“Why in the world would you have to convince the boy?” his dad asked.

  She shook her head and launched into questions about Gavin’s life in Houston. He talked with her on a regular basis, but not with his dad. Gavin figured she updated him, but he still seemed to be staring at Gavin. Not that he turned to check.

  Once the cocoa was cool enough, he made quick work of drinking it and then started for the foyer. “I’m beat. See you all in the morning.”

  His mother came after him and drew him into a tight hug. “I’m so happy to have my firstborn under my roof again.”

  He peered at her, the guilt eating at his gut. “And I’m happy to see you, Mom. Real happy.”

  “Since you’ll be staying for the unforeseen future, you know I’ll make sure there’s time for us to talk about everything before you leave, right?”

  “I expected as much.”

  “Then spend some time figuring out how you’re going to find your way back home.”

  Gavin glanced at his dad, who jerked his gaze away as if not wanting to be caught watching. “I’ll try, Mom, but you know it takes two. So far I haven’t seen a change.”

  “Don’t worry about him. I’m working on him, too. Just worry about yourself.”

  “Sound advice.” He kissed her cheek. “Now, you should get some sleep.”

  He grabbed his suitcase and ran into his brother, Matt, on the upstairs landing.

  “Saw your car out front,” Gavin said. “Didn’t know you were staying here, too.”

  “I’m pulling a second shift to help out and needed a fresh uniform to go out on patrol. Would be a waste of time to go home and change. So I took a quick shower to wake up, and Dad lent me one of his.”

  “Anything new since I left?” Gavin asked, thinking his brother would be more forthcoming than their father.

  “Motor bike registration didn’t pan out, but we’ll get the word out via local channels and someone’s bound to recognize it.”

  Gavin wished he wasn’t so concerned with how laid-back his brother seemed. “Local channels?”

  “Dad asked me to talk to the press and give them a picture of the bike.” Matt shifted his duty belt higher. “He hates reporters, but if Dad finally does retire like he keeps claiming, I don’t have his track record, so developing a relationship with the press is important.”

  “You’re going to make a fine politician, little brother.”

  Matt’s smile evaporated.

  “I say something wrong?”

  He looked around then lowered his voice. “Not sure I want all the politics. I like being in on the action, but I’m not a pencil pusher.”

  “But Dad—”

  “Doesn’t always know what’s best for us.” Matt crossed his arms over a powerful chest built from hours of pumping iron. “You ought to know that.”

  “If that’s how you feel, then you have to tell him.”

  “Right,” Matt scoffed. “Like he and Mom could handle both their sons not toeing the line.”

  Great, now Gavin felt bad about this, too. Thanks to his leaving town, his brother couldn’t say no to running for sheriff. Should have been Gavin’s role, but even if he moved back to town, he felt the same way as Matt. He wasn’t a pencil pusher, either. And thank goodness for that, because the world needed men and women to step up now more than ever to hunt down criminals before they hurt good people like Lexie.

  SIX

  Lexie sat in the school parking lot as she waited for Kendall and Adam to join her. She picked at a sliver of plastic peeling from the steering wheel on the old ranch pickup. Such an old beater. Lexie couldn’t rely on the relic of a truck, so she had to get her own truck repaired ASAP. Turned out, she had plenty of time to do that since she wasn’t going to work anytime soon. She didn’t want this current predicament to follow her to the hospital, so she’d stopped by the ER to talk to her supervisor, who suggested Lexie take leave until everything was all sorted out.

  She patted her jeans’ pocket for about the zillionth time since leaving home to ensure the burner phone remained there. Having something bulky in her pocket constantly caught her attention when she’d just as soon forget that a criminal, likely a killer, would call. Her. Lexie Grant. A simple nurse in a simple town. Waiting to talk to a killer. Unbelievable.

