Seth relished the mellow Death Valley temperatures as he completed his part of the endless ranch chores. It was the air in the desert that made the region so unique, he’d finally concluded. Or maybe the quality of the sunlight that rendered everything in its truest colors. Whatever the reason, a perfect morning in Furnace Falls never failed to cheer him, for a few moments anyway. Levi was still doing the lion’s share of the horse handling, because Seth had not yet recovered full strength in his right hand and arm. That was maddening. At what point exactly would he be able to convince Levi he was the same man he’d been? Maybe the problem was convincing himself.
Wrong approach, he thought. He wasn’t the same man and never would be. Mostly that was a good thing, God had made him realize. Now he knew deep in his bones that each and every day was a gift. Sure, he’d realized that to some degree before, especially in his army tours, but now it was set in cement, buried deep. That truth flavored his soul and gave him a ravenous appetite for life.
Resolutely, he thanked God that he was present and able to clean out the stables and be there to help Nora with Bubbles and watch over her. His thoughts seemed to drift to Nora as if tugged by a persistent wind. Her strength was what made him marvel, her willingness to stay here and stand her ground though she had to feel ill will piling up around her like dunes of sand. The family wreck, the anonymous assailant, Olivia’s blame. He wondered what he could do to ease her stress. And why he desperately wanted to.
There were so many captivating things about Nora. He liked that she was tall, close to his six feet. He liked that her eyes were the rich blue of a storm-darkened sky. He appreciated that she was smart, savvy and spoke her mind with enough humility to apologize when needed. He admired how she loved wayward, unattractive donkeys when she could have dedicated herself to more perfect specimens. To his surprise and trepidation, he realized he’d come to like Nora Duke very much indeed in the few months they’d known each other, a process accelerated when their Zoom visits had turned into face-to-face time.
Take it easy, buster. She said she’d rather eat nails than have anything to do with Furnace Falls and that includes you.
Duly admonished, he let work occupy him until late afternoon when the Duke family arrived, including his sister Corinne and her young son Peter.
The women beelined into the house, probably to admire the newest batch of outfits they’d purchased for Laney and Beckett’s sweet-natured baby Fiona, all pink frilly stuff. Or maybe to consult about the new computerized booking system for the ranch used to schedule horseback riding expeditions. You never knew with those whip-smart women.
Beckett tied on his “King of the ’Cue” apron and got to work at the outdoor grill, his black beard highlighted against the white smoke. The Duke couples settled into chatter and business.
Seth was the proverbial third wheel, the jovial uncle. He was grateful, deeply grateful, yet he wondered if God would ever provide him a life partner. Longing crept in when he surveyed the cozy family tableau.
The men got to work erecting the wooden tables, two long ones set end-to-end for the family, another that would hold the holiday feast.
“When’s the tree coming?” Seth got his answer when a pickup pulled up, driven by Jude, who tapped the horn. A pair of felt antlers and a red nose had been wired to the grill. In the bed lay a pine tree so robust it overlapped the bed. Jude parked the rig.
“That tree is ridiculously huge,” Levi said. “What were you thinking?”
“Go big or go home. We got little tykes now and that changes everything, right?” Jude said as they helped him lug the tree out and secure it to a wooden platform in front of the house. They set about putting on the strings of lights.
Seth’s sister Corinne peered out the window, watching her six-year-old son Peter as he exited the house and made his way to his uncle, stopping to look up at the massive tree with wonder in his eyes. Seth gave Corinne a thumbs-up. He understood why she was fearful of letting the boy out of her sight after what she’d been through.
“Hey, Big Man,” Seth said.
“Hi, Uncle Seth.” Peter turned to wave to Corinne as if to reassure her he was fine.
“Corinne looks so happy you’re here for your first Duke Christmas tree trimming,” Seth said.
They hadn’t yet progressed to the child calling Corinne “mommy” since he’d been raised by another woman his whole life. They’d get there, he figured. Corinne was mature well beyond her years, he thought proudly.
Peter tipped his head and Seth took a knee, which brought them into a closer visual range. “Auntie Willow said there’s a donkey. Can I see it?”
“Right this way,” Seth said. “We’ll be back,” he called to the other men who were still wrangling long strings of lights onto the enormous boughs. Jude waved distractedly at him, frowning over the spaghetti tangle of wires.
Better you than me, Seth thought with a grin.
