“I’m not leaving you.”

He made a promise to protect her.

Back in her hometown, Tori James never expects to spend time with her ex-fiancé—until someone blows up her car. Now she has a target on her back, and accepting Staff Sergeant Cade McMann as her bodyguard is her only hope of staying alive. But even as Cade and Tori are drawn back together, a killer is determined to tear them apart for good.

KAREN KIRST was born and raised in east Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. She’s a lifelong lover of books, but it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.

Also By Karen Kirst

Explosive Reunion

Smoky Mountain Matches

The Reluctant Outlaw

The Bridal Swap

The Gift of Family

“Smoky Mountain Christmas”

His Mountain Miss

The Husband Hunt

Married by Christmas

From Boss to Bridegroom

The Bachelor’s Homecoming

Reclaiming His Past

The Sheriff’s Christmas Twins

Wed by Necessity

The Engagement Charade

A Lawman for Christmas

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Explosive Reunion

Karen Kirst

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09051-3

EXPLOSIVE REUNION

© 2018 Karen Vyskocil

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“While we were waiting for our order, I saw a man. He was watching us.”

Cade’s gut feeling had solidified. Over her shoulder, he studied the diner’s facade. Tori turned to see what he was looking at. What scant color there was left in her face drained, and she lifted a trembling hand to clutch her neck.

“Cade...”

Only one of the plate-glass windows had been blown out. Theirs.

“My car. It wasn’t an accident, was it?” Her gaze swerved to his, begging him to refute her claim.

“We can’t know that for sure—”

“Someone shot at us. This isn’t Chicago or New York City. This is small-town America.” She had to work to drag in air. “You told me not to ignore my instincts. I should’ve heeded your advice. Someone has been watching me since I returned. Waiting for an opportunity to—”

She didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t have to.

They both knew that, had the timing been different yesterday, had the shooter’s aim been a little more accurate, Tori would be dead already.

Dear Reader,

What a roller-coaster ride this book journey has been! In the spring of this year, after having written multiple books for Love Inspired Historical, I learned the sad news of the line’s closing. After much prayer, I turned my sights on the romantic suspense line and was grateful my editor agreed to let me submit an idea. The appeal of the military hero was strong. My husband and I lived the military life for nearly eight years. The challenges were many and varied, but so were the blessings. Writing about Camp Lejeune and the surrounding areas, and about the brave men and women who serve, brought back many wonderful memories. I’ve had such fun writing this story, and I hope to return to this setting in future books.

I love to hear from readers. You can find me on Facebook and Twitter. My website, www.karenkirst.com, has information about my historical romances, including my Smoky Mountain Matches series. I will update it with information about my new romantic suspense adventures. You can also email me at karenkirst@live.com.

Thank you for choosing my book.

Blessings,

Karen Kirst

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

—Isaiah 41:10

To the men and women of our armed forces who serve our country, and to their families who love and support them. Thank you for your service, dedication and sacrifice.

A huge thank-you to my own marine, Marek. I’m proud to be your wife.

Thank you to my editor, Emily Rodmell, and to Love Inspired executive editor Tina James for giving me the opportunity to switch gears from historical romance to romantic suspense. It’s been a blast!

Thank you to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who walked with me during the writing of this book and gave me the confidence and ability to complete it.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Sergeant Dan Morton for patiently answering my law enforcement questions. And thanks to Jessica Felker, RN, BSN, my niece and a wonderful nurse, for assisting me with medical information. Any mistakes are purely my own.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

EIGHTEEN

NINETEEN

TWENTY

EPILOGUE

Extract

About the Publisher

ONE
Sneads Ferry, North Carolina

Marines didn’t tuck tail and run at the first hint of trouble. They didn’t panic. They assessed problems and devised practical solutions. Ten years of service had honed Staff Sergeant Cade McMann’s skills and cemented his confidence. He should be able to have a simple conversation with his ex-fiancée without trembling in his boots.

When he’d learned Tori James was moving back to their small fishing community, he’d known there’d be adjustments. But she’d been home a month, and pretending they didn’t share a painful history—and attempting to avoid each other despite their families’ close ties—had become a problem. Time to deal with it.

As he approached her place, a gray-and-white Queen Anne home set in a narrow lot, house flags whipped in the wind and chimes clattered a discordant alarm. The sign advertising Tori’s pet-supply shop swayed on creaking chains. The Canine Companion occupied the first floor. The second had been converted into an apartment years ago. A tinkling bell heralded the exit of a customer and her four-legged pet. She was chatting and laughing with a petite blonde woman.

Tori. His gut tightened.

A humid breeze teased the hem of her flirty summer dress, drawing his eyes to her shapely legs and round-toed flats.

The pair continued across the generous covered porch and into the stamp-sized flower garden surrounded by a low brick wall, the dog trotting between them. She hadn’t noticed him yet. Contentment curved her lips as she bent to give the pooch a proper goodbye.

The back of his neck grew hot. The last time he’d been face-to-face with her, she’d ripped his heart from his chest and stomped on it.

It’s now or never. “Hello, Tori.”

Tori popped up, a strangled cry of surprise catching in her throat. “Cade.” Taking in his camouflage uniform and heavy lace-up boots, her brows slammed together. “What are you doing here?”

The other woman’s gaze bouncing between them, she guided her dog toward the exit. Cade moved to unlatch the gate and hold it open for her. Once she was out of earshot, he stepped through and let it shuffle closed behind him.

His keys bit into his palm. “Would you believe I’m here to purchase one of those fancy dog cookies?”

“You don’t own a dog.” Her white-blond hair danced about her face. She’d lopped off several inches, and the pale, straight layers kissed the underside of her jaw. The short style enhanced her delicate bone structure and made her green eyes pop. “Unless you got one and didn’t tell your mother.”

Best friends for decades, their mothers had few secrets. “I’m pet free at the moment.”

“Then I can’t help you.”

“Let me buy you a cup of coffee.”

“It’s ninety degrees.”

“An ice cream, then. Last I heard, Red’s Diner still sells vanilla-and-orange swirl.”

At the mention of the diner they’d frequented, the corners of her mouth turned down. “Maybe another time.”

When she pivoted and started to walk away, he caught her wrist in a light hold. “Your mom’s birthday party is Sunday night.” His mom, Dee, had been planning the event for weeks. She wanted to give Barbara a sixtieth birthday celebration that would hopefully get her mind off of her illness. “Do you really believe our families won’t be evaluating our every move?”

“I’m sure we can manage to be civil.”

“Can we? You aren’t even willing to let me buy you an ice cream.”

He hadn’t been this close to her since she ended their engagement a decade ago. Her perfume, a pleasant blend of oranges and bergamot, transported him to another time, to when they’d been each other’s closest confidantes. Friends since middle school, it wasn’t until their senior year that he’d realized friendship wasn’t enough anymore.

A garbage receptacle toppled over. Tori cringed, her gaze darting around to the neighboring homes.

“Something wrong?”

“I’ve had a weird feeling these past few days...” She grimaced. “It’s nothing. That’s what I get for reading back-to-back murder mysteries.”

He did his own scan of their surroundings and found nothing out of the ordinary. No one stirred outside the mint-green house next door advertising tax services. Directly across the street, three gardeners worked to tidy the double lot belonging to a swanky bed-and-breakfast.

“Don’t dismiss your instincts. If you think—”

“Forget it.” She leveled him a look that reminded him that their days of sharing confidences were long gone. “Look, Cade, if you want to talk, let’s talk about my brother. You have to convince him not to enlist.”

Over the years, Jason had become the little brother Cade never had. When the eighteen-year-old had confided in him about his dreams of a military career, he’d warned him Tori wouldn’t be pleased.

“He’ll be an asset to the Corps. He’s strong, physically and mentally. There are opportunities for advancement, and he can take college courses later on. Your mom gave him her blessing.”

