Page 28 of Capturing You

But his chest was so broad and strong, the skin of his neck so warm against her cheek. Here, she found safety.

Which made no sense at all, considering that when he wasn’t smirking at her he was scowling. He obviously didn’t want her there. He certainly didn’t want her in his arms. He was kind, and he’d seen her distress. This was nothing more than that.

She pushed away, swiping at her leaky eyes. “Sorry. I’m okay.”

He stood and held his hand out for her.

She took it, allowing him to pull her up, enjoying the warmth of his touch.

Before releasing her, he gave her a narrowed-eye once-over, maybe trying to decide if she was going to collapse again.

She straightened and smiled. “I’m fine. Really. It was just…too much.”

“Lenny.”

“And…everything.”

“He’s still here, searching the property. I closed the curtains downstairs, but there’re a lot of windows in this house.”

“I’ll be careful. Do you think he’ll leave after he searches?”

Ford’s only response was a shrug.

“I can’t leave until he does.”

“You’re not going to try to get to your truck again. Can someone pick you up?” Even as he posed the question, his eyes narrowed. “No. That won’t work. They could be watching the house.”

They.Meaning…the smugglers, or Lenny.

An impossible situation.

He waited a few beats, then issued a short nod as if he’d just made a decision. He swiveled and headed down the hall toward his room. He passed that door and stopped at the next one, which he opened.

“You can stay in here.”

“What? No, I can’t?—”

“Where are you going to go?”

“I just… I think…”

His eyebrows lifted, accompanied by that almost constant smirk.

“My aunt and uncle’s.”

“They going to pick you up? They can keep you safe?”

“No, they can’t pick me up, but if I can get to their vacation house, I’ll be safe there.” Except it was too far, and she didn’t want to ask them to drive back downstate to get her. “I just need to figure it out. I just need a little more time.”

“Will they be able to protect you from the people chasing you?” Far from gentle, his tone was frustrated. “What if the smugglers are watching the house? What if they follow you? What about the stalker.”

“He’s not a…” Her voice faded.

“Does Lenny know about this aunt and uncle?”

Unfortunately, Lenny knew too much about her. Back when they were together, before she understood what kind of person he was, she’d shared everything about her family.

No place in Shadow Cove would be safe. Peggy and Roger’s house wouldn’t be safe. Even their island-camp wouldn’t be safe, not from Lenny.