Die Before Nightfall

“Good morning!” A tall, auburn-haired woman called the greeting as she rounded the corner of the house. “You must be our new neighbor.”

“Yes, I’m Raven Stevenson.”

“Tori Riley. I heard you’d moved in. What was it? Yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“How about some coffee?”

“I—”

“Juice, then? I’m sure you’re busy, but Pops will have my head if I don’t invite you in.”

Before Raven could ask who Pops was, Tori strode to the front door, shoved it open and called inside. “Hey, Pops, we’ve got company.”

“So don’t just stand out on the porch, come in.”

The voice was gruff and Raven wasn’t sure she wanted to meet its owner. “I really don’t want to disturb your morning.”

“You’re not. Pops always sounds like that.”

Tori led the way into a bright, airy kitchen. A man stood by the stove, his face lined with age, his eyes deep brown and curious. “This the new neighbor?”

“Yep. Raven Stevenson, meet Sam Riley. Otherwise known as Pops.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Riley.”

“Sam to my friends.”

“Sam, then.”

“Sit down. I’ve got coffee or juice. Pancakes, too, if you’re hungry.”

“Juice would be nice, thanks.”

He nodded and poured a glass of orange juice, then slid it onto the table in front of her. “Looks like you were out for a run.”

“Yes, it’s a beautiful morning for it and the scenery’s great.”

“Still gotta be careful running by yourself.”

“Jake Reed was just telling me that.”

“Guess he told you about Thea Trebain.”

“Pops, don’t start.” Tori slid into a chair beside Raven, a plate filled with pancakes in her hand.

“I’m not starting anything. Just warning her to be careful.”

“You’re getting ready to spin one of your tales.”

“It isn’t a tale. It’s God’s truth.”

“Your truth, you mean.” She turned to Raven. “Don’t believe a word my grandfather says about Thea Trebain. He likes to make it sound more mysterious than it is. Most people think she got fed up with small-town life and left.”

“Without telling her family? Without packing her bags?”

“None of that is fact, Pops, and you know it.”

Their argument seemed an old one, well worn. Their affection for each other peeked through the words, even as their so-alike brown eyes shot flames. The similarity between the two was obvious, the connection between them filling Raven with longing.

She pushed away from the table and stood. “I hate to drink my juice and run, but I’d really better get home.”

“Now look what you’ve done, Tori. You’ve chased her off.”

“Me? You’re the one trying to scare her.”

“Warn—not scare.”

Raven smiled at the banter, forcing aside her own feelings of loneliness. “Neither of you chased me off. It’s just time for me to go.”

“Now, don’t go rushing off, Raven. I’ve got something for you. A welcome gift. Something a woman who likes to run shouldn’t be without. Come on out to the barn, I’ll get it for you.”

Raven opened her mouth to protest, but Tori shook her head. “You may as well go with him. If you don’t, he’ll be pounding on your door this afternoon. I’ve got to run. Work won’t wait. Much as I’d like it to sometimes. Maybe we can have lunch.”

“I’d like that.”

“Great. I’m in the book.” She paused, glanced at Sam who was stepping out into the hall. Then she whispered, “And listen, if Pops gives you a gun or a sword, just take it and smile. He means well. I’ll get it from you when we have lunch. Gotta run. Bye, Pops.” She rushed forward, kissed her grandfather on the cheek, and was gone.

“Come on, Raven. I may be retired but that doesn’t mean I’ve got all day. You’re gonna like this. I guarantee it.”

Raven quickened her pace and prayed that his granddaughter’s prediction about the gift proved false. Guns? Swords? Maybe Jake was right, maybe walking along a country road wasn’t the safest thing she could have done with her morning.

Chapter Five

A barn stood open behind the farmhouse, a green tractor its only visible occupant. Sam stepped into the dimly lit interior and gestured for Raven to follow.

“This barn used to be filled with farm equipment. Now it’s empty. Seems a shame really. Tori plans to till the land again. An organic farm, she says. Should be interesting.”

“Your granddaughter seems very nice.”

“Nice? Tori? Sometimes. Mostly she’s busy. Too busy, if you ask me. She’s got a vet business down the road a ways. Works hard.”

“She’s a vet?”

“One of the best.” Sam spoke as he led Raven deeper into the barn. “Up these stairs here. In the loft.”

Raven followed, cringing a little as something scurried in a dark corner.

“Now, you’ve gotta be quiet. Don’t want to startle her.”

Her? Raven didn’t like the way this was going. Didn’t like it at all. “Sam—”

“Shh! Come on. Quietly.”

What choice did she have? Raven moved up the stairs behind Sam, wondering how she could gracefully refuse his gift.

“Ah, there she is. Now take a look. And tell me if that isn’t just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen.”

He stepped to the side, allowing Raven into the large area and gesturing to a box in the middle of the floor. Something was in it. Something with eyes and fur. Something very, very ugly. Raven took a step back.

“What is it?”

“It? It! Gal, use the eyes God gave you. Haven’t you seen a dog before?”

“A dog?” It didn’t look like any dog Raven had ever seen.

“Of course a dog. What’d you think she was? Come on close and take a look. She’s a darling, all right.”

