Death Valley Double Cross by Dana Mentink

Author:Dana Mentink
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-11-19T21:39:29+00:00

* * *

Pilar paced after Jude, Levi and Austin had left.

Jude had added fuel to the disappointment fire with his update. “Spent hours on the phone, but I found the cigar shop. No help there. Max stops in personally, pays in cash. No credit trail. I left pictures and the guy may or may not call me if Max comes in again. He absolutely denies illegally selling Cuban cigars in the first place, so his word is not exactly above reproach.”

As she did another lap around the shop area, Chunk whined and snuffled. Waffles and Lucy would not settle either, worried at their missing companion. Levi had arrived with Seth, and immediately left again with Austin to hunt for the lost dog while Seth stayed with her. She tried not to notice the rifle he had propped inconspicuously in the corner. He sat in a chair and held Chunk, making small talk about the weather until she couldn’t stand it anymore.

“The terrain’s bad out there,” she finally said. “Isn’t it? Ethel’s such a small dog and timid. She could have been...” She couldn’t finish.

Seth leaned forward, forearms propped on his knees. “No point in considering the ‘could haves.’ That’s one thing I’ve learned through all this physical therapy after I got shot. Work with what you have at the moment instead of what might have been. If Ethel is out there alive, Austin and Levi will find her. They’ve both got that uncanny wilderness gene.” He sighed and rubbed his leg. “Even before I had the accident, I sure didn’t. I lose my car in the parking lot on a regular basis.” He grinned. “Still trying to shed my city slicker image. Don’t worry, though. I know how to shoot if it comes to that.”

She knew from Austin that Seth had been in a coma after having survived a shooting. It was a relief, in a way, to talk to someone who hadn’t been in town for her untimely departure. She thought about what had happened not an hour ago with Max, and her legs went wobbly.

Seth’s green eyes were warm. “Can I get you some water? Tea?”

“No, thank you. I was remembering...uh...” She swallowed. “I’m going to go upstairs for a bit, okay?”

Seth nodded. “Sure thing. I’ll keep the fort secure. Chunk will help me.”

But when she headed for the stairs, Chunk began to whine for her. Waffles and Lucy circled noses, but Chunk would not be comforted. He deserved some spoiling after his fright. He certainly didn’t want to go back out into the scary backyard or be left with a man he didn’t know. She scooped him up and lugged him along with her.

Settling him on the bed upstairs, she realized with a start that it was past seven. She yanked her phone from her pocket. One missed call. No message. She sent a quick text.

Mom, I’m sorry I missed your call. Please call now.

The minutes ticked slowly. She gripped the phone. The hour came and went. Five torturous minutes, ten, fifteen.

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