Die Before Nightfall Read online

  “And I’m Adam Meade. Abby’s nephew.” A slim, handsome man slid into the pew, smiling at Raven, though his eyes seemed cold.

  Raven opened her mouth to respond and sneezed instead.

  Adam jerked back, and Shane’s lips quirked. His eyes danced with humor as he handed Raven another tissue. “Allergies?”

  “I’m afraid so.” She turned to Nora. “I am going to have to move. I’ll catch up with you after the service. I’ve got a few things in my car that I want to give you. A diary and some jewelry that belonged to Thea.”

  “A diary. How wonderful. I’m sure her family would love to have it.”

  “Great. I’ll look for you after the service.” Raven stood and gathered her Bible and purse, pausing when Shane spoke from behind her.

  “Abby and I should probably sit closer to the back, just in case we need to leave early. Why don’t the three of us go together?”

  “No, I—”

  But the decision was already made. Nora stood, smiling at Shane. “Now that’s a sensible idea. I’ll see you after the service, Raven.”

  It took a minute to get Abby moving, and by the time Shane managed it, Raven was already seated in the last pew. It was a good choice—one Shane would have made himself if he hadn’t wanted to give Abby a chance to sit with her son. A son who hadn’t said more than a word to his mother since they’d arrived.

  He shrugged off irritation and helped Abby situate herself, then slid into the pew beside her, glancing toward Raven in time to catch her stare. Her cheeks flushed, the tinge of color adding a soft glow to her skin as she turned away. She looked professional today, no longer the flower child Shane had first encountered. Too bad. Wild hair and flowing dresses suited her. Though he had to admit, she looked just as good in a trim suit and tied-back hair.

  Despite his best efforts to concentrate on the sermon, Shane found his gaze drawn to Raven again and again. She shifted, as if aware of his attention, and he caught a glint of silver at her ankle. An ankle bracelet? Shane leaned closer, wanting to get a better look, and was brought up short by an elbow to his ribs.

  He turned, saw the granite profile of the county sheriff, and wondered if the elbow had been an accident, or a warning. He suspected the latter, as he’d heard Jake and Ben were good friends. Whatever the case, Shane figured he’d deserved the elbow. After all, he had been staring at Raven, just as he stared at other people he found interesting. It was a bad habit of his, one he wasn’t always successful at curbing.

  The sermon wound to an end before Shane could get his mind back where it belonged. He blamed the lapse on fatigue. The past few nights had been rough, Abby’s behavior difficult. Tomorrow he’d speak with Raven, decide the best course of action in regard to Abby’s care. Until then he’d just have to make do. He turned toward Raven, wanting to ask what time she planned to stop by in the morning, and caught a glimpse of her lilac-colored suit as she hurried away.

  “Shane Montgomery, right?”

  Shane bit back a sigh as he turned to face the sheriff. “That’s right.”

  “I’m Jake Reed. This is my wife, Tiffany.”

  A tall redhead leaned around Jake and shook Shane’s hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Shane. I’ve read several of your books.”

  “I hope you enjoyed them.”

  “I did. Though I probably shouldn’t admit it, since they’re written for a younger audience. Sorry to say hi and run, but I’ve got a meeting in a few minutes.” She planted a kiss on her husband’s cheek and hurried away.

  Which left Shane and the sheriff.

  “Nice meeting you, Jake. I’ve got to get Abby home, so if you’ll excuse me…”

  “She looks like she’s having fun. Seems a shame to make her leave now.”

  Shane glanced at his aunt. Sure enough, she was surrounded by friends and looked happy. Which was too bad, as Jake seemed to have something on his mind. Something Shane felt confident he didn’t want to hear.

  “You’re right. What can I do for you?”

  “Just wondering what’s going on between you and Raven.”

  “Guess I’m wondering why that’s your business.”

  “Ben’s a good friend. I’ve made it my business to look out for his sister while he’s gone.”

  “I don’t think she’d appreciate it.”

  “She doesn’t have to know.”

  “But I do?”

