Before I can protest, Wolfe materializes behind the couch like a ghost. "Time to go."
"Already?" Sadie pouts up at him. "But I was just getting to the good part."
"You were interrogating her."
"Friendly interrogation never hurts."
Wolfe's expression doesn't change, but Sadie sighs dramatically and unfolds herself from the couch.
"Fine. But we're continuing this conversation later, Natalie. I have questions."
"I'm sure you do."
Sadie hugs me goodbye, surprisingly tight for someone so small. "I'm glad you're here," she whispers. "He deserves to be happy."
Then she's gone, Wolfe's hand on her back as he guides her toward the door.
The party breaks up slowly after that. Mace helps Vivian with the dishes. Deck walks the perimeter one final time, a habit Vivian tells me he can't break. Cade and I end up on the back patio, looking out at the mountains in the fading light.
"They're a lot," he says. "I know."
"They're wonderful."
"Yeah." He wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side. "They are."
We stand there in comfortable silence, watching the stars emerge one by one. The air is cool but not cold, carrying the scent of pine and woodsmoke. Somewhere in the distance, an owl calls.
"I could get used to this," I say quietly.
Cade's arm tightens. "I hope you do."
We're heading back to the truck when Deck catches up to us in the parking area. His expression is more serious than it's been all night.
"Got a minute?"
Cade's body tenses beside me. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing immediate." Deck glances at me, then back to Cade. "Mace has been doing some digging. On the husband."
My stomach drops. The warm glow of the evening evaporates in an instant.
"What did he find?" Cade's voice has gone flat. Dangerous.
"He's looking for her." Deck's eyes meet mine, direct and unflinching. "Hired a private investigator. They traced the car she abandoned to a town about fifty miles from here."
The world tilts slightly. I grab Cade's arm to steady myself.
"That was over a week ago," I manage. "He could be anywhere by now."
"He could be." Deck nods. "But he's not. Mace tracked the PI's movements. They're still searching in the wrong direction, working their way toward the Utah border. They haven't made it here yet."
"Yet." The word comes out bitter.
"Yet," Deck agrees. "Which is why we need to talk about next steps."
Cade's hand finds the small of my back, warm and steady. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking we get ahead of this. Set up additional security at your cabin. Add it to the regular patrol rotation. Make sure everyone knows her face and his." Deck's jaw tightens. "And I'm thinking we start putting together a file on this asshole. Everything we can find. So when he does show up, and he will show up, we're ready."
