4

Meredith stood on the bed in her small room in the boarding house, humming along to the carol playing in the background, and strung tinsel across the ghastly portrait of the pirate with long flowing hair standing on the deck of his ship. The painting was hideous and she’d often taken it down, but every time she did, her landlady put it back up. Maybe tinsel would improve it somehow.

She tilted her head. Then again, maybe not. The pirate caught her gaze again. He was nowhere near as good looking as Jeremiah. She tugged at the tinsel so the curve hung over the pirate’s face. That was a huge improvement.

Ever since the ball on Wednesday evening, images of Jeremiah danced in her head. What it felt like to be in his arms, not just dancing, but when he was calming her after her panic attack she’d felt safe. Even though it had only been for a few minutes, she’d enjoyed it. Not that she particularly wanted another panic attack, but she’d do anything just to be in his arms again.

She grabbed another piece of tinsel and threw it over another picture. She climbed off the bed and sat. Right now, all her friends and the rest of the LSO would be practicing for the Christmas concert in the Royal Albert Hall. It was the highlight of the year. They played to a packed house for five nights, concluding with a royal command performance the Queen usually attended. This would be the first she’d missed in several years, but she didn’t mind as much as she thought she might.

This year would be special. Not only was she spending Christmas at her grandparents’ house, something she couldn’t ever remember doing, but she also had a date. The demands of the orchestra hadn’t really given her a chance for much of a social life.

Her heart leapt when he’d asked. He wanted to see her again, in fact, had insisted on her spending the evening with him. She hadn’t even put him off by having a panic attack.

Her phone rang and she reached across for it. “Hello?”

“Meredith, its Grannie. Gramps has had an accident. We’re in the hospital.” As always Grannie cut straight to the chase and delivered the news in a pulls-no-punches way.

“I’ll come right over. Are you in the ED?”

“Yes. Just call when you get here. Love you.” The phone went dead.

Meredith grabbed her cloak and bag and ran from the room, making sure the door clicked shut behind her. What would be easier, bus or taxi? The decision was made as the bus approached. She flagged him down and then ran to board.

Fifteen minutes later, she disembarked at the hospital and made her way around the back to the small emergency department. She glanced around the waiting area and saw Grannie sitting on a chair. “How is he? What happened?”

“He injured his arm, but he’ll be fine.”

“Maybe I should come and stay for a while. Help out.”

Before her grandmother could say anything else, the nurse came over.

“Mrs. Howell, you can see your husband for a few minutes. We’re taking him up to surgery…”

“Surgery?” Meredith asked. “What for?”

“We need to repair the tendon damage. He’ll be taken to a ward overnight.”

Grannie stood. “Come on, then, Meredith.”

Meredith followed her though to the cubicles. “Gramps?”

He lay on the trolley and smiled at her, despite his obvious discomfort. “Meredith, you needn’t have come.”

She looked at his bleeding arm and torn finger protruding from under the gauze dressing. It had to be more than a simple accident. To her untrained eye it looked like a bite.

“I’m coming to stay, help you both out over Christmas.” She didn’t miss the look her grandparents exchanged.

Grannie hesitated before shaking her head. “You don’t have to do that. I can care for him just fine. Besides, it’s his right hand, and he’s left handed.”

“I want to stay. It’s no trouble.”

“Just come and visit for an hour or so each day. Don’t go rearranging your life for us.” Grannie used her no nonsense tone, with that set look on her face that Meredith knew so well. “And I mean it.”

Before Meredith had a chance to argue her case any further, the nurse came in.

“We need to take you up to theatre now.”

Meredith kissed Gramps cheek. “See you tomorrow.” She waited outside for Grannie and then walked to the exit with her. “Do you want me to call you a taxi?”

Grannie shook her head. “No, dear, Jeremiah is around somewhere with his truck. He was passing the house when the ambulance arrived. He said he’d follow and drive me home when I was ready.”

Meredith’s heart sped up at the mere mention of his name.

As they walked down the steps toward the main hospital entrance, Meredith glanced at the huge decorated Christmas tree in the foyer. Right beside the beautiful tree, Jeremiah waited.

