Page 10 of Christmas in the Shadows

Tires squealed somewhere close.

Before looking at the paper, Tex rushed to the window.

But when he peered outside, he saw nothing.

Even if he tried to follow, by the time Tex got to his truck his efforts would be useless.

Whoever had done this was now gone.

A rock formed in his stomach. What was going on here?

He strode toward the brick and ripped the rubber band off. Then he pulled his sleeves over his hands before he unfolded the paper. He didn’t want to mess up any potential fingerprints.

A message had been crudely written in thick, black marker on the white paper.

You’re not welcome here.

Tex sucked in a breath at the words. Were they meant for him?

But he’d just arrived, and he hadn’t told anyone he was coming. So the thought of this being directed at him seemed strange and unlikely.

“Tex?”

He turned to see Gilbert standing in the doorway behind him. Chelsea peered from behind Gilbert. They both stared at him, waiting for an explanation.

“Someone threw a brick through your window with this message attached.” He held up the paper. “Any idea what it means?”

Gilbert flinched as he read the words. “Why would someone do that? Why wouldn’t they want you here?”

“Nobody knew I was coming here,” he told Gilbert. “So it is a little strange.”

“Well, it couldn’t have been meant for me.” Gilbert threw his hands in the air. “Why would someone tell me I’m not welcome? I’ve lived here for twenty years.”

Tex didn’t know what was going on, but whatever it was, he didn’t like it.

“Should I call the police?” Gilbert frowned as he stared at his window.

“That’s your decision.” Tex headed toward the window again. He wanted to double-check that whoever had done this hadn’t come back for a second loop.

“What would you do?” he asked, honestly sounding uncertain—not a common emotion for Gilbert.

Tex turned back toward them. “It couldn’t hurt to file a report. The cops could find some fingerprints on the paper. I doubt there are any, but it’s worth a shot.”

Tex didn’t like where this was going. Between the mystery of why he’d been asked to come, finding Chelsea in Gilbert’s office,and now the brick through the window, this wasn’t the start to his visit he’d foreseen.

“I guess I’ll keep it quiet.” Resignation filled Gilbert’s voice. “No need to make a big deal out of it and just give more attention to whoever did this. I was really hoping my time with you while you were here would be peaceful.”

There was definitely more to this story than Gilbert had let on when he’d invited Tex back to Holly Ridge.

Tex nodded to the front of the house. “I should get some wood and cover this window. It’s going to get cold in here fast.”

“I have some plywood in the shed out back.”

Tex headed that way. “I’m sure I can find something.”

Chelsea trailed behind him. “Let me help. To get a piece of wood big enough to cover that window, it’s going to be large. Two people would be better.”

“I can—” Gilbert started.

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