How she'd love to ponder a future with him, the three of them living here, skipping rocks in the lake, tucking Ana into bed, reading her a book together. She'd love to dream about a safe world for the three of them.

A cloud covered the sun, and the breeze increased. She crossed her arms and shivered, thankful Nate couldn't read her thoughts.

"You want to walk?" he asked. "It would warm us up a little."

The last thing she needed was to spend more time alone with him.

She turned, looked around, and sighed. "I don't have the energy."

Nate led her to the door, his arm still lightly around her back, as if she might collapse at any moment. Or maybe as if he didn't want to let her go any more than she wanted him to.

And there she went again. She couldn't help those thoughts. She felt connected to Nate. It was wrong, and if the worst happened, she'd never forgive herself. But she didn't have the will to fight it right now.

Inside, she slipped off her coat and draped it on the hook near the back door. Somebody had cleaned the kitchen. She should have done that. They probably all thought she was the laziest houseguest ever. She just couldn't seem to think of anything but Ana.

And Nate, apparently.

She sighed and pushed the thought away. Brady and Sam were seated in the living room. Rae was feeding little Johnny in his car seat, which she'd set on the kitchen table. The adults had been talking but quieted when Nate and Marisa walked in. The only sounds came from little Johnny, happy sounds that belied the situation.

"Beautiful out there," Nate said. "But chilly."

Rae scraped green baby food off Johnny's chin with the tiny spoon. "No news yet?"

He shook his head and met Marisa's eyes. "Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine." She couldn't look at Johnny. He reminded her too much of her own daughter. She settled onto the love seat, slipped off her shoes, and pulled her feet up beneath her.

"Coffee would warm you up," Nate suggested.

He was always thoughtful. "I'll make it."

"You look comfortable. Let me." He was in the kitchen before she could protest.

The others made small talk until Nate returned with two cups of fresh coffee. She sipped hers, tasted the sugar, and smiled at him. Perfect.

Brady leaned forward. "Nate, you think we could use this Jessica woman to draw the kidnapper out. What's your plan?"

Nate sat beside Marisa. "Jessica said Rick is really attached to Hunter. I thought if she could tell him Hunter was hurt or injured, maybe even up here, we could get him to come up—"

"To Nutfield?" Brady asked, eyebrows raised.

"Well, you're here, and I thought—"

"You want to bring a murderer to my town?"

"To catch him, yeah," Nate said. "I thought we could set a trap."