Raven inched closer and peered into the box. The animal looked more like a giant rat. Pointy snout, pointy ears and a skinny little tail. “What kind is it?”

“Not it. Her name is Merry. Short for Miracle. Found her on the side of the road tied in a plastic bag. She’d managed to paw through the plastic and had her nose sticking out. Her litter mates weren’t so lucky.”

“That’s terrible.”

“Yep. It is. I called the sheriff, but there’s nothing he can do. No way to find the person responsible.”

“It’s kind of you to give her a home.”

“Now, see, that’s the problem.”

Raven braced herself for what was coming. Told herself there was nothing wrong with saying no. Reminded herself that she didn’t need or want a dog—especially not one that looked like a rat.

“See, my granddaughter, she’s not real happy with all the strays I’ve been picking up lately. Says I’m running out of room. She’s got a point. I’ve got three dogs already. And two cats. I’ve been bringing strays to her, and she’s done a good job of finding them homes.”

“Wonderful. I’m sure she won’t have trouble finding Merry a home. Lots of people are looking for puppies.”

“True. True. But Tori made me promise not to bring any more strays to her office. Told me if I picked up another one I’d have to find it a home myself.”

“I bet you’ve got lots of friends who’d love to have a dog.” Raven backed toward the steps, ready to run while she had the chance.

“You’d think, wouldn’t you? I’ve had a few over to take a look at the pup, but they don’t see her potential. I’ve had her for two weeks and not one person’s willing to take her.”

Raven could understand why. She took another step back. “That’s too bad.”

“I thought so. Then you walked into the kitchen wearing your running gear and I knew why no one else wanted Merry.”

“You did?”

“Yep. That little gal is meant for you.”

“Sam, I—”

“Just take a look and then tell me I’m wrong.” He lifted the puppy, set her on the floor. “See those long legs? The lean torso? The tail?”

“Uh…yes.”

“She’s got greyhound blood. Not purebred, but that makes it even better. She’s got the lines, the speed, but not a timid nature.”

“I don’t see how—”

“Of course you do. You’re a runner. She’s a runner. It’s a perfect match.”

“But Sam, I’ve never owned a dog. I wouldn’t know what to do with her.”

“What’s to do? You feed her. Run with her. Give her some love. She’ll be your friend for life. Here, just hold her for a minute. Then tell me you don’t want her.”

Raven gritted her teeth and put out her hands to take the puppy, telling herself it was only for a minute—that she’d hold the dog just long enough to find an excuse to say no.

Twenty minutes later she was back on the road, heading home. Merry, sporting a rhinestone collar and faux leather leash, tumbled along behind, her long legs and big feet tangling until Raven gave up and lifted the awkward puppy.

“Greyhound, my eye. You’re no more greyhound than I’m a world-class sprinter. That man’s a menace. He could sell sand in the desert.”

And Raven would probably be the first in line to buy it.

She shifted the dog in her arms and tried not to notice the comfortable warmth against her chest. “I’d rather have a gun or sword. At least that I could hand over to Tori.”

The dog wiggled in Raven’s hold and turned just enough to lick her cheek. “Oh. Yuck. Hold off on the kisses, mutt. I’m only keeping you as long as it takes to find you a home.”

A sporty black car sped around a curve in the road and screeched to a stop a few feet away. The door flew open and Tori Riley jumped out.

“I knew it. I knew that man was up to no good. Got to the office and it all clicked. The secrecy, the sly questions about puppy care. That’s one ugly mutt.”

“She’s not that bad.”

“How’d he talk you into taking her?”

“I don’t know. One minute I was saying ‘no thanks’ and the next I was walking home with a puppy.”

“Didn’t even have the guts to give you a ride home. That’s low.”

“He was probably afraid I’d come to my senses.” Raven glanced down at the wiggling puppy. Merry wasn’t that ugly. Actually, she was kind of cute…in a homely sort of way.

“Uh-oh. I know that look. You’re hooked.”

“I’m not. I’m going to find her a home.”

“Right. Come on. I’ll give you a ride and then take a look at her. Make sure she’s healthy. You’ll have to make an appointment to have her shots done. The sooner the better.”

“Okay. But I’m not keeping her.”

“Of course you’re not.”

Raven shot a look in Tori’s direction, but decided not to argue further. The fact was, she was already starting to like the idea of having a dog. She pushed Merry into the car and climbed in behind her. Tomorrow would be soon enough to make a final decision. For now she’d accept the ride that was offered, and be thankful for it.

Shane stepped out of his office, trying hard to control his irritation. He had work to do, plenty of it, before his manuscript could be sent out. The last thing he wanted was a visit from his cousin. Not that he minded Mark stopping by to see his mother. On the contrary, he wished he’d come by more often. Unfortunately, this time he hadn’t come alone, he’d brought Adam.

The son of Abby’s only brother, Adam was a savvy businessman and aspiring politician who hadn’t had time for his aunt until recently. Now, with election year looming, he made bimonthly visits and mentioned those visits to anyone willing to listen. That bothered Shane. What bothered him more was that Adam had plenty of opinions about Abby’s care, but not a lot of ideas about how to help.

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