Terra left her apartment the next morning ready to take on the world. She’d convinced herself that she couldn’t sit around all day reading. Sure, she could have. After all, she had a big, thick book sitting on her nightstand that she’d been trying to read for a week. Now that she had a break while school was out for the holidays, she could indulge in me time.

Regardless of that, she really, really needed groceries and had to pick up that bottle of wine she’d promised Emily. Besides, if she chickened out and didn’t head to Emily and Fletch’s for Thanksgiving, she’d have a lonely peanut butter sandwich waiting for her in the refrigerator. That didn’t sound appetizing.

Determined, she headed down the sidewalk and to her small green sedan. Out of habit, she took note of her surroundings and held her keys as a weapon. The back of her neck tingled, and she stopped on the sidewalk and assessed the area. Not a soul was in the parking lot. The apartment complex sat in a relatively older part of town. Twenty-year old houses lined the quiet residential area across the street.

While her apartment complex looked a little run down, it wasn’t a dump. Most of the people seemed nice or they kept to themselves. Nothing stirred. She shivered as a cold breeze ruffled her hair, and she hurried the rest of the way down the sidewalk to her car.

Once more she glanced at the apartments and up at the second story windows. No one watching her or wandering the property that she could see. A new shiver wracked her body. For one moment she contemplated running back to the apartment and locking herself inside. But what good would it do? She had to stop expecting to see him everywhere she looked. Frustration with herself piled on top of apprehension.

She jumped in the vehicle, locked the doors and started the engine. When her cell phone rang, she didn’t try to dig it out of her purse while driving. It would keep until she made it to the store. All the way there, she paid special attention to her surroundings. She glanced in the rear view mirror but didn’t see an old Toyota Forerunner on her tail.

Stop it Terra. Just stop it.

She reached the grocery store in no time—it wasn’t more than a few blocks away. She pulled into a parking spot fairly close to the front of the store. Not because she didn’t like walking, but she didn’t like to be far away from other people when she hauled groceries to her car. If felt safer that way.

She dug into her hobo bag and grabbed her cell. She’d missed a call from her mother and could call her back later. She hesitated. It was a bit strange Mom had called the cell rather than her land line phone. Worry made Terra return the call.

“Darlin’,” her mother’s Irish lilt came over the line after only one ring. “How are you?”

“I’m good, Mom. Is everything all right? You don’t usually call my cell phone.”

“Oh, everything is fine. I just mixed up your phone numbers.”

Her mother was hopelessly tech adverse and in some ways old fashioned. A charm most people found endearing, including Terra’s father.

“I thought I’d check on you. What are you doing for Thanksgiving?” Mom asked.

“Heading over to Emily and Cormac Fletcher’s.”

“Oh, that’s so wonderful. I’m glad you have somewhere to go, darlin’. Being alone on a holiday is terrible.”

Terra didn’t mention the scratch on her car door, or that she’d been paranoid and Allan Rivers still haunted her mind.

“Darlin’,” her mother continued. “Your father and I have some news. We’ve been giving it some thought, and we think we’ll stay in Ireland six months out of the year. A sort of back and forth thing. Ireland in the winter, Denver in the summer.”

Surprised, Terra didn’t speak for a moment but then managed a, “That’s sudden. When did you decide this?”

“Yesterday. Being back in Ireland has been so good for us. We do miss it here, you know. I wish you’d come with us.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Mom, not that again. Ireland is beautiful, and I do love it. But I’ve got a job here and America is my home. I’m not running to Ireland just because…” She shrugged even though her mother couldn’t see her. “I’m not running.”

“Okay, I know when I’m beat.”

“Oh? This is the third time in a month you’ve called trying to entice me to Ireland.”

“A woman’s got to try. I’m just worried about you, Terra.”

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

I hope.

Her mother’s sigh said she didn’t like Terra’s casual brush off. “I’m your mother. Of course I worry.”

“You’re coming back to pack up some things?” Terra asked, deciding the best way to end this conversation was to take a detour.

“We’ve got tickets to return to Denver before Christmas. We can spend it with you before we go back in the New Year. That is if you can get time off to come up to Denver.”

“I’ll certainly try.”

“Well, dear, I’d better go. I’ve got some things to do around the house. Ring me soon.”

“I will.”

After they ended the call, Terra sat in the car a moment and gathered her thoughts. She looked in the rear view mirror and saw a man’s leather-jacket clad torso walk passed the back of her car toward the store entrance. She jerked in surprise and sudden fear. She looked to the left as the man continued walking, his short red hair, the set of his big shoulders straight, his stride almost familiar. He’d moved far enough away she couldn’t see his face—the angle just wasn’t right. The walk, though…it looked so much like Allan’s.

Her heart pounded as her mind roiled in turmoil. He disappeared into the grocery crowd at the front the store. A fine trembling skittered over her body. No. It couldn’t be him. It just couldn’t be. Fear rose up like a wave. God, what if it was him?

“No. It can’t be.”

