AllFreeNovel
Share Us
West stopped him with a word. “Wait.”
“Yeah?” Cole whipped around.
“I just heard from Morningstar. Those guys proposing marriage had an alibi for when you got chased down in the meadow. And the number? It didn’t check out either. They’re not the same guys.”
Cole’s fingers clenched. “I know exactly who it is then.”
“Are you serious? You do?”
“Lacy Lynch.” Cole didn’t want to waste another minute on that guy, but he supposed it would become very necessary when they decided to press charges.
West straightened.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Cole said, “but yeah, the way that creep was talking at the meadow, he wants his revenge. He brought some hired help with him too. I have a feeling he won’t leave Eva alone until we put him behind bars.”
West’s eyes gleamed at the danger. Cole knew he was one phone call away from telling Eva’s daddy, just like she’d feared, but Cole supposed, for now, that it was for the best. He tapped the frame of the door on his way out. “I’ve gotta go. Eva’s waiting.”
After the meadow, he’d sworn to himself that he’d never go without another firearm again, and now he had one in a back holster.
“I’ll keep her safe until we can catch that guy.”
“I’m going to make a few calls about him,” West said. “I’ll text Eva and let you know the second I find out anything.”
Cole nodded. It felt good to be working with his brother again. Maybe it was temporary, but it felt more natural than the other way.
He headed out the door, not able to help the relief that filled him as he escaped the confines of the hospital and all the anguish and pain that it held for him there. His momma’s face had held peace; she had accepted her transition to be with their Father in Heaven, and everyone else had tried to keep their spirits up for her and for each other, but the helpless grief that broke through their eyes at unexpected intervals was unavoidable.
It just felt nice to find some sort of release from all that tension by walking through a world that seemed oblivious to their troubles.
The city of Charleston was still alive with lights and nightlife. The hotel was just two streets over from the hospital. Cole didn’t have far to travel before he could sink into Eva’s outstretched arms and find sweet solace.
He’d beg her forgiveness, too. He was still learning how to love her.
Cole walked into the building, taking the elevator to the twenty-third floor. It hadn’t surprised him that those bumbling trespassers in the barn hadn’t been the root of their problems at Burro Mine. Lacy Lynch—and there was no longer any doubt that they were dealing with him—had hunted them down with vicious and cold-hearted precision.
Eva was in danger. After this moment, it wouldn’t be safe to let her be alone. He swiped his keycard against the lock and strode inside. “Eva?” he called.
She didn’t answer. Was she asleep? Already? She’d just texted.
Cole peeled off the tight gray jacket, breathing in deeply. He could finally relax for a few hours. West would call him if anything changed with their momma. His hands went to his boots next, and he’d tugged one off when he heard a noise in the back room—a footfall. Strange that Eva was awake, but hadn’t answered him.
Wait… West’s guilt about what had transpired between himself and Eva had been smeared all over his face like a stain. Had he said something to make her angry at Cole too? Was that Eva packing? She’d texted him to come over, so she must be ready to let him have it.
Thankfully she had that fiery kind of spirit to face him instead of slinking off into the night. He wouldn’t let her go without trying to convince her to stay.
“Eva?” He went to the room where he’d heard the noise. His hand rested on the door. “What’s going on?”
Nothing.
Suspicions of a different nature washed over him. Lacy Lynch was still on the run and he’d vowed not to rest until he’d found her.
Did Lynch actually follow them here?
God, did I make a mistake? Were those feelings to bring Eva in to talk to Momma really meant to keep her safe? Is she alive? Oh please, don’t let me lose her too!
He jolted to action. Sliding the firearm from the holster at his back, he shoved open the door.
A blast of adrenaline shot through Cole as he stared down Lacy Lynch sitting in the darkness, like a ghoul come to life.
