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young lady . . ."
    Claire's mind whirled. Her thoughts drifted toward the unthinkable.
    "My wife and I live in the town of Capitola. We have an extra room. You can stay the night if you'd like. Then I can bring you back here in the morning."
    Claire didn't realize she was holding her breath until she exhaled loudly. The driver's offer came back to her in one-word sentences. Wife. Room. Capitola. "Yes. Thank you. I'll get my things," she heard herself say.
    Claire rummaged in the backseat of her VW for her duffel bag, pillow, and blankets. She looked over at the driver. He was talking on his cell phone. Probably calling his wife. A stab of panic ran through her. This might be a mistake, but what choice did she have? It would be more dangerous to hang out in her car all night in a deserted parking lot. She sized up the driver. He was about her height, and she guessed he didn't weigh much more than she did. She could take him if he turned on her.
    "Ready?" He was beside her in a flash.
    Claire checked his left hand. He wore a gold wedding band. "Yes."
    "I'm Tom Daniels." He took her duffel bag and threw it in the truck. "My wife's name is Nancy. We should be home in forty-five minutes."
    The drive to Capitola made her miss her mom all the more. She envisioned her mother as a teenager and living in the small town the summer of 1972. Had her mother driven on this highway? Claire gazed at the silhouettes of the trees as they drove past, wondering what lay ahead for her.
    The pine scent from the air freshener in the tow truck filled her nostrils. Claire took a deep breath and remembered the words of the letter. Riding roller coasters, surfing, and late-night walks. She sighed. Holding hands, stealing kisses, and sharing dreams. Sounded heavenly.
    "We're almost there." Tom gave Claire a warm smile, revealing a space between his front teeth. "Nancy is a nurse and works the night shift. So you don't need to tiptoe around. She's used to being up during the wee hours."
    A nurse. His wife was a nurse—a career Claire dreamed about. She couldn't wait to talk with Nancy, if she existed. A nagging feeling continued to grab at her gut.
    They pulled up to a small ranch-style home, the sidewalk flanked by two queen palm trees, lit by solar lights in the grass. Relief crept into her tense muscles. Surely he wouldn't bring her to a beautiful place like this if he intended to harm her. "Your home is beautiful. What I can see of it in the dark."
    "Thank you. Nancy's uncle left it to us a few years ago. Wait till you see the inside. My wife's the decorator. Come on in. I'll help you with your bags." Tom reached in the backseat and grabbed her duffel bag.
    Claire wrapped her arms around her pillow and blanket and followed Tom into his home.
    "Nancy?" Tom dropped her duffel bag in the entryway. "I'll be right back." He left her standing inside the doorway.
    Claire continued to hold tight to her bedding as she looked around the front room. A brown sofa and love seat sat against two walls. A red candle, matching the color of the pillows on the sofa, and a couple of magazines were perched on top of a black coffee table. Wrought iron lamps with gold shades stood next to the sofas. The home definitely had a woman's touch. It was warm. Inviting. Cozy.
    "Claire, this is my wife, Nancy." Tom's hand rested on Nancy's shoulder.
    A slender middle-aged woman with short brown hair peered through sleepy eyes, as though Tom had merely awakened her. "Nice to meet you, Claire."
    "Sorry to wake you." Claire hugged her pillow and blanket a little tighter. "I appreciate this so much."
    "Let me show you to your room for the night. We can get better acquainted in the morning. I bet you're exhausted."
    Claire followed Nancy down the hall. A photo on the wall caught her eye. A much younger Tom smiled at her from beneath a full head of dark hair. Claire stopped and studied the picture of the bride and groom on their wedding day. Nancy, in an off-the-shoulder dress, held a