She was in love.
As they jogged back to the lodge that night, Sam’s mind was focused on the plane. He needed to find out who was flying it and why they were checking out the lake.
An online search had shown him a couple of small airports within an hour’s drive. Two of them offered lessons, so the lodge might be in a training flight path.
But he doubted it.
Neither he nor Joe had found current whereabouts for James Stephens. His social media didn’t show a current place of employment, and his former apartment was empty. His phone number was no longer valid.
They didn’t have any evidence of him committing a crime, so using FBI resources to track his emails wasn’t a current option. If they found any indication of danger, they’d do it.
He and Joe had filled in Nico and Graham about the plane and their theories. The more people working to keep Tansy safe, the better.
Whether she liked it or not.
They were almost at the lodge, so Sam pulled her to a stop before she broke out from the cover of the trees. Her mind immediately caught his concern and she looked from him to the lodge and the surrounding area.
The snow was completely gone now, making it harder to see if anyone had been lurking or checking things out. When nothing appeared suspicious or moved in the shadows, they jogged to the lodge and unlocked it to enter.
As she locked up behind them, Tansy sighed. “I hate this.”
Her sad tone had him pulling her to him. “I know, honey. I know, but we need to make sure you stay safe.”
“I love this place, love the freedom I’ve felt here. Now, I’m looking for danger in all the corners.”
“I spoke to my friend Graham earlier. He’s the mechanic I was telling you about. He’s going to be here in the next day or two. He’ll be an extra set of eyes.”
Tansy leaned back and frowned. “Is he coming here because you think I’m in danger?”
Hell, yes. Sam shrugged. “Part of it is that, but he’s also interested in developing the protection company idea with me. He’d like to be a partner if we do it.”
Tansy nodded and turned to the kitchen to get the kettle. She never went up to bed without a mug of tea first. And she had him doing the same thing.
And looking forward to it.
“Do you mind if Graham stays here with us, or would you rather he get a room in town?”
Tansy smiled. “He can stay here. I’ll change up the schedules for Albert and Marie.”
“Albert and Marie? More CleanySaurs?”
She smiled. “Climbing stairs requires too many additional parts. Makes them too big and clunky, so there’s a pair on each floor.”
Sam laughed. “Why haven’t I seen any down here?”
Another shrug. They’re docked in the back room. They’re scheduled for the middle of the night, so I don’t run into them much.”
Sam hadn’t even noticed them. Now that he thought about it, for a hundred-year-old building, the lodge was remarkably clean. And Tansy had always hated spending time on cleaning.
“I’m guessing Albert Einstein and Marie Curie. Who do we have on this floor?”
“These were my first ones. George and Jane.”
That gave him pause. He couldn’t come up with any scientists or ice cream. Tansy’s smile had him giving up then she hummed a tune and he laughed. “The Jetsons.”
She nodded. “Now, tell me more about what you and the others decided today for your business.”
They sat in what had become their habitual chairs beside the stove as they waited for the kettle.