Page 17 of Capturing You

“I’ll risk it.”

She marched past another hallway, around a corner.

It dead-ended.

She spun to find Ford standing a few feet back, arms crossed, smirk in place.

“Just show me, would you? I’m… I don’t think straight when I’m angry.”

“I’mmakingyouangry?”

“You’re not exactly dragging a Welcome Wagon.”

He made a sound low in his throat that wouldn’t have sounded more threatening if it’d come from a grizzly.

“Either move or get out of my way.”

“Where are you going?”

“I’m not sure yet. Maybe my aunt and uncle’s house.”

“So you’re just going to walk to your bright orange truck and hope nobody sees you?”

“You have a better idea?”

His lips pressed closed, and she had the strongest feeling he was trying very hard to keep words from coming out.

“I can’t find anyone to pick me up, and I can’t stay here.”

“Youcanstay here.”

“I can’t… I’m not…” All thoughts dissolved as she processed that.

She couldn’t stay here, but the fact that he’d offered when he so obviously wanted her gone…

She didn’t know what to think about that.

“I have to leave.” She sighed and looked at the beige walls. No artwork here, just brass sconces placed intermittently near the ceiling. They had lightbulbs in them now, but they must’ve once held candles.

Everything about this house made her want to stay and delve into its secrets.

“I know you said not to, but I called the police.” She didn’t glance at his face, not needing to confirm the scowl. “I made an anonymous report, but I didn’t think about the fact that they’d see my phone number. They’ll figure out it was me.”

“From your number?”

His tone held curiosity, which surprised her. She’d only ever heard irritation and frustration from him.

“I had a relationship with one of the cops. If he sees it, he’ll know. And he’ll look.”

Ford nodded, eyes narrowing.

“So I have to go.”

She waited for Ford to say she couldn’t leave. To say he didn’t mind if she stayed, that she wasn’t in his way.

To his credit, he didn’t lie.

Because obviously he did mind her staying. She was in his way.