Exhaustion dragged at Maya Trent as she headed for her truck. She’d spent Sunday morning at the hospital with her grandpa and then taken boxes of lavender oil and soaps to Dr. Morrow’s wellness center store. He sold a ton of it, and producing it along with fresh eggs, honey, and chicken, which she sold at the Golden Yolk Homestead, made her and her grandpa a good living, good enough to hire some help. As she headed back to her truck, one of the women from the self-defense classes, Jolene Hurst, came out of the clinic. It was strange to see patients here on Sundays. She’d never known Dr. Morrow to have appointments on Sundays, and she always delivered her goods on the weekend, but Jolene gave her a cheery wave. She nodded. “Evening.”
“You work too hard.” Jolene smiled at her as she headed for her truck. “Although I’m glad you do, as I can’t get enough of the lavender soap.”
Recognizing a potential customer, Maya paused with one hand on the truck’s door. “Well, I’ve been making up some gift packs that I’m selling in my store. I can give you a good discount for bulk.”
“Is that just for me or for my friends as well?” The woman’s mouth stretched into a wide smile.
Nodding, Maya pulled open the door to the truck. “Sure, tell them to drop by anytime and mention your name, and I’ll give them a discount.”
“Thanks.” Jolene turned away and then stopped. “How’s your grandpa? You mentioned he was in the hospital.”
Surprised she cared, Maya smiled. “He’s still there but doing okay. It’s times like this I need one of Raven’s dogs.”
“Personally, I’d prefer the man.” Jolene giggled. “I’m not really interested in a dog.”
Laughing, Maya shook her head. “I figure you’d need to get in line.”
“Maybe.” Jolene waved and headed for her vehicle.
During her drive home, Maya recalled Raven’s visit to her homestead. He’d been very concerned as the property spread out in all directions, and with only her grandfather and herself running the place, anyone could walk onto the property and harm her if desired. He’d recommended she get one of his dogs, as the dog would accompany her everywhere and sound a warning if anyone tried to sneak up on her. At the time, although she figured it was a good idea, she hadn’t wanted to approach her grandfather about getting another dog. His old dog had died shortly before the holidays, and she figured it was too soon to replace him. Not that the old dog had been protection against anyone coming on to the property uninvited. He’d just wagged his tail and given them a doggy smile. To him, everyone was a friend.
Now Maya could see the value of getting a protection dog, especially after two of her friends had been murdered. Of course, living in Black Rock Falls, murders seem to occur often over the vast county, and although they scared her, they’d never come close to her or anyone nearby. She always believed the Golden Yolk Homestead to be a safe place. The murdered women from the self-defense classes lived relatively close by. They moved in the same circles, which made Raven’s suggestion of a dog even more valid. The vulnerabilities he’d mentioned during his visit had unnerved her. Since her grandpa had been in the hospital, she kept looking over one shoulder to make sure no one was creeping up on her. Loneliness had surrounded her during her time alone at the homestead. She had the bees, chickens, and the horses to keep her company and always believed that’s all she would need, but over the last few days she had the horrible feeling someone was watching her. Noises around the house at night disturbed her. The old house moved and creaked most times but somehow this was different as if someone was on the outside deliberately making noises to frighten her. The knowledge that Sierra and Jan had experienced the same things and then turned up dead chilled her to the bone.
She parked her truck in the garage as usual and headed into the barn to finish her chores. After collecting the two horses from the corral, she made them comfortable in the stables and filled their mangers with hay and some treats. As she returned to the house, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled. No sound of a vehicle or even footsteps came toward her, but the feeling that someone was walking up behind her and blowing on the back of her neck hit her in a wave of panic. She quickened her pace and dashed alongside her truck in the garage to access the door into the mudroom. As she turned to shut the door something disturbed the shadows. A figure moved into the light. Maya sucked in a deep breath and then laughed. “You scared the heck out of me. I didn’t hear a vehicle. Did you walk from the highway?”
