“The first of the year.”
“I’m sure you’ll be glad when they get home.”
“Yeah,” she answered, hoping he’d take a clue to her change to short answers and stop trying to continue the conversation she never should have started.
As she stared at the road, a longing to phone her mom and hear her reassurance that everything would be okay hit hard. But she couldn’t ruin her parents’ anniversary trip, and honestly, after everything that’d happened in her life the past few years, she wouldn’t believe her mom anyway. Not after seeing that video of Fowler’s vicious attack on Santa, bashing in his head with a tire iron.
She looked at Reid. “If only we could prove Fowler attacked Santa. It could lead to his arrest, and Ella and I would be okay for as long as he was in prison again.”
“That might well happen. Russ said right before we left that he got the locals to overnight the stocking cap found in Santa’s van to Veritas. If anyone can find DNA on it, they will.” He drummed his fingers against the wheel. “And who knows, they might be able to enhance the video. While you were getting Ella ready, I sent it to their tech expert, Nick Thorn. He didn’t hold out a lot of hope for that. Still, he’s willing to try.”
“I’m going to owe so many people after this is all resolved.”Ifshe lived to thank them, something only God could know.
“We’re here.” Reid pointed out the window to the left, but she couldn’t see anything that slightly resembled a driveway.
He slowed and turned into an opening in the trees barely wide enough for a vehicle the size of his SUV. Rough gravel covered the driveway that wound down a hill to a heavy-duty metal gate where Micha leaned against his pickup parked off to the side. He gave a thumbs up, and Reid lowered his window to punch a code into a keypad posted on the fence. A latch released on the gate and it swung open.
What in the world was going on? “You didn’t mention you lived in a fortress.”
“A recent development thanks to the business. We had some issues with attendees of the survival camp getting radical and stealing weapons. When a couple of them found their way all the way over here, we secured the compound. That includes this place where Jessie and I live with our cook, Poppy.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“You’re not in any danger from the business. We put procedures in place and are more cautious about the people we allow into the camp.” He took them down the drive into a clearing surrounded by majestic pines soaring toward the sky.
A big log lodge with a wide wraparound porch sat in the middle of the space. The sun hid firmly behind the trees. The darkness should’ve rekindled Megan’s worry over Fowler, but warm beams of light filtered from windows, and white lights twinkled on garland wrapped around the porch railing, giving her a feeling of coming home. Two thick pines covered in multicolored Christmas lights sat at the end of the walkway. The whole scene seemed like a Christmas movie set in Hollywood. The only thing that could add to the ambiance would be a dusting of snow, which the weather forecast hinted at in the coming days.
Reid parked his SUV in front of a three-car garage. Russ came to a stop right behind them.
“Stay here.” Reid fired off a warning look and then climbed from the car.
Russ got out and met Reid near Megan’s door. They spoke in low tones, but she could still hear everything they said. Russ confirmed that Fowler hadn’t followed them, and the mere mention of the creep’s name sent her warm feelings fleeing.
Reid directed Russ to sweep the lodge, and his brother headed up the stairs to the porch without question. Reid stood sentry outside her door until Russ stepped out and gave a brisk nod. He remained on the porch, and Reid opened her car door.
“We’re good to go.” He focused on Ella. “I’ll carry her in.”
“I can get her.” Megan’s words drifted into the air, as Reid had already run around the car.
He opened the door, and Ella stirred and rubbed her eyes.
“Are we here?” Excitement bubbled up in her sleepy voice.
“That we are, little one.” Reid unhooked her seat belt. “How about I carry you since you’re not all the way awake?”
Ella lifted her arms and gazed at him with the same adoration she’d once offered to her father.
The last thing Megan needed was for Ella to form an attachment to another man who’d proved he wouldn’t be around for the long haul.
Hoping to take Ella from him, Megan climbed out of the car.
“You go first,” Reid said.
“I’ll take Ella.” She held out her arms.
“No, Mommy,” Ella whined. “I can see so much more from up here.”
Megan didn’t want to make a scene, so she set off, clenching her jaw as she went. She entered the family room, Reid’s footsteps right behind her. Ella squealed with delight, and Megan turned to catch the joy on her daughter’s face.