He didn’t have to ask why she wouldn’t. Her experience as a military kid had been characterized by frustration and disappointment. A respected member of Force Recon, her father Thomas James had been involved in secretive missions more often than he was home. His frequent, unexpected absences had put a strain on his marriage and caused his daughter to become disillusioned. After his untimely death—which, to this day, was shrouded in mystery—she used to say that she lost her father to the military long before.

Her eyes flashed. “I know you’re married to the Marines, but that doesn’t have to be Jason’s future.”

Cade wrestled with fresh hurt and disappointment that carried him back to the day she’d cut him out of her life. He’d known she wouldn’t like his decision to enlist, but he hadn’t dreamed she’d refuse to marry him because of it. Their breakup was the reason he’d almost flunked out of boot camp.

The June heat ratcheted up a notch. He tugged off his cover and ran his hand over his hair. “My life may not be perfect, but it’s a good one. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. Whether or not Jason joins, it’s ultimately his decision, not yours.”

“Thank you for reminding me how little you value my opinion,” she retorted, hurt glistening in her eyes. “It didn’t matter ten years ago. I see nothing’s changed.”

Tori backed away. He was reviewing the ways he’d messed up when an explosion rocked the ground beneath him. The sound of a nearby lawnmower was eclipsed by the roar of twisting metal. A wave of intense heat billowed toward them. With Tori’s scream ringing in his ears, he lunged for her.

Cade’s big body pressed Tori into the sunbaked earth, his arm heavy across her back and his cheek tucked against her neck, as bits of fiery debris rained down on them. Brittle grass poked her skin. Her right wrist throbbed.

“What happened?” She tried to move, but her human shield wasn’t budging.

“I don’t know.”

His weight shifted above her, and his exclamation spurred her to take advantage of his distraction. She inched out from underneath him and clapped her hand over her mouth.

Orange flames devoured her car seats. Her rearview mirror dangled in front of what used to be the windshield. Black smoke rolled and curled high into the sky, aiming for the branches high above their heads. Her car was nothing more than a hulled-out shell.

“My car,” she breathed, choking on the acrid taste invading her mouth.

Cade curved his arm around her waist and helped her stand. “Are you hurt?”

“I don’t understand. How? Why?”

“Tori?” He shoved his face close, his ocean-blue eyes churning.

“I’m fine.”

Her car wasn’t, though. Rushing out the front gate, she strode to the end of the driveway for a better view.

Cade followed on her heels. She pointed to the detached garage, thankful it was too full of overstock and gardening tools to be used for parking. “Do you see any damage?”

“Nothing obvious.” He nodded grimly to the side of the house. “Your upstairs window’s broken.”

“My bedroom. I should make sure whatever busted the glass doesn’t catch the house on fire.”

“I’ll come with you.”

In normal circumstances, she would’ve refused the offer. Memories of Cade permeated the house. Her mom had purchased it fifteen years ago, when Tori was just thirteen, and transformed the first floor into a paradise for dogs and the second into a rentable apartment. Cade and his family had helped with everything from tagging merchandise to installing bathroom tile. After a renter had been found and the shop opened for business, he’d continued to pitch in whenever he could. He and Tori had swept floors, passed out sales flyers and even convinced Barbara to carry bakery-grade dog cookies.

But right now, Tori appreciated the company. Her heartbeat hadn’t yet resumed its usual rhythm and her legs felt rubbery. She kept expecting something else to go boom.

Inside, she ascended the stairs hugging the left of the foyer. Cade’s heavier tread pelted behind her. She quickly unlocked the door at the top of the steps and entered the short hallway.

“Doesn’t smell like anything is burning.” She tapped a pile of cardboard boxes. “Watch your step. I haven’t gotten around to unpacking everything yet.”

“You’re to be commended, Tori. Leaving your position at the library and your home in Tennessee in order to come back and give your mom a break couldn’t have been easy.”

The admiration in his eyes put a lump in her throat. “She needed me.”

“Not everyone would be willing to make that sacrifice.”

While it was true her mom’s lupus diagnosis had been the primary motivating factor, there were other reasons she’d craved a break from her life there. Reasons she’d rather keep private.

Tori led the way into the corner room that she’d designated as the master bedroom. Bits of glass littered her bed. A twisted piece of metal lay on her throw rug.

“There’s the culprit,” she said.

Cade crossed to the broken window and pulled out his phone to call emergency dispatch.

She hung back, soaking in the changes time had wrought. He’d been handsome as a teen, the combination of inky-black hair, vivid blue eyes and a winsome smile earning him scores of admirers. More athletic than studious, he’d possessed an energy that couldn’t be tamed. But he hadn’t let his popularity go to his head. He’d been kind to everyone, no matter their status, a hero even before he’d donned the uniform. No wonder she’d fallen for him.

He’d matured into an intriguing, gorgeous man. His military regulation haircut, buzzed short on the sides but long enough to run his fingers through on the top, lent him an intimidating edge. He was taller than she remembered. Broader. In top physical condition—able to scale walls, leap out of helicopters, wrestle bad guys or whatever the Marine Corps asked him to do. She really didn’t want to know specifics. She’d worried about him during every deployment, praying for his safety and experiencing a rush of relief with every homecoming. Tori may have turned her back on military life, but thanks to her mom’s regular reports of Cade’s movements, she hadn’t escaped the emotional rollercoaster. If Jason enlisted, she’d be worrying about him, too.

He ended the call. “The fire department will be here soon.”

She joined him at the window. From this angle, the burning vehicle looked even more ominous. “This isn’t commonplace, is it?”

“Commonplace? No. But not impossible, especially considering the age of your vehicle. I doubt it had an electric fan. The catalytic converter could’ve been clogged. Or there could’ve been a fuel leak.”

Those options sounded reasonable. Far more reasonable than the paths her mind were taking. She had to reconsider her choice of reading material. There was no one after her. She sold pet supplies, not classified information.

Cade turned toward her, his gaze narrowing. “Do you suspect this wasn’t an accident?”

“Of course not.” That would be ridiculous.

His gaze dropped deliberately to where she was fiddling with her ring. “Is someone giving you trouble? A customer? Neighbor? Boyfriend?”

She studied his face for clues. Did he know about her former boyfriend and the activities that landed him in prison? Tori had made her mom promise not to tell anyone in the McMann family.

“None of the above.”

Seemingly satisfied with her answer, he peered through both windows. “People are congregating on the sidewalk.”

“I should go down there and reassure my neighbors.”

Outside, they found a gathering crowd, shock reflected on their faces. Her next-door neighbor wove his way to her side. “Tori, are you okay?”

Her wrist throbbed and she was without transportation. It wasn’t the best day, but it could’ve been much worse. She was grateful that the house and her mom’s beloved shop were still intact.

“I’m fine, Kenneth.” She introduced the harried tax man to Cade. The two nodded to each other in greeting. Slightly older than her, the reed-thin bachelor with owlish features seemed to always be at loose ends. But he had a steady stream of customers, so he must be good at his job.

“I was putting my frozen dinner into the microwave when I heard the explosion.” Blinking behind the thick glasses, he tried to smooth his riotous curls. “You’re fortunate this didn’t happen fifteen minutes later.”

Cade shifted his stance. “Why do you say that?”

“Tori drives to the bank every day after she closes the store, like clockwork.”

He blanched. Their gazes locked, and the questions surging in his eyes mirrored her own. Who else besides Kenneth had taken note of her habits? Had the destruction of her car been, in fact, an act of deliberate violence?

TWO

“Don’t say it, Cade.” Tori wrapped her arms around her midsection.

“You have to admit the timing is suspicious,” he murmured.

“It’s a coincidence.”

She was a regular citizen. A librarian. Except she’d temporarily traded books for pet supplies.

