Secrets lie buried in ice...

One of them can kill her.

Home for Christmas after her long-missing mother’s body is found, nothing will keep Nora Livingstone from uncovering the truth about the cold case. Especially not Deputy Sheriff Rush Buchanan, whom she once loved and left. Even when threats become attempts on her life, Rush can’t dissuade her—but he will protect her. Because someone is determined to bury the truth…or bury Nora.

JESSICA R. PATCH lives in the mid-South, where she pens inspirational contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. When she’s not hunched over her laptop or going on adventurous trips with willing friends in the name of research, you can find her watching way too much Netflix with her family and collecting recipes for amazing dishes she’ll probably never cook. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her at jessicarpatch.com.

Also By Jessica R. Patch

Fatal Reunion

Protective Duty

Concealed Identity

Final Verdict

Cold Case Christmas

The Security Specialists

Deep Waters

Secret Service Setup

Dangerous Obsession

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Cold Case Christmas

Jessica R. Patch

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-08658-5

COLD CASE CHRISTMAS

© 2018 Jessica R. Patch

Published in Great Britain 2018

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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Version: 2020-03-02

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The only sound was the snow crunching under their feet.

Nora leaned into Rush as they walked to the cabin.

Crack!

The gunshot sprayed the snow a foot from them.

Someone had been lying in wait, Rush realized. To get her. To get them.

“Run!” When Nora obeyed his command, he ushered her behind a tree.

Another shot fired, this one splintering the bark, and he fired back. Grabbing Nora’s hand, he hauled her into the woods with him.

When they’d made it deep inside, the firing stopped.

“Now what do we do?” Nora asked, her panting breath coming out in plumes in the cold night.

Either the shooter had given up...or he was tracking them quietly. Stalking them.

“We double back to the chalet and call for backup,” he told her.

But his deputy sheriff’s mind reeled with the potential danger. With a list of potential suspects. Someone had planned this attack carefully. Could be anyone. Nora’s mother had had a slew of deadly secrets...

And now one of them was out to get Nora.

Dear Reader,

When I think about Jesus, I think about how He was born into scandal. How many people believed that a young girl who was betrothed to another man really was carrying the Son of God? I’m sure there were whispers all His life about how His mother must have “stepped out” on Joseph. Yet Joseph married her anyway—thanks to a dream from God. He loved her amidst the rumors. I wanted to write about that.

Nora was born into scandal. She lived in that shadow for so long. Rumors. But not only did Joshua—her adopted father—love her as his own, God loved her as His very own. God loves you. You are His very own. No matter what your background, what you were born into or what happened to you that you had no control over. You can come out from under that shadow and live in the light through the sweet, healing love of Jesus. You can be free to be who you are meant to be in Christ.

I love to hear from readers. Please email me at: jessica@jessicarpatch.com and visit my website at www.jessicarpatch.com. Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter, Patched In, to receive book news, sales and freebies while you’re there!

Merry Christmas,

Jessica

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

—Proverbs 18:10

To the lonely and fearful hearts. God sees. He knows. He loves you and is always for you. Stand firm in your faith and trust He’s working on your behalf. Perfect love casts out all fear.

As always, thank you to...

my brainstorming partner and rough draft reader, Susan Tuttle; my wonderful agent, Rachel Kent; and my brilliant editor, Shana Asaro. It takes a village to birth a book. Thank you for being my village!

Special thanks to: Michael Fagin at West Coast Weather for helping me with the forensic meteorology portion of the story. Any mistakes or stretches I made for fictional purposes are all on me! You were wonderful to talk to and provided a plethora of information. I appreciate your time in answering all of my questions thoroughly and professionally.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

FIVE

SIX

SEVEN

EIGHT

NINE

TEN

ELEVEN

TWELVE

THIRTEEN

FOURTEEN

FIFTEEN

SIXTEEN

SEVENTEEN

Extract

About the Publisher

ONE

A country a version of “Holly Jolly Christmas” played inside Chief Deputy Sheriff Rush Buchanan’s Bronco. His coffee steamed from the insulated thermos and sleet pelted his windshield. Blue lights flashed and cast eerie shadows over Shepherd Rock Lake. Wind jostled his vehicle as he slid his hands into his lambskin gloves. Nothing about this moment was “holly” or “jolly.”

He opened the door and braved the nasty weather. East Tennessee had its perks, though. Splendor Pines was the gateway to the gorgeous Smoky Mountains, capped in white at the moment. But now, in the darkness, with the mountains shadowing the horizon, everything appeared sinister, especially with the headlights shining on the rusted and mud-caked car they’d dragged from the lake.

The crunching of tires on gravel turned Rush’s attention from the car and the pit in his gut. Sherriff Troy Parsons parked beside him and climbed out. He frowned and flipped his collar over his ears. “Well?” he asked in his gruff voice.

“It’s a Jaguar. Deputy Tate ran the plates. It’s hers.”

Troy grunted. Rush didn’t need to expound. Marilyn Livingstone had driven a Jaguar and she’d been missing since Christmas Eve seventeen years ago.

“Remains inside?”

“Skeletal. I think DNA is going to confirm it.”

“Any other remains?”

“No.”

Troy cocked his head, studied the vehicle dripping with water and debris. “Theories?”

Rush had plenty. But speculating aloud wasn’t smart. Especially with the small crowd that had gathered. He moved closer to Troy, his mentor and father figure after Dad became a shell of the man he once was. “I know rumors say she ran off with a man that Christmas Eve.” One of many she’d been whispered to have had affairs with. Not all were lies. Rush had witnessed it with his own eyes on the very night Marilyn vanished. Only Troy knew his secret.

Troy hunched in the cold and rolled his toothpick around lips that were hidden by a dark mustache and beard. “You want to call the Livingstones? Or would you rather not deal with talking to the eldest daughter?”

“You can say her name.” Nora. The woman Rush thought he was going to marry. Then Marilyn went missing and metaphorically, so did Nora. She retreated into herself and broke things off just before she left for college. Rush sighed, took his flashlight and trudged through the snow to the car. A crime scene tech was photographing and collecting materials. “Find anything?”

“A round, silver cuff link and partial remains of a man’s masquerade mask.”

Could they have belonged to the man Rush had seen Marilyn with that night? He turned to Troy. “How do you want to proceed?”

“I don’t know why she’d be out this far from home with the biggest event of the year going on, but it turned into a tragic accident. Pretty cut-and-dried, don’t you think?”

Seemed so. “Suppose we’ll know more once Gary can examine the bones. Course he won’t be able to determine cause of death if it’s drowning,” Rush said.

“What else would it be? Other than maybe the impact of crashing into the lake knocked her out. I’ll be honest, I hope that’s the case and she wasn’t conscious when the waters took her. But let’s leave it to Gary. He ought to be rolling in soon.”

Rush agreed.

“We need to call Joshua,” Troy said. “He’ll want to know we’ve discovered his wife.” Joshua Livingstone owned the biggest resort and lodge in Splendor Pines. A powerful man, but one of the kindest Rush had ever known. He’d handled the many rumors about his wife with poised grace. Which—if Rush hadn’t witnessed Marilyn kissing a man in a Phantom of the Opera mask that night of the annual Christmas Eve Masquerade Ball—he wouldn’t have believed. What kind of man wouldn’t have a meltdown over his wife cheating on him? Numerous times—if all the tales were true.

Rush adjusted his wool collar; icy beads had steadily slicked down his neck, but he didn’t mind. His whole body was flushed. “I guess Nora will come home.” Granted she came every Christmas Day, but only for the day. Rush had to share some of the blame for that.

“You ready?” Troy asked.

Was anyone ready to see the person they thought they’d have the rest of their lives with? “I’ve moved on, Troy.”

“And your last date was?”

“Six months ago with Brandy Walker.” She was sweet. Lived in the neighboring town. They met at a church singles social. But he hadn’t felt a spark. Would he ever? Would he always be a lonely bachelor living in a house too big for one man on the side of the mountain?

Troy grunted. “I know Nora was a pretty little thing. Still is. But at some point, you’re going to have to stop comparing other women to her. Who’s to say you’d even have a thing in common with her anymore?”

