Chapter 10 Colt pulled into the Amber Ridge Sheriff's Station parking lot. He should be at the park helping Noah and Randy's team. But he'd barely slept last night, thoughts of his father being so close to Indie yesterday toying with him. And according to his mother, the asshole had been back multiple times over the years. He was frustrated and angry and a million other things. He turned off the engine and climbed out. Every time that bastard returned, his mother should have told him. How many times had he returned while Colt was away in the Marines? He had no idea because his mother wouldn't give him any details. She got all vague and claimed she didn't remember. She did. After what that man had put her through, she would've catalogued every single visit. Before getting out of his car, he pulled out his cell and called Ben. He still hadn't crossed paths with the guy. Ben answered on the third ring. "Colt, is everything okay?" "I need to know the details of my mother's security and what you're doing about Gordon." There was a small pause. "She told you." "No. I saw him for myself. She should have told me." Ben sighed. "Yeah, she should have. I've been telling her that every time he makes an appearance." "How many?" "Every two or three years." Jesus fucking Christ. "Has he ever touched her?" "Once or twice. Nothing serious. He always wants money." He'd touched her. More than once. And Colt hadn't been here to protect her. "She doesn't give him any," Ben continued. "She calls me. I get here. Scare him away and tail her to make sure he doesn't get close. Although, this time, I can't find him. I've checked all the usual motels. I'm going to check the Airbnbs this week." "What can I do to help?" "Nothing. You stay away from him, Colt. The main reason your mother didn't want you knowing was because she was afraid of what you'd do." Afraid he'd kill the guy? He wouldn't. Or at least, he was pretty sure he wouldn't. "You're going to protect her, right?" "With my life." "Good." Ben and his mother had always been close. He was the one his mother had called the night those men had shown up, asking for money. He'd been the one to inform Gordon that he wasn't welcome in the house anymore. Ben was more of a father than his own dad had ever been. "I need you to keep me updated." "You'll know everything I know." "Thanks. And Ben...thank you for looking after my mom." "Always." He hung up. Colt had always had this suspicion that Ben was secretly in love with his mother. Why nothing had ever happened between them, he wasn't sure. Inside the station, a middle-aged woman smiled from the front desk. "Hi. Can I help you?" "I have an appointment with-" "Colt." He looked up to see Jesse stepping out of the hall, coffee in hand. Colt dipped his head. "Hey." "Come in." Jesse indicated toward the office to the right. Colt followed the other man in and closed the door behind him. "Nice office." "Thanks. Comes with a side of arrests and a shit ton of paperwork." Colt chuckled as he sat opposite the desk. "Good to know." "How's the park going?" "We're getting there. Randy's team is making quick progress." "When do you think you'll open?" "Not sure yet. Hopefully in a couple of months." Jesse's brows lifted. "That soon?" "I'm pretty keen to try that zip line." Jesse grinned. "Shit, I haven't been on that since I was a kid." "Great memories." "You're not wrong." Jesse leaned forward. "Now, tell me about your dad." That familiar tightness wrapped its fingers around his chest. "His name is Gordon Sharp. He left town when I was eight. He was into drugs, and I'm pretty sure he was also an alcoholic. When my mom cut him off, he got in with some bad people who he owed money to. Mom had to kick him out and hire security." Jesse's jaw visibly clenched. "Is your mom safe?" "She still has that security, but I'd like your team to keep an eye out for Gordon." "I've already given a description to my deputies. I wish I could do more, like a background check, but for that I'd need-" "Cause. I know. That's why I'm here, telling you what I can about him so that you know he's dangerous, and that danger follows him." He pulled a photo out of his wallet. He wasn't even sure why his mother had this old picture, but she did. He slid it across the desk. "This photo was taken about thirty years ago, but it's all I have." "Thanks. This will still help my deputies." Jesse lifted the photo before looking back at Colt, almost assessing. "Do I need to be worried about you?" Did everyone think he'd kill the guy? "No. You don't need to worry about me. As long as he leaves Indie and my mother alone." Jesse's brows