Before he could respond, the whine of sirens careened around the corner. A fire engine rumbled to a stop in the middle of the street, followed by several patrol cars. Cade remained by her side as firefighters doused the flames. By the looks of the darkening sky, rain would’ve soon taken care of it.

Deputy Wayne Claxton introduced himself and wrote her information on a palm-sized paper pad. About the age her father would be if he’d lived, the wire-haired, mustached deputy had perfected his poker face, not giving so much as a hint of his thoughts.

“Your car wasn’t running, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Did you see or smell evidence of a fire before the explosion?”

She’d been too distracted by Cade to notice. “No.”

“You haven’t had any electrical issues? Problems with your ignition switch?”

“No, nothing like that. I take it in for routine maintenance.”

He put away his pad and promised to contact her with the fire department’s investigation results, which he warned would take several days. The tow truck was departing when she felt the first raindrops on her exposed skin.

Cade squinted toward the sky. “You have anything to cover that window?”

Tori’s hesitation vanished at the peal of thunder. “Maybe in the garage.”

In the month since she’d returned, she’d split her time between unpacking and manning the shop, so she hadn’t had time to check out the garage. They quickly rifled through the contents and discovered a couple of sheets of plywood against the rear wall. He also located an electric drill.

In her bedroom once again, they worked together to clear the glass and debris. Wind whistled through the gap. Rain splattered the sill.

While Tori supported the plywood, he drilled the screws along the edges. “Feels like old times. Us doing chores,” he said, his attention on his task. “You gonna pay me in Popsicles like your mom used to do?”

“Sorry. I’m fresh out.”

He grunted and continued working.

She studied his profile, the proud line of his forehead and the jut of his cheekbones. His features had been branded on her mind years ago. Granted, he was even more handsome now than he’d been at eighteen.

He’d once been her closest confidante. When her feelings for him had shifted to something more, she’d kept them hidden for fear of losing his friendship. Remaining silent while he dated other girls was one of the hardest things she’d had to do. Then, on the night of their senior prom, Cade’s kiss had changed everything. That summer, they’d whiled away the days playing in the surf, crabbing in the river and counting stars from her front-porch swing. She’d begun to think of the future in terms of her and Cade as a couple. Instead of heading to a prestigious university as her mother expected, she enrolled in the community college. Cade was supposed to follow in his father’s footsteps and assume the family fishing business. He hadn’t questioned his path, so neither had she.

His proposal had come earlier than expected, but that hadn’t stopped her from saying yes. Cade was her soul mate. Her best friend. Her heart was safe with him.

Or so she’d believed, until the day he’d found her in the college library and delivered the earth-shattering news that he’d enlisted. Signed a four-year contract to serve their country and be at the Marine Corps’ beck and call.

With that day fresh in her mind, her heart throbbed with remembered betrayal.

She wouldn’t be that vulnerable again.

Cade lowered the drill and inspected his work. “Should hold until we can get you a new window.”

“I appreciate your help.”

“Is there someone who can take you to the hardware store?”

Jason worked night shifts at a local factory, and she didn’t want to burden her mom. Barbara needed to rest and focus on managing her illness. Tori’s close friend, Angela Reagan, was probably pulling a twelve-hour shift at the hospital.

“I could contact someone from my church.”

“Or you could let me give you a ride,” he said casually. “My Jeep’s parked at the bank down the street.”

More time in Cade’s company. Great. “Let me get the deposit ready.” She sighed.

Cade began cleaning up the glass. As Tori descended the stairs, a sharp clap of thunder reverberated through the house. The lights flickered out. Startled, her foot slipped, and she grabbed the railing to keep from tumbling down the steep flight.

She reached the bottom tread and sucked in a steadying breath. Shadows draped the foyer and hallway leading to the rear of the house. Weak light slanted into the parlor across from her, the first room customers encountered and the largest on this floor. Tori skirted the large round table in the middle boasting individual dog treats of every shape and color to get to the counter and her register.

A sudden gust of rain pelted the window behind her. She clapped a hand over her mouth.

She was being silly. There was no reason to be on edge.

The leather pouch she used to transport her daily earnings wasn’t in its usual spot. Tori must’ve left it in the office that morning. She walked through the archway connecting the parlor to what used to be the formal dining room. Flashes of lightning illuminated the shelves and collections of leashes and collars. It wasn’t yet seven o’clock, but gloom had descended along with the storm. Hopefully the power outage wouldn’t last too long. Already, the air was growing heavy with humidity.

She entered the former-kitchen-turned-office and immediately the hairs on her nape stood to attention. She reached for the light switch before catching herself. No electricity.

Outside, the storm unleashed its fury. The oaks’ branches thrashed the sides of the house. A crash sent adrenaline spiraling through her system. Calling herself a fool, she marched to the door and, ripping it open, emerged onto the screened porch. Wind tunneled through the screens, twisting her dress hem about her knees. Rain gushed through the gutters and onto the pavers.

A faint scuffling sound registered near the left side of the house. Tori pivoted that direction and caught sight of a hunched figure dashing behind her garage.

Cade carried the box of discarded glass downstairs. The silence inside the house was at complete odds with the fury beyond the walls. Good thing they’d gotten the plywood in place in time.

“Tori?”

He walked through the rooms, fond memories of his teenage years washing over him. This place was linked to the James women. Thanks to Tori’s selflessness, Barbara wouldn’t have to worry about her shop.

In the kitchen, he set the box on a counter lined with matching file organizers. The door to the porch stood wide-open. Strange.

Cade stepped through to the porch and found Tori about to brave the elements.

“You’ll need a raincoat and boots.”

Snatching her hand back, she spun and pressed her hand to her throat. Her skin was leached of color.

“What’s wrong?”

“I heard something, so I came to investigate and saw someone out there.” She pointed to the detached garage and the profuse bushes marching behind it and linking to Kenneth the tax man’s property. “At least, I thought I did.”

“Could it have been Kenneth?” He didn’t like that the man had studied Tori’s movements. “Does he have a pet that might’ve escaped?”

He moved closer to her and looked through the screens. The view was obstructed by the relentless downpour.

“He has a cat, but I don’t think he’d be inclined to pursue her through this.”

“I’ll check it out.”

She sidestepped to block the door. “You don’t have to do that. I’m more rattled than I realized, and my mind’s probably playing tricks. It could’ve been a large dog. There’s a black lab that roams the neighborhood every time his owners forget to latch the fence.”

“Can I borrow an umbrella?”

She arched a brow. “Still stubborn, I see.”

“We’ll both feel better if I do this.”

“Fine.” She disappeared into the house and returned a minute later. He examined the oversize dog faces printed on the material.

He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Let’s hope none of my buddies happen by.”

Wind and rain battered his lower body. And it hindered his ability to look for clues. There weren’t any discernible footprints. Nor was anyone lurking behind the structure. A stand of trees separated Tori’s lot from the one behind hers. He couldn’t detect movement in that person’s yard. The garage itself was locked, the lone window intact.

Back inside, he wiped the mud from his shoes. “I didn’t see anything or anyone suspicious.”

“Good.” A furrow dug between her brows, advertising her continued disquiet.

“Has Kenneth ever done anything to make you uncomfortable?”

She shook her head. “He’s a little frazzled and absentminded, but he’s harmless.”

“You don’t find it odd that he knows your schedule?”

“Having nosy neighbors can actually be a good thing. Crime deterrents. Besides, I have an alarm system. We had one installed several years ago.”

Cade propped the umbrella in the corner. “Do you know if sensors were installed in the windows?”

“On this level, they were.”

Outside, there was a second set of stairs leading to the upper-level deck, which stretched the rear facade of the house—easy access to the entrance door and windows.

“You might want to consider installing them on the second floor, just to be safe.”

She studied his face more closely. “You’re worried. Why? Deputy Claxton wasn’t.”

