She took several calming breaths, trying to quiet her racing pulse. This wasnt her. She was not that woman. She didnt live in the past or carry torches. She didnt dwell on what might have been. Shed moved on. Forged ahead. Thered been no one really serious since Dylan, but that had nothing to do with unrequited love and everything to do with ambition. She simply had no time for anything more than a casual relationship. No strings, no commitment, no expectations.
Her reaction meant nothing. She could handle this. Already she felt steadier. Soon she would get dressed and go downstairs for dinner, where she would spend a pleasant evening reminiscing with old friends.
But first, shed have a long soak and a good stiff drink.
Chapter Two
The great room was empty when Ava came downstairs a little while later. She milled about for a bit, studying the William B. Travis portrait over the fireplace and the framed photographs on either side before moving through the French doors to the terrace. The sun had set by this time and the sky over the treetops had deepened to lavender. She could smell mountain laurel on the breeze and a hint of rain in the distance.
The feeling of disquiet that had descended earlier came back as she took in the isolation of her surroundings. Except for the muted clatter of china and silverware coming from the dining room, she might have been alone. But then she sensed another presence a split second before she spotted a silhouette in the deepest shadows of the patio. She wanted to turn away from his relentless gaze, seek refuge inside the lit great room. Instead, she took a step toward him.
Dylan?
Hello, Ava.
Her hand fluttered to her chest. My goodness. It really is you.
You seem surprised to see me. No one told you Id be here?
His voice was rich and deep and very unsettling. Ava shivered as the breeze blew across the terrace. I came at the last minute. I havent spoken with the others yet.
She still couldnt see him clearly but she very much wanted to. She wanted to know if the flesh-and-blood man could hold a candle to her memory. Not a fair comparison, she acknowledged. Time had marched on. She wouldnt like to be held to the same standard.
As if reading her mind, he stepped out of the shadows. Her hand was still at her chest. She could feel the pounding of her heart through her sweater and forced her hand to her side.
He was still peering at her through the twilight. You dont have a problem with my being here, do you?
Why would I have a problem? You were always a part of this group. You belong here as much as anyone. She sounded fine, but her smile felt brittle. She drew a breath and tried to relax. But I didnt realize youd kept in touch with the others.
I didnt. Blair and I ran into each other through a mutual acquaintance. She invited me to the reunion. I had nothing else planned so here I am.
Here you are, Ava echoed faintly.
He returned her cautious smile. Its good to see you. Youre looking well.
Am I? Thats kind of you to say, but Im feeling a bit of a mess these days. She touched her ponytail, wishing shed taken a little more care with her appearance. Wishing shed worn the navy sheath rather than the black pants and sweater. You, though... She trailed off, taking in the fitted charcoal slacks and jacket. She sighed and dispensed with discretion. You look fantastic. I kind of hate you right now.
He laughed, a soft, intimate sound that wrapped around her like an embrace. Why are you feeling a mess?
Oh, work. Life. She shrugged. The usual.
His gaze deepened as he searched her face. Cant be more than a temporary setback. I hear impressive things about you.
She stared back at him. You do? Oh, thats right. You said you ran into Blair. Shes biased, you know.
I doubt she needs to be in your case. She tells me youre an attorney. He leaned a shoulder against a post as he observed her in the waning light. Its nice to know you followed through with your dream of law school. I cant remember you ever wanting to do anything else.
Yes, although I didnt go into practice with my dad. I work for the DAs office in Houston.
Challenging work, I imagine.
It can be. She shoved her hands into her pockets as she gazed at him across the terrace. There was a surreal quality to their casual conversation after a decadelong separation. Ava tried to decide if the meeting was easier or harder than she had imagined it would be. You have me at a disadvantage. I havent heard anything about you. In all these years...not one word. Her voice took on an accusatory edge despite her best efforts.
His voice held no such edge. I thought thats what you wanted.
It was. But I can still be curious, cant I? What have you been up to since college? Are you married, single...? What do you do for a living? The questions tumbled out before she could stop them.
There was a slight hesitation before he answered. Im still figuring out what I want to do. Ive been at loose ends since I left the army.
