Page 10 of Love Me Dangerous

Something in his tone sends icy prickles down my spine. I glance up, my breath making pale clouds in the morning air. My backpack is packed just like it has been every morning since I arrived four days ago, but it’s upstairs in the bunkhouse.

“State patrol needs my statement. About that Jeep.” He grimaces. “I’ve held them off this long.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him as understanding fires between us. Since that afternoon I arrived soaking wet, we’ve shared meals and done barn chores side by side with the radio on in the background. I let Barb wash my clothes and trim my unruly hair. Not once have they asked me for an explanation or made demands.

Henry flashes his palm in a “wait” motion. “You don’t have to run.”

Yesterday, he caught sight of the scars my stepdad gave me. It wascareless of me to be out in the open without a shirt, but the afternoon was hot, and I was working alone. He looked away, shaking his head.

“They don’t have to know about the trailer,” Henry adds.

“I won’t ask you to lie for me.” I squeeze my eyes shut for an instant, picturing my little brother William. Right now, he’s safe with our family friends, the McCabes. But I need to stay alive to keep it that way.

Henry rests his hands on his waist. “Besides hitching a ride in my trailer, you did nothing wrong. In fact, it’s the opposite. You saved those kids.”

I gaze out the open stall door to where Leo and Beatrice are grazing, with the rugged mountains rising above the rolling foothills. In the last few days, I’ve started to question my plan to head south. The Huttons have been more than welcoming. Small-town Finn River would be easily overlooked by Kristov. And Montana is fifteen miles away if I need to jump the state line in a hurry.

But if the law catches up with me, they’ll know who I am and the mess I’ve left behind. And it won’t be long before Kristov finds out, too.

“State Patrol is more interested in the accident than you.” Henry shuffles the toe of his boot. “If it goes well, maybe you’d consider staying.”

I frown. “Why?”

He sighs as if frustrated, but his eyes are kind. “Finn River’s a good place, with good people.” Before I can reply, he rocks back from the doorway and shuffles out of the barn.

Moments later, his truck engine purrs to life, and the tires crackle on the gravel as he cruises down the driveway. In the silence that follows, with shaking hands, I carry the pitchfork to the tack room. As much as I’d like to believe Henry will protect me, there’s only one person I trust to do that: me.

Leaving is the safest option.

Damn it.

Or I could stay put. I could repay the Huttons for their kindness by helping out here. Maybe they’d help me find work. I could keep in regular contact with my friend Sawyer back home while I save up for the day William and I can be together again.

Do I run, or risk it all by staying?

Chapter Four

SOFIE

I’m changingPippa’s diaper when two figures pass by the childcare center’s window. The busy drop-off period ended a half hour ago, so I glance up, expecting a stressed-out parent needing emergency childcare.

But it’s Stu Valentine, head of security at Finn River Ranch, walking with someone I don’t know.

Or do I?

My heart leaps into my throat.

What the hell?

My coworker, Ava, must hear my startled gasp because she looks up from the floor where she’s monitoring two toddlers playing.

Before I can move, Stu and the other person continue past.

“What’s wrong?” Ava asks.

I redo the snaps on Pippa’s onesie, the motion made awkward by the uncomfortable brace the doctor made me promise to wear. “Nothing.”

Ava glances at the window, then at me as I lift Pippa into my arms. “You’re white as a ghost.”

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