Christmas Witness Pursuit. Lisa Harris

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       FOUR

      It didn’t matter that she couldn’t remember Jinx Ryder’s face, or even all the details of what she’d witnessed. Tory knew enough about the situation to realize her life was in danger. Now that Jinx had managed to escape from custody, there was a good chance he’d come after her himself. And that terrified her.

      “Would you like more bread?”

      Tory jumped at the question clearly posed at her and looked up at the basket of garlic bread Griffin’s mom, Marci, was holding. She wondered how long the older woman had been waiting for her to answer.

      Tory grabbed a piece then passed the basket to Griffin. “I’m sorry.”

      “You have nothing to be sorry about.” Marci’s smile seemed genuine, just like everything else about his family. “This entire situation has to be unsettling for you.”

      “I just can’t stop jumping at every shadow.” She glanced across the room as if to prove her point, but the reaction was automatic. “I’m convinced he’s going to come after me himself.”

      “Not any time soon.” Griffin’s dad, Jacob, looked up from his bowl of stew. “I’ve lived in these mountains my whole life, and I’ll be the first one to tell you that he’d be a fool to try to find you in this kind of weather. I know every inch of this ranch, and trust me, even I’m still planning on staying right here in this house until the weather clears.”

      Tory could hear the wind howling against the side of the house, giving her a tangible reminder of the storm now brewing outside. But Jacob’s words failed to take the edge off her fear. Jinx had managed to call a hit on her FBI transport before escaping from custody. She had no doubt that if he wanted to, he could find a way to make it through the storm and come after her here, as well.

      “And when the storm’s over?” she asked. “He’s not going to stop until I’m silenced.”

      “I say we worry about that when the time comes,” Marci said.

      “You’re right.” Tory drew in a deep breath while trying at the same time to shake the fear that had taken hold. “I’m safe for now, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your generosity. All three of you.”

      “We’re happy to help,” Griffin said.

      She forced herself to finish eating the rest of her stew—a family recipe that called for elk meat hunted on their land, she’d been told, passed down from Griffin’s great-grandmother. While she sure would have enjoyed the meal if circumstances had been different, at the moment it was tasteless.

      Marci stood from the table as soon as everyone had finished and caught her son’s gaze. “Why don’t the two of you go relax in the other room while your father and I clean up? You both look exhausted. I have some cobbler with berries from our summer garden and vanilla ice cream, if you’re interested.”

      Tory scooted her chair back from the table. “Let me at least help clean up first.”

      Marci waved away her request. “You go relax. I insist. Besides, I have the world’s number-one dishwasher right here beside me.”

      Jacob’s brow crinkled when he laughed. “How did I know that was coming?”

      Tory looked to Griffin.

      “It’s not worth arguing with them,” he said. “They always win.”

      “While you’re at it,” his mother continued, “try not to think too hard about what you can’t remember. Doctor’s orders.”

      Tory smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”

      “Go on into the living room,” Griffin said. “I’ll bring you some of the dessert.”