  “Maybe. Ben said she’s had a rough time. I wouldn’t want things to get rougher while she’s here.”

  “If they do, it won’t be because of me. I’ve hired her to work with Abby. Should be a good arrangement for both of us.”

  “Let’s hope so. Gotta go. Take care of your aunt.”

  “Ready, Aunt Abby?” Shane led Abby from the sanctuary, his mind circling back to Raven again.

  Jake’s comments had been interesting, hinting at a difficult past. It wasn’t hard to imagine they were true. He pictured Raven—strong hands and thin body, determined and compassionate spirit, eyes that spoke of sadness and disillusion. She’d been hurt before. No doubt about it. But she wouldn’t be again. Not if Shane had anything to do with it.

  Chapter Eight

  Running from the sanctuary had been a silly and childish thing to do, and Raven didn’t bother denying the fact as she hurried across the church parking lot. Shane made her uncomfortable, his intense gaze reminding her of all the things she once wanted, but now told herself she no longer needed. After all, love and marriage weren’t all they were cracked up to be. She knew that, had lived the nightmare of it. She wouldn’t repeat the mistake.

  Images ran through her mind, memories of Jonas—handsome, charming, smiling as he promised to love and cherish her forever. His forever had lasted a few days. Then he’d decided to “fix” Raven’s imperfections. For a while she’d allowed herself to be molded into the sophisticated, soft-spoken, trophy wife he’d wanted, but even then, it hadn’t been enough. With Jonas nothing had ever been enough.

  She pushed back the memories and leaned into the car to get the cookie tin she’d brought for Nora.

  “Need some help?”

  Raven jumped, bumping her head on the roof of the car, and turned to face Shane and Abby. “You startled me.”

  “Sorry.” Shane didn’t look sorry as he reached to help her. He looked amused.

  What was it about the man that made her want to return his grin, relax her guard and allow herself to enjoy the moment? “Abby looks tired. Are you taking her home?”

  “Trying to rush me away, Raven?”

  She ignored the question, turning to face Abby. “You look lovely today, Abby.”

  “Thank you, dear. Have we met?”

  “I’m Raven.”

  “That’s an interesting name. Where did you get it?”

  “My mother saw a black bird outside the hospital window the day I was born. Since she hadn’t decided on a name, that’s what she called me.”

  “Nice.”

  Raven didn’t acknowledge Shane’s comment. She’d gotten past the story of her name long ago. “I’ve got to go find Nora. I have some things to give her.”

  “Before you go, we need to pick a time for our meeting tomorrow.”

  “Does nine work for you?”

  “Sounds good to me. We’ll see you then.”

  “All right. Bye.” She turned toward the church, expecting Shane to move away.

  Instead he leaned close and spoke into her ear. “I like that ankle bracelet you’re wearing. I’m thinking maybe the princess in my story should have one.”

  He winked, stepped back and ushered Abby away.

  Raven didn’t realize she was smiling until they’d disappeared from view. She didn’t want to be amused by Shane, didn’t want to be pulled into his easy humor and knowing gaze. Doing so could only lead to hurt, and she’d been hurt enough for one lifetime.

  The church hall was almost empty, the sound of Raven’s heels echoing on the tile floor. A few people mingled in the sanctuary,
and Raven could feel curious gazes as she stepped inside and looked for Nora. She wasn’t there. Raven would have to call and make arrangements to bring her the box.

  “Ms. Stevenson?”

  Raven turned to face the speaker, a smile of greeting in place. “Mr. Montgomery, it’s nice to see you again.”

  “If you have a minute I’d like to speak with you. I have a few questions regarding my mother’s care.”

  “Sure.”

  “There’s an empty room around the corner. Why don’t we go there?”

  He didn’t bother to close the door and barely waited for Raven to clear the threshold before he began. “I want to know what your interest in my mother is.”

  “I’m a nurse. Abby is going to be my patient.”

  “And?”

  “And nothing. I’m trained in geriatrics. I’ve been working in the home health-care industry for three years. I need a job. Shane offered me one.”

