Page 2 of Micah

Micah Turner was sex on two legs with his dark hair and eyes the color of dark chocolate surrounded by thick, lush lashes that she or probably any woman would kill for. A sexy mouth, with a bowed upper lip and full bottom lip, that she desperately wanted to suck into her mouth and nibble on, sat under a straight nose. Sexy stubble covered his strong chiseled jaw and neck.Patsy wouldn’t let him know she was attracted to him. She couldn’t get involved with anyone at this time in her life, in case she had to run which was what she was doing now.

“Patsy,” Micah snapped.

She drew in a deep breath.

“Eighteen months ago, while I was visiting my parents and friends in Oregon, and…uh…I witnessed a murder." She paused allowing the sudden onset of anxiety to pass. “I was on my way to a friend’s place, and I couldn’t find anywhere to park, so I had to park on the next street over. I decided to cut through an alley. It wasn’t dark yet, and I’d done it so many times when I lived there that I wasn’t scared.” She paused again and breathed. “I saw a man and a woman arguing. I was thinking of just going back the way I’d come when suddenly, he stabbed her in the stomach and then in the chest. I’m surprised I didn’t scream. I guess I just froze. Anyway, I started to back up and ran smack into a trashcan. He looked up and saw me. I turned and ran as fast I could. I could hear him behind me. I ran around the corner, and a door attendant at an apartment complex was holding the door open for someone leaving so I ran inside. Of course, he yelled at me, but I ducked behind the counter. The woman at the counter told me to leave or she’d call the police. I was shaking and couldn’t say anything. Then I heard a man’svoice asking the man at the door if anyone had run in here or passed by. The door attendant told him he saw someone run past and the woman behind the counter told him that a tenant had just left, but no one had come in. I guess they figured out I was in trouble because when the man left, the woman called the police. I testified against him at the trial.”

“Good for you.”

“I thought so at the time but when the verdict came back guilty, he swore he’d find a way to get to me, and I’d live to regret putting him away. I was approached by the US Marshals to enter witness protection because the man I testified against was Victor White.”

Micah hissed in a breath. “You should have then. Why didn’t you?”

“I am not going into hiding and never see my family or friends again. I can’t imagine not seeing my family or Bella again.”

“Do you have any idea how powerful the man is that you put away?”

“I didn’t then but when the Marshals approached me, they informed me.”

“Did you tell Mont or Nathan?”

“I refuse to put them in danger.”

Micah smirked. “But it’s no problem putting me in danger?”

“Agent Turner, I just can’t take the chance that Bella or Mont would be hurt because of me, they have children to thinkof. Nathan has Shelly and a daughter, you—”

“Don’t have anyone. Is that it?” He stood and walked to the fireplace and turned around to face her. “Why now? What’s going on?”

“For the past week, I’ve been seeing the same man everywhere I go. At first, I thought it was a coincidence but after seeing him four times, I knew it wasn’t. I hadn’t seen him for a couple of days so I decided to visit Bella, but I saw him following me and I knew I had to leave Dry River. I lost him so I quickly drove to my house and packed some clothes, and asked Roni to watch my dog. Just as I got back into my car and pulled out of the driveway, he came up behind me. I drove as fast as I could but he continued to follow me. I had made the decision when I saw him the last time to come here and see if you could help me. He followed me for hours, but once I got on the interstate I was able to move over faster than he could, and I got off at the next exit ramp. I saw him drive on by, but still trying to get over. Even if he got off at the next exit, he would have no idea where I was going.”

“How did you know where I live?”

Micah walked back to the sofa and sat down then leaned forward resting his arms on his thighs, he clasped his hands.

“From Bella’s address book. I know she keeps it in the office in their house. I askedto use the computer to check for flights to Oregon.” Patsy shrugged.

“How do you expect me to help you?”

“I’m not sure. I’m scared. Can’t you arrest him?”

“For what? You really don’t have any proof he’s following you.”

Patsy jumped up. “So I just wait until he kills me? Is that it?Thenthe big bad FBI agent will arrest him?”

Micah slowly stood and towered over her. “You should do what the Marshals suggested.”

“No!”

She quickly blinked back tears. There was no way she’d cry in front of him.

“Forget it. I’ll go. Thanks for nothing.” She turned to leave the room when he wrapped his fingers around her wrist.

“Stop. Just stay here for a few days, and I’ll see what I can find out. We’ll talk more in the morning.” He cocked his head. “Just what were you planning to do once you sneaked into my house?”

“Sleep on your couch until you got up in the morning.”

Micah shook his head and blew out a laugh. “You certainly have some balls, pixie. Come with me. You can sleep in the spare bedroom. You’re lucky I don’t set the alarm when I’m here, or we’d be surrounded by cops. Did you bring clothes with you?”

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