Sierra giggled and leaned forward conspiratorially. “Is it just me or are those men some of the most handsome in town? I pretend I don’t know how to do a move just to get close.”
“Me too.” Maya Trent ran her finger around the top of her cup. “How come men that fine are still single? Well, two of them are anyway.”
The deputies appeared to have the same effect on everyone seated around the table. Sierra looked from one to the other. “It seems to me that it’s going to take a long time before we get the hang of self-defense.” She laughed. “Although I figure I need it. I’m sure someone has been following me home from work. I keep looking behind me and seeing no one, but I have that feeling, you know, when the back of your neck prickles and you’re sure you can hear footsteps?” She shuddered. “I keep feeling someone is watching me at home too. It’s disturbing.”
“Maybe you should buy a weapon?” Judy looked at her. “It will keep you safe.”
“I believe Jan has the right idea. She’s been going to Raven’s house to get lessons on working with one of his protection dogs.” Donna raised one eyebrow. “Neither of them showed at the class tonight. Maybe he asked her out on a date?”
“I’ve seen him out with the new medical examiner, Emily Wolfe.” Judy poured another cup of coffee from the pot on the table. “They seem pretty cozy to me. I figure he’s off the market.”
“No single man is off the market.” Maya wiggled her eyebrows. “All’s fair in love and war, they say.”
Sierra nodded in agreement and then stood. “I’m going home to soak in a hot tub. I figure I’ve pulled every muscle in my body tonight. I’ll see you all again next week. She looked at Nici Mans. Are we still going to the Louan market in the morning?”
“Sure, I’ll drop by at eight and give you a ride.” Nici smiled. “I have an afternoon shift.”
Sierra nodded. “Me too.” She dropped a few bills on the table and headed for the door.
It had been light when she’d left her home and walked to the town hall, arriving at seven-thirty, but as it now approached ten, dark shadows filled the alleyways between the buildings along Main. She could walk around the block, but it would take a long time and her muscles ached from overexertion. Cutting through one of the alleyways would be dangerous, but it would mean she would be home in less than ten minutes. She walked along Main until she got to Guns and Ammo and stopped to peer into the dark alleyway. Large dumpsters blocked her view of the entire way ahead, and empty cardboard boxes and other detritus littered the ground. Using the flashlight on her phone, she stepped into the alleyway and, walking slowly, used the beam to scan the shadows. Her heart pounded as critters scampered away—rats most likely—and she stepped carefully through the garbage. As she moved toward the street light at the end of the alleyway, darkness closed in around her. The back of her neck prickled, and gripped by the feeling of someone watching her, she turned suddenly, moving the flashlight back and forth, but no one followed.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped out of the other end of the alleyway, crossed Maple, and made her way along Elm. The street lights here were welcome beacons after being in the dark. As she turned into her driveway, footsteps echoed along the sidewalk behind her. It had happened many times in the last week or so and terrified her. Not wasting time to look over her shoulder, she dashed to her front door, unlocked it with shaking hands, and stepped inside. She turned, pulled back the drapes, and peered into the street. Orange lights glowed along the footpath, changing the green verge to brown, but no one walked along the sidewalk. The entire road was empty. She shook her head, feeling silly. Why did she always believe someone was following her? Perhaps the lessons in self-defense had made her more skittish than normal. The stories the deputies told them had made her skin crawl. She understood it was necessary to get their attention and to make them aware of the dangers out there, but some of the things they told them were more like horror stories. She wondered if they’d embellished them to ensure they understood the need to protect themselves.
Sierra dropped her purse and keys on the kitchen table and hurried upstairs. As she ran the bath, she undressed and laid out the things she needed to use before going to bed. She’d wash her hair and liked to dry it sitting in front of the vanity. She took out a variety of moisturizing lotions and placed her hairbrushes within easy reach. The bubbles had reached almost to the edge of the tub when she bent to turn off the taps. She swirled her hand in the water and recoiled. Why was the water freezing cold? She straightened and frowned. The furnace worked perfectly well before she left for work. What could have happened to it during the day? She straightened, intending to grab her robe, when a sound came from behind her. Terror gripped her but she had no time to fight. Someone shoved her hard in the back and she fell headfirst into the tub. Her forehead hit the side and blood filled the water around her. Dizzy, she thrashed trying to push herself out of the freezing water, but a strong hand pressed hard between her shoulder blades. Soapy water filled her nostrils. Trapped, Sierra couldn’t breathe and she couldn’t fight. Pain seared her chest. She couldn’t hold her breath any longer. Bubbles slipped from between her lips and panic gripped her. She needed one tiny breath and opened her mouth and pressed down hard on the slippery porcelain, desperately trying to lift her head. She gasped and water flowed into her bursting lungs. She convulsed but the pressure remained on her back trapping her below the bubbles. No one was coming to save her. Her heart pounded and then missed beats. Her mind went fuzzy, and her sight darkened. The light vanished to a pinprick and then went out.
