Chapter 22 #2
Quiet filled the space. Annie took a deep breath. Then another. She hadn’t had a moment to herself since this entire ordeal began. She touched the cross at her neck. It’d once belonged to her grandmother, passed down through the generations, a lineage of strong women who relied on faith.
Annie had leaned on God after the death of her husband. She’d found solace in prayer and peace in church. The quiet moments had eased her grief and given her the strength to build Haven Ranch into a successful summer camp. She’d thought her heart was healed, but perhaps there was more work to do.
God, I don’t know where You’re leading me with Tate.
It’s probably silly to even be thinking about this, or praying about it, with all the danger around us.
But it’s weighing heavy on me. I see his heart.
I believe he’s changed. So I’m asking You to help me stop being so afraid, to give me the strength to take a leap of faith, even though I know the risks.
She didn’t sense an immediate shift in her worries, but some of the pressure on her shoulders eased and her mind felt clearer.
Less troubled. She opened her eyes, her gaze landing on the yearbook.
She pulled it closer and removed her cell phone from her pocket.
Within seconds, she’d located a picture of Seth and placed it next to the ones of his father and brother.
Definitely a family resemblance. Still…something niggled at her. She stared at Marcus. They’d hired outside contractors to build the mess hall this fall. Had he been one of the workers? She couldn’t be sure.
Taking her radio from her waist, she called for Dwayne. He answered immediately.
“I’m sending you a photo of someone via text. He might’ve worked on the ranch temporarily when we built the mess hall.”
“Signal’s not good enough for me to receive a photo. The storm is letting up some. I’ll come to the main lodge.”
She glanced out the window. The wind had died down, and the rain had abated. Would a break in the weather give the killer an opportunity to act? She feared it would. “I don’t like you leaving the staff alone.”
“Jensen’s former military. He can handle it.”
Paul Jensen was a disabled vet. Dwayne had left him in charge of the staff after the tree fell. She didn’t like it, but figuring out who was behind these attacks was a top priority. “Okay.”
“I’ll be there soon.”
Tate entered the room. His jaw was shadowed with stubble, and exhaustion carved lines around his eyes. But when he saw her, the weariness eased from his expression. “I overheard you and Dwayne talking. You recognized Marcus, huh?”
“I’m not sure.” She gestured to the yearbook. “I can definitely see the resemblance to Seth, but whatever’s tugging at me feels like more than that.” Annie tried to concentrate, tried to tease out the thought hovering at the back of her mind, but couldn’t.
Tate crossed the room, checked the lock on the rear entrance, and swept a glance over the UTVs and the darkness beyond before coming back to her.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned over to get a better look at the pictures.
He frowned. “You’re right…there is something...
” He paused and then shook his head. “I don’t know what. It’s driving me crazy.”
“Same.”
The pressure of his hand on her shoulder was both reassuring and inviting. She followed the line his arm up to his face, and their gazes caught. The desire to be wrapped in his embrace, to feel safe, rose in her. Instead of fighting it, as she had in the past, Annie stood and hugged him.
Tate was shocked still for half a breath, and then he softened, his arms cradling her close.
Tension eased from her muscles. The fabric of his shirt was soft under her cheek, and he smelled like laundry soap and something distinctively him.
She breathed deep, letting the steady beat of his heart soothe her.
And slowly, beneath her ear, that heartbeat gentled. His breath stretched out long. The coiled readiness he’d carried all night loosened by degrees until his chin came to rest on her hair and he simply held on. She wasn’t the only one being comforted. Somehow that made it sweeter.
She lifted her face to his. Tate searched her expression.
She smiled, lifted onto her toes, and brushed a kiss across his mouth.
He inhaled sharply. She felt it. His longing.
And it cracked the last of her resistance.
She wanted this. Wanted to start fresh with this brave man who’d done everything in his power to keep them all safe.
He’d called her a straight-A rebel. Well, she was.
Brave enough to take risks, strong enough to withstand the troubles that came her way.
Perfectly designed.
And when the tally was done, Tate was a risk worth taking. He’d proven it.
“What do you say, after all of this is over, you and I go out on a date?” Annie’s fingers played with the soft hair at the nape of his neck. “But let’s plan something quiet. Unadventurous.”
He gave a low laugh, his expression soft and adoring.
“I’ll take you to my favorite Italian place.
Red and white tablecloths, candles, and homemade breadsticks.
The lasagna is amazing, but it’s the tiramisu that’ll make you believe you’re eating dinner on the Amalfi coast.” His lips curved up into a charming smile.
“Very quiet. Some would even call it boring.”
“Sounds like the perfect place to get to know each other better.” Annie met his gaze and held it.
“I’ve gotten a good look at the man you’ve become, Tate, and I want to know more.
Because I think I’m falling in love with you.
” She rose on her toes, her lips a hair’s breadth away from his, and teased, “But I’ll need a few tiramisus to be sure. ”
“You’ve got a deal.”
His lips met hers, and Annie’s heart tumbled over and over again.
When they broke the kiss, they were both breathless.
Tate gathered her close, and she sank back into his embrace, resting her head on his chest. They stood like that longer than they should have.
She didn’t want to move, didn’t want to ruin the moment, but the danger was far from over.
Annie made herself step back. The pictures on the table drew her attention again.
She focused on Marcus. “I swear, something about him is familiar.” She racked her brain, but still couldn’t figure out what was bothering her.
“Ugh. So annoying. It’s right there at the edge of my mind, but I can’t quite grab it. ”
Tate ran a hand up her back. “It’ll come to you—”
The lights went out.