She went completely still. You were in the service?
You didnt know? I enlisted the day after graduation.
Ava felt as if the wind had been knocked from her lungs. I had no idea. Why didnt you tell me?
You know why.
The others...?
I didnt tell anyone. It seemed best that way. After you left, there was nothing keeping me in Austin. My grandmother was dead. Most of our friends had scattered. He canted his head, still watching her. I needed a purpose and I found one.
The army, she murmured. For how long?
Eight years.
Were you overseas?
Afghanistan for a time.
She closed her eyes. I wish Id known. I should have known.
Why?
It doesnt seem right, you over there in that nightmare and the rest of us here getting on with our lives.
It was my choice. And for what its worth, it was the second-best decision I ever made.
Now it was Ava who hesitated. What was the first?
Telling you how I really felt. Laying all my cards on the table. I never had to look back with regret. I never had to wonder what if.
Her hackles rose in self-defense. You assume that I have?
I never said that. I speak only for myself.
The conversation was getting a little too intimate for comfort. Ava felt a sense of relief at having survived their first encounter, but now she searched for a subtle excuse to go her own way, even though a part of her wanted to just stand there and stare at him forever.
She opened her mouth, but before she could utter a sound, a scream pierced the night, jangling her nerves and freezing her to the spot. For a moment, she stood in horrified silence, unable to breathe, unable to move until a second scream propelled her straight into Dylan Burkharts arms.
* * *
DYLANS FIRST INSTINCT was to pull her tightly to him, protect her from whatever danger lurked on the property, but that wasnt a good idea for so many reasons. Too many years had passed and he had a job to do. He held her for only a moment before sliding his hands to her shoulders, subtly keeping her at bay.
Did you hear that? she asked on a breath. Sounded like it came from directly above us.
Hold on. He shifted his position, putting his body between her and the shadowy grounds as he moved out from under the terrace to scan the second-story bedrooms. Only one of the windows was lit against nightfall. He saw a movement in the room and then, a second later, a female figure appeared in the balcony doorway.
Blair? he called up to her softly.
She rushed out on the balcony, clutching a white robe to her chest. Dylan?
Are you okay?
Im not hurt, but youd better get up here. Her hushed voice quivered with excitement. Or was that panic?
Whats wrong?
Just come up, okay?
Ava caught his arm, her eyes wary and anxious as he moved back under the lattice cover. Whats going on?
Thats what Im trying to find out. He gently untangled his arm. Wait here while I go have a look.
What? No! Are you crazy? Im not waiting out here alone in the dark.
Then come inside. He took her hand, pulling her toward the French doors. Ill be back down as soon as I can.
If Blairs in trouble, I should go up there and help her. Dylan, those screams She broke off. Wait a minute. How is it youre still so calm? You dont even seem surprised. Its almost as if you
As if I what? You heard her. She said shes fine. Theres no cause for panic.
You dont scream like that if youre fine.
Then why are we standing here arguing? he asked in exasperation.
Thats a very good point. She brushed past him to the doorway.
Dylan hesitated for only a moment before catching up with her and taking the lead. He bounded up the stairs two at a time, pausing on the landing to take stock. A crystal chandelier tinkled overhead in a draft. Farther down the hallway, a door clicked shut. He turned his ear to the sound, holding up his hand to silence Ava when she would have questioned his caution.
Blair had arranged to have the ranch exclusively for the reunion. The invitees had all been assigned rooms upstairs, leaving the detached cabins unoccupied. In the two days that Dylan had been there, hed made a point to familiarize himself with all the staff members. A stranger wandering around the house or grounds should be easy to spot. He scoured the hallway now for any sign of an intruder or anything out of the ordinary. Except for that faint click of a door, nothing seemed amiss.
Blairs suite was just off the landing, and as Dylan started toward the door, she burst into the hallway, the hem of her silk robe floating behind her like a ghost.
Dylan, thank God. You have to see this She halted abruptly when she spotted Ava. Her hand flew to her throat in alarm. Ava! I didnt know you were here.
