11. Behind Your Back
Chapter 11
Behind Your Back
E lina flung open the door to the B&B before Marcus rang the bell. He’d let her know when he and his former army team had finished a search of the woods earlier in the morning. She knew they were fine, but she wanted to see him with her own eyes.
Unable to resist, she threw her arms around him. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
He chuckled and squeezed her. “We did a simple search, Elina. Nothing dangerous. But I won’t argue with this kind of welcome.”
She laughed and looked over his shoulder to see if anyone was lurking there. “I wish I’d gone with you.” She was still annoyed with herself that she’d let him talk her out of going along.
He kissed her hair. “I know. But we’re trained for this kind of search.”
True, but it didn’t stop her from feeling useless. Like a damsel in distress. “Tell me what you found.”
He eased her back into the B&B and locked the door behind them. “There was evidence of someone standing in one spot in the woods. Boot prints are a men’s size nine. One cigarette butt crushed out, and a gum wrapper. I’ve logged both as suspicious and sent them away for DNA testing.”
“How long does that take?”
“Too long. And it only works if we have the person’s DNA on file.”
“So, unless he’s been arrested before, you won’t be able to identify him?”
Marcus nodded and brushed his fingers over her jaw. “But when we catch him, it’s good evidence. We’ll be able to match it to him.”
“Do you really think this person is someone to be worried about? What if everyone is overreacting?”
“Better to overreact to nothing than miss something because we didn’t react. We’ve had plenty of incidents in the past couple of years that have taught us all the power of being aware and trusting our guts.”
“But—”
He cut off her words with a soft kiss. “Stop worrying. We’re not wasting our time. We’re going to stay aware and find out if anyone is following you.”
“And if there isn’t?”
“That’s good news for everyone.”
Elina blew out a breath. “Okay. I’ll probably panic every time you’re out there because of me.”
“Not because of you. Because of some asshole. This is my job, and I’m good at it. We’re going to figure it out. Trust me.”
That made her smile. “That part’s easy. Okay.” Then she hugged him and let his strength seep into her.
“Ready for some good news?”
She whipped her head up to see his eyes twinkling. “You got the keys?”
He reached into his pocket and held up a set of keys with a huge grin. “Want to do some demo?”
“I’d love to.”
When she headed for the door, he tugged her back. “Maybe not in a pretty dress that shows off your legs and makes me think all kinds of thoughts that have nothing to do with renovating an old building.”
She laughed as she looked down. None of her dresses were in the least bit revealing. This one swung around her knees, and the soft colors always made her smile. “I guess flip-flops aren’t the best footwear for a construction site.”
“Sean won’t let anyone on site without work boots. Let me know your size, and I’ll text him to see which of the women might have an extra pair for you.”
Everything about this town made her smile. The people often reminded her of the villagers in Suraih. Always willing to share, and to help each other out.
After she changed into jeans and a t-shirt, they headed to the station with Jim and Carl. On the way, more town members joined them. There were at least a dozen more waiting on the lawn in front of the new station. Marcus stuck close to her side, and she knew he watched their surroundings as closely as she did. The creepy feeling didn’t return.
Piper had set up an area with extra work boots and gloves for those who didn’t own any because they didn’t want to turn away anyone who wanted to help. Elina found a pair of Kimi’s boots that fit.
Once everyone was outfitted, Marcus opened up the door and led everyone into the largest room. He, Sean, and Aisling Gallagher from Midnight Lake pulled out some blueprints and notebooks. Sean whistled loudly. “We’ve got everyone divided into teams with different jobs to do. If you’re not sure, ask. We don’t want you toppling the building by removing the wrong wall. But first, I think Marcus needs to take a sledgehammer to this wall. If anyone wants to say farewell to the cows and chickens on the wallpaper, it’s too late now.”
Marcus grinned. He wore jeans and a t-shirt instead of his uniform, so Elina enjoyed watching the play of muscles through his arms and shoulders as he hefted the tool. The man was delicious.
Watching him smash the wall while the crowd cheered, Elina realized she’d fallen completely in love with this steady man who took care of everyone around him. He was the best man she knew.
Her heart pounded against her ribs as she cheered the drywall chunks falling from the wall. Had she imagined the creepy feeling because her heart had been in a panic about being in love?
Silly heart. The warmth filling her wasn’t scary at all. She didn’t have to fear giving her heart away because Marcus would take excellent care of it.
With a grin, Marcus saluted the crowd. “Thanks for coming, everyone. Let’s get started.”
His eyes locked on hers with the last phrase. She was all for that. She wanted to get started with the building. But more, she wanted to get started exploring the love filling her up.
And she had a really good idea how to do that. After the crowds were gone.
M arcus kept Elina in his sights all day, but he hadn’t seen or felt anything off. When he’d checked with her, she said she felt nothing unusual as well.
Again, she tried to convince him that she was overreacting. Not a chance. Elina had been calm and steady overseas. She’d put the children first, and he’d never seen her panic. The villagers thought she was wonderful.
Whoever had their eyes on her was real, but they weren’t bothering her today. Likely because she was surrounded by half the town. His job was to make sure she was never alone while tracking down the asshole. If the jerk didn’t take the hint and move on, Marcus would take great pleasure in hauling him in.
A look around the main floor showed vast improvements. It was easy to imagine the space with a counter, a waiting area, and desks with actual officers using them.
Elina’s hand slipped through his elbow, and she leaned into him. “It’s a whole different space. It’s going to be amazing.”
