by Regina Duke
Night was falling fast and Thor was getting hungry. He decided to swing by Reese MacAvoy’s restaurant and order some lasagna takeout to reheat at the cabin. His stomach rumbled loudly at the thought. He made the call, then put his phone on speaker to check in with his brother as he drove back to town.
“Hey, Uly.”
“Hey back atcha, baby brother. How’s business?”
“Going great. I hear you’re going to Kuwait with dad.”
“Yep. Someone has to look after the old man. He’s pushing way too hard, if you ask me. I’m hoping to get him to relax on the plane.”
“I feel better knowing you’re going along,” said Thor. “Listen, Uly, I have a little situation here with a client. Are you still in touch with your college roommate? The one who became a U.S. Marshal?”
“You mean Aaron? Sure am. I took him fishing in Alaska in August.”
“Good. Then maybe he owes you a small favor.”
“What’s up?”
“Could you ask him about a possible witness protection situation? I know he can’t reveal any locations, but do you think he could verify whether or not a Colorado couple has been relocated?”
“I’m not sure what he can tell me,” said Ulysses, “but I can sure ask him for you. Give me the names.”
“Agnew Spinoza and his wife, Julie. She had a house here in Eagle’s Toe, and she’s nowhere to be found. I just want to know if it’s safe to keep looking.”
Uly’s voice grew serious. “Wasn’t Spinoza in the news? Linked to some big time crime?”
“Yes, but don’t worry. I’m not going to get involved with that crowd. I’m just trying to verify whether or not his wife is in witness protection.”
“I’ll give Aaron a call and see what I can find out. Hey, by the way, you have made your mother the happiest woman in the world.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“What do you mean, ‘oh yeah’? You text her that you’re getting married and you say, ‘Oh yeah’? Colorado has changed you, bro.”
Thor pinched the bridge of his nose. “Oh, that.”
“Oh, that? Now you say, ‘Oh, that’?” Uly laughed. “Either you are an imposter or you are crazy in love, because you’re not making a lot of sense. Mama is making plans, and she’s over the moon.”
“Uh-oh.”
Uly laughed out loud. “At last, an appropriate response. That’s exactly what I said when she told me. I’m so glad you’re doing this fast, because dad wants to be there.”
Thor frowned at his phone. “I think there are a few things I should explain to mama.” Suddenly his phone beeped. It took him half a second to realize it was the alarm at his office. The security unit on his doors had been breached. “Hey, Uly, give me a call when you hear from Aaron, okay? I have to go.”
He hung up and hit the accelerator.
When he reached his storefront, he squealed into a U-turn so he could park in front of the office door. A moment later he was out of his vehicle and banging through the entrance.
“Ashley? Are you okay?”
Ashley was crouched on the floor next to the desk, and a grandmotherly woman with long, gray braids was on her hands and knees beside her. Thor assumed she was the shopkeeper.
When Ashley saw Thor, she rocked back on her heels. “All clear, Mina. The screeching vehicle was Thor. Let me help you up.”
Thor stepped forward and offered a hand. “Sorry to startle you. The door alarm sounded on my phone.” He lifted Mina off the floor.
Ashley’s tone was clipped. “Well, if you wanted me to use it, you should have told me the code. Britney Beth got snippy, grabbed the dog, and sashayed outside without bothering to give me the magic numbers.”
“I’m sorry about that, too. If you’ll forgive me, I’ll treat you to dinner.”
Ashley sagged onto the chair. “I’m too tired to go out.”
“Good. I mean, that’s okay, because we’re picking up lasagna from Il Vaccaro and taking it home with us.”
Ashley smiled and leaned her head against the chair. “I forgive you. Let’s help Mina get the things I didn’t buy back to her shop.” She struggled to sit up. “Mina, did you swipe the card?”
“Never fear, dearie, I never forget to swipe the card. I have this lovely little device on my phone. If you’ll just sign the screen, we’re done.”