She started the car, fumbling with the keys. Shame mixed with anxiety as she backed the car out and left. She didn’t even take time to see if a white Forerunner was in the parking lot. She drove home, checking the rear view mirror from time to time. Although she never saw anyone suspicious behind her, when she returned to her apartment complex, she hurried into her apartment. She locked the door quickly and leaned against it, unsure what she wanted to do next.

Terra sat on her couch and contemplated her next move. Twenty minutes later when a text lit up her phone. She grabbed her phone. It was Emily.

Are you home?

She texted back and affirmative.

Emily replied. Fletch and I are nearby. Okay if we pop in a moment?

She hesitated, but relief hit her at the same time. She could use the company right now.

She texted back. Of course.

Emily’s text came back fast. Be right there.

Less then ten minutes later, the doorbell rang. She started even though she knew it was probably them. She checked the peephole and smiled. When she opened the door to them, there were instant hugs all around. She stretched up a bit to embrace them, because Emily was a little taller than her and Cormac “Fletch” Fletcher was over six feet tall. No doubt about it, a woman would either feel tremendously safe with him around or terrified.

“Have a seat,” Terra said. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Not for me,” Fletch said.

Emily shook her head. “Nothing for me, thanks. We can’t stay too long. We’re picking Annie up from a friend’s house. She had a sleep over last night.”

Terra sat in the chair across from them, taking note of their expressions, which had turned serious.

“Seems like forever since we’ve seen you,” Emily said.

Terra shrugged. “Well, you know me. Hermit.” She smiled and leaned her elbows on her knees. “Let me guess. You’re here to twist my arm again about Thanksgiving.”

“Yeah,” Fletch said with a smile. “And no. Emily already said you planned to come.”

“You guys are relentless.” Terra shook her head. “But I love you both anyway.”

Emily grinned. “Really, we want you there. We’ll have a full house.”

“How much of a full house?” Terra asked. “The whole team will be there, I suppose?”

“Most of the Delta guys won’t be with us. They’re off with family out of town,” Fletch said.

Emily’s eyes sparkled as she said,“But there will be three soldiers from the fort coming over for dinner. Last minute sponsorship.”

Terra did a mental eye roll. “I see.”

Emily’s grin was teasing. “Don’t worry. We aren’t trying to set you up with anyone.”

Fletch’s expression turned skeptical. “Don’t believe a word she says. If she likes the guys, and if I think they’re okay…she’s definitely going to try and set you up.”

Terra couldn’t help but laugh with them. The levity almost made her forget her fear, and the belief that she’d seen Allan at the grocery store. Yet she knew what would happen if she said something to her friends. They’d insist she come stay with them. Fletch had his entire place wired up for security, including a separate apartment and living space where Emily had once lived. No, she couldn’t do that. They’d faced too much danger and too many challenges in their lives over the years. She simply wouldn’t give into paranoia and allow apprehension to rule her life.

After she made yet another promise to join them for Thanksgiving, they seemed happy and departed. All that night, though, she couldn’t shrug off the feeling that maybe, just maybe trouble had found her again and that Allan might be out there.

Terra arrived at Fletch and Emily’s house Thanksgiving Day with a cabernet sauvignon in hand. Yesterday she’d forced herself to leave the house and returned to the grocery store. She accomplished the entire adventure without seeing suspicious men with red hair. By the time Terra rang their doorbell, Terra was almost convinced she’d imagined seeing a red-headed man with Allan’s walk.

Emily beamed. “I’m so glad you made it.”

Terra gave her friend a lopsided smile. “I’m sorry I’m a little early.”

Emily shrugged as she brought Terra into the house. “No worries at all. The guys are already here.”

Annie, Emily’s blonde, blue eyed dynamo of a daughter ran toward Terra. “Terra!”

Annie launched at her and Terra grabbed the little girl in a huge hug. “Oh, it’s so good to see you. What have you been up to?”

“Building a Millennium Falcon.”

“That sounds awesome,” Terra said. “I can’t wait to see it.”

Annie had never fallen into stereotypical traditional roles for what a girl should do or be interested in, and Terra had a feeling the grade-school-aged child would grow up to be an astronaut or firefighter or cop. The girl had a lot of energy, and with Fletch’s influence, she’d become even more fearless.

Three men stood near the kitchen counter sipping beers with Fletch. Immediately Terra noticed that one of the young men had military cut red hair. That jolted her, and she stood in the entry with her coat and hat still on. She quickly realized that other than his short red hair, he didn’t look anything like Allan Rivers. Get a grip, Terra.

“Hey Terra, glad you could make it,” Fletch said from the kitchen.

Fletch advanced into the room to give Terra a hug after she took off her coat. Emily ran away with Terra’s coat and purse while Fletch drew her into the kitchen to meet the guys.

Fletch introduced her. The redheaded guy was Marcus Janes, while the blond man was Rob Taylor and the African American man was Rasheed Smith. All three men looked to be in their early twenties. A little young for her, thank goodness. At thirty years old, she didn’t find men that young to be dating material. Maybe Emily wouldn’t hatch matchmaking ideas. Allan had been a couple of years younger than her.

