“Good luck with stopping her,” Ethan said from the back seat.“If she’s anything like Diana, she won’t listen.”
Diana grinned at her fiancé.“Sometimes I do, but only when it’s in my best interests.”
Theo grabbed his backpack and hurried toward Barbara.Before he told her she was staying in Sapphire Bay, she held out a can of deodorant.
“I didn’t think you’d have time for a shower, so I brought an extra-strong deodorant for you.I have enough food for three people for a few days.If you want a change of clothes you’ll need to—”
“I’m going on my own.”
Barbara’s eyebrows rose.“The Bed and Breakfast gave Anne my cell phone number.I’ve spoken to her.She’s expecting to see both of us.”
Standing in front of the door, he ran his hand along the top of the doorframe.“It’s too dangerous.If McGibbons—”
“I’ve got it.”His front door key was dangling from Barbara’s fingers.“You shouldn’t leave your key in such an obvious place.”
For a few seconds, the gleam in her eyes distracted him from what he had to do.“You aren’t coming.I’ll call you when I reach the Bed and Breakfast in Somers.”Taking the key out of her hand, he undid the door and headed toward his bedroom.
“Anne isn’t in Somers.”
Theo stopped and turned around.“Where is she?”
“Somewhere a lot safer.”
The stubborn tilt to her jaw matched his.“Tell me.”
“No.”
“You have responsibilities here.”
“So do you.”
Ethan stepped into the hallway and cleared his throat.“The longer you stand here arguing, the more time McGibbons has to find Anne.Grab some clothes and get in the truck, Theo.Did you bring your laptop, Barbara?”
“It’s in my backpack.”She sent Theo a superior stare.“I’ll wait for you in the truck.”
His heart pounded as she strode out of the house.She was stunning when she thought she’d won.But Somers, or wherever they were going, wasn’t Sapphire Bay.Neither of them would be happy if something happened to Anne before they reached her.
With even less time to waste, he hurried to his bedroom and threw some clothes into a bag.If they needed it, he had a first aid kit in the truck and enough water to last a few days.With the food Barbara had brought, they should be fine.
Anne must be worried if she’d traveled hundreds of miles to see him.And no one, including Theo, wanted to risk anything happening to her.Especially when she was his last hope at clearing his name.
CHAPTER 8
Barbara glanced across the cab of Theo’s truck.So far, their trip had been filled with more silence than anything else.“It’s a pity Ethan couldn’t come.”
“He has too many counseling sessions booked.I thought you’d be busy, too.”
“I am, but it’s easier for me to change my schedule.”She waited for him to respond with a comment about not needing her help but he didn’t.“Is someone looking after your radio station?”
“I’m broadcasting another radio station’s playlist from KZSB.It’s not ideal, but at least it gives my listeners something to enjoy.When are you going to tell me where we’re going?”
“Anne’s staying at the Mission Mountain Winery in Dayton.It should only take us another twenty minutes to reach her.”
“Whose idea was it to stay at the winery?”
“I thought it was better than staying at the Bed and Breakfast.Shania found Anne so quickly that I knew she couldn’t stay in Somers.I used to work at the winery, so I asked the owners if they still have cabins their staff use.They do.Claudia was happy for Anne to stay with them for a couple of days.”
“That was lucky.”
