Chapter 9
Bailey tried to ignore the shimmering awareness stretching like a live wire between her and Trevor.
His brief kiss had left her longing for more.
Looking away, she took a deep breath, then swallowed hard.
Talk about an inappropriate response. She’d just been shown a photograph of her dead husband, and here she was keenly aware of another man.
What kind of grieving widow was she to be so attracted to Trevor?
Pregnancy hormones running amok. That had to be the reason she was so drawn to him. Her emotions were all over the place. Not her fault, considering the circumstances. She didn’t remember her husband, so she couldn’t miss him.
She’d been targeted by a gunman, that was enough to terrorize anyone, especially knowing her baby’s life was at risk too. Yes, that had to be it. Likely, this was nothing more than the primal reaction to being with a man who’d protect her with his own life if necessary.
Would Clark have done the same? She wanted to believe he would have. Men protected their families, didn’t they? Yet seeing his image on the screen hadn’t filled her with a sense of longing, or even of sorrow.
For some unknown reason, she’d only felt relief. And that didn’t make any sense.
“Would you like more tea?” Trevor released her hand and jumped up from his seat. His movements were so abrupt Archie jumped up from beneath the table, looking around curiously. “I’ll make it for you.”
“Thanks.” Even that bit of kindness made tears prick her eyes.
She quickly wiped them away, knowing she needed to get a grip.
Trevor was her brother’s friend. He was being nice out of a sense of duty, nothing more.
As if sensing her distress, Archie crossed to her side and licked her hand.
She smiled and stroked his incredibly soft red fur.
Archie might be known to track people, but she thought he’d be a great emotional support dog too.
“I think we should continue with searching the internet for familiar places.”
“I agree.” Trevor flashed a warm smile as he filled the kettle with water. “I’m encouraged by you remembering the Sweet Water Pub.”
“It would be better if I could remember Clark or his friend Max.” She gave Archie a pat, then reached over to manipulate the cursor to bring the photograph back up on the screen.
The two men were smiling at whoever was taking the picture.
Yet as she examined their faces more closely, she sensed a wariness in Max’s eyes.
Pregnancy hormones? Her imagination? She had no idea.
“We’ll try to find your friend Stacy White next.” When the water began to boil, he filled a mug and brought it to the table. He leaned down to give Archie a reassuring rub. The dog settled on the floor between them.
“You said I work with her at City Hall.” She chose an orange-flavored herbal tea bag and added it to the steaming water. Then her eyes widened. “I forgot to call to let them know I wouldn’t be in.”
“I took care of that.” He turned the laptop toward him. “They’ll understand.”
Would they? Her head ached as she struggled to remember walking into work, setting her purse down, and turning on her computer.
It seemed like something she would do, but she couldn’t actually remember doing it. It was getting harder to separate things she knew, such as how to operate a computer, from memories of working at one. With a sigh, she took a tentative sip of her tea. The warmth seeped through her bloodstream.
“Take a look at this.” Trevor gestured to the image on the screen. The single-story building was built with tan brick and brown trim, and it had a flagpole out front.
“I’m assuming this is City Hall.” She grimaced. “I can’t say I remember being there before my accident, but I know we passed it during our drive around the city.”
“We did.” He typed on the keyboard. “What about this?”
An image of a pretty woman’s face filled the screen. Bailey caught her breath, a brief flash of memory popping into her mind. She and Stacy were having lunch at the Hitching Post. She raised an excited gaze to his. “That’s my friend Stacy. I remember having lunch with her.”
“Do you remember when? I mean, like recently?” Trevor pressed.
She frowned, then shook her head. “No. I just remember sitting across from her in a booth at the Post. I can’t recall if there was snow on the ground or not.”
“That’s okay. Any memory is a step in the right direction.” Trevor’s tone was encouraging. “We’re making headway, Bailey. God has answered our prayers. Your mind is beginning to heal and with that healing will come your memories.”
She regarded him thoughtfully. “You really believe that, about God answering our prayers. You’re not just saying the words.”
“I truly believe in God, that he sent his only son to walk among us, preaching God’s word. And that Jesus died to save us from our sins.” He didn’t blink or look uncomfortable at discussing such things. “I know He’s watching over us.”
She stared at him, drawing comfort from that thought. “I wish I could remember Bible verses I’ve learned. Or even a church service I attended.”