Stop thinking about him. He’s out of your life for good.

Fletch offered her something to drink, and she accepted a cup of coffee and talked with the young men about their military jobs and how long they’d be in the area. They seemed to hang on her every word, which had Emily smiling and Fletch giving them sidelong glances while he helped Emily prepare Thanksgiving dinner.

“Can I help you?” Terra asked Emily after the men moved away to watch some sports on television and indulge in snacks.

“I think I’ve got everything ready, but here…you can help me set the table.”

Terra noticed the monitor on the kitchen counter and didn’t ask what it was. She’d been to their house before and had learned the monitor was part of Fletch’s elaborate security setup. Security cameras around his entire property made sure no one could come down the driveway or approach his front door without the occupants of the house seeing. At one point in her life Terra would’ve thought the security a bit of overkill. Allan Rivers had changed all that. At least here, in Emily and Fletch’s house, safety surrounded Terra.

Emily caught Terra staring at the monitor. “You’re safe here.”

Terra smiled as she opened the door with the utensils. “I was just thinking that.”

Emily opened a cabinet and reached for plates. “It takes a little getting used to. Having the security system, that is.”

“How do you…deal with that, though? Doesn’t it make you feel paranoid?”

Emily sighed and put the plates down on the counter. “Not really. But even if it did, I’d tolerate it. In Fletch’s line of work there are some enemies. With my daughter I won’t take risks. It’s worth it to have the security.”

Emily gathered up forks, knives and spoons. “I don’t blame you.”

Before long they were chatting away without a care in the world as they set up the dining table for the meal. Terra felt better than she had in a long time. She needed to remind herself every day that socializing helped alleviate her fears once she simply tried it. Boxing herself up at home made things worse, not better.

The phone rang and Emily answered. “Aimee, where are you guys? Oh no. I’m sorry. Hope you feel better.” Emily teased Aimee over the phone. “Just means more food for the guys. You know they’ll clean up their plates. Yes, Terra is here. Sure, I’ll say hello.”

After she signed off, Emily turned to Terra. “Well that sucks. Aimee has a stomach bug so they’re staying home. I hope she feels better soon. She’s just glad you decided to join us, though.”

“I’ll bet she is. You and Aimee have some of the most devious minds. You know exactly how to get people to see your way.”

Emily lifted one eyebrow as she arranged utensils on a blue linen napkin. “Sorry you came?”

“Not at all. I needed to get out of the apartment and seeing you all is fantastic.”

Emily peered at her. “Is everything okay? I get the feeling there’s something you’re holding back.”

Terra knew she couldn’t keep Emily in the dark for long. She was already suspicious.

Terra kept her voice low. “The day before yesterday I thought I saw Allan Rivers at the grocery store.” The alarm on Emily’s face made Terra rush to say, “But I’m almost positive it wasn’t him.”

“Why didn’t you say something when we stopped by?”

Terra sighed. “Because I didn’t want you to worry, which I know you will anyway.”

The guys laughed loudly at something on the television, and Fletch came into the kitchen to get more snacks.

“What’s up?” he asked.

“Aimee has a stomach bug so they’re staying home.”

Fletch opened a bag of nacho chips and poured them into a large bowl. “Damn. That’s too bad.” He tilted his head a little to the side. “But why do I get the feeling that isn’t all you two are talking about?”

“See? Can’t hide anything from this guy,” Emily said.

Terra snagged a chip from the bowl. “It’s nothing to worry about, Fletch.”

“Yeah, whenever someone says that, I start to worry.”

Terra made a face. “I thought I saw Allan Rivers at the grocery store two days ago. But I’m sure it wasn’t him.”

The doorbell rang and Fletch headed that way. “Hold that thought and we’ll talk about it later. Wonder if this is Big Saw.”

Terra threw Emily a glance. “Big Saw?”

Emily grinned. “Friend of Fletch’s. We twisted his arm, too. He didn’t want to come out of his shell today, either.”

With a name like Big Saw, Terra expected a lumberjack with a stereotypical beard and plaid flannel shirt. The man that walked into the room blew that idea away.

Big Saw looked about Terra’s age or slightly older, but something in the way he carried himself said old soul. Over six feet tall, he was broad shouldered, wore a green sweater under a brown leather jacket and jeans and athletic shoes. Though she couldn’t tell how muscular he was, she got the impression of leashed power. Thick, wavy dark brown hair curled just below his collar. His face, while technically handsome, had a hardness to it. Under the right circumstances, he could be a scary-looking guy. The man wasn’t a pretty boy by any means. He sported a five o’clock shadow on his upper lip and jaw. And those eyes, liquid dark brown with thick lashes, snagged her full attention.

Her breath caught, and he seemed to pause in taking of his jacket as he caught her gaze and held it.

Oh, my God. He’s freaking hot.

A visceral reaction shot through her. Raw. Uninhibited. Sexual.