Free A Love to Treasure (Sunriver Dreams Book 1) by Kimberly Rose Johnson Page A

Mark was only being nice—there was nothing between them, so no need to stress in that area.
    A short time later, she pulled to a stop in her driveway and rested her hands on the steering wheel as she stared at the house. Tingles zipped through her body as her heart raced. She wiped her damp palms on her shorts. Could she really go inside after what had happened?
    The house looked peaceful with no sign of the break in. It was funny how things could appear normal, when reality was so different. Glancing at her watch, then the rearview mirror, she scanned the street. Mark would be here any minute. Maybe it’d be okay to go inside. Sooner or later she’d need to be able to come and go on her own. There wouldn’t always be a knight in shining armor to protect her. Besides it was still warm enough out that the ice cream would turn to soup if she waited out here too much longer. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I can do this.” If she was going to continue living here, she had to be brave and face her fear head on. A sound coming from the deck made her jump.
     

     
    Mark snagged the cell phone off the kitchen counter on the third ring. “Hey, Spencer.” He scooped dog food into Sadie’s bowl and set it on the kitchen floor.
    “Glad I caught you. I might have a lead in the case. You want to meet me at the station?”
    Mark rubbed the back of his neck. He was due at Nicole’s in ten minutes. “Okay, but it’ll have to be quick. Can you fill me in now?”
    “Nope. This you gotta see.”
    With her food dish now empty, Sadie stood at the back door waiting to be let out. Mark slid the door open and she bounded off the deck. He’d meet up with her in front. He grabbed his keys and hustled to his car with the phone still pressed to his ear. “I can stop, but I’m in a hurry, so it’ll have to be quick.” In reality, he didn’t have any time to spare. Hopefully this would be worth the delay.
    Sadie rounded the corner to the house and hopped into the car when he opened the door. The station was out of his way, but if this would help put the people who hurt Nicole behind bars then a few extra minutes were worth it.
    “What’s the rush?”
    Mark explained his plans for the evening.
    Spencer chuckled. “Man you sure don’t waste time.”
    “Let it go. It’s not what you think. She’s scared, and I’m trying to help her feel better.”
    “You do that for all the victims in the cases you work?”
    “No.” He’d connected with Nicole outside the case and considered them friends or at the very least acquaintances.
    “You have a smart phone?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Okay. I’ll send you what I have. That way you won’t have to come here. Let me know what you think.”
    Mark disconnected the call and pushed the twenty-five mile per hour speed limit to reach Nicole’s place. He might make it on time. A short while later he pulled up beside Nicole’s empty car. Where was she?
    His pulse kicked up a notch, and he cut the engine. He ran to the door and raised his hand to knock.
    The door swung open, and Nicole screamed. “You scared me! What are you doing standing here?”
    “What are you doing inside? I thought you were going to wait for me.”
    Her chin lifted, and fire smoldered in her eyes. “I was, but then there was a sound on the deck, and it scared me. I couldn’t stand not knowing what caused it. Turned out to be a squirrel, and I realized how silly I was behaving so I went inside. Plus I bought ice cream and didn’t want it to melt.” Her face softened. “Sorry. I’m still a little jumpy, but I knew you’d be here any minute.” She brushed past him and strode toward her car. “I didn’t hear you knock.”
    “That’s because I didn’t get a chance.” He sidled up to her as she opened the door. One bag sat inside a plastic crate on the back seat. “I can get that.”
    “Thanks.” She waited for him to grab the bag. “I hope you’re hungry. I have a feast planned.” She stopped.