Eyes locked on hers, Ryan tugged on her hand, easing her closer. Her resolve melted away. So what if he’d hurt her once? He was a teenager then. He was an adult now, and he wouldn’t do the same thing again.
Could she trust him?
Not when his nearness and compassion were drawing her into making a decision she wasn’t ready to make. She needed to put distance between them before she did something stupid.
She pulled her hand free and rose to her feet. “I asked Verna to file an insurance claim yesterday, but she didn’t have a real sense of urgency,” Mia said, using the first excuse she could find to leave. “I’ll go down to the office and see if she did it.”
Ryan let out a rasping sigh and came to the edge of the seat. “I’ll go with you.”
“No. Relax. I’m sure Russ and his men are still at the barn and I’ll be safe.” Mia started for the door.
His jaw tightened. “It’s nearly dark. I don’t want you out there alone.”
Bandit hopped up, a hopeful gleam in his eyes.
“I’ll take Bandit.” She lifted his leash off the table. “You’ll guard me, won’t you, fella,” she said to the tail-wagging puppy.
“Still, I’ll come with you.”
She sighed and snapped the lead on to Bandit’s collar. “You can’t be with me twenty-four hours a day, Ryan. Nothing is going to happen. I have my cell and Bandit. So chill. I’ll be back in a flash and then we can go to David’s house.”
She pulled the door open and rushed out before Ryan insisted on coming after her. Leaning against a post, she drew in the cooling air to clear her head of his scent and intoxicating gaze. This had to stop. Either she needed to make sure they weren’t alone again or she’d find herself running as she’d done since she arrived here. Running into the dark and maybe running for her life if she wasn’t careful.
Ryan came to his feet and strode to the front window. If Mia thought he was going to let her traipse off with a miniature dog as her only protection, she was as crazy as he was starting to feel. Lunatic crazy from her waffling behavior.
One minute she was stroking his face, the next she was bolting from him as if he were the killer. He couldn’t take much more of it before he sat her down and forced her to tell him what she was thinking. But what good would that do? She never responded well to force.
He peered out the curtains and when she’d gone down the stairs, he counted to ten and went after her. He didn’t want to get too close, but he fully intended to keep her within his sight.
He set off at a sedentary pace, his eyes fastened on her back. The wind kicked up from the west and whistled through rasping branches raising his uneasiness. Once he crested the hill where he could watch her make the final trek to the office, he pulled out his cell and dialed Russ.
“I don’t have any more news, if that’s why you’re calling,” his brother barked into the phone.
Ryan didn’t have a chance with Russ in this kind of mood, but still he had to ask. “Can you post someone at the lodge for the night? I’m really worried something will happen to Mia.”
“Don’t have enough men the way it is. With no attempt on her life, I can’t justify the cost of overtime.”
“Cost?” Ryan shouted, the sound traveling down the hill and halting Mia’s steps for a moment. She looked back, and he slipped behind a tree and lowered his voice. “Can you put a price on her life?”
“Look. With all the police presence out here today, it’s not likely anyone would go after her tonight. Now if that’s all, I have a killer to catch.”
“Thanks for nothing.” Ryan hung up and watched Mia enter the office.
Father, help me to keep Mia from rushing into danger and work on Russ’s heart so he’ll offer protection for her.
He rushed down the hill to wait outside until she was finished. Russ said it wasn’t likely someone would come after her. Well, Ryan wasn’t about to risk her life on an assumption, even if he had to dog her every step.
Mia found Verna sitting with slumped shoulders behind her desk. She wore large glasses with thick lenses and fed papers into a shredder. The very shredder Verna had purchased yesterday and wasn’t important to Mia at the time, raised a red flag now.
Mia shut the door and the other woman jumped.
Verna spun her chair. “’Bout scared the living daylights out of me.” She slipped a file under a large blotter and glared at Bandit who lunged at the filing cabinet behind the desk. Nose to the floor as best the cone allowed, he sniffed at the bottom drawer.
Verna kept her eyes on him as if afraid of dogs. “When Wally was alive, that dog wasn’t allowed in the office.”
Mia shushed Bandit, and he settled on his hind legs. She needed to get her questioning over before Bandit took aim at Verna. “I just stopped by to see if you had a chance to file the insurance claim.”
She jutted out her chin. “No, I didn’t have time.”
Though Mia was taken aback by the virulent response, she shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “No problem. I’ll take the paperwork with me and fill it out tonight.”
Verna didn’t move, but sat like a queen on her throne, drumming her fingers on her jean-clad knees.
“Is there a problem with me doing it?” Mia asked.
“Problem? No. I just don’t like you inferring I’m incompetent.”
Mia waved a hand. “Nothing like that at all. I want to be sure it’s done soon, and I know how busy you are.” Bandit slowly eased toward the corner cabinet, sniffing the floor on the way. “So is the file in there?”
Verna gave a terse nod.
Mia laughed and tried to lighten the mood. “The way he’s acting you must have food stored in there, too.”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no.” She lifted a key on a chain from around her neck and slid forward to open the top drawer.
