Page 31 of Christmas in the Shadows

Tex tensed. Who was that?

He waited, not wanting to act too soon.

A man appeared. He wore all black and had a baseball cap pulled low over his head.

Chelsea didn’t touch him. Didn’t offer a hug.

Instead, she handed him something in an envelope.

Whatever it was, the man slipped it into his back pocket.

The two of them talked several minutes before pausing. The man touched her arm before turning and jogging away.

What had that been about? Tex wondered.

If the meeting was on the up-and-up, then why was Chelsea meeting this man so late at night? And in such a secluded location?

Tex didn’t know. But unease jostled inside him at the possibilities racing through his mind . . . none of which were good.

Chelsea heard a stick crack from inside the woods.

Goosebumps popped across her skin. Was someone watching her?

She glanced around, searching for any signs of trouble.

But it was too dark to see anything.

Maybe it had been a bad idea to come out here. Especially after that break-in. She was so isolated here.

What if she was in danger?

She quickened her steps as she headed back to her car. She didn’t want to break into a run, but she would if she had to. Once she was there, she’d feel better. But right now, she only felt exposed.

Then she heard another stick crack, followed by rustling noises.

Suddenly, she knew with certainty that coming out here hadn’t been a good idea.

Her fear wasn’t just paranoia.

Someone was out there. Someone who was watching her.

Oh, God . . . help me!

She burst into a run. She couldn’t get to her vehicle fast enough.

Get your keys out, she told herself. She couldn’t waste any time once she reached her car.

She jerked them from the purse at her shoulder as she ran.

But her hands trembled so badly that she dropped them.

What? This was what people did on TV shows when they were being careless. Why was she dropping her keys now?

As she reached to pick them up, footsteps sounded behind her.

She looked up just as a man in black appeared. He came at her so fast she had no time to react.

He slammed into her. Threw her back against her Volkswagen. Pressed his arm against her throat.

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