Traitor (Last to Leave Book 1)

by Nicole Blanchard

  "You think it's that serious?"

  "I think if someone is going to the trouble of concealing a murder so well that the police can't find a sign, and they knew you saw them, then they have to be worried about what else you may have seen."

  "If you're right and they did cover their tracks, then that night, they must have taken the body with them. Hid it somewhere else to make sure the cops wouldn't find any evidence of it."

  I stare out over the glassy surface of the lake and shiver. It hadn't occurred to me that night because of the shock of everything going on, but I'd been in that water with the woman when she lost her life. I'd been so close and couldn't save her. Like I hadn't been able to save my parents. The dark depths seem much more ominous than they did the day I arrived in Windy Point. Even though I know her body more than likely isn't among the long, slimy arms of seaweed, their dancing shadows send fingers of fear up and down my spine.

  "Then, the body could be anywhere. Lots of places for someone to get lost out here in the mountains. There are other rivers, lakes.”

  "That poor woman. No one to know where she went, or even that she's missing. It's like she simply doesn't exist anymore."

  Ford steps into my view, blocking the lake. "She does. You saw her, you know what happened. We'll do what we can to make sure we find out what he did with her."

  "If he took her body away, we don't have the boat or any other sign of them, then all we have is my word to go on."

  "I didn't figure you for a cynic," Ford said, as we began walking the rest of the way around the lake. "Shouldn't artists be all dreamy, hopeless romantic types?"

  "I think anything dreamy and romantic about me died a long time ago," I reply with a wry smile.

  "I wouldn't say so."

  I give him an arched look. "Really? Why not?"

  With his eyes on the shoreline in the steady, calculating way of his, Ford simply shrugs. "I looked up some of your work. You can't paint the way you do and say you aren't a romantic. I've seen people who've lost hope, lost the light inside them." He glances back at me, cool and assessing. "You aren't one of them."

  "Well, be still my heart, I think you gave me a compliment."

  He shrugs, the tips of his ears going a little pink. The sight delights me in ways it shouldn't for someone who wants to keep her distance. "Don't go picking out rings over it."

  "I wouldn't dream of it." Well, who'd have thought it? Ford has a soft side. I'd counseled myself out of wanting more than the one night with him, but damn if I don't wish circumstances were different. "I don't think we're going to find anything out here," I say, trying to distract myself from thoughts of his lips on mine again.

  "It was a long shot."

  "Yeah, probably, but I appreciate you taking the time to come look."

  "Anytime. Let me walk you back up to your car."

  I reach out and snag his jacket with a hand. "You don't have to do that."

  The look he gives me has me releasing my hold. "I'm not going to let you wander around the woods by yourself. Don't make me throw you over my shoulder," he says. When my body heats and my nipples tighten, his eyes go right to the thin material of my shirt. My flimsy bra does nothing to hide my arousal. "Jesus," he murmurs. I don't know if it's an expletive or a plea.

  When he steps closer, I don't think I care. All the rationalizing I'd done when I pushed him away evaporates as he pins me against a tree. He thrusts his hands into my hair and as much as I'm intimidated by his size, I realize there are some definite advantages as those wide palms and long fingers cradle and massage my scalp. He overwhelms me, undoes me. Even as his mouth covers mine, I know resistance is useless. Despite my fears, I submit to him, accept the dominant thrust of his tongue. Because when a man like Ford kisses you, it's not a seduction. It's an overtaking.

  I moan against his lips and clutch at the material of his shirt to pull him closer. His body crashes into mine and I fall back against the tree, heedless of the bark biting into my flesh. He cages me there, his arms cradling my spine as though to protect it from any discomfort. But it doesn’t matter. The second his hands dip beneath my shirt, I can’t feel anything but the pleasure his touch inspires.

  “I don't give a fuck about if you're leaving or timing bullshit. I want to see you again,” he says roughly between deep, drugging kisses.

  “Um,” I say, trying to marshal my thoughts into some semblance of order. “Wait, what? I don't—”

  "It's not rocket science, sunshine. Much as I want to get you naked, we should probably back up and do this the right way."