“Maybe because I’ve experienced my fair share of violence.”

“That’s your world, not mine.”

“Nothing wrong with staying proactive.”

“That word again,” she groaned. “The Marines’ way of saying an ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure.”

“Served me well over the years.”

“There’s a rational explanation for the car. I’m sure of it.”

Inside the kitchen, Tori locked the door and checked it twice, a sign she wasn’t as confident as she’d like him to think.

He noticed she held her wrist flush against her middle. “Did I do that?”

He’d shoved her to the ground with scarcely a thought to where she landed. He inched closer, curved his fingers around her arm and gingerly inspected it. “Looks swollen.”

“It’s a little sore,” she murmured, easing free of his touch. “Nothing serious.”

“I’m sorry. I reacted without thinking.”

“You were trying to protect me.”

“And wound up hurting you.”

Her eyes darkened with unpleasant memories. That last scene in the local college library was seared into his mind. Cade hadn’t known he could inflict such pain.

“Tori—”

“Here’s the deposit bag,” she exclaimed, snatching it from the dining table and heading for the front. “We should get going.”

Cade followed at a more sedate pace. She wasn’t ready to hear his apology. He’d been naive, thinking that one conversation could mend the rift between them. Friendship with Tori was probably out of reach, but he’d thought they could at least put the past to rest and be friendly acquaintances.

Tori insisted on walking with him to the bank at the end of the street, a brief distance made miserable by the continuing onslaught. But by the time they’d dropped off her deposit and completed their business at the hardware store, the rain had stopped and the gray clouds were starting to disperse. Tori’s stomach growled as he was loading the new window.

“I heard that,” he told her. “Why don’t we stop at Red’s on the way?”

She placed a bag of tools in the back seat. “I don’t know.”

“Surely you can’t turn down a cheeseburger and fries.” He came around to her side. “I’ll throw in that ice cream cone I promised earlier.”

“Spending time with you...pretending we’re fine...” She bit her lip and took her time examining the parking lot.

His heart squeezed. “I get it.”

“This can’t be easy for you, either.”

“I’ve come to accept that most things worth doing aren’t easy.” He gestured to the vehicle. “It’s just a casual dinner.”

The look she gave him indicated there wasn’t anything casual about it. “We’re both reasonable adults,” she said at last. “No reason why we can’t share a meal, I suppose.”

“Exactly.”

“But no personal talk and no stealing my fries.”

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep,” he quipped, thinking of past visits to the diner.

His conscience pricked him. Hadn’t he promised to be there for her? To love and support her? To put her needs above his own?

Those were some of the most important promises a man could make to a woman, and he hadn’t kept a single one.

God, please help me not to hurt her again. More than anything, I want to make amends. I want Tori’s forgiveness.

Only then could they move beyond past mistakes and live in the same town with any sense of normalcy.

THREE

How had a normal, routine day turned into something out of a strange dream?

First her car went up in flames, then her apartment was damaged and now she was being yanked down memory lane against her will. When she’d agreed to eat with Cade, she hadn’t factored in the power of nostalgia.

Here she was in what used to be their favorite booth, seated across a narrow stretch of silver-flecked Formica, with 1950s’ songs belting from the jukebox. Nothing about this place had changed. Pictures of Elvis still hung on the walls. Cherry-red padded bar stools lined the bar. The smell of grease, fries and burgers mingled with chocolate malt.

She shouldn’t have agreed to this.

I’m in trouble, Lord. I can’t pretend my heart doesn’t ache for the days when I could tell Cade anything. He was my closest, dearest friend. I’ve missed him.

She managed to order without sounding as if this blast of sentimentality was filling her with sadness. At least the young waitress was a new face, someone unfamiliar with their history. Because Sneads Ferry was situated right outside Camp Lejeune’s back gate, it was a popular spot for military personnel to live. People were continually moving in and out of the area.

“When are you going to tell your mom?”

“I don’t know.” She wished she could avoid it. “I’d like to wait until after the party.”

“I saw her last week at my parents’ fish fry. She looks better. Not having to worry about the day-to-day responsibilities of the shop has helped, but I get the feeling she misses her customers.”

“They miss her, too. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t ask about her.”

“She’ll be ready to return eventually. Once that happens, will you look for a position at a local library or return to Tennessee?”

She shrugged. “I don’t want to rush Mom. And now that I’m here, I’m realizing how disconnected Jason and I have become. I’d like to rebuild our relationship, but he’s resisting.”

Tori couldn’t determine if his aloofness was because he was a teenager and it wasn’t cool to hang out with his older sister or if her absence had driven a wedge between them.

“Give him time,” Cade said. “He’ll get used to having you around.”

Not if he enlisted, he wouldn’t. She held her tongue. Hadn’t she implied they were capable of a peaceful dinner?

“Blue Suede Shoes” belted from the jukebox. The short-order cook called out to one of the waitresses. Through the plateglass window, she watched a happy couple strolling hand in hand into the riverfront park. As they passed, Tori spotted a man in a black baseball cap, tattered jeans and boots, with a tattoo curled around his biceps and forearm. A snake, maybe? His cap pulled low over his sunglasses, he was standing beside a blue mail receptacle and staring straight at them. The moment he realized she’d seen him, he pivoted and cut a diagonal path through the park.

Tori dragged her gaze from the retreating stranger. Her imagination was leaping to irrational conclusions.

A plate of seasoned fries and a cheeseburger was set before her. The aroma of seared meat and smoky bacon teased her nose. Although Cade had ordered the same, he snagged one of her fries and popped it in his mouth, a boyish smile flashing.

“Try that again, Staff Sergeant, and you’ll regret it.” She made a show of pulling the plate closer to her.

At her use of his title, his brows shot up in silent question.

“It’s on your collar.” She brandished a fry toward the metal pins affixed to the sturdy material. “It should come as no surprise that my mom has kept me informed of your ascent through the ranks. I know that you’re in charge of thirty-nine Marines and that you were hailed a hero during your last deployment.”

Six months ago, her mom told her that Cade had been involved in an ambush and had saved someone. Tori had experienced nightmares for weeks afterward. Off and on through the years, she’d considered telling her mom to cease with the updates. They weren’t a couple anymore. They didn’t text or email. Didn’t follow each other on social media. But she hadn’t been able to cut off the flow of information. Because no matter how much time passed, she needed to know he was all right.

Cade fiddled with the straw in his milkshake, his mouth grim. “Kind of difficult to think of myself that way when we lost someone. I may have helped Corporal Faulkner, but I wasn’t able to do anything to save William Poole. He was an outstanding Marine.” The haunted look about his eyes troubled her. His fingers pressed into the beveled glass.

“Surely you don’t blame yourself.”

“Did I do what I thought was right at the time? Yes. I relied on my training and sheer instinct. Not everyone was satisfied with my performance, however. Two Marines in my platoon lodged complaints with our command, which led to an informal investigation into my actions.”

“But you weren’t found to be at fault.”

“No.”

Tori wanted to reach across and squeeze his hand. Offering him comfort used to be second nature.

“I thought we’d agreed to keep the conversation shallow and meaningless,” she lightly chided.

“You’re too easy to talk to. That hasn’t changed.”

Whatever else he might’ve said was lost by a foreign sound. A high-pitched ping. Glass splintering. A heavy thwack.

Then, for the second time in the span of a few hours, Cade was diving for her.

Screams rent the air. Another round whizzed into the diner.

Cade’s focus narrowed to one thing—keeping Tori safe.

Familiar with the hail of gunfire, he’d tugged her to the space beneath the table and ordered the others to hunker down. Somewhere in the room, a woman sobbed. A baby’s helpless cries prompted him to action.

He gripped her shoulders. “Stay here.”

“Where are you going?” Her eyes were huge pools of dread.

“To see if I can spot the shooter before he decides to come inside.”

