Page 73 of Sleigh My Heart

“More than once.” She pulled into the trailer park and did a circle of the block before pulling into Cliff’s double-wide.

She shifted into park and craned her neck side to side, canvassing the area. “Well, I’ll be a lucky monkey. Is that what I think it is?”

“If you are referring to the white van with the dented bumper tucked behind the trailer, then yes. You’re luckier than any monkey I’ve known.”

“You’ve known a few, have you?” She eyed him carefully.

“I spent some time in tropical regions. That’s all I’ll say.”

“Fine. For now.” She directed her focus back to the van. “If this is the van that caused your father’s accident, why would Garmen want to hurt Russ?”

“Money? Some people would do just about anything for the right amount of money.”

“Unless it wasn’t Garmen driving it at the time.” Michelle pursed her lips for a moment, then clapped her hands. “Okay, let’s get this party started.”

“We must be the first to show up.” He slouched and faked a limp as he walked to the door. He hoped the shooter showed up soon. He had to pick up Ava in an hour. Maybe he should see if Mrs. Washington could take her to the bake sale before their sleepover. He was still learning how to maneuver carpools and playdates.

Michelle rested a hand on his elbow as they entered.

“Nice touch. Making sure anyone watching would think you were helping Cliff inside, but also making sure he didn’t sneak off.”

“Hell, I was just trying not to wipe out on the stairs. I didn’t realize it hadn’t been shoveled in over a week. The ice is as thick as my thighs.”

Nick wagged his brows. “I’m kind of partial to your thick thighs.”

“Good to know. Now let’s check the house before we get too comfortable.” She dropped his arm and canvassed the back half of the house, while Nick took the front. The inside was as worn and in need of repair as the outside. The only thing that looked to be new was the state-of-the-art gaming system hooked up to the seventy-inch television on the wall. Nick would bet it was new in the last couple of months.

He stopped and opened the fridge on the way by. “Whoa! Garmen definitely hadn’t been eating anything in here for the last week.”

“About the same time as Jonny’s murder.” Michelle pulled her shirt collar up over her nose and slammed the fridge door. “We may need to call in a hazmat team.”

He turned on the stove fan. A death rattle filled the room.

“Nope. Not going to use that.” He flipped the switch off. Grabbing her arm, he led her into the living room.

“The place is clear. I’ll drive out of the park, circle around, and come in the back door.”

He snagged her arm and pulled her in close. Words filled his head, but he didn’t speak. Stroking her cheek, he let his actions say all the things he wanted to tell her. Be careful. I can’t lose you. Not now. Not ever.

His kiss was deep. She leaned in. Message delivered.

Scanning the surroundings, she walked out. She needed anyone following to know that she was leaving.

Nick listened for movement. Frequent checks of the windows showed it was clear.

Ten minutes later, she slipped through the back door.

“That was fast.”

“Jim gave me a ride from the coffee shop two blocks over. I told him about the van. He will have it pulled in for processing when we’re done here.” She handed him a takeout mug. “It might be a while.”

He took a sip and pulled out his phone. “I better line up someone to pick up Ava.”

“I already did that.”

“What?”

“Don’t worry. Your father is on the list for pickup, right?” She pulled a bagel from the bag.