Read Online Midnight Sacrifice by Melinda Leigh - Free Book Online Page B

trail that leads to the cabin. With no sign of the father and son, rescue crews are concentrating their efforts downstream, where the river empties into Lake Walker. This incident serves as a reminder to stay out of floodwaters and be aware of unusually strong currents. Mr. Dougherty is an insurance salesman from New Jersey. His wife and three daughters anxiously await news on the search.”
    The reporter stepped closer to the camera. “This is Karen Stevens, reporting for Action-Packed News.”
    Unease trickled down Danny’s spine. Tourists probably went missing every season. But as the cop said, disappearing people were never a good sign.
    “You all right?”
    Danny jerked. The doctor stared at Danny’s hands. The fingers were doing their thing again. Shit.
    “Fine, thanks.”
    “My office is right off Main Street if you need anything.”
    “That’s not necessary.”
    Dr. Chandler pocketed his change and stepped aside. But he didn’t leave. He waited by the door until Danny completed his transaction. They stepped out into the cool morning air together.
    The doctor gave the Challenger a wistful whistle. “A car like that brings back a whole bunch of memories.”
    “She’s a beauty.” Danny opened his car door.
    “I was serious about you coming into my office.”
    Danny studied the asphalt under his running shoes.
    “Look. I’m the only game in town. I treat everything, and I’ve seen addictions before.”
    Danny’s eyes snapped up. The doctor thought he had the shakes because he needed a fix? “I’m not an addict.” Danny shoved his twitchy hand in his pocket while the doctor gave him a that’s-what-they-all-say look. Danny sighed and pulled hishand out. He pushed the cuff of his jacket up a couple of inches to reveal the edge of the deceptively thin scar that ran from his wrist to his elbow. “It’s nerve damage. Last year in Iraq, my patrol was hit with an IED.”
    “Oh.” The lights went on in the doc’s eyes. He pulled a card out of his coat pocket and held it out. “Well, the offer stands; if you need anything, call me. My office is open until five today, but I’m pretty much available all the time.”
    “Thanks.” Danny accepted the card.
    Dr. Chandler walked toward a beat-up SUV. Danny looked down at the business card. The doctor had likely treated Nathan at some point. Dr. Chandler probably knew more about the residents of Huntsville than anyone else in town. He didn’t seem like the type of guy to blab on his patients, but maybe Danny could wheedle some info about Nathan’s family out of him. As Mandy had pointed out, Danny didn’t know squat about Nathan or this town.
    Unfortunately, Danny’s statement to the annoying lieutenant was all too accurate. Danny had a better chance of winning the lottery than finding Nathan, especially without Mandy’s help.
    Somehow, Danny had to convince her to work with him. She’d lived in Huntsville all her life, and she’d worked for Nathan part-time. She must know personal stuff about her former boss. Who knew what might provide a clue to his current whereabouts? Or who he’d been sleeping with.
    Danny picked up his pizza and ate a slice as he drove toward the Black Bear Inn. Guilt twisted in his gut. Mandy was in for another reminder of the night she wanted to forget.

    Mandy stowed the last clean pan and glanced at the clock on the oven. Eleven thirty.
    The back door opened, and a tall, spare woman in her sixties let herself into the kitchen. Gray-streaked hair was pulled back in a severe knot from her ruddy face.
    “Hello, Mrs. Stone,” Mandy said.
    “Good morning.” The inn’s only employee, Mrs. Stone, closed the door with red hands that had seen decades of hard work. She stowed her handbag in the closet. “How many rooms today?”
    “Eight.”
    “Terrific.” Mrs. Stone nodded. “You’re nearly full. I was worried that ugliness over the winter would affect business.”
    “Me, too.” The bookings had been a big sigh of relief