Nothing appeared to be disturbed.
Yet the feeling remained.
As he started toward the barn, he paused when he heard the crunch of tires on gravel.
He looked up as a familiar truck came into view at the top of the drive.
Wyatt.
He put his thoughts aside. He’d have to analyze them more later.
Caleb exhaled slowly as the truck rolled to a stop near the gate. His younger brother punched in his code and then pulled through. He stopped near the kennel, and Caleb glanced at the truck. The back was loaded with feed bags, fencing panels, and an old toolbox.
Wyatt climbed out, moving with the same efficient ease he’d always had. He was a man who never did anything halfway. Thunder—a German shepherd with intelligent eyes—walked at his side.
“You brought more supplies,” Caleb called. “I told you this could wait until next week.”
Wyatt shut the door and glanced at him. “I didn’t have anything else to do today.”
Caleb heard the undertone in his voice and paused. “What’s going on? This isn’t just a casual visit, is it?”
Wyatt’s gaze swept the property before stopping on Caleb. “No, it’s not—though I did want to bring a few things by.”
“What’s going on?”
“I thought you should know I had a conversation with someone at the county yesterday. Off the record.”
Caleb waited for him to continue.
“He asked me about the ‘retreat center’ here,” Wyatt said. “I think they’re beginning to wonder whether this is actually a nonprofit—or if we’re trying to hide something.”
Caleb’s jaw set. “We can’t be classified as a women’s shelter. That record would be public, and anyone could find us. It would defeat our purpose.”
“I know that. But I fear that because we don’t report any revenue that the local government thinks we’re letting people stay here under the table—so we don’t have to pay those taxes. If they think that, they might push for an inspection.”
Caleb let out a slow breath. “All the records show that we’re operating as a nonprofit, invite-only retreat center.”
“I’m just telling you that the county is beginning to question that.”
Silence settled between them.
Caleb glanced back toward the house. He thought of Millie. Of Sissy. Of the women who’d trusted them to keep them safe.
He couldn’t let them down.
But sometimes it felt like the enemy was closing in from every side.
chapter
fourteen
Voices driftedfrom outside as Millie reached the kitchen.
She slowed near the window and spotted Caleb speaking with a man who was tall and broad.
Wyatt, she realized. Caleb’s brother. She remembered his picture from the office. A beautiful German shepherd sat near his feet.
Snippets of the conversation caught her ear. Without realizing what she was doing, she leaned closer.
