“I know,” Rex said. “But this is how you can help right now.”
Mitzi scowled but nodded.
“And Mara . . .” Rex hesitated, his voice softening. “You stay near the window. If Warren comes back, I want you to be the first to see him.”
Mara nodded, her lips pressed together tightly before she quietly said, “In my gut, I know he’s out there and that he’ll come back. He knows these mountains.”
Olive hoped that was correct and that something horrible hadn’t happened to the man.
Before Rex could respond, movement in the hallway caught Olive’s eye.
Rachel and Bradford had emerged, drawn by the voices. Rachel looked pale but composed, one hand resting protectively on her stomach. Bradford hovered close beside her, his arm around her shoulders.
“What’s going on?” Bradford’s voice sounded hoarse with sleep.
“We’re just making sure the place is secure,” Jason said. “The storm’s let up a little.”
Rachel’s gaze swept the room, and something that looked a lot like relief flickered across her expression.
Then her gaze stopped on Michael. “Who is he?”
Everyone glanced at each other, but Rex took the lead. “He turned in early last night, so you weren’t able to meet him. This is Michael.”
The skeptical look remained in her gaze, but she didn’t say anything else.
“Should you be up?” Mara hurried toward her. “You should be resting, dear.”
“I’m fine,” Rachel said, though her voice trembled. Then she winced, grabbing her stomach.
Mara gasped. “Another contraction?”
Rachel nodded. “It’s nothing. Braxton Hicks again . . . probably. I’ve been having them all night.”
All they needed right now was for Rachel to go into labor.
Please, Lord . . . no. I think we have enough on our hands as it is right now.
“Sit down.” Mara guided her toward the sofa.
Bradford followed, his hand on Rachel’s back as he murmured softly to her. His eyes darted around the room, almost as if he didn’t trust everyone here.
And maybe he shouldn’t.
As the group scattered to their tasks, Olive moved to grab her coat on the rack. Her path took her past the sofa, past the couple.
That was when she saw the backpack Rachel and Bradford had brought with them. They’d brought it out with them when they emerged from their room, and now it sat on the floor not far from her.
The zipper was half open, just enough for Olive to glimpse something dark inside—metallic edges glinting faintly in the firelight.
Not a makeup case or a cell phone.
Something bigger. Heavier.
Olive’s breath caught.
What was inside the bag? Rex himself had checked it—and cleared them.
Yet she couldn’t look away—she had to know the truth.