  Kendall stepped out the front door and held up her hand to keep Adam inside. A few moments later, she gestured again and the teen joined her, his gaze fixed on her and not his surroundings. He likely had a crush on Kendall. Tall and slender, the beautiful brunette took after her mother in her mannerisms, her hips swaying as she walked and looking nothing like the tough deputy Lexie knew her to be.

  As the duo approached, Lexie pushed open the passenger door, the rusty hinges groaning with age. Adam climbed in, and Kendall poked her head inside.

  “How did the morning go?” Lexie asked.

  “Uneventful.”

  “Says you,” Adam muttered. “You didn’t have to take the math test.”

  A wide smile found Kendall’s lips and she lifted her hand as if planning to pat Adam on the head, but then thought better of it and gestured behind the truck. “Officer Ellison’s got you for the drive to the ranch. I have an errand to run, but I’ll drop by Trails End this afternoon, and we can catch up.”

  “Sounds good,” Lexie said.

  Kendall closed the door and stepped back.

  Adam shot Lexie a look. “You said we’d go home right after lunch.”

  “We were going to, but having deputies with us 24/7 is putting pressure on the sheriff department’s schedule. So Walt called this morning to ask if we minded hanging at the ranch where we’ll be safe.”

  “But I have a ton of homework, and my books are at home.”

  “Then we’ll stop home to pick up your books first. Just let me tell Deputy Ellison so he doesn’t wonder where we’re going.”

  She quickly informed him of the change and then got the truck on the road with the deputy following.

  Adam plugged in his earbuds, his music loud enough for her to hear across the seat. Normally she’d tell him to turn it down, but he’d had enough going on that she let it slide. After all, he wouldn’t lose his hearing in the time it took for them to get home.

  On the drive, the upcoming lunch invaded her thoughts. She had to admit she was glad for the extra time it would take to get Adam’s homework, as it reduced the time she’d spend in Gavin’s company. But she also had to admit that she was glad he’d cared enough to check the locks last night. Not that he cared enough to make her a priority and stay together, though. If he had, they’d likely be married now. Have a child on the way or already be parents.

  She let herself imagine their life. Their home together. Their children. A happy family that included Adam flourishing with Gavin in the picture.

  A loud blare of a train whistle jerked her from the daydream. She saw railroad crossing lights flashing ahead and the arm coming down. It was too late to stop, so she sped up and slipped safely under the arm.

  She glanced back to find the deputy’s car on the other side of the arm. A moment of fear took purchase, but she tamped it down and slowed to give him time to catch up after the train had passed. She rounded a curve and spotted a car parked on the shoulder. The trunk was open and an infant car seat sat on the ground near a woman resting her head against the rear fender.

  Lexie could still hear the train rumbling down the tracks, so she pulled over. When the woman didn’t move, Lexie’s concern mounted. Was she hurt? Not conscious?

  Adam looked up and took out an earbud. “What’s going on?”

  “A woman with a baby is having car trouble.” Lexie shifted into Park. “She’s not moving. I’m going to check on them.”

  “But won’t Deputy Ellison do that?” Adam asked.

  She told him about the train.

  He bit his lip, last night still clearly affecting him. “Maybe we should wait for him.”

  Lexie unbuckled her belt. “This woman and child could need medical attention, Adam. Don’t worry... I’ll be fine.”

  She got out and approached the car, her gaze locked on the unmoving woman.

  “Ma’am,” Lexie said, but she didn’t respond or acknowledge Lexie. “Ma’am?”

  No response again, leaving Lexie unsettled. She eased closer when a gust of wind howled down the road, blowing the woman over.

  A dummy. She’s a dummy. This is a trap.

  A rustling sound came from the woods. Lexie spun to see a man wearing a ski mask and black clothing dart out and race toward her. She bolted for her truck, but he launched himself into the air and tackled her. She hit the ground hard, gravel slicing into her cheek. She bucked and fought. Kicking. Twisting.

  She heard footsteps racing toward them.

  “Leave her alone!” Adam shouted.

