really all right?â
His first query threw her off for a few seconds. She nodded.
âWhat were you doing in a cab?â
âHow did you know about that?â
âI have connections. I checked with the police about the wreck. A hit and run.â
âYeah, the man fled the scene. Probably didnât have insurance.â
âWhatâs going on?â
Still achy and mentally exhausted, Melora crossed the office to a grouping of chairs and sat. âI was in a wreck. It happens. But Iâm okay now and so is Kaitlyn.â
Uncle Tyler took a seat across from her. âWhy were you in a cab? Whatâs this about an adventure?â
âWith all that has happened lately, I thought it would be nice to get out of town for a while. Just Kaitlyn and me.â
One of his bushy eyebrows rose. âWithout telling me?â
âIt was a spur of the moment decision. I was going to call you later.â
âIs something going on you should let me know about? Why did you call Daniel Riley?â
âHeâs been looking into Axleâs death, and weâve renewed our acquaintance.â
âI didnât realize you knew him.â
âCasually. Heâs been working with the Alamo planning committee concerning the security.â
Her uncleâs gaze bore into her. âIf something is wrong, you know I can protect you. You are my only family, Melora. You and Kaitlyn.â
Love filled each of his words, and for a second she considered telling him everything. But looking into his dear features, she couldnât. Not yet. Heâd given her a home when sheâd lost her parents. Heâd become like a father to her. She couldnât put him in the middle of this. She would never forgive herself if something happened to him because sheâd involved him. Daniel was better equipped to protect her and Kaitlyn. She had to put her trust in him.
Melora pasted a smile on her mouth. âI love you, Uncle Tyler, and Iâm going to be fine. Wrecks happen all the time in San Antonio. The police will find the driver.â She hoped.
Â
Two hours later in her living room Melora eased onto the couch, so tired all she wanted to do was stretch out and sleep like Kaitlyn was. After spending most of the previous night going over her plan to escape, Melora was exhausted both mentally and physically. Then her visit with her uncle had only added to that, but heâd left a half hour ago.
Daniel swiveled around from staring out the window that overlooked the several acres of backyard. His features firmed in a determined look, he moved toward the sitting area and took a wingback chair across from her.
âThanks for waiting for your answers until Uncle Tyler left and I got Kaitlyn settled down for a nap. She went right to sleep.â This time when she attempted to smile, the corners of her mouth liftedâslightly for a few seconds before collapsing.
âIâm glad. I was worried. She chattered for a while when she was eating her ice cream, then she became quiet. No amount of coaxing could get her to say much until you and Tyler came into the kitchen.â
âEven then she was quieter than usual. I think everything was sinking in.â
He removed his hat and placed it on the coffee table then lounged back. âTell me what happened. Why were you in a cab?â
She prayed Daniel was the right person to trust. She looked him in the eye and before she lost her nerve said, âI was leaving San Antonio.â
âLeaving? A vacation?â
âNo, getting as far away from here as I could.â
A shutter dropped into place over his expression. He straightened, leaning forward, his elbows on his thighs. âWhy? Who has you scared?â
âI donât know who. The man who broke in was delivering a message to me to keep quiet or I would end up like Axle.â
âQuiet about what?â
âThatâs just it. I donât know. He