Page 76 of Capturing You

“I can’t do that.”

“Then I guess there’s no point in us talking at all. Bye, Lenny.” She swiped to end the call before he could say another word, then ignored the phone when it rang seconds later.

Her hands were shaking, and not because of Lois’s late-night invaders. She prayed she’d never have to talk to Lenny again.

She looked around the now-sparkling guest room. She’d stripped the bed and sprayed fabric freshener on the mattress to eliminate a musty scent. She’d wiped down all the furniture and vacuumed the floor. And of course, she’d snooped, but she’d found no hidden compartments or secret passages.

After gathering the linens, she swung the door open to find a man on the other side.

Gasping, she dropped the blankets and stepped back, pressing a hand to her chest.

Ford stood in the hall, fist up like she’d caught him one second before he knocked. He lowered his arm. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s fine.” Though her heart was pounding. “You didn’t… I’m fine.”

“Okay. Good. And, uh, good morning.” He gathered the sheets and blankets from the floor. “Thank you for breakfast. The muffins were…good.”

“Good.” Apparently, everything wasgoodtoday. “I’m glad you liked them.” Was this awkward enough?

“I haven’t had a chance to wash these.” He jiggled the linens in his arms.

She’d guessed that already, based on the musty odor she’d found in much of this wing of the house. It was as if someone had just walked out and never come back. They hadn’t covered furniture or made any effort to protect the valuables. They’d abandoned clothes and household goods and antiques and a thousand leftovers from a thriving family.

She understood, of course, how that could’ve happened. What she didn’t understand was why nobody, in all the years since the murders, had come back to deal with it.

Not that it was her business.

“Find any more secrets?” His lips twitched in what she’d decided was the closest thing she’d ever get to a smile.

“Not today. How about you?”

“I’m making progress.”

“Yeah? What did you find out? Anything new, or are you putting pieces together of stuff you already knew?”

“Sorry. It’s my business.”

Of course it was. Heaven forbid anybody should tell her anything. Never mind that masked men were threatening people she loved. Never mind that somebody was trying very hard to find her.

Ford said nothing else.

“Did you need something?” she snapped.

He blinked. “I made lunch.”

“Oh.” She felt like a jerk for being rude. “Sorry. Is it lunchtime?”

He lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “I’m hungry.”

“I guess the muffins weren’t enough.”

“They were fine. I can cook, you know.” He started down the hallway, pausing to gather the rest of the linens she’d tossed into a pile to take downstairs. Then, he opened a closet door, did something inside she couldn’t see, then dropped the blankets and sheets inside.

She’d watched from the doorway. She’d swear she’d opened that door, but “Is there a washer and dryer in there?”

“Laundry chute. You coming?”

She closed the guest room door. “I was coming to find you.”