Thor stepped forward. “I’ll do that.” He signed and typed in his email address for the receipt. “No idea when Britney Beth is coming back with my dog?”
“I think she was walking him, so it shouldn’t be much longer. Oh, speak of the devil.”
Britney Beth entered as coolly as the night air she brought in with her.
Rocky leaped on Thor and licked his face.
“Rocky’s hungry, too,” said Thor. “Britney Beth, you set off my door alarm.” He took a moment to cancel it.
Britney Beth stuck her tongue out at him.
Thor ignored her. “Ashley, let’s take your new car. Follow me to the Inn to pick up our food. I’ll leave my car in the parking lot over there. I’m none too sure I want to invite disaster by leaving the mystery car basher another target.”
Britney Beth looked hopeful. “What are we having for dinner?”
Ashley busied herself with gathering the clothes she’d purchased. Mina produced several shopping bags with “Mina’s” on the side, and she assisted Ashley, folding her purchases carefully and stowing them in the bags.
Thor crooked a finger at Britney Beth and moved toward the back room. Once there, he said quietly, “Ashley and I are going back to the cabin for the night. Someone is out to get her, and I need to keep a close eye on her. I think it would be a good idea if you got a room at the Cattleman’s for a few days. The restaurant over there is excellent.”
If looks could kill, Britney Beth’s glare would have dropped Thor in his tracks.
“Fine,” she snapped. “That will give me the privacy I need to have a long conversation with your mama. I have her on speed dial.”
Thor’s patience was wearing thin. He shifted his stance and matched her stare for stare. “Now you listen to me, Britney Beth. You and I have no future together. Even if Ashley and I had never met, there would still be no wedding for you and me. Understand? And if you plan to talk to my mother about what happened the night of the fire, you’d better tell her the whole thing, you hear? Because if she comes to me with half the story, I’ll not only make sure she hears the rest, but I’ll make a special trip to tell your parents!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Ashley and Mina carried their bags to the new SUV.
“What about your shopping cart, Mina?”
“That can wait for morning. My girls are closing up by now. They may have already gone home. You can just drop me off at the shop, if you don’t mind. It’s just down the street.”
“Of course. Get in and make yourself comfortable. I’ll tell Thor.”
As Ashley turned toward the office, Britney Beth stomped out and headed for her Mercedes. Thor emerged a few moments later with an attache case in his hand. He took a few moments to lock the door. Rocky trotted up and down the pavement, ready to go.
Ashley approached. “Is everything okay?”
“Sure. Britney Beth is not having a good day.”
“Oh, I could have told you that.”
Thor fiddled with his keys and finally found the right one.
“I’m going to drop Mina off at her shop. I’ll meet you in the Cattleman’s parking lot, okay?”
“Sounds great.” He turned the key, withdrew it, and swung around to face Ashley, nearly knocking her over in the process. “Oh, I’m sorry!” He caught her.
“Ooof. Clumsy. Of me.” Ashley’s voice faded to nothing as Thor pulled her close. She could feel his body heat, and even through the layers of clothing her arms tingled where he touched her. Other things tingled as well, and they weren’t even being touched. She placed her palms on his chest. She knew if they got any closer, she would spontaneousl
y combust. A part of her mind wondered if that would turn him on.
Thor looked down at his hands, still cradling her arms, and let go all of a sudden. He cleared his throat. “I let Britney Beth get to me. I shouldn’t do that.”
“Is she coming back to the cabin?”
“I suggested she get a room at the hotel.”
“Oh.” Ashley’s syllable expressed complete understanding of the situation. “No wonder she’s miffed.”
Thor made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a snort. “You do have a way with words.”
Ashley was standing only inches from Thor’s chest. It occurred to her that Mina was still waiting in the SUV. She cleared her throat. “Okay. Well. I’ll drop Mina off and meet you at the Cattleman’s. Good. Fine.” She still wasn’t moving.
Thor smiled at her. “Feet not cooperating?”