“Maggie, how’s Matt?”

Grannie nodded to acknowledge him. “They’re taking him to surgery. He’s torn some tendons in his wrist, but they say he’ll be fine and home tomorrow. Have you met my granddaughter, Meredith?”

Jeremiah smiled. “Yes, I have. She was my date at the ball. Hello, again.”

Meredith took his offered hand, warmth pouring through her and settling around her core. Her heart thudded, breathing was suddenly impossible and she struggled to get a simple hello past the huge lump in her throat.

“My, you seem to have rendered my normally talkative granddaughter quite speechless,” Grannie quipped. “Is that so?”

“Yes, Jeremiah was my partner at the Christmas ball,” Meredith said, finally getting her voice to work. “It’s really nice to see you again.”

Grannie frowned. “Well, I’m sure you have things to do, Meredith. It was kind of you to come over, but there is nothing more either of us can do now.”

“Don’t you want me to wait with you?”

“I’ll be fine.” Grannie kissed her cheek. “I know you must have a thousand things to do.”

Meredith wanted to disagree, but Grannie’s stoic expression stopped her.

“Are we still on for this evening?”

She gazed at Jeremiah. “As long as all goes well here. About seven?”

“I’ll pick you up then.”

She gave a parting smile and headed off to the bus stop. As much as she’d hoped he’d offer her a lift, she was glad Grannie had someone with her. Grannie had always been a bit unwelcoming. No, that wasn’t it. Unwelcoming was the wrong word. They’d always jumped at the chance of visiting with her—either in a hotel or a rented cottage on the coast. They simply didn’t want her here in Paradise. Still, she’d offer to stay with them once more, and if they declined, she’d go back to the boarding house.

The bus dropped her outside her lodgings. Meredith let herself in and ran up the stairs to her room. Truth be told, she did have something to do. She opened the wardrobe, trying to decide what to wear that evening. The problem was she had no idea what Jeremiah had planned. If it were just a film, then slacks and a jumper were fine. If it were dinner as well, then skirt and blouse. But then if it were a posh restaurant it would have to be a dress—of which she only had ball gowns or church dresses. Both of which would be overkill at the cinema.

She sighed. Why did it have to be so difficult? As much as she’d hated school uniform, it sure made getting dressed so much easier.

A knock at the door put an end to the debate, albeit temporarily. Pushing upright, she took the five paces to the door and opened it. She tried not to show her surprise as the person standing there was the last person she’d expected.

Wolfe smiled at her. “Hello, again.”

She tried to ignore his sharp teeth as his smile widened. “Oh, hello. Mr. Wolfe, isn’t it?”

“Just Wolfe. I was on my way up, and Mrs. Thorne asked me to bring up your mail.” He held it out to her.

“Thanks.” Meredith took it, only to find he didn’t let go. She tugged hard and he released his hold. “I didn’t realize you lived here, too.”

“No, I just help out. Odd jobs. Fixing things. Have you been staying here long?” he asked, his eyes as turbulent as the sea in that pirate painting.

“A few weeks,” she replied. “I may be moving out though.”

“That’s a shame. Does Mrs. Thorne know? I can tell her if you’d like.”

“No. It’d be better coming from me. Thank you for the mail.” Meredith began to close the door, only for him shove a foot between the door and jamb. A shiver snaked up her spine.

“Wait. You have a letter from the orchestra.”

“Do I?” She wondered if he’d gone through all of the letters on his way up the stairs.

Wolfe nodded. “Maybe they want you back.”

Meredith blinked, taken aback. The fact she’d left the orchestra wasn’t common knowledge. It hadn’t even made the news.

“Then I shall read it and find out. ’Bye.” She shoved his foot out of the way and shut the door. She locked it before striding across to the bed.

She tossed the unopened letters into her bag and rubbed her hands over her face. Wolfe was really giving her a creepy vibe. Was he stalking her? If so, maybe she shouldn’t stay here, even though her room was paid up until New Year.

