She cut him off. “I’m all those things. But I’m also vicious, and I can be mean if you cross me. So don’t ever cross me.”

  Ajay smiled. “No worries. I imagine I’ll be too busy with four sons and twin daughters.”

  Lizzy giggled like a teenager. “Seriously, though. This thing with us...” She paused, seeming to search for the words to explain what was on her heart.

  “This thing is scary,” Ajay said. “And I don’t want either of us to make a mistake. We’ve been thrown together under unusual circumstances. I think we really need to take things slow. Very slow.”

  “So no more kissing?” Amusement danced across Lizzy’s face. “Because I really liked kissing you.”

  “I think we should table the kissing for a minute.”

  “No.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “No.” Lizzy folded her arms across her chest. “I like kissing. And I really liked kissing you. So, no! I’m not tabling kissing, and you can’t make me. Well, you could, and of course I’d respect your decision, but still...”

  Laughter billowed through the interior of the vehicle. Ajay shook his head from side to side. “Why are you making this so hard?”

  Lizzy paused, seeming to choose her words carefully. She took a deep breath before finally responding. “Because I really meant it when I said I liked you, Ajay. And I think you feel the same way about me.” Her tone had changed, humor shifting to something more serious. “And although I heard what you had to say about not letting what’s between us get in the way of your responsibility, I don’t want us to miss out on what might be the best thing that’s happened to us because we’re too busy trying to be proper and listen to what other people say we should be doing. I want us to follow our hearts for as long as it feels right.”

  Ajay turned his head to stare at her. The look she was giving him was filled with promise, the shimmer in her eyes drawing him in. He could feel himself falling headfirst into her stare, and all he could do was nod. He turned back to the traffic they’d gotten stuck in.

  A knot tightened in Ajay’s throat as he pondered their conversation. There wasn’t anything else he could say, so he didn’t say anything at all. Instead, he reached for her hand, pressing his palm against hers. He entwined her fingers between his own, lifting her hand to press a damp kiss against the back. He hoped Lizzy already knew he would have moved heaven and earth to kiss her again and again.

  Ajay’s gaze suddenly paused on his rearview mirror. The car coming up behind them was moving too fast for the icy roads. He had seen it swerve in and out of traffic earlier but hadn’t given it much thought until now. Because now it seemed to be trying to catch up to him, bearing down with disregard for everyone else on the road. He slowed, ready to maneuver defensively out of the sedan’s way if necessary. It passed one last car to fall in line directly behind them.

  “What’s wrong?” Lizzy asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

  “Do you recognize the car following us? It’s been on our tail since we left the training center.”

  Lizzy glanced at the side mirror, then turned in her seat to stare out the back. “No,” she said with the shake of her head. “I’ve never seen it before.”

  The road had cleared, only a few vehicles headed in their direction. Ajay signaled, then pulled into the right lane to allow the other car to pass by them. Instead, that car pulled right, continuing to follow him.

  Despite his best efforts, Ajay couldn’t see inside the other vehicle. The windows were tinted, making visibility difficult at best. The car was so close to his rear end that if Ajay hit the brakes suddenly, they were sure to collide.

  “Should we call someone?” Lizzy questioned as she dug into her purse for her cell phone.

  Pumpkin, who had been sleeping peacefully on the back seat, sat up, seeming to sense the tension that had risen in her owner. She barked, a low yelp as if she knew something was going on.

  “It might be nothing,” Ajay said. “Just hold on.”

  He stepped on the gas, his truck accelerating swiftly. The car behind him picked up speed as well. Ajay was driving too fast for comfort, and the other driver seemed determined to keep up.

  As they approached the intersection headed away from the center of town, the car pulled up beside them. As the driver lowered the window, Ajay readied his service weapon at his side.

  The other car suddenly sounded its horn, and a teenage boy hung out the window to give Ajay his middle finger. The others inside all laughed as if he’d actually done something amusing. As the light turned green, the driver hit the gas and barreled through the intersection, making a right turn directly in front of Ajay. He narrowly missed hitting another car before jetting off.