At the corral, he found Nora, again approaching the donkey and talking softly to her. She held out a hand, not touching the animal, who raised her nostrils to sample the air. After a long moment, Nora took one step closer before retreating.
“What’s she doing?” Peter whispered.
“Showing the donkey that she doesn’t mean any harm. Bubbles is a wild donkey, so she needs to learn to be around people.”
“Oh,” Peter whispered again. “Corinne says it’s scary to be around people sometimes, like I felt when I started first grade.”
Seth’s heart twanged and he touched his nephew’s shoulder. “You’re brave, just like our Bubbles here. She’s going to have a baby soon, a foal.”
“Cool. I can’t wait.”
“Progress?” Seth asked when Nora joined them.
“I think she ate some and her eyes look better to me.” After Seth introduced her to his nephew, she said, “Hi, I’m Nora.”
Peter solemnly extended a hand and they shook. “When is that donkey gonna have the baby?”
“Very soon,” Nora said.
“Like tonight?”
She laughed. “I guess we’ll find out.”
“Corinne says there’s a donkey in the Jesus story.” They spent a good half hour watching the donkeys, listening to Peter’s chatter. Finally, Peter looked back toward the house. “They’re going to light up the tree.” He jogged away and stopped. “We gotta hurry. Come on.”
Peter stood there, gesturing for them both to follow.
Nora jammed her hands in her jacket pockets and retreated a step.
“Don’tcha want to see the world’s most enormous ranch Christmas tree?” Seth said softly.
Nora’s mouth twisted. “I...”
He didn’t press.
Peter called again. “Hurry, it’s almost time.”
Sensing Nora’s resolve weakening, Seth offered a crooked arm. “Just a look. No obligation to socialize. Personally, I enjoy watching Jude and Levi try to boss each other around about tree-lighting methodology.”
After a long hesitation, she took his arm for a few steps, which sent a thrill clear to his shoulder. As they approached the gathering, she let go. The scent of pine infused the air and the women had come out of the house. They introduced themselves to Nora. Jude was still fiddling with the light strings, which was probably a relief to her.
Peter hopped up and down with excitement as Levi picked up the extension cord.
“Ready?” Levi called.
“Ready!” was the shouted reply.
Levi fitted the plug in the outlet and the giant tree blazed to life with what seemed like a million colored lights.
“Awesome!” Peter hollered.
Little Fiona squirmed in her mother’s arms, reaching her hands toward the sparkling sight. “I think Muffin wants to help decorate,” Laney said.
Beckett had come over and kissed his wife and buzzed a raspberry onto the baby’s cheek, which made her laugh. “We got way too many ornaments, as usual, so she’s welcome to help, but first, we gotta eat the chicken because it’s ready.”
“Bossy,” Jude said.
“Yeah, he is.” Willow transferred bowls of salad and baked beans to the table, which was now covered with holiday-plaid linens and set with dishes and cutlery. “All stern and no suave, just like Jude.”
“Whatever,” Beckett said placidly. “It’s chicken time.”
Seth noticed Nora edging back.
Jude caught Seth’s eye. The cheerful demeanor had vanished, replaced by a grave expression. Gone was the jovial civilian, back was the cop. It was eerie how he could switch gears so quickly. He pantomimed that he needed to talk to them both.
The nerves tightened Seth’s stomach. Nora shot him a startled glance.
“Probably just a follow-up question or two,” Seth said.
Nora looked as though she might sprint off. He walked away from the tables toward Jude, wondering if she would follow. Jude and Nora were as wary as the wild donkey, their lack of trust putting miles between them.
But family drama would have to wait. There was still the matter of an unresolved hidden threat.
Someone wanted to hurt Nora and Felicia, and they had to find answers. Before it was too late.
Though her legs screamed at her to get away quickly, Nora found herself trailing after Seth. She burned to know what was going on with the case.
Jude wasted no time getting down to business. “I need a word with you both first,” he said. “I thought I’d update you with what I got on Kai Freeman.”
Nora forced herself to keep looking at him even though she felt like his gaze went right through her. “I’m listening.”
Jude took a moment to rally his thoughts. “Kai is a year older than Zane, but he had to repeat tenth grade for truancy reasons. Then, because of his expulsion, he completed his senior year at another school.”
“Why’d he get expelled?” Seth asked.
