Danger on the Mountain

by Lynette Eason

  A shudder ripped through her as she remembered his violent anger when she’d told him she was pregnant.

  Belle yawned and settled her head on Maggie’s shoulder. That simple action by her sweet baby settled Maggie’s nerves as she lowered herself into the rocker. Usually this was her favorite time of the day, rocking the child, but she now wanted Belle to hurry up and go to sleep. Her mind clicked as she wondered what Reese wanted to talk about. The fact that he’d been open with her and had discussed the loss of his wife was touching. Sympathy made her ache. They’d both lost a spouse.

  Only Reese had loved his wife.

  By the time Kent had died, the only things Maggie had felt for him were hate and fear.

  And then she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to be loved by a man like Reese Kirkpatrick.

  SIX

  Reese couldn’t get Maggie off his mind. Not just because she was a lovely woman, but because she was a lovely woman who was in danger. The menacing message left on her porch drove that home to him, and he felt a responsibility to do something about it.

  Reese pulled out the small notebook and pen that he carried everywhere. He started in the den and made notes about the location of the windows and the way the furniture was arranged. Then he moved on to the kitchen.

  When he reached her office, he paused, wondering if he should ask permission to invade her space.

  “Reese?”

  At her quiet voice, he turned. The questioning look in her eyes had him flushing. “Hey.” He held up his notebook. “I’m making some notes.”

  “On what?”

  “On how to get you some security around here.” He nodded to her office. “Do you mind if I take a look?”

  “No, I don’t mind. Go ahead.”

  “You need a security system.” He looked at her. “I know they’re kind of expensive, but I’ll check with Eli and see if he knows someone who could give you a good deal along with excellent security.”

  Maggie gave a slow nod. “You’re right. A security system would help me feel much safer.”

  “Also, you need motion sensors outside. I can put those up later tonight after I finish my shift.” He could feel her eyes on him, watching him. He fidgeted, her fixed gaze making him a little uneasy. “What is it?”

  “Why are you doing this? I don’t think most deputies would take such an...interest in a victim.”

  But she wasn’t just a victim to him. She was—well, he wasn’t sure what she was to him yet, but it was more than a victim. “Because...I want to. Maybe it’s because I was in the bank with you.” Maybe it’s because he was attracted to her and was trying to figure out his confusion about that fact. But one thing was certain. “None of this is your fault, and you shouldn’t have to be afraid.”

  She bit her lip and looked at the floor. “If he really wants to get to me, he will.”

  Reese felt his jaw go tight. Reaching out, he lifted her chin to look into her eyes. “Don’t think like that. We’re going to do everything we can to keep you and Belle safe.”

  He wondered if his determination to succeed in that was a matter of leftover guilt that he hadn’t been able to do anything for his wife or baby. His complete and total helplessness in the face of their deaths.

  Probably.

  But Maggie needed him, and he was going to be there for her.

  Her eyes flickered and she swallowed hard as she gave a short nod. “Okay,” she whispered.

  “Okay.” He walked past her into the master bedroom. His first thought was: peace. The room was tasteful, warm and feminine. She’d done the room with colors that reminded him of peaches and cream, and he suddenly felt like a blundering intruder. He made his notes fast from the door. She said, “The window is stuck. I’ve tried to get it open, but short of using a crowbar, I think it’s pretty secure.”

  He gestured to it. “May I?”

  She frowned, but nodded. “Sure.”

  Reese walked over to the window and pushed the curtains aside. Two quick, sharp tugs and the window slid up.

  Lightning flashed, the sound of rain pounding the earth filled his ears. Cold air rushed in, and he quickly shut the window. Over his shoulder, he said, “I think we’ll add this window to the list.”

  She stared, the nonplussed expression on her face almost making him smile in spite of the reason for checking the window. “I guess I need to start working out,” she said.

  Before he could stop the words, he heard himself saying, “You’re perfect just the way you are.”

  She flushed and cleared her throat as she walked toward him, then past him and into the hall. “You’ve been in Belle’s room, so you know what it looks like.”

