WOMAN IN HIDING

After witnessing a murder, Melissa Harris faked her death, changed her name and went into hiding, hoping to keep the gunmen at bay. For years, it worked—but now the ruthless killers have found her. When bullets begin to fly, SWAT cop Nate Freemont rescues Melissa and her little girl. Her former high school sweetheart is shocked that she’s alive and seeks an explanation about why she vanished from his life. Telling the truth would only put her daughter’s safety and Nate’s future in jeopardy. With Christmas approaching, can Melissa risk everything to accept the safe haven and second chance Nate offers…as deadly enemies close in?

SWAT: Top Cops—Love in the line of duty

“Are you and your daughter all right?” Nate asked.

She nodded. “We’re fine, but what happened?”

“The guys who followed you are both…taken care of.” Nate amended what he was going to say in deference to the little girl. He pushed the door open wider, giving the child a reassuring smile. “Meredith, I need to know what’s going on.”

She shook her head. “My name isn’t Meredith. It’s Melissa. Melissa Harris. And we can’t stay. We need to get out of here, now. Before anyone else sees us.”

Nate knew the woman was Meredith. “Meredith, Melissa, it doesn’t matter to me, I remember you from high school and I know very well you remember me, too.” He crossed his arms over his chest and planted himself in front of the doorway. “I’ve wounded two men,” he added bluntly. “I’m a sheriff’s deputy sworn to uphold the law. I can’t just leave.”

Meredith actually winced. “I know, and I’m sorry. Of course you can’t leave. We’ll go on our own. I refuse to put my daughter’s life in jeopardy.”

Nate glanced down at Hailey. Her tear-streaked face and the fear reflected in her hazel eyes ripped a hole in his heart.

He closed his eyes and sighed, knowing he was likely going to regret this. “Okay, let’s go.”

Dear Reader,

Thanks again for all the letters, emails and Facebook messages you’ve sent in the past few months about how much you’re enjoying my SWAT: Top Cops—Love in the Line of Duty series. It’s amazing how you’ve come to care about my characters as much as I do.

I’m thrilled to present the fifth book in the series, Holiday on the Run. I adore writing Christmas books, and this one is no exception. Deputy Nate Freemont is the techno-geek of the SWAT team, but that doesn’t stop him from putting his life on the line to protect Melissa, his old high school sweetheart, and her young daughter from danger. Nate becomes determined to put a twelve-year-old murder to rest, especially when he discovers he has a personal connection to the reason behind the crime. But the biggest danger is to his heart.

I hope you enjoy Nate and Melissa’s story. I enjoy hearing from my readers. If you’re interested in dropping me a brief note or in signing up for my newsletter, please visit my website at laurascottbooks.com. I’m also on Facebook at Laura Scott Books and on Twitter @laurascottbooks.

Yours in faith,

Laura Scott

LAURA SCOTT is a nurse by day and an author by night. She has always loved romance, reading faith-based books by Grace Livingston Hill in her teenage years. She’s thrilled to have published fourteen books for Love Inspired Suspense. She has two adult children and lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her husband of thirty years. Please visit Laura at laurascottbooks.com, as she loves to hear from her readers.

Holiday on the Run

Laura Scott

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

—Psalms 100:5

This book is dedicated to all the sisters of my heart, Renee, Marianne, Lisa and Sarah Iding. Love you all and thanks for the great Christmas memories!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

ONE

SWAT team member Nathan Freemont ducked his head against the swirling snow as he jogged across the megamall parking lot to reach the entrance of the building. The place was jam-packed with people, and he knew it was his own fault for waiting until the week before Christmas to do his shopping.

He had only a couple of gifts to buy, one for his dad and another for his dad’s new wife, Amelia, so with any luck he could be in and out within thirty minutes. At least, that was his plan. As he was still wearing his uniform, he had no intention of lingering.

Of course, it would help if he had a clue what to buy. He was hoping something in the mall might inspire him.

Nate headed toward the escalator leading up to the second floor, where he could see a shop that specialized in scented lotions. Amelia would probably like something like that, wouldn’t she? Didn’t all women like that stuff?

He eased through the crowd to step onto the escalator, scanning the sea of faces intensely. He was first and foremost a cop, and he instinctively made sure there wasn’t anyone looking suspicious enough to cause trouble.

But he didn’t see anyone suspicious. Instead, on the other side of the escalator, a pretty woman caught his attention. She held the hand of a small girl who he estimated to be about five years old. The woman’s features looked familiar, and as they grew closer, his eyes widened in surprise.

“Meredith? Meredith Dupont?” he called above the din.

The woman’s head jerked up, her gaze clashing with his, and he noticed her pupils flared in recognition before she deliberately turned her head away, ignoring him.

Was he losing his mind? Hadn’t Meredith died years ago? He clearly remembered the devastation he’d felt at the news. He’d even attended her memorial service.

But no matter what his old reality might be, he couldn’t seem to tear his gaze away from the woman. As they passed each other, he was convinced he was right. Despite her dark hair, rather than the honey blond he remembered, he knew that the woman was Meredith Dupont. He’d know her anywhere, since he’d fallen in love with her during their senior year of high school.

“Meredith!” he shouted again, louder. She continued to ignore him, and since the escalators were taking them in opposite directions, he made a split-second decision.

He planted his hands on the center area between the set of mechanical stairs and jumped over, prying his way into the crowd. People around him muttered and moved away with annoyance, but he didn’t care.

“Meredith!” He dodged around people in an attempt to reach her. “Meredith, wait!”

Meredith swiftly moved farther down the escalator, urging the child along with her. When they reached the ground level, she headed straight into the crowd of adults and children who were waiting in line to see the mall Santa.

Nate followed her, wondering if he was crazy to think the woman was really Meredith, after all. He hadn’t seen her in twelve years, since she’d broken his heart by disappearing right after graduation. He’d practically staked out her father’s house, begging for information. Her father had claimed she was in rehab and wouldn’t provide any details. But her dad had agreed to give Meredith his address.

He’d never heard from her again. And a mere four years later, he’d been told she’d died in a terrible car crash—a result of driving under the influence.

Was it possible he was wrong? No, she’d jerked her head up to look at him when he’d called her name earlier. And her dainty facial features and her wide hazel eyes were exactly as he remembered.

The woman was Meredith. He was sure of it. He zigzagged his way around the display of Santa’s elves decorating the North Pole. As he scanned the area again, he noticed two men wearing black leather jackets were also weaving a determined path through the crowd of shoppers toward the area of the mall where Santa was being photographed with children. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck tingled in warning.

Were these two guys actually following Meredith and the little girl? And if so, why?

Nate quickened his pace, dodging around people in an effort to catch up with Meredith. He thought for sure he’d lost her, but then he caught a glimpse of her dark hair above the navy blue parka she’d been wearing. He could see her moving rapidly through the mall, only this time, there was no sign of the little girl.

Surely she hadn’t left the child behind?

As much as he wanted to keep an eye out for the two leather-clad guys, he didn’t dare take his gaze from Meredith. As he gained ground, she turned back to see if she was being followed and he caught a glimpse of the bulge beneath her jacket.

A flash of admiration made him smile grimly as he realized she was holding the child against her, hiding the girl beneath the bulky winter coat. Smart move, especially since she could dart around shoppers more easily this way.

Meredith was headed toward one of the side exits, and he followed, risking a glance behind him. The two guys in black leather were farther back but still making headway directly toward them.

Nate picked up speed, determined to catch up to her. He no longer needed to confirm she was Meredith. Now it seemed he had to help keep her and the child safe. Her head was averted as he came up alongside.

“This way. We need to ditch the two guys following you,” he urged in a low voice.

For a second he thought she would resist, but then she glanced over at him, giving a terse nod.

He tugged at her arm, taking her down a hallway that led to the public restrooms on one side and a staff break room and lockers on the other. He remembered the area all too well from working a mall shooting eighteen months ago.

“Mommy, I’m scared.”

“Shh, Hailey, it’s okay,” Meredith whispered. He could see the very top of the little girl’s head poking out from beneath Meredith’s parka. “We’re fine. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?”

“Through here,” he said, pushing open a door that led to the break room.

Meredith had barely got through the doorway when he heard the distinctive poofing sounds of a gun being fired through a silencer.

“Get down,” he shouted, ducking his head and slamming the door behind them, blocking Meredith and her daughter with his body as much as possible.