“In time.” He glanced back at the computer. “I’m trying to think of other places you may have been that will spark your memory.”
“Maybe the doctor’s office?” She smoothed her hands over her abdomen. Archie lifted his head to look at her, then lowered it again. “I must have been there often in the past few months.”
“True.” The corner of his mouth quirked up in a smile. His fingers worked the keyboard, and she was mesmerized by the strength of his hands. “Here, this is the only clinic in town. Looks like they offer OB services.”
Leaning in, she gazed at the building on the screen. Despite knowing she’d been there regularly, the place didn’t spark any memories. Because they were routine visits? Nothing memorable? She sighed. “Sorry, but I don’t recall being there.”
“Hey, that’s okay. You’re doing great.” He patted her shoulder. “Don’t stress. We know that’s not good for you or the baby.”
The memory of her sudden nausea made her swallow hard. He was right. She’d started to remember, but pushing it wasn’t smart. Concentrating only made her headache worse.
“You’re right. I need a break.” She turned away from the computer, cradling her mug in her hands. The fire Trevor had started earlier in the stone fireplace was still going strong. He must have fed more wood into the blaze.
Watching the flames was mesmerizing. Soothing. Calming.
“I was planning to have baked chicken for dinner.” Trevor’s statement had her turning toward him. “I know you just ate, so I’ll wait a while before making it.”
“Sounds good.” She sipped her tea, which was getting cold. “I’m surprised you know how to cook.”
He barked out a laugh. “Trust me, our parents expected us to pitch in and help with all aspects of the ranch. Including cooking, cleaning, laundry as well as general ranch chores. Now we have a housekeeper who holds down the fort while we’re off doing SAR missions.
Anna is an amazing cook, but we all fend for ourselves most of the time.
Except on weekends, when Anna likes to cook large meals for the family. ”
“The entire family? All nine of you and the respective spouses?” That sounded akin to feeding a small army.
“Yep.” He smiled. “You’ll have to join us once this is over.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” She felt her cheeks flush at the thought of joining family dinner. That seemed a bit too personal.
“You’re more than welcome.” He stood and paced the kitchen. Archie crawled out from beneath the table to stare up at him. He gave the dog a pat, then turned toward her. “I wish I knew why your house was trashed. It feels as if the gunman was looking for something.”
“Like what?” She didn’t understand where he was going with this. “If this guy wanted something from me, why not stick around after the crash?” She sighed. “At least, I don’t think he stayed around.”
“I got there pretty quick and may have scared him off.” Trevor shrugged. “We may have to head back to your place at some point to take a closer look.”
She didn’t like that idea for several reasons. Not least of all, the bad guy knew where she lived and might have been waiting for her to do just that. “I’m sure he found whatever he was looking for.”
“I’m not convinced of that.” He turned to face her. “Otherwise, why is he still coming after you?”
“How should I know? Maybe he just doesn’t like loose ends.” She set the empty tea aside and pressed her fingertips into her temples, massaging the tense muscles.
“Or maybe he thinks you still have whatever he wants.”
“That’s ridiculous.” She glanced down at her badly wrinkled clothes. “I don’t even have fresh maternity clothes to wear, much less something a gunman would kill for.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to go through your purse.” Trevor gestured to the quilted bag she’d draped over the back of a chair. “I should have thought of it sooner.”
Bailey almost refused. A woman’s purse was personal. Then again, it wasn’t as if she had anything to hide. Did she? No, that didn’t seem right. She couldn’t imagine a scenario where she’d keep a secret that might harm her unborn child. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” He eyed the purse as if it were a snake that might bite him. But that didn’t stop him from grabbing the bag and pulling items out one by one. A wallet. Car keys. Tissues, lip balm, a scrunchie to use in her hair. All routine, everyday things.
When the bag was empty, he riffled through her wallet. Then he smoothed his hands over the fabric of the bag, as if looking for a secret pocket.
“Nothing unusual.” He returned the items he’d removed.
“Wait, can I see those keys?” She held out her hand.
He dropped them into her palm. There were a few keys on the chain, the key fob for her car, what looked to be a house key, and a smaller key, maybe to a locker?
But there was another key on the ring. She stared at it.
Did this open the garage? Or the back door?