“Strange, isn’t it? They were functioning perfectly just a few minutes ago.”
Thor leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her mouth. “We are engaged, after all. We should keep up appearances. In public, at least.”
“Oh, yes. Appearances. Got it.” Ashley pulled on his jacket and kissed him back. The second kiss lasted several seconds longer than the first.
The sound of the SUV horn startled them both. Mina stuck her head out the window.
“Sorry, lovebirds. I have to feed my cats.”
Ashley called, “Coming!” But she walked backward toward the vehicle, not wanting to tear her eyes off Thor.
“See you in a few minutes,” said Thor. He was sidestepping toward his own vehicle, and he nearly tripped over Rocky.
Ashley shook off her enchantment and scurried to the driver’s door and got in. “Sorry, Mina.”
Mina was grinning from ear to ear. “No need to apologize, dear. Young love, and all that.”
Ashley started to protest. After all, she and Thor were just pretending to be engaged. But then again, for their plan to work, everyone else had to believe they really were in love. So she bit back her protest and shoved her key in the ignition.
By the time Ashley pulled into the driveway at The Cattleman’s Inn, Thor was standing outside holding two large white takeout bags from the restaurant. His attache case was balanced between his ankles. Rocky pranced next to him, sniffing the bags with serious interest. Scattered flakes of snow were beginning to fall. Ashley was thrilled with her full-length red down coat. For the first time since she arrived in Eagle’s Toe, she was toasty warm.
Thor opened the back door for Rocky, slipped his attache case behind the seat, then got in the front. He set the food on the floor between his feet, then strapped on his seatbelt.
“It’s starting to snow,” he said. “Are you okay with that?”
“Are you kidding? I’m a Colorado girl. This is nothing. Besides, if I could drive my little sedan through winter after winter, I can certainly handle a little snow in this four-wheel-drive super car.” She inhaled deeply. “However, you may have to open one of those bags and feed me parmesan toast as we go. Or does my nose deceive me?”
“Your nose is right on target. Almost as good as Rocky’s. That’s the part he was most interested in, too.” He opened one of the bags and extracted a warm and aromatic length of toasted baguette. “Shall I tear off pieces for you?”
Ashley held out her hand. “Power steering. I think I can do toast and driving at the same time. You play with the stereo.” She tore off an edge and fed it to Rocky.
“Hey! You’re going to spoil my dog.”
“I’m just evening the playing field. Britney Beth isn’t the only one who can bribe him with food. Every time she sees him, she gives him something to eat. I just want him to know that I can also be the giver of good things. Besides, I still owe him for saving me from that guy in the parking lot yesterday.” She steered adeptly with one hand and bit off a chunk of parmesan toast.
Thor leaned back in his seat and sighed contentedly. He held his own piece of toast in the air in front of his nose. “This stuff is delicious. Hey, I forgot to tell you. I checked my phone a while ago, and there hasn’t been a single message or text from my mother all day. You are a genius.”
“I must admit, my solution seemed a lot simpler yesterday when I sent that text. You know. Before I knew it would bring Britney Beth down on us. She must have been nearly here before I texted your mother.” She recalled what Mina had said about Britney Beth’s frequent visits. “Does she come here often?”
Thor grumbled, “Oh, yeah. Way too often. I asked her last time why she didn’t just stay home and find herself a job or something. Anything to keep her busy and tied to Texas.”
“She could model wedding gowns,” offered Ashley.
Thor laughed. “Wasn’t that pathetic?”
Ashley cast a glance in his direction, then focused on the road ahead. “You sound like you feel sorry for her.”
Thor shrugged. “I guess I do, in a way.”
“I’m not sure that’s the wisest way to handle her. Mina says she shows up on your doorstep at least once a month. That implies more often. I suspect Britney Beth doesn’t have a job in Texas because she thinks her job is here in Eagle’s Toe. She carries that wedding gown around with her. No offense, but I don’t think she’s playing with a full deck. I think you have a stalker.”