He pulled his .38 and then dragged Meredith farther back into the locker room. “There’s a bathroom up ahead. Get inside and stay low on the floor next to the toilet if you can. Don’t come out until I tell you.”

Meredith nodded again. Her eyes were frightened, but she was calmer than most women would be under the circumstances. Maybe she didn’t realize the extent of the danger, but somehow he didn’t think so. No time to consider the implication of that fact now.

Once Meredith and Hailey were safely in the bathroom, he pulled out his cell phone and called for backup, even though he knew it was probably a useless effort. If these guys kept coming, he’d have no choice but to defend himself.

Nate had no idea what he’d stumbled into, but right now, he didn’t have time to think about the various possibilities. He grabbed the break room table across from the lockers and flipped it over on its side so that he could use the wide metal slab as a shield.

It wasn’t foolproof, but since he wasn’t wearing body armor beneath his uniform, it was the best he could do. He hoped that the guys would come in aiming high so he could shoot from his lower position.

He crouched down behind the table, waiting patiently for the gunmen to approach. He couldn’t hear a peep from either Meredith or Hailey, which was good.

The doorknob of the break room slowly turned, and he held his pistol steady on the top edge of the table. Nate held his breath, knowing he couldn’t shoot until he knew for sure who was on the other side of the door. He didn’t dare fire at some innocent mall staff member.

The door swung open, and several long seconds passed before one of the guys in black leather edged around the corner to peer into the room. When he caught a glimpse of the guy’s gun, Nate knew the waiting time was over.

“Police! Drop your weapons!” he yelled. When the guy didn’t comply, Nate fired off two rounds, one of them lodging in the wooden door frame a fraction of an inch from where the guy’s face had been. Instantly, the face disappeared.

Nate swallowed hard and kept his gaze trained on the doorway, knowing his situation was grim. The gunmen had the advantage, not only because there were two of them against one but also because they knew exactly where he was located. Plus, it wasn’t exactly as if the metal tabletop was a bulletproof barrier.

But he refused to give up. If he died today, that was fine, but he’d make sure to take these two gunmen with him. He had no idea why these guys were following Meredith and Hailey, but no way would he allow either of them to be hurt.

Nate adjusted his aim, trying to anticipate the gunmen’s next move. Seconds passed by with impossible slowness, but he knew the value of patience.

The two men came in with a one-two punch, guns blazing. Nate fired in return, taking the first guy down even as one bullet whistled past his own head, while another plowed through the tabletop, mere inches from Nate’s right shoulder. He fired at the second guy, catching him in the upper arm. The gunman cried out in pain and dropped his gun, sliding to the floor with a surprised expression in his eyes.

Nate didn’t hesitate, leaping over the table and kicking both of the gunmen’s weapons well out of the way before checking to see if they were still alive.

They both were.

The first guy was bleeding from his abdomen, so Nate grabbed some towels and pressed them over the wound. He pulled a chair over, tipping it on its side to add pressure and slow down the bleeding.

The other guy was still conscious, holding his own hand over the wound in his biceps. “You’re not going to get away with this,” he said in a harsh tone.

“You’re the one who fired at a cop,” Nate said grimly, even though he had no idea what he’d stumbled into. He quickly cuffed the man to a metal bar beneath the table and then spun on his heel to head back to the bathroom where Meredith was hiding with Hailey. He was stunned to hear singing, catching the phrase “Jesus loves me.” The choice surprised him since Meredith hadn’t ever been particularly religious in high school.

Obviously things had changed. She not only was alive and had a daughter but also believed in God.

“Meredith? It’s me, Nate. Are you and Hailey all right?”

The singing stopped, and he could hear movement inside before the door opened a crack, revealing Meredith’s face. “We’re fine, but what happened?”

“The guys who followed you are both—taken care of.” Nate amended what he was going to say in deference to the little girl. He pushed the bathroom door open wider, giving Hailey a reassuring smile. “The bad guys are going to be arrested so they can’t hurt you anymore. I have backup and an ambulance on the way. Meredith, I need to know what’s going on.”

She shook her head. “My name isn’t Meredith. It’s Melissa. Melissa Harris. And we can’t stay. We need to get out of here, now. Before anyone else sees us.”

Nate knew the woman was Meredith, and the name Melissa wasn’t that much different. She’d obviously changed it, but for the life of him he didn’t know why. “Meredith—Melissa, your name doesn’t matter to me. I remember you from high school, and I know very well you remember me, too.” He crossed his arms over his chest and planted himself in front of the bathroom doorway. “You’re not leaving. Not until you tell me what’s going on.”

Her gaze implored him to listen to reason. “Please let us go. Making me talk to the police will only put us in more danger.”

Nate stared at her, trying to understand what was going on. “I’ve wounded two men,” he said bluntly. “I’m a sheriff’s deputy sworn to uphold the law. I can’t just leave.”

Melissa actually winced. “I know, and I’m sorry. Of course you can’t leave. We’ll go on our own. You have to trust me on this, Nate. I refuse to put my daughter’s life in jeopardy.”

Nate glanced down at Hailey. Her tear-streaked face and the fear reflected in her hazel gaze ripped a hole in his heart.

He closed his eyes and sighed, knowing he was likely going to regret this. “Okay, let’s get out of here. I’m coming with you.”

Melissa’s eyes widened in surprise. “Where?”

“If you think I’m letting you go off on your own, you’re nuts. You have two choices. Stay here and wait for my backup or allow me to take you someplace safe.”

She hesitated and then reluctantly nodded. “Okay. We’ll go with you, for now.”

He planned to stick with her longer than for now, but there wasn’t time to argue. His team would be here at any second.

His boss, Griff, would likely fire him for leaving the scene of a police shooting, but there wasn’t anything he could do about that now. Not when the fear he saw in Melissa was too real. No way was he going to put a woman and her child in danger.

And he was determined to get to the bottom of whatever Melissa was involved in.

* * *

Melissa couldn’t believe that out of all the people to stumble across in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it would be Nate Freemont.

Her old high school sweetheart.

The man she’d been forced to leave behind.

She wasn’t totally surprised to find out he was a cop, since law enforcement was all he’d talked about back when they were in school. Twelve years later, fate, or maybe God, had brought them back together. Being with a cop was dangerous, and she told herself that after he’d helped her get away, she’d ditch Nate as soon as she could.

Deep down, she was relieved not to be alone. Hailey didn’t deserve to be in danger like this. Melissa knew coming home to see her father in the hospital before he passed away had been a mistake. She’d thought for sure everyone around here believed her dead and buried.

Apparently not. Something she should have been prepared for, since after all, there was no statute of limitations on murder. Despite the fact that she’d changed her identity and faked her death, they’d found her. She’d noticed a tail on her as soon as she’d left the hospital, so she’d come to the busy megamall, trying to disappear into the crowd of people. Her intent had been to hop a bus, but Nate had shown up before she’d been able to make her way back outside.

And then he’d solved the problem by taking down the two men who’d followed her.

She picked up Hailey and followed Nate out of the break room, glancing at the two men who lay wounded. She shivered, feeling sick at the thought of what might have happened if Nate hadn’t seen her and recognized her. Granted, hearing him call her by her birth name had been a shock. But she might not have escaped the gunmen if not for Nate’s help. She’d prayed for him while she and Hailey had hidden in the bathroom singing church songs.

“This way,” Nate said, gesturing over to the right. There was a long hallway that ended with a door marked Exit. She took Hailey’s hand and headed down the hall.

“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Hailey whined.

“I know, sweetheart. We’ll get something to eat soon,” she said, trying to soothe her daughter.

Nate nodded, and when he smiled, he reminded her so much of the young man she’d fallen for all those years ago. “We’ll get something to eat, but first we need to get to my car, okay?”

Hailey gazed up at Nate with big solemn hazel eyes, and Melissa’s heart squeezed in her chest at the hero worship she saw reflected there. Hailey was too young to remember her own father, who’d died before she was even born. It was only logical that she’d latch on to Nate as a father figure, especially after he’d saved their lives.

“We’re going to have to walk in the snow,” Nate said, his tone apologetic as he gestured to the heavy metal door leading outside. “I’m parked way on the other side of the mall.”