  Ajay reached for his police radio and engaged the microphone. “Dispatch, ten-thirteen. Officer needs assistant.”

  “This is Dispatch.”

  “We have a ten-fifty-five in progress. It’s a late model Ford sedan, license plate three, nine, eight, Adam, Zebra, Lincoln. I repeat...three, nine, eight, Adam, Zebra, Lincoln. The driver and passengers appear to be in their teens.” Ajay gave the dispatch officer their location and the direction the car was headed in.

  “Ten-four, Lieutenant. Traffic officers are in pursuit.”

  “Thank you, Dispatch. Over and out.”

  Minutes later, Ajay reached the front gates of the Colton Ranch, noting the new security box that had been installed since they’d left. He pressed the call button, and Buck answered immediately.

  “This thing is fancy!” the elder Colton exclaimed. “Let me buzz you in.”

  As the gates swung open, Lizzy finally breathed a sigh of relief. “All this excitement isn’t good for my nerves,” she said.

  Ajay chuckled softly. At the home’s front door, he reached out for her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. Lizzy sighed as she melted against him, relaxing into his chest as if nothing had happened.

  In the distance, the sun had made its descent, darkness quickly claiming its place. There was the barest sliver of a crescent moon, and the chilly air was eerily still. Their visit with Sebastian and Ruth had lasted longer than initially planned. A late lunch had become an early dinner, and dinner had ended in a round of board games with coffee and a second helping of dessert. Lizzy had held their baby, fed him a bottle, changed his diaper and ordered a bundle of baby gifts from an online app on her cell phone. Laughter had been abundant and greatly needed, and Lizzy and Ajay were able to relax in a way that felt nurturing. Both were now exhausted as the late-night hour was pulling at the last of their energy.

  “Thank you for a great day,” Lizzy said. “It felt good to get out. I had so much fun I’m not ready to end the day yet.”

  “You’re welcome. But you really need to go get some rest. I can’t have your people mad at me for keeping you up past your curfew!”

  Lizzy giggled, her head shaking from side to side. “You worry about the darndest things!”

  Ajay smiled. “One of us needs to,” he replied. “I’m going to stay out here for a minute to decompress. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Another adventure?”

  He smiled. “Maybe. After your doctor’s appointment.”

  Lizzy’s eyes widened as she suddenly remembered the obligation. It was her follow-up appointment to get the doctor’s all clear for her to return to a semblance of normalcy. “Shoot,” she replied. “I forgot about that.”

  “I didn’t. Someone needs to keep you on track.”

  “I hate going to the doctor,” she said. “He has clammy hands!”

  Ajay chuckled. “I’m sure everything will be fine. Good night, Lizzy.” He leaned to press the gentlest kiss against her cheek.

  “Good night, Ajay,” she whispered.

  Pumpkin barked, leading Lizzy into the home, and all Ajay could do was shake his head.

  Chapter 11

  Ajay rose early the next morning. He hadn’t slept well and figured he would start the new day with work. After a cup of hot coffee courtesy of the Keurig coffee maker on the counter, he’d dressed, checked on Lizzy and his dog, and then headed toward town. Driving to the police station to check in and follow up on the progress, or lack of progress, in Lizzy’s case had him irritated, and it was barely light out. He needed to work out to ease his stress, and he wasn’t certain when that would happen.

  Today’s schedule was mapped out, starting with driving Lizzy and Mama Jen to her doctor’s appointment. He had a meeting with the police captain after that. Pumpkin was due at the groomers for a bath, and who knew what might blow up before his day ended.

  Thinking about Lizzy had him in a strange headspace. No woman before her had been able to push him to such an emotional crux the way she did. And there had been plenty of other women. Women who passed through like the birds that settled about in the warmer season and disappeared with the cold. Women who wanted nothing from him but a few good memories, and women who wanted more than he was able to give. And now he’d fallen in love with a woman who wanted a six-man football team to go with the husband, the house and the picket fence.

