Page 13 of Night Moves
“I’m not thinking of two-legged danger but four-legged. Bears are waking up from hibernation and looking for food. They’re known to break into and trash cabins in their search. I haven’t been here in a while so I want to be sure one hasn’t moved in.”
“Oh, right. Bears.” She shuddered.
He watched her for a second. She seemed nervous now, not afraid. Maybe uncomfortable. “You’re not big on the outdoors.”
“Nope. Give me a book and a cozy fire inside an adorable little cottage on the beach, and I’m a happy girl.”
Now it was Drake’s turn to frown. He was attracted to her. Big time. And he admired her and liked her personality. She might be a woman he could date when this was all over. But she didn’t seem to like any of the things he did. Dating would never work.
Stop thinking about that, doofus. Get your mind on work and keep it there.
He grabbed a flashlight from the bin between the seats. “Erik will join you while I’m gone.”
“Thanks.” She smiled, but it was strained.
He got out and scanned the area while Erik marched past him and slid into the car. One final look at Natalie and the kids, and Drake started up a flagstone path he’d put in this past fall. He could just imagine Natalie trying to navigate it in the heels. He would offer to help her, but he suspected she would refuse.
He swung the light over the shrubs and undergrowth along the path, his pulse just a bit faster than normal. He wasn’t afraid of the dark or what lurked beyond the clearing he worked hard to maintain. But he had a healthy respect for bears and for adversaries. He planted his hand on his weapon and searched for a bear’s beady eyes looking back at him. Nothing but dark and fog.
Drake knew what to do if a five-hundred-pound bear showed itself. But if Natalie felt a need to break the law by abducting Gentry’s children and running, the guy had to be bad news, and Drake didn’t know enough yet to be fully confident in making sure Natalie and the kids were safe.
He reached his small porch, the steps creaking underfoot, and unlocked the door. As soon as the kids were settled, he’d question Natalie about Gentry. But answers or not, with her terror, Drake suspected he was facing a very worthy foe, and he’d have to bring his A-game to keep the two-legged danger at bay.
4
Natalie hardly jumped when Erik slid into the SUV, the sharp night wind coming in with him as he locked eyes with her. His jaw, covered in a thick five-o’clock shadow, dropped. “Oh…hi. I didn’t expect…” He shook his head.
“Expect what?”
“You.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Drake didn’t mention you were so young and well…nice looking.”
She didn’t know what to make of his comment. “I guess that was a compliment, so thank you.”
He shook his head. “Sorry. You took me by surprise. Let’s start over.” He shoved out his hand. “Erik Byrd, in case my brother didn’t say.”
“He did.” She took hold of his hand. “Natalie Dunn.”
He released her hand and stared out the front window.
She took in his profile illuminated by the dashboard lights. He didn’t look like she’d expected either. He had light brown eyes and dishwater blond hair in a buzz cut. Nothing like Drake’s dark coloring. His wide shoulders and trim body spoke to many hours working out in a gym.
He turned and caught her watching him.
“You don’t resemble Drake at all,” she said bluntly, as she couldn’t very well hide the fact that she’d been staring.
“He takes after our dad. I look like Mom. So does our sister, Sierra.”
“She’s the one who works at the Veritas Center.”
He nodded. “Forensic expert and darn good at her job.”
“Any other siblings?”
“Three more brothers. Aiden, Brendan, Clay, Drake, and then me.”
“Alphabetical order.”
“Our parents thought it would be cute to do that.” He rolled his eyes. “It was a pain growing up, but it does help people remember our names.”
