Page 12 of A Ranger for Christmas
When had her pattern of leaving men begun? “What did he do?”
“Sent me a few annoying texts and e-mails after I ended it. It was getting really tiring. Finally, he stopped bothering me. I quickly put him out of my mind.”
He reached for a notebook he always kept tucked in his coat pocket. “What was his name?”
“Reed North. But do you really think it could be him? It’s been almost two years and I’ve not heard a word from him in eleven months. Odd he’d just forget about me and suddenly pop back up.”
“You never know what’s happening in his life. He could have been traveling out of the country, in jail, or dating someone else. We don’t always know why stalkers reactivate.”
“Stalker. Sounds dramatic.”
“They’re a real danger.” He glanced at the papers. “And the texts could be connected to those. Mayans did their share of sacrifices.”
She shook her head. “ ‘Sacrifices must be made.’ Sounds too generic.”
He wasn’t so sure, but didn’t want to spook her any more tonight. “Good coffee.”
“I can only cook a few dishes, but I cook them well.”
“Part of that defined skill set.”
“Yeah.”
Remembering something else she did real well, he rubbed his index finger over the mug’s handle. “I’ve called DPS and they’re going to step up patrols in the area.”
“Thanks.” She skimmed her palms over her jeans. “You don’t have to stay.”
He took hold of the mug and sipped his coffee. “I can stay.”
She met his gaze. Her cheeks brightened with color, and the look in her eyes reminded him of Merida.
Clearing her throat, she pressed her palm to the base of her neck as if calming a racing heart. “I’m fine. And I’ve kept you long enough.”
He glanced at the papers while hiding a smile, wondering if she remembered the warm, musky air of his Mexican hotel roomand the way she’d sucked in a breath when he’d trailed his hand over her flat belly. “You going to sleep?”
She rose. “I’ll sleep some. Got to get my act together and get myself to my dad’s house later tonight.”
He stood up, in no rush to leave. “You wrapped those trucks?”
“Not yet.”
“Life does get in the way,” he said.
She swallowed as if realizing he wasn’t talking about Christmas now. “Thanks for coming. I’ll call you tomorrow with an update.”
He heard the stress weaving through the words. “Call me tomorrow.”
“Will do.”
Ignoring the cool night air that seeped through the thin jacket, the figure stood in the shadows, waiting and watching Marisa’s house. There’d been a rush of excitement when the rattling door had made Marisa shriek and pace in front of the sheered windows. That moment had been better than any Christmas present.
When the Ranger had shown, he’d moved with quick precision, closing the gap between his SUV and her front door in quick, purposeful strides. She’d let him in immediately, and when she’d looked up into his face, her relief had been palpable.
Clenching chilled fingers, the figure stepped back farther into the shadows. Frustration ate at him, and for a moment, thoughts swirled as anger boiled.
Finally, several deep breaths calmed a racing heart. This job was going to be far tougher than first imagined. The next move would have to be more aggressive. Marisa needed to be stopped.She needed to be taught a lesson. Needed to be brought down a peg.
This battle might be lost, but the war was far from over.