The downside to father figures. They felt the license to say whatever and whenever. And however. “I’m over Nora Livingstone. Not finding the right woman has nothing to do with her and everything with God’s timing.” Which was slower than Grandma Buchanan’s homemade sorghum. “Sometimes I wish you weren’t my mentor,” he deadpanned.

“Sometimes I do too.” Troy smirked. “I’ll call Joshua and give him the news. Merry early Christmas.”

“And a happy New Year to no one,” Rush muttered.

Troy shook his head and climbed back inside his vehicle to make the call, leaving Rush to the wreckage. The body. Why would you leave Nora and Hailey, Marilyn? She may not have been faithful to her husband, but she’d doted on her girls.

New gawkers arrived with local media.

“Is that Marilyn’s car?” a few asked.

“Poor Joshua.”

“He’s probably relieved to be rid of that...”

Insults, opinions and gossipy speculation rode on the wind, slapping Rush’s face with frozen fingers. Gossip murdered the spirit. He’d witnessed it happen to his own father. Over ten years now and he’d never returned to pastoring or part-time law enforcement no matter how hard Rush and the rest of his family prayed. Dad had chosen to hide from everything and everyone.

Rush turned on the crowd. “Someone is dead. This person had family and friends, so show a little respect, please, or I’ll have every last one of you dragged from here. Am I clear?”

The onlookers quieted. For now.

Before long a black Escalade pulled up next to Rush’s Bronco. Joshua Livingstone—larger than life in his long, black fancy coat—stepped out. Jet-black hair and intense eyes, the same color, focused on Rush. “Troy called.” His voice was baritone but soft. Rush recognized the sorrow, the need for answers. Hailey, Nora’s younger sister, sat in the passenger side, tears rolling down her cheeks—she looked so much like her sister, only her hair was a darker blond and she had Joshua’s eyes. She’d been through a lot lately with her separation from her husband. She and their son lived at the main house with Joshua. Rush hated to be the bearer of bad news, but now they might be able to find peace.

“All we know is the car is registered to you, and I’m sure you can tell it’s Marilyn’s. The...remains need a DNA test but I’m pretty sure they’ll come back as your wife’s. I’m so sorry for your loss, Joshua.”

Troy returned and shook hands with Joshua.

Joshua stared at the car. “Any idea what happened?”

Rush sighed and glanced at the car that had once been shiny and sleek. “You know what the weather is like up here this time of year. Seems a tragic accident.”

Joshua nodded. “When can we have her for a proper burial?”

“We need to officially confirm it’s her. After that, I see no reason why you can’t have her back.”

They stood silently staring for several long minutes until another set of headlights flashed behind Joshua’s Escalade. Rush squinted, blinded by the lights. The driver didn’t bother to kill them before the door to the car opened and a woman’s figure stepped out, slipped under the crime scene tape and stomped toward him.

“Hey,” he shouted. “You can’t be out here.”

“The cumulus clouds I can’t!” she hollered back.

Rush wouldn’t freeze from the nearly single-digit temps. But his heart froze at the sound of Nora’s voice. Sassy. Southern—though a little less country in it than he remembered, but then she’d moved to Knoxville and taken a prestigious job as Chief Meteorologist. He watched her every night at six online. Didn’t much care about the weather unless it affected his townspeople. He watched to see her sunshiny smile with a chance of twinkle in her blue-green eyes.

Right now, she was all storm clouds and thunder. But even so she was a sight to behold, dressed in a soft but thick coat, gray beanie and knee-high leather boots. He couldn’t seem to find his voice.

Nora marched up to him, as if the weather didn’t bother her in the least. She nearly reached his chin flat-footed. The smell of cherry blossoms and vanilla filled his nose, and the familiar scent brought a wave of memories. He’d been crazy about her since third grade. But he’d gained the courage in eighth grade and asked her to a dance. They’d dated all through high school.

“Don’t just stare at me, Rush. Answer me.”

What had she said? “Repeat the question, please.”

“Is it my mom?” She looked to her father, but he stood stoically.

Rush shook out of the memories. “DNA will confirm it, but I think it’s safe to say it’s your mama.” Did he hug her? He wasn’t sure what to do. “I’m sorry, Nora Beth,” he murmured.

Nora’s chin quivered and for a millisecond Rush thought she was going to fall into him. And that’d be okay. But she turned at the last second and ran into her father’s arms. Looked to him for solace.

Joshua kissed Nora’s cheek. “It’s going to be okay, honey.” She shuddered against her father’s chest, then gained resolve and faced Rush.

“Do you know what happened?” she asked lightly.

“We don’t, but it’s dark and we haven’t had a chance to thoroughly examine everything.”

“You will, won’t you, Rush?” She sniffed and wiped a tear.

Rush closed the gap between them and grasped her gloved hand with his. She never wanted to believe Marilyn had abandoned her family. But, here in the lake leading out of town, it appeared that was exactly what she’d done. Rush didn’t know how to spare her that pain. He’d tried to spare her then by never revealing what he saw that night with Marilyn and the Phantom. But now? The evidence was right in front of her eyes.

Troy gripped her shoulder in a fatherly manner. “The roads were bad that night. Probably hit a patch of black ice. The only thing left is to confirm it is your mama and put her and this to rest, hon.”

Nora gaped and freed her hand from Rush’s. “Unacceptable.”

“Nora,” Joshua said calmly.

She shrugged him off. “Doesn’t anyone want to know why she was out here? On Christmas Eve night?”

“Of course we do, but that’s not relevant or even possible to know now,” Troy offered.

Nora pointed with her black glove toward the car. “I know what you’re thinking. The whole town has thought it for years.” Her voice rose with each word. The crowd attentively listened, reporters salivated. “She wasn’t leaving us. She was out here that night for a reason, and I’m going to find out if I have to turn over every rock, crawl into every hole and re-create every weather pattern for a week leading up to the event. My mother didn’t leave me!” Her watery eyes met Rush’s. “She didn’t.”

Rush itched to comfort her, but she’d push him away. The last time she left his arms, she’d called him a cheater, a liar and a jerk. He’d own up to two out of three. He didn’t embrace her but he did pull her aside. “What if you don’t like where that night takes you, Nora?” he asked softly. “Let it go. Be content with the fact that she loved you.”

If Nora dug, it could turn up a lot of dirt.

“I will not be content until I know what she was doing out here. And just because you assume it’s an accident doesn’t mean it was.” Nora shivered. “What if someone hurt her?”

He couldn’t rule out foul play yet, but it was unlikely—even with the evidence retrieved from Marilyn’s car. Nora wanted any answer other than the one that claimed her mother was leaving town without so much as a goodbye. And they’d never know the reason. It had been nearly two decades. “I told you I’d look into it, Nora.”

“You promise?”

“Nora, I’ve never broken a promise to you. I won’t break one now.” He hadn’t broken the promise to be together forever. She had. He’d tried everything to coax her back into the land of the living—back to him. In the end, she’d left him picking up the shattered pieces of his heart.

Her lips soured. “No, I suppose you haven’t broken a promise to me. But you have broken them.”

She hit him square in the frozen heart, thawing it to a burning muscle that pulsed with regret. He hadn’t broken a promise, but he had broken a commitment to the girl he was dating when Nora came home after graduating college for a job opportunity with a radio station. He hadn’t expected that, or for her to call him and see if they could grab dinner, catch up, since she’d pulled away from him after her mom went missing.

It was as if nothing had ever come between them, and she’d been planning on moving back if things went well with her interview.

Things escalated, snowballed. He honestly meant to tell Nora about Ainsley, and that he’d already intended to break things off with her anyway—it was the truth. But before he had the chance, Ainsley caught him and Nora in a heated kiss on Lookout Tower.

Angry words had been hurled. Words like You’re just like your mother. A home-wrecker. Statements like Wait until the town hears that perfect Nora Livingstone is her mother made over. Nora wouldn’t let Rush explain, and really what could he say? He had cheated on Ainsley with Nora. He was wrong. He admitted it. He’d made amends with Ainsley since, and she was now married to Dan, Troy’s son and Rush’s good friend. Water under the bridge, but Nora had tucked tail and run to Knoxville, never looked back. Never answered a call from Rush.

