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CHAPTER FIVE

T he conversation with the Whitlocks plagued Gavin as he drove to Wilson’s Lakeside Cabin Rental. Xavier had a mean streak, that much was certain. Even his wife was afraid of him. Maribelle didn’t answer a question or make a move without looking toward her husband. It was unnerving. But was he guilty of murdering Faye? It was too early to tell.

In front of him, in her own vehicle, Claire tapped her brakes and pulled into a parking spot. Gavin followed suit. She leapt from her vehicle, holding up a finger indicating he should wait, then went inside the main office. A woman was sitting behind the counter. They started talking.

Hold music spilled from Gavin’s car speakers. He tapped his thumb against the steering wheel. Anxiety churned his stomach. He was waiting for his boss, Lieutenant Vikki Rodriguez, to come back on the line.

Faye’s murder. Stephanie’s disappearance. The missing private investigator. Protecting Claire. There were a lot of pieces to this case and Gavin couldn’t be everywhere at once.

“Gavin, sorry to keep you waiting.” Lieutenant Rodriquez’s voice was clipped but not unkind. “I’ve spoken to Ryker Montgomery. He’s available to assist on the case immediately. As I understand it, you and Ryker have worked together before?”

“Yes, ma’am, as state troopers.”

Ryker wasn’t just a colleague and fellow ranger. He was one of Gavin’s close friends. When an opening became available in Company A, it’d been Ryker who recommended Gavin for the position.

“Good,” Lieutenant Rodriquez said. “I’ve also reached out to Grady West. He stands ready to assist as well, should you need it. Keep me informed, Gavin. Claire went above and beyond during the serial killer investigation. I consider her a friend and an honorary member of Company A.”

“Understood. Thank you, ma’am.”

He hung up just as Claire darted from the office. She got back into her vehicle. Within moments, Gavin was following her down a winding road lined with trees. They passed a log house labeled private residence. Her parent’s home, maybe? A playground sat a short distance away. The road curved slightly and more of Lake Hudson came into view. The surface rippled with raindrops.

Claire stopped in front of Cabin 12. Gavin parked, grabbed his overnight bag, and raced to join her on the small front porch. “Please tell me you have heating. I’ve never been so cold in my life.”

She laughed, brushing strands of wet hair from her cheek. “We do. There’s a gas fireplace too.”

The waning sunlight caressed the curve of her mouth and the delicate line of her jaw. Claire’s gaze met his. Her eyes were the color of bluebonnets. Gavin’s heart picked up speed, as any thoughts of being cold fled his mind. Suddenly, he was burning up inside his coat.

“Sorry, I have to…” Claire held up a key. A pretty blush colored her cheeks.

Belatedly, Gavin realized he was blocking the door. He stepped to the side. “Right. Sorry.” He gave himself a mental shake. Yes, Claire was beautiful, but he needed to keep his focus on the case. And her safety. “How many guests do you have staying on the property?”

“Just five at the moment. Winter isn’t a busy time for us, but there are a few fishermen who come year-round.”

She opened the rustic wooden door to the cabin. Gavin crossed the threshold and whistled. The open floor plan was simple but decorated with comfort in mind. Wood beams lined the ceiling and picture windows overlooked the lake. Couches with comfortable pillows sat in front of a fireplace with a granite hearth. A full kitchen sat on his right. A hallway, leading to the bedrooms, curved to the left.

Gavin set his bag down. “This is beautiful.”

“Thank you. My mom stocked the fridge for you with a few necessities, but if you need something specific, just let the front desk know. There’s a coffee maker. Cups and dishes.” Claire tilted her head. “Ummm, I can’t think of anything else. I live in Cabin 11, which is just next door, so if you have questions, call.”

“I’ll be fine.”

Claire hesitated. “I’m having dinner with my family. I’d love for you to join us.”

The offer was kind, but Gavin couldn’t consider accepting. He was attracted to Claire. There was no denying that. He’d known it the minute he saw her at Bennett’s wedding in that stunning silk dress. But they were working together now and that complicated things. It required firm boundaries.