“No problem,” Melissa said. She didn’t want to go anywhere near her rusty old sedan, even though it had cost her dearly—five hundred in cash. The gunmen had followed her from the hospital, which meant her license plate number was compromised. For all she knew, they’d already reported the information to whoever was paying them.

She tried not to give in to the wave of hopelessness. She would not only have to escape from Nate but also need to find a new vehicle. She didn’t have enough money to buy another car, so she’d be forced to take a series of buses to their next destination. Wherever that might be.

Nate pushed open the door and gestured for her and Hailey to go out first. A blast of cold air hit her in the face, stealing her breath. Melissa bent over to tie Hailey’s scarf over her daughter’s nose and mouth.

“It might be better if I carry her,” Nate said in a low voice. “We’ll get to my car faster that way.”

She nodded, knowing he was right. “Hailey? This is my friend, Nate. He’s going to carry you to the car, okay?”

“Okay,” Hailey agreed.

Under normal circumstances, Melissa wouldn’t have been at all happy to know her daughter was willing to let a stranger carry her. But nothing about this trip back to Milwaukee was normal. She wished she’d made a different decision, but it was too late to go back and change the past. After all this time, it should have been safe enough to fulfill her father’s dying wish to see his only grandchild.

But it wasn’t. The only thing she could do now was to disappear again, creating new identities for herself and Hailey.

Melissa quickened her pace to keep up with Nate’s long strides as they made their way through the snow-covered parking lot. She hadn’t seen snow like this in years, although Hailey had been thrilled with the idea of having a white Christmas. Thankfully the snow had stopped, but the ground was still slippery.

A half dozen police cars were parked around the entrance to the mall where she’d come into the building, and her heart leaped into her throat. Was the dirty cop there right now? Pretending to be one of the good guys?

Nate didn’t glance over at the police cars, leading the way to the furthest part of the parking lot.

When they reached the vehicle, she remembered Hailey’s booster seat.

“Hailey will have to ride in the back,” she said as Nate opened the passenger-side door. “Her car seat is still in my car, along with our suitcase.”

“We’ll pick them up,” Nate assured her.

“Thanks.” Melissa scooted into the backseat beside Hailey, while Nate slid behind the wheel. He started the car and then went back outside to brush off the light covering of snow.

She shivered, trying to remember where she’d left her car. Not far from here, she recalled, but near the area where the police cars were gathered. The thought of going any closer filled her with dread.

Should she forget about the child safety seat and their meager belongings? She’d rather not, since the lack of a booster chair could get them pulled over. Either way, it would bring her too close to the police for comfort.

“All set?” Nate asked as he came back into the car.

“Yes.” She forced herself to sound more confident than she felt. “I parked three rows over, closer to the building.”

“Okay.” Nate backed out of the parking space and followed her directions. She huddled beside Hailey as the red-and-blue lights flashed around them.

“There—the tan sedan parked beside the white pickup truck.” She pulled the keys out of her purse, which was slung across her chest beneath her coat, and handed them to Nate.

Within five minutes, Nate had their suitcase stored in his trunk and the booster seat secured in the backseat with Hailey belted in. Melissa chose to stay in the back with her daughter, but Nate didn’t object.

It wasn’t until they left the mall parking lot that she was able to breathe easier. It was a huge relief to know that she and Hailey were safe, from both the gunmen and the police.

Well, except for Nate.

The sick feeling in her stomach returned with a vengeance. Nate was a good guy, and she knew that he’d put his career on the line to help them.

Yet he was the last person she could trust with her secret. He couldn’t know the reason she’d run away from Milwaukee days after their high school graduation twelve years ago.

The same reason she remained a target all these years later. All because she’d witnessed something she shouldn’t have seen. Corruption of local politics as well as local law enforcement.

Dragging Nate into this mess would only hurt him and damage his reputation beyond repair in the long run. The best thing she could do for him was to disappear once and for all.

Never to be heard from again.

TWO

Nate kept an eye on Melissa using the rearview mirror. Her face was pale, her expression strained. He squelched a flash of empathy. Granted, she and Hailey had been through a lot, but he wasn’t about to let her off the hook, not by a long shot. The minute Melissa and Hailey were safe, he was going to get the answers he needed about what was going on.

Leaving the scene of the crime after he’d shot and wounded two men, even in self-defense, was the hardest thing he’d ever done. Doubt battered his conscience as he drove through the darkness of night.

What did he really know about Melissa after all these years? Obviously she wasn’t the same girl he’d fallen for in high school. For all he knew, Melissa could be mixed up in all sorts of things now, even something criminal.

Yet he’d risked everything by leaving with her. What on earth had he been thinking?

“Mommy, I’m hungry,” Hailey said, her tone plaintive.

He’d almost forgotten his promise to feed the little girl. He gestured through the windshield. “There’s a fast-food restaurant up ahead. Do you want me to go into the drive-through?”

“Yes, please,” Melissa said, reaching over to put her hand on her daughter’s arm. “Would you like some chicken bites?”

Hailey’s head bobbed up and down. “Yay! Chicken bites!”

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Nate found himself smiling at the child’s enthusiasm. And the truth hit him like a fist to the solar plexus. The real reason he’d left the scene of the crime was for Hailey’s safety. The little girl didn’t deserve to be dragged into danger, to be chased by men with guns.

Hailey was the true innocent in all of this. And he was determined to do whatever was necessary to keep the child safe from harm.

He pulled into the drive-through lane and waited in line for their turn. “Chicken bites for Hailey. What do you want, Mer—uh, Melissa? And what would you like to drink?”

“I’ll have a cheeseburger and water. Milk for Hailey, please.” She dug in her pocket for money, but he frowned and shook his head, waving it away.

Nate ordered a cheeseburger for himself, too, before pulling up to the next window to pay. When they were given their food, he handed the bag back to Melissa.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “Here’s your sandwich,” she added, handing up his wrapped burger.

“No problem.” He pulled over to park so he could eat. He listened while Melissa assisted Hailey with her chicken bites, encouraging the little girl to drink her milk.

He couldn’t deny Melissa was an attentive mother. Was she putting on an act for his benefit? He didn’t think so. But just caring about her daughter didn’t necessarily mean she was completely innocent in whatever had caused the two men to follow her through the mall. As much as he wanted to believe she wasn’t a criminal, he knew better than most that power and greed could turn the most innocent to a life of crime.

And he was determined to get to the bottom of whatever she’d got herself involved in.

“Why did you disappear after graduation?” he asked.

Melissa didn’t say anything for a long moment. “I’d rather not talk about this right now, Nate,” she murmured in a low voice, tipping her head toward Hailey.

He drew in a ragged breath, fighting his frustration. He understood that she wanted to protect her daughter from whatever had happened back then. Or from whatever caused her to run away now. Still, he couldn’t help feeling as if she had no intention of cooperating with him, despite the fact that he’d risked his career for her.

Shot two men to keep them safe.

Nate forced himself to finish his burger, which tasted like sawdust on his tongue. He’d find a motel room for Melissa and Hailey to stay in for tonight, but he wasn’t about to let them out of his sight.

Not until he found out who she was running from and why.

* * *

Melissa wasn’t hungry but knew she needed to eat to keep up her strength. The grief of her father’s impending death, which she’d pushed into the background when faced with the threat of danger, returned full force, making her throat swell with repressed tears.

A wave of fury filled her chest, and she had to make herself let go of her anger at the unfairness of it all. Since when was life fair? Right from the beginning, she’d been an innocent bystander. In the wrong place at the wrong time.

Hadn’t she suffered enough? She’d lost her home and her life, not to mention Nate. She’d started over in a new place with a new identity, not just once but twice. Thankfully she’d been able to find enough work to support herself—work she could do primarily at home with a computer. But still, it wasn’t as if designing websites and doing freelance graphic art work would have been her first career choice.

And surely her daughter deserved a better life?

The very idea of going back on the run, starting over and changing their identities again, filled her with despair. Her father had helped finance her new life twelve years ago.

But this time she was on her own.

Melissa closed her eyes, silently praying for strength and for safety. When she opened them, she was disconcerted to find Nate turned in his seat, staring at her.

For a moment her mind flashed back to the last time she’d seen Nate. The night of their graduation, when he’d kissed her beneath the oak tree in her backyard.

The night before her world had turned upside down.

If only she could go back to change the sequence of events. But those kinds of thoughts were useless. Better to concentrate on moving forward. She needed to stay focused on sheltering Hailey by doing what needed to be done.