He glanced at Troy and ignored his disdain over Rush’s declaration to look into things. It might be a waste of time and manpower, but he’d oblige Nora this one thing.

He owed her.

Nora’s heart might explode. There were so many emotions going on right now. She’d come home twelve days before Christmas—not by choice—only to arrive at the lodge and be told that Dad and Hailey were out at Shepherd Rock Lake with the police. That alone sent knives to her gut. But now here she was face-to-face with Rush. Time had filled out the young man’s body into a grown man’s, muscled by hard outdoor work more than gym visits; she’d heard he’d built a log cabin up farther on the mountain.

His hat covered his toasted blond hair, but eyes the color of Hershey bars drilled into hers. Rush wasn’t a promise breaker. He used to be the most noble and honest person she’d ever known. And he could make her laugh on a dime. But then he had hurt her and at the moment she wasn’t sure he’d give the investigation all he had. Troy Parsons wanted to end it right now.

But Mom was here for a reason and Nora couldn’t let it rest. However, arguing about it when she was standing in the middle of a monster Christmas storm coming through wasn’t wise. She’d predicted back in September low pressures off the Gulf Coast and arctic outbreaks across the Southeast. Snowflakes had begun in early October. This was likely to be the worst snow and ice storm in twenty-five years, but she couldn’t afford to fly south for the winter. She was upside down in debt and she’d been pushed out of her Chief Meteorologist job at channel six in Knoxville.

To say she was touchy was an understatement.

Dad approached her. “I’m taking Hailey home, honey. Don’t stay here any longer than you feel you have to. I’ll have the guest chalet stocked for you.” He kissed her forehead.

She nodded at Dad and watched him climb in his vehicle. Hailey hadn’t once stepped out. Not even to acknowledge Nora was home. She didn’t handle hard situations well. Neither did Nora, but someone had to be Mom’s voice. Someone had to find out the truth.

Nora walked closer to Mom’s car. All these years, she’d been submerged. Christmas Eve used to be Nora’s favorite night. The resort and lodge was always booked with families and couples from all over the world, anticipating the renowned Christmas Eve Masquerade Ball. A glorious night decorated in red, green and gold. A nativity ice sculpture. Fountains of gold sparkling cider. Christmas music. Friends. Family. Fun.

Nora’s heart ached. Her father still put on the event as if her mother hadn’t gone missing that night. He had barely said a word about it. Didn’t push or force the investigation. Maybe he had believed the vicious murmurs about Mom.

Well, not Nora.

“Nora.” Rush’s voice came softer than moss. “Don’t go any closer. Some things can’t be unseen.”

And some things couldn’t be undone. “Do you remember it raining and being slick that night?”

“I don’t know,” he said sadly. She glanced at him, his nose red and eyes deep with compassion and pity. If only he knew how pitiful Nora was. Not two pennies to rub together. But he’d never know. No one would. It was all too humiliating.

“I don’t.” Nora had always been fascinated with weather, which was why she remembered there had been snow earlier but the temps had been mild for December. “I need to trace her steps that night and find out what time she left the party and ended up here. Someone saw or heard something. They had to have.” If she could piece together the weather from that fateful Christmas Eve, she might be able to determine if the car going into the lake was related to weather conditions or not. Her part-time work as a forensic meteorologist had her doing this often, helping insurance companies with claims.

Rush licked his lips and pawed his scruffy face. “Let me do it. Spend your time with family. Isn’t that why you’re home so early?” He cocked his head, and plumes of air trailed from his mouth.

She was here because she had nowhere else to go. When the news played and she wasn’t on-screen they’d know. “I left channel six.”

Rush’s eyebrows rose. “Really? Why?”

The cold seeped into her bones and her teeth chattered. “I’m ready for warmer weather. Going to take a job in Florida.” She hoped anyway. She ought to know in the next week or two. And right now she did want warmer weather. She was a human Popsicle.

Rush frowned. “You love mountain air. Skiing. Snowball fights.”

“I do know how to pack a snowball,” she quipped. “But people change. I’m ready for palm trees and waterskiing.” She adjusted her knit cap and rubbed her hands, her gloves not keeping her as warm as she’d like, and stared at Mom’s car. “Anything inside besides...her?”

He scratched the back of his neck. “We found a cuff link in the car, partial male masquerade mask. Haven’t checked the trunk yet, but we’ll gather the evidence, see what we see.”

A cuff link. A mask. “A man was in the car that night?”

“Seems like.” His eyes were shifty.

“What are you keeping from me?”

“Nothing pertinent to the case.”

“Promise?”

“Nora, trust me.”

She laughed humorlessly. “Last time I trusted you, Rush, you broke two women’s hearts and made me look cheap. I’m sure the whole town thinks it.” Ainsley surely spread it all over the world.

“No one thinks that, Nora, and you’d have known that if you hadn’t gotten out of Dodge at world-record speed. But that’s what you do.” He shoved a hand on his hip and heaved a breath.

Nora’s temperature rose a few degrees. “And cheating on women. That’s what you do?”

Rush’s jaw ticked. “We were kids. And I was going to tell you.”

“We were twenty-one. And you didn’t. You gave the town a new tale to spin.” But fighting about it was pointless, and Nora was cold and exhausted. “Can you find prints on the cuff link?”

Rush inhaled and rubbed his chin, then exhaled. His shoulders relaxed. “Doubtful. But I’ll try. I’ll try everything.” He held her gaze and she fidgeted. Angry at him or not, she wasn’t blind. The man was attractive. Always had been.

“How did you find the car?” It had been seventeen years. Why now?

“You remember Brandon Deerborn?”

Few years ahead of them. “Yeah.”

“His son was doing a project using Google maps and our town. Found the lake and noticed something in it. Like a shimmer, he said. He went out there, climbed a pine to check it out—fell out of the tree by the way and broke his arm...also he’s grounded for leaving without asking—and Brandon called me. Put the divers in and we hauled it out. Water was too murky to notice it at ground level.”

“Google maps. Invasive yet...” She shrugged. “He might be grounded but he’ll be a town hero.” Or maybe not. If what people said about Mom was true, there’d be a few who wouldn’t be too thrilled the Deerborn kid had found her.

Rush didn’t say anything and kept his eyes on the sky. “Storm’s coming in. But I guess you know this already.” He smirked.

She grinned, then sobered. “I’m serious about investigating. I want answers before I leave here, and I won’t bring up our past again. Better if we leave things on the personal side alone. Focus on the case.”

“We don’t have a case. Yet.” The freezing rain slacked up.

“Never hurts to ask questions.”

“Yes, it does. Sometimes.” Rush shoved his gloved hands in his pockets. “Go home. Be with your family. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

He was right. Nothing she could do tonight. She walked back to her car, opened the door when Rush called out. “Nora Beth, be careful. The roads are slick. Watch for deer.”

Her middle name was Jane, but Rush had never once used it. A little nod to Little House on the Prairie. In high school, she’d forced him to watch reruns, but there hadn’t been much Rush wouldn’t have done for her. Manly called Laura Beth. Only him. Rush had started that at fifteen. It warmed the chill seeping into Nora’s bones. “Will do.”

She climbed inside and blasted the heat. She’d regretted pushing Rush away after Mom vanished. She’d been hurt. Wanted a fresh start, to pretend she lived in a town where gossip about Mom hadn’t abounded. Where she didn’t feel shame. But coming home after college—she’d missed Rush so much it ached—she thought he might be willing to give it another chance, and if so she’d stay. And he’d done the one thing she’d worked hard to avoid—made her the subject of ugly rumors.

She drove carefully through the winding roads and spotted Mom’s favorite café. Charlee, the owner, might know a thing or two. Inside, Charlee met her with a wave. “Well, look who the cat dragged in.” Her face paled. “Sorry. Bad use of words. I heard about your mama. I’m so sorry.” She poured a steaming cup of coffee and slid it to Nora as she sat on the bar stool.

“Thanks. Did you know anything about that night? Why my mom might be heading out of town or be near the lake?”

“I wish I did, hon. I loved Marilyn, but she only let one get so close before she distanced herself.”

Nora sipped the brew and talked with Charlee until the weather picked up. “I better get on back. If anything comes to mind, call me.”

Charlee nodded. “Be safe, Nora.”

