Chapter 13 David
DAVID
The phone rang twice before the line clicked open.
“Yeah,” came the voice on the other end, low and cautious.
David stood in his workshop, surrounded by half-finished projects and tools he’d been using to stay busy while waiting for this exact call. “Do you have the potential target in sight?”
“Yes,” his contact confirmed. “But I think they have company. Someone else that is also staying at the Inn. I’ve seen them together a few times now.”
David’s jaw tightened. More complications. “Can you identify the second person?”
“I know who they are checked in as,” his contact told them. “I’m waiting for a verification check to come in.”
“Good. I need you to do something else for me.” David scratched Chaos’s head idly.
A pause. “Sure, what is it?”
“I need you to keep an eye on three guests who checked in a few days ago.” David moved to the window, looking out at the woods that surrounded his cabin. “Dr. Eve Reynolds and her niece, Mia, and Mia’s daughter, Lila.”
The pause that followed was longer this time. Too long.
David frowned. “Are you still there?”
“Yes,” his contact said finally. “Not a problem. I know who they are and will keep eyes on them.”
Something in the tone made David uneasy, but he pushed it aside. “I can send backup if you need it.”
“Not a problem,” his contact assured him. “I actually have eyes on one of those guests right now. They’re at the same place the potential target is.”
David went cold. “Are they in danger?”
“No,” came the quick response. “Well, I don’t think so right now. But I’ll keep a close watch.”
“Good,” David said, his voice tight. “Keep me updated.”
The line disconnected.
David stood there for a moment, staring at the phone in his hand, that uneasy feeling still churning in his gut.
Mia
Mia couldn’t believe how quickly the day had flown by.
The morning had started before sunrise, meeting Nolan in the Inn’s parking lot with travel mugs of coffee and the kind of excitement she hadn’t felt in months. The nature reserve had been beautiful, all salt marshes and winding trails and birds she couldn’t name but had tried to photograph anyway.
Now, walking back toward his car in the late afternoon light, she felt exhilarated in a way that had nothing to do with exhaustion and everything to do with being fully present in a moment for the first time since that night in the operating room.
“Look at this one,” Nolan said, angling the camera so she could see the screen. “You caught the heron mid-flight. That’s really hard to do.”
Mia leaned closer, studying the image. The bird’s wings were spread wide, frozen in perfect detail against the blue sky. “I got lucky.”
“Luck is just preparation meeting opportunity,” Nolan said with a grin. “And you’ve been preparing all day.”
Someone slammed into Nolan from behind, nearly knocking the camera from his hands.
“Hey, buddy, be careful,” Nolan said, his free hand moving to gently maneuver Mia out of harm’s way.
“I’m so sorry,” the man said, his voice breathless. He looked at them in surprise. “Oh... I know you... both... well, not exactly know...”
Nolan frowned, but Mia smiled, recognition clicking into place. “You’re staying at the Christmas Inn.”
“Yes,” the man nodded, holding out his hand. “I’m Calvin.”
“Mia,” she said, shaking his hand. Her eyes dropped to his well-worn hiking boots, caked with mud and dried leaves. “Ah, you’re a hiker.”
“Observant,” Calvin said with a smile. “Yes, I love hiking, and Mrs. Christmas said this was one of the best places around St. Augustine.” His eyes moved toward Nolan, and Mia frowned as she noticed how Nolan was staring at Calvin, mistrust evident in his expression. “Did you get any good pictures?”
“Some,” Nolan told him stiffly.
“Well, I’d best get going,” Calvin said, already stepping back. “I don’t want to get stuck in the woods when it gets dark.” He looked at Mia with a warm smile. “Great meeting you, Mia.” His gaze moved to Nolan, one eyebrow raising pointedly. “And you...”
“Nolan,” Nolan said reluctantly, extending his hand for a brief shake.
“Nolan,” Calvin repeated, as if weighing the name up in his mind. “Well, I’ll see you around at the Inn.”
He turned and walked off, disappearing into the reserve.
“What was that about?” Mia asked, turning to Nolan. “You were quite off to Calvin.”
“I don’t trust the guy,” Nolan admitted. “He’s... creepy.”
“I don’t know,” Mia said, turning to look back at where Calvin had gone. She frowned. He’d disappeared completely, like he’d never been there at all. She pursed her lips. Huh. Then she turned back to Nolan. “I thought he reminded me of Phil Collins.”
“Phil Collins isn’t creepy,” Nolan told her, his expression lightening. “I always thought Phil Collins reminded me of the cartoon character Stewie Griffin.”
That made Mia laugh, the image forming in her mind immediately. “You’re right.”
She glanced at her wristwatch and gasped. “Oh shoot. We’d better get back. I want to take Lila and Eve ice skating tonight.”