“Are you ready to go?” Nate asked, breaking the silence.

“Sure. Finish your milk, Hailey,” she said, turning toward her daughter.

“Okay, Mommy.” Hailey drained the last of her milk with a loud slurp through her straw, making Melissa smile. “All done.”

She bagged up the trash and passed it up to Nate. Would he go outside to dispose of their trash? And if so, did she have the guts to steal his car, drive off and leave him behind?

Thankfully, he took the decision out of her hands by simply setting the bag aside and pulling out of the restaurant parking lot.

Melissa didn’t want to steal a car, anyway, especially not Nate’s, but what else could she do? Asking Nate to take her to the bus stop would be futile. He’d already insisted on taking her to a motel, and once Hailey was settled for the night, she wouldn’t be able to continue avoiding his questions.

Nate had had a strong stubborn streak even back when they were dating in high school, and she doubted that trait would have faded over time. Especially now that he was a cop.

She needed to find some way to convince him to let her go without him knowing the details that had the power to hurt him.

Far more than she’d hurt him already.

“Wait. Where are you going?” she asked in alarm when she realized he’d made a U-turn to head back toward the shopping mall. Even from this distance, she could still see the red-and-blue flashing lights from the police cars gathered outside the mall entrance.

No doubt there were officers searching for her. And she didn’t want to think about what would happen if they found her. Hadn’t they already tarnished her reputation? If they used the same tactics again, she could lose custody of her daughter.

Hailey would be the one to suffer, another innocent bystander in a political web of deceit and lies.

“Relax. There’s a motel not far from here called the Forty Winks Motel,” Nate assured her. “We’ll stay there tonight. They have several adjoining rooms.”

Adjoining rooms? She tried to hide her dismay. Did that mean Nate was planning to stay all night, too? If that was his intent, it would be difficult for her and Hailey to sneak away.

Difficult, but hopefully not impossible.

She refused to consider failure an option.

Melissa held her breath as Nate drove past the mall and turned left onto a side street. Her chest was tight with tension, and even after he pulled into the motel parking lot, she couldn’t seem to relax.

They weren’t far enough away from the mall—or the hospital, for that matter—for her peace of mind.

Then again, Melissa was certain she wouldn’t find peace until she left the Milwaukee area forever. And this time, once she left, she wouldn’t look back.

“This doesn’t appear to be the type of place to take cash,” she said, digging into her jeans pocket as he parked near the lobby entrance. “We’d be better off driving out a ways. The smaller motels aren’t as picky about payment.”

Nate turned around in his seat. “One of the reasons I wanted to come here is that they’re cop-friendly. All I need to do is to show them my badge and they’ll take cash.”

She smiled through her trepidation and dug in her pocket for the small wad of bills she’d tucked there. “All right. I have my share.” Now that they were here at the motel, she wondered about his personal life. “So, uh, are you sure your girlfriend won’t mind?”

He lifted a brow. “No wife, no girlfriend,” he said lightly.

The news shouldn’t have been reassuring, yet she couldn’t squash the brief flash of relief.

When she held out the cash, Nate scowled and shook his head. “Keep your money. I’ll take care of this.”

Before she could argue, he pushed open the driver’s side door, letting in a blast of cold air. When he shut the door behind him, she couldn’t help watching him as he walked into the building. Not that she was interested in picking up where they’d left off twelve years ago, but it was surprising to realize just how much taller and broader across the shoulders Nate had become.

Melissa tore her gaze away, glancing over to make sure Hailey was all right. Her daughter’s eyelids were drooping. No doubt she would fall asleep as soon as they were inside their motel room.

Melissa told herself that it was a good thing, since Hailey needed her rest. They’d been on the move for the past two days, making the trip from South Carolina up to Wisconsin. The moment they’d arrived in Milwaukee, Melissa had called the hospital, only to discover her father had taken a turn for the worse. She’d headed straight over, despite the fact that Hailey had been travel-weary from the long car ride.

She’d been happy to see that her father was still conscious, that he’d smiled at her and seemed so happy at meeting his granddaughter in person for the first time. Oh, sure, they’d been using Skype to keep in touch, but it wasn’t the same.

Within five minutes of leaving the hospital, she’d noticed the tail. Two men in a dark car, keeping pace behind her. She’d tried to lose them, taking a turn into the mall parking lot and quickly parking the car to dart into the building.

Where Nate had recognized her, despite the fact that it had been twelve years and she’d changed her hair color. Unable to master the art of wearing tinted contacts, she hadn’t been able to do much more to change her appearance.

She was so completely lost in her thoughts that she didn’t hear Nate return until he slammed the trunk, the noise making her startle.

He opened the passenger-side door closest to Hailey. “I have your suitcase. Can you carry Hailey?”

“Of course,” she said, pasting a smile on her face.

“I wanna walk,” Hailey said in an abrupt flash of independence.

“Okay, that’s fine,” Melissa assured her. She disconnected the lap strap, allowing Hailey to climb down from the seat onto the slush-covered parking lot. She edged around the seat to follow Hailey, disconcerted when her daughter skipped alongside Nate.

“We stayed in lotsa hotels on the way here, right, Mommy?” Hailey said, her previous sleepiness seeming to have vanished. “Do they have the kids’ channel here?”

“I’m sure they do,” Nate assured her, holding the door open for them so they could precede him into the building. “Our rooms are on the second floor,” he said, leading the way up the stairs. “We’re in 210 and 212.”

Melissa nodded, moving slowly enough to match Hailey’s small steps climbing the stairs. As they made their way down the hall, she watched the numbers outside the doors until they arrived at the correct ones. Nate didn’t hand her a key, though. He simply unlocked a door and held it open for her.

“Thanks,” she murmured, glancing around the room to locate the connecting door.

Nate set her suitcase down on the bed and then placed the key card on the dresser. “I’d appreciate it if you’d keep the connecting door between our rooms unlocked,” he said as he crossed over to it and opened it.

“I understand,” she said evasively, unwilling to make a promise she might not be able to keep.

“Movie, Mommy! Check and see if there’s a children’s movie that I can watch.”

Since Hailey didn’t look sleepy anymore, Melissa obliged by picking up the remote and flipping through the channels until she found the one Hailey wanted.

Nate left, presumably to go to his own room. A few minutes later, he opened his side of the connecting door.

“It’s time we talked,” he said in a low voice. “Hailey will be fine here, watching her show. We’ll leave the connecting doors open in case she needs something.”

Melissa wanted to protest, but of course there wasn’t a rationale for putting this discussion off any longer.

As she followed him into his room, she tried to figure out how much she could safely tell him. He needed just enough information to understand the level of danger.

Including a good reason to let her go.

Full of apprehension, she dropped into a seat next to the small round table tucked in the corner of his room. Her heart was beating too fast, and she took several deep breaths in order to bring her pulse down.

“Who were those men following you?” Nate asked, his tone soft but firm.

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “I’ve never seen either of them before in my life.”

Nate’s mouth thinned as if he wasn’t sure he believed her. “Okay, then why were they following you?”

“I don’t know that, either,” she said. When his face tightened in anger, she knew she’d have to tell him something. “Listen, Nate, you need to understand, all of this started a long time ago.”

He folded his arms over his chest. “I’m listening.”

She licked her suddenly dry lips. “You remember how I waitressed at the restaurant back in high school, right?”

Nate nodded. “At El Matador, which is still there, believe it or not.”

Still in Brookmont, the elite suburb of Milwaukee that she and Nate had once called home.

The thought of the upscale restaurant being there all these years later was not reassuring. Did it continue to be a meeting point for the upper echelon of Brookmont? Or had they moved their little clique somewhere different after that fateful night?

“Melissa, what happened back then? What caused you to move away and change your name?” Nate asked.

“Something terrible occurred the night after graduation,” she said.

Nate nodded slowly. “Go on,” he encouraged her.

She couldn’t for the life of her find the words to explain in a way that didn’t give away the entire truth. The silence stretched painfully long between them.

“I heard about the drugs that were found in your room,” Nate finally said. “I didn’t want to believe that you were an addict, but your father admitted that he sent you to rehab.”

She snapped her head up to stare at Nate. “You believed that?” she asked in an agonized whisper. “Even though we spent every free moment we could together, you still believed that?”

