red boots. His body instantly reacted to seeing the woman she’d become. There were enough curves on her lean figure to make her look like a real woman. She still had the same chestnut-brown hair that fell well past her shoulders in waves. She’d be close enough for him to look into her light brown eyes soon. Were they still the color of honey?
Why did seeing Rebecca reduce him to being that heartsick seventeen-year-old brat again?
Brody ignored the squeeze in his chest. Fond memories aside, he didn’t do that particular brand of emotion anymore.
That she moved cautiously, surveying the area, reminded him why she was there. It wasn’t to talk about old feelings.
“It’s good to see you.” She took a tentative step closer to him.
Yep. Same beautiful eyes. Same diamond-shaped face. Brody hadn’t expected her voice to sound this grown-up. Or so damn sexy. He didn’t want to think about her in a sexual way. She’d been all sweetness and innocence to him at seventeen. And this wasn’t a date. He glanced around the parking lot to make sure no one had followed her.
“Wish the circumstances were better. I’m glad you called.” The conversation needed to stay on track. So, why did he feel another physical blow when he saw disappointment flash in her eyes? “Tell me why you think I can help.”
“He’s after me. Neither the sheriff nor the FBI caught him before. I’m scared. You’re the only one I can talk to who knows what really happened that night.” Her eyes flashed toward him nervously. “I’ve heard about the things you did overseas. I know you’ve done some security consulting on the side since you came back. I’d like to hire you to protect me while I sort all this out.”
“I don’t need your money. I’ll help.” He didn’t have to think long about his answer. Brody had experience tracking down the enemy, and this case had always eaten at him. Guilt?
“I’d still like to pay you something. In fact, I’d rather do it that way. I’m not a charity case.” She stared at him, all signs of vulnerability gone from her almond-shaped eyes.
He stared back. “Fine. We’ll figure something out.”
“Thank you.”
He hadn’t expected her to look so relieved. “You want to grab a cup of coffee while you fill me in?”
She nodded.
Brody followed Rebecca to the counter, where they placed their orders. She reached in her purse to pay for hers. He caught her arm. Big mistake. An electric volt shot through his hand, vibrated up his arm and warmed places that he didn’t realize were still iced over.
There’d be no use denying he felt a sizzle of attraction being near Rebecca again. It was more than a mild spark. She’d grown into a beautiful woman. But if he didn’t watch himself, she could put a knife through his chest with just a few words. And Brody had no intention of handing over that power again to anyone.
When their coffees were ready, she located a table in the corner. Brody followed, forcing his gaze away from her backside, ignoring how well the jeans fit her curves.
She took the opposite seat, her gaze diverting to someone behind him. Brody turned in time to see a fairly tall man sit a little too close for comfort. Then again, these coffee shops sure knew how to pack a hundred people into two-foot-square spaces. Brody had had to squeeze between the stacked tables to fit into the tight spot.
“Can you start right now?” Shoulders bunched, jaw set, she looked ready to jump if someone shouted an order over the hum of conversation. Tension practically radiated off her.
“Yes. I’ll need to arrange care for my horses. I can make a call to cover that base. If I’m going to be able to help, you’ll have to tell me everything.” His voice was gruffer than he expected, borderline harsh. Between his need to be her comfort and inappropriate sexual thoughts, being near her wasn’t exactly bringing out the best in him.
She glanced from side to side, told him what had happened that morning with more details this time, and then focused those honey browns on him. Tears welled in her eyes. “After all this time, he’s after me, Brody. Why? It doesn’t make any sense. Where’s he been all these years?”
“That’s a good question. One I intend to answer.”
“And what about my brother? Is there any chance he could still be alive?” Her voice hitched on the last word.
“We’ll find out.” Brody gripped his cup so he wouldn’t reach out to comfort her. “You’ve already been to the sheriff or you wouldn’t be calling me.”
She lowered her gaze. “Yes.”
“What did he say?” The way she kept one eye on the door had Brody thinking he needed to ask her to switch seats so he’d have a better view. As it was, he didn’t like his back facing the door.
“That I should be careful and to call if I see or hear anything suspicious.”
“Did you tell them that’s why you were there in the first place?” Frustration ate at him. He needed to control it in order to focus on the mission. Why would the man who’d abducted her and her brother all those years ago come back? To finish the job with her? She’d never been the intended target. When she’d witnessed a man grab her brother and run, she’d chased him into the woods. He had to know she hadn’t seen or remembered enough of him to help the law track him down or he’d already be in jail. “It’s been fifteen years. Why now? Where’s he been?”
“Wish I knew.” Her gaze ping-ponged from the front door to the exit. Fear pulsed from her. “Then again, the papers always dredge up the past.”
“That wouldn’t suddenly bring him out. They run stories every year.” Brody tapped his finger on the table. “I’ve thought about this a lot over the years.”
“Did we do the right thing back then? I mean, we were just kids protecting our friend by keeping that secret. What if that cost Shane his... What if someone saw something?”
“They would’ve come forward on their own if they had. Unless you think Justin was somehow involved?”
“No. It wasn’t him. This guy was too tall. Plus, I remember that smell. No one in Ryan’s house smelled like apple tobacco, least of all Justin.” The admission brought a frown to her lips.
“The sheriff wrote the case off as a transient passing through town before and found nothing. It’s time to change things up. We need to look at this through a new lens. Our guy could be connected to Mason Ridge in some way. This is where it all started and this is where it ends.” Brody had every intention of following through on that promise.
And if that meant breaking the pact and digging up the past, so be it.
Rebecca’s shoulders slumped forward. “It’s no use. We’ve been over this a million times and we never get anywhere. I’ve scoured the internet for years trying to find Shane. The case is closed. It was most likely a random mugging this morning. Even the deputy thinks I’m crazy.”
“Except