Nora inched along the roads until, almost thirty minutes later, her father’s vast lodge peeped out from the evergreens. A wintry, dark sky overhead seemed to close in on the structure that housed two hundred and fifty-two guests. Nestled in the mountains behind were fifty chalets. Every room, every wooden cottage would be occupied, except the guest chalet where she liked to stay.

White lights clinked in the trees as gusts of wind barreled through the pines. The smell of evergreen, wood smoke and cinnamon wafted into her car—the smell of home. She stepped out of the car, pinched the bridge of her nose, inhaled deeply and trudged up the walk; someone had plowed the drive for her. Fresh snow hadn’t quite blanketed it again. Something stole her nose’s attention. She sniffed. Was that paint? She followed the scent to the side of the chalet and gasped.

In the moonlight, she made out one of her two most hated words to call women along with a note painted underneath telling her to die like her mother. Shock sucked the breath from her, and then she caught sight of a shadow moving toward her. She had only seconds to block the blow and failed.

A meaty fist covered in camouflage gloves connected with her face, knocking her into two feet of snow. White spots popped in front of her eyes and her head spun.

“Take the warning and take a hike,” the masked man growled. “Or you’ll regret it.”

His feet crunched along the snow.

Buzzing whizzed in her ears and then silence.

When her eyes fluttered open, a man had her. Panic shot through her system and she flailed, scratched and punched.

“Hey, hey! Nora. It’s me. It’s Rush. You’re safe. You’re safe.”

Rush. Rush punched her? No. Her head was fuzzy and aching. Rush had her in his arms. It felt familiar, but also strangely new and wonderfully safe and warm. Her stomach dipped and as if he could feel her thoughts, he nestled her closer against him.

“I got hit,” she croaked.

His grip tightened. “And I’ll be sure to return the favor when I find the guy.” His tone was raw steel. She laid her head against his chest, heard the staccato beat of his heart. “Did you see him?”

“No. Just the writing on the wall, and then he stuck it to me and knocked me out.” Her limbs were numb and stiff. Her teeth chattered. Rush carried her up the porch steps.

“Do you need a doctor?”

“No. It’s no worse than when I got bucked off that horse that time.”

“You had a mild concussion then, Nora Beth.” Rush chuckled and swung open the front door and stepped inside, then flipped on a lamp on the side table.

“Right. Not the best comparison. Well, I’m fine. Honest. Just sore.” She peered into his rich eyes and nearly got lost. Certainly got choked up.

He laid her on the soft leather sofa and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’ll get your bags. You need to get into dry, warm clothes and I’ll start a fire for extra heat.” He stepped outside before she could speak, brought in her luggage and carried it to her bedroom, then returned. “Make some coffee. Yeah?”

She nodded.

“Sure you don’t need a doctor?” He touched her face. “Lying in the snow probably helped the swelling, but...”

She shivered and he pointed to the bedroom. “We’ll talk in a minute. Or I can take you to the hospital.”

Shaking her head, she shuffled to the bed and he closed the door. If Rush hadn’t come to her rescue... She didn’t want to think about what might have happened.

Clearly, she’d angered someone. But who? She’d seen dozens of locals on the scene; they’d heard her rant. By now, Nora sticking around to find out what happened that night was bound to be spreading all over Splendor Pines like lice in a day care. Between talking to Rush, leaving the scene, stopping to talk to Charlee—someone had rallied fast. Not fast enough or Nora wouldn’t have walked up on them.

After throwing on sweats, wool socks and an oversize Vols sweatshirt, she looked in the mirror. No swelling but her right cheek had a purplish tint. Wood smoke and coffee brewing drew her into the living room decorated in cozy earth tones. The fire reached out and hugged her cold skin. She inched closer to the large brick hearth and sat.

“How you feelin’?” Rush made himself at home in the open kitchen. He took two white mugs from the cabinet and poured the coffee, then opened the fridge and frowned. He rifled in the other cabinets until he found powdered creamer and sugar. He carried everything to the living room and placed them on the coffee table.

“Oh, ya know...like I got punched and knocked into the snow.” She touched her cheek.

“What exactly happened?”

She gave him the rundown. “Told me to back off or I’d end up like my mom. Almost did if you hadn’t shown up. Why are you here?”

His neck flushed as he handed her a cup of coffee. “Honestly? I don’t know. I guess to check in on you.”

Whatever the reason, she was thankful. She added cream and sugar to her cup.

“You recognize the voice by any chance?” Rush hurriedly asked, as if hoping to skim over the topic of his popping in.

“No. I was kind of busy being terrified. Sorry.”

Rush sat beside her, laid a gentle hand on her knee. “I’m sorry too.”

Half of her wanted to jerk his hand away, but the frightened half needed the tender contact, the reassurance and compassion. He removed his hand and she sipped her coffee, relishing the warmth of the fire and the brew.

The fire crackled.

He studied the purple mark on her face and balled a fist. “Nora, I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go poking around after what happened. This is my job. Better to let me handle it.”

Nora huffed. “Someone doesn’t want me looking into my mother’s death. Which means it might not have been an accident. More than ever, I have to.”

Rush drank his coffee and kept quiet, his jaw slowly working.

“What’s the matter? I know that face.”

Rush pinched the bridge of his nose. “Everything is the matter, Nora Beth. From the minute we pulled the car from the water to right this second. No, it might not have been an accident, but chances are it was, and this attack on you might be from someone who is afraid you’ll discover...you know...an affair. If even a quarter of the rumors are true, then there are a lot of people who won’t want the past hauled into the present. Next time it might not be a punch to the face.” He skimmed the bruise with his fingertips, bringing a wave of emotion she’d tried to bury years ago.

She turned away enough to force him to keep his hands to himself. She didn’t need the attraction or the old feelings. But he did have a point. “Then those men shouldn’t have had those affairs. What happened to nobility, fidelity and honesty? If their dirty secrets get exposed, then so be it. They shouldn’t have done it.” Mom shouldn’t have either. Why would she?

Rush’s nostrils flared, but he didn’t respond.

“What happens when you investigate? Secrets will be exposed. One way or the other.”

He drained his coffee and set the cup on the hearth. “I’m not worried about my safety. I am worried about yours. Besides, I’m going to be more discreet than you.”

“You’re going to have to talk to more than men you suspect could be guilty. You’ll have to talk to neighbors, friends and, sadly, wives. It is what it is. I don’t want to hurt people. But I do want the truth about that night. Someone has answers to my thousands of questions.”

One being why Dad never stayed on top of the investigation. Why didn’t he hire a private eye? Was he glad to be rid of Mom? Was he tired of having an unfaithful wife? Nora couldn’t ignore these rumors like she had as a teenager. They were staring her down and now that she’d been attacked and told to back off, denying that even one of them were true would be naive. Mom, why? Did you not love Dad? He was amazing and wonderful. He gave them everything.

Or maybe Nora was only seeing what she wanted to see.

A faithful mom.

A devoted husband.

Maybe neither were who they seemed.

“What if you never find out why your mom was heading out of town?”

“How do you know she was?”

Rush stood and turned away from her. “Because we found two cases in the trunk. One had clothing in it.” He faced her. “She was going somewhere, Nora.”

Nora’s hands trembled, and she steadied her cup between her knees.

“I know that’s not what you want to hear. And you have to understand that no matter what turns up, you won’t get every single answer to your questions. And that’s not even the most frightening part of this.”

“No?” She peered into his eyes, firelight casting shadows on his face. “What is?”

“You won’t back down, and I don’t believe whoever did this to you is going to back down either. Which means you’re not safe as long as you’re snooping.”

Nora swallowed the fear clawing in her throat. “I can’t sit back and do nothing.”

He collapsed beside her again and groaned. “I had a feeling you’d say that. I think you should stay up at the main house. You’ll be safer there.”

Her first instinct was to say no, but Rush was right. However... “Hailey is staying with my dad. Which means Dalton is also. He’s only six. If someone comes after me again, he could be in harm’s way. Hailey too. While I agree that I should stay at the main house, it scares me not to stay here.” Scared her to stay here too.

“I heard she was living back home for a while.”

Nora shrugged. “I don’t suppose any marriage is perfect. Except maybe your mom and dad’s.”