“You weren’t here to tell me otherwise,” Nate said, accusation lacing his tone. “What was I supposed to think? You disappeared and I never heard from you again, not one letter in response to all the ones I sent you.”

She blinked in surprise. “What letters?”

Nate’s gaze narrowed. “The letters I gave your father to send to you. He wouldn’t give me your address, but he agreed to send you my letters. I kept waiting and waiting to hear back from you, but I never did.”

Melissa’s entire body went numb, as if someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over her head. “I’m sorry,” she murmured. “I’m so sorry.”

“For what?” Nate challenged her. “For leaving without saying goodbye? For not even trying to get in touch with me? I commuted to college my first year because I was afraid you wouldn’t find me when you came back. But you never did.”

The anguish in Nate’s voice lashed at her like a whip. It wasn’t her fault that she’d been forced to leave, but he’d been deeply hurt by her actions nonetheless. And why hadn’t her father passed along his letters? Had her father been afraid that Nate would come after her?

Looking at Nate now, she knew that was exactly what he would have done.

“Well?” he demanded in a harsh tone.

She glanced over her shoulder at the open connecting door between their rooms. “Not so loud, or Hailey will hear.”

Nate’s jaw tightened with anger, and she knew that there was no way of getting around the fact that he needed to hear a portion of her story.

“I was working at the restaurant the night after graduation. In fact, I was scheduled to close. It was pretty busy. The place was packed, but as the hour grew later, there were only a few tables left. A group at one table in particular lingered, so I was trying to get as much of the cleanup work done as possible.” She paused, shivering at the memory of what transpired that night.

“Go on,” Nate urged.

“I cleaned out the large coffeepots in the back room, and then I hauled some garbage out to the dumpsters. Usually the dishwasher does that, but he was busy, and I was anxious to leave.”

“To meet me,” Nate said in a quiet voice.

She bit her lip and nodded, remembering the plans they’d made long ago. “Yes, to meet you.”

“So what stopped you from coming?”

“I couldn’t lift the garbage bag, so I set it against the Dumpster and was about to go back inside when I heard raised voices. The Dumpster was located not far from the alley, so I went over to investigate. The yelling grew louder, and I should have left. To this day, I wish I had followed my instinct to run away.”

Nate’s expression grew grim. “What did you see?”

“Five men arguing. I recognized them from the restaurant. They were the ones who had been lingering at the table in my section. In fact, I’d waited on them. I was trying to figure out why they were hanging around when one of the men pulled out a knife and stabbed the guy across from him in the stomach. I was so surprised, I didn’t move. Even after he fell to the ground, blood pooling beneath him, I still didn’t really understand what had happened. Not until the man with the knife happened to glance in my direction.” Melissa drew in a harsh breath and forced herself to meet Nate’s gaze. “That’s when I knew that he’d recognized me.”

Nate stared at her in horror. “Are you saying you witnessed a murder?”

She nodded slowly. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying. And I think it’s obvious that the man responsible is determined to silence me once and for all.”

THREE

Unbelievable. Nate stared at Melissa, stunned by her revelation. He’d imagined dozens of scenarios in the long months after she’d disappeared, but never anything remotely like what she’d just described.

Yet even knowing that she’d witnessed a murder didn’t explain everything. Why had she decided simply to disappear? Why hadn’t she called the police for help? Or talked to him about what she’d seen?

“And the drugs that were found in your bedroom?” he forced himself to ask.

“Planted, as a way to discredit me.” Melissa’s expression was full of hurt. “A ploy that worked, since you fell for it just like everyone else probably did.”

Nate couldn’t ignore the flash of guilt. Twelve years ago, he hadn’t wanted to believe the girl he’d loved had been a secret addict, but what else was he to think when her father had looked him straight in the eye and explained that she’d been sent to rehab? It wasn’t as if he’d had any other theory to explain what had happened.

“You really wrote me letters?” she asked, her tone hesitant.

He nodded slowly. “At least a dozen of them,” he admitted. “I didn’t realize your father hated me so much that he wouldn’t pass them along to you.”

Melissa frowned and shook her head. “It wasn’t like that, Nate. My father didn’t hate you. He was determined to keep me safe, that’s all. I’m sure he was afraid that if he gave me your letters, we’d find a way to get back together.”

Since that was true, at least on his part, he couldn’t argue. Besides, all of that was in the past. He needed to keep focused on the present. Although wrapping his mind around the idea that the men who’d followed Melissa had, in fact, intended to kill her wasn’t easy.

“Okay, tell me about these five men,” Nate said. “You mentioned at the mall that you couldn’t go to the police without risking your and Hailey’s lives, which makes me think one of them must be a cop.”

Melissa didn’t meet his gaze, and the way she twisted her fingers in her lap made him wonder if she was trying to find a way to avoid the truth.

“Listen, you have to tell me what you know,” Nate urged. “Otherwise I won’t have any choice but to call my boss and have you taken in for questioning.”

Her head jerked up, her stormy gaze clashing with his. “Don’t,” she said sharply. “Hailey will be the one to suffer if you do that.”

Nate wanted to yank out his hair in frustration. “Then cooperate with me. What do you know about the five men you saw twelve years ago?”

She hesitated and then let out a heavy sigh. “You were right. One of them was a cop,” she confirmed. “I saw him come in several times in uniform, although he wasn’t wearing it the night of the murder.”

“Do you know his name?” Nate demanded. “Can you describe him?” He didn’t like believing a cop had gone bad, but unfortunately it wasn’t the first time that one had succumbed to temptation. And probably wouldn’t be the last, either.

“I don’t know his name,” Melissa said. “I wish I did. And he wasn’t the one who actually committed murder, but he was there watching the whole thing.”

“Party to the crime,” Nate muttered. “And could easily be arrested as an accomplice.”

“Yes, I’m sure he could. And I think he must have other cops who are willing to bend the rules, too. Otherwise, how would they have got away with stashing drugs in my bedroom?”

Nate could see her point. “Did you find them? Is that why you left?”

Melissa bit her lower lip, another sign of nervousness. “No, I didn’t find the drugs. I was too afraid to go home. I ran away and hid until morning, catching a bus when the early route started.”

“I don’t understand why you didn’t come to me for help.” Nate knew it was ridiculous to be wounded by actions she’d taken twelve years ago, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. “Especially when you knew I was planning to major in criminal justice.”

“I didn’t want to drag you down with me,” she murmured. “I found out from my father that the police showed up on our doorstep first thing in the morning, demanding to speak with me about a stabbing victim found outside the restaurant. My dad thought I was in my room, so he let them in.”

“Without a warrant?” Nate asked in dismay.

She nodded. “My dad was shocked to realize I wasn’t home. And when the police searched my room and found the drugs, he wasn’t sure what was going on. Don’t you see? They would have tried to discredit you, too.”

“Maybe, or maybe I would have been a credible witness on your behalf,” he said grimly.

“I wasn’t going to take that chance,” she said firmly.

Nate didn’t agree with her decision, but there was nothing he could do now to change the past. If he’d paid more attention back then he might have connected the stabbing victim with Melissa’s disappearance. But he hadn’t. For now, he needed to stay focused on the present. “You must know at least one of the men’s names,” he said. “You told me you waited on their table. Surely you noticed a name on a credit or debit card?”

“No credit cards. They always paid in cash.”

Nate couldn’t believe Melissa didn’t have a clue to the identity of at least one of the men. “There must be something you remember about these guys. Did they have any scars? Tattoos? Any distinguishing features at all?”

Melissa shook her head, spreading her hands in a gesture of surrender. “I’m sorry, but there’s nothing that stands out in my memory.”

Nate stared up at the ceiling for a moment, trying to push back the wave of helplessness. “Okay, so you’ve told me what happened all those years ago, but what about today? How was it that these two guys found you?”

“I noticed the tail as soon as I left the hospital,” Melissa said in a low tone.

“Hospital? What were you doing there?”

She blinked rapidly, and Nate was disconcerted to realize she was on the verge of tears. “Visiting my father. His dying wish was to see his granddaughter in person.”

The anger he’d felt toward Melissa’s father for keeping them apart instantly evaporated. “I’m so sorry,” he said huskily.

Melissa sniffed and wiped at her eyes. “Me, too. I honestly didn’t think coming home after all this time was that much of a risk. Especially since my father and I faked my death.”

