Page 19 of Colton On Guard

Slowly, she nodded. “What are you cooking?” she asked, feeling ridiculously tongue-tied.

If he noticed, he gave no sign. “I made some oatmeal with raisins.”

Though she usually nursed a cup of coffee until fully awake, since she felt like she’d been up for hours, she appreciated the hot meal. “That’s very kind of you,” she said, grabbing a mug from the cupboard and filling it. Once she’d added her cream and sugar, she took a seat at the table and took a sip. He’d already placed a couple of spoons there, along with paper napkins.

The aroma of oatmeal, cinnamon, and raisins made her realize she was starving. No one had made her breakfast since her mother when she’d lived at home. The small kindness madeher insides go all gooey. She decided maybe she’d wait on the apology, at least until after they’d eaten.

“Dig in,” he said, dropping into the chair opposite hers.

Though she tried not to watch him through her lashes, she couldn’t help herself. He ate quickly and efficiently, the way he did most everything—except make love. Again, the thought made her entire body flush. She concentrated on finishing her breakfast, glad he couldn’t hear her thoughts.

“Do you think the roads have cleared?” she asked, wondering if she should offer to help with the dishes. Since doing so felt too intimate, she stayed put while he carried their bowls and utensils to the sink and rinsed them before placing them in the dishwasher.

“Yes,” he replied, turning back to face her. “Despite the early morning clouds, it looks like the sun is trying to come out.”

His phone rang before she could comment. She sipped her coffee, watching as his expression changed. The grim sound of his one-word responses sent a shiver up her spine.

“Thanks for letting me know, Eli,” he said. “Please keep me posted if you learn anything else.”

“What’s going on?” she asked. She knew his brother Eli was a state trooper.

“Another body was found. This time on a remote hiking trail outside of town. Young woman, same scenario as the other four. Black dress, and cause of death appears to be strangulation.”

Genna swallowed. “That’s awful. They haven’t even identified the fourth victim and now there’s another. Even more reason to worry me and all the other women in Shelby.”

“They need to catch the bastard.” A muscle worked in Parker’s jaw. “I know Eli is frustrated. I’m sure everyone working the case is.”

Just then, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and beamed through the sliding-glass door. Parker turned, walkedto the door and opened it. He stepped out onto his back porch, leaving the door open.

Unsure whether or not to follow, Genna pushed to her feet. After getting a second cup of coffee, she ventured outside, walking on the balls of her feet. She wanted to be ready to turn and go back in at the first sign that he might want to be alone.

Leaning on the railing, he drank his coffee and eyed the forest. “This used to feel like the safest town on earth,” he said. “At least, growing up here. We used to ride our bikes and explore the woods from sunup to sundown. No one worried we might be abducted.”

She walked up to stand next to him. “All the bonfires we had near the river in high school. My parents always knew I’d make it home safe.”

“Yeah.” He glanced at her. The dark shadows in his eyes made her heart ache. “Now everyone has to worry. Lakin has promised to never go anywhere alone. Would you mind doing the same?”

Though touched, she had to shake her head. “That’s not possible,” she replied. “I live by myself. I have to buy groceries and go shopping. There’s no way I can live my life if I have to constantly look for someone to accompany me everywhere.”

He acknowledged the truth of her statement with a dip of his chin. “Okay, but don’t take any solitary hikes until this killer is caught.”

“Now that, I can do,” she murmured, cupping her mug with both hands. In the distance, an eagle circled, hunting. “I’ve never been much of a hiker.” She didn’t tell him that she’d gone once as a teenager with a boy she’d thought she’d liked from school and had nearly been raped. She’d been able to talk her way out of danger and had made it home unscathed, but the experience had made her understand how dangerous the wilderness could be. Not solely from wild animals, either.

“Really? It’s one of my favorite activities when I’m not working.”

“Isn’t that one of the things you do when youareworking?” she asked, her tone dry. “I know you take out a lot of hiking expeditions.”

“True.” He shrugged. “I enjoy being outdoors. There are too many fun activities, no matter the season.”

She eyed him briefly. For a second, she considered asking him if he’d ever enjoyed sitting in front of a blazing fire in a warm and cozy living room, watching the snow fall outside. But then she realized it wasn’t anything she needed to know. Better to think of Parker as someone completely incompatible.

CHAPTER 5

Parker took a deep breath. With beautiful Genna standing beside him, raw longing nearly took him out at the knees. How easy to imagine what they could be, if she’d just allow him in.

She’d kissed him. And the kiss had rocked him to the core. For one moment, one shining moment, he’d believed she’d wanted him as much as he did her.

At least she hadn’t apologized.