Page 85 of A Tempting Seduction

“Okay, that’s one.” Ford nodded. “Give me another.”

“Could be that the FBI has pulled him in for questioning, because they already had a source who’ve given them enough information to ask him questions, but not enough for a case. Therefore, Horace starts panicking and again, wants to tie up loose ends.”

I frowned. “Do you think Dad could have given the FBI that information?”

“That tracks.” Roan smiled. “He could have given the FBI a little, and then threatened Horace that he would give them everything if Horace did anything to you.”

“But he’s dead,” I practically wailed. “Dad can’t turn anything over.”

“But Horace doesn’t know that. He’ll think you have something.” Roan looked at me closely. “Are you sure your dad didn’t give you something more? A wallet with the cash that might have had a USB drive in it? Something?”

I shook my head. “It all came in a plain white envelope.”

“What are our next steps?” Ford asked.

“We start investigating, Lance, Diane, and Horace. A deep dive.” Simon explained.

“Anything else?”

“We'll also need to implement some security measures,” Simon added. “Just as a precaution.”

The weight of the situation settled over me. This morning, my biggest worry had been whether Ford and I were moving too fast. Now I was potentially the target of a criminal conspiracy involving judicial corruption and political money.

“I can't pay you,” I said quietly. “Not right away.”

Simon waved off my concern. “You’re a member of Jasper Creek. That makes you family. Family doesn’t pay.”

“Besides,” Roan added with a slight smile, “cases like this are exactly why we got into this business. Some fights are worth having.”

Ford squeezed my hand, and some of the tension left my shoulders. I wasn't alone anymore. I had Ford, and now I had Onyx Security. Whatever Horace Waters and Lance Leeds were planning, they were about to discover that Ruby Miller wasn't the defenseless girl who'd fled California two years ago.

I was Ruby Miller of Jasper Creek, Tennessee. I had people who cared about me, people who would fight for me.

And I was done running.

Chapter Eighteen

The yellow house on Elm Street buzzed with more energy than I'd seen since the church social last spring. Cars lined both sides of the narrow street, and I could hear laughter spilling out through the open windows before I even reached the front porch. Miss Gladiola and Little Grandma had outdone themselves.

I climbed the front steps alone, breathing in the incredible smells drifting from the kitchen. Ruby had been here since early morning, helping with the prep work and getting to know her mother's family recipes. Word traveled fast in Jasper Creek, especially when it involved Miss Gladiola's cooking and Little Grandma’s stories.

The front door opened before I could knock, and Little Grandma appeared wearing a flour-dusted apron and a big smile.

She wrapped me in a hug that smelled like cinnamon and vanilla. “Perfect timing. We just pulled the last batch of biscuits from the oven.” Then she yelled for Ruby over her shoulder.

The living room was packed with familiar faces. Trenda Avery-Clark sat on the sofa with her husband Simon, their seven-year-old daughter Bella perched on the arm beside them while baby Drake slept in his carrier at their feet. Roan Thatcher occupied the wingback chair near the window, his wife Lisa curled up on the ottoman beside him, her hands still bearing faint traces of motor oil despite obvious scrubbing.

“Ford!” Bella launched herself off the sofa arm and barreled toward me. “Did you bring your measuring tape? Mom said you might show me how to measure boards for the treehouse.”

I ruffled her dark hair. “I might have one in my truck. But shouldn't you be helping with the cooking?”

“I got kicked out of the kitchen,” Bella announced with zero shame. “Apparently, I'm too enthusiastic with the flour.”

Lisa laughed. “That's code for she dumped half a bag on the floor trying to measure it herself.”

“It was an accident,” Bella protested.

Simon stood and shook my hand. “Good to see you, Ford. Ruby’s in the kitchen,” he said knowingly.