Rush grunted. What did that mean? Bringing up Rush’s parents gave her an idea. “Hey, your dad was a part-time deputy back then. I remember him coming to talk to my dad. Maybe he knows something about that night or he overheard a conversation that would help. We should talk to him.”

Rush’s jaw flinched. “Yeah... I’ll talk to him.”

Nora wasn’t so sure she believed him. Something was up with his parents, but now wasn’t the time to pry. She had to stay somewhere safe. The main house wasn’t it. “I can’t stay at the main house. Just in case. Besides, Dad has security that patrols all night. Guests love added security measures.”

Wind howled and sleet started up again, pelting the windows. “I don’t like it, but I understand. Take my number. Call me if you need anything. Anytime of night.”

Rush rattled off his number.

Nora laughed. “Seriously? The last four digits of your number is four, five, six, seven?”

“Hard to memorize, huh?” he teased.

“It’s probably the only number in my phone I can.” She saved his contact information and closed her eyes. “Rush, you do think it’s only a threat, right? No one will actually try to kill me?”

Rush stopped at the front door, raised his coat’s wool collar. “Nora, you’re about to unleash an avalanche. What do you think?” He bent over and lifted his pant leg, retrieving a handgun from an ankle holster. “This is my personal piece. Lock the doors and keep it on your nightstand.”

Nora accepted the gun and prayed she wouldn’t have to use it. “Rush?”

He turned before leaving. “Yeah?”

“You said two cases. What was in the other one?”

“It was your mom’s camera case.” His mouth formed a grim line. “With two hundred and fifty thousand dollars inside.”

TWO

“How’d you sleep, honey?” Dad looked up from his desk with tired eyes.

“I’m guessing about like you. Harrison stopped in at first light.” Dad’s Chief of Security had scared her half to death. He ought to be thankful he’s alive. She almost shot him.

“I should have called and told you he’d be by to paint over the graffiti. I wanted it done before too many people saw it. I’m sorry that happened.” He scooted out from his mahogany leather chair and crossed the room. Dressy jeans. Dress shirt that brought out the lighter flecks of brown in his eyes. She’d always wished she’d been blessed with her father’s eyes. He opened his arms to her, as he always did.

She walked into them and let his comfort shield her and make her feel safe. A different safety than how she felt in Rush’s arms last night. She didn’t want to think too much on that. There was nothing left between her and Rush romantically.

“I had him put more security around the chalet for you.” He touched the tender area on her cheek. “Rush taking care of this?”

“He is.” She pulled away, cleared her throat. “Dad, I’ve never asked because I never wanted to know. Or I didn’t believe. But after last night there has to be some truth to the gossip.” She peered into his eyes, waiting for the bomb to drop.

Dad didn’t speak for what seemed like an eternity. He touched her shoulder; his eyes held a mix of resolve and sadness. “Nora, why don’t you remember your mother in all the good ways like Friday manicures and pancakes on Sunday. Or even that silly song she sang to help you sleep that only made you giggle and stay up longer. I think she did that deliberately to have more time with you. Don’t try to pull up anything ugly. You’ll find no peace there.”

Nora held back the burning tears. Those were the memories fueling her search for truth. Mom had loved her, but did she ever love Dad? “You’re not denying it. Is that why you didn’t go on a mad hunt to find her after she disappeared? Were you relieved she was gone?”

Dad’s jaw ticked and he inhaled sharply. “I loved your mother, Nora. The only relief I have is that now I have some closure. Let Rush look into who assaulted you and vandalized my property, but as far as the past, you stay out of it.”

Nora had zero closure. Stay out of it?

Dad wasn’t going to give her any answers; no point in bringing up the fact Mom had a huge sum of money in the camera case. If he did know about it, he wouldn’t tell her. Nora had searching to do. Searching no one else seemed to want to do. Rush believed the past was an accident. He wouldn’t put the proper time into it. Someone needed to fight for the truth.

“Now, why are you really here?” he asked. “I’m thrilled to have you. I hate that you came home to this.”

“Can’t a girl come home longer than Christmas Day?” She didn’t have the courage to admit the truth. Besides, he was keeping secrets of his own.

He raised a dark eyebrow but didn’t push. “You can always come home, honey.”

“I know.” Outside the sky was painted gray. Trendy on walls. Gloomy in her heart. “We’ll have snow again soon. More rain and ice too.”

“Knock, knock.” Rush rapped on the side of the door frame. In uniform. He’d shaved and his fresh, soft cheeks held the dimples she’d always loved. “I see you got the spray paint covered up. You wanna report it officially?”

Joshua nodded. “Absolutely. I’ll go down to the station this afternoon. I put Harrison and the night security on more rounds, especially at the chalet.”

“Good.” Rush cleared his throat and glanced at Nora. “How’s the noggin?”

“Thinking about the next step.” In between the thumping. “Which is breakfast,” she added.

He chuckled. “I’ll walk you down to the dining area, if that’s okay.”

“See you tonight,” she said to her dad.

“Honey, remember our conversation.”

She would. But it wasn’t going to change her mind. As they walked down the hall to the elevator, she spoke. “Dad thinks I should back off. But why wouldn’t he want to know what happened that night?”

Rush hit the elevator button. “He might want to spare himself further pain. Or he could know more than he’s letting on to spare your feelings. Sometimes people keep secrets to protect loved ones.” They stepped in and he pushed the first floor to go up from the basement offices.

“Secrets don’t protect people. They hurt people.” She slid him a sideways glance. He’d kept the fact he was dating Ainsley from her, and it hadn’t spared her feelings. It had hurt more than anything. Her secrets of why she was back now would hurt and disappoint Dad.

They stepped off the elevator and took in the beautiful snowcapped view from the wall of windows that lined the hall and the dining area.

“I’m going to try to follow that money trail, Rush. It came from somewhere. If I can track it, I can get answers.”

Rush pulled a chair out for her and sat across from her. She didn’t miss his grimace. “I reviewed the initial police report from when she went missing, and the follow-up notes from Sheriff Parsons. Nothing about money. Nothing at all that would be a lead.”

“What did your dad say?”

Rush unrolled his silverware, a grim expression. “I haven’t had time to talk to him.”

“You haven’t had time?” She stared at him dumbfounded.

Rush balled his fist on the table. “Anything he would know would have been put in the report, Nora. And I was a little busy last night taking care of you.”

Nora counted to ten. Rush had rescued and protected her. “Okay. But I still want you to talk to him. Or I can—”

“I’ll do it. I’ll do it.”

The server came and Rush ordered coffee and toast. Nora ordered pecan pancakes with vanilla syrup and a side of bacon. She ate when she was wound up. She shivered and scanned the room. No one looked suspicious, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

When the server left the table, Rush continued. “Right now, I need you to be objective. Think back. Do you remember your parents ever fighting? Especially within a day or two of the ball?”

Nora shook her head and sipped her Irish breakfast tea with honey. “My parents never fought. I mean, if they did, then they kept it from me and Hailey. Plenty of space around here to raise voices and no one but the mountains to hear.” She leaned forward. “Why? Do you think my dad had anything to do with this? I mean, I know he hasn’t searched hard, but to murder my mom?”

“Whoa!” Rush put his hands up. “Don’t jump to conclusions and certainly not out loud where diners can hear. I never said that.” He scowled across the table.

“Well, you certainly implied it.”

He shifted in his seat. “I didn’t mean to. I’m saying if you could remember them arguing, you might remember some of the dialogue, which might be helpful.”

She couldn’t drum up one heated conversation. “Maybe he didn’t know she was having affairs.”

Rush gave her the get-real face. “Rumors flew through town. There’s no way he hadn’t heard them. Possibly approached her. A man was in that car at some point that night or around the event. Could be he caught her with him that night.”

And did what? “For not meaning to imply, you’re doing it again.”

Rush’s neck reddened. “We need to find the man who owns the cuff link and mask. He might have answers. We can get photos from the party.”

“Silver cuff links aren’t rare. And what if the wearer isn’t in the pictures?”

Rush tented his hands on the table. “I’d like them anyway.”

Nora nodded as the food arrived. They waited for the server to leave before going back into their discussion. “They’d be in a storage room near the offices. I can get them for you later today.”