“Why did you wait four years to do that?” Nate asked.

“Because they found me in California. So I conveniently died and moved all the way across the country to a new location, with another new name.”

Nate couldn’t help sympathizing with her. He’d hated the idea that she’d been forced to go on the run, not just once but twice. “Go on. So, you left the hospital and noticed what?”

“I was being followed, so I headed into the mall, hoping to lose them in the crowd.”

“Carrying Hailey beneath your winter coat was a smart move,” Nate told her.

A slight smile tipped the corner of her mouth. “Thanks. Anyway, from there you know the rest.”

Yeah, he knew the rest. The men with guns had shot at him, and he’d shot at them in self-defense. Then he’d left the scene of the crime.

Too bad he didn’t have a clue what their next steps should be. He wanted to keep Melissa and Hailey out of harm’s way, but right now, he didn’t even know who the bad guys were.

“Excuse me. I need to check on Hailey.” Melissa rose to her feet and quickly made her way into the other room.

Nate hovered in the doorway between their connecting rooms, listening as she coaxed Hailey into brushing her teeth and putting on her pajamas.

Then the little girl insisted on saying her nighttime prayers.

“God bless Daddy up in Heaven, and Mommy, and Mr. Nate, who saved us today. Amen.”

“Amen,” Melissa echoed. “Sleep tight, Hailey. I’ll be right here if you need anything.”

“Okay, Mommy,” the little girl murmured sleepily.

Nate was touched by the fact that Hailey had included him in her nighttime prayers.

There were so many things that were different about the woman Melissa was today compared with the girl he’d loved years ago. Yes, she was a mother now, but that wasn’t the only thing that had changed.

She was raising her daughter as a Christian. Because of Hailey’s father? Did she love him still, even though he’d passed away?

Not that Melissa’s feelings were any of his business. He wouldn’t risk getting emotionally involved. And not just because he sensed she was still holding something back from him.

She’d left him without a word, breaking his young heart.

No way was he willing to risk another heartbreak.

* * *

Melissa took her time getting ready for bed, admittedly as a way to avoid spending more time with Nate.

She’d already told him far more than she’d intended. Anything else would only hurt him.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she mourned what they’d lost. Their young love, so pure, so sweet. They’d never done anything more than kiss, but even twelve years later, she could still remember the sweetness they’d shared. For several weeks after she’d left, she’d find herself looking for him, wishing he was still there for her to lean on.

Why hadn’t her father mentioned the letters Nate had written? Surely he hadn’t thrown them away. Why not pass them along, especially after she’d been forced to fake her death? They’d both thought she was relatively safe from that point forward.

And where were Nate’s letters now? Hidden somewhere in her father’s house?

For a moment, she actually considered going back to the house where she grew up to search for them. But of course, she couldn’t take the risk. For one thing, she was pretty sure her dad’s house was being watched, the same way the hospital had been. How else had they found her? Besides, heading there was probably exactly what they’d expect her to do.

No, going to her childhood home wasn’t an option. Besides, whatever Nate had written hardly mattered now. She’d been married all too briefly before losing her husband to a rare infection that had settled in his lungs. Jeremy had helped her find God and had given her Hailey, the two greatest gifts of all. No reason to go back and attempt to recapture the past.

Far more important to plan the next steps of her mission to keep Hailey safe.

By the time Melissa emerged from the bathroom, Nate’s room was dark except for the blue glow of the television. Relieved that she didn’t have to talk to him anymore, she slid into the bed next to Hailey. Wearing her jeans and sweater wasn’t exactly comfortable, but she didn’t plan on sleeping.

Once Nate fell asleep, she’d take Hailey and slip away. Hopefully he wouldn’t notice they were gone until morning.

Yet, in spite of herself, Melissa dozed, jerking awake a few hours later. She took a moment to orient herself before sliding out of bed.

Moving silently, she eased toward the doorway between their connecting rooms. The television was off now, and she stood for what seemed like endless moments listening to Nate’s deep, rhythmic breathing.

It was tempting to venture into his room to search for his car keys, but she didn’t want to risk waking him. No, her best chance to escape was to slip away without making any noise.

She gently closed the door on her side of the room, hoping to muffle any errant sounds. She packed the few meager belongings they had back into the suitcase and then took out her mobile phone.

Only twenty percent of battery left, but enough juice to enable her to call for a taxi once she was far enough away from the motel.

After setting the suitcase near the door, she went over to the bed to wake Hailey. This would be the most difficult part of sneaking away. If Hailey cried or made any noise at all, she knew Nate would be up in a flash to see what was wrong.

Thankfully, the little girl was so sleepy, she simply curled up against Melissa’s chest, snuggling into the hollow of her shoulder.

Since the hallway outside their rooms was heated, she decided to wait until they were safely away before putting Hailey’s coat, hat and boots on. Carrying everything with her wasn’t easy, but she managed to open the door, wincing when it creaked a bit.

Moving as quickly and silently as possible, she stepped out and then closed the door behind her. The hallway was brightly lit, making it easy to navigate as she headed toward the stairs on the far side of the building, opposite from the lobby.

Inside the stairwell, she paused to get Hailey into her winter gear. She was still half-asleep, so Melissa couldn’t exactly make her stand to get dressed. Somehow she slipped her daughter’s arms into the coat sleeves. Getting her hat on was no problem, although the boots were difficult. She hoped they wouldn’t fall off.

She carried Hailey and the suitcase down the stairs, and when she reached the bottom, she paused to catch her breath.

Melissa hated the thought of leaving Nate for a second time without saying goodbye, but she forced herself to go anyway. The cold winter air stole her breath as she went outside, and Hailey instantly started crying.

“Shh, it’s okay. We’re going to be fine.”

“It’s cold,” her daughter sobbed.

“I know, sweetie. We’ll get someplace warm soon.” Hailey wasn’t used to northern winters, having spent her entire life in South Carolina. And the idea of snow was more fun than the cold reality of it.

Melissa stayed alongside the shelter of the building as long as possible before making her way toward the sidewalk. There was a gas station on the other side of the street, but the windows were dark, indicating the place was closed.

Headlights cut through the darkness, heading in her direction. For a moment she froze, fearing she’d been found. But she sighed in relief as the vehicle kept going.

She carefully walked across the slippery surface of the gas station parking lot, wondering if venturing out like this was such a good idea. Would she manage to find a taxi this late? She fumbled for her phone, intending to search for a local car service.

Another pair of headlights approached, only this time, they abruptly turned into the gas station rather than driving past. Melissa froze in the center of the bright lights, her heart lodging in her throat as the car came to an abrupt stop. The driver’s side door opened, and a tall figure stepped out.

Survival instincts kicked in, and she dropped the suitcase and turned to run. But she quickly lost her footing on the slippery, snow-covered pavement. She felt herself falling and twisted as much as possible, landing on her shoulder in an attempt to avoid landing on her daughter.

She tried to scramble to her feet, but the driver of the car was on her too quickly, preventing her escape. In the dim recesses of her mind she realized Hailey was crying, but her gaze was focused on the man looming over her.

“Now I’ve got you,” he said with savage satisfaction. He reached down and roughly grabbed her arm as if to yank her to her feet.

No! Melissa kicked at the stranger, screaming for help. She tried to jerk from his grasp, but he held on tight. She let go of Hailey. “Run, Hailey! Run!”

Something hard hit her in the face and she bit back a cry of pain, tears springing to her eyes. At the moment all she cared about was giving Hailey time to get away.

Desperate, she kicked at her captor again.

Out of nowhere, a second figure came out of the darkness, grabbing the man around the throat and dragging him off her. At first she didn’t understand what was happening, but then she recognized Nate.

She pushed herself to her feet, taking off after Hailey, scooping her daughter into her arms. Still slipping and sliding, she made her way behind the shelter of the gas station building. As much as she wanted to help Nate take down the guy who’d grabbed her, she knew her priority had to be keeping Hailey away from harm.

Resting against the building, breathing heavily, she closed her eyes and thanked God for sparing them.

“Melissa?” Nate’s deep voice cut through the darkness.

“Here,” she managed in a low tone.

“Are you all right?” he asked, coming over to where she was huddled with Hailey.

Her cheek throbbed with pain, but she nodded. “We’re fine,” she whispered.

“Come on. We need to get out of here,” Nate said grimly.