Bandit charged on his oversize puppy paws. He rose up on hind legs and sniffed the bottom drawer. If Verna didn’t keep food in the cabinet, why would Bandit be all fired crazy about getting in?
Bandit sensed something Mia didn’t, but she aimed to find out what. “Glad to see you’re careful with the records.”
“Never had to do this before, but with all that’s been happening since you showed up, I decided it was a good idea to start securing the payroll and tax records.”
“That all you keep in there?”
Verna eyed Mia. “Why all the questions?”
Mia shrugged and decided to move on before alerting Verna even more. “Speaking of locking, did you think any more about the barn?”
Verna started thumbing through the files. “Like I said yesterday, there was nothing in there worth locking up so I didn’t think about it again.”
“Maybe a dead body was reason enough to chain the doors?”
Verna jerked out a folder and slapped it on the desktop. “You aren’t gonna shock me that easily, Mia. Russ Morgan told me all about the body.” Her eyes held a spark of victory. “Besides, if the guy was already dead there’d be no need to lock him up.”
“You’re assuming he was dead and in the barn when the chains were put on. Know something I don’t?”
She slammed the drawer closed, turned the key then spun with an angry glare burning into Mia’s eyes. “I don’t like the tone of your voice, young lady. If you’ve got something to say, come right out and say it—or leave it alone.”
As much as Verna was acting all secretive and weird, Mia really didn’t think the woman was a murderer. A control freak, a pain in the rear, but not a murderer. It just didn’t make sense that she had anything to do with the crimes. She really had no reason to burn down the barn. Besides, the man said he wanted to scare her away and Verna gained nothing by scaring Mia off. If Mia ran, the property went to David, not Verna.
Mia thought it best to end their conversation. “I’ll just take the paperwork and go.”
Verna thrust the folder at Mia then turned her back.
Mia tugged on Bandit’s leash and rus
hed into the darkened outdoors where the temperature had turned as frosty as Verna’s attitude. Ryan stood by the door, clapping his arms to keep warm.
“Are you okay?” His eyes searched her body as if looking for injury.
Her heart melted over his concern, but her rational brain was irritated from his need to watch her every move. “What are you doing out here? I feel like you’re stalking me.”
“I want to make sure you’re safe.” His words reverberated with concern.
With a tone like that, she couldn’t be mad at him, but she wasn’t going to let him pull her in with some deep conversation like in the lodge.
She’d keep things light between them. “As stalkers go, you’re bearable.”
He rewarded her acquiescence with a dynamic smile. “Let’s get this little guy settled in his crate so we’re not late for dinner.”
She tugged on Bandit’s leash to get him moving in the right direction. Ryan fell into step with her. A ruffling noise sounded ahead on the path. Bandit shot off, dragging Mia behind.
She jogged with him until he reached the porch and paused at the bottom of the steps.
“Wonder what spooked him?” Ryan let his gaze rove over the area.
“Probably some animal.”
“Or not.” He stopped and let his eyes connect with hers. “In the future, Mia, I don’t want you out here alone. Especially not in the dark.”
She bristled at his demanding tone. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” Her words had been strong, but as she looked at the bullet holes in the door, uncertainty constricted her heart.
Would she be fine or would the person behind all these threats strike again? Not with a warning, but this time with a deadly attack.
FIFTEEN
Mia fixed a smile on her face and listened to David’s family engage in good-humored teasing. This was the way of life she remembered before their mother died. The way of life she longed for again. The life she could have if she would let go of the pain and demands inflicted by her father. And of course, if she could find a man she could trust not to take over her life and smother her.
She looked at Ryan, her heart warming at how he’d jumped in when nerves had her stammering answers to questions. He’d playfully tickled both of the girls, chatted easily with Peg and David while Mia sat frozen on the sofa unable to relax and interact. The stakes were so high here. Alone after Uncle Wally’s death, she needed family and she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize a relationship that might be forming.
Ryan crossed the space and sat next to her. “Relax,” he whispered. “You’re a pretty terrific woman. Just be yourself and they can’t help but love you.”
Her eyes met his and a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders. He was the real deal. Everything he professed to be. A strong man, yet one with compassion and kindness. A man who had her best interest in heart. A man she should give in to and trust.
Hanna, David’s six-year-old daughter, came across the room and stood before Mia, breaking the spell between her and Ryan.
Hanna fingered Mia’s wispy blouse. “When I grow up I’m gonna wear pretty clothes like these everyday.”
Mia offered a genuine smile. “I like to dress up, too.”
“Do you wanna see my party dresses?”
“Hanna,” David warned. “Mia’s here to visit with all of us.”
Hanna’s lips turned down.
“How about we take a really quick look?” Mia asked.
“Yay!” Hanna shouted, and tugged Mia from the couch.
Mia let Hanna lead her up a winding staircase to a pink frilly bedroom. Hanna jabbered about parties, dresses and shoes while Mia nodded and offered affirmation when appropriate.
Hanna held out a pair of black patent dress shoes. “Grandpa gave me these shoes for my birthday. They even have heels like yours.”
