When I Find You: A Trust No One Novel by Dixie Lee Brown

she met his gaze. “There’s no way you could have known, Darcy. I’d have done the same thing you did, with the exception of trying to cross that river. I’m not a big fan of drowning.”
    “You just won’t let that go, will you?”
    The path he chose led up a sharp incline and Darcy fell in behind him as they climbed single file. She was glad it was Walker who had come to rescue her. His calm and steady control kept her from panicking. She worried her lower lip between her teeth as she thought about the future and what she might have to face. She’d survived an attempt on her life, but something told her things were only going to get worse.
    “S TAY HERE . I ’LL get your bags from the car.” Darcy’s gaze followed Walker as he hiked up the road toward the blue Toyota Corolla, no doubt still parked where Grant had intended to kill her. A sudden chill ran through her and she leaned against Walker’s black Jeep to remind herself she was safe.
    A few minutes later, he returned with a light green carry-on bag and her purse. She didn’t ask about Grant, and he didn’t volunteer anything. Reggie Allen would soon find out Grant had failed and he was sure to send someone else. Another shudder racked her body. Walker eyed her curiously. She turned away and climbed into the passenger seat. He threw her bag in the back and slid behind the wheel.
    With the key in the ignition, he paused. “We’re about forty minutes from Tillamook. I figured if we got a motel room on the edge of town and stayed pretty close, the chances of someone recognizing you and telling your parents would be slim. We’ll only be there long enough to clean up, rest, and get a good meal, but if you think that could be a problem, we’ll go on down the coast.”
    “My parents live south a few miles, and they don’t spend a lot of time in the touristy part of town. My aunt and uncle retired a couple years ago and moved to Florida. I’d be surprised if anyone else in town even remembers me.” That wasn’t entirely true. There was at least one person who would remember her, and she desperately hoped she’d never see him again.
    “Put your seat belt on.” Walker started the Jeep and cranked the heat on full-bore. “The road is bumpy, but we’ll be back to the main highway in twenty minutes and, in another twenty, you’ll be in a nice hot shower.”
    “I need to call my parents. They were expecting me yesterday and my mother will be worried.”
    “That reminds me.” Walker grabbed her purse from the floor and placed it in front of her. “Find your cell phone.” When she did and handed it to him, he rolled down the window and tossed it out.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Your cell can be traced. You can use mine to call your folks—after that nice hot shower.”
    No use arguing with the man—her phone was long gone. Besides, he was doing all of this to keep her safe. “Okay, but only if you’re going to shower too.” Oh God. She didn’t just say that, did she? She groaned. “I didn’t mean . . . I meant . . . your own shower . . . you need a hot shower too . . .”
    He glanced over at her and smiled, but he didn’t laugh or make any comment. She was grateful for that, although she couldn’t possibly be any more embarrassed than she already was.
    “No problem. Two hot showers coming up.” He winked when she glanced at him, and when she looked quickly away, a chuckle rumbled from his chest. “I’ll get one room with two beds. I need to be close enough to keep an eye on you. Can you live with that?”
    Last night she’d cuddled close to him for warmth and a soft place to lay her head. Granted, she was apparently under the influence of Scotch, but it was a little late for propriety. She nodded her agreement.
    “Just for tonight. Tomorrow we’ll be in a house in Gold Beach. You’ll have privacy.”
    “What about my parents?”
    “It’s too dangerous for you to see them right now. These people we’re dealing with