No one in the employee apartments had seen the man. Amelia was disappointed, but that made sense because the stables were about a fourth of mile from the main house. The guards at the front gate hadn’t had any episodes. That also made sense. The man was coming across the river through the cave located on the back of the property, an easy spot where he could hide if anyone stayed near the river looking for him.
But the properties met back up beyond the cave.
Amelia hadn’t taken Marco that far, and now she wished she had. Only she and Daniel knew about this particular spot where the river did a quick curve and dwindled into a five-foot-wide creek bed before it picked up speed again and branched off into two smaller tributaries. That point was the closest the Parker ranch came to the Triple R, but it wasn’t fenced like most of the pastures. It had always been a nonissue—just a path between the two properties in the back woods thick with mesquite trees and twisted old live oaks mixed with aged cedars carpeted in paintbrush, bluebonnets and bluestem. No one ever went back there unless they were hunting or fishing.
But she and Daniel had found an oval rock just beyond the curve that looked like a bench. That became their place. Close to the river, but private and secluded behind a huge oak, and a spread of cedars near some large yucca plants.
Amelia lay in her bed, her eyes wide open, Puff on the floor beside her. They’d left him home earlier so he wouldn’t bark, but now she was glad she had the dog with her. Alan had also found a sturdy piece of wood and wedged it against the glass sliding doors, and he and Marco had put a heavy lock on the door’s latch. It would be impossible, even if they could break the lock, for anyone to push the door open. That tough wood was a solid latch, and the new lock was strong, at least for now.
After she’d talked Marco into getting some sleep, she tried to do the same. If the man called her again, she’d pretend she believed he was Daniel. She’d ask him what he wanted and why he hadn’t let her know he was alive. Then she’d tell him to meet her at their secret place.
If he knew where that was, she’d have her answer. If he didn’t respond correctly, she’d tell him to meet her at the cave, and let him think that was their place.
She’d take her gun, of course. And somehow, she’d either shoot him enough to maim him and march him back to the ranch, or she’d at least know the truth and send the authorities after him if he got away. But she’d also take her camera and set it up on the small tripod she kept handy. She could hide it in a tree and go back for it later. If things went wrong, maybe someone would find the camera there and see the evidence.
It was a risky plan, which is why she couldn’t tell Marco about it. But then, she’d always fought her own battles. She’d fought for Daniel’s love, even when his father tried to stop her. She’d fought for her career even when it had taken her to dangerous places. And she always, always fought for the truth.
Could Kent Parker really be the one harassing her? Would he deliberately hire someone to gaslight her and intimidate her?
She had to find out. If Parker wouldn’t come clean, she’d keep digging with or without Marco.
She wanted to be with Marco, to know him completely and explore the bond that had brought them together, but she had to do this on her own. Because if Daniel was truly alive and tormenting her, she had to understand why.
She lay listening to the house creaking, to the wind dancing through the wind chimes in the courtyard, to the sounds of night animals roaming outside. Finally she dozed, her dreams a mixture of the past and the present. A man walked toward her, his hand reaching for her. Daniel.
But when the man came close and smiled, it wasn’t Daniel.
Marco took her hand and led her away, while Daniel called her name, begging her to stay.
She woke up in a cold sweat and sat up to stare into the darkness. Alan and Marco had posted patrols all along the river.
She had to be safe tonight. She stood and pulled on her robe, then opened her door to head to the kitchen.
And found Marco sitting up against the wall, his head bent in sleep. He must have been guarding her door, waiting to hear any noise coming from her room.
Amelia sank down beside him, causing him to lift his head and go on alert.
She took his hand. “It’s just me, Marco. The woman who’s brought you so much trouble.”
“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice husky from sleep, his hair tumbled and wild. “Did you hear something?”
“I didn’t hear anything. And right now, yes, I’m okay.”
His tense expression crumbled into a wry smile. “Then I can handle the trouble.”
“I have no doubt, but I wish you didn’t have to do that.” She pulled him into her arms and held him. “I had a bad dream, but the ending was kind of nice.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. You were there at the end.”
He whispered in her ear. “I can always be there if you’d like.”
“I might like that once I know you won’t get yourself killed on my account.”
Puff came running out, sniffing the air.
Then he sniffed Marco’s hand and plopped down beside them.
“This sure beats camping out,” Marco said, his kiss moving through her hair.
“You got that right.”
They sat there for a while, silent and still, holding on to each other until she finally said, “I think I might sleep now. How about you?”
He nodded. “My back isn’t happy.”
“Go get in your real bed and try to relax.”
“I’m not so good at relaxing.”
“Marco, go.”
“I’m leaving my door open, just in case,” he said, his finger trailing down her cheek with a warm whisper against her skin.
“Tomorrow,” she replied. “We’ll get back on it tomorrow.”
He smiled at her. “You know, we need to go on a date one day.”
“That’s the plan, cowboy.”
She smiled and shut her door.
A date would be so nice and normal.
But she had a lot to get through before putting on a pretty dress and going on a date with Marco.
Early the next morning, Marco and Alan met with the security team and went over the whole house. It would take a lot of time and money to get what they needed, but Amelia agreed the company could get started. Marco had vetted them and recommended them, and Alan had gone over the details and agreed.