If he was being honest, even if they weren’t working together, Gavin wouldn’t ask Claire out. He’d steered clear of romance after his fiancée left him at the altar five years ago. He wasn’t good at love.

“Thank you for the offer, Claire?—”

A knock at the door cut off Gavin’s reply. A large man stood on the front stoop, visible through the window next to the door. Light reflected off his bald head, and a thick beard covered the lower half of his face. Gavin recognized him instantly. It was Daniel Wilson, Claire’s father.

She answered the door. Daniel gave his daughter a hug before stepping inside. He greeted Gavin with a friendly smile and a strong handshake. “Good to see you again, Gavin. I hope everything is okay with the cabin. I purposefully put you in the one next to Claire’s. Figured you’d want to keep an eye out for any trouble.”

He did. “It’s perfect. Thank you, sir.”

“I should be thanking you. My daughter can handle herself, but I’m glad she has you watching her back, all the same.” Daniel swung his car keys around one finger. “Let me take you on a tour of the property before we head to my house for dinner.”

“A tour would be great.” Gavin had intended to take one on his own, anyway. Just in case. “But I’ll come back here and eat something?—”

“Nonsense.” Daniel clapped him on the back. “Nothing beats my wife’s home cooking. I insist.”

There was no way to refuse without insulting the man. Gavin gave up the fight. He shrugged his coat back on and trudged out into the cold. The rain drifted into a light mist.

Claire zipped up her jacket. “I can’t wait to see Jacob anymore. I’ll meet y’all at the main house.”

She gave a wave and jogged up the short walkway to the log cabin they’d driven past earlier. Welcoming lights shone from inside. Gavin waited until Claire disappeared into the house before turning back to Daniel. “I’m ready.”

Daniel led Gavin to a beat-up pickup. “She ain’t much to look at, but she runs like a dream.”

Gavin got into the passenger seat. It was surprisingly comfortable. He sank into the soft fabric and rubbed his stiff hands together. He needed to find his gloves.

Daniel fired up the engine, and after adjusting the heat, took a turn leading them to the lake. “Claire filled me in on what happened today, but my daughter glosses over things so I don’t worry. I want the truth. Exactly how much trouble is Claire in?”

“Hard to say, sir. There’s no clear connection between Faye’s murder and the threat against Claire, but it’s awfully coincidental. I’d be surprised to find out they aren’t connected.”

“So would I. Claire and Faye were close as children. They’d drifted apart, as adults do when their lives go in different directions, but the affection between them was always there. Not to mention, my daughter has made waves since taking over as sheriff.”

“It’s my understanding Sheriff King managed the department differently.”

“That’s a polite way of putting it.” Daniel arched his brows. “I’m a simple man, Gavin. I say things bluntly. Randy King was a terrible sheriff. He was constantly looking over his shoulder, afraid of losing power, so he insisted on working every case himself. He ignored evidence from time to time. He also made judgments about people.”

“Like Stephanie?”

Daniel nodded. “Sheriff King labeled her a troublemaker because of who her stepfather was. But he was wrong. I didn’t know Stephanie well, but she attended the Bible study group at church. She was a hard worker. A sweet girl.”

His assessment echoed Mary Ellen’s. Gavin always dedicated one hundred percent of himself to each case, but hearing what a good person Stephanie was only fueled his determination to discover what happened to her.

“This town needs Claire,” Daniel continued. “Fulton County is my home, but I’m not blind to its faults. We need an honest sheriff. One who does the job with integrity and fairness.”

Gavin couldn’t agree more. “I’ve already spoken to my supervisor. No expense will be spared on this case. We will get to the bottom of things.”

“Thank you, Gavin. I have one more request. My wife is supportive of Claire’s job, but she worries day and night about her. Don’t bring the case up at dinner.” He side-eyed Gavin. “I’m not saying Lindsey ain’t strong. She’s tough as nails, but her kids are a soft spot. Whatever precautions need to be taken, talk to me about them. I’ll explain them to Lindsey.”

