“The what-ifs…” Megan let out a breath. “They stink.”
Nine
He watched through the night vision binoculars as Luke and Megan crossed the church parking lot. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Mistakes were piling up, one after another. His fingers brushed against the cold metal of his rifle. It was tempting to shoot them now, but there could be witnesses. He didn’t need another screw up.
Luke’s gaze swept across the parking lot. The ranger paused as if he sensed someone watching.
You can’t see me, but I can see you.
Hunting was second nature to him, and he’d parked his vehicle in the shadows across the street from the church. As expected, Luke’s gaze drifted over him without stopping, and a rush of adrenaline flooded his veins. Tatum was smart and irritatingly moral, but he wasn’t a superhero. He was a man like any other.
And men bled.
He’d hoped to avoid killing the ranger, but the chances of that happening were over. Luke would never stop now that he suspected Wade was innocent. No, the issue wasn’t whether they would die. It was how.
He imagined their heads exploding like watermelons from the force of a bullet and a sick satisfaction washed over him. Murder wasn’t something he hungered for, but the last few days had filled his mind with dark thoughts and a clawing desperation. Pushed into a corner, a man would do anything. Even kill.
Luke’s truck drove out of the lot, his taillights fading into the night.
Soon. It would all be taken care of soon.
Ten
Megan rubbed the cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover over June’s big toe, erasing the chipped purple polish. Someone pushed a cart down the hall of the hospital, the screechy wheel loud enough to be heard through the closed door.
“After meeting with Pastor John, it’s obvious Chad Dickerson could be involved. If he found out his sister was going to marry Skeeter…” She whistled. “I could see him be angry enough to confront her. Maybe Dan knows Chad has motive. Or worse, he knows Chad killed Franny and he’s helping to cover it up?”
Her aunt didn’t answer. June’s eyelids remained closed, her hair spread across the pillow. Various tubes creeped out from under the blankets. A monitor silently tracked June’s heart, the pulse steady and strong. She’d been moved out of ICU this morning, and her condition remained stable, but she hadn’t woken yet.
Megan had read it was possible for coma patients to hear things around them even if they couldn’t react. Maybe it would be better to talk about sunshine and butterflies, but her aunt had never been fond of wearing rose-colored glasses. If June were awake, they’d be discussing the case.
“Then there’s the mystery caller. I have no idea who she is, but I’m worried about her. She sounded terrified.” Megan rummaged inside her purse and pulled out a bright-yellow nail polish. It was June’s favorite color, the same shade as a sunflower. She shook it and applied the color to her aunt’s toenails. “Of course, I’m not going to leave town, but don’t worry, I’m not being foolish. Luke will stick to me like glue until we solve the case.”
She finished the right foot and moved on to the left. “In other news, I went to church. You’d be proud of me. I thought it would be weird since I haven’t attended service since Wade’s arrest, but it wasn’t. It was…comforting.”
That had surprised her as had the way her heart longed to go back. Something about singing the hymns and hearing the Bible readings had settled her. As if she’d been on a long journey, lost and wandering, only to unexpectedly find her way home.
“Almost done.” Megan did a final swipe with the polish and took a step back to admire her work. “There. Beautiful. I don’t want you to wake up and see chipped nail polish on your feet. It would drive you insane.”
She slipped her hand into her aunt’s and watched the rhythmic rise and fall of her chest. June was breathing on her own, a good sign, but things were still iffy. Either she would wake from the coma or she would slip into a vegetative state. A drop landed on their joined hands and Megan realized she was crying. She bit her lip.
God, I know we haven’t talked in a long time, but I’m lost. I’ve been lost. And I could use some help here.
As far as prayers went, it wasn’t great. And nothing dramatic happened, like June opening her eyes or twitching her fingers, but considering Megan hadn’t talked to God in three years, it felt like a huge step forward.
She spent another twenty minutes with her aunt before kissing her cheek and going out into the hall. Luke was chatting with the trooper standing guard outside June’s room. He shook the man’s hand before intercepting her. “Ready?”
“Yeah. I’ll come back tonight again to check on her. Thanks for waiting.”
“I don’t mind.” He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Mom’s on her way. She’s bringing a book to read to June, but I was afraid to ask which one. Your aunt may wake up knowing how to make Baked Alaska or with a newfound love of romance novels.”
Megan chuckled. “Considering June doesn’t know how to make grilled cheese without burning it, I’d love for some of your mom’s cooking skills to rub off on her.”
He laughed and the sound sent a warmth spreading through her. As much as she wanted to keep the boundaries up between them, each moment in his presence made it harder.
“I saw the doctor speaking with you earlier.” Luke pushed the button to call the elevator. “Any change?”
“No.” She dug around in her purse. Her fingers brushed against plastic
