The Good Race

Chapter 24

NATALIE PAUSED IN her kitchen painting when she heard the knock on her front door. She put her roller down and listened again as the knock came a second time. There was no need to be nervous. Eric had made modifications to her security system and she knew it was activated. She always had it on when she was in the house. One alarm went to the police station and U.S. Marshall's bureau; the other one went to Eric's. She didn't understand why he was so intent on ensuring her peace of mind. Didn't he know? She'd always live in fear. She'd always be looking over her shoulder.

After she had met Ethan, she watched videos online about how to change the look of your face with makeup. She didn't want to be so obvious that the people in Grayson Falls that knew her commented on it, but she wanted to have just enough difference so anyone from her past wouldn't be exactly sure if she was Sarah Currie.

When the knock came again, she went into her kitchen and checked her video monitoring feed. It was Ethan and it looked like he had a dog with him. She walked to the front door, disengaged her alarm and swung the door open. The German shepherd at his side stood statue still. He was a beautiful dog; big and built.

"Hey, Nat!" Ethan greeted her enthusiastically. "I was on my way back from the airport with Bravo. He just landed. I thought I'd stop by and introduce you. Can we come in?"

Natalie eyed Bravo, who was staring at her in return. He seemed to be waiting for something. She was surprised when Ethan put his hand on her shoulder. "Bravo, this is Natalie. She is your friend. This is your friend Natalie."

Natalie tried not to be nervous when the big dog approached her and began to give her a good sniffing.

"Don't be afraid," Ethan said. "He's just getting your scent. He'll associate your scent with a friend. Bravo's a good friend to have."

"I bet." When Bravo seemed to be finished, Natalie stepped back and let them both into the house. Between Ethan and his dog, the living room seemed to shrink in size.

Ethan looked around in much the same manner as Eric had, with a keen and professional eye. "Bravo, clear!" The dog immediately ran off, running from room to room. When he was done, he returned to Ethan's side and barked.

"Everything's good," Ethan said.

"He's a very talented dog," Natalie said. "Will he let me pet him?"

"Absolutely, he loves getting loved up," Ethan said.

Natalie leaned down and scratched behind Bravo's ears. Before she knew it, she was rubbing his neck and accepting frantic kisses. He laughed and stood up, wiping off her face where Bravo got a little too fervent.

"So, is your backyard fenced in?" Ethan asked.

"Yes, it is," Natalie asked, cocking her head to the side. She furrowed her brow as she began to follow Ethan around the house. He looked into the kitchen, the bathrooms, poked his head into her bedroom and stopped at the second bedroom, which was currently full of boxes.

"So, I'm not usually pushy," Ethan said. "In fact, I mainly like keeping to myself. My mother would hit me upside the head if she heard me impose this way, but I was wondering if you would be interested in renting out this second room to me. I'm neat as a pin, clean up after myself and can cook."

"Oh, Ethan, I don't know." Natalie said. Was it even allowed for her to have somebody move in? Her understanding was the Marshall Service checked in with her, but the point of WITSEC was giving a person a whole new life to live on their own. She could have friends, take vacations, work, date.