had to believe that or she might climb into bed, pull the covers over her head and stay there.
FOUR
The alarm went off at four-thirty, and Susannah fumbled to turn it off. She needed to drag herself out of bed, get showered and dressed and ready for work, but all she really wanted to do was stay exactly where she was, locked in her bedroom, locked in her house, safe from the world.
She frowned, forcing herself up and out of the bedroom. There were days when she thought it would be too easy to give in and watch from the window as the world passed by. Plenty of days, but she knew what a slippery slope that would be. One day at home. Then another. Before she knew it, she’d never leave.
She showered quickly, trying not to look too closely at the scar that bisected her abdomen. It had faded to pale lavender, but it was still a stark reminder of how close she’d come to dying. There were other scars. A small one on her rib cage. A deep one on her palm. A dark purple crescent below the hollow of her throat.
She buttoned her uniform to the neck, hiding the darkest scar. She wasn’t ashamed of it, but she’d been asked about it too many times, and she was tired of the shock and pity she saw in people’s eyes when she answered. It would be even worse to see that shock and pity in Levi’s eyes.
Not that he didn’t already know what she’d been through.
She’d seen recognition in his eyes when she’d told him about Aaron’s death. No doubt, he’d remembered the news story and knew why Aaron had been running from the police.
He hadn’t asked for details.
At least there was that.
She pulled her hair into a ponytail, leaning close to the mirror and touching the dark shadows beneath her eyes. She looked as tired as she felt, her freckles contrasting too sharply with her pale skin. She brushed on some blush, dabbed gloss on dry lips and shoved her Stetson over her hair. Enough staring in the mirror. She had a meeting to attend, breakfast to get through, another day to navigate.
And Levi back in her life after fourteen years.
She wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
She stepped outside, inhaling cold, clean air, trying to clear her mind, ready herself for the day. God had a plan. She knew it, had clung to that knowledge even during the most difficult times after the attack.
He had a plan.
He’d see it through.
That was good enough. It had to be.
She’d always loved early morning, loved the silence before dawn. What she didn’t like was the darkness that hovered at the edges of her well-lit porch, the shadows that swayed and swooped across the yard.
All she had to do was step off the porch, walk a few feet to her car and drive to the Alamo. Such an easy thing. Something that millions of people did every morning. Something that Susannah had once done without thought. Those days were gone, though, and she listened to the quiet, searching the darkness for signs that someone was waiting to pounce.
She hurried to the Mustang, opening the door and sliding in, her heart beating too fast, adrenaline coursing through her. Her hand shook as she shoved the key in the ignition and started the engine.
Car headlights appeared on the street behind her, and she waited impatiently for the vehicle to pass. The sooner she got on the road and started her day, the better she’d feel. Keeping her mind busy and her thoughts focused was the only way to keep the fear at bay.
But the car didn’t pass. It pulled into the driveway, blocking her from leaving. Cold with dread, she grabbed the cell phone from her purse as she stared into the rearview mirror.
Would someone get out of the car, or would it pull back out onto the street?
Should she wait to see or call for help?
She waited, her heart jumping as the door opened and a familiar figure got out.
Levi!
Surprised, relieved, she got out of the Mustang, walked to meet him.
“What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.”
“Well, you found me. Which is strange since I didn’t give you my address.”
“You gave me your business card. I typed your phone number into a search engine and got your address. I called and left a message on your answering machine about twenty minutes ago. Since I didn’t hear from you, I thought I’d swing by and see if you wanted to ride into work together.”
“Sorry. I didn’t get your message.”
“It’s probably for the best.”
“Why’s that?”
“You would have told me you could drive yourself to the Alamo.”
“Probably.”
“But now that I’m here, you can’t refuse the ride.”
“Can’t I?”
“Not if you don’t want to miss out on the coffee I brought for you.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes.”
“With cream and sugar?”
“If you want.”
“Then, I guess you’re right. I can’t refuse.”
He chuckled and opened the door of a dark sedan, gesturing for her to slide inside. Warm leather, soft classical music, the scent of Levi’s aftershave hanging in the air—they enveloped Susannah, filled her with a longing she hadn’t expected. It was a heady reminder of what she’d once been.
“Did you sleep well, Suzy-Q?” He handed her a take-out coffee, his profile hard and handsome, his gaze focused straight ahead as he drove toward the Alamo. Dark hair peeked out from his broad-rimmed cowboy hat, and she knew it was silky and smooth, had touched it more than once when she was a kid.
“Suzy-Q?” The nickname made her smile.
“You used to hate it when I called you that.” He returned the smile, the dimple peeking out of his cheek.
“I think I still do.”
He laughed, the sound pouring out into the car, filling the empty spot in Susannah’s heart that he’d left years ago.
And now he was back in her life, easing his way back into her heart.
But she wasn’t the girl who’d cried for a week when he went to college. She wasn’t the child who’d idolized him. She was an adult with too many problems and not enough solutions.
“You didn’t answer my question.” His words seeped into her thoughts, and she took a sip of coffee, trying to wash down the lump in her throat.
“About how I slept? About as good as could be expected. I kept thinking about that unlocked gate.”
“You and me both. I’m anxious to hear what Chad discovered after we left.”
“If he discovered anything. Maybe you were right. Maybe I did just leave the gate open.”
“I don’t think I ever said that’s what happened.”
“I’m sure you were thinking it.”
“For about two seconds, but I know you. I know you’re thorough in everything you do.”
“You knew me.”
“That, too.”
“Levi…”
“What?”
“We need to keep this professional.”
“Isn’t that what we’re doing?” He pulled into a parking lot a few