“Are you armed?”

In answer, he lifted his pant leg and removed his Beretta Jetfire from the ankle holster. His larger weapon was at home in the safe, more suited to long-range targets. This one would have to do.

He twisted toward the kitchen area and hoped some of the employees had escaped through the rear exit. There was no evidence of blood, no anguished moans that typically accompanied wounds. Lord Jesus, let us all survive this.

Tori gasped. “Cade, your arm’s bleeding.”

The light was dim in the space beneath the table. He prodded the area and came away with bloodstained fingers. A needle-sharp sting registered through the rush of adrenaline. “Feels superficial.”

Another bullet pierced the glass above them.

“I have to go.”

Jaw locked, she gave a tight nod.

Cade inched farther onto the tiles and scanned the crowd. “Anyone hit?”

Those trapped beneath the tables in the middle stared at him in shock. In the far corner, an older man with a high-and-tight haircut—likely a retired Marine—lifted his shirt to reveal a pistol. “We’re okay on this side.”

Satisfied there were no wounds to tend, Cade darted toward the side door that led to an alley and trash dumpsters. If he could reach those dumpsters, he could use them as a buffer while searching for their assailant. Crouching low, he rushed outside. Oppressive heat mixed with eerie silence. The gravel beneath his shoes crunched. Blood singing through his veins brought back memories of Afghanistan and the kill-or-be-killed mindset. Instead of Marines, he was protecting a diner full of civilians. And Tori.

Weapon drawn, he wedged into a slim crevice between the metal dumpster and brick building. The rain-dampened sidewalks were empty. Water droplets coating the playground equipment glittered in the waning sunlight. He squinted at the storefronts farther down, but the angle wasn’t right.

Where are you?

Who are you?

Cade braced for further assault and prayed that Tori would stay put.

Was this a random act? Maybe a disgruntled former employee with an ax to grind?

An employee trained in sniper-like kills?

Doubtful.

In the back of his mind, he kept connecting this to the explosion earlier that day. He didn’t want to. Tried to reject it. But he’d lived in Sneads Ferry all his life and couldn’t remember a single incident like this one.

Sirens announced the approach of law enforcement. The gunman must’ve heard it, too, because there were no more shots fired. The first officer to arrive was an acquaintance of Cade’s, sparing him the need to get on the ground until they figured out he wasn’t involved. Cade sprinted over and, crouching behind the patrol car, told him everything he knew. Tori rushed into the street before they’d given the all clear.

Ignoring the officers’ protests, she hurried to join Cade. He seized her hand and tugged her down. “You’re not supposed to be out here,” he growled.

“I remembered something. While we were waiting for our order, I saw a man. He was watching us.”

The gut feeling he’d had solidified. Over her shoulder, he studied the diner’s facade. Tori turned to see what he was looking at. What scant color there was left in her face drained, and she lifted a trembling hand to clutch her neck.

“Cade...”

Only one of the plateglass windows had been blown out. Theirs.

“My car. It wasn’t an accident, was it?” Her gaze swerved to his, begging him to refute her claim.

“We can’t know that for sure—”

“Someone shot at us.” She had to work to drag in air. “You told me not to ignore my instincts. I should’ve heeded your advice. Someone has been watching me since I returned. Waiting for an opportunity to...”

She didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t have to.

They both knew that, had the timing of the car explosion been different, had the shooter’s aim been a little more accurate, Tori would be dead already.

FOUR

“Why would someone target you?” Cade demanded. “Did something happen in Tennessee? Something you’re afraid to share?”

His words doused her in cold shock.

Secrets were her former boyfriend’s specialty. Patrick, with whom she’d shared a fun, low-key relationship, had turned out to be a white-collar criminal. His arrest and conviction hadn’t shattered her heart so much as shaken her confidence in her ability to discern a person’s true character.

Not about to share her humiliation with Cade, she said, “My life is ordinary.”

His head sagged against the bumper. “Nothing about this is ordinary, Tori.” He sighed.

Beneath his tattered sleeve, blood trickled down his biceps. She sidled closer, the hot pavement searing her bare knees, and reached for his wounded arm. “You need medical attention.”

He shifted away. “It’ll keep a while longer.”

“I won’t pass out.” At his disbelieving stare, she said, “I’m not as squeamish as I used to be.”

“You aren’t going to swoon in my arms like a Jane Austen heroine?”

She was unable to banish the memory of her seventeenth birthday and the incident involving a rusty nail in her foot. He’d carried her half a mile to the nearest residence, called for an ambulance and refused to leave her side. He’d been her own personal hero. Well, she was older and wiser. More cynical? Or was it that her heart had been broken at eighteen and never fully repaired? Whatever the case, she didn’t believe in heroes anymore. Exceptional romance belonged on library shelves.

Cade didn’t seem inclined to reminisce further. His gun clutched in one hand, he scrutinized the area around the diner. She could picture him on the battlefield...focused, in command, lethal. Above all, willing to sacrifice his life for his men and his country. Hadn’t she witnessed his bravery twice already? He’d put her safety first both times a threat arose. Tori’s gaze sought out his injury, and her mind played out a deadlier scenario. If he’d been sitting in a different spot, if the bullet had drifted a few inches to the left, she wouldn’t be here talking to him.

Tori angled her face away to hide the raw emotion coursing through her.

The minutes ticked by, the humidity suffocating, the wait almost unbearable. Where had the shooter gone? Was he watching them now? The why of this situation escaped her.

Deputy Claxton arrived and, after conferring with the North Topsail police, ushered them to a waiting ambulance. While a paramedic cleaned and stitched his wound, Cade related the evening’s events, moment by moment. The deputy’s attention switched to her. He must’ve come to the same conclusions they had, because his questions probed into her private life.

She twisted her hands together, wincing when her wrist protested. “I’ve dated off and on since college. Nothing serious until Patrick. My relationship with him lasted a year and a half.”

Deputy Claxton’s pencil hovered above the paper. “Patrick’s last name?”

“Livingston. We ended things last summer.” Keenly aware of Cade’s laser-like perusal, she was reluctant to add details.

The deputy wasn’t having it. “Occupation? Current location?”

“He’s, ah, in a correctional facility.”

Cade’s brows hit his hairline. “Tori—”

“Patrick embezzled funds from his company. I didn’t find out until the news of his arrest hit social media.”

The scowl on his face was at odds with the compassion filling his eyes. Unable to bear his pity, she dropped her gaze.

“Safe to say he isn’t our shooter,” Claxton said. “But that doesn’t rule out the possibility he orchestrated it from behind bars. Would you say he was angry with you? Did he expect you to stick with him through thick and thin?”

“Not at all. Patrick regretted pulling my name into it. Not once did he ask me to stay. We didn’t have that kind of relationship.”

While she hadn’t wanted to dwell on it at the time, their connection had been shallow. Nothing like what she’d had with Cade.

More scribbling. “Did you have any fractious relationships in your former workplace? Jealous coworkers? Friendships that soured?”

“I can’t think of a single person who’d want to hurt me.”

She made the mistake of glancing at Cade, whose eyes burned with righteous determination. “Think harder. There must be someone.” He paid no heed as the paramedic snipped off the thread. “You need to make a list of acquaintances, college buddies, professors—”

“I graduated years ago.”

“Write down every single employee at that library you used to work at, from the cleaning crew to the folks behind the check-in desk.” He counted on his fingers. “If you don’t know their names, we’ll get them from Human Resources.”

“How about you settle down and let me do my job, son.” Deputy Claxton shot Cade a dry look. To Tori, he said, “Make the list. I’ll be inputting the car explosion into the state database to see if there have been similar crimes.”

“You got the report back?” Cade asked.

“Our guys aren’t finished with the wreckage.”

“But you’re assuming it was an intentional act.”

