Page 27 of Peril in Piney Woods

Except hers was about to be exhumed in the worst kind of way.

The friends she had foolishly made, the reputation she had built would all be shattered when the truth came out, and it was coming. There was no holding it back at this point. She couldn’t stop the hurricane. Her only hope was to try and limit the devastation.

She picked up her backpack. Leaving the overnight bag was necessary so as not to draw suspicion from Griff when she walked out. She descended the stairs and hesitated at the front door. A last, lingering look around and she was gone. Allowing herself to get so attached had been a bad move on her part. She had known better.

Griff waited at the driver side door of her truck. When she reached him, he opened the door for her. Why did he have to be so nice? So caring? Her entire soul ached. So damned handsome?

“I should drop by the shop,” she said, hoping to extend the time she had before he started to wonder why she wasn’t back.

“Just be careful,” he said. “I called Ernie, and he says there’s no one else in the Jones family you need to worry about, but they haven’t interviewed all the members of that biker club yet. You need to be careful until we know if the threat is over.”

He had no idea.

Meg gave him a little salute. “Yes, sir.”

He caught her hand when she lowered it. “It’s important to me that you’re careful, Meg. To tell you the truth, I’d feel better going with you.”

If he hadn’t stared into her eyes that way, she might have been able to ignore the way his hand held hers so protectively. “I appreciate that and I promise I’ll be careful. You have plenty to do here. I’ll be fine.”

And then the final nail in her coffin. He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

If she had been smart, she would have drawn away, but she simply could not. She wanted more. If she never saw him again after today, at least she would have this one kiss to remember him by.

So not smart.

But oh so sweet.

She melted into him, her backpack hitting the ground and her arms going around his neck. His arms went around her waist and pulled her closer.

The desperation that clawed through her was nearly more than she could bear, but she had to resist. She would not allow the danger to find her here, where he could be hurt. She had to go. She had to go now. Drawing the trouble away from here—away from him was paramount.

She drew back. Pressed her forehead to his chin because she didn’t dare look into his eyes again. She might be strong, but she was not that strong.

“I should get going.”

“I wish you didn’t have to go.”

Her hands slid down to his chest, and she levered herself away. Somehow managed to meet his eyes. “See you later,” she lied.

He nodded. “Later.”

She picked up her backpack and climbed into her truck. Before pulling out, she waved. He waved back, and then he watched until she was driving away. She watched too as he grew more distant in her rearview mirror.

Gripping the steering wheel as hard as she could, Meg kept going. She glanced over at Pepper and smiled. “Don’t worry. Griff will bring you back home after all your tests.”

He would take care of Pepper and Raymond.

Meg didn’t have to ask or to wonder, she knew he would. That was the kind of man he was.

Dropping Pepper off at the vet clinic was easy enough. She told Lonnie if he couldn’t reach her with the test results to call Griff. Lonnie assured her that he would, and Meg headed into town. A truck parked in front of Pampered Paws sported a glass repair logo. She was glad Jodie had found someone who could come so quickly. Meg parked in the alley behind the shop next door. She needed to talk to Jodie—and Dottie too if she was in. She wasn’t sure just yet how the conversation would go, but it had to be done. She could simply rely on the letter she’d left, but this way would be better.

The usual crew of dogs were in the back play space. Meg gave individual attention to each of the animals as she made her way to the back door. She entered the code and stepped inside. Pop music played softly. Meg smiled. Jodie was in for sure. Dottie preferred country music. If she was in, she would insist that customers preferred country as well. Jodie never argued with the older woman. Whether it was respect or friendship, she always allowed Dottie to have her way.

Jodie was just outside the newly repaired front entrance and was handing a check to the repairman when Meg entered the lobby. The man thanked Jodie and went on his way. Jodie came inside, closing the door behind her. Her face brightened when she spotted Meg.

“You’re here. Everything okay?”

The urge to tell her no and all the reasons it wasn’t okay surged into Meg’s throat, but she couldn’t go there. Now or ever.

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