They made small talk, dancing around the past.

“How’s Hailey?” Rush asked.

“I think she’s keeping a brave front for Dalton since he’s already going through a lot.” She added more syrup to her pancakes. “How’s your family?”

Rush’s jaw ticked. “Fine. Everyone’s coming in for the Christmas celebration.”

“Greer and Hollister?”

Rush’s eyes held surprise. “You remember them?”

“How could I forget?” She remembered all those summers with Rush, including the ones with his cousins.

His phone rang and he answered; a few minutes later he hung up. “I have to go. With this weather, all hands are on deck with traffic accidents and we have one on Route 5. Turned into a brawl. Let me pay for my breakfast.”

“Toast is twenty-two fifty.” She held in a giggle.

Rush paused, then grinned. She’d had a weak spot for that killer smile. Guess she hadn’t done enough strength training lately. It was making its mark.

“Don’t worry about it. Daddy would be fit to be tied if he knew you were paying for meals here.” She bit into her bacon. “I’ll bring the photos by the station in a couple of hours.”

“Be careful. Clearly the roads are treacherous, not to mention other dangers.”

“Will do.” She saluted him with the bacon but lost her appetite. Someone wasn’t going to be pleased when they found out she wasn’t giving up the quest for truth. She rubbed her cheek and shivered, then made her way down to the offices and storage rooms where they kept the predigitalized masquerade photos for marketing purposes. She flipped the light switch. The fluorescent lights flickered and hummed, only two lighting the dim room.

Using her cell phone flashlight, she crept into the room, highlighting the dates on cardboard boxes. Like something out of a TV show evidence facility. Dust sent her into a wave of sneezes. Halfway down the fourth aisle, she found the box. “Bingo.”

A noise came from behind. Mouse? Please be a mouse.

Hairs rose on her arms and neck. She turned as a masked man snatched the box of photos and shoved her to the ground.

No! Nora jumped up, adrenaline pumping. With all her might, she pushed until the metal row in front of her toppled and crashed onto the masked man, boxes spilling open as papers and photos littered the concrete floor.

Nora hurdled over the boxes and debris, hands shaking, and grabbed the box he’d dropped, then ran like the wind. With one hand, she dialed 911. The dispatcher answered. Menacing words and papers shuffled in the distance. Oh, no. “Tell Rush Buchanan to get to Pine Refuge Resort and Lodge.” The attacker was on her tail. “Basement. Storage room. Now! Right now! This is Nora...” The phone slipped from her shaking hands as she took a hard right. Could she make the elevator? No. Where? Where could she go?

Custodial closet. Down the next hall.

She gripped the box. The attacker gained on her. She ran hard enough her chin shook.

Five feet.

Four.

Two...

She flew into the room, closed the door and locked it. The attacker banged and pulled on the knob. Could he find a way in? Could she find a way out? A small rectangular window above was covered in snow. The box wouldn’t fit through it. She could escape and leave the photos, but if he got inside he’d have them, and obviously something in them incriminated someone or he wouldn’t want the box so badly.

Her phone was gone.

No way to communicate. She curled into a ball until the banging and twisting on the doorknob silenced. Was he gone? Was he waiting on her to open the door?

What could be in these photos? And how did the attacker know she’d be in the storage room?

Chills slithered across her spine.

She had been watched.

“Nora! Nora Beth!” Rush stormed down the hall. Millie at Dispatch had called him, and what should have been a ten-minute drive had taken him over twenty thanks to the road conditions that were worsening each hour. Rush’s heart pounded in his chest as he hunted for Nora. God, please keep her protected. He’d made his way to the storage room and taken in the disaster.

“Nora!”

He headed right, down another hall.

“Nora!”

“Rush. Rush!” The custodial closet door opened and Nora flew into his arms, gripping with all her might. “A man tried to steal the photos.” Her shoulders relaxed and she explained what happened.

Rush brushed a strand of blond hair from her face and tucked it safely behind her ear. His gaze locked on hers and he couldn’t quite make out what swam in her watery blue-greens—relief but something else.

“I was so scared I didn’t know what to do.”

“You did the right thing calling, then locking yourself in here.” More than ever they needed those photos. Rush needed to find all the Phantom of the Opera masked men. One of them had answers or could be the one trying to hurt Nora. “Let’s find your phone, get these and you somewhere safe.” He grabbed the box.

Troy wouldn’t want him exhausting his energy on this. As far as he was concerned, it was a closed case. He’d agreed with Rush that someone wasn’t happy about Nora turning over rocks and they should be looking into that. But after two attacks and being followed, Rush wasn’t so sure it was all about a possible scandal. People had killed for less, though.

The only place he knew the photos would be safe was under his care, at his house. He wasn’t sure he wanted Nora there permeating it with her sweet cherry blossom scent and intensifying his loneliness when she left.

Rush led Nora to his vehicle and opened the door for her, then put the photos in the backseat. He hurried inside, cranked the heat and sighed. “You okay with going to my place?”

“Sure.” Her cheeks turned pink and she gazed out the window. “I heard you built a house on the mountain.”

“About four years ago. Still needs some work, but I’m only one man.”

“Who’s saved me twice. Thank you.” She rubbed her palms together.

Rush pointed all the vents toward her. “You’d think tourists would stop pouring in. This keeps up and flights won’t only be delayed, they’ll be canceled.”

“People pay good money to be here on the holidays. They don’t care about the weather. Sometimes I feel like I’m talking to nothing but the camera.”

Rush switched his wipers on to knock away the ice pelting the windshield. The rest of the ride was fairly quiet. He turned onto a long drive that cut up through a thick forest of evergreens. His two-story A-frame log cabin with a deck wrapped around the entire second story came into view. He loved having coffee out there and seeing the mountains for miles. It was peaceful and quiet.

And empty.

“Wow, Rush. I love how it’s covered in windows. So much natural light, and what a view from up here.” Nora gaped and took it all in. He felt that way every day.

He parked out front, grabbed the box and they went inside. Nora studied the cedar beams and walls. The kitchen was open to the living room. Leather furniture. Rugs for warmth on the knotty pine flooring.

“I love what you’ve done with it.” She frowned. “Where’s your Christmas tree?”

“I didn’t put one up this year.” One tree decorated for one man? Seemed silly.

She gasped. “Rush!”

“Did you put a tree up at your place in Knoxville?”

She collapsed on the couch. “No, but I haven’t put a tree up since Mom disappeared...died.” Tears leaked from her eyes, and she wiped them away with her sweater sleeves that hung over her fingertips. “You have no reason not to.”

“Neither do you,” he said delicately. “She wouldn’t have wanted you to stop loving and celebrating your favorite holiday. Besides you’re celebrating Christ’s birth.”

“Which doesn’t call for a tree.”

“You put up a nativity?”

“No. Make me some coffee and let’s go through photos.” She grinned and headed for the box on the kitchen counter.

“You’re bossy.”

“You ought to know.” She slid the lid off the box. “Hey, Rush?”

“Hmm...?” He opened a bin and took a K-Cup for the Keurig.

“Nothing.” Fear pulsed in her eyes. Whatever she was about to open up and say, she’d bit back.

“You can talk to me, you know. Like you used to.” Before her world crumbled and she closed herself off.

“It’s nothing.”

Frustration knotted his neck and shoulder muscles. He gave her a cup of coffee how she liked it, with cream and sugar, and started combing through photos. He searched for men in Phantom of the Opera masks. “Do you know where there might be other photos? Not every single person is going to turn up in this box.” Hundreds of people attended each Christmas. Several hundred of them local, and nearly three hundred tourists. This was a needle in a haystack job.

“Tourist center might have some put away. Locals probably have personal scrapbooks. What are we even looking for?” Nora asked, and thumbed through the photos.

“The mask in the car was a partial of the Phantom of the Opera. Look for men wearing that.” He left out the other reason it was important. How did one tell an ex-girlfriend he’d seen her mom kissing the Phantom? She’d been through so much already. “And someone with silver cuff links.”

“My dad wore cuff links but not like those.” She held up a photo. “Look, it’s you and Dan in those ridiculous masks with whisker-like things growing out of the sides.” She laughed, but he heard the bittersweet tone.

