Page 18

SIXTEEN

The one-story house appeared like a mirage in the darkness.

Rustic, made of stone and wood, it was tucked between towering pines, its silhouette barely visible through the falling rain.

Ellie shivered. Her clothes were soaked, droplets falling from her wet hair down the back of her neck.

Her muscles ached from the five-mile trek, and every nerve was raw from the night’s events.

She wasn’t sure what hurt more—her legs, her heart, or the silence.

Daniel hadn’t said more than a handful of words since pulling away from her on the trail.

Not a single mention of the kiss. No apology.

No explanation for his behavior. Just distance.

The constant push-pull was wreaking havoc on her already fraught emotions.

Once again, Ellie was struck by the notion that she’d be wise to keep her distance.

And yet… she couldn’t quite convince herself to actually do it.

Not after the look she’d seen in Daniel’s eyes before he stepped away from the kiss.

Like he cared for her more than he meant to. And it made him sad.

Daniel unearthed a hidden front door key from under a planter around the side.

Warmth greeted Ellie as she stepped over the threshold, the musty air scented with cedar and something faintly sweet, like old pipe smoke.

The open floor plan was cozy, with a stone fireplace, worn furniture, and thick curtains that blocked any view from outside.

Rather than turn on the overhead light, Daniel flipped on a floor lamp. Thunder rumbled, vibrating the windows.

Ellie crossed her arms, trying not to shiver, but the soaked fabric of her shirt clung to her skin and chilled her to the bone.

Daniel noticed. Without a word, he disappeared down a short hallway and returned with a towel and a stack of folded clothes. “Take these. The shower’s through there.” He nodded toward the hallway behind him. “There should be hot water. I’ll figure out something for dinner in the meantime.”

“Thanks.” She accepted the towel and her fingers brushed his.

The contact was brief, but her pulse quickened.

Tension radiated from him. There had always been an underlying attraction between them, but the kiss seemed to have morphed it into something far more potent. Daniel wouldn’t even meet her gaze.

Tears pricked the back of her eyes as she hurried to the bathroom.

Ellie shut the door and leaned against it.

Across from her, a full-length mirror reflected the toll of the night.

Dried blood stained her shirt, mud coated the hem of her jeans, and her socks were nearly black from grime.

Her hair hung in limp, tangled strands. A streak of cherry cobbler marred her collarbone.

Her eyes were red-rimmed from the effort of holding herself together.

She wanted to go home. Wanted to hold Owen in her arms, rock him to sleep, and curl up in her own bed with the baby monitor beside her.

The thought of her son broke the dam. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and silent.

She missed him with a fierceness that stole her breath.

Was he scared? Did Marta remember he hated peas?

Had she given him his favorite bath toy—the green turtle with the cracked shell—and filled the tub with bubbles? Read him a story before bed?

Sucking in a breath, Ellie forced her runaway emotions back under control. Now was not the time to fall apart. There was too much at stake.

She showered with quick efficiency. The sweatsuit Daniel had unearthed was too big for her slender frame, but it was warm and soft.

She finger-combed her hair and hung up the towel before leaving the bathroom.

The soothing scents of chicken and warm bread tickled her nose.

Daniel was stirring something in a pot on the stove when she entered the kitchen. “Smells good.”

He looked up and paused, his attention lingering on her face. Concern flickered in his eyes. Ellie suspected he knew she’d been crying. She hugged her arms around herself, uncomfortable with how easily he saw through her. “It’s been a long day. I miss Owen. I’ve never spent a night away from him.”

“I’m sorry.” He flicked off the burner on the stove. “If it makes you feel any better, Mom sent me a text saying that Owen had a good day and is sleeping soundly.”

That made her feel better. Still, she couldn’t wait to hold her baby in her arms again. “Any news on James?”

“Yes. He’s out of surgery, and the doctors think he’ll make a full recovery.”

“Praise Jesus.” Ellie hadn’t stopped praying for her boss since escaping the diner. She felt a weight lift off her chest.

Daniel ladled soup into two bowls. “It’s chicken and vegetables from a can. Hope that’s okay.”

“More than okay. I could eat the napkins at this point.”

His lips lifted in a smile. “Mind cutting the bread? I found a loaf in the freezer and stuck it in the microwave to defrost.”

They moved around the kitchen in comfortable companionship, setting the placemats, cutting the bread, filling water glasses.

It was homey and domestic, and by the time they sat down to eat, Ellie felt more centered.

More at ease. So when it came time to bless the food, she extended her hands across the table. “Will you lead us in prayer?”

Daniel hesitated and then took her hands in his. The warmth of his touch was comforting, the quietness in the kitchen making the moment intimate. Ellie bowed her head.

