“I’m a retired FBI agent,” Florence said to Lacy.“So I’m qualified to protect you.”
“Hal would put you up at the horse ranch also.He’s a deputy sheriff, also, and a rancher.That would be out of town too, and he has several ranch hands and a foreman that would be there to protect you,” Dan said.“Not to mention Hal would also.”
“Same with us,” Chet said, and gave Ava a hug and kiss before he left with the guys and Lacy.
Lacy never imaginedliving in a cougar-run town, but despite Mrs.Fitz’s assurances that they would keep her safe, she had her doubts.Mostly because Lacy had thought she was safe before, only for Timothy to show up again and force her to run.
No one had been able to keep her safe before this.She was grateful to the shop owner for taking her in.
“I can stay with Mrs.Fitzgerald, if that would truly work for her,” Lacy told the sheriff.She couldn’t believe they found a tracking device in her car, but it explained how Timothy had found her so quickly.
She figured it would be a good idea to stay with someone who was law enforcement trained.If she stayed at Chase’s cabin, she would be alone at night, and she could see Timothy breaking into it and putting her life in danger.If she resided at Hal’s ranch, she figured the ranch hands who visited her at the shop would pressure her to date, and she was off the dating scene for now.Though they’d all been sweet.And she couldn’t help but be flattered that they’d shown her all that attention.
“Okay, well, if you can do without Lacy for a little while, we’ll check the rest of her property to see if tracking devices are on anything else of hers,” Dan said.
“No.This needs to be done pronto.We can move your property to my house.Dan has a spare key.I have two guest bedrooms you can choose from,” Florence said.
“Thanks.”Lacy put on her coat and went with Dan and Chase to have her property scanned for tracking devices at the motel.
“So what brings you to Yuma Town?”Dan asked her on the way over there.
“I saw that it was a small town in the middle of nowhere on the map, and I thought Timothy wouldn’t be able to locate me.Boy, did I have that wrong.”
“We’ll take care of you,” Chase said.
“Right,” Dan agreed.“You're one of us now.”
She couldn’t believe how everyone was so welcoming to a perfect stranger.
They arrived at the motel, all decorated in Christmas lights, with a big Christmas tree in the lobby, next to a large window, showing it off beautifully.Chet and Ricky had followed Dan there.
Dan parked, and she used her key to unlock her motel room door.She really hoped there wouldn’t be any more tracking devices on her property.She worried that Timothy would already know she was stopped in Yuma Town.Not only did Ricky locate a tracking device in her luggage, but Chase found an audio listening device that could have captured conversations she’d had if Timothy had been close by.
At least it was on a bag she wasn’t keeping close, so all Timothy would have heard were news reports or Christmas music on the radio when she’d been driving.She was grateful that he hadn’t put one in her purse, or he would have heard her conversations if he’d been within hearing distance.
Dan made hand signals, not wanting her to speak when they found the listening device.They removed that and the tracking device.
Dan destroyed the listening device first.“A couple who ran the bank in town are driving to Denver.I’ll ask if they can take the tracking devices with them.And then place them on another vehicle that has out-of-state plates.That should help to confuse your location.”Then he called them and told them they would meet at the service station.
They packed Lacy’s property in the trunk of Dan’s hatchback and drove to the gas station to meet up with the couple.
Lacy just hoped her ex wouldn’t catch up to the couple and put them in danger.
As if they understood her concern for their safety, the woman said, “I’m Yvonne Mueller and this is my husband, Rick.We’re both retired FBI agents and run the bank in town now.If the ex-boyfriend harasses us, he’ll wish he hadn’t.”
Lacy smiled, thinking she might have truly found a safe haven.
“Okay, we’re off,” Rick said, and they drove off with the two tracking devices in their car.
Lacy felt a bit of relief that they were going far away, but she was a little nervous about dropping off her personal belongings when they arrived at Florence's beautiful, two-story Victorian house without her being there, though the guys were all with her.
Dan said, "Her guest rooms are on the second floor, second and third bedrooms to the right at the top of the stairs.She has a master bedroom suite to the left."
"Thanks."Lacy admired the beautiful Christmas tree, decorated with a multicolored array of balls, lights, and decorations.Garlands with big red bows hung from the fireplace mantle, draped over bookcases, and the banister leading upstairs.Reindeer in brass, ceramics, and even wood were situated under miniature pine trees as if the deer had been welcomed into her miniature forest.The scent of cinnamon filled the air as Lacy noticed Christmas candles situated around the living room and kitchen.
She headed up the stairs with one of her bags while the guys carried the others behind her, and she appreciated all their help.Then they set them in the bedroom that was also decorated for Christmas.A tall, skinny Christmas tree stood in a corner of the room next to a window.The bed was covered with a quilt depicting a Christmas tree and packages.Towels were rolled up in a red wicker basket.Complimentary soaps, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste were collected in another.Mrs.Fitz was truly ready for guests to stay the night.
The bedroom even had a bathroom, which she was surprised by but grateful for, giving her more privacy.Then she left the room with the guys and headed down the stairs.
