The door opened, filling the cargo area with sunshine and nippy cold that Addy had told him usually accompanied the sun in January when the constant drizzly rain wasn’t falling.
“We’re clear,” Kiley said.
“Bring in Addy’s things, please.” He looked at Addy. “I want us both to have free hands.”
She frowned but stood.
He jumped out and looked around. The house had been selected by the FBI for its location on a high hill, allowing them to see the countryside in all directions and determine if a threat was imminent. Feeling certain they were in the clear, he held out his hand to help her down. She didn’t argue and stepped out. Mack kept his head on a swivel as he hurried her up the stairs and inside the large daylight ranch.
Kiley carried the box with Addy’s belongings inside. “We’ll drop off the truck and be back soon.”
She reversed course outside.
Mack locked the door behind her, double-checking it for safety.
“Let’s meet up with Cam. He’s likely downstairs in the family room.” He led the way, and they did indeed find Cam sitting on the sofa, his laptop on his legs. Bear was curled up next to him.
“Hi, boy,” Addy said.
Bear cried out in a piercing bark and leapt from the sofa to run to her.
“Sit,” she said with authority.
He did, but his feet danced with urgency, and he whined. She dropped down and hugged him. He lunged and knocked her over. Mack was about to command Bear to come so she could get up, but she laughed and tussled with him on the floor. When her head hit the carpet, she winced.
“He’s happy to see you,” Mack said.
Bear suddenly looked up and bolted to Mack, shoving his bony head under Mack’s hand. Mack petted the dog as Addy got back up.
“Hey, Addy.” Cam smiled. “Long time no see.”
She frowned. “You must be Cam.”
“Oh, right. The memory thing. You must’ve really taken a blow because I’m a pretty memorable guy.” He laughed.
She laughed with him, but it was awkward on her part. Mack didn’t want to see her in another situation that she found uncomfortable, but he was glad to see that the way she’d been acting with him wasn’t all that different from her response to Cam.
Wait.Was that a good thing? Mack wanted her to react to him with gusto. With passion. Even if it was negative, he wanted to evoke something inside her that made her remember their past together. Their love. The sparks. The longing.
Cam eyed them. “You guys look like old-fashioned milk delivery men in those uniforms.”
“Feel like one too.” She shrugged out of her jacket, the uniform seeming totally out of place now.
“We could go change if you want,” Mack suggested. He wouldn’t mind getting out of the tight uniform.
“I’d rather get a plan going so everyone can be working while we change.”
He pointed at the furniture. “Then go ahead and have a seat. The drop site for the truck isn’t far, so Sean and Kiley should be back soon and we can begin.”
She nodded and chose one of the club chairs near the sofa. Bear climbed up on her lap and shifted a few times to settle in. He dwarfed her, but she looked content. Even now, in the safety of the basement, Mack wanted to be nearby and ready to protect her if the need arose, so he sat in the chair closest to her.
Cam lowered the screen on his laptop and looked at Addy. “I tracked your vehicle as best I could. From what I could gather, you went straight to an office building. Spent about an hour there and then took the same route back.”
“Do you have the address?” she asked.
He nodded and was about to say something when her phone rang, and she glanced at the screen. “It’s my friend, Rob.”
“The guy who works near the accident scene?” Mack asked.
