Page 113 of In Hiding

“There is nothing more important than family. I’d extend the same helping hand to any local.”

“Except, my brother wasn’t a local, and really, until four years ago, neither was I.” He conceded her point with a nod. “I think Jake’s involvement might have a lot to do with it but nonetheless, I thank you and your daughter. Without her skill,” Sarah patted her thigh, “things might have been different.”

Pride colored his cheeks. “She is talented, I’ll grant you that.” He gazed out over the garden slowly disappearing under a blanket of white. “There’s a storm coming. You’re likely to be snowed in.”

“We have prepared, but that’s not why you came by.”

He blinked, his eyes acknowledging her unspoken question. “Your ex-husband’s body is in the morgue. It needs to be formally identified.”

The thought of having to see Ryan’s mangled corpse one last time raised a level of discomfort she couldn’t hide. “After the storm. He can stay in the fridge until then.”

Damien laughed. “I like the way you think.” He sobered and set a hand on her shoulder. “You may not think it, but you are an extraordinary woman, Sarah. I’ve seen the most courageous men run away from battle. You faced it head on and that is admirable, but you don’t have to be alone. Embrace Wills Crossing and the friends you’ve made here. If you need anything, we’re just a phone call away.”

“Thank you, again.”

“And as for Jake,” he said with a sigh. There was a distinct air about him suggesting he wanted to make amends. “Tell him not to be a stranger. I may be a meddling old man, but this is his home now and we think of him as family.”

“I’ll tell him you came by.”

As if accepting she was done, he nodded and took a step toward the stairs but stopped and turned. “You can trust him, Sarah. Despite his past, he wants to prove himself worthy.” Damien smiled. “He is, worthy that is, but you know how us men can sometimes be.”

He smiled sadly and jogged down the stairs. She watched the black SUV swallow him before driving away. As the sound of the engine faded out, she sensed the vast wilderness around her slip back into her thoughts.

It was the best of two worlds here at Andersen House. The urbanized town nearby balanced with the mostly untouched landscape to offer her a sense of stability and a hint of remoteness that satisfied something deep in her soul. Whether it was a hark back to their voyager heritage or a need for the comforts of civilization, she didn’t know.

Gratitude settled in her heart and she returned to the warmth of the house. Climbing to the third floor, she opened the balcony doors and stood at the railing. The blanket around her insulated her against the cold as tiny snowflakes fluttered to the ground. A kookaburra flew down from a nearby tree, landing on the rail. It stared at her, as if expecting food, before stretching its wings and taking off. Watching it fly away, she marveled at the unique wildlife right on her doorstep.

It was a good hour before she heard the distant sound of a car engine. She smiled, returning to the room, leaving the doors open. Jake was home. She heard a commotion downstairs and by the time she reached the top of the stairs, Jake had already made his way up two flights. He stood on the landing, leaning on the balustrade and breathing heavily. He smiled when he saw her.

“One minute.”

Sarah leaned a hip against the railing. “You shouldn’t stay up here. It’s impractical.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “There’s a bathroom and a bed. What else would I need?”

“The kitchen is downstairs.”

He pushed away from the railing and climbed one step at a time, never once looking unsteady on his feet. She admired his strength as made it to the last step. He paused to peer into her eyes. “Who says I need the kitchen?”

They hadn’t quite discussed sleeping arrangements as yet but it felt right that he take the top floor. She stepped aside and waved him through. He crossed to the open glass doors before crooking a finger at her. Needing to feel his touch, she crossed the room and pressed her palm to his cheek.

His arm slid around her waist and pulled her closer, catching her off guard. She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off with a kiss that sent a tingle down her spine. Her body responded as she hooked an arm around his neck. Breathing him in, she got the unmistakable impression that if he could devour her, he would. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes.

“I’ve missed you, Sarah.”

The words vibrated through her. He touched a finger to her lips and traced them. She parted her lips and let her tongue dart out to taste him. He growled deep in his throat as desire darkened his eyes.

“Welcome home,” she offered. “Is there anything you need?”

His eyes flashed but a footstep made them both turn. They found Erik at the top of the stairs. His cheeks flushed red though he rolled his eyes.

“Get a room.”

Jake pointedly glanced around them. “What does this look like to you?”

Erik grinned. “I was thinking you two might need some time alone. I’ve asked William to come and stay with me at the Sanctuary until this storm passes. It’ll mean he can go to school and I can have some time to get to know him again. That is, if you’ll agree?”

Sarah nodded. “Go, but you had both better stay out of trouble.”

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