So that would be starting next week. Had they really been here almost a whole week? Seemed to Marco, something new and bad developed with each day. It would get worse. The harassment would escalate.
But last night. Nothing else had happened last night once the man had gotten away, so their aggressive measures were paying off. He’d made some more calls regarding Leo’s health, but neither the medical examiner nor the hospital could tell him much. Now he had to believe someone had poisoned Leo. Could that be part of what Tyson had hinted at?
Last night had brought the dangerous too close again.
Last night. Amelia in his arms, holding him tight. Why did that feel perfect? Perfect in the midst of mayhem and tension.
Would that adrenaline rush die down once this was over and she was free and clear? Or would she find Daniel alive and well and willing to pick up where they left off? Was he afraid, so he’d gone to desperate measures to get her back here?
“What are you thinking about?” she asked after they’d had breakfast. She grabbed her tote as they headed out the door, her bracelet slipping down her arm in a jingly melody.
“Everything,” he admitted. “I haven’t heard from Chastain on the money trail in New Mexico. He said it might take a few days. Think he’s stalling?”
She shook her head. “I think Samuel is the real deal. He’s been around since I was kid, Marco. He loved Leo and Siri, and always did right by them. He wouldn’t betray Leo now.”
“I’m still keeping an eye on him.”
“You can’t keep an eye on everyone all the time.”
“It’s habit,” he admitted. “When you grow up with an alcoholic, you learn to take charge.”
Amelia nodded, but thankfully didn’t send him a look of pity. He’d made peace with his past and as long as his mom was safe, Marco could live with that.
“Are you ready to talk to Kent Parker?” he asked as they walked toward his truck.
“Yes, and Samuel is supposed to meet us there.”
They drove toward the road in silence, then Amelia said, “I can show you the spot where Daniel went off the road.”
“So you got there pretty quickly after it happened?”
“Yes. I ran all the way, but by the time I arrived a fire truck had already arrived.” She took a deep breath. “They put out the flames, but his truck was...completely gone.”
She inhaled a breath. “I called out for him, searched all around. Then one of the firemen told me he...he hadn’t survived.”
“Amelia, I know this is hard, but did you see them taking away Daniel’s body?”
She put a hand to her mouth. “No—Leo dragged me away.” Then she turned in the seat. “Leo dragged me away, Marco. I don’t remember much after that.”
“Okay, who else was there that you remember?”
She closed her eyes. “I’ve tried so hard to forget. I don’t know. Several firemen, sheriff’s deputies, EMTs.”
“Think. Could anyone there have been an outsider, someone who’d come back to admire his work?”
Amelia opened her eyes. “How could anyone do something like that?”
“I’m sorry,” he said, hating to put her through this. “But the mind is good at playing tricks on us, and people can be as good when they’re playing tricks.”
Amelia closed her eyes again and then as they reached the curve she’d mentioned several times, she opened her eyes and said, “I did mention someone else being there that night. The man I thought looked like Daniel, remember?”
“I’m listening,” he said as he pulled the truck off the road and then gave her his full attention.
Amelia glanced around, taking in the changes since she’d been here. The trees were tall and willowy, and the roadside had thickets here and there. “This is different.” Then she opened the door and got out, her eyes scanning the area where Daniel’s truck had crashed into a tree and exploded.
Marco hopped out and came around the front of the truck to meet her. He didn’t speak. He let her absorb the memories and the pain of that night.
“The tree,” she said, walking to the right. “It’s covered with brush, but it should still have a scar.”
She pointed and started pulling away brambles near a massive old live oak. Marco did the same, then he pulled back. “Is this the place?”
Amelia’s expression said it all. Her eyes watered, her hand went to her mouth. She turned and held her arms on the truck, her head going down. “Yes.”
Marco came behind her and put his arms around her waist. “I’m sorry.”
He hurt because she hurt. She had loved this man completely. He wanted to be jealous, but how could he? Daniel sounded like the perfect man—a doctor who cared about those in need, a son who wanted to break out on his own, a man who now couldn’t defend himself. Marco couldn’t compete with that.
She lifted her head and turned to face him as he stood back. “Someone else was here, but like I said, I thought I was imagining things. I remember glancing back toward the ranch, searching for anyone to tell me how this happened. And for a split second, I thought I saw Daniel walking away. I can see it so clearly now that I’m back here.”
“But it wasn’t him?”
She shook her head. “I called out his name, but everyone thought I was still in shock. I ran toward the darkness, shouting, but Leo stopped me. I looked back, but the man was gone.”
“His back was to you?”
“Yes, but he walked like Daniel. I think I wanted it to be him. Just like I want it to be him now.”
“Did anyone see the man?”
“I called out several times, but Leo told me again that Daniel was gone. Then Kent showed up in a rage, telling me this was my fault. Leo and he almost got into a fight, so Leo took me home and gave me some of his sleeping pills to calm me. I still had horrible nightmares. Still to this day.”
She moved in a circle, her gaze checking both sides of the road. “But somehow, I’d blocked that out. Seeing that man. I think I decided it had all been in my imagination, even when I mentioned him to you before. But now—”
“Now you have to wonder?”
“Let’s go and talk to Parker. I need something solid to get me over this notion of Daniel being back.”
“Amen to that.”
They got back in the truck, but Amelia turned and looked back until they were around the curve, until the jagged, scarred tree was out of sight.