Watching them leave the room, Dylan realized that he actually had a lot to live for now. He’d never given death much thought, but knew it would come sometime. However, now he didn’t want it to come before he was old and gray. He had family, and yes, Piper and Grace, even though she wanted nothing to do with him.

He had to speak with her again, and try and make her see why he’d behaved as he had. The thought of life with Piper Trainer loathing him didn’t sit well with Dylan. He wasn’t sure what he wanted with her, but he wanted something.

Right now, he had to catch the person who was out to kill him before he could contemplate a future.

Chapter 36

The Coffee Run started from the lodge in the middle of the day so it was warmer. Piper had come because her mom told her she had to. Jess Trainer would be waiting at the finish with Grace.

“If I get paired with Lionel Brady I’m forfeiting. That guy left bruises last year, he pinched my butt so many times,” Maggs said.

“Yes, the man’s an octopus.” Piper looked around them. So far she’d seen no sign of Dylan, which suited her. Most of the faces in the crowd were familiar, though some were tourists. Could one of these people be responsible for what was happening to Dylan? The thought sent a chill down her spine.

“There are some fine-looking men around,” Maggs said as she stretched.

“Uh-huh,” Piper murmured. She didn’t want an apology or to talk to Dylan. This feeling that maybe they could have had something was done with now. He wouldn’t stay, and after he left not seeing him would help her heart to heal.

What had happened between them was fast and intense, and she shouldn’t have said she loved him. He didn’t share her feelings. Especially as he believed her capable of poisoning his mother. Okay, well maybe he’d come round to thinking differently there, but still, it had hurt, and that made her realize that she didn’t want to experience that kind of hurt again... ever. Her focus from now on was Grace and her new house. Men were no longer a factor.

“Good turnout.”

Piper made another agreeing noise. Around them stood the other competitors, all dressed for the conditions in warm sweatshirts and hats over exercise clothes. The lodge was also teeming with activity as the staff made coffee, which would be cold by the finish line.

“Hey there, Buzz.” She reached down to brush the dog’s head as he leaned on her legs. “Where are your daddy and mommy?”

“Right here.”

She turned and found her three cousins and Bailey.

“How you doing today?”

“I’m good, Joe, and haven’t heard anything more from Chief Blake yet.”