Keeping Her Safe. Barbara Phinney

father didn’t know?”

      Her cheeks warmed. “No, he didn’t. And he didn’t tell me anything about it. He probably thought he could handle it, and was too proud to ask for my help.”

      “Was it like him to do that?”

      She wasn’t sure. She’d thought that her father had kept her informed on most, if not all, issues of importance, but he hadn’t told her about his will. Or even about his cancer until the very end. Feeling foolish, she shrugged.

      Hunter looked impatient. “Can we discuss this in your office?”

      “If you like.” Halloway led them into the small station, past some desks and into a row of cubicles that served as offices. He indicated for Rae to sit.

      She’d never been in a police station before. She’d never even talked to an officer of the law before. And doing so now felt like a waste of everyone’s time.

      “So,” Halloway began, pulling up another chair, while taking out a large notepad and pen. “What has happened to make you two think someone wants to harm you?”

      Hunter repeated everything he’d said to her.

      Halloway’s pen hovered over the paper, while Rae studied his profile.

      She’d seen the officer before, she decided, at the hospital, the day before her dad had died. Moncton General Hospital was a busy place. There were usually dozens of people in the entrance alone. But she remembered seeing this tall policeman there.

      Strangely, that memory made the hair on her scalp tingle and a chill trickle down her neck.

      Halloway glanced up at her, his pen still poised above the blank paper. He met her startled gaze coolly and she found herself wondering what he was thinking. Maybe about how they were wasting his time?

      Letting her exasperation flare, she stood. This was ridiculous. “Look, Hunter, we’ve reported it, such as it is. I don’t think there’s anything serious going on.”

      Hunter scowled. “You may not care, Rae, but this could be serious. You can’t ignore it.”

      “Why? What could be such a threat up there?”

      Halloway looked over at Hunter. “What do you think we can do about this?”

      Rae bit her lip. Hunter cared enough to drag her down to the station. Yet this was so foolish, so unnecessary.

      She threw her little knapsack over her shoulder, then waved her hand. “Look, if you’re not going to do anything, we won’t waste time here. I’ve got too much to do.”

      “Let me take down some information and we’ll increase our patrols by your house. Would you like us to drop by periodically?”

      No, she didn’t want them to. She wanted to go home and rebuild her business, not look like a child afraid of imaginary threats.

      But Hunter answered, “It wouldn’t hurt. It’s coming into hunting season and there’s a lot of unused land behind her house.”

      Halloway paused. The only words written on the paper between them were, “Rae Benton feels there is a threat to her safety.”

      She watched Hunter’s jaw tighten and again she felt the uneasiness swell between the two. Halloway shot her a calculating glance, and more shivers rippled down her spine.

      When the report was finally finished, she hastily signed the bottom of it. And found herself anxious to be free of the uneasiness lingering in the cubicle.

      THREE

      Outside, the day was ending, and Rae had nearly reached her truck, which she’d parked around the corner from the station, when she heard her name being called.

      She turned. Her cousin was hurrying down the street toward her. At their small truck, half a block away, stood Kirk, his arms folded as he leaned against the front bumper.

      “Rae!” Annie gave her a warm hug. Years ago, after the fire, she had tried hard to be a mother figure to Rae, but young herself, and without children, she had ended up being more of an older sister.

      Rae returned the hug, and then Annie shot a short, suspicious look at Hunter, who hung back. “Did I just see you coming out of the police station? Goodness, why?”

      Rae swallowed, not wanting to lie to her cousin. “It was nothing, really. I’ll tell you all about it later, when I return that skirt suit. I want to get it dry-cleaned first.”

      “Never mind that. You hardly wore it for any length of time, and I know money is tight.”

      How would she know that? Annie had sat in on several brief consultations about the funeral arrangements, but hadn’t been there when Rae discussed billing details.

      Over Annie’s head, Rae glanced at Kirk, who was idly kicking at some dry leaves. He was being a bit antisocial, but considering his opinion of Hunter, of course he wouldn’t walk over.

      Her cousin was chattering on, and Rae realized that she’d missed the first part. “…put you on the prayer chain. For peace and guidance?”

      Did anyone really know what it was like to lose both parents? How hard it was to know that they’d never see any grandchildren, be there for the good and bad that would inevitably happen? Her heart tightened as she refocused on her cousin. “Thank you. That sounds nice.”

      Annie threw one more glance at Hunter, before guiding her away from her truck and him. “Are you okay? I mean, what is he doing here with you?”

      Steeling herself, Rae answered, “Dad’s lawyer called me shortly after the funeral. He read Dad’s will to me.”

      “What did it say?”

      “Dad gave half of everything to Hunter.”

      Annie gasped. “That’s crazy! You have to fight this, Rae. It isn’t right.”

      “It’s what Dad wanted. I have to respect that.”

      Annie quickly glanced over at her husband, who, although still lingering some distance away, had grown interested in their conversation. “Your father was sick, and maybe that was affecting his judgment. You can tell the judge that and get him to overturn the will. You deserve that land.”

      Behind her, Rae felt Hunter close in. Once again, she was glad for it. Annie meant well, but she was wrong here. Rae had to respect her father’s decision.

      Odd, though. Annie had thought the world of her uncle, and been ecstatic when he’d given his life to the Lord. She had even quoted the Biblical story of the laborers who all got paid the same despite how much time they’d put in. It had been a comfort to Rae after Dad had been admitted to the hospital.

      But to now condemn his decision? It was very odd indeed.

      “Annie, it’s just something we have to get used to. Hunter is going to be around for a while.” She decided not to say anything about her hopes of buying him out, at least not yet.

      Her cousin leaned close. “Just be careful, Rae. And how are you, financially? Do you have enough money? I could lend you some. Just between us.”

      Did she mean not to tell Kirk, or Hunter? It was obvious Annie didn’t trust Hunter, but Kirk had often complained she spent too much money.

      Rae shook her head. “I’m going to call Dad’s life insurance company soon, and get that matter settled. I’ll come over with the suit as soon as I can. We’ll have a nice talk over a hot cup of tea.”

      Annie began to turn toward her husband, but stopped. “Come during the day. Kirk will be at his shop.” She leaned in for another hug, and added quietly, “Be careful. Hunter is a criminal, however kind he acts.”

      “I saw him praying at the funeral.” Even as she murmured the words, she wondered at the sudden need to defend him. Was it because he’d stood