Chapter 8
chapter
eight
Anger coursed through Caleb when he heard the details of what Millie had been through. His hands fisted beneath the desk.
He took a deep breath, trying to keep his emotions under control.
He’d have time to think more about what she’d said later. Right now, he needed to think about Millie.
His gaze met hers.
“You’re safe here.” Caleb didn’t say the words because they were magical. He said them because they were true. “This place doesn’t advertise what it really is. Locals think Refuge Cove is a dog rescue and boarding facility. And it is. That part’s real.”
She leaned forward, listening closely. “I love that you work with women—and animals.”
“We have a close-knit network. Hospitals. Social workers. Vets. People who know how to pass along the right information without putting anyone at risk. That’s how women find us. Just like that’s how you found us.”
Her shoulders seemed to ease just slightly.
“We started a year ago,” he continued. “We’re still working out a few kinks, and we have some growing pains.
But safety comes first. Always. More than fifty women have stayed here since we opened our doors.
Not one of them was found while they were under our care. This property has never been breached.”
“That’s good to know.”
“And we never rush anyone out. Our guests stay as long as they need, until they’re steady again.”
Millie drew a slow breath. “That’s also good to know.”
The pressure in Caleb’s chest eased. It wasn’t gone, but it felt lighter.
Then Hamilton stood, his hair on end and tail straight, and he barked—a single, sharp warning.
Hamilton didn’t waste noise.
Caleb froze for half a second. “What is it, boy?”
Hamilton looked at him, silently telling him he’d heard something.
Caleb listened for any sounds.
There were none.
But just to be safe, he reached for the radio clipped to his belt.
He put it to his lips. “Max?”
“There’s an unknown vehicle at the lower gate,” Max responded. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“Not right now.”
“They’re not pressing the intercom. The driver is just sitting there. What do you want me to do?”
Millie listened to the radio conversation, her pulse quickening.
Was something wrong?
Caleb glanced at the door, his voice low as he spoke into the radio clipped to his belt.
She caught only fragments—gate, vehicle, checking it out.
“I’ll be right back.” Caleb paused and turned toward her. “It’s probably nothing to worry about. I just want to be sure.”
“Got it.”
Millie stayed in her chair a moment, trying to breathe past the tightness in her chest.
Was this truly nothing to be concerned about? She knew she’d ask herself this anytime anything unusual happened. She was too on edge for her own good—yet she couldn’t shake the apprehension.
Biscuit pressed against her leg, and Millie rubbed his head. Her fingers brushed his handmade leather collar.
After a moment of contemplation, she paced out of the office. Before she could second-guess herself, she headed toward the front of the house and stopped at the window. The glass was cold beneath her fingers as she pulled the curtain aside just enough to see.
Just as Max had said, a car idled near the gate.
Distance flattened the details. She couldn’t see the driver. Couldn’t tell the make for certain. The engine’s low hum carried faintly up the drive, steady and patient.
Is it his?
Garrick drove a silver Mercedes. Despite the cost, it was the kind of car that didn’t draw attention unless you were looking for it.
In fact, to Millie, the vehicle had always blended in and looked like every other car on the road—which had surprised her about Garrick. He’d always liked positive attention.
Her pulse spiked as her mind filled in the gaps.
Soft footsteps sounded behind her.
Sissy paced until she stood beside her, Georgie tucked against her chest. The small dog was silent, eyes fixed on the window.
“Everything okay?” Sissy asked.
Millie nodded. “It’s fine. Just someone at the gate.”
“I’m always afraid this place will be compromised, that it won’t be safe anymore.” Her voice trembled.
“It’s easy to live in fear,” Millie muttered. “But hopefully, that will change.”
She didn’t want to cause the woman any more stress than necessary—not in her fragile state. Any amount of stress could be bad for the baby. Besides, Millie didn’t want to be an alarmist.
“I heard this place was supposed to be a bed-and-breakfast,” Sissy continued. “It’s the perfect setup for it, isn’t it?”
“For sure,” Millie said, happy for the subject change. “I’m just sorry the original owner didn’t get to see her dreams come to fruition.”
“It is a shame.”
Millie watched as Caleb and Max headed down the drive.
Their strides were long, controlled. Not hurried. Not casual.
Ready.
The car at the gate remained idling.
With her gaze still trained out the window, Millie asked, “First baby?”
Sissy rested one hand over her stomach and the other smoothed the sweater stretched tight beneath it. “Yes. I’m a little nervous.”
“I’m sure most first-time moms are.” She paused, trying not to dwell on the thought that she’d wanted her own kids by now—a dream that might not ever be a reality.
But this was not the time to think about herself and her own slashed dreams. Instead, she offered a soft smile to Sissy. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“I couldn’t put my baby through what I’d been through.” Sissy frowned. “I had no choice but to leave. I had to make things right and not repeat the past.”
Millie understood that thought. She was so glad she and Garrick hadn’t had any children.
“Sounds like you made the right choice by coming here then.”
Sissy smiled faintly and nodded.
Millie glanced back at the car.
The vehicle remained at the gate.
Her chest tightened. Every instinct urged her to move—to hide, to run, to do something—but there was nothing to do except watch.
Watch and pray.