Page 19

He was right. If not for the name plate, Dorcas wouldn’t have had any clue it was Rita’s desk. “What do you think that means?”

Nate shrugged. “I don’t know. It could mean nothing at all. She might just be the kind of person who likes to keep her work space clean. Salazar acted like she was family, but her desk told a different story.”

They waited for a car to drive past before crossing the lot to her car.

As he fastened his seat belt, Nate asked, “Do you want to grab dinner now, or wait until after we check Rita’s house?”

The presumption that she’d go to dinner with him put her on the defensive. So this was what he expected in return for help. Or maybe he expected even more. “Listen, you don’t have to come with me to Rita’s house. I got her spare key, so I can get in on my own this time.”

He stared at her as though she wasn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. “You’re crazy if you think I’m letting you go into that house by yourself.”

“I’m a big girl, Nate.”

One side of his mouth curved up. His gaze swept over her body, and she felt it as though it were a caress. “Yes, you are. But bad things happen to big girls too. I’m here; I’m willing to help. What’s the problem?”

“Nothing. I just don’t want to inconvenience you.”

“I’m not inconvenienced.”

“Don’t you have work to do?”

“Not at the moment. It’s one of the perks of owning your own business.”

She let out an exasperated breath. “Why are you doing this?”

Nate stared at her for a moment or two. “Has it ever occurred to you that I just want to help?” He leaned closer, bracing one arm against the center console, and his spicy scent invaded her senses. “I like you, Dorcas. You’re a nice person. It also helps that your best friend is my sister-in-law. That gives me a vested interest in your general well-being.”

“And none of this has to do with me turning you down for a date?”

Irritation pinched the corners of his eyes and hardened the line of his mouth. “Oh, for fuck’s sake. Do you honestly think I’m that desperate?”

Well, when he put it that way, it did sound sort of silly. A blush crept up her neck and flooded her cheeks. “You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s just...well...trust isn’t one of my strong suits.”

Now there was an understatement. She’d learned not to trust at the age of twelve, starting when her no-good father walked out on his family and never looked back. It left her feeling helpless, confused. Angry. And over the years, those feelings were reinforced by her mother’s string of boyfriends. Each wanted something: a lay, a maid. A punching bag. Eventually, her mother found a decent one worth keeping. Dorcas hoped it would last—her mother deserved to be happy—but her cynical side harbored doubt.

Nate settled back in his seat. A heavy exhale pushed past his lips. He gave a faint smile, and she wondered how many times, both personally and professionally, that smile had turned a no into a yes. “Like I said, I just want to help, okay? No strings attached. No ulterior motives.”

“Well, I appreciate it. I just don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not. Trust me on this.” He slid on his sunglasses. “I promise to let you know the second you become a pain in the ass. Now come on. We still need to check your sister’s house. If we’re lucky, we’ll find what that key goes to.”