At Any Cost by Lauren Nichols

Author:Lauren Nichols
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2012-10-31T23:00:00+00:00

NINE

Jenna leaned into him as Beau’s lips moved softly over hers, then lingered for a few seconds of sweet exploration before he eased away. For a time, she simply floated on the moment. Then she slowly opened her eyes and watched big white snowflakes gather in his dark hair and coat the shoulders of his leather jacket.

The door behind them flew open. “Inside! Both of you!” Aunt Molly said sharply. “Hurry.”

Startled, they exchanged a quick, what’s-going-on look, then did as she asked and shut the door behind them. Molly stood clutching the front of her long pink chenille robe.

“Aunt Molly, what’s wrong?”

“More hang-up calls—three in a row. And this time I heard someone breathing on the line before he broke the connection.”

“Okay,” Jenna said tensely. “Business or no business, we’re having the Blackberry’s number changed.”

Beau spoke. “Did you call Fish?”

“Yes, but he wasn’t on duty. Chief Baboon was.” They followed her into the kitchen where the table in the nook was set for the three of them. “He said he’d look into it.”

Beau pulled out a chair, but apparently too wired to sit, Molly waved away the offer. “He checked our caller ID history, but the number was blocked. He said he’ll know more after he gets our phone company records.”

“So he is going to check with the phone company. Good.”

Molly nodded. “He also said that disposable phones are hard to trace, and if the person who called was smart, that phone’s already at the bottom of a river.”

Jenna gave her great aunt a squeeze, then released her. She didn’t like seeing her like this. Without the high button shoes that gave her height, and the velveteen, knitted shawls and lace that gave her bulk, she felt like a bony baby bird. “I’m so sorry this happened. Why didn’t you call my cell?”

“I didn’t want to ruin your evening.” Despite her distress, she managed a smile. “And from what I saw outside, it went very well.”

A pleasant shiver moved through her, but Jenna couldn’t think about that kiss right now.

Molly’s feisty spirit came roaring back. “Just so you know, I wasn’t afraid for myself. I was afraid for the two of you. That’s why I called you inside. I didn’t want you standing out there under the light in case some kook decided to—” Halting abruptly, she drew a breath and pulled herself up to her full four foot ten. “I’m not going to Hartford.”

Jenna spoke firmly. “You have to go. Now more than ever. If there’s something nasty on the horizon, I’ll feel better knowing that you’re safe.”

“And how am I going to feel if you need me, and I’m celebrating with Millie in New England?”

Beau moved to her side. “Aunt Molly, there are two things that you need to remember. I hate to sound like Perris, but the first thing is, there’ve been no outward threats on Jenna’s life. If the hang-ups are connected to the vandalism and credit card fraud, it’s still basically harassment and destruction of property.

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