“A classmate made fun of his car, an old Mustang he’d been restoring. Kai waited for him after school and assaulted him. His attack put the kid in the hospital. It wasn’t the first time he’d been in trouble for violence, so he was expelled. His mom sent him to a private school known for discipline, smaller student population, et cetera. It was a boarding school, so he wasn’t in town except for holidays. After he graduated, he left and returned only for his mom’s funeral that I can tell. He finished alternative high school and worked for a demolitions company for a while in Reno after graduation. He was fired for insubordination. After that, the trail gets foggy. He lived briefly at a hotel in Arizona while he worked construction jobs. Hasn’t been seen here in town recently, at least not that I’m aware of.” He paused. “That’s not to say he couldn’t be holing up somewhere close by. I asked Mom if she remembered anything about Kai, since she knew Zane’s family somewhat.”
Nora swallowed at the mention of her mother.
“Mom said Kai was easily bored, had trouble connecting to the other kids, but he loved his brother. It was hard for him when he was kicked out of public school and they were separated. Real painful for his mom because Kai nursed a lot of anger at her decision to send him away. Their dad died in a car accident when the boys were young, so it was all on her.”
“You said he worked for a demolitions company,” Nora said. “Do you figure he might be involved with the letter bomb? And what about the ATV attack? He knows the area well.”
“I don’t know. We haven’t gotten any conclusive fingerprint matches from the letter bomb yet. And there were no usable fingerprints from the stolen ATV. There were a myriad of prints on the binoculars, including Zane’s, which makes sense since we now know they were hanging in his barn where he and his workers used them occasionally. Suffice it to say we have no leads yet.”
That wasn’t at all what Nora wanted to hear. She’d survived two attempts on her life and whoever was behind them was still out there. Waiting to do it again?
The conversation died away as Corinne clanged a dinner bell.
“Going to eat with us?” Jude’s words startled her.
“No. I just came to see the tree lighting.”
“We’d love to have you,” Seth hastened to say, “but if not, I’ll pack up a plate and bring it to the trailer.” He looked at Jude, brow creased. “You’re okay with her staying though, right?”
There was a challenge in Seth’s tone and Nora felt herself flush. Why did Seth feel as though he needed to butt into her business with her brother? She didn’t require a champion or a defender. She simply wanted to get out of this place. While she was trying to decide on a reply, Jude answered.
“Fine with me either way,” he said.
She doubted that.
Nora felt caught in the spotlight but how could she get away without being rude? Corinne made eye contact and patted the chair next to her, and Nora found herself slinking into the seat and bowing her head while Seth said a simple prayer of thanksgiving for the season and the company gathered there.
Nora felt more trapped than thankful.
When she looked up again, Jude was watching her.
Professional interest probably, but at least his expression was neutral, not hostile.
Somehow, she made it through the meal, which was delicious. It was interesting listening to the ebb and flow of easy conversation and teasing amongst the Duke clan who obviously cared about each other. But she wasted no time excusing herself from the table when dinner was done.
Seth walked her to the trailer.
“Enjoy your dinner?”
“Yes,” she said. “I didn’t expect to, but I did.”
“All the Dukes and their attached are good people.” He opened the trailer door for her. “Still meeting Felicia tomorrow?”
She nodded.
“How about I give you a ride?”
“No need. I can take the truck.”
He looked disappointed but stepped aside so she could enter the trailer. “I, uh, well, my former fiancée Tanya used to say I am one hundred percent involved when fifty would do. Feel free to tell me to back off.”
Former fiancée? She had no idea the unassuming Seth had been engaged. She wanted to ask him about it but didn’t want to pry or upset him. She turned away and looked back across the property at the family captured in the glow of the outdoor lanterns. It was such a warm, tender scene, and it touched a nerve deep inside her. Seth was a part of that loving circle and for some reason he appeared bent on helping her. And she found that she welcomed the notion, to be near his cheerful spirit, the genial smile, the genuine caring in his heart for those around him. An enticingly attractive package. She instantly put an end to those thoughts. He’s a friend, a good friend. Nothing more. So, she reasoned, what could it hurt to accept a ride? “Actually, Seth, I’d be grateful for the lift.”
He gave her a goofy thumbs-up. “All right. Coffee and breakfast are always ready in the kitchen at eight o’clock. Sleep well, Nora.”
She locked the door behind him. Snatches of laughter drifted through the air as the dinner cleanup continued. Looking up at the trailer ceiling, she thought about her earlier years when she’d have thanked God for her blessings.
Don’t get confused. Whatever you had here in Furnace Falls is gone. That’s not your family out there and Seth is only a temporary fixture in your life. Pain settled under her ribs as she rolled onto her side and closed her eyes.
