Page 73 of Sanctuary of Secrets

Seyla closed her eyes. The sound of his playful antics in the water filled her ears, soothing her battered spirit.

Thank you, Lord, for the reminder.

This place gave them a home and safety. “Lord, you are my strength,” she whispered, watching the wolf splash around a bit longer prior to dashing off again. She couldn’t do this alone, but she didn’t have to. She’d have to rely on God for the strength to keep going.

Seyla hurried back inside to gather her stuff. For once, she planned to go to lunch on time. She rushed through the hallway and lobby, burst through the front door, and hurried through the parking lot. Chase was easing his tall frame out of a compact hybrid car parked next to her SUV. “Hi, Chase!”

Chase waved to her, then pointed at her windshield. “Somebody left a note on your car. Dare we hope it’s Victor Soros promising a retraction article?”

Seyla gave him a sad smile. “Not likely, although I wish it was true.” She passed by his rental car and noticed a tennis racket on the back seat. She’d seen one there in his old car, but it was surprising that he’d bothered to put another in the rental. Because of multiple sclerosis, he’d never again be the great tennis player Jessa had described. Did he keep it there for hope or nostalgia? “Did they ever locate your car?”

“Nope. I think it’s long gone at this point. Probably in some chop shop.”

“I’m sorry, Chase.”

His features tightened, his mouth flattening into a thin line for the briefest moment before he looked away.

Seyla made an effort to mask the pity she felt for him, knowing he’d hate that. But who wouldn’t be angry in responseto the horrible things that had happened to him thanks to his disease? In truth, he handled it a lot better than she would have.

Unsure what to say that would help him, she instead plucked the note from the windshield and flipped it open.

GET OUT OF THE WAY OR YOU’RE DEAD.

A hard lump lodged in her throat at the sinister words.

“Seyla?”

She heard shuffling nearby. Seconds later, Chase stood beside her.

“What’s wrong? You look like you’re going to pass out.” Chase leaned in to read the note and gasped.

“Move away from your SUV,” Chase said, peeling the keys from her hand. He opened the door once she’d retreated to a safe distance.

Shock numbed her mind, blocking her from understanding his logic or reacting to it.

He searched the entire vehicle. “There’s nothing here. It’s safe.” He handed the keys back.

She grabbed onto them, her hands shaking. “Thanks, Chase.”

“My guess? It’s that Yoder guy again. You really should be careful.”

Seyla stared at the note in her hand, her stomach twisting into a coiled ball. Her tongue felt too large for her mouth, preventing any response.

“Are you okay? Honestly, I think you should take some time off. Nothing is worth this kind of stress. Take all the time you need. We’ll hold down the fort,” he said with a wink.

Seyla tipped her chin in a nod, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, offering an awkward side hug. Although a charmer, he didn’t normally offer employees hugs. She stepped back to end the uncomfortable moment. “Thanks.” They exchanged smiles, then she got in her vehicle and sat there whilehe hobbled to the building. The minute he went inside, she remembered Jessa’s voicemail. She smacked her palm on the steering wheel. How had she forgotten? She’d have to ask him later.

The urge to call Jax, to talk to him, to ask him what to do, gripped her. No. She should go home for lunch, check on the cats, and call the sheriff regarding the note when she got back. It wasn’t likely that any fingerprints would be damaged on the way. Besides, they hadn’t left evidence any of the other times. If the past was any indicator, they hadn’t this time, either. She got in the SUV and tackled the drive home on autopilot, her heart stunned.

Lord, please help. I can’t do this. It’s too much.

Her chest and limbs felt like lead, making it a struggle to drive.

Once Seyla got home, she checked on the cats. Jax had isolated them in the bedroom. They weren’t happy about it. She refreshed their food, water, and litter, then hugged them and spent some time petting them. Her spirits lifted a little at their playful antics. After a few more hugs, she ate a small lunch.

A glance at the window confirmed that the sheriff had been true to his word. Plywood covered the entire window, hammered to the trim, so she released the cats from her room to race around the place. Seyla smiled, watching them tear past the door before she shut it.

Her sullen mood returned when she got a text message from Jessa right after she locked the front door.

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