  He loved Lizzy. As crazy as it sounded after such a short period of time, he was in love with Lizzy Colton. Saying so felt as natural as breathing, and if he could have shouted it out to the world, he would have. For now, though, he felt like he couldn’t even tell Lizzy what was in his heart and in his head, and that burdened him more than everything else.

  * * *

  “Ajay, hey, dude! What’s up?”

  Ajay had been sitting at a back table in Hutch’s Diner. After leaving the police station, he had just enough time to kill before needing to head back to the ranch to pick up Lizzy and Jenny for her doctor’s appointment. The morning breakfast spot was a town favorite, serving the best coffee in Owl Creek. The business had been started by Hutch Maddox. After his death a few years back, Hutch’s wife, Sharon, and their son Billy had taken over running the establishment. True to her husband’s vision, Sharon had maintained that 1990s vibe, and the welcoming atmosphere had made the diner a staple in the Owl Creek community.

  Ajay looked up to find Billy staring at him. The two men bumped fists in greeting. “How’s it hanging, kid?” Ajay asked.

  “A little to the left, a little to the right,” the young man answered jokingly.

  Ajay laughed with him.

  “We haven’t seen you in a while. Not getting your coffee at some other place, are you?”

  “Never! Besides the coffee, I’m addicted to your mother’s biscuits and gravy. No one does sausage gravy like your mom.”

  Billy held up a coffeepot. “Would you like a refill?”

  “Thank you,” Ajay said as he tilted his cup toward the young man. “How are things going with you, Billy?”

  “No complaints. Work keeps me busy. Mom keeps me busier.”

  “Moms will do that. You’re lucky to have yours.”

  “Everybody keeps telling me that,” Billy said with a shrug.

  “Everyone’s telling you right.”

  Billy nodded, but his expression seemed to say otherwise. Ajay knew that against his mom’s wishes he’d taken a gap year from college, unsure what he wanted for himself. But mom and son had always seemed content with the decision once it had been made.

  “If you’re still here after I make my rounds and get the orders out, I’d like to sit and talk for a minute,” Billy said. “If that’s all right?”

  “Always,” Ajay answered.

  Billy turned and headed in the opposite direction. Ajay watched as the young man circled the diner, filling empty cups with fresh coffee.

  The room was beginning to fill, the morning crowd looking for breakfast before starting their day. His gaze was suddenly drawn to a man sitting on the other side of the room. He looked comfortable in his seat, as if he’d been there before. But he also looked out of place in his expensive wool suit and silk tie. He didn’t give Ajay tourist vibes, and Ajay couldn’t think of one business in town whose employees needed to bring a Wall Street flair to their positions. Not even the local bank employees dressed so conservatively.

  Under different circumstances, Ajay would probably have not paid him an ounce of attention, but he was staring in Ajay’s direction and that instantly put Ajay on the defensive.

  When Ajay stared back, the man nodded his head, every strand of his dark blond hair staying in place. With the horn-rimmed glasses he was wearing, he almost reminded Ajay of Clark Kent. His shoulders were broad and his physique trim, but Ajay didn’t get superhero from him.

  Ajay nodded back, the gesture polite but dismissive.

  Billy suddenly plopped down into the seat beside him. “I have to be quick. We’re short one waitress this morning.”

  “Not a problem,” Ajay responded. “What’s going on?”

  “I’ve been thinking about joining the police department. I just wanted to get your thoughts about that.”

  “Obviously I consider it a good profession. Are you still considering school?”

  Billy nodded. “Boise State University has a really good criminal justice program. They also have one of the best forensic science programs. It would keep my options open. Or do you think I should just apply to the Idaho State Police Academy?”

  “There are some specific requirements you have to meet to get into the academy. First, you have to be twenty-one years old.”

  “That’s almost two years away.”

