rising in her. What if he came back? What if he killed all of them, just like he’d killed Loretta?
Colton’s gaze remained focused out the window. “I don’t see him. Was that the car that followed you?”
“I… I don’t know. Maybe. It was so dark that I could really only see headlights. But whoever was driving the car just now left. What does that mean? If he knew I was here, wouldn’t he have stayed?” Sarah walked toward the fire, unable to ignore just how cold she was and how badly her feet hurt.
“He may have been feeling this area out. If he lost you as you came down the road, then he may have come here looking for your car. He may be looking for confirmation.”
“My car…” Sarah’s heart skipped a beat. It had been out front, hadn’t it? She hadn’t been paying attention, but that was where she left it.
Colton looked back at her, his gaze softening. “I moved it behind the house, so he didn’t see it. I don’t think he saw you when you ran out either.”
“He could have killed you.” The words caught in Sarah’s throat. No matter what had happened between the two of them in the past, she couldn’t live with herself if something happened to Colton because of her.
“He could have. But, most likely, he doesn’t know with certainty that I know you. If he knew you were here, he would have kept on going right to the house to find you and complete his mission.”
“You think?” She shuddered. That had been close. So, so close.
“He was aggressive. He wouldn’t have let me stop him.”
“Maybe he’ll move on now…” Sarah walked over to the window and glanced out also, half expecting to see the car again.
Instead, the peaceful woods stared back, the early morning sky stretching above the frosted evergreens.
Colton’s expression remained grim, as if he didn’t want to give her false hope. “If he suspects you’re in this area, then he’ll keep on looking.”
Sarah trembled again. “So what should I do?”
His jaw tightened with resolve as he continued to stare out the window, not saying anything for a minute. “We don’t have any choice but to get out of here. We have to operate as if this is a worst-case scenario. That guy could come back—we don’t want to be here if he does.”
“We?” The words came out as a squeak, and Sarah’s hand flew to her throat.
Colton nodded. “I can’t send you out there alone, Sarah.”
“I… I don’t want to put you at risk.” She’d pulled him into danger with her. What had she been thinking? Why had she come here? She would have been better off driving until her car couldn’t make it any farther.
But when she’d thought of safety, Colton was the first person who had come to mind.
Colton stepped closer and lowered his voice. “You’re not. I’m going with you, Sarah. Nothing you say will change my mind.”
She didn’t want to feel pleased. Didn’t want to feel the shiver that rushed down her spine. Didn’t want to find benefit in the thought that someone else was in harm’s way.
But Sarah did feel relief wash through her.
Because she knew she couldn’t do this on her own. And Sarah could do it with Colton by her side. But their history was going to be their biggest obstacle.
Colton’s eyes continually scanned the road as he traveled from his cabin into the majestic countryside. Snowcapped peaks surrounded him, along with rocky terrain and what in the summer months was a rollicking river.
These were the things he’d moved to the area for—the peace and serenity of wide-open spaces and clean air.
But right now, he found no joy in his surroundings. Not knowing what he did. Not with everything he’d learned that was going on with Sarah.
He hadn’t seen the dark-colored sedan since he’d left his cabin twenty minutes ago, but he still didn’t let down his guard. Someone who was determined to kill Sarah wouldn’t give up that easily.
They’d left quickly. Sarah had packed up some of her old clothes, as well as a few extra supplies for Buzz, including a water dish. Colton had also packed a bag, as well as some snacks and water. He’d slipped Sarah’s bloody clothing into the bottom of his duffel, just in case. He didn’t want to leave them there for just anyone to discover.
Glancing in the backseat, he also saw that Sarah had grabbed the bag from her car. She didn’t act suspicious, like she felt guilty about whatever was inside.
But Colton couldn’t stop thinking about it. Maybe Sarah had sold a painting. Maybe she had a good explanation for having that kind of cash.
But what if she didn’t?
He would ask her. Soon. When the time was right.
“Where are we going?” Sarah’s arm snaked into the backseat of his double cab, and she rubbed Buzz’s head. She’d done that often since they left, and the dog’s presence seemed to calm her.
She wore some old jeans and a blue flannel shirt. Her hair—wet when they’d left—had been pulled back into a bun. She had no makeup on, but she didn’t need any. Her skin looked perfect just the way it was. Colton had given her an old jacket of his—a thick black one that would keep her warm outside. She’d also found some old boots in that trunk, back from when they used to go hiking together.
Colton glanced at Buzz again. He liked having the dog with them. The canine had perceptive eyes, and he always stood on guard. Without ever witnessing it, he could tell that Buzz would do whatever it took to protect Sarah.
“I think we should go back to Spokane,” he told Sarah.
Sarah’s wide eyes focused on him. “Spokane? Why would we go back there? Shouldn’t we get as far away as possible?”
“A couple of reasons. First of all, I doubt this guy would think you’d go back.”
“That could be true, I guess.” She shrugged, still looking uncertain.
“Second, I think we need to figure out what happened to Loretta ourselves.”
“Why would we do that?” Sarah’s voice climbed with anxiety. “I mean, the police are looking for me. Won’t they be more likely to find me there in Spokane?”
“I realize that, so we’ll need to be careful. But I think the only way we’re going to put this behind us is to find answers ourselves.”
She gasped and paused before she said, “You think we should find the killer? Is that what you’re saying.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s what I’m saying.” Colton knew it sounded crazy, but he’d worked in law enforcement for more than a decade. If he trusted his instincts, he knew this was the right plan.
