Maybe not. Most likely not. He thought logically, and their marriage was tit for tat, an exchange of services.
The dogs barked from the open window, and Cait let go. She felt a lump deep in her throat.
Would Brian choose Glen over her?
Especially since he claimed to know why she really married him?
Could he keep what he thought he knew a secret? Because if it got out, she would have to run away and never face her disappointed family again.
“Hey, don’t look so tragic.” Brian tapped the tip of her nose. “I’ll see you when you get home.”
She waved at him while he got into her tin can Toyota and watched until the car disappeared behind the screen of trees.
Raising her face to the sky, she whispered to the wind blowing over the treetops. “Even though I married you to cover something up, I stayed married to you because I love you.”
* * *
Sierra and Meliabounded up the steps to the wraparound porch of the Mountain Dogs Rescue Center, setting off a volley of barks from the chain-linked kennel.
“Cait Hart, how good of you to come visit.” Linx’s brown eyes crinkled with a hearty smile. “What’s going on? Did your man find what he needed?”
“I’m hoping you have room to board these two dogs,” Cait said. “I’ll pay for it, but I can’t take them home because my mother lives with us and she’s allergic to dogs.”
“Oh, your poor mom.” Linx petted Sierra while Melia nosed around her legs trying to get attention.
“She loves dogs, too, but I’m in a bind.”
“Sure, I don’t have room here at the rescue, but I can take them home. How long will you be gone?”
“Not too long. Brian’s going to take care of some business and he has to work his shift, but once we figure things out, we can come back and get them.” Cait pulled out her checkbook. “Should I leave a deposit for their food and supplies?”
“None needed,” Linx said. “Cedar would love to share what she has, and it’ll be fun for her. I have a large yard. Just leave me your phone number and we’ll text each other.”
“Cool.” Cait couldn’t believe how warm and friendly this stranger was. She was an attractive woman, but she was also down to earth.
“Come on, you little cuties,” Linx said, taking their leashes. “Your new mommy will be back in no time.”
“I’d better get going then.” Cait looked at the darkening clouds. “Storm’s coming in.”
Cait bent down and hugged both dogs. Even though she’d only met them, she could see why they’d be good for an autistic child. They were calm, and brushing their fur was therapeutic.
The rain got steadily heavier as Cait descended the switchbacks. She could barely see, but a large SUV tailed her too close.
Gulping, she swallowed and squinted at the headlights blinding her through the rearview mirror. She was already going as fast as she could, but even with the all-wheel drive, she shouldn’t take the curves too fast.
A hairpin turn was ahead, so she tapped on the brakes, but the brakes felt spongy, and the car pulled toward one side. She was able to slow down enough to make the turn, but the cars behind her blared their horns, complaining that she was going too slow.
The road widened into two lanes, and she gratefully pulled into the right lane to let a few cars by. However the SUV stayed on her tail, and when the lanes closed to one, he was still glued to her rear bumper.
Her heart beating through her throat, she gripped the steering wheel and coasted down another series of curves. Dead Man’s Gulch was ahead, and when she looked at the speedometer, she realized she was going too fast.
This time, the brakes didn’t respond. She floored them and swung the wheel, trying to stay on the road. Panic surged through her veins as she pumped the brakes for dear life and downshifted the transmission.
A deep horn blared as she crossed the center line. She overcorrected and spun into a skid toward the guardrail.
The sickening sound of metal crushing metal punched her eardrums as she felt the steering wheel being torn from her. She turned and turned, spinning upside down, feeling each bounce. Someone screamed loud and long. The airbags exploded, punching her in the face, and then she was hurtling through space toward a tunnel of light.