I got in a little while ago. She moved around Dylan. Whats going on? We heard your screams. That was you, wasnt it?
Yes...
You scared us half to death, Ava said. It sounded as if you were being murdered up here.
Blair seemed at a loss as her gaze darted to Dylan. Murdered? No... I...
Take a breath, he said, and tell us what happened. He kept his voice neutral, but his eyes warned her to proceed with caution.
She bit her lip and nodded. Im okay. I...its nothing really. I feel completely stupid. I saw a scorpion in my bedroom.
A scorpion? Ava repeated in disbelief.
On my bed. Blair clutched the lapels of her robe. Theyre everywhere in the Hill Country so I shouldnt be surprised, I suppose. But you remember how deathly afraid of spiders Ive always been. A scorpion is a million times worse.
Ava nodded. I remember, all right. You nearly drove us into a ditch once when you saw a spider in your car.
Blair shuddered. It was a very big spider.
I can see youre upset, Ava said. Why dont I call downstairs and have someone come up and take care of the problem?
Dylan maneuvered around Blair to the door, blocking Avas path into the suite. Ill deal with the scorpion. You go downstairs and let everyone know that Blair is fine. We cant be the only ones who heard her scream.
Yes, would you? Blair managed a weak smile. Im too embarrassed to face anyone right now.
Theres no need to be embarrassed. Im sure I would scream, too, if I found a scorpion in my bed. Ava addressed Blair, but she trained her gaze on Dylan. Unease niggled. He could almost hear the gears turning inside her head. The scorpion cover wasnt bad, but Ava North had never been anyones fool.
Thanks, Blair murmured.
Ava shrugged off her gratitude, but she had a determined look on her face that Dylan remembered only too well. Think nothing of it. Ill take care of everything. But are you sure youre okay? You still look a little pale. My room is just down the hall. Would you like to wait there while Dylan exterminates yours?
Im fine now.
If you say so. Her gaze on Dylan was direct and slightly challenging. Youve got everything under control up here?
Yes, no worries.
She nodded though she didnt look particularly convinced. Ill see you both downstairs, then.
Dylan waited until shed disappeared across the landing before turning back to Blair. What happened?
Its better if I show you.
He followed her into the suite. A small entryway opened into a luxurious sitting area with buttery leather furniture, a limestone fireplace and a row of French doors that looked out on a wide balcony. Blair paused in the sitting room and pointed to a doorway through which Dylan could glimpse a bed and another set of French doors.
In there.
The lamp on the nightstand cast a soft glow over the room. More light spilled in from the open bathroom door. Dylan quickly scanned the area, peering into shadowy corners and taking note of the night air drifting in through the open balcony doors. Like the sitting area, the room was both rustic and luxurious with a vaulted beam ceiling and plush rugs on a wide-plank floor. But it was the bed that drew Dylans attention. Or rather, what had been placed on the covers.
Lying atop the opulent linens was a doll, the kind of expensive keepsake his grandmother had once collected and kept behind the locked glass doors of her curio cabinet. Only this one hadnt been so lovingly preserved. The porcelain arms and legs had been shattered and the neck grotesquely twisted so that the painted visage faced the doorway. Light glinted in the glass eyes, prickling Dylans scalp as he moved into the room.
Behind him, Blair said breathlessly, You see it, dont you?
He glanced over his shoulder. The doll?
Its not just a doll. Its an effigy. Notice the color of her hair, those eyes. The way shes been posed. You must see it. A note of hysteria rose in her voice. Dylan, its Lily. Your Lily.
Chapter Three
Dylan turned slowly to face her. What did you say?
Blair leaned back against the door frame. Surely you can see it, too.
He whirled back to the bed, more shaken than he cared to admit. For a moment, he almost let her persuade him. There was something eerily familiar about the doll. Something perverted and sinister about the shattered limbs, the twisted neck and those open, staring eyes. Hed seen a lot of bad things in Afghanistan, dark things, but no amount of death and destruction could obliterate the image of Lily Callens broken body after a twenty-story fall. He wondered if the others still had nightmares about that night. About the lies that had been told and the secrets that had been kept.