Page 23 of Bridge to Safety

“I’ll do that.” Tomorrow. A walk around the lake would be the perfect thing for a Sunday afternoon.

Her smile faded as Duke pulled into the parking lot. Spotting them, he parked next to Shiloh’s car and stared at them through the windshield.

“Ignore him.” Rowan’s eyes hardened.

Peanut growled deep in her throat.

Shiloh’s heart leaped into her throat when Duke got out of his van and approached the table.

~

“Deputy.” Duke’s lip curled in a sneer. “Shiloh. Nice day for a picnic.”

“What do you want?” Rowan tried to keep the growl from his voice. No need to frighten Rachel.

“Just stopping to grab something to eat.” He eyed the empty spot next to Shiloh.

“That spot is for the dog.” Rowan grinned. “There’s an empty table over there.”

Duke’s eyes narrowed. “I prefer to eat inside.” He continued into the building and sat at a table near the front window.

“Great.” Shiloh crossed her arms. “He can still watch us.”

“Not if we change tables.” He took Rachel’s hand and led her to a different table.

“Did something happen between the two of you?” Shiloh sat across from him, her gaze landing on where Rachel played with Peanut in a patch of grass.

“Me and Duke? Nothing more than usual. He warned me to stay away from you.” Rowan laughed. “That sort of behavior doesn’t go over well with me.” He folded his hands on the top of the table. “What’s up with him and this town?”

She shrugged. “I grew up here knowing no one bothered the Larsons, but I never knew why. Maybe they’re one of the founding families and deserve respect?”

“It has to be more than that.” He glanced at the building. “I’ll talk to the sheriff. Since I’ve been working and living here, I didn’t know anything about Duke until you showed up.” Which meant her arrival had reawakened the monster inside, or the man had simply been sneakier about his dirty deeds.

“I wasn’t going to say anything, but—” She stopped as their server approached. The girl did a fancy bit of footwork in order not to get tangled up with a very excited Peanut.

“I’m so sorry.” Shiloh grabbed the dog’s collar. “Bad girl. Sit.”

“It’s okay. I like dogs.” She set their food on their table and left.

“You were saying?” Rowan arched a brow.

“It’ll wait.” She bobbed her head toward Rachel.

He nodded, knowing whatever she wanted to say had something to do with Larson. He hadn’t dug anything up during his internet searches, but he’d keep at it until something unearthed. It might not hurt to have another talk with June and a few of the other old-timers. He’d have to be careful, though, that no one tipped off Larson.

Rachel gobbled down her popcorn chicken and returned to the grass with the dog.

“My neighbor came to me this morning and informed me that Duke sits in a van at the top of the hill in front of this man’s home and watches my house.” She gathered up their garbage. “I’m not terribly worried because of my new security and Peanut, but his presence bothers my neighbor.”

“I’ll stop by there Monday and talk to him. See if he wants to file a complaint.”

“Too many people involved will make Duke angry.” A worried look crossed her face. “He might do more than just watch.”

“The more people who don’t bow down to him, the fewer people there are who will back him up.” He called to Rachel that it was time to go home. “We’ll keep a sharp eye on him.”

Duke climbed into his van and tossed them a salute before backing from the spot and driving away. Yes, they’d be watching him very closely.

When Rowan went to turn onto the street where he lived with Rachel, Duke’s vehicle blocked the way. The man stood next to his van, feet planted, arms crossed.

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