Page 28 of Colton First Responder (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

She needed to jot something down, apparently. And he always kept a notebook or two in his SUV in case he got a call and needed to jot down quickly where to go and why.

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll bring them in right now—before I leave.”

* * *

Grayson had left an hour or more ago, but Savannah had tried not to think about him as she sat at the same old table once more, making notes.

And realizing she needed to get out of there soon. In some ways, the cabin was as much a prison as her cell.

Not just because she felt lonely with her only current contact, Grayson, gone. She recognized that she missed him not only because he was attempting to help her but because...well, she liked the guy. Felt attracted to him, despite herself.

But she also recognized that was a mistake. He was a good man, dedicating his life to helping people, and at the moment that included her.

It didn’t mean he liked her as anything more than someone who needed him.

Despite the hugs and the kiss they’d shared, which to Savannah had suggested more. A lot more.

But that wouldn’t happen.

Savannah rose again to turn on the lanterns to avoid being left in the dark. She checked to make sure the door was locked and the windows fully closed. She had no intention of going outside again that night.

And tomorrow? Maybe. Hanging out inside here alone could drive her nuts—even nuttier than she already felt. But what else could she do?

She would ponder that tonight where she could go, what she could do, to locate Zane and show the world what a horrible person he was. A living person. But how?

And what would she do if she didn’t ever see Grayson again? After handing her the notebook and pen, he had said he might not be back tomorrow but promised she would see him again soon.

But soon could mean anything from another day to a week or more. And his saying he’d return didn’t mean it would come about. Even when the food he so kindly supplied her with was gone.

So...now what?

She was a murder suspect who’d fled and was most likely being chased, or would be once the authorities finished with disaster relief.

If she left here, she would have to walk through these woods and beyond, in an area she didn’t know at all—unless she found her way back to town, a horrible idea if she couldn’t remain hidden somehow. She’d be recognized and arrested again, probably immediately.

But what was the alternative?

She had an idea, but it depended on Grayson’s returning. More than once.

Which meant, yes, she relied on him. A lot.

She trusted him, sure. Because she had to. She needed him to help her hang on to the last shred of sanity she still had.

And if he didn’t come back here even once?

Well, she could stay here until her remaining food ran out and then see what happened.

And in the meantime?

She decided to try to keep her sanity a bit by working out details for that idea she had.

She placed the notebook Grayson had given her on the table in front of her. Then she hurried into the bathroom and examined herself again in the mirror. At least she liked her new hairstyle—sort of.

Returning to the main room, she set a water bottle on the table and poured herself a small amount of wine before opening the notebook.

She began sketching on the first page.

Chapter 9

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