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  She burst out laughing when he flinched. Yeah, they loved their girls, but, more, well, she wasn’t sure about that. “I guess I’ll find something to do with myself today.”

  “Let me arrange for a nanny for when I’m at work.”

  She stood up and threw her arms around his neck and then kissed his lips. “When we move maybe. Right now, Coreen would kill me. She enjoys being a grandmother. Is everything going smoothly for the move?”

  He sighed, and she thought she saw greater tension in his bearing, sorry she had brought it up. “It’s going. I guess I better go. I’ll come by Dad’s at lunchtime to see if you need anything.”

  “You can call.”

  He drew her in a tight embrace. “I’ll be there.”

  “Fine, stubborn man. I’ll see you later. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  * * * *

  The day had worn on until the hour struck two, and Deja hadn’t heard from or seen Heath. She’d called him three times, and he hadn’t picked up. She left voice mails telling him to check in by phone if he couldn’t come by. Still no contact. Worry made her pace in Coreen’s kitchen while her mother-in-law rocked Neve in her arms. On the table, in her carrier, Maia babbled with her feet going.

  “You think something’s wrong?” Deja asked for the millionth time.

  “No, I think he got busy. You know how fussy many people have been since they learned Siberia is relocating.”

  Deja chewed her nail. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She paced some more. Ever since Heath had been abducted, she couldn’t bear not hearing from him. Another half hour passed, and she’d had it. “Mind watching the girls, Coreen?”

  “Of course.”

  Deja grabbed a jacket and bolted for the door. Her new minivan sat in the driveway with two car seats in the back for her daughters. She scurried around the vehicle to the driver’s seat and hopped behind the wheel, and within a few minutes she pulled up to city hall. No cars were out front, and when she tried the front door of the place, she found it locked. Dread knotted her stomach.

  “They all tore out of here a while ago.”

  Deja spun around to meet the curious gaze of one of the town’s busybodies. “All?” Deja asked with an eagerness she couldn’t hide.

  The woman nodded. “Ward, Joe, that new guy Sam, and Heath.”

  Having held her breath as each name was mentioned, Deja let it out when she heard Heath’s name. At least he was with the others. “Any idea where they were headed?”

  “No, but they looked serious.” The woman’s eyes brightened, and she almost bounced in her excitement. “Whoever finds out what happened first can tell the other, okay?”

  “Uh, sure.” She had no intention of sharing anything. Some information didn’t need to get out into the public. A year of being in this town, even she knew that, and Heath’s position brought it home even more. She excused herself and watched as the woman disappeared around the corner. Then she climbed back inside the minivan to consider her options. Should she track Heath or go back to Coreen’s? She had no idea how far away he might be or if he was even in Siberia at the moment, and the babies required a lot of attention, a real challenge for one person. While she considered it, her cell phone rang, and she dug it out of her purse. The sight of Heath’s name flashing on the caller ID gave her instant relief, followed by anger.

  She punched the connect button. “You couldn’t freakin’ call?”

  “Deja.”

  His tone of voice knotted her stomach all over again. “What is it? What’s wrong, Heath?”

  “I’m in McAllen. We’ve had a murder. One of our people.”

  She gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth. When the pain in her chest eased, she spoke again. “Who was it? Do you know who did it?”

  “One of the ones who left us. I’ll explain more when I get back.”

  “Okay, please be careful, baby. I—”

  “He’s dead, he’s dead!”

  Deja stopped speaking and glanced into her side mirror. The same woman she’d been speaking to earlier ran toward her van, and even from her distance away, anyone would be able to tell that there was blood on her dress. Deja’s stomach plummeted. The woman drew alongside Deja’s window and pounded on it as if Deja couldn’t see her standing there.

  “He’s dead,” the woman shouted again. “Somebody killed him!”

  “Deja,” Heath yelled over the line, “what’s going on? Who is that screaming?”

  “H-Heath, you better get back here quick.” She licked her lips. “I think whoever you’re looking for is here in Siberia.”

  TO BE CONTINUED…

  About the Author

  Tressie Lockwood has always loved books, and she enjoys writing about heroines who are overcoming the trials of life. She writes straight from her heart, reaching out to those who find it hard to be completely themselves no matter what anyone else thinks. She hopes her readers enjoy her short stories. Visit Tressie on the web at www.tressielockwood.com.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  About the Author