Hidden (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 2) Read online

  Is this what Duke was doing? Does he know something? What has he seen that his humans may have overlooked in the daily shuffle? His mind probed the odd behavior of his dog while memories of Megan and her anxious, even paranoid behavior, wandered through his mind. How many times had she brushed off such behavior claiming nothing was wrong, leaving him unsettled and suspicious? He was certain something was haunting her. Did Duke know what it was? It was time to find out.

  ***

  A loud, quick knock at the door startled Megan back to present from her daydreaming. She sat frozen staring at a jabbering spaghetti faced toddler, smiling ear to ear with his toothy grin, wrinkled nose and all. Oh to be carefree like Jax, not a worry in the world. She wished her biggest worry was clean pants and a full belly. But no, right now her worry rested on what was on the other side of that door.

  Another knock came, this time more urgent. She crept to the door, back against the wall to the right, trying not to be seen through the narrow window that lined the left of the door. An image suddenly appeared, causing her to scream. A bark followed, it was Duke. Her reaction caused a few pictures to fall from the wall she was sliding down. The noise and the scream instigated more pounding on the door with Colton yelling her name, asking if she was okay.

  “Hi. I wasn’t expecting anyone,” she said, answering the door.

  “Are you okay? I thought I heard something break and a scream?” He asked, full of concern.

  She stepped aside, opening the door wide, letting them in and said, “Oh, that was me. I was feeding Jax when I heard your knock. When I saw Duke’s shadow jump in front of the window there, it startled me!” She admitted with a laugh, pointing to her fallen pictures.

  “Why are you so spooked, did something happen?” He asked, looking around.

  “I guess I just wasn’t expecting anyone and I never get company at this hour. It was unexpected is all.”

  “Well, this guy wouldn’t go inside tonight. He seems spooked, himself,” Colton shared. “He wanted to come here. I think we have a bit of a crush going and I’m losing my dog to a woman.”

  She knelt to one knee, letting Duke lick her cheek while she rubbed his ears, and said to the pup, “Is that true, Duke? Or is he just using you to come get a kiss goodnight?”

  “Well, I was thinking maybe he should stay with you tonight, you can keep each other company, get him over whatever is bothering him, but I’ll take the kiss while I’m at it.” He pulled her into a tight embrace, rubbing his hands down her back, until they landed on her ass. His kiss was urgent and full of things to come.

  “I’ll see you two in the morning!” He promised, swatting her on the ass as he went.

  “Well, aren’t you a nice surprise! Jax, we have company!” She hollered, leading Duke to the kitchen to find Jax.

  ***

  Colton wasn’t convinced by her story. Between Duke’s behavior and her reaction, he was certain something was wrong. If they weren’t already short staffed, hence him working the extra shift, he would have stayed and figured it out. She doesn’t need to live in fear—he will protect them, care for them…she just needs to let him. Tomorrow, he thought, tomorrow he will get to the bottom of it and figure out what has her so worried. He gave one last look before driving off. He was glad that Duke was there, something wasn’t right, he knew it like he knew how to breathe.

  ***

  Sitting around a table at the House, Colton shared his suspicions with the gang. They each took turns, hearing what he had to say and offering their advice as they saw fit.

  “So she hasn’t actually said anything was wrong and you haven’t witnessed anything. Just all voodoo, psychic ‘feelings’?” Jessie asked.

  “No, I haven’t seen anything ‘happen’, just seems anxious a lot, easily startled. She plays it off like its nothing. I feel like it’s something though,” Colton replied. “Am I just over reacting? You make me sound like a pansy ass.”

  “Well, you are a pansy ass, but…” Blake chimed in, “…to be honest, I’ve noticed it a little bit too.”

  “I think we all have, but come on, she loses her sister like a year ago, inherits a baby, and moves across country. That would make anyone a little paranoid.” Morgan threw in as her two cents. “The moving cross country thing has me a little baffled, but everyone deals with grief differently.”

