Jill double checked the deadbolt on her door for the fifth or sixth time. She lost count, but her heart rate had finally slowed down enough she could catch her breath. Tossing her purse on the console table by the front door, she walked over and plopped down on the sofa, and did a few deep breathing exercises.
I’m being paranoid. Nobody was following me. It’s my imagination playing tricks, that’s all.
When her cell phone rang, she gave a little yelp, her hand against her heart, then laughed at her reaction. “Great, now I’m jumping at the phone.”
She walked over and dug her phone out of her purse, smiling when she spotted Lucas’ name on the screen.
“Hi.”
“I’m driving home, and thinking about you. I needed to hear your voice.”
Curling back up on the corner of the couch, she snuggled against the cushions. “I’m glad you called. Helps take my mind off other things.”
He must have heard something in her voice, or maybe her tone, because when he spoke it was all gruff and serious sounding. “What other things? Is anything wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong. At least, I don’t think anything’s wrong.”
“What’s that mean exactly?”
“It’s probably nothing. I got a little spooked walking home from the bakery. You know that feeling you get when it seems like somebody’s watching you? Only I didn’t see anybody.”
“You’re okay?”
“I’m fine. The deadbolt’s on the door. Although I swear I’m driving to the bakery tomorrow.”
“I’m coming over.”
Her eyes widened, and she blinked a couple of times before she managed to sputter out a reply. “Why? I mean, that’s very sweet, but unnecessary. It was dark and my imagination played tricks on me. Nobody followed me home. Why would they?”
Lucas sighed. “I forget sometimes how things are different here than where I live. In the city, you never walk anywhere at night. Nine-one-one is your friend, and you’d probably have it on speed dial.”
Jill chuckled. “If I called 911 here, Sally Anne would never let me live it down. I guess I was a little jumpy because Dusty stopped by the bakery and startled me. He saw the lights on and was double checking that everything seemed okay. I didn’t hear him at first, so I’m guessing my nerves were still a little rattled, and made me jump at shadows.”
“If you’re sure, because I can be there in less than five minutes.”
“That’s sweet, Lucas, but really, I’m fine. Are you coming by tomorrow after church?”
“Absolutely. Momma’s rounding up everything, and we’ll knock out the rest of the cleanup and painting in no time.”
Jill looked down and saw her free hand still trembled, and balled it into a fist. Everything she’d told Lucas was the truth; she probably was jumping at shadows, but the adrenaline high still rode her. What she needed was a hot bath and a good night’s sleep, and she’d forget all about boogeymen stalking her through the streets of Shiloh Springs.
“Good. Monday they’re going to be delivering the glass-fronted display cases, and Harper is working on the store’s sign. It’s going to be amazing. Wait until you see it.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Whatever you’ve chosen will be perfect, I’m sure.”
“Thanks. I—I better let you go. I’m going to take a hot bath and then grab some shuteye. Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”
“Goodnight, Jill. Sweet dreams. Promise you’ll call if you need me for anything.”
Jill hesitated for a brief second. “I promise.” She crossed her fingers at the half-truth. If there was a problem, she’d called the sheriff’s office, because she wouldn’t let herself get used to having Lucas ride to the rescue. He’d head back to Dallas-Fort Worth soon, and she wasn’t about to risk her heart again. It had already been broken once, and she didn’t think she could handle having it shattered again, because this time she knew she wouldn’t be able to pick up the pieces and start over.
“Jill?”
“I’m fine. I’ve double checked the locks and the windows. Go home and get some rest. Good night, Lucas.”
She disconnected the call, leaned her head against the cushions, and closed her eyes. All she could do was take things one day at a time, until he left Shiloh Springs. Thank goodness, she had the bakery to keep her busy and her mind focused on something besides Lucas.
Lucas booted up his laptop and opened his e-mail program. There was the usual junk, all the unsolicited nonsense that he had to wade through and delete before he got to the actual important stuff. There was an e-mail from one of his buddies who worked on the West Coast, who needed a reference. No problem, he could handle that in the morning. Another one from his brother, Heath. Immediately, he grabbed his cell phone and dialed, because knowing his brother, he’d still be awake, even with the time difference.
“Evening, Lucas.” Heath’s grinning face appeared on his phone, and Lucas returned his grin. It was good to see his brother smiling, because he’d seemed weary to his soul the last time he’d seen him.
“Howdy, bro.” Lucas put the full effect of his Texas drawl into his greeting, drawing out the three syllables into a much longer sentence, and was rewarded by his brother’s chuckle. “What’s up with the cryptic e-mail?”
“I wanted to talk to you.”
“I got that. But did you have to make your e-mail sound like it was life or death? All you had to do was pick up the phone, you know.”
