Page 26 of Peril in Piney Woods

Determined not to borrow more trouble than she already had, she put all else aside and just enjoyed the moment. It felt good, maybe too good, chatting with Griff over the breakfast he’d made and then washing the dishes together. She imagined this was how it would be if they were together.

Do not go there.

She knew better, but it was impossible not to imagine how it would feel to live this life, this partnership with the two of them working together and laughing and feeling just like a team. What would it hurt to let herself dream for a few minutes?

In her back pocket, her cell vibrated, drawing Meg from the fantasy. She stilled, withdrew it and checked the screen. Long ago—right after she exited her former life—she had set up notifications for anything that appeared online related to who she was previously. For a while, the notifications had come frequently and furiously. She’d topped the headlines on the West Coast for a few months.

Eventually, the notifications had dwindled to nothing. Since moving to Piney Woods, she hadn’t received a single one. She was gone, probably dead, and there wasn’t a soul on the planet who cared.

But this notification wasn’t about the person she used to be. This was about Megan Lewis, owner/operator of Pampered Paws in Piney Woods, Tennessee. This was about her life now.

The one that was, as of this second, officially over.

Her heart sank to her knees.

Her name and, worse, her photo filled the screen. Several news outlets in both Tennessee and Georgia had picked up the story. That was troubling enough, but it was the pickup by the Associated Press that sealed her fate.

No One Messes with This Woman

The story explained how Megan Lewis of Piney Woods, Tennessee, was a hero. Not only had she rescued a young girl from a savage fate, she had taken on the would-be killer’s vigilante family, kicking butt and taking names.

Cold seeped into her bones as she read several versions of the same story. Her face appeared over and over—images all credited to the one reporter who’d lingered after yesterday’s invasion at Meg’s shop.

“You okay?”

Meg blinked. Shoved her phone back into her pocket. “I’m sorry, what?”

Griff had moved in toe-to-toe with her. He searched her face. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

She had. Meg swallowed back the dread rising in her throat. Her own.

“It’s nothing.” She forced a smile. “What’s next on this morning’s agenda? I’m guessing there are a lot of animals ready for their breakfast.”

She couldn’t think. Couldn’t kick the voices from her head. They will see this. They will come. Your life here is over.

She had to get Griff moving into his day so she could figure out the best plan for exiting this life, for leaving everything behind. She thought of Raymond, and her heart hurt.

Griff’s worry shifted into a grin, somehow dragging her from the painful thoughts. “Mornings are my favorite part of the day.”

She forced a smile, hoping he wouldn’t see through it. “I can’t wait to see what makes you say so.”

He led the way to the barn, where they hayed the horses and cows. Added a bucket of feed to the pig trough. Meg struggled with keeping this new reality at bay so that she could enjoy this last morning with Griff and the animals. After the big animals were done, they moved on to the cats and then the dogs, all of which were freed to roam. Griff allowed the cats and dogs free range all day every day. He preferred putting them back into their kennels at night. The animals seemed to feel more comfortable that way, he explained. Maybe because the routine of it felt comforting. Then Meg and Griff gathered a few eggs in the chicken coop and restocked their feeders. She understood exactly why this was the best part of his day.

Meg felt so grateful for having been able to share it with him.

“I should drop Pepper at the vet clinic.” She reached down and rubbed Raymond on the head. He’d followed every step they had taken. She suspected he sensed something was wrong. “Is it okay if I leave Raymond here until I get back?”

“Sure. I have some work to do in my office.” He grinned at the dog. “Raymond can keep me company.”

“Thanks. I’ll just get my wallet and keys, then I’ll load up Pepper.”

He hitched his head toward the house. “You get your stuff. I’ll load Pepper into your truck.”

“I appreciate it.”

Meg walked back to the house, holding back the urge to run. The longer she stayed at this point, the more dangerous for anyone who had been associated with her. Trudging up the stairs, she considered that leaving Griff a note would be a nice gesture, but there was no time to explain. No time to say the things that had swelled into her throat. How did she tell him that all he thought he knew about her was a lie? Whatever suspicions he had about her based on the events of the past two days would never in a million years live up to the truth. The truth was far scarier and far uglier.

Some secrets were better left buried.

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