CHAPTER TWELVE
Hannah threw another suitcase into the back of her truck.
“Does Brett know we’ve got the Jenkins’ wedding next week?” Claire asked.
“He’s more worried about what could happen in the next couple of days.”
Claire stacked another bag on top of the others. “I can’t believe the sleazeball who dropped his wallet took photos of you.”
Hannah jammed another bag into the back seat. “Neither can I.”
“Are you sure I need to stay on the ranch? It makes more sense if one of us stays in town.”
“The police think whoever took the photos might target you if they can’t find me. Have we got everything?”
Claire frowned at the mountain of luggage. “I’ll do a last check inside the house. Did you take the milk and vegetables out of the refrigerator?”
Hannah pointed to a cooler sitting behind the driver’s seat. “Already packed. I’ve called Mrs. Bennett and she doesn’t need us to stop at the supermarket.”
“Okay. As soon as I’ve checked the house, we’ll leave. I don’t want to get caught in the storm that’s coming.”
While Hannah waited for her sister, she cleared their mailbox. Brett had called an hour ago, insisting they stay on the ranch. For different reasons, it was the last place Hannah and Claire wanted to be. Brett and the police thought that Pat’s new security system would keep them safer than their store-bought locks. They were probably right, but that didn’t make it any easier to move their business an hour’s drive from Bozeman.
The front door banged shut and Claire walked toward her truck. They’d decided to take both vehicles to the ranch. That way, they could each meet clients and not have to rely on anyone else for transport. After the last email from Mrs. Jenkins, they’d definitely need two vehicles. The menu for the wedding was turning into a ten-course banquet. It would have been fine if that’s what the bride and groom wanted, but it wasn’t.
On Wednesday, Claire and Hannah had the dubious honor of asking Mrs. Jenkins to curb her food fetish.
“Are you ready?” Claire asked.
Hannah took one last look at their home. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Let’s go.” And before she changed her mind, she slid into her truck and followed Claire down the driveway.
Someday, she’d probably look back on this Christmas and think what an adventure it had been. But that wouldn’t happen for a long time. With a crazy stalker on the loose, and a desperate man in prison, no one was safe.
***
“Oh, my goodness,” Hannah whispered. “Are you all right?”
Dave lifted his hand to one of his half-closed eyes. “It looks worse than it is.”
Claire handed him an ice pack. “Your nose just grew four inches longer. Believe me, Hannah and I have seen our fair share of black eyes and yours are impressive.”
Brett raised his eyebrows. “Was this while you were working in the retirement village or after you started your business?”
Hannah picked up her backpack. “Neither. It’s an occupational hazard when you have a dad like ours. I’ll be back soon to help Mrs. Bennett.”
Brett watched her leave the room with her suitcase. So far, encouraging everyone to stay on the ranch hadn’t worked that well. After a doctor saw Dave, they’d driven to his mom’s home. She’d been so shocked by Dave’s injuries that she’d packed her bags and driven her two youngest sons to Idaho Falls. She felt safer staying with her sister than being anywhere near her husband.
Thomas was staying with his family for a few days. He would be extra careful around town and call the police if anything strange happened. At least Claire and Hannah had finally agreed to stay on the ranch.
Pat came into the living room with a bowl of soup for Dave. “Mrs. Bennett told me you need to eat something. Do me a favor and at least try. I won’t hear the end of it, otherwise.”
Dave slowly sat upright and lifted the spoon to his mouth. It must have been hard to swallow anything, but somehow, he managed.
“Good boy,” Pat encouraged. “In another few weeks you won’t remember how much everything hurts.”
“I hope so,” Dave said. “Even breathing is hard.”
Brett picked up Hannah’s art satchel. “You’re doing great, Dave. If anyone needs me I’ll be upstairs, giving this to Hannah.”
