Page 30 of Christmas in the Shadows

Chelsea hoped this person wasn’t calling for the reason she assumed.

But she was about to find out.

CHAPTER 10

Tex stepped closer to the office door.

He should go inside now while he had the opportunity. Though he might not find anything, maybe he would. Maybe this didn’t all go back to doping those athletes after all. Maybe Gilbert was up to something else.

But just as his hand gripped the office door, movement out the side window caught his eye.

A car went by on the street.

He’d recognize that pale-yellow Volkswagen Bug anywhere.

Chelsea.

Where would she be going at this hour? And why hadn’t she told him she was leaving?

Unless something was wrong.

That had to be it.

Tex abandoned the office and grabbed his keys from his pocket. He hurried outside to his truck. If he left now, he could follow her.

Was he overstepping by doing this? Maybe.

But he couldn’t help but think Chelsea was in trouble.

He eased onto the road, keeping his headlights off so he wouldn’t attract any attention.

Then he turned after her, only flipping his lights on once he merged onto the highway cutting through town.

It took several minutes, but he finally spotted Chelsea’s Volkswagen Bug ahead. He kept a safe distance behind her so she wouldn’t know she was being followed and freak out.

He glanced over as he drove and saw a Christmas star shining brightly from the top of the nearby mountains. It was the Mill Mountain Star, lit year-round and an icon in the area. Seeing it brought him a rush of memories.

Several minutes later, Chelsea turned off the road. Tex followed her as she wound through a neighborhood and stopped near a park.

He pulled to the curb the next block over so he wouldn’t be spotted.

Then he watched as Chelsea parked, climbed out, and glanced around as if skittish.

What was going on? Why was she here right now?

A moment later, she took off in a fast walk down the sidewalk.

Tex waited until she rounded the corner, then he climbed out also. He needed to catch up with her, just in case something was wrong.

Before he reached the corner, he paused and ducked into the nearby woods, careful with each step and motion.

He didn’t want Chelsea or anyone else to know he was here. Not yet.

He peered from behind a tree. From his position, he could see Chelsea standing on the sidewalk, her arms crossed over her chest as if she tried to stay warm.

She appeared to be waiting for someone. But who? And why at this hour? In this location?

A moment later, a figure strode toward her.

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