Page 15 of Sadie's Guarded Harbor

Tommy shrugged. “It’s a small town. If people stay here, there aren’t too many options. They’re bound to end up with someone that a friend dated at some point.”

She quirked her lips, questions shooting from her eyes.

Questions he had no intentions of answering. He might be from Water’s Edge and familiar with the small pool of potential dates, but he didn’t give two shits about dating. He’d lost not one, but two women he loved. He didn’t have it in him to lose a third.

“Mitch is a teacher, so Clara should be free to talk to us tomorrow while he’s at work. She stays home with their kids. Why don’t we stop by in the morning and get the scoop on her and Shawn?” His stomach growling, he bit into his burger, ending any further conversation. He wanted to finish his meal and get the hell out of here. They gotten what they needed from Curtis—for now—and had work waiting for them back at the station.

As if reading his mind, Sadie dug into the rest of her food without another word. When she finished, she pushed away the plate and ran a hand over her flat stomach. “I won’t need to eat anything else until tomorrow.”

Tommy chuckled and dabbed a napkin on his mouth. He threw the dirty napkin on his empty plate. “Same. Ready to head out?”

She nodded and climbed off the stool.

He threw some bills on the counter and followed her to the door, casting a quick wave at Curtis, who was back behind the bar, before pushing open the door for Sadie. A gust of windslammed against them. He huddled inside his jacket, wishing the station was closer than the two blocks they had to walk.

A buzz vibrated against his thigh, and he grabbed his phone from his pocket. A text message from Taylor. He swiped it open, wishing he’d donned gloves on his freezing hands, and read her message. “Well, shit.”

Sadie halted in the middle of the sidewalk. “What happened?”

He sighed. “Shawn didn’t have any income from the bar, but the bar was getting money from Shawn.”

She furrowed her brow and thick snowflakes nestled in her hair. “What do you mean?”

He handed her the phone so she could read Taylor’s message for herself. “Shawn paid Curtis a thousand dollars a month. Has been for years.”

Tommy fisted his hands inside his coat pocket. Now they had two leads to follow. One possibly involving sex, the other money. Both damn good reasons to kill.

7

White lights ran across the roof and wrapped around the porch of Safe Haven Women’s Shelter. A large green wreath dotted with holly and red velvet bows hung on the door. Sadie stepped out of her car and into the lightly falling snow, taking her time on the short walk inside.

The day had been long, and tension bunched the muscles in her shoulders. The fifteen-minute drive to Pine Valley was all she’d get to herself, her only time to unwind and clear her head. Once she entered the large Victorian house and wrapped her arms around Amelia, mom mode would be all consuming until she slipped into sleep later that night.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

Once on the porch, she stomped the snow off her boots and entered the foyer. A hum of activity reached her ears from behind the swinging door that led to the kitchen. She smiled, the muted melody of a holiday song barely audible, but the giggles undeniable.

She filled her lungs on a deep breath. This shelter brought more than just a safe place to women who found themselves inbad situations. It brought peace and joy to her every time she stepped inside.

With a renewed spirit, Sadie hurried into the kitchen where the scents of lemon and garlic mingled with fresh baked cookies. An odd yet charming aroma, especially combined with the cheerful scene at the neatly set table. Mrs. Collins stood in front of the stove and plated breaded chicken while Laura strapped her daughter, Isla, into a highchair.

“Mama!” Amelia launched herself from where she sat on the bench seat and burrowed into Sadie’s arms.

Sadie cuddled her close, soaking in every ounce of sweet, ornery goodness. “I see you talked Mrs. Collins into baking those cookies today.”

Laura brushed a long strand of hair off her forehead with the back of her wrist. “Those cookies were a joint effort, weren’t they, Amelia? I’m not letting Mrs. Collins take all the credit.”

Sadie kissed Amelia’s forehead. “Thanks for watching her. I caught a big case, so the next few days might be a little hectic. Are you sure you’re fine with me bringing her here while I work? I can make other arrangements for her school break.”

“Are you taking about Shawn Downs?” Laura asked, frowning.

Sadie nodded, not wanting to say more in front of Amelia. She always tried to keep her work life as separate as possible from her daughter. Amelia didn’t need to be aware of all the bad things happening in the world around her.

At least not yet.

“Marie mentioned it before she headed home. Said Owen spoke with Tommy a little about the case.” With Isla safely secured in her chair, Laura crossed to the island and pulled silverware from the drawer. “You two staying for dinner?”

Sadie hesitated. The idea of going home and preparing a meal was less appealing than watching paint dry, but these women had already done enough for her today.

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