  “No!” Lexie yelled. “Go back to the car, Adam.”

  Her abductor faltered for a moment. Just long enough for her to shove him off, and he rolled into the ditch. She scrambled to her feet.

  “Run!” she screamed at Adam.

  They raced for the truck. She fumbled to get the door open. Saw her abductor lurch to his feet and start for them.

  “C’mon, c’mon,” she muttered as she finally pulled the latch and jumped inside. Adam hit the seat and jerked the door closed behind him.

  “Lock your door,” she shouted as she punched her button down in the old truck.

  Sirens screamed behind them, coming closer. Had to be Deputy Ellison, but she wouldn’t relax. Nor would she take her eyes off her attacker. She shifted the truck into gear, ready to take off if needed.

  The masked man fled into the woods. She sighed with relief and slumped against the wheel.

  If there were any doubts that the killer was coming back for her, they were long gone.

  Her life really was on the line.

  * * *

  Gavin careened his SUV to a stop behind the roadblock and jumped out. Multiple patrol cars lined the highway, their lights flashing. Ruth’s ratty blue pickup sat behind a sedan parked on the shoulder, but Gavin couldn’t see Lexie or Adam.

  “Lexie,” he shouted as he charged toward the barricade. “Where are you? Lexie, answer me!”

  No response. Gavin vaulted the barricade and took off running. Matt stepped in front of him and planted his hands on Gavin’s chest to stop him.

  “Lexie. Is she—?”

  “She’s shaken up but fine. So is Adam. They’re sitting in my patrol car.”

  Gavin tried to sidestep Matt to go to her, but his brother jumped in front of him. “She doesn’t need to see you this upset. Take a minute to calm down.”

  Gavin had to see Lexie to be sure she was okay, but Matt was right. His distress would only serve to raise her anxiety. He took a breath. Then another. Tension flowed out on every exhalation and his heart started beating again. Okay, fine, maybe that was an exaggeration, but when he’d heard about her attack on the ranch scanner, it had felt like his heart had stopped dead in his chest.

  “Tell me what happened,” he demanded.

  Matt arched a brow, likely at Gavin’s tone, but he quickly filled him in on what had just transpired.

  Gavin’s fists tightened more with each detail of the chain of events leading up to the man with the ski mask charging after Lexie and then escaping into the woods when reinforcements arrived.

  “Any hope of catching this jerk?”

  “We have deputies scouring the area, but Ellison heard a car take off from behind the woods.”

  “You think he had a different getaway car parked on the old logging trail?”

  Matt nodded. “No witnesses, of course, as the area isn’t inhabited. Makes this a perfect location for an abduction.”

  “You run the plates on the abandoned car?” Gavin asked.

  “It was stolen in Prineville,” Matt replied. “I’ll look into the vehicle’s owners for any possible connection. Also check for any video of the area where it was stolen and talk to any witnesses.”

  Gavin clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Wouldn’t expect any less of you.”

  Matt gave a firm nod of thanks. “Tessa’s on her way, too. Not that there’s much here to process.”

  “The attacker had to know Lexie’s schedule if he was lying in wait near her house.”

  “You think he’s been watching her?”

  Though Gavin hated the thought of the creep keeping eyes on her, he nodded.

  Matt grimaced. “We need to increase our protection detail.”

  “I got that covered. As soon as I heard the news on the scanner, I decided I’m going to insist on her staying at the ranch with us.”

  “C’mon, bro. You know Lexie. After her dad’s heavy-handed behavior, she’s not about to agree to that.” Matt eyed him. “You never would have thought to make such a demand before you left town. Houston has changed you.”

  “Then I’ll ask her. Is she free to leave?”

  Matt nodded and Gavin pushed past him, not bothering to wait for his brother’s permission to step onto his crime scene. Gavin needed proof that Lexie and Adam weren’t injured. They both still had a huge part of his heart. If his reaction to hearing about her near abduction told him anything, Lexie claimed a far bigger part than he’d thought when he’d arrived in town yesterday. So how in the world did he handle that while keeping her safe and finding her father’s killer?