“I talked with Dad. He told me the lead he and his buddies gave you on Renee came up empty.”
Lucas leaned back, and closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose before opening them to stare at Heath. “Yeah. Wasn’t a total bust, but she’d already moved on by the time I could check it out. I’m trying not to lose hope, but sometimes…”
“On the plus side, you know she’s still alive and kicking. That’s good news, even if you’re still on the hunt.”
“If this turns out to be her. We still aren’t one hundred percent sure. Anyway, what’d you want to talk to me about?”
Heath shrugged, his big shoulders filling the lower half of the phone’s screen. “That’s the thing, I wanted to talk to you about Renee. When Dad told me about the lead he’d gotten, he gave me the name your sister used, but I couldn’t remember it.”
“Elizabeth. Elizabeth Reynolds. That’s the name she used in Cincinnati.” Lucas swallowed past the lump lodged in his throat when he gave Heath his sister’s name. Not that he gave a fig about what she called herself. All he wanted was to find her, make sure she was safe and happy. Let her know she wasn’t alone in the world, and if she’d have him, he’d be a part of her life.
“That’s it! I knew it sounded familiar.” Heath grinned, and Lucas felt the corners of his mouth tic upward in response. “One of the newbies and I were working a case together. Nothing big, the kid’s still wet behind the ears, and needed a chaperone, you know what I mean?”
“Sure. I remember when you were the wet-behind-the-ears-punk.”
“Stuff it, bro. He transferred to the DC office from Portland, Oregon. Been here about three months. Anyway, we’re sitting in the car, staking out this place where they were moving illegal alcohol shipments, and he starts talking about this girl he’d been dating back home. Get this, her name was Lizzie Reynolds. Cute little redhead with green eyes.”
Lucas’ heartbeat raced in his chest, beating so fast he thought he might be having a heart attack. What were the odds? Was it possible that Heath’s Lizzie Reynolds was the Elizabeth Reynolds he was looking for? Could it be?
“Before you say anything, hang on, okay?”
“Why?” Lucas bit out the word.
“I got Chuck to show me a picture of his gal pal. I gotta say, bro, she looks a heck of a lot like you. A more girly version, but pretty darn close.”
“Heath—”
“Check your text messages. I sent you something.”
Lucas heard the familiar tone beep, and pulled up the screen. The photo was a little grainy, but the tight squeezing around his heart spoke louder than any words. Renee. There wasn’t a shadow of doubt Lizzie Reynolds was his baby sister, Renee O’Malley.
“Bro, did you get it?” At Heath’s worried look, Lucas chuckled, though it had a ragged and slightly watery sound.
“Yeah, I got it. It’s her. Heath, that’s Renee.”
“Son of a biscuit! I knew it!” Heath’s triumphant yell reverberated through the cell phone. His brother’s colorful turn of phrase made Lucas laugh, because for such a big man, at six foot five, and two hundred and twenty pounds, he refused to curse. Swore he’d learned his lesson the hard way when Ms. Patti washed his mouth out with Lava soap. Instead, he came up with a variety of old-fashioned terms and euphemisms whenever he needed to replace his swear words.
“Your buddy, Chuck, was it? He got an address for Lizzie?”
“I wanted to make sure it was her first before he gave me the information. He did mention she seemed like a bit of a loner. Didn’t have a lot of friends, far as he knew. He met her at the gym in their apartment building, and struck up a friendship. So, yeah, he’s got an address. If he won’t give it up, I’ll simply dig it out of his records, coz I can do that.” Heath’s eyes lit with amusement before he sobered. “This is it, bro. If you want or need me to go with you, say the word, and I’ll be right by your side.”
Warmth built inside Lucas at his brother’s offer and he remembered the conversation he’d had with Dane. His brother was right. Being a Boudreau meant more than sharing blood. They were brothers through choice, and at times like this it made his decision all the sweeter, knowing his family had his back no matter what.
“Thanks, I can’t tell you what it means to hear you say that. Talk to your newbie, get the address and text it to me. I’ll let you know my plans after I’ve checked some stuff out.”
“Will do. I’m only a call away. I’ve got a good feeling this time, bro. You’re finally gonna find your sister.”
“I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but this feels right. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Wait, hold on.” Heath leaned in closer to the screen. “A little birdie told me you’re seeing Jill Monroe again.”
Lucas’ laughter burst forth. “Tell Nica to mind her own business.”
Heath’s laughter mingled with his own before he disconnected the call. His mind raced through all the possible scenarios, yet with each one he still felt hope growing. After all these years, was it possible he’d finally find Renee?
Closing his laptop, he leaned back against the couch cushion and closed his eyes. Tomorrow, he’d start looking into this new lead, but for now, he’d think about Jill, and maybe check into whether she had a mysterious stranger following her.