Before he could answer, another deputy walked over to deliver the news that they’d scoured the area. The perp was in the wind. They planned to canvas the neighborhood and conduct interviews. There was a chance someone other than Tori saw him and could give them valuable information.

Cade studied the buildings around them. “No traffic cameras, but there could be private security cameras.”

“We’ll consult the individual businesses,” Claxon said. He left with a promise to contact her.

While Cade was being patched up, he caught the attention of a second paramedic and insisted Tori’s wrist be examined. As expected, it was a slight sprain. She was testing out the snug wrap when she noticed a pair of young men in heated conversation with an officer. She hurried over.

The lanky blond one spotted her and frowned, his gaze on her wrist. “That’s my sister.”

The officer twisted around and, seeing her, allowed them to pass. She wasn’t surprised to see her brother with his new friend, a shy but pleasant young man whom he’d met at the gym.

“Hello, Heath,” she greeted the redhead before turning to her brother. “Jason, what are you doing here? I thought you were working tonight.”

“Switched shifts with Billy, so I don’t go in until eleven. Heath and I were headed to Red’s to meet up with a few buddies.”

He reached up to smooth his hair, only to come up empty. Like her, he was still adjusting to his altered appearance. Without his wavy blond locks, he looked less like the surfer he was and more like a Marine. He’s eighteen. No longer the adoring little brother you left behind.

“What happened?”

A female officer speaking into her radio passed by. Jason watched the hushed activity around them, especially the subdued customers trickling out of the diner and waitresses huddled around the splintered window. Their faces were ravaged by the horror they’d endured.

“There was a shooting.”

Behind his glasses, Heath’s puppy-dog eyes filled with disbelief. “In Sneads Ferry?”

“Hard to accept, I know,” she agreed, wondering how she was going to tell Jason about the car and their suspicions.

“Was anyone hurt?” Jason asked.

“A bullet grazed Cade’s arm, but he’s going to be okay.”

Heath’s gaze shifted beyond Tori, and he snapped to attention. “Good evening, Staff Sergeant.”

She turned to see Cade approaching. He inclined his head. “Lance Corporal Polanski.”

“You two know each other?”

“Staff Sergeant McMann is my platoon leader,” Heath explained.

“Fortunate for you,” Jason said, his admiration plain.

When Tori transferred to a university in Knoxville, she got busy carving out a new life for herself. Meanwhile, Cade took Jason under his wing. She was grateful to a point. Cade was a good role model. But she couldn’t help but be a tad jealous of their close bond.

“Why would someone want to shoot up Red’s?” Jason mused.

Tori intercepted Cade’s probing glance. She reached for the ring on her right hand and twisted the silver dolphin. “We have reason to believe the shooter was after me.”

Deep grooves distorted his forehead. “What?”

Beside him, Heath paled, the smattering of freckles on his nose stark against his skin. “Why would you assume such a thing?”

“Earlier this evening, my car exploded. Right around the time I usually drive to the bank with the shop’s earnings.”

“I don’t understand.” Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. “Why would someone target you? You’re a librarian.” He said it like it was the most mundane job in the world.

Cade shifted closer to Tori, determination gripping his features. “That’s what we’re going to figure out.”

“You can’t stay in the apartment,” Jason said. “This guy knows where you live.”

“I can’t abandon the shop. It’s Mom’s baby. Besides, there will be deputies parked outside.” For tonight only. They simply didn’t have the manpower to guard her around the clock indefinitely. But she didn’t tell her brother that. “Maybe he’ll come back tonight and they’ll snag him.”

“And what if he takes them by surprise and manages to get to you?”

The depth of her brother’s concern surprised her. She’d started to think he resented her to the point of dislike.

“I’m staying, too.” Cade’s tone brooked no argument—one she suspected he used on his junior Marines.

“The commanding officer routine doesn’t work on me,” she responded.

“I’m not an officer. No college degree, remember? I’m a grunt, like Heath here.”

“That’s beside the point. You’re not staying.”

“Accept his help, sis.” Jason’s blue eyes were serious. “I’d be there if I didn’t have to work.”

“I’ll sleep downstairs. If anyone breaches the house, I’ll know about it.”

His goal had been to deal with the past so they could move on with their lives. But moving on wasn’t going to happen as soon as they’d hoped, not with him acting as her protector. And while spending time with him would prove a minefield of emotional traps, Tori couldn’t bring herself to face her unknown enemy alone.

Cade placed his weapon on the kitchen counter as Tori entered the room with a pillow and an armful of blankets. Her gaze fell on the gun and the shadows in her eyes deepened. She’d swapped her breezy summer dress for a blue pajama pant set that looked like something from the fifties.

She gestured to the military-issue sleeping bag rolled out on the linoleum. “That’s not going to be comfortable.”

“Compared to some of the spots I’ve slept in, this is a luxury. No sand fleas or other pests. Central heat and air. Indoor plumbing.”

She looked as if she’d like to question him, but refrained. He took the blankets from her and set them on one of the dining chairs. The day’s events were taking their toll. He’d been at the base by 0500 hours for a strenuous round of PT—a five-mile hump carrying fifty pounds of gear through the woods. The stores of adrenaline that had carried him through the explosion and shooting were depleted. Getting winged hadn’t helped matters.

But he couldn’t sleep. Not even with two cruisers parked outside, one in the driveway and the other on the curb. Tori’s life was being threatened, and he’d do anything to ensure her safety.

He nodded to the only photo in the room, a casual shot of a champagne-colored poodle with big amber eyes lounging on Tori’s lap. “Who’s that?”

“Beatrice. Bee for short.”

“After your favorite Beverly Cleary character, right?”

“Beezus and Ramona. I still have that book.” Looking surprised he’d remembered, she picked up the frame. “I wish Bee was still around.” Sadness tinted her tone.

“What happened?”

“Bloat. I didn’t catch the signs fast enough.”

“I’m sorry.” Tori had a big heart for animals. Over the years, the James family had adopted an assortment of dogs, birds and even a couple of lizards. No cats, though, because Barbara was allergic.

Cade’s curiosity about her life in Tennessee strained to the breaking point. His mom hadn’t shared specifics, like what kind of place she’d lived in or what she’d done for fun. She certainly hadn’t mentioned that lousy excuse for an ex-boyfriend.

“She obviously adored you. Looks like she’s smiling.”

A bittersweet smile curved her lips. “For the short while we were together, we relished each other’s company.”

“Will you ever get another one?”

She replaced the frame. “I was considering it before I decided to come home. With my life in limbo, adopting doesn’t make sense right now.”

“So you love on your customers’ pets instead.”

“Yeah, that about sums it up.” She seemed very much alone, and he hated that. “If you don’t need anything else, I’m going to call my mom.”

“I’m good.”

“Good night, Cade.”

“Good night.”

He listened to her retreating footsteps and waited for the soft click of the upstairs door. Then he picked up the picture frame and stared at the image, his insides in turmoil. When he’d woken up that morning, he couldn’t have imagined he’d become Tori’s bodyguard by the end of the day.

The attempts on her life had blown his original plan to bits. He’d had an idea of how things were supposed to go. He’d apologize. She’d forgive him and possibly admit she’d been wrong about some things, too. They’d discuss inane details of their post-engagement lives, shake hands and part ways with clear consciences. He’d been positive they could coexist with little interaction.

That was before the explosion. Before a sniper shot up a diner trying to end her life. His blood ran cold each time he replayed the chaos, the stark fear in her eyes. He wouldn’t abandon her. He’d just have to keep in mind that what they’d had was over. They weren’t going to get a second chance. Tori had no real place in his life anymore.

FIVE

“Miss James?” Deputy Clark stood on the main porch the next morning. “There’s a woman here who says she has a delivery of cookies?”

Peeking over his shoulder, Tori recognized the brunette waiting outside the gate. “Oh, that’s Felicia Ortiz. She has a batch of dog treats for me.”

