Page 28 of Unexpected Danger (Mountain Justice #2)

A tractor ahead promised to stall them, and Dustin veered around it just as an oncoming car emerged.

Dustin clipped the side of it, causing the other vehicle to spin into the borrow pit as Dustin continued toward town.

The tractor temporarily blocked Brodie’s view, and two trucks coming in the opposite direction hindered traffic.

He slammed on the brakes near where the car went into the borrow pit and again contacted dispatch.

“This is Brenneman. We have possible injuries due to a car off the road.” He gave detailed directions, then reiterated Dustin’s last known location.

Haack had escaped. Again. Brodie clenched his teeth, making his jaw sore in response. He needed details. Needed a game plan.

Needed to catch this guy.

Failure was not an option, and something Brodie didn’t handle well. “How did he know you were at the ranch?”

“I have no idea.”

“Have you received any further texts or calls?”

Londyn shook her head.

“How then?” He drummed his fingers on the steering wheel as they drove. “There’s got to be some way he’s figuring out your whereabouts. He’s not omniscient.” Brodie thought for a minute. “Has Haack ever had access to your vehicle?”

“Yes. He could have accessed it in the parking garage in Rowland at any time, although there are cameras. He knew where I lived and accompanied me home often before I knew he was the stalker. My SUV was parked in an open carport.” Londyn paused. “Where was the vehicle before it was towed here?”

“At the crash site.”

Their gazes met, and Brodie wagered they were thinking the same thing.

“He had access to it there,” Londyn said.

“Bingo. I’d bet my truck there’s a tracker on it.”

And Brodie never bet his truck on anything unless he was ninety-nine percent sure of it.

After they returned to Mom’s house, Brodie tested his theory.

He pulled his gloves on and slid beneath the SUV.

Sure enough, attached to the frame was the magnetic tracker.

“Just as I suspected,” he muttered to himself.

Dustin Haack was using cell phone technology to track everywhere Londyn’s SUV traveled or was parked. It was time to store it elsewhere.

The backyard was warm and inviting, and encompassed by a tall cedar fence surrounding the immediate yard. Londyn looked forward to spending some time with Mila and Xander and taking in some of the beautiful sunshine.

Xander was hyper, as was his friend, Kit, who was having a playdate. “Mommy, can we swim yet?”

“Soon, sweetie, soon.” Mila ruffled her son’s hair. “Go get your swim trunks on, and I’ll make some sandwiches.”

Xander didn’t need to be asked twice. He returned in seconds with a pair of blue swim trunks and a towel. Yukon ran around in circles and barked in anticipation.

Londyn hadn’t been around children much—being the oldest and with only a brother a few years younger than her. No cousins who lived nearby, and she had never taken a job babysitting, although she had volunteered in the church nursery a time or two.

She assisted Mila with carrying out some snacks, a pitcher of water, and two lawn chairs, which she placed just beyond the plastic blue swimming pool that had been set up for Xander and Kit.

“This is such a nice place.”

“Thanks. We were finally able to get some sod in and plant a few trees. The fence is an added bonus to keep Xander somewhat corralled.”

“It’s good to see it finished. I remember when Roarke first built it.

” She didn’t add that it remained unfinished for some time after the girl Roarke was to marry decided she would rather spend the rest of her life with his former best friend.

Londyn was thrilled that in Mila, Roarke had found the love of his life.

Now, the homey abode was the perfect place for them to raise their children.

“Mom, can we swim now?” asked Xander.

“In just a few minutes. Let’s have some lunch first.” Mila opened a plastic container and withdrew several sandwiches. Xander and his friend flopped down at a kiddie-sized picnic table.

Xander brought out his live ant farm habitat and set it on a chair near the pool. “It’s so that the ants can watch us in the pool,” he told Londyn.

He was such a cute little kid, and Londyn was so grateful that Roarke and Mila had adopted him after he lost his parents. She had known both Danny and Drea well. She still couldn’t believe they were gone.

Xander scrunched up his nose. “Can I ask you a question, Aunt Londyn?”

“Sure.”

“Do you have any children?”

“No, I don’t.”

“Well, then, do you at least have grandchildren?”

“No, none of those either. I’m not married.”

That seemed to satisfy Xander, and in response to his mother’s asking, Xander led the prayer before lunch. Londyn closed her eyes and bowed her head.