Thor was silent for several minutes.
Ashley wondered if she’d gone too far.
At last Thor spoke. “You’re probably right. Which makes one more thing we have in common. Someone appears to be following us.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Thor kept his eyes on his side mirror.
“Tell me more about your dad.”
“You’re just trying to take my mind off that car back there.” Ashley sounded glum.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to be so transparent.”
That earned a smile.
“You’re very sweet,” said Ashley. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, you know. Being so sweet and so good looking all in one package.”
Thor’s ears perked up. “Good looking?”
Ashley humphed. “Don’t pretend you don’t know you’re good looking.”
Thor couldn’t be sure, but he thought he heard a smile in her voice.
“I didn’t think you noticed.”
Ashley stifled a giggle.
“Well, you can stop wondering. I have noticed. You are definitely attractive.”
“Better than Ashton Kutcher?”
“Much.”
Better than Brad Pitt?”
“Very much.”
“Better than Justin Timberlake?”
“Don’t push your luck.”
Thor laughed. “I guess two out of three isn’t bad.” He checked the side mirror again. The headlights were still there, and another set had popped up behind them. Maybe he was being paranoid. He would know for sure if they followed them onto the road that led to the cabin.
“What about me?” asked Ashley.
“Hm? I’m sorry. My mind wandered for a moment.”
Ashley sighed. “I guess that means I’m not getting two out of three.”
“Don’t be silly. You get three out of three.”
“How can you say that? I haven’t even mentioned any names.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’d win.”
“Liar.”
“Try me.”
“Okay.” She never took her eyes off the road. The flakes were falling faster now. “Am I prettier than J Lo?”
“Definitely.”
“Prettier than Mila Kunis?”
“Much.”
“Prettier than—?”
“Her, too.”
“You don’t even know who I was going to mention.”
“Doesn’t matter. You beat them all.” He let his appreciation of her beauty color his voice. “You’re the most beautiful woman I ever met.” Then realizing how much of himself he’d revealed, he added, “Of course, I haven’t actually met every woman on the planet, so I have to concede t
hat there may be one or two out there who would come close.”
He could see Ashley nod by the dashboard lights.
“Of course,” she concurred. Then her voice softened. “Am I prettier than Britney Beth Beale?”
“Oh, my, yes. No contest. Hands down.”
“Good.”
This time he was sure she was smiling. He checked the side mirror again as Ashley turned onto the road to the cabin. Nothing. He breathed a quiet sight of relief.
A moment later, he choked on it as two headlights turned slowly onto the narrow road.
“Damn.”
“I see it, too,” said Ashley. “Whoever it is seems to be in no hurry. I hope that means no more kidnapping attempts.”
“Amen to that.”
“I hope you have your gun handy.” She made a funny sound. “Now there’s a phrase I never expected to use.”
“Don’t worry. Between me and Rocky, we’ll keep you safe. When we get to the cabin, pull around to the side by the kitchen deck. We’ll go in that way.”
“What about the shutters?”
“There’s an outdoor switch hidden on the deck. The shutters will roll up and in you’ll go. Here.” He reached into his pocket and held out the house keys. “The kitchen key has a rubber cover on it.”
Ashley took the keys as she pulled carefully around the side of the house. “No motion sensors?”
“I don’t turn them on unless I’m home. Otherwise, every passing deer would activate them. Darn it. My flashlight is in the other car.
Ashley stopped the vehicle and turned off the lights. The car following them up the driveway was not yet visible. It was moving very slowly, or it had stopped.
Ashley took her phone from her purse. “I have a flashlight app on my phone.”
“Beautiful and smart, too.”
“Flatterer.
Thor smiled. “Next to the light at the corner of the house, there’s a box, like a garage door opener. Punch in 1949. The shutters will roll up. Then you can unlock the kitchen door and get inside.”
“Aren’t you coming?”
“In a few minutes. I want to wait out here and see if that vehicle comes down the driveway. Rocky, go with Ashley.”