’s hand. She had a lot to be thankful for. She’d finally found someone who could handle her.

  Kit, in the meantime, was in jail. She’d be in custody for a long, long time. Not only did she need to be behind bars, but she needed mental help. When Kit’s sister had died—had taken her own life—something had broken inside Kit. As much as Ansley wanted to be angry, she couldn’t be. Instead, she just felt sorry for her.

  The rest of the players involved had resumed life as normal. Thickie was now working for a competing zipline outside of town. Jonathan had been found in Gatlinburg. He claimed he ran because he was scared of being framed. Wallace was a little too logical to be heartbroken over any of this. And Murphy had been hailed as a hero for saving their lives.

  “You may kiss the bride,” the preacher said.

  Ansley smiled as she watched Boone lean forward and plant a soft kiss on Brynlee’s lips. The two formed a perfect picture as they stood before a small crowd, Boone wearing an untucked white shirt and Brynlee in a simple, flowy white dress.

  The two were finally married, and there had been no better place for the ceremony to be held than atop Dead Man’s Bluff. Katherine’s tree, named after Boone’s first wife who’d died, stood tall in the background, acting as witness and giving permission.

  That’s how it seemed to Ansley, at least.

  As the ceremony ended, everyone rose.

  Ryan stepped closer to Ansley and lowered his voice. “That was beautiful.”

  “It was, wasn’t it?”

  He kissed her cheek and wrapped an arm around her.

  Ansley hadn’t known she could be this happy, that she could feel this complete. But she did.

  She turned as someone stepped toward them. Her throat tightened when she saw her mom standing there.

  Boone had invited her. Ansley was trying to bring herself to forgive her mom, but it was going to be a long process. Even if she could forgive, could she ever forget?

  Ansley wasn’t sure what the answers were. But she did know that she had to let go of any of the anger she had inside her. Otherwise . . . she might end up like Kit one day.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony,” her mother said, looking as awkward as Ansley felt. Her eyelids fluttered and her motions were stiff as they stood in front of each other.

  “It was. I’m happy for Boone.”

  “I am too.” Her mom shifted. “I heard you’re taking over the zipline—Dustin’s old business.”

  Ansley nodded. “I sure am. It went up for sale, and I figured, why not? Boone and Luke spotted me the cash I needed to buy it.”

  “You’ll do a good job at it.”

  “Thank you.” Ansley hoped that was the case. She was excited about the future possibilities.

  Her mother frowned, and her hand fluttered up in the air as her hesitant gaze met Ansley’s. “I know this is coming too little, too late. I was wrong, Ansley. I’ve made my bed and now I have to sleep in it. I . . . I have a lot of regrets in my life. Leaving you was one of the biggest.”

  Ansley said nothing, only nodded. What could she say? Was it too late to undo the damage? Probably not. Could they start fresh? Maybe.

  But Ansley was going to need some time.

  “Thanks for saying that.” Ansley’s voice cracked as the words left her mouth.

  With a nod, her mom left, walking toward Boone and Brynlee.

  Ansley turned toward Ryan, a million thoughts racing through her mind. “Can I tell you something, Ryan?”

  “Of course.”

  She stepped back, still clinging to one of his hands. Something about the ceremony made her reevaluate her future. Made her want to share how she felt—even if it might mean rejection.

  “Ryan, I�
�ve done a lot of stupid things in my life. Like, a lot a lot.” Ansley’s throat tightened as the words left her lips.

  “We all have.”

  “I don’t deserve a love like you’ve given me. God would have been just if He told me no, if He didn’t grant me the desires of my heart. But, despite my shortcomings, He gave me you anyway. I thank Him every day for that.”

  He pressed a quick kiss on her lips. “Ansley . . . I’m the one who doesn’t deserve you.”

  They stepped into each other’s embrace. Neither of them had to say anything. It just felt good to be together. To have someone to lean on.

  Even if it was a strapping man who drank froufrou coffee and liked to read.

  She smiled. She loved Ryan. The total package.

  She could stay in his arms like this all day and never tire of it.

  Ansley turned as she heard multiple gasps behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw a familiar figure standing there in his military uniform.

  “Jaxon?” she whispered.

  Her brother grinned.

  Releasing Ryan’s hand, she rushed toward him and pulled him into a bear hug. Tears rushed to her eyes. She’d missed him so much.

  “You’re home,” she murmured. “I can’t believe you’re home.”

  Jaxon glanced behind her at Ryan. “It looks like a lot has changed.”

  Ryan extended his hand, a grin across his face. “Good to see you, man.”

  Jaxon nodded. “Good to see you too.”

  “What . . . how . . . why?” None of the questions would properly form and leave Ansley’s lips.

  Jaxon got the drift. His eyes darkened with unspoken secrets. “It’s a long story. But I’ll be here for a while. I can’t wait to catch up with everyone.”

  “We have a lot of catching up to do,” Ansley said.

  Jaxon nodded. “Yes, we do. But for now, let’s celebrate.”

  Ansley nodded. They did have a lot to celebrate . . . even more so now that her brother was back.

  Also by Christy Barritt:

  The Other Fog Lake Suspense Books: