

### Through Winter Skies

By

### Collette Scott

Smashwords Edition

Also by Collette Scott

Forever Sunshine

Hannah's Blessing

If We Dare to Dream (The Evans Family, Book One)

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2012 by Collette Scott

Cover art copyright 2012 by Naomi Shawnee Webster

All rights reserved.

For information address Marimay Publishing, P.O. Box 11821, Tempe, AZ 85284

ISBN-13: 978-1468191189

ISBN-10: 1468191187

For Jim "Papa" McKay, happy birthday.

And for Naomi.

### Chapter 1

Something felt wrong.

Though there was a chill in the air, it was not a brisk feeling that cut through his bones. Rather, it felt heavy, still and the silence bordered on eerie. A full moon loomed overhead, casting a white glow on the front walk, and the only sound around was his footfalls as they scuffed the concrete. The hour was late, a time when no one was about in the sleepy neighborhood except for a random house cat looking in vain for an unsuspecting mouse. Nevertheless, it felt wrong - different from when he left just a few short hours ago.

Suddenly a shrill scream pierced the empty silence in the small cul-de-sac. Midway up the walk, Zachary halted and cocked his head to the side as the goose bumps prickled the hairs on his arms. Glancing around the neighborhood with a gaze that shifted in his otherwise frozen countenance, he searched for anything that could be out of place. All seemed normal. He allowed his head to swivel in the direction of Emery's house. The scream had undoubtedly come from there. As he strained to hear more, he noticed the horrific sound faded to an almost imperceptible gurgle that caused the hairs on the back of his neck to join those on his arms rising in warning.

Without thinking, Zachary raced across the gravel of his front yard, vaulting over a blooming, purple Texas sage bush before pausing at the front door. Hoping she was just watching a horror flick and would laugh at his panic, he realized that would not be the case when he saw the door was slightly ajar. The muffled sound of male laughter greeted him once he pushed it open with a single finger. It was the laughter of a pack of males who knew they were doing something wrong. He had heard it before, in his own kitchen as a teen throwing a party while his parents were out. They had snuck into the liquor cabinet and stolen a drink, laughing in a remarkably similar way. But he knew Emery was a good kid, studious and honest. She would never throw a party without her mother's knowledge, especially one that included boys... and trashed her house.

Zachary's response was immediate. Reaching into his pocket for his cell phone, his thumb dialed 911 as he took in the sight just beyond the front door. The living room, always so neat and orderly, was in shambles, and there was no sign of fifteen-year-old Emery or her mother Marie. Feeling the panic well inside him to a burning terror and need to protect his childhood friend, he continued to advance inside. School books were strewn across the floor with notebook papers scattered in all directions, and from upstairs came the sound of male voices again.

Something _was_ wrong.

Though he knew he was being foolish, the surge of adrenalin prompted him to react. Breaking into a run, his thumb hit the send button on his cell phone. He was breathless as he gave the address to the 911 operator, taking the stairs two at a time to Emery's room.

Surprise worked in his favor that night.

Later reprimanded for his reckless actions, at the time all Zach saw was the blood. Emery's room was no longer a pale pink and green spring-time haven of youthful joy and memories. It was a mass of black-clad bodies, male forms hovering in the room like giant specters of evil. A boy was tied in a chair, wet with blood and head lolling lifelessly. Smears like grimaces and splatters like tears replaced the smiling faces in the posters on the walls. In the split second before he sprang into action, his keen gaze took in the blood sprayed walls, the soaked carpeting, and the horrific scene on the bed. Emery was no longer recognizable. He knew he was taking a risk, but the scene overtook all reason. Zachary reacted.

With a mixture of panic-induced rage and youthful rashness, Zach remembered everything his father had taught him and tackled the man with the gun first. He took him down to the ground using his sheer bulk and wrestling skills, grasping the gun in one hand and aiming at the second man's leg before either could react. A blast pierced the shocked silence, and the second man went down with a horrified scream as Zach turned the gun on the man on the floor. Using his surprise as an advantage, Zach again placed a non-lethal shot to immobilize him before he launched himself at the bed, pulling the third man away from Emery and slamming him up against the wall. The clatter of the knife landing hard on her desk and splattering the white top with blood only spurred Zach on. With as much strength as he could muster, he pounded his fist into the intruder's face. Ignoring the pain in his hand, he continued landing blow after blow, taking pleasure when the man's head slammed against the wall. Over and over again he vented his rage until the third man went limp and slid to the ground with a low moan.

Breathing heavily and sweating profusely, Zach hurried to Emery's side. Though everything had happened in just a matter of minutes, he felt as though hours had passed in this room of unspeakable horrors. Dropping to his knees beside the bed, for the first time Zach realized the seriousness of the situation and what he had done. His hands trembled, and his ears rang with her terrible, noiseless screams. The sound was like nothing he had ever heard before, a rush of air mingled with the bubbling of blood. It frightened him more than any scary movie had.

Staring down at the face he had known most of his life, he gasped in horror. It was worse, far worse, than he thought.

Emery's throat had been cut.

***

With a garbled curse, Zachary Evans sat bolt upright in bed. He was sweating, and the sheet clung to him damply. Still trapped in the remnants of his dream, he scanned the room frantically in an effort to escape the haunting visions of Emery's splattered, pink walls. Pink was replaced by dusky blue, now a dark gray in the lingering darkness. Cheerful white furniture covered with photographs of Emery making silly poses was replaced by heavy, dark wood. A dresser, a nightstand, a king-sized bed - yes, he was in his home. No frilly teenage furnishings here... only sparse simplicity.

Inhaling deeply, Zach drew a hand down his face with a shaky sigh. All traces of sleep seemed to disappear with the horrifying sound of Emery's breathless screams. They echoed in his head even now, ten years later.

"Aw, man," he muttered into the dark silence of his bedroom.

His eyes drifted closed, and he willed the memories away. Ten years... that was a long time. Why all of a sudden was he having the dream again? He had not seen Emery since she had been released from the hospital. She had refused to see him, refused to see anyone after that night of torture. His sweet, cheerful little neighbor, the tough and vibrant young girl he had watched grow up, had been broken in a single night of terror so profound that no one could imagine it, even the best horror writers.

Knowing from past experience that sleep would elude him the remainder of this night, Zach peeled the damp sheet away and swung his legs over the side of the bed. There was no sense in even trying to get another hour or two. Opting instead for an early morning run, he dressed in some sweats and a hooded sweatshirt and greeted the day with a furious pace. The quiet residential streets of Chandler were deserted this early in the morning, and he ran down the orange, streetlamp lit roads with only the occasional bark of a dog to invade the silence.

Within moments, he was out of his peaceful and sleepy development and on the main road. He continued to run, more in an effort to clear his mind of the old nightmares than to stay fit. Fit he was. There was no fear of him slipping in that area. No, his problems lay in his mind. Again he wondered why, after ten long years, Emery still haunted him. After another mile, a good sweat had broken out, and his sweatshirt was clinging to him in much the same manner as his sheet was just a short time ago. But still she haunted him.

Picking up the pace, Zach broke into a solid run. Moving all out, he allowed himself to grow breathless and enjoyed the burn in his lungs. As his feet pounded the pavement, he concluded that it had to be his new appointment. Though he did not yet have all the details, he had pursued this new assignment to work with the Drug Enforcement Task Force mainly because of what had happened to Emery. It must have stirred up the memories in his subconscious. Yes, that had to be it.

Slowing his pace, he came to a stop and bent over, resting his hands on his thighs while he struggled to regain his breath. The sun-bleached concrete shifted and molded into a vision of the sweet face he had always cherished. Emery Marie Flores. What happened that night had changed both their lives irrevocably. In fact, his role, albeit brief and too late, had nearly cost him his dream of joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Psychologically, it had taken him a lot of work to break through the barriers and get a clear bill of health. He had turned that negative experience into a will and drive to make sure no one else suffered the way she had.

Finishing off his run at a more sedate pace, he returned to his two-bedroom condo just as the sun was peeking over the mountains to the east. After a hot shower, he dressed carefully and went to the spotless kitchen to prepare a breakfast of granola and juice with fresh banana slices. Taking a seat at the counter, he turned on the television for some background noise to override the empty silence while he ate. Spartanly furnished and immaculately clean, on this day he suddenly noticed just how lonely his lifestyle was.

He usually preferred it that way.

Personal ties had no place in a life that was filled with crime and loss, and he was inclined to remain alone. Oh, there were some casual relationships brought about from his evenings out in Scottsdale with his cousin Hayden, but they were infrequent due to his schedule and overall lack of interest in anything permanent. Simpler was easier in his mind. He was better off not getting attached. Or so he had always thought. For some reason this morning he was disturbed.

Finishing his breakfast, he carried his bowl back into the kitchen, gave it a careful rinse and placed it in the dishwasher before wiping down the counter distractedly. It had been awhile since he contacted his parents to check in on them, he thought. Now retired from the police force, his father had taken his mother and moved up to northern Arizona where they enjoyed the slow-paced life among the ponderosa pines and tranquil lakes. That meant Zach no longer saw them as often as he used to. Perhaps a visit was in order. Maybe that would lighten the sense of unease he was feeling.

As soon as the sky had brightened enough to make an appearance at the office, Zach grabbed his bag lunch, straightened his jacket and tie, and ran a hand over his closely-cropped, dark hair before once more jogging down the stairs to his car. The Phoenix area was beginning to warm up, and the April day promised to have highs in the low 80s. Wondering what the temperature was like out his parent's way, he again pondered taking a short break to clear his head up in the clean, high country air. He took a deep breath and stared across the parking lot, over the covered parking spots to the park beyond. The sprinklers were running over the summer Bermuda grass, and it promised to be a dark green in no time. Spring was here, and the heat would be quick to follow. This was as good a time as any to head up north.

The office had already come to life when he arrived, and he greeted his co-workers with a brief nod before making his way to his desk. Dropping his lunch down as he passed, he continued straight to his boss' office and knocked on the door.

"You look awful," Agent Aaron Banks rumbled in greeting.

For a tall, thin man, he had a surprisingly deep voice that caught many off guard. In Zach's opinion, his voice matched his determination. Although Zach came from a family full of law enforcement officials, he still viewed his boss with a touch of awe. Smart and capable, Banks was not one to be crossed and could be ruthless when angry. Luckily for Zach, he had never crossed the man and therefore was considered one of his favorite agents.

Zach nodded, though one dark brow rose over his blue eyes. "And good morning to you."

"Just being honest."

"I didn't sleep too well last night. Must've had a pea under my mattress," he replied with a smile.

With a cheerful sparkle in his hazel eyes, Banks graciously swept out an arm inviting Zach to take a seat in the chair across from his desk. "To what do I owe this honor first thing in the morning?"

"I was thinking I may take some time off. I have vacation stored up and thought I'd use it."

Nodding thoughtfully, Banks rubbed his chin. "Okay, I can approve that. You just finished up a tough case. The paperwork's all in. Now would be a good time before you start your new one."

Zach agreed. "That's what I was thinking."

"Yes, it's probably a good idea," he mused in a low voice that warned Zach all was not what it seemed. His suspicion proved correct when Banks continued. "Especially considering I just got wind of an old friend of yours."

Zach frowned. The memory of the dream that he had not yet escaped from sat heavily in his mind. He pushed it back impatiently, but the feeling of unease refused to recede. "I'm not following you."

"Your next assignment, as a matter of fact," Banks continued as though Zach had not spoken.

"What about it?"

"You'll be working rather closely with Ian Evans. One of your cousins, I imagine?"

Zach nodded.

"All you Evans'... You're all over law enforcement," Banks murmured distractedly. Lowering his gaze to his desk, he shuffled around some papers as he continued. "Ian's already been working this case and has brought in some valuable intel."

Zach tried to suppress his smile. He was not surprised to hear of Ian's good work. In contrast to his happy-go-lucky older brother and Zach's closest friend, Hayden, Ian was as straight-laced as they came. For as long as he could remember, Ian had been one to intensely focus on the task at hand, whether it was playing a game of football or doing his job. He had always been a perfectionist at heart.

"You're smiling," Banks commented when he glanced up.

"I know Ian well."

"He's done a great job so far."

"I'm not surprised."

Returning his attention to his desk, he pulled out a sheet with a mug shot and handed it across the desk. Zach reached for it, but the paper almost slipped through his fingers when he saw who it was. Though ten long years had passed, Zach would never forget the face that stared intensely at him from the safety of a piece of paper. The haughty tilt of the head, the lifeless black eyes, the scruffy hair and tight lips were almost as familiar to him as his own features. It was the face that had utterly and completely ravaged the soul of the most vivacious, honest and spirited girl he had ever known. It was the man he had dragged away from Emery that night.

Scowling, Zach resisted the urge to crumple the paper in his hand. "Is this some kind of a joke?"

Banks shook his head, all signs of teasing now gone and replaced with complete seriousness. "Unfortunately, no."

"What's going on?"

"It's not as bad as you think. Vazquez was shanked... He passed away at three this morning."

Not even aware he was holding his breath, the air trapped in Zach's lungs came out in a low rush through his pursed lips. "Well, that's good news."

He continued to stare down at the face, taking in the details in disgust. Antonio Jesus Vasquez. Born May 5, 1978. Five foot nine inches tall, 180 lbs, black hair and brown eyes composed his physical attributes. Following that, a rap sheet that spanned everything from smuggling and narcotics to breaking and entering and the rape and torture of a minor filled the page. However, his most serious crimes were murder and attempted murder, and Zach read on even though he knew every indictment and every charge by heart. The drug dealing shipment that had gone wrong had found innocent Emery caught in the middle of a web of crime that destroyed her youth.

"The good news for you is that he's gone... But there's bad news as well."

Raising his gaze, Zach noticed that Banks was studying him intently. The unsettled feeling that haunted him all morning suddenly flared in intensity. "What do you mean?"

"All Phoenix offices got word from ICE that the new leader, some kid named 2Tuff, has made it a personal mission to find the missing stash of cash that mysteriously disappeared that night. He wants to use the funds to restore the gang to its former glory. An informant advised us that he's determined to return to human smuggling, and he needs the money to find and set up new safe houses."

When Zach opened his mouth to comment, Banks held up his hand to stay his words. "There's more."

Zach nodded expectantly.

"One of the men in the Flores assault is on the lamb. Two days ago, he was in the process of being transferred from ADX Florence down to Beaumont when the transport vehicle was run off the road by an unidentified van. Four prisoners are still unaccounted for, one of them being Adan Augustin. There's little doubt he's going to make his way back here, and when he does he'll most likely hook up with 2Tuff. He was there that night, so he has information that 2Tuff wants. That means this guy has to be tracked down before he tells 2Tuff what he knows."

Though his urge to pursue was high, Zach struggled to remain calm. "What about Emery and her family?"

"The Victim Notification Service has been activated. An attempt to notify has just been made."

Zach nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly vacation seemed like a worthless waste of time. He had not seen Emery since that night, but he knew he needed to help get Augustin back in prison for her sake. "I'll take my vacation once he's caught. I'd like to get going on this one."

"I appreciate your dedication, Zachary, you know I do."

Zach's brows rose at his boss' use of his Christian name. That was almost unheard of. He frowned. "But..."

"I think vacation is a good idea for you right now. Go lay low."

"I'd rather hold off until this is settled."

"I knew you'd say that, but trust me when I say I have my reasons. I was actually going to suggest you take some time off even before you came in here this morning."

In other words, his staying and working the case was not an option. Zach's hands tightened on the paper in his hands until it began to crumble. "Why?"

"There are a couple of reasons. First and most obvious is that you were closely connected with the case. Now don't get me wrong... I'm not saying I think you couldn't maintain a professional detachment. My main concern is the safety of my team, and you'll be a target."

"So? It's not like we don't face that often enough."

Continuing as though Zach had not even spoken, Banks lowered his voice. "Second is that notification was made to Ms. Marie Flores in Chandler, Arizona."

Zach nodded impatiently, struggling to keep his frustration at bay. "Emery's mother."

"Understood. Problem is that Ms. Flores doesn't know where Miss Flores is."

Zach shook his head in disbelief. "How's that possible? Those two were tight."

"Apparently Miss Flores moved some years ago and only maintains contact sporadically. Ms. Flores cannot say with any certainty where her daughter is."

Pressing two fingers against the bridge of his nose, Zach closed his eyes and squeezed. He could feel a headache coming on. In a low voice, he asked what he already knew in his heart. "So you're saying they can't notify her?"

Banks shrugged. "She hasn't contacted the local FBI office to update her residential address."

With a determined set to his jaw, Zach scowled at his boss. "That's all the more reason that I stay on and help catch this guy."

Banks pursed his lips again. Having seen the expression multiple times before, Zach was well aware of that gesture. It was a face he made when he already had a plan in mind. "Or you can take a vacation in the Rocky Mountains. I think that was where Ms. Flores' last communication came from. Do you have any experience with the witness protection program?"

"No, I can't say that I have."

Taking his handkerchief out of the breast pocket of his suit, Banks patted his furrowed brow. "Well, unofficially I can't do anything here. But you do have a good, solid four weeks of paid time off. Maybe you should use it."

"If I refuse?" Zach asked, still scowling.

Banks was not deterred. His voice was sharp with finality. "Then I'll assign you to another lead. Ian Evans already has some intel he's working on, and from what I've heard he's pretty thorough and plenty capable."

Zach realized with a twinge of irritation that he had nowhere else to go with this argument. The decision had been made even before he set foot in the office, which made him wonder how long Banks had known about this. Had something been mentioned the day before? Maybe Augustin's name had been dropped in passing that his subconscious picked up. Perhaps that was why the dream had hit after all this time.

Seeing the frustration on Zach's face, Banks conceded slightly and gave him a sympathetic smile. "I know how close you were to that family. I also know you put your own life on the line to help that girl. I think you're an exemplary special agent now and don't behave as rashly as you did ten years ago, but you do have a history there that may put you and others in danger. I can't have that. I also think the victim in this case could be unknowingly placing herself in danger. If her mother is unable to reach her, she's basically a sitting duck."

Zach spoke through clenched teeth. "I can handle this from here... I don't want her ever to have to think about that time in her life again."

Banks spread his hands in surrender. Leaning forward, he placed his hands flat against the highly-polished desk and spoke in a low voice. "Speaking off the record, as a friend and not your boss, what better way to visit an old friend than enjoying a vacation?"

His smooth lie did not go unnoticed. Zach again met his steady gaze, this time with a new understanding. As the silent communication was spoken through meaningful glances, Banks nodded wordlessly before sitting back and sighing in victory. Zach allowed his glance to rise over Banks' thinning brown hair to the plaque on the wall. Fidelity, bravery, integrity. On vacation, his integrity could not be brought under question if he was merely visiting an old friend. Banks had just given him clearance to watch over Emery until the appropriate agencies did their jobs, meaning he would spend his vacation in an unofficial capacity. Unofficial did not mean he would not be able to take action. He was allowed to engage in defense of himself or others, so he could wait with Emery for them to come. When his gaze finally lowered, he found Banks staring at him expectantly. "Okay. Effective when?"

Banks' eyes flashed in triumph. "Finish up any odds and ends and go. Vacation officially starts tomorrow."

### Chapter 2

Zach stared out the window at the Spanish territorial home from the driver's seat of his car. Not a lot seemed to have changed since the last time he visited. The grass was still well-manicured in an oval patch out front, and the mesquite tree still had a broad umbrella that shaded the front of the house. However, the walk was now paved with flagstone instead of the customary cement the rest of the neighborhood used, and Marie had recently planted some annuals in the desert rock landscaping, adding some reds and blues to compliment the blooming, purple sage bushes.

Sighing, Zach stared at the closed front door. It was a door he had not seen since he had completed his JD degree and had hoped to celebrate with Emery. That last time he visited the modest house the Flores' had moved into after the attack, Marie was forced to turn him away with a sad shake of her head as she had with every one of his attempted visits. Still unable to speak then, Emery grunted her panic, and her flight up the stairs to escape him had sealed his determination to keep his distance. The last thing he wanted was to cause her further angst, despite the heaviness in his heart when he walked away. At that point in her recovery, the extent of the injury to her vocal cords was still uncertain, and her doctors were taking a wait and see approach before offering her further surgery to attempt a reverse of the remaining damage. Despite his hurt feelings, Zach was wise enough to realize she did not need any further stress from him.

His eyes closed briefly. Now that Emery was gone, it would no longer be necessary for him to keep in touch with Marie via the occasional email. He could visit the older woman whenever he had the urge. Too bad the urge had not been present in recent years.

Though the car was growing warm from the heat of the sun, he continued to wait outside, reverting back to his childhood routine of waiting for Marie to greet him. She had lived off the reservation for years, but when he was young he made it a point to respect her Navajo customs out of childish fascination and respect for her culture. It was considered polite to wait for her to greet him first, and Zach knew she appreciated his thoughtfulness even though she laughed about it. Today would be no different.

Almost as if she sensed the direction of his thoughts, the front door opened and Marie appeared. "Zach? Is that you?"

Still an attractive woman, Marie Flores had changed little in the five years since he had seen her last. Her high cheekbones and smooth forehead tapered to a round chin, giving her heart-shaped face a delicate beauty enhanced by her large, almond-shaped brown eyes. Though he noticed the lines around the dark, expressive orbs had deepened, they were dancing with the same happiness he had grown up admiring. Her long, black hair was now sprinkled with gray, but it still shone like silk in the morning sunlight.

Pushing open his car door, Zach climbed out just as she hurried down the flagstone path to greet him. Her smile was warm and welcoming, but his sharp gaze noticed the sadness well-disguised by her obvious joy.

"It is you! Silly man... you're still greeting me in the _Dine_ way!"

He could not stop the grin that appeared on his face. "Hello Marie."

"Let me get a good look at you! Even more handsome than before. You're taller and so strong, my brave champion."

He chuckled as he bent to embrace her in a friendly hug. She continued gushing to such an extent that he pulled away with a blush. "Enough!"

She laughed. "Well, it's been a long time. I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too," Zach answered solemnly, realizing just how true it was as he spoke the words. Only one quick conversation at his parent's Christmas party five years prior marked just how much their relationship had changed.

Marie studied him carefully before taking his hand with a brisk nod. "Come in, and let's catch up," she said gravely.

Reminding himself of his true purpose for being at Marie's door, Zach obediently fell in step behind her. They passed through the elegantly furnished living and dining room to the back of the house, where a tidy kitchen and den waited. She busied herself taking down two glasses, throwing him an expectant look over her shoulder.

"Sit down. I'll be there in a second."

After pouring two glasses of ice water, she joined him at the kitchen dinette and pulled out the chair directly across from him. He took a thankful sip of the cold drink and smiled at her. "So how are you, Marie?"

"I'm doing well. And you? I haven't heard from you in a while."

He shrugged evasively, knowing without having to say a word that she would not approve of his solitary existence. "I just finished a case. We've also started a new collaboration. It's been pretty busy."

"You've done well for yourself. I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you."

"I haven't received a wedding invitation yet. I hope that means you're not yet married rather than overlooking me."

Zach could feel his cheeks grow warm. "I haven't married, Marie, but when I do you'll be first on my invite list."

"Ah, that's what I like to hear." She paused and studied him again. "I also hope you haven't married due to your job rather than the... alternative?"

When she reached across the table to follow up her words with a pat on his hand, he flipped it over and grasped hers instead. Though not particularly liking the direction of the conversation, she had inadvertently brought up his reason for being there. He used that to his advantage, leveling her with a serious stare and avoiding her personal question entirely. "How are things... really?"

She instinctively knew what he was asking, and her fingers went tight around his. For a moment, he thought he spied the beginnings of moisture in her eyes before she proudly tilted her small, round chin. "Still not one to shoot the breeze, are you?"

Zach smiled. "Nope."

Inhaling deeply, she pursed her lips. "Okay then... I'm good. I was promoted at work the first of the year. I love my job. I'm now the Reading Specialist."

"That's great," Zach said with an approving nod. "I guess congrats are in order."

"Thank you. It's the kids, you know."

"What about them?"

"They keep me going."

He nodded again in understanding. Though not direct victims, they both had suffered after Emery's attack and battled their own personal demons. He fought his by catching bad guys, and she fought hers by doing her best to prevent a new wave of them. Though not initially obvious, it had occurred to him that their future actions were made to somehow make up for the events that had transpired.

Seeing there was not much point in avoiding the obvious, he took another sip before setting the glass aside and reaching for her other hand. Holding both loosely, he pinned her with his sharp gaze. "Where is she?"

Marie met his gaze with sad eyes and a brief smile. "When they came looking for her, I knew you'd follow. It was just a matter of time, although I did not expect you so quickly. I know how busy you are."

He waited patiently for her to continue. After several long minutes of watching her contemplate him, he felt as though he would start to squirm if she did not speak. Sensing his growing discomfort, Marie finally broke his gaze and glanced down at the clear glass of the table. "She prefers not to be found."

"I respect that," he said evenly. "And I'd never ask you to break her confidence if I didn't feel it was of dire importance."

The wistful smile reappeared. "You two had such a fated bond, you know that, right? You loved each other so much, even as children. My sister tells me that she's like Changing Woman now. You're her Sun."

He nodded, though he was not sure what she meant by that.

"You were always so good to her when you two were growing up. You were the brother she never had." She squeezed his hands again. "Do you remember teaching her how to ride a bike? And you were the one who carried her home when she fell off the swing and broke her collarbone. Do you remember that?"

The tears Marie had proudly held back earlier swam in her eyes, and Zach was forced to look away as his own memories began to return in a rush. His chest ached as they invaded his thoughts, happier times he had managed to bury in the darkest recesses of his memory. Emery. Her bright green eyes laughing at him when he hurried over after she had fallen off her bike the first time. She had brushed off his worry and bravely remounted it. Emery. This time those crystalline depths expressing the pain she bravely repressed as she cradled her injured arm. Emery. Finally, those same eyes, the only recognizable feature after her attack, that silently begged him to save her. They went hollow and empty as he gathered her into his arms and carried her from the house. Oh, how that last memory still haunted him.

He could not blame her; he would not want to be found either.

Clearing his throat, he closed his eyes briefly before responding, and he could hear the strain in his voice. "I remember, Marie... I remember everything."

"But some things are best forgotten," she said softly.

He watched as a single tear spilled over her dark lashes. Releasing one of her hands, he reached across the table and wiped it away. For a second she leaned into his hand, but it was brief. She straightened and visibly composed herself.

Clenching his teeth to avoid the memories, Zach leveled Marie with his intense, blue gaze. "Have you forgotten?"

She shook her head.

"I haven't either. I won't. Emery's too special to dishonor who she is now, who she's become."

"My daughter disappeared that night," Marie said sadly.

Though he had expected many things from Marie, Zach's eyes went wide. The finality of her words took him by surprise, no small feat considering, and he frowned at her. "Those are very strong words."

"She never returned to me." Marie waved her hands as she struggled to find the words to convey her meaning. "She was here; she completed high school and then college in this house. But she was never here. It was just her and her art. She spoke through her art."

Zach felt the heat of an angry flush stain his cheeks. "Do you mean she's still not speaking?"

"Oh no, she can speak." Marie sighed as she thought of her daughter's injuries. "Perhaps not the same clear voice she had as a child, but she's able to speak. She just chose not to."

When she saw his continued confusion, she explained further. "She left as soon as she was able. I hear from her when she wants to contact me. I don't know where she lives or have her address. As soon as she was able to leave me, she did."

Marie's voice broke as she finished speaking, and it was then Zach realized just how painful it was for her. Having seen similar reactions from family members too many times to count, his response was automatic. "It wasn't your fault," he said gruffly.

"I didn't protect my daughter, and she hates me for it."

"That's not true."

The smile she offered him wavered. "I don't blame her for hating me. She never should've gone through what she did. I should've been home for her. The least I can do now is respect her wish for privacy."

Sensing the growing emotion, Zach realized it was time to regain control of the conversation. Swiftly changing the subject, he gave her hand another squeeze. "Did they tell you why they were here, Marie?"

She sighed. "Yes, I'm family and was warned as well."

"You know they can find her." It was not a question. Rather it was a statement hopefully imparting the seriousness of the situation. Unfortunately, it did not work, for Marie just shook her head.

"Not through me. She had no other friends."

Zach grimaced. "We have no leads, but they might. Are you taking precautions?"

She gave him another of her brief smiles. "When the school year's complete, I'm finally going to return to the Nation to visit my sister. I've been a coward too long. It's time I return. Dollie's been praying for Emery since I called."

"She has?" A cynical smile deepened the corners of his mouth.

"Yes. I haven't seen her in a long time, and I'll be far enough away to be forgotten by anyone looking for me."

In all the years he had known his former neighbors, the family had been much of a mystery to him. Though Zach knew Marie's ex-husband had never been in the picture, he still considered him a viable lead. "What about Emery's father?"

Marie's brows shot up in surprise. "Luke?"

Zach nodded. "Yes. Collins, right? Did you ever tell him what happened? Could he and Emery have reconciled?"

With lips pressed together tightly, Marie shook her head. "I did notify him, but he never came. You know he left us when she was born? He never tried to see Emery – not once. She didn't even blink when the letter came that he died."

"He passed away?"

"Heart attack. Six years ago."

Zach made a mental note to check out Luke Collin's background. In his experience, people did not just disappear without help from someone. If Emery had no friends and did not communicate her plans to her mother, she had to have had help from someone.

"And did she finish college?"

At this change of subject, he saw Marie's face grow less guarded. "She did. She graduated with honor from the Academy of Art University."

Hearing the pride in Marie's voice made Zach smile. Inside, he made another note to research the school. Perhaps she made some friends there that her mother did not know about. "I'm glad to hear that. She was always a smart girl."

"She began to communicate visually instead of verbally, Zach. Some of her earliest work was devastating to view."

A not uncommon response, he thought sadly. "Did it ease over time?"

"Perhaps a little. I wouldn't know."

"So she just up and left you one day without a word?"

Marie shrugged. "Pretty much, yes. She was always a strong and determined girl. One day she packed some stuff into her car and drove away. As I said, it feels like my daughter vanished that evening and left a stranger in her place."

"Don't say that," Zach said firmly.

"No matter whom we hired for counseling or what the doctors said, she was gone. In her place was a stranger – a loner – a person who wanted to disappear. I wasn't strong enough to help her."

Zach felt a twinge of guilt when he heard the hopelessness in Marie's voice. His overprotectiveness of the child he grew up with apparently had not eased over the years of denial. No matter how much he wanted to reject it, he still remembered watching Emery grow up. Now it appeared as though things had gotten out of control during a time when solidarity was needed the most.

If anyone could find her, he knew he could. Coming to his feet, he downed the rest of his water and stared at the woman who had been a second mother to him. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he smiled grimly. "I'll find her, Marie, and I'll bring her back for you."

He spoke with more certainty than he felt, but he was determined to help this fractured family. Not only was it his job, but it was also his heart. Emery deserved no less.

"In that case, start in Colorado," Marie said as she walked him back to the door. "I had a Christmas card postmarked from there last winter. It was the last time I heard from her."

He paused. "Do you still have it?"

"Of course I do. I'll get it for you."

For the first time during his entire visit, Zach felt as though there might be some hope. He watched Marie disappear upstairs before his gaze wandered to the dining room, where a large, framed desert landscape painted in oil hung on the wall. He was surprised to realize he had not noticed it when he first entered the house. Apparently he had been more nervous than he thought, for the painting was striking. The realism was startling, and Zach approached with a feeling of awe at the detail and beauty of the familiar scene before him. Four Peaks was a mountain to the east of Chandler, a majestic sight soaring into four, jagged peaks. It was a spot he had once taken Emery for a picnic when he first obtained his driver's license. They found a rattlesnake that day, and eleven-year-old Emery had shrieked and then screamed in terror when he threatened to pick it up.

Smiling wistfully, he continued to study the painting before him with interest. The artist had even cast the shadows of the jagged peak with minute detail. He was still lost in the minutiae when Marie returned and saw him studying it.

"That's one of hers," she commented. "It was the first one I was able to display. I had to beg her to stop those pencil drawings and focus instead on life, nature and the innocence of animal life. She finally took one of my suggestions, and look at how beautiful it is."

"She's very good," he said softly. Though definitely not an art aficionado, Zach was enthralled with the scene before him. "Her color schemes are so natural, and her attention to detail is amazing. It almost looks like a photograph."

"That's what the art critics said when she was displaying her work."

When he reluctantly tore his gaze away from the painting, he looked down to see Marie smiling at him in a knowing way. Apparently he was not the first person to be awestruck by her talent. Feeling his cheeks grow warm, he shifted his gaze to her hand. She held an envelope.

"You found it."

Holding out her hand, she passed it to him, and he studied it carefully. Though there was no return address, the postmark was clear. Colorado. He suddenly remembered Banks' comment to go visit the Rockies. So, his boss had been onto something there.

"What are you going to do now?" Marie asked.

Still staring down at the envelope, Zach shrugged. His voice was clipped and matter-of-fact. "Book a flight to Denver."

***

Following up with Emery's college first, Zach had no luck in tracking down any friends. After wasting time tracking down her instructors, he learned the same thing from every one of them. No, Emery had no known friends. Yes, she was highly talented. No, she did not leave any indication of her plans. Failing there, he turned his attention to her deceased father. Luckily, it was short work for Zach to locate Luke Collins. Within a few calls, he had a file in an encrypted email that gave him all the information he needed to begin his search for Emery in Colorado. However, with the material in hand he felt an even greater sense of urgency. The ease with which he was able to track down Collins meant that anyone with connections could do the same. That meant he had to move fast. He had to get to her before they did.

The envelope Marie had given him was postmarked from a small community to the west of Denver called Idaho Springs. An Internet search showed a picturesque town founded during a gold rush back in the 1800s. With the Phoenix area population growing to well over three million, finding a small town with around 2,000 residents was almost novel, but that could be dangerous if Emery was there. People in small towns tended to know one another and secrets were hard to come by.

Continuing his research, he viewed the restored mining settlement, with its small art galleries and neat, modest homes. The historic main street was cozy, consisting of well-maintained, old west buildings nestled on a narrow road with plenty of tourist appeal.

Pulling up a map of the area, he plotted out the information he had received so far. Luke Collins had owned property in Idaho Springs. First it was a bare lot bordering the pristine forest land, but he later applied for a permit to erect a building. Over the next several years, water and electricity lines were added, and in Zach's opinion it could be a nice spot to hide out in. His research on the property's title did not show it had been sold. Chances were pretty good that as soon as he obtained a copy of Collins' Last Will, he would see that the property had been passed down to Emery.

At least that was the hope.

Suitcase packed, he placed a call to Banks to give him the news. His boss was abrupt as always. "What have you learned?"

"I have a flight to Denver in the morning. I'll be there by noon," Zach said, staring at the suitcase waiting by the door.

"I have nothing on my end, but not for lack of trying. They're still focusing on Texas, trying to get more details on the van that forced them off the road."

"Locally?"

"Everyone here is on high alert. Our contacts will let us know if they see any heightened activity or hear any news. I'll keep you in the loop, don't worry."

"I'm counting on that," Zach said stiffly. Though still annoyed at being sent away, he knew he could still do his part from Colorado. There was no way he was going to let Augustin get away. Banks was right; it was personal.

"I need you there. I couldn't come up with anyone better for that job," Banks said impatiently.

"Unofficially, of course."

"Exactly."

Zach ran a hand down his face and sighed wearily. Put that way, he knew he would have objected loudly if Banks had offered to send someone else. Emery was his responsibility. They had history.

"I'll check back when I've got her. I have the file and a starting off point. Shouldn't be long."

"That's what I'm hoping for."

Zach chuckled, but there was little humor in his voice. "That makes two of us."

"I have faith in you. You know what you're doing."

Though the compliment was appreciated, Zach changed the subject quickly. "Marie's finishing out the school year then going north. I think her sister's up in Window Rock."

"She mentioned that to the guys who went over there."

"She'll be taken care of while I'm gone?"

"Naturally."

"Good."

Reassured, Zach signed off and leaned his head against the back of his sofa. On his lap rested his laptop, still open to a photograph of the Argo Gold Mine and Mill. The large, brick red building provided a stark contrast to the golden sand and green pine trees on the hills around it. An obvious building in an unobtrusive foreground...perhaps Emery would stand out for him in much the same way.

One could only hope.

### Chapter 3

The red squirrel held a pine seed and began to chatter noisily when JJ came galloping back into the meadow. However, it bravely held its ground while the intruder explored the perimeter of the clearing. Angrily voicing its displeasure, the squirrel began to vocalize a longer, warning call, a sound almost as eerie as a Maine loon. The noise caught JJ's attention, and he raised his nose from the ground, ears perked in awareness.

"Oh no," she whispered. She knew what that meant.

Sure enough, JJ caught sight of the squirrel and crouched slightly, gathering up his strength before he came bounding back in her direction at full speed. The 120 pounds of solid muscle and ferocious features were softened only by the long, undocked tail that wagged excitedly from side to side.

Emery Flores watched his approach with an indulgent smile from her spot several feet from the tree. She would have called out for JJ to stop, but the sight of him eagerly approaching his old friend was too amusing to resist. With one last angry call, the squirrel scurried back up the tree, where it began to chatter furiously once more from a higher position. Though safe, it remained wary and kept a close eye on JJ as he fervently sniffed where his prey had been relaxing. He quickly grew bored and ran off just seconds later, but the scene of the squirrel was lost. Though the sketch was not complete, Emery felt she had enough to work with. She gathered up her pencils, stuffed them in the pocket of her heavy parka and closed her sketch pad while she scanned the meadow for JJ. As was usual, after growing bored he went in search of new and exciting things to toy with and had already snuffled his way across the meadow. Confident he would catch up, she rose from the log she had been sitting on and began her trek back to the house without him. The morning may have been cut short, but she was eager to start the new project anyway.

After stumbling upon a New York Times article reporting that the nearly out of control pine tree bark beetle infestation was being caused by global warming, Emery had begun a series of new images. They were planned to display the wildlife that depended on the pine forests for survival. The last she heard, nearly 3.5 million acres had been destroyed by the pesky insects in the last 15 years. Once beautiful green mountainsides were now discolored by the dead trees, trees turning red with the agony of their demise.

Giving one last glance at the pristine hillside behind her home, Emery sighed softly. Luckily, her small corner of the world had not yet been hit. But talk in town warned her of the impending arrival. Something had to be done soon, and she was eager to do her part. A portion of the profits of her new project were being sent to the Forest Service to aid their unending fight to regain control, and that meant she had much work to do. Spring was approaching fast, and she had set herself a deadline to have the full exhibit done by fall. There was no time to waste.

The ground beneath her boots was soggy as she crossed the meadow to return to the trail back to her home. Though the trail itself was still thick with snow, the meadow had melted and green shoots of fresh grass were appearing. The dampness that coated her boots was just another reminder that spring was imminent. This was her favorite time of year, the time when the forest came back to life. New life.

With JJ happily trailing behind her, Emery entered the wooded trail that led back to the cabin. In the shadow of the pines, the temperature was noticeably cooler, and she shivered when the breeze struck her uncovered cheeks. Though her steps never faltered, she reached up and pulled her zipper higher around her chin to keep her neck warm. The day was growing cloudy already, and she heard on the news that winter had not yet given up its hold on the mountains. Another storm was fast approaching. It promised more snow, which meant solitude and quiet for her to get some work done.

Still hugging her pad to her chest, she followed the path that had been worn down by her frequent treks to the hidden meadow. Though she had neighbors on both sides, not many hiked out far enough behind their property into the forest to find the secluded spot. It was now her favorite area to come for peace and solitude. Many of her pieces of art originated in the small hunting hide she had erected near the copse of pines on the north end of the meadow. But instead of threatening the wildlife with a hunting rifle, she painted, sculpted or carved them.

By the time the small cabin nestled among the tall, lodgepole pines came into sight, the sky had darkened even more. The cabin had originally been erected in a small clearing between two separate stands of the magnificent trees, and the location was effective at hiding the cabin from view on all sides. It definitely granted her the privacy she craved. While she liked it, and in fact preferred it that way, the seclusion did not come without some work. When winter storms came in, it was necessary to view the trees objectively to see if any branches were in danger of falling on the house. Things had shifted slightly since the last storm, but she was relieved to note that everything still appeared solid. Though not afraid of hard work, the risk of taking down branches alone was not one she took lightly. All it would take was one simple mistake, and she could be critically hurt. But today she was off the hook, and her steps were lighter as she completed her trek through the snowy path. With one less thing to do out in the cold and increasingly cloudy day, she hurried inside to make a cup of hot tea and some lunch before she started her preparations.

After a quick shower and a tally of all her batteries, Emery settled into her normal routine of checking her closet-sized pantry. With the nearest warehouse club over 30 miles away in Littleton, she had made a deal with Faith. The owner of the gallery where she displayed her work was her eyes and ears in town. Her son Gage was also her handyman, a burly young man who initially provided the extra muscle she needed when she remodeled her cabin from a hunting retreat into a home. In reward, she had given him her old car when he obtained his driver's license, and that move had earned her a strong set of muscles eager to help her out. In addition to being her only friends, the two completed her shopping in Littleton while she maintained the yearly dues for all of them. It was a trade-off that suited them well.

Done more out of habit than necessity, she took a tally rather quickly. During Gage's last trip for supplies, she had stocked up on almost all the canned goods and bottled water she could need to get by. With meat stored in a freezer in her garage below the cabin, she was confident she would be set for this storm.

Turning her attention to the television, she scanned through the channels until she found the weather report. Winter storms, despite their danger, were her favorite time of year. She felt safest when the roads were blocked and there was a blizzard raging outside. Every other time, she was always on guard. The feeling that something bad was going to happen never truly went away.

Over the sound of the television, she could hear the wind picking up outside. The storm was forecasted to arrive in early evening, yet she deduced she would have only a couple more hours before the first flakes fell.

Pursing her lips, she realized the weather forecasters had a nearly impossible job of trying to be right all of the time. Jeez, even when she lived in Arizona they could never get the monsoon storms right. She smiled briefly as she remembered Zach once placing a bet on a date for when it would arrive, but it quickly faded. With the memory of Zach's teasing and joking came darker memories, ones she had no urge to revisit. That life was over, she thought fiercely. All she had left to do was bring up some wood from the pile out back and make sure she had enough sand to make the pathway safe. With that thought in mind, she pushed the memories of Arizona away and came to her feet to prepare for another trek outside in the cold.

Named after the famous naturalist and painter, John James Audubon, her loyal dog and constant companion raised his head eagerly when she pulled on her boots, his tail thumping rapidly against the throw rug in the great room. Eager for a trip back outside, JJ began to come to his feet, but she held up a hand to stay him. Having him along when carrying wood to the house was a treacherous risk, for her enthusiastic buddy often cut her off and even once tripped her. She smiled when his head sullenly dropped back to the floor, and he gave her a mournful stare with eyes that bemoaned her decision to leave him behind. However, he obediently remained where he laid even though his ears perked as she hurried out into the wind.

The cold greeted her immediately when she closed the door behind her. The wind chill had grown bitter as quickly as the sky had darkened, and she pulled her beanie lower on her forehead reflexively to ward off the biting gusts. With hurried steps, she went around the back of the house to begin gathering up the wood. Knowing her list of chores was nearly complete, she worked quickly, the actions of one who had done the same countless times. It was a relief to know she had only a few more things to do before she could buckle down and get to work while the storm raged safely outside.

Little did she know her day was only just beginning.

***

After passing the elusive driveway three times, Zach finally spotted the overgrown and well-hidden dirt road leading to the small cabin he was almost certain Emery now called home. In what ended up being a very frustrating visit to Idaho Springs, Zach had begun to doubt he would ever find the place. In fact, when he finally recognized Emery's artwork in the window of one of the quaint galleries on the main street, he had tried to charm the owner into giving him information. She had not budged, forcing him to flash his credentials before she reluctantly gave him cautious and rudimentary directions.

Having tried everything with the exception of bullying to find out more about Emery's possible whereabouts, he finally conceded he was not surprised that she chose Idaho Springs to live. The town itself was picturesque and small, but the quiet residents were evidently very protective of their own. Contrary to what he originally thought, if Emery wanted a place to hide she had certainly found support in that loyal group.

He turned into the heavily forested drive with some hesitation. While the unwelcoming entry could be explained if Emery did live here, if not, he could possibly be facing a very angry, very private homeowner. His concern grew as he eased the rental car to a gentle stop before a closed and locked gate surrounded by a rusted chain that appeared as old as the surrounding trees themselves.

Sighing in frustration, Zach put the rental in park and shut down the engine. The day had gone from partly cloudy to gray skies, and the wind chill had dropped noticeably. He was neither dressed for the changing weather nor looking forward to the snow he had been warned about at the gallery. Time was growing short to find Emery. If he was in the wrong place, he would have to pack it up for the day, or possibly days according the shop owner, and try again when everything cleared.

Avoiding the snow banks as best he could, he climbed over the driveway gate that blocked entry to the narrow concrete and wood bridge spanning a rushing creek below. He could hear the water racing below and almost feel it rumbling under his feet. It made him wonder how any drivers gained the courage to drive over the narrow bridge with no railings, knowing what lay below.

Through the dense trees he could see what appeared to be a small log cabin ahead, but it was well hidden and cast in shadow. Nevertheless, he crossed the bridge and made his way down the drive, listening to the rushing water grow more distant as he left the main road and rental car behind.

"If she wanted privacy, she sure got it," he muttered while instinctively confirming the reassuring presence of his firearm under his jacket.

The drive was dirt, and the frozen ground was uneven under his oxfords. Though mostly clear of snow in the tire tread marks, he still mentally reprimanded himself again for not preparing for the weather. In Phoenix the temperatures were already reaching this area's summer highs, while here it was still winter. A fact he was very well aware of in each and every blast of the ice-cold air that seemed to blow right through him.

Picking his way along, he watched the small cabin come into view. It was quaint and nestled between two large stands of pine trees. Well shaded and well hidden, his first view was of two windows on the first floor and two windows above that followed the peaked roofline. A small flight of stairs led up to a porch that disappeared around the side. The front door lay midway down the length of the cabin with large glass windows on either side. Unfortunately, they were covered by heavy blinds at the moment, and of course they were closed.

Zach was shivering by the time he reached the stairs, and he hurried to the door with new urgency. The sooner he checked the place out, the sooner he could escape the freezing wind. With knuckles turning red from the cold, he reached out and knocked, and naturally received no answer.

Except for the sudden shifting of a large weight with claws that he could hear scamper across the floor and jump against the door. From there it escalated into noise, a lot of noise.

Over the barking of what appeared to be a large and ferocious dog, Zach could hear the sound of a television and knew for certain there had been some activity in the house recently. Sighing in frustration, he was again reminded that he would have to resume his search after the storm passed if Emery was not at this location. Stubbornly he waited, his keen ears hoping for some movement inside that indicated someone was home - aside from the guard dog.

After what seemed an eternity with no response, Zach was again undecided. Did he wait out in the cold or retreat to his car? If the homeowner was out somewhere, he or she could not return without pulling behind his little rental, which currently blocked the gate. He could wait there and hope for the best. But still he hesitated. There was no clear view of the house from the end of the driveway. If he returned to the shelter of the car, he would not be able to watch for activity.

He sank to the steps, ignoring the ferocious guard dog and cupping his hands in front of his mouth. Within moments, he was shivering harder. The cold slap of reality was almost as brutal as the biting wind. It would be foolish to remain out in the elements dressed in oxfords, slacks and a light jacket. Though unaccustomed to defeat, he grudgingly accepted he would have to wait somewhere out of the cold.

Just as he was accepting the setback, he heard the sound of tentative footsteps crunching through the snow from around the back of the cabin. Though moving slowly, he could still tell that the weight was slight and most likely female. Relief rushed through him as she came into sight, and he knew even before he saw the petite figure in the oversized parka that he had found Emery.

Watching her approach between the two large pine railings that hid him from her view, Zach waited to confirm her identity before revealing himself. Though covered from head to toe and holding a bundle of wood against her chest, he caught a glimpse of the small, straight nose when she turned to look questioningly at the now-empty doorway, behind which the dog was still growling menacingly. Her large, green eyes, still framed with long, black lashes, were wide with a mixture of apprehension and confusion. After years of staring into those emerald depths, he knew those eyes almost as well as his own. He came to his feet with a surge of triumph that his frustrating search was over.

"You should know by now I always win hide and seek, Squirt," he said in greeting.

A low, strangled cry was her response, and the wood she carried fell to the ground at her feet when her arms dropped lifelessly to her side. His triumphant smile faded slightly as he realized there was no welcome in the green eyes he knew so well. Instead, she stared at him in pure terror. Holding out a placating hand, he offered her a more tentative smile. "I'm sorry, Em. I didn't mean to scare you."

Though she remained motionless, almost frozen to the spot, Zach caught the panic in her eyes before she rapidly blinked it away. He stood still and allowed her to absorb his presence with a mixture of shock, awe, and fear all jumbled on her heart shaped face. As recognition slowly dawned, the color drained from her tawny cheeks, everywhere except for her nose which remained pink from the cold. Her lips parted into an O of surprise.

Moving cautiously down the stairs, Zach held her gaze as he slowly approached and bent to pick up the kindling at her feet. She never moved, though her wary gaze watched his every movement. Gathering up the wood in his arms, he straightened with a half-smile and took a step back. "So Squirt, how've you been?"

After staring at him curiously for a few moments, she cocked her head to the side and frowned. Not sure how to interpret that, Zach felt what was left of his smile begin to fade. It was gone by the time she gave him a wide berth as she passed him and climbed up the stairs, pulling open the door with a single glance over her shoulder. One brow was raised in question, so he took that as an invitation and followed behind her into the warmth of the house.

The scent of wood smoke greeted him as the warmth of the cabin thankfully enveloped him. Compared to the relatively simple exterior, he was surprised to notice that the inside of her cabin was inviting and cozy. Nestled between a small kitchen and dining room, the doorway opened into a great room that spanned the entire width of the home. It was open to the ceiling, and the thick pine beams above were solid and dramatic. On the opposite side of the house, a spiral pine staircase led to a small loft above. The staircase itself was an eye-catching work of artistry that belied the bland impression he had received outside.

There was a massive stone fireplace across the room that travelled from floor to ceiling, and the stove insert was radiating much welcomed heat. He wanted to make his way over to the fireplace, but he remained cautiously by the door as Emery soothed the giant Rottweiler who did not appear any more pleased to see him than he had sounded. The dog was enormous, appearing to take up half of the great room with just his massive head alone. Emery did not bend when she placed her hand on his head and made several random hand gestures that had the beast of a dog approach him and give him a curious sniff.

Although never one to fear dogs, Zach had learned in his time not to take them for granted. Shifting his bundle in an effort to gain freedom for one hand, he held it out, palm down, and remained still while the monster sniffed him. After what seemed an eternity, the dog gave a cautious wag of his tail before turning and lumbering back to the rug in the great room, plopping down with a contented groan.

"Nice dog," Zach commented.

Emery, who had remained silent the entire time, offered him another raised brow. The hostility in her gaze was not mistaken, and he could feel his frustration begin to spike. Still unsure how to take her cold reception, he paused to remember everything she had gone through and the resulting scars she most certainly carried.

Just as he was about to determine she still did not speak, she nodded her head in the direction of a handsomely carved pine box resting alongside the fireplace. "You can drop those in there."

She spoke slowly, as if measuring out her words, and he was startled by the sound of her voice. It had changed much in the ten years since he saw her last. Sadly, her once high-pitched and girlish voice had been altered from her attack to a husky tone more suitable for a phone sex goddess than a petite, slip of a girl with such a traumatic past.

Although normally very good at hiding his emotions, Zach still turned to place the bundle in the box in case any of the surprise he felt was displayed on his face. Once he finished, he turned back to see that she had removed her heavy parka and hat and was hanging them on a peg by the door. No longer just a lanky teenager, Emery had developed into a curvaceous woman dressed in a thick turtleneck and skinny jeans that seemed to match the tantalizing voice that nearly knocked him off his feet. Shoulder length, thick black hair spun around her face in wayward strands when she faced him. Though mentally prepared for Emery's reclusive change in personality by Marie, Zach had not been prepared for the other changes in her. In his mind's eye, he still saw the child she used to be, and the reminder of how much time had passed saddened him as much as it shocked him.

"You look great," Zach said before he could stop himself.

She was lovely, almost startlingly so. The turtleneck she wore hid the most obvious of her scars, leaving the face he recognized but almost did not, with the same dainty nose, full lips and almond-shaped, emerald eyes that had always captivated him when she was trying to charm him into doing something when they were young. But this woman before him was no longer a child.

Shrugging off his lame compliment, Emery waved a hand in the direction of her sofa. "Sit down. I'll make some tea, and we can discuss why you're here."

Again she spoke slowly, and Zach wondered if it had something to do with her injury rather than distaste for him. Pity creased his brow. She had been through so much in her short life, and it bothered him more than he thought it would that she was hiding away in such a remote area.

Though she was not giving him the warm welcome he had hoped for, he was still inside. He planned to make the best of it, and the soft leather and cloth sofa with overstuffed pillows was a lot closer to the fireplace than the doorway. He crossed the room and sat down as close to the fireplace as he could get while the beast of a dog watched him warily.

With the light from the floor to ceiling windows taking up the entire back of the house, Zach was able to see the kitchen clearly from his vantage point. Stainless appliances and golden silver granite counters matched the high-gloss pine cabinets nicely and added to the cool but functional feel inside the cabin. He bit back a smile. She may be remote, but she certainly was not lacking the comforts of home. A flat screen television was mounted on the wall, and it was tuned to The Weather Channel. Currently the meteorologist was speaking through a pricey surround sound system resting upon the glossy pine shelving unit below.

"This is a nice place," he commented.

She did not turn from her task of pulling down a pair of mugs from one of the cabinets, but his astute gaze easily picked up the tension in the way she moved. Her shoulders were stiff, and her hands appeared to be shaking so badly at one point that the tea bag missed one of the mugs entirely.

Deciding silence was the best route to take for now, Zach settled back in the plush sofa and rested his head against the soft cushions. Despite the lack of pictures on the wall and the sparse furnishings, her small cabin hidden in the woods had a homier feel than his condo did. While he continued to wait, he allowed his gaze to continue absorbing his surroundings. There was a lot to learn about a person when seeing the way they lived. Not surprisingly, his first impression of Emery was that she was someone who cared little for fluff and circumstance, preferring to maintain a simple, yet comfortable, lifestyle. In addition to the furniture and stove, a lone pine bookshelf rested against the far wall. Scanning the titles, he noticed grimly that she preferred thrillers and horror rather than light comedies or romance. From his vantage point, he could barely make out the contents of the loft. Of what he could see, only paints and canvases filled that area. Obviously, that was her workspace. He could not see what lay beyond the kitchen, but assumed it was her bedroom and bathroom. He wondered if it had the same unassuming, comfortable furnishings as the main room had.

The tea kettle began to whistle, and Zach returned his attention to the enigmatic woman in the small kitchen. He watched as Emery poured out the boiling water with the ease of one used to the chore. Judging by the cold weather that made his bones ache, he could imagine her sipping tea all day just to keep her insides warm. If he lived here, he would like nothing more than to do just that.

She returned slowly to the great room, and he came to his feet to meet her. In the light pouring through the windows, he was once again struck by how beautiful she had become. So familiar and yet so different from his memories of the child he once knew. With a small smile, he reached for one of the mugs, but he saw the tightening of her lips as his fingers brushed hers.

The awkward silence remained as they regained their seats, with him on the sofa and Emery perching on the edge of the footrest in front of the single chair by the fireplace. Her monstrous dog plopped down beside her immediately, resting his head on her knee while she absently stroked him with her free hand. It seemed to reassure her slightly, for the hand holding her tea began to tremble less with the dog's protective presence.

Taking a sip of the warm tea, Zach watched her with concern. This was not the girl he had known since she was barely out of toddler years. Her eyes no longer shone with innocent adoration when she looked at him. Instead, she remained guarded and hostile, her eyes narrowing with undisguised resentment. Marie had been right. She appeared to be someone else entirely.

"It's good to see you again, Squirt," he said softly.

He had hoped using his pet name for her would cause her to lighten up a bit, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. Her cheeks colored just enough for him to notice, and her lips narrowed into a thin line. Her voice was clipped and unwelcoming. "What brings you here, Zach?"

"I came to see you."

"Why?"

Zach's own gaze narrowed at her continued terseness. "I haven't seen you in ten years, Emery. I wanted to see how you were doing..."

"So you flew up here?"

"I'm on vacation and thought I'd stop by."

"You're not dressed for Colorado." She stared pointedly at his jacket, her gaze slow as it travelled down his length to his shoes. He had the undeniable urge to squirm but held it in. Unaccustomed to being on the other side of an interrogation, he decided then that he did not like it. Not one bit.

"I wasn't aware of a blizzard coming until I reached town. I thought it was spring. I was expecting flowers and run off, not snow."

She scoffed at him. "They've been talking about it all week."

"Well, I just landed today," he retorted.

She frowned in mistrust. "I thought you said you were on vacation? What did you do? Land, get a car and drive out here?"

His lips curved into a smile. He attempted his most charming one but feared it did not reach his eyes. "That pretty much sums it up, yes."

Her eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"To see you."

"Me? Specifically?"

"Yes," he replied. "Is that so bad?"

"There was no standing invite," she said coolly.

Stung, Zach grimaced. "I didn't realize I'd need one after all the years we've known each other."

She studied him with her wary, intense gaze over the rim of her tea cup. There was no weakening of her resolve there, just pure, complete dismay. "It would've been nice if you had contacted me first."

"I would've if I'd known where you were," Zach muttered.

"I prefer my privacy."

"I've heard that about you. It's a shame, Squirt."

"How did you find me anyway?" Emery's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

Growing tired of the unwavering questions, he decided to be up front about it. "Look, Em, I came to see you because the victim notification you requested went to your mother's house. I had to see you and discuss what's happened in person."

As though a veil had dropped over her face, all emotion fled, but he noticed the trembling in her hand again. She sipped her tea and gazed out the set of doors between the many windows lining the back of the house. For a moment, Zach wondered if she was going to make a run for them, but she turned back to him and spoke again in her low, carefully measured voice. "The snow started. Perhaps we should discuss this once the storm's passed. I don't want you to go off the road on your way back."

He opened his mouth to protest, but she abruptly came to her feet. The beast of a dog quickly rose by her side and hurried before her to the door, leaving Zach alone on the sofa.

Turning slightly, she glanced at him over her shoulder expectantly. "I'll walk you out."

Left with no other choice, Zach also rose and set his mug on the counter while she pulled on her coat. Though disappointed with the way this visit had turned out, he hoped she just needed time to come to grips with his sudden arrival.

"I imagine you don't have any chains with you?"

Chains? As the thought hit, he shook his head.

She sighed. "Yes, better that you leave now."

Zach hesitated. Wanting to reach out but afraid to touch her, he leaned down to capture her gaze. "If I leave, will you let me come back, Emery?"

She avoided his stare. "Of course I will."

"Okay, just checking." He smiled again, but she was too caught up in opening the door to see it.

She stood on the porch watching as he walked away, her hands gripping the railing as though she could become a part of the cabin itself. While he made his way down the porch and to the steps, he worried about what would happen the next time he appeared. Deep inside, he feared she would be long gone when he next saw this cabin, and that left him feeling strangely hollow. As he stepped out onto the bridge, he turned one last time and waved.

Unsurprisingly, she did not raise a hand in response.

### Chapter 4

Emery allowed the freezing wind to lash at her cheeks as she watched Zach stride away. In just a matter of minutes, she felt as though her life had been turned upside down and was now tumbling around her like a tower of children's blocks. Everything was rushing back to her now. All those years of blocking and trying desperately not to remember came to a startling end. With one look at the tall, broad shouldered and burly man with the gentle, blue eyes who she had worshipped above all others, everything came rushing back.

Why now?

Gripping the deck railing so tightly her fingers ached, Emery watched Zach stride down the long drive. Her heart was still racing painfully in her chest, and her hands grew chilled due to the sweat on her palms. What was happening was very real. It had all been real, every miserable, horrifying moment. Even now as she stood in silent shock, her mind numb from all the horrible memories, she wished it all away. She wished him away. She wished Zachary Evans had never found her.

The solitude she found in this small cabin in the wintery woods was just what she had needed to build a life. While her mother never saw it as a productive one, to her it meant everything. She liked her solitude, she liked not having neighbors too close, and more than anything she liked not seeing people every single day. She just wanted to be left alone. Her mother may have been right when she accused Emery of running away during that final bitter argument, but she preferred it that way. She thought of it as self-preservation.

However, hiding had not worked. She had been found, and the heavy wet flakes of snow that whirled around Zach's dark head seemed more of a threat now rather than the welcome reprieve she had recently looked forward to. Whether she wanted to accept it or not, Zach was here and determined to see her. Resentment made her frown, but she forced herself to remember that Zach had no idea the effect he had on her. He had saved her life, but he also brought the memories of that tragic night back to life.

As she watched him move farther away, into the cover of the tall pine trees that shaded her house from the road, sadness suddenly sliced into her heart. Where it came from she was not sure, but it was there nonetheless. Sadness for watching her closest childhood friend fade into the shadows and take with him all connections to the mother she had shunned perhaps? It was a strange longing overpowering everything else currently overwhelming her, and she pushed the melancholy aside to return to later – once she was alone again.

At the foot of the bridge, Zach paused one more time and turned to wave. She watched him raise his hand but could not find the strength to return his hopeful gesture. It was just too difficult. With a slight hesitation, his arm dropped back to his side, and his head dipped in disappointment when he turned around again.

Oh, but he was even more handsome than she remembered, the very essence of male. His thick, dark hair and strong jaw were more mature and striking, and the years had been kind to him. Still muscular and tone, she felt the tug on her heart that she had always felt when he was near, but this time it was different. Too much time had passed; too many things had happened. Their friendship had run its course.

Preparing herself for seeing the last of him, she compressed her lips together and began to turn away when a flash of black appeared in the corner of her eye. JJ was running at full speed toward the driveway in pursuit of some unseen animal. Too late to call out a warning, she watched in horror as her 120 pound, muscular dog rounded the residual snow bank and ran headlong into Zach from behind. One minute he was returning to his vehicle; the next he was gone from sight, losing his footing on the slippery bank and unceremoniously knocked over the side of the narrow bridge into the rushing water below.

With a startled cry, Emery momentarily froze in shock. Pushing all resentful and selfish thoughts aside, she hurried down the stairs and ran through the hard-packed remaining snow down to the rushing creek. It was several feet deep around her property, she and Gage had seen to that two springs ago, and the currents at the moment were strong. Heading toward the spot where the creek was shallow enough for him to regain his footing, Emery hoped for the best. The water was bitterly cold and treacherous. If Zach was unable to get his feet under him and make it to the side, she could lose him forever. Though the snow lining the bank was still deep in spots and made her trek slower than she wished, when she arrived at the edge Zach was already making his way to the bank.

Trembling all over with relief, her voice was breathless when she halted before him. "Are you okay?"

"Your beast pushed me over the side," he replied through violently chattering teeth.

Emery pushed a branch away from her face and went to the water's edge. The snow was deep in the shadow of the trees lining the bank, and Zach's shoes were already packed. Coupled with his dousing in the nearly freezing water, she knew she had to get him warm quick. "I saw. Are you okay?"

He scowled. "Of course. I came up here specifically to try bathing in freezing water." One brow rose in disbelief. "Seriously, Em?"

For the briefest of moments, Emery considered smiling. Despite her view of him being a harbinger of trauma, the sight of such a large man standing in a snowstorm, sopping wet, and looking blue around lips currently spewing sarcasm would have been amusing if it were not so dangerous. Pulling off her parka, she held it out to him. He swatted it away and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"That was a dumb question," she stated.

"Ya think?"

"Okay. Take the coat until we get inside."

"I don't want your coat. It's cold and windy. You need it," he growled.

"But I'm dry and you're not."

"Tell me something I don't know."

A sudden gust of wind and blowing snow abruptly ended the conversation. Zach had moved further up the bank, but his entire body was shuddering, making his steps painfully slow. Emery shook her head in frustration. "Let's go before hypothermia sets in."

Despite his shivering, the exasperated look he sent her way made her aware that again she had stated the obvious. "Too late."

"Okay." Sighing, Emery pointed to the house meaningfully.

The journey back to the cabin was long and slow. JJ ran circles around them, and Zach continued to glare at him with dangerously narrowed eyes. Biting her lip with worry, Emery could sense his misery and discomfort on top of the rage he was feeling toward her dog. He did not speak, but the chattering of his teeth and wild shivers making his steps uneven spoke volumes. She led the way as best she could by holding back branches and testing the snow banks to make sure the path was safe, but he still stumbled on several occasions. With rising concern, she feared one misstep might see him falling and unable to rise.

The sight of her front door was more welcome than ever. Zach's legs were barely able to make it up the steps, but his sheer force of will paid off as one after another tackled each stair. She saw the tightening around his blue lips, and his pale face made his determined blue gaze seem even brighter than before. As she opened the door to the cabin, Emery realized the seriousness of their situation. There was no way she could send him away now, and that meant he was not driving anywhere before the storm eased.

"I'll start the bath," she said as soon as they were inside. "Get out of those clothes."

Hurrying into the bathroom, she began filling the tub. Pulling out a stack of towels, she grabbed two and raced back to the fireplace where Zach was still standing and shivering. "Why aren't you undressing?"

He glanced down at his hands. "My fingers won't work... Numb."

Staring up at him hopelessly, she wondered if she could help him remove his soaked clothing. The idea terrified her, and her panicked gaze met his. "I don't think... I don't know."

"Oh come on, Em. I've never done anything to you to earn your dislike."

Emery winced at the anger and disbelief combined on his face. Of course he had no idea of her distaste for physical contact. How could he when she had not seen him in ten years? Gritting her teeth in indecision, Emery met his gaze pleadingly. He would certainly succumb to the effects of the cold if they did not do something fast, and she could not allow that to happen.

"I'll try," she whispered resolutely.

Taking a deep breath, Emery dropped the towels, reached forward and grasped the zipper on his jacket. It was still cold to the touch and dripping wet. In fact, everything on him was soaked. Reminding herself that this was a medical emergency, she pushed the jacket off of his broad and surprisingly strong shoulders and down his arms, noticing first the size of the muscles there and then noticing just how rigid they were. Zach was in a bad way.

His shoulder holster was next. She carefully removed it and set his Glock aside before turning her attention to his button down shirt. For the first time since she had seen him, Emery was happy he had not dressed in layers the way the locals did. His shirt was loose and once the buttons were free she was able to slide that down his stiff arms as well.

Averting her eyes from his now naked and very broad chest, Emery bit her lip and reached for his waist. He wore a leather belt with his slacks, and the leather was stiff and unyielding. It took several tugs to release it, during which Zach swayed precariously. Still, he managed to keep his feet despite his violent shivers while she tugged his pants down to his ankles. Untying his shoes next, she realized that getting him to raise his feet to remove them would be the largest problem so far.

"Can you lift your foot?"

One of his hands fell heavily upon her shoulder, a reminder of his strength. Biting harder on her lip, she forced herself to tolerate it as he lifted first one foot and then the other. She pulled off the slacks, shoes and dress socks in a swift tug on either side.

"Get in the tub," she said as she straightened.

He nodded but did not move. Realizing his muscles were exhausted, Emery grasped his arm, noticing immediately that his satiny smooth skin was cool to the touch. Wrapping it around her shoulders, she placed her arm around his waist and pulled him in the direction of the tub.

This was the closest she had been to another human being since that night.

Squeezing her eyes shut against the anxiety growing in her breast, she reminded herself that it was Zach she held so tightly. This was the man who had risked his own life to save hers. It was now her turn to come to the rescue.

"I'm sure the water's warm," she urged. "Come on, I'll help you."

"Umm, having some trouble moving," he muttered.

He was heavy against her, and she feared she would not be able to move him without his assistance. But through sheer force of will, he again drew upon his strength to move on his own. She helped him into the watery depths, and he sank back with a pained groan as water splashed onto the tile floor.

While he soaked, she returned to the kitchen and began a new kettle of hot water to boil. Her next task was to gather up his soaked clothing and firearm, and she took special care setting that aside for cleaning before emptying his pockets. She placed his keys, badge and wallet on the counter before returning to the bathroom. Her washer and dryer were stacked across from the tub, and she kept her back to Zach as she placed his clothes in the wash. "Is your luggage in the car?"

"Yes."

His voice was thick, but he seemed more alert. Breathing a sigh of relief, she started the load of laundry and hurried from the room, closing the door behind her to offer them both some privacy.

It was not a long trip to his car, but the return journey with a briefcase and suitcase in either arm once again had her heart racing. Already the snow had begun to accumulate, and she silently cursed the storm for placing them both in such an awkward position. Setting his items inside the door, she returned in time to catch the kettle whistling and JJ waiting impatiently for her at the door. She glared at the exuberant dog.

"You were very naughty," she admonished lightly, knowing full well he had no idea what she was talking about.

JJ gave her a guilty look before slinking over to his favorite corner of the rug and plopping down with a groan. He watched her remorsefully with his head on his front paws as she again filled two mugs, this time with hot cocoa.

Placing her elbows on the counter, she lowered her head to rest her chin on her folded hands. Zachary Evans was here. Now he would be riding out a spring blizzard with her in her tiny cabin.

Closing her eyes tightly, Emery remembered back to her days with her counselor Maggie. "Life can only defeat you if you allow it," she had told her so many times that Emery was sure she would never forget those words. In the early days it was her mantra; today it was her fear. How could she face life when the only person in the world that reminded her of the horrors of that night was soaking in her bathtub?

Taking a deep, calming breath, Emery chided herself. Zach needed her now; she must detach and help him the way he had once helped her. She was strong enough to put the past behind her before. There was no reason why now should be any different. Perhaps she just needed to view him as a man she had never met before, a stranger in need.

Gathering up the mug of hot cocoa, she knocked on the bathroom door before entering. Zach was in the same position she had left him, only his head rested on the back of the tub and his eyes were closed. He was so large he made the tub look uncomfortably small, but it appeared to be doing the trick for his shivering had lessened and he appeared more relaxed.

Averting her eyes away from his almost completely nude body, she picked a spot above his reclining head to stare at as she placed the mug on the rim of the tub. "How are you feeling?"

"Cold, Emery," he muttered.

She cringed. He did not sound very pleased. "Do you need me to add water?"

His head shook slightly. "No, I did."

"Can you try the cocoa? It may help."

"In a minute."

Though his eyes remained closed, she nodded approvingly. "I hope you didn't have any plans this evening. You're going to be stuck here for a bit."

"I know. I heard the wind."

He sounded so beaten that she fought the sudden urge to reach out and touch him. Guilt should not have to be in the equation, she thought sullenly, but then again, it was her dog that knocked him into the water. Waving her hands helplessly, she took a step back. "I'll make up the sofa bed for you."

He did not answer, but the corner of his lips curved slightly in what she assumed was thanks.

During her second year in the cabin, she had made a large sale to one of the winter ski resorts that consisted of a painting for each of their 225 rooms. Granted the project had taken her a tremendous amount of time and effort, but it had done wonders for her career. Her success had spiraled, and it had given her the opportunity to transform the cabin from a basic hunting lodge into a full-time residential home. One of her only furniture purchases was the sofa set in her great room, and for that she spared no expense. When she bought it, she hoped it would be the only set she would need for many years. Looking back, she now applauded her wise decision. The sofa bed had an upgraded mattress, which she now hoped would support Zach's burly frame comfortably enough. As rude as it seemed, she did not want to give up the privacy of her room.

She had made the bed and fluffed up pillows when Zach emerged from the bathroom dressed in sweats from the suitcase she deposited inside the bathroom door. Seeing him fully clothed in his Columbia Law gear helped her frazzled nerves, but the guilt remained as she watched him move slowly, almost painfully, to the sofa bed and stare at it longingly. "Thanks."

Taking a step back, Emery held out her hand in invitation. "It's set to go if you want to lie down."

She need not have asked twice. With a heavy sigh, he stretched out and pulled the heavy blankets she had folded back invitingly over his body. "I feel as though I've run a marathon."

"I'm not surprised," she whispered. "I'm sorry about this. I don't know what JJ was chasing."

"I've decided that I do not like your dog," he muttered. To soften the blow, he opened one eye and gave her a half smile. "But I guess I should thank him. This saves me from having to hunt you down again."

"You wouldn't have had to..." Her voice trailed off guiltily. They both knew that he would have. Even as she had watched him walk down the drive she had been making plans to be nowhere around when he did make a return appearance; there was no sense in lying about it now.

"You were right," he continued as though she had not spoken.

"About what?"

"I do have a reason for being here, Emery." His voice was firm, a no nonsense tone that she was unfamiliar with and did not like very much. "This storm will ensure that we have plenty of time to discuss it."

"I see."

"We can talk about it later."

"Fair enough," she said softly.

"And we will talk about it."

Though she did not like the implication of his serious words, she nodded abruptly. "Then I'll let you rest for a bit, and we can talk over dinner."

"Sounds great."

Rolling over, he gave her a view of his broad back. With no other choice at the moment, she stared beyond him to the wintery skies outside. The snow was coming down in large, pristine white flakes. The wind was blowing fairly hard, and the television warned that it was only going to get worse. As she turned away, she began to fear the storm was not the only thing taking a turn for the worse.

What began as a nap turned into an all-out early bedtime. Zach never stirred when Emery prepared dinner, nor did he move when she stoked the fireplace for the evening and turned off the television. Covering his dinner in plastic wrap, Emery placed it in the fridge and retired to her own bedroom, closing the door securely behind her. Too anxious to settle down with a book, after reading the same page three times she finally gave up and took a quick shower.

Taking one last precaution in case they lost power, she refilled the bathtub before creeping out of the bathroom. Zach's even breathing filled the dark and silent cabin, causing shivers of unease to race down Emery's spine. Having any man this close made her jumpy, and being trapped in her small cabin during a blizzard made it worse. Though she told herself that of all the men who could have arrived at her door Zach was the only one she could have wished for, she still did not trust. She could not.

She knew she never would again.

### Chapter 5

The wind was howling outside her window almost to the pitch of a train whistle, and the ominous sound matched the screams that drew Emery reluctantly from her sleep. She felt exhausted, and her limbs felt heavy like someone was holding her down.

Holding her down...

Three men laughing. A boy tied to a chair, his eyes wide in horror as the knife approached. It glinted in the lamplight. Threatening, mocking, menacing.

Eyes opening wide, Emery sat bolt upright and realized the screams she heard were hers. Her hands immediately clutched her neck, and she furiously kicked the tangled covers away from her body. Startled from his slumber beside her bed, JJ came to his feet and nudged her thigh, causing her to jerk away in a panicked flight that nearly sent her over the other side.

"Easy, Em," came a deep voice in the darkness.

Another strangled cry emerged from her lips when she heard the voice. The sound of hands fumbling for the switch on the wall, and then the room was awash with light that stung her eyes. Confused and frightened, she shot out of bed, nearly tripping over JJ, who scampered away hastily with a startled yelp.

It was Zach.

She squinted before focusing on the tall, broad shape of Zach standing several feet away, his eyes drowsily half-closed but appearing very concerned as he stared at her. His voice was sleep-laden when he spoke. "You okay?"

Feeling awkward and embarrassed, Emery raised a hand to cover her exposed neck. Once again her heart was racing, which made breathing difficult. She took a deep breath to calm down before attempting to speak. "I'm fine."

"You were screaming."

The look he gave her was skeptical and doubting, and she avoided his gaze. "Must've been a dream."

"A dream?"

"I suppose... I don't remember." She shrugged as casually as possible but knew she was not fooling him by the frown he wore.

"Your face is as white as a ghost's." Reaching for the heavy quilt she had sewn, Zach wrapped it around his shoulders and then took a seat in the pine rocking chair beside her bed. For the first time, she noticed the chill in the room. "I'll stay with you for a little bit," he said in explanation.

The frown she sent his way matched his. Panic loomed in her breast at the thought. "Oh no, that's not necessary..."

"Yes it is."

"But you've had a terrible experience and should be resting."

"I already did."

"But how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." His voice was clipped, matter-of-fact and a tone she remembered from their youth. This was a decision she would not be able to sway him on.

"It's too cold in here, especially since you took a dive into freezing water."

He scowled. "I told you I'm fine."

Sighing heavily, Emery continued to stand by the bed, aware of her shapeless flannel nightgown and tousled hair. Although she knew Zach would never harm her, the pounding of heart did not slow. It was just too unnerving to have him in her room, her sanctuary. "Really, you should just go back to bed. I'm fine."

"I'm not going anywhere until you go back to sleep."

Their gazes clashed, with Zach stubbornly staring her down until she finally caved and returned to the bed to slip back under the covers. After a few minutes of silence, she again sighed. "I will not be able to go back to sleep with you sitting there."

Lifting his feet to the footstool, Zach began rocking slowly. "Then we'll talk." When she stared at him blankly, he smiled. "For a little bit anyway."

Pulling her covers up to her chin, she watched as Zach closed his eyes and continued rocking. In the hours that had passed, the color had returned to his face. She supposed she should have been pleased, but at the moment all she felt was the same resentment as before. Once again he was invading her much cherished privacy and solitude. She wanted him to go back to bed and leave her to wallow among her miserable battles in peace.

Her hands bundled the blankets up closer to her scar. The puckered white skin on her otherwise smooth neck was a harsh reminder of her experience, and one she liked to keep out of sight. However, not all of her clothing sported a high enough neckline to hide the ugliness, and with Zach here now, in her most private of places, she felt as though it would be all he could see.

"Don't hide your scar from me," he said forcefully. His eyes remained closed, but they opened slightly when he heard her sharp inhale.

She scowled. "Since when do you read minds?"

"Since I've known you your whole life," he replied.

"I haven't seen you in ten years, Zach. I don't know you any more than you know me."

"That's not true. While I may not have seen you in a long time, I still know who you are as a person. Some things may change, but inherent traits tend to stay the same."

"Like what?"

"I know you're sitting there stubbornly wishing me to go away like you did when you went through a phase of not liking boys and I had to babysit you."

Her mouth dropped open. All resentment seemed to fade as she remembered. Feeling heat in her cheeks, she ducked her head as images of that night sent her back to her brief days of innocent youth. "You remember that?"

"I remember a lot," he said with a chuckle.

"I never said I disliked boys," she said defensively.

"You didn't have to. You sat in the living room with your arms crossed and pouted all night."

Emery felt a smile tease her lips. He was absolutely right. "I guess that was transparent."

"You're also thinking of ways to get out of riding out this storm with me in the same way you'd come up with elaborate excuses to get me to do your yard work for you."

"I only did that once," she said.

"But I'm still dead on, right?"

"Lucky guess."

He was smiling but his eyes had drifted closed again. She watched him lazily rock back and forth and for the first time remembered them as they used to be. How close they had been growing up. "Okay, how about you hiding your scar because you think it makes you ugly?"

She stiffened as reality returned. "Who wouldn't?"

"I don't think you're ugly at all, Squirt. You're actually quite a knockout."

Flustered by the compliment, Emery felt her cheeks grow warm. "I am?"

"And now you're embarrassed because I was always the older boy you had a huge crush on but who never noticed you because you were so young."

Caught again, Emery laughed out loud. The sound caused Zach to open his eyes again, and he stared at her intently until she looked away.

"You're very beautiful, Emery," he said in a low voice. She felt a strange tingle in her limbs when his warm tone reached her ears.

Shifting slightly, she pulled the covers more tightly around her. "I, uh..."

"That scar doesn't mar your beauty, not at all." When she ducked her head to hide her blush, he leaned back against the cushions and closed his eyes again. "So Em, tell me about the cabin."

Startled by the sudden change of topic, she stated the obvious. "It's... uh, a log cabin, built about twenty years ago."

"You updated it then? I noticed the granite in the kitchen and the newer appliances."

"Yes," she said with a proud smile. Though she was a recluse, she certainly kept herself occupied. "I've been doing it here and there when finances permit... Keeps me busy."

"How did you get here?"

"My dad left it to me."

"I saw that... but how did you find it?"

"Idaho Springs is a small town. My father was a social person," she said simply. She did not add that he was also known for his partying.

"Then they were a lot more forthcoming with you than they were with me," he said bitterly.

Laughing at the show of petulance, Emery could feel more of the tension ease away, and her voice noticeably softened. "Maybe you just didn't ask the right people. I went straight to the real estate agent. She also happens to be the sister of my manager."

"At the gallery, you mean?"

"Yes, Faith and her son Gage help me out here."

"I met her."

Her brows shot up in surprise. "You did?"

"How else do you think I got here?"

"Really? I'm going to have to talk to her about that," Emery said firmly.

He held up his hand. "No harm done. I had to show that woman every bit of ID I had in order to get her to talk. Even then she pretty much left me to the wolves. I passed your driveway multiple times before finding the entry."

"That was fate telling you to go back," she said pointedly.

"I wouldn't have gone back," he said. "I'm here for a reason."

"So you keep saying," she muttered.

"When you're ready, we'll talk. Until then, I'll just stay here with you." He spoke with such finality that Emery's eyes went wide. Ignoring her response, he smiled and closed his eyes. "Don't forget, Em, I am on vacation... I have all the time we need."

Emery groaned inside. She knew he meant every word.

***

When Emery opened her eyes again, it was to a room so chilled that she saw her breath vapor. Usually she awoke to JJ's deep snores, but on this wintery morning her loyal dog was sleeping noiselessly by the side of her bed. He appeared to be huddled as close to the duvet edges as he could, most likely trying to escape the cold, too. Glancing back at the clock on her nightstand proved her suspicions correct. They had lost power during the night. Though not surprised, Emery was not pleased either. While she enjoyed the snow, the strength of the storms out here did have some cause for concern. From here on out, at least until the plows cleared the roads and the power company could get through, she and Zach would be down to the bare basics.

Zach!

Her head whipped over her shoulder to the rocking chair, and sure enough Zach was still there bundled under the quilt. His head rested at an awkward angle and his arms were crossed over his chest to keep from dangling over the side. She felt a new twinge of guilt, for he was such a large man and overwhelmed the small chair. But despite his obvious discomfort, he appeared to be sleeping soundly. His lips were parted slightly, and she could hear his even breathing in the silence of the bedroom. Taking a moment to study him, Emery grimaced slightly. Although seeing him had brought back so many painful memories, with it came the reminder of how much she had adored him. Handsome and strong, Zach had been her teenage dream. With a personality as gentle and amusing as he was confident, she knew she was not the only one who fantasized about a future with the ambitious youth.

Shaking her head, Emery thought about the trials the now grown man had been through since he had appeared at her door. A growling dog, a freezing dunk in dangerously strong waters, a brush with hypothermia, a mentally unstable hostess who awakened him with her screams, and now a bed made out of pine logs and thin cushions that barely fit his frame. But despite all that, he had taken everything in stride and maintained his sense of humor. She could not help but be reminded of how special he was.

They had stayed up until the wee hours before dawn talking. Despite the memories that had come rushing back upon his appearance, his playful teasing had replaced the terrible ones with the happier ones of their youth. She could not remember how many times he prompted her laughter, whether from a childhood anecdote or his own quirky sense of humor. It had helped her go back to sleep but with the light of day she felt the dark pall he surely brought with him looming over her head again.

Sliding out from under the covers, Emery pulled the duvet off her bed and placed it over him gently. Knowing from experience that it would take time to build up the fire again and it could be hours before the cabin was comfortably warm, she pulled on her thick, fleece bathrobe and slippers and crept from the room to get to work.

The sight that greeted her through the grey, dim winter skies almost elicited a disheartened groan. The snow outside the French doors was already a foot deep. Strong wind gusts blew the heavy flakes sideways, and tall drifts lined the eastern corner of the deck. Even though the meteorologists had warned that this storm would be as bad as the one back in 1995, she had hoped for a miracle. But apparently miracles were in short supply around her, she thought sourly, especially after the past 18 hours. Knowing she would have to dress and begin shoveling a path to the firewood, or at the very least a path so she could open her garage door and reach the wood that way, Emery hurried to get the fire going so she could warm up some water for coffee.

It was going to be a long day. Worse, she was stuck with Zach and his mysterious message.

With no electricity, Emery used the stove insert to heat the water. Designed like a grill, she was able to cook food on the top as well, and she counted the stove as one of the most valuable items in her cabin. Not only did it supply her with heat during the coldest winter nights, but it also provided a safer option to cook on than kerosene stoves.

While she waited for everything to heat up, she tiptoed back into the bedroom and gathered clothing to layer in. Zach was still sleeping peacefully, but she noticed he had drawn her duvet closer to his chin. She stared down at him, amazed that for the first time ever she had a man spend the night in her cabin. Growing up with just her mother, she had no idea what it was like to have a man around. Grimly, she realized that Zach would be remedying that. They had no other choice.

After dressing in the bathroom in her jeans and customary turtleneck, Emery sat on the edge of the sofa bed while she sipped her coffee and stared out at the grey skies littered with thousands of heavy snowflakes. JJ settled down beside her, his head resting on her knee, and she stroked him absently while she pondered her dilemma. She was so lost in her thoughts that she did not hear Zach open the bedroom door.

"Good morning." The deep rumble of his voice startled her, and her coffee sloshed over the rim of her cup while JJ growled low in his throat. Zach sent him a resentful scowl before he returned his attention to her. "Sorry, I thought you heard me."

Wiping her hand on the napkin she had placed over one knee, she turned to face him. Her voice was always extra hoarse in the morning, and she self-consciously cleared her throat before answering. "Morning."

If he was surprised at the sound of her rough voice, one she considered masculine, he showed no signs. Instead he crossed his arms and scowled. "I came to the conclusion this morning that you're trying to kill me, Squirt."

Startled again, her brows shot up. "I am?"

"Yes. Death by cold. I've never been so cold in my life. I'm an Arizona kid. I can't handle a fifty degree house."

"I added more wood to the fire," she said in her defense.

"But it's damn cold right now."

"We have no heat because the power's out, and my generator died during the last storm. We have to rough it."

"Rough it is right. It's un-Godly cold in this house."

His eyes were dancing despite his sour words, and she relaxed slightly. "You were the one who opted to sleep in the rocking chair."

"Which, believe it or not, wasn't that uncomfortable. If it was a bit bigger, I'd sleep there the entire time I'm here."

Emery beamed with pleasure at his innocent compliment. "Is that so?"

"Actually, yes. It would just have to come up another foot or so in the back and have a little firmer cushion and I'd be happy." He gestured to the dimensions he had in mind before crossing his arms again and shivering. She bit back a smile.

"I'll keep it in mind," she said. "Maybe for next Christmas..."

It was his turn to be surprised. "You made that?"

"I did," she said proudly. "I've made most of the furniture in here. All the tables, my bed, the rocking chair... everything made in the garage below us."

Sinking onto the edge of the bed beside her, he glanced around the cabin with new eyes. "Squirt, you never cease to amaze me."

He was close - too close. She jumped to her feet and took a step away. No matter how charming he was, she had to maintain the walls she had built around her heart. There was no way she could allow them to fall. "I have to get going. I'll make you some breakfast first if you'd like."

Sensing her sudden change, Zach eyed her curiously. "Going? Where are you going?"

"I have to do some shoveling. If the snow gets too heavy I won't be able to move it."

"Don't you have a snow blower?"

"I do, but it died during the last storm as well." Seeing the unspoken words ready to leave Zach's lips, she responded before he could question her sanity. "I didn't have a chance to see what was wrong with it yesterday. I was working on getting to that when you showed up."

A knowing look appeared. "I'm quite the inconvenience, aren't I?"

"Well, when you put it that way..." Though she tried to keep her tone light, the undercurrent of tension she felt was still present. He studied her with that blasted look of curiosity that made her distinctly uncomfortable, and his voice was solemn when he spoke.

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Em." His lips compressed before curving into a resigned half-smile. "I would've done things differently if I could, but it seems as though the weather had a different idea."

"It's fine," she grumbled.

He shook his head, not believing her. "Tell you what... you make breakfast while I shovel."

"No."

"It's not up for discussion," he insisted.

Unable to keep the exasperation off her face, she frowned at him. "Look, I was joking before. Don't take it so personally."

"I'm not taking it personally," he said smoothly. Leveling her with a stern gaze that made her feel like a child, he caught her lie. "But I know you weren't joking, too."

"Zach..."

He held up a hand to stop her. "It's okay, Squirt. It's not an ideal position for you, I can see that. But we can at least try to make the best of it, can't we?"

What he was asking did not seem unreasonable, except for the anxiety she felt whenever he was near. To make matters worse, he chose that moment to come to his feet and loom before her. Her gaze shifted away from him to the blowing snow outside, and she shrugged helplessly. "We have to."

The smile he sent her was gentle, but his voice was deep and full of warning when he spoke. "That's right, Emery. We do... More than you know."

***

A sharp nudge from the toe of a boot woke Adan Augustin from his uneasy slumber. Raising his head and blinking several times, he slowly came to recognize his surroundings. He was on a pallet with a single blanket over him in some unknown garage in some unknown town in New Mexico. Three men were nearby, two he recognized and one he did not. The two Cholos who had organized his escape were sitting, and apparently the man who kicked him was the driver they had been waiting so long for.

"Time to go?"

"Your ride is meeting you in Arizona. Take these." The kicker tossed down some clothing, apparently donated from some unsuspecting chump somewhere in this dumpy desert town.

Augustin sat up and wiped his eyes before gathering up the clothes. It would feel good to get out of his stripes. A smile curved his lips, and suddenly the dump no longer felt as shabby as before. He was out!

"I wouldn't be getting too excited," one of the Cholos piped in.

Augustin glanced at him with a scowl. "Why not?"

"2Tuff got you out for a reason. If you can't give him what he wants, you're toast."

His smile only grew broader. He had been planning that one, and retaliation played a large part in the directions of his thoughts. Reaching up to finger the tattoo that covered his neck, he stroked lightly where woman's breasts indelibly marked the spot where the girl's throat had been slashed. "I have everything he needs. He just has to get me to her."

Cholo number two chuckled. "Oh he will. Go lay low and make sure you do nothing to screw this up."

Augustin pushed himself to his feet, nodding as he did so. "I got it."

The two men also rose, and neither offered him a shake before turning to the driver. They all moved off to the corner while Augustin shed his stripes for the borrowed clothes, and when they returned the driver handed him a cell phone. Augustin noticed a gun in the man's waistband of his baggy pants when he reached deep into the pocket to produce the phone.

"Know how to use this?"

Augustin glanced at it with a frown. "I'll figure it out."

"Good. When he calls, you answer."

Augustin nodded again. "Got it."

"Let's go."

Augustin followed the driver out of the garage and into the gray light of dawn. Excitement mingled with trepidation. He was really out. He had his freedom... and soon he would also have his revenge.

### Chapter 6

The wind whipped around Zach's bare head, and his ears were growing uncomfortably cold. He had always maintained a clean cut appearance with his hair trimmed short, but for the first time ever he wished he had enough to hang over his ears and reach his collar. Though he had packed what he thought would be warm clothing, he still was not prepared for snow. His jeans were nearly soaked through, and the sweatshirt he pulled over his long-sleeved Henley was not keeping him warm enough. He needed a thicker coat, plain and simple.

Though the path to the back of the house was not long, the heavy snow swirling around his head and falling faster than he could shovel it made the clearing slow going. But with only ten or so more feet to go, he was confident he could stick it out. At least that was what he kept telling himself. In truth, his muscles were sore from their violent workout the day before, and the cold was getting to him even as he kept moving to try to stay warm. Stay warm and think. He glanced over at the beast of a dog, bounding through the deep snow playfully as though it was the greatest thing in the world, and scowled. No matter how many times he ordered the dog away, he still continued to interfere with his shoveling as though deaf to human words, or at least his.

Dumb dog.

And damn Colorado, he thought sourly.

So far this trip had been an utter and complete disaster. Just as Marie had warned, Emery had changed tremendously. No longer the strong, vivacious child he had grown up with, she had become a cool, detached and mistrustful woman who had absolutely no interest in having him in her home. While she was doing her best to hide her discomfort from him, he had caught her staring at him several times that morning with what he could only describe as distaste. Surprisingly, that bothered him more than he wanted to admit.

His work often exposed him to people who did not like him. It came with the territory. He was accustomed to being viewed with contempt and distrust, but it disturbed him when it came from someone he had such a long history with. Nor did he plan on just taking it either. Aggression, while not his normal way of controlling awkward situations, was apparently the only option for their current situation. His charm offensive seemed to have no effect on her. Emery's aversion was not easing, no matter how many times he had made her laugh the night before, and the fact remained that they had no choice. At this moment he had a job to do. They had to work together until Augustin was found, either by him or the others.

Still, it stung to have her reject him so unequivocally. Emery should not have the ability to make him, a professional, feel so uncomfortable. He needed to regain control of the situation and explain to her why he was there instead of sulking. As soon as he completed this horrible chore, he should march back into the house and tell her flat-out why he needed to stay. She may not like it, but she had to hear it.

So lost in thought, Zach did not hear the door open, but he heard Emery's husky voice over the howling wind. "Breakfast is ready!"

He raised a sullen hand in acknowledgement and watched her disappear back inside. His fingers were red and stiff, but at least he was not as uncomfortable as the day before. Death by cold, he thought dourly. If not from this blasted blizzard, he would surely die from his hostess' distaste. Sighing, he grimaced and returned to the snow, hastily clearing the remaining distance so he could join her inside. Some vacation, he thought miserably.

However, the smell of fresh cooked bacon eased his foul mood slightly when he opened the door. Bacon? But they had no power... He paused in the doorway and inhaled deeply. In answer, his stomach let out a fierce growl, reminding him that he had not eaten since he had landed in Denver the day before. The smell of coffee, bacon and pancakes was so welcome that his mouth began to water. Shrugging out of his jacket, he hung it on the peg beside Emery's thick parka and kicked off his hiking boots. The bottoms of his jeans were still covered in snow, so he stomped a couple of times before stepping off the welcome mat.

Pan-faced, Emery watched him from the small dining table, where she had laid out two placemats and the appropriate tableware. The homey sight was welcome after his dour thoughts, but he reminded himself that the evil deed had to be done soon. He had to reach her somehow.

Smiling his appreciation in greeting, he joined her at the table, holding out her chair before taking the seat across from her. "It smells delicious in here. Didn't you say the power was out?"

One long, slim finger pointed in the direction of the stove. "I cook on that."

"Great idea. Must come in handy."

She reached out and took his plate, placing a stack of pancakes and several long strands of bacon on it before handing it back. Though she worked in silence, he saw the slight curve of her full lips. She did like his compliments at least. "It's a life saver."

Their fingers brushed when he took the offered plate from her hands, and he watched her recoil quickly and curl her fingers in her palms. A mixture of frustration and pity again flared. She may not mind his compliments, but she sure did not like his touch.

Setting the plate on the placemat she had set out, he waited until she had served herself before taking a bite. They ate in silence for several minutes, and Zach had to admit it was one of the best meals he had eaten in a long time. Pausing to offer his compliments to the cook, Zach was distracted by the sight of Emery chewing. Though the cabin remained dim, he could see the muscles in her neck flex when she swallowed. Briefly he wondered if her skin would be as silky soft and inviting to touch, but as quickly as the image arrived he slammed the door on his imagination. Frowning slightly, he reprimanded his unruly thoughts. There was no need to go in that direction. He, of all people, had no business looking at her like that.

Catching his gaze, her brow lifted in question. "Does it taste okay?"

"It's great," Zach mumbled.

"I'm sure you would've had better food back in Denver," she said pointedly.

His lips compressed, but he was unsure who he was more disappointed with. Was it him, for allowing his male imagination to wander, or her, for making them disappear with her borderline rude words? "But I'm here, not in Denver."

Her voice was resigned, all hint of humor gone. "Trust me, I know."

"So we're back to that?"

She sighed. "I'm not happy with the situation, Zach."

Turning back to his meal, Zach ignored the twinge of pain that pierced his heart. Talk about a cold dose of water. But he was not there to charm Emery, no matter how much he wished for their old camaraderie. He had a duty to do, and failure was not an option. Still, he could not stop himself from asking the question that had haunted him ever since he noticed her solitary torment. "How long did you go to counseling?"

She blinked in surprise, her fork midway to her mouth. "Pardon me?"

"Did you stop before you moved out here or after?"

"What business is that of yours?"

He shrugged. "Just wondering if you had anyone to talk to."

"I like my privacy," she said firmly.

"I can see that."

Sighing in a huff, Emery placed her fork on the corner of her plate and leveled him with her smoldering, emerald eyes. "You and my mother may not approve of my lifestyle, Zachary, but I happen to be happy here."

The spark of temper was more like the old Emery he had known, and Zach felt slightly reassured. She was still in there, he knew it. "If you choose to live your life in solitary confinement, that's your choice. I'm not passing judgment. But it seems such a shame that you dislike people so much..."

"I have my reasons," she ground out.

He sighed. "All I'm saying is that I wonder if you spoke to someone you might feel better and stop having those night terrors."

The fork she held clattered to the plate as she hastily came to her feet. Zach rose with her, and they faced each other across the table. He noted the two splotches of furious color on her cheeks and the anger in her voice with a twinge of relief. She had not completely shut down after all.

"How dare you?"

He leaned across the table until they were just a few inches apart, meeting her furious gaze calmly. She smelled good, like maple syrup and some floral scented soap or lotion, and his nostrils flared with the scent. However, the rapid tattoo of her heart against the heavy cotton of her blue turtleneck reminded him how nervous she really was. Her fear angered him, though he was not sure with whom he was angry. Maybe it was the same guilt Marie had felt, that which most victim's family's felt. The feeling they should have done more or prevented what happened. Was he struggling with the same guilt, feeling he should have arrived sooner? Knowing he was being foolish did not help matters, and his voice was firm.

"Whether you care or not, I worry about you," he continued. "I think about you every day, Emery. I didn't forget about you, even when you refused to let me see you. Finally, when I get the chance to look at you – to see how lovely and talented you are – you're just a shell of your former self..."

"I prefer it that way. I'd rather not remember things, including you. That's what makes me happy," she said, avoiding his stricken gaze.

He remembered her as a child. She was tough, brilliant, happy and strong. She could tell him she was content the way she was, but he knew otherwise. "You're telling me that makes you happy? That's a load of crap, and you know it."

As he spoke, Emery's gaze shifted to his lips. Unconsciously or not, she leaned forward as her body reacted to his presence. He noted all of this, realizing it long before Emery did, but she pulled back hastily and scowled when she did finally see how close they were. "What do you expect from me? You just showed up, uninvited and unannounced. I didn't ask for this."

"No, you didn't, and I'm sorry for that. We can't change the past, but we can use it to shape our future."

Her face flushed a deeper red, and she spoke through clenched teeth. "I'm sorry, Zach, but it's none of your business how I live my life."

"Right now it is," he said firmly. "I'm here to help you, and it would be better if you'd listen to me. Stop denying what happened."

She gasped. "What are you talking about? I live with what happened every day."

"So do I. So does your mother."

The flush began to drain from her cheeks, and her voice was heavy with disbelief. "So you're saying your suffering is worse than mine?"

"No, of course not" he said firmly. "I'm only saying it impacted us as well... We all live with what happened to you."

"I don't want to live with it. I prefer to forget."

"Emery, I just want to help."

His voice trailed off when he saw the look of anguish on her face. Reaching out, he touched the silky smooth skin on her cheek and was pleased when she did not stiffen or jerk away. Before he could stop himself, he said the words he thought every waking moment for the last ten years, words a law enforcement officer should never speak aloud.

"You may want to forget me, but never would I forget you. Emery, I would've killed them with my bare hands."

She pulled away from his feather light touch and dropped her gaze to her plate. Her voice was low when she responded. "I wish you had."

A heavy silence fell as they both confronted their memories from the past. Emery refused to glance up and meet his persistent gaze, but Zach was pushed on. "Things have changed," he said softly. "Your mother is going to the Navajo Nation soon."

Emery's gaze lifted, and one sleek brow rose in surprise. "She is?"

"Yes." He sighed. It was now or never. "Vasquez is dead."

At the sound of the man's name, Emery closed her eyes tightly. When she began to sway on her feet, Zach hurried around the table to her side. Staring down at the top of her head, he was reminded of how petite she was. Though she had erected a fierce wall of defense, he knew she was still just a frightened young woman inside. His voice lowered, and he spoke calmly while one hand reached out gently to touch her shoulder.

"He was shanked in prison."

Emery's hands came together in front of her, and her fingers interlocked tightly. Her eyes did not reopen.

"Em, Augustin escaped during a transfer to another facility in Texas. He's on the loose now, we think with the new leader named 2Tuff."

The breath she took was shaky, and he could feel her trembling beneath his hand. It was harder than he thought it would be, knowing every word he spoke slashed through her like the sharp blade Vasquez had coldly drawn across her throat multiple times.

"There were rumors about you and what you may know about the missing money, Emery... That's why I'm here."

"I don't know anything. I testified to that years ago."

"They think you have it, and they want it back."

"But I don't..."

Zach's voice was low. "2Tuff is one of the ringleaders in this organized crime ring. My case is to take him down. He wants the money to help finance his plans, and he will stop at nothing to track you down to get it."

Her eyes opened so fast that he blinked. They were wide, appearing huge in her dainty face. "They know where I am?"

"Not yet," he said pointedly. "But I was able to find you."

"But you work for the government," she said hastily. "You have access to things normal people don't."

Zach heard the denial in her voice and shook his head sadly. "This group's been under investigation by multiple government agencies for a while now. They're well-connected with plenty of money behind them... It's just a matter of time before they come here."

Uncurling her fists, Emery stared down at her shaking hands for what seemed a long time. She did not look up when she spoke. "For a long time I wished you hadn't come when you did. I wished I'd died that night."

Zach winced. "Emery..."

She shook her head and took a hurried step away from him. "Please, Zach. I - I need to think... I need some time to absorb all this."

Feeling more like a jerk than a professional, Zach nodded lamely. The conversation had not gone as he expected, but nothing about Emery was as he anticipated. However, even while he chastised himself for not showing more subtlety, he had to admit their blunt exchange had reached her. She now knew she needed to accept his presence for her own protection. She might not like it, but at least she knew it was necessary for now.

Stepping out of her way, he held out a hand in acquiescence, allowing her to pass. It was only fair for him to grant her time to consider what he told her.

He just hoped she was still tougher than she looked and that he had not pushed her too far.

***

Emery stared at the sketch she drew – was it just the day before? The outline was rudimentary, a pencil sketch with only the hint of shading. The squirrel was holding his pine seed and looking off across the meadow at the closest threat in the area. That threat was a lumbering dog that made more noise than action, a gentle soul that would never cause any pain. Irritation, perhaps, but never pain, she thought wryly.

Below her, Zach was yelling at JJ again for stealing one of his fancy oxfords out from under the stove insert where she had placed them to dry the day before. It was the third time she had been forced to intervene, for JJ had absolutely no interest in listening to anything Zach had to say, no matter how commanding his deep voice was. For the third time, she glanced below and snapped her fingers, watching until JJ again dropped the shoe and looked up at her guiltily. Zach glanced up with yet another thankful yet frustrated expression before scooping the shoe up and replacing it under the stove.

What a simple life these animals had, she thought. Not for the first time, she wished her life could be that simple. In fact, she had tried to make it that way. Then Zachary had shown up and stirred up everything, much as JJ had disrupted the squirrel's peaceful existence the day before.

The harbinger of doom, she thought sourly as she returned her attention to her drawing.

The sketch in her hand trembled from the continued tremor in her hand. It had not eased since Zach had divulged his true reason for showing up unannounced. How on earth would she get any work done if she could not hold her pencil straight? Tossing aside the sketch pad in frustration, she buried her face in her hands and sighed. It was then she realized she was trembling all over, not just her hands. Zachary had uncorked a long-buried well of emotions she had denied. She knew what he said was oh-so-correct; she had been selfishly closing herself off to those who cared about her. However, she wished they understood that it was something she needed to do in order to feel safe.

Now she wondered if she could ever feel safe again. If Zach was right, she could not hide from these demons. They were coming for her again.

Taking a deep, shuddering breath, Emery bit back the tears that stung her eyes. She did not hear Zach approach, and she jumped when his hand landed on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

She pulled away and came to her feet, nearly knocking over the stool in the process. Zach's hand fell to his side limply, but the concern in his intense eyes never wavered as he stared at her.

"You startled me," she said lamely. "I wish you didn't walk so quietly."

He nodded and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I was blunt earlier, and the conversation didn't go as I had planned. I'm sorry."

She stared at him for a few seconds through her unshed tears. Finally she nodded. "What you said was true?"

"Yes."

"I know I've been selfish, but I needed to be."

"Remember, running away doesn't solve anything," he said softly. "It just postpones the inevitable."

She looked beyond him to the snow blowing outside the cabin. The day was as gray as her mood, and the wind howled with the angry cries that mimicked those in her heart. She felt helpless, trapped. "I'm broken, Zach. Can't you see that?"

"You don't have to be," he insisted. "That was my point."

"Things have been working for me that way."

"Until I came and messed everything up?"

"Yes," she whispered.

He cleared his throat. "I guess I could've been a little more tactful."

"I suppose..." She sniffed. "It's fine."

"I needed you to listen to me and hear me out. Do you understand that?" His voice was stern, and the shadow that crossed his face was dark with intent.

"Maybe."

"There's no maybe about it. You're in trouble and need my help."

"Okay," she conceded. "I understand."

He nodded slowly and glanced around the loft. Though not large, the room had plenty of natural light and was an ideal work space for her under normal circumstances. His gaze hesitated on the single painting hanging up there, one she had completed of the cabin during her early days before the remodel. It was painted following a storm similar to the one they were experiencing now, and thick drifts had piled up against the house reaching almost to the windows. A brief smile curved his lips before his gaze shifted to the several completed canvases resting against the back wall, and Zach made his way over to those. She was about to protest his snooping when his hands stopped flipping through, and he reached down to pull one out. Feeling the color rising on her cheeks again, Emery looked away hastily as he pulled the small canvas free and studied it with wide eyes.

"This is me," he said softly.

The canvas he retrieved was painted from a photograph her mother had given her when Zach graduated from the Academy. Though Emery had shed tears of pride and happiness for him on that day, she had not attended the family party. Her mother brought home the photo for her afterwards, and Emery had cherished it ever since. He appeared proud and happy, and she spent many hours studying his face, memorizing every detail. She considered it one of the happiest moments of both their lives, and she painted him multiple times over the years in an effort to capture that fleeting feeling of joy. Though it took many attempts, she finally captured him just right, and it served to express the gratitude she had been unable to demonstrate directly. He was, and always had been, her hero.

Aware that he was staring at her questioningly, Emery felt forced to respond. "My mother gave me your photo after your party."

"So you painted me from the picture?"

"I was experimenting with new colors, and I had the picture nearby..."

The desperate excuse sounded lame even to her ears, but Zach was holding the painting out before him and did not seem to notice. The canvas was a modest 12X14, but she had spent hours on the detail and considered it one of her best to date.

"It's very good," he commented.

"Thank you."

"My mother would love it," he said, glancing up with a teasing glint in his eye.

Emery's lips parted in a silent gasp of dismay. She never planned on parting with the painting. It was her favorite. But now that he was here, she really had no reason to refuse him. It was, after all, him as the subject. "Yes, I suppose you're right. You can give it to her if you'd like."

He looked up, his brow furrowed in surprise. "You'd give this to me?"

"Of course I would," she sputtered.

"I saw what your work goes for in the shop in town," he said in explanation. "They're pretty pricey."

"Despite my humble lifestyle, I do have expenses," she said wryly.

"Then why would you give this to my mother?"

"Because it's a painting of you... what right would I have to charge her for it?"

He shrugged. "You obviously put a lot of time into it."

"I wanted to get it right," she said. Then she bit her lip.

This time he noticed her slip. A slow smile appeared on his face, and Emery felt the effect of it all the way to her belly. Confused by the influx of emotions that even a single glance from him stirred in her, she avoided his gaze and focused on the painting instead.

His voice was low and rumbled in his chest. "Did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Get it right?"

Not sure where the conversation was going or what exactly he meant, Emery shifted her gaze back to the painting and studied it with a critical eye. Though she considered it one of her best pieces of work, she always felt there was room for improvement. "The eyes."

"What about them?"

"I didn't quite get the laughter lines right. You were very formal in the photo, and I tried to soften you a bit in the way I remembered you. Seeing you now shows me that I didn't quite get the laughter lines right."

Flipping the painting over, he studied it carefully. "I was an angry person those days," he said thoughtfully. "I don't think I had any laughter lines."

Clasping her hands before her, she realized that her trembling had eased. "Why's that?"

He shrugged, but his eyes glowed intensely when he met her gaze. "I felt as though I'd failed you."

"Failed me?"

"I came out wanting to change the world for you." He smiled wistfully. "I wanted to make it a safe place so you'd agree to see me again."

Her brows shot up in surprise. "You did?"

Slipping the painting under his arm, Zach approached and placed his fingers under her chin. She stiffened, but his fingers tightened as he tipped her face up. "It seems as though I was wrong about you."

"About what?"

"All these years, I believed you never gave me a second thought."

Taking a deep, quivering breath, she pleaded with him to understand with her eyes as the words tumbled out earnestly. "That's not true, Zach... I know I said some mean things, but please believe I'm aware of how much I owe you."

With the same careful intensity he studied the painting with, his gaze searched her face. His thumb lightly stroked her chin for a moment before his hand fell away. "You don't owe me anything," he said sternly. "Not even this painting."

With that, he turned and went back down the staircase, disappearing from her sight but not from her mind.

### Chapter 7

The nightmare was not over; they were coming for her.

Emery shuddered as Zach's words replayed in her head over and over again. They were coming. It was just a matter of time.

Could she get through it?

With the wind howling outside the window and the large, white flakes blowing against the small cabin, it was easy to believe that all would be well. No one would be out in this weather. However, the knowledge did little to reassure her. She knew what these men were capable of and had lived through the trauma of their violence. It had certainly scarred her more deeply than the puckered skin on her neck. She would never forget that night.

And Zach told her they were hunting her again.

Though the rest of the afternoon was uneventful, Emery could not hide from the fear building in her chest. She remained up in the loft going through her sketches in a misguided effort at distraction while Zach opened up his laptop and connected to the Internet. Though the power was still out, he had been pleased to hear that she had listened to the satellite company, who suggested she invest in a battery backup in case of power outages. Although not enough to run the heat, it was sufficient to give him a few hours on the Internet.

Armed with spare batteries from his briefcase, Emery wondered exactly how this was a vacation for him when he was so well prepared. Sneaking a peek over the railing to spy on him below, she noticed he was not playing any games. Long lines of text with the occasional inserted photograph filled the screen as he slowly scrolled down. He appeared to be doing some kind of research, but whether or not it had anything to do with her remained unknown. The only sounds she could hear over the storm outside was the fire snapping and crackling and his fingers tapping away on his keyboard. Sitting back with a sigh, she realized whatever it was he was doing was effective at keeping him out of her way... At least until he called out that they were expecting three feet of snow at her elevation.

She glanced out the window again. The wind was not blowing quite as hard as it had been earlier, and the snow appeared to be coming down a little lighter for the moment. Though just a lull in the storm, she knew it was time to work on the path again. She had to keep it as clear as possible before they were completely snowed in. With yet another heavy sigh, she came to her feet and watched JJ rise from his place beside her easel. She finally caved in and called him up to join her when he had run off with Zach's shoe for the fifth time. Much to Zach's exasperation, JJ had punctured the leather with his canines, so she felt forced to banish her dog as far away from his current nemesis as possible.

Feeling forgiven, JJ approached and sniffed her hand before ducking his head under it for a pat. She felt her face soften slightly as she stared down at her loyal companion. Without JJ, her existence would be a lonely one, even when he misbehaved.

Zach glanced up curiously when they made their way down the stairs. As she approached, he hastily closed his laptop with a noticeable snap, and Emery's suspicion that he was working flared again. Hoping for an uneasy truce after the emotion from the morning, she offered him a tentative smile.

To her relief, he smiled back warmly. "How's it going up there?"

"It's not," she admitted.

"Are you still upset with me?"

"I can hardly blame you for the news you bring," she replied smoothly.

"That's progress," he said lightly.

The teasing words made her feel worse. "Would you like some lunch?"

He shook his head. "I went through your fridge a little while ago and ate the dinner you left in there for me. I figured I'd better eat it soon since the power is out."

Emery nodded, suddenly remembering the commotion he made a short time before. "Is that why you were banging around in here?"

He had the grace to look a little embarrassed. "I was snooping through your cabinets."

"Snooping? What for?"

"I wasn't sure where you kept things, and I didn't want to bother you."

Feeling thankful he had respected her need for privacy at such a disturbing time, Emery decided she could not be irritated that he had taken liberties. She nodded and turned toward the bedroom. "Thanks for that."

His hand reached out to stay her before she left. "Believe it or not, I'm not always insensitive. I do still have some good points left."

A ghost of a smile curved her lips. "Could've fooled me."

He shook his head slowly in a silent but effective reprimand. "I already apologized."

"That you did," she replied with false cheerfulness. "Look, I have to work on the path and bring up some more wood. By the time I get back, it should be close to dinner... I'll cook then."

Hastily setting aside the laptop, he shot to his feet. "I'll do it."

"Please Zach," she said, shaking her head. "I can handle it."

He scowled. "How can you expect me, as a man, to stay inside a somewhat warm cabin while a woman goes out and shovels?"

The incredulousness in his voice and the dismay on his face caught her so off guard that she felt a bubble of laughter begin to rise in her chest. Despite the stress she was under, and even the terror lurking behind every crevasse in her mind, he somehow had the power to make her smile. "I guess I just don't think that way. I do everything myself."

"Not even that Gage character you mentioned?"

There was an unfamiliar edge to his voice, and Emery frowned in confusion. "Gage helps me with various odd jobs here and there, but he lives in town with his mom."

Some of the tension eased from his face, and he granted her one of his handsome smiles. Emery felt her heart lurch when his teeth flashed and his eyes crinkled with mirth. His smile reminded her of how she once idolized him, dreamed of them one day marrying. It also reminded her how she wished things had been different for them both.

"I insist on shoveling anyway. I'll stay out of your way, I promise."

Sighing dramatically, she gave in. "Fine."

He was still grinning triumphantly when she threw her arms in the air in defeat and spun on her heel. Though she hurried away before her confusing emotions were revealed on her face, she stopped immediately in the doorway to her bedroom where she was greeted with yet another reminder of Zach's cocky overconfidence. This time hearing him coming up behind her, she turned around with a scowl. "What did you do?"

Instead of showing remorse for altering her private space, he had the nerve to beam proudly, a look she remembered well from their youth. Stepping closer, he crossed his arms over his chest and looked beyond her into the bedroom. He gave it a once over before grinning down at her. "Looks good, doesn't it?"

He loomed large over her, but surprisingly she no longer felt threatened by him. Instead she felt a surge of righteous anger and faced him without fear. "I never said you could..."

"What? Make your little corner of the world a little homier?"

He was actually mocking her, she realized, fuming. "Well – yes," she sputtered. "You had no right."

"Relax, would you?" He ignored her wrath fearlessly and even had the gall to wink at her. "Your place is nice enough, Em, but you have absolutely nothing personal in any of these rooms. Sure, your furniture is homemade, but that painting is the only piece of you in this place aside from the one of the cabin up in the loft."

"So what?" Her eyes narrowed threateningly. "Maybe that's the way I like it."

Still undeterred, he took a step closer, and his gaze dropped to the rapid beating of her heart revealed through the material of her turtleneck. When he spoke, his voice dropped an octave. "Now that I know you've still got a beating heart under that thick turtleneck of yours I felt I should capitalize on it."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You gave me an inch; I took a mile."

"Without my permission?"

"That painting is of me," he reminded her softly.

Their gazes met, clashed, and held for several long moments before Zach almost unconsciously took another step toward her. His movement broke the moment, and Emery inhaled sharply. So close she could smell the soap he had used to clean up with mixed with his own musky male scent, she felt her palms grow moist as she was flooded with more strange new feelings. Spinning away before he could see how unsettled he made her feel, Emery stepped into the room to get a better glimpse of the painting he had hung. She should have known that was what he was doing, but in reality she was so lost in her worry that she had not paid much attention when he was making a commotion.

In the gray light streaming in from outside, she could see the painting of Zach perfectly. The devotion she had put into that one piece seemed so obvious to her that she nearly blushed. But then she remembered only someone so intimately involved with her pieces would notice how personal this particular painting was to her and why she had been so afraid to part with it.

"I thought you wanted that for your mother," she accused in a low tone.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him wave his hand dismissively. "Unlike you, she likes to see me in person."

Rolling her eyes, she glanced at him over her shoulder. "Zach..."

"I felt this would be a much better and more appreciated place for it."

Turning to face him slowly, she rolled her eyes again. "That's pretty arrogant of you."

Holding her with his gaze, Zach's lips spread again in a slow smile. "Yes, it is. Every night before you go to sleep and every morning when you wake up you'll see my face and know I'm still here for you."

The room suddenly felt hot. Emery felt the overwhelming urge to fan her face, which had grown noticeably warm. Though he spoke matter-of-factly, the intensity behind his words was not lost on her. "Oh," she mumbled.

"I'll meet you outside." Backing from the room, he sent a wink in her direction. "And... you're welcome."

She slammed the door behind him.

***

Zach stared at the slim legs above him, feeling a good, solid dose of attraction for his childhood friend. Why, he was not sure. It had to be the close confines of the cabin, the storm, or even the heightened tension of their situation. She seemed oblivious to his scrutiny, being so intent on clearing the snow off her porch, but he knew she was every bit as aware of him as he was of her. The problem was she did not know it. Nor did he think she would figure it out on her own.

It was better that way, he thought grimly. Grimacing at his own weakness, he forced himself to remember the true purpose for his presence there. She was a job, a duty, a person he was there to protect, not the attractive woman he was snowbound in a small cabin with. Besides, she certainly had proved to be a more fragile soul than she was as a child, understandably so. However, one minute he saw the traumatized 15-year-old girl he had carried tight against his chest out of that house of horrors, and in the next he saw an innocently provocative woman more than capable of holding her own. As a matter of fact, he still felt the sting of her sharp words.

The sudden appearance of the beastly dog that either stared at him with disdain or growled low in throat when he was near drew Zach's gaze from Emery back to the path. JJ had bounded onto it, again dragging some of the eighteen inches already shoveled back onto the freshly cleared path. Zach growled in frustration. "Damn dog."

He watched as the animal, who he concluded was his greatest enemy, bounded up the stairs, skittered sideways and bounced off the porch railing as he ran to Emery. That elicited a vengeful chuckle from him, and Emery reached to pat JJ's head gently as she shot him a look. "What's so funny?"

"Your dog."

"What did he do now?"

Resting his chin on his hands at the top of the shovel, Zach watched their interaction. "Messed up my path for one," he said indicating with a nod in the direction that JJ had come. "Being a clumsy mutt for two."

"He's a great dog," she said defensively.

"To you, maybe."

"He's my best friend."

"Funny, I thought I was," he teased with a smile. She ignored him. Apparently she was not yet ready to lighten up, he thought. Not yet, anyway.

Returning his attention to the task at hand, Zach began shoveling again. Several minutes of silence passed before he noticed out of the corner of his eye that she was still watching him. With one brow raised in question, he paused and glanced back up only to catch her staring at him in a way he had not seen from a woman in longer than he wanted to admit. His heart reacted immediately with a force of longing so strong that he looked away quickly. Now that was not good, he thought.

"What?" Emery asked.

He cleared his throat, reminding himself of his conclusion just moments ago. She was a job. He had a responsibility to ensure she remained safe while the people in Phoenix tracked Augustin. But she was still staring at him nervously, and he knew without a doubt that she truly had no clue. "Nothing."

"You're almost done," she said as she looked over the railing. Just then a gust of wind blew, taking her breath away. Her lips parted when she inhaled deeply and burrowed a little deeper into her coat. Once again, Zach felt his heart lurch as he watched her, and the warning bells began to clamor even louder. He avoided looking at her and measured her progress instead.

"You are too, I see."

She had used a shovel to move most of the snow off the porch then cleared the area off with a broom. Once that was done, she sprinkled down sand to keep them from slipping on the slick wood. It was obvious she had not been lying when she said she usually did the work herself. The efficiency and speed with which she accomplished her task took him by surprise.

"It's cold. I guess we should head back in," she said with an approving nod.

Offering her a smile, he stared at the face gazing down at him. Her cheeks were red from the cold, and the beanie she wore hid most of her silky black hair. She appeared so fresh and innocent that he was reminded of the kid he grew up with. Flashes of her as a smiling child whose optimistic and cheerful presence had always brought a smile to his lips clashed with the images of her that still haunted his dreams. Oh, how he wished things had turned out differently for her. She should be happily selling her artwork in one of the fine galleries back in Scottsdale. As quickly as the thought entered his head, he stopped himself. Planning out her future was not his place, had never been his place, and he had no business thinking those things now. He glared down at his path, taking note of the higher walls on either side. The snow was deep and getting deeper by the minute, and he was allowing his thoughts to wander into places they should never go.

Scowling, he glared at the dog sniffing the area a few feet away from Emery. "Let me get the spot that your beast messed up first."

Ignoring her insulted gasp, he grasped the shovel in his hand. With no gloves to protect his fingers from the biting wind and wet snow that dripped off his hands in rivulets, they were growing numb from the cold. Emery was right. The sooner they returned to the relative warmth of the cabin, the better they would be. However, Emery had other ideas. He had only taken two steps before the first snowball hit him right in the middle of his back. It did no damage, collapsing immediately back into the white flakes that had recently fallen, but Zach turned back with a hand on his hip, his brows rising in question. "Are you sure you want to go there, Em?"

Her response was another snowball that hit his chest. He stared at the circular white mark just above his heart in amazement. "I can't believe you're –"

He glanced up just in time to stave off another attack, this one aimed directly at his face. The snowball hit his forearm and collapsed immediately, but Zach had enough. "All right then, don't say I didn't warn you."

With a low growl, he bent and scooped up a handful of snow, ignoring the cold in his fingers to compress it tightly. He briefly paused, wondering what the guys in his office would think if they saw him at that moment, but Emery continued to watch on, her red cheeks glowing and her lips curving in what appeared to be amusement. Zach felt his breath hitch from the welcome sight.

"That's my dog you're insulting," she said haughtily.

If that was not a challenge, he did not know what was. Knowing this was an opportunity to ease the tension between them and loosen the grip of fear that had taken hold of her, Zach decided to play her game. Taking careful aim through squinted eyes, he hurled a snowball in her direction, correctly determining that she would feint right. She did, and the snowball hit her shoulder with a thump.

"Hey!"

He was already bent and gathering up more snow, so Emery did the same, ducking down between the slats on the porch railing. A large ball hit just right, exploding on impact and sending cold snow to pepper her face between the openings of the thick wood. She came up laughing in her husky tone and sputtering at the same time but somehow managed to throw one at him. This time her aim was off, and it crumbled at his feet. He took the opportunity to advance and press his advantage, throwing one after another and forcing Emery to retreat hastily around the side of the house.

JJ entered the game at that point, barking and jumping up at Emery in excitement. The distraction was what Zach needed, and he rushed the stairs. Running along the porch, he caught her just as she was bending to gather another snowball from the bank of snow she had just made.

Both hands loaded, Zach reached for Emery's collar and shoved the first snowball down the back of her jacket and the second one on her head. She called out in surprise and fell forward, face first into the soft bank. With a muffled cry, she rolled over, laughing and wiping at the snow in her face with gloved fingers.

"That was not fair," she complained with little vehemence.

He stood over her, hands planted firmly on his hips and a wide grin of victory on his lips. "You can't say I didn't warn you."

"I guess you did," she admitted grudgingly.

"Uncle?"

Sighing heavily, she made one last attempt to brush snow from her eyelids. She looked adorable with white tipped lashes and those red cheeks now glistening wetly from melted snow, and it warmed him inside to see her laugh. Reaching out, he brushed some snow off her forehead, but she captured his arm with a speed that surprised him. At the same time, her leg lashed out and shoved against the back of his knee, causing him to lose his balance and fall forward with a grunt.

It would have been a good move, he thought, if he had not landed directly atop her, face to face and hip to hip. Emery gasped aloud, and both of them froze as their gazes met and locked. After a moment of stunned silence, she finally lowered her wide, startled eyes to his lips. He watched as they clouded over, and her tongue innocently reached out to moisten her lips. It took every ounce of remaining strength not to bend his head right then and there. He no longer felt the cold in his fingers or the wet of the snow. All he felt was Emery, and it was even more enticing than he had imagined. Despite the heavy layers of clothing between their bodies, it was impossible to deny the soft curves and valleys hidden under the thick parka. Nestled between her legs, Zach's body began to respond. The sexy voice, the attractive figure, and the innocent desire she was not even aware she felt was nearly enough to make him do something he knew he would greatly regret later.

"Zach?"

Her voice had a mixture of panic and curiosity, but her entire body went tense. Coming up on his elbows, he began to push himself away when she adjusted slightly beneath him by pressing her hips against his. Biting back a groan, he froze again and stared down at her in a combination of amazement and alarm. Immediately, he wished he had continued to stare at the pile of snow by her side. But no, he had to look, he had to see that her pupils had dilated, and she was staring up at him as though seeing him for the first time. Of course his body reacted immediately, and he shifted in an attempt to make his desire less obvious.

"Ok. Let me get up," he said quickly.

Closing his eyes made him only that much more aware of her softness beneath him, so he turned his gaze to a very concerned JJ, whose eager and wet nose came perilously close to Zach's chin while he reluctantly pulled away from Emery's soft body and regained his feet. Though he knew he should have walked away immediately, instead he held out his hand to help her up. He was pleased when she grasped it and held tight as he pulled her to her feet, unfortunately with just a little too much force for such a slight woman. She collided with his chest and nearly lost her footing, causing Zach to pull her close against him again. Sweet torture, he thought as his hand gripped her waist. She felt warm, alive and fit too well against his hips. "Sorry about that."

Obviously stunned too, her head came up slowly to level him with the same intent stare as before. It was an invitation, whether she knew it or not. All he needed to do was lower his head just a little... But as tempting as it was, Zach released her and took a step back. It pained him to let her go, and his body screamed in protest while his mind congratulated him for doing the right thing. There was no doubt in his mind now that Emery was pure woman underneath that aloof façade.

He turned his back in frustration. The chemistry was growing between them rapidly, he realized miserably. Just a few short days ago, he congratulated himself for keeping his solitary lifestyle, and now he was feeling like a randy teenager. They needed space – now.

### Chapter 8

The doorbell rang, and Emery threw down her book to hurry to the door. It landed on the floor, pages fluttering at her feet, but she barely noticed. After all, she had not even read a full page since the moment her mother left. Excitement made her heart race, for this was the first time she and Jose would study alone. Gone out for the evening to a school function, her mom agreed to allow Jose to come because she liked him so much. Though he was trusted, Emery still had hopes. Heart beating in anticipation, she wondered if this would be the night that he would finally kiss her...really kiss her. Not like a tentative peck, but like a boy really kissed a girl, the way she had seen Zach kiss his girlfriends.

Pulling open the front door with a wide grin, Emery's welcome died on her lips. Jose did not greet her with his customary smile. Instead his normally bookish manner had become that of a boy on edge. His eyes flitted around the living room nervously, and he brushed past her into the house.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Emery propped a hand on her hip.

Instead of answering her, he glanced toward the kitchen. All the lights were off in the rear of the house. It was quiet and dim, just the way she had planned it. However, Jose seemed not to notice. "Where's your mom?"

"She's not home, remember? She went to Mr. Walker's retirement party."

Emery cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips as Jose hurried to the back of the house to confirm her words. When he returned, he seemed not to notice the new top and jean shorts she had picked specifically for this evening. She pouted in growing irritation, but still he ignored her dismay. Boys, she thought peevishly. "Jose..."

When he turned to her, she noticed the sweat beading on his forehead and felt the first tremor of fear. Opening her mouth to question him, he immediately cut her off.

"We have to go, Emery." He took several steps toward her as her dark brows lowered in concern. "Now."

"Why? My mom knows you're coming," she protested.

Jose was shaking his head and reaching for her when pounding footsteps sounded outside. She saw his eyes widen in horror seconds before the door burst in and slammed against the wall. She had not had the chance to fully turn and face the intruders before they were surrounded, grabbed... dragged upstairs to her room...

Shouting voices. The smacking thud of fists and knuckles against skin. Jose apologizing for not locking the door behind him. His pleading to let her go. The cries and screams... The pain. Pain like she had never experienced before. And then the sight of the knife...

The blood spurted from Jose's neck, and she watched in horror as the life left his pleading, tear-filled eyes. Forgive me, they said over and over again as he had been forced to watch what they did to her. Please forgive me, Emery. But it was too late; she was next.

Emery had expected her first kiss to be bittersweet, a fumbling of untrained mouths trying to find the right rhythm, form and passion through youthful hormones and an overwhelming lack of skills. Instead her first kiss was a forceful meeting, so hard that her lips bled, a tongue thrust roughly into her mouth choking her almost as successfully as the hands around her neck... Tightening around her. She could not breathe. Her lungs ached and her brain begged for oxygen, but it just would not come. The pounding and rushing in her ears increased until they ached with the same intensity as her burning lungs.

Taking a desperate, long inhale, Emery gasped and came awake, her oxygen-starved brain screaming for help.

"Jose!"

Sitting upright in the darkness, Emery again clutched at her neck as she kicked away the blankets that had once more tangled around her legs. JJ was nudging her with his cold, wet nose, but she could not reassure him that she was okay. At the moment, she did not feel okay; she still could not breathe.

Kissing. She had been dreaming about kissing. Maybe that had been prompted by her encounter with Zach in the snow. He had almost kissed her then and may have if he was not so straight-laced. She had been disappointed when he moved away and disappeared around the side of the house without a second glance. Initially, her reaction caught her off guard, but in hindsight she was not surprised that she had wanted him to. After all, it was Zach, her first crush and childhood fantasy. She had always wanted to kiss him.

Until she remembered how it had felt.

Aware she was hyperventilating, she frantically willed her panic-induced anxiety attack to subside before she woke Zach. But it was too late. He was already there. A soft and soothing voice reached her ears in the darkness. "Slow down."

The mattress sagged under his weight as he sat down beside her, and his hand went to her back, his fingers splaying across it while his other hand pressed against her chest. Her first reaction was to pull away, but he held her firmly and guided her breathing with a slight pressure from his hand.

"It's okay, Squirt," he whispered as his face lowered to the top of her head. "It was just a dream."

She wanted to laugh sarcastically, to tell him that it was not a dream. They were there; she saw them, she heard them, and worst of all she felt their hands on her body. But he was right. Her hands clutched at her neck while she tried to force the memories away. They belonged in the locked box at the back of her mind, in the deepest recesses where she would never have to face them again.

"Sshh, now," he whispered into her hair.

He was so close, closer than anyone had been to her in a long time, but the sound of his voice was such a familiar sound. Coupled with the guiding pressure of his warm hands, the heat of which she felt right through her thick flannel pajamas, it miraculously had an effect. She began to regain control of her breathing, and the pain in her chest eased. After a few more moments, he raised his head and rested his chin against her crown, all the while murmuring words of encouragement. Finally, she swallowed hard.

"Your heart is racing as fast as a hummingbird's," he said softly. "Relax."

"Zach," she breathed.

"Yes, I'm here, Em."

Though she shook her head in the darkness, Emery realized for the first time she was glad he was there. The knowledge that he was just a few feet away gave her a feeling of safety she had not noticed before. He was there to protect her.

As her breathing leveled out, Zach's hand fell away from her chest. "I've always been here for you. I never understood why you didn't believe – why you refused to see me."

She shook her head again; still unable to speak the words she wanted to say so desperately.

"Sshh, love," he crooned. "It's ok."

Several more moments passed as Emery regained control. "They're really coming for me, aren't they?"

"Nothing's certain," he replied. "But that's why I'm here."

"But they're after me?"

She heard his regret. "We don't know yet."

"I saw you on your email. Someone contacted you. Was it about me?"

He hesitated briefly. "Yes... 2Tuff's slipped off the radar."

She shuddered, a shiver that went down her full length. "To find me?"

"It could be a number of different reasons. He's wanted on multiple charges."

Though she could tell Zach was trying to ease her worries, he could not hide the lack of conviction in his voice. "Damn you for bringing all this back," she said weakly.

He snorted. "I think it's time for you to face it and move on. Stop allowing it to rule your life. You're tougher than that."

"I can't. I'm not strong enough."

His free hand came up and stroked her hair. The touch was light and noninvasive, and Emery was surprised to realize it felt good. Almost by magic, the tension in her muscles was slowly ebbing away. There was a slight twinge of humor in his tone when he responded. "After spending two days with you, I think I can honestly say you're one of the toughest women I know. But until you accept that, I'll just be strong enough for both of us. Together we can beat them."

Oh, how she wished that were true. Taking a shaky breath, she closed her eyes and leaned against him. "I always heard stories about people who got into accidents and woke up not remembering details. I was never that lucky. I remember everything."

"Then I'll help you forget," he said softly.

"It's not that easy."

With a gentle tug, he eased her back on the bed until she was resting against her pillow. Though he remained a modest distance away, one of his hands continued to toy with her hair. The tender touch was soothing. "You've never given me a chance," he said. "I'll have you know I can be pretty entertaining when I want to be."

"I can't," she whispered sadly.

"You could if you stopped thinking so much and just allowed yourself to feel. Take pleasure in your days without worrying about what you think will happen next. There's a lot more to life than hiding in a cabin with your dog."

"I just can't."

Undeterred, Zach stretched out his length beside her. She stiffened but did not move away while she watched him pull the covers over them both before settling on his side to face her. "Go to sleep, Em. I'm here if you need me."

After a few minutes of silence, she began to relax, and her eyelids grew heavy. While she was always afraid to go back to sleep when the dreams arrived, tonight was different. She knew she could close her eyes, and Zach would watch over her. Just before she drifted back to sleep, she heard him speak again. His voice was low but full of emotion. "I saw the real Emery yesterday, and I want to bring her back for good."

***

Winter in her cabin during power outages was normally a discomfort in the morning. As Zach had griped the day before, the cabin would feel like an icebox. With temperatures outside hovering under the freezing mark, the cold and the wind turned the cozy cabin from a winter wonderland to the inside of a refrigerator as soon as the logs in the fireplace burned low. As Emery slowly awoke, the memories of the nightmare were now just a fog of blurred visions, and she realized she was surprisingly warm and comfortable despite the firm pillow beneath her head.

Eyes fluttering open, Emery glanced around her room in confusion. The gray light of dawn cast it in semi-darkness, but everything appeared normal - except for the painting Zach had strategically hung. A small smile curved her lips as she remembered his arrogant comment... The last thing she saw at night, and the first thing she saw in the morning – how silly. But there he was, hanging on the wall next to the light switch, looking brave, formal and strong. She had captured him well in that painting, and though she would never admit it she was glad he had hung it where she could view him every day.

The pillow under her head shifted slightly, and she heard a sleepy sigh. The comfortable drowsiness she enjoyed fled when she realized exactly why she felt so warm. Zach was in bed with her, and she was snuggled against his side. Muffling a surprised gasp, Emery fought the urge to recoil when his arm tightened reflexively around her. His words rang in her ears, reminding her to relax and stop acting so instinctively. They were words startlingly similar to what Maggie had told her all those years ago. When she first woke up, she had felt warm and safe. She was comfortable. Why did realizing she felt that way because it was Zach make it something to avoid?

Because he was a man.

Who would never hurt her, she chided herself. But she was still uneasy. The arm around her shoulder may have been warm, but it was very capable of restraint and with restraint came memories of pain. Those were the memories she needed to put to rest, according to Zach. Not forget, oh no, she would never forget, but no longer allow them to rule her life.

He stirred slightly as Emery eased away, and the arm that had been so snugly wrapped around her flexed from the loss. Shivering, she realized there was something to be said about sharing space on cold, wintery evenings, and it had been nice to be in Zachary's arms. With a wry smile, she glanced down at JJ's slumbering form and wondered if she should start allowing the large dog to sleep on the bed once Zach left.

She frowned. Two days ago, she had been eager to push him away, and now the idea filled her with a flurry of emotions she could not name. It had been pleasant to talk, laugh and enjoy his humor as though the years had not separated them. It amazed her how easily they seemed to fall back into the steadfast friendship they had shared. Granted, it had taken him all but yelling at her for her to open her eyes to reality, but even with his terrifying reasons for being there she felt safe for the first time in years.

Looking down at him, she suddenly realized just how good a person Zachary became after her attack. He had dedicated his life to investigating those who broke the law, made it his life's purpose to prevent the same thing that happened to her from happening to others. Her fingers curled into fists as she continued to stare down at him. He had done so much for her, and she was unable to look beyond her pain and shame to stand before him and express her gratitude. Yet here he was, still willing to offer her support. There was no doubt in her mind that he would protect her if the need arose. She just prayed it did not come to that. More than anything, she prayed for that. As it was, she wondered why it was happening again. Why couldn't she just live in peace?

As if aware of her steady stare, Zach shifted again. His face turned more fully in her direction, still relaxed in sleep. Emery knew Zachary would make a fine husband one day with a houseful of children, little dark-haired boys who would grow up to be as brave and smart as their father. Smiling at the image, it faded slightly as she wondered why he had not yet married. In fact, she wondered about a lot of things, which made her realize she never even asked.

His eyelids fluttered briefly then opened, and a sleepy smile appeared when he saw her watching him. "I was wondering where you went," he said drowsily. "It suddenly got cold over here."

Hot blotches of color appeared on her cheeks, and she cleared her throat self-consciously. "You slept in my bed."

"Yep, I did," he said triumphantly. "And it was a helluva lot better than the rocking chair."

Biting back a smile, she slid off the bed and crossed the small room to where her bathrobe hung on the peg. He watched her lazily from his position on his back, his head resting on his forearm. Slipping it on, she tied the belt before turning to face him again. "Zach, are you married?"

The content smile on his face faded into a frown. "Married? Whatever gave you that idea?"

The heightened color on her cheeks turned into a blush that crept down her neck. "I was thinking about it this morning -"

"I'm not married," he interrupted firmly.

"And I was wondering why that was."

For the first time, Zach appeared uncomfortable. He shifted in her bed, scooting a little higher up against the pillows and avoiding her gaze. "I don't know. I've been too busy I suppose."

"Surely you've dated?"

"Of course I have..." He scowled. "Wait, what's this about?"

Emery blinked. "I – nothing. It's nothing. Just curiosity. You said some things last night that made me think."

"I did?" He frowned again. "When did I give you the impression that I was married?"

"Oh no, not that. I was wondering why you weren't. You're such a wonderful person."

The confusion that had marred his face suddenly faded into a languid, self-satisfied smile that crinkled his eyes and showed off his bright teeth. "You think so, huh?"

Emery's mouth snapped closed. She knew that look. That was Zach preparing to tease her, and the fluttery feeling in her belly started all over again. "I'll start breakfast," she muttered.

Pulling open the door, she hurried away, leaving the sound of Zach and his satisfied chuckle behind. Cheeks flaming, she got busy re-lighting the fire while Zach disappeared into the bathroom. The sound of his rustling reminded her of their situation. The tub she filled was serving their needs for water, but she longed for a hot shower to ease the tension in her muscles. She assumed he did as well. Taking out a large pan, Emery poured some sink water from a jug into it and set it on the stove. Today she would offer him warm water to clean up with and then wash her hair. If they were forced to remain in each other's company, at least they could be clean.

He appeared a few minutes later, dressed in jeans and a thick flannel shirt over a black t-shirt, looking very much a man of his surroundings. Still flustered, she nodded toward the stove where the pan was resting instead of meeting his dancing gaze. "I'm heating up some water for you."

Running his hand over his stubbly cheeks, he smiled wryly. "Are you trying to say you don't like my beard?"

"No, not at all," she said hastily. In fact, quite the opposite was true. He looked extremely rugged and handsome with the dark growth that made his blue eyes appear even more striking. Clearing her throat, she hastened to explain. "I was thinking of washing my hair and thought you might like to clean up, too."

He winked at her. "I was teasing you."

Her blush deepened again. "Oh."

"That would be great, Squirt. It does itch a little." While she busied herself preparing two cups of instant coffee with creamer and sugar, Zach wandered to the French doors and stood before them, his hands shoved in his pockets. "The snow stopped."

It was true. With the brightening light of dawn, Emery could see the clouds had moved on, and the sun would brighten the cabin in just a few short hours. It seemed to match her mood, which had surprisingly improved that morning as well. Loose flakes continued to blow in the wind, a reminder of just how cold it was outside, but there appeared to be only another eight inches outside left to shovel. The storm had finally passed, leaving them with a total of just under three feet of snow. Nothing too unmanageable, which meant the power would return within a few days. However, it also meant the roads would be cleared, and that would inevitably bring the danger Zach had revealed. For the first time in a long time, Emery glanced at the rising sun with some dread and lingering fear.

"It may flurry a bit," she commented absently.

"I'll shovel the rest after breakfast."

"Not necessary," she taunted in a sing-song voice.

He glanced at her over his shoulder, and his lips twisted sardonically. "You cook; I clean. Wasn't that the deal?"

"Oh yeah, I guess it was."

He grinned. "Finally you concede. I have to admit I was getting tired of your stubbornness."

"I'm not stubborn," she protested.

Laughing, Zach shook his head. "Em, you've got to be the most stubborn woman I know... but that's okay because I can use that to our benefit if it comes to it."

"Let's hope it doesn't." She nodded toward the pan, forcing a smile through tight lips. "Your water's ready."

His smile broadened. "Emery, I think this is going to be a good day."

As he disappeared into the bathroom whistling, she realized she really hoped he was right.

### Chapter 9

Zach whistled cheerfully again while he washed up before dinner, using the washcloth and bar of soap Emery left for him before his quick wash that morning. Though not a steaming hot shower that heated his bones, he still enjoyed washing with warm water. He felt more human and more presentable once he shaved and washed his hair that morning, and judging by Emery's more cheerful mood he suspected she did as well.

It had been a nice day, he decided proudly. Building upon their tentative truce, they finished clearing off the porch together and enjoyed another snowball fight that cumulated into fun for all. JJ naturally joined in, running circles around them and jumping up and eating their snowballs out of their hands. For the first time, he heard Emery's joyous, uninhibited laughter while she played with her dog. Stunned, he watched, feeling left out and entertained at the same time, and he found their antics struck a chord deep inside his previously hardened heart.

Zach was actually beginning to like the dumb beast. No longer growling at him or running off with his shoes, which Zach had safely stowed in his rental, JJ had begun to accept his presence in the cabin. Besides, it was hard not to like something that took so much joy in life and in Emery, and he observed her interact with the dog with a twinge of envy.

Jealous of a dog? Who would have thought?

But it was true. As he watched them play tag in the deep snow, messing up his neatly cleared path, he realized he wanted Emery to trust him as much as she trusted that oversized beast of an animal. He wanted her to feel comfortable enough with him to laugh without inhibition and smile with pure affection at him the way she did with JJ. Despite these startling revelations, he was confident he was making progress. After his shocking words the day before, a new understanding had blossomed between them. She accepted he came to her door for a reason, a very serious one. Augustin was loose and possibly searching for her again, and it was up to Zach to make sure she remained safe until he was caught. For now, the situation was under control.

There was only one problem with his original plan. As he had learned during their play in the snow, Emery had become aware of him as a man, and unfortunately he reciprocated. After all, he was still a man behind his duty to protect. Indeed, he wanted to kiss her every time he caught her staring at him, reach for her when she passed, and find an excuse to stand near her at every turn. But the intensity of his longing served as both a reminder and a warning. He needed to behave and act like the professional he was or he could lose it all and possibly lose her forever.

He was just finishing up with the last of the warm water when he heard Emery's sharp cry followed by a plate crashing to the floor. Hastily tossing aside his towel, he hurried to the door and pulled it open to find Emery in the space between the living and dining room, her hand pressed to her mouth and her eyes wide with horror.

Zach stiffened, instantly on alert. "What's wrong?"

A quick glance around the room revealed JJ eating the large piece of steak that had fallen to the floor and Emery, whose face had gone as white as the winter snow outside. They were alone. She did not respond as he moved closer, so his gaze followed the direction of hers. His briefcase was still open and resting on the table where he left it that afternoon. Raising a hand to his newly shaved cheek, Zach rubbed all the way around his neck and mentally berated himself. He knew what was in there, and he knew what she saw. A mug shot... Vasquez's face.

With a muffled curse, he brushed past her, gathered up his papers and snapped the briefcase closed. In a show of uncustomary anger, he tossed the briefcase across the room, taking pleasure when it slammed against the far wall and clattered to the floor. Once it came to rest against the bookshelf, JJ's chewing and the crackling of the fire were the only sounds in the small cabin. Still cursing his negligence, he turned to her and gazed down in concern.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I should've put that stuff away."

She jerked away and crossed the room. Frowning, he watched as she went to stand before the French doors with her chest heaving. "It just hit me now that he's coming for me."

Zach approached with confident steps. Having witnessed two other similar attacks, this time he knew what to expect and how to calm her. Catching her moist hands in his, he drew her toward him.

"No, he's gone. He can never hurt you again." He guided her to the sofa bed and sat her down. JJ appeared beside him to nudge Emery, but Zach pushed the giant head away and glared at the overprotective dog. As he did so, Emery focused on him.

"Just relax," he advised. "Remember, you can breathe; you're just hyperventilating."

"I'm going to have to leave my cabin... my home until they're caught."

"No you don't. That's why I'm here. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."

The truth of the matter was that he had been surprised how quickly Emery had relaxed after his news. She had not run around the house to barricade it, nor had she peppered him with multiple requests for updates. Life had gone on for her that day. She actually seemed to have had fun in his company. He had suspected she had not yet come to terms with it, and in hindsight he knew he should have realized it could all hit at once. Feeling a diversion was in order, he gripped her hands and raised them to his lips.

"Do you remember when you had that birthday party with the bouncy house in your backyard? Your mother asked me to come over and help her run it?"

She stared at him blankly.

"I was in charge of the compressor and keeping track of the girls that went in so it wouldn't get overloaded. Do you remember that?"

She blinked rapidly, but her brow furrowed as she struggled to remember. "I was turning nine."

"Right. I was in high school and felt really weird hanging around with a bunch of girls dressed up like princesses."

Drawing on all his techniques as a trained observer, he studied her face, taking in the level of fear and strain glowing in her eyes and tightening the skin around her face. He kept speaking, replacing her memories while JJ plopped down behind him with a disgruntled groan.

"I didn't want to go over there, but my mother insisted I help out. She loved to do what she could to help – even if it meant sending over her beloved teenage son to hang out with a bunch of princesses. We fought about it initially, but I have to say when I saw you dressed up like Belle it made it all worth it. You made me laugh when you came up to me in that silly yellow dress and pronounced me your handsome prince." He chuckled as he remembered. With one finger he reached forward and tipped up her chin until their gazes met again. "I thought you were the prettiest princess there."

And still did, he thought longingly. Eager to quell the urge to tell her that, Zach gave her hands a tug. "Why don't we go for a walk? The fresh air will probably feel good."

Emery stared at him as she came to her feet. "You really thought that?"

"Yes, I did... although I couldn't exactly say so as a teenager," he said dryly. "You were still in elementary school, you know."

While he hoped the distraction from his story would have the positive effect of getting her mind off her thoughts, he watched in dismay as her eyes filled with tears instead.

"Aw shit," he mumbled as one slipped over her thick, black lashes. Reaching out, he wiped it away. "Can I not do anything right today?"

She shook her head rapidly. "It's just... I always thought you found me a nuisance."

Then she broke down. No longer caring what was considered appropriate, Zach enveloped her into his arms and pulled her against his chest. Emery needed him, needed his support and someone to listen to her grief, and he would happily be the one to do so. Anything to bring back that sparkling personality he knew was still hiding deep inside her. She gathered up the material in the front of his shirt and balled it into her fists tightly as she began to cry in earnest.

"You were right. I was lying the whole time. This is not what I wanted my life to be like," she said.

"I know," he said, hugging her tightly.

"I wanted to have a real life... I wanted my prince."

"You can still have that," he said. "You can do anything you want."

"I feel broken. I feel as though they stole everything from me."

Zach stiffened, but his words were emphatic and filled with enough emotion to leave no doubt to his feelings. "You're not broken, you're scared. There's a difference."

"I didn't want you to see me like this," she whispered. "I was ashamed."

Zach squeezed his eyes shut against the tormented sound of her voice. For a man who preferred to keep his associations light, the amount of pain that pierced his chest reminded him exactly why that was. Flashes of the girl he had once known and cared for appeared behind his closed eyes. Then the sight of those men, the sound of their laughter, shattered the face in his mind leaving only blood, hers mingled with Jose's. If they came for her again, he would surely kill them. "Honey, you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of," he said forcefully.

"I do. You were there..."

"You did nothing wrong," he insisted.

"I tried to fight, I really did."

With as light a touch as he possibly could, he stroked her back and hair. She felt good, warm and alive in his arms no matter what she believed. She was alive today because she was strong, but this was an area where he was stunted. He struggled to find the right words to keep her talking. Falling back to his training, he spoke automatically. "You did the exact right thing you needed to do to survive."

"They were too strong; there were too many of them. I couldn't beat them even though I tried."

Zach turned his gaze to the windows in order to regain control over his rising emotion. Hearing her heartbreak was more difficult than he expected, and though familiar with seeing victim's grief, this was different. This was his Emery, and her pain was almost his own. Swallowing back the lump in his throat, Zach whispered roughly. "I know you did, love. You're a survivor."

"Physically, maybe," she whispered with a sniffle. "You were right. The rest is just a shell."

"I see the real you when you're with JJ," he encouraged. "I see it in your art. I know she's in there and want you to show me."

"But I can't... I'm afraid."

"Of me? You have no reason to be. I'd never hurt you."

"But seeing you reminds me of what I've become. I wanted you to remember me how I was."

Grasping her arms lightly, Zach eased her away until he was able to see her face. Her eyes were red-rimmed and still swimming with tears, but in his eyes she was even lovelier than ever. The force of his conviction made his voice thick. "I'll never see you as anything but _my_ Emery, _my_ little Squirt. Nothing can change that. We go back too far and too long."

"I'm not that person anymore."

"Only because you choose not to be." He dipped his head until their noses almost touched.

"Right now, I don't think I can change," she whispered.

"That's nonsense. You've changed already. You're talking about it and sharing things you probably haven't spoken of in years," he whispered back. A smile deepened the corners of his mouth, and he leaned closer. "You're an amazing woman, Emery Marie."

Before he could stop himself, he closed the gap between them and allowed their lips to meet for the first time. He kept it brief, a mere brushing of their lips, but Emery inhaled sharply in surprise. In the instant before he broke away, he felt her yield slightly, and a surge of triumph joined the heat spreading through his limbs. But the victory was brief. As soon as he raised his head, he saw the tears still welling in her eyes. A sob rose from deep within her chest as she blinked up at him, and her words, a single sentence, did a better job at expressing her internal anguish than all of her actions combined. His heart slowly cracked when she raised a trembling hand to her lips.

"Oh Zach, I always wanted a special first kiss."

***

Dinner forgotten and devoured by JJ, Emery opened eyes that felt gritty and puffy and realized she had ruined their evening. Grimacing, she blinked several times. It took her a moment to comprehend that she was again resting on Zach's broad and firm chest, the feel of which was becoming entirely too familiar. Zach, on the other hand, rested in a very uncomfortable position beneath her, his neck propped at a sharp angle against the back of the sofa bed. He appeared to be dozing too, for he did not move when she lifted her head.

Humiliation burned as the events of the evening came rushing back. She cried, had finally broken down and told Zach of her inner shame. However, instead of agreeing, Zach had fiercely defended her. Not only that, but he had also bent and given her a kiss before she began crying like a child.

How long had it been since she had sobbed away her pain?

Years, maybe, but she had to admit that despite her stuffed nose and scratchy eyes, she actually felt lighter. It had been surprisingly refreshing to talk about it, or more appropriately sob about the things that had haunted her so long. She certainly had vented some of her pent up emotions, and it was all because of Zach. Once again she was wrapped in the warmth of his arms, and she felt relaxed, safe and...cozy. The heat in her cheeks blossomed further when she realized that what she was feeling was undoubtedly attraction. The warm fuzzy feeling was similar to her reaction when they had played in the snow. A bit of pressure in her belly, a slow, steady spread of warmth that settled in her loins and replaced her ever-present fear. Her body's reaction made her memories fade into the background.

As gently as possible, Emery began to slide away. She rolled onto her side first, and then eased toward the edge of the bed. She had nearly reached her destination when Zach's arm tightened, and he rolled over with her and drew her back into his embrace. Emery went still when he buried his face in her hair. Her heart began to race in her chest, a forceful pumping that sent blood to every inch of her body. Zach was pressed entirely against her, and she could feel his hips against her buttocks in a very intimate way. To increase her alarm, his free arm slipped around her waist.

Then his hand instinctively closed around her breast, and he sighed into her hair. Emery went rigid. The mixture of surprise and panic combined into a flurry of emotions, causing her to freeze in indecision. Did she awaken him and embarrass them both, or did she do her best to wait until he had relaxed more fully before trying to make her escape? Thoughts colliding, it took her a moment to comprehend that in reality she was more concerned with the growing desire in her body than she was at his closeness. Stunned, she blinked in surprise. Zach had been right after all; she really was changing.

However, her elation was brief, for she realized with some unease that her body was responding with a will of its own, one that made her feel as though she was not in complete control. Beneath Zachary's hand, her breast began to feel heavy and full, as though all the blood pumping wildly through her rapidly beating heart was pooling in the palm of his large hand.

Intent on getting away, she did not sense Zachary's awareness until his hand released her breast and moved to her shoulder. "Em," he whispered, drawing her to onto her back.

Unable to speak beyond the rapid pounding of her heart, she stared up at him wide-eyed. When she did not answer, he shifted slightly to come up on one elbow. As he gazed down at her in the semi-darkness, she noticed that his eyes were smoldering, his blue eyes nearly black. He studied her in silence for several moments before his deep voice echoed in the cabin.

"It may be wrong and probably not the right thing to do given the circumstances, but I'd like to be the man to give you that special first kiss."

Emery's eyes went even wider. "I - uh... you already did."

His handsome half-smile appeared at the exact moment his head began to descend. "That wasn't a real kiss," he advised huskily. "This is."

Before she could respond, he again closed the gap.

### Chapter 10

In all of Zach's thirty years, he had never felt so nervous kissing a woman. Sure, he was as human as the next guy when he was a teen, wondering if he would be rated as a good kisser or a clumsy fool. In his usual over-confident way, he had mastered all those previous experiences and conquered any of his lingering doubts. However, this time was different. This was Emery. Aware that he had made some pretty grandiose promises to a woman made skittish by her past experiences, Zach inhaled slowly before closing the final distance. It would take all his skill and patience to make good on that promise. More than anything he wanted to draw her away from that self-protective wall, not make it higher.

Fighting back the twinge of conscience warning him that he was violating every rule in the book, Zach concluded there was no one else who understood Emery and knew her as well as he did. He was the only man who could do it right, the only man who cared enough.

Emery's eyes were wide and her gaze riveted to his. When he tentatively brushed his lips against hers, they were soft and moist. Raising his head, he smiled down at her. "Close your eyes."

Blinking rapidly, she studied him as if debating whether or not to believe him. Finally, she nodded slightly. It gave him the necessary reassurance to continue his pursuit, and he brushed two more times before deepening the pressure. Throughout the initial meeting, Emery lay still as a stone. While not used to such hesitant behavior, Zach remained focused on the task at hand knowing this was new for both of them. So much could be altered between them if he handled things right, and he planned to make sure he did. After two more brief passes, he sensed some of the hesitation easing out of her body and took advantage of the opportunity. His tongue slipped out to taste her lips before coaxing her to part them, and he felt as well as heard her surprised intake of breath when he finally gained entry.

_Easy_ , he reminded himself.

Moving slowly, Zach used every ounce of willpower he possessed to keep their kiss as undemanding as possible. After a moment, her tongue rubbed against his, meeting his gentle thrusts with her own, and one of her hands reached up to grasp his bicep tightly. With an instinct born of passion, she tilted her head to allow their mouths to meet more fully, deepening the kiss. His patience was rewarded when he heard a soft sound emerge from the back of her throat.

All the while Zach counted. First he counted to a hundred; then he counted backward from a hundred. When he was done counting, he did his ABCs forward and backward. Knowing how important this was to Emery made it possible for him to control his growing desire, though he nearly jumped when he felt her hand slip up his arm to cup his cheek. She was opening to him, he thought triumphantly.

Emboldened by her responsiveness, Zach's free hand slipped in a little closer. His fingers sought out and found the hem of her sweater, and he gave it a tentative tug. With no resistance, the material gave way for his hand, and he lightly lifted the hem up and up as his hand skimmed over her smooth skin of her abdomen. Her skin was like silk, smooth and firm under his rough palm. As she arched instinctively against him, he squeezed her waist lightly before easing upward to the gentle padding of her bra and covered her with his palm.

"Zach!"

Squeezing his eyes shut for a moment to clear his head, he opened them again to see Emery staring at him with wide, shocked eyes.

"I'm, uh," she started. Her mouth worked and brow furrowed with intent, but no further words came out.

"Emery," he said but paused. What could he say? Their kiss was not what he expected either. Getting lost in the moment was not wise of him at all. This was Emery. She was not like the other women he had known.

"That was a... nice first kiss," she mumbled, scooting hastily across the bed. He watched as she came to her feet, her hands tugging on her sweater to straighten it out.

He nodded wordlessly. Watching that smooth skin disappear from sight was almost as painful as watching her leave his side. Damn, he must have lost his mind.

"I should go."

Swallowing hard, Zach nodded again. That was a good idea. "Goodnight, Emery."

Her hands shook when she clasped them together in front of her. His well-trained eye took in the heightened color on her cheeks and the dilation of her pupils. This time he was sure it was not panic inducing the emotion on her face, and it took every ounce of strength not to reach out and pull her down again. Their kiss had only proven what he suspected all along. Emery was stronger than she thought, and she was definitely not broken. Zach had once read a scientific paper regarding exposure therapy as a means to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Perhaps the storm forcing his constant presence was showing her that she really was not a lost cause as she believed.

However, at the same time, their kiss gave him cause for concern. It also proved to him that where Emery was concerned he was not in total control. Strange longings were replacing his prior determination to remain free, and he was unsure how to regain control of the primal urge telling him she was a lot more than just an old friend.

Mouth opening and closing a few times before she was able to speak, Emery looked down at him with a bemused expression. "Thank you," she said abruptly. Then she turned and was gone, disappearing into her room and closing the door solidly behind her.

Zach stared at the dog, sleeping so casually at his feet. She was so confused she had left him behind – an act so out of character that Zach almost laughed. The dog returned his stare with one eye open, so Zach reached down and patted his head absentmindedly. "I've lost my mind," he said wryly and was rewarded with a lick.

***

The morning song of a pair of birds outside her window awakened Emery. As her eyes fluttered open, the first thing she did was sit bolt upright and glance around the room for Zach. This morning he was nowhere in sight, and the door she closed behind her the night before was still latched the way she left it.

The room was cold, even chillier than normal since the door was shut, and she shivered with a mixture of disappointment and dismay. Only a few days had passed since Zach stumbled back into her life, and already he had altered everything. While he disrupted her regular routine, he certainly had replaced it with a new one – one that included him.

A long yawn escaped her lips, followed by a big stretch that eased the tension from her limbs. Since Zach showed up at her door with his terrible news, she had not slept well. At least she finally was able to sleep through the night.

She paused. She had slept through the night. No dreams. No panic attacks. Actually, she felt more relaxed today than she had in a long time.

As she crossed her arms over her chest to ward off the chill, she brushed her breasts and was immediately reminded of what had occurred the evening before. Now that was the real reason she had slept so well, the true cause for her languid yet unfulfilled feeling this morning. Wiggling her toes, she pressed her fingers against her lips and smiled like a giddy child.

Zach had kissed her – a _real_ kiss.

Feeling the heat spread up her neck as well as fill up her belly, Emery remembered her reaction. Yes, Zach had kissed her, and he had been right. She felt things that were so amazing and wonderful that for a moment or two she thought she would scream... Until she had ruined it by running away.

It had felt so good, and it was the pleasure itself that had caused her to jump off the bed. However, as far as Zach knew, she was incapable of feeling anything. If anything, she had proven that to him the evening before. Her elation sank and was replaced by embarrassment.

Knowing she had to face him eventually, Emery tossed back her covers with a shiver and began to dress. Though she dressed quickly to escape the cold, her hand hesitated on the doorknob. She knew she had disappointed Zach, and today she had to face his frustration. Taking a deep breath, Emery wrapped her hand around the doorknob and pulled it open. Instantly a blast of warmer air reached her, and she opened her door wider to allow it entry into her bedroom. So he was awake, she thought nervously. Unsure what to expect, her eyes drifted closed as she entered the room, but when she opened them she was surprised nonetheless. The living room was empty. The sofa bed was made up neatly, and the extra blankets were folded as he had done every day. The fire was stoked up and burning, and yet there was no sign of Zach anywhere in the small cabin.

Stepping deeper into the room, Emery glanced up at the loft. It was the only other place he could be, but that too was empty. Emery's mouth dropped open, and she retreated to the kitchen. The previous night's dinner dishes had been cleared and washed, and there was an additional mug from morning coffee in the strainer.

But the cabin was empty.

Fearing she had scared him off, she glanced around frantically. Hoping there would be some sign he had not gone out in the night to dig out his car and recklessly drive away, she searched for his suitcase, his briefcase, anything at all that would prove he had not left her. The growing panic in her chest eased when her gaze fell on his suitcase tucked behind the arm of the sofa, and she cried out her relief. As soon as it escaped, she wanted to cringe. Her reaction was very strange...

But at least he did not leave in the night.

Still chiding herself over her emotional display, Emery turned her attention to the remaining water in the kettle for her coffee. All the while she wondered where Zach went. In her wonderings, she also noted JJ was not in the cabin either and felt even more annoyed. She had not even noticed her missing dog.

"Geez," she muttered to herself. She was a mess all because of one kiss. Placing her face in her hands, she wondered what was happening to her. With emotions all over the map, she was fast feeling as though she could not tell whether she was coming or going from one minute to the next. She was so darned confused she felt as though she would explode.

It did not get any better when she heard footsteps on the porch and felt her heart leap forcefully in her chest. Raising her head from her hands, she hastily smoothed her hair away from her face and wiped her palms down her sweater, hoping she looked presentable. The door swung open while her heart did little flip-flops, and suddenly there he was, standing aside so JJ could pass before closing the door behind him. She watched as he stomped the snow off of his boots and then bent to unlace them. His strong fingers loosened the laces with the same confidence he had eased her sweater up with the day before, and she could feel a flush rise on her cheeks.

When he finally glanced up and saw her staring at him, he sent her a half-smile. She noticed immediately that it was hesitant and did not quite reach his eyes. Knowing her face flamed nearly as red as his ruddy and windblown cheeks, she lowered her gaze to his boots as he kicked them off.

"Good morning," he said.

"Hi," she replied.

"Sleep well?"

She swallowed. The awkwardness seemed to be increasing rather than easing. "I did, thank you. You?"

His smile turned wry. "Not really."

"Oh," she murmured, glancing down at her coffee.

Luckily they were saved from further discomfort by the sound of a motor. In the silence of the snowy forest, the noise of the truck's approach echoed throughout the cabin. "We have company," he said tersely.

Their gazes met and locked when the rumble of the engine turned to the vibration of an engine at idle. Emery watched his hand slip to his waist where she noticed he kept his Glock always close by.

He had pulled it free by the time she had gone around the kitchen counter and held out a hand to stop him. "It's Gage," she explained hastily.

"Gage?" He stared down at her while he struggled to place the name. The tension eased slowly as he remembered, but his nod was brusque. "The kid who helps you out here?"

"He's come to plow my drive," she said. "He always comes as soon as he's able."

The sound of a car door slamming reminded them both of the rental car, now buried under several feet of snow.

"He must've found your car," she said in explanation.

JJ's low growl confirmed the impending arrival of _someone_ , be it Gage or someone else, and soon enough they heard footsteps on the porch followed by a sharp knock on the door. Amidst JJ's ferocious barking, Zach held his weapon by his side. He gently eased Emery behind him before nudging JJ out of the way so he could crack open the door. "Yeah?"

Emery heard Gage before she saw him. His voice was raised with worry. "Who the hell are you? Where's Emery?"

Zach visibly relaxed and allowed Gage to push the door open further. The younger man entered and glanced around suspiciously, his eyes growing wide when he saw her emerge from behind Zach's shoulders. Offering a smile to the tall, thin boy with spiky brown hair poking around the rim of his wool hat, Emery tried to ease his obvious concern. "Hi Gage. Been busy this morning?"

He blinked in confusion, his brow furrowed. "Emery?"

Still keeping it light, she nodded toward the snow covered ground. "The storm was pretty bad, wasn't it?"

He shook his head suspiciously. "What's going on?"

Emery swallowed, sure that the blush she had just managed to be rid of had appeared again in full bloom. Resisting the urge to cover her cheeks in embarrassment, she managed a tenuous smile for her friend. "Gage, this is my friend, Zach. He came the day of the blizzard and was snowed in."

Gage did not even look Zach's way when he moved off to replace his weapon out of sight. A red flush rose on his windblown cheeks, and he scowled down at her. "He's been staying here with you? Here?"

"Well, I couldn't exactly send him off in that little rental," she said wryly.

Gage's mouth closed abruptly when he realized what he had said. However, his frown remained. "Who is he?"

At that point, Zach stepped forward and held out his hand. "Zach Evans," he said with a polite smile.

Gage continued to stare at Emery, ignoring Zach's hand completely. The feeling of discomfort grew when Zach allowed it to fall back to his side, and a tense silence fell between them. Afraid that Gage may do something else to insult or anger Zach, she lifted pleading eyes to her friend.

"Please Gage," she said. "He's my friend. He's on vacation and stopped by but then got stuck here in the storm."

"I'll dig him out now so he can go then," Gage said stubbornly.

Zach frowned while Emily's heart gave a lurch in her chest. It was such a strong reaction that she almost cried out in protest.

"The highways are open?" Zach asked.

"All the roads are open," Gage said, still refusing to look at him.

Emery sent a quick glance at Zach, one that Gage caught. His scowl deepened.

"Good then. I'll come help you," Zach said mildly.

Even though she was aware of Gage's scrutiny, Emery's mouth fell open when Zach spoke. Though she knew he would eventually leave, she had not expected him to be so eager to go, especially when they had unfinished business between them and so many unknowns to fear. Zach did not seem to notice her reaction, or he chose to ignore her completely. He quickly re-laced his boots and grabbed his keys while both Emery and Gage watched on, displeased.

When he met their stares, he shrugged. "Ready?"

Sending one last glance at Emery, Gage nodded quickly. "Let's do it."

With that, both men walked past her and out into the cold without another word. Emery remained standing, wondering how to stop him from running away or whether or not she should.

### Chapter 11

The day passed painfully slowly. A hollow feeling had settled in Emery's breast when she watched Gage and Zach work to get the rental out of the snow. Using shovels and ice scrapers, they had worked hard until the tires were exposed. No sooner was the car free than Zach had returned for his briefcase and left again with only a brief smile in her direction and mumbling something about returning to civilization. She had not returned his smile, but she did watch him leave from the loft window. At the time she thought she felt the sting of tears, too.

Once the car disappeared in a wisp of exhaust vapor, the loneliness had set in. It remained while she busied herself with bringing up more firewood, this time with JJ following behind. It stung while she confirmed she had enough remaining bottled water and batteries to last another day or two until the power came back on, and it peaked to a raw burn when she checked her cold items to make sure they were still usable. These everyday tasks she handled with hardly a second thought seemed pathetic now, reminding her of how isolated an existence she really led. Everything appeared bleak now that Zach had left.

After locking up the house, she retired to the loft to work after a quick lunch of peanut butter and jelly. That helped to brighten her spirits a little. She began to expand her sketch of the squirrel, turning his alert gaze into a lifelike exhibit of nature at its finest that came out surprisingly well considering the upheaval in her life. The distraction of producing a piece of art that would make her proud kept her moving and working until the sun was low in the sky and the cabin had settled into a deep chill. That was when she began to feel the terror again. The knowledge that _they_ might be coming for her reminded her that she would have to make some plans soon to leave for some time. But where could she go?

Knowing from the growing chill in her fingers that she would have to add more wood to the fire, Emery set down her paintbrush and came to her feet. Her back was stiff from sitting so long, but the pain satisfied her. She liked to work when the bug hit and keep at it while her muse rested upon her shoulder like a miniature cheerleader pushing her on. She cleaned up with a pleased look at what she had accomplished.

JJ plodded along behind her when she returned to the lower level, shaking his mighty face with a rapid ear slapping. He had been a good companion that day, snoozing after his morning romp in the snow with Zachary. However, it had been hours since she had put him out, and she was certain he was hungry.

With no power, the only functioning clock was a battery operated cuckoo clock that hung in the kitchen, and when Emery glanced at it, she was surprised to see just how late it was. The setting sun did not lie; it was nearly dinner time. She let JJ out alone while she added more wood to the fire and then set the kettle on to warm up some water for hot cocoa. With Zachary gone, there was no urge to prepare a meal just for her, so she added a pan for hot water to bathe with in the hopes it would relax her enough to go to bed early.

There was no doubting it; she led a boring life. It was no wonder Zach had called her out on it.

While she waited for the water to warm up, she fed JJ and stared out at the snowy vista beyond her window. Her life may be boring and simple, but she loved her little cabin in the woods. She did not want to return to a big city and try to blend in with all the motor vehicles and people. This was her home; she loved the quiet and joy of being deep in nature.

As if on cue, a pair of elk appeared from the direction of the meadow. The snow was deep, up to their chests and higher in some spots, but they slowly wandered from the woods to her backyard taking large steps to pick their way through the snow. This pair was not unknown to her. She had seen the large bull on multiple occasions, though he had never paid a visit to her backyard. Most likely the snow had covered many of the smaller saplings in the meadow, leaving them to forage closer to the house. The arrival of the pair served as a stark reminder of the danger looming over her head. It was because of moments like this that she loved her home so much, and that could all come to an end if _they_ came. With a heavy heart, she turned away to tend to her water, leaving the wildlife to rummage around in the growing darkness.

Rather than bathing in the bathroom, Emery opted for the warmer kitchen with its deeper sink to wash in. After completing the task like this for so long, she was able to make short work of her cat bath. Alone again, she did not hesitate to don her snug fitting thermal pajamas. Those sets were warmer and more comfortable than the high-necked and looser cotton sets she had been wearing, and she hoped the warmer clothing would help her enjoy another dreamless sleep like the night before. More than anything she wanted to deny these new and frightening feelings and go back to the way things had been before Zach arrived and stirred everything up. Before he came and reminded her that she did have a heart - the one that was currently aching with loneliness and fear.

Dressed in her pajamas and slippers, Emery hurried to complete her hair. The sky had grown darker, which made the cabin dim. Light was running out unless she pulled out her lamps. Quickly dunking her hair to wet it, Emery shampooed rapidly and was reaching for the cup to rinse it out when JJ growled low in his chest. A moment later he began to bark as the door swung open.

"Your door is unlocked."

With a startled cry, Emery raised her head and promptly got shampoo in her eyes. Gritting her teeth against the burn, she frantically wiped them so she could see who had invaded her home. Blinking did not help. She was blinded. But she did recognize the angry voice.

"Zach!"

"Yes, it's just me. Luckily..." His voice was stern, but she could hear him go around the counter into the kitchen. Soft cotton brushed her hands. "Here, wipe your eyes."

Taking the towel, Emery eagerly did as she was told. As soon as she could see, she sent him a wide smile. It was so broad and joy-filled that his dark brows rose in surprise.

"Thank you," she breathed.

"You can show your gratitude by making sure you keep your doors locked just in case," he said firmly.

She was so pleased to see him that she nodded heartily. More soapy water dripped from her forehead into her eyes. With a groan, she squeezed her eyes closed. "I will, promise."

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest while he took the towel from her hands and gently wiped her eyes. "Lean over," he commanded softly.

She hesitated only briefly before doing as she was told. Zachary set the towel down and gathered up the cup, running it over her head and using his fingers to rinse out the remaining shampoo. He was silent while he did the same with the conditioner, his hands skillful and tender.

When he was done, he handed her the towel again. He stood back while she wrapped her head and straightened, taking in her appearance with an appreciative gaze that scanned her from head to toe. "I like your pajamas," he said gruffly.

Emery glanced down. "I wasn't expecting you."

Zach's brows rose. "Why not?"

"Well, you took your stuff and left when Gage got the car out..."

Zach winced. "You thought I left?"

She nodded.

"Just like that?" He snapped his fingers for effect. "Without even saying goodbye?"

"Well, I wasn't sure," she said with a weak shrug.

He watched with a disturbed look on his face while she drew the towel off her head and quickly brushed out her hair. While she worked on the tangles, he frowned. "It was just a few hours. With no power and no cellphone range, I had to visit the Denver office for a briefing. I'm late because I stopped on the way back to pick up dinner."

"You did?"

Suddenly the smell of fresh cooked pizza reached her nose. Why she had not noticed it before was a surprise because it smelled so good that her mouth instantly began to water.

Still frowning, he turned away from her and went back around the counter. The bags he brought in were resting on the floor where he left them when he handed her the towel. "Just pizza," he said as he gathered it up. "I hope you haven't eaten yet."

In answer her stomach growled, a sound they both heard. Their eyes met across the counter, and a chuckle soon followed.

"I guess that answers that question," he said, noticeably relaxing.

"I'll just grab my robe," she said hastily.

His eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze landed upon her chest. Emery felt the same strange warm feeling suffuse her limbs when his low, appreciative voice reached her ears. "Not necessary," he said with a wink.

Frozen to the spot and feeling uncertain, Emery merely watched as he again scanned her from head to toe. Caught between the urge to ask him to kiss her again and throw herself in his arms, she stood silently until he seemed to mentally shake himself. His voice was slightly hoarse, but he managed a tight smile. "Why don't you just grab some plates? I'll handle the rest."

The rest? Emery did as she was asked, but the rest was a lot more than she ever could have expected. When she returned to the table, he had already opened up the pizza box next to a bottle of red wine. She did not own any wine glasses, so she scrounged in her upper cabinet to find a pair of glasses that were fancy enough to suit the fine alcohol. While she did that, he pulled out a bottle opener, and the soft pop of the cork caused her to startle.

One brow raised in question. "A little jumpy?"

"I've never had wine before," she admitted.

"Ah, we can't have that."

Grinning, he took the glasses from her and filled them halfway with the deep red liquid. After he set the bottle down, he came around the table to pull out her chair. Smiling hesitantly, she took her seat. Not yet done, his arm suddenly reached around her and presented her with a bouquet of delicate red, pink and white roses.

Emery's eyes went wide. _A man had just given her roses._ A handsome man who made her heart quiver rather than freeze with fear. She stared at them, her hand poised to reach out and touch them but too afraid. It was yet another first in her life.

"Those are for me?" She noticed immediately that her voice was even lower than usual. It sounded almost gravelly, similar to when she first woke up in the morning, and she cleared her throat awkwardly.

"Lovely flowers for a lovely lady," he replied warmly.

"Oh."

When she still did not close the distance to take them, he thrust them into her hand. "Don't you like them?"

"Of course I do."

"Good then, let's eat. I'm starved."

Emery raised the flowers slowly to her nose and inhaled. They had a pleasant yet mild scent along with a splash of color to brighten the white landscape. She felt the sudden urge to paint them as a memory of this special first. All the while she continued to watch Zach. He rounded the table and took his seat then reached into the pizza box, removing a slice for her and two slices for him. Digging in with enthusiasm, he chewed happily without even noticing her stare. It was such a domestic scene that she swallowed back a tide of emotion.

Finally noticing her stare, Zach raised a brow. "Everything ok?"

Still clutching the flowers with one hand, she hastily reached for her slice of pizza and took a bite. When she finished chewing, she nodded her head. "I'm just surprised." She glanced again at the roses. "I wasn't expecting you, let alone all this."

He grinned. "I like to surprise you."

"You always did," she agreed.

Even when they were children Zach had displayed a playful side. At times she had found it frustrating, but overall a simple rounding of a corner to find him poised to scare her or turning around while walking together to find him gone was fairly harmless and actually quite entertaining.

They finished eating in silence, with Zach devouring another three pieces while Emery picked only one more. The pizza was good, especially after cooking meals over her stove insert, and a nice change. Seeing she was not going to eat the last piece, Zach snatched up that one as well. He finished it quickly and then reached for his glass. Raising it, he indicated for her to do the same. "So let's have a toast."

"Ok." She set her napkin down and reached for her glass, holding it up the way he did. Leaning forward, he clinked the two glasses together.

"To Emery Marie, for being a gracious, albeit reluctant hostess," he teased. Her eyes narrowed in mock anger, but he merely winked at her. "Now we both drink."

After the first sip, she decided she liked wine. It was a thick and fruity beverage with only a slight bitterness from the alcohol in it, and it warmed her belly as it made her way down her throat, suffusing it with a nice tingly feeling. She smiled with pleasure. "That's actually good."

She raised her glass and took another sip. Then another. Zach watched on, amused while she drained the glass. Picking up the bottle, he refilled it. "I'm glad you like it. You had a rough day yesterday, and I was hoping this would cheer you up a bit."

"Thank you," she said softly. "Thank you for everything."

"Even for coming back when you thought I was leaving you in peace?"

"Oh, it wasn't like that," she said hastily. "I was a little sad."

"Sad that I left?"

Busying herself with gathering up the trash from the meal, Emery could feel the color rise on her cheeks yet again. "Well, we didn't really have a chance to talk."

He chuckled. "True, but with your greatly overprotective friend watching everything, I assumed it would be better if I stayed quiet."

Frowning, Emery met Zach's amused gaze. "Gage was acting strange today. I don't know what was bothering him."

Zach laughed the same boisterous sound that she remembered from their youth. "I do."

"You do?" When she looked surprised, his smile only grew broader.

"Of course. It's an emotion called jealousy."

She merely blinked.

"He wasn't very happy to see you riding out a blizzard with a man," he explained.

"Why would that bother him?"

"Apparently he really likes you."

"I know he does. I've known him for years. He helps me out here." Zach merely stared at her wryly until the real meaning occurred to her. Realization dawned on her face, and her lips parted in surprise. "Oh... I had no idea."

Still chuckling, Zach came to his feet and helped her clear off the table. "I'm not surprised, Squirt, and you shouldn't be either. He's a young man, and you're a very beautiful woman."

Placing their dishes in the sink, Emery turned and stared up at him with a shy smile. "You think so?"

"Of course," he said. "And I bet he's wishing he was me right now."

"Why's that?"

"Because I get to do this and he doesn't."

Zach took a step forward, and his hand reached up to lightly cup her cheek. Remembering the feelings from the night before, she felt herself lean toward him in an unspoken invitation which was not lost on him. His eyes flashed with triumph as he bent his head, and Emery's lips parted of their own accord. Feeling a mixture of excitement and hesitation, she watched his approach with wide eyes. Not only had he not left her to deal with _them_ by herself, but he thought she was beautiful. He was not seeing her as his childhood friend but as a woman, one he thought was lovely. His head was lowering with a determined gleam in his eyes, and she knew for certain what he had in mind.

The most shocking realization was that she wanted him to kiss her again.

***

Without a doubt, there was a lot of unfinished business between them, Zach thought as he remembered Emery's comment about his rapid disappearance. However, he suspected he would probably scare her off again if he told her just how strongly he felt. Now was not the time. Everything was still too new for her, and these rapid changes needed more time to settle before any action was taken. This evening he did not need any issues beyond their immediate problem, the one he had not mentioned yet.

The moment he was within cell phone range, his phone had come alive with messages. Though happy to hear from Ian, not all the news his cousin gave him was good. However, Emery did not need to know that yet. There would be time later to discuss what he had learned.

So he avoided the situation altogether and kissed her. Much to his pleasure and surprise, she kissed him right back.

Sure, he bent his head with the best of intentions, a playful peck that pressed home his ownership where Gage never stood a chance. The hand that cupped her cheek lightly only rested against her soft skin to guide her lips toward his. It was all so simple in theory. But when she went up on tiptoe to meet him halfway, her mouth soft, pliable and eager to greet his, he realized that yet again he was not in control of the situation. Within seconds, she was deepening their kiss. His hand left her cheek to wind into her damp hair and curve around the back of her head while her mouth increased the pressure. Though he could feel her heart racing against his chest, she relaxed against him in a way he never expected. When he finally lifted his head, he blinked several times to make sure he was not hallucinating. Damn, the woman was a fast learner. He needed to remember that and be a little more cautious next time.

Emery was staring up at him, a wistful smile on her face. His thumb brushed her cheek tenderly. "I guess you weren't kidding when you said you were missing me today," he said.

"I've been thinking about you all day," she whispered in a way that rocked his soul.

The images that emerged in his head of her fantasizing about him – hell, even fantasizing at all – filled his loins with intense desire. Telling himself that she had no idea just how powerful those innocent words were, he opted for an attempt at lightness. "I made that much of an impact? That's great for my ego."

She smiled. "I know I disappointed you last night. I wanted the chance to prove that I _could_ do this."

As quickly as his desire rose, it cooled, and that brief moment of elation was replaced with dismay. His hand fell away from her face, and he took a step back. "What?"

He accepted the dousing of cold water over his too hot head stoically. The truth of the matter was that they had more important things to worry about than their growing attraction for one another. They should be focusing on what he heard that day. With 2Tuff still missing and at none of the local haunts and no sightings whatsoever of the escaped convict, Augustin, the news was not reassuring. Though they could be anywhere in the Phoenix area, the fact that 2Tuff was still off the radar had Ian concerned enough to remind him to stay on his guard. What started out as a forced and reluctant vacation had apparently become a case he was right in the middle of.

"That was my first real kiss, Zach. That's why I wanted to show that I could make it up to you."

Zach winced. "You don't need to make anything up to me."

"I wanted to."

"That's nonsense." Running a hand down his face, Zach felt another pang of guilt.

Turning abruptly, she stalked over to the sofa, granting him a nice view of her trim figure encased in snug thermal pajamas. Now that was a sight he could grow used to on a daily basis, he thought with increasing yearning. If only he could have the small, cozy cabin with just the two of them and no escaped convicts threatening Emery's safety.

She was frowning at him. "Why?"

"You don't owe me anything," he insisted. "Besides, we have more important things to worry about. I learned some things today."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore... I don't want to know."

Collecting their glasses, he followed and set her wine down in front of her. She reached for it instantly and took a large sip, her face screwing up when she swallowed it all at once. "Easy killer," he warned with a frown.

Burying her face in her hands, she groaned aloud. "I can't explain it... Too much happened all at once, and you confuse me."

No more than she did him, he thought mournfully. "Then don't."

She glanced down at her almost empty glass. "This is really good, you know. I feel warm."

He chuckled. "I think you've had more than enough for one night, my little lightweight. I got it to go with dinner. If you drink too much, you'll have a headache tomorrow."

With a disappointed sigh, she set the glass aside. When she raised her gaze again, her eyes glistened with uncertainty. "I don't want to know what you learned today, Zach. I'm a coward."

"Then we'll wait for now," he suggested. "We can talk about things in the morning."

She blinked at him with her wide, emerald eyes. "Zach, when you tease me, things seem to fade. I know you have news that's probably not good, but I'd rather just be with you and forget about everything else for now."

Knowing he was avoiding too but not caring, he held open his arms. He would give her this one last moment of peace and quiet before giving her the news. It was the least he could do when he was about to watch her small world crumble around her like a house of cards.

Without hesitating, she came to her feet and crossed the short distance between them. She stood above him, a white thermal glow in the dark room, backlit by the meager light from the fireplace. Placing both hands on the arms of the chair, Emery leaned forward hesitantly. She bent over him, filling his senses with the smell of freshly washed hair and clean soap as well as the scent of wine when her face hovered an inch or two away.

"You are the best person I know," she whispered. "And I would very much like to kiss you."

He considered refusing her, but before he could her face dipped. Her silky black hair brushed his cheek when she lowered her soft lips to his, and Zach forgot all about refusing. Squeezing his eyes closed, he struggled to remember his worst arrest, anything he could to keep his rising desire under control. But when her tongue teased his lips in the same manner as he had teased hers, he could not stop his hands from lifting off the armrest to grasp her hips. He urged her forward with a gentle but insistent tug. Raising her head slightly, she settled over his legs with a sigh, and Zach did not realize he was holding his breath until she whispered into the darkness. She stared down at herself with a half-smile curving her lips. "You're pretty comfortable, Zach."

"Now that's the best news I've heard all day," he said with a playful wink. JJ appeared beside him, shoving his great head on her lap, and Zach reached out to push him away with an irritable, "Go away."

Chuckling, Emery watched JJ plop back down with a groan. "I'm really happy you came back."

"I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon," he replied, his voice solemn.

Returning his attention to her, he placed both hands on her hips and eased her forward until she was settled a little more comfortably. Though he never knew exactly how long she had been tortured, he had seen firsthand what Vasquez and his two cronies had done to her. The grim reminder cooled his ardor and gave him an even greater respect for Emery and the trust she placed in him. No matter what, he would keep her safe. He would die before he allowed anyone to harm her again.

She was still smiling when she snuggled against his chest. "I could get used to this."

"You're one of the bravest people I know," he said earnestly with a half-smile.

Despite her naïveté, Emery seemed to understand his true meaning. "I'm glad you're here," Emery whispered, lowering her head ever so slightly. "I wasn't at first, but I know you're the only one who can help me get through this."

"We'll do it together."

"I hope this is all a bad dream and you're wrong," she whispered.

Cupping her face in his hands, he drew her closer. Just before their lips met again, he spoke in a vehement voice laced with steel. "If they come, I will kill them."

After talking in the darkness and then enjoying the peaceful crackling of the fire, her head had dropped on his chest drowsily. At that point, he had done the right thing. He scooped her up and tucked her into her own bed with a soft kiss on her forehead. When all was quiet, he did as he had done every night spent at the cabin. He wandered the perimeter, making sure there was no one lurking about, he checked the locks on the windows and the doors and he reclined in his bed with his gun at the ready. Those were the precautions she did not need to know about, and when he finally drifted off to sleep he felt confident that he had at least one thing at the cabin under control.

When he awoke the next morning, he felt slightly more optimistic about his previous conclusion that he had no control where Emery was concerned. She was learning to trust him. If not, she never would have taken the initiative to snuggle with him. As if she knew he was thinking of her, he heard her approach. Raising his head, he propped himself up on his elbows and watched as she worked on tying the belt on her robe. Her hair was tousled this morning, and her eyes were bright when she caught him staring at her. He could see the broad smile on her lips and felt a self-satisfied smile curve his own. He was responsible for that.

"You're awake," she said with a shy smile.

"Barely," he replied.

"I'll get the fire going."

With a loud yawn, Zach stretched one last time before slowly sitting up. Emery was leaning over the firebox adding wood to the stove while he was lazily lounging in bed. "I'll do breakfast then," he offered.

By the time he had laid a plate of eggs and bacon before Emery, the sun had made its morning appearance through the windows. It felt good against his back when he took his seat across from her. She was sipping her coffee, still looking somewhat dazed and disheveled. Setting the mug down, she stared down at her plate with a look of approval. "So tell me why you're not married?"

The question came so far out of left field that Zachary choked on his coffee. She watched on innocently as he coughed up the burning liquid until his eyes watered.

"Ok, Squirt, you're beginning to worry me. Why do you keep asking me about my marital status?"

She shrugged, though two bright spots of color appeared on her cheeks. "You just seem so knowledgeable about things."

Had Zach not choked up nearly all of his coffee, he would have sputtered again. "Knowledgeable? Damn, Emery."

Her blush deepened, staining the smooth skin of her neck and upper chest.

The reaction made Zach laugh. "I guess I should feel pleased you think so, but I can't help but wonder if that was an insult."

"That wasn't my intention at all." She focused on her plate. "I just don't know what you've been doing with your life. You know your way around a kitchen, and you certainly know how to take care of an upset woman. It just seems like you would have married a long time ago."

"I've been working. I work odd hours, and at times it's pretty stressful. I haven't had time to get married."

"But you've obviously had girlfriends."

He nodded, despite the awkwardness of the conversation. Wasn't the first rule of dating not to kiss and tell? What happened in the past was supposed to remain in the past so you could start over again with someone new, right? Yes, that was how he remembered it. Wait a minute, he thought, first he was thinking about quiet evenings in the cabin with Emery, and now he was thinking about dates. She was doing strange things to him, and that was the only certain thing in their uncertain future.

"Just because I have doesn't mean I've met a woman I could envision spending the rest of my life with – especially my crazy life."

She was far less perturbed than he was. In fact, she appeared completely relaxed. "Why is your life crazy?"

He shrugged. "Odd hours, long hours, difficult cases. Then there was the occasional complaint that I can't commit because of what happened."

She paused. "You mean me?"

Zach realized his mistake too late, and his lips clamped together in dismay. The heightened color in her cheeks faded as a look of understanding dawned upon her face. "It's not polite to discuss past relationships," he said abruptly.

"You're trying to change the subject?"

"I am," he admitted.

"You just told me it's not just work that has kept you single, and you expect me to drop it now?"

His lips twisted wryly. "One can only hope."

She smiled as she finished off her breakfast. "You cook well."

"Thank you," he replied with double meaning.

Without another word, she pushed back her chair and gathered up their plates. Carrying them into the kitchen, she glanced at him over the counter. "We're running low on water, but the power should be back on by tonight or tomorrow. If you want to wash up, that's fine."

Zach sat in silence, feeling as though his mind was as jumbled and confused as Emery's. Before his eyes, Emery was transforming from an emotional shell into a warm and loving woman. Over the past week, they had settled into a somewhat tension-filled but easy routine, and her wariness of him had all but disappeared. It was subtle, but it happened nonetheless. Maybe it was because they had known each other so long and knew each other so well, but either way something changed between them, and it occurred almost naturally as if it was meant to be.

He took another sip of his coffee while he watched her rinse the plates and stack them in the rack. Her movements were relaxed and fluid, and when she felt his stare she glanced up with a cheerful smile. For a few moments, he imagined what it would be like to wake up like this every day... To share coffee and meals with her, to tease her until she blushed, and to hear her happy laughter on a daily basis. Oh yes, he could grow used to that, maybe once all the nasty business was over.

He paused and turned his attention to his coffee. His brow wrinkled as the seriousness of his thoughts struck home. For the first time ever, he was imagining a future and commitment, and even more shocking was the realization that Emery was in it.

### Chapter 12

The regular workweek was underway, and Zach began to count the days he had left in Colorado. Four days after the storm, a warm front kicked in and prompted the spring melt. As the power lines dripped the snow off their thick, heavy coils, electricity finally returned to Emery's cabin. It was a subtle occurrence, with the hum of the refrigerator and the clicking of the thermostat alerting them.

Emery glanced up from her new painting with the ghost of a smile. She had recently begun what he could tell would be a beautiful piece of a pair of elk trudging through the thick snow. He had taken to watching her paint after she carried the flowers he bought her up to the loft and spent the entire day painting them on a 12X14 canvas. It had finished drying the evening before, and she took the hammer he recently used and hung that across from the painting of him.

He was so happy he almost hugged her, but he held back. In fact, since the night she first snuggled on his lap he had kept his distance entirely, preferring to spend the evening playing cards or just talking to her. Her increasing trust brought him contentment, and that was all he needed at the moment. Losing his head now would not be wise, not when he had other things to worry about.

"Power's back on," she said happily.

Zach glanced up from his laptop and scanned the loft. Seeing an available plug, he reached for the cord in his briefcase and plugged it in. "Not a moment too soon. My cell's dead again and my laptop's about to go. That battery backup you had is low, too."

"What do you do on there anyway," she asked him over her shoulder.

He shrugged. "Email updates usually. There's not enough battery strength to dawdle."

"Updates?"

He was reminded that he still had not told her 2Tuff and Augustin were missing, and none of the law enforcement agencies monitoring them had any leads. Things were going so well that he had been reluctant to remind her of what could lay ahead. She was happier and more relaxed, and he hated to be the one to take that away.

Taking a deep breath, he nodded briefly. "No sign of Augustin. He's still out there somewhere, and Ian told me 2Tuff hasn't been located either."

She stiffened slightly. "No one knows where they are?"

"Not yet," he said with a sigh. "But they're looking. Ian's working hard on this case."

Emery's lips tightened ever so slightly. "Is that the only reason you're still here?"

He studied her briefly before responding, taking note of the tension in her shoulders. In an effort to ease some of her fear, he grinned. "Actually you're quite the kisser."

Caught off guard, Emery laughed. He enjoyed the sound of her laughter. Unlike the high-pitched screech of some of the women he had known, it was husky, low and so rare that when it did happen he felt honored. He smiled back.

"Now that was funny," she said with a touch of sarcasm.

"All right. In all honesty, yes. I'm concerned for you, and, like your overprotective friend, I don't want to leave until I know for sure you're safe."

"But you will leave," she said softly.

His brows rose. "Are you asking me to?"

She appeared as surprised as he felt. Taken completely off-guard, he suspected neither of them had considered what would happen when his vacation time was used up. It seemed so right for him to be there, to stay instead of returning to Phoenix and his own lonely existence.

"No, of course not." She lowered her head to study her hands. "I just don't understand why any of this is even happening. Why me? Haven't they hurt me enough already?"

The forlorn sound of her voice tugged on Zach's conscience, and he considered his next words carefully. "Emery, remember there was talk that you know where the missing money went."

Emery set down her brush and spun around. "I was fifteen with a crush on a boy that I tutored."

"I thought I was your crush," he teased gently.

She smiled briefly. "You were far too old for me."

"So?"

Rolling her eyes, she ignored his attempt to tease her. "I never knew Jose's brothers were in a gang. He was just coming over to study. He never had the chance to tell me anything. All he said before... it... happened was that we had to leave."

Her eyes took on a faraway look as she remembered the boy who had been viciously beaten to death. He, too, had his throat cut, and Zach knew from reading the details of the case that she had been forced to watch him die. Emery closed her eyes, and he suspected she was struggling against the memory of those final helpless moments. Realizing she was reliving that evening, he remained silent, giving up on any attempts at humor. It was time to let her speak. Not only would it help her release her demons, but he could possibly gain information from her if he listened closely.

"Jose was a nice kid, Zach. He was smart and ambitious on top of being pleasant and friendly. His only problem was writing term papers in English... He was a native Spanish speaker, and he struggled with grammar. That's when I started tutoring him."

Zach nodded.

"Jose wanted to go to Harvard," she said softly. "He wasn't involved in any of that gang business."

He nodded again.

"I don't know why they went after him. I don't know why they killed him. He didn't tell me a thing because he didn't know anything. Zach, I told you, I told them, there was never any money in my house."

"Em," he said softly. Coming to his feet, he came to stand before her and took her hands in his. "Look, I don't want you to worry anymore. I'm here now, so if anything happens I'll handle it... I'm going to keep you safe."

"Yes, well, we'll see." Emery hastily came to her feet. "I think the hot water heater has been running long enough for me to take a shower before bed. I'm going down."

Zach watched her glide gracefully down the stairs with a frown. She had no idea where the money was, and therein laid the problem. In a moment of frustration, he had the urge to hit something. Unfortunately, the only thing available was the silly beast of a dog. Glancing down, he spotted JJ resting his face on his front paws, his tail thumping rhythmically against the floor as he stared up at him. Not for the first time, JJ had remained with Zach rather than faithfully following Emery, and Zach had to admit he was flattered by his growing loyalty. From enemy to member of their small pack, JJ finally accepted him just as Emery had.

JJ's face was as cute as it was homely, and Zach could not resist the smile as he ingested the hopefulness in the dog's warm, brown eyes. "Hey you," he said. JJ instantly raised his head and perked his ears. "Wanna go for a walk around the house with me?"

He need not have asked twice. As if he fully understood Zach's words, JJ came to his feet and shook his face happily, if not loudly, before trotting to the circular stairs and slip sliding his way down. Smile turning into a grin, Zach followed at a more leisurely pace, although he still wondered how he was going to get these men out of Emery's life in the short time he had left.

***

Emery took her time in the pine log shower she and Gage had installed. As the hot water ran over her shoulders and down her back, she felt as though it had been ages since she experienced the comfort of a long shower. Not only did the water cleanse her skin, but it helped to clear her mind and give her back her focus. When she finally emerged, she felt cleaner and very much alive. Having the ability to speak about what happened with someone who truly did understand had helped her more than the years of psychotherapy she tolerated before running off on her own. However, she knew isolation and shutting down would never work for her again, not after Zach had appeared and uprooted her solitary life. His gentle warmth had seeped into her bones with the strength of a thousand fires. No matter how cold it was outside, he created a burning within her that reminded her that she was a woman.

The cabin was empty when she finally left the steamy bathroom, but it was warmer with the fire raging and the heat now running. It would be a comfortable night's rest, she thought with a small smile. Knowing how miserable Zach was in the chill of her home urged her to adjust the thermostat even higher for him, but he seemed not to notice the additional warmth when he returned. Instead, he immediately locked himself in the bathroom for his own long shower. She heard the water running while she fed JJ his dinner and allowed the dog do his business outside.

The night was chilly despite the continued thaw that caused the white-covered branches around her house to sag, and she hurried JJ back inside and closed the door securely. She stared at the door as she locked it, remembering Zach's stern request. While a part of her denied anyone could find her out here, Zach's concern was enough to remind her anything was possible. She could feel the tension build as she considered what could happen if they found her. How would she react if she came face to face with one of the men who attacked her? If seeing Vasquez's face was any indication, she was not yet ready to confront any of them.

Zach had not finished in the bathroom when Emery climbed under her covers. She lay awake, amazed that she was listening for the welcome sounds indicating she was not alone. Though faint, they reached her ears. The running of the sink, the rustle of the gathering of clothes, and finally the sound of a hand on the doorknob announced his inevitable appearance.

She did not want to be alone with her frightened thoughts. She wanted to feel cherished and safe, and she knew only one way to do it. Throwing back her covers, Emery rushed to the door and pulled it open. Startled, Zach hesitated in the doorway to the bathroom, his brows lifted in question. To her, he was the most handsome man she had ever encountered. His dark hair glistened with remaining water from the shower, and his strong jaw was once again smooth after his shave. His lips were parted with the question that shone in his bright blue eyes, and the strange feeling of warmth settled in her belly when she remembered how strong they felt against her own.

Clearing his throat, he smiled slightly. "I didn't see you when I got back. I thought you went to bed."

She shrugged. "I tried."

"Couldn't sleep?"

"No. I keep thinking about what's going to happen."

Settling the bundle of clothing in his hands on her laundry hamper, Zach took the three steps that separated the two rooms and them in their respective doorways. Reaching out, he gently stroked her upper arm. "Didn't I tell you not to worry about it? I've got everything under control."

"I tried," she said softly. Swallowing hard, she offered him a small smile. "Would you help me?"

Zach's forehead creased into a frown. His hand tightened slightly on her arm. "Of course I'm going to help you. That's why I'm here."

Feeling even more nervous, Emery shook her head quickly. She had not even considered that he would not know what she meant. Apparently she had to be more obvious. "No, I mean help me forget..."

It took a moment, but realization soon dawned on Zachary's face. It was replaced almost immediately by hesitation. Just as Emery feared he would reject her, he lowered his head slightly. "Emery, you've become a very beautiful woman."

"I, uh, thank you."

"What you don't realize is that I'm only human," he said softly.

"I know that."

"No, you don't... I understand that though." Releasing her arm, he reached up to gently stroke her cheek. "But you have to know it's hard to be near you without wanting more."

Her mouth opened to respond, but no words would come out.

"You don't understand, do you?"

"You don't want to," she managed.

"Oh, I want to," he said with a short laugh. "I'd have to be dead not to want to."

Her eyes went wide. "Oh."

"We have to take things slow, see how they progress..."

He was human, but he was also her closest friend. She had known Zachary her entire life, trusted him like no other. Feeling brave, Emery reached out and placed a trembling finger over his lips to stop his words.

"You're absolutely right. You're here now, but you won't be here always. If something happens or when the time comes for you to leave, I want to have pleasant dreams instead of awful ones. I know you can do that for me because you have already... I want to enjoy this time we have together now."

Giving her hand a slight squeeze, Zach placed it against his chest. She could feel the steady thumping of his heart under her palm. It was soothing when compared to the nervous tempo in her chest. "Why are you focused on my leaving? We still have days."

"I'm trying to be realistic."

"Then let's be realistic, Em," he said softly. "Maybe it's time for you to hear what I have to say, and then you can decide how we proceed with the time we have."

She swallowed hard but nodded her head again. "I guess you're right."

His gaze held hers as he slowly backed her into the room and pushed her down on the bed. Coming to sit beside her, his hand went around the back of her neck, and he rubbed the tight muscles there lightly. "I'm going to tell you everything I know then."

Emery knew the last thing she wanted was to listen to what he had to say, but she slowly nodded her head. She would do it for Zach. Yes, it was time to hear him out and face the truth.

***

With only the sound of JJ's snoring and the whisper of the heat escaping through the vents, Zach focused his attention on easing the strain out of the muscles of Emery's neck before speaking again. He would be lying if he did not admit that touching her brought him almost as much pleasure as his touch did to her muscles. Within a few minutes, she was as loose and relaxed as he was tight and tense. It was time to start speaking. It was also time she learned exactly what was going on beyond her little cabin in the woods.

"Ian's been working on 2Tuff's case for some time now, and he knows him fairly well. He's not like Augustin or Vasquez," he began to ease some of her strain. "Around three years ago, 2Tuff was just a kid involved in the gang that was behind your attack. They owned several safe houses that handled the smuggling of immigrants into the country."

"There's money in that?"

Zach nodded. "More than you may think. Sometimes the coyotes take the money and run, leaving the illegals out in the desert. Do that with ten people at a thousand a pop at times, and you have a good chunk of change in your pocket."

"Oh."

"Sometimes people are murdered. Other times, women are..." Afraid of saying the word aloud, he allowed his voice to trail off, but Emery understood and nodded. "At any rate, it's been a lot of work for Border Control to keep tabs on these guys. They do their best, but the rings can grow too large to catch everyone."

She tensed up, but he continued his firm massage. "How does this relate to me?"

"Well, a few years ago there was a safe house that was also used for meth production. SWAT went in to serve a warrant on the drugs and found a shipment of illegals inside. It went from a warrant to a rescue just like that." He snapped his fingers. "One of the coyotes shot at one of the officers. It ricocheted and there was an explosion."

"Oh no," Emery breathed.

Another shiver raced down her spine, and Zach completed his massage and pulled her against his side before continuing. "Some people died, including an officer who was trying to save a woman and her baby."

She bit her lip. "Oh no."

"Needless to say, a huge manhunt has been going on from all law enforcement agencies since. My cousin, Chuck, knew the officer. He was very close to him and his family."

"He had a family?" Emery asked softly.

Zach nodded. "Nicholson had a baby and a pregnant wife."

"He never got to see his new baby?"

Hearing the horror in her voice, Zach paused. Closing his eyes, he imagined how it would feel. Perhaps that was part of the reason why he had never married. To come that close to losing someone he cared about... he had done it when he almost lost Emery, and it had affected most of his adult life.

"Cherisse Nicholson had a baby boy eight months later. Sergeant Nicholson didn't even know she was pregnant."

Emery gasped. "I can't even imagine how terrible that would be. That poor family."

"A crackdown began following that incident and several others. All agencies have been trying to put an end to illegal workers."

"I think I've heard about it on the news."

"They rounded up as many of the guys involved as they could, which left 2Tuff an opening to step in. He wasn't a high ranker in the gang during the crackdown, but he's smart and learned how to bypass certain things.

"He spent the next few years brainstorming and making powerful connections. He's not a violent kid overall; he prefers to use his brain. He's been more of a businessman and is trying to turn his gang into an organized crime family - like the Mafia. That's where I come in. I'm to build the case against the money source."

"That's good for me, right?"

Zach chuckled and gave her a slight nudge. "I'm good for you, Emery. I'm not going to let anything happen to you."

Her low voice carried doubts with it. "I hope you're right."

"I know I'm right," he said confidently.

"I appreciate the confidence."

"But I don't appreciate your lack of it," he teased.

Ducking his head, he glanced down and was pleased to see her grin. "Agencies have teamed up to work together on gang enforcement. I took an appointment with them, which is why I'm working with Ian."

She nodded. "I remember he was a cop."

"Right. He's been working on the gang task force for some time now already and knows a lot about the ins and outs of it."

"That's good."

"Actually it is, because he's been able to find out that 2Tuff wants Augustin only for information on the missing money. All Augustin knows is that they went to your house because Jose was there. They killed Jose as an act of revenge against his brothers."

Emery shuddered, and for a moment Zach considered stopping there. But she surprised him when she lifted her head and gazed up at him. "But if 2Tuff thinks I have the money, he's going to search me out to reclaim it."

"Right."

"I don't have the money, Zach."

"He doesn't know that."

Straightening, Emery pulled free of his embrace and came to her feet, her face drawn as she concentrated. She began to pace the small bedroom, her fists clenched by her side. "Even if I did have it, I wouldn't give it to them," she snapped in an uncustomary show of anger.

Zach's brows shot up in surprise. This was a side of Emery he had never seen before. "If you had it, it would be better to hand it over rather than risk being hurt."

She stopped pacing and turned to face him, her face flushed with anger. "Let them come."

"What?"

"I said, let them come. They'll find nothing, and hopefully you'll still be here to bust them and put them away for the rest of their miserable, cop-killing lives."

Not sure if she was serious or not, Zach tried to reach for her hand, but she continued her rapid pacing. He frowned at her instead. "Emery?"

"You said yourself it's time I start facing life. Well, this is it," she announced. "There are two babies in this world that don't know their father because of the stupid actions of these men. I'm tired of living in fear. I want my life back, and I want to do my part to stop them."

Coming to his feet, Zach went to stand before her. His eyes narrowed, too afraid to trust her emphatic words. "Do you know what you're saying?"

She nodded, her eyes flashing with spirit. "I'm not going to run anymore. It has to stop before they do something terrible to someone else. You and I will sit here and wait. I'll be the bait, and you can nail them."

"I'm not sure you're ready for anything that drastic, love," he said softly, reaching up to cup her cheek in his hand. "And I sure as hell am not going to put you at risk."

Biting her lip, Emery considered his words carefully. "With you with me, I can do it."

"I meant it when I said you were the strongest person I know, but these are dangerous guys," he warned.

She smiled up at him and pressed her face deeper into his hand. "Several days ago, if you had asked me if I would ever let you this close I would have said no... look at me now."

"I've noticed," he said with a teasing wink.

"There's not another soul on the planet I think I could trust to get this close. That means I know you can take care of me."

"I'm flattered." His thumb brushed her lips. "That really means a lot."

"Just as you mean a lot to me," she replied. "More than anyone else in this world."

"Except for JJ?"

She grinned. "Except for JJ."

"I plan to change that," Zach said. "I refuse to come in second to some dumb dog."

"He's not dumb," she retorted.

"Believe what you want, but I will change that."

"We'll see. I really love that dog," she warned lightly.

In the ten years since Emery's attack, there was not one moment during the day that Zach did not see her sparkling green eyes staring up at him in horror as he stormed into the room that night. The sound of her attempted screams, coming out as breathless wheezes and gurgles, still rang in his ears. The slick feel of the blood, sweat and bodily fluids that covered her body still felt tacky against his skin. The touch of her screaming mouth, crusted over with a combination of fluids, scratched against his neck when he wrapped her in the blanket and escaped from the house with her cradled in his arms. He had not wanted to let go of her that night. Even when the paramedics told him that her life depended on it, he held her tight.

What he never told Emery was that in that moment his life changed as deeply as hers. While he had not lied when he said he had trouble committing, he did not elaborate upon the truth. His trouble did not come from a fear of physical contact; it came from a desire for revenge, truth, and justice. Everything he did, he did for Emery.

When he drew Emery back to her bed with his hand in hers, he knew without a doubt things were changing. They climbed under the covers side by side, and she did not hesitate to curl up against his side. He was seeing with his own eyes that she was coming back to life, and she was slowly emerging from the hollow cocoon she had stuffed herself away in. Drawing her close, he reached beyond her to shut off the small lamp on the nightstand.

"When this is all over," he whispered into the darkness. "You're going to love me more than that beast..."

"You sound pretty sure of yourself, Zach," she whispered back.

"That's because I am. Now give me a kiss goodnight."

Much to his pleasure, she raised her head and did just that. In that brief moment, Zach knew they were meant to tackle things together.

### Chapter 13

The feel of Zach's hand smoothing her hair away from her face woke Emery the next morning. Her eyes fluttered as she struggled against the urge to snuggle deeper under the covers and deeper into Zach's side. It was then she realized he was not in the bed, and the spot where he had slept beside her was now cold. Blinking rapidly, Emery struggled to focus on him. He was sitting on the side of the bed, dressed in the worn t-shirt and jeans he had discarded the night before. She blinked again.

"Hi there, sleepyhead," he said softly.

"Hi."

Scooting back among the pillows, Emery returned his smile. Feeling self-conscious, Emery hastened to pull the blanket up to her chin.

Giving her a stern look, he pulled it back down. "Haven't I told you already not to hide from me?" His hand moved from her hair to the curve of her collarbone. However, when he brushed the puckered skin of her scar, she stiffened uncomfortably. "Everything about you is beautiful, Em, and I mean everything."

Grimacing, she frowned at him and resisted the urge to pull away. "You're too chipper this morning," she grumbled.

"That's because I spent the most remarkable night hugging a siren," he quipped. "How could I not be the happiest man alive?"

Emery could feel the hot rush of blood on her cheeks.

"Ah, I've embarrassed you," he remarked lightly. "No need for that. I have coffee and breakfast in bed."

"For me?"

"Well, yeah," he replied with a sidelong glance. "Who else is there to cook for?"

"You do have a point there."

He reached around and placed the tray that had been resting on the floor over her lap. Emery looked down with pleasure. "First flowers, now this? I'm going to be very spoiled, Zach."

"I wasn't sure if you were going to run away this morning," he teased.

"Run away?" Then it hit her. Everything they discussed.

Seeing the emotion on her face, Zach chuckled. "Uh oh, I guess I shouldn't have said anything."

"You appear very self-satisfied this morning."

"Satisfied? Well, we still need to work on that." When she glared at him, he chuckled. Of course he would not take her seriously when her smile never wavered. "Okay, okay. Eat your breakfast and get dressed. I want to go for a walk."

Her eyebrows rose in curiosity. "A walk? In the snow?"

"It's all melting, the sun is shining and it's warm today."

"Okay... but I think you may be surprised at how deceptive the weather is here. The snow's much deeper than you think."

"So we'll get a little wet and come back here to warm each other up." He followed up with a wink that made her laugh. "Maybe then we can work on my satisfaction."

"Then I better eat up."

"You do that." He bent over again and kissed her cheek lightly. "I can't wait."

When Emery had decided to pack her belongings and move to Colorado, she had been seeing her counselor Maggie on a weekly basis. Maggie was a very open-minded woman, one who loved to laugh and smile even when Emery shut down. A rape survivor herself, she understood some of Emery's torment. Some, but not all. Maggie had not watched a boy die in front of her, watched his life and dreams leave his eyes as the blood seeped from the wound in his neck.

"Every woman has her own experience," she once said. "Therefore, I can only generalize what you may be feeling, but the first trick for all women is to _love yourself_."

Looking back now, Emery realized she had never understood Maggie's meaning to love herself. She thought that isolating herself and keeping away from other people would give her the chance to feel safe during a time when she thought she would never feel safe again. She believed she was loving and respecting herself by doing that. How wrong she had been. Ah, but life was all about learning. And it appeared as though she still had many lessons to absorb and grow from.

"When you love yourself again, you can then focus on loving others," Maggie told her.

Emery also understood she had not allowed others to love her. Because she was ashamed and angry that she had done little to stop what happened, she believed she failed. In response, she had fled from those who loved her... those who had understood she could not stop what happened long before she did. Zach found her and showed her the truth. Once everything was over, her next step would be to work things out with her mother. Emery had told her to stay away and stay out of her life, and now it seemed she had many bridges to mend.

Maggie had given her plenty of good advice, but Emery was not ready to listen then. With Zach validating much of what Maggie said, she finally began to realize she was a survivor and never again would she be a victim. They had stolen her youth, but they were not stealing her life. She felt as though she had accomplished something so great and wonderful that her entire outlook changed. No longer was she going to stand by and allow them to threaten her without putting up a fight. She had Zach and knew he would do anything to protect her.

Her gaze shifted to the object of her thoughts. Staring for a moment, she could not prevent her smile. Then she laughed. Out loud.

Zach looked at her over his shoulder and scowled. "I've never done this before. Be nice."

When Emery pulled out her father's old pair of traditional snow shoes, Zach had raised a suspicious brow. However, once she explained that the length seemed a good fit for him and the bindings were still in good shape, he shrugged and agreed to give it a try. She did not tell him that her father had been at least four inches shorter because he had been a bit heavier than Zach. She would never admit it, but she was keeping her fingers crossed behind her back.

"You're doing ok," she replied. However, her amusement remained, and he raised a sarcastic brow in answer. She would never have expected to see Zach standing with his legs spread wide and his arms helicoptering as he struggled to maintain his balance. It was a comedic scene, and she feared at any moment he would lose his battle to remain upright and fall over into the snow.

"They're going to break."

"White ash is supposed to be the best form of wood for traditional shoes," she assured him.

"They haven't been used in years. What if one of the bindings snaps?"

Patting her backpack, she smiled patiently. "I have some with me, but if it's bad we'll just come home." She approached him and demonstrated taking steps with the shoes on. "You're spreading your legs too wide. It's going to hurt later on if you keep doing that."

"Then you can massage me," he said with a wink.

She ignored him. "You want to clear your ankles... like this."

He watched as she laughingly took another step forward, exaggerated for effect. He did the same, and within two more steps had it down. "I got it."

"So you do," she said, impressed. "That's good."

"I'm good at a lot of things, aren't I?"

Glancing up, she caught his wink and shook her head. "I'm not going to answer that because it'll only inflate your ego more."

"Those words speak volumes, my love."

She shook her head, but she was smiling both from his humor and the endearment that sent her heart up into her throat. "Is there anything you can't twist?"

Falling into an uneasy step beside her, Zach glanced down with a grin. "Not when I'm trying to flirt _and_ impress you."

"You don't need to," she conceded. "I'm already impressed."

He caught her hand and held it loosely, and Emery gave his fingers a light squeeze. "So where are we going?"

"I'm going to show you a special place. I have neighbors, but they never come back this far. It's forest land and very quiet. You'll like it."

He seemed intrigued. "Your special place?"

"Not just mine alone, but yes. A lot of my work is inspired out here."

The stand of towering pines that separated her house from the meadow beyond approached, and Zach released her hand so they could maneuver through the trees. JJ appeared in his customary spot behind Emery, seeming as comfortable sinking in the snow as he did clumsily bounding around Emery's back yard. While they walked, Emery pointed out the beetle bark damage on the hillsides off in the distance. She filled him in on her plans to raise money to fight the damage and her dreams of seeing the problem eradicated once and for all.

Zach nodded his head in approval. "I've never been up here before, Emery, but I have to say I understand your devotion to this place. It's something else."

"The area around my cabin hasn't been hit as hard as others. There are some places, especially further north, that have whole hillsides destroyed. Right now all they can do is try to thin out the forests. It's not helping much."

"It's still a good cause," he replied.

"Just wait until you see what's ahead. It'll remind you how good."

Zach grinned. "I don't need any reminders."

She rolled her eyes but laughed aloud. "You're incorrigible."

"Does anyone even use that word anymore?"

"I do."

"Well then, that settles it."

While she chuckled, JJ took the opportunity to shoot ahead. It was amusing to watch the dog stumble through the deep snow. At times he sunk, while at others he skittered over drifts as though he was as light as a feather.

"JJ's having fun," Emery explained.

"Will we?"

His voice was low with innuendo, and Emery was surprised at how just the sound of his voice could make her feel tingly. She smiled at him. "I hope so."

The meadow loomed ahead, a broad, white expanse encased in tall lodgepole pines and towering aspens. When the snow cleared, this area would be squishy with mud and dead grass, but later in the summer it would blossom with thick grass and colorful wildflowers. Emery sighed as they approached, excited to share her simple wonderland with him.

Taking a sharp left turn, Emery left the trail and began pushing aside snow-laden branches as she pressed her way through the woods. Zach followed behind, deftly catching the branches and ducking as needed. "Where are we going?"

"Just up here," she called back.

She stopped before the hunting hide, set on the corner of the meadow facing into the expanse ahead. Zach came up behind her as she removed her snowshoes and grasped the rickety ladder. He watched on with a skeptical look. "You hunt?"

"Observe, actually."

"So you've used this?"

She chuckled. "I use it all the time. It's stronger than it looks."

"But I weigh almost twice as much as you do."

She eyed the hide critically, taking in what Zach was most likely seeing. Granted, it was resting on the edge of the woods, but the timbers that held the small hut up were stand alone, made from harvested pine logs. It was sturdier than it looked and very solid. Although she and Gage built it for one person, she doubted they would have any problems except for possibly being cramped.

"It's fine. It may be snug, but we can both fit."

"Well, when you put it that way," he teased.

She smiled broadly, enjoying the banter. "Zach, really?"

Removing her backpack, Emery held it before her as she climbed up the ladder and squeezed through the narrow doorway. Zach followed, grunting as he maneuvered his broad shoulders through. Following her lead, he shed his jacket and placed it in the driest corner of the tiny hide. There was barely enough room for him, let alone the two of them, and their arms brushed as they settled.

He grunted as he maneuvered in beside her. "You weren't kidding, were you?"

"You'll live," she said as she spread a blanket from her backpack on the floor. The floor was damp from the leaks in the roof, and a drop of melting snow landed on her head as she worked. Running a hand over her hat to absentmindedly wipe it away, she glanced at the roof. "The snow's melting pretty fast. Flooding will come next."

"I heard your stream today. It sounded worse than when I first got here."

It was her turn to tease. With dancing eyes, she smiled impishly at him. "When you took your little swim?"

"Don't remind me," he said with a mock shudder.

"Anyway..." She changed the subject quickly. "If it gets too damp we can leave."

"Fair enough." He stared at the blanket then at her. "Now what?"

"Now we watch."

"Won't JJ scare off anything out there?"

"Sometimes he does. But most of the time he goes and does his own thing. There are a couple of elk herds that frequent here that don't even pay attention to him anymore."

"He must hate that, considering how he likes to be the center of attention."

"Don't all males?"

"Touché." He grinned down at her. "But I just like to be the center of your attention."

"Between you and JJ, I have no time to attend to anything else." Settling down on the blanket, she patted a spot for Zach.

He dropped down next to her and gave her his most charming smile. "Is that right?"

She arched a brow. "Are you fishing for compliments?"

"Only yours."

Opening her mouth to respond, Emery caught movement across the meadow. She reached out and grasped Zach's arm excitedly. "Ssh, look," she whispered.

A mother black bear and her two cubs were hidden in the stand of pines across the meadow, a flash of black against the white snow. Though engulfed in shadow, their movements were enhanced by the snowy background, and she could tell they were making their way into the meadow.

"We have to be quiet," she whispered. "Mother bears are fiercely protective of their cubs, and it looks as though this may be one of their first trips out of the den. See how small they are?"

Scooting behind her, he leaned in close and pressed his lips against her ear. "Could she get us in here?"

Emery ignored the tickling feeling of his scratchy stubble against her skin and nodded. "She could if she wanted to. They're amazing climbers. We just won't give her a reason to feel threatened..." she paused, "I hope JJ doesn't either."

"He went off the other way," Zach whispered again. "With the snow, why aren't they hibernating?"

"Bears don't really hibernate. It's more of a deep sleep or torpor, as they call it."

"Now why didn't I know that?" He chuckled. "But wouldn't they still be asleep since we just had another blizzard?"

"Not necessarily. Though mothers with cubs this small tend to hang around the dens longer, they do come out to eat."

"So her den is nearby?"

"Most likely."

"That's pretty neat."

She smiled. It was not just neat, it was amazing. To have such majesty in her backyard was a gift she never took for granted. There were people in the cities that could never understand how special this place was.

As they watched, the mother bear stepped cautiously into the meadow with her nose lifted to the sky to check for scents. After several hesitant steps, the cubs followed. It was amusing to see the two black bundles of fur attempt to navigate through the deep snow, but they scrambled along in a comedic dance.

Zach settled in behind Emery, stretching out his long legs on either side of her before drawing her back against his chest. Once settled, his arms came around her to rest upon her bent knees, and his chin rested on the top of her head. She sighed.

"This is cozy," he said softly.

Still watching the family, she nodded. "It's nice."

"I'm glad you brought me here, Em. They're beautiful."

Leaning off to the side, Emery tilted her head back to stare up at him. "You think so?"

"Well," he said with a low huff and a wink. "Not as beautiful as you, but it's pretty amazing to see them in their natural environment."

"Oh." Straightening, Emery returned her attention to the bear family. They were still close to the edge, never wandering too far out into the open, but her mind was not focused on the wildlife anymore. Heart now beating rapidly in her chest, she concentrated on Zach and the touch of his hands on her knees. He was so close, as close as he had been during the nights she slept in his arms, and she did not want to pull away. Her head tilted back to look at him. He was staring down at her with the same intense blue gaze. "I was just thinking that being here with you now makes everything else seem so far away," she whispered.

"You were, hmm?" he murmured thoughtfully. One of his hands tipped her chin up, and he brushed his lips against her forehead lightly. "That's a good thing."

"I feel good," she replied. "I'm glad you told me everything last night, Zach. I think I can handle this."

"And that's a good thing, too." He kissed her lightly on the lips before pulling away. "I'm happy to hear that."

"Me too," she said. Reaching up to cup his face in her hands, she pulled him closer and kissed him. With a warm smile, his arms tightened around her and he laid her down on the blanket, following soon behind.

Coming to rest on his side beside her, he smiled. "I need to thank you, Emery."

"Thank me?" She blinked in surprise. "What for?"

"For coming out of your shell. For laughing. For sharing this magical place." He grinned. "This past week has been quite the experience."

"I hope it stays that way," she whispered.

"I've seen everything from Kamikaze dogs to wild bears, and I've felt everything from near death from cold to near death from excitement." When she blushed, he chuckled. "One thing is for sure... you're never boring, Emery."

"I've been changing a lot."

"You have," he agreed.

"I'm glad you came here and showed me how to live again."

"Me too," he admitted. "You'll never know how much. The idea of someone like your little friend Gage..."

His voice trailed off and then stopped completely when he caught Emery laughing. "Why are you laughing?"

"I never thought you'd be jealous."

Though he opened his mouth to deny it, it closed quickly. She watched as two bright spots of color stained his cheeks. "Wait a minute, jealousy may be a little strong. I'd prefer protective... we do have a bit of a history after all."

She shook her head with a wry smile. "Seems like you're always trying to protect me."

"And I always will," he said matter-of-factly. "I think it's my fate in life."

Laughing, she pulled him close again. "I can accept that if you can accept me."

"Honey," he said as he lowered his face, "I'll take whatever you can give me, I'm that far gone."

She was still laughing when he kissed her until she felt that warm tingly feeling she was growing to enjoy. Murmuring in the back of her throat, she hugged him tighter. It was all the encouragement he needed. First one leg covered hers, and then he settled between her thighs. Feeling warm all over and very cared for, Emery was unprepared for the sudden visions that appeared in her mind's eye. Zach and his romantic, amusing teasing disappeared, being replaced with harsh reality.

Zach was here now for a reason, and that reason was not purely to see her. Black spots appeared between her closed eyes, and then a blinding burst of light. _Sudden visions appeared of other men's faces, leering, laughing and beating Jose as he remained helplessly tied to the chair. The pain that followed as they beat her when she screamed... She felt pain all over, in her jaw, on her body and lastly the bitter sting of the blade as Vasquez drew it across her neck multiple times with a horrible laugh._

Tearing her mouth away, Emery shoved Zach hard. It startled him so much that he jumped back and hit his head on the roof of the hide.

"Jesus, Emery," he said as he fell back to his knees.

She did not hear the concern in his voice, did not see him beyond those evil faces that lurked in her mind, and did not hear JJ come tearing through the snow, barking from the commotion. All she saw was Vasquez.

And he was going to kill her.

### Chapter 14

"What's wrong?"

Heart racing as though he ran a marathon, Zach pulled her into a seated position before wrapping his arms around her. Though she did not pull away, he felt every muscle in her body go tense. "What just happened?"

"I - I saw them," Emery said, shaking her head as if to clear it. "They were coming. It felt so real."

Zach nodded. He had been startled, but that did not come close to the terror that appeared in Emery's eyes. Was it a flashback? Though he had never witnessed one himself, he was aware of their occurrence and knew how suddenly they could strike. A rage so deep and terrible surged through him, and he now understood why Banks sent him there, away from Augustin. Perhaps he had shown others the depth of his wrath, the extent of his hatred, and the desire for revenge he had grappled with over the last ten years, but nowhere near as strong as he felt at that moment. He should have killed them all that night, he thought viciously. It would have been a small price to pay for Emery's happiness.

"I'm here now," he whispered. "And they're not."

"Yes, you're right," she whispered.

"We're in your hide, Emery."

She nodded slowly, and Zach drew her close once more. Sighing softly, she laid her head against his chest. After long moments of silence, he felt her inhale a deep breath. He began to massage the tension out of her shoulders.

"I hate having you see me lose it."

"It's completely understandable," he reassured her quickly. "You have nothing to worry about with me."

"But-"

"No buts. I know this isn't an ideal situation, and the not knowing is frightening," he murmured. "We're working on it as fast as we can. We're trying to get the answers, Em."

She glanced down at her hands, now clutched tightly in her lap. "I owe you so much."

"You don't owe me anything. This is my job." He reached forward and tipped her chin up. "And here I am, just doing my job, and you actually like me. Most people don't change overnight, and you've gone from hating me to welcoming me in just a few days. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world."

A ghost of a smile flickered across her face, but it was fleeting. "Just doing your job? Does that include kissing your witnesses?"

"Only if they're pretty," he teased.

Though her eyes appeared haunted, she managed a smile. "And to think I was considering doing it again..."

The corner of his lips deepened. "Trust me, I was planning on it, too."

Shaking her head, she sighed again. "I'm sorry. I just wish I was brave."

"You are brave," Zach said firmly. "Probably the bravest person I know. But there's no sense in rushing things that aren't meant to be."

She nodded, but he could see in her guarded features that she did not believe what he said. Reaching out to squeeze her knee reassuringly, he smiled again. "How about we attempt the trek back? You could use a good laugh, and watching me in my snowshoes should be just what the doctor ordered."

Emery rolled her eyes at him again, and Zach breathed a sigh of relief. Things were under control again. "You mastered it in minutes. Don't even try to pull that on me."

Although relieved, Zach still wanted to get her back to the safety of her cabin. Glancing at the sky, he smiled gently. "Let's just get you home before these clouds get thicker."

She nodded slowly, and her eyes lit up at his words. "Yes, home."

***

Almost 800 miles away, just as Marie Flores was about to take a bite from her sandwich, her cell phone rang. Frowning, she glanced at her purse, still locked away in the lowest cabinet of her desk. Everyone knew she taught in the classroom every day. Everyone knew not to bother her. Unless it was an emergency.

With all the sudden law enforcement attention she was receiving, Marie immediately set down her sandwich and pulled open the drawer to fumble inside in search of her mobile. However, by the time she located the phone beneath her wallet and beside her keys, it had stopped ringing. Pulling it free with a frustrated sigh, her irritation grew when she saw it was only her sister dialing her. Marie stared at the phone in confusion. Dollie was not expecting her until the school year ended. That was still several weeks away. Pressing the call back button, she was surprised when her sister answered on the first ring.

"We have to go to Colorado."

Accustomed to her sister's extravagant ways, Marie was not surprised that her sister would interrupt her during work, but the location she mentioned caused Marie's heart to give an uneasy lurch. There could only be one reason for her to go to Colorado, and Dollie would have no way of knowing that. "What's wrong?"

"Can you leave today?"

Marie looked around her classroom, empty for the next thirty minutes. "Of course not. I'm working. Why?"

"Emery needs us. Emery needs _you_."

"Have you spoken to her? How do you know where she is?"

Dollie laughed. "I know lots of things, Marie. You would've too if you hadn't run away."

Sighing, Marie ran her hand through her hair. "Zach's with Emery. I had an email from him last week saying he found her safe and sound. He's taking care of things."

"She needs us," came the stubborn reply.

"Zach will take care of her. It's better if we stay out of the way so he's not distracted."

"Our daughter is coming back to the light, but she'll need all the help she can get. Winter sets on her soul, and he's going to be challenged."

"Dollie, please stop with the analogies," Marie said abruptly. "You know I don't like that kind of talk."

"You should. You know what I speak is true."

"Dollie..."

"They're not just stories. They're our past. _Your past_. Your daughter is a part of our future, too. You cannot deny that."

"I can," Marie said through stiff lips. She knew she had turned her back on her family in a show of rebellion, and she knew she still preferred to run away rather than face her problems. Unfortunately, the reminder that her daughter was the one who suffered the most from that hurt her deeply.

"I've prayed for her, but the troubles will come. Both of them must prove their strength, and they need us to help them."

"How can we possibly help?" Even Marie heard the sarcasm in her voice.

"She needs to know she has your support. You need to reconcile."

Knowing it would be futile to argue anymore, Marie reluctantly conceded. What her sister suggested was the very thing her heart longed for more than anything. "I'll email Zach tonight when I get home and make sure it's okay with him. I don't want to get in his way."

"Then we'll go."

She sighed. "If Zach approves, I'll fly up this weekend."

"I'll drive to Denver and meet you."

Feeling as though she was making a tremendous blunder, Marie once again stared out into her classroom. "Okay, I'll see you soon."

As Dollie signed off, Marie set the phone aside and picked up the sandwich. However, she was unable to take a bite. Suddenly her stomach was in large knots of worry, no matter how many times she told herself they had nothing to fear. Dollie was getting older, and with age came the exacerbated fears of the elderly. Still, she could not shake the feeling that all was not well.

***

Emery carried the last load of laundry across the hall into her bedroom and dumped the basket on her bed. For the first time in her life, she had washed a man's clothing, and currently Zach's clothes shared a space in her closet among her turtleneck sweaters and jeans. She doubled up her hangers for the time being so Zach's pants could be hung and even placed his boxers and shirts in her dresser with her own. The homey scene suited her even after the frightening vision at the hide that afternoon. Her sole regret was that Zach had immediately increased the distance between them once they returned to the cabin. Where earlier that morning he had teased her about warming each other up, now he had his nose buried in his laptop with ESPN on the television and had remained there even during dinner. Remembering how he once told her he liked her elk burgers, she made some for him in an effort to ease the lingering tension between them, but he remained so absorbed in what he was working on that he barely noticed.

Placing the last shirt in the top drawer she had cleaned out for his clothing, she closed it with a sigh and leaned against the dresser. Adding a mirror there had been an afterthought, but gazing at herself now made her realize that having a mirror was not just for the vain. She could not help but make a double-take at the view of herself staring out through the honest glass. Her cheeks were flushed with color, and her eyes glowed back with what appeared to be happiness. It was a face she had not seen in over ten years, one she never thought she would see again. When had she become so happy?

Running her fingers over her cheek, she smirked at herself. It was all because of Zachary that she looked that way. He had appeared and brought warmth back into her life. Now any fool could take one look at her and realize she was in love.

Emery dropped back onto the side of her bed and thought about it. She had loved Zachary her entire life, but in love with him? How could that be possible? As soon as she thought it, she chuckled. Because he was the most special person she had in her life. Because he was warm, caring, brave and willing to risk his life for her. How could she not be hopelessly in love with him? That had a simple answer too: because he would be leaving, returning to his already full and established life. He would not be able to stay with her forever. It was up to her to enjoy what time she did have with him.

The television set was still on and tuned to the baseball game. Zach was on the sofa, his long legs stretched out in front of him resting on the coffee table. It was the top of the ninth, and Emery noticed Cleveland was winning. The screen brought back memories of their childhood together. He had played first base while growing up, and his mother brought her along to most of his games. She had gone willingly as a youth, eager to watch her best friend do what he did best. No matter how hot the desert got, she still went to those games to support her favorite player. She smiled nostalgically.

"Hi," he said, finally looking in her direction.

"Who were you routing for?"

"Angels, naturally," he said wryly. "I thought you went to bed."

Shrugging, Emery went to stand behind the chair, her hands resting lightly on the cushions. "Couldn't sleep."

He patted the cushion beside him. "Come hang with me then. We don't have to watch the game."

"I don't mind," she replied.

"That's right. I remember you used to really like baseball. You went to more games than my mother did."

She smirked. "I wasn't going to watch the game."

"Really?"

"I went to watch you."

Coming around the chair, she sat next to him on the sofa. His arm immediately slipped around her shoulders. "I never knew that," he mused.

Moving willingly into his side, she placed her hand over his heart. As always, it beat steadily under her palm. "I wanted to see you play. You were always good at sports."

"When I stopped baseball and took up wrestling, you never went to those matches."

"They weren't as fun to watch... and that was when you went to high school. I wasn't cool enough to be your friend anymore."

He snorted. "Now that's not true."

"Remember it how you want to," she said with a short laugh.

"You were still a kid. I just didn't know how to talk to you."

"Because you were a big high-schooler."

He chuckled as he looked down on her, and his eyes danced with amusement. "Whatever."

"It's true."

"Shows how much you know of the male psyche in high school." He gave her shoulder a slight squeeze. "Since you're up, I guess I should tell you about the email I got this evening."

Stiffening almost immediately, Emery considered telling him not to say anything, to make believe nothing came through.

"It was from your mother," he explained, as if sensing her hesitation.

Emery frowned. Now that was unexpected. "My mother?"

"She's flying in to Denver Friday evening."

Feeling as though the rug had just been pulled out from beneath her, Emery sat up quickly. "You told her where I am?"

Zach met her gaze with a frown. "Of course I didn't."

"Then how does she know?"

"She's the one who told me to go to Colorado. All I told her was that I found you."

"Why is she coming? This isn't exactly a good time."

Zach sighed, but he could not hide his own qualms from her. With 2Tuff and Augustin nowhere to be found, having an extra liability to consider apparently was not appealing to him either. However, she watched him shrug nonchalantly. "Look, Em, it's nothing to worry about. She's concerned about you and evidently wants to make sure you're ok."

"We had an agreement," Emery said.

"What agreement?"

"When I moved out, we agreed that I would be the one to initiate contact."

"She's your mother," he coaxed. "She'll always worry about you."

"I'm not so sure about this. What if something happens and she's here, too?"

"Come here." He hugged her tighter and effortlessly pulled her onto his lap, but his voice carried a gentle reprimand. "First, I'd like you to trust that I'm capable of handling things. Second, when I saw your mother, I saw the regret on her face as plain as day. Maybe it's time that you dropped those giant walls you've built and finally allow the people who love you back in."

"I do trust you."

"Then what's the problem?"

She sighed. "I was already thinking the same thing. It's just that now is not a good time."

"I can tell her we'll meet her somewhere else if you don't want her here."

She raised a sarcastic brow.

"Well, look at it this way. You can show her how much you've changed and ease her worry."

Emery remembered her final words to her mother and cringed inside. They had not been pleasant. "Show her how you've changed me, you mean."

Unable to deny the slow smile that parted his lips, he hugged her tight. "Absolutely."

Sighing, she reluctantly gave in. "All right."

Zach smiled. "That's my girl."

***

Emery again stood before her dresser mirror, dressed in her best, dark green turtleneck and jeans. She smoothed it over her waist nervously, though she knew she looked as good as she could with her limited closet of clothing. It was one of those things she had never put on her list of priorities. With her limited salary, she had better things to worry about spending her money on. Now, for the first time ever, she wished she had at least one or two nice items to wear.

Sighing, she tossed her hair back over her shoulders. It was too late now. Her mother was landing in less than two hours, and the airport was just an hour away. Though Zach offered to go pick her up, her mother had announced that she had a ride. Emery wondered what that meant.

Now it was her decision. Did she meet her mother at a location of her choice, or did she allow her to come to the cabin? Zach left the choice entirely in her hands, and two days later with the arrival imminent she still had not come up with a solution that suited her. However, in her heart she knew she could never put her mother in a hotel. Perhaps she had known that all along, for she had spent the day cleaning her home until it glowed. After all, it was not her mother's fault for what she had become in recent years. It was hers. She was the one who had shunned the woman who raised her. Her shame had been too great to face those who loved her the most, and now it seemed it was time to start repairing those bridges. Too bad that it all had to hit at once, she thought nervously.

The bedroom door was pushed open, and Zach appeared fresh from his shower. His short, dark hair was spiked in disarray, as though he had just run a towel over his head carelessly. It gave him a boyish look that drew a smile from her stiff lips. "So what did you decide?"

She looked around her room with a critical eye. "She can have my bedroom, and I'll take the chair in the living room."

His brows went up. Giving her a mischievous look, he eyed her up and down. "I have just enough room to share the pullout with you."

Her eyes went wide. "With my mother in the next room?"

"Good point," he said with a grin. "I guess it could get noisy once you start kissing me. You do have that pretty sexy sound you make in the back of your throat-"

Pressing her hands against her cheeks, she glared at him. "Zach..."

"It's ok. I certainly don't mind," he replied with a wink.

Neither did she. That was part of her problem. Where once she wanted nothing to do with other people, now she could not seem to shake the urge to move close every time she saw Zach. Coming up behind her, he rested his hands lightly on her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Relax," he said softly. "I can control myself if you can."

Her lips twisted. "I was just thinking I'm not sure I can."

His hands paused, and he met her gaze in the dresser mirror. Moving slowly, he smoothed her hair away and bent to kiss her neck lightly. "Nice."

"But what if this is a mistake?"

"Hearing you say you can't keep your hands off me is not a mistake," he murmured. "It's a dream come true for any guy to have a woman like you."

Despite his deliberate misunderstanding, she could not help but smile. "That's not what I meant, and you know it."

"So you're a little nervous." He grinned even broader. "We have plenty of time, and I know just how to make you relax."

"Not in the bedroom my mother's going to be sleeping in."

"You know we don't need a bed. The couch works, and then there's a counter..."

"Counter?"

"I'll show you. Then we can try a table..."

A bubble of laughter rose from her chest when she realized he was not speaking about just kissing. Once again appreciating his ready sense of humor, she turned around and hugged him. "Zach, you really are something else."

He chuckled as he pulled her close. "You are too, Em, more than you know."

### Chapter 15

It was late by the time the headlights lit up her bedroom. As the light spilled into the short hallway and shone off the corner of the fridge, Emery felt her sleepiness melt away to be replaced by nervousness and fear. Sitting up straight on the sofa, she glanced over at Zach as JJ's drowsy head lifted at her feet. After finishing a game of War with her well-worn playing cards, they all dozed lightly while the clock neared midnight, but Zach was immediately alert. He came to his feet and went to the door while patting his side automatically. It was a reflex that she did not like to watch, for it reminded her of the danger lurking just on the edges of their periphery.

Glancing over his shoulder at her, he smiled encouragingly. "They made it."

Emery took a deep breath and smoothed her hair one last time. Her steps were slow as she followed behind him. "They?"

"Your aunt picked her up. She drove up today."

"Dollie?" Emery asked in surprise. "They're both coming? I assumed my mother rented a car."

"No," he replied as he reached for the doorknob. "When I asked if she needed a ride, she told me her sister was picking her up."

"I'm feeling weird about this," Emery said as her stomach began to tie in knots again.

Before pulling the door open, Zach placed his arm around her shoulders and gave her a squeeze. "Everything will be fine. Wait here while I check it out."

She nodded wordlessly. With one last smile, he was gone with JJ trailing eagerly after him. A moment or two later, she heard JJ bark out his warning and then the sound of escalated voices. If Emery was not so nervous, she would have found humor in her monstrous, intimidating dog frightening the two older ladies. But then she heard Zach's deeper voice calming her dog, and in the next moment footsteps on her deck.

The women had arrived.

Her first view of her mother after five years was surprising. She had barely changed. Those wide, voluminous eyes that had always shone with love whenever they looked at her remained, although Emery noticed that there was now a twinge of sadness behind them as well. Immediately, Emery's eyes filled with tears. "Shima," she whispered, feeling years of loss and loneliness well up inside her.

"Emery," Marie said. Holding her arms wide, she approached quickly and pulled her into a tight hug. Emery's nose was assaulted by the familiar scent of her mother, flowers and cream. It was a scent she remembered from her childhood, from years of snuggles, kisses, soft sounds and many smiles. Emery longed for those days once more until she remembered how drastically things had changed.

"Look at you." Marie held her away and stared at her so intently that Emery shifted uncomfortably. "You're beautiful."

She grasped her again so tight that Emery could hardly breathe. Feeling uncomfortable with the restraint, she pulled away nervously and offered her mother a smile. Her voice was raspier than normal. "How have you been?"

"Better now." Just then Zach entered with Dollie and their small carry-on luggage in hand. Marie turned away and beamed at him happily. "You've done it, Zach," she said in a choked voice.

Dollie and Zach exchanged a confused glance, and Emery noticed Zach looked as uncomfortable as she felt. Not sure what her mother meant, Emery approached Dollie with as welcoming a smile as possible. "Aunt Dollie."

Dollie brushed past Zach and came forward. She studied Emery intently, in much the same manner as her mother had, before holding out her hand to grasp Emery's. Luckily she seemed to understand Emery's dislike of restraint and refrained from pulling her close. Instead she pressed her hand before quickly releasing her with an understanding nod. "You look well, Emery. He's taken good care of you."

Spying Zach's wink from the corner of her eye, Emery smiled. "As do you, Dollie. You haven't changed at all."

This was not entirely untruthful. Though midway through her 50's, Dollie still had the thick, long black hair Emery had longed to touch as a child, only now it was starting to gray around her temples. She had settled a bit around her middle since she saw her last, and her eyes had crinkled in much the same manner as her mother. Standing side by side, the two women still looked very similar, with Dollie slightly shorter and heavier and Marie more chic with her designer handbag and shoes.

As if sensing Emery's discomfort, Zach stepped forward and took control in his steady but encouraging voice. "It's very late, and Dollie's been driving all day. Emery wanted you to take her bedroom. If you two don't mind sharing a bed, we'll stay out here."

The two older women exchanged a glance.

"I'll take the chair, and Zach can have the sofa bed. He's been staying there already," Emery hastened to add.

The look both women gave her told her that they did not believe her for a moment, and Dollie snorted. "Marie and I can take the sofa bed. You shouldn't give up your bedroom, Emery."

"But Zach?"

"Would prefer his privacy with you in a household now full of women, I'm sure."

"Oh, you don't understand. It's not like that," Emery protested, aware that her cheeks were once again glowing.

Dollie snorted again while Marie cleared her throat and stared down at the ground. As always, Dollie, being the eldest, took control.

Accurately sensing the rising emotion in the room, Zach raised his hands to appease them. "I'll take the loft. I'm sure Emery has enough extra bedding."

"We have much to discuss, but you're right. We're tired. I'm not a young woman, and the drive was too long. It can wait until morning, but you would do best to stay as close to Emery as possible with all the bad magic around."

Marie raised a skeptical brow and stared at Zach. "She suddenly knows everything. And to top it off, she believes they practice magic."

"We can talk about it tomorrow when we're less cranky," Dollie announced, and Marie rolled her eyes. "It's late."

Emery, who felt flushed and warm, hastened to back away. "I'll get the bedding."

"You stay in your own room, Emery."

"Fine," she cried, throwing her arms in the air. "I'll just make up your bed first."

"Zach can help us."

Zach nodded in her direction, and Marie gave her a gentle nudge. "As much as I hate to let you out of my sight right now, she's right. We'll talk in the morning and catch up once we old ladies get some sleep."

Torn, Emery continued to back away but slowly. Spying her indecision, Zach reached out and touched her cheek gently. His familiarity caused the two women to again exchange a knowing glance. "Go ahead. I'll take care of them."

With one last nervous glance at the trio, Emery offered a smile. "There are fresh towels in the bathroom if you'd like to wash up."

Then she turned on her heel and fled the room.

***

As soon as the door closed behind Emery, Marie turned to Zach. Reaching out, she took both of his hands within her own and squeezed them tight. Her eyes still glistened with unshed tears of happiness. "Zach, you've brought my daughter back."

"He's done well," Dollie agreed.

"Wasn't me, Marie." Shaking his head, Zach smiled at them both. "Emery's a strong girl."

"Who has always loved you very much. You should've come sooner." Marie shook her head. "I never should've allowed her to keep you away. I should've known."

"Things happen at their own pace," Dollie said.

"I agree," Zach said.

Marie remained stubborn. "No, I could've stopped this long ago."

"I don't think I was ready to see her either. If you'd asked me, I don't know how I would've responded," he admitted reluctantly. The truth of the matter was that he probably would have refused. Even now, he had to admit that his reasons for coming up to Colorado were purely selfish in the beginning. It took seeing Emery again before he realized just how much she meant to him.

Dollie sat in the chair and removed her shoes, simple slip-ons that hit the floor with a solid thud. Resting her head against the cushioned back, she closed her eyes. "Zach did what he was supposed to do when he was supposed to do it. Both of them have had much to work out." She opened one eye and looked at Marie. "As did you, apparently."

"You're tired," Zach said. Extricating himself from Marie's grip, he gathered up the pale green bedding he had retrieved and set in a pile on the dining room table. "Let me make this up so you can go to bed."

"You won't hide away up in the loft, will you?" Marie asked in concern.

"Emery was right," he said softly. "It hasn't been like that."

"But if you could stay with her, I'd appreciate it. Just to keep her safe, you know?" Joining him, she grasped the other end of the sheet and helped him make up the bed with new sheets. As they worked, her voice lowered to a whisper. "Besides, I'm afraid Dollie may have scared Emery with her talk about magic. She used to have nightmares about the Skinwalkers... I'm surprised Dollie brought it up in front of you."

"What is that?"

"A shapeshifter. A witch. They're just old stories." Marie scoffed but he could see the nervousness in her eyes. No matter how often she tried to deny her family, they were still a large part of her life. The same held true for Emery. He had seen the joy reflected in her eyes when she smiled at her mother. It would make sense that she carried the fear as well.

Old stories or not, he did not want Emery to lay in bed all night afraid when she was already concerned enough, not that he needed any excuse to want to spend the night with her wrapped in his arms. He nodded, whispering back. "I'll stay with her."

"She's very lucky to have you with her," Marie said.

"I feel better being here." He grinned. "Call me a control freak, but I can't imagine trusting anyone else."

"She'll need you more yet, but you'll be a better man for it once all is said and done," Dollie announced.

Assuming Dollie had begun to doze, Zach turned in surprise when she spoke. Marie rolled her eyes again. "Will you stop with the mystical gibberish, Dollie?"

"But it's true. You'll see," she said stubbornly.

Tucking the ends of the blanket under the mattress with military precision, Zach straightened and nodded with approval. "I'll let you two argue in peace, but promise me you'll go to bed soon. It is late."

Marie nodded. "Good night, Zach. Thank you."

He gave Dollie's slight nod of acknowledgement one in return and smiled at Marie. "I'll see you in the morning then. Sleep in as late as you need."

"We will," Dollie said from behind him.

Zach sent her a wave and shut off the light behind him, leaving the two women with only the gentle glow from the fire. Feeling more like a father of two recalcitrant children than a confirmed bachelor, he entered Emery's bedroom as quietly as possible and breathed a sigh of relief once the door closed behind him. Allowing his eyes time to adjust to the darkness, he stood and stared at the small bundle under the covers. Emery was on her side, her back to him, facing the small window. She had drawn the blinds, and the room was lit only from the light of her alarm clock. It was almost one in the morning.

Suddenly feeling exhausted, Zach stripped down to his boxers and slipped under the covers. Despite the chill clinging to the sheets, he could feel the heat emanating from Emery and scooted across the bed to wrap his arm around her waist and draw her against his chest. Burying his face in her hair, he sighed and closed his eyes.

It felt good to lay next to her in her small bed. Soft in the right spots, he enjoyed curling around her and holding her close. Snuggling with her under warm covers was much more appealing than sleeping above a pair of bickering women, and he closed his eyes imagining her accepting him permanently once Adan was back behind bars.

Nuzzling her soft hair with his chin, Zach felt his body begin to relax. With his vacation almost half-way over, he was finding it more difficult to imagine returning to Arizona without Emery. He loved his job, it had been his life, but the time he had spent with her in her simple cabin had been a change of pace that he apparently needed. Banks had been right. He was long overdue for a vacation.

Or was it just because of Emery?

She had certainly kept him on his toes these last days. However, he still felt more comfortable with her than any of the other women he had dated. There was something about Emery, something that made him feel content and not force feelings he did not have. They shared a long history, had known one another since childhood, and as Marie had pointed out, shared a bond. But he sensed there was something even deeper there. Perhaps it was because she was so open about her faults and insecurities that made him feel so strong and capable. Or maybe there was something else he had yet to determine. Only one thing was certain, they did not have much time left to figure it out.

Another day gone and Zach knew he had to start thinking about the job at hand. Tomorrow he would have to find a spot that had good range and put in a call to Ian. Tomorrow – after he slept.

He was just beginning to doze when her soft, husky voice reached his ears. It was thick with sleep, drowsy and less guarded than usual. "Zach, I'm glad you're here with me."

Less than two weeks ago, the opposite had been true. He smiled into the darkness. "I was just thinking the same thing, love," he murmured, holding her close.

With a soft sigh, she resumed her slumber, and he felt her entire body relax against his as her breathing deepened. A powerful emotion filled his heart in that one brief moment, one he could not yet name. All he knew was that she had given herself to him and him alone, and that made her his. No matter what the future held, Emery would always be a part of him.

She belonged to him.

### Chapter 16

"Do you know the history of Changing Woman, Zach?"

The only thing he remembered about it was that Marie said Dollie had compared Emery to the heroine of one of the most well-known stories. While he had once eaten up any and all stories about the Navajo out of curiosity for Emery's heritage as a kid, that interest had waned in recent years. Now he had a hard time remembering which legend was which. Solemnly he shook his head. Dollie would know if he claimed otherwise. In fact, there was very little Dollie seemed not to know. He now understood Emery's caution and Marie's avoidance. As soon as they were able, the two had retired to enjoy the returning sunshine on the back patio. Longing to discuss their mistakes, they left him alone with a woman he viewed with a combination of respect and fear.

One thing he had been quick to remember was that he allowed her to speak when she wanted to and kept the small chat to a minimum. Though it was easy for him to maintain his silence, there were times when the quiet became too overwhelming. Those few awkward minutes were torture, and he kept straining to hear the chairs on the patio scrape against the wood, indicating Emery and Marie were coming back in. Glancing at the French doors, he wondered how much longer it would be. It felt as though they had been outside for hours.

"Well?"

"No, I don't remember," he admitted.

"She's very powerful."

He nodded expectantly.

"She's a great goddess and highly respected." Dollie pointed out the window in the direction of the two women. "I prayed to her daily after Emery was hurt. I still pray to her for my daughter."

Zach remembered that Emery's aunt always had referred to her as daughter. It seemed strange to him initially, but now he took it in stride. Though not an emotional woman, he could tell that Dollie held Emery in very high esteem. She watched her niece's movements, nodded approvingly when she looked at her art, and truly listened when Emery spoke.

"You did a healing ceremony for her?" Zach asked.

"I have a friend in Sedona who completes distance healing. He sends good energy to her. It's helped you, yes?"

He supposed if he was not so skeptical he could say yes and really mean it. However, he had his doubts. Sending healing energy from 800 miles away seemed a little farfetched in his mind. Besides, Emery seemed to be moving at her own pace, opening up in slow degrees. Nevertheless, the most appropriate response seemed to be a shrug. He did that then.

"Emery should come home. We could do a proper ceremony there." Waving her hand in dismissal, she continued. "Enough of that, I want to talk about Changing Woman. Emery and I can discuss my plans later. For now, we need to talk about what will happen in the immediate."

Allowing his curiosity full rein, Zach sat back on the sofa and prepared to listen.

"She was the mother to our two great heroes. Twins. She's a very powerful deity; she symbolizes the earth and her seasons."

He nodded, his memory triggered by her summary. He did remember hearing stories about her. One of the only times he could remember Marie taking Emery to her childhood home was during the spring break before he graduated high school. Though Emery would not tell him about it, in later years he learned that she had gone to perform the _Kinaaldá,_ the coming of age ceremony when she reached puberty. At the awkward age of 13, Emery had refused to tell him what transpired, her honey skin flushing the color of a red raspberry when he asked her how break went. Though he found her reaction perplexing, he was so caught up in his own dramas that he had not pushed when she muttered her response about a four-day ceremony. Now he wished he asked more.

"When Changing Woman is longing for her love, the Sun, she grows old and sad. That is winter. When she returns to the light and warmth of her one true love, that is summer."

Zach nodded again. It was making more sense to him now. He remembered Marie explaining the ceremony and what Emery had accomplished during her four day ordeal. Though Emery had been too embarrassed to discuss it, she treasured the white shell and turquoise necklace Dollie had given her for a long time afterwards. He bet she still had it somewhere in the cabin.

"She longs for her husband at all times, and finally she joins him in the west. When the sun streaks across the sky, he's hurrying home to be with her."

Zach thought back to the day he drove to Denver. The entire time he was away he thought of Emery, longing to get back to the cabin and feeling a sense of frustration when things moved more slowly than he wanted. Yes, he could understand the driving need behind Dollie's words.

"I told Marie that Emery reminds me of the Changing Woman story. She's finally coming out of her winter, the skies are clearing and she's returning to the light and happiness. The storm came and passed. The sun is shining again, and the snow melts. You are her Sun."

Now that it made sense, he decided he liked the sound of the analogy even more. Just a few weeks before, he would have scoffed at Dollie, perhaps would have laughed at her insinuation that he could ever be that important to someone. However, the past couple of weeks in Emery's company changed all that. Seeing how he influenced her just by being himself made him aware of his own progress. For the first time in years he considered a future that was not solitary, and he suspected seeing Emery smiling and coming out of her shell had something to do with it. Feeling pleased, he leaned forward, his body language satisfying Dollie of his continued interest. She nodded in approval.

"You're drawing her back with your warmth."

Nodding slowly, he could not hide the small smile.

"It was meant to be this way, like you said last night... The time was not right before."

"I'm glad you understand," he said.

"I do. You needed to find yourself; Emery needs to do the same. You came back into her life at the right time."

"So you approve?"

Dollie took her time considering her answer. Her eyes drifted closed, and for a moment Zach feared she had fallen asleep. But then they opened, and her dark gaze fell on him. "You work for the FBI now?"

The sudden change of subject caught him off guard. He nodded.

"You've done well, Zach. But you must consider why you've made the choices you've made. Marie said you're a great soldier in her eyes. Why is that?"

Zach did not like riddles, nor did he consider himself a great soldier. He was just a man who spent countless hours trying to gather enough evidence to put those who broke the law in jail. Oftentimes it was tedious, detail-oriented work sprinkled in with excitement on occasion. However, he did enjoy it. Why? Well, that was because of what happened to Emery. He was driven by his rage. Was that what Dollie meant?

The sound of JJ nails scratching against the wood deck as he scampered to the door caught Zach's attention. He knew their conversation would soon be over.

"It's said the sun's rays are strong and healing. They give power to the earth... You give power to Emery, and if you stay she will grow strong enough to fight her battles on her own. If you leave too soon, all will be lost – she'll be lost to you."

"But I have responsibilities," he reminded her. "I can't stay indefinitely."

"You'll know what I mean when the time comes." She sighed heavily and glanced at the door. "It won't be long now. They're coming."

Whether she meant Emery or 2Tuff, Zach was unsure, but he nodded his head in understanding. One of two things would happen in the next two weeks. Either Dollie would be proven wrong for all of her mystical talk, or something would happen that would change everything. He just had to wait and see, even though his patience was growing short.

"This is a good cabin," Dollie remarked. Like him, she was staring at the door, waiting for Emery and Marie to enter. "The door faces east. She greets the sun each morning."

He smiled absentmindedly, for he heard their footsteps on the porch. When the door swung open, Zach held his breath. Then Emery was there, looking more radiant than ever, and all the breath in his lungs came out in a rush. He was not sure when it happened or how, but seeing Emery happy warmed his heart just as Dollie said he warmed hers. He had not known how tense he was until she appeared glowing with good health and joy. Apparently her talk with her mother went well.

"Hi there, you two," Marie said, still laughing at something Emery had said.

Emery was smiling as well, and when her glowing eyes landed on him it broadened even more. He felt his chest swell with pride, knowing he had made a difference. "How was your talk?"

"It was good. I was able to talk Emery into allowing Dollie and me to take you two out for dinner this evening. Are you okay with that, Zach?"

Excited with the possibility of leaving the cabin, and even more thrilled with the idea of leaving with Emery, Zach nodded quickly. "I know just the place, less than thirty minutes away."

Emery looked at him with an eyebrow raised in question. "You do?"

"I had lunch there last week with a friend."

The second eyebrow joined the first, but she did not comment. Dollie nodded in approval. "An evening out sounds nice. I haven't enjoyed myself in a long time."

"We can tell," Marie said wryly.

Zach coughed back a laugh, but Dollie merely stared at Marie. "It wasn't always that way."

"You take too many things too seriously."

"And you take too few."

Though Zach and Emery exchanged concerned glances, Marie merely shrugged. "You only live once."

"Those children make you immature."

"And your lack of children makes you old."

"With age comes wisdom."

"And self-righteousness," Marie quipped.

"At least I have wisdom enough to prevent stupid mistakes before I make them."

Marie's face darkened at this insult, and she glanced at Emery guiltily.

"Okay," Zach said. He came to his feet and placed his hands on his hips. "How about we do an early dinner to beat the crowds?"

"I'd prefer it that way," Dollie responded.

Marie still glowered.

"I'll just go change," Emery said quickly.

Zach's gaze swept her from head to toe. "You look fine."

"I want to change my shirt."

Zach frowned. "Why? That's a pretty color on you."

When the two older women exchanged glances, Zach suddenly noticed. Emery was not wearing a turtleneck at the moment, and the white, jagged scar was visible above the collar of the yellow knit shirt she wore. He had grown so accustomed to it in recent days that he had forgotten how sensitive she was to it.

"It's not covered," Marie said softly.

"I didn't notice," he said with a defensive edge.

"But others will," Emery replied with a pointed look at her mother and aunt. "I'll be right back."

Ignoring the two older women, Zach followed her into the bedroom. "You don't need to change, Emery."

He meant what he said. Remembering the flush of color on her honey colored skin and the brightness in her sparkling green eyes when she appeared in the doorway, he had not been able to look beyond her face. She was beautiful, and he doubted anyone would notice her scar when graced with her smile.

She shrugged. "You saw my mother and Dollie. They don't want people to stare."

He waved a hand dismissively. "Who cares what they think?"

"I do."

"Well, you shouldn't. If only you knew how beautiful your smile is."

"You've never seen people look... They wonder; they have questions. It shows in their eyes."

"What you show them is that you're a fighter."

She shook her head. "I haven't been until recently."

"You've turned into quite an amazing woman," he said.

"I – well, thank you."

He was further surprised when her arms went around his middle and she hugged him tight. Laying her head against his chest, she squeezed him briefly before pulling away with a soft sigh.

"As wonderful as it is to be spoiled by your compliments, Zach, I suppose you should go," she said with a smile.

"I like complimenting you," he replied.

Pushing him back toward the door, she reached for the handle and looked up at him coyly. "They're going to be wondering what we're doing."

"Hey, I'm not that fast," he teased.

Shaking her head with a low chuckle, she gave him another shove. "Just go."

Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave her a wounded look. "Ouch."

Laughing, Emery pulled him close and pressed her body against his as if it was the most natural thing in the world. One day, he thought. One day they would be together. If things turned out the way he hoped, they would be for a very long time. Maybe even the rest of their lives. He paused and gazed down at her as his brain churned with new ideas. They were frightening and exciting at the same time.

"I'll make it up to you later. I've decided I like kissing you," she whispered.

"Maybe we should do it more often."

"Agreed," she said with a laugh.

Reaching up with his thumb, he brushed her lips tenderly. "Does that mean we can keep them waiting for a little longer?"

Attempting to draw her close again, Zach was rewarded by her playful slap. "No, just go. I need to change."

Laughing, Zach reluctantly loosened his grasp. However, before he released her, he bent and kissed her quickly. With a mock salute, he took a step away and slipped from the room to the sound of her dreamy sigh. Now that was progress.

***

Tucking the mobile phone into the pocket of his baggy jeans as he closed the door behind him, Adan Augustin pulled his baseball cap lower over the kerchief that hid his newly grown, spiky black hair. He gazed out into the courtyard of the Willcox, Arizona hotel, thankful there was no one lounging by the pool. According to hotel management the pool was heated, but this morning was cloudy enough to keep sunbathers at bay. Exhaling slowly, he walked down the concrete hallway and down the stairs, brushing past the few employees hanging outside the back lobby door to sneak a smoke. He made eye contact with no one.

Though out of Texas, the days spent hidden in the hotel room had been informative. He was aware they were looking for him. Phoenix was on guard, and every law enforcement agency between there and Texas had their eyes peeled for him. This was, in fact, one of his first times beyond the parking lot of the hotel in a week. It felt refreshing to watch the cars pass him unaware, and his legs were enjoying the exercise.

It was less than a mile to the rendezvous point, but his stomach growled when he passed the pizza place that had been delivering his meals and then a fast food restaurant. If he had the time, he would have stopped and picked something up. It was no matter to him if someone recognized him; he would be out of this small town in less than an hour. But time was short, and he knew better than to cross his ride. Without him, he was as good as caught.

Maintaining his brisk pace, Augustin turned onto Bisbee Avenue and left the scent of restaurant-prepared food behind. The street ahead was lined with small, modest homes, some with quaint landscaping and others without. He barely gave them a glance, especially the ones with signs of children. The last thing he needed was some curious kid following him to the school. To his right, he could hear the sound of children laughing and playing in the park. A quick glance over advised him that the Saturday soccer games were in full-swing.

Keeping his hands shoved deep in his pockets and his head down to watch the progress of his feet, Augustin kept walking away from the busy main street of Willcox and into small-town suburbia. His toes were cramped in the sneakers that were two sizes too small, and his hands were doing more of a job holding his pants up than disguising his form. How he longed to be somewhere safe out of the sight of the cops looking for him. He needed some good food, a woman, and some cold beer to satisfy him. All those things he had been robbed of for the past ten years... He planned to compensate for that lack soon.

A black, two-door car was waiting in the deserted parking lot of the high school. It was older, with faded paint and dark, tinted windows, but it was his ticket to freedom and he hastened across the parking lot to greet his ride. Though a risky spot to meet, 2Tuff had insisted it be at the school. It was close enough to the park to answer any questions by patrolling cops, and secluded enough that no one would catch a glimpse of the escaped murderer whose face was plastered on the television every day. Augustin smiled as he caught sight of driver's side door opening. It grew broader when 2Tuff emerged and leaned against the door.

" _Hola, ese_ ," he said in greeting, holding out his hand.

Though Augustin was willing to embrace his ride to freedom, 2Tuff maintained his distance, staring at him with a look that bordered on distaste. "You're late."

"I walked."

"We're on a tight schedule. Get in."

Tall and thin, 2Tuff bent his frame and slipped back into the car while Augustin sauntered around to the passenger side. He did not see the passenger through the dark, tinted windows and was surprised to see a woman sitting patiently in the passenger seat. "And who do we have here?" His grin was lecherous, but the girl with the long, curling black hair merely gazed at him with boredom.

"Get in the back," she muttered as she leaned forward for him to tilt the seat.

His gaze fell to her gaping top, and it was not until 2Tuff snapped at him that he realized he was leering at her. Grunting, he shifted his large frame into the back seat to cram between a suitcase, a backpack, empty soda cans and several empty bags of chips. Shoving the suitcase to the side, he moved to the middle of the small car in order to stare at the pair of legs bare from mid-thigh down. His position did not last long, for 2Tuff put the car into gear and stepped on the gas pedal hard, forcing Augustin back against the seat. He grunted again but took the hint and slid over to the passenger side.

The car remained silent until 2Tuff's female companion turned the knob on the radio up. He rolled his eyes as traditional Hispanic music reached his ears. He despised that crap. "Where are we going?"

"South," 2Tuff answered briefly.

"Over the border?" He could not hide the glimmer of excitement at the prospect. Going back into Mexico would be good for him. He had family there that would hide him forever.

"Not quite."

As soon as the hope rose, it was crushed. He was free because of 2Tuff, but he was not foolish enough to assume he was safe. The men who got him out reminded him of that every chance they had. 2Tuff wanted him for information, but unfortunately it was information he could not confirm. That meant he had to produce something good enough to satisfy, and he had spent plenty of time in that old hotel room planning out what he would say. Knowing his life depended on what he knew, he latched onto the only diversion he had. Hopefully in the time it took 2Tuff to find the girl, he would have a plan in place to escape and cross the border on his own. Remembering Vasquez, Augustin knew that 2Tuff could be ruthless when he needed to be. It was up to him to ensure his wrath was focused on the girl and not him. Using her to buy time, he would gain his freedom and take revenge on the girl who put him away. By the time 2Tuff learned she had nothing, Augustin planned to be long gone.

### Chapter 17

The restaurant Zach pulled into appeared at first glance to be an old house. For Emery, the large wood and stone façade was appealing and intimidating at the same time. She took one look at the busy parking lot and reached across the center console for Zach's hand. He gave it a quick squeeze before putting the car in park and shutting down the engine.

"Here we are. Great food, excellent high country location and historic setting. What more could you ladies ask for?"

"Fewer people?" Emery muttered.

Leaning over the console, Zach grinned at her. "This is going to be fun. When was the last time you ate out?"

"I can't remember," she admitted lamely.

"I like it," Marie said from the back seat. "If the food is as pretty as the building, we're in for a nice treat."

Dollie still sat stubbornly in the back seat, stewing after another argument with Marie. Her arms were crossed over her chest, and her mouth was set in a firm, disapproving line. Emery sighed. Maybe this was a mistake.

Sensing her hesitation, Zach gave her a quick wink. "It'll be fine."

"As long as everyone's in agreement, I guess we'll eat here," Emery said. Though she spoke the words, inside she hoped that Dollie would demand to go back, would refuse to get out of the car, or would pick another fight with her mother. Anything to stop Emery from having to enter the friendly building that seemed to loom above her like a threatening sentinel of doom.

"It seems warmer here. There's hardly any snow." Dollie's comment was so off-topic that all eyes turned toward her.

Zach sat back and reached for his door handle, pulling it open and climbing out gracefully. "Emery's cabin is higher in elevation, and the trees around her cabin keep the snow around longer," he said patiently. "Okay, so that's settled, now everybody out. We're going in."

Following Zach's lead, Emery climbed from the car and watched as Zach opened the door for Dollie. Her mother placed her hand on Emery's arm.

"I'm so happy to be with you," she said softly.

Emery nodded absently as she stared up at the doorway. As she watched, another group of people entered the building. She inhaled a shaky breath and clenched her fists. No matter if anyone recognized her, she could do this. She would not allow them to make her cower in fear any longer.

"You're a strong girl," Marie coaxed. "Don't let them scare you. Remember how proud of you I am."

"Thanks," she said with a small smile.

"We should catch up with them," Marie said, giving her a slight nudge. She entwined their fingers and held them close as they walked. "Look at Zach up there with my sister. He's a good man. He had the courage to do what I couldn't, and I'm eternally thankful for that."

"What are you talking about?"

"For forcing you back to the light, as my silly sister says."

Emery looked at her mother sideways. "I didn't think you bought into that stuff."

Marie sighed, but her eyes danced with amusement. "I don't. I fear I'm a skeptical Phoenician now, enjoying the fast-paced city life. But she's right when she says I should've followed you up here a long time ago."

Emery offered her mother a half-smile. "I might not have let you in."

"I think I knew that," Marie agreed. "And I was scared."

"Me too."

"Dollie forced me to come up here," she continued. "And seeing you now makes me even more aware of my mistakes. I never should've abandoned you."

Emery gasped. "Is that what you think you did?"

"It's true," Marie said solemnly. "I have so many regrets that I haven't even begun to tell you about."

"No," she said adamantly, shaking her head. "I ran away. I had to go. I thought I would lose my mind if I stayed there."

"I should've come with you."

"No," she said firmly. "I'm where I need to be. I'm not a child anymore."

"But you are in your heart."

Unable to argue that point, Emery's mouth closed abruptly.

"Zach's waiting for us," Marie said.

Following the direction of her mother's gaze, she saw Zach and Dollie standing just inside the door. He stood aside as they hurried past into a foyer with stone steps. Two large, hefty doors were closed against the weather up a short flight of stairs. Made of thick pine logs and heavy stone, Emery's critical eye took note of the masterful craftsmanship that made them swing open silently despite the weight. Zach stood aside again once he opened one of them, handing Dollie, Marie and then Emery into the building. Immediately, his fingers sought out and held her hand in a loose but reassuring grip as he approached the hostess.

For her first sojourn out of the safety of her cabin for pleasure, Zach could not have chosen a better spot. Though the building was fairly unobtrusive from the outside, once inside anyone could tell it was a masterpiece of western construction. Thick pine beams and heavily worn but polished wood floors accurately displayed the artisanship of the building. The wood tables were carved individually, solid wood assembled to last for years. Antler chandeliers and country western furnishings provided a rustic but welcoming atmosphere.

The murmur of many voices greeted her ears, and Emery once again hesitated. It had been a long time since she had been in such a crowded setting. Despite her excitement at doing something new, she was still reminded of the scar hidden under the collar of her turtleneck and the anxiety that was never far away. Emery scanned the room nervously and wondered if 2Tuff and Augustin were sitting in the crowd watching, waiting and plotting her demise. Biting back the urge to turn around, she focused on Zach's back and his steady grip on her hand while hoping she would be able to enjoy their meal.

"This is a nice place," Dollie said with an approving nod.

"It's a bit rustic," Marie said.

Dollie snorted.

"Well, it is."

"You know nothing aside from polished brass and plastic seats."

Marie scowled. "Can we please _try_ to have a pleasant time?"

After an entire morning and afternoon of listening to the two grappling with one another, Emery ignored the bickering sisters and watched Zach as he smiled at the hostess. Gathering up menus in one hand, her heavily shadowed eyes lit up with interest as she swept him from head to toe. "Good evening, party of two?"

Emery stiffened, feeling a sharp pang of possessiveness.

"Four please," he replied, seeming to ignore her interest.

"Right this way," she said, moving away from her podium. Feeling miffed, Emery was about to allow Zach to follow behind the girl's swaying hips, but his hand slipped from hers and went to her lower back. His touch was light as he steered her ahead of him. Behind him, Marie and Dollie were still arguing about the restaurant's historic furnishings and décor, and Emery grimaced at their loud tone. A quick glance behind her showed her that Zach was finding their bickering amusing, but Emery was growing more uneasy with each snide comment exchanged. Maybe coming out was not a good idea, she thought wearily. Not because of her unpredictable moods but rather the two older women and their arguing.

They weaved through the maze of worn, rustic tables, some empty, others filled with smiling and laughing diners. Several paused to look their way as they passed, their conversations pausing as they took in the newcomers. Emery felt the pressure in her chest again, but Zach's light touch kept her grounded. She glanced behind her again and spied his alert gaze scanning the restaurant before he caught her stare and winked reassuringly.

Pausing at a table in the rear of the restaurant, the hostess turned and smiled. Their table looked out to the pine littered hills beyond the building, a pleasant view Emery was sure she chose to please Zach. "Will this be okay?"

The hostess looked beyond her to Zach again, and Emery clenched her teeth. This time his noticed her discomfort, and his hand slid slowly up her back to rest upon her shoulder. He glanced down at her and smiled. "Will this work?"

She cleared her throat, hoping it would not be too raspy. "Yes, it's fine."

He nodded at the hostess. "I guess it'll do."

Smiling weakly, the hostess waited while Zach pulled out Emery's chair and held it for her before doing the same for Dollie and Marie. Finally taking his own seat, he quickly wrapped his arm around the back of Emery's chair in a casual yet telling move. The hostess set their menus down and backed away, her professional smile still firmly in place. "Your server will be with you shortly."

As soon as she was out of ear shot, Emery grinned at Zach. "A little obvious, don't you think?"

Feigning innocence, Zach gave her a blank stare. "What?"

"Never mind."

Reaching for her menu, Emery began looking it over without knowing where to begin. Although in her mid-twenties, she could count on one hand the amount of times she had dined out. Like a child in a candy store, she had a difficult time deciding which item to choose. While she studied the menu, Marie and Dollie continued quarreling, this time about Dollie's diabetes and cholesterol and the fact that she wanted the baked macaroni and cheese.

"You should have a salad," Marie suggested. "Look at the spinach salad. It has a bacon dressing."

"And it comes with egg. If you're so worried about my cholesterol, you shouldn't be suggesting that."

Marie frowned. "You're right... Sorry... What about the Caesar?"

"That has anchovies." Dollie sighed. "Why don't you spend more time deciding on what you're going to feed your scrawny body, and let me make my own choices?"

"I'm not scrawny," Marie protested.

Emery hid a smile behind the glass of water their waitress had poured for each of them. Comparing the two women side by side, she had to admit that Dollie had a point. While Dollie was slightly overweight, she still had the strength of a woman who had worked hard all of her life. Her mother, on the other hand, ran toward the petite side. Emery took after her mother. Both were of average height, but with small bones and a slim figure that Dollie obviously found too thin.

Setting her glass aside, Emery stared at the two women. "Since this is a rare occasion for me, I would love it if everyone got what they wanted."

"I agree, especially since it's my treat," Zach said, setting aside his menu.

"Oh no, Zach. I was going to get the bill," Marie protested.

"Not on your life," he said with a grin. "This is my first date with Emery. I can't have you pay."

"Some date," Dollie muttered. "Most men try to make an impression on a girl when they take them out, and they certainly don't take the mother with them."

Zach's face darkened slightly when Marie and Emery laughed. "Okay, well maybe not a date, but you know what I mean."

Dollie was unimpressed. "Huh." She returned her face to the menu when the waitress returned to take their order. "I haven't decided yet. Go ahead."

Sporting a smile as wide as the Colorado River, their waitress tucked a strand of her flaming red hair back behind her ear and held her pen at the ready above a well-used pad of paper. "Are you all ready to order?"

"Start with her," Dollie grunted, nodding toward her sister.

Bypassing Dollie, the smiling waitress turned her attention to Marie. "Go ahead, darlin'," she said cheerfully.

Marie glanced at her sister triumphantly. "I'll take the chicken fried steak."

"Good choice. That'll fill you right up, hon."

Winking at her sister, Marie smiled at Emery. Glancing up nervously, she cleared her throat.

"How about you, doll?"

When Emery nervously met her gaze, the older woman smiled broadly. "I'll try the Colorado trout –"

"May I interrupt?"

Surprised, Emery nodded wordlessly.

"I just have to say your dark hair and skin with your eyes... it's just gorgeous."

"Oh, I – uh – thank you," Emery said lamely.

Her hand came up to flutter nervously in front of her face, but Zach grasped it and held it close. "I tell her that all the time."

"As well you should," the waitress advised with a nod toward a table across the room. "Because those boys over there have been watching her ever since she walked in."

Zach's hand tightened around hers, his smile faded, and suddenly the atmosphere at their table grew thick with tension. Feeling her heart speed up painfully, Emery's felt the stirrings of panic. Please not here, she thought frantically. Not sure what she would do if _they_ had found her, she squeezed her eyes shut and denied the thought altogether. Three pairs of eyes glanced over to the table in question, but Emery sank a little lower in her seat. To her surprise, Dollie slapped her hand on the table and let out a hoot of laughter so loud that all the nearby diners paused to look in their direction.

"Ha! Serves Zach right. He thought he was the only one being checked out." She turned toward the waitress, who was grinning with pleasure. "I like you."

Laughing, the waitress nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. I try."

Still grinning, Dollie looked at the menu one last time. "I'll have the elk medallions," she announced.

"They're very good." She winked at Emery, whose face had gone pale, and turned to Zach. Although he was not pale, he had become very serious.

"I'll have the same." He flipped the menu closed and handed it back.

She smiled. "You'll enjoy them, darlin'."

"I'm sure I will."

As soon as she moved on, Marie leaned toward Emery. "She was right. They are staring over here."

Emery still refused to look. Her gaze travelled over to Zach. "What do they look like?"

"Locals," he grumbled.

"Oh." Relief began to wash away the tension, and she cocked her head to the side and studied Zach. "So that death grip you have on my hand means something else?"

Caught, he released her quickly. "Sorry about that."

Marie chuckled. "It's a male thing."

"Possessions are meant to be treasured and respected," Dollie commented.

"Okay, okay," he said, holding up his hands in defeat. "This was supposed to be a nice dinner out, not a rip on Zach night." Turning to Emery, his arm surrounded her shoulders as he bent close and pressed his lips against her ear. "I guess it's becoming a bit obvious how much I've come to treasure and respect you."

Unsure whether he was saying that to ease the tension that had exploded at their table or if he truly meant those heartfelt words, she began to turn to judge his seriousness. However, before she could respond to his confession another voice cut through the hum of various conversations.

"Emery? Is that you?"

The moment lost, Emery glanced around when she heard her name. Over the heads of an elderly couple sharing a plate of steak, she spotted Gage's mother, Faith. Emery's mouth opened further in surprise as she watched her weave her way through the tables to join them.

"Faith?"

"Emery, it is you." Faith, dressed in strict business attire and her dishwater blond hair swept in a formal twist, approached with Gage and another man in tow. Her smile was not only surprised but happy while she brushed past the other diners in her haste to greet them. "Never in a million years would I have expected to see you out and about."

Emery smiled weakly, but Faith seemed not to notice her dismay.

"Funny thing is that we were just talking about you."

This time Emery blinked in surprise, feeling a trickle of trepidation as she strained to see who was behind her. "You were?"

"I was," she said eagerly. "It's perfect to run into you here. Just perfect."

Aware that Faith was staring at Emery's guests with undisguised interest, Emery cleared her throat. "Faith, this is my mother, Marie, and my aunt, Dollie. They're here for a visit. And you've met Zach already?"

Faith closed the gap and smiled her greeting. Her gaze landed on Zachary and the familiar way his arm was draped over her shoulders before sliding back to Emery. His familiarity was not lost on the older woman, and the questioning look in her eyes caused Emery to shift slightly. She turned to Gage, who had not returned to the cabin since he had plowed out her drive, and offered him a tentative smile. "Hi, Gage."

"Emery," he said with a curt nod.

She noticed the tension around his mouth and the tight set of his shoulders and felt a pang of guilt. He refused to look at Zach and instead stared at Emery with what appeared to be embarrassment. The reason for that was soon evident.

"Well, hello everyone, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sorry to interrupt, but when we saw Emery we thought it would be a nice time to introduce her to someone very special."

Emery saw Gage roll his eyes and bit back a smile. Apparently their companion was not a threat after all.

"Really?" Dollie said meaningfully.

"Yes, I want you to meet someone." She turned to wave the man behind Gage over while Emery stiffened uncomfortably. "Emery, this is Nathan Medina."

Compared to the other diners, Faith looked out of place with her lavender suit and heavy, winter-white overcoat draped over her arm, but Emery felt severely underdressed when she pulled her companion closer. Though certainly not stylish herself, Emery could tell quality when she saw it, and the man's pale gray suit probably cost as much as her entire wardrobe. Raising her gaze to his face, her suspicions were further proved correct. His perfectly groomed, jet black hair and equally dark eyes were appraising her just as carefully as she was him, and she was not so naïve that she could not see that he was sizing her up.

Bright white teeth appeared when he smiled at her, and she reluctantly admitted that he was handsome. Not in the rugged and strong way that Zach was, but more of a clean, well-kept set of good looks. Holding out his hand in greeting, he focused all of his attention on her. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I was just telling Faith that I'd really like to meet the artist I was hiring directly. She told me you didn't come out much, so this is a pleasant surprise."

Too afraid to move, she just stared. Luckily, Marie came to the rescue and reached for his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Medina... Would you like to join us?"

"No," Gage said adamantly with a glare towards his mother. "We've just finished and are on our way out."

Faith opened her mouth to protest, but the stranger took it in stride. He shook his head regretfully and smiled at Marie before gently removing his hand and returning his attention to Emery. "Faith and I were discussing business, and there are a few things I'd like to discuss with you directly, such as production times. I can see you're busy now, so perhaps we could meet next week? I'll be in town until Friday... I can have my secretary give you a call to determine a time."

As he spoke, he handed Emery a business card with his name stamped across the top in a fine bold scrawl. Below his name was a list of phone numbers and an email address. The domain name was that of a hotel chain.

"I don't have a phone," she said absentmindedly as she studied the card. Zach's arm surreptitiously tightened in warning.

"Oh." He paused in surprise as though it was so unthinkable he could not absorb it. "Is there any way to contact you? Maybe email?"

Aware Zach was sitting tensely beside her, she sent him a quick glance. He was studying the stranger with his astute gaze, despite appearing relaxed and friendly, and she hated that she could not determine what he was thinking. "I guess."

Knowing when to make an exit, Nathan took a step back. "Ok, then, that would be great."

Faith stepped forward and grinned down at Emery. Her voice was a loud whisper that everyone heard. "Mr. Medina's planning a new resort near Winter Park. He's very interested in your work."

"I see."

With as much grace as he had interrupted with, Nathan backed away with a polite nod. He reached for Faith's arm and wrapped it in his while continuing to hold Emery's gaze. The determination she saw made her uneasy enough to shift in her seat, and she realized this man was used to getting what he wanted. When they began to make their departure, Faith beamed proudly back at her while Gage looked on helplessly. "Email him as soon as you get home, Emery."

Nodding at the rest of the group, Nathan sent one last smile at Emery. "I look forward to hearing from you."

With a final wave the trio moved on, leaving Emery and her family to sit in stunned silence. Once they were out of earshot, Marie leaned forward. "That sounded promising," she said in a low voice. "Seems as though he wants a big job from you. Are you going to email him?"

The business card in her hand was suddenly balled up. "No, absolutely not."

It was then Zach's arm relaxed.

### Chapter 18

When Zach's eyes opened the next morning, Emery was staring up at him with a bemused expression on her face. Her chin rested upon his chest as if it was the most natural thing in the world to her. Blinking several times, he grimaced sleepily. "I think you have an internal alarm clock that will not let you sleep past five in the morning."

"I've always been that way," she said.

The movement of her chin against his chest as she spoke further woke him, and the humming of his body reminded him that he was embracing a beautiful woman. The arm around her waist tightened. "Good morning."

She smiled. "Good morning to you."

"Why are you up so early?"

"I was just thinking."

That never meant anything good. "About what?"

"They leave after breakfast this morning."

His brows lifted in surprise. "You don't want them to go?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure how that feels, actually. I was scared to see my mother, but it worked out better than I'd hoped. And it's just as well that they'll be out of your hair and not distracting you. But it made me think..."

"About what?"

"You're going to leave soon, too."

"Ah, so that bothers you?" He smiled as he considered the circular pattern of their conversation.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I'm scared, Zach."

He swallowed, aware that her words exactly mirrored his thoughts from the night before but perhaps for different reasons. "I have no intentions of leaving until I'm certain you're going to be okay."

"I just wish we had answers. I wish we knew what they were up to."

You and me both, he thought somberly. However, he plastered a smile on his face. "For all we know, they're partying in Mexico."

That brought out a grin. "Don't I wish?"

"It's a possibility," he said lightly.

"But not a strong one."

He shrugged. "We just don't know. However, I'm here and am taking things seriously."

Her emerald eyes shone in the gray light of dawn. "I trust you."

"Good. You should." Using his free hand, he smoothed her hair behind her ear. "Because there's no way I'll stand by and allow anything to happen to you."

He saw the hesitation in her eyes before she smiled. There was something else on her mind, and he was fairly certain that he knew what it was. However, he was as loathe to speak about it as she. Not yet.

"Okay."

She smiled briefly before making a move to pull away. His hands held her tight. "Where are you going?"

"I was going to get up."

"They're not awake yet. You don't have to go." As he spoke, his free hand reached over to cup her cheek.

"I was going to take over the bathroom before they get up."

He chuckled. "And use all the hot water?"

"Yeah." She grinned. "So?"

Pushing himself up against the pillows until he was in a seated position, Zach pulled her up to join him. "You're a devil after all, Em". She continued to smile, but he saw the hesitation behind the amusement in her gaze. "We have," he glanced at the clock, "oh, about an hour before they wake up..."

"So?"

"I say we try to get a little bit more sleep before they start arguing again. My poor ears need a break."

Emery ducked her head into his chest and giggled. "They are something, aren't they?"

"I just hope we don't have all girls," he agreed with a wink.

He realized his slip of the tongue as soon as he saw Emery's eyes widen in surprise. Too late to take it back, he held his breath and waited.

It only took a moment before she smiled shyly. "I hope so, too."

Hugging her close, Zach pressed a kiss on the top of her head. They were going to get through these trying times no matter what, he thought happily, and then they could work out the details.

***

An hour later, Emery heard the bathroom door close behind one of the older women in the cabin. She was slow to lift herself off of Zach's chest. The steady thumping of his heart soothed her, and the strong grip that held her close was reassuring.

With a reluctant sigh, she slowly slipped from his grasp. Zach's arm tightened around her, and his voice was thick with sleep when he spoke. "Where are you going?"

While she had lain awake thinking of what was to come, Zach had gone back to sleep. Typical, she thought with a small smile. Leaning down, she whispered in his ear. "They're up."

"Darn," he muttered. Reaching for her unsuccessfully, he opened one eye and stared at her. "I had hoped they left already."

She giggled. "That's a terrible thing to say."

"Don't tell me you weren't thinking the same thing."

Grinning, she scooted across the bed. "It's very weird being in here with you when they're in the next room."

"Unfortunately, we're not doing what they probably think we are," he reminded her mournfully.

She smiled, feeling the warmth spread through her belly. "Still."

Sighing heavily, he threw back the covers and rose from the bed, glancing at her over his shoulder while he searched out clean clothing from the closet. "They've done the same thing I'm sure... Well, at least your mother has. I'm not so sure about Dollie."

Although she tried to be stern, her grin belied her sharp reprimand. "Zach!" Grasping her pillow, she giggled into it while he grinned back.

Changing his t-shirt for a long-sleeved knit shirt, he walked around the bed and kissed the top of her head. "I'll go first. Just to make sure they're not killing each other."

She giggled again. "I'll be out in a minute."

When she did emerge several minutes later, Marie was seated on one of the bar stools, teary-eyed, and Zach was staring at her helplessly. Emery paused in the doorway, her happy smile fading. "What's wrong?"

Zach shrugged.

Marie looked at Emery, and her tears overflowed. With a shaky laugh, she pushed herself off of her stool and wiped them away impatiently. "Look at me, I'm a mess."

"Why?" Emery asked.

Marie shook her head. "I woke up this morning, and it all hit at once. You're here, and I'm miles away. Everything is real. No one knows where these boys are, and I'm going home today not knowing if you're safe."

"Zach is here," Emery reminded her patiently. But the warmth that had been present in her stomach was replaced by tight knots. She had been doing a great job ignoring the problems with all the excitement of reuniting with her family. However, the fact remained that she was in danger of being sought out by dangerous men.

"But he has to go back to work sooner or later," Marie said.

Emery swallowed hard. Isn't that what she had been thinking? Before she could speak, Marie reached out and grasped both hands in Emery's. She squeezed them hard. "Promise me, baby."

"What?"

"Promise me you won't disappear again? I know I've made mistakes and can't take them back, but I have you now and don't want to lose you again."

Emery glanced at Zach, who nodded his approval. "I'll try, Shima."

"Oh baby," Marie said, pulling her in for a close hug. "I don't want to go. I'm afraid to leave you alone at the mercy of these foolish men."

Zach stepped forward around the counter and placed his hand on Marie's shoulder reassuringly. His voice was formal and deep when he spoke, more like the professional he was and less like the charming and reliable man Emery had been sharing her cabin with. "Marie, there are a lot of personnel working on the situation as we speak. You have a good plan to visit Dollie up north when the school year ends if it comes to that, but I'm confident things will be resolved quickly. We have some good people, and they're all scrambling to make sure this doesn't escalate."

"How do you know this when you've been up here with Emery all this time?"

"I've been keeping tabs on things. They keep me in the loop." His face was serious. "Just because I haven't spoken about it doesn't mean I'm not fully aware of what's going on."

Emery shivered and wondered how much Zach knew but had not shared with her. Knowing she had asked him several times not to made her suspect there was plenty she was missing, but while she grew tense his words seemed to reassure Marie. She let out a nervous laugh and covered her cheeks with her hands. "I shouldn't have doubted you."

"Understandable," he replied.

At that moment, Dollie emerged from the bathroom towel-drying her long black hair. She stared at the three of them with narrowed eyes. "What's going on?"

Marie waved her hands dramatically. "It's just me. Getting all emotional."

"As usual," Dollie said with a sigh.

Marie glared at her.

"What would you like for breakfast?" Emery asked before the two sisters began their sarcastic banter.

"I'm not hungry," Marie said.

"I am," Dollie announced. "I have a long ride ahead of me and need a good breakfast. How about some of that bacon and some eggs?"

Zach glanced at Dollie. "Emery and I can drive Marie to the airport so you can head straight home."

"Good idea," Dollie said with an approving nod.

While Emery silently prepared breakfast, the two women packed up their belongings. Zach hovered nearby, toasting the bread and taking down the plates while she cooked. First chance she got, she leaned in his direction and whispered in his ear. "I'd rather not go to the airport with you."

"I'd prefer it if you stuck close to me."

"I'll be fine for a couple of hours," she said with false bravado. Dollie glanced up with a slight nod.

He paused, considering, while Emery continued her preparations. Finally he conceded with a grim smile. "Make sure the house is locked up tight. All doors and windows, okay?"

"Understood."

"We'll talk about things when I get back," he murmured into her hair when she leaned past him to grasp Dollie's plate.

"Okay," she said. "I have some questions."

"I can tell," he responded with a half-smile.

Together they carried the plates to her small table, and Dollie and Zach both ate with gusto, but, like her mother, Emery picked at her food before finally giving up completely and pushing her plate away.

"Maybe you should get a landline telephone," Marie said suddenly.

"You're thinking of that man last night who wants to meet her," Dollie accused between bites. Emery glanced up and saw Zach's eyes narrow.

"Actually, I'm thinking of how isolated my daughter is out here by herself," Marie snapped.

"I've never needed a phone before. Why would I now?" Emery said quietly.

"Because you might be in danger," Marie said. "You need to be able to call 911 if you need it."

"She'll be fine," Dollie interrupted. "Nothing's going to happen."

"I wish I shared your confidence," Marie grumbled.

"You would if you weren't so stubborn."

Zach held up his hands. "I agree with Dollie, Marie. Everything's going to be fine. If it happens that Emery will need a phone, I'll handle it."

"Says who?" Emery asked quickly.

He winked at her. "I do."

"If she doesn't want a phone, she doesn't need one." Dollie insisted. "Plenty of people go without."

Emery pushed back her chair and came to her feet. Gathering up plates, she carried them into the kitchen in an attempt to escape the awkward conversation.

"I just worry," Marie muttered. Following Emery's lead, she joined her in the kitchen and helped her load the dishwasher. As they worked, she whispered. "As much as I'd like to agree with my crazy sister, I'm concerned," she said. "Please promise me that you'll listen to Zach? I know how much you like your privacy, but he's trying to take care of you now."

Emery offered her mother a smile. "I know."

"He loves you very much, baby," she continued. "He always has."

She smiled at her mother, and her heart gave a little tug to hear the words. Though she found them reassuring, she worried about her future, their future together. Even though he had mentioned children that morning, she still feared what lay behind the next corner. "I know."

"I'll go home feeling much better then," she said, returning Emery's smile. "May I come and visit again?"

Emery dropped the dishrag she held in her hand and reached for her mother. For the first time in a long time, she initiated a hug. Holding her close, she swallowed back the tide of emotion that rose. "I'd like that very much."

Marie drew back and cupped Emery's face in her hands. "I'm so glad Zach found you. He's your guardian angel."

Emery looked beyond her mother to Zach and Dollie, both of whom were watching their exchange with interest. She met Zach's gaze, taking in his startling blue eyes and angular face with adoration. He blinked at her, but the ghost of a smile appeared on his face before he hastily looked away.

"Me too," she said, thinking for the first time that there was hope for the future after all.

***

"So you went to the house without knowing if it was there or not?" 2Tuff asked impatiently.

Adan shifted on the sofa, feeling 2Tuff's disdain acutely. "Hey, I was just there for the ride." Hearing the double entendre in his words, he laughed. Unfortunately, 2Tuff did not. The younger man merely narrowed his eyes further.

"What was her name again?"

"Flores," Adan said without hesitation. Hers was a name he would never forget. "Emery Flores."

"Flores?"

"Yeah, hot chick, half-Navajo." He closed his eyes as he remembered. "Had the greenest eyes."

2Tuff's disdain continued to increase, and Adan realized he already knew the details of the case. It did not necessarily bother him; he knew many who had done worse, but when his life lay in the kid's hands he knew he had to tread carefully. Under the dark, penetrating stare that belied his young age, Adan began to shift again on the sofa. He shrugged.

"Vasquez told us the oldest brother of the kid had given him a stash of money and told him to hide it. He said they gave it to the kid because no one would think to check him for it. Jose was..." He paused to think of the appropriate words. "He was a smart kid, too good for that gang shit. Never wanted anything to do with it."

"Okay, so the kid had the money for the deal. You followed him to the house, and he didn't make any stops along the way?"

Adan shook his head. "Not one. He went straight there."

"He got out of the car and went inside. You followed immediately?"

"Yep. Smashed the door in."

"And what happened when you asked about the money?"

"First he didn't talk. We had to give him a little _persuasion_ to do so. We brought the girl to the bed and tied the kid in a chair." Adan felt a stirring as he remembered that evening. There was no regret, only enjoyment. "Both of them fought us, but it was worth it. Every time she screamed the kid would cry ...and we made her scream. It was great."

2Tuff scowled. "I don't want details. Did you search the house?"

"We searched the car first but never had a chance to search the house. We were busy with them when the college kid ended the party," Adan said.

"So you think the girl's family kept it, like payment after what happened?" 2Tuff asked abruptly. "Both of Jose's brothers are gone; his family's poor. The kid had to have it."

"It's possible," Adan said carefully. "Shit, he coulda stashed it in a sofa cushion... that would've taken a few seconds."

"Her family didn't start blowing money either. The mother's a teacher and acts like she's living on a teacher's salary. That means they must've hidden it away somewhere. But why? Makes no sense." Nodding thoughtfully, 2Tuff considered his words. "She's our last chance. We have to find that chick and find out."

Relieved, Adan grinned lasciviously. This was it. His plan was working. "If you say so."

### Chapter 19

The sound of a truck pulling up her drive made Emery go still. Holding her brush high to prevent the paint from dripping, she quickly spun in her chair to look out the loft window, hoping to catch a glimpse before the vehicle passed to the side of the house. Though she suspected she knew who it was by the rumbling of the engine, after the last hour of silence and Dollie's parting words of warning she was suddenly regretting not going with Zach. Luckily her suspicions were correct. She recognized the old, white Ford pickup with the plow on the front as belonging to Gage. Setting the brush aside, she and JJ descended the stairs when she heard the vehicle door slam shut. She pulled open her front door just as Gage's hand was raised to knock and smiled in greeting. In his arms he balanced two sacks of groceries.

"Hey Emery," he said in surprise. "I brought you some stuff."

JJ greeted Gage with his customary growl, but Emery placed her hand on his head and opened the door wider. "Come on in."

Taking the bags from him, she carried them into the kitchen. Gage followed behind, absently stroking JJ's head. "Smells like paint in here. If you're painting, where are your guests?"

"They left," she said. "My mother had to catch a flight, and my aunt had to drive back to Window Rock."

"And your other friend?"

"Zach?" She raised an eyebrow in question. When he nodded, she smiled. "He took my mother to the airport. He'll be back in soon."

Leaning against the counter, Gage watched as Emery unloaded the bags and began to put things away. She paused when she pulled out a box of instant brownies. When was the last time she had made brownies? Too long to even remember, she thought, unless it had been with her mother as a child. Holding it up, she offered it to Gage.

"Is this yours?"

His ducked his head. "No... I thought you might like them."

She glanced at the box and read the instructions while a warm, homey feeling tickled her spine. "That was very thoughtful, Gage," she said with a smile. "I never bake since it's just me, but with Zach here maybe it'll be a nice treat."

Clearing his throat, Gage studied her carefully. "Is he staying long?"

Emery held the instant coffee poised in her hand as she pondered his words. In truth, she had no idea how long he would stay. "As long as it takes, I guess."

"For what?" Gage asked.

Forgetting he knew nothing about her past, she bit her lip. How much should she tell him? Could she trust him not to say anything? She eyed him carefully. They were close, as close as she could have been to another person until Zach appeared, but her past was hers and hers alone. She did not like to share it.

Shrugging, she struggled to backtrack. "For his vacation to end."

Gage was not buying it. "My mother said he's some kind of cop. She said he showed her his badge."

"That's true," Emery said carefully. "We were friends growing up. We lost track of each other when I moved up here, and he visited your mom when he was trying to find me."

"He looked a little more than just friendly when you were in the restaurant." He shook his head. "Is everything ok? Are you ok?"

Affection for her young friend brought a genuine smile to her lips. "Gage, you're a good friend to me."

He shrugged, but his face turned red. "Well, I'm the only one who really sees you."

"You can trust Zach. He's here to help," Emery said softly.

"Does this have something to do with you hiding out up here?"

"A little."

"Are you in trouble?"

Her brows shot up in surprise. "Me?"

He nodded.

"No, I haven't done anything wrong."

He had the grace to look embarrassed. "I didn't mean you breaking any laws."

"I'll be okay."

Though she tried to sound reassuring, she could see that Gage was skeptical. She was being evasive, and they both knew it. However, there was little she could do about it. It was not his business.

In an attempt to appease him, she decided to keep it light. "I've been catching up with Zach. We haven't seen each other in a long time."

"So it's serious?"

She could not lie. What she had with Zach was nothing she could put into words. He was helping her, he was kind to her, but beyond that she still did not know. "I don't know."

Gage's eyes were clear and astute, watching her intently. "But you love him?"

Did she love Zach? Of course she did. She had loved him all of her life. He had been her idol, her friend, and her crush. She could not help but love him. "Yes, very much."

He nodded slowly as he absorbed her words. Then his lips spread in a broad smile. "I'm glad you have someone up here with you. It's sad to see you alone all the time."

Putting the last of the groceries away, Emery looked at him over her shoulder. "I love it up here."

"But you're too young to be alone."

Pretty much what her mother had said, she thought grimly. However, what Gage did not realize was that Zach would leave her soon, and once more she would be alone to fight her battle with her demons. Only this time she hoped to win. "Sometimes it's better that way."

Gage's face crinkled in concern. "I don't agree with that. Never have, Emery."

She almost regretted her words, but decided to let his comment go. Reaching for her teakettle, Emery filled it and placed it on the burner. "How about some hot cocoa?"

Gage shook his head. "I'd like to stay, but I can't. I just wanted to drop those off and apologize for my mom last night."

"Why?" Emery asked, but she suspected she knew. When Faith had put her on the spot like that, she felt true anger toward her friend for the first time ever.

"She shouldn't have run over to your table like that. I talked to her about it this morning, but she's so excited about this guy that she couldn't help it. I guess he's offering a lot of money to her as a finder's fee, and he wants to pay you well, too."

One of Emery's finely arched brows rose in surprise. She thought back to the man who had stared at her so intently the evening before. "Really?"

Gage shrugged. "That's what she tells me. Did you email him?"

Smiling, Emery shook her head. "No." And she still had no intention of doing so.

Laughing, Gage pushed away from the counter and gave JJ another pat on the head. His eyes were dancing with what she recognized as his usual mischief. "I knew you wouldn't."

"I didn't feel very comfortable with him anyway."

"Yeah, me neither. Seems like a shady character under some nice clothes."

Emery nodded, relieved that she was not the only one who disliked him. "I have a lot on my plate right now. I can't think of anything else until it's all sorted out."

He nodded. "I'll tell my mom... after I tell her she needs to apologize to you directly."

"Oh no, Gage, that's not necessary," Emery said quickly. "Let's just let it go and make believe nothing happened."

"I think she was so shocked to see that you had a family and friends after all that she just couldn't resist. But we've always had an agreement not to pry."

"It's okay," she insisted.

"No, it's not a habit you want to let her get used to. You should know that by now," he said with a grin.

She knew what he was saying. His mother had the ability to run on the pushy side when she needed to. A true Type A personality, there was a reason why Emery did the painting while she did the selling. "You're right."

"I'll talk to her."

Reluctantly caving in, Emery smiled her agreement. "Fair enough, but promise me you won't push too hard."

"And maybe after your friend leaves we can think about how to get rid of this guy from California."

"Sounds good. I don't like to work on constraint; I prefer to let it come to me."

"I'll tell my mom that. Maybe she can use another one of her artists. She's got that guy over in Dumont. His work isn't as nice but may get him off your back."

Emery searched her memory for the man Gage spoke of. Unfortunately, her trips into the shop were infrequent, and she could not come up with an example. But it was not her problem right now. That was something Faith would have to work out. "That might be better for all of us."

He stood awkwardly by the counter, his hands shoved into his pockets. She could see his jaw working and wondered if he had something else to say. However, he ducked his head and turned for the door while JJ pranced along beside him. Reaching down he patted his head one last time before glancing back at her. "I'm going to run. Do you need anything in particular for next time? Running low on anything?"

With Zach there, she was sure she could send him off with a list if needed. "I'm good for now, thanks." No sooner did she say the words than she paused. Yes, she was getting far too comfortable with Zach's presence. It would be wise of her to remember that he would not be there forever.

With a parting smile, he reached for the door. Pulling it open, he took a step out into the brisk spring day before pausing and turning around. "One last thing," he said. "If you need anything, shoot me an email... I know he's only here for a little while, but I'm not going anywhere."

The door closed silently behind him, leaving her alone with her thoughts. After his drowsy talk of children that morning, she hoped that some miracle would make it possible for Zach to stay. However, she knew in her heart that her luck would not allow it, and she would have to prepare herself for his inevitable departure somehow or another.

***

Traffic on I70 was light for a Sunday afternoon, and Zach had little difficulty weaving through the semis and slower traffic as he made his way back to the cabin. After a handful of times making the drive into the high country outside of Denver, he was growing familiar with the twists and turns on the road. He liked the drive, liked the view of the steep hills on either side of the road, and most of all he liked the now familiar sight of Idaho Falls. The old water wheel greeted him as he approached his exit, and the startling bit of history in plain view of all the motorists on the modern highway was as contradictory as the entire town. A mixture of young and old. Antique stores and art galleries combined with convenient stores and a Safeway. Both were competing for dominance, which made the town itself even more charming.

So caught up in his appreciation of the town Emery called home, he nearly missed the ring of his mobile. As he slowed the car to a stop at the end of the exit, he reached in his pocket and pulled it free just before it went to voicemail.

"Evans."

"Where have you been? I tried you three times yesterday."

"Range is spotty up at the cabin," he replied cautiously. The tension in Banks' voice was clear, and Zach fought a sinking feeling in his chest. Though not exactly a soft-spoken man, Banks' voice verged on high-pitched. Knowing for certain that he was not going to like what came next, Zach cleared his throat. "Why? What's up?"

"I have to cut your vacation short."

Though he knew it was bad news, he was not expecting that. Anything but that, actually. Zach pulled through the green light, balancing his phone between his ear and shoulder. Up ahead was a gas station, so he pulled into the lot and parked. "Why?"

"I need you back here."

"I thought we discussed this."

"There's still no sign of Adan or 2Tuff, and I've realized I can't have you off for four straight weeks, Evans."

"There are others."

"Yeah, but you're involved in things that they're not. I just had two gang-related cases fall on my desk this morning. I need you back here."

"I can't leave her here alone," he said firmly

"You'll have to. I need you to follow up on these two leads."

Zach sighed in frustration. "Aren't you the one who told me to come up here – unofficially of course?"

He could hear Banks on the other end of the line, shouting at someone to close the door to his office. On a Sunday? It was yet another reminder that his job was not nine-to-five. After several tense moments, Banks returned sounding as frustrated as Zach was feeling. "I did... I wanted to... I have no choice."

"What about Emery?"

"There's still no indication that she's in any danger. I have no updates since I talked to you last, and I'm growing convinced they skipped the border from the heat. You should put in a call to Ian instead of hiding out up there."

Zach could not hide his anger, and he was sure Banks heard it through the phone line. "What am I supposed to do? Just leave her here?"

"Bring her back with you until my theory is confirmed."

Zach glanced at the parking spot next to him. A minivan pulled in and a woman was unloading her children while the husband sat in the driver's seat looking frustrated. Their matching Pikes Peak t-shirts pegged them for tourists. He bit back a smile, even though at the moment the last thing he wanted to do was smile at all. He wished someday...

"She'd never come," he said, sounding wistful even to his own ears.

"Talk her into it," Banks ordered as though it was the easiest thing in the world. "Or force her if you have to. Say you're putting her in protective custody - at least until we can figure out another option."

A dry chuckle was Zach's response.

"What?"

"You don't know Emery. She would fight me tooth and nail and probably have charges brought up against me for lying."

"I'll arrange for the locals to do regular drive-bys. They can check on her daily. I'm sure they'd be amenable to that."

A heavy silence fell between the two, during which Zach continued to watch the mother hustle two small children into the convenience store. Through the glass, he could see that she was heading straight for the bathrooms. One of the kids, a boy about four, paused at an end cap and reached for something, but the mother grasped his hand and shook her head no before tugging him on toward the back. Visions of him behind the wheel of a minivan with two car seats in the back appeared. Their dark hair and striking green eyes looked back at him with adoration and love. When his mind's eye turned to the passenger seat, he saw Emery staring at him with the same look in her eyes, laughing as they struggled to find a convenience store with a restroom clean enough to bring the kids into.

Maybe one day he and Emery would be in the same situation, with him gripping the steering wheel while their kids whined about needing to use the facilities. He stopped himself immediately, feeling foolish for allowing his nighttime dreams to enter his waking thoughts, and returned his attention to Banks. "Give me a few more days. I can't just up and leave without making sure she's got options."

"Fine. Two weeks is Tuesday. I want you back in Phoenix by Thursday at the latest."

Banks signed off and Zach tossed the phone carelessly on the passenger seat. Feeling churlish, he picked it back up and stuffed it into his pocket before starting the engine. His happy mood now fouled, he sat back in the driver's seat and leaned his head against the headrest. Of all the times to be called back. After a weekend with Emery's mother and aunt, he had been looking forward to enjoying the quiet. Now that would have to be cut short. Work was his livelihood, and he had a responsibility to do as he was told. But for the first time since he had taken the position, he did not feel the excitement of a new case and the pride of a new investigation. Instead what he felt was worry, plain and simple. It was concern for Emery and the hesitation to leave without knowing for certain she was safe after all his promises to keep her so.

Sighing heavily, he reached back into his pocket and pulled the phone free. It took only a second to find Ian's number. His cousin answered on the second ring with a cheerful hello and a cluster of noise in the background.

"Hey," Zach said, not feeling the enthusiasm that his cousin felt.

"And a happy Sunday to you, too," was the chipper response.

"What news do you have over there?"

"On a Sunday, really?" Ian groaned.

"I need you on this," Zach muttered.

"Hey, I'm enjoying a barbecue with the fam right now. Can we talk later?"

"You enjoy a barbecue at Ford's every week, Ian," Zach reminded him.

"Now that's not fair."

"But I'm being serious."

"Fine." With a heavy sigh, Ian covered the mouthpiece of the phone and called out to one of his brothers. "Can you keep an eye on the grill?"

For several long moments, Zach waited for Ian to handle his family before he returned to the phone. The sudden silence in the background confirmed he went inside.

"Okay, so what's so important you have to tear me away from seeing Jamie get in the pool for the first time since her surgery?"

"She's swimming?" Zach asked politely. Actually, it was good news to hear after his cousin was accidentally shot the previous fall.

"Yeah, she's swimming, and she's drowning Hayden, too."

Zach chuckled. "I'm sure Hayden's enjoying it."

"Definitely. He got her a couple of times before she nailed him."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Zach said earnestly. He truly was glad, even though he had other things on his mind. Like Emery, and the fact he was going to have to leave her alone with Augustin still out there somewhere.

"I'm sure you are. So what's got you so out of sorts?"

"I have to fly back this week."

"Okay?" Ian's voice remained mild, but Zach caught a hint of impatience behind the simple word.

"I'm not comfortable leaving Emery up here alone."

Ian laughed. "So just bring her with you."

"I can't," Zach said with a sigh. Why did no one seem to understand that it was not that easy? "She won't come. I'm being forced to trust her safety to a few drive-bys and a daily check."

Ian hesitated as if ingesting his words. "What do you need from me?"

"Where are they?"

Ian's voice was laced with frustration, though perhaps not as intense as his own. "We still have no idea, but the word on the street is that they skipped the border. Still, there's not a soul out there that's not keeping an eye out for these little punks."

"I wanted something more concrete," Zach muttered.

"Well, I know Chuck's been talking to a snitch. He said he's got a lead on some of 2Tuff's funding sources. One guy who's financing things on the down-low. Scottsdale's keeping an eye out for more details on him to get a positive ID."

Now he knew why Banks wanted him back. That was his side of the investigation. "Any hint as to who it is?"

"Not yet... I'm sorry, buddy. That's the best I can do."

"Any chance of connecting 2Tuff to the escape?"

"Nope. He was in Phoenix when it went down."

Zach sighed, feeling frustrated with the lack of progress. "I'll let you go. Give everyone my best. If anything comes up before Wednesday, will you let me know?"

"I'm on it."

No matter how irritated his cousin was with him, the old adage that blood was thicker than water still held true. Zach knew without a doubt that Ian would have his back, no matter what. He felt slightly better with the knowledge, but his voice remained heavy. "Thanks."

"Hey, if I had any vacation time, I'd go up there."

Zach felt his hand tighten around the phone. The idea of his very handsome, very single cousin spending any time alone in that cabin with Emery brought such a fierce pang of jealousy that he could not find his voice. As the silence dragged on, he heard Ian chuckle.

"I didn't mean it that way, Zach."

"I know, it's just -"

"No explanation needed, I get it."

"Just keep me in the loop?"

"You got it."

Signing off, Zach replaced the phone in his pocket and put the car in gear. As he pulled back onto the road, he wondered what his next step should be. Bringing Emery back was the safest and smartest thing to do, but he knew without a doubt she would never go back. Worse, he was reluctant to go back himself. Somehow, some way, Emery had become his priority over his work, and it was creating a mess he feared would have no happy ending.

### Chapter 20

Zach pulled over the bridge and got out of the car to close the gate with a heavy heart. Beneath him, the muddy waters of the spring runoff were gushing loudly, and he remembered his swim with a shiver of revulsion. This had certainly been a vacation to remember. With Emery's hostile reception and the cold dip that nearly took his life to the interruption by her mother and aunt, Zach could say he had certainly stayed on his toes even without the pressure of 2Tuff and Augustin's sinister intentions.

However it was all going to end in just a few days.

After ensuring the gate was securely locked, he returned to the car and pulled the remaining distance up the driveway to the back of the house. Instead of appearing foreboding as it had the first time he saw it, the cabin appeared quiet, peaceful and welcoming. It had been his home for nearly two weeks, and he had developed a fondness for the silent location, privacy and beautiful views that greeted him through the snow-covered trees beyond. It was going to be difficult to leave this serene place, he thought with another touch of sadness.

But it was going to be even more difficult to leave Emery.

Not only was he breaking a promise to leave only when he was certain she was safe, but he was leaving at a time when he felt their relationship balanced on a knife's edge. Dollie's warning still hung heavy in his thoughts, despite his hope that there was no truth to it other than the ramblings of a superstitious woman. After all the years of mingling with Emery's family, surely it would have come out that she were gifted? It was all talk; it had to be. Still, he could not shake the impending feeling of doom.

His hand hovered over the door to the cabin, poised to knock, but the scent of brownies reached his nose and stayed the action. The feeling of gloom eased somewhat as he caught the scent of his favorite dessert. Inhaling deeply, he felt the corner of his lips deepen in a mixture of pleasure and surprise. Emery was baking for him, a very domestic and caring thing to do. It was nearly wife-like in his eyes, and it reminded him of the scene back at the convenience store of the family in the minivan.

JJ's deep, throaty bark broke his reverie, and he knocked briskly. No sooner had his knuckles hit the door than JJ's barking became more angry and aggressive. He took the sound as a slight bit of reassurance, hoping that JJ's bark was indicative of his bite if the need arose. In the same moment, he wished it would never come to that.

Then Emery's voice on the other side of the door speaking to JJ and the dog's immediate silence brought visions of the two of them walking together with her hand on the great beast's head, something so familiar to him now that it was natural. He waited patiently while she unbolted the door and opened it with a look of triumph. "I remembered," she announced.

"I can see that." He nodded approvingly and reached for her. Surprisingly, she yielded immediately and wrapped her arms around his neck. She was up on tiptoe, so he grasped her around her waist with one arm and lifted her slightly so he could continue into the house and shut the door behind them. As soon as the door latched, he sought out her lips and gave her a kiss that seemed to express his intense frustration better than his words could. When he finally raised his head, she looked up at him with eyes wide with worry.

"What's wrong?"

Rather than answer, he allowed his chilled hands to slide under her sweater and up her back. His fingers memorized every nook and cranny, every sleek muscle and rib as goose bumps followed in his wake. Letting her go was going to be incredibly difficult. Damn, when had he fallen so hard?

Sighing, he avoided her brilliant emerald gaze and looked toward the stove. The timer on the brownies read three minutes left. "You're making brownies?"

"I thought you might like them. Aren't brownies your favorite?"

He nodded, pleased that she remembered. "I still love them."

"Then I did well."

She was still looking at him cautiously, but he was not yet ready to discuss Banks' call. It was almost as if he avoided the words altogether then they would not be true. "You did very well," he said meaningfully.

She waved a hand dismissively. "It actually wasn't me. Gage brought them today as a surprise."

Zach's eyebrows raised in surprise. "He was here?"

"He was dropping off supplies," she responded. "He comes by every couple of weeks."

"That's right."

"Since I had company, he thought it would be nice."

She continued as though everything was fine, but he could feel the tremor in her voice vibrating against his palm. "Then I should be thanking him?"

She laughed, the sound low and throaty and so delicious to his ears that he almost forgot the brownies, forgot his job, and very nearly forgot about Banks and Augustin. Unfortunately, those responsibilities hung between them like an unspoken death knell. "I guess so."

"I'll thank him later then. We have the house to ourselves again, and I'm looking forward to having a nice, quiet afternoon with you."

"That sounds nice, but first tell me what's troubling you." She leaned back until he lifted his head and met her gaze. "Did my mother say something?"

Smiling, he shook his head. "She was sad to go."

"Sad to go?" Emery repeated softy.

His hands loosened when she disengaged from his embrace and returned her attention to the oven. Watching her tug on an oven mitt, he studied her as she pulled the brownies out of the oven and placed them on a cooling rack next to her. With her free hand, she stuck a toothpick in the center of the brownie pan and pulled it out to confirm they were done. He had seen his mother do that multiple times in his lifetime, but watching Emery do the same was like seeing a child take first steps.

"Yeah," he said. "She said she was sorry to go because she just found you again."

Emery's face took on a faraway look while she considered his words. "Yes, that's true, isn't it?" She glanced down at the pan thoughtfully. "When I moved out, we exchanged some harsh words, but when she came here it was like nothing ever happened. I was surprised how easy it was to see her, after all."

"Your mother loves you very much. You were always close."

"So much went wrong," she responded, shaking her head.

"But things are better; you're better."

She seemed to consider his words as she stepped away from the cooling brownies. It would take a little while for them to cool, so she tossed down the mitt and went into the living room to plop down on the sofa. When she glanced back up at him, her eyes were warm. "I'm better because of you."

Now would be the best time to tell her what was going on, but the words got stuck in his throat. Raw emotion, desire, happiness and a determination to make thing work took over, and before he knew it he was following her. "You're better because of who you are. I'm just the catalyst that helped you see that."

Chuckling softly, she raised disbelieving eyes to him. "That's not true and you know it. My life never would've changed if you hadn't shown up here and showed me how to enjoy it again."

Her candid honesty took him by surprise, but he would not lie and say he was not pleased by her words. Heart thudding in his chest, he studied her carefully. "What are you saying?"

"Just that you've done things that I never could've done on my own. It's all because of you that my mother came up here and we worked things out. I don't think either of us would've taken that initiative if you weren't here."

What she did not say was that he would not have come if Augustin had not escaped.

"I think you would've done it eventually even without me," he said instead of stating the obvious.

"Whatever the case, you've opened doors that were previously shut to me. That's my point." She laughed. "I'm glad you're here with me now. You've taught me so much, and I can't wait to learn more."

The adoration that shone in her eyes first made him blink and then look away in guilt. He had to say something. Now.

Clearing his throat, he dropped to his knees before her and took her hands in his. "We need to talk."

It was her turn to blink in surprise. The adoration that shone so brightly in her eyes quickly turned to suspicion. "What's wrong?"

"I got a call on the way back."

Her eyes, already wide with suspicion and fear, went even wider. "Has there -"

"No, no," he interrupted quickly.

"Okay..."

Running a hand down his face, he met her anxious stare. "I've been called back to Phoenix."

Her face fell. "What? Now?"

Swallowing hard, he shrugged. "By the end of this week."

"But what if..."

Apparently unable to finish her thought, she turned her face away and pulled her hand from his grip. Not willing to end their touch, he sat down on the sofa beside her and put his arm around her shoulders. "They don't have a location on him, Emery. The word out there is that he crossed the border into Mexico, in which case you're fine."

"But you don't know that?"

He shook his head. "Nothing is certain yet."

"So I'll be on my own?"

"Local law enforcement will do drive-bys and check on you daily."

"But you'll be eight hundred miles away."

Her voice cracked as she spoke, and Zach fought the urge to kiss away the pain he could see in her profile and the stiff way she held herself away from him. No, she was not on her own; she never would be again as far as he was concerned. He had great plans for the future, and every scenario he played out included her. But telling her of his dreams was easier said than done. Having never said the words before, he struggled to formulate them in his head and finally opted for a tentative compromise. "Would you consider coming down to the Valley with me? Just until he's back behind bars?"

She swallowed reflexively several times before pressing her hand against her lips. "I can't," she gasped. "I couldn't."

"Emery, just consider..."

Still shaking her head, she shot to her feet. "The brownies are cool enough."

He watched as she hurried into the kitchen, away from him. Refusing to give in, he came to his feet. "Okay, I'll come up on weekends," he said hurriedly. "Every chance I get I'll fly up here. It's only an hour and a half flight. I could be here Friday evenings and leave on Sunday."

She shook her head in response.

Watching as she pulled out a knife and began to cut the brownies, he joined her at the counter. "Why not?"

Her hand paused in the cutting, and the knife slowly slipped through her fingers. She turned slowly to face him, and he saw tears swimming in her eyes. "I can't ask you to do that. It would be very expensive."

Her words were low and resigned, and he stiffened in response. "I can and will," he returned. "Money's not an issue."

"You shouldn't have to."

"I know I don't have to, but don't you see that I want to?"

Emery shook her head slowly, and Zach could not deny the sinking feeling that formed in his chest. She was shutting down before his eyes. Her protective wall was rising again.

"I knew this would be temporary all along," she said softly, wistfully. "I'd just hoped we'd have another couple of weeks to be together."

"That's just it," he pressed. "We still can."

"How? You said yourself your job has crazy hours. You'd be exhausted."

"Why does my having to go back to work have to change anything?"

She scoffed at his words. "We live miles apart."

"But I'm telling you now I'll come back. We can Skype, we can email, and we can instant message..." He inhaled deeply. "And I can get you a phone."

"There's no range out here, you know that. Can't you see it won't work for long?"

"No."

"You deserve so much more than that. Why would you want to make your perfect life so complicated?"

"Is that what you think?" His mouth opened and closed rapidly, and surprise mingled with disbelief held the words he wanted so desperately to say.

With a trembling finger, she reached out and covered his lips to stay whatever he could come up with to say. "Don't. There's no need," she said softly.

A week ago she never would have initiated contact. A week ago they never would have been able to have this conversation. They had changed so much in their days of solitude. Two people struggling with personal demons who had found the strength to heal by accepting one another's weaknesses. He just could not believe she did not see what he did. But could he be surprised? Her interaction with others had been restricted for so long that she was just now learning how to trust again and enjoy her relationships. How could he explain just how much he had grown to care for her without making things worse?

Capturing her finger in his hand, he laid it against his heart. Her remaining fingers spread out against his chest until her palm rested against the soft cotton of his shirt. He knew she could feel how rapidly it was beating, for the spot beneath her hand rose and fell with every thump.

"Do you think anyone else has ever had the power to make my heart pound like this?"

"Please Zach," she whispered.

He did not relent. "Do you?"

"I don't know, okay?" Voice breaking, Emery snatched her hand away and curled her fingers into her palm. Her other hand covered the first as if protecting it from him.

In a move he knew was slightly understated, he covered her hands with his and looked deep into her eyes. "There's never been another woman in my life make my heart pound like that, Emery. Only you."

He allowed those words to hang in the air between them. For the first time in his life, he felt as though he had purpose. There was no way in hell he was going to give up now.

***

Emery lay awake long after Zach's breathing had evened into the steady, deep breaths she had learned over the last few days indicated his descent into sleep. His arm was heavy around her waist, and his fingers curled around the side of her ribcage in a gentle but secure hold she had grown to like too much. She stared up at the ceiling, wondering how much longer he would be in this position with her before she was all alone again.

Alone again.

Two weeks ago she never would have thought that a problem, but then Zach arrived and changed everything. As though she were Sleeping Beauty, his kiss had awakened her. But her sleep was not a dreamless one. No, it had been a sleep full of painful memories and haunted dreams. He alone seemed to have the power to erase that. However, she was losing that connection, and with the knowledge came the utter despair that a broken heart brings. She wanted to scream aloud the injustice of it all. Why bring him to her only to snatch him away? Why expose her to more pain? Had she not already been through enough?

A hot tear escaped the corner of her eye and dripped slowly down her temple into her hair. She blinked a few times to prevent any others from escaping, but they seemed to keep coming. Within a few minutes, she was sniffling as quietly as she could, and the hand that rested lightly over Zach's arm came up to wipe her tears away. Always a light sleeper, Zach stirred next to her. His face was pressed into the curve of her shoulder, and she felt the rough sandpaper of his stubble against her skin when he shifted slightly. Before long, the hand that wiped her tears came to rest upon the silky strands of his short, dark hair. She had always liked his hair. In fact, even as children, when he had decided to rebel and wear his hair over his face, she used to tug on his deceptively soft locks in order to get a rise out of him. Sniffling again, she bit back a fresh wave of tears.

She had always loved him; she just loved him even more now.

And that was why she was struggling so hard with the idea that he would soon be leaving her to face whatever happened alone. Keeping her touch light so she would not disturb his slumber, Emery continued stroking. It was soft, so unlike the rest of him which was hard and strong.

Sniffling again, Emery raised her hand and wiped her face before once more settling on the soft hair at the back of his head. It was surprising to her that after all these years of refusing to cry how easily the tears rose now. Like the creek outside her property, the water seemed to gush from her now in silent sobs of agony and despair. Zach had taught her so much these last couple of weeks. He had encouraged her to come out of her shell, to remove the prison bars of fear she had lived behind for ten years. However, she feared she was not strong enough yet to fight nor strong enough to survive the challenges that lay ahead. If Adan Augustin came for her, she was afraid he would win.

However, no matter what happened in her tenuous future, at least she had this brief moment of happiness with the man she loved with all of her heart. Oh no, she could not encourage him to commute to her on the weekends. He deserved much more than that. Though it had been years, she remembered his family well. They were a boisterous and tight-knit group. As a child, Emery had been included in their barbecues, and she remembered how welcome they made her feel. Zach deserved a family of his own, one that could take part in their parties, not one that preferred the quiet of the mountains in Colorado.

Though she feared standing on her own two feet, her first test of strength lay ahead. It would be up to her to be strong and refuse his attempts to hold on to her, for he was far too loyal for his own good. Taking a deep, wavering breath, she accepted that he deserved much more than she could offer, and when he did finally return home it would be best that they say farewell forever.

Unconsciously, her hand tightened around him. Afraid she would wake him, she forced herself to lighten her grip. However, his arm tightened reflexively around her waist before his hand slid over her ribs to rest heavily on her abdomen. He stirred again and mumbled against her neck, and his words soothed and shattered her at the same time. "I love you, Emery."

Turning her face ever so slightly, she pressed her lips against the top of his head. This would be one moment she would cherish forever. The silent night, the darkened room, Zach's large and warm body pressed against her, and his words of love would be her best memory for a long time.

She had no idea how right she would be.

### Chapter 21

" _Ese_ , we have to move now," Adan Augustin said tightly, his fists clenched against his sides.

"You need to relax," was the laidback reply. 2Tuff had not risen to his position by acting hastily, something Augustin needed to remember and respect.

"They're gonna find me, man!" Augustin whined.

2Tuff waved his hand at his girl Gina. She pouted before coming to her feet with a huff, storming into the small, dilapidated kitchen of the house they were temporarily calling home. Located on a dark side street in Nogales, Arizona, 2Tuff had spent a lot of time and money to hide it from the authorities. Though it seemed unremarkable from the outside, just beneath the floor of the bathroom was a tunnel leading over the border into Mexico. He had planned that well, and the tunnel had taken months to complete. It was done now, right beneath the nose of Border Patrol. While Augustin was feeling the pressure, 2Tuff knew that he was just a heartbeat away from escape if he needed it. The smile he sent Augustin bared his teeth.

"You shouldn't have gone out in public. A walk to the store for cigarettes? That was dumb, and it goes to show you wouldn't be in the position you're in now if you hadn't been so stupid years ago."

"Whoa," Augustin protested. "That was Vasquez that killed the kid, not me."

"All three of you fucked up, and we need that money."

"It's been missing a long time, bro."

"All the more reason to find the Flores girl soon or your life ain't worth shit – to me or the feds."

2Tuff knew that his threat had not gone unheeded. Augustin swallowed hard, his tattooed Adam's apple bobbing slightly under the breasts of the naked woman imprinted there. Dispatching him would be necessary if his contacts came back empty handed. He could not afford to keep the escaped felon around him for much longer now that a sighting had been reported too close to where they were now. Sensing Augustin knew this, he glanced at him with one brow raised.

" _Comprendas... ese_?"

Augustin nodded wordlessly, but 2Tuff could see the anger behind his outwardly submissive gaze. No, he would not underestimate the man with the cold, dark eyes. He knew what the escaped felon was capable of. However, 2Tuff was capable of far worse, and if the time came where the need arose he would be swift to react.

A vibration in his pocket caught his attention, and he pulled his mobile free with a speculative look at Augustin. One glance at the caller ID caused a smile to crease his face, this time one of genuine pleasure. "Ahh, here he is. The time has come."

Augustin again nodded, but his dark, empty gaze flickered with fear.

2Tuff listened quietly, speaking minimally, keeping one eye on Augustin at all times until the older man squirmed on his rickety chair. He disconnected and reached for his pipe, drawing out his liability's discomfort as long as he could. Lighting the pipe, he drew a long hit before slowly letting it out in a peaceful exhale.

"The boys will be back tomorrow," he announced. "We'll take the car and head out."

Augustin visibly relaxed. Shooting to his feet, he came to stand in front of 2Tuff excitedly. "What did he say? He found her, right? Where are we going?"

"Colorado."

***

Seeing it open on the table, Zach used Emery's computer to book his return flight to Arizona. She evaded his gaze while he completed the task, a scenario he had grown very accustomed to over the past couple of days. Even when the phone company arrived to install a landline, Emery had avoided him and remained in the loft while Zach handled the installation. Now he was sitting on the couch, a couch that hid a bed he had not slept in since Marie and Dollie's arrival. Though no words were spoken, they came together each night as though pulled to one another like magnets while during the day Emery was cool and distant. It was slowly driving him insane.

What was he to do?

He may be acting like a fool, but he was not blind. Though outwardly appearing unconcerned with his inevitable departure, inside he knew Emery was aching as much as he. He could see how puffy her eyes were in the morning and the dark circles beneath them that were slowly growing darker. It concerned him when returning from a walk around the perimeter with JJ he found her dozing at her easel. She had nearly startled herself off her chair when he called her name in a low voice, and the wide-eyed awakening spoke more than enough to him. She was not sleeping at night out of fear. Fear for his leaving or fear for Augustin's arrival, he was not sure. Maybe it was both. However, in either case she was not speaking to him about it, and that bothered him the most.

Cursing his boss for forcing this action when she could still be in danger, he debated telling him off until finally, reluctantly, booking his flight and managing to get one of five seats left. Wednesday evening, 9 pm. He would stay long enough to have dinner and then head out. Back to work, back to Phoenix, and away from Emery.

While he was on the computer, he checked the flights for Friday, smiling when he found one arriving around the same time. He could be back at the cabin in time to tuck her in. However, before he could book it, her voice reached him.

"When do you leave?"

"Tomorrow night." Snapping the lid on the laptop closed with a mental note to return to it later, Zach came to his feet when he saw the look of sadness cross her face. He approached her slowly and pulled the towel she was folding out of her hand. When she frowned up at him, he stared at her intently. "I meant what I said before."

Refusing to meet his gaze, she stared at a spot on his chest. "About what?"

"Depending on how things are going at work, I'll come back Friday evening."

She shook her head. "No."

"Emery," he began, but she turned around and returned to the clean laundry.

"You said yourself that you work crazy hours. Booking a flight and spending the money seems unnecessary when you may end up having to cancel it anyway."

"I can only do my best," he agreed.

"I'd rather not be waiting for an arrival that may not happen."

Sighing heavily, he reached into the basket and began to help her fold the clothing. "I don't live in the same neighborhood we grew up in, Em. It's several miles away."

"No."

"What if I brought you down there under protective custody?"

"I'd hate you forever."

"Em..."

She held up a hand hastily, cutting off his remaining words. "Let's not talk about that again. It's not going to happen. Let's just remember things as they've been, okay?"

Zach gaped at her in shocked surprise. "So you're saying once I walk out of here you're never going to see me again?"

Her hand hesitated over the basket for a moment before roughly snatching up another shirt. "That's probably for the best."

"That's bullshit," he snapped.

She winced and stiffened when he tossed the towel he was holding back in the basket and stormed back to the kitchen. It was too easy for her to shut down, easier for her than him. At the moment he wanted to grab her and shake some sense into her. But he did not. He would not. He would never harm her – ever.

"It's better for both of us, Zach," she said softly.

"You know that's a load of crap."

Shaking her head, she sighed. "It's for the best."

He stared at her in disbelief. "That's what you want?"

He could swear he saw her eyes grow watery, but she glanced away too fast for him to be sure. "Yes."

"You're lying," he growled.

From her vantage point beside the sofa, she watched him warily while he drew down a glass and filled it with cold water. She continued to stare as he gulped it down. The look of bemusement did not ease off her face until he shook his head and set the glass down on the counter.

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

She nodded. "Then you agree?"

"No, I don't."

He knew that things were complicated where Emery was concerned, but he had the will and determination to make things work. Apparently, she did not. Feeling as though at a complete stalemate, he reluctantly admitted it would be best to give in for the moment and make his plans without her knowledge. Dollie's words continued to burn in his ears.

Sighing, she returned her attention to the clean clothing, folding the remaining items while Zach watched on. He wanted so badly to continue this homey existence with her. It had fast become a dream in his life he had yet to fulfill, and one thing Zach knew was that he could grasp his dreams. Failure was not an option.

Several long moments passed during which the silence remained heavy in the small cabin. Her voice was hesitant when she finally broke it. "What would you like for supper?"

So lost in his thoughts, Zach shrugged. "I'm not hungry."

He reached for his jacket and watched JJ come to his feet. Tail wagging, the beast of a dog approached him and nudged his hand.

"I'll make some steaks," she said.

Glancing at her over his shoulder, Zach sent her a look that told her she was not fooling him with her attempts to change the subject. She looked away guiltily.

"Go ahead and continue to lie to yourself, Emery," he growled. "I have other things to do."

She nodded quickly, just as eager to escape his company as he was hers. Yanking the door open, he walked out into the bright spring day. The sun was shining and the sky was a perfect crystal blue, but it did little to lift his mood as he slammed the door behind him. He inhaled deeply, appreciating the clean, thin mountain air, before he stormed away from the cabin and Emery. She may have decided to shut him out of her life again, but he would not shut her out in the same way. He had things to do before he left, for he knew there was no one else to do it for her.

Due the mild weather front that had passed through the area after the blizzard, the snow was melting rapidly. He no longer required the snowshoes to make his way to Emery's meadow, and he took the path their winter footwear had laid in the thick blanket of snow. It now crunched moistly under his feet as he walked along, and out of the corner of his eye he watched JJ as he loped happily beside him in his own zigzagging and clumsy trail to the woods.

Zach had a plan, and his plan was going to take some time. Although he was not obvious in his preparations, he had been slowly fortifying her property for every possible scenario he could think of, and one of those was to stock and conceal her wildlife viewing hide. Today he would drag snow over their previous marks and bring over more branches to make the hide less visible. The previous day he had managed to sneak up another one of her blankets, and he had propped one of her rifles in the corner hoping Emery had been right when she said no one went back there. If anything happened where she had to flee into the woods, she would be prepared in the hide she knew so well.

This was just the latest of his preparations. In addition to having a landline telephone installed, he also had visited her workshop the day before. The lock on the door beside the wood pile was solid, but the garage only had a single exit. He hoped she would not have to use it, but he had made similar preparations there just in case. A blanket and another rifle taken from the gun cabinet hidden in her living room closet were propped neatly in the corner next to the door with a box of bullets on the floor beside it.

Following his dousing in the river, Emery had carefully taken apart and cleaned his Glock. Annoyed that she had touched it, he sternly reprimanded her, and it was then she admitted she was familiar with all the guns her father left in the cabin. She had laughed when his brows shot up in surprise and admitted that in her early days of being on the mountain she always carried a gun in case of a wildlife attack. After months of practice, she had become a decent shot, but she would not be able to judge that by using a moving target. He remembered chuckling in response, back when he still felt the urge to laugh. These last few days had stolen all of his humor away.

Reaching into her closet with an impish smile, she pulled out a large canister similar in appearance to an air horn and handed it to him with a grin. "I've since graduated to a more effective bear-stopper," she had said triumphantly. "This is bear spray."

He had known what it was and handed it back to her with an approving nod. The bear spray was still in the closet. She knew how to use that, too.

As Zach went through his work of dragging branches over and scrambling up trees to gather enough material to conceal her hide, he wondered if Emery would ever have the need to come here or go down into her garage for safety. The very thought pained him in a way that took his breath away. But one thing was certain, he realized as he dragged branches over their footprints leading to the hide, if she could stop a charging grizzly with that bear spray in her closet, there was no way in hell she could not stop a man.

At least he sincerely hoped so.

***

Emery stared at the unopened emails filling in her inbox through the tears that had not seemed to stop falling since Zach reluctantly drove away. All day Thursday she remained in bed, rising only to feed JJ and let him out to do his business before dropping back under her covers and sobbing into her pillow. With a pain in her chest so heavy she could hardly take a breath, Emery wondered if she would survive this new loss. She had tasted love, reveled in it, only to have circumstances sweep in and snatch it away from her. She wondered what the point of her life was. Was it to feel the agony of defeat over and over again?

Zach was angry at her. She knew it even as he had pulled her close for one last bone-crushing hug before he gathered up his suitcase in one hand and briefcase in the other. His gaze had met hers, both aching to say words that neither could voice at the moment, before he abruptly turned away. She did not offer to help him. He did not ask. She did not walk him outside. He did not look back.

She had done everything wrong in her eyes. Looking back, she knew he loved her as much as she did him. However, she feared that love, of saying it out loud and making a commitment she was sure would only hurt him in the end. But she had tried to show him before he left. She had allowed him to get closer to her in their final night together. That single, final night was to be her last memory of Zach. She did not want to remember the disappointment in his eyes when he walked out the door, nor the frustration in the tense lines of his angular face and the tight set of his jaw. She wanted to remember him laughing at something she said, smiling at her when he thought she was not looking and staring at her as she went about her daily tasks as though she was the most special woman he ever laid eyes on.

Reaching for a fresh tissue, Emery wiped the tears from her eyes and blew her nose before tossing it aside. The pile of tissues on the table had grown in size since she finally left the comfort of her bed to shower and change.

The sun was still shining through the windows when she reached the living room. It graced the room with bright light and shone directly on her computer. The laptop lay where Zach had left it when they had their argument, and she had opened the lid to see the webpage he had last been viewing. It was Expedia, a flight for Friday evening, the search for which was now expired. He really had planned on coming straight back. Though she never doubted he would, she still could not believe he would be willing to spend so much effort and money to be with her.

Fresh tears formed in her eyes, and she pushed the icon for her email almost violently, eager to navigate away from the page that proved once again how much Zach cared for her. He had offered her everything and she had pushed him away. Thrust it right back in his face was more like it. Now she realized just how foolish she had been.

There was no email in there from Zach.

Through blurred vision, she skipped over the one from Faith and the one from her mother and focused on all the rest. Junk mail, spam, sales pitches and advertisements were a tedious way of marketing that she never really learned to cope with, and she viciously hit the delete button with an anger born from her aching heart. There were several bill-pay reminders, so she cleared those through her tears, mechanically going through the motions of making her monthly payments before reaching for another tissue. At least she managed to get something done, despite the feeling that her life was once again in shambles.

That was when she heard the car honk at her gate and JJ's low growl warning her someone had arrived.

### Chapter 22

Going completely still, Emery felt as though her heart had ceased beating. Then a surge of hope jolted it back into a rapid tempo as she thought perhaps Zach had ignored her words and returned of his own accord. Hastily jumping to her feet, she wiped her eyes and felt the hint of a smile before the thought was replaced by the unthinkable instead. What if it was _them_?

Hurrying to the door on shaking legs, she confirmed it was bolted and chained. JJ followed behind her, panting in excitement while she rushed to the stairs to the loft. She raced up the spiral staircase to the window where she could spy the drive unobstructed by the trees. Unfortunately, to her disappointment and growing panic, the car was not a small rental. In fact, it was not a vehicle she had ever seen before. The cold hand of terror reached for her throat, and she followed the feeling with her shaking fingers. The scar was not hidden today, and it throbbed as if in warning of what was to come.

The vehicle was a huge, black SUV with dark tinted windows, and it was parked haphazardly at the end of the drive. She could not see the plates from her vantage point, but it was too far away for her to read legibly anyway. Growing weak with terror, Emery briefly considered taking JJ and making a run for the woods. However, she knew if she stepped out onto the porch she could be spotted as a blur through the trees. If someone was there to cause her any harm, she would need to tread carefully. Easing away from the window, Emery went back down the stairs and ducked into her bedroom. The bear spray canister was there resting next to her new cordless phone where she had left it the evening before. Collecting both, she felt slightly more prepared. The 290g bottle felt good in her hand, and she flipped the safety off to prepare for the worst. Discharging the bottle would take less than 10 seconds, but doing so indoors would very likely disable her as well as any intruder. That was a chance she was willing to take...at least for now.

The sound of a car door opening and closing drew her to the bedroom window. She eased the shade back in the lower corner and struggled to see beyond the thick, green branches of the pines. From her vantage point, all she could see was the glint of the sunlight off the chrome grille and the appearance of two legs dressed in black slacks. Frowning, Emery strained to see more, but the black slacks turned to close the open door and then took a step her way. She caught a glimpse of a long overcoat and shiny black wing tips before she drew back with a frightened gasp. The locked gate was not deterring him at all. Whoever it was out there was heading straight to her cabin.

The fear of someone breaking down her door filled her with the urge to flee. There was no place to hide inside the tiny cabin. This would be her only chance to run away, she thought wildly. Though the slacks and fancy shoes did not remind her of any gangster she had seen, she was not willing to meet him face to face to confirm. Grabbing her bear spray, she searched her room frantically for shoes before her gaze settled on her slippers. Those would have to do until she could reach a neighbor's house and hopefully safety. Slipping them on her feet, she hurried to the French doors leading out to the back of the cabin. The porch loomed ten feet above where her grass began on this side of the house, but she was confident the snow bank Zach had built up below would break her fall if she was careful enough. What other choice did she have?

Throwing the lock on the door back, she eased it open and grimaced when JJ pushed by her to go outside first. He raised his nose to the air as she closed the door behind her and then trotted off down the porch to the stairs. She heard him bark and nearly dropped the can of bear spray and phone into the snow. Her chances of slipping away unnoticed were gone.

Racing to the railing, she threw first one leg and then the other over the side, her mind filled with worry about JJ. The barking continued, but she was quick to notice it was not an aggressive bark. Rather, it was his friendly greeting bark. She paused, gripping the railing and bear spray in one hand. Her hold was tight as she looked below for the safest landing spot.

The barking stopped, and she heard JJ's nails scratching along the porch. He was coming back her way. Emery hesitated. Perhaps he had frightened whoever it was back to their vehicle with his posturing. Taking one last glance below, she debated changing her mind and climbing back over the railing to check on her dog. Though she could hear him around the side of the house, he had ceased his approach. Ears straining, she listened for the sounds of any activity, but all she could hear was the chirp of birds and JJ's soft panting. Turning to the side to swing her leg back over, she quickly realized why everything had gone quiet.

"Um, hello?"

The hesitant greeting startled Emery so much that she lost her grip on the railing and began to fall back. Arms pumping wildly to regain her balance, she caught one quick glance at the horror revealed on her visitor's face before she fell backwards and down, landing on her back with a sudden whoosh as the air left her lungs. Unable to catch her breath, she lay still with her eyes closed until she heard her visitor scuffling above. The next thing she knew, he had jumped feet first into the bank beside her and sunk a solid foot down in the snow from not displacing his weight the way she had.

Eyes flying open, Emery stared at the face that looked somewhat familiar and squinted in an effort to place him. The black hair and eyes, the fancy suit that was now knee deep in snow... yes, she knew him. The restaurant, she thought wearily. Right.

He was staring down at her in concern, his pretty-boy face creased in a look of alarm. His gaze scanned her from head to toe as his hands reached out helplessly, almost as though he did not know whether or not he should touch her. The whole situation would have been humorous if she could have caught her breath.

"Are you okay?"

Still unable to speak, she nodded weakly even though she had not yet tried to move. Was she all right? Well for starters, each time she tried to breathe she felt as though she had a dump truck on her chest. Starting with her fingers and toes, she wiggled. The result was promising. There was no pain, just humiliation - and cold.

With her weak response, he turned his attention to his own predicament, struggling to lift one leg. It only served to send his other leg deeper into the snow, and he too fell backwards when he lost his balance. Coming down hard on his backside, he stared at her with a mixture of disbelief and dismay. "Would it be rude if I asked what you were doing?"

Still unable to answer, she nodded her head again. Though the pain in her chest had eased and she was able to breathe a bit easier, her horror at her predicament made it impossible for her to find her voice. She had panicked, and now she felt the burn of humiliation like never before.

Nodding abruptly, he accepted her answer. Out of the corner of her eye she watched him scan her from head to toe again, this time lingering on her exposed neck and arms. The gaze continued scanning, falling on the discarded bear spray and cordless phone buried halfway in the snow by her hand. Reaching over her, he plucked the bear spray free.

"What's this?"

Finding her voice, she quickly grasped his hand. "Be careful. That's bear spray."

"Bear spray?"

He pulled his hand free from hers and turned the bottle so he could read the label, nearly engaging the spray button as he did so. She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the gush of liquid. Miraculously it never came.

When she opened one eye to squint at him, he was again staring down at her. His dark eyes were almost as narrow as hers. "I'm sorry, but I'm very confused."

"That makes two of us," she muttered.

"What are you doing with bear spray?" When she did not immediately answer, he scanned the woods around her property intently. "Are there bears here now?"

Despite all the agony in her heart and the tears she had been shedding non-stop, the sudden urge to giggle at this man's fear and her ridiculousness brought a slight curve to her lips. "No, not now."

Setting the can aside gently, he ran a hand through his impeccably groomed hair. When he was done, her smile deepened. What once had been a head with not one hair out of place now appeared tousled and messy. Considering the pride he seemed to take in his appearance, she was surprised he was handling their situation as well as he was. Knee-deep in snow, his shoes and socks must have been soaked through by this time, and he was still sitting in the snow unable to get free.

Taking in her amusement, his lips twisted sarcastically. "Aren't you feeling cold? You're not exactly dressed for napping in the snow."

"I'm fine."

"Right," he agreed amiably, but his eyes spoke volumes.

Admittedly, he was right. Her shoulders were beyond cold at that point, and now that she was breathing regularly she had begun to shiver. Before she could speak, she felt him move beside her. As he came to his feet, he sunk even deeper. But that did not stop him from standing and removing his heavy wool coat. He placed it over her before reaching out a hand to help her up.

His voice remained steady. "How about we get out of this mess before something else happens?"

Warm fingers closed over hers in almost the same way Zach's had, and she allowed him to pull her into a seated position. Still feeling uneasy, she tugged her fingers free from his grasp and reached for his coat. It was warm against her chilled skin, heated up by his body heat and the sun. It also carried the scent of fine cologne, strong enough that she suspected the fragrance would linger on her skin when she returned the garment. However, for the moment it felt good, and she found the strength to scoot along the bank on her backside and slide down to the path below. He watched her intently as she moved.

"Should I do the same?"

She studied him critically. "I would suggest it. If you try to walk out, you'll just sink even more."

"Why's that?"

"If you spread your weight over a greater distance you're less likely to sink."

Offering her a wry smile that did not quite reach his eyes, he shook his head. "Ah, now why didn't I know that?"

While he pulled first one foot and then the next free of his snow imprisonment, she shrugged her arms into his coat. She knew she was soaking the inside but only felt a slight twinge of guilt. She was wet and cold from the melting snow and just wanted to go back inside. Allowing the warmth of his coat to seep into her damp clothing was a small price to pay for a man who most likely had a closetful of coats just like the one she wore.

Protected from the gentle breeze, she returned her attention to her unannounced guest. He had brushed as much snow as he could off his shoes and pants and was beginning to place his arms on either side of him to scoot over the edge.

"A little wider," she suggested.

Just then, his right hand sunk into the snow about midway up his forearm. It disrupted his balance, and he nearly landed face first back into the bank.

"Thanks for the warning," he muttered.

She ducked her head so he would not see her smile and waited while he did as she suggested. To her surprise, he seemed unconcerned with the snow still collecting in his shoes, and he landed lithely by her side when he slid down the bank.

"There. Now that's much better," he quipped.

Now standing just a few feet apart, Emery noticed how intimidating he was for the first time. Though not as tall or broad as Zach, Nathan Medina held himself like a man who knew the effect he had on women and used his dark good looks to his advantage on a regular basis. The black pullover contrasted dramatically with the white button-down shirt he wore underneath, and the snug fit outlined his tone body right down to his now-soaked shoes. Even wet from falling in the snow, he appeared very well put-together, and her uneasiness increased.

"Now that was interesting," he said as if he had not noticed her surprised appraisal.

She glanced up at the snow bank and then higher to the porch railing in answer. "That's a good way to put it."

With a final brush at his backside, he wiped off the rest of the snow. Drying his hand on his pant leg, he then held it out in greeting. "It's nice to see you again, Emery."

She stared down at the extended hand, noticing how his long fingers had grown slightly red from cold. With a sudden jerk, the hand disappeared, and her gaze flew up to his face once more. "I forgot you don't shake."

Blinking up at him, she noticed again that he was studying her. As she watched, the smile faded and his face transformed into one of concern and worry she was not sure she trusted.

"Is everything okay?"

Though she was uneasy with his presence and was not sure why he was there, Emery had to admit that his inquiry was polite. Her eyes were still puffy and bloodshot, and that, combined with her half-dressed jump off her balcony with a can of bear spray, made her wonder what conclusions he had drawn. Of course, that was not a bad thing considering she had no intentions of completing the job he wanted her to do. The urge to stay on guard was high, and she tried to appear as collected as possible while he continued studying her through narrowed eyes.

With a quick glance around, she struggled to come up with anything that could delay his inevitable questions. "I guess you should come inside and dry off."

Though her reluctance was obvious, he pretended not to notice. Giving her a stern gaze, he glanced down at himself and then at her before smiling smugly. "I was planning on it. After all, that's why I'm here."

***

"That's it, that's it," Augustin cried.

2Tuff hit the brakes on the old Chevy they had driven up from Nogales. A cloud of smoke instantly appeared behind them. Damn car had brought more trouble than good during this road trip to find some girl to save Augustin's waste of a life. As he stared over at his companion, he again considered calling in a job to take him out, but greed continued to stay his hand. They needed that money, and he hoped the girl was the key to it. No, she was no longer a girl. Ten years had passed since the attack. She would be a woman now, possibly with a family of her own. That may come in handy when the time came, he thought grimly.

But first they had to find her. This road trip had been a nightmare, and 2Tuff had just about reached his limit. First a flat tire on the highway outside of Albuquerque and then a burnt out tail light that earned him a ticket outside Colorado Springs was all the luck brought to him so far. Damn Colorado State Police, they should mind their own freakin' business.

The tires on the old piece of junk squealed as he jacked on the brakes, and Augustin looked over in concern. "Shouldn't we be, uh, a little more quiet, _ese_?"

Having heard enough from Augustin and his twisted, deluded attempts at conversation, 2Tuff glared at him in unspoken threat. The ride up from Nogales had been a long one, and he had heard enough of what happened the night Augustin had attacked those kids to make him ill. Though not afraid of causing pain for the greater good, 2Tuff found Augustin's story too much to respect. He had no business bragging about the torture and rape that landed him in prison, for there was no pride in what he and the others had done to those kids. He was an embarrassment all the way around, better suited to one of the more violent gangs than to his growing outfit. However, it was because of his budding empire that he was forced to associate with the scum. The need was unfortunate, but the end result could be gratifying. Understanding that made him all the more frustrated.

"I'm not your _ese_ , dude, you got that?"

"I got it."

When Augustin nodded abruptly, 2Tuff exhaled heavily. Throwing the car in reverse, he backed slowly until his companion called out again.

"There. See? The SUV."

He was studying the black Escalade with Arizona plates parked at the end of the drive, and 2Tuff eased to a stop just a short distance beyond it. If it was not for the SUV there, he doubted they would have found the driveway at all. It was well concealed and appeared infrequently used. He had to give the girl a little credit. She had hidden herself away nice and good... just not well enough. All he had to do was make a few calls to his contacts, and sure enough she was found. No one could hide for long from 2Tuff, and hopefully the hidden money would be as easy to locate.

A pleased smile flitted across his face for the first time since he had left Nogales. Suddenly things were starting to come together, and the end result was growing closer.

"That's got to be it," Augustin was babbling excitedly.

2Tuff wondered who this girl was. Before they left, he had looked up the story online, finding a single photo of the girl in her teenage youth. She had been smiling at the time, for the shot had been taken before her attack. A pretty girl, he thought with a twinge of regret. She had been through a lot. Unfortunately, things were not looking too good for her. Worse now that he noticed the gleam of excitement in Augustin's eyes. Whether it was from a feeling of unfinished business or revenge, 2Tuff knew it would be up to him to watch his companion closely when the deed was done. If he did not need his muscle, 2Tuff would have liked to have left the loose cannon behind altogether.

Though he could not see the house from the road, he eased off the brakes and rolled further forward as a minivan filled with children drove past him. Frowning distractedly, he glanced in the rearview mirror. "This is a busy road. We can't stay here."

"Wait. Don't you want to, like, get the info from her?" Augustin asked with a desperate hitch in his voice.

2Tuff did not even glance his way. "I'll get what I need; don't worry about that."

"But why are we leaving?"

"Too many people around," 2Tuff said shortly.

Realization dawned on his face. "So we come back later?"

"Yeah, when the road's dark and empty." He continued to study the SUV in the driveway, a contemplative smile on his face. "He'll leave soon enough."

Augustin leaned forward to peer more closely through the dense copse of trees that hid the house from view. It was a futile gesture, but he tried anyway. "She's there, _ese_ ," he said in a voice laced with steel. "I feel it."

Ignoring his subtle slip of the tongue, 2Tuff gripped the steering wheel tight. The anticipatory gleam in Augustin's eyes unnerved him, though he would never admit it. He could handle the convict, would take him out himself if necessary, but he was a liability 2Tuff did not like to have.

Yes, Augustin would have to be watched carefully because he had to find that money before his investors started hunting him.

### Chapter 23

For what felt like the hundredth time that day, Zach glanced at the watch on his wrist. The last 48 hours had been hell for him, and he suffered from a distraction that made him more useless on the job than Banks had feared. Though he was assigned to a separate lead to track down the names of the financiers of 2Tuff's gang, he found himself asking every connection he had for information on the kid. Of course, the answers were all the same... He had taken off, and no one knew where. In fact, his girl had gone with him. Maybe they had gone to her family in Mexico?

At one point, he wanted to slam his latest snitch against the wall. With Ian's restraining hand on his arm giving him a firm warning, Zach had taken a step back and exhaled his frustration instead. The kid had run off in fear, and now Zach worried he may have pushed him too far.

"That did not go well," Ian said, thoughtfully watching the kid slink away.

Zach sighed as he ran a hand down and over his face. He felt like hell. He had barely slept a wink and was consumed with a knowing worry in his chest at all times. He felt useless. "I know."

"We need this intel," Ian continued.

Zach turned in the direction of his cousin and grimaced. "Would you be able to function?"

"Seeing I'm not married, I guess I can't say for sure."

"That's probably why you're not married," Zach muttered.

"I'll forgive you for that one considering you're out of sorts today," Ian said lightly.

Zach remembered Ian's recent breakup and cringed. Ian had been a mess when his long-time girlfriend had ditched him right after the wedding rumors had begun. Damn, but he was not any better, he thought with a twinge of sympathy. "Hey, sorry about that."

"Not a problem. It's kind of amusing to see Hayden Junior finally fall hard," Ian teased.

Zach scowled. "I'll have you know I'm nothing like Hayden."

"You're worse, I think. I've heard about all the girls you've led on."

"Yeah, but Hayden actually gives them false hopes."

"And you're all about casual encounters?"

"I resent that, Ian."

His dark eyes dancing with amusement, Ian merely laughed and turned to head back to their parked SUV. It was an obvious vehicle today, based on a calculated move to remain noticeable, and everyone in the area had a niggling suspicion as to who they were. Glares of animosity met their alert stares, and all four corners of their intersection had someone lingering on it, watching them, following their every movement with their eyes. It was a slightly unnerving feeling, quadrupled by Zach's distraction.

"You probably shouldn't be out here with me today," Zach said. "I'm likely to get you killed."

"It would be worth it if we got everything we needed to put him away," Ian replied with an unconcerned grin.

"I'm glad I have such a supportive partner," Zach said wryly.

Back in the SUV, he closed his eyes and leaned his head against the headrest. He refused to argue when Ian offered to drive. In fact, he was thankful to give up the responsibility. He had known it would be difficult to leave her, but he had no idea just how much. Knowing Emery was hours away, all alone in that cabin was nearly driving him mad. He was frantic to get something, anything he could, to find out where 2Tuff had gone and whether or not she was the reason for his disappearance.

"You hungry?" Ian asked, sending him a sidelong glance.

The simple question reminded him that he had only had a cup of coffee all day, and his stomach let out a growl of protest. "I guess that answers that," he said.

Ian laughed again. "Yep it does. Is fast food okay?"

"If there's nothing else."

"Well, there's a diner instead."

"No difference."

Ian shrugged. "How about whichever is easier to get into? Traffic sucks out here."

"You're the one driving."

Giving up, Ian maneuvered through the light and pulled into the parking lot of the closest fast food restaurant. Zach raised his head and looked on as Ian parked the SUV and shut down the motor. "Eating in?"

Ian shrugged. "Why not? The day's almost over. We've got time."

Zach shifted uncomfortably in his seat with the knowledge that they really did not, but he managed to hold back his bitter retort. Opening his door, he followed Ian into the restaurant. The place seemed to freeze in time, just like the parking lot of the gas station two blocks away. All eyes focused on them due to their slacks and non-descriptive windbreakers that did little to hide the bulge of their firearms. While their badges may have been different, he and Ian appeared very similar at the moment. That, unfortunately, was as an enemy to those in the restaurant. But it also made a huge statement - a very calculated one. The diners knew law enforcement was watching them, and word would spread with every passing minute. The pressure was increasing.

Watching his cousin step nonchalantly into line, Zach surveyed his surroundings. He had been in this very same restaurant some time ago, in the back where the kiddie play area was. He had met a gang member's girlfriend for information, and she had proven to be very forthcoming. After the birth of their first child, Nico wanted out so he could be with... what was her name? Damn, Zach thought. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he closed his eyes and struggled to remember.

Unfortunately, all he could think of was Emery. What was she doing now? Had she emailed him yet? Would she finally answer her phone? How soon could he get away from work and fly back up there that night? Would he be able to? Never before had any other woman been trapped in his every thought and Zach grimaced in dismay. It had always been Emery lingering in the back of his mind, and now it was even worse.

"Hey!"

Zach opened his eyes to see Ian staring at him with a slight frown. He was thankful he was working with his cousin, for he could think of no one else who would remain patient with him in his current state. Although Ian was a few years older, they had been close their entire lives, and Ian had already been a cop when Emery was attacked. Having watched Emery grow up too, Ian was just as close to the case, and there was concern in Ian's gaze that almost mirrored his own.

"Yeah?"

"What are you eating?"

"Get me a burger."

"Okay... which one?"

Zach shrugged, and Ian scowled in frustration. There were, of course, multiple types of burgers there.

"Whatever," Ian muttered, turning back to the timid cashier and ordering both of them meals and drinks. Once he paid, he strode back over to Zach and thrust the cup at him. Zach followed his cousin to the fountain drinks and filled it up. "Grab us a table while I get the food, Romeo."

Handing him the cup he had just filled, Ian went back to the counter while Zach carried them both to a table near the kid place. Sitting as close to it as possible, Zach stared into the area, replaying the conversation in his mind. It took him several tries and several attempts to block out Emery's heartbroken emerald eyes before he was able to remember it all.

"DaJuana," he breathed.

"What?"

Ian set a plastic tray on the table and tossed Zach a handful of napkins. Zach caught them and set them down before reaching for his phone. As he scanned through his contacts, Ian sat across from him and dug into his fries.

"I worked a case about a year ago and met a kid that wanted to get out," Zach commented as he continued to scroll. For the first time in days, he began to feel optimistic. "His girlfriend recently had a baby, and the kid had this urge to try to make good. She came to see me and gave me information, Ian. If I can find her, she may be able to get us what we need."

"Won't her information be outdated? It's been a year..."

Zach shrugged, too hopeful to be discouraged. "Don't know unless we try. Maybe she still has contacts. Maybe he does. Either way, it can't hurt to ask."

Nodding, Ian saw the logic in his argument and continued eating while Zach made the call to obtain her information. It took some time, but Zach managed to eat a few bites of his meal while he was on hold. After tasting fresh cooked meals, even over a stove insert, the fast food sat heavy and greasy in his stomach. In fact, everything about Phoenix seemed heavy and greasy to him. The thick traffic in the Valley after the silence of the cabin was a culture shock, and he missed the quiet and the green that poked through the pristine white snow. He missed Emery. And he even missed the lingering cold. Flannel shirts and long-sleeved pullovers had been packed away. Phoenix was now in the nineties, a far cry from the upper-50s in the crisp, clean mountain air.

The hold music suddenly ceased, and a triumphant voice greeted him. "I've got her."

Zach's eyes went wide, and he tossed down the fry to wave urgently at Ian. While Ian searched his pocket for a pen, Zach grabbed a napkin to write on.

"Go ahead."

He scribbled the information on the napkin, tearing the thin material in several places. However, Ian nodded in recognition when he saw it. He knew where to go, and that was all that mattered.

"Ok, thanks," Zach said.

Stuffing his phone back in his jacket, he reached for his drink with a smile of triumph. Ian shook his head in wonder. "If I'd known bringing you here would make you lighten up a bit, I would've done it first thing this morning."

Zach finished chewing his bite of the greasy burger before responding. Unlike Ian, he was not smiling. "I just want this over. I want Emery to be able to put everything behind her and move on with her life."

"I get it, really I do. Isn't that what we're trying to do?"

"Not fast enough. She's in the hot seat until we get these guys."

"So you think this girl will help?"

"I hope so." Zach took another bite of the burger, realizing at last how ravenous he was. He thought about it as he chewed. "Maybe the kid can give us something about what's been going on lately. Or maybe she can."

Ian was slow to agree. "Or they'll be too scared to talk."

"She was a good girl. I trust her."

"You haven't seen her in a year."

Zach had to concede that point. Maybe not willingly, though. "Don't rain on my parade, ok?"

"I'm not saying we can't try, but I am saying you shouldn't get your hopes up too high." His voice was calm and somber, but Zach saw the empathy in his steady brown gaze. "Let's figure out how to get her."

While Zach finished eating, Ian set up a plan to reach the girl and get her to talk. Zach sat back and agreed with everything Ian came up with. His cousin knew his way around the area and understood what they were dealing with already, so it was not too hard to trust his decisions.

Within fifteen minutes they pulled into a surprisingly quiet, clean neighborhood. This area of Phoenix was devoid of the cookie cutter developments that had started exploding in the 90's. Upbeat older-style houses with asphalt roofing and clapboard siding were surrounded by established trees and palms. This neighborhood had been around a long time, and the house they stopped in front of was surprisingly well-maintained, with a neatly manicured patch of Bermuda grass and desert brown gravel. The home itself was small, but the paint was up to date and a fine security screen door with a Kokopelli design had been installed. A child's bicycle was parked in the driveway.

Zach glanced around curiously. "This doesn't look like a bad neighborhood at all."

"Just older."

"Yeah," he said thoughtfully. "Should we keep up the plan of door to door?"

"Sure. It keeps the pressure up. Even if there's only one person with connections on this street, it's bound to get out."

"Good point."

Zach and Ian parked the SUV midway down the street and hopped out. Not very many people answered their doors, but the ones that did were older retirees. Not one showed any glimmer of recognition when they stared at the mug shots of 2Tuff and his two friends.

Pausing at DaJauna's door, Zach began to feel nervous. This was not a bad neighborhood. His final hopes of getting the information they needed were slipping away. Taking a deep breath, he passed the bicycle in the driveway and walked up the path. He was eager to escape the hot pressure of the sun and find the cool air of an air conditioning blast to the face, no matter how brief. This part of his job was the worst. The weather did not care if he was walking, running, or sitting in a nice air-conditioned office. Even if the temperatures were uncomfortably hot, he still had a job to do, and this particular assignment was personal.

The security screen was locked, so Zach pressed the doorbell and knocked at the same time. His knock was fairly insistent, no nonsense, borderline aggressive and very authoritative. There would be no doubt on the other side of the door that he meant business. A moment later he heard the lock pull back, and a face appeared in the shadow of the screen.

"Can I help you?"

The voice triggered familiarity. "DaJuana?"

"Yes..."

Zach knew she could see him clearly through the screen despite her own face being in the shadow. Fearing the worst, he held out his badge. "Zach Evans, FBI. Can we talk?"

This would be the moment she would slam the door in his face and bolt it behind her. He waited with bated breath as she stared down at the badge and then back up at his face. To his surprise, her hand snaked out and unlocked the door, and she opened it wide for him to enter.

"Special Agent Evans! It's great to see you. Come in," she said in a rush of enthusiasm.

With a final glance over his shoulder to Ian, who was currently cutting across the neighbor's yard to reach the house, Zach turned back DaJuana and smiled as wide as he could. "Thank you," he said. "It's pretty warm out there today."

Taking the door handle in his hand, he followed DaJuana into the small house, hoping with every ounce of his being that he was about to strike gold.

### Chapter 24

Emery continued to stare up at the man, shocked at what she had just offered. For his part, he appeared unaffected and sent her a sardonic smile. "Do we have to go in the same way we came?"

"What?" Then her mouth closed abruptly. Though she could not tell if he was teasing her or not, she understood his meaning. Gosh, he must think her the true definition of a crazy artist. Shaking her head so emphatically that her hair brushed her cheeks, she pointed to the path Zach had kept clear for her. The snow had melted enough, but it was soggy now, and the soles of her slippers were soaked through. "I do have a door."

"Well that's nice to hear because I think I would sink all the way through if I tried to climb up that porch."

She realized then that he was trying to tease her. His follow up wink proved it. The problem was that his eyes remained steady and assessing; there was no humor reflected in the bottomless, dark depths. Feeling the uneasiness race up her spine, she turned sharply and began to lead the way back to the stairs. Her feet squished wetly in the dead grass, and the moisture snuck between her toes.

JJ joined them at the unlocked French doors, and his tail wagged happily when Emery placed her hand on his head. With a low growl of warning, he turned to sniff Nathan's hand cautiously. To the man's credit, he remained still and allowed JJ to thoroughly inspect him.

"You have a nice dog," he commented.

"He's supposed to be a guard dog," she grumbled.

"Oh, he was good," Nathan said with a chuckle. "Scared me at first, but I have a way with animals."

She could only imagine what that meant.

"I used to train animals part-time when I was in college," he continued. "I always have a trick or two up my sleeve."

Opening the door, Emery wondered peevishly if that included keeping fresh steaks in his car. She threw him a frown over her shoulder. "Wait here while I grab you a towel."

Shrugging out of his coat, she handed it back without waiting for his answer and squished her way past the kitchen to the bathroom beyond. Kicking off her slippers, she left them by the washing machine and reached for the navy blue towel that she had washed. It had been the towel Zach used, a plush cotton one with an embroidered trim. She held it to her nose hoping to catch at least a lingering scent of him. However, after laundering it all she could smell was detergent. Gosh, how she missed him.

Before returning with the towel, Emery glanced at herself in the mirror. Hair wet in spots, the midnight mass now appeared stringy and tousled. Her gray tank top and sweats were darkly wet and clung to her back and buttocks uncomfortably. Braless, she realized she had given him quite a view when they were outside. Her cheeks flamed once again, matching her red rimmed and puffy eyes. Goodness, she looked a mess.

Though she knew she was being rude, she slipped into her bedroom and hastily changed her wet sweats and tank for jeans and a bulky turtleneck. Once fully clothed and hair under control, she scooped the towel under her arm and returned to her uninvited guest. Nathan's curious gaze sought her out immediately, and he watched her secure a ponytail with an appraising look on his face.

Tossing the towel to him, she went to stand in the kitchen. It kept the counter between them, which eased her discomfort slightly. "Sorry, I had to change out of my wet clothes."

"That's too bad," he murmured.

"What?"

He glanced up from wiping his shoes and grinned. "You looked pretty damn good a minute ago."

Remembering the way her sweats had clung and the thin material of her tank top left little to his imagination, she crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. "So why are you here?"

One dark brow rose in surprise. "You don't waste words, do you?"

"You just showed up. I'm sure it was for a reason."

"Was I interrupting anything? Perhaps a run through the snow in slippers and a tank top?" Nathan asked mildly.

"Well, I..."

Before she could continue, he bent to strip off his wet socks. He spoke sarcastically as he worked. "Or perhaps it was bear hunting, considering you had bear spray in your hand. The safety was off, by the way. You could've sprayed yourself when you went over the railing like that."

Damn him, she thought. Of course she knew that. And of course he knew he was not privy to something that could be important.

When she did not answer, he raised his head and stared at her until she looked away. "I'll ask again: are you okay?"

"It would probably be better if you left now," she replied softly.

"That wasn't meant to offend you," he said.

"It's not that," she said. "Obviously you can see I wasn't prepared for company. I don't willingly entertain."

He nodded but made no move to leave or even pull his damp socks back on. She followed up her words with a frown. "I never received your email," he said as if that explained everything.

"That's because I never sent one."

"I was heading out today. I thought I'd stop by before I left," he again continued. She decided that she did not like the way he acted as though she had not spoken. It was very arrogant of him.

"That wasn't necessary," she interrupted. "I spoke to Gage earlier this week to pass on to Faith that I wasn't interested."

Stepping away from the doorway, he approached the stools set against the counter and draped the damp towel over the backrest before meeting her gaze. "He gave me the message directly."

Emery realized then that she was afraid of him. If he knew she was not interested, why make the trip to her home? And how had he found her? He could not have the information that Zach had access to. He was only a businessman, wasn't he? But then Zach's words rang in her ears. There were people with connections. Was he one of them? "Then why are you here?"

He must have realized by the tremor in her voice that he frightened her, for he held up his hands in surrender and then pulled out the chair to slide into the seat. She stayed in her spot close to the entry in the kitchen, but he had the upper hand. He was between her and both exits.

"I came," he began with a sheepish smile. "Because I was hoping to persuade you otherwise."

She shook her head. "I'm sorry you wasted your time."

"Wait," he interrupted. "Will you at least hear me out?"

"I don't feel comfortable working under contract."

"We won't use a contract then."

"Timelines."

"Go at your own pace."

Things were not going well. He was not used to taking no for an answer, and she was not used to pushy people. Obviously, he did not understand how she worked.

"I'll talk to Faith," she said in a voice laced with anger. Her hands balled into tight fists by her sides as her fury toward her friend grew. "She should've told you how I work before she unwisely told you how to find me. I can't do a job like that. I can go for months on separate projects not involved with painting."

He shook his head. "Emery, I –"

"I'm sorry for wasting your time... I'll walk you out."

In less than ten steps she could be at the front door. Beginning those steps hurriedly, she was halted when Nathan's hand snaked out and grasped her arm.

"Wait," he insisted. "Just wait."

From across the room, JJ raised his head and growled low in the back of his throat. He came to his feet just as Nathan released her arm and slid from the chair. Emery placed her hand on JJ's head, unsure whether or not to run away.

"All I'm asking is that you hear me out before you make any final decisions. Can you at least give me that courtesy?"

His voice was low and controlled, but she sensed the irritation behind his words. JJ did too, for his tail did not wag. The tension had grown so thick Emery was not sure how to react. She chose silence. It was either that or give in to the growing panic in her breast.

Taking her silence as acquiescence, Nathan sat back down on the stool. One arm casually draped over the back of the stool, while his elbow rested on the counter. Unlike him, she did not relax. She remained where she stood, her hand absently stroking JJ's head.

"Faith did tell me many things. She told me how you work, what types of work you do, and that you're very reclusive." He took a deep breath, as though debating whether or not to reveal more. Finally he exhaled as though emerging from deep water. "She didn't tell me where you were. I stole the information when she wasn't looking."

Emery's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Pardon me?"

He shrugged. "It was on her computer. She wanted me to scan through some of her other artists. When she went to help a customer, I went back to your file and put your information in my phone."

He spoke so nonchalantly that Emery would have found his theft amusing if it had not affected her directly. "You had no right."

"Sometimes bending the rules is necessary to get what you want," he said as if that explained everything.

"That's not bending the rules... that's violating someone's trust and stealing."

Apparently finding her disbelief amusing, he tossed back his head and laughed. His eyes crinkled at the edges and shone with amusement when he met her gaze. She stiffened in self-righteous anger. "I wouldn't have gotten as far as I have in life without stooping to such measures every now and then, especially when it comes to something that I want."

Emery felt a shiver race of fear down her spine. The way he spoke, so calculated and cold, unnerved her. "You shouldn't brag about it, it's offensive."

He waved away her words with a simple flick of his wrist. "So I got your information and did a little bit of research. I know about you, Emery. I know about your art, I know about your skill, I've seen your work, and..." he paused and scanned her from head to toe. "I know about your past. The Internet is very informative."

Reeling back as though he had struck her with his fist, Emery gasped. "What?"

"They say that trauma sometimes triggers something in the brain. Art then becomes a way to deal with events. It's called Art Therapy. Have you ever heard of it before?"

Her fear was increasing, and the familiar tightening in her chest began to increase. Fearing an attack, Emery drew on her anger. Zach had reminded her that she was strong. She could handle this man. "How dare you?"

"I dare because I am intrigued," he replied calmly. "You have exceptional skill. I want to display that skill in my resort. You can become an overnight sensation with my help."

Wishing more than ever that Zach was there with her for support and to toss this arrogant man out on his ear, Emery grimaced. He was not there, and she would have to fend for herself. Taking a deep breath, she scowled at him meaningfully. "I don't want to be an overnight sensation. I'm fine where I am right now."

"The money would make it worth your time."

"I don't need money. I'm comfortable where I am. While I may not be rich like you, I have everything I need."

He glanced around curiously. For a man of his status, she imagined he found the cabin sorely lacking. However, she did not really care. "You live very simply."

"I like it that way. I don't need much."

"But I can get you much more."

"I don't care."

He returned his attention to her with one brow raised skeptically. "Surely you realize we're talking six digits or more?"

"What would I do with that kind of money? This cabin's small, I don't travel, and I don't need anything frivolous. It would just be wasted on me."

"That may not always be the case. What if you marry? What if you decide to have kids? This cabin's nice, but it's small. You may need a bigger home one day."

Emery knew she should tell him that was out of the question, but for some reason she held her tongue. Even she still harbored dreams of having a normal life one day. Nevertheless, her personal life was not his concern, and he knew far too much about her already. "I'll cross that bridge when I get to it."

He remained undeterred. "What about savings? Retirement? What if your inspiration fails and you can no longer produce? Wouldn't it be wise to sock money away for a rainy day... or perhaps you've already done that?"

She shook her head before thinking about it, and Nathan immediately latched onto his sudden advantage. Leaning forward, his dark eyes gleamed with triumph. "You see? You could use some money then. Put it away as a nest egg. Set up a rainy day fund."

She wondered why it was so hard for him to take her negative answer. The project did not appeal to her. She was not interested...and she was deciding she did not like Nathan Medina. "I still don't want to do the project. It's too much responsibility for me, and I have other things to deal with right now."

Sighing in frustration, Nathan slipped off the stool and approached her slowly. He stopped a few feet away and stared down at her with confusion and irritation on his face. "Life's full of responsibilities. I'm offering you the deal of a lifetime."

"I'm sorry, but I'm sure there are others in Faith's shop who would serve you better."

"I don't want any others. I want you."

She was certain he meant professionally, yet the hair on the back of her neck rose in warning. Too possessive, she thought. "I don't think I can help you," she said as firmly as her trembling voice would allow. "I'm sorry."

"You're still saying no?"

She nodded and then glanced down at her hands. The exasperation in his gaze was infuriating and frightening at the same time. She just wanted him to leave.

"Fine," he said abruptly. Spinning on his heel, he strode back to the door and pulled on his socks in a jerky manner that nearly caused him to lose his balance. "Just be prepared to start mass producing your work. I plan on buying every single piece you put in Faith's shop, with or without your help."

Emery grimaced but kept her head down. She knew he was angry. Like a spoiled child, he was throwing a temper tantrum because he was not getting his way. It served him right, she thought in an uncustomary moment of peevishness. He was far too arrogant and self-serving to sway her in any other way. She could not even imagine having to work with him directly.

"If that's your choice, I can't stop it. However, I would appreciate it if you allowed others to have first dibs."

Lifting his head, he glared at her. "I don't give a damn about the others. I have two hundred rooms to fill."

Not knowing what to say, she remained silent. He shoved his feet into his wet shoes with a grimace of discomfort and then reached for his wool overcoat. When he had finally draped it over his arm, he returned his angry gaze to hers. He fumbled in the pocket of his slacks for his wallet and tossed another of his cards on the counter.

"I'd appreciate it if you'd consider my offer. I have twenty-two months to complete this project. I'd like to have your work there, Emery."

Her gaze flickered to the card on the counter before settling back on him. With lips compressed in a thin line, she nodded once briefly. If that would shut the man up, she would grant him that. She still had no intention of working for him - ever. She just wanted him out of her home.

"You shouldn't have to continue to live in fear. The wealth I can give you will chase away all those demons you carry."

"That's none of your business," she snapped.

" _Au contraire_ , my dear, it is very much my business," he replied coldly.

She opened her mouth to speak, but he had already turned away and strode to the door. Still defensive, JJ lingered by her side while he pulled it open and stepped outside. He turned back once and smiled the same charming smile she had seen before. The smile that never reached his eyes.

"I mean it."

Then he was gone, but for how long she did not know. Somehow she suspected it was not the last time she would come face to face with Nathan Medina. Emery remained still for long after the sound of his SUV faded, wondering if her troubles were just beginning.

### Chapter 25

Holding a cold glass of iced tea in his hand, Zach sat on the edge of the cracked, brown leather sofa and smiled thinly at the elderly woman in the bright, floral print dress reclining in the chair across from him. A small table with a glass of water and straw rested on one side of the chair while a walker was placed on the other. He waited patiently as DaJuana opened the door and admitted Ian before he settled back more comfortably on the sofa.

"This is _mi abuela_." She turned to the now dozing elderly woman and spoke loudly. " _Abuela_ , this is the man from the FBI and his friend."

The elderly woman cracked one eye open and nodded sagely before closing it again. DaJuana, satisfied that the introduction was all that was needed, handed Ian a glass of tea from the pitcher on the kitchen counter and then joined them. With Ian on opposite side of the sofa from him, she took the only seat left in the small living room, the footrest belonging to the chair the _abuela_ now rested in. She smiled shyly, showing off her small, white teeth. "It really is good to see you again, now that the ugly stuff is over."

Zach nodded politely. "You're doing well?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Very well. I work full-time at the grocery now, assistant manager, and I'm taking night classes at the community college." She beamed proudly. "I had the day off today because we had a doctor's appointment."

Ian glanced over at the elderly woman, and then looked at him. He took a long drink from his glass and left Zach to do the talking. "That's great to hear," Zach said. "I'm glad you're moving on."

She continued to beam. "Nico just got out. He sees the baby every weekend."

"So you keep in touch?"

"Yeah, he's a good daddy."

"He is," Zach agreed. "And that's why I'm hoping you can help me on this. Are you willing to answer a few questions?"

He held his breath, but DaJuana soon made it apparent that he had no need. She grinned again. "Absolutely. Things wouldn't have gone so well without all of your help, Agent Evans. We're very grateful."

Zach remembered Nico had gotten ninety days on a minor charge. Justice was swift for the kid. He seemed to have gotten through it unscathed judging by DaJuana's enthusiasm. Zach figured this was as good a time as any to cut to the chase. Setting his glass on the coffee table separating him from DaJuana, he pulled out the pictures he had been flashing all day long.

"Do you think Nico knew these guys? Any of them look familiar?"

He held a hand out across the table and passed the photos to her. Without hesitation, she took them and spread them out before her. Zach breathed a sigh of relief and shot a triumphant glance at Ian. The other man nodded in agreement. DaJuana would be honest.

"I know all three. The first one is the father of my cousin's baby; the second is his brother. Both of them work for him." She pointed a brightly painted, pink nail and tapped the table top over 2Tuff's face.

"Do you know where they are at the moment?" Zach asked.

She shook her head. "I heard these two were off working a job for 2Tuff... something about finding some girl who had hidden a lot of money."

Zach froze. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Ian stiffen as well.

"My cousin told me 2Tuff and his girl left town to finish up his house down south, somewhere near Nogales." She raised her head and met Zach's eyes. "He's planning on smuggling again. Has a line in for some guy in Scottsdale who wants illegal workers without drawing attention since it's such a hot topic. There were a few others too, but I don't know where in the Valley they are."

Ian leaned forward. "Do you have a name for this guy?"

"Of the rich guy in Scottsdale? No, but," she continued easily. "With all the hostility and hubbub about illegal immigration, a lot of the coyotes have run scared. They're getting scared of all the sheriffs cracking down."

Both men nodded.

"2Tuff sees a new market and easy money. He wants to set up a railroad to get workers to California. He's lining up houses in a few border towns and building tunnels. He needs this hidden money up front before the rich guys will invest."

"Isn't this a bit out of his league?" Ian asked.

She shook her head. "Not really. 2Tuff may be young, but he's smart. He's been working on building connections, real powerful people who give him backing. The guy in Scottsdale is one of them."

"Do you have any names at all?" Zach asked, although he suspected she had given them all she had.

Her face scrunched as she thought about it, but in the end she shook her head sadly. "No. I've tried really hard to stay out of it. I only know what I know because I heard them talking about it last Easter. They try not to talk in front of me, but sometimes I overhear."

Zach was glad she did. Although there was nothing new here, they did have a lead on Emery's situation. If the two brothers were out looking for her, it confirmed Banks' fear and Zach's most dreaded scenario. Unfortunately, the only lead they had were the faces that were searching for her.

Ian followed his train of thought as well and returned DaJuana's impish smile. "Do you know where the brothers may have gone?"

"All I heard Nina say last week was that they'd taken her car out of town. She was mad because she was having trouble finding a way to get to work."

"What does she drive?" Ian asked.

DaJuana shrugged. "I know it's a red car. Old."

Zach watched as Ian reached for the pen he had so recently used. "What's her name? I can check it out."

While Ian jotted down the information she so freely gave, Zach continued considering his options. They now had reason to believe that these brothers, Ian and Zach's part of the investigation, were tied to Emery as well. Banks would not be pleased with this new development, but either way he was entangled in it whether Banks liked it or not. Remembering his superior's original words about being too personally involved, Zach realized things had changed even more dramatically in the last two weeks. Now it was extremely personal. The woman he loved was involved.

Yes, loved - with all of his heart and soul.

In those two weeks he realized exactly what he was missing in his life. He had never been able to commit to anyone else before, he knew that. The reason behind it, on the other hand, he never understood until he saw Emery again. It was not the past experience that had kept him aloof. It was the woman involved in that experience who kept him from giving away his heart. The driving force behind everything he did was Emery. The heart in his chest, which had been so still and cold, had burst back to life when he reunited with the only woman he had ever truly loved. Together they had healed each other and themselves.

Reaching into his wallet, he withdrew a card and slid it across the table to DaJuana. "I know it's risky for you to talk to us so candidly, and we'll keep your involvement at a minimum."

She nodded thankfully.

"If anything happens or you hear anything else you think may interest us, please let me know. Any time of day or any day of the week. I also want to make sure you're safe."

"That's what I like about you," she replied with a smile. "You really care."

Zach and Ian exchanged glances before Zach smiled at DaJuana. Oh he cared all right, he thought. Perhaps more than he should.

With a parting nod and words of thanks, they came to their feet and followed DaJuana to the door. The tension was palpable as DaJuana let them out, and her smile turned shy as they said their farewells. They now knew what the brothers were up to, and they also had a lead on a vehicle. As soon as they were able to run the plates and get a fix on the car, they could move to pick them up. Finding these two men were his priority, and the sooner he was able to get them into his line of sight the safer Emery would be. Back in the harsh sunlight of the Arizona afternoon, Zach considered the likelihood of them already zeroing in on her location.

"We need to find that car," Ian said.

Zach sent him a sarcastic glance. "You think so, eh?"

"So you were right to be worried, but we need to stay focused."

"I am focused," Zach snapped. "I'm focused on finding these two."

With a deft flick of the wrist, Ian tossed the keys to the SUV to Zach. "I'll put the call in; you drive us back."

The ride back to the office was slow and tedious due to the growing afternoon traffic. Zach felt stiff behind the wheel, using all of his skill to maintain a sense of decorum. It was not a long ride from DaJuana's neighborhood to Ian's office, but it appeared as though Zach hit every light red along the way. Cars delayed when the light turned green, some ignorant motorist decided to make a left turn outside of the turning lane, and a fire engine stole their green light when they hit the switch to make it go instantly red. Zach nearly cursed aloud his frustration, but hearing Ian, his phone pressed to his ear and his hand clinging to the dash as Zach maneuvered through traffic, reassured him slightly. At least they were making some progress.

Ian completed the call when Zach pulled into the parking lot. Finding an open space, he swung the large SUV between a Jeep and another car, leaving little room for either of them to get out. Ian pocketed his phone and sent him a glance. "They got the plate. Running it now."

"Good," Zach said shortly.

Both men entered the cool, air conditioned building at a brisk pace, heading in the direction of the officer striding straight for them. "Two hits in the last two days," the young cop in the neatly pressed, beige uniform announced. "One from New Mexico State Police on Wednesday: called the plate in when the motorist was changing a flat outside of Albuquerque."

"New Mexico?" Ian asked with a frown. He glanced at Zach. "Did they have any connections in Albuquerque?"

Zach frowned in concentration. In the file he had on this gang, he thought he had a pretty good handle on who spoke to whom. For the most part, 2Tuff had tried to create his own independent group, obviously with stronger and fewer small-time members. The way Zach saw things playing out he was looking to be a Hispanic Don Corleone. "Not sure. I'll check into it."

"They didn't stay in New Mexico," the uniform interrupted.

"What do you mean?" Zach asked.

"They were pulled over for a burnt out taillight in Colorado Springs yesterday afternoon."

Before he even finished speaking, Zach had pulled his phone out and dialed Banks. Deep in his heart, he knew it was too late, but he still had to try. He heard his boss' gruff voice and interjected immediately. "I'm flying out immediately, with or without your ok. Our boys are in Colorado."

"You know that for certain?"

"We just got the information from one of my contacts. She was pretty forthcoming, and I have no reason to doubt her."

"How do you know they're in Colorado?"

"Police hits."

"So it's certain?"

Banks voice had every bit of the edge that Zach himself was feeling. A sudden wave of anger flooded over him as he thought of how different things would have been if he had just remained where he was. Unable to bite his tongue, he said what he was thinking. Banks was undeterred.

"If you hadn't gotten this information today, you could've been a sitting duck right now. Now we have forewarning and can mobilize a team."

"I would've been prepared."

"But unreachable. Didn't you tell me range was spotty up there?" Banks' voice was clipped and professional. Always smooth, despite his irritation. "Now we have definitive information placing our two suspects in Colorado. I'll notify the Denver office. Give me the information you have."

"I'm going back," Zach insisted, his voice growing louder.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Ian and the uniform watching him. Ian took the cop's arm and led him a few paces away. In the background the sounds of mingled voices, telephones and office machinery gave him some semblance of privacy, but he knew if he lost his head now he would lose a lot of credibility.

"Denver can handle it."

"She's alone," Zach ground out.

"I'll request more drive-bys from the locals. Give me her address again."

Zach's voice was gruff when he rattled off her address. "I'm still going."

Banks sighed. "I'm sorry, Zachary. I have to pull you off the case at this point until he's back in custody. You're better off out of the picture for now."

"If it was Carol," Zach said, referring to Banks' wife, "what would you do?"

"But it's not. You stay away."

With a loud curse, Zach disconnected and spun around to see Ian standing behind him. He held his phone in his hand and was nodding and speaking quickly. When he saw Zach's gaze, he sent a half smile and a wink at him. Zach scowled in answer. He had to go, and his job could go to hell for all he cared.

His phone was again vibrating in his hand, and he glanced down to see an unfamiliar number. "Evans," he barked.

"You need to get back to Emery," a sharp voice replied.

Zach recognized the no-nonsense tone as belonging to Dolly and gripped the mobile tighter. Her previous words rang in his ears. If he left too soon, he would lose her. "Have you heard from her?"

"No, but she needs you now."

At the point where he did not even think to question how Dolly knew nor question her timing, Zach gritted his teeth together. "I'm working on it," he ground out.

"Remember what I said, Zach," she said quickly. "You have to get to her."

"I remember, Dolly," he said, feeling the weight of the world settle on his shoulders. The fast food he had eaten churned in his stomach. He wanted to throw up.

"Just go. Go now."

Spinning on his heel, he headed for the door with Ian's heavy footfalls behind him. He heard Ian sign off just before his hand reached out and grabbed a hold of Zach's shoulder. Turning with another scowl, Zach shook him off. "I have to go."

"That's just it," Ian insisted. "We need a plane, and I just got us one."

"How?"

"I called Hayden. He told us to meet him in Chandler. How quick do you think we can get there?"

Zach paused, his face pulled into a frown. "He can fly us out now?"

"You know Hayden." Ian shrugged. "My brother has access to things we can only dream of."

Ignoring Ian's teasing, Zach mentally calculated the time it would take to get to the airport. "Forty-five minutes or less."

"Let's go."

Ignoring the recently parked SUV, Zach made his way to his own car. Smaller and sportier than the bulky official car, Zach suspected he should keep his actions off the official radar. Ian followed behind with an approving nod.

Settling in the driver's seat, Ian shot him a quick glance. "Can you call and tell her to hang somewhere until we get there?"

"I've tried," Zach muttered. "She hasn't been answering the new phone."

"Email? Neighbor? Friend?"

Email and Gage, Zach thought. Reaching for his phone, he prayed he saved Faith's contact information. He noticed his email icon glowing and pulled it up, surprised to see an email from Emery in his box. She had sent it an hour before, indicating she was okay then. How had he missed it? Pausing on his search for Faith's shop, he opened the email and began to read. It was brief but to the point.

Dear Zach,

I know we didn't part ways as well as we should have, and for that I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude and childish, and I wish I could take back my harsh words now.

That man from the restaurant came today. I was scared but managed to hold my own. You taught me well, Zach.

No matter what I said before, I really would like to see you again. Perhaps we can make arrangements for another visit sometime in the future.

All my love,

Emery.

Though it was not an email spouting words of love or a willingness to return to Phoenix, Zach was slightly reassured that she was safe an hour before and was willing to work things out. That would be great, and they could talk more about that Medina character then – if he was able to make it back to Denver in time. What mattered immediately was that he got the warning out. She had to leave the house until he got there. He immediately hit reply, not knowing it was already too late.

***

Following Nathan's departure, Emery sat down on the computer, wrote Zachary an email, and then climbed back into bed. This time her dreams were fitful and filled with images. Some she recognized as scenes from her childhood with Zachary and others were blurred visions from her night of terror. When she finally opened her eyes, the sun was once again hidden behind increasingly wintery skies, and she was lying among damp sheets that were twisted around her legs. However, this time she was not in the grips of an anxiety attack. Instead, she glanced at the empty side of her bed where Zach had so recently lain and wished he was there for the millionth time.

So much had changed.

For the second time that day, Emery crawled from her bed and took a long shower. As if hoping the soap would wash away her pain, she scrubbed herself from head to toe before emerging to pull on a new set of sweats. The cabin had cooled during her nap, so she stoked the fire before pulling on her boots and parka to take JJ outside.

The moon was at half mast, glowing high in the evening sky. Stars sparkled around it, spreading like a splatter of white paint against a black background. Wispy cloud cover coming in from the west swirled in a silvery trail across the night sky. It was a beautiful evening. The crisp, clear night of silence was broken only by the sound of the rushing water of the creek and JJ's crunchy steps through the remaining snow. She glanced over to the trail where JJ had disappeared to. Zach and she had walked that trail several times together and he alone even more. He had admitted how much he loved the hills beyond her house and the view it granted. If it was that beautiful with snow cover, summertime, he had said, must be amazing.

Stifling a shiver, Emery pulled her parka closer and began to call for JJ when a low growl reached her ears. She froze and strained to listen, wondering at first if she had mistaken the noise. It was late enough that the night animals were out and about, but she knew instinctively that it was JJ whose growl she heard – or thought she heard.

Though he was still off in the woods, she felt certain she had heard right. Some instinct warned her things were not right, and the hair on the back of her neck prickled uncomfortably. Easing back to the front door, she pushed it open as quietly as possible. Thankful she had not yet turned on the lights, she reached blindly for the bear spray still resting on the counter where she left it next to the new cordless that was now in pieces drying out from the dunking in the snow.

While she told herself she was just being jumpy, Emery felt more secure with the bear spray in her hand. There was no sense not being prepared, and she felt as though Zach would approve of her caution. But when she gently closed the door behind her all was silent again. A slight snuffle of JJ's nose against the ground and the hoot of an unseen owl was all that greeted her still straining ears.

Returning to her spot at the edge of the railing, Emery again waited. Though it had only been minutes since JJ had first taken off, at this time of night he usually went to do his business and returned right away to escape the cold. But it appeared as though something still held his attention. She just did not know what.

Then she heard the unmistakable sound of a breaking branch. The snap was loud enough to be heard over the rushing of the stream protecting her property, and it was too far away for JJ to have crossed the distance toward the road.

It was not uncommon for wildlife to make their way onto her property. In addition to elk, she had seen deer, coyotes, and even once a bear. Much to her surprise, the previous spring a moose mother and her calf made frequent visits to her driveway, apparently hanging out in the tree line while the waters had receded following a spring flood. With these somewhat common sights, she knew it was possible that her quiet cabin had many more visitors than she was aware of.

But the wildlife did not speak...

She knew she heard voices.

The rushing of the blood in her ears made it difficult to decipher the words, but she could hear voices over the sound of the creek. Male voices in the woods to the east of her driveway were making their way toward her house. Raw terror gripped her legs, making it impossible for her to move.

What did she do? What should she do?

Frozen with indecision, Emery fought the panic building in her breast and tried to think calmly. Perhaps she was mistaken. Maybe it was her own imagination projecting voices because she was afraid to be alone. But even as she seized upon the desperate thought, she heard them again – closer.

_They_ had come.

She knew it as clearly as she knew her own face, and the raw terror overwhelmed the last of her common sense. _They_ had found her. _They_ were coming for her. Glancing back at the house, Emery knew she would not go in. As her feet finally began to move, she realized she was running - away from the house. Into the woods and into the cold evening, Emery hurried off in the direction JJ had gone. She needed to find her dog and get them both out of there. She had to go now.

Bolting across the white expanse prior to the copse of pines, Emery could only hope her escape went unnoticed. Once under the dark cover of the trees, she turned and caught her breath. She knew she was on the verge of hyperventilating and a panic attack just a heartbeat away, but she forced herself to remain calm this time and not react as she had earlier that day. She had to keep it together. If she was to escape, she had to keep the anxiety at bay.

A slight nudge against her hand made her startle so violently that she temporarily lost her footing and fell backwards into the snow. With a muffled cry, she reached out and found JJ. Biting back her growing desperation, her hand grasped his neck and steadied herself while she pressed her face into his warm fur. Murmuring softly, she maintained her grip on him while she watched her porch to see if the men came to her door.

Telling herself over and over again that she was wrong, being paranoid and imagining things, Emery almost believed it until she saw two dark shapes slink along the wall of the cabin. Inhaling sharply, she continued to watch their slow, determined movements in the black shadows along the wall. These were not the actions of a broken down motorist or lost hiker. They were the actions of someone trying to be stealthy. Her suspicions had been correct, but now what did she do?

Safe, at least for the moment, Emery zipped up her parka and pulled on her hood to maintain her body temperature and cover her damp hair. Though early-[May, the temperatures at night still hovered just above freezing, and she had no idea how long she would be out in the cold. Her thoughts were spinning in a jumbled mess, so frantic that she was not sure what to do next. She knew she could not sit in the snow with JJ, but she also felt frozen to the spot. Heart in her throat, she fought the memories of the terror she had felt ten years ago. She was not willing to suffer through that again. She knew she had to get away while she still had the chance.

Coming to her feet, Emery released her grip around JJ's neck and cooed softly to him. However, at the same moment she let him go, his attention was seized by the door swinging open by force. It slammed against the jam with a thud that echoed across the yard and sent unwanted images flooding back. _Black clad men, ski masks, vicious laughter..._ Lights blazed and she heard their footfalls hurry inside as she fought back the flashback. They had stormed her cabin. _Just like they had stormed her house_.

Hackles rising, JJ took the intrusion into his home poorly. Despite Emery's frantic grasp, his instincts kicked in, and he did what he had been bred to do for generations. First and foremost, his loyal heart thought to protect his house and his beloved owner. With an angry growl and ferocious bark, JJ broke free from her grip and ran out into the clearing. Helpless to stop his forward momentum without revealing herself, Emery watched in horror as JJ ran across the yard snarling in rage. In an instant, the two figures re-emerged from the house, shadowed against the light in her kitchen. More evil than she feared, she heard their voices demanding action to stop her dog as JJ charged across the field.

"It's the dog. Get the dog!"

As if in slow motion, suddenly one of the shadowed forms was reaching into the waistband of his pants and pulling something free.

_Helpless_. _They had been too strong, and she could not fight them off._

She was just as helpless to stop what was about to occur, but she watched in horror each step JJ took. His powerful muscles cleared the distance in no time, and then he was lunging. A horrified scream reached Emery's ears as JJ latched on to the defensive arm one of the men held out to stop him. Both man and dog tumbled down the stairs into the muddy lawn. Still screaming, the man tried to force the large dog away. She heard JJ yelp among his snarls, and the wounded man quickly rolled away before he could regain the hold on his arm.

The wounded man continued screaming. "Shoot him!"

The second man hovered a safe distance away. Finally gaining an opening, suddenly the gun flashed brightly into the darkness nearly blinding her. Three times the gun went off before JJ's front legs gave out and he skidded on his belly in the wet snow with a yelp of pain just inches from the wounded man. The momentum of his attack propelled him forward on the cold, wet path before he finally stopped and lay completely still.

No more able to stop her reaction than she could stop her own breathing, Emery shot to her feet and pressed her hands against her mouth. But the howl escaped loud, ear-piercing and filled with so much pain she could not catch her breath.

"Noooo!"

Her scream ended on an agonized wail as she watched her best friend, her companion for the last five years, fall to the ground and lay still. The same face that had stared up at her with large, pleading black eyes at the age of seven weeks was now resting unmoving in the muddy path. She willed him to stir, begged him to get up, and stared in horror as he refused to do either.

The two men did not. Pointing and indicating in her direction, she heard the wounded one speak as he regained his feet. Though laced with pain, she knew that voice. "She's out there."

"Get the lights."

Reaching for something on the wet path, the wounded man she now knew was Augustin straightened, and suddenly two bright beams of light stretched across the clearing. Emery tore her gaze from her best friend to force herself into action. Stumbling blindly, she took off running through the snow, heedless to where she was going. Her tears flowed freely, blinding her and sending her into branches that scratched and clawed at her face, but she did not care. JJ was in the cold, wet mud, alone and scared, while she ran in the opposite direction. Still, she knew that in order to help him, she had to flee.

The sound of movement reminded her not to hesitate. _They_ were in hot pursuit behind her. She could hear the heavy footfalls splashing through the muddy path at first and then crunching through the snow as they entered the tree line. At the same time, her finely tuned ears heard the approach of cars on the road. They were travelling quickly, but she knew to cut back to the road would be foolish. Even if she was able get around the men in pursuit to flag a passing car, there was still one insurmountable obstacle. The creek. Almost filled to flood level, she would surely be swept away. Unlike Zach, she did not have the strength to swim against the strong current.

With no other option, she ran deeper into the woods, away from the vehicles. The meadow was up ahead, and the recent warm weather had melted much of the snow. She could easily cut through it without them being able to follow her tracks. The steps behind her were gaining, and Emery realized it was her only choice. Entering the meadow, she glanced left and right before heading toward the hide. Sticking to the soggy and beaten down grass as much as possible, she spied her sanctuary and ran as fast as she could in that direction.

So panicked in her headlong flight, when she reached her destination she slipped and slid as she tried to stop and finally fell forward, face first into the mud. Stunned, she glanced around in confusion and wondered what exactly had changed. Where her hide used to be was only trees. At first she continued to lie frozen, certain she was at the end of the road. But then it hit her. Zach had concealed her private place, just in case. With a surge of hope, Emery came to her feet and regained her footing. Just a few more steps to concealment, she thought.

They were steps she never had a chance to take. Hands grabbed her from behind, roughly pulling her back and throwing her to the ground. The air left her lungs in a shrill scream that reverberated through the meadow and up along the hillside when she landed hard in the supine position.

"I caught her," the unfamiliar voice called out.

Before she caught her breath, those hands were on her, roughly grasping her and holding her down. Panic threatened to claim her remaining sense, but Emery fought it back. She still had a weapon at her disposal.

In an act of sheer desperation, Emery lifted the bear spray, squeezed her eyes shut and discharged it. She was rewarded first by a muffled scream as the man who caught her abruptly released his grip and fell to the ground. Not waiting to see if he was getting up, Emery kept her eyes squeezed shut and scooted away across the muddy ground. The air was heavy with pepper gas that burned her nose, but it was the sweetest smell of freedom she had ever inhaled. With a short cry of triumph, she rolled over and came to her feet, holding the bear spray at the ready. She needed to get farther away quickly and run.

But her victory was short lived. Although the man who caught her was moaning and writhing a short distance away, Augustin found them both. No sooner had she regained her feet than she was violently tackled from behind and her hand viciously knocked aside. Stunned and dizzy, her grip on the bear spray was lost, and it bounced away out of her reach as she fell forward into the mud again. Head spinning, she grunted when Augustin's heavy weight crushed her beneath him. With her last weapon gone, Emery nearly gave up, but he roughly rolled her onto her back and straddled her with an evil snicker of conquest.

"Well, well, well," he said in a low voice that caused her blood to freeze in her veins. "Look at what I've caught."

"Get away!"

He laughed, but she heard the pain in the sound. She noticed that he held one of his arms tight against his chest. "Now why would I want to do that?"

Determined to fight, Emery raised her knees with all the strength she could muster, but they only connected with his back as Augustin's huge weight settled more painfully on her stomach. Despair loomed, but in a last ditch effort she angled her neck to bite the wrist that held her hands pinned above her head. A slight grunt reached her ears, and her eyes squeezed shut when she felt him lean close. Attempting to scream, Emery could not inhale deep enough to muster a sound with his weight heavy on her abdomen.

"Now don't be hating, or it'll just go worse for you. You do remember what happened last time, don't you?" To follow up his words, his tongue snaked out to lick her cheek all the way to her ear. A silent scream of terror escaped her lips.

Though she had tried valiantly to beat them, Emery knew she had no hope. Even worse was the realization that followed. _He_ had caught her.

"It's been a long time, Emery Flores, but I remember it all. You do too, don't you?" Emery moaned in anguish as his voice and words brought back that night in all its stark detail. She began to shudder violently, and he chuckled menacingly as she struggled to breathe. "Oh yes, you do. That's good. I've got you again, you hot little piece, and we have _a lot_ of catching up to do."

### Chapter 26

Ian pulled the rental into the driveway behind the cruiser's flashing lights, coming to an abrupt halt as they met the closed and locked gate. He had not even put the car in park when Zach was hopping out and running up the drive, leaping the gate without hesitation. Two more officers followed behind, and Zach heard Ian when he turned to Hayden in the back seat.

"Wait here until it's all clear," he said.

"I can help," Hayden retorted.

"Just wait."

"The front door is open," one of the officers warned.

Zach could feel his heart rise in his throat. He felt Ian's warning hand on his arm and bit the inside of his cheek to prevent himself from letting loose the terror that had continued to build. Banks had warned him of his involvement, and Zach still had enough sense to know he did not want to make these guys' jobs any harder than necessary, especially when he was not supposed to be there. Nevertheless, his heart sank when he heard a soft whine, and he paused long enough to spot a dark mass almost obscured by the increasing cloud cover laying on the worn trail that led off into the woods.

"Check it out," Ian said softly. The rest was left unsaid, but Zach caught the meaning loud and clear. Ian wanted in the house first... just in case.

Zach jogged over to the path and spotted JJ lying prone in the damp grass. He fell to his knees before the dog, whose breathing was labored and rapid. "Oh no."

Behind him, a flurry of activity caught his attention. They were in the house, calling for additional backup as they went in. One by one Zach could hear them clearing the three rooms, and his despair increased tenfold when he heard that Emery was not in there.

"Oh no, you crazy beast," Zach murmured with emotion coloring his voice. "What the hell happened?"

Focusing on what the dog could tell him, Zach ran his hands over his bulky body. Whatever happened had occurred recently. The ground under JJ was still cold to touch, and JJ's soft, thick coat was warm. When Zach pulled his hand away, it was covered with blood. The dog lifted his head slightly and rested it on Zach's knee in a move he had seen him do to Emery many times. He blinked up at him with what Zach could only describe as confusion, and his tailed wagged weakly.

"Dumb beast," Zach whispered unsteadily. "Where's your momma?"

Hearing the final all clear, Zach glanced over his shoulder. Colorado was famous for its dog-friendly atmosphere. He knew JJ would be a priority. "I have a dog down. Can we get some help out here?"

"Working on it."

He heard Ian telling them they needed to get the plate on the red car out to everyone, and then his cousin headed his way. The sorrow and regret in Ian's steps were evident across the distance, and Zach swallowed hard. He continued to stroke JJ's fur, for the first time feeling indecision. Without a doubt, he knew Emery would never forgive him if he abandoned JJ, but he was far too aware of how critical these next few hours would be for Emery's survival. He had less than 24 hours to find her. After that, the chances of finding her alive were slim to none.

As he determined his next move, a shrill scream reached his ears followed by a male's pained yell. Zach's hand froze, and he glanced into the woods. He knew exactly where that scream came from. The hide. Apparently she had led them off but had been caught.

Struggling to raise his head, JJ attempted to growl, but the effort was too much for him. "I'll get her," he whispered to the loyal dog. "Rest up, buddy. I'll take care of everything." Gently lifting JJ's head off his knee and replacing it on the ground, he scanned the crowd growing around him. "Somebody take care of this dog immediately. He's in a bad way."

Without waiting for an answer, he took off in a full run with his firearm by his side at the ready. Ian and two officers followed, using trees to cover their movements. Drawing on his training and experience, Zach used the last of his composure to maintain the proper procedure, but he nearly lost all control when the sounds of the struggle ahead reached his ears.

"Easy," he heard Ian whisper behind him. "I got your back but stay cool. You shouldn't even be here."

Cool was the last thing he felt when he entered the clearing and spotted them just yards away. Emery was on the ground, kicking and fighting to the best of her ability while the man mocked her feeble attempts. With Emery pinned down by one man while another lay writhing on the ground and frantically waving a gun, Zach could not help but react. As if travelling back in time, he moved on pure instinct and rage, rushing forward and slamming the wrist of the man with the butt of his gun. His pained groans exploded into a startled shriek, causing his companion to glance up in surprise. Without hesitation, Zach grabbed his hair and brought his knee up forcefully to connect with his chin, knocking him away from Emery with a startled grunt. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her roll away, but it did little to appease his rage. He followed up his knee with an elbow to his nose using all of his strength.

"Police! Nobody move!" Ian bellowed from behind him.

However, the rage Ian felt was nothing compared to Zach's when he saw the man he had knocked off Emery was none other than Adan Augustin. Knowing Ian had a sight on the other man, Zach continued forward.

"No way... What the -?" Adan breathed in disbelief. He blinked through watering eyes, but the recognition was clear. Apparently it was mutual. He stared up at Zach with wide eyes as blood poured from his nose.

"You dared touch her again?" Zach ground out through clenched teeth. A rage as pure and furious as molten lava engulfed him, and he grabbed the escaped convict by the collar of his jacket. Placing all his trust in Ian's ability to restrain the other man, Zach focused solely on Augustin. He lifted his bulk with a strength born of fury and pressed his Glock under his chin where the tattoo of a naked woman and the date of Emery's attack mocked him in the darkness. The reminder only stoked the fire of rage inside him into a soaring inferno.

Zach's finger found the trigger, twitching with the urge to kill him and finish the job he should have completed ten years ago. He wanted to end the man's life so Emery would never have to worry about him again. It would only take one shot... he could blow his head to pieces and fulfill his promise to Emery. It was a small price to pay for her happiness and peace.

"Zach." Ian's low, warning voice came from behind him. Although focused on the second man still moaning in pain, he was not so distracted he could not sense Zach's wrath...or the direction of his thoughts.

Zach ignored him and stared into the eyes of one of the men he hated with all his might. "You made a huge mistake coming back here."

The gun pressed harder into the fleshy skin under Augustin's chin. The other man's eyes were wide now with fear. He held his hands up in submission. "Wait! Just wait."

"I hope you've made peace with your Maker," Zach hissed.

"Agent Evans, lower your weapon," one of the officers warned.

"Zach, put the gun down." Ian's voice was more strained.

His voice was tight with finality. "No."

"Don't do it," his cousin begged.

Zach saw the realization in Augustin's dark eyes. His mouth began to work, but the pressure of Zach's gun made his words sound jumbled and strained.

"Hold on, we can talk about this," Augustin pleaded.

Zach dared not look at Emery. He kept his gaze riveted, full of hate, on Augustin's wide, panicked eyes. "Were you allowing her to talk?"

"Come on, man," he pleaded. "We can make a deal."

"Your time of cutting deals is over. See if you can strike a deal with the devil."

The second officer began to approach, using a stern voice in a futile attempt to put a halt to Zach's objective. "Evans!"

"Oh man, don't do this."

"You want your life?" Zach ground out. "When you were so willing to take hers?"

"I didn't do nothing to her."

"This has been a long time coming."

"But honest, I didn't do nothing."

The final lie was all Zach needed. His finger tightened around the trigger, and he watched unremorsefully as Augustin squeezed his eyes shut. "It's done," he said coldly.

A feeling of peace came over Zach at that moment, and he braced himself for the upcoming blast. But it was at that very same moment he felt hands clutch his shoulders. Distracted by the grasping hands, his finger did what it was trained to do and released the pressure on the trigger while remaining at the ready. Furious with the distraction, he attempted to shrug the arms away, slow to realize that Emery had regained her feet and thrown herself at him with all of her weight. It was not until she buried her face into his back that he realized she was there.

"Get away," she sobbed. "Just get away."

"Zach, lower your weapon," Ian warned.

"Please," Emery cried at the same time. "Come away."

"He's not going to hurt you ever again, Emery. I promised you that," Zach told her with finality. His finger again reached for the trigger. "This is one promise I will keep."

"No, no, just come away. He's not worth it," she cried. "Please come away. Come away now, Zach."

"I can't." He saw Augustin's eyes widen in fear and felt his finger tighten.

"You can, please." Emery's grip tightened around him. "Please get away."

"Zach, put it down," Ian said. His voice carried a slight undercurrent of panic that was not missed by anyone. The two officers formed a perimeter, their guns at the ready and strain on their faces. They watched him intently, ready to shoot if necessary.

"He touched you again," Zach said through clenched teeth.

"Come away... please," she pleaded.

Her words were filled with so much agony that Zach relented. With a frustrated growl, he thrust Augustin to the ground with a final kick and spun away, allowing Emery to drag him several feet away with her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. The two officers descended on Adan immediately while Emery continued to drag him away from the man he was so willing to kill.

"He's not worth it, don't you see? I can't lose you again," she sobbed. "I love you, Zach. Please."

The glow of flashlights announced the arrival of more backup. He heard them approach over the rushing in his ears, and raised voices broke the tense silence. Suddenly the peaceful meadow was awash with light as flashlight beams scanned the seven of them before settling on the two men on the ground. Augustin remained where Zach left him covered by the two uniforms, while the other man, who Zach recognized as none other than 2Tuff, was on his knees holding his hands to his face with Ian standing watchfully over him. The discarded can of bear spray lay several feet away, and Zach silently applauded Emery's bravery. If she had not found the courage to fight back... he could not think of what could have happened before he got there.

The arrival of the others managed to calm his rage slightly, and he allowed his arm to go around Emery and return her tight embrace. He wanted to soothe her, but at the moment all he could feel was the fury. Though his gun remained by his side, he continued to battle the urge to raise it and place a bullet in Augustin's head.

With the additional manpower, Ian approached and placed his hand on his arm in warning. "Stand down and let them handle things from here. It would be best if you give your report once you calm down."

Emery clung to him, her face pressed into his chest. She was trembling all over and leaning heavily against him, but his rage still held its tight grip on him. Taking several deep breaths to regain control, he finally managed to speak in a choked voice. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay, I'm okay," she said. She nodded into his chest but did not release her tight grip. It was almost as though she were telling herself the same thing, reminding herself that she was alive. She was safe. "Just don't let go yet."

Fully covered by the arriving officers, Zach turned his full attention to Emery. Holstering his weapon, he rested his chin on her crown and reached out with both arms to pull her against his chest. "Don't you worry," he said softly. "It's over, love. You're safe... And I love you so much I'm not going to let you go."

It was then her legs gave out from under her, and he bent to lift her into his arms. As he held her against his heaving chest in a similar way he had ten years ago, he realized it was true.

It really was over. She was safe. And once he had his affairs in order, he would never leave her again.

### Epilogue

Wearing a tank top and shorts, Emery grasped the shovel and her satchel and headed down the path to the meadow. The late-July sunshine was warm on the top of her head, and she was glad she had pulled her hair into a pony tail. The summer had been a scorcher so far, and a moist warm front had bathed her hills with the summer rain so desperately needed in her high country.

She whistled softly as she walked, trying to break the silence of her solitary steps. Though the birds chirped above her head, she missed the accompanying sounds of JJ's four paws, his small snorts as he sniffed his way along the route, and his happy and carefree bounding through the fallen leaves.

The walk was too quiet now, but she was slowly coming to terms with it.

Though her best friend had not survived the gunshot wound to his chest, she still had JJ with her - literally, in fact.

Finally able to touch the urn containing his ashes without crying, Emery decided it was time to bury him. She had gathered up his much loved chew toy, his collar, leash and frayed-edged Frisbee and packed it into the satchel. Taking a moment to carefully inspect each item, she had shed tears when she ran her finger over the chew marks and pulled a stray black hair from his coat off the collar. The Frisbee even bore puncture holes from his teeth, reminding her of her promise when he had passed away.

Entering the kitchen, she had collected the new Frisbee she had promised him as she unsuccessfully begged him to get up in the vet's office. He had been too weak to heed her pleas, but she still purchased his favorite toy and now placed it into her satchel as her final present to the dog she loved. While he may not have been able to enjoy it in life, she hoped he would enjoy it up in his Doggie Heaven.

The meadow was awash with green. She could hear JJ's favorite squirrel chattering in his normal busybody way. Emery headed straight for his tree. Yes, her most precious gift to her beloved friend was to bury his cremated remains at the base of the squirrel's tree where four police officers had installed a large polyethylene cross the previous week. Appearing at her door one sunny afternoon, they had produced the cross as a donation from the force to pay homage to the hero who had given up his life to protect her. Emery smiled as she approached the spot. Perhaps now that it was his final resting place he would be able to get closer to his little friend than he ever had in life.

Aware of the nervous chatter above her head, Emery set to work immediately. As she dug, she thought of Zach and the events that had occurred following JJ's death. It had been a busy time, but she was feeling much better about things now. Life had moved on. Her life. She was now a member of society with so much more to offer others as well as to herself.

No longer hiding behind turtlenecks, Emery displayed her scar with pride. It was a battle scar, a testament to what she had survived and endured. No longer did she feel shame or embarrassment when someone looked at her curiously. She now smiled back in a knowing way. If they wanted to stare, she would let them. She had survived what many others could not even imagine. Instead of breaking her, the events that occurred had helped her find her strength. With Zach's help, she recaptured her courage and fought back. Most importantly, this time she won.

Zach told her she was an inspiration and recommended she speak at a rape survivor's group. Emery still had not found the courage to go that far, but she was considering it once she was less busy at work.

Keeping his threat, Nathan Medina had bought up every piece Faith had displayed over the spring and summer, so Emery was hard at work to complete her bark beetle project as soon as she could. Though Nathan was not aware, he was helping her to donate some of her proceeds to the Forest Service to battle the growing epidemic. She smiled triumphantly at that.

Her work also kept her from missing Zach so much. Though he had been able to stay with her for an additional two weeks following JJ's death while Augustin and 2Tuff were booked and safely stowed in prison, she had only seen him two more times in the last two months as his case intensified. The last time she had borrowed Gage's truck and met him at the airport in Denver on a Friday evening. They had driven straight up to Estes Park to stay in the historic Stanley Hotel that weekend, and Zach spent the entire weekend persuading her to make their relationship more permanent. Forever, he said. No matter how many times Emery reminded him of how difficult it was to be so far apart, he remained firm. That Sunday evening he had left making plenty of plans, but she had barely heard from him since. Although he claimed he was sorting things out, she wondered if he feared telling her he would be unable to follow through. She refused to press, she refused to make demands, and she accepted that whatever happened was meant to be.

Hole now dug, Emery carefully brushed off her hands before removing each piece from the satchel and laying it out in front of her like a shrine. JJ's remains went in first, laid on the bed of pine needles that she had scooped up. Reverently, she again inspected each piece before placing it into the hole. She spoke to JJ as she lowered them.

"You'd almost outgrown this collar. I had it on my mental list to tell Gage to get me the next size up. I think the winter made you a little chubby..."

Next was the leash. "We never really used this, did we? You were always so good at keeping close and responding to my commands. I should write about dogs learning sign language."

Then the chew toy. "You spit this out at my feet so many times I thought you were trying to trip me. I used to swear to throw it in the trash, but I never did. Now I'm glad. As slimy and gross as it was, it deserves its place with you."

Finally she gathered up the beloved Frisbees, both old and new. She placed them in together, though the chew marks and puncture holes made it impossible for them to line up perfectly. She wiped at her tears, not caring that she left a muddy swipe on her cheek from the damp earth.

"And here's both the old and new Frisbee I promised you. JJ, I wish we had another chance to play in this meadow. Nothing made me smile more than seeing your tail bounce up in the tall grass while you chased the silly thing. You would look so awkward sometimes when you jumped in the air and twisted to catch it. Keep playing JJ, don't ever stop."

All items in the ground, Emery sat back and inspected the small grave. The squirrel still chattered away above her head, and a nut dropped on the ground beside her. She glanced up and smiled at her offended little friend.

"Almost done, little guy," she said softly.

With a trembling hand, she reached into the grave and organized everything one last time. It was hard to say goodbye again, but she was confident she was doing the right thing. The finality of the dirt that slowly filled her hole broke her heart, but she smiled into the sparkling blue sky as she covered him up, knowing that he was looking down at her and panting happily with his cheerful, expressive brown eyes and rapidly wagging tale.

"I love you, JJ," she whispered.

Smoothing the dirt over the hole, Emery pulled her final item from the satchel. It was a polished and sealed pine headstone that she had carved for him. JJ's happy face stared back at her, exactly as she remembered him. She set that atop the grave, wiped it clean, and then sat back on her haunches to read the carving.

JJ, beloved friend and companion.

Struck down in the line of duty.

April 2007 – May 2012

R.I.P. Best Friend

A rustling sound in the grass caught her attention, and she looked up in time to see a small, black nose appear through the nearly knee-high grass. The nose turned into a brown and black round body, and it hurled itself at her with its long tail wagging so rapidly that it nearly fell over in its haste.

Emery's eyebrows shot up in surprise when it jumped up and licked her face.

"Well hello, little..." She glanced down. "Guy. Where did you come from?"

Squirming and making little grunts, the wriggling bundle of fur continued to attack her with puppy kisses. She laughed and pulled him away, suddenly noticing a glint in the sunlight from around his little collar. A ribbon, tied tightly into a bow, and a beautiful ring. Gasping, Emery reached for the ring and caught it between her fingers, taking note of the large solitaire diamond with a sharp inhale.

Scooping up the puppy, Emery came to her feet and scanned the meadow from one end to another as excitement stole her breath away. Her heart pounded in her chest, this time with joy and happiness. There, among the trees, stood a tall, broad shape, hovering just out of sight in the shadow of the tree line.

Emery sighed and stroked the downy puppy fur while the squirming bundle continued to bathe her face with his tongue. She took a step forward, and her sigh turned into a broad smile.

Could it be?

Holding the puppy to her chest, Emery's feet moved of their own accord. Before long, she was jogging, and her smile turned in to happy laughter. As she crossed the meadow, two strong arms suddenly spread wide in invitation, and he dropped to one knee. Her steps slowed, and she breathed her pleasure in a single word before she closed the remaining distance between them.

"Zachary."

The End

### Coming late-spring 2012

### Eyes on Tango

### The Evans Family, Book Three

The story continues to unfold with Hayden Evans:

Escaping from a humiliating breakup, Dr. Danielle Ryan packed her bags for the beautiful Mayan Riviera in search of a peaceful, sunny vacation. What she found instead was a dangerous drug lord, and he is hot on her tail to silence her after she witnesses a murder. Her only hope lies in the dark, mysterious Good Samaritan that saves her from a bullet and drags her to safety. But can she trust the sexy man with the dancing eyes, a gun in his hand and too many secrets he's unwilling to share?

Known to his family as the unreliable one, happy-go-lucky Hayden Evans tends to allow them to think what they will. The truth of the matter is that he's not who he appears to be. All was going well with his double life when he suddenly finds himself responsible for an innocent doctor, and he knows his house of cards is about to come crumbling down. When ally turns to enemy and he becomes a target, he knows he should cut the beautiful doctor loose to save her life.

A danger to each other as well as to themselves, as Danielle and Hayden keep running to stay alive the chemistry grows. While fleeing up the beautiful Mexican coast, Hayden develops a plan. While risky, his concern for the brave doctor outweighs his worries. Calling in the Evans troops, he soon learns that he's in the middle of their unfolding case, and more than Danielle's life is on the line.

Join Dani and Hayden in their non-stop tropical adventure this June!

About the Author

΅

Always composing stories in her head, Collette began her first novel at the age of eight. Since then, she has obtained her bachelor's degree in English literature and master's degree in education while squeezing in her writing whenever possible. _Through Winter Skies_ is the second in her Evans Family Series and her fourth published novel, including the highly acclaimed drama, _Forever Sunshine_ , and popular contemporary romance, _Hannah's Blessing_. The best-selling New England native now resides in Arizona with her husband, three children and multiple family pets.

For more information visit: http://www.collettescott.com

Facebook page: AuthorColletteScott

Twitter: @collettescott