“Oh, nice,” Nolan said as they climbed into his car. “I’m sure they’ll enjoy that.”
As they buckled up and Nolan pulled out of the parking lot, Mia said impulsively, “Why don’t you come with us?”
Nolan glanced at her, surprise flickering across his face. “Oh no, I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
“You wouldn’t be intruding,” Mia assured him, warmth spreading through her chest at the thought. “Besides, I think my aunt and daughter would love a chance to talk to you.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” Nolan said, his smile widening. “Then I accept.”
Two hours later, Mia walked into Lila’s room just as Eve walked in from the adjoining door.
They were all ready for a night of ice skating and pizza, bundled in warm clothes with scarves and gloves piled on the bed.
“I hope you know I’m only allowing you to eat all this pizza because we’re on holiday,” Mia warned Lila. “Tomorrow night it’s a wholesome meal.”
“Actually,” Eve said, “we’ve been invited to a barbecue.”
“Oh?” Mia said in surprise. “At William’s house?”
A cold sliver of dread slid up her spine at the thought of going to William’s house, and she couldn’t quite fathom why. She’d never been to his house. Didn’t even know where William lived.
She gave herself a mental shake.
“No,” Eve said.
“It’s at David’s house,” Lila blurted, grinning at Eve. “His friend Milly called this afternoon when we were in St. Augustine to invite us.”
“Oh, that’s nice of them,” Mia said, relief washing through her. “Well, make sure you have some fresh salad then.”
“You’re invited too,” Lila told her. “You can bring Nolan.”
“I’ll see,” Mia promised, though her gut clenched at the thought. Going to a stranger’s house for a barbecue wasn’t high on her list of favorite things to do. She hardly associated with strangers. Nolan was the first new person she’d felt comfortable with in... well, forever really.
“Okay,” Lila said with a knowing smile. Her beautiful daughter understood her so well.
“Are we ready?” Lila asked, her grin widening. “Let’s go spend some time with Nolan.”
“Now,” Mia held up her hands, her eyebrows rising in warning, “both of you, please don’t make things awkward. I enjoy Nolan’s company, and I’ve learned so much about photography.”
“You’re not thinking about making it a career, though?” Eve asked, worry creeping into her voice. “Because that would be such a waste of your other talents.”
“No.” Mia laughed. “Of course not. While I had a bit of a rough patch, I love what I do for a living. Saving lives is my calling. Capturing moments on film is my hobby.”
“Nice one, Mom,” Lila said, linking her arm through her mother’s. “Now let’s go meet this man who has been monopolizing your time.”
“Oh, honey,” Mia said, guilt washing over her as she suddenly realized she’d been neglecting both Lila and Eve. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been around...”
“Mom,” Lila rolled her eyes. “Trust me, Aunt Eve and I have been having a great time exploring and shopping.” She grinned at Eve. “Right, Aunt Eve?”
“We have,” Eve confirmed as they walked out of their rooms and down the stairs. “I do think, however, that St. Augustine’s historical society should open the whole day, every day of the week.”
“You went to a historical society?” Mia asked, looking from her daughter to Eve.
“We tried to,” Lila explained. “But we got there a moment too late as they were already closed.”
“Yes, we saw it when we were exploring,” Eve told her, “and decided we wanted to learn a bit more about this beautiful town.”
“Well, maybe you can go back tomorrow,” Mia suggested. “I could come too.”
“Please, Mom.” Lila laughed. “Aunt Eve and I know how you feel about museums and historical societies.”
“Yes, sweetheart,” Eve agreed. “Don’t worry about us. You do your thing. We’re just very happy that you’re enjoying yourself. After all, we came away for a change of scenery for you.”
“Thank you,” Mia said, stopping at the bottom of the stairs, her eyes misting over. How did she get so lucky to have such wonderful people in her life? “I’m sorry I’ve been such a basket case these past few weeks.”
“Mom, we understand,” Lila assured her. “But you do put too much pressure on yourself. You need to learn to let go and be spontaneous.” She smiled and kissed Mia’s cheek. “Like you have been with Nolan.” She grinned, her eyes moving to the doorway. “Speaking of Nolan...”
Mia turned to see him standing near the door.
To her surprise, her heart skipped a beat.
He looked so handsome in dark jeans, a slightly open-collared cotton shirt, and a black bomber jacket. He smiled when he saw them, and the expression made him even more handsome as he moved toward them.
“Hi,” he greeted them warmly. “Thank you for letting me join you tonight.”
“Of course,” Eve was the first to speak. “It’s nice to finally get to spend some time with you.”
Mia caught Eve’s eyes and shot her a warning look, but Eve gave her a smug smile and ignored it completely.
The outdoor ice rink was everything Mia hadn’t known she needed.