Eleven
Friday
Jenna rubbed the back of her neck. The brutal workout this morning with Kane and Carter had exhausted her. Knowing that being fit was a priority for them and for all of her team, watching them spar after lifting weights and doing chin-ups made her realize it wasn’t only dedication but a way of life for them. She’d completed the workout Kane had designed for her and then practiced a few moves with Carter, who gave no measure, and then Kane. Coming up against two brick walls made her feel soft, but knowing she could fight back if necessary pushed her on, no matter how much it hurt. Working out and then tending the horses had become their regular routine, but she had spent a little longer in the shower, allowing the hot water to soothe her sore muscles.
Breakfast at the Kane residence was always loud and she tried to block out the chatter and stared at the message on her phone from Rio. She chewed on a piece of toast, before sipping her coffee and looking at Kane across the table. “Rio spoke to the women who went to the self-defense class last night. They all knew Jan, and she often went with them to have coffee after the class. A couple of times they all went to the pizzeria, but she isn’t close friends with any of them. In fact, they mentioned she was very much a loner, having spent most of her time caring for her grandmother and working from home. He mentioned one of the women, by the name of Kerry Floyd, had confided in him that Jan believed once she had the protection dog, she would have more courage to go out on her own. Apparently, Kerry has a dog and offered to walk with her in the park.”
“I guess we should go and have a word with Kerry today.” Kane used a wipe to clean the egg from Jackson’s face. “If they chatted recently, maybe Jan mentioned having a problem with someone.” He went on to wipe the baby’s fingers and then handed him a sippy cup. He looked at Tauri. “Have you had enough to eat this morning? I have more pancakes.”
“I’d like more pancakes.” Tauri rubbed his belly. “I have room for more and it’s a long time until break at school.”
“Then you better eat the extra bacon as well.” Kane peered over the table at Duke. “I’ll find something else for Duke.”
Jenna closed her phone and leaned back in her chair. “I thought Ty and Jo would be over for breakfast. Did Ty mention anything to you this morning?”
“Yeah, they have a few things to tie up from their last case and they need to check in with their director to let them know they are staying here for a few days until the storms pass.” Kane added more food to his son’s plate.
“Daddy, daddy, daddy.” Jackson held out his hand. “Me too, me too, me too.”
“Okay.” Kane handed him a strip of bacon. “Eat slowly and don’t push it all into your mouth at once or you’ll choke.”
Smiling, Jenna looked at her sons. They were growing so fast. Before she knew it, they would be at college. She planned to make every day precious. “Don’t forget to chew, Jackson.” She ruffled the little boy’s dark curls and wished the weekend would be free, but likely the case would take up all of their time.
She finished eating her breakfast and stood to clear the table. As she added plates to the dishwasher, she glanced at Kane. In honest truth, she hadn’t expected him to be so hands-on with the boys. It was as if overnight he had become the dad every kid wished for. The moment Tauri walked into their lives, the tough combat warrior had vanished in the home environment to become a firm but loving father. He had endless patience and was never too busy when they needed him. She turned away from the table and swung Jackson up into her arms. “Come on, time to get washed up before Nanny Raya comes to get you.” She looked at Tauri and smiled. “If the weather isn’t too bad, Atohi might come by today.”
“Yes, he told me.” Tauri used the wipes on the table to clean his hands and mouth. “He will try and teach Jackson more of our language. He says a young mind is open to learning.” He frowned. “Nanny Raya is hoping he will bring Tashina.”
“Tashina?” Kane looked at Jenna and raised one eyebrow. “I don’t think so. He wouldn’t invite a stranger here without telling us first. Who is she?”
“Nanny Raya says Atohi met her when he and some of his friends went to Canada.” Tauri frowned. “Her grandmother lives on the res and she is visiting with some of her friends for a time.” He rolled his eyes. “Girls spoil everything.” He looked at Jenna. “Not you, Mommy. At school, they’re always angry.”
Jenna heaved Jackson onto one hip. He weighed a ton. “I don’t think you need to worry. Atohi never mentioned her when he called.” She sighed and kissed him on the forehead. “I’ll get Jackson cleaned up and then we’ll need to go to work. I’m sure you’ll have fun today. Raya has great plans for the spring break.”
