“Liam?”
“Mm?” he whispered.
“I know you don’t think anyone is out there, but I have a feeling someone is. They’re watching us.”
“The guys are taking turns watching the house, Mal. Everything is going to be okay, I promise.”
Two seconds later, Liam was snoring. Poor guy was so tired. I pushed the covers off me and walked to the bedroom window. Lifting the blinds, I tried to look out, but I couldn’t see anything. Maybe Liam was right, no one was out there, and I was overreacting.
Jonathon wasn’t there—if he’d been out there at all—and was most likely long gone. Peering down the driveway I swore I saw a shadow. My mind was in overdrive and exhausted. I had to get some rest. Turning, I walked back to bed and climbed in. Then forced myself to breathe deeply until exhaustion finally took over.
##
Liam’s phone rang and we both quickly sat up in bed. “What time is it?” he asked as he searched for his phone, then tumbled out of the bed.
I glanced at the clock. “It’s just before seven.”
“Hello?” Liam said as he fumbled with the sheet that was wrapped around his ankle. “No, you didn’t wake me up, Randy.”
After getting the sheet off his feet, he sat down on the bed. I got up and pulled his shirt over my head and went to sit next to him. Liam took my hand in his as he listened to Randy.
“Okay. I understand. I won’t. You’ll keep me posted.”
I was dying to hear the conversation. What was going on? Had they found the ranch? What about Jonathon.
When he pulled the phone away from him and sighed, I squeezed his hand. “What’s happening?”
He looked at me, and I could see it on his face. “They found it. The barn.”
My heart sank. “Is anyone in there?”
“No, but they got there right in time. Our friend Donald York or Henly, whatever the heck his name is, was about to set the whole place on fire.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
“Mallory, I need you to stay here.”
I quickly stood. “Where are you going?”
“I need to see it.”
“Why?”
He started for the bathroom. “I can’t explain it. I just need to see it. Randy said they’re searching it now. He told me that I can come, but I have to stay back a certain distance.”
“And you don’t think I want to come.”
Turning, he took my hand in his. “Sweetheart, do you truly want to go back there?”
I thought about it for a moment and finally replied, “No, you’re right…I don’t.”
He leaned down and kissed me. “I’m going to see if Chad wants to come with me. He and Krista might want to head home, though.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “I’ll get dressed and head on downstairs and start breakfast.”
“Not for me, I’m going to leave as soon as I can.”
All I could do was stand there, frozen in place. I couldn’t make my legs move. “Where do you think Jonathon is?”