“Dear Lord. Thank you for bugs, my parents, Grammie, Yukon, Spider, and my friend, Kit. Oh, and thank You for Aunt Londyn. Please help her not to be too lonely because she has no husband, children, or grandchildren. And, Lord, please bless this food and let it help us to grow big and strong. We love You, Jesus. Amen.”

Xander’s prayer touched Londyn’s heart. He was such a thoughtful and sweet little guy.

They ate the sandwiches, slices of cantaloupe, and some cookies before Xander sprang from his seat. “Is that a new friend I see?”

Kit leaped off his seat as well and joined Xander on the right-hand side of the patio, where two pill bugs crept along. Xander reached down and allowed the pill bug to climb onto his hand. He giggled. “That tickles,” he said. He held up his hand as the bug traveled up his arm. “I love pill bugs.”

“You love all bugs,” said Kit.

“Not all bugs,” said Xander. “I don’t love mosquitoes, or wasps, or ticks, or pincher bugs.”

Kit shook his head. “Me either.”

“And once upon a time, I found a pincher bug in the house by my room.” Xander scowled. “They’re mean and they climb into your ears and pinch the insides of them.”

“Ouch.” Kit shook his head. “No pincher bugs for me.”

Xander grabbed the hose a few minutes later, and Kit turned on the water. They started filling up the swimming pool, and Yukon yipped, his tail wagging before he leaped into the pool. The dog jumped out just as quickly and shook his fur, causing drops of water to reach as far as Londyn and Mila.

Yukon then dashed over to Londyn and rested his wet face on her leg. She patted him on the head. “Yukon, you’re a goofball.”

Xander zipped over as well with goggles stretched across his round face and the strap bending over his left ear. “Did you know I’m taking swimming lessons?”

“That’s wonderful. It’s always a good thing to know how to swim.”

“Yes, and some of my friends were in the water at our last lesson too.”

Xander had become even more talkative since she last saw him. “That’s good. Friends are great to swim with.”

Xander tilted his head to one side. “Yes, but really, caterpillars and box elder bugs don’t like the water a whole lot.” He bounded off and took a flying leap into the pool, splashing Kit, who giggled.

Londyn laughed. “So that’s what he meant by friends.”

“I’ve never seen a little guy who loves bugs as much as he does.” Mila leaned back in the chair and rested her hands on her baby bump.

“Do you guys have names picked out yet?”

“We do. While we still have lots of time, I think I just about have Roarke convinced regarding a first name. The middle name was easy; it will be Nan-Aileen, hyphenated.”

“Oh, that’s pretty.”

“Thank you. It’s of course after Roarke’s mom, but also my grandma, Nan.”

“And for the first name?”

“Zoey, so Zoey Nan-Aileen Brenneman.”

“I like that.”

“It will be a mouthful if both kids are being naughty at the same time. Xander and Zoey.”

Londyn took a sip of her lemonade. “I’m really happy for you and Roarke.”

“Thank you. God is good.”

Xander, Kit, and Yukon splashed in the pool, the cold water not deterring them at all.

Mila propped her sandaled feet on an overturned bucket. “Roarke mentioned you were practically like family.”

If only Londyn could turn back time. If she could, so much wouldn’t have happened. She wouldn’t have broken Brodie’s heart, and she wouldn’t have disappointed the woman who was more like a mother to her than her own mother.

“Yes. They were my surrogate family. My mom is too busy marrying and divorcing, and my dad has no room in his life for us. The last time we heard from him was because he was attempting to convince Mom to reduce his child support.”

“Wow. Sounds like father of the year.”

“Yeah, pretty much. I lost track of him years ago. The Brennemans became the family I never had. Whenever they would go on vacation during my junior high and high school years, they would take me along with them. I joined the church youth group upon Brodie’s suggestion, and it was there that I surrendered my life to Christ.”

“They really did have a lot of influence on you.”

“They did.” Londyn stared out across the yard. What would she have done without the Brennemans?

“When I was going through some tough stuff, Aileen opened her house to me. She is a wonderful woman. My heart breaks for her that she struggles with ongoing chronic pain.”

“Aileen definitely has the gift of hospitality. I’m thankful the Lord made her strong, as she’s dealt with a lot over the years.

” Londyn turned to face Mila. Allowing a new friend into her life wasn’t easy.

Not after Jasmine and Dustin, but there was something different about Mila.

Not only because she married Roarke, but because she was genuine.

“I heard about you witnessing a murder. I’m so sorry about that. ”

“Thank you.” She shivered, even in the heat of the day. “Were it not for the Lord’s protection, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”