Chapter 5 #3
“Safe,” Daphne said. “That’s how you look.”
Asher tested the tracking system. Both signals clear, both devices functioning. Daphne began stocking the kitchen, unpacking supplies delivered to the house—coffee, bread, basics.
The doorbell rang.
They both froze. Already?
Daphne moved to the door while Asher positioned himself to the side, hand near his weapon. She opened it.
A woman stood there holding a welcome basket. Late fifties, friendly face, brown hair with natural gray showing. Yoga pants and tunic, Apple Watch on her wrist.
“Hello!” Bright smile, warm energy. “I’m Ruthie Carson from across the way. Wanted to welcome you to Aspen Ridge!”
Daphne’s expression shifted from professional to warm in half a second. “Hi! Thank you so much. That’s very kind.”
“I saw you moving in and thought I’d bring some cookies and a community directory.” She held out the basket, the scent of chocolate chip cookies drifting into the house. “I live in the blue house right next door.”
“I’m Daphne Morrison.” Daphne took the basket. “This is my husband, Asher.”
Asher stepped forward and extended his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Ruthie shook it. “Morrison! I saw that on the new resident directory. And you have family moving in?”
“Yes,” Daphne said. “My mother-in-law Destiny and my brother-in-law Roger.”
“How wonderful! What brings you all to Aspen Ridge?”
Asher caught Daphne’s subtle glance—his cue. “Destiny just moved into the area, and Roger just had surgery. Needed a quiet place to recover. We’re helping them get settled.”
Ruthie’s expression shifted to concern. “Oh my! What kind of surgery?”
“Appendectomy,” Daphne said smoothly. “Emergency situation, but he came through well.”
“That’s frightening. When was the surgery?”
“Two weeks ago,” Asher said automatically.
“About ten days,” Daphne said at the same time.
Silence. Brief, but there. A dog barked somewhere down the street, and the wind rustled the ornamental grasses in the landscaping.
Ruthie’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Well, still very recent either way. He must be exhausted.”
Asher felt his chest tighten. First mistake, made within thirty seconds. “Yeah, the days blur together. Hospital time is weird.”
Ruthie smiled. “I’m sure. How long are you two staying?”
“Oh, a month, maybe,” Daphne said casually.
“Oh, Oh, that’s the longest you can stay.
Aspen Ridge rules. No guests longer than thirty days.
” She made a wry face. “But he should be on his feet by then. My husband…um, late husband had his appendix out years ago—laser. And was up a day later.” She still stood on the step holding the basket. “Can I…” She gestured inside.
Asher reached for the basket. “This looks fantastic.”
More silence.
“Well, I won’t keep you,” Ruthie finally said. “I’m sure you’re exhausted from the drive. Actually, we have a community potluck next Friday, if you’d like to come. Six p.m. at the clubhouse. Great way to meet everyone.”
“We’ll see how Roger’s feeling,” Asher said.
“Of course. Oh, and there’s a community Facebook group. Very active. I can add you if you’d like.”
“Actually,” Daphne said quickly, “we’re pretty private. Don’t use social media much.”
“Oh yes. I forget, Facebook is an old person’s platform. Well, if you change your mind…” Ruthie backed toward the porch steps. “Welcome to Aspen Ridge! If you need anything, I’m right next door.”
“Thank you,” Daphne said. “We appreciate it.”
Ruthie walked down the steps, across the lawn, and disappeared into her house.
Daphne closed the door and turned to Asher.
“We said two weeks and ten days,” he said quietly.
“It’s just a small thing.”
“Yeah, but…we need to get our stories straight. Really straight. Not just basics. Everything.”
“Agreed.”
Asher grabbed his keys from the counter. “Pizza. I’ll go get pizza. When I get back, we talk. Real details. No more contradictions.”
From the master bedroom: “I don’t eat pizza!”
Asher closed his eyes and took a breath.
Daphne’s mouth twitched. “This is going to be a long four weeks.”
“We’ll figure it out. I’ll be back in twenty minutes.”
He headed for the door, but Daphne caught his arm with a brief, light touch. “Hey.”
He stopped and looked at her. Auburn hair catching afternoon light from the window, green eyes serious, freckles across her nose visible this close. “Be careful.”
He smiled at her. Didn’t move.
“What?”
“I’m waiting for a kiss goodbye.”
“Leave now.”
He laughed and walked out into the cold air, long shadows, sun touching mountain peaks. Got in the car, started the engine, backed out of the driveway.
His phone buzzed.
Asher glanced at the screen. Unknown number. But he knew exactly who it was.
Unknown Number
I want those witnesses dead. Location. Or I’ll find you myself.
Draven.
Red light ahead. Asher stopped and looked at the text again.
Then he deleted it without responding.
The light turned green. Asher drove toward town and pushed Draven Frost to the back of his mind, where all the other lies lived.
Just twenty-seven more days. He could delete texts for twenty-seven more days.
Probably.