“I understand.” Gavin admired the tender way Daniel spoke about his wife. His concern for her well-being was evident. How would a love like that feel? Decades into a marriage with grown children?

He couldn’t imagine it. Gavin had been alone so long, he’d given up any thought of growing old with someone. His career took all his energy. There wasn’t room for dating or marriage. And maybe that was the crux of the issue with Claire. The spark between them, the one Gavin had no intention of doing anything about, made him notice the loneliness in his life.

He didn’t like it.

“Mommy, mommy, mommy.”

Claire crouched and opened her arms wide. Jacob’s little body collided with hers, a bundle of curls and exuberant energy. She showered kisses on his face before lifting him from the floor into her arms. The troubles she’d walked through the door with melted from her shoulders. There was nothing better than being with Jacob. Her son was the center of her world.

He planted a kiss on her cheek and then wriggled to get down. “Grannie and I made cake. I want some, but she said I have to eat dinner first. Can we eat now?”

“Let your momma take off her shoes first, Jacob.” Lindsey, Claire’s mother, came around the corner from the kitchen. Age had added lines to her face, but nothing could diminish the beauty of her smile. She embraced Claire, hugging her tight. When she pulled away, concern lurked in her eyes. “I’m so glad you made it in time for dinner. How are you, honey?”

“I’m hanging in there.” Claire gave her mother a reassuring smile. “It smells delicious in here. What are we having?”

“Roast chicken. Where’s Gavin and your dad?”

“Dad’s showing Gavin the property. They should be here shortly.” Claire unlaced her boots and pulled them off. Then she removed her duty belt and placed it on top of the bookshelf, well out of Jacob’s reach. “Give me a minute to wash my hands and I’ll help set the table.”

It was lovely to slip into family mode, to forget about the case for a while and talk to her mother about mundane things like the weather and Jacob’s latest painting hanging on the fridge. The fragrant scent of chicken and mashed potatoes made her stomach growl. Claire hadn’t eaten since breakfast over twelve hours ago. She stole a flaky biscuit from a platter on the table, broke off a piece, and tossed it into her mouth.

The back door opened. Gavin stepped over the threshold into the mudroom. Claire’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of the ranger. A ridiculous reaction considering she’d only known him for a day, but there was something about Gavin that put her at ease…maybe it was the way he’d reacted when the sniper fired. Without thinking, without calculation, Gavin’s first instinct had been to protect her. And yet, he didn’t make Claire feel inadequate. It was a strange combination. A balance most men had trouble with.

Her ex-husband certainly had. Sam didn’t work in law enforcement—he was an executive for a computer corporation—but his insecurity over Claire’s rapid career advancement destroyed their brief marriage. He had an affair with a coworker. It didn’t matter that Claire was pregnant or that they’d made vows. Sam declared he wasn’t in love with her anymore. Their marriage was over.

One of the bleakest moments of Claire’s life was being served with divorce papers while six months pregnant. Jacob had never met his father. Sam lived in Japan with his new wife. He wanted nothing to do with them.

“Everything okay?” Gavin asked, interrupting her chain of thoughts. He kept his voice low, probably so her parents, busy cutting the chicken at the counter, wouldn’t overhear. “You have a troubled look on your face.”

“Just thinking.” She forced a smile. The last thing Claire wanted to do was talk about her failed marriage. “I’m okay.”

The concern riding his handsome features didn’t ease but, to Gavin’s credit, he didn’t push the issue. “By the way, my colleague, Ryker Montgomery, has confirmed he’s coming. He should be here in a few hours. I hope it’s okay, but I asked your dad if Ryker could stay in the cabin with me.”

“Of course it’s fine.” Her father was probably relieved to have two Texas Rangers on the property. Claire was too. “I’m glad to have the extra help. This case is only twelve hours old, but it’s getting more complicated by the minute.”