  “So it’s just a coincidence that you look like an old friend of my mother’s. One she misses desperately?”

  “What else would it be?”

  “A deliberate act. One designed to make you indispensable to an elderly woman who is obviously losing the ability to make rational judgments.”

  “I’m not sure where you’re going with this, Mr. Montgomery.”

  “Then I’ll be blunt. My mother is a wealthy woman. If you think you’re going to get some of her money—”

  “I’m here for my brother. Nothing more or less than that.” Anger colored the words and she did nothing to hide it.

  “I can’t know that.”

  “If you’re uncomfortable with the situation, I’d rather not take the job. Tell Shane he’ll need to find someone else.”

  She planned to walk away, but he placed a hand on her arm, all his anger seemingly gone. “I’m sorry. I was out of line.”

  “Yes. You were.”

  A half smile eased the tension in his face. “Glad to see we agree.”

  “Actually, we don’t. You’ve made a lot of assumptions about me that aren’t very flattering, Mr. Montgomery.”

  “Mark. And you’re right. I should have checked things out before I spoke with you. But my cousin, Adam, called me last night, said Abby was talking about Thea Trebain. I’ve seen pictures. There’s a marked resemblance between the two of you.”

  “And you thought I’d planned it that way?”

  “My mother is vulnerable right now. I don’t want her hurt.”

  “Check out my references. If you’re not satisfied, then let me know and I’ll back off from the job.” Despite her irritation Raven dug in her bag for a pen and piece of paper, and wrote down the names. She handed him the list.

  “Thanks. Like I said, I’m sorry for jumping the gun on things.”

  “I understand.”

  “Probably not, but thanks for saying so.” With that, he turned and walked away.

  Raven hurried outside to her car. Mark Montgomery was a difficult man, but she shouldn’t let it bother her. She’d dealt with plenty of difficult people in her life. She had lived with a man who was more than difficult—Jonas had been angry, confrontational, determined to have his way in everything. Compared to that, dealing with Mark would be a piece of cake.

  But what about dealing with Shane? She couldn’t stop the question from whispering through her mind. Shane wasn’t difficult, but he was dangerous in other ways. Ways Raven didn’t want to acknowledge.

  He’d made her smile.

  That worried her. She didn’t want to like Shane. Not when she knew there was something more than like between them. There was attraction. A deep, gut-level response to one another that begged to be explored. And that was something Raven couldn’t let happen.

  She’d just have to be careful, focus on Abby, do the job she was paid for, but not allow herself to be pulled into the family, or closer to Shane.

  It was a good plan. So why did she have a feeling things weren’t going to turn out as she intended them to? Maybe because things never turned out the way she planned.

  But God was in control, right?

  The thought wasn’t as comforting as it should have been. Raven shook her head as she got in the car and started it. She’d go home, take Merry for a run, have a cup of herbal tea and force herself to stop worrying.

  Even after her run, even while she sat on the sofa, a cup of steaming tea in her hand, Raven couldn’t shake the anxiety that thrummed along her nerves. She knew the reason. The cemetery. It had been haunting her mind since she’d been there with Abby and Shane. The worn, faded stones that chronicled the lives of the babies and children who’d died, crying out to her in her dreams, sliding into her mind as she moved through the day. Reminding her of what she’d lost.

  It shouldn’t hurt so much. Not after five years. But it did. Micah had been everything she’d longed for. A little boy to cherish, a family, love.

  And gone before she even had a chance to know him.

  Merry whined and nudged her nose against Raven’s leg, as if sensing her distress.

  “Don’t worry. I’m all right.”

  Sometimes.

  But not today.

  She walked into the bedroom and opened her jewelry box, pulled out a silver locket. It felt heavy in her hands as she pressed the clasp and eased it open to see the photo. Micah as he’d been minutes after his birth—tiny, perfectly formed, a miniature version of the full-term baby he would never be. Her throat was tight with tears she refused to shed, afraid if she let them start she’d never stop. At twenty-three weeks he’d been too little to survive, yet she’d held him, pulled his tiny body to her, felt the minute bones, the shallow breaths, the moment his soul had eased away.

