Page 35 of Colton First Responder (Coltons of Mustang Valley)

“That whole situation is sad,” Marlowe said. “I’ve known Savannah for a long time—Savannah Murphy. Some of you have, too, right?” She looked at Ainsley, who nodded. “She’s a nice person. I find it really hard to believe she’s a murderer.”

An accused murderer, Grayson wanted to say but kept quiet. He didn’t want them to figure out he even knew Savannah, let alone that he was attempting to help her.

“People snap and do terrible things sometimes,” Ainsley said. “But I have to agree with you, Marlowe. I find it hard to believe that Savannah’s a killer.”

That, at least, was good, Grayson thought. And fortunately the topic of conversation moved to how Colton Oil was doing now that their dad Payne wasn’t in charge of even his executive staff. Marlowe was now CEO. And Rafe was CFO.

Which was of some interest to Grayson, but not much. Especially since all seemed to be going relatively well.

“No dessert for me,” he said a little while later as the staff began clearing plates and bringing out sweets. “I’ve got to get on the move.” He ignored the irritation on his siblings’ faces as he left. “See you again soon,” he said—lying somewhat again.

He was interested in what they might eventually discover about their missing oldest sibling, so he might meet up with one or more of them again soon about that.

And he wanted to stay informed about how their father was doing.

But otherwise—well, he wasn’t hanging out in the dining room here. He was going back to his wing to spend the night.

So he could get up early the next morning—and head for a certain fisherman’s cabin.

* * *

Savannah’s eyes popped open. What time was it? Daylight poured into the cabin through its multiple windows, illuminating its shabby but utilitarian contents that she had come to know too well.

She thrust the sheet off and sat up in bed. She had actually slept last night, at least for a while. Amazing!

She wore a long T-shirt, the one that had been in the bag she had rescued. It felt good to get out of the other clothes she’d been wearing pretty much all the time since her flight from the van—and before.

And with luck, she would be able to convince Grayson to buy her the things she had listed to help turn her into someone who appeared quite different from the fugitive Savannah Oliver. That would include utilitarian nightwear of her own.

Before leaving the bed, she sat there listening for any sound that could have awakened her. There were a few birds tweeting outside, but nothing suggested she was about to have any human visitors.

Unfortunately, not even Grayson. But he’d already told her not to expect him that day.

And if he did turn up tomorrow or the next day? Should she really just continue to stay in this cabin waiting for him—and imagining that no one else could find her here?

On that miserable thought, she finally stood and headed toward the bathroom, where she stepped into the shower. She had left her clothes on

the bed, and when she was done washing she dried herself and opened the bathroom door again.

Yesterday, Grayson had been there, and she’d kissed him. She listened once more, just in case, but heard nothing. Saw nothing. And so she got dressed.

She wasn’t especially hungry, but she’d seen some cereal bars with fruit filling that Grayson had brought, and so she took one out of its small box in one of the kitchen cabinets and brought it to the table, along with—what else? A bottle of water. She wished she had caffeine, but with no power here, let alone any kind of coffee maker, she was out of luck.

One of these days, though...especially if she accomplished what she wanted to and started looking like someone who wasn’t her at all. Could she then work directly with Grayson and somehow investigate what had happened to Zane? If not, she would still ask for his advice on how to prove her innocence.

As she was eating, she considered what she would do that day—assuming she didn’t just go crazy and flee this place. But if she did, where would she go?

No, it made more sense to hang out here one more day and see if Grayson did show up tomorrow. Then she could make her request for disguise material, and if he agreed and got what she asked for, that would be the time to leave.

If he showed up.

After all, the men in her life such as Zane, and even Schuyler, had betrayed her. Could she believe that Grayson wouldn’t do so, too?

For now—well, she noticed that her burner phone was fully charged, fortunately. She quickly added more batteries to the list she’d been making, though. She had no idea how long these would last.

Then she decided to take a walk around the cabin for a modicum of exercise before starting whatever research she could come up with on the phone.

She put the phone in her pocket, just in case she needed it, then headed to the door. She opened it, and gasped. Grayson.

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