The deputy summoned her with a flick of his fingers and then returned to his vehicle. The other deputy had left about fifteen minutes prior, leaving Clark alone until later this afternoon. Cade had left before breakfast to go home and shower and change.

Unwilling to leave the safety of the house, Tori waited inside the foyer. “Felicia, I forgot to tell you we’re closed today.”

After discussing the issue with her mom last night, they’d decided it was safer for Tori and their customers to close.

A large plastic box in her hands, Felicia entered the house and paused by the wall of paintings depicting silly dog faces. “I heard about your car. Is that why the police are here? Do they think you’re in some sort of danger?”

Explaining her predicament to her mother had been a challenge. Tori wasn’t ready to attempt it with Felicia, someone she barely knew. “Their presence is merely a precaution. Car explosions are few and far between in Sneads Ferry. The neighbors are on edge. I figured business would be slow today.”

“The whole town’s rattled after what happened at the diner.” Felicia’s dark eyes brimmed with incredulity. “Two major news stories in one day. Must be a record.”

“It is unusual,” Tori agreed. Felicia didn’t appear to know about Tori’s involvement, which was a relief.

“Will you have a problem getting a replacement vehicle?”

“I’ve spoken to my insurance company, and they’ve offered to provide a rental until I can shop for one.”

Car shopping wasn’t on her list of fun tasks. Not like shoe shopping. But after yesterday, she’d be grateful for a chance to do mundane chores without the threat of another attempt on her life dogging her steps.

Leaving her half-finished coffee on the entry table, she led the way to the middle of the parlor. “What do we have today? In her email, Maria indicated she was thinking about doing some Fourth-of-July-inspired treats.”

Felicia removed the lid, revealing an assortment of frosted shapes. “She’s going to wait until the end of the month, closer to the holiday.”

“These are pretty. I like the strawberry ones.”

“Maria’s schnauzer does, too. Polly stole three of them before I noticed.”

Tori smiled. “How are Maria and the baby?”

Their supplier for more than a year, Maria had given birth prematurely last month. Her cousin, Felicia, had stepped in to help whenever she wasn’t on duty. The Marine sergeant was polite to a fault and exuded an air of competence.

“They’re both great.” She fished a small card from her back pocket. “Maria sent a thank-you card to your mom. She adores the baby blanket.”

“I’ll be sure to pass it along.”

They worked together on the display. Tori placed the older treats in a bag in order to give Felicia space to set out the fresh ones.

“These are going to the shelter on Franklin Street, right?”

Felicia nodded, her espresso-colored hair rippling over her shoulders. When in uniform, she wore it in a tight bun. The loose style softened her hard edges. “That’s right. The workers appreciate your generosity since the budget won’t allow for extras like this.” She cast Tori a side-glance. “I hope closing today won’t put too much of a dent in sales.”

“We can handle a day here and there.”

Worry threatened to choke her. What if the police couldn’t identify this guy? She couldn’t become a permanent hermit, afraid to step outside her house. Not to mention the financial impact on her mother’s shop if they had to keep it closed indefinitely.

Her mom had been terribly upset that her daughter’s life was in jeopardy, but she’d clung to her faith and reminded Tori of God’s promises.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you.

Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Whoever this madman was, he’d make a mistake eventually.

Hopefully before he completed his mission. A shudder shimmied through her.

Another knock on the door sent her pulse racing. “Excuse me for a minute.”

Deputy Clark was at the door again, this time with an employee of the alarm company she’d contacted last night. After reassuring the deputy, she let the man inside. About midtwenties, he had the appearance of a Marine. His blond hair was cut to regulation, and peeking from his long-sleeved shirt was what looked like an eagle, globe and anchor tattoo. Definitely Marine. Maybe he had a side job. Or he’d been discharged and stuck around the area.

“I’m Brandon.” His gray eyes roamed the merchandise along the hallway before snagging on Felicia, who was still in the parlor. “You’re wanting to wire the windows on the second floor, is that right?”

“Yes. Thank you for coming out on short notice.”

“No problem, ma’am. We had a cancelation, so we were able to fit you in.” He held a toolbox in one hand, a clipboard in the other.

“Give me a moment.” Leaving him in the foyer, she hurried to the cash register and retrieved the envelope containing Maria’s check. “Would you mind taking this to your cousin?”

“I’ll drop it off after I stop at the shelter.” She put the envelope inside her now-empty plastic container and then grabbed the bag of treats. “Maria or I will contact you midweek to see if you want another batch next weekend.”

“Thanks, Felicia.”

They walked together to the door. Tori watched her leave through the garden and wave to the deputy, who was inside his cruiser.

She almost called her back. Brandon’s presence behind her put her on edge. Before yesterday, she wouldn’t have felt uneasy being alone with a stranger. Being a target had changed her perceptions.

He’s here at my request, she reminded herself. An employee of a reputable company.

Turning, she pasted on a smile. “It’s this way.”

“Don’t forget your coffee.”

“Right.” With mug in hand, she ascended first.

Every step of the way, she felt his gaze boring into her back. She found herself wishing Cade was there with her, which was irritating. She’d lived on her own for many years and managed just fine.

Inside the apartment, she gave him a quick tour of the rooms. A faint scent of cigarette smoke clung to his clothes, competing with his aftershave. His manner was polite, but his eyes followed her in a way that made her uncomfortable.

She covered her nervousness by sipping on her coffee, which tasted more bitter than usual.

“I’ll start in your bedroom,” he said.

“I’ll stay out of your way.”

Tori drained the mug and ventured past the dining table and open kitchen to the living area. The cream walls were devoid of pictures, and there was a stack of cardboard boxes in the corner waiting to be unpacked. The apartment wasn’t completely organized yet, but the books in the built-in shelves on either side of the fireplace and decorative pillows on the sage sofa made it feel like home. This was her sanctuary. Her safe space.

The memory of the explosion and the savageness of the flames mocked her. She didn’t feel safe.

Going to the window overlooking the street, she watched a pair of bicyclists navigate the sidewalk. Over at the bed-and-breakfast, a young man and woman unloaded their suitcases. Newlyweds? The area got a lot of those, eager to honeymoon at the beach.

Like yesterday, the sun was obscured by clouds, leaving the day cooler than usual and gloomy. Suddenly light-headed, she gripped the windowsill and waited for the moment to pass. Skipping breakfast was catching up with her.

Her phone buzzed. The screen indicated it was Angela, a dear friend Tori had made during sophomore year in high school. Reconnecting with her this past month had been a joy.

“Why am I getting secondhand accounts of your adventures from the nurses on my floor?” Angela demanded when Tori answered.

“What exactly did you hear?”

“Nancy’s sister lives on your street. She said your car is toast.”

“Sounds about right.”

“There’s also a photograph of the damaged diner circulating on the local news sites. I recognized you in the background, conversing with law enforcement. I learned of the shooting last night, but I had no idea you were there.” A thread of uncertainty laced her voice. “Are you okay? I’m assuming you would’ve let me know if you’d gotten hurt.”

“I have a sprained wrist. Very minor. I would’ve called you, but everything happened so fast...” She trailed off, the scene in the booth replaying in vivid detail. One minute she’d been having a meal with Cade, the next she’d been dodging bullets.

“Tori?”

“I was the target,” she blurted.

Stunned silence stretched over the line. “What did you say?”

“The shooter was aiming for me. I’m positive I spotted him in the park across the street before it happened.”

“But the news article didn’t mention a motive or list the names of people in the diner.”

“The sheriff’s office is keeping certain information out of the news for now.” Tori hoped her name stayed out of it. Reporters hounding her night and day would be a major headache. Not to mention they might dig into her past and discover her ties to Patrick. The Canine Companion didn’t need that kind of press.

“I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.” She sighed. “Are you at the shop? I’ll come over and keep you company.”