He nodded. “With everyone helping, we got so much done today. Sean tells me all the demolition is done, and Aisling and her team have the new plumbing in for an extra bathroom upstairs. That way, each recruit will have a private bathroom. If I can find the right people.”
She laughed and squeezed his arm. “You will. This is an amazing town, and you’ll attract the best candidates.”
“I like your confidence.”
“It’s easy to have faith in you.”
His heart damn near thumped right out of his chest. This woman made him feel like a superhero.
Ginny and Nimii walked into the main room with boxes of food. He’d asked them and Manuel to work some overtime and help feed everyone who had helped. They’d tried to refuse his tip for their overtime, but he’d insisted.
Branna brought in a selection of their beer and other drinks for everyone. The beer names made him smile every time.
Epic Phail Pale Ale.
Falcon Blonde.
The Pilsner of Oz.
Slick and Smooth Dark Lager.
Scooby’s Sweet Porter.
As per tradition, he wouldn’t have any input into the name for the stout they were brewing now but he was sure it would be something with Arrow in it. Thankfully, there weren’t many phrases with the word arrow that would be embarrassing. He hoped.
He grabbed a few beers, and brought them where Elina stood chatting with Piper and Troy. “What are you up to?”
Piper held up her phone. “The poll closes in five minutes. We’re waiting to see which mascot wins.”
He’d forgotten that it was tonight. He turned to the crowd and whistled sharply. When everyone turned, he gestured to Piper and Elina. “Mascot poll closes in five minutes. If you’re still deciding on your favorite, choose now.”
At least ten people pulled out their phones, and he did the same. Elina laughed. “You didn’t vote yet?”
He shook his head. “I like them all.” And he did. But the female firefly had the same kind of sparkle that he loved seeing in Elina’s eyes. He clicked on Fancy Firefly and shoved the phone back in his pocket.
Troy looked around the room. “Do you want to do an announcement of the winner right here? I think half the town is here already.”
Troy was right, but the room was too small to hold them all. “Why don’t we head outside, and you ladies can make the announcement on the front steps?”
Elina shook her head with a laugh. “Piper can handle it.”
But when they were outside, Piper looped her arm through Elina’s and dragged her to stand with Troy.
Piper grinned. “Ten seconds. Let’s count it down.”
The crowd cheered and clapped as the countdown finished. Elina laughed along with them, not appearing too uncomfortable with the spotlight. Marcus moved to the side of the crowd to keep an eye on it. He hadn’t seen anyone he didn’t know, but a lurker might not realize that. He might think he could go unnoticed in the group.
Everyone had left the dogs at home because a construction site was no place for animals, but Marcus wished he had Finch with him. Or some of the other dogs who’d proven they had good instincts.
He kept half of his attention on Elina as she peered at Piper’s phone with her. The other half was on the crowd and their surroundings. Nothing felt out of place.
Piper called out to the crowd. “Before we tell you the results, I want to thank Elina for creating such amazing mascots.”
Elina flushed as the crowd cheered again.
Piper laughed. “From the beginning, I was hoping for a great cartoon mascot. If a town named Phail doesn’t cry out for a fun mascot, I don’t know what does. I never dreamed of having the amazing Paxi design them for us. Thanks, Elina, for creating so many amazing choices. No matter what the town chooses, we’ve got a winner. Okay, let me check the poll results.”
The group got quiet, and Marcus sensed only a happy anticipation.
Piper laughed and showed the phone to Elina. Her eyes widened, and she grinned.
Piper turned her attention back to the group. “We don’t have a clear winner but we do have a tie. Fancy Phail the firefly and Phil Phail the fox.”
Everyone cheered again. Garrett called out. “Do we have a vote-off, or can we have them both?”
It only took a second for Piper and Elina to consult. Elina grinned. “Two mascots it is.”
Which made Marcus smile. Having input into the town meant more reasons for her to stick around. Her gaze found his, and his desire ratcheted up even higher. He wanted this woman.
Forever.
First, he needed to get rid of the others and lock up the building. Then he’d start working on convincing her she wanted to stick around.
Once they had the place clean, he and Elina did a sweep to ensure everything was as it should be. At the back door, he tugged her in for a hug. “Would you like to come back to my house with me? It’s just through the woods here. I’m not trying to pressure you, but I’d like to show you my space.”
Elina leaned back to smile up at him. “I’d love to see your space. I’d love to spend time with you there.”
Desire twinkled in her eyes, and he kissed her softly. “Good to know. I’m imagining a lot of very interesting ways to spend time with you there.”
She laughed against his lips. “I have a whole list of ways for us to spend time together, too.”
His body tightened, and he ran his hands up her arms until he cupped her face. “Very good to know.” He kissed her until he could feel his control unraveling. “Let’s go.”
He’d text Jim or Carl later so the two wouldn’t worry, but for now, his focus was on getting out the door and through the path to his house. To his bed.
He opened the station door and moved to put his body between Elina and the outside. None of them had noticed anything out of place today but he’d never take chances with her safety.
And he was glad he hadn’t. Not with what was on the path. He immediately backed up and closed the door, then flipped the lock.
“What is it? What’s wrong?”
Marcus pulled out his phone and steered Elina away from the windows. He called Troy. “I need the team at the station. Front door. Now.”
Then he hung up and tucked Elina into his arms. “We’ve got proof someone is up to no good.”
“What is it?”
He didn’t want her to see it, didn’t want her to even know about it. “Someone butchered some animals and left them in a trail up to the back door.”
She gasped softly, and her eyes filled with tears. “Those poor creatures. Why would anyone do that?”
Marcus pulled her close and kissed her hair again. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.”