  First step was to remain calm. Let her see that he was capable of taking care of her. That she and her brother wouldn’t come to any harm under his watch. The rest he’d have to play by ear.

  At the patrol car, he squatted down by the open door. “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, but it was wooden and controlled, her hands clasped together in a death grip. Her jeans were torn, revealing bloody scraped knees, and the side of her face was red and raw. The thought of some jerk putting his hands on her sent his anger soaring, but he tamped it down. Seeing how upset she was, he decided he couldn’t add to her turmoil right now by suggesting she stay at the ranch with them. He would take her back there for lunch, and then, when she was more relaxed, he’d bring it up.

  “If you’re ready,” he said. “I’ll drive you to Trails End.”

  She kept looking at him, her eyes dark and worried, but a note of defiance also lingered. “I can’t leave Ruth’s truck sitting alongside the road.”

  “We can give Matt a key and he’ll make sure it’s taken to Ruth’s place.”

  “Then how will I get home?”

  “I took your truck in for repair and cleaning this morning. It’s at Trails End, waiting for you.”

  She faced Adam. “I need a private word with Gavin. I’ll be right back.”

  Gavin moved out of the way, and she climbed out to step to the rear of the car. “I’m still a little freaked out, so I’m glad for the ride and for Matt taking care of Ruth’s truck. Even for you having my truck repaired as long as you give me the bill. But I want to be sure your offer is only for lunch, and you’re not going to suggest we stay at the ranch with you all, because that’s not happening.”

  “Not even if it means Adam is safe?” He regretted his words the minute they came out as she closed her eyes and fisted her hands.

  He hadn’t meant to play into her fear, but she needed to recognize their extreme danger.

  Matt stepped up to them. “What about staying in one of the rental cabins?”

  “Good idea,” Gavin said. “You wouldn’t have to be under the same roof as me, but you’d be on a secure property with all of us available to help. With our past relationship, no one would think you’d want to stay anywhere near me.”

  “The cabin sounds good,” she said, but didn’t sound convinced.

  “Since we’re close to Ruth’s ranch we can pick up your things right now,” he offered, as he wasn’t taking any chances that during lunch she’d realize the plan would keep them in close proximity and she’d change her mind.

  “It’s okay with me.” Matt peered at Lexie. “But we’ll need your clothes bagged so Tessa can swab them for DNA. I can send the bag with Gavin.”

  “Is that really necessary?” she asked.

  “Whether you like it or not, Lex.” Gavin pulled his shoulders back. “You have a killer tracking you. If we can find his DNA on your clothes, we’ll be one step closer to putting him behind bars.”

  * * *

  Lexie sat next to Adam in the back of Gavin’s SUV. Gavin had opened the front door for her, and while she’d been tempted to slide in next to him, she’d needed to be close to her brother. To take his hand and assure him that they would be okay. Not an easy thing to do when she no longer believed it.

  What was to stop the killer from tracking her? Was he watching them right now?

  She looked out the back window, searching for any vehicle tailing them. Then she remembered with Matt closing the road it would be impossible. But still, the feeling of someone watching didn’t go away. She was likely overreacting, but fear did that to a person.

  True, she found comfort in Gavin’s strong, steady presence and she could choose to focus on that, but then she’d have to think about him more often, and she didn’t need another reason to do so.

  A patrol car came roaring toward them, lights and siren blaring. She caught sight of Sheriff McKade behind the wheel. If he recognized Gavin’s vehicle, he didn’t show it by waving or slowing to talk to them.

  Adam shivered, and she tightened her grip on his hand. He may be fourteen and want to act all grown up, but he recognized the stakes here just as she did.

  “Nothing to be worried about, bud. We’re safe.”

  “Now, sure.” His chin quivered. “But then what?”