  “Maybe she left because of someone, like a dude. Maybe she wanted to be as far away as she could, that’s pretty much McKenzie!” Jessie said

  “Like an abuser?” Morgan asked full of sympathy. “Oh God, I hope not, not Meg.”

  Blake rubbed his chin, considering what was being tossed around, trying to pick his words carefully before saying, “She fits the profile. At the very least, she fits the profile of a runner. We just need to figure out what she is running from. I can do some digging, Sparks. You should know what you’re getting yourself into man.”

  “Whoa, I don’t know about that you guys. Checking up on her like that? What if she finds out?” Carigan warned.

  “What if she finds out and she’s not hiding anything…that’s worse, your ass is on the street,” Morgan agreed.

  Dawson stood, puffed out his chest and went all alpha, “But what if there is something to find, what if she is in danger, or worse, what if she did something? How does he protect her from something if he doesn’t know what it is?”

  “Dawson has a point, man. A few clicks on the computer, maybe a phone call or two? You say the word,” Blake offered.

  “I don’t know. I trust her. I’m more worried than anything. I appreciate the offer man, but let’s wait. It could just be my own insecurities kicking my ass,” Colton admitted.

  “Offer stands,” Blake said, slapping Colton on the shoulder, before leaving the table.

  Blake understood his friend’s hesitation, but he had that same gut instinct that something wasn’t right and it certainly wasn’t out of sympathy for Colton’s insecurities. It was because there was something off, and any one of them could be in danger, especially Colton. He planned to do a little digging, see what he could turn up. He would decide then if he should tell Sparks about the suitcase and money in the trunk.

  No need to give him more to worry about, or to spook a runner…for now. In the meantime, he would watch out for his friends and his town. Something didn’t feel right.

  Chapter 14

  After several games of fetch with a very willing three-legged dog, Meg put Jax to bed for the night. He would sleep well after a night of chasing the dog and endless belly giggles. The two played so well together, and it was a fun way to fill the rest of their evening.

  Megan had to admit to herself that she did indeed feel safer with Duke there. Not sure what it was about him that offered such security, she decided not to mull it over or dissect the issue. He was there and she was happy for it.

  Duke spent the evening going from window to window, room to room, sniffing at each door, as if making his rounds several times. She managed a little quiet time after Jax went to bed and put in a movie.

  Negotiations with Duke began regarding his pouting and not being allowed on the furniture. He wasn’t allowed at home so it wouldn’t be right there either. He sat at her feet with his head in her lap, giving her puppy dog eyes, of course he had that down, he’s a dog.

  As the night wore on, she gave in and quickly had a 75-pound lap dog laying across her lap, through the rest of her movie. He even whimpered and licked her tears during the sad scenes. Who knew one of her favorite new friends in this town would be a dog?

  As the night ran later, she gave into the exhaustion that had been hovering and made her way to bed, Duke on her heels. She was feeling a bit unsettled, despite the happily ever after she had just watched on TV. Her body was craving rest so to bed she went, hoping rest would ease her brewing anxiety. Her plan to stay up late and exhaust herself in an effort to sleep long and hard through the night was only partially successful. She had the exhaustion down, but the rest was an epic fail. />
  Getting on her own nerves, she told herself to get it together, telling herself the same thing she had for months—she had been in McKenzie nearly a year, she was careful, nobody knows who she was, she was safe here. Maybe this is just her clingy subconscious wishing she had a big strong man beside her. Since when was she the needy type?

  She settled in to bed and gave in to more thoughts of Colton and their night together. He was an amazing man—kind, thoughtful, nurturing, and protective. He was an equally amazing lover, putting her needs and wants first, seeing that she was thoroughly sated and completely taken.

  He was what most girls wished for, she had him, and he wanted her. Not for her money, not for her name, granted he didn’t know about that part of her life, but if he did, she knew he wouldn’t care. He just wanted her for her because he was a one of a kind, special. She was falling…hard.

  The butterflies that thoughts of him created, quickly disappeared at the low growl coming from Duke. She lay still as a course of fear whittled its way in. Duke shot up and charged the door way, barking ferociously. She sat up and gathered her blankets around her trying to find her way through the panic that was threatening, low in her gut.