  “Sounds like college would be the best route. Plus, it’ll afford you the opportunity to discover exactly where you’d like to see yourself in our criminal justice system. You may discover being a peace officer isn’t for you.”

  “That’s what my mother said.”

  “Smart woman, your mother.”

  Billy’s smile spread across his face. “Thanks. I may have some more questions, so you need to come back more often.”

  Ajay laughed. “Deal!” He suddenly leaned forward in his seat. “Actually, I do have a question for you, Billy. Do you know the gentleman sitting in the booth there by the window? The one in the blue suit.”

  Billy shrugged. “He’s one of those Ever After Church guys. He likes to come in and talk to people. The tourists mostly. Mom says he’s a snake oil salesman. But I think he’s growing on her, ’cause she agreed to go to one of his services this month.”

  Ajay and the man locked eyes again. This time, the man stood, carrying his cup of coffee in Ajay’s direction.

  “Thanks, Billy,” Ajay muttered.

  “Good morning, sir!” the man greeted him.

  Ajay smiled. “Good morning to you.”

  “Do you mind if I join you? Good coffee is best shared with a new friend.”

  Ajay pointed toward the seat on the other side of the table. “Please, have a seat.”

  “Thank you,” the man said as he adjusted his suit jacket before sitting down. He extended his hand. “My name is Acker. Pastor Markus Acker. My flock and I are new to this fine city, and I’m still getting to know my way around. This establishment has become one of my favorites for breakfast and for fellowship.”

  Ajay shook his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Pastor Acker, and welcome to Owl Creek.”

  “I apologize for staring at you earlier, but I could tell that you were a deeply troubled soul. And troubled souls are my specialty.” His smile was charismatic, and his voice was like butter, smooth and easy.

  “I wasn’t aware I had any issues for anyone to be concerned about,” Ajay said calmly.

  The pastor suddenly quoted, “Incline thine ear unto my cry; For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave. I am counted with them that go down into the pit; I am as a man that hath no strength...”

  Ajay nodded. “Psalm 88, verse 3.”

  “You’ve studied your Bible. I am impressed.”

  “As a man of faith, I’m sure you know others of faith stand on the teachings of the Bible, too. Just as you do.”

  “Yes, yes, yes.” Acker closed his eyes, his head waving slowly from side to side. When he opened them, Ajay was watching him closely. The pastor smiled his saccharine smile. “I would love to invite you to one of our services.” Acker reached into the inner pocket of his jacket for a business card, passing it to Ajay. “Our programs are open to the community so bring your family. And your friends. All are welcome.”

  “Thank you,” Ajay said.

  Acker stood, lifting his empty coffee cup from the table. “I didn’t catch your name, my brother.”

  Ajay smiled. “Ajay. Ajay Wright. Lieutenant Ajay Wright with the Owl Creek Police Department.”

  If Ajay hadn’t been studying the man so intently, he would have missed the flutter above his left eye. The pastor visibly bristled but didn’t seem to allow the information to throw him completely off guard. Instead, he took a deep breath and smiled. “Well, Lieutenant Wright, it’s been a pleasure. I hope that we run into each other again soon.”

  “Very soon,” Ajay replied in a friendly manner. “Very soon.”

  Acker walked back to his own table. He reached into his pocket and pulled cash from a worn leather wallet, tossed the money onto the table and headed out the door.

  Ajay continued to watch him through the window. Acker had only been standing outside a few minutes when he was suddenly joined by another man. One of his flock, Ajay mused. But when the man turned to stare into the diner, he met Ajay’s gaze.

  Ajay’s eyes widened as he recognized the man Lizzy had drawn. The man they suspected of stalking her.

  Without thinking, Ajay jumped from his seat and bolted toward the door. Not paying attention to his surroundings, he collided with Billy’s mother, Sharon, knocking a tray of food out of her hands and onto his clothes. He knocked the poor woman to the floor, practically falling on top of her himself. They both cursed, an oration of profanity filling the midmorning air.

 

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