Beholden Read Free Page A

Julia’s home and nearly sagged in relief when Lynn answered.
    “Hi. Listen, Lynn, I need a serious favor,” she said, trying to keep her voice even. “I need to go away for the weekend and
     I want you to come with me. Right now.”
    “Right now?” Lynn’s voice was hesitant.
    “Yes, please. I’ll explain everything later.”
    “Okay,” Lynn finally answered. “Is everything all right?”
    No, nothing was all right. “I can’t go into it now.”
    “Where are we going?” Lynn asked. She knew her cousin almost as well as she knew herself. Though Terry could be impulsive
     occasionally, there was an edge to her voice tonight that had Lynn frowning.
    “I’ll tell you when we get going.” Actually, she’d thought of a place, the cabin in Sedona. The house was jointly owned by
     the Hartleys and Ryans, a place where her father and Lynn’s often had spent weekends fishing, taking Terry’s two brothers.
     The two-bedroom place was tucked into the woods near Oak Creek Canyon and well stocked with staples, theperfect retreat. If he were intent on pursuing her, Mac probably wouldn’t think she’d go there this late in the season.
    “You sound strange. You’re sure you’re all right?” Lynn wasn’t crazy about secrets.
    “I… I really need to get away, then I’ll be fine. Please don’t ask any more questions right now. I’ll explain everything later.
     I’ll throw some things for both of us in a bag and pick you up in twenty minutes. Just tell your mom we’re going to meet some
     people. Okay?” She held her breath, needing Lynn to agree, afraid to be alone tonight.
    Something was very wrong, Lynn thought. Terry was not an alarmist. Whatever it was must be terribly important. It never occurred
     to Lynn to refuse. “Sure, Terry. I’ll be ready.”
    Relief flooded Terry. “Thanks.” She hung up, ran into the bedroom and hauled a suitcase from her closet. Eight minutes later,
     she was ready to go. But first, one more call.
    Quickly, she looked up Andy Russell’s phone number and dialed. Another answering machine. Still, he could return any minute,
     Terry decided. At the beep, she spoke into the phone. “Hi, Andy, it’s Terry Ryan. I really need to talk with you. It’s eight-fifteen
     and I’m leaving for our Sedona cottage right now.” She rattled off the number. “Please call me there as soon as you can. It’s
     really important. Thanks.” She hung up and stood looking at the phone, wondering if she should have said more. No, Andy would
     call.
    At the corner of the window, Terry moved the drape aside and peeked out. Her car was exactly where she’d left it and no one
     was around. Drawing in a deep breath, she left to drive to Julia Hartley’s.
    “Why this sudden trip?” Aunt Julia asked Terry, her round face showing annoyance. “Lynn and I were going shopping together
     tomorrow.”
    Terry’s face felt tight with nerves, but she forced a smile, not wanting to alarm her aunt unnecessarily. “There’s always
     next weekend, Aunt Julia. Or why don’t you ask Mom to gowith you? She loves to shop.” The two women were sisters, but while Julia was quiet and serious, Emily was open and fun-loving.
    Julia walked out onto her front stoop with the girls, wishing young people weren’t so given to changing plans. “What did Emily
     say about you two going off like this so suddenly?”
    “I couldn’t reach her. Would you please let her and Dad know? Tell them I’ll call sometime tomorrow or Sunday.” Anxious to
     be on the road, Terry rushed toward her VW.
    “I don’t like this,” Julia went on. “Where on earth are you going? It’s already dark.” She touched her daughter’s blond head.
     Ever since her policeman husband’s death five years ago, Julia had this irrational fear about her only child’s well-being.
    “Mom,” Lynn said, opening the car door, “it doesn’t get any darker. We’re big girls now. Will you lighten up?” Her mother
     was as overprotective of