  “What is it boy?” She whispered, her voice shaking, barely audible. She waited for him to answer while Duke just looked at her, head tilted, likely thinking the same thing she was. “Seriously, Meg, get it together, this isn’t fucking Lassie!”

  The growls continued with intermittent barking, causing her instincts to kick in and take over. She dialed Colton. Glad she wore yoga pants and a tank top to bed, she slid her arms into a sweatshirt and moved to the bedroom doorway, just behind Duke. While she was waiting for Colton to answer the line, her gut was screaming at her to run, run like hell and don’t look back. Her heart, however, said wait for him.

  ***

  Sitting around the table, shooting the shit, the gang waited for their uneventful shift to finally end. Colton broke away from the conversation when his phone rang, startling him at such a late hour. When Meg’s name ran across the screen an icy chill settled in, he knew something was wrong. He answered the call, but was overwhelmed with the sound of Duke barking hysterically in the background. He turned to his friends, concern crossing his face, gathering everyone’s attention.

  “Meg, what’s wrong?” He questioned. Only the sound of her breathing greeted him. “Meg, talk to me, what’s wrong baby?”

  The sound of his voice brought her comfort and his endearing reference gave her a voice. She began to whisper, her fear evident by her shaky words.

  “Colton? Colton, something is wrong. Duke. He is running from door to door, he is trying to get out.” She paused as reality set in. Her whisper became breathy and faint as she delivered her fearful assumption, “I think someone is out there.”

  Colton knew something had been off earlier that day, for days really. He should have trusted his gut and not left her. Hell, he should have listened to his fucking dog! He turned to the group, who were already giving him their full attention from his few concerned words and body language.

  Blake, the least surprised by this call, stood and moved closer to his friend. If his suspicions were correct, he was about to go and arrest a bad guy. He radioed Dawson and Carigan who had been out on an invalid assist call, to see where they were in route. They would likely be the closest.

  Although not protocol, this was personal and that’s what they did in this small town. They took care of each other, crossing the lines of career when needed. They were all highly trained as search and rescue; they all trusted each other in any capacity.

  “Have you seen or heard anything outside?” Colton asked.

  “No, I was starting to fall asleep. He insisted on lying at my feet, was fine, and then sprung up out of nowhere. I’ve never seen him like this, Colton…I’m so scared,” she admitted with a small sob.

  “Okay honey, stay put, I’m comin’,” he replied as he moved toward the door, Blake following. “Where’s Jax?”

  Her voice back to a barely there whisper, she replied, “Sleeping, I’m grabbing him now.”

  As Colton gathered his things, while keeping Megan calm on the line, Blake had reached Dawson and Carigan on their way back to the house, and only a short mile or so from the sparsely developed area both Megan and Colton’s houses populated. With a quick update from Blake, they turned around and headed east to see if they can intercept the problem for their friend.

  “We are pulling up now, Blake,” Carigan reported. “We can see the property now. All looks dark at Sparks’ and Megan’s houses. We’ll do a drive by and circle back so we don’t spook anyone,” she finished.

  “Sounds good, O’Reilly, I’m headed that way with Sparks, five minute ETA,” Blake updated, certain that there was more going on and Tayler and O’Reilly were about to stumble upon it.

  “Be careful, watch your backs, I don’t feel good about this,” he finished before turning his attention back to Colton.

  They made it to the door when Dawson radioed in changing a suspicious hunch to an emergency. “Guys, we have flames lighting up the garage—see it through the side window! Appears contained to the garage. Get out here! We’re getting them out…” Dawson shouted, the waiver in his voice indicating he was running.

  The gang suited up and took their places, headed to help one of their own. Organized chaos ensued as they made their way the short trek across their small town. Carigan could be heard over the radio yelling at Megan to open the door, her ferocious pounding heard, while Duke’s frantic barking made its way through too. Emotions ran high as they listened to the events unfolding just miles from them.

  “Meg, open the door, Dawson and Cari are there to get you out, there’s a fire, Megan, you need to get out! I’m on my way!” Colton pleaded, trying to remain calm. He could let the terrified emotions run later, when both Megan and Jax were safe in his arms.