  I shake my head to clear it. "The right way?"

  "As in dinner, movies." He lifts a shoulder, skims his lips over mine. "A date."

  My breath shudders out against his mouth. I pull back far enough to suck in gulps of cool air. "You're asking me out on a date?"

  He presses his forehead against my shoulder and skates his hands up and down my back. “Around five. That work for you? There are a couple places in town, I'm not picky so you can choose as long as it's not the vegan place. I like you well enough, but I need real food.”

  With a shaky breath, I say, “One date. I'm not promising anything other than that.”

  He tugs my hand and begins to walk. I'm assuming it's in the direction of where I parked, but even if my head weren't swimming from his kiss, I'd have no clue. "I don't need promises, Peyton. I just want you."

  The next day, I can barely keep from dancing around the floor at work. I’m humming softly when Alice sidles over and crosses her arms over her chest, an amused smile playing on her lips. “Something’s got you in a mighty fine mood,” she says.

  “I’ve got a date,” I confide, unable to keep the news to myself. Uncle Bradley isn’t exactly one for gossip, and I haven’t had time to make many other girlfriends.

  “Oh, really? And who exactly is the lucky guy?”

  I scoot forward in the chair at the table where I’m sorting through supplies. The chair legs squeal against the tiles, but I don’t care. I have to tell someone before I burst wide open. “Ford. Ford Collier? From the lodge.”

  Instead of being excited, Alice leans forward, her voice growing serious. “Ford? Really?”

  I ease back, her tone tamping down on my mood. “Yes. Why?”

  She shrugs noncommittally and then waves at a couple of customers who are on their way out. “Just that nasty business when he was in the service and all. Didn’t you hear about that?”

  I recall my conversation with Lexie. “Of course. I haven’t questioned him about it, we’ve barely spent much time together. This is technically our first date.”

  Alice gets to her feet and lays a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure it’s nothing, dear. What do you two plan on doing?”

  My enthusiasm somewhat diminished, I concentrate on putting lids on paint bottles and tubes. “Well, I’m not sure. He’s been secretive about it. All I know is to meet him at the lodge today after work and to wear clothes I don’t mind getting dirty. I think he’s probably taking me hiking somewhere.”

  “Probably going to take you up to Windy Point. Have you been?”

  “I haven’t had the chance yet. I’ve been so busy with my uncle coming into town and getting settled. I’ve heard it’s beautiful, though.”

  “It’s gorgeous. There are a ton of trails and it can be very romantic if you go up there right near sunset. Lots of inspiration.”

  “Sure sounds like it.” I glance up at the clock, noting I still have another half hour before the end of my shift. I can practically feel the ticking of the second hand throughout my whole body.

  “You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin, girl.”

  I laugh at myself. “I know, I’m being silly. I haven’t been on a date in a long time, and even though he and I are sort of friends, I feel giddy. It’s ridiculous, I’m sorry,” I babble as I tote the supplies to the closet.

  “You don’t have to apologize to me. I’ve been married for the better part of two
decades and you remind me of what my husband Jim and I were like when we were your age. Of course, things are different now that we’re older.”

  “I shouldn’t be going out with him since I don’t know how long I’ll be staying.”

  Alice puts a hand on her hip. “Now I may not be so keen on Ford in particular, considering his past, but you have a right to take your happiness while you can get it, God knows it can be in short supply.” She catches me glancing at the clock again and her responding laugh is tinged with a bit of exasperation. “Oh, why don’t you run along home? I know I won’t get much done with you for the rest of the day with you distracted. Besides, you’ve worked hard this last week.”

  “Are you sure?” I ask, as I start to undo my apron and grab my purse from my employee cubby.

  I’m already half out the door when she answers. “You be careful now!”

  Except, I’m barely listening. I think I’m done being careful. I left Mississippi so I could take chances. Life is short, and I want to take a chance on Ford.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ford

  “But how come you get to go out on a date and I don’t?” Lexie screeches as she follows me from my bedroom to the bathroom. “It’s not fair!”

