“You didn’t have a camera at Cal’s house,” she said.
He shook his head. “But we had your location. You were traveling at high speed, changed your direction abruptly and stopped. We knew where you were but didn’t know why, since your brother wasn’t there. It looked like it could be a confrontation with Dixon.”
“He must have been lying in wait for me,” she said.
“I think once he learned where and when you worked in town, that was his only option.”
“Has he murdered anyone?” she asked.
“Not that we know of but after we have him in custody and conduct a thorough forensic investigation at the federal level there’s no telling what might turn up. Each of the states in which he committed crimes has his DNA from the few victims who came forward.” He put a hand on her arm. “Let’s go have something to drink with your family. We can answer a few of their questions, and then I’m afraid we have to leave.”
“Where’s he going? Dixon?”
“He’s going back to Detroit. Federal agents there will book him and the federal prosecutor will press charges and take him to trial, unless there’s a full confession. In which case he’ll go to federal prison. It’s a much more secure and punitive establishment than state or county detention.”
“I wish you had told me you were watching me,” she said. “I was terrified and had no idea help was on the way.”
“If we’d told you beforehand, everything might’ve progressed differently. I haven’t seen a criminal as slippery and invisible as Dixon in my career. If you had known, he’d have smelled it. I’m sorry it had to be that way. I’m glad the plan worked.”
* * *
There was something comforting about all the questions Sierra’s friends and family had for the agents. There were ten of them in all—four agents, Sully, Maggie, Cal, Sierra, Dakota and Connie. Some of their questions had to go unanswered—police procedure that wasn’t discussed or the future of the prosecution that was at best unknown.
She learned that Lucas and Pete got around the back roads and through fields on those ATVs, often sitting near roads that led to the Crossing or into town or that long, isolated road to Connie’s house. It had seemed she’d seen these agents around town because she had. While she was working, they were poking around town, looking for familiar faces. And she also learned that Pete was well-known as Sneaky Pete, a seasoned undercover agent.
The agents praised her for her quick thinking and resourcefulness. She did some damage, it turned out. “Too bad that nail gun didn’t hold the four-inch nails used for framing. But you did pop a couple end for end and drive ’em deeper,” Clyde said. And Clyde and Priscilla no longer had those lovely British accents!
They didn’t stay long. They had some coffee and sandwiches and by two in the afternoon they were ready to be on the road. Priscilla and Clyde were driving the surveillance RV back to Chicago, where it had come from. Detroit didn’t have one but they were quick to point out they had an army of FBI SWAT vehicles and equipment. Lucas and Pete were going back to Detroit where they were currently assigned.
There was a lot of hugging when they were leaving. Pete held her close for a long moment. “Thank you,” she said. “If it wasn’t for you, I’d be dead now.”
“You know what, Sierra? I don’t know about that. You’ve got some amazing fight in you. Not to mention smarts and incredible instinct. As long as you remember that, you’re safer than ninety percent of the world. You trust your gut and you fight, young lady. Big battles, little battles, you refuse to give up, you hear me?”
She bit her lip and nodded. Her eyes welled with tears and a couple spilled over, running down her cheeks. “I haven’t been able to cry since that night,” she said in a soft whisper.
“Well, now you can. The danger from that night is gone. And once he’s locked up, we’re throwing away the key.”
“I think I’m changed forever,” she said tearfully.
“I want you to remember something, Sierra. It was something that happened to you. It’s not who you are. Permission to move forward.” Then he smiled and said, “Yes, Sierra. You’re a badass. Own it.”
* * *
Jackson Canaday showed up at the Crossing to work and Sully happily left him in charge. The family and dogs went to Cal’s house to find Tom was there, a screwdriver and tube of caulk in hand. He’d replaced the window that had been kicked open by federal agents and repaired the lock on the door.
“They said it wasn’t a crime scene anymore or anything, so I thought I’d fix it up before you got back. Jeez, Sierra, you’re the fricking talk of the fricking town!”
“Great,” she said, but she laughed a little in spite of herself.
“Um, there’s some blood on the floor of the master bedroom closet. I’ll replace the carpet before I finish the built-ins,” Tom said.
“A lot of blood?” Maggie asked.
“Nah. Some good quarter-sized spots, though—very noticeable.”
“Oh hell, I’ll have those out in fifteen minutes. Hydrogen peroxide.”
Tom’s eyebrows popped up. “You’re kidding! After all those bloody noses at my house, I could’ve used hydrogen peroxide? How’d you know that?”
“I’m a surgeon, Tom,” she said with a laugh. “We’re very closely acquainted with blood.”