  Right now, he just needed to get to them. If anything happened to them he wouldn’t forgive himself for leaving them alone. They had become his world, his everything, and now their lives balanced in peril.

  He could hear her jagged breathing, but she wasn’t responding. “Baby please, answer me, you need to get out! Where are you, they’ll come in and get you. Megan…”

  He was cut off by the last thing he would hear her say, before his world shifted upside down.

  “Fire…” was all she got out before she heard the deafening sound coming from the front of the house. It was a loud, ear-piercing bang that left her ears ringing in sharp pain.

  Colton heard the explosion through the phone, but more so outside the vehicle he was traveling in. He was close enough to hear it, but not close enough to help her. What was worse is that he no longer heard Megan or Duke, over the phone.

  He picked up the radio and called to Dawson and Carigan. The line was dead, no response. A feeling of angry panic filled him. His girl and his friends were off the radar. He was paralyzed by the fear and the idea that each of them could be badly hurt, or worse. Tears stung his eyes as he accelerated, willing his truck to get there faster. He knew loss, knew abandonment by those he loved, knew loneliness and not having anyone to love or love him back…he wasn’t ready for a repeat of those lessons.

  His attention was brought back to the radio when static, followed by Carigan’s voice, brought him some relief.

  “Colton, we’re almost inside, Dawson broke through a window. We’ll find her!”

  That was the last he heard from the scene, until he came upon it himself. Just moments later, the cavalry who quickly jumped into action, battling the wicked flames.

  Going against protocol and ignoring his responsibilities as part of the team battling the inferno, he raced to the window, yelling Megan’s name. He was met by Dawson who obviously took a hit by whatever just happened. He had superficial cuts on his face, a nice gash on his forehead, and bloodied arms that appeared to be minor at first glance.

  “We found her. Cari is with her…sort of
…hurry!” Dawson led Colton to the back of the house, both running and coughing as the smoke offended their lungs. They finally stood in Megan’s bedroom, only to find Carigan knelt down, one hand out in front of her, sweet talking a growling, teeth baring, pissed off Duke.

  “She’s in there,” Carigan said in a soft calm voice, slowly pointing to the closet door Duke was bravely guarding. “He’s guarding her, protecting them. I called for her, but she won’t come out.”

  “Are you sure she’s…” Colton began to question.

  “We cleared the house. All that’s left is that closet, and our brave boy here.” She responded, cutting him off.

  Colton moved closer, not sure how to approach his own dog; he had never seen him behave in such a way. He said his name a couple of times, called him a good boy, and even told him to come. Duke did not budge. He called for Meg and didn’t get a response.

  Relief struck when he heard Jax’s faint cry and Megan consoling him, rather loud for someone hiding, when it struck him…the explosion. She couldn’t hear them, which meant Duke probably couldn’t either. Instinct set in and he decided in that moment there really was purpose in everything. Having a deaf dog at home who only responded to hand signals, he thought surely this could help with Duke.

  All of the animals had witnessed the communication between Colton and Boss, he hoped like hell this was the answer. They needed it to be. The smoke was thickening throughout the house and breathing was becoming somewhat labored.

  He knelt down before Duke, gaining his direct attention. He put up a hand, signaling him to heal. Duke remained where he was, but stopped growling, tilting his head in confusion. Colton raised his hand again, giving the same signal. Duke paused before finally moving to where Colton was kneeling. Slowly Colton reached for Duke and quickly scratched his ears before signaling him to sit and stay. Duke obeyed.

  He made his way to the walk-in closet where he found Megan curled up with Jax in the back corner, tears staining her cheeks, pale from fear. He moved toward them, quickly sweeping them up in his arms, when she finally let out a defeated sob that broke his heart. Carigan moved in behind, reaching out for Jax, waiting for permission to remove him from her petrified grip. She reluctantly let him go, and Colton lifted her, carrying her to the large window Dawson had cleared so they could safely leave the home and avoid the smoke.