Claire took off her jacket. “Tell her not to rush back. I’ll help Mrs. Bennett.”
“Okay. Let me know if there’s anything I can do to make your life easier.”
“We’ve been in worse situations,” Claire said. “Besides, I don’t think anyone will get past your security system.”
Brett hoped so, too. He’d never been more thankful that Pat had installed the best security system he could afford. All they could do now was wait for the police to do their job.
***
Hannah unpacked the last of her clothes. She wasn’t planning on staying more than a few days but, even so, the closet and wooden drawers were bulging.
“You forgot this.”
She turned around and smiled at Brett. “Thanks.”
“Claire said not to rush back. She’ll help Mrs. Bennett.”
Hannah left her satchel beside the desk and glanced around the room. “It seems strange to be back here. It’s only been a few days since I left.”
“I’m sorry about what’s happened.”
“It’s not your fault. Dave’s dad must have really upset some people.”
Brett stuck his hands in his pockets. “Money has a way of doing that.”
Hannah nodded and picked up her laptop. “Can Claire and I set up an office space on the landing? I can give you a hand to move the furniture.”
“Sure. Let me know what you need and I’ll find it.”
“We don’t need much. There’s already one desk in the corner. If you have another table and chair, that would be great.”
“Anything else?”
“No. That’s the good thing about our business. As long as we have our laptops, a phone, and an Internet connection, we can work from anywhere.”
Brett leaned against the edge of the windowsill. His eyes were almost the same soft gray as the sky behind him. Hannah blinked, pushing the random thought out of her head.
Her gaze drifted across the snow-capped mountains and open pasture. It was the kind of winter scene that had brought her and Claire to Bozeman. But today, unlike other days, the mountains made her feel trapped. It wasn’t great knowing someone could be looking for you.
“Are you okay?” Brett asked.
“I was thinking about Dave. Claire and I left Boston to get away from dad. Now we’re here and someone is doing exactly what he did to us. I feel like a magnet for bad luck.”
“It’s not you. People like Dave’s dad are everywhere. The only thing we can do is not let them get the better of us.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
“I know. At least you’re safer here than in Bozeman. What are your plans for this week?”
Hannah thought about her sister’s spreadsheet. “Claire and I have a meeting in town on Wednesday. Everything else we can do from the ranch. The following week, we’ll be busy setting up the Jenkins’ wedding. Hopefully, we’ll be back home by then, so it won’t be an issue.”
“I’ll drive you into town on Wednesday. I can drop Pat off at the retirement village, then pick him up after your meeting.”
“You don’t need to. Claire and I can drive one of our vehicles into town.”
Brett shook his head. “It’s not going to happen. Dave was beaten to within an inch of his life and photos of you were left beside him. There’s no way you’re going anywhere on your own.”
With a resigned sigh, Hannah sat on the end of her bed. “You’re probably right. Thank you.”