  “I think I’ve got everything I need.” He paused. “I hate to ask this, but what kind of price range is doable for you?”

  She tilted her head and shrugged. “It doesn’t matter—” Maggie paused, then sighed. “Why don’t you get me a couple of quotes, and I’ll pick one.”

  Reese nodded. “I can do that.” And then he’d make up the difference if he had to. She was going to have whatever security system it took to keep her safe. And give him a little peace of mind.

  * * *

  Later that afternoon, after Reese left with promises to check on her often and be back to install the motion sensors, Belle played in the playpen while Maggie tried to make a decision about her will. Flashes of the robbery danced across her mind, and she shuddered and tried to force the remembered terror away.

  Maggie looked at the balance on the statement from her bank. She still couldn’t believe her grandfather had left that much money for Belle.

  All the time she’d been under Kent’s thumb, been his prisoner in his beautiful house, she’d been so isolated, so afraid to make the wrong move, say the wrong thing or cook the wrong meal.

  And getting a job wasn’t even an option. A stockbroker, Kent had at first declared he didn’t want his wife working because it would make him look unsuccessful, as if he couldn’t take care of his own family. Later, Maggie realized it was just another way for him to control her. If he could have found a way to climb inside her mind and take over her thoughts, he would have.

  But now she didn’t have to worry about that.

  There was something about making her own money to pay the bills, to take care of Belle and herself. She felt independent. Free in a way she hadn’t been since childhood.

  She put the bank statement into the file box and looked at the picture on her desk. Her grandfather and her mother stood arm in arm, smiling as if they didn’t have a care in the world.

  She missed them. Her grandfather had his faults, but he had loved Maggie.

  She thought of the man who’d divorced her grandmother for another woman. “He’s a hard, bitter man,” her grandmother had told her. Her grandmother had gone to her grave praying for the man who’d hurt her so.

  But Maggie had a different memory of her grandfather. She couldn’t reconcile the man her grandmother described with the man she’d known the first eleven years of her life. The one who’d taken her for ice cream sundaes and walks in the park. The one who’d nursed her through the flu while her grandmother and mother had to work.

  Maggie thought about all the people she knew—people she’d only met since coming to Rose Mountain. And made her decision.

  Quickly, she pulled up the template on the computer and started working. Within minutes, she was finished, had the document printed and ready to mail to her lawyer, a nice man she’d met at church. He also represented Eli and Holly. Once done, she stared at the envelope and felt peace flood her. It was the right decision. She slid it under the heavy horse-head paperweight to the right of her computer and made a mental note to mail the envelope tomorrow when she didn’t have to walk to the mailbox in the rain.

  A knock on the door startled her. She hadn’t heard a car drive up. Her eyes flashed to the knives on the kitchen counter, the heavy frying pan on the stove. Her fingers gripped the cordless phone, and she
started to dial 911. Then realized if the person meant her harm, he probably wouldn’t knock on the door.

  Probably.

  Although, he didn’t seem to have a problem ringing the bell after leaving the dead squirrel and horrible message on the porch.

  At the window, she glanced out and breathed a small sigh of relief when she saw Abby McIvers standing on her front porch. Then she frowned. What was she doing here?

  Maggie opened the door. “Hello, Dr. McIvers.”

  The pretty woman smiled. “Please, call me Abby.”

  The rain slowed to a drizzle as Maggie motioned for her to come in. Abby stepped inside and shrugged out of her heavy winter raincoat. Maggie hung it on the hook beside the door and said, “Come into the den and sit down. What brings you by?” She glanced at the clock and figured she had about twenty minutes before Belle would demand her attention.

  “I came to see a patient of mine who lives about three doors down from you. Susan Evans.” Abby frowned as she sat on the sofa. “She’s due any day now and is scared to death. I told her I’d come out and see her as often as I could.” Abby’s frown lifted into a smile. “I’ve heard a lot about you lately from Eli and Reese, and thought I’d come get to know you a bit better.”

