Harper nodded. “Yes.” Then she smiled. “We just won’t tell Reid. He’ll be next door, eaten up with envy.”

“Speaking of eating…”

“I know. I’m hungry too. We’ll pick something up on the way.” She looked at her watch. “I’ve got a briefing scheduled in a half hour. I’m sorry you have to hang around here. You’re probably bored out of your mind.”

“No. I’ve been watching…observing. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind to prepare for my role, but it’ll have to do.” Then she smiled. “Besides, I’m getting some really good, hands-on training with you.”

Harper laughed. “Is that what you’re calling it? Half the time we’ve been running away from this guy.”

“I’m still in one piece, thank you very much. My nerves may have been frazzled some but I’m safe.”

“Well, maybe it’ll all be over with very soon. Things can get back to normal for you.”

“My normal or real normal?” Dani shook her head. “I can’t say I’m looking forward to either.” Then she smiled. “I’d rather hang out with you.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“There’s a hole-in-the-wall barbecue place,” Harper said, motioning to an aging white building. “We’re about four blocks from the motel.”

“You think it’s safe?”

“I think so. It’s still daylight. I haven’t seen anyone following us.” Harper glanced into the rearview mirror again. “If it’s a real dive, we can just take our food with us,” she offered.

Dani contemplated a plate full of barbecue and her stomach rumbled. “You think they’ll have ribs?”

“I imagine so. Is that a favorite?” Harper asked as she turned into the parking lot.

“Back in the old days, yes.” Back in the really old days, when she was still young and innocent, she added silently. Smoke swirled from the back of Donny’s Pit Barbecue and the smell brought back all sorts of memories from her childhood.

“My uncle had a place like this,” she offered. “Nearly every Sunday after church we’d make the drive over to Townsend and spend the day with them. It’s very near the Smoky Mountains, just west of Gatlinburg, if that means anything to you.”

Harper shook her head. “Afraid not. I could find Nashville on the map, that’s about it.”

“Townsend is just enough off the beaten path that it doesn’t get the tourists like Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.”

“Is that where you grew up? You said you went to college in Knoxville.”

“We lived just south of Knoxville, yes.” Harper held the door open for her and Dani smiled her thanks. “I hope no one recognizes me.”

“The ponytail, the ball cap—I think you’re fine.”