Grannie would have to let her stay. She wouldn’t turn her away, she was sure of it. Not if she were in danger.

She looked around to make the call but couldn’t find her phone. It wasn’t on the bed, nor in her bag. The last time she’d had it was before leaving for the hospital.

She could kill two birds with one stone. She tugged the suitcase from the wardrobe and flung all her things into it, scouring the floor and every nook and cranny for her phone as she preemptively packed. Sliding into her cloak, she reached for her violin case. Why she’d brought it was beyond her. She couldn’t even bear to look at it, never mind play it. She set it on the bed next to the case.

Meredith headed downstairs and knocked on Mrs. Thorne’s door. Maybe someone had turned the phone into the office. She quickly scrawled a note and slid it under the door. Then she headed out into the misty afternoon to retrace her steps.

****

Jeremiah arrived at the boarding house. He wanted to let Meredith know that her grandfather had made it through surgery, but she wasn’t answering her phone. He’d gotten the number from Maggie earlier. He tugged his collar around his neck as he rang the bell. The drizzle of the afternoon had turned into a downpour and showed no signs of letting up.

Mrs. Thorne smiled as she opened the door. “Hello.”

“Hi, is Meredith in?” he asked.

“No, I’m afraid she’s out. She’s looking for her phone.”

“Oh…well, thank you.” Jeremiah turned and trudged back to the truck. He’d see her in a bit anyway. He pulled his keys out and stopped short as Wolfe leaned against the driver’s door.

“Well, if it isn’t the ranger. Not keeping the forest safe?”

“I had business in town.”

“I could have told you where Meredith was.” He smiled. “She got a letter from the orchestra today. Maybe they want her back.”

Jeremiah bristled. “Maybe.” From what Meredith had said, she didn’t want to go back, no matter if they asked her.

Wolfe nodded. “I gave it to her when she got home. Maybe she left for London. Poof.” He made hand signals to match his words. “No more skipping through the forest for you to watch.” He leaned forwards. “I’ve seen you spying on her. Slightly stalkeresque, if you don’t mind me saying.”

“You need to back off. I’m not stalking her, but it sounds as if you are,” Jeremiah spoke carefully. He held the man’s gaze, despite the unreadable expression in Wolfe’s face.

The bloke had a way of making his intense gaze sear right inside a person. There was something dark, brooding, and almost sinister about the man, which set all of Jeremiah’s nerves on edge.

He continued in the same quiet tone. “I see a lot of things in the forest. It’s part of my job. And I remember every single one of them. Like you watching her. Why do you think I stopped my job and came over?”

“Is that a threat?”

He tried to follow Wolfe’s logic and couldn’t. “Look, I don’t make threats. Now, if you’ll move out of my way, I am needed elsewhere.”

Wolfe moved just far enough for Jeremiah to get into the truck.

Jeremiah started the engine and drove down the road. Without her phone, and with Wolfe obviously following Meredith, Jeremiah needed to locate her. He needed to warn her. Where are you, Meredith?

Not sure where to start, Jeremiah drove back towards the ranger’s station, taking the back roads. Not that road was the correct term. More like a track, and in this rain, a mud slide. No harm in checking they were clear as he was here. This weather only encouraged certain creatures to stray from their dens. And there was one in particular he needed to keep watch for, the one that had attacked Meredith’s grandfather.

They should have told her the truth.

He glanced into the door beside him, and noted the rifle was tucked into its usual place. Loaded and ready.

The wipers struggled to keep up with the ferocity of the rain hitting the windscreen. The tires slid more than once, and Jeremiah began to doubt his sanity in coming this way. The headlights picked up a figure on the track ahead of him. The red cloak was unmistakable. As was the face when the figure turned around, hand raised to shield her eyes from the bright headlights.

Jeremiah pulled up alongside her and cranked down the window. “Meredith, what on earth are you doing out here?”

“I lost my phone…but while I was this far out I decided to stop in at Grannie’s and call the hospital, but the key wasn’t in the usual place.” She shivered, the words rushing out in a torrent. “I must have taken a wrong turn because I got lost and there’s something out there, following me.”