rose. "What about Indie?" Colt's jaw clicked. "I asked her to be careful. To call me at the first sign of trouble and not go places alone." "Do you think he'd touch her?" A vein throbbed in Colt's temple. "To maintain his addiction, he's probably capable of anything." Indie focused on the couple through the lens. Bo and Georgia stood by the cliff's edge, their fingers intertwined. They looked at each other like they were the only two people in the world. Beautiful. And so fixated on the other person they probably didn't even realize rain was about to come in. She snapped the photo, then a couple more, trying to capture the emotion. When Bo lowered his head and kissed Georgia, Indie zoomed out, trying to get both the kiss and the mountains behind the couple in the frame. Her favorite types of shoots were families, but engagement sessions were a close second. There was just something about a couple who had their entire future in front of them that made the photos come out almost dreamy. Back when she'd started, newborn shoots had been the highlight of her weeks, but the longer she'd struggled with IVF, the harder those became. Bo whispered something in Georgia's ear, and she tipped her head back and laughed. Indie focused on the expression on Bo's face. The way he watched Georgia. Devotion...that's what it was. A drop of rain hit Indie's cheek. She lowered the camera. "Okay, guys, I think we just snuck the shoot in before the rain." Bo and Georgia stepped away from each other, but Bo kept an arm curved around his fiancée's waist. "You got everything you needed?" Georgia asked. "I did. You've got some gorgeous photos here." She beamed at Indie. "Thank you so much." "You're welcome. I'll edit them and have them back to you in the next week or so." Bo dipped his head. "Thanks, Indie." Georgia lifted her bag, and they were about to pass her when she stopped. "I just want you to know that I never believed any of the rumors." Indie frowned. "Rumors?" "Yeah, you know, the ones about money and your business. I knew it was all ridiculous." She squeezed Indie's arm. "Can't wait to see the edits." The couple walked away, but Indie remained exactly where she was. There'd been rumors involving her business and money? What rumors? And was that why bookings had been so low this past year? Her heart started to beat faster, confusion and anger and frustration simmering inside her. Who would start- No. Sylvia wouldn't be that evil...would she? She wouldn't really go so far as to try to ruin Indie's business. Sylvia knew it was her only source of income. Why not? The question whispered in her head. She had to find out. She crouched and started packing up her equipment when a rustling noise came from behind her. She looked over her shoulder and frowned, watching as wind blew the branches of the trees. Colt's phone call from that morning came back to her. The one where he'd asked her to remain with people because he was concerned about his father. Shit. She'd completely forgotten. But she was fine. She was alone. She turned back to her equipment and had just set her camera in the case when what sounded like a branch snapping echoed behind her. This time, she shot to her feet and turned. "Hello? Is anyone there?" Quiet surrounded her. But it did nothing to calm the beating of her heart behind her ribs. She swallowed and was about to lift her equipment bag when the ringing of her cell made her jump. Oh, good God, Indie, it's just a call. She pulled her cell out to see Colt's name on the screen. "Colt?" "Hey. Are you okay? You sound breathless." "Yeah, I'm just packing up." "So you finished your shoot?" "Yeah." She left out the part where the couple had already gone, because that would probably just make him mad. She frowned at the sound of an engine. "Where are you?" "I actually just arrived at the lookout point parking lot." "You did?" "Yeah. In case the couple left and you're alone. Are you alone?" How did he know? She sighed. "I am. But I'm heading back now. Sorry, I got distracted." She lifted her bag and was about to head back when she noticed something shiny on the ground, near the spot where Georgia and Bo had been standing. "Indie, you need to be careful. My dad's seen us together." She moved toward the cliff edge, bending over and lifting a silver bracelet. Georgia must have dropped it. "I parked," Colt said quickly. "I'm coming toward you now." "I'll meet you partway. I'm walking back-" Another branch snapped behind her, this one sounding closer. She gasped and spun-but she moved so fast that her foot slipped and she stumbled back, screaming as she went over the cliff.