career, no one has been hurt or even threatened. To tell you the truth, no one has seen him. He slips in and out without a trace. He hits houses when no one is home. This place has been vacant for years. It’s far enough back from the road that he wouldn’t be worried about someone spotting him. If it’ll make you more comfortable, I can call Jessica to stay with you tonight or you could come in to town and stay at a hotel. Or better yet, I could stay here…”
“Thanks, but I don’t really think that’ll be necessary. I’m not going to be run out of my home because I found some stolen paintings. Now on a more personal note, as flattering as your offer is, I don’t think I’m ready to make that jump. Brutus will keep me company. He is a valiant protector.”
“Brutus? Who in the world is Brutus?”
“My dog, you haven’t met him yet. He was out running around when you were here earlier.”
Mike chose that moment to come back in the garage. “Animal control is on the way, Todd, said they’ll be here in about ten minutes.”
“Good. Let’s start going through some of the boxes over here, away from Mama.” Turning back to Rachel, he said, “I would very much like to meet this canine companion of yours. But for safety’s sake, don’t bring him out here until the raccoons are picked up.”
Todd and Mike started going through boxes and identified paintings on the property list while avoiding the raccoons. Realizing that Rachel was right and she had found the cache of stolen goods, Todd went out to his truck to call for backup. “Jessica, hey it’s me. I’m out at the Hardy place with Rachel. I can’t get in to a lot of detail right now but can you come out here? Yes, I’m serious. Don’t you freak out on me. I’ll explain more when you get here. Okay, see you in a few minutes.” He disconnected the call as animal control pulled up in the drive.
While animal control gathered and collected the raccoon family, Rachel went inside the house to make coffee. Todd came in to the kitchen and found her there.
“How are you handling all this?” he asked.
“I’ll be alright, just get that stuff out of here. I want no reason for him to come back. This is a small town and if he lives in the area, he’ll know by morning that everything has been found.”
“Rachel, once the media finds out about this, your privacy is going to be shot. Everyone is going to know you’re living up here.” He moved to stand behind her at the stove, running his hands up and down her arms.
“I’m not a famous celebrity. I write books. This cabin has been in my family for years. Like I said earlier, no one is running me out of my own home.” The vehemence in her voice wasn’t as convincing as she’d hoped for he guessed. Shrugging her shoulders, she sighed and leaned back against his chest. He smelled of musky cologne and male, it was…comforting. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around so she was facing him. She looked up at him with fear and concern in her blue eyes.
“You keep looking at me like that and I’m going to have to kiss you again. I’m finding it difficult to maintain a professional perspective here.” He let go of her arms before making good on his claim. “I need to get back out there with Mike. Is that coffee you’ve made?” he asked, adding a look of hope to his features.
“Yes it is. Unfortunately, it’s instant, but it’s hot. Do you think Deputy Logan would like some too?”
“I’m sure he would. You go sit down awhile. I’ll take it out to him.”
Rousing Brutus from his nap, they walked out to the weed covered patio. Rachel sat down on the stone wall and curled her legs up underneath her. Gazing up at the sky, she promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She stared at the half moon as it hung low in the evening sky, casting its pearly glow across the creek. Brutus barked when he heard a vehicle pull in the drive. Untangling her legs, Rachel jumped down from the wall
“Thanks, but I don’t really think that’ll be necessary. I’m not going to be run out of my home because I found some stolen paintings. Now on a more personal note, as flattering as your offer is, I don’t think I’m ready to make that jump. Brutus will keep me company. He is a valiant protector.”
“Brutus? Who in the world is Brutus?”
“My dog, you haven’t met him yet. He was out running around when you were here earlier.”
Mike chose that moment to come back in the garage. “Animal control is on the way, Todd, said they’ll be here in about ten minutes.”
“Good. Let’s start going through some of the boxes over here, away from Mama.” Turning back to Rachel, he said, “I would very much like to meet this canine companion of yours. But for safety’s sake, don’t bring him out here until the raccoons are picked up.”
Todd and Mike started going through boxes and identified paintings on the property list while avoiding the raccoons. Realizing that Rachel was right and she had found the cache of stolen goods, Todd went out to his truck to call for backup. “Jessica, hey it’s me. I’m out at the Hardy place with Rachel. I can’t get in to a lot of detail right now but can you come out here? Yes, I’m serious. Don’t you freak out on me. I’ll explain more when you get here. Okay, see you in a few minutes.” He disconnected the call as animal control pulled up in the drive.
While animal control gathered and collected the raccoon family, Rachel went inside the house to make coffee. Todd came in to the kitchen and found her there.
“How are you handling all this?” he asked.
“I’ll be alright, just get that stuff out of here. I want no reason for him to come back. This is a small town and if he lives in the area, he’ll know by morning that everything has been found.”
“Rachel, once the media finds out about this, your privacy is going to be shot. Everyone is going to know you’re living up here.” He moved to stand behind her at the stove, running his hands up and down her arms.
“I’m not a famous celebrity. I write books. This cabin has been in my family for years. Like I said earlier, no one is running me out of my own home.” The vehemence in her voice wasn’t as convincing as she’d hoped for he guessed. Shrugging her shoulders, she sighed and leaned back against his chest. He smelled of musky cologne and male, it was…comforting. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he turned her around so she was facing him. She looked up at him with fear and concern in her blue eyes.
“You keep looking at me like that and I’m going to have to kiss you again. I’m finding it difficult to maintain a professional perspective here.” He let go of her arms before making good on his claim. “I need to get back out there with Mike. Is that coffee you’ve made?” he asked, adding a look of hope to his features.
“Yes it is. Unfortunately, it’s instant, but it’s hot. Do you think Deputy Logan would like some too?”
“I’m sure he would. You go sit down awhile. I’ll take it out to him.”
Rousing Brutus from his nap, they walked out to the weed covered patio. Rachel sat down on the stone wall and curled her legs up underneath her. Gazing up at the sky, she promised herself she wouldn’t cry. She stared at the half moon as it hung low in the evening sky, casting its pearly glow across the creek. Brutus barked when he heard a vehicle pull in the drive. Untangling her legs, Rachel jumped down from the wall
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