Page 56

He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “I’m going to start coffee.” He unwound himself, tucking the blankets back around me. I dozed a few more minutes, only really waking up when he returned with a mug in each hand.

“Thanks.” I pushed up to sit against the headboard. His eyes glittered as he handed me a mug, gaze affixed to my bare shoulder.

“Did you sleep okay?”

I laughed, my breath sending small waves across the surface of my coffee. “I can’t believe you can ask that with a straight face.” He looked like a little boy holding his first fish: all teeth and pride. Cute as hell.

“Do you have any classes today?”

“Just two. Do you have to work?”

He shook his head. “I have a few chores to take care of, then I’m free.”

“I’ve invited everyone over for dinner tonight at the house. I’m ready to tell them everything. About Owen, my family, all of it. You can join us?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.” His thumb brushed over my knuckles, deliberate and warm. “They’ll understand, honey.” A slow grin tugged at his lips. “Besides, I have plans for you later.” He heldmy gaze when I said it. The promise there made my heart race, memories from last night rushing forward.

He leaned in, capturing my mouth in a gentle kiss. I tingled down to my toes with remembered pleasure. The soft brush of our lips wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy me. But I couldn’t bury my past with sex. At least not permanently. And for Drew and I to have a shot at a real future together, I had to lay Anne-Marie to rest.

Reluctantly, I sat back. “Owen is pushing me to meet him tonight. That was his text last night. I’m going to delay, but I can’t put him off forever.”

Drew’s eyes flickered, but his expression remained calm. “Let’s talk it through with the gang tonight. I have a few ideas. If we put our heads together, we can figure out a plan to keep you safe. Do you want me to pick up anything for dinner or help you cook?”

“I’ve got it covered.” The meal was easy. Spilling the truth to my friends? That was the part I dreaded.

Chapter 23 – Drew

Fighting back my natural instinct to root out Anya’s ex and forcibly put him on the ferry out of town took all my willpower. Dealing with him in her own way was important to her. Even if it felt like I should ask Zach to handcuff me to the farm to keep me from interfering, I couldn’t do it. He’d enjoy it too damn much.

But stopping by the Sheriff’s Office to snoop a bit under the guise of asking about the case stolen from my truck didn’t seem out of bounds. I painted on my most charming grin for Sue at the front desk. She’d tucked her salt-and-pepper bob back from her gently lined face with a couple of blue star-embossed barrettes, but somehow they worked with her SJSO navy polo shirt.

“Hey, the sheriff in today?” I asked, knowing full well he wouldn’t be.

“Sorry, Drew. The sheriff’s in some meeting with bigwigs from the DEA. Jacob’s on duty here, and we’ve got a deputy out on patrol. Can I help you with something?”

“Just checking up on that theft from my truck. Any news?”

She shook her head. “Sorry, honey. You know better than to leave your windows down.”

I grimaced. “Yeah, I feel foolish about that. Still no leads?”

“Nope.”

“I remembered after I filed my report that there was a strange man in the vicinity. Thirties with a beard, dark hair and a leather jacket. Any reports of loiterers in town fitting that description?”

It was a longshot, but it didn’t hurt to get Anya’s ex on their radar. I’d pressed her for details so I could spot him if I ran into him in town.

“It’s been pretty quiet, but I’ve jotted down the description and will pass it to the deputies.”

“Thanks, Sue.”

I ran out to the farm and picked up a few more things I needed. Gran’s car was in the driveway, but she was nowhere to be found. I peeked into the guest bathroom. I’d slipped a full-size cutout of Beetlejuice into the tub behind the curtain. My petty revenge for Gran kicking me out. I hunted through my room, finding the creepy cutout in my closet. It took only moments to slip into my grandmother’s room and tuck him behind her door.

Chores accomplished, I drove back into town. Zach was behind the counter at Harbor Brews when I approached him.

“Hey. I just saw the group text. Are you coming to dinner at Vi’s tonight?” Zach asked.

“Yep. Anya and I are going to start cooking at five.”