CHAPTER 3
Naomi kepther eyes on the road as she headed back to Refuge Cove, but she was all too aware of Micah following her.
He’d turned off his flashing lights and stayed a careful distance away—far enough not to crowd her, but close enough to make his presence unmistakable.
She adjusted her grip on the steering wheel and forced herself not to check the rearview mirror again.
Their interactions had been somewhat limited, but they were both on the county commission together, and they went to the same church—when Naomi was able to attend. She and her brother took turns, one of them staying at the house with the women while the other went to Sunday service.
Naomi knew she had to do something to develop a life for herself outside the house. If she let herself, she’d become a hermit there. Sure, there were ladies coming in and out. Most weren’t permanent.
She knew she needed community. So she’d forced herself to step out of her comfort zone when she joined the commission. It had helped that Micah was already part of it.
Her brother trusted Micah enough to tell him the truth about what they were doing at the house. About the shelter they were running. That alone spoke volumes.
Plus, Micah had been the one who’d arrested Sarah’s husband, Richard, for her murder. And for that, she’d always be grateful.
Micah’s image filled her mind.
The man was stocky and broad through the shoulders, built like someone who’d spent years learning how to hold his ground. He had a barely there beard. The dark stubble never quite crossed the line into scruff, and it softened his face just enough to make him approachable. His eyes were sharp and watchful in a way that made her feel seen without feeling studied.
He carried himself like someone who’d worked bigger cases than Blue Ridge Hollow offered. His accent was Southern but not necessarily mountain. She would guess maybe Atlanta or Charlotte. Maybe she’d ask him one day.
For now, for reasons she didn’t want to acknowledge, she kept him at arm’s distance.
Maybe it was because she was attracted to the man. But she also didn’t want a relationship—and she didn’t want to tempt herself.
But if she were to tempt herself . . . Micah Sutherland was enough to make her forget her promise to stay single.
A wet nose nudged her elbow, pulling her from her thoughts.
Naomi startled, then laughed despite herself.
“Hey.” She glanced at the yellow lab standing in the back seat as if he’d always belonged there. “What’s your story?”
The dog’s tail thumped against the seat, hopeful and entirely unconcerned with mountain roads or pickup trucks or creepy men with hardened eyes.
She reached back and scratched behind his ears. “You don’t have a clue what’s going on, do you?”
He responded by nuzzling closer and leaning into her touch.
Naomi shook her head and faced forward again, but the ease didn’t last. The image of Travis Henderson stepping out of that truck replayed without invitation.
His slow smile. The way he’d closed the distance like he already owned the space between them. The way he’d looked at her.
She’d feared for a while that something like this was coming. There had been too many run-ins with the man in town. Too many snide comments. Too many occasions when his eyes had lingered on her a beat too long.
Travis Henderson escalated when he didn’t get what he wanted.
That realization sat heavy in her chest as the road narrowed and the trees thickened.
Micah’s SUV disappeared briefly behind a curve then reappeared in her mirror.
Naomi exhaled slowly.
This wasn’t just about her safety.
One woman and her Maltese were staying at the shelter right now. Their newest guest still jumped at sudden noises and slept with the light on and her shoes by the bed.