  “A rainy day is always a perfect time for a visit,” Maggie said. “Let me put on some coffee.”

  Abby followed her into the kitchen. “I noticed the police car outside. Cal told me what happened with the robber who escaped, so I’m glad they’re keeping an eye on you. I’m sure the attempted bank robbery was incredibly scary.”

  “Very,” Maggie agreed with a shudder.

  “So I’ll change the subject. How’s Belle doing?”

  “All recovered from her ear infection, thanks.” Belle had suffered her fourth ear infection two weeks ago. Abby had been the physician who’d prescribed the antibiotics and numbing drops. “You saved my sanity. Belle finally fell asleep when we got home, and so did I. We both slept for eight hours straight.” She measured the grounds and poured them into the filter.

  Abby sat at the table. “I’m glad.” A slight pause, then, “Reese thinks a lot of you.”

  Maggie looked at the woman out of the corner of her eye. “And you think a lot of Reese, don’t you?”

  A smile curved Abby’s lips. “He’s become one of Cal’s best friends. He’s my brother-in-law. Or former brother-in-law.”

  Maggie jerked. “That’s something I didn’t know.”

  “He was married to my sister, Keira.”

  “He told me she died.” Maggie pulled two mugs from the cabinet. Then looked Abby in the eye. “I’m sorry.”

  Abby’s smile turned sad. “I am, too.” Then she sighed and her expression turned thoughtful. “It’s been a year and a half, though, and I think he’s ready to move on.”

  “Move on?”

  The coffee finished brewing and Maggie rose to pour it into the waiting mugs. She handed one to Abby and motioned to the cream and sugar in the middle of the table.

  While Abby spooned two heaping teaspoons of sugar, Maggie tried to figure out where the woman was going with this conversation.

  Abby picked up where she left off. “Yes, move on. Find someone to spend the rest of his life with.”

  The speculative look in Abby’s eyes caused Maggie to give a nervous laugh. “He and I just met, Abby. I think you might be rushing things a bit here.”

  “True, I probably am.” She shrugged. “I just care about Reese and want to see him happy. And you’re the first person he’s—”

  Maggie waited for Abby to finish. When she didn’t, Maggie prompted, “He’s what?”

  Another shrug, another sip. “Expressed any interest in since my sister died.” Her forehead creased. “At least as far as I know. He just moved here from Washington, D.C., about a week ago.” She set her cup on the table. “But we’ve kept in touch on a regular basis and he’s come to visit and stay with us a lot over the past year or so whenever he could get time off. Cal and I could tell he was looking for something different.” She smiled. “Rose Mountain had gotten to him. He couldn’t stay away. And now, according to Cal, Reese can’t seem to stay away from you, either.”

  Maggie shifted, uncomfortable. “Reese is concerned that I might be in danger—that’s all it is. And I don’t know that I’m ready for any kind of relationship with anyone anyway. I don’t have a very good track record with men, and don’t know that I trust my judgment anymore.”

  Sympathy flashed on Abby’s face. “Sounds like you have a story to tell.”

  “Maybe one day.” Spilling her guts to a stranger wasn’t in her. But she already liked Abby and had a feeling they could become close friends.

  Belle’s cry came right on schedule. “Excuse me a minute.”

  “I need to get going anyway. Thanks for the coffee.” Abby smiled as she rose and placed her half-finished cup in the sink. “Maybe we can do this again when I can stay longer? Or maybe you and Belle can come out for dinner one night?”

  “I’d like that.” And she would. She needed a friend here in Rose Mountain. It was time to start trusting people again.

  Abby rested a hand on Maggie’s upper arm and said, “I didn’t mean to push and I’m not a nosy, interfering matchmaker.” At Maggie’s lifted brow, Abby laughed. “Okay, at least I’m not most of the time, and I promise I won’t be from now on. I just wanted to...” She shrugged.

  “Check me out?”

  Abby laughed. “Okay, that’ll do.”

