Explosive Reunion. Karen Kirst

beck and call.

      With that day fresh in her mind, her heart throbbed with remembered betrayal.

      She wouldn’t be that vulnerable again.

      Cade lowered the drill and inspected his work. “Should hold until we can get you a new window.”

      “I appreciate your help.”

      “Is there someone who can take you to the hardware store?”

      Jason worked night shifts at a local factory, and she didn’t want to burden her mom. Barbara needed to rest and focus on managing her illness. Tori’s close friend, Angela Reagan, was probably pulling a twelve-hour shift at the hospital.

      “I could contact someone from my church.”

      “Or you could let me give you a ride,” he said casually. “My Jeep’s parked at the bank down the street.”

      More time in Cade’s company. Great. “Let me get the deposit ready.” She sighed.

      Cade began cleaning up the glass. As Tori descended the stairs, a sharp clap of thunder reverberated through the house. The lights flickered out. Startled, her foot slipped, and she grabbed the railing to keep from tumbling down the steep flight.

      She reached the bottom tread and sucked in a steadying breath. Shadows draped the foyer and hallway leading to the rear of the house. Weak light slanted into the parlor across from her, the first room customers encountered and the largest on this floor. Tori skirted the large round table in the middle boasting individual dog treats of every shape and color to get to the counter and her register.

      A sudden gust of rain pelted the window behind her. She clapped a hand over her mouth.

      She was being silly. There was no reason to be on edge.

      The leather pouch she used to transport her daily earnings wasn’t in its usual spot. Tori must’ve left it in the office that morning. She walked through the archway connecting the parlor to what used to be the formal dining room. Flashes of lightning illuminated the shelves and collections of leashes and collars. It wasn’t yet seven o’clock, but gloom had descended along with the storm. Hopefully the power outage wouldn’t last too long. Already, the air was growing heavy with humidity.

      She entered the former-kitchen-turned-office and immediately the hairs on her nape stood to attention. She reached for the light switch before catching herself. No electricity.

      Outside, the storm unleashed its fury. The oaks’ branches thrashed the sides of the house. A crash sent adrenaline spiraling through her system. Calling herself a fool, she marched to the door and, ripping it open, emerged onto the screened porch. Wind tunneled through the screens, twisting her dress hem about her knees. Rain gushed through the gutters and onto the pavers.

      A faint scuffling sound registered near the left side of the house. Tori pivoted that direction and caught sight of a hunched figure dashing behind her garage.

      Cade carried the box of discarded glass downstairs. The silence inside the house was at complete odds with the fury beyond the walls. Good thing they’d gotten the plywood in place in time.

      “Tori?”

      He walked through the rooms, fond memories of his teenage years washing over him. This place was linked to the James women. Thanks to Tori’s selflessness, Barbara wouldn’t have to worry about her shop.

      In the kitchen, he set the box on a counter lined with matching file organizers. The door to the porch stood wide-open. Strange.

      Cade stepped through to the porch and found Tori about to brave the elements.

      “You’ll need a raincoat and boots.”

      Snatching her hand back, she spun and pressed her hand to her throat. Her skin was leached of color.

      “What’s wrong?”

      “I heard something, so I came to investigate and saw someone out there.” She pointed to the detached garage and the profuse bushes marching behind it and linking to Kenneth the tax man’s property. “At least, I thought I did.”

      “Could it have been Kenneth?” He didn’t like that the man had studied Tori’s movements. “Does he have a pet that might’ve escaped?”

      He moved closer to her and looked through the screens. The view was obstructed by the relentless downpour.

      “He has a cat, but I don’t think he’d be inclined to pursue her through this.”

      “I’ll check it out.”

      She sidestepped to block the door. “You don’t have to do that. I’m more rattled than I realized, and my mind’s probably playing tricks. It could’ve been a large dog. There’s a black lab that roams the neighborhood every time his owners forget to latch the fence.”

      “Can I borrow an umbrella?”

      She arched a brow. “Still stubborn, I see.”

      “We’ll both feel better if I do this.”

      “Fine.” She disappeared into the house and returned a minute later. He examined the oversize dog faces printed on the material.

      He let out an exaggerated sigh. “Let’s hope none of my buddies happen by.”

      Wind and rain battered his lower body. And it hindered his ability to look for clues. There weren’t any discernible footprints. Nor was anyone lurking behind the structure. A stand of trees separated Tori’s lot from the one behind hers. He couldn’t detect movement in that person’s yard. The garage itself was locked, the lone window intact.

      Back inside, he wiped the mud from his shoes. “I didn’t see anything or anyone suspicious.”

      “Good.” A furrow dug between her brows, advertising her continued disquiet.

      “Has Kenneth ever done anything to make you uncomfortable?”

      She shook her head. “He’s a little frazzled and absentminded, but he’s harmless.”

      “You don’t find it odd that he knows your schedule?”

      “Having nosy neighbors can actually be a good thing. Crime deterrents. Besides, I have an alarm system. We had one installed several years ago.”

      Cade propped the umbrella in the corner. “Do you know if sensors were installed in the windows?”

      “On this level, they were.”

      Outside, there was a second set of stairs leading to the upper-level deck, which stretched the rear facade of the house—easy access to the entrance door and windows.

      “You might want to consider installing them on the second floor, just to be safe.”

      She studied his face more closely. “You’re worried. Why? Deputy Claxton wasn’t.”

      “Maybe because I’ve experienced my fair share of violence.”

      “That’s your world, not mine.”

      “Nothing wrong with staying proactive.”

      “That word again,” she groaned. “The Marines’ way of saying an ounce of caution is worth a pound of cure.”

      “Served me well over the years.”

      “There’s a rational explanation for the car. I’m sure of it.”

      Inside the kitchen, Tori locked the door and checked it twice, a sign she wasn’t as confident as she’d like him to think.

      He noticed she held her wrist flush against her middle. “Did I do that?”

      He’d shoved her to the ground with scarcely a thought to where she landed. He inched closer, curved his fingers around her arm and gingerly inspected it. “Looks swollen.”

      “It’s a little sore,” she murmured, easing free of