“Lord, we come to You with grateful hearts. Thank You for protecting us today. We pray for James, that he may feel the touch of Your healing hands. Keep Owen safe. Give us the wisdom to find the missing evidence, and the ability to obtain justice for the innocent people who need our protection. Last, Lord, we ask that You bless this food, so it may nourish our bodies and give us strength for the mission in front of us. Amen.”

Ellie, touched beyond words at the fact that he’d included James and Owen in his prayer, gently squeezed Daniel’s hands. “Amen.”

His gaze met hers briefly, his eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion.

Once again, Ellie was struck by the notion that his feelings for her ran deeper than he would like.

She wasn’t sure how to broach the subject.

And now probably wasn’t a good time for an emotionally charged conversation. They were both hungry and tired.

She picked up her spoon. Steam curled from the bowl. Ellie took a small bite, mindful of the heat, and made a noise of satisfaction. “This came from a can?”

“Yep. I dressed it up a bit with some spices and a little lemon.” He flashed a boyish grin. “My mom has taught me a thing or two over the years.” Daniel pointed at the slices of bread with his spoon. “Can’t take credit for that though. My cousin must’ve made it.”

The herb bread was soft and contained just the right amount of rosemary.

Ellie spread a thick layer of butter on top.

“Bread is my weakness. I can turn down sweets ninety percent of the time, but give me a loaf of fresh bread, and I’ll eat the whole thing in one sitting.

” She groaned with happiness after taking a bite.

“Okay, I need to meet your cousin and shake his hand. This is delicious.”

“Family reunion in September. He’ll be there.” Daniel winked. “I’ll ask him to bring a loaf just for you.”

She chuckled. “I’ll be happy to have it, although I don’t know if I should crash your family reunion.”

“No one will mind. There’s hundreds of us anyway.”

Her eyes widened. “Hundreds?”

“My mom has five siblings and my dad had ten. Just my immediate family, with my brothers and sisters, their spouses, and kids is twenty-five people. Sunday lunches are a circus.” He shook his head as he spooned another mouthful of soup.

“And the youngest, Juan, isn’t even married yet.

He’s graduating college next week and intends to take over the family ranch.

His girlfriend already lives in Silver Creek.

It’s only a matter of time before they get hitched and start multiplying too. ”

“Multiplying… you make it sound bad.”

“No.” A flicker of something crossed his face, but then it disappeared. “It’s nice, actually. I enjoy having so many nieces and nephews to spoil. And my siblings have been fortunate in their marriages. They’re all very happy.”

Ellie broke off another piece of bread. “What about you? You never wanted to get married?”

“I was married. It didn’t end well.”

The words were matter of fact, but Ellie didn't miss the way his fingers tightened around the spoon.

She waited for him to elaborate. He didn't. Getting information from Daniel was like pulling teeth.

At least now she had some understanding of his hot and cold behavior.

He wasn't trying to hurt her. It was clear whatever had happened in the past was coloring his present.

It was also obvious he didn't want to talk about it.

She reached across the table and rested a hand on his arm. “Something is happening between us, Daniel. I’m not sure what it is, but I know nothing can move forward until you share with me whatever it is you’re worried about.”

He breathed out. “You’re right, but I don’t think I have it in me to talk about it tonight.” He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “You deserve an explanation, and I promise to give you one. Soon.”

It would have to do for now. Ellie gave a small nod and returned to her dinner.

She smothered another piece of the homemade bread in butter.

Her mind turned to everything they'd learned from James, including the message in Lena's letter. “I spent most of the car ride up here thinking about where the evidence could be. I’m at a loss.”

Daniel took a sip of water. “Flash drives can be tiny. Lena could’ve hidden it someplace where it would be easily overlooked.”

A long-buried memory bubbled to the surface and Ellie gasped.

Her spoon clattered to the bowl and soup splattered on the placemat.

“Two weeks before she died, Lena gave me a bracelet for my birthday. The flash drive could be hidden within it.” Her mind whirled.

“I was wearing the bracelet when I was shot.”

“Where is it now?”

“At my house. In Silver Creek.” It was one of the few things she’d taken with her from her old life into her new one.

Daniel’s mouth flattened. “If the Iron Fist knows who you are, they’re probably watching your place. Tobias might be too.”

“I know. But the bracelet’s well hidden. We’ll be quick. In and out. Chief O’Neal can send someone to meet us.”

“One cop won’t stop them, El. They shot up a diner tonight.”

He had a point. Her stomach twisted. “Anyone entering the house will be at risk. The Iron Fist won't hesitate to hurt someone to gain information on my whereabouts. Neither would Tobias. I can’t ask someone else to take that risk. I have to go.”

“You aren’t going alone.” His tone brooked no argument.

She opened her mouth to respond, but he raised a hand to cut her off. “No, El. We’re a team. Where you go, I go.” His expression hardened. “Now let’s make a plan.”