Page 43 of Twilight Tactics

“That’s kind of you both.”

“He’s a good guy. Just wasn’t cut out to be an agent. And that’s okay. Not everyone who signs up and makes it through to getting the badge and title is a good fit for the actual job. He was the one who recognized that and found something he’s really good at. And passionate about. Security for theranch and other businesses in town and some private high-end clients.”

“I knew about that part.”

Heat crept into his cheeks. “Of course you did. Sorry.”

“Oh, don’t apologize. So ... he was your partner?”

Sully barely contained the flinch triggered by her question. He cleared his throat. “Uh, no. Not my partner, but we were in the same field office for the two years he worked before quitting.”

“How long have you and Piper been partners?”

“Five months.”

“So not long. How’s that working out? She seems to be quiet but efficient.”

“No, not long. And it’s working out fine. She’s a good agent.” He didn’t want to talk about partners. Past or present. She studied him for a moment, then fell silent. Ouch. He hadn’t meant to cut off the conversation completely, just hopefully redirect it. “So, how come we never really saw each other as teens?” he asked. “I was here every summer pretty much from the time I was born until I went to college.”

She laughed. “I wasn’t in the area long and I didn’t get out much, remember?”

“But still, you would think we would’ve run into each other in town or something at least once or twice.” He paused. “I remember Maya telling me about the mountain girl she met and how she felt a connection with you right from the start.”

“She just felt sorry for me, I’m sure.”

“No, it was more than that. She really wanted to be friends with you. Help you.”

“Well, then it was God’s intervention that allowed that to happen.” She bit her lip. “I’ve always thought of Maya as my sister. Maybe that comes from missing Iris.” She gave a tiny shrug. “But she did help fill that hole in my heart. An Iris-sized hole.” She wrinkled her nose. “Iris and I weren’t superclose after we moved. But we were when we were younger. Everything changed after we moved. She’s three years older than I am and was always following after our dad. I was the mama’s girl.”

“And that mama got you out of a bad situation.”

“Yeah,” she said, her voice low. “I just wish she could have done the same for Iris. And my dad. Unfortunately, that was never on the table.”

“She probably wished she could too.”

A shadow of old pain flickered across Elena’s pretty features before she masked it. He understood, though. Loss and hurt. It reshaped a person from the inside out.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “About Iris and all of it.”

“Thanks.” She glanced out the window, and Sully checked the mirrors and frowned.

“You see that black pickup back there?” he asked.

“Yes, been watching it since it turned off that side road about a mile back.”

“You don’t know who it could belong to, do you?”

“A black pickup? In this town? Only about half the population.”

He was afraid of that. “Okay, the sun’s bouncing off the windshield so I can’t make out the driver.”

“Me either. You think they’re following us?”

“Could be nothing. Might just be headed to town same as us.”

“Then why are your knuckles white?”

He flexed his fingers on the wheel, then clamped down again. “Because it could be something.”