“Yeah.” The visitor stepped out of the shadows and walked toward her with a container held out in front of them. “I figured you might need some company, your grandpa being away and all. I have cookies fresh from the oven.”
Not wanting company, Maya paused a beat, but the visitor had made the effort to be nice, so she nodded and stepped to one side. “Come in. I’ll make a pot of coffee.” She looked sideways as the stranger to her house walked inside. I hope I won’t regret this.
She poured the coffee and then sat opposite her visitor. It was awkward having someone in her house she didn’t know but she guessed they meant well. She didn’t like cookies but took one out of the container and ate it slowly. To her surprise, it was delicious and she couldn’t resist taking another. “My grandpa would love these cookies. He dunks them in his coffee. He figures it adds that special taste to them.”
“How does it make you feel living here all alone while your grandpa is in the hospital?” Her visitor leaned forward on the table, hands clasped before them. They hadn’t touched their coffee. “It must be lonely for you, but I hear Raven came round to see you. Is he a frequent visitor here?”
Wondering if the cookies were addictive, Maya dived in for her third. “Raven? No, but if I decide to take one of his dogs, I can go to his ranch to work with the dog. When he’s happy with the progress, he’ll bring the dog here and we’ll work with him together so he gets used to me.” She met the person’s eyes across the table. “He’s a very gentle and caring man for a law enforcement officer, don’t you agree?”
“Indeed.” The visitor raised both eyebrows. “There are not many single men with his credentials living in Black Rock Falls. I figure he would be every mother’s dream.”
Maya reached for her coffee and it seemed to slide sideways. In fact, the kitchen had tilted in one direction and then slid in another. She gripped the table as dizziness overwhelmed her. In front of her the visitor appeared to melt. Panic had her by the throat. She tried to gasp out words but her tongue seemed to be growing in her mouth. She slapped the table to get her visitor’s attention, but they just looked at her head on one side as if waiting for something to happen. She pushed words out between swollen lips. “I figure I might be allergic to your cookies. I need help.”
“Where are your car keys?” Her visitor stood, scraping back the chair. “My vehicle is too far away for you to walk. I’ll need to drive you to the hospital.” Before Maya, a face moved in and out of focus.
Nauseous, Maya pushed her hands into her hair to hold her head on. “On the hook by the door.”
Somehow her legs had turned to Jell-O and all her strength slipped away. She could barely keep her eyes open as her visitor placed one shoulder under her arm and helped her through the mudroom and down to her truck. The next thing she knew, her head rested on the steering wheel. How was this person going to drive her truck if she was in the driver’s seat? Panic gripped her. Something was terribly wrong. She tried to lift her head but the effort was just too great. I’ve been drugged. I must stay awake. Her eyelids became heavy, her limbs weak. No, no. I must fight. I can’t leave Grandpa alone. Terror gripped her as realization took hold. I’m going to die. As she drifted in and out of unconsciousness, she heard the engine rumble into life. She opened her mouth to scream for help, but no sound came out. The drugs sucked her into oblivion, and the only question that came to her mind was, why?
Forty-One
Jenna stared at Jo. “My thoughts exactly. We need to move on this now.”
“Okay, we’ve got this.” Carter pulled out his phone. “I’ll call Jolene.” He made the call and a few seconds later he disconnected. “It went to voicemail but she lives with her mom. Maybe they’re out to dinner. I don’t have her mom’s number.”
“Lila is visiting relatives for the weekend.” Kane turned to a Jenna. “I’ll call Maya.” He made the call and frowned. “I’m getting a ‘not reachable’ message.”
Jenna looked at her friends. “We’ll need to split up. You go and hunt down Jolene; we’ll head out to the homestead and do a welfare check on Maya.” She looked at Kane. “I’ll grab our gear. We’ll leave Duke here in case Jackson wakes and starts fussing. Can you go ask Raya to watch the boys?”
“I’m on it.” Kane hurried away.
“I’ll leave Zorro here with Duke, in case Duke needs backup.” Carter grinned at her as he shrugged into his coat. “If Jolene’s not at home, where do you suggest we look?”
