Either she was paranoid or she was giving off a weird vibe, because this guy was checking her out. Probably a little of both. She coughed. “Feel free to browse.”
She dusted behind the counter while keeping an eye on the shopper. He picked up and discarded many items after studying them intently.
He finally picked up one of the stuffed frogs and shook it.
“That’s unique to Timberline. A local artist makes those.”
“I think I used to have one of these frogs.” He tossed it in the air and caught it by one leg. “I’ll take it.”
“Do you have children?”
“A daughter.” He brought the frog to the counter.
“I’m sure she’ll like it.” Caroline’s blood thrummed in her veins as she rang up the man’s purchase under his scrutiny. He was studying her like he’d been studying the trinkets in the shop. Maybe he was just an intense guy.
“Is she with you? Your daughter?”
“No, I’m on a...business trip.”
She counted his change into the palm of his hand and shoved the plastic bag toward him. “Hope she likes it.”
He walked toward the door slowly and then stopped with his hand on the knob. “Are you a local?”
Did she just have one of those faces that invited questions, or was this a small-town thing?
“No. I’m staying with my cousin, who owns this shop.”
His shoulders drooped. “Ahh, well, thank you.”
“Enjoy your stay.”
When the door closed, she collapsed against the counter. Would she suspect every person who walked in here of having ulterior motives? Of course, as the saying went, sometimes they really were out to get you.
She’d been right to suspect Cole. He’d lied to her about being a writer. He was searching for Johnny Diamond’s companion. He was searching for her.
Crossing her arms, she strolled to the front door and leaned her forehead against the cool glass. She couldn’t see into Uncommon Grounds, the coffee shop where Cole had taken Linda to grill her. Caroline had to trust that Linda would keep her secrets—even the ones she didn’t know about. If Linda told Cole that she didn’t have a second cousin named Caroline and had never laid eyes on her before she’d discovered her crying in the alley behind her store, he’d have every reason to believe she was the mystery woman with Diamond. And she had to be a mystery to Cole or he would’ve recognized her.
But who was he? If he was Diamond’s associate, he might be wondering about some missing drug money. Did the police mention how much money was found in the hotel room? Surely not. How would Diamond’s cohorts know whether or not she’d stolen any money?
They might want to find her for other reasons. Revenge? Information? Could Cole be a cop?
The door to the Uncommon Grounds opened, and Caroline jerked back as Linda appeared on the sidewalk with Cole behind her. They were both laughing. That didn’t mean anything, though. Cole Pierson was a charmer. He had the good looks to beguile a woman of any age.
Hadn’t he cast a spell on her? Caroline should’ve taken her burger to go last night and gotten the heck out of Sutter’s. If she had, she wouldn’t have overheard his conversation. Better to know your enemies and keep them close.
She could keep Cole close—no problem.
His question about children had troubled her. She’d never considered that she might have a husband and children somewhere. Didn’t she owe it to them to turn herself in to the police? If she were missing, they’d be looking for her. Even if she didn’t come from this area, she might be able to find out if they were.
Maybe she should start looking at missing persons reports from other states.
As Linda and Cole approached the shop, Caroline backed away from the door and grabbed her duster.
They were still laughing when they entered on a wet gust of wind that sent the bells into a frenzy.
“Looks cold out there.”
“It’s freezing.” Linda held out a coffee cup. “Which is why we got you a latte.”
“Thanks, Linda.” Caroline took the cup from her.
“Thank Cole. It was his idea.”
“Thanks, Cole.” She raised the cup in his direction. “Did you get what you wanted?”
“I think so. Enough to settle a few questions and raise a few more, which is always a good start to, ah...research.”
She took a sip of coffee, eyeing him over the rim of her cup. The man drove her crazy. Was he toying with her?
The pressure of Linda’s hand against the small of her back nudged her toward the counter. “I gave Cole a long, boring history of this shop and a more interesting account of the local artists, including Scarlett Easton, who’s quite famous for her modern art, although I prefer her landscapes.”
Caroline released a few short breaths. Linda had kept mum about her sudden appearance in Timberline.
“I sold a Libby Love frog while you were out living it up at Uncommon Grounds.”
“Wonderful. I was wondering if we’d do any business today with the rain coming down.”
Caroline jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “Might be a good day to continue with that inventory.”
“I am taking the hint.” Cole grabbed a frog. “And to show my appreciation for your time, I’ll buy a frog, too.”
“I thought you didn’t have children.”
“I don’t have any, but that doesn’t mean there’s not a kid or two in my life.”
Linda rang him up and tucked the frog into a plastic bag. “Let me know if you need anything else, Cole, and do go talk to Evelyn Foster out on the reservation. She can tell you about all the Quileute legends and myths.”
“I’ll do that.” He held up his hand. “Stay dry.”
Linda went to the window and watched him walk away. “Nice man. Good-looking, isn’t he?”
“Cut to the chase, Linda. Did he ask about me?”
“Nothing to worry about, Caroline. He didn’t ask anything a man attracted to a woman wouldn’t ask.”
Her nostrils flared. “Attracted? What does that mean?”
“Don’t worry. I told him a little about your past.” She held her thumb and index finger about an inch apart. “Just so he knows you’re not ready to jump into anything right now.”
“What did you tell him?” Caroline pressed two fingers to her temple. “Y-you didn’t reveal that I really wasn’t your cousin and had just arrived in town, did you? I’m not sure I trust him. M-my ex could’ve sent him. He could be looking for me right now.”
Linda cinched both her wrists with a surprisingly strong grip. “I promised to keep your secrets, Caroline, and I’m not going back on that just for a pair of twinkling green eyes and a set of broad shoulders.”
“What exactly did you tell him?”
“I stuck to the story. My cousin’s daughter contacted me a few weeks ago, was in a bad relationship, wanted a fresh start and asked to visit for a while—and you are that cousin.” She cocked her head. “Besides, if your ex really did send Cole looking for you, wouldn’t he already know what you looked like? You have nothing to fear from Cole—except his