The text from Felicia startled her.
Glad you’re coming tomorrow. Found something that makes me worry.
Nora sat up. Her fingers were slightly shaky as they typed.
What? Do you want me to come now?
Tired. Show you in the morning. Love you.
Love you too, Nora typed. She tossed and turned, wondering what Felicia’s troubling revelation might be.
After her sunrise chores with Bubbles, Nora caught the acrid smell of burned food when she was still yards from the main house. Inside, Seth was trying to fan away the lingering smoke.
“Whoa,” she said. “Burned the eggs?”
“To cinders. I got distracted. Levi decided skipping breakfast was better than a blackened scramble, so he left. I was going to try another batch.”
Nora took the pan from him without a word and produced a pan of fluffy eggs. “My mom is a great cook. She taught me well.”
“Thank goodness,” Seth said. “Or we might’ve had to eat leftover baked beans for breakfast.”
They ate in relative silence, chatting only about Bubbles and donkey care and Levi’s hydroponic garden in the corner, bristling with greens. It was pleasant to be in Seth’s company and enjoy a meal together, in spite of her worries. Two in the space of twelve hours? The knowledge gave her the shivers. She got up to clean the dishes and he joined her.
“Too bad Levi gave up. He could have eaten your eggs.”
“Snooze and lose, right?” Keeping things light, she thought.
He laughed. “Words to live by.”
The question tumbled out of her mouth before she could second-guess it. “You mentioned a former fiancée last night. What happened with you two?” She began wiping a plate, aghast at her own curiosity.
“You mean why’d we break up?”
She nodded, her cheeks fiery.
“I think maybe I wasn’t exciting enough. I loved doing things with Tanya and for her, everything from planting flowers in her window boxes to building a shelf for her photos. Then one day I noticed the shelf was pretty crowded with work photos and such, and not too many of us. She...developed feelings for her boss and gave me the heave-ho.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That must have hurt.”
“Yeah, but it was four years ago. I’m a different person now and I’m sure she is too.”
Nora could only hope Tanya had wised up. Tossing away a good man like Seth. Not that she herself had any ideas about him. After all, she was leaving Furnace Falls in her rearview as soon as possible.
“Ready to go meet Felicia?” Seth said.
“Yes. She’s found something disturbing.”
“What about?”
“I don’t know. She wants to show me.”
Dishes done, they hustled to the truck. Soon they were pulling off the main road and down a wooded lane to an old ranch-style home. Nora’s fingers were knotted together.
“I haven’t been here since we ran away at eighteen,” she said. “Felicia’s mom heard my car that night when I picked her up. She ran out, screaming at us not to leave.” She blinked. “Bad memories.”
“That’s rough,” he said.
She lifted a shoulder. “I’m glad she’s rebuilding a relationship with her mom.” Had she kept the wistfulness out of her voice?
The morning was cool, with a thick overhanging blanket of clouds. He stopped under a twisted elm and Nora texted Felicia. A moment later, the door opened and Felicia hurried out, a backpack slung over one shoulder, keys in her hand. And no smile on her customarily cheerful face. Nora felt a chill that had nothing to do with the weather. Whatever Felicia wanted to show her was obviously upsetting her. Or frightening her.
Phone in hand, Nora got out. “Thanks for the ride, Seth.”
“Anytime.”
“If you need a lift back...”
“Felicia can drop me off.” She realized she’d sounded too brusque. “Thank you, though. You’re very sweet.” Sweet, and taking up far too much of Nora’s headspace.
She thought he looked a bit crestfallen. “I hear that a lot.” He shrugged. “Anyway, see you later.”
She hurried to meet Felicia.
“What’s wrong?”
“I figured something out, but I’m not sure I’m right. It’s too weird. Let’s go get coffee. I’ll tell you on the way.”
As Felicia rushed ahead and reached for the door handle on the Range Rover, Nora stumbled on a pothole and dropped her phone. As she bent to retrieve it, in her peripheral vision she saw Seth fling open the door of his Bronco.
“Stop!” he shouted.
She gasped as he sprinted toward them.
What on earth...? Her mind did not compute the danger until she saw the glint of a metal container underneath the Rover, positioned under the driver’s side.
“Felicia!” she screamed.
But it was too late.
There was a deafening boom. An invisible blast of pressure assaulted her. As Nora flew backward, she saw Felicia lifted into the air, arms flung outward in a desperate reach before everything went black.