here that I don’t know about?”
Peyton shrugged. “I’m probably being paranoid. I just want to make sure she isn’t left alone, not for a minute.”
Joanna tugged the collar of her shirt with shaky fingers. “Now you’re making me nervous.”
“Just promise,” Peyton said.
Joanna squeezed Peyton’s hand. “I promise.”
Peyton gave her a hug, then hurried toward the ER exit. She scanned the waiting room as she passed it in search of someone who might be watching her and checked her surroundings as she dashed toward her car. The temperature had dropped, adding a chill to the air, and she shivered and tugged her jacket around her.
Footsteps sounded behind her just as she wove between a row of cars, and she felt someone behind her. She grabbed her keys and gripped them between her fingers to use as a weapon.
The footsteps grew louder, closing in on her, and a shadow loomed behind her. Fear clawed at her and she fought a scream as she ran for her car.
Chapter Twelve
Peyton stumbled as she reached for the door handle. But she managed to maintain her footing and swung open the door. Footsteps pounded the pavement behind her, and she threw herself into the driver’s seat, slammed the door and locked it.
When she looked up, a teenager jogged past and veered toward a Jeep. Relief filled her, and she started the engine, then backed from her parking spot and swerved onto the road. Two more turns and she was headed into the small town of River’s Edge.
The quaint little shops and restaurants were lit up, the local inn parking lot filled with tourists who’d come to enjoy the fall colors and local arts and crafts and antiques festival scheduled for the weekend. Others enjoyed the local apple houses where they sold apples and related foods like jams, jellies, apple bread and apple butter.
Several families were out with strollers and kids rode bikes on the sidewalk toward the ice-cream shop. As she parked at the Grapevine, a couple exited their car and strolled arm in arm toward the entrance. They looked so in love that Peyton’s heart gave a pang.
Sometimes at night when she was alone, she craved a man’s comforting arms. She even imagined a husband and family.
* * *
SHE PARKED, PULLED her jacket on, snagged her shoulder bag and glanced around her as she climbed from her car. A shiver rippled through her as she reached the door, and she glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was following.
Two men in suits walked toward the door along with another couple. She stepped inside, grateful for the dim lighting and soft piano music wafting through the room.
Agent Maverick stood by the hostess station, his dark gaze latching on to her. Her breath caught at how handsome he looked. Instead of his suit, he wore a button-down white shirt and a pair of jeans that accentuated his height and muscles. For a moment, she imagined her life was different, that she was normal like the couple outside. That she was meeting this handsome man for a date.
When in truth, he could arrest her for withholding information in a possible homicide investigation.
He gestured toward the seating area, then the hostess led them to a small round table in the corner. A vineyard scene had been hand painted on the tabletop, and wineglasses waited to be filled. The whole place felt intimate and romantic.
Maybe she should have chosen a coffee shop instead. Her mother’s pale face flashed in her mind, and she shook herself back to reality.
“Ms. Weiss?” Agent Maverick said in that deep, commanding voice that reminded her he was a federal agent. “Do you want a drink?”
Did she? “Yes.” After today, she needed one.
The waitress appeared and she ordered a Pinot Noir but he ordered coffee. Always on the job. She fidgeted, working up her courage while they waited on the drinks. Needing liquid courage, she took a sip as soon as the wine arrived, but her hand trembled as she set the glass back on the table.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
She traced her finger around the stem of her glass. “I have something to tell you. But there’s a stipulation.”
He raised a dark brow. “I can’t promise anything until I hear what you say.”
Panic zinged through her, and she stood. “Then this meeting is over.”
He caught her arm, his body brushing hers as he stepped up beside her. “Peyton, please sit back down. I can tell you’re scared. I want to help you.”
Did he? Or