She shifted Hailey in her arms and made her way toward Nate. He put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her back toward the motel. He paused just long enough to pick up the suitcase she’d dropped and brought it along with them.

She didn’t want to go anywhere near the man who’d hit her, but forced herself to trust Nate. They passed the black car, and she couldn’t help glancing over in that direction.

All she could see was the vehicle listing to one side. It took a minute for her to realize the driver’s side tires were flat.

Had Nate done that to prevent the man from following them? And where was the driver?

She shivered, her stomach clenching with dread. She hadn’t heard the sound of gunfire, but she had to believe Nate had neutralized him somehow. She was deeply thankful he’d noticed she was gone and had come after her.

But how had the driver of the black car found her in the first place?

They must have known she was with Nate. What had he said back at the mall? He’d called for backup? Anyone with a scanner could have heard that information.

Including the dirty cop who’d tried to frame her as a drug addict.

Nate opened the back passenger door of his car and she quickly put Hailey into her booster seat. When Melissa was about to crawl in beside her daughter, Nate stopped her with a firm hand on her arm.

“In front, with me.”

She swallowed hard and nodded, shutting the door and then climbing into the passenger seat. Nate slid in behind the wheel, and soon they were back on the road, heading west, leaving the lights of the city behind.

Silence hung heavy between them.

“What happened to the driver?” she finally asked.

“He’s unconscious, but he’ll be fine,” Nate said in a cold, clipped tone. “Do you mind telling me what you were thinking when you left like that in the middle of the night?”

Protecting you, she thought, but she held her tongue.

“What? No snappy comeback? Do you realize how cold it is outside? What about your daughter?” He was starting to raise his volume, and Hailey whimpered, making him lower his voice. “Where were you going to go without a car?”

She swallowed hard. “I planned to call for a taxi.”

“And go where?” he pressed.

“The bus station.” She looked away from him, staring out at the darkness through the passenger-side window. Several houses were decorated with brightly colored Christmas lights, reminding her of home.

Not her apartment in South Carolina, but the home where she’d grown up. Where she’d lived with her father. Gone to school. Dated Nate. She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the cool glass. She’d been so happy back then. How had everything gone so wrong?

“I shouldn’t be surprised you tried to leave without telling me. After all, that’s your usual response.”

The bitter note to his voice made her feel terrible. She forced herself to turn and look at him. “I’m sorry, Nate. I’m sorry I hurt you all those years ago, and I’m sorry I hurt you now. Obviously I’ve put you in danger, too. They must know you’re with me. Otherwise they never would have found us.”

“Yeah, and frankly that’s what’s bothering me the most,” Nate said. “Maybe you should try being honest with me for once. Before we all end up dead.”

She sucked in a harsh breath as the reality of what he was saying struck home. He was absolutely right. Her attempt to protect him had backfired in a big way.

If there had been two men instead of one, this situation could have ended much differently.

They all might have been killed. Murdered in cold blood.

“You know the identity of the five men you saw that night, don’t you?” Nate asked.

“Not all of them, but yes, I knew one of them besides the cop,” she admitted.

“Who?”

She licked her dry lips. “A man with an important job.”

“Yeah? Like what?”

She forced the words past her constricted throat. “Like the mayor of Brookmont, Tom McAllister.”

“Uncle Tom?” Nate repeated hoarsely. “My uncle Tom?”

“Yes. I’m sorry, Nate.” Melissa knew she should have felt better now that the secret was out, but she didn’t.

Because she wasn’t at all sure Nate would believe her. Why would he take her side over his uncle’s? This was exactly the reason she’d left without saying anything to him all those years ago.

She shivered again with fear that chilled her to the bone. These were men who’d tried to discredit her as a drug addict. When that hadn’t worked, they’d set out to kill her. If Nate decided to haul her in to be questioned, there was no telling what might happen. They’d lied before, why not try to frame her again?

Or worse, set up some sort of scheme to have her killed in jail?

A sense of desperate hopelessness pierced her heart. She absolutely needed to find a way to make Nate believe her.

Or risk losing Hailey, forever.

FOUR

Nate didn’t want to believe Melissa’s claim. Ridiculous to think his uncle Tom was part of some big cover-up. Especially something as serious as murder. Tom McAllister was the mayor of Brookmont. Why on earth would he get involved in something criminal?

But there was no denying Melissa was in trouble. He’d been livid when he’d seen the guy slap her across the face. It was clear the guy’s intent was to take Melissa with him, and there was no telling what might have happened if Nate hadn’t got there in time. Thank goodness he’d heard her door shutting behind her when she’d left the motel. It had taken him a few minutes to verify that she was gone.

A few minutes that could have cost her life.

But was it really possible that his uncle Tom was involved?

Nate shook his head helplessly. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel and considered his options. Taking Melissa and Hailey straight to his boss was top on his list. Griff was a good, honest cop, and Nate could trust his boss to get to the bottom of whatever was going on.

Or he could take Melissa somewhere safe and begin investigating this on his own.

As much as he’d rather do the latter, he knew that it was a better option to take her to his boss. But it was one o’clock in the morning. There wouldn’t be anyone at the sheriff’s department headquarters other than the single dispatcher who manned the graveyard shift.

He reached for his phone and handed it over to Melissa. “Do me a favor and take the battery out of the back so I can’t be traced. And you need to ditch your phone, too.”

She grimaced but did as he asked, dropping both the device and the battery back into the cup holders located in the center console. Then she opened her window and tossed the disposable phone she’d been using.

“Nate, please, you have to believe me,” Melissa said in a low, desperate tone, as if reading his turbulent thoughts. “You asked me why I didn’t come to you after I witnessed the murder. Well, this is the reason. I was afraid your uncle would turn you against me.”

He clenched his jaw so tight his temple ached. “Why would my uncle be involved in covering up a murder?”

“I don’t know,” Melissa insisted, frustration edging her voice. “I wish I had answers for you, but I don’t.”

“Yeah, and isn’t that convenient?” He felt his anger rising and did his best to lower his tone so he wouldn’t disturb Hailey. “You’ve been keeping secrets from me since I saw you on the escalator. Give me one good reason why I should believe you now.”

“Because unfortunately, you were right,” she whispered. “Now that you’ve helped me, I’m afraid you’re in as much danger as I am.”

“Maybe, but I think it’s time I listen to my instincts, which are telling me to hand you over to my boss right now.”

Her eyes widened with fear. “If you do that, they’ll find a way to kill me.” The grim certainty in her tone nagged at him. “Tell me one thing, Nate. How did they find us at that hotel? You said yourself it’s a cop-friendly place. How many cops would know to look for your vehicle there?”

Good question—one that had bothered him from the moment the guy in the black car had grabbed and hit Melissa. It couldn’t be a coincidence that they’d been found so quickly. “I don’t know,” he admitted.

“Please don’t take me in. Not when there are dirty policemen involved who obviously won’t stop until I’m dead.”

He couldn’t deny the fact that she was in danger. And if corrupt cops were in on this, keeping her safe would be even more difficult. He let out a heavy sigh and continued driving through the night.

Melissa was right. He couldn’t take her in. Not yet.

Not until he knew what they were dealing with.

“Okay, fine,” he agreed in a resigned tone. “But no more lies, Melissa. No more escape attempts, either. We work together from this point forward. Understand?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’m sorry I dragged you into this mess. I know this wasn’t at all what you bargained for.”

“It’s not your fault,” he said. In all fairness, she hadn’t dragged him into anything. He was the one who’d recognized her on the escalator. And he was the one who’d followed her through the mall. Shooting and wounding two men hadn’t been part of the initial plan, but he knew that given the same set of circumstances, he’d do it all again without hesitation.

“Maybe not entirely my fault, but I’m concerned that your reputation will suffer if you continue to help me,” she said in a resigned tone.

He didn’t bother pointing out that his reputation had already taken a hit the moment he’d decided to leave the crime scene at the mall.

The way she truly seemed to care about his fate helped ease his anger and frustration at waking up and discovering she’d sneaked away during the night.

“I can’t worry about my reputation,” he said, even though being a cop was important to him. “Hopefully I’ll be able to salvage it once we get to the bottom of this mess.”

“I hope so,” she whispered, resting her head back against the seat. “I truly hope so.”