“Agreed.”

“Mommy, I’m hungry.” Jacob’s gaze shot to Gavin. His eyes widened. “Who are you? Are you a cowboy? You look like one. Except a cowboy should have a dog. Do you have a dog? Mommy won’t let me get a dog until I’m older.”

Gavin laughed. Claire smothered a smile and tried to look stern. “Jacob, that’s not how you should introduce yourself. Offer your hand and tell him your name before you pepper him with questions.”

Jacob extended one plump hand. “My name is Jacob Wilson.”

Gavin bent at the waist so he was eye-level with the little boy. “Nice to meet you, Jacob. My name is Gavin Sterling. To answer your questions, no, I’m not a cowboy. I’m a law enforcement officer. A Texas Ranger to be exact.” He pointed to the badge on his chest. “I’m working with your mom. Dogs are great. I don’t have one now, because I travel too much, but my favorite type is a yellow Labrador. Let me show you.”

He pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen before turning it toward Jacob. The image of a Labrador puppy filled the screen. Jacob studied it. “I like those kinds of dogs too. What would you name him?”

Gavin’s grin widened. “I haven’t given it much thought. Any suggestions?”

Jacob tilted his head. “Lucky is a good name. That’s what I would call your dog.”

The two continued talking about a variety of subjects, from animals to building blocks. After dinner, Gavin helped Jacob with his Lego city. He was a natural with the little boy. It only reinforced Claire’s initial impression of Gavin. Kind, steadfast, considerate. It also made her curious. Where had he learned how to interact with children? Bending over to look Jacob in the eye and speaking to him with smaller words wasn’t natural for people who hadn’t been around kids before.

Gavin mentioned over dinner that his dad died when he was two. He’d been raised by his mom. She remarried five years ago and lived in West Texas. Maybe Gavin had a lot of cousins?

The musing stuck with her as Claire and Gavin bid her parents good night before stepping into the freezing night air. Jacob was tired. Claire lifted the little boy into her arms and he nestled his head in the crook of her shoulder. His nose was cold against her neck.

In the distance, the lake shimmered in the moonlight. The boathouse was little more than a hulking shadow, but the walkway leading to Claire’s house on the property was well lit. Gavin’s gaze swept the area. Watching. Protecting. It didn’t escape Claire’s notice that he kept close by her side, in case of danger. It was comforting. Especially since carrying Jacob meant she couldn’t reach for her gun.

The chances of the killer coming after her again…it didn’t seem likely. Still, Claire was smart enough to accept Gavin’s protection. Pride had no place when it came to keeping Jacob or her family safe. She kept pace beside Gavin. “I hope Jacob’s questions didn’t bug you. He can be something of a chatterbox.”

“Not at all. I love kids.” Gavin glanced at her. A blush tinged his cheeks. “I used to babysit to earn extra money. My mom worked two jobs just to keep a roof over our heads. Every little bit helped.”

Another thing they had in common. Claire’s family was doing okay now, but it took many years of hard work and determination to get their business off the ground. “We couldn’t afford staff when I was younger. I used to clean the cabins for my parents during the summer. There’s nothing wrong with helping your family. It teaches teamwork and responsibility.”

They reached Claire’s stoop. She set Jacob down and he started wriggling. “I have to use the potty, Mommy. Real bad.”

Oh, no. He sometimes forgot to use the bathroom while playing until it became an emergency. Claire fumbled for the keys on her belt. “Give me one second to open the door.”

“Hurry.” He jumped from one foot to the other. His curly hair bounced with the force of his movements.

She undid the lock, and the door swung open. Jacob bolted past her to the bathroom. Claire automatically moved to turn off the security alarm. It took her a moment to realize something was wrong. She paused, ice flooding her veins.

The panel read Unarmed.

“What is it?” Gavin asked, pushing his way into the house. His hand was already on the holster of his weapon.

She didn’t have a second to answer him. Claire spun. “Jacob!”

The sound of a gunshot blasted through the house.