  “Because I’m an adult and you’re a child. You can date when you’re thirty.”

  Lexie makes a disgusted face in the mirror, causing me to chuckle. “That’s ancient, Uncle Ford. Besides, Cody, the boy whose parents are staying in room 214 will only be here for a couple more days. He’ll be ancient, too, by the time I’m thirty. He’ll probably ask someone else if you say no.”

  I study Lexie in the mirror. “If you don’t bug me for the rest of the night, I’ll think about it and ask your mother when I get home.” She begins to squeal and I give her a stern look. “I mean it, the rest of the night.”

  She nods her head almost violently. “Yes, I hear you, Uncle Ford. I won’t make a peep. You won’t hear me, you won’t see me. I’ll be like a little mouse.”

  “If your mom says no, then that’s that, and I don’t want to hear any whining about it. Got it?”

  Lexie’s smile falls a little and she says, “It’s not like she’ll care. She’s off having fun and she left me here. She shouldn’t really even get a say.”

  Sometimes I forget the young woman behind me isn’t the two-year-old with the raucous giggle and pigtails who used to chase me around the rare times I was able to come home on leave. She’s grown up on me, in more ways than one, and as she stares down at her hands, for the first time since they showed up on my doorstep, I’m grateful.

  “Hey, look here.” She glances up, then tries to look away, but I take her chin between my fingers. “Your mother has her problems, everyone does, even me, but she does love you. When she gets back, she and I will have a serious conversation about leaving you like she did, but I want you to know that I care about you. I haven’t said it near enough, but I’m here for you, even if she isn’t.”

  Her eyes water, making me vaguely uncomfortable, then she throws herself bodily into my arms. “I love you, Uncle Ford,” she says against my chest. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  Lungs tight, I press a kiss to her hair and inhale the scent of strawberries. “I love you, too, squirt.”

  She squeezes me again for emphasis, then bounds backwards a couple steps. “I’m going to go check outside and see if Peyton’s got here yet. Maybe Cody is in the lobby!”

  I follow her movement out of the bathroom with a smile tugging at my lips. I may not have been overjoyed to find her and my sister on my doorstep, but maybe the best things in life are sometimes the most unexpected.

  Once I’ve finished getting ready, I grab my wallet and keys from the nightstand and find Lexie chattering animatedly with Peyton at the front door.

  “Ready to go?” I ask when I reach them.

  Peyton’s eyes sparkle when they meet mine. “Sure.” To Lexie, she says, “Next time you see him, make sure to make him work for it. You’re a very special girl and sometimes guys need to work for it a little.”

  Lexie nods like Peyton’s imparted the knowledge of the universe. “I will.”

  “You go to bed when Nell tells you and no more chasing boys for the night, or I’ll rescind my offer.”

  “Yes, sir, I promise.”

  Peyton wraps her arm around mine. “I’ll take good care of him, I promise.” Lexie’s delighted giggles follow us out the door. “Boy troubles?” she asks.

  “I guess. I’m going to throttle her mother when she gets back.”

  Her hand finds its way to my thigh and I realize I could get used to having her around all the time, having her touch me. I take her hand in mine as I begin to drive.

  “What happened to her?”

  “She ran off with some guy. Who knows? I’m hoping she’ll be back soon because I don’t know dick about taking care of kids.”

  “She’s still alive, so you must be doing something right.”

  I snort. “That’s setting the bar high. So what about you? Any kids or nieces and nephews?”

  “No,” she says with a laugh. “I was in no place to have children. I could barely take care of myself after my parents died, let alone a child. My Uncle Bradley, my mom’s brother, is the only family I have left, actually. He’s staying at my cabin with me for a couple days right now.”

  “Checking up on you?” I ask with a sideways glance.

  “Something like that. He worries.”

