“We’re only five hours away. I’d better get back to the barn,” Tyler said, stepping forward to envelop Ava in a warm, brotherly hug. His embrace was a shield against the world, his whispered words an anchor. “You call me if you need me,” he murmured softly in her ear, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek before heading out.
After her father and Jessica left, Ava plopped down onto the sofa, the cushions sighing beneath her weight. She looked around the room, a jungle of cardboard boxes creating a maze she had to navigate just to reach the kitchen. With a resigned sigh, she pushed to her feet and decided to check on Ellie.
Ava wove her way through the sea of boxes, each step a careful dance, and made her way down the hallway to her daughter’s room. She slowly pushed the door open, and laughed when she saw Ellie sitting up in bed, her small voice animatedly chatting away with the doll Deacon had bought her.
“Hey, baby girl,” Ava said softly, her voice a gentle caress in the room.
Ellie turned toward the door, her eyes wide,then pulled herself up using the bars of the crib. Her little arms stretched out to Ava, a silent plea and a joyous greeting.
“Mama!” Ellie screamed, her voice happy as she started hopping up and down.
“Let’s get some dinner.” Ava lifted her out, her touch tender and loving, changed her pull-ups, and set her on her feet. Ellie immediately scampered from the room; her doll clutched tightly in her arms. Ava shook her head, a fond smile on her lips, then followed her daughter, losing sight of her in the labyrinth of boxes.
“Ellie? Where are you?” Ava called out, trying to suppress her laughter, the words echoing playfully through the room.
“Hiding, Mama,” Ellie said with a giggle, her voice a playful echo in the midst of their cardboard kingdom.
Ava tiptoed through the maze of boxes, her footsteps light as a whisper. She stifled a laugh when she peered over a stack and spotted Ellie nestled between the cardboard towers, her tiny finger pressed against her lips, signaling for her doll to stay silent. With a soft touch on Ellie’s head, Ava prompted the little girl to look up, her face breaking into a delighted squeal of laughter.
“I found you,” Ava announced, her voice filled with warmth.
Ellie scrambled to her feet, clutching her doll tightly, and stretched out her free arm toward Ava. With a gentle lift, Ava hoisted her over the boxes and settled her into the highchair with care.
“Let me put your doll on the chair next to you,” Ava suggested, taking the doll, pulling out a chair, and carefully placing it as if the doll were anotherguest. “How’s that?”
Ellie nodded enthusiastically. “Hungry, Mama.”
“I know, sweetheart, I am too,” Ava replied, casting a glance around the kitchen. She swung open the fridge door, then the freezer, both revealing uninspiring options. Turning to Ellie, she asked, “How about pizza?”
“Yay!” Ellie clapped her small hands, her eyes sparkling with excitement, as Ava reached for the phone to order a pizza. After placing the order, she took Ellie out of her highchair because she didn’t want to let her sit there while waiting for the delivery.
When the pizza arrived, the aroma wafted through the room, making Ava’s stomach rumble. She carefully cut Ellie’s slice into bite-sized pieces, arranged them on a plate, and placed it on the highchair’s tray before settling Ellie into her seat once again.
As Ellie dug into her meal with gusto, Ava took a bite of her own slice, the flavors dancing on her palate, reminding her just how hungry she was. Sitting at the table with Ellie, Ava’s thoughts began to wander to Deacon. The anxiety about the move rippled through her, but she held onto the hope that something positive would emerge from this change. She understood the initial challenges, they were stepping into Deacon’s space, a home he had never shared before, and now he was welcoming two new inhabitants. Ava hoped that their decision to embark on this journey together would prove to be the right one for them all.
****
Thursday morning arrived with a chill in the air as Deke climbed into his truck, its engine rumbling to life beneath him. He was preparing for the trip to Maple Ridge, a journey he wasn’t particularly eager to undertake, since he planned to go back on Saturday.
Dave had dispatched Rawley to accompany him as a precaution against any potential issues. With Killian occupied with another assignment, it was just Deke and Rawley for this mission. Deke didn’t mind; he had complete faith in Rawley, trusting him with his life. The bond between them was strong, forged through countless cases and shared dangers.
As Deke adjusted the rearview mirror, he spotted Rawley’s vehicle trailing closely behind. Rawley was an exceptional agent, and Deke knew he would do everything possible to assist in cracking this case wide open.
The ultimate goal was to apprehend Chet Winchester, but to reach him, Deke needed to capture Anthony Dyer first. After an exhaustive search, he finally pinpointed Dyer’s whereabouts. Dyer seemed to shuttle between Maple Ridge and Billings, a curious pattern for a man like him. The only plausible explanation for his presence in a town as modest as Maple Ridge was the connections he must have there. Deke was astounded by the revelations about Dyer’s activities; despite his supposed dealings in the black market, Deke couldn’t find any information on him.
The question that gnawed at Deke was why law enforcement had been unable to halt Dyer’s illicit operations. How had he managed to evade capturefor so long? Why didn’t the man have a record? The mystery added an extra layer of urgency to Deke’s mission as he drove down the winding road, determined to find the answers.
Deke maneuvered his truck into the parking lot of the hotel, easing it into a spot. Moments later, Rawley pulled up beside him, the quiet hum of his engine fading as he switched it off. The two men emerged from their vehicles, the evening air brushing against their skin. They retrieved their worn duffle bags from their trucks and made their way toward the welcoming glow of the lobby’s entrance.
“I’m glad I don’t have to make this trip all the time,” Rawley remarked, his voice laced with relief.
“Yeah,” Deke replied, his tone noncommittal.
“You okay, Deke?” Rawley inquired, casting a concerned glance his way.
“Yes. No,” Deke admitted, hesitating.
“Which is it?” Rawley pressed gently.
