Holiday Havoc Read Online Free Page B

vulnerability in the set of her jaw, the guarded expression in her lovely eyes. “I mean, you could be an ax murderer or a…psychopath, for all I know.”
    â€œI’m not an ax murderer.” He allowed a half smile. “Or a psychopath. I promise.”
    â€œThen who are you?”
    His gut tightened. Dr. Sorensen had asked the same question and had seemed satisfied that Sean was Mary Shannon’s nephew. Lauren didn’t know Aunt Mary, so that response wouldn’t work for her. She was asking him a question she had every right to ask, but he didn’t know how to answer without looking back at his mistakes. He settled on the present truth. The past was best left buried. “I’m renovating a historic bed-and-breakfast on Maple Street.”
    â€œShannon’s?”
    He nodded, not surprised she knew the place. “My aunt Mary owns it.”
    Mary had given him a purpose when she’d invited him to come to Cannon Beach, never once asking why he’d needed to leave Portland. She undoubtedly knewsome of the facts, but not all. No one would know the whole truth, save God.
    â€œOkay, that tells me what you do, but not if I should trust you.”
    Sean considered her for a moment. The warm moonlight reflected in her amber-colored eyes was so honest and full of curiosity. Her dark hair had clumped together in places as it had dried, reminding him how close to danger she’d been. Returning his gaze to the road, he said, “Search your heart, Lauren. You’ll find the answer.”
    In return, she regarded him thoughtfully for a heartbeat. “Do you believe in God?”
    â€œYes.” His answer came readily. He’d never lost his belief in his Savior. Only in himself.
    Her full lips curved into a pleased smile. “Which church do you attend?”
    His heart rebelled at the question. He wasn’t prepared to explain why he hadn’t stepped inside a church in six months.
    He was saved from answering when he pulled in front of her cottage and parked on the sandy shoulder of the short street that led to the beach. Small clapboard houses with even smaller yards lined both sides. A typical beach access street.
    The officers parked behind him, jumped out of their vehicle and hurried toward the house, their heavy-duty flashlights glowing bright. Several minutes later, they came back to the street.
    Officer Kay leaned inside Sean’s driver’s side window. “We walked the perimeter. All the windows are secure and the doors locked tight. Do you want us to search inside?”
    Sean turned to Lauren. Her eyes looked so big in the moonlight. “What do you think?”
    â€œYou’re sure the back windows haven’t been tampered with?”
    â€œNot that we could see. There are no scratches, the screens are intact and the windows are closed.”
    â€œI’d appreciate if you went inside,” she said.
    â€œKey?” Officer Kay held out his hand.
    Lauren dug into the bag that held her sweatpants and produced a single key on a silver square key chain. She handed it over to the officer.
    A few moments later, lights glowed inside the cottage as the officers searched the rooms.
    Officer Devon jogged back to the cab of Sean’s truck. “It’s safe to go in.”
    Lauren leaned toward the window. “How can you be sure that guy from the beach won’t come after you’ve left?”
    â€œWe’ll sit tight out here for a while and then have a patrol car drive through the neighborhood,” the officer replied. “I don’t think you have to worry about your attacker coming back. Most likely he saw you walking alone and took advantage of the situation. A purely random event. We’ll find him.”
    Sensing how upset Lauren was, Sean reached out a hand and covered hers. After a slight hesitation, she held on tight.
    â€œThank you, Officer,” she said.
    â€œCome on, let’s get you inside.”