“Good times.” Rush couldn’t manage much more. That was the night his dream shattered. He found two photos of two different men in Phantom masks. One seemed like it might be Ward McKay. He owned McKay Construction and was divorced. Could Marilyn be the rift that caused it? “Did you ever hear talk about Ward McKay and your mom?”

Nora paused perusing. “I steered clear of talk if I could.”

“His wife moved away with their son. He might have been pretty mad over that even though it would have been his fault. Anger brings irrational behavior and thoughts sometimes.” He couldn’t believe he said that. He had no facts to support that theory. “I’m speculating and really I shouldn’t be.”

“No,” Nora said. “That makes sense.”

If Ward was the Phantom kissing Marilyn three months after he had separated from his wife, he might have wanted a more permanent relationship with Marilyn. If she rejected that, after he lost his family for her, that could have sent him over the edge. She might have been escaping him. Or something more sinister.

But they didn’t have proof that Marilyn’s car in the lake was intentional. And he was only speculating again. “If the car wreck was an accident, then all we’re doing is meddling in people’s lives to give you some comfort.” A lot of damage could be done. “Is that fair?”

Nora jutted her chin toward him and glared. “What if it was your mother?”

He didn’t know. Before his dad falsely accused a man of soliciting a prostitute, which ended up causing the man to commit suicide, he’d have said yes. But now? Now he wasn’t so sure he’d go around prying.

“We have to question Ward, Rush. Evidence or not. What’s he got to lose now?” Nora asked.

“If your mom’s death wasn’t an accident, then a lot.”

THREE

The winter storm had slacked off, leaving a foot of fresh powdered snow and temperatures in the low twenties. But it wasn’t keeping tourists and locals away from Main Street. Carolers dressed in Victorian clothing wassailed along singing inside the shops that were lit with candles and twinkling lights. Nora loved the candle store best with its cranberry, pine and cinnamon scents that wafted through the air. She’d be buying one of the candles when they got there. Small stations were set up for tourists to relax and revel with mulled cider or cocoa. With red noses and wrapped head to toe like mummies in winter garb and bags loading them down, people were having a ball.

Road crews had done a good job of clearing the roads and sidewalks. Nora and Hailey walked with Dalton, his lips coated in chocolate and whipped cream. Nora had missed so much of his growing up by only visiting once a year. She’d forgotten how much she loved these pre-Christmas festivities. They’d bumped into several people Nora had grown up with, and there had been no narrowed eyes or questions about Mom, but Nora couldn’t help but feel gawked at. Rush had been called away due to shoplifters, and being here in public, Nora didn’t think anyone would try something. She hoped anyway. She had her sister and Dalton with her.

“Nora, do you think you should push this?” Making a motion with her chin toward Dalton, Hailey let Nora know to talk in code so young ears didn’t hear.

“Don’t you want answers?”

“Yes, but not enough to bring on the extra trouble, if you know what I mean. Maybe we should move on. I don’t care to know about every single indiscretion, and quite frankly, I believe there were many.”

“But why? What was so bad in the marriage that would cause that?”

Hailey sighed and watched as Dalton jetted ahead, gawking in the taffy store. “People grow apart, Nora. They live in the same house, share the bills and running errands and after-school activities, but the spark dies.”

“I’m sorry about you and Nate.”

Hailey squeezed her hand but said nothing.

Nora had seen marriages that lasted. Burned bright all through the years. Rush’s parents for one. And her grandparents on Dad’s side. Mom had no family. No pictures. They’d burned in a house fire when Mom was young.

Hair rose on her neck and she scanned the area.

“So how are things with you and Rush?” Hailey asked.

Nora shook off the feeling of being watched again. “Fine. Good.” He was helping her look into a case. That’s it. Although sitting in his home, drinking coffee and reminiscing over old photos had shifted the place where she kept her feelings for him confined. “To be honest, I wish he’d be more aggressive on this investigation. He acts like he can’t question anyone until he has proof, but he can’t get proof without asking questions. It’s like people who need their first job but can’t get one without experience. How do you gain experience if you can’t get a job?”

Hailey snorted. “You’re babbling.”

“I suppose I am.” Rush frustrated her with his tippy-toeing around. She was beginning to think he was pacifying her with his promises to look into the past. He hadn’t done much of anything.

They stopped inside the candle shop and Nora bought an orange-cranberry candle. Outside, Nora spotted Candace Fick. “Hey, didn’t she and Mom have lunches every Thursday afternoon?”

“Yeah, but that doesn’t mean she knows any more than we do.”

Carolers crooned, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

“You never know. I’m gonna hop over and see if we can have a lunch of our own. I’ll be right back.”

Blue lights flashed in the distance. Looked like Rush’s Bronco inching its way up the road. Butterflies swam in her stomach. Oh, no. No. No. She was not going to let herself swoon over him. For many reasons. One, she wasn’t even staying in Splendor Pines. She was moving to Florida—hopefully.

Two, he’d cheated on Ainsley, and if he’d cheat on her what was to say he wouldn’t cheat on Nora someday? There was no guarantee. And worst-case scenario, what if the rumors about her mother were true? What if Nora had her genes? Because if she were being honest she’d have to admit that even if she had known Rush was dating Ainsley, it wouldn’t have stopped her from spending time with him, holding his hand, embracing him, cuddling on the couch or even kissing him.

She was pulled from the souring thought. Literally.

A meaty hand yanked her by the collar behind the shops, thrusting her up against the brick, her face scraping against the rough exterior. “I told you to back off!” he hissed, and cut off her scream with his thick gloved hand. She flailed and elbowed him in the chest, but his heavy coat must have taken most of the blow. It barely slowed him down. Adrenaline coursed through her veins; blood swooshed in her temples.

He yanked a strand of lights from the trim of the building and wound them around her throat, tightening them. She couldn’t breathe! She grabbed at them, the twinkling rainbow hot around her neck and flashing in her eyes. In the distance, carolers sang, “O Christmas Tree.” A serenade to her—Nora the human Christmas tree.

Help! Someone!

The cord dug into her neck, stinging. Her eyes watered and her throat swelled. Blood heated in her cheeks.

Using her foot, she back kicked him. She missed his groin and knocked his upper thigh. He cursed and thrust her to the ground, never releasing his grip on her throat with the lights.

Spots formed in front of her eyes.

The snow burned cold on her cheek.

He practically sat on her back as if he was roping a calf. She felt along the snow and found her bag with the candle.

“Nora?”

Rush!

The attacker released his grip enough for her to gulp a breath of air and wiggle around to use the candle as a weapon. She held the handles of the plastic bag and swung it like a bat against the side of his face; he groaned and jumped off her.

Rush moved in on him, but he scrambled and found his footing, racing ahead into the crowd. Rush radioed their location as he gave chase. She coughed and unwound the Christmas lights from her neck, breathing in the cold, fresh winter air.

Jogging, Rush came back to her and knelt. “Are you okay?”

No. But she had to show a sign of strength. “Just need to catch my breath.”

He tipped her chin, searched her eyes. “Nora, be honest.” Concern pulsed in his. “Talk to me.”

“I’m fine.” She hid her shaking hands. “How’d you find me?”

Rush blew a heavy sigh. “Hailey said you went to talk to Candace Fick, but Candace said she never saw you. I got a gut feeling. Went looking for you from point A to B.”

Nora rubbed the tender area on her neck. “Anyone tell you that you ought to be in law enforcement? Private Eye? Detective? Human Metal Detector?”

“I’m glad you can find the funny in this.”

Nothing about this was funny, but she didn’t want to admit she might have bitten off more than she could chew. Because she couldn’t back down regardless.

“That’s me. The funny girl.”

Rush pulled Nora to her feet. He brushed a gloved thumb across her cheek. “Nora, this is getting out of hand and I’m worried.”

Join the club. “I’ll be okay. I’ve got you around.” She tried to play it off lightheartedly but it fell flat.

“I’m not always around, though. If I hadn’t been just down the street...”

She’d be dead right now. With no answers. She didn’t want to think about it. “Candace might know where Mom was going that night or who had been with her. They were friends.”

“Why hasn’t she come forward, then?” Rush asked.