“Gee, I should’ve asked you how to get out blood a long time ago! Well, if there’s even a shadow left, tell me and I can switch out that carpet really fast.”
Cal asked Tom if he could stay for dinner, but he was off to feed his kids and check homework. Maggie and Cal got busy in the kitchen. Since they hadn’t been prepared for a big crowd they’d pillaged through Sully’s refrigerator, their freezer and the last of the garden.
They sat around the picnic table for a pizza dinner with bruschetta and salad. What was left of the baguette was sliced and slathered with garlic butter. It was a celebration.
When the meal was almost done, Connie clinked his glass. “I have a request, since everyone is gathered. I don’t know when I’ll have Sierra’s big brothers in the same room together again so I’m sorry if this seems a little unusual.” He looked at Sierra, an arm around her shoulders. “Sorry, honey. Nothing required of you—this is between me and the big brothers.” Then looking back at those men he said, “I’d like your blessing to ask Sierra to marry me. I haven’t done it yet, but I’ve wanted to. Now, if you give your blessing, I’ll ask her when she’s had a little more time to recover and a little more time with me. You know—not too long, not too fast. So?”
Dakota shrugged. “Okay by me,” he said.
“I heartily approve, if that’s what Sierra wants,” Cal said.
“Nobody asked me, but I like the idea,” Sully said.
“I’m in,” Maggie said. “I’ve known Connie since he was a kid and he’s okay. I mean, he’s really okay.”
“That’s nice,” Connie said, smiling. Then he looked at Sierra.
“Well?” she said. “When are you gonna ask me?”
“I don’t want to rush you.”
“You don’t want me to get tired of waiting, do you?”
“Never thought of that! Will you marry me, Sierra? Because I love you a lot. More than you can imagine.”
She grinned hugely. “I absolutely will. I love you a lot, too. More than I thought possible.”
“Oh God! Really?” he said.
“Oh yes,” she said. “You’re one of the greatest men I know. I want to be with you forever. Then some more.”
“Oh man,” he said. Then he grabbed her and planted a big, deep, sloppy kiss on her to the cheers of everyone in the room. When he broke that lip-lock he still had a hand on her cheek, holding her face close to his. “I love you so much,” he whispered.
“Me, too,” she whispered back.
/> “Well,” he said, straightening up and looking at the dinner table. “We hate to eat and run, but—”
The room dissolved in laughter as Connie pulled Sierra along. She broke away just long enough to hug Dakota and tell him she loved him and would miss him and would email every day. Then she hugged everyone else and was literally whisked out of the house by Connie.
Her future husband. The man who believed in her and was truly her knight.
If a book is well written, I always find it too short.
—Jane Austen
Epilogue
WHEN THE FALL foliage was in full glory in mid-October, Maggie and Cal drove to Denver together. She was in the very early stages of labor but a long drive in advanced labor would be too uncomfortable. So, she called her dad and explained they’d be waiting it out in her Denver house. Cal called his sister with the same message. They called Maggie’s mom and stepdad, Phoebe and Walter. Everyone asked for an update call when they went to the hospital. And they happily obliged. “Elizabeth Margaret Jones will be arriving sometime today. First babies are in no hurry so be patient.”
Patience, it turned out, was not a common trait among Cal or Maggie’s family. Without conferring with each other, they fell like dominoes. Sully called Enid and Frank and Jackson Canaday—there were only some leaf peepers and two hunters in the campground and the store was not at all busy. It could be closed at six. And Sully headed for Denver to meet his first grandchild.
Sierra and Connie tried to distract themselves by putting on a good movie, but it wasn’t working. Connie had two days off anyway so they took Molly to Rafe’s house to play with Rafe’s kids for the day and off they went to sit baby watch in Denver.
Phoebe and Walter didn’t even try to wait.
And of course when word got out that Dr. Sullivan and her husband were in the labor and delivery suite, her best friends and biggest fans gathered.
“You’re at eight centimeters,” Jaycee said. “Nice work. And they’re all here.”
“All who?” Maggie said with a groan.
“Everyone. Sully, your sister-in-law and Connie, your mom and Walter, half the ER staff and some neurosurgery folks. Waiting. Partying out in the lounge.”
“Oh God,” she moaned.
“You want anyone in the room?”
“Only California Jones!” she said. “Cal, go talk to them, tell them you’ll let them know when the baby is here. Oh God,” she groaned again. “And hurry back!”
Thus it was that an hour and a half later a very sleepy Maggie with swaddled Elizabeth in her arms welcomed what seemed like a throng of well-wishers and relatives. They all congratulated the mom and dad, gave Maggie a kiss and were slowly leaving.
