But just to be safe, he reached for the radio clipped to his belt.
He put it to his lips. “Max?”
“There’s an unknown vehicle at the lower gate,” Max responded. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“Not right now.”
“They’re not pressing the intercom. The driver is just sitting there. What do you want me to do?”
Millie listened to the radio conversation, her pulse quickening.
Was something wrong?
Caleb glanced at the door, his voice low as he spoke into the radio clipped to his belt.
She caught only fragments—gate, vehicle, checking it out.
“I’ll be right back.” Caleb paused and turned toward her. “It’s probably nothing to worry about. I just want to be sure.”
“Got it.”
Millie stayed in her chair a moment, trying to breathe past the tightness in her chest.
Was this truly nothing to be concerned about? She knew she’d ask herself this anytime anything unusual happened. She was too on edge for her own good—yet she couldn’t shake the apprehension.
Biscuit pressed against her leg, and Millie rubbed his head. Her fingers brushed his handmade leather collar.
After a moment of contemplation, she paced out of the office. Before she could second-guess herself, she headed toward the front of the house and stopped at the window. The glass was cold beneath her fingers as she pulled the curtain aside just enough to see.
Just as Max had said, a car idled near the gate.
Distance flattened the details. She couldn’t see the driver. Couldn’t tell the make for certain. The engine’s low hum carried faintly up the drive, steady and patient.
Is it his?
Garrick drove a silver Mercedes. Despite the cost, it was the kind of car that didn’t draw attention unless you were looking for it. In fact, to Millie, the vehicle had always blended in and looked like every other car on the road—which had surprised her about Garrick. He’d always liked positive attention.
Her pulse spiked as her mind filled in the gaps.
Soft footsteps sounded behind her.
Sissy paced until she stood beside her, Georgie tucked against her chest. The small dog was silent, eyes fixed on the window.
“Everything okay?” Sissy asked.
Millie nodded. “It’s fine. Just someone at the gate.”
“I’m always afraid this place will be compromised, that it won’t be safe anymore.” Her voice trembled.
“It’s easy to live in fear,” Millie muttered. “But hopefully, that will change.”
She didn’t want to cause the woman any more stress than necessary—not in her fragile state. Any amount of stress could be bad for the baby. Besides, Millie didn’t want to be an alarmist.
“I heard this place was supposed to be a bed-and-breakfast,” Sissy continued. “It’s the perfect setup for it, isn’t it?”
“For sure,” Millie said, happy for the subject change. “I’m just sorry the original owner didn’t get to see her dreams come to fruition.”
“It is a shame.”
