Abby couldn't think about anything while Alex kissed her. Gone were the dreaded thoughts about ghosts, Bryce, and her current shortcomings. The guilt burdening her felt like a bubble floating merrily away...far out of reach and threatening to evaporate at any moment.

She could feel the urgency in Alex's touch as if he too was trying to escape from something and it felt good. Like she wasn't alone. She wanted to melt in the heat of his embrace. Instead, she tightened her grip on his arms, pulling him closer.

The logical side of her mind warned her this wasn't a good idea-- that she would probably regret this come morning. She felt her damp shirt being lifted around her and she ignored the warning.

"Are you sure about this?" Alex asked.

Abby opened her eyes and stared into Alex's pale blue eyes, momentarily stunned out of the bliss she had been feeling. Like her, he was panting, but he was still holding his emotions in check. That was something Bryce couldn't do.

"Abby?"

She could feel him pulling away and placed her hands around his neck and tugged him forward. She had been with two other men since Bryce. After months of therapy, she made herself visit a small bar three towns over from where she lived. Both times had been disappointing but Abby considered them valuable experiences. They helped her overcome the initial awkwardness of being vulnerable while naked with another person again.

"Are you really sure you want to do this?" Alex asked again. "You don't have to."

"I want to," Abby gasped. "What? Are you afraid I'll call HR in the morning?"

Alex smirked. "No, but tonight has been pretty emotional for you. This probably isn't a good idea."

"Probably not," she agreed.

He grinned. "But we're going to do it anyway?"

Her lips melted against his before she whispered, "Yes."

Her hang-ups weren't anywhere in sight while Alex held her. Bryce was gone and for once she wanted to forget what his death meant to her. Abby closed her eyes as Alex's lips trailed down her jaw before nipping at her neck. Come what may, Abby let go of her painful memories and let herself slip into the numbing ecstasy which was his embrace.

"Did you get it, Cletus?" Jenny asked as she opened her laptop.

"I did but it's nothing serious. Just her holding his arms. I don't think the boss would buy that as proof that she's his girlfriend." Cletus passed the SD card to her.

Jenny uploaded the photo and grinned. "Look at the way she's staring into his eyes? There's some sexual tension there. I bet they're totally screwing like bunnies right now."

Cletus laughed. "Are you sure you're not imagining things?"

"Okay, fine. If she were just an employee, why would he chase after her in the rain if he didn't care about her?"

"That's true," Cletus agreed.

"It's a shame we can't sneak into that cabin. I'd love to catch them in action if that text was right."

"You just want to see Mr. Money bags in his birthday suit."

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't." Jenny grinned. "As soon as this rain lets up and I can get a signal, I'm sending the story forward."

"Then can we leave? I hate this weather."

"No. We're going to stick around if we can. I have a feeling there's more than just a romance going on here."

"Why do you say that?"

Jenny pulled up a file she had downloaded earlier in the day. "Because that new secretary or girlfriend or whatever she is has a secret."

"What kind of secret?"

Jenny's lips curved up. "She's a murderer."

"Are you sure about not going back to the cabin tonight, Wally?" Zachary asked.

"I'm sure," the lanky man answered. "The weather isn't great and I'm getting the feeling that maybe Mr. Carter doesn't trust me as much as he says he does."

Zachary turned to his brother, Sheriff Don, who was frowning.

"I thought they wanted you there because of the reporters," Zachary said.

"That's what he said...but I feel like that's just a cover. I feel like he wants me there for another reason," Wally admitted.

"Well, just remember, you don't owe him your loyalty," Sheriff Don said. "If you don't want to stay there...you don't have to."

"But what about Abby?" Wally asked. "I want to make sure she stays safe."

Sheriff Don was quiet for a moment as though he were lost in his memories. "Unfortunately, you'll learn that we can't save everyone."

Maggie Caldwell could feel something stirring in the air. She ignored her phone ring for the seventh time that night. She didn't understand why anyone would suddenly start calling her nonstop.

Whoever it was had to give up eventually, right?

She saw the red flashing light on the phone that was designated to her room at Crest Ridge. She never used it. There was no need.

Her hand shook as she pressed the code that allowed her to hear her messages.

"Maggie, it's me. Please. I know you don't want to leave Crest Ridge but he needs your help. You're the only one that can help him. I'm begging you from one mother to another...please. He's searching for the truth but I'm afraid he'll end up hurt...or worse. Whether you want to hear this or not you have to help him. You have to."

Maggie pressed the disconnect button and sat in her rocking chair as she watched two orderliness pass her room.

"Why is she sitting in the dark?" one asked, pointing at Maggie.

"Shhh," the other said in a low voice that Maggie could still hear. "She always sits in the dark. Never says a word to anyone. Every once in a while this handsome man comes to see her but she ignores him too. It's so sad."

"She must've been through something horrible."

"Some say she was sexually attacked and gave the baby away. Others say she killed her lover years ago. We don't really know."

Maggie heard their voices drift away as they continued walking past her room. No one really knew what happened back then and she refused to think about it. The voice message ran through her thoughts. She didn't have to help him. She didn't have to do anything. Maggie Caldwell turned to look out the window as a single tear slid down her cheek.