“Sierra, wait a minute,” Maggie said.
“Sure. Can I get you something?” she asked.
“Pull up a chair,” she said. “You’ve really had a wild ride the past couple of years.”
“Oh yeah,” she said. “Only to get crazier. I’ve agreed to testify when he’s brought to trial. That man has to be put out of business.”
“Are you afraid?” Maggie asked.
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “It has to be done and I’m the one to do it.”
“I’ve watched you evolve into the most amazing woman I know. A hero. A wonder woman.” She lifted the baby and passed her to Sierra. “My daughter needs a guardian angel, mentor, teacher, friend, a role model. Someone who is her strength. Someone she can always depend on and look up to. I’m so glad she has you.”
Sierra took the baby so carefully, holding her close. “Wow. Maggie. No one’s ever said anything like that to me before.”
“They’re all thinking it. I’m so proud of you. I’m in awe of you. Will you be Elizabeth’s godmother? And her fairy godmother? Protector and nurturer?”
“I will always be there for her. I give you my word.”
Maggie smiled fondly. “I’ll never lose a minute of sleep, then.”
Sierra’s heart was as full as her arms.
She was home.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt from WHAT WE FIND by Robyn Carr.
“A thought-provoking look at women...and the choices they make when they realize their lives aren’t exactly what they expected—or thought they were.”
—Kirkus Reviews on Four Friends
If you enjoyed Any Day Now, make sure to read the first book in the Sullivan’s Crossing series:
What We Find
And be sure to join #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr in Virgin River, California, where true love and second chances are waiting just around the corner:
Virgin River
Shelter Mountain
Whispering Rock
A Virgin River Christmas
Second Chance Pass
Temptation Ridge
Paradise Valley
Forbidden Falls
Angel’s Peak
Moonlight Road
Promise Canyon
Wild Man Creek
Harvest Moon
Bring Me Home for Christmas
Hidden Summit
Redwood Bend
Sunrise Point
My Kind of Christmas
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What We Find
by Robyn Carr
Just living is not enough... One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.
—Hans Christian Andersen
CHAPTER 1
Maggie Sullivan sought refuge in the stairwell between the sixth and seventh floors at the far west end of the hospital, the steps least traveled by interns and residents racing from floor to floor, from emergency to emergency. She sat on the landing between two flights, feet on the stairs, arms crossed on her knees, her face buried in her arms. She didn’t understand how her heart could feel as if it was breaking every day. She thought of herself as much stronger.
“Well, now, some things never change,” a familiar voice said.
She looked up at her closest friend, Jaycee Kent. They had gone to med school together, though residency had separated them. Jaycee was an OB and Maggie, a neurosurgeon. And...they had hidden in stairwells to cry all those years ago when med-school life was kicking their asses. Most of their fellow students and instructors were men. They refused to let the men see them cry.
Maggie gave a wet, burbly huff of l
aughter. “How’d you find me?” Maggie asked.
“How do you know you’re not in my spot?”
“Because you’re happily married and have a beautiful daughter?”
“And my hours suck, I’m sleep-deprived, have as many bad days as good and...” Jaycee sat down beside Maggie. “And at least my hormones are cooperating at the moment. Maggie, you’re just taking call for someone, right? Just to stay ahead of the bills?”
“Since the practice shut down,” Maggie said. “And since the lawsuit was filed.”
“You need a break. You’re recovering from a miscarriage and your hormones are wonky. You need to get away, especially away from the emergency room. Take some time off. Lick your wounds. Heal.”
“He dumped me,” Maggie said.
Jaycee was clearly shocked. “What?”
“He broke up with me. He said he couldn’t take it anymore. My emotional behavior, my many troubles. He suggested professional help.”
Jaycee was quiet. “I’m speechless,” she finally said. “What a huge ass.”
“Well, I was crying all the time,” she said, sniffing some more. “If I wasn’t with him, I cried when I talked to him on the phone. I thought I was okay with the idea of no children. I’m almost thirty-seven, I work long hours, I was with a good man who was just off a bad marriage and already had a child...”
“I’ll give you everything but the good man,” Jaycee said. “He’s a doctor, for God’s sake. Doesn’t he know that all you’ve been through can take a toll? Remove all the stress and you still had the miscarriage! People tend to treat a miscarriage like a heavy period but it’s a death. You lost your baby. You have to take time to grieve.”
“Gospel,” Maggie said, rummaging for a tissue and giving her nose a hearty blow. “I really felt it on that level. When I found out I was pregnant, it took me about fifteen minutes to start seeing the baby, loving her. Or him.”