Mia’s cheerful mood evaporated. She kept her smile fixed in place but her stomach turned. Would she ever be able to think about her father without this pain or was she deluding herself? Had she really ruined any chance to repair the rift with him after blaming him for the fire?
The doorbell chimed, and Hanna jumped to her feet. “Let’s go see who’s here.” She raced out of the room, leaving Mia to follow.
At the landing, she heard Hanna shriek, “Grandpa!”
Mia paused, her nervous butterflies returning.
Male voices she recognized as her father’s and David’s drifted up the steps.
“Did she come?” her father asked.
“Yes, but before you go in, you need to know I didn’t tell her you’d be here.”
“Surprising her like this isn’t a good idea, David.”
“I didn’t think she would come if she knew you’d be here and this has to stop before it escalates any further. I for one don’t want another visit from the police asking me if I’m involved in a crime, do you?”
“No, that was humiliating to say the least.” He sighed.
So this is why he came. Because he’d been embarrassed. Mia’s heart tightened, sending a pain into her chest.
“I can understand her thinking badly of me. I deserve it,” her father continued. “People she’s run into since she’s been back tell me what a fine woman she’s turned out to be, and I can’t reconcile that with her sending Russ to interrogate me.”
“She didn’t…I did.” Ryan’s voice, sure and strong floated up to Mia.
Surprised that Ryan joined the other men, she crept closer so she could see the trio.
“I don’t understand,” her father said.
“You never have.” The anger in Ryan’s tone touched Mia’s heart. “Even though the two of you have the only valid motives to want her gone, she would never ask Russ to talk to you. Even when Russ blamed her for the terrible things going on around here.”
“Russ thinks Mia is involved in all this?” David’s tone suggested he was shocked.
“Not anymore.” Ryan ran a hand over his head. “Look. We’re here for a nice dinner. What say for one night we forget the past and try to get to know the incredible woman Mia has turned out to be? You owe her at least that much.”
Tears at Ryan’s kindness threatened to break free. True, he was taking charge, making things happen on his timeframe and in his way, but she could see this time it was done out of pure compassion.
She swiped a thumb under her eyes, and headed for the stairs. No matter how her father and David answered Ryan’s request, she would not hide from them anymore.
After dinner, Ryan held the door of his truck and Mia climbed in. He was amazed at how well the evening turned out. He didn’t know when Mia had decided to give her father a chance but she had. Sure, their dinnertime conversations were filled with stilted meaningless chitchat and hard to watch, but Ryan saw the desire in both of them to find common ground.
Feeling like whistling over the success of the evening, he ran to the other side of the truck and climbed in. He cautioned himself to cool it. Quit pushing as hard as he had in the last few days and let her choose the topic of their conversation.
He slipped the truck into gear and eased on to the highway. They rode in silence for several miles before she started to fiddle with the handle on a gadget bag sitting on the seat between them.
“Have you taken up photography?” she asked almost as if she didn’t know she was speaking.
“Me? Nah. Chuck borrowed my truck to get supplies for the documentary crew and left this stuff in here.”
“Hope he doesn’t mind if I snoop.” She zipped open the bag and pulled out a camera. “He must have dropped a bundle on this.”
“I forgot you were into photography. You do any of that anymore?”
“Not much since high school. I still keep up to date on cameras, though. Would love to have a digital SLR, but this one is around two grand for just the body.”
Ryan laughed. “SLR? In English, please.”
“Oh, sorry. SLR is single lens reflex.”
“Right. Much bett
er explanation.” He laughed again.
She held the camera up and looked out the window. “Maybe when I get back to Atlanta I should take this up again.”
Get back to Atlanta. She said it with great enthusiasm, as if this was the best present she could receive. Not for him. He hated the idea of her leaving. They’d just started to get to know each other again. If the creep threatening her was caught, the two of them could settle into a nice routine. As friends. Maybe more. Once she was safe, out of danger so he didn’t need to worry about losing her.
But what if her heart wasn’t free? What if she had someone in Atlanta and that was behind her desire to return?
He didn’t want to spoil the mood, but he had to ask. “You sound so eager to go back home. Is there a boyfriend waiting for you there?”
“No one special.” Her tone was laced with a hint of melancholy, and she ended with a sigh. Maybe she was free. “I’m surprised no man has snapped you up by now.”
She shrugged. “It’s not easy finding someone you want to spend the rest of your life with.”
“Or keeping them,” he said in whisper that sent all of his pain at losing Cara into the space.
Mia settled the camera on her lap and faced him. “Gladys told me what happened with your fiancée. I’m so sorry for your loss. That must have been terrible for you.”
“Thank you. Lots of people have said that to me over the last few years, but I’ve wondered if they understood.” He flipped on the blinker to signal his turn into Pinetree’s driveway. “With the loss of your mother, you’re one person who knows how I feel.” Making the turn, he shook his head. “I should have been there for Cara.”
Mia squeezed his arm. “Blaming yourself for what happened is a heavy burden to carry, Ryan. Take it from me. No matter what happened, you weren’t at fault. You didn’t kill her. You need to let it go or you’ll never be able to develop a relationship with another woman.”
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