“Sorry for the delay,” Gabe said, his voice steady despite the tension evident in his jawline.“I stopped by the sheriff’s office first.Thought it best to bring Sheriff Boudreau up to speed on a few things that’ve been happening.”
Rafe showing up at the same time as Gabe made sense now.As the town’s elected sheriff, her brother handled all the major cases in Shiloh Springs, covering the town and the entire county.But something in the way he looked at her—a mixture of concern and something she couldn’t put her finger on—made Nica uneasy.
“Doc, you might want to take a look at what they did to your office,” Dusty said, gesturing toward the hallway.“And the message they left.Spray paint.On your wall.”Dusty hesitated.“It’s about somebody named Melissa Carpenter.”
The color drained from Gabe’s face and Nica fought her need to go over and hug him, promise everything was going to be okay.She recognized the name, Melissa Carpenter, the same name she’d seen in the papers she’d received.The one’s accusing her husband of murder.The patient she’d talked with Gabe about the night before.But clearly somebody meant to taunt Gabe, to torture him with echoes of the past.She watched his shoulders stiffen and his eyes darken.
“I need to see it,” he said, already moving toward the hallway that led to his office.
Nica moved to follow, but Rafe caught her arm, pulling her back.
“We need to talk,” her brother said quietly.“Now.”
“Rafe, I should—”
“He’ll be fine with Dusty.”Rafe’s grip on her arm tightened slightly.“What I have to say can’t wait.”
She recognized that look on her brother’s face.Ten years her senior, Rafe had been more her big brother, her confidant, her second father who never failed to protect her, to offer advice, and keep her grounded and focused.But when he used that tone, she knew there would be no avoiding whatever he needed to say to her.
Nica let him guide her to a quiet corner near the pharmacy counter, away from the technicians and Lisa’s quiet sobbing.
“What is it?”she asked, crossing her arms defensively.
“Gabe came to see me this morning,” Rafe began, his voice low.“Wanted to talk to me before heading over here to check out the break-in.He wanted to tell me about some anonymous threats he’s been receiving.”
Nica’s heart sank.Had Gabe told Rafe everything?“He did?”
“Someone’s been calling him, threatening to go public with information about an incident in California.Something that happened when he was performing surgery at Stanford.”
Nica’s mind raced.His past as a surgeon in California wasn’t an issue, not until some malevolent stranger made it one.He’d left his prestigious position as a partner for a cardiothoracic surgical group at Stanford, where he was the rising star, the “golden boy” who everyone knew would become a leader in his field.She knew the truth, but she couldn’t help wondering why he’d felt the need to share with Rafe.
“It would ruin his reputation.”Nica knew without Rafe saying a word what he meant.Small towns like Shiloh Springs thrived on gossip.Even unfounded rumors could devastate a medical career.
“There’s more,” Rafe continued, his gaze intensifying.The frown marring his face had Nica tensing, some sixth sense told her he was about to drop a bomb.“He told me about you two.”
Nica froze.“What about us?”
“The elopement, Nica.Three months ago, the two of you heading to Brazos County.”Rafe’s expression softened slightly.“He wanted me to know in case anything happens to him.”
She felt the blood rush to her face.Their secret—the hasty wedding after just a few months of dating, the decision to keep it quiet until they could figure out a way to break it to her parents—now exposed.It had been her choice not to tell them; Gabe had wanted to talk to them the day they eloped.Now, looking at the stony expression on her brother’s face, she wondered if she’d made a huge mistake.
“We were going to tell everyone,” she said weakly.“Eventually.”
“You’ve been married three months and didn’t tell Momma and Dad?”Rafe’s voice held a note of disappointment that stung worse than anger would have.“You know how much Momma has dreamed of the big white wedding for her only daughter.She wanted to see Dad walk you down the aisle.”
Guilt twisted in Nica’s stomach.“It’s complicated, Rafe.”
“Life’s full of complications, Sis.I’m giving you until tomorrow,” he said firmly.“Sunday dinner.You and Gabe are going to tell them.”
“Rafe—”
“No arguments.There are enough secrets in this mess without keeping your marriage from your family.”His expression softened.“Momma and Dad deserve to know their daughter is married, Nica, especially with whatever trouble your husband’s mixed up in.”
Before she could respond, a crash echoed from down the hallway, followed by Gabe’s voice, sharp with anger.
“I can’t believe they did this!”
Nica’s eyes met Rafe’s.