  “I miss you, sweetie.” She traced the image with her fingernail, then slowly closed the locket again.

  Shane was at the end of his rope. So were the Princes of Truth. Maybe he should let them be devoured by the Lie Beast. At least then he wouldn’t have to worry about deadlines. He reread the paragraph he’d just written, deleted it, and prayed for inspiration. He’d need it if he was to get the manuscript finished on time.

  The phone rang and he picked it up, more glad than frustrated by the interruption. “Hello?”

  “Abby thinks I’m poisoning her. She’s knocked all the food off the table and has herself locked in the bathroom. You need to come do something.”

  Shane wanted to refuse, but if Kaylee was calling the office and interrupting his writing time it had to be just as serious as she said. “I’m coming.”

  Kaylee was in the kitchen scrubbing at her shirt when he stepped into the room. She looked up and grimaced. “Upstairs bathroom. Master suite. She’s shouting for the police.”

  “What’d you try to feed her?”

  “Soup. Chicken noodle. I thought it was innocuous enough.”

  “It isn’t your fault.”

  “Maybe not. But I feel terrible about it. Abby and I were getting along so well.”

  “I’ll go get her.”

  It took fifteen minutes to convince Abby to come out. By the time Shane managed it he was out of patience, but was careful to conceal his frustration as he led her from the room.

  “Want an omelet?”

  “I’m not hungry.”

  “You sure?”

  “All the food’s poisoned. Just ask Thea. She’ll tell you.”

  “Aunt Abby, you’re not being poisoned. You’ve known Kaylee for years. She adores you.”

  “People change.”

  Shane sighed and decided against arguing. “You need to eat. You’re fading away to nothing.”

  “So? What does it matter?” The words were stark and filled with sorrow.

  “It matters a lot. I don’t want you to waste away.”

  “I’m already doing that. There’s nothing to stop it.”

  “Aunt Abby—”

  “I’m hungry.” And just like that the moment was over.

  “Why don’t I make you something?”
<
br />   “Bread.”

  “Great. We’ve got a loaf downstairs.”

  “No. Not the kind in the can. The other kind.”

  Shane bit back impatience, knowing Abby couldn’t help her mistakes. “You mean you want another kind of bread? Wheat? Rye?”

  “The kind we make ourselves.”

  “I know nothing about baking, Aunt Abby, so I’m afraid you’re out of luck.”

  A tear slid down her cheek, puddling in the lines there. Shane felt something tug at his heart.

  “Maybe Kaylee knows how to bake bread.”

  “Not Kaylee. Thea and I bake bread together. I’ll go visit her and see if she wants to help.” The tears were still falling, as if a piece of Abby’s mind was silently mourning what she was losing.

  “Why don’t I call her?”

  “I can.”

  “Aunt Abby…” But what could he do? Refuse to let her use the phone? Refuse to let her make decisions about what she wanted and didn’t want? “Do you know the number?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Maybe we should invite her another day.”

  “But that might be too late. I’ll call 911 and get her number.”

  “411, Aunt Abby. And don’t bother. I have her number. Here, I’ll dial. You talk.”

  The phone rang as Raven stepped into the kitchen. She picked it up, glad for the distraction. “Hello?”

  “Thea?”

  Raven tensed at the name. Then the voice registered, and she relaxed. “Abby.”

  “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you, too.”

  “Then come by today. We’ll bake bread like we used to.”

  “I don’t know, Abby—”

  “We haven’t visited in ages.” The tears in Abby’s voice stole Raven’s choice.

  “I’ll be there soon.”

  Bread baking? There was a first time for everything, she supposed.

  The kitchen was at the back of the Montgomery house and Raven knocked on that door, hoping Abby or her caregiver would answer. Instead, Shane opened the door, his broad shoulders blocking her view of the room, his green eyes taking in her shower-wet hair and makeup-free face.