  “Does he know about…”

  “Yes, and that’s why I don’t want to worry him more than he already is. As much as I love him, I need my space now to live my life. If he had it his way I’d stay in his little perfectly controlled bubble where nothing could ever happen to me.” I think of Lexie and if something were to ever happen to her, I’m not sure I’d react any differently than Peyton’s uncle. Before I can say as much, she holds up a hand. “Don’t even say it. I don’t want to hurt you before we’ve even got to where we’re going. Where are we going anyway? My boss, Alice, mentioned something about the real Windy Point?”

  My thumb idly caresses her fingers and I decide I could absolutely get used to this. “We’re going near there. Not quite up that high, since it’s your first time, but I thought you’d enjoy seeing the river out there, it feeds into the lake. Lots of great views and critters to see. I figured you wouldn’t want to stay cooped up.”

  For some reason my words cause her to lean over and kiss my cheek. “Who knew inside such a grumpy exterior there’s a big old softie?”

  Uncomfortably intrigued by the way her eyes shine up at me with something like affection, I say, “I’ll remind you of that when we’ve been hiking in the woods for a couple hours, and you’re near ate up by mosquitos and starving.”

  But she isn’t daunted. “It sounds divine,” she says.

  I take her up the highway toward Windy Point and veer off at a signage proclaiming it a historic landmark. We don’t go all the way down the road, however, instead we turn off on a side road and park in the designated parking area. Even though we’re not all the way up to the top of the mountain, the views are still spectacular. Thick, lush forests topping the peaks in every direction.

  It stuns me to realize I already know her well enough to be certain she’s thinking about how to best capture what’s in front of us on canvas.

  “I can’t get over how beautiful it is here,” she tells me, as I gather our gear from the back and load it up. She shocks me by taking a pack of her own and shouldering it. “You’re lucky I didn’t bring any supplies, or I’d keep you out here for days trying to capture this light alone.”

  “Sounds like heaven to me. I’d bring a couple beers and one of those hammocks and I’d be good to go.” What I don’t say is that I’d be more interested in watching her work than getting some shut-eye. From what little I’ve seen of her at work, she’s a sight to watch when she’s distracted and intent upon whatever images in her mind she’s trying to bring to life. If I’
m being honest, I could watch her for hours.

  I take her hand and lead her to a marked trail that disappears between the bases of large trees, whose tops seem to brush the clouds. It’s like being on the top of the world. For a woman who’d spent an eternity locked behind four walls and a roof, it must feel like flying—or at least—that’s what I’m going for.

  Peyton’s smiling, so I figure I’m on the right track. “Really? You wouldn’t mind doing nothing out here while I worked?” She sounds shocked and then I remember she hasn’t seen me at my best. Then again, who has in the past couple years?

  “Babe, I spent hours sitting in a lookout in the middle of the desert with a lot less attractive view. Being out here with you, watching you work—seeing you happy in your element—I have to tell you, that’s no hardship.” As soon as I say the words, I realize how right they feel and how much I want that in my life.

  “Spoil me like that and I could get real used to it.”

  I glance back as we crest the first incline. Already my thighs are loose from the exertion and sweat lines my brow. A thrum beats a steady rhythm of happiness in my chest. Maybe it’s the endorphins from the exercise; maybe it’s the way she’s smiling up at me again. I’m collecting those smiles like a miser. I want to keep them all to myself. “Maybe I’d want you to get used to it.”

  She makes a humming sound in the back of her throat. “You don’t mind that I’m not really into the whole public dinner date thing? You seemed to know I’d prefer being outdoors like this, but I want to be sure. I want you to have a good time, too.”

  “Do I look like the kind of man who prefers fine dining over a burger?” I roll my shoulders and lead her up another crest. “Besides, I get twitchy in big crowds. The noise, the people. It makes me a bit claustrophobic. I prefer the mountains to the Met any day.”

  A half hour or so later, we reach the destination I’d picked out, a cliff with a view of the river cutting through the rock in either direction. The moment she sees the view, she gasps and hurries to the ledge. She lifts her face up to the light, and I know I picked the perfect place to let my caged bird fly.