It flickered through her mind as she smoothed the covers that all the times he’d come looking for her, especially when she was in the bedroom, she had assumed improper motives. But maybe Molly saw personal motives when that wasn’t it at all. Maybe he was watching her because of what was in the safe. Maybe the moment she was out of here, he’d open that safe, find things missing, and come for her.

“Wyatt Hunt is not long for this ranch if he wastes my time like that again.”

Molly plumped the pillow and rounded the bed so she was on the opposite side from her boss. “He didn’t need anything important?” Her heart rate, already too high, sped up. Fear swept over her to see Mr. Hawkins in whatever mood this was.

She struggled to appear calm as she finished with the bed. She tried to act as if today were the same as any other day. All the while knowing she was one false move away from being caught in an act of thievery. She hadn’t thought of it like that. She’d considered herself to be an investigator, searching for evidence of a crime. But what if those envelopes were completely innocent? Or what if they contained money?

He could haul her in to the sheriff, accuse her of stealing, and be completely right. She’d be guilty. She could go to prison.

Worse, what if there was evidence in them that would show him to be a killer?

There’d be no sheriff. No, he’d silence her permanently, and Wyatt was too far away to stop him.

She walked to the chest of drawers and picked up the pitcher resting in a bowl on top of it. She filled it with fresh water daily. And right now, it was a barrier between her and Mr. Hawkins.

She headed for the door. She had to walk near him. He stood between her and the only way out. As she came even with him, his hand flashed out and caught her upper arm. His grip was tight. Too tight. He smiled, but it was more a baring of teeth.

“I need to get started with dinner.” She spoke brightly, as if he weren’t holding her arm to the point of pain. “We’re having cherry pie. I found more canned cherries in your cellar, and my cherry pie is delicious.”