  Belle hollered again and Abby gathered her coat. “I’ll see you later.” She let herself out and Maggie went to get Belle.

  The baby grinned when she saw her mother, and Maggie felt love swell inside her just as it did every time Belle turned that smile on her.

  “Come on, kiddo. Let’s go play until supper time.” She checked to make sure Abby had locked the door behind her, then, for the next hour, Maggie entertained her daughter.

  But Maggie couldn’t quite keep focused on the playtime as her mind kept going back to the attempted robbery, the ugly sneer in the robber’s voice as he demanded that she and Belle go with him. The dead squirrel with the nerve-shattering message that she was next.

  Fear rumbled through her, and she swallowed hard.

  Glancing through the French doors, she watched the sun dip lower in the sky. Soon it would be hidden, darkness would take over, and she wondered if tonight would be the night that the robber would make good on his threat and be back to kill her and Belle.

  * * *

  “Hey, we got a hit on the vehicle used in the robbery.”

  Eli’s voice came over the phone and Reese set the weight he’d been curling with his left arm on the floor.

  “Who does it belong to?”

  “A guy by the name of Glenn Compton.”

  Reese wiped the sweat from his brow and blew out a breath. “You track him down yet?”

  “Not yet. I’m in contact with the Bryson City P.D. and the Asheville P.D. I’ve got a Be On the Lookout order out on him, so hopefully we’ll hear something soon. I’ll send his picture to your phone.”

  His phone beeped, and he pulled it from his ear to check it. A text from Maggie that read, I’m Fine.

  He smiled and pressed the phone back against his ear. “Okay, Maggie just texted, checking in, and said she was fine. All is okay for now.”

  “Glad to hear it. Let’s do our best to keep it that way.”

  “You know it. In fact, I’m going to go over and check on things in about an hour.”

  “Because you think you need to or because it’s a good reason to see a pretty lady?”

  Reese smiled at the smirk in his friend’s voice. “I think we both know the answer to that one.”

  Eli turned serious again. “I think that’s a good thing, Reese. Holly and I’ve liked Maggie from the moment we met her. She’s a special lady.”

  “I agree.”

  Back to business, Eli said, “Cal will be back in the office tomorrow. We’
ll add him to the protection rotation. He’ll want to help.”

  “Good.” Satisfaction and relief surged through Reese. The more people Maggie had watching over her, the better off she would be. “Keep me posted, Eli.”

  “You know I will.”

  Reese hung up and within seconds his phone buzzed. Eli had sent him Compton’s picture. Bushy brows, ruddy complexion and a hard blue-eyed stare. Reese made note of the features, tucked his phone back in his pocket and stared at the wall. He’d been doing a little research on the man they had in custody before deciding to get in his daily exercise routine. He usually did his best thinking while working out. This time was no different.

  Two of John Berkley’s known associates were missing. Compton and a man named Douglas Patterson. Reese had examined the picture of Patterson and couldn’t tell for sure if it was Slim, the man he’d shot, or not.

  “Could be, though,” he muttered.

  He’d gone on to read that the three of them had been busted for a robbery in a small town just outside of Asheville. But they’d gotten off on a technicality—and the unwillingness of the only witness to come forward and testify.

  In fact, that witness was now missing and presumed dead.

  Reese rubbed his chin. Interesting.

  If they had intimidated that witness to the point of sending him running, Reese felt sure that was their plan now with Maggie. Although, he frowned, he was also a witness and so far, everything had been directed at Maggie.

  Was he next?

  Or the tellers? No incidents with them had been reported, but that didn’t mean something wasn’t going to happen.

  He made a mental note to ask Eli about keeping an eye on the tellers. He’d call and warn them to report anything suspicious. He’d also make an effort to stay extra alert.

  The last thing he needed was to drop his guard and find himself with a bullet in his back.

  Shaking off that thought, he glanced at his watch. Almost 5:30 p.m. He grabbed the bag that held Maggie’s motion sensors and decided to make one more stop before heading her way.