After seeing Lana settled in the guest room, I joined Declan and Sergeant Miller for a final security review. We go over the perimeter defenses, communication rules, and response plans for various scenarios. By the time we finish, it’s well past midnight.
Instead of heading to bed, I step outside onto the porch. The night is clear and cold, the stars scattered across the sky like diamonds. I breathe deeply, letting the crisp air clear my head as I scan the darkened landscape.
But I still feel uneasy. Hawthorne’s retreat was too easy, his acceptance of the RCMP’s authority too smooth for a man whose family has operated above the law for generations. He’s planning something—I can feel it.
I just hope we’re ready when it comes.
Chapter 33
Lana
Morning comes too quickly. Sunlight streaming through the curtains as I blink awake in Jake’s guest room. Despite my exhaustion, I slept fitfully, my dreams filled with hidden chambers and Hawthorne’s cold smile. My body aches from yesterday’s mad dash through the woods, but there’s no time to dwell on discomfort. I glance over and see the bed empty where Caleb should have been.
The house is already bustling when I make my way downstairs. RCMP officers move with purpose, preparing for the day’s operations. Kori hands me a steaming mug of coffee as I enter the kitchen.
“You look like you need this,” she says, studying my face with sisterly concern.
“Thanks,” I mumble, taking a sip. “Have you seen Caleb?”
“He’s outside with Declan and Sergeant Miller. Been up for hours, those three.” She hesitates, then adds, “Are you okay? You look a little pale.”
I wave off her concern, though truthfully, I’ve been feeling off for days. I’d blamed it on stress and lack of sleep, butthis morning’s wave of nausea when I first stood up has me wondering if it might be something else entirely. Something I’m not ready to think about yet.
“I’m fine,” I assure her. “Just tired.”
After a quick breakfast, I find myself restless, unable to focus as everyone prepares for their assigned duties. But a thought that’s been nagging at me since I woke up won’t leave me alone.
“I need to run into town,” I announce to Kori as she’s clearing dishes. “Just for an hour or so.”
Her eyebrows shoot up. “Town? Now? With everything that’s happening?”
“I just need a few things,” I say vaguely. “Personal items.”
She looks skeptical but nods. “Take one of Declan’s men with you.”
“It’s a ten-minute drive, and Hawthorne’s probably busy trying to shred evidence before the RCMP shows up. I’ll be fine.” I force confidence into my voice. “I’ll be back before anyone even notices I’m gone.”
“At least tell Caleb where you’re going,” she insists.
I have no intention of telling Caleb anything. Not until I know for sure. I nod, “I’ll do that.”
Feeling guilty, I grab my purse and slip out the side door, but I need to do this alone. Some things are just too personal to share until I’m ready.
The drive into Pinecrest is uneventful, the town seemingly unaware of the storm about to break over it. I park near the MacPherson Pharmacy on Main Street, my heart poundingunreasonably fast as I walk inside. The old pharmacist, Mr. MacPherson, greets me with a smile that I return awkwardly.
I browse the shelves with forced casualness before finally gathering my courage and selecting what I came for—a pregnancy test. I add a few random items to my basket to make it less obvious, then approach the counter.
Mrs. MacPherson rings me up with a side eye but doesn’t say anything, though I imagine everyone in town will know by lunchtime that the pink-haired outsider bought a pregnancy test. Small towns and their gossip networks work faster than Twitter.
With my purchase secured in a discreet paper bag, I step back onto the sidewalk, planning to head straight back to Jake’s. That’s when I notice the black SUV parked across the street, its engine running.
Something about it raises the hairs on the back of my neck. I quicken my pace, heading for my car, but before I can reach it, I hear footsteps behind me.
“Ms. Mills.”
I freeze at the sound of Hawthorne’s voice, then slowly turn to face him. He stands a few feet away, impeccably dressed as always, but there’s something different about him today. The polished veneer of the politician has cracked, revealing something harder and more dangerous beneath.
“Mayor Hawthorne,” I acknowledge, fighting to keep my voice steady. “I can’t stop to chat. I’m expected back at Jake’s.”
