Reckonings. Cynthia Eden

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Two

      “You don’t have to stay here by yourself.”

      The cops had just left. They’d talked to Jamie. Searched her house and the edge of her property. They’d jotted down notes, and they hadn’t seemed overly optimistic that her unwanted visitor would ever be identified.

      “Just some kid...probably thinking he’d make an easy score.” Those had been the words from one of the cops. He’d shrugged. Just shrugged while she stared at him in growing terror. She wanted the break-in to be some fluke. But...

       I’m scared it isn’t.

      “Jamie, why don’t you come out and stay at the ranch tonight?”

      Her gaze jerked toward Davis. He’d stayed with her, all during the interview with the cops. He’d altered between anger and frustration, especially when the fresh-faced cops hadn’t immediately phoned in the news about the guy on the motorcycle.

      “There are plenty of rooms at the place,” he said, voice low, easy. “I’m not asking you to share my bed.”

      She could feel her cheeks burn.

      “I’m just offering you a safe place for the night. You can get the window repaired tomorrow, and then everything can return to normal for you.”

      Normal. What a fun word. “That’s really not necessary.” She tried to sound unruffled—as if she totally had this situation in hand. “I can board up the window tonight. I’ll be fine here.”

      His green eyes seemed to darken a bit. “What if he comes back?”

      “I have a gun.” Okay, she’d blurted that bit. But it was Texas... Heck, most people had guns. She’d never used a gun in her life until she came down here, but...she’d just started feeling nervous in the past few weeks. Having bad dreams. So she’d gone to the shooting range. She’d learned to shoot pretty dang well during those visits.

      His eyelids flickered. “Would you use it on someone?”

      She didn’t know. She hoped she’d never have to find out. Jinx padded into the den. The dog glanced at her, then Davis, then he just sort of flopped down.

      As was his way.

      “I can’t leave Jinx,” she told him. “We’ll both be fine here, really.” Then she headed for the door. They’d had an amazing kiss and, then they’d gone to...this. A completely weird and uncomfortable situation in which he’d nearly been run down.

       Story of my life. Bad things happen near me.

      There was a reason she didn’t let too many people get close to her. When people got close, they had a tendency to get hurt.

      Or to wind up dead.

      You’ll never be happy, Jamie. Never. I won’t let you go to another!

      For an instant, that voice thundered through her mind. So strong and clear...as if the man who’d once shouted those words was actually standing there. Goose bumps rose on her arms.

      Davis stalked toward her. She thought he’d just walk through the door and leave her to have a mini breakdown in peace. He didn’t. He stopped right in front of her, gazed down at her and asked, “Do you think I don’t know you’re afraid?”

      Were her knees knocking together that loudly?

      “And it’s not just tonight, is it? There’s more...so much more.” His fingers lifted toward her face, and she didn’t mean to, but Jamie flinched.

      He instantly froze. “Someone hurt you.”

      More than you can imagine. “Good night, Davis. Thanks for following me home. And I’m... I’m so sorry for all the trouble.”

      Anger flashed in his eyes. She almost took a step back. Almost. Then she remembered. He was one of the good guys.

      “Don’t apologize to me. I should have stopped the jerk. I didn’t. I’m the one who needs to say that I’m sorry.” His lips thinned. “And I am... I’m sorry that I didn’t give chase right then, but I didn’t want to leave you. I didn’t know if anyone else might still be lurking around, and I didn’t want to take a chance, not when I didn’t realize what was happening.”

      Her breath felt cold in her lungs.

      “Why don’t you tell me what’s happening? Because I know you’re spooked.”

      “My house was broken into... Anyone would be spooked from that.”

      He waited.

      “Good night,” she said again.

      He sighed. Then he snapped his fingers together. “Jinx.” His voice was low, commanding, and her dog instantly bounded to his feet.

      She frowned at the dog. He usually only listened to her. Half the time.

      “I’ll put your dog in my truck. You get an overnight bag.”

       Wait, what?

      “You’re scared, so the way I see it...there are two choices. I can stay here with you...or you can come back to the ranch with me.”

      She didn’t want to be in her house. It was odd because she loved the place, but...everywhere she looked, Jamie saw a threat. Too isolated. She’d enjoyed the privacy before, but now she thought...he can watch me from anyplace.

      “The ranch is huge—you’ll have plenty of privacy, and if you come back with me, I’ll actually be able to sleep tonight. I won’t stay up, worrying about you every second.”

      His words had her lips curving. “I don’t think you’d worry that much.”

      His gaze was on her mouth, and his eyes seemed to be heating. “Yes...I would.”

      Tension was between them. Heavy. A bit hot.

      “Come home with me,” Davis said.

      And...she nodded.

      * * *

      HE’D NEVER ASKED a woman to spend the night at the ranch. The ranch was home, it was family. СКАЧАТЬ