“I don’t know.” Nora picked up the bag with the candle inside, brushed snow from it.

Rush pointed to the sleigh rides. “Why don’t we take a break and hitch a ride back to the lodge.”

“Isn’t your Bronco still here?”

“Don’t want to go ‘dashing through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh’ with me?” Rush winked and slung his arm around Nora’s shoulders.

“As long as we don’t have to laugh all the way. My ribs won’t take it.” She ignored her heart’s warning to abandon his protective arms and charm and she leaned into him. Rumors were sure to abound.

Snuggled under a quilt with Nora on the sleigh ride had brought back so many memories. Rush had been smitten with her since he made fun of her pink sparkly tennis shoes in third grade and she shoved him down the hill on the playground. She’d been full of spunk and spice and still was. Normally, he’d appreciate that but it was fueling her need to keep pushing into the past. She didn’t trust him to do his job, and coupled with refusing to let her feelings out, it was utterly disappointing. Didn’t she see they were in this together?

Nora’s father stood on the steps of the chalet as the sleigh ride came to its end. Rush had texted him ten minutes earlier and filled him in on the newest attack.

He met Nora as she stepped out and drew her into his arms. “Nora, how many times am I going to have to beg you to stop this? It’s going to get you killed.”

She didn’t respond but pulled from his embrace.

Joshua’s nostrils flared, but underneath the anger was fear. Fear for his daughter. “I’ve given the family staying next to you an upgraded chalet. Rush, you take that one until you don’t need it anymore. I understand appearances.” He peered into Nora’s eyes. “But if you won’t come back to the main house and let me take care of you, then I’ll feel better knowing Rush is six feet away. But again, I wish you’d come up to the house and let Rush look into the attacks. If you stop digging, they might stop.”

Rush thought the same thing, but the killer may believe Nora found the incriminating photo. If so, he would be coming to silence her for it. Rush too.

Nora looked at her dad and then at Rush. “If the results come back that there is no foul play involved, I’ll consider it. But something bad happened that night. I know it.”

Rush believed it too. He didn’t think Nora would consider letting it go. He shook Joshua’s hand. “I appreciate the chalet. I’ll get my things later.”

They stood quietly, a bit awkward, then Joshua tightened his scarf. “I’ve got some work to do.” He left them on Nora’s porch.

“What now?” Nora asked.

“We compile a list of names we heard rumors about and quietly investigate to see if they were true. Then we add their wives to that list. You know the phrase about women scorned.”

“They buy Ben & Jerry’s?” A slender eyebrow twitched north, giving Nora a sly, flirty look.

Heat swarmed Rush’s gut. “Something like that.”

Nora unlocked the chalet and they stepped into the warmth. She hung her coat on the hook by the front door and dropped her purse, hat and gloves on the kitchen counter, then lit the candle she’d wielded as a weapon earlier. Didn’t take long for the chalet to become enveloped in orange and cranberry with a hint of cinnamon.

“We should make a list of the people who were there when the car was taken from the lake too,” she said. “I always stay at the guest chalet. Someone knew it, knew I was home and that I was coming after them. Had to be someone who was there.”

“Not necessarily. Anyone could have picked up the phone to gossip and shared it with the wrong—or right—person. I’ll work on the men with rumored affairs and their wives.” He’d spare her that dreaded deed. “After I build a fire.”

“I’ll make coffee.”

They went to work on their tasks, then sat on opposite ends of the sofa, notebooks in hand, stopping every once in a while to pour more coffee. Nora pulled a box of ginger snaps from the cupboard that had been stocked. Rush was thankful for them; he hadn’t eaten dinner.

“I only have about ten people on my list, and I know more were at the lake that night.” Nora tapped her lead pencil on the notebook and scowled. He’d always loved her perturbed look. It made her nose perkier and her full lips poutier.

He tried to ignore his attraction and focus on the work. “Read off the names and let’s see if any of them match mine, then we’ll circle them and put them at the top of our suspect list.”

Nora smirked. “You got it, Matlock.”

Rush chuckled and Nora read her list. He circled the names she called out that he had on his list of rumored affairs: Ward McKay, Len Franklin and Harvey Langston. He still had three more names on his list. Martin Hassleback, Kent Sammons and Rodney Jones.

“Let’s start with the first three we matched and then move on with the other three. Ward, Harvey, Len and Martin are divorced so they rank even higher as the chances of the rumors being true are greater,” Rush said.

Nora rolled her pencil along her bottom lip. He cleared his throat. “I’m only speculating. Don’t take it as the gospel truth.”

“Why do you keep prefacing your speculations or putting that addendum on there? Cops speculate, Rush. It’s not like you’re accusing anyone of anything...yet.” Nora laid her notepad and pencil on the coffee table, stretched and yawned.

“I don’t want to falsely accuse anyone of something. It could wreck them.” And himself.

“Fine, but we have to process our ideas. I’m not going to go out there and tell the world these things.”

No, just the men whose names are on the list. And if they didn’t have an affair, it might circulate once again and marriages could fall apart and worse. Rush’s cell phone rang. Gary Plenk. “It’s the coroner.”

“Put him on speaker,” Nora said.

“Hey, Gary, what’s up? You’re on speaker with myself and Nora Livingstone.”

There was a pause on the line. Gary had bad news. Rush glanced at Nora and she nodded. “It’s okay, Gary, you can say what you need to say.”

“I’m so sorry, Nora. The DNA was conclusive.”

“I was prepared for that. Thank you,” Nora said but her voice choked up and she stared at the floor.

“Uh... Rush, could we talk a minute?” Gary asked.

Nora held up her hand and shook her head. Words wouldn’t come. Right now, he wanted to tell Gary to call back later, take Nora into his arms and comfort her, but he doubted she’d let him. She may have been prepared for this call, but the reality was Marilyn was gone. Forever. It was official.

Rush paused, but the look in Nora’s eye told the tale. She wanted to hear it all—needed to. “Go ahead, Gary.”

Gary cleared his throat. “I’m ruling this an accidental death, but when you look at the report and photos, you’ll see some striations on the...on the skull.”

“Cause?” Rush asked, his stomach roiling over what Nora might be imagining. He should have taken Gary off speakerphone.

“Unfortunately, they’re inconclusive.”

“Meaning there could have been foul play involved?” Nora asked, but her voice cracked. “Have you double-checked?”

“I’m sorry, Nora,” Gary said. “I have. They could have come from the impact of the car hitting the water, causing her to hit her head on the steering wheel or another part of the vehicle, but I can’t be one hundred percent sure.”

“Then it’s possible that something else caused those marks.”

“I don’t believe so, no,” Gary said, this time a bit firmer. “I think what we have here is a terrible tragedy, and I am sorry for your loss and the loss of your family.”

“Thanks, Gary. I appreciate it.” Rush hung up before Nora pressed on.

She stood, then sat. Tears spilled over her cheeks as the harsh reality sank in. Rush tried to hold her, but she pushed him away as expected. Instead of getting upset over the fact that she didn’t want him or his comfort, he quietly sat while she dealt with the death inwardly, and then she hurried to the bathroom, closing herself off even further from him. When she returned, he stood. “I’m so sorry, Nora Beth. Is there anything I can do?”

“No. She really is gone. Dad will want to have a proper burial. I need to work on the arrangements.” She sniffed, wiped her nose on her sleeve and composed herself outwardly. “But I can’t dismiss the fact that the striations are inconclusive. That means it’s not definite and you know it.”

There was no arguing that Gary had been the coroner for over a decade and a doctor for twenty years prior. Nora had latched onto the idea that Marilyn had been hurt that night. Rush massaged the back of his neck, working the tightness out. She had a point, even though it was slight.

“And even if she wasn’t murdered, there’s money involved. What if she was blackmailed for something—or forbid it all, blackmailing someone—Money laundering, payoffs...the list is endless. Rush, you’re a total cop. Tell me you think it’s all coincidence and it should be laid to rest and I’ll believe you.”

He couldn’t give her that, as much as he hated to start tearing up innocent families with accusations. “I can’t say that. And you know it. I also know you, and you have no plans of laying anything to rest anytime soon. You were pacifying your dad earlier.”

“So?”

“So I think it’s a good thing he put me next door.”

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