It had been a relief for them to get off the farm for the day. It was nice for them to see someone that wasn’t Albert or Emma. Laurie hadn’t been shopping in months, and it was the first time she and Dante were out in public together as a couple. She enjoyed being able to hold hands as they walked down the street. She loved the way Dante placed his hand on the small of her back as they walked around the stores. It gave her a small taste of what life they could have had together if they had just met under different circumstances, if they weren’t forced to hide all of the time.

Now, driving back, for Laurie the farm felt like home. On Thursday, it would be her first Thanksgiving outside the resort in over a decade. She would be with a family, a family that felt like her family.

She glanced over at Dante’s profile. He was tense, worried. He seemed that way more and more lately. They no longer spent their days roaming around the orchard, and it seemed that Dante felt caged. He paced around the farmhouse, he fidgeted almost constantly. She placed her hand on his shoulder. He glanced over at her. She gave him a reassuring smile.

“They’ll find him. It just takes time.”

He half-smiled. He took one hand off the wheel and picked up the hand she laid on his shoulder. He kissed her hand. He brought both of their hands to rest on the console between them.

“I know, I know.” He sighed. “I’m just frustrated.”

“I know. You can’t do anything about their investigation from here. They’re doing the best they can.”

“I don’t know. I don’t think they are.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, if he had a mole in the Marshals Service, what’s to stop him from having a mole in the FBI? They could be derailing the whole investigation, tipping him off every time they’ve got a lead on him.”

Laurie nodded as she absorbed that theory. He was right. If they didn’t catch Kaimi, then they may never find Katherine and Easton James. That is, if they were still alive. Laurie turned her gaze to the passing farms, lying dormant for the winter. The thought of Kaimi escaping justice while the Jameses suffered made her furious.

The other half of Laurie almost hoped they never caught Kaimi. That was a terrible thing to want. After all of the people he’d killed, she wanted him behind bars for the rest of his life, but she also wanted to stay here with Dante for a long time. Maybe even forever.

“What does your dad think about this theory?”

“Haven’t talked to him about it.”

“Maybe you should.” Laurie squeezed his hand. He squeezed hers back.

Then he pulled into the driveway. With the corn stalks now cut down, you could see the house half way down the drive. As Dante approached, Laurie’s heart stuttered. There was a van parked out front. His parents hadn’t told them about anyone coming over. He slowed the truck down, so it wouldn’t make as much noise pulling in.

“Who’s here?” Laurie sat up taller in her seat.

“I don’t know.” Dante released her hand.

He pulled up behind the van. There didn’t appear to be any disturbance around the yard, or the front porch. The van had Iowa plates, which made Laurie even more nervous.

“Stay here. Take the keys, and don’t come in until I come get you.” He through her a pointed look as he handed her the keys.

“Okay.” She nodded and sank down into the seat.

“I mean it. Stay here.”

“I will.” She waved him away.

***

Dante

Dante took his gun out of the console. He got out of the truck, closing the door slowly until he heard a soft click as it latched. Walking in the blind spots created by the vehicles, he went around to the front door. He turned the knob. He moved inside, but the house was silent. He heard no one, saw no one. He cleared each room on the ground floor until he reached the kitchen. He opened the pantry door, but nothing stared back at him but potatoes.

“Looking for someone?” came a voice from behind.

Gun ready, Dante spun around.

“Marshals Service,” he yelled. “Oh, dammit Uncle Bob!”

Bob burst into laughter.

“It’s not funny! I could have shot you!” Dante holstered his gun. He heaved a sigh of relief.

“Nah, I trust you, kid. Where’d you hide your lady?” Bob was grinning from ear to ear.

“She’s out in the truck. Why didn’t you tell us you were coming?” Dante put his hands on his hips. Bob shrugged.

“Didn’t know that I was. Gabriella and I decided this morning. Packed up the kids, threw ’em in the van and came this way.”

“Next time, call first.” Dante clapped him on the back in a bear hug. “Or else next time I will shoot.”

Bob chuckled at him as they walked toward the front door.

“Where’s everyone else?”

“Gabriella’s upstairs taking a nap. Albert and Emma took the boys out to show them the barn.”

“Did Dad have a heart attack when you came up the lane?”

“Just about. Though your reaction was even better. At least he didn’t try to shoot me.” Bob wiggled his eyebrows.

“Well, I have a witness to protect.” Dante gestured to the truck, and Laurie waved.

“The way I remember it, that’s not all she is.”

Dante smiled, his face flushing. He forgot Bob already knew.

Dante waved to Laurie. She didn’t move, she just sat in the truck. He waved again, but she gave no response. Just as Dante started to become concerned, Laurie reached over and rolled down the window.

“You said not to move until you came and got me. You’re still on the porch.”

Bob burst into sidesplitting laughter. Dante smiled, shaking his head.

“Well, kid. What are you waiting for? Go get your girl.” Bob clapped him on the back.

Dante left the porch, crossing the yard to the truck. When he got there, he reached for her door handle, but she had it locked.

“Can I help you, officer?” Laurie gave him an innocent smile.

“Very funny, now let’s go inside.”

“I’m sorry, sir. I can’t go in until my boyfriend tells me it’s safe.” She batted her eyelashes. “Because, you know, I’m just a helpless female.”

“That’s not…” Dante started, but then he laughed. “That’s not what I have ever said to you.”

“I mean, it’s not like I’ve saved his life twice or anything, because if that were the case maybe he should let me go in the house. He might need me to save his life—again.”

“Hey, hey. I’ve also saved your life too.”

“When?” She quirked an eyebrow.

“When? The night I first met you.” Dante lifted his hands.

“You mean when I attacked the intruder that was ready to kill you?”

“Yeah, because I had them distracted while you were busy hiding in the closet.” He yanked on the door handle.

“Which is where you told me I had to be. Then there was that time at the safe house when I had to shoot the other guy who was about to kill you.”

“I shot the guy who was ready to kill you. Furthermore, at the first safe house, I killed three guys who were trying to kill you, so I win.” Dante put his hands on his hips.

“You win? You win what?” Laurie laughed.

“You—now get out of the truck.” Dante pulled on the door.

“What if I don’t want to get out of the truck? What if I don’t feel it’s safe?” Laurie crossed her legs and settled back into the seat.

“Get out of the truck. Who’s going to hurt you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe you?”

“Me. Me? Get out of the truck” He was determined to get her out now, but realized his keys were in Laurie’s hands. He went back to the porch. He picked up a thin wire he had laid there the day before, when he mended the fence around the yard. He hooked the wire as he walked back, and dropped it in between the window and the doorframe until he found the latch.

“Hey, hey. That’s cheating!” Laurie squeaked.

“Just being resourceful.” He popped the lock and flung open her door.

Laurie tried to scramble for the driver’s side door, but he was much faster. He wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her out of the truck, shrieking and laughing at him. He pinned her against the cab.