No, shes doing wedding planning stuff, Tag said. Who knew all the things that are involved in getting married?
Yes, who knew, Hayes agreed as his brother turned into a small, narrow complex. He saw the For Sale sign on a cute Western building stuck back in some pine trees and knew it must be the one his brother had picked out.
Good, McKenzie is already here, Tag said just an instant before Hayes saw her.
He stared in shock at the woman hed seen the night before. Only last night McKenzie had been lying at his feet outside a grocery store as her would-be abductor sped away.
Chapter Five
Hayes, meet McKenzie Sheldon, Realtor extraordinaire, Tag said. McKenzie, this is my brother Hayes.
McKenzie smiled, but she wasnt sure how convincing it was. Her sister had tried to talk her into moving this meeting to another day. Maybe she should have listened. She hadnt felt like herself all day.
While shed tried to put what had happened last night out of her mind, she kept reliving it. Now she felt jumpy and realized it had been a mistake to take the attitude business as usual today.
But she couldnt bear the thought of hanging out at the condo all day when she knew nothing could take her mind off last night in that case. Her first stop had been the office where shed assured everyone that Gus Thompson would no longer be a problem. While she was there, the locksmith came and changed all the locks, which seemed to reassure some and make others at the office even more nervous since Gus hadnt gotten along with any of his coworkers.
Then shed gone to her condo, packed quickly for overnight and driven to Big Sky to meet her client. Shed worn a plain suit with a scarf to cover the bruises on her neck, but the gash on her temple where the man had slugged her still required a bandage if she hoped to hide the stitches.
As she caught her reflection in the empty building window, she saw with a start that she looked worse than shed thought. How else could she explain Hayes Cardwells reaction to her? His eyes had widened in alarm as he put out his hand.
He looked like a man whod just seen a ghost. Hed recognized her. How was that possible when hed only flown in yesterday?
Pleased to meet you, Ms. Sheldon.
Tag had told her that his brothers shared more than a love of barbecue. The resemblance was amazing. Like Tag, Hayes Cardwell had the dark hair and eyes, had the wonderful Southern accent and was handsome as sin.
She thought of Ted Bundy as she took Hayes Cardwells large hand, hers disappearing inside it, and saw his dark gaze go to the bandage on her head. I had a little accident last night.
Youre all right, though? He still held her hand. She could feel herself trembling and feared he could, too.
She put on her best smile. Fine. Then she finally met his gaze.
His eyes were a deep brown and so familiar that it sent a shudder through her. Even though shed told her sister that there was nothing to worry about, she was well aware that the man whod attacked her last night could be closer than she thought.
* * *
HED
the man last night whod attacked her. She touched her bruised throat and closed her eyes against the terrifying memory.
He opened the door and she stumbled in and away from him. Her cell phone rang and she was startled to see that it was the police department.
I need to take this. Please have a look around. She scooted past Hayes and back outside, leaving the two men alone inside what had been a restaurant only months ago. Her phone rang again. She sucked in a deep breath of the June mountain air and, letting it out, took the call. As she did, she prayed the man had been caught. She couldnt keep living like this.
Ms. Sheldon? the policewoman asked.
Yes?
I spoke to the man who intervened last night during your attack. He still would prefer to remain anonymous.
Youre sure he wasnt involved?
Involved? No. The clerk at the store was a witness. He was leaving the store when he saw the abductor trying to lift you into the trunk of his car. The man saved your life.
So why is this so-called hero so determined to remain anonymous?
As I told you, hes in town visiting relatives. He doesnt want the notoriety. But I can assure you, we checked him out. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time last night.
McKenzie felt as if she could breathe a little easier. Im sorry he wont let me thank him, but I certainly appreciate what he did. Is there any word on...?
No, but we are looking at Gus Thompson. We brought him in. He doesnt have an alibi for last night.
You really think it was him? She shuddered, remembering. He was about the right size and he had acted more than a little creepy in the past.
Behind her, the door opened. She heard Tag and his brother come out.
Thank you for letting me know, she said to the patrolwoman and disconnected. So what do you think? she asked, but one look at their faces and she knew Hayes hadnt liked the place.
Tag had been so excited about the building. She could get it for him at a good price since the owner was anxious to sell. But she could see that Hayes was far from sold.