Nate reached over to give her hand a reassuring squeeze, a bit surprised when she responded by tightening her fingers around his and flashing a tentative smile.

They would uncover the truth of the murder Melissa had witnessed twelve years ago.

Because the alternative was too painful to contemplate.

* * *

Melissa stared down at their joined hands for a long moment, humbled by Nate’s forgiveness. He had every right to be angry, but at least he wasn’t taking her to his boss.

She was sorry that she’d inadvertently involved Nate, but she was relieved that she and Hailey weren’t alone. If Nate truly believed her, then maybe they could get to the bottom of this by working together.

The warmth of the car caused her eyelids to droop heavily, but she forced them open. She was going to be Nate’s partner in this, and she needed to stay awake and alert.

Glancing into the backseat, she was glad to see Hailey had fallen asleep.

“Where are we going?” she asked when Nate turned onto a remote country road.

“Another motel. We need somewhere to crash for what’s left of the night,” he said. “But I’m not about to use anyplace I’ve been before.”

She was relieved to hear that, although that meant they might be forced to use a credit card.

She racked her brain for an alternate plan but couldn’t come up with anything better. “I’d offer my father’s house, but I’m sure they have the place staked out, since they found me at the hospital.”

“Yeah, I was thinking of using one of my buddies’ places,” he admitted. “But if they know who I am, it won’t be too hard to find out the names of my friends, and I don’t want to expose any of them or their families to danger.”

She didn’t blame him. She thought about the church friends she’d left back in South Carolina and knew she wouldn’t be willing to put any of them in harm’s way, either.

“There’s a place up ahead,” Nate said, breaking into her thoughts. “It’s small and well off the highway. Should work for our needs.”

“Sounds good.” She hoped and prayed his uniform would convince the motel clerk to let them pay cash rather than leaving an electronic trail.

Nate pulled into a parking space near the lobby, then turned to face her. “It will be easier to request one room, pretending we’re a family. I’ll make sure there are two double beds. You and Hailey can share one, and I’ll crash on the other.”

“All right,” she agreed.

Nate slid out from behind the wheel and then disappeared inside. He returned about fifteen minutes later, a satisfied expression on his face.

“I convinced the clerk to take cash, so we should be safe for now.”

“Great,” she murmured. “I’m exhausted. And sore.”

“You need some ice for your face,” Nate added with a frown.

She was touched by his concern, although a bruise was the least of her concerns. She was just glad they’d escaped anything worse.

He drove up to the door of their room, pulling the suitcase he’d rescued out of the backseat. “We’re in room 5,” he told her.

She unbuckled Hailey from the booster seat and carried her daughter inside. It took her a few minutes to get Hailey out of her winter clothes, but thankfully the little girl didn’t put up a fight. Soon she had her tucked into the bed closest to the wall.

She turned to face Nate and frowned when she noticed he’d brought in Hailey’s child safety seat. “It’s probably better to keep that in the backseat in case we have to leave in a hurry.”

“I’m planning to find someplace to stash my car,” he said. “You and Hailey get some sleep. Don’t wait up for me. I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

After everything she’d been through, she wasn’t looking forward to staying in the tiny motel room alone. But of course, hiking through the snow carrying her daughter wasn’t an option, either. “Try not to go too far,” she said.

“I won’t,” Nate promised. The smile that tugged at his mouth reminded her of the way he had looked as a hunky teenager. Too handsome for his own good.

As he let himself out the door, back into the cold winter night, she crossed over to the window, moving the heavy curtain enough to watch him drive away.

Biting back the urge to rush outside and beg him to stay.

* * *

Nate drove around the area, looking for a place to hide his vehicle. The trees were bare of leaves, and anything dark showed up all too easily against the snow-covered ground. Too bad he didn’t have a white car.

After a couple of miles, he found an abandoned farmhouse, complete with a barn that unfortunately looked as if a strong wind would cause it to come tumbling down.

Since it was better than anything else he’d passed, he drove up through the snow to the crooked doors. He got out of the car and pulled them open, then drove inside.

After locking up his vehicle, he closed the barn doors and then broke off a branch from an evergreen tree and used it to obliterate his tire tracks and footprints. Maybe he was being paranoid, but better safe than sorry.

By the time he reached the road, he was sweating beneath his winter jacket. The result of his attempt to hide the location of his car wasn’t perfect, but it should work.

Especially since he was absolutely positive he hadn’t been followed. The road was isolated and empty, which suited him just fine.

Shrugging out of his jacket, he tied it securely around his waist so he could jog the mile back to the motel. Thankfully it was late enough that he could use the center of the highway, where there wasn’t any snow or ice.

Running through the night gave him a strange sense of peace. As he ran he tried to formulate their next steps. Get some rest, obviously, but after that, they needed to figure out where to start their investigation.

He considered confronting his uncle but didn’t want to do that without some kind of proof. Something other than Melissa’s word. Not because he didn’t believe her, but because he did.

No, the proof they needed was something indisputable. Something that couldn’t be discredited as a lie from an unreliable source. Eyewitness testimony was good, but twelve years had passed since the original crime had been committed. They needed to prove that Melissa witnessed a murder.

Which meant they needed the identity of the man who’d died that night.

Nate knew his way around computers and technology, although he didn’t have anything with him. First thing in the morning, they needed to find a laptop so he could get decent access to the internet. Having his personal laptop would be even better so that he could use his work search engines.

Satisfied that he had some semblance of a plan, he increased his pace until he could see the lights of the motel. As he came closer, he slowed his pace in an effort to cool down.

He quietly let himself inside the room, hoping not to disturb Hailey or Melissa.

But the moment he crossed the threshold, Melissa raised her head and glanced over at him.

“Sorry to wake you,” he whispered, closing the door softly behind him.

“You didn’t,” she assured him. “I couldn’t sleep.”

“Get some rest,” he advised. “We have work to do in the morning.”

It wasn’t easy to see in the darkness, but he thought she nodded. “Good night, Nate.”

“Good night.” He made his way to the bathroom so he could take a shower. Nothing he could do to salvage his uniform, which was damp with sweat. By the time he emerged twenty minutes later, he could hear Melissa’s deep, even breaths.

She was asleep at last. He crawled into the empty bed and did his best to shut down his brain.

It seemed like barely an hour later when he woke up to Hailey’s plaintive whining. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”

“Shh, we have to be quiet and wait until Mr. Nate wakes up, okay? Look, I found a kids’ movie for you.”

Nate pried his eyelids open, trying to read the time on his watch. Five minutes past six in the morning. He swallowed a groan. It wasn’t the first time he’d been forced to work on less than four hours of sleep.

Man, he was getting too old for this.

“I’m awake,” he managed, propping himself up on one elbow. “Give me a few minutes and I’ll run back and get the car.”

“The motel offers a free continental breakfast,” Melissa informed him. “I’ll take Hailey over there while you rest for a few more hours.”

He pushed himself upright and scrubbed his hands over his face, wishing for a razor. “You were up as late as I was,” he said. “Just give me a few minutes to get ready and we’ll all go to breakfast together.”

“Okay,” she agreed.

He headed into the bathroom to wash up and use the facilities. Just as he opened the bathroom door, he heard Melissa talking.

He frowned, realizing she must be on the motel phone, since she’d tossed hers out the window.

He strode into the room to find her sitting on the end of the bed, holding the receiver to her ear. “When did he die?” she asked.

He realized that she must be talking with the hospital. He crossed over and sat down beside her.

“Okay, thanks for letting me know,” she said. She disconnected from the call and glanced up at him, her eyes filling with tears.

“I just wanted to check on my dad’s condition. He passed away about an hour ago,” she said in a low voice.

“I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said, wrapping his arm around her slim shoulders.

She nodded and buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shaking with suppressed sobs.

He gathered her into his arms, feeling helpless to do anything but hold her in an attempt to offer comfort. Nate knew that even though Melissa and her father hadn’t seen each other in person for the past twelve years, they’d remained close. After all, she’d mentioned that her father’s dying wish was to see his granddaughter.

“He was a good man,” she whispered.

“I know,” he agreed.

Melissa surprised him by wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing her face into the hollow of his shoulder. Thankfully Hailey seemed to be preoccupied with her television show, despite her earlier complaints about being hungry.

Nate ran his hand down Melissa’s back, trying to think of something to say. “Is there anything I can do to help? What about funeral arrangements?”

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