He jumped out and put his hands on her arms. “Get in the truck, before you catch your death.”

The rain soaked into his jacket as she climbed inside. He glanced around the tree line, then got back into the truck and pushed the icy cold water from his hair. “I went to tell you your grandfather came through the surgery, but Mrs. Thorne said you were out. I would have driven you out here if you’d asked.”

“I would have if I had a phone.” She managed to laugh as she shivered. “Well, this is some second date. And yes, I’m including the Christmas Ball as the first date.”

Jeremiah put the heating on full blast. “Hey, if you didn’t want to see me, all you needed to do was to have said earlier.”

“Truly, I’ve been looking forward to it—” She broke off and pointed. “What’s that?”

Jeremiah followed her finger and slammed on the brakes. Two silvery blue eyes glinted from the edge of the tree line. His heart pounded. “Stay here.” He reached down for his rifle. “I mean it. Lock the doors and don’t open them until I get back.”

He checked to make sure the rifle was ready to fire, then opened the door, and slid out into the rain. Swift steps took him to where the eyes had been. Nothing was there now, but the grass was flattened and the tracks led further into the trees. Jeremiah glanced back at the truck, torn between going back to Meredith and getting her to a place of safety, or tracking this creature to its den.

Meredith’s pale, anxious face looked back at him from where the cab light illuminated it. There was no choice. He had to get her safe. And since her grandmother wasn’t home, the closest place was the ranger station.

He turned and headed back to the truck. He climbed in and shut the door. He made the rifle safe before slotting it back into its place. Meredith’s intent look didn’t go amiss and he sent her what he hoped was a comforting smile. “The forest isn’t safe. A gun comes with the job. Just like the truck and ranger uniform.”

“Believe me. I understand.”

“So, as we have a date, may I make a suggestion?” He glanced in the mirror and pushed the rain from his short hair, making it stand up. “We’ll go to the ranger station. You can dry off and shower if you want. We can watch a film, and I have pizza in the freezer. Not quite the same as going out, but…”

“It sounds great. I’d like that.”

He smiled and started driving again. “And you can meet Bowie.”

“Is Bowie the other ranger?”

Jeremiah laughed. “Not exactly. But I think you’ll like him, at least, I hope you will.” He drove as quickly as the road conditions allowed and pulled up close to the ranger station. Colored lights hung from the guttering, glowing in the darkness, outlining the entire building. A wreath hung from the door. A tree stood on the porch with another one glowing from inside one of the rooms.

Meredith smiled. “Oh, that’s pretty.”

Jeremiah grinned. “Thank you. All my own work. Although, the other rangers did their level best to sabotage my lights. They reset all the outside lights to flash in time to music. Not that they could have had the music playing out here, but that didn’t stop them.”

“Now that, I would love to see in real life rather than on the Internet.”

“Then I will show you later. Let’s get you inside.”

They ran the short distance to the porch and Jeremiah opened the door. He pretended to doff his cap. “Thanking you, ma’am. I’ve always wanted to rescue a damsel in distress,” he quipped. “A lifelong ambition satisfied. Give me your cloak and I’ll hang it up to dry.”

A smile lit her eyes. “Glad I could be of assistance. I’d have done it sooner if I’d known you’d be so easily pleased.” She shivered as she handed him the wet cloak. Her clothes were also soaked.

He pulled off his boots and set them in the corner, next to the rifle which he’d also brought inside. “Bathroom’s this way.” Jeremiah strode down the hall and pulled open a cupboard. “Lounge is through there.” He handed her a towel and some dry clothes. “I think these should fit you. If you dump your wet things outside the bathroom door, I’ll throw them in the dryer.”

“Thank you.” Meredith followed him. “I’ve always wondered what this place was like. I’ve often walked past it.”

“I’ll give you the ten pence tour once you’re warm and dry. Just come find me when you’re done. I need to check the office, make sure no calls came in while I was out.” He turned and strode towards the closed door at the other end of the hallway.

Meredith screamed.

He spun around, double timing it back to where he’d left her. “Meredith?”