She pressed her hand to her nape, surprised to find it damp. “That’s not a good idea, Ang. Too dangerous. I have police protection for now. And Cade slept in the shop overnight. He’ll be back soon.”

The beat of silence was telling. “You’re with Mr. America?”

Tori hadn’t heard that old nickname in a long while. Angela had dubbed him Mr. America because he’d epitomized what every young man would want for themselves—the popular student who was beloved by students and teachers alike. Very few people knew he had to work harder than most others to achieve decent grades or that his family life didn’t resemble a fairy tale.

“How are you holding up?”

Tori gripped the phone more tightly. “I’m managing to hold it together.” Barely.

“Oh, Tori.” She whistled low, and Tori could picture the worry in her ebony eyes. Angela had been a shoulder to cry on throughout Tori and Cade’s friendship-to-romance saga. And while the optimistic nurse liked Cade, she understood how difficult it would be for Tori to be around him again.

“Do you have any idea who’s behind this?”

Her stomach spasmed. Woozy, she pressed her forehead to the cool glass.

“Tori?”

“There’s no one.”

“No creepy men stalking you at the shop?”

“We have our share of unique patrons, but they’re harmless.”

“What about in your neighborhood?”

“The neighbors are nice, regular people.”

“Some of the most infamous psychopaths appeared to be nice, regular people.”

Confusion welling up, frustration on its heels, she tried to recall if there’d been anyone acting strangely. This area was an eclectic mix of restored homes, thriving businesses and pockets of sketchy behavior.

“My mom hasn’t ever indicated she felt unsafe. I wouldn’t have taken the apartment if either of us had reservations.”

“I’m simply trying to consider all the angles.”

“You sound like Cade.”

“I’m worried for you.”

“Pray for me,” she murmured. “Pray this guy is caught before the day is out.”

“You got it.”

She ended the conversation with a promise to keep her friend updated.

She was debating whether or not to get a snack now or wait until lunch when the cruiser door swung open and the deputy got out. He was speaking into his radio and surveying the area between her house and Kenneth’s. With a glance at her front door, he left his vehicle and rushed out of sight.

Tori’s skin flushed hot. Had someone been lurking where they shouldn’t be and a neighbor reported it? Her unknown enemy about to strike?

At the creak of a floorboard directly behind her, she whirled around and came face-to-face with the alarm company employee.

“Brandon,” she gasped, reaching for the nearest chair to steady herself. The room swung crazily. Her heart strained in her chest. What was wrong with her? “I—I didn’t hear you. Do you need something?”

“As a matter of fact, I do need something.” He stalked closer, his eyes hard and flat. The veins in his neck bulged. “You.”

Horror pulsed through her. This couldn’t be her enemy. He looked like a regular guy, not a killer. She didn’t know him. Why would he want to hurt her?

Her fingers dug into the cushions as nausea attacked. “Y-you work for the alarm company. How—”

He kept coming. The fact that he was letting her see his face registered, making her limbs quake. He didn’t plan on leaving her alive.

“Technology is a valuable tool if you know how to use it,” he said calmly. “You let me in your home, Tori. Your worst and last mistake.”

She sucked in a breath. Brandon lunged for her. Covered her mouth with his hand. Trying to get free took immense effort. Her limbs felt weighted in cement.

Remembering what she’d learned during a self-defense class in college, she kneed him in the groin. Or tried to.

His satisfied laugh sent a riot of goose bumps over her flesh. “You’re not feeling quite yourself, are you, Tori?”

The nausea intensified. Had he drugged her?

Then she remembered. The coffee. Unattended while she got Felicia’s check.

His arm came around her waist, locking her against him in a terrible embrace. She clawed at his hand, but to no avail. Black dots danced before her eyes.

“No use fighting it,” he murmured, his cheek pressed to her temple. “Just let the darkness swallow you.”

Tori moaned deep in her throat, angry at her helplessness. Her thoughts were like helium balloons, slipping away one by one.

Cade. She hadn’t gotten a chance to apologize to Cade.

That, more than anything, made her want to weep.

Against her will, her internal urge to fight was snuffed out, and she slipped into unconsciousness.

Cade parked his Jeep in Tori’s driveway, confused as to why there was only one deputy on guard and why that deputy’s vehicle was empty.

Scoping out the area around the garage and Kenneth’s side yard, he entered the gated area and pounded on the front door. Nothing stirred inside. He tried the knob. Locked.

He punched in her cell number and paced the length of the porch. When it went to voice mail, he jogged around the side of the house, intent on using the outside stairs. Surely she would’ve texted him if she’d decided to go somewhere. He’d promised to come back as soon as he’d showered and changed. Even while off duty, a Marine was required to be clean-shaven.

He mounted the wooden stairs and rapped on the door. There were no signs of movement through the windows.

He tried her cell again. A muted ring came from somewhere inside the apartment. If she was able to, she would’ve picked up.

A heavy sense of dread invaded him. Why had the deputy abandoned his post? And where was Tori?

Pivoting, he crossed to the deck railing. Green lawn stretched to trees and knee-high grass. A brook dissected her property with that of her neighbor’s behind her. To the right was a vacant, thickly wooded lot. Barbara had said that vagrants sometimes used the lot as a spot to camp. They didn’t get away with it for long, since the residents on that street kept a sharp eye out.

He scanned the entire lot and didn’t at first notice anything out of place. Then a flash of color in the midst of the monotonous greens and browns. Holding back a shout, he leaned over the railing as far as he dared. It looked like a man with a woman tossed over his shoulder. The flash of color he’d glimpsed was pale blond hair.

Tori.

He flew down the stairs and raced across the lawn, toward the trees. Please, God. Please let her be okay. Please don’t let him take her.

The stranger must’ve heard his boots splashing in the brook, because he whipped around to track the sounds. Beneath the bill of his baseball hat, his eyes widened and then narrowed.

The sight of Tori’s limp body filled Cade with desperate rage.

“Let her go,” he growled, pushing his legs faster.

“Stop! Police!”

Coming from the direction of Kenneth’s, Deputy Clark joined the chase, his weapon drawn.

The man ignored the deputy’s order and continued his bid for escape. When he emerged onto the street, yards from what had to be the getaway car, fear seized Cade. The perp had a solid head start and didn’t seem to be letting the extra weight slow him down.

In the next heartbeat, he had the side door open.

They weren’t going to reach her in time.

Sliding to a stop, Cade removed his weapon and, releasing the safety, shot out the taillight. Far enough away from Tori that she wouldn’t be in danger of being hit by a ricochet bullet, but close enough to serve as a warning to the perp.

Clark was catching up. “Hold your fire, Staff Sergeant.”

The stranger hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then he dumped Tori in the grass and dashed around the front, hopped inside and peeled out.

Cade ran to her side and fell to his knees, gently turned her onto her back and smoothed the hair from her face. The paleness of her lips and skin frightened him, but she was warm and breathing.

She was alive.

Thank You, Jesus.

“Tori? Wake up, sweetheart. Talk to me.”

There was zero indication she’d heard him. Whatever that man had done to her had knocked her out cold.

“We need an ambulance,” he ground out. “Now.”

The deputy joined them. “On their way. In the meantime, I’ll need your weapon.”

“Yes, sir.”

He handed the small Jetfire over, not taking his eyes from Tori.

“I don’t condone what you did,” he said, “but your actions saved her life.”

“Where were you?” he demanded, giving voice to the question nagging him. Why hadn’t Clark stayed at his post?

“Someone called in a tip about an intruder a few doors down, drawing me away from my vehicle.”

He dragged his gaze away from Tori’s motionless form. “Did you find anything?”

“No. Either someone really did see the perp wandering the neighborhood—”

“Or it was the perp who called, deliberately leaving Tori alone and vulnerable to attack.”

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