Page 14 of Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage 2)

Erin turned to walk back to the house. “I’m sorry. Jack will figure it out. Nathan will be okay.”

“Is this the psychologist talking?”

“Um...”

“Just what I thought.”

“What?”

“I just meant you weren’t really giving it much thought. Okay, that was harsh. I’m sorry.”

“I know you’re worried,” Erin said. “The first thing that popped into my head was the crime scene. The Nathan I know, or knew, would be trying to solve this crime.”

“Listen, you’re right in that he wanted to be part of the investigation, but the sheriff told him to take a week off. So he can’t go there. Jack was at the scene earlier with Trevor, the lead investigator, and Nathan wasn’t there.”

Terra wanted something from Erin, that much was obvious. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what you think I can do.” She hadn’t meant to sound so cold.

“You can help us figure out where he is. Jack is actively trying to find him.”

Erin swiped her arm over her forehead, anxiety building in her chest. “Terra, really. I don’t know why you would think I can help. I don’t know him anymore. I don’t know where he would be. He’s a big boy. He just needs to process through it.”

Please don’t ask me to get involved like this. I have enough on my plate.

But she couldn’t ignore her own growing concern for Nathan or forget how her heart reacted to seeing him again. All the more reason to stay out of it.

“Jack and I were both thinking that since you’re his ex and a psychologist, you could think about it from that angle. You know, work your forensic criminal psychology magic.”

“He’s not a criminal,” Erin said.

“He doesn’t have to be for your magic to work.” Terra must have stopped driving—her cell signal was crystal clear, and no road noise came through.

Erin sighed.

“Will you please help? Can you think of where he might go?”

Erin crossed the street and headed up the sidewalk to Mom’s quaint little house—the home Erin grew up in, at least for part of her childhood. “Nothing more than what I’ve already offered is coming to mind, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”

When Terra didn’t respond, Erin said, “You still there? Or did I lose you?”

She glanced at her cell to confirm that the call had dropped. At the porch, Erin entered through the front door, and as she passed Nadine and Mom playing cards at the kitchen table, she gave a small wave. They barely lifted their heads to acknowledge she’d returned. She headed to her old bedroom, showered in the adjoining bathroom, and dressed.

Though she tried not to be overly concerned about Nathan’s whereabouts, she couldn’t let it go. Nathan could be in trouble or need someone to talk to. If anyone should have caught subtle signs Mom was in trouble, Erin should have been the one, but everyone had missed those signs. Erin couldn’t ignore that Nathan could be in trouble too and could need help.

Getting out of the house and driving around might be one way she could find him, or at least that would give her some ideas. Her hands were filled up and overflowing at the moment, and she couldn’t offer much more help than to simply find him.

Lord, please just let Nathan be okay.

Purse over her shoulder, she stopped in the kitchen. Nadine was putting away the cards alone. “Where’s Mom?”

“She’s changing into her gardening clothes.”

“I need to run an errand, and I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”

“You go right ahead.” Nadine smiled. “I’ll be here. Celia and I were just going out back to plant some